Ask ArenaBoy
by Richard Giorgi
FLAME ON!!! The Utah Blaze
When we divided the AFL divisions here at Arena Football Online, allowing each writer to focus on specific teams, I was thrilled when I assigned myself the Western Division. Yes, I assigned them to myself.
The Coach
Danny White is one of the legendary coaches in all of Arena Football, spending 13 seasons as coach of the Arizona Rattlers before taking over the Blaze. White has won 149 games in his AFL career and appearing in 5 Arena Bowls, winning two. White is one of the best offensive minds in the AFL, and with the team the Blaze have this season it would not be a surprise to see White coach them deep into the playoffs and perhaps to the Arena Bowl itself. White is candid and opinionated, cool under pressure, and more importantly, a winner.
The Quarterback
The former Buckeye Joe Germaine was leading the league in passing in 2006 when he suffered an injury that caused him to miss seven games. Germaine returned in the 15th game to throw for 150 yards and 4 TDs. Germaine is a leader on the Blaze and has a very talented set of receivers. Germaine is also extremely accurate, makes very few mistakes and knows how to push a pile into the endzone. Given White's coaching and a full year of play, Germaine could easily throw for well over 80 touchdowns in Utah.
The Receivers
The Blaze receivers are among one of the sets in the AFL. Siaha Burley caught over 1900 yards worth of passes last year, mainly working with backup quarterbacks. With a full year with his starting QB, it wouldn't be surprising for Burley to catch over 2000 yards worth of passes. Aaron Boone burst onto the scene in Week 10 of the 2006 season with Kansas City and still ended up with 66 catches for 748 yards and 19 TDs. IN SEVEN GAMES!!! Over a full season that projects to 161 catches for 1824 yards and 46 TDs. And in Utah, Boone works with a much better quarterback than he ever had in Kansas City. Orshawante Bryant had a career season in 2006, catching 90 balls for 1039 yards and 11 TDs. Bryant is dangerous enough to draw coverage away from Burley and Boone, and could lead the team is receiving during any game should the defense forget to focus on him. Between those three, Utah is pretty well covered for exciting plays, possesion passing and quick touchdowns.
The Games
The Blaze certainly keep things interesting with their defense. No lead is safe and no game is ever over against Utah. Opposing teams put up massive stats and the Blaze match them score for score. True Western Division Arena Football, that's what the Blaze play. Take a look at the season opener against the New Orleans VooDoo. The Blaze gave up 61 points, let the VooDoo back into the game near the end, missed an extra point for drama, drove within field goal range despite losing a fumble (overturned by a penalty) and then their kicker, who was enduring a shaky night, drilled a field goal through the uprights as time expired. Scintillating football with a dramatic ending. Who could ask for anything more?
The Radio Broadcasts
The Blaze games are broadcast on the Internet on Sportradio 1280 The Zone. The stream works perfectly, there are no breaks in the commentary. Their commentators are enthusiastic and energetic about the Blaze. They compliment the opposing team as much as they compliment the Blaze. They're positive. There's a pregame show. They give stats, relevant ones, about both teams (and lots of them). They know the player names and they know Arena Football rules. They use phrases like "he puts alot of mustard on the pill" when talking about a passer. A first down isn't just a first down: it's a Full Throttle First Down. Listen to a broadcast and you'll love the Blaze as much as they do.
The Blaze Nation
One of our favorite fan sites is Blaze Nation (http://www.blazenation.com). Our friends at Blaze Nation are among the finest fans of Arena Football and it shows in their hospitality. Why, the Blaze Nation president encouraged us to come to Utah (which we're trying to set up), promised he would show us the town, offered to let us stay with him, offered us free Blaze hats and jerseys, offered to pay for our flight, offered to loan us money for a house, offered to split his stock portfolio with us and told us we were handsome. Why did he offer all those things? Simply for the love of Arena Football and the love of the Blaze. (Ok, he really only offered to show us the town but this is a fantasy site, after all, so indulge me here.)
The Cliches
How many obvious cliches can you fit into one team, you ask? Well, plenty. Let's try some on for size, eh?
The Blaze offense was on fire. The Blaze lit up the opponent. The Blaze could not be dampened by the opposing defense. The Blaze receivers were so fast they left flaming footprints as they ran. The Blaze sizzled. The Blaze burned them deep. The Blaze grilled the visiting team. The Blaze passing game moves downfield like a flame along a trail of gasoline. The Blaze spread like wildfire. (Try some yourself. It's kind of fun.)
In marked contrast to my sworn journalistic integrity, I think I'm becoming a Blaze fan. I don't know whether to fight it or give in and enjoy the rollercoaster ride. Journalistic integrity is quite important in this line of work but this Blaze hat I'm wearing sure fits nice.
Rich Giorgi has been following the Arena Football League for 8 years and participating in arena fantasy leagues for 6 years. His writing also appears on the Arena Football Network. Contact Rich at info@arenafootballonline.com
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