Interesting article from Spokane

[Mark]

This article is interesting and definitely shedding more light on the whole system. It says an announcement should be made end of next week. ARTICLE IS POSTED BELOW!!

[Brandon Rush]

can you post the article? I dont want to sign up to read it...

[TALONS100]

As Spokane continues forming its roster, the new arena football league it is joining is ironing out details for the 2010 season.

The Shock announced Friday the return of defensive lineman Ben McCombs and fullback Harrison Nikolao, as well as the addition of AFL veterans Terry Moss, Cleannord Saintil and Chris Martin. They join four players who signed earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Shock general manager Adam Nebeker, who just returned from Board of Directors meetings in Chicago, said the league is firming up the number of teams, divisions and player pay scale.

Commissioner Jerry Kurz agreed.

“I think by the end of next week we’ll have an announcement in stone of who is in and who is not,” Kurz said. “I’d rather go with a smaller number of teams that are all solid and give teams that aren’t accepted a little longer to get up and running for 2011.”

At least 11 teams are expected to form the upper tier of the new league. Spokane will probably play in the North with Utah, Milwaukee, Chicago and Iowa. The South would consist of Arizona, Tulsa, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville.

Arizona has signed four former Shock players – quarterback Nick Davila, defensive back Sergio Gilliam and offensive linemen Kyle Young and John Booker.

There are currently six lower-tier teams: Tri-Cities, Central Valley, Bossier-Shreveport, Oklahoma City, Arkansas and Tennessee Valley. Those six, along with Spokane, Tulsa, Iowa and Milwaukee, were members of arenafootball2 last season.

Additions are possible, including another upper-tier team and two lower tier, which would leave both with an even number, Kurz said. That’s advantageous for scheduling.

Playoffs for the upper tier will likely consist of six teams. North and South division winners would earn first-round byes. Second-place teams in each division would qualify. The final two qualifiers would be selected on the basis of best record.

Teams would carry 20 players on the active roster, three on practice squad. There won’t be an exemption for international players, one of the few rules that won’t carry over from af2.

Players will make $400 per game, but teams will be allowed to sign a maximum of three “showcase” players, who will make $1,000 per game. Quarterback figures to be one of the “showcase” positions, along with receiver and middle defensive back.

McCombs, in his first season with the Shock, led af2 with 15.5 sacks in 2009.

Nikolao has nine rushing touchdowns the last two seasons.

Saintil led AFL San Jose with 120 catches for 1,503 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2008.

The 33-year-old Martin, a former Washington State Cougar, led AFL in 2008 with six returns for touchdowns for Grand Rapids.

Moss had 15 receptions in six games with AFL New York in 2008.

Receiver Raul Vijil, the only member of the first four Shock teams, said he’s undecided about returning. After Spokane won the ArenaCup in August, Vijil sounded as if he’d played his last game. Now, the door is slightly more open.

“We’ve talked quite a bit and Rob (Keefe, Shock head coach) and I are really good friends,” Vijil said. “I definitely have a decision to make in the near future.”

[ViperCY15]

Wow. Somebody in the Shock office is giving out some awesome information!

[Mark]

Heck yeah they are!!!!

[Tuxedo]

I hope the other top tier is San Jose.

[Cazzy76]

Tux,

ME TOO!!!!!!!!

And hopefully Stockton will be added as well, to Tier 2!

Lord I'd be a happy man!

[alf42069pj]

This is great news, FINALLY WE KNOW AT LEAST SOMETHING!! but whats weird to me is.. Dallas? that came out of no where. thought they had no intrest as a market for arena football. but, i agree with Tux, i want San Jose or Cleveland to be in it. thats weird their doing North/South as opposed to East/West. i wonder if that will change as the years go along and more teams come in.

[TonyStark87]

Maybe they mean Frisco...it's in the metro area, plus MLS' FC Dallas' stadium is in Frisco.

alf42069pj said:

This is great news, FINALLY WE KNOW AT LEAST SOMETHING!! but whats weird to me is.. Dallas? that came out of no where. thought they had no intrest as a market for arena football. but, i agree with Tux, i want San Jose or Cleveland to be in it. thats weird their doing North/South as opposed to East/West. i wonder if that will change as the years go along and more teams come in.

[Firebirds Nest]

Wow that showcase player thing is good news.

[SnakeBitN]

Yes, Dallas and Frisco are one in the same, a week ago this team was Tier2, now they are in Tier1, they will play in Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, TX.

[SnakeBitN]

And based upon the early signings, everyone better fear THE SNAKE, no, not the one in Tennessee Valley, but the one in the Arizona desert, the Rattlers are going to be good.

[alf42069pj]

Haha! leave it to Texas for their terrible naming rights contracts..

Minute Maid Park

Pizza Hut Park

Dr. Pepper Arena! lol!