All I can say is wow !!!!!!!!

[itsallgood]

After reading some of the press releases and other info, the 2 teams from AK cant be serious....I never really looked at the Intense league stuff before, but holy cow!!!!! The Wild signed some guys from a flag football league which they use as a farm league and the Grizzlies are signing kids fresh from high school with no college experience and little football experience to boot:eek: ....how can these teams expect to compete in this league no matter what level of ball it is? I feel sorry for those kids who strap it up and have to face men on the field.....it doesn't look like it will be pretty, the maturity level and just all around strength, skill, and football smarts just arent fully developed until a football player gets into his mid to late twenties....and that is with at least some college experience.....anyone else feel the same? and how can the league allow this? I mean there should be some kind of restrictions on signing kids fresh outta high school, as this will eliminate any chance of these kids going to college for football, cuz as soon as they get paid to play they will be inelligible per ncaa, right?

[phydeaux72]

If you look at Alaska's roster so far, they've signed some good quality players:

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=IFLTODAY&t=c&s=football&p=roster&div=ALASKAWILD

I don't think the flag football guys will make the cut once training camp gets underway. I think the Wild will be that team that everyone needs to be ready for this season.

As far as Fairbanks goes, I'm going to take a wait and see attitude. Other than Josh Craft, I am not at all impressed with who they have signed so far.

[Intense AK Fan]

I love what the Wild done so far, they should make the playoff no problem, but the Grizzlies are just not showing that they are on this for real. They hype rumors by saying that Cooper could be their quarter back and then they go and sign some fresh out of high school no bodies. In my personal opinion it's not the team the problem, is the Coach.

[BananaCat]

Coach and owner you mean. The owner hired him on the cheap and is getting a team on the cheap. It's not going to be pretty.

[akballer]

I would like to help, on this issue. Things are not all they seem. The Flag is the only football in Alaska, until the Wild came. So I could shed some light. Here are some flag names. Tosi 3 years nfl Arizona. Noga use google (you got to be kidding, use google) Their family dominated football for a while. Tui, new york jets,new york Giants. Myles, okie st., LA Avengers. Rocky Cleaver, New York Jets. Drumm, Detroit Lions. I could get even more info, As I have traveled back and forth between here and NFL camps I was a little impressed. I researched the number of division one players in that league and I cant type well enough to list them all. Don't get me wrong there are scrubbs in that league. Peace

[fulldaddy]

I finally ventured to the OSC boards and found this. Some of you guys have known me for a long time - I've played indoor football & coached in the old NIFL & the UIF for a few years. I also played and started coaching at North Pole HS back in the day.

I was happy (and very suprised) to see the interior get a football team. I also knew they were going to hire a local with NO indoor experience and someone who has NO idea what level of talent is required to win a game at this level. I think the top teams in the IFL are solid (and we will find out in July) - but these guys are not close. I know what is in the UIF and these guys are NO WHERE close. I applaud the efforts of the people trying to get football going up there but good lord. I know VCSU and the guys that played there - solid small school program that has had a few guys capable of playing indoor football (one was a back up RB for the Colorado Ice last year in the UIF).

Anchorage went through a hellish season last year and learned a lot (we hope). They do have some guys that spent a minute or two on an NFL roster or guys who were close. But you need more than 3 or 4 of those guys. One of the Texas teams has Jammal Lord (QB at Nebraska) playing for them - he is a great athlete if anything - anybody from West Valley HS going to tackle him. I can think of one but he is playing LB at Wyoming right now.

If a coach lets a kid out of HS try out for his team - he is a jackass! The young man loses his college eligibility & a chance to have athletics pay for his college. If he is good enough to play for an indoor team - he is good enough to get a quality football scholarship.

I know from experience there isn't a lot to do up there at this time of year but people in the interior are only going to go to see BAD football a few times before they are done with it. I will be rooting for them and I do wish them luck this season.

[Intense AK Fan]

If a coach lets a kid out of HS try out for his team - he is a jackass! The young man loses his college eligibility & a chance to have athletics pay for his college. If he is good enough to play for an indoor team - he is good enough to get a quality football scholarship.

I know from experience there isn't a lot to do up there at this time of year but people in the interior are only going to go to see BAD football a few times before they are done with it. I will be rooting for them and I do wish them luck this season.
I couldn't agree with you more. Fairbanks is not a football town, and they are not going to become one by spending money to go watch a bunch of High School player, sorry I mean ex high school football players.
I went to their site and I notice they are not even practicing on a turf or even wearing pads and helmet. How can you even get ready for a football game in less than 2 weeks when you dont even know what is like to step on a real football field?
They brought a WR A. Perez and I guess he is suppouse to help them at the receiving end, but they need a QB that can get the ball to him and an offensive line that can keep a QB alive.

The Grizzlies keep saying "I can't wait for '08", but after a few games they will be saying I can't wait for '08 to be over with.

[fulldaddy]

When I was coaching in Nebraska we talked to A Perez about coming to camp with us to compete for a spot on our roster but he decided to go another team in a lower league where he knew he'd be the guy. He was fast but he dropped a lot of footballs and seemed to always let his emotions get the best of him. Tampa Bay in 2006? OK. Hopefully things work out for him up there and he can get back to the NFL:roll: He is more along the lines of what they need though - but who is going to get him the ball? Big year for kick returns?

Not practicing on turf is not a big deal - it is the dimesions of the field & the walls that will be the biggest adjustment. My first year as a HC in the indoor game we practiced at a YMCA on a tarten surface (that really sucked) but it had permanent boards around it which really helped our rookies adjust.

If the team was good AND they did promotions at Eielson & Ft. Wainwright with military appreciate specials - it could actually be a big draw. But - they need to put on a show!

[fulldaddy]

One thing I want to be clear on is that I am not bagging on the young men who are going to give it a go this year. It is the inexperience & lack of talent I am critical of - but that it directed at the ownership. He is the ONLY one that has seen what is out there.

The men competing at least have the balls to give it a shot and chase their dreams. If I was up there just living day to day and I was their age - hell yeah I'd be trying to play. I shared some thoughts on the WR only because I know him and his ability - and he is saying he was in the NFL - please. He is solid and very competitive (in this setting) and will be a rare bright spot.

I can be critical (and supportive) because I know what the hell I am talking about - I've played it and coached it and competed against the elite teams. The indoor vets (coaches, players, and fans) have seen this play out year in and year out all over the country - and from a business standpoint - it is usually very ugly. I am really hoping that is not the case up there.

[BananaCat]

If a coach lets a kid out of HS try out for his team - he is a jackass! The young man loses his college eligibility & a chance to have athletics pay for his college. If he is good enough to play for an indoor team - he is good enough to get a quality football scholarship.
There was a kid who played for Alaska last year right out of high school and he gave up his college eligibility...not sure how it worked out for him. I don't remember who it was, but I'm sure the article is still out there somewhere.

[Sykotyk]

Unless he's going to the lower 48 to college, giving up his NCAA eligibility in football means little.

Sykotyk

[fulldaddy]

That goes without saying as we know AK doesn't have a college football program. These kids trying out have no clue as to the level of play the good teams are at. Not to mention - after a few years of working for a living and realizing it sucks (if you aren't doing something you love - which is alot tougher without a degree) - this kid will not be able to go go back to school, play football, and have football pay for his school. It is a shame.

[preeths]

Who gets a football scholarship after working several years after high school, anyway? If you don't have the talent to be offered a scholarship right after high school and can't afford to attend a school in hopes a walk-on shot works out, what are you really giving up? I tend to side with Sykotyk on this one.

[fulldaddy]

Preeths,

I am a college coach right now (DII). It is not uncommon for a guy who has been out of school to contact a college, provide the school with film, or workout for them and be offered at least something (more common in JUCO or NAIA where the majority of AK kids go). Maybe you get some aid or a partial and then work yourself into more after you prove your worth. Some NAIA schools are very inexpensive and you can take out loans to make it work.

I was out of college for a year (from Alaska) before going the JUCO route and things worked out great for me. I guess unless you've been in the situation - you probably wouldn't know. Hope this helps.

Bottom line is an experienced indoor coach with enough resources to not be desperate for players should never allow a young man right out of HS to try out for him. I referred several guys I wouldn't allow to try out for us to JUCO or NAIA teams. Most young guys don't know they have options.

I'm not trying to be a know it all - I just love talking football. Thanks for keeping the discussion going.

[preeths]

Maybe it's a little different in Alaska where the options are a bit more limited. I've just never really seen this before except in rare cases.

[Pounder]

I wonder if the presence of Daryn Colledge in Green Bay (recruited from North Pole to Boise State) colors some perceptions up in Fairbanks?

[akballer]

maybe that kid was a special situation and he made a deal with the head coach he would promise to attend college if he played. Staying near his sick mother and helping raise his family to ease the burden. After a year he is still attending and we will have to see if he made the roster. The young man has become honorable only through that coach. Doesnt sound like much unless you seen it

[fulldaddy]

Everyone's situations are different. I don't know anything about the young man people are talking about. Having real life responsibilities and having to work to contribute to help the entire family is obviously a different ball game. I don't blame the young man either - 4 or 5 more years of school along way from home may not sound as appealing as playing football at home and getting paid for it. The coach understands (or should) the big picture and what might be the best thing for the young man "long term". Again - once he tries out - there is no more eligibility for college football. The most important thing is that he goes to college regardless of where and if he even plays college ball.

I am not going to keep going on about it - I spoke my mind.

Colleges have been going to Alaska and recruiting Alaska for a LONG time. Daryn's playing for the Packers obviously helps brings the interior a bit of attention that it might not have had since Reggie Tongue. The interior gets looked at but Anchorage has a larger pool to draw from. The internet, contacts with AK roots, summer camps, and DVD's make up Interior recruiting. It is a hell of a long way to go to look at a handful of players when you can go to Texas, AZ, California and look at thousands.