This weekend my best bud decided he wanted to see some football. Alas, the only game in town at the present time is the Arena Football league, and our humble cities representation in said league- The Nashville Kats. So tickets were purchased (thanks again Fin), and four of us went to see some football arena style...
Thoughts......Hmm.....Well, seeing as how there isn't any other source of football to watch at this time besides the combines, I can't complain. It did resemble football, no doubt. They use the same ball, wear pads and helmets, and score touchdowns and field goals. However, that, dear readers, is where the comparison ends. The rules are adjusted to where most of the players play both offense and defense, this I like. You are allowed to substitute "specialty" players on either offense or defense(QB, placekicker, etc.), but for the most part the same guys play the whole 60 minutes. In an attempt to keep the game moving along the playclock stops for out-of-bounds plays or incomplete passes only in the last minute of each half or when the referee deems it necessary for penalties, injuries or timeouts. Unfortunately, the referees apparently get paid by the number of flags thrown, for I can't remember a stretch of more than two consecutive plays without a flag. One of my friends remarked as Nashville lost in the waning seconds-"they played to the final flag." For a 60 minute game, it took over three hours to complete. If you are actually interested in the breakdown in the rules, you can visit this official AFL site- Arena Football League Home-AFL 101-.
Was it non-stop action? No. Did it have its share of exciting plays, big hits, great runs, etc- that make football fun to watch? Certainly. I was impressed with the crowd size as well- perhaps indication of how sports starved Nashville is this winter without any Predators hockey. Supposedly the game was sold out. Overall, an enjoyable experience, even though they lost. The one drawback however, is it makes you miss football like you wouldn't believe.
I am ridiculously jonesing for some NFL right now. Whaddayagonnado...
At least I can look forward to what Jason Stark from ESPN writes as "the most relentless lineup in the American League" in the Boston Red Sox 2005 version. How cool is it going to be to watch the Spankees stew in the dugout on opening day reliving their epic choke, whilst we raise the banner for the 2004 WORLD SERIES CHAMPION BOSTON RED SOX?
Beyond cool. Uber-cool. Words don't describe it properly. It will be an enjoyable spring, and then should hold me until we finally reach training camp for the NFL, and start weighing the chances of a Super Bowl run for my beloved Titans.....
Ahhh, good times........yes, good times....
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