[bears9]

CLASH OF THE TITANS

If you’ve been going through MNF withdrawal, have no fear. Monday Night Football is back – in AFL style on ESPN2. And this is one doozy of a game. Defending ArenaBowl champion San Jose travels to Chicago to face the Rush, ArenaBowl winners in 2006. The SaberCats lead the all-time series 5-4, winning the first four contests only to have the Rush even the series with wins in the next four. The last time these two squads met it was in the American Conference Championship last season. San Jose earned a 61-49 win and went on to claim their third league title in six seasons. Notably, in their three postseason meetings, the San Jose-Chicago victor went on to win the ArenaBowl (SJ won the semifinal match up in 2004, Chi-town won the conference championship in 2006, and you know what happened in ‘07). Suffice to say, this rivalry is fierce. Fierce. (Thank you, Christian.)

Still, the SaberCats have difficulty leaving the raucous confines of Allstate Arena with a win. In fact, they’ve only left the Windy City with a “W” once. Yep, just once, and that was close to five years ago. Also of note: the morning after an ArenaBowl victory (okay, the season after), San Jose has split their openers and in quite outstanding fashion, winning (in 2003) or losing (in 2005) by 20-or-more points on the road.

Monday night’s game is not only a much-anticipated match up between two of the toughest and most talented teams in the American Conference, but it also marks only the second time in history that ArenaBowl champs from the previous two seasons go head-to-head. The last time was in 2005 when Tampa Bay (winners in ’03) demolished San Jose, 63-33. Who wins? Tune in and see for yourself.

THEY’RE BAA-ACK

Speaking of San Jose...every player on its championship defensive corps has returned this season. In 2007, the SaberCats’ scoring defense ranked No. 2 in the league, giving up just 47.6 points per game. That includes one of the best secondaries in the AFL, comprised of Clevan Thomas, Omarr Smith and Marquis Floyd. The threatening threesome combined for 20 interceptions, 54 pass breakups, and 229.5 tackles last season (among a host of other impressive stats), while holding opponents to the AFL’s lowest pass completion percentage (57.2). That’s tough D.

AND HE’S BAA-ACK

Speaking of Chicago...earlier this week, the team inked veteran lineman James Baron to a two-year contract. Baron, who spent his entire AFL career with Nashville (1997-2001, 2005-2007) and Chicago (2002-04), enters his 12th season ranked second in sacks with 46.5 all-time (Sam Hernandez, 59.0). Arguably the greatest nose tackle in AFL history, the former Defensive Player (1999) and Lineman (2001) of the Year is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Wait, when’s the next induction anyway? An aggressive competitor, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Baron also has a heart of gold. Remember during his first tour in Chicago when he bused kids up from his hometown of Hammond, Ind. and gave them tickets to see all the Rush games? All together, now...awwww. Truly, those types of gestures always make me warm and fuzzy inside and are a reminder as to the fan-friendly nature of the game – the proactive, outward reach of its personnel giving back to and working within their community.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Brett Bouchy may have to put his money where his mouth is. And he’s fine with that. Recall that back in October the team guaranteed Arizona season ticket holders that the Rattlers would advance to the postseason or your money back. No strings attached. Seriously, a full refund. If Arizona fails to make it to the playoffs, after a quiet postseason courtesy of an abysmal 4-12 regular season record in 2007, Bouchy estimated a loss of $2 to $5 million in season ticket sales. It may be a ploy (or not), but he’s hoping it’ll generate more interest – increased ticket sales and growth in fan base – while encouraging folks who have been hesitant to give it a try (though I have no idea why; Arizona is one of AFL’s most storied franchises, plus the Snakepit rocks).

“We’re fully prepared to fund the losses. If in fact if it does happen, I don’t think it’s a terrible thing. How bad would it be? It’s for essentially a year,” Bouchy told the Arizona Republic. “We hope to bring people back to buy season tickets for next year. It still would be a cash loss for us. It is a risk. But it’s a risk we're fully aware of.”

Arizona travels to Utah this week to face its former head coach Danny White, a two-time ArenaBowl champ with the Rattlers (1994, 1997). Coach White, thoughts?

HITS OF HISTORY – IN THE A.C.

February 26, 1987 – A “showcase game” featured a last-minute shoot-out between the Chicago Bruisers and Miami Vise at the Rosemount Horizon in Chicago. Miami QB Larry Miller found Tom Nevoso on a 21-yard pass with 34 seconds on the close for a Vise victory.

February 29, 2004 – In another leap year, leap day contest, down by five points, Chicago OS Etu Molden returned an Indiana kickoff for a touchdown with 53 seconds remaining. Rush QB Raymond Philyaw connects with Molden in the end zone and a two-point conversion for the 46-43 win against the Firebirds. Indy QB Adrian McPherson passed for four scores and rushed for two more in the contest.

March 2, 2003 – After Arizona QB Sherdrick Bonner connected with Chris Horn on 1-yard end-zone strike in overtime, Nelson Garner’s PAT attempt sailed wide. On Dallas’ possession, Desperados QB Jim Kubiak found Shannon Culver on 10-yard scoring toss to tie it up 64-64. Desperados kicker Jason Wells drilled the PAT to give Dallas the win in front of almost 13,000 Rattlers fans at the Snakepit. (Kubiak - 7 pass TDs, 2 rush TDs; Bonner - 8 pass TDs, 1 rush TD.)

THEY SAID IT...IN 1987
“They shouted ‘Dee-fense’ like Mean Joe Greene was on the field and cheered ‘Stooooops’ for Gladiator receiver Mike Stoops a la Michael Cooper, Lou Pinella or Boog Powell.” – El Paso Times columnist Eric Maddy observing a Denver-Pittsburgh game.

Around the American Conference: Week 1 - ArenaFootball.com — The Official Web site of the Arena Football League AFL