NFL FanHouse

Former Broncos First-Round Pick Marcus Nash Suffers Broken Neck in Arena Football

Michael David Smith — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:23:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, NFL Draft, Denver, Arena Football

Marcus Nash was the Denver Broncos' first-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 1998, and while Nash was productive in college, the Broncos quickly learned that his college quarterback, Peyton Manning, could make any receiver look good. Nash was a bust in the NFL.

But he has caught on in Arena Football, where 2008 was his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season.

Unfortunately, it will also apparently be his last. The Dallas Morning News reports that Nash, playing for the Dallas Desperados, underwent surgery this week to repair a broken neck suffered in last week's playoff loss to New York. According to the paper, Desperados coach Will McClay said the injury could end Nash's career.
Nash finished his NFL career with four catches. He was Arena Football's offensive player of the year in 2004.

Via PFT.

Former Broncos First-Round Pick Marcus Nash Suffers Broken Neck in Arena Football originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Jon Bon Jovi Loses Money on Arena Football, and He's Fine With That

Michael David Smith — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:59:00 EST

Filed under: Philadelphia, Arena Football

Jon Bon Jovi was the subject of a 60 Minutes profile today, and the subject of his ownership of the Philadelphia Soul of Arena Football came up:

Steve Croft asked Bon Jovi if he makes money on Arena Football, and Bon Jovi acted like his answer, "No," should have been obvious. He then added, "But we're not losing a lot of money either."

Bon Jovi says he hopes to own part of an NFL franchise some day, and he explained that his involvement in sports isn't about making money. He's doing just fine in music, and he says sports aren't a particularly wise investment, but he sees owning a sports team as an opportunity to get involved in his community.

I think that's basically what keeps Arena Football afloat: Owners who have a lot of money, want something to do, and think owning a sports team would be fun. Nothing wrong with that.

Jon Bon Jovi Loses Money on Arena Football, and He's Fine With That originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 18 May 2008 21:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Arena Football's Elton Patterson Jumps Up and Down, Gets a Bill Gramatica-Style Injury

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:33:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Arena Football

Fan IQ provides this video of Orlando Predators defensive lineman Elton Patterson, and it's a video that will bring back bad memories for Arizona Cardinals fans:

Patterson suffered a torn quadriceps jumping up and down before the game started, apparently thinking said jumping would get the fans pumped up for the game. Instead, the start of the game was delayed while medical personnel attended to Patterson, who was carted off the field with a season-ending torn quadriceps.

The injury was reminiscent of the torn ACL suffered by Cardinals kicker Bill Gramatica in 2001. Gramatica jumped to celebrate a field goal, came down awkwardly and was carried off the field with a season-ending injury.

Arena Football's Elton Patterson Jumps Up and Down, Gets a Bill Gramatica-Style Injury originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Former Patriot Kenyatta Jones Arrested, 'He Attempted to Urinate on the Dance Floor'

Michael David Smith — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:11:00 EST

Filed under: Patriots, Boston, Arena Football

Former New England Patriots offensive lineman Kenyatta Jones, who is now an Arena Football player, was arrested early Monday morning and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, obstruction and trespassing, the St. Petersburg Times reports (via SBB). And what exactly did Jones do?

Tampa police spokeswoman Janelle McGregor answers: "Jones was standing on the dance floor at the Blue Martini nightclub when he attempted to urinate on the dance floor."

Um, OK. Not sure exactly where to go with that, but this is not the first time Jones has had legal trouble. In 2003 he was arrested for dumping hot water on his roommate while his roommate sat on the toilet; the roommate received second- and third-degree burns and Jones pleaded no contest to one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was also arrested and charged with possession of a concealed firearm and resisting arrest without violence when he was in college. Seems like a charming guy. %Gallery-2462%

Latest NFL Photos

Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Derek Hagan, left, and his girlfriend Tiffany Leblanc watch Serena Williams win her match against Flavia Pennetta in the Sony Ericsson Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Sunday, March 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Sony Ericsson Open/IMG)

AP
Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, center, speaks to Dr. Barth Green, left, during a visit to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis that is credited with helping him recover from a life-threatening spinal cord injury Friday March 28, 2008 in Miami. To the right of Everett is Marc Buoniconti who suffered a severe spinal cord injury while making a tackle while playing football for The Citadel in 1985. The program is based at the medical school at the University of Miami, Everett's alma mater. Doctors initially feared Everett would never walk again after he injured his spinal cord while making a tackle on Sept. 9. A Bills doctor placed Everett into moderate hypothermia as he was carted into an ambulance. The doctor had learned of the experimental method to limit swelling and inflammation at a Miami Project seminar. (AP Photo/David Adame)

AP
Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, left, listens to Dr. Barth Green speak during a visit to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis that is credited with helping Everett recover from a life-threatening spinal cord injury Friday, March 28, 2008 in Miami. The program is based at the medical school at the University of Miami, Everett's alma mater. Doctors initially feared Everett would never walk again after he injured his spinal cord while making a tackle in a football game on Sept. 9, 2007. A Bills doctor placed Everett into moderate hypothermia as he was carted into an ambulance. The doctor had learned of the experimental method to limit swelling and inflammation at a Miami Project seminar. (AP Photo/David Adame)

AP
Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, center, tours The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis that is credited with helping him recover from a life-threatening spinal cord injury Friday March 28, 2008 in Miami. The program is based at the medical school at the University of Miami, Everett's alma mater. Doctors initially feared Everett would never walk again after he injured his spinal cord while making a tackle in a football game, on Sept. 9, 2007. A Bills doctor placed Everett into moderate hypothermia as he was carted into an ambulance. The doctor had learned of the experimental method to limit swelling and inflammation at a Miami Project seminar. (AP Photo/David Adame)

AP
Former Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett speaks during a visit to The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis that is credited with helping him recover from a life-threatening spinal cord injury Friday March 28, 2008 in Miami. The program is based at the medical school at the University of Miami, Everett's alma mater. Doctors initially feared Everett would never walk again after he injured his spinal cord while making a tackle on Sept. 9. A Bills doctor placed Everett into moderate hypothermia as he was carted into an ambulance. The doctor had learned of the experimental method to limit swelling and inflammation at a Miami Project seminar. (AP Photo/David Adame)

AP
** FILE ** In this Sept. 23, 2007, file photo, Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall heads down the field after pulling in a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter of the Jaguars' 24-13 victory in a football game in Denver. Marshall, who suffered severe injuries to an arm when he fell through a television set while horsing around with his brother, insists that he is a good guy who just needs to grow up. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

AP
** FILE ** Tennessee Titans guard Benji Olson (75) celebrates a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars with teammate Eddie George, right, in a NFL football game in this Oct. 13, 2002 file photo in Nashville, Tenn. Olson announced his retirement Thursday, March 27, 2008 having lasted 10 years with only three interior linemen playing more games than Olson in that stretch. (AP Photo/John Russell, File)

AP
** FILE ** Heath Benedict, from Newberry College in South Carolina, runs a drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, in this Feb. 23, 2008 file photo. Benedict, a two-time Little All-American offensive lineman, was found dead on a couch in his home in Jacksonville, Fla., Wednesday March 26, 2008. Benedict was a native of the Netherlands. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

AP
Seattle Seahawks' Tim Ruskell, left, president of football operations/general manager, looks on as cornerback Marcus Trufant talks about planning for his upcoming wedding at the news conference announcing his six-year, $50.2 million NFL contract on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

AP
Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Marcus Trufant smiles at the press conference announcing his $50.2 million, six-year contract with the football team, on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

AP

Former Patriot Kenyatta Jones Arrested, 'He Attempted to Urinate on the Dance Floor' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

I Have Chad Johnson's Newest TD Celebration

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, AFC North, Cincinnati, Arena Football

If Chad Johnson ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever finds the endzone again ... he'll probably end up doing this. Here is video of an Arena Football League game where dude scores, spikes the ball and hits the official right in his bean-bag.

Imagine the wave of emotions here. The official ... just doing his job ... has one of those yellow AFL footballs pound him in his neutral zone. Also, the player went from big TD grab to angry spike to caring for the official to worried that he hurt him ... to laughing about it on the sidelines afterwards. Ya just know he did!

And big ups to the ref for getting up ... taking a deeeeeeeeeep breath ... and finishing the game.

Hat tip to Mo Egger via BarStoolSports.com.

I Have Chad Johnson's Newest TD Celebration originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Random YouTube Magic: Damian Harrell Has the Best Hands John Elway's Ever Seen

Ryan Wilson — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:16:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, Arena Football

I was skeptical when I heard John Elway say that Damian Harrell "had the best hands he'd ever seen in a receiver," but after watching some of these catches ... I wouldn't say the best hands, but he's up there.

This clip is from the 2006 Arena League season, and Harrell would end the year with his second consecutive Offensive Player of the Year award. Which, of course, begs the question: why isn't the former Florida State star in the NFL? For one, he suffered a knee injury in college. Two, apparently, he's been tagged as too slow, and unable to be press coverage.

I have no idea if that's true, but when scouts get an idea in their heads, they're sometimes slow to let go of it. Meanwhile, Harrell continues to dominate the AFL -- in 2007, he finished with 132 receptions, for 1,547 yards, and 47 touchdowns, and in five seasons with the Colorado Crush, he has 229 receiving touchdowns.

Random YouTube Magic: Damian Harrell Has the Best Hands John Elway's Ever Seen originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Quincy Carter Arrested

Michael David Smith — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:12:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Police Blotter, Arena Football

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter, whose inability to stop smoking pot cost him his NFL career, may now have lost his Arena Football career for the same reason.

Carter, whose last job was with the Bossier-Shreveport Battlewings of Arena Football 2, was arrested in Shreveport early this morning on a marijuana possession charge. Today the Battlewings issued a statement about Carter's arrest:

BattleWings' owner Dan Newman stated, "I am saddened at the report of Quincy's arrest. Our organization carefully created an environment during the 2007 season to give Quincy every opportunity to succeed -- not just on the field, but off the field. Because of his NFL past and the stories surrounding his leaving the NFL, we felt like he deserved the chance like we all do to live through our mistakes and bad choices and try again." Newman continued, "There are a lot of people in the Shreveport-Bossier Community who opened their arms to Quincy Carter and gave him that opportunity. And I am eternally grateful for that. My prayers are with him as he deals with what occurs and wish him only the best."

It sounds like the Battlewings have no plans to bring Carter back, which means the football career of a man who was once the quarterback of the future for America's Team has likely come to an end.

Quincy Carter Arrested originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Deep Thoughts on the AAFL

Brian Grummell — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Fans, NCAA FB Fans, Arena Football

So there's this football league ...

Where have we heard that one before? Many a failed enterprise began with those dangerous words. Those visionaries and entrepreneurs all meant well, but inevitably failed. So what is to make this AAFL thing different and relevant?

Beats me.

Not that I'm biased, but I love college football. And I love people being nice to me. This AAFL thing, its model is loosely based on college football and its local appeal. Argh. Its organizers: well, they send sometimes friendly, sometimes demanding emails asking us bloggers and writers to hype up their league. Requests = good. Demands = not so good. Can you see my grumpy face? Probably not, but it's there.

Can the league succeed? I have no clue, but only three professional football leagues have made it to the present: the NFL, the Canadian Football League, and Arena Football. What I notice is one monster league and two self-contained variants. What makes the Canadian Football League and Arena football successful may just be their willingness to be different from the NFL.

The CFL employs ginormous fields and slightly different rules. It's a more wide-open game. Arena Football plays indoors in way-too-cozy arenas because of its smaller field. The lesson from their survival where others failed is to be different.

It also helps to have some stars. The CFL is famous for playing big-name American players like Doug Flutie and Rocket Ismail and Ricky Williams. The AAFL needs to find itself some stars and no, former Florida Gator Travis McGriff doesn't count. One lucky break is that the NFL recently dismantled its famous export: NFL Europa. There's a lot more freely available talent today than just a few months back, so maybe the AAFL gets lucky here with some seasoned players who aren't just retreads from the last failed domestic football league: the XFL.

Ultimately, I hunch the AAFL's road to success won't be paved with Trojans but rather a willingness to embrace a new way of playing football. If they don't ... well we know how that story goes.

Deep Thoughts on the AAFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Doug Plank, Inspiration Behind Bears' 46 Defense, Wins Arena Coach of the Year

Michael David Smith — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago, Arena Football

Buddy Ryan named his great 46 defense, which led the 1985 Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl XX title, after the jersey number worn by safety Doug Plank. That was a tribute to Plank's importance to the team and his tough, aggressive style, and it's what he's best known for to football fans.

But now Plank has another accomplishment on his resume: He's the Arena Football League coach of the year. Plank led the Georgia Force to a 14-2 record, and they'll play the Philadelphia Soul in the playoffs on Sunday.

It's the second time in three years that Plank has won the Arena League coach of the year award. So will Plank ever get a shot to coach in the NFL? Ryan's proteges (including Gregg Williams and Ryan's sons, Rex and Rob) have all been pretty much like he was in the NFL: Good defensive coordinators, but not a lot of success as a head coach. I'd like to see Plank get a shot as an NFL assistant.

Doug Plank, Inspiration Behind Bears' 46 Defense, Wins Arena Coach of the Year originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 07 Jul 2007 09:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

John Elway Wants Arena Football to Become the Official Minor League of the NFL

Michael David Smith — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:49:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, NFL Gossip, Denver, Arena Football

According to Pro Football Talk, the demise of NFL Europa has given Colorado Crush owner John Elway some big ideas for the Arena Football League.

Specifically, Elway wants to work out an arrangement where the Arena league would become an official minor league of the NFL. In order to do so, Elway might attempt to force out the Arena league's commissioner, David Baker, who has always taken pride in making Arena football its own entity, not just the NFL's little brother.

As I see it, a couple of big obstacles would have to be overcome before this idea could be implemented. First, the Arena game would need to tweak some of its rules to make it more like the NFL. I'm not sure exactly what those rules tweaks would be, and I'm not sure if rules changes would turn off the league's fans, but as it's currently constituted, the Arena league would have a hard time developing any offensive linemen, defensive linemen or running backs.

Secondly, NFL coaches would have to be convinced that players would benefit from a minor league. The NFL's owners likely wouldn't buy into a minor league if their coaches were telling them that the minor league wouldn't be an effective way of developing players.

But those obstacles can be overcome. This idea could definitely work, and having a front man like Elway would go a long way toward making it work.

UPDATE: Pro Football Talk reports that the Arena league is disputing the story.

John Elway Wants Arena Football to Become the Official Minor League of the NFL originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Quincy Carter Screws Up in Arena Football

Michael David Smith — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, Dallas, Arena Football

When I noted yesterday that an ESPN.com report said former Cowboys and Jets quarterback Quincy Carter could get an NFL tryout, I prefaced it by saying I found it hard to believe.

It's stuff like a game Carter's Shreveport Battlewings played against the Amarillo Dusters that explains why I found it so hard to believe:

On 4th and goal from the 1-yard line, Quincy Carter attempted to dive over the pile of bodies and extend the ball across the plane of the goal-line, but was denied by a swarm of Dusters defenders. Carter spiked the ball in frustration and removed his helmet, which cost his team dearly as the Dusters offense took over at their own 21-yard line, rather than their own 1.

(Note that Arena football has shorter fields, so Carter's two personal foul penalties would have totaled 30 yards in the NFL but were 20 yards in Arena football.) If Carter can't even get his head screwed on right in minor-league Arena football, how is he going to deal with the pressure of the NFL?

Hat tip: Pro Football Talk.

Quincy Carter Screws Up in Arena Football originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 01 Jul 2007 19:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Quincy Carter Could Get NFL Tryout

Michael David Smith — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:13:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Gossip, NFL Rumors, Dallas, NFL Free Agency, Arena Football

I find this hard to believe, but Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports (Insider) that former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter -- last seen getting suspended from a second-tier Arena League team -- could get an NFL tryout this summer.

To review, Carter was a surprise draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2001, he became their starter as a rookie and actually played OK, started the whole year in 2003 and even quarterbacked the Cowboys in a playoff game, then got cut in 2004 after testing positive for marijuana. He's had brief stints with the Jets, the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL and Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of af2.

So why would any team give Carter a tryout? Who knows? It sounds like a long shot, but it might make for an interesting preseason game if he's actually on a roster, and I'll take anything that adds interest to the preseason.

Quincy Carter Could Get NFL Tryout originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 30 Jun 2007 15:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Lincoln Kennedy Weighed 445, So His Wife Made Him Play Arena Football

Michael David Smith — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:46:00 EST

Filed under: Raiders, NFL Gossip, NFL Rumors, Oakland, Arena Football

Offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy retired from the Raiders after the 2003 season, and he thought he was done playing football.

But he continued eating like a man who was burning thousands of calories a day, and that meant his weight (which was in the 350 range during his football career) got up to 445. And that's when his wife gave him an ultimatum:

My new wife pointed out that we're not having a family until you start taking better care of yourself. It was a wake-up call that I was playing with danger."

Yeah, nothing will motivate a man like being told he can't "start a family" with his wife. So, in an effort to get back into shape, Kennedy started playing Arena Football.

He's playing for the Tampa Bay Storm, who open the playoffs against the Columbus Destroyers on Saturday, and he says he has gotten into better shape and developed respect for the heart of the guys who play in the Arena League for peanuts compared to what NFL players make. Kennedy says of playing Arena Football, "I'm just having fun."

Lincoln Kennedy Weighed 445, So His Wife Made Him Play Arena Football originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bears Sign Arena Football Leage Star Wideout Timon Marshall

Enrico Campitelli — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Bears, Chicago, Arena Football

Its the time of year when teams are making little signings that in all likelihood will have little effect on their 2007 campaigns. The Bears yesterday signed one of the standout receivers from the Arena Football League over the past few seasons, Timon Marshall. I don't typically write about players who don't have a big impact on team unless there is an interesting angle. A guy putting his time in playing for the AFL and working his way up to the big show is the kind of story I love. The Bears inked Marshall to a three year deal.

Marshall spent the last five seasons in arena football leagues, including the last three in the AFL for the Grand Rapids Rampage, leading the league in 2006 with a team-record 2,374 all-purpose yards.

The Ottawa University (Kansas) alum, became the first player in AFL history to record 1,300 receiving and return yards in the same season after a 2006 campaign in which he caught 102 receptions for 1,324 yards and 19 TDs with 70 kick returns for 1,316 yards and 1 score. The two-way player added 39 tackles with 3 interceptions and 5 pass breakups while also returning 2 missed field goals for 59 yards last season.

You see that kids. Sometimes in life if you want something bad enough and work your tail off to get it, dreams can come true. Now I'm sure just making it to the NFL isn't Marshall's only goal, but it certainly is a start.

Perhaps the most famous player to come from a non-traditional path to the NFL in recent years is former XFL legend Rod Smart better known as "He Hate Me". Smart's real first name is actually Torrold. Bet you never knew that.

You know, despite my affinity for Ron Jaworski, I've never watched an AFL game. By the looks of that photo above, with all the pretty bright colors and fun looking balls, I may have to get involved.

Bears Sign Arena Football Leage Star Wideout Timon Marshall originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Former Cowboy, Lion, Cardinal Reggie Swinton Retires

Michael David Smith — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:16:00 EST

Filed under: AZ Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, Arena Football

I was always a Reggie Swinton fan. I watched every Detroit Lions game in 2003 and 2004, and the Lions were absolutely terrible, but Swinton always came to play. Whether he was returning punts, running downfield on the kick coverage team or playing wide receiver, Swinton was one of those guys who made up for his lack of natural talent by going hard on every play. Of course, the Lions were run by Matt Millen, who couldn't possibly keep a guy like Swinton on the roster when he could draft guys like Charles Rogers and Mike Williams. So Swinton didn't stick.

Swinton, who retired Wednesday from Arena Football, never stuck anywhere. He spent three years with the Cowboys and one with the Cardinals in addition to his two with the Lions, and he also spent some time with the Jaguars and Texans, without ever getting on the field for them in a regular-season game. His pro football career started with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and ended with the Arkansas Twisters.
When a player has that kind of career, it's easy to overlook his retirement. But the end of Swinton's career shouldn't go unnoticed. Swinton was never the best player on the field, but he was one of the hardest working, and therefore one of the most fun to watch. Football is a little less fun without him.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Former Cowboy, Lion, Cardinal Reggie Swinton Retires originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Quincy Carter Suspended by Arena Football Team

Michael David Smith — Sun, 20 May 2007 01:28:00 EST

Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Gossip, Dallas, Arena Football

Former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter is now playing for the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings of af2, the minor league version of Arena Football. And he's playing well. Or at least he was, until the Battle Wings suspended him last week.

The suspension was for missing team meetings, and it's just the latest example of how a guy who is talented enough that he started for the Cowboys as a rookie has proven incapable of conducting himself like a professional. Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News put it right: As usual, he screwed up.

Players in the Arena Football minor leagues make a few hundred bucks a week; they have to have another job to pay the rent. So if Carter can't stick around at that level of football, he just can't make it in football. And that's a shame, not so much because Carter has football talent, but because without football, it's hard to picture Carter's life turning out well.

Quincy Carter Suspended by Arena Football Team originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 20 May 2007 01:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

If You Ever Watch Arena Football, Watch Tonight

Michael David Smith — Mon, 14 May 2007 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago, Dallas, NFL Free Agency, Arena Football

Tonight at 8:30 Eastern on ESPN2, the Chicago Rush visit the Dallas Desperados. That probably means nothing to you. Try as it might, Arena Football has not attracted anywhere near the fan attention it thought it would when the league and ESPN got into bed together.

But Peter King of SI.com says tonight is the night to watch:

it might be worth a few minutes tonight, if you can tear yourself away from Cavs-Nets or Marlins-Pirates, to catch a few snaps of the Chicago-Dallas Arena game. It's the best two teams in the league (they're a combined 17-2), and there's an intriguing player in the game -- 6-3, 220-pound Chicago receiver Bobby Sippio, who might engender a small bidding war (very small) between NFL teams at the end of the Arena season in July. He's a big receiver, obviously, not just the typical Arena smurf, and he's on pace to catch 71 touchdowns. I have no idea what that means in the real world, but in Arenaball, it'd be an all-time record.

I have no idea what it means in the real world, either, nor do I have any idea what it means that the guy in the picture, Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel, has thrown more than 800 touchdown passes in his Arena Football career.

But if you're desperate for some football action, well, tonight will give you something sort of resembling football.

If You Ever Watch Arena Football, Watch Tonight originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 14 May 2007 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments