Colorado; Sporting Mecca

Denver, Colorado has long been a sports town. Ever since the Broncos joined the AFL’s Western Conference in 1960, Denver (and populated regions throughout the great expanses of Colorado) has taken pride in its teams and in representing those teams where it really matters; at live home games. Other big cities from coast to coast and up and down the Mississippi can dish out all the “cow town” crap they want but, when it comes right down to it, all that means is that we’re wild out here in the wide open west. Every Sunday during football season big cornfed honkies and scruffy mountain men and hardnosed city dwellers and blitzed college kids pack the stands of Mile High Stadium to represent a culture of oddly diverse (but always hardcore) fans united by the orange and blue. Because Denver is, first and foremost, a football town.

If cities could fall in love (which they can), Denver’s first was the Broncos. (more…)

simply crushed.

Oh yeah. So that’s what Arena Football is all about.

Once you get over the name “Football” and begin to treat it as a different game, you can begin to appreciate it for what it is.

Now that’s not to say that it held my attention. I mean, honestly, who could turn their eyes from the roller-coaster ride that was the 9th inning of the Rockies game last night? What it came down to was that the Crush, though a playoff team, were simply outgunned and in the midst of a colossal losing streak. Even if you didn’t know going in that they were on such a slide, you could tell by their faces– life as the Crush just wasn’t fun last night.

Though it was nice to see Elway in the booth talking it up, the arena game just doesn’t quite excite me. I really feel like I need to attend a game. That’s what got me into hockey 10+ years ago, I had watched some games on TV, and not really picked it up, but when I went to my first Portland Winterhawks game (WHL - major junior hockey… remember Adam Deadmarsh? He came through the system in Portland), being there in person helped me pick up on the passion and the nuance of the game. I think arena football will be the same. Perhaps not, but it’s worth a try.

Things I like about AFL:

- It’s a shootout. Offensive dream, defensive nightmare. Though well-played defense in a game geared to offense can be a beautiful thing.
- Fast-paced. There can be many touchdowns in the span of a minute.
- Not just a breeding ground for future or rejected NFLers anymore. There are guys that have played entire careers here. Yeah, they all would trade it in to play NFL, but you can have a decent career as an arena player now that the league is 20+ years established, and has gotten over the expansion bug.
- Creative rules. You can catch the ball off the wall, for instance. The nets are in play. That’s pretty cool, and allows for some excitement.

Things I don’t like about the AFL:
- it’s not the NFL. Petty though it may be, there’s something about the expanse of an NFL field that enhances the ‘gridiron battle’ aspect. The 50-yard field just feels like the whole thing is a toy, a mere mockup of the real thing.

I guess that’s it. But that’s one big con to a list of some “ok” pros. I’ll keep giving AFL a chance. Hopefully the Crush can get their heads back in the game, because what I saw last night was just downright stinky. But you gotta love a sport where putting 50+ points on the board can qualify as “stinky”.

it’s too freaking hot to do anything.

As much as I’d like to share a room with 30,000 people tonight, the heat-induced lack of energy as well as the slow-business-induced lack of funds will prevent me from attending and reporting on the Crush game tonight. It is on ESPN, however, so I’ll probably just stay planted in front of the TV with an adult beverage or 3. We’ll see how long Arena Football can keep my attention.

In other news, the Rocks sure crashed hard this weekend. It’s unfortunate, because they are a better team than they showed. It’s going to take a solid year of production without the ridiculous streaks, and some indication from the top that the organization gives a crap about winning, to bring the fans back to Coors Field en masse. Winning will bring them back in streaks, but short of a miracle playoff run, I don’t see the Monfort-owned Rockies drawing the crowds anytime soon.

And finally, John Elway executed another solid drive to win himself a reality show title. Somehow, I don’t see that award sitting prominently on the trophy shelf, but hey, whatever tops the dude’s sundae, right?

Activity in Absence

So let me start by saying it’s only because the last few days got a little hairy that I haven’t given this site the attention that I meant to. Hopefully this won’t be a continuing problem.

In the meantime, however, my few but valued readers, I sincerely hope you’ll take the time to read the “State of the Rockies” and “The Avalanche and the Myth of the New NHL”. These are long articles to digest, but it’s because they are well thought out. Grab a cup of coffee (mug of beer?) and get reading. ProSportsColorado.com is only going to get better as our writers hit a stride.

Coming soon, we’ll be adding a new writer who really digs the Nuggets. Since NBA is probably the sport that least attracts my interest, it will be nice to have a b-ball fan on the team. Whether you dig the Nugs or not, you can’t deny the team dynamics and personalities at least make this team entertaining.

Finally, I just want to let you know that I plan to attend the final Crush home game next Monday night. I only have limited exposure to Arena Football, and I’ve never attended a game, so it will be a new experience for this hardened NFL fan. I’ll be sure to write a review of the experience. Thanks for reading, and a public thanks to Dan and Ian for writing some solid pieces over the past week.