How is your UIF team shaping Up?

[ragefan]

With all the movement in the off season for players either not coming back or quiting or moving up to the AFL how has that effected your favorite team and do you think your team will be as good as last year?

[gostlouis]

I'm excited about this year. The sudden Rage coaching change took me by surprise, but I'm happy to see the Rage website has updated to show that there has been a change and why. Well, lets hope for a good year.

Lately I've not been too sure about the UIF stability. I have mixed feelings about the things that went on this off season with the UIF. Overall though, I still like the league, but I honestly am questioning how everything is going to be with them this year. I hope they do ok.

By the way has anyone read the below yet:
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/02/29/sportsextra/doc47c8a720557e0588765920.txt

Something like this is very ABAish and I don't like it at all. This really isn't a good mark for the UIF at all. I certainly hope that all the regular season games are played now after reading about this.

GoStLouis

[Bruiser]

By the way has anyone read the below yet:
http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/02/29/sportsextra/doc47c8a720557e0588765920.txt

Something like this is very ABAish and I don't like it at all. This really isn't a good mark for the UIF at all. I certainly hope that all the regular season games are played now after reading about this.

OMG a UIF game wasn't played, Probably won't be
the only one. This already shrunken league is doomed.
Help me sweet jeezus the sky is falling.
... aaagggghhhhh, :roll:

Morale of the story:
Don't mess with the Big Boys,
you'll get burned.

[fwp]

In fairness, the Raptors are now a CIFL team. While this was a preseason game, tickets were sold to the fans.

Personally, I think this reflects poorly on the Raptors and the CIFL who are hoping for a cleaner image this year. I would think it would make Bloomington and other UIF teams think twice before trying crossover events with the CIFL.

It was for the preseason, but not a good start.

[preeths]

fwp, you're right. This was on the Raptors. What does it say about your organization when you can't make a two-hour trip?

[Bruiser]

Look what happened to Gilligan and the Skipper,
and that was only three hours.
Whew. Lucky the Raptors made it back to homebase.

What it says to me is the UIF and its primadonna following
are a bunch of suckers atop their high and mighty horses
and should have known better than to soil themselves
with "those other leagues." :roll:

[ragefan]

I do not care for teams playing out side their league. I did not like the Rage playing the Wildcats last year pre-season. They are not even an indoor team and did not know the rules. I would hate to see an injury BEFORE the real season starts... But i guess it gets fans ready.

How many teams out there have guys who went up to AFL this year?

[rams80]

In fairness, the Raptors are now a CIFL team. While this was a preseason game, tickets were sold to the fans.

Personally, I think this reflects poorly on the Raptors and the CIFL who are hoping for a cleaner image this year. I would think it would make Bloomington and other UIF teams think twice before trying crossover events with the CIFL.

It was for the preseason, but not a good start.

Don't tell blanketman that...

Poor Rochester...loading up their roster for a game that will never happen. *rolls eyes*

[ragefan]

Hey Rage Fans.

You can now watch the game live on your computer. Check out the Rage website and see how. I live out of state now but was able to watch the whole game the other night.... It has a few delays but picture was good.

Will be traveling home to see the opener though... GO RAGE!!!!

[blanketman]

In fairness, the Raptors are now a CIFL team. While this was a preseason game, tickets were sold to the fans.

Personally, I think this reflects poorly on the Raptors and the CIFL who are hoping for a cleaner image this year. I would think it would make Bloomington and other UIF teams think twice before trying crossover events with the CIFL.

It was for the preseason, but not a good start.

You just love to put it on Jeff/ Eric and the cifl.The xtreme are just lucky we didnt go. That 12 hour trip would have been well worth it

[rams80]

You just love to put it on Jeff/ Eric and the cifl.The xtreme are just lucky we didnt go. That 12 hour trip would have been well worth it

Is this the royal "we"?

[BananaCat]

You just love to put it on Jeff/ Eric and the cifl.The xtreme are just lucky we didnt go. That 12 hour trip would have been well worth it
It reflects on the Raptors and the CIFL. If it truly was just a bus problem, no big deal, but it still shows poor planning.

Lucky, eh? You sure do talk big.

[blanketman]

Actually, its not talk. You want to blame the cifl for this problem. Its has nothing to do with the league. The dumb bus driver screwed up on the gas/ diesel fuel. The raiders had no trouble getting out to Rockford. The raptors were excellent hosts. You guys just love bashing the cifl. You will come up with every reason why its not a good league.Then you say Im talking big because we would love to play a mediocre team in a diminishing statured league. Im sure the uif will be around in 3 years,but so will the cifl.

[BananaCat]

Actually, its not talk. You want to blame the cifl for this problem. Its has nothing to do with the league. The dumb bus driver screwed up on the gas/ diesel fuel. The raiders had no trouble getting out to Rockford. The raptors were excellent hosts. You guys just love bashing the cifl. You will come up with every reason why its not a good league.Then you say Im talking big because we would love to play a mediocre team in a diminishing statured league. Im sure the uif will be around in 3 years,but so will the cifl.
Show me a post where I have said the CIFL isn't good.

I say you're talking big because you talk a lot of trash, 33% of your posts are that way? Do you disagree? I wonder if you're trying to convince us or yourself of your opinions? Say things enough and you start believing they're true, eh?

[blanketman]

How about your post that stated"The cifl should be the minor league feeder for the uif since they could develop players into better leagues.The uif could be the parent league for the cifl. If there was a game between the two leagues a 10 favorite would be for the uif" How is that saying something good. When Wichita lost by 60 against your uif team rage,you think wichita feels good?The raptors were destroyed by us. They better make changes quickly,just like the wild in your league. Preseason or not. When you get thumped its not good.

[BananaCat]

How about your post that stated"The cifl should be the minor league feeder for the uif since they could develop players into better leagues.The uif could be the parent league for the cifl. If there was a game between the two leagues a 10 favorite would be for the uif" How is that saying something good. When Wichita lost by 60 against your uif team rage,you think wichita feels good?The raptors were destroyed by us. They better make changes quickly,just like the wild in your league. Preseason or not. When you get thumped its not good.
I think the CIFL would make an excellent minor league feeder for the UIF if the UIF can evolve, which they haven't. I've ranked the leagues as 1. UIF, 2. IFL, 3. CIFL, 4. AIFA, and 5. APFL. Those ranks show the CIFL in good standing amongst the current leagues, don't you think? Do you really think the CIFL is a better league right now than the UIF and IFL? I don't. Does that mean the CIFL is a bad league, I don't think so. The APFL is a "bad" league (with a few good teams). The CIFL does have problems and that's why they aren't ranked higher by me. If they can complete all scheduled games, forgo the use of replacement teams/semi-pro players, screen new ownership groups better, etc, perhaps they can move up in my eyes. I do think the UIF champ is a 10 point favorite over the CIFL champ going in. Are you saying last year's Raiders would've beat that point spread against the Sioux Falls Storm? Sorry, can't agree with that. I'll stick with that point spread for this year so far as well. I can always change my mind, but right now I haven't seen a reason too. Nothing surprises me though. As far as your preseason game, it's still a preseason game...doesn't do much for me. I know the Raptors coach has said he thinks he has a great team this year as well, but we'll see. I've already posted that I don't think they are as great without Sankey at QB. Looks like I'm right so far. Just because you blow a lot of hot air isn't going to get people to look at the CIFL differently. I'd worry about making your team and league a success, then worry about how you stand with other leagues later. If you want to show the Raiders are the world beaters you claim, win the CIFL and get your league to work out a postseason competition with the league of your choice. I think it's too late for that this year, so I'd start working towards next year. I'd love to see all the leagues compete against each other, but I doubt it'll ever happen. I was surprised just to see the UIF and IFL agree to one, a major step in my opinion. Good luck to your Raiders this year, with all the talent you've picked up you're still my favorite to win the CIFL, so don't disappoint.

[BananaCat]

Looking back now at my comment for the CIFL being a feeder league for the UIF does seem out of place, but I used to think the UIF could be a great league, like the next AFL. I think my expectations for the UIF were very high until recently. I used to envision the league challenging the AFL in 10 years time, but they've actually regressed. I see positive signs for next year, but the league still has a ways to go.

The basic talent pool is the same for the AF2, UIF, Intense, CIFL, AIFL, and for a few teams in the APFL. The AF2 teams, UIF teams, Intense teams (excluding Fairbanks), a good percentage of the CIFL and AIFL teams, and a few APFL teams do go after that talent, while other teams in the CIFL and AIFL go after it sparingly, and glorified semi-pro teams in the APFL not at all.

Sioux Falls is still at the top of the heap, buth they've lost 3 great players this year, so they might have a slight crack in their armor that a team can take advantage of this year. Billings has the best shot to do that in my opinion, but Sioux Falls won't go down easily.

[chardale]

I think the CIFL would make an excellent minor league feeder for the UIF if the UIF can evolve, which they haven't. I've ranked the leagues as 1. UIF, 2. IFL, 3. CIFL, 4. AIFA, and 5. APFL. Those ranks show the CIFL in good standing amongst the current leagues, don't you think? Do you really think the CIFL is a better league right now than the UIF and IFL? I don't. Does that mean the CIFL is a bad league, I don't think so. The APFL is a "bad" league (with a few good teams). The CIFL does have problems and that's why they aren't ranked higher by me. If they can complete all scheduled games, forgo the use of replacement teams/semi-pro players, screen new ownership groups better, etc, perhaps they can move up in my eyes. I do think the UIF champ is a 10 point favorite over the CIFL champ going in. Are you saying last year's Raiders would've beat that point spread against the Sioux Falls Storm? Sorry, can't agree with that. I'll stick with that point spread for this year so far as well. I can always change my mind, but right now I haven't seen a reason too. Nothing surprises me though. As far as your preseason game, it's still a preseason game...doesn't do much for me. I know the Raptors coach has said he thinks he has a great team this year as well, but we'll see. I've already posted that I don't think they are as great without Sankey at QB. Looks like I'm right so far. Just because you blow a lot of hot air isn't going to get people to look at the CIFL differently. I'd worry about making your team and league a success, then worry about how you stand with other leagues later. If you want to show the Raiders are the world beaters you claim, win the CIFL and get your league to work out a postseason competition with the league of your choice. I think it's too late for that this year, so I'd start working towards next year. I'd love to see all the leagues compete against each other, but I doubt it'll ever happen. I was surprised just to see the UIF and IFL agree to one, a major step in my opinion. Good luck to your Raiders this year, with all the talent you've picked up you're still my favorite to win the CIFL, so don't disappoint. I will be going to the Extreem game tonight to see what they look like this yr along with the the chalenger. But still there is no way ANY CIFL team could keep up with A2 teams, And only a few teams do the recruiting from the UIF that A2 teams do. Just look at the roster from Bloomington has compared to peoria, No contest.

[blanketman]

Ok, bananacat well said.I agree you on most elements. Beg do differ on league ranks ,but that ok.

[exit322]

I will be going to the Extreem game tonight to see what they look like this yr along with the the chalenger. But still there is no way ANY CIFL team could keep up with A2 teams, And only a few teams do the recruiting from the UIF that A2 teams do. Just look at the roster from Bloomington has compared to peoria, No contest.

Ah, and here's the point you always fail to realize.

99%, or more, of fans? DO NOT CARE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO AN AF2 TEAM. AT LEAST 99% of fans don't give one crap. If a team is professional and puts on a professional show with a good clean competitive football game (and in a lot of cases, even if there's some blowouts thrown in there)...the fans don't care what the talent is respective to other leagues.

What's better? Two "great" AF2 teams with all kinds of next level talent playing 83-54 games every week...or last night's Chicago-Kalamazoo overtime thriller? No contest. Give me the thriller with "lesser" talent every day of the week.

That's why these teams that focus everything on winning football games and nothing on fan relations, activities, and the "fun" factor...they don't truly have a clue what's going on. Hackett and Bynes? The last two teams they were on to "put them over the top" folded because the team's owners didn't know how to truly run a professional football team. As most of the diehards in Rochester have told me...Hackett and Bynes are again with owners that don't know how to truly make a city care about its pro football team. But at least the Raiders will win a title, and be one of the five best teams in the sport (the AF2 plays arena football, not indoor).

[chardale]

All right now, I thought we were talking about how good teams are. Not what they do for the fans, some of the teams in all the league's put on great shows all around, I am talking about how strong they recruit and the talent on a team. I am looking forward to see how the talent is. I just dont understand why the cifl will alow their players to leave for the A2, they do say to move them up but if they are such a Minor league looking to compete why allow them to move over to the A2? but it will be a good season for all. Especially Central A2 division, by far the tough one of all the league's.

[exit322]

None of these leagues or teams honor contracts outside their leagues. If a player wanted to go move from a CIFL team to an AIFA team or UIF team or AF2 team, or vice-versa, no one's going to be able to stop them from doing it.

[blanketman]

Exit you know Rochester has one of the best fan bases in the cifl. They consistently avg more than 3500 a game. The championship game was evident of that. Stop comparing rochester to Port huron or Ohio valley for that matter.

[exit322]

If all they cared about was winning, wouldn't you think BCA would've been filled to the brim for a CHAMPIONSHIP GAME? The fact pattern so far is the same for all three entries (OV didn't have payment issues like PH, so that's not even a consideration here).

Everyone I've talked to up in Rochester is either a diehard that knows the team is doing nothing for casual fans...or a casual fan that doesn't care to go to many games because they know there's nothing else going on besides a football game between two teams that will probably end up in a beat down.

Remember, the Wyoming Cavalry, when they were a legitimate organization, "consistently avg more than 4000 a game" with a team that never finished better than 5-9. Why? They made it an event that gave the fans a reason to care. They stopped doing that and started beating people by 40...attendance is half that now. The successful organizations give people a reason to care. And just winning football games by 45 points every week at the A-ball level doesn't give anyone a reason to care. Never has, that's been proven time and time again.

Not a good combination, Bob. Stroking your ego to get two players that don't actually help your defense any isn't going to do anything for the longevity of the Rochester Raiders. You should be putting that energy towards making the games a true event. Giveaways, promotions, stuff to do besides the football game. Not adding two egos that truly have serious on-field flaws (you know, like "giving up in the second quarter of a championship game when they realized they weren't going to pound someone" or "hits like a ton of bricks, covers like a ton of bricks").

You currently consistently average more than 3500 fans a game, yes. But if you don't start focusing on the things that make minor league teams successful (community involvement, having home events, not home games)...that 3500 will start falling pretty rapidly to where the ESL Sports Center would look like a cavern.

[rams80]

Exit you know Rochester has one of the best fan bases in the cifl. They consistently avg more than 3500 a game. The championship game was evident of that. Stop comparing rochester to Port huron or Ohio valley for that matter.

Just curious....how well did the Razorsharks do during the ABA days?

Also, I'm confused by why you think it is inappropriate to compare Rochester to those two teams, when you seem to make it your mission to compare Rochester to teams in other leagues.

[BananaCat]

Ok, bananacat well said.I agree you on most elements. Beg do differ on league ranks ,but that ok.
Good luck to your Raiders this year. I listened to the Chicago/Kalamazoo game last night, I thought Chicago had it in the bag (they were my pick to play Rochester in the title game), but Kalamazoo jelled and came back to take it from them. That'll probably be the game of the week this week. I don't think Kalamazoo can take down the Raiders though. I think Chicago and Rock River have the best chance, but they'll have to greatly improve to do so.

[blanketman]

Well, Bananacat i must say that i thought the Kzoo/ slaughter game was never going to be close in being topped then Marion/Thunder game happened. Great start for Jeff and the Cifl. They must be ecstatic. .... On the other note exit we just put up 20 billboards in the city ; full page ads in freetime; but you are right we need more community involvement ....working on it.

[blanketman]

Just curious....how well did the Razorsharks do during the ABA days?

Also, I'm confused by why you think it is inappropriate to compare Rochester to those two teams, when you seem to make it your mission to compare Rochester to teams in other leagues.

You are right;however, the pirates never paid their bills . If you want to compare organizations based on performance of bills being paid,thats not an organization that is remotely similar to us.Rochester sports, in general, is being slammed with the whole Donner situation. Donners company holds 4 of the 7 sports franchises.His company is a house of cards. The Rhinos ,Knighthawks,Rattlers and Amerks are in Financial trouble.The razorsharks have been getting hurt by the minor league association in Rochester. Seth is a great owner;however, he needs more than 750 a game.... By the way we play at BCA now.

[exit322]

The Greyhounds did.

You need to focus on your fans, not players that don't help your team any. If you don't, there'll still be a group of us on these boards talking about the long history of failed franchises long after you've gone away.

[rams80]

You are right;however, the pirates never paid their bills . If you want to compare organizations based on performance of bills being paid,thats not an organization that is remotely similar to us.Rochester sports, in general, is being slammed with the whole Donner situation. Donners company holds 4 of the 7 sports franchises.His company is a house of cards. The Rhinos ,Knighthawks,Rattlers and Amerks are in Financial trouble.The razorsharks have been getting hurt by the minor league association in Rochester. Seth is a great owner;however, he needs more than 750 a game.... By the way we play at BCA now.

That doesn't look good on the CIFL then. A League's success depends on every team paying its bills, placing a good product on the field, and being responsive to its fans. That, and not talent, is why folks hold the UIF and Intense League in higher esteem than the CIFL.

[chardale]

None of these leagues or teams honor contracts outside their leagues. If a player wanted to go move from a CIFL team to an AIFA team or UIF team or AF2 team, or vice-versa, no one's going to be able to stop them from doing it. I got news for you, any player that has signed a contract with their current team, WILL NOT be able to play in A2 untill that contract is up at the end of the season. No if and or but's, from the office, and is being enforced. Already not able to sign the 1 or 2 guys that may have slipped thru the cracks. The other leagues may be able to but not the a2. I dont agree with it, cause as the season progresses and you have injuries you need the next best player available. Already tied to a contract. And there is alot of players out there that may be playing AIFA and CIFL, UIF that could probably make A2 teams they just choose to stay closer to home to play, or are as we all knows happens receive's more money than the league allows, wont mention any teams. Just have fun this year and be safe. Dont need any other players getting seriously hurt or even worse like last yr. enjoy A2 camp is starting this week.

[blanketman]

You know the cifl has really started to get its act together. Jeff ,eric and Jim are doing a fine job. Hopefully everything will continue. I will tell you last year is over.Port huron and the other teams are out. The teams in this league,this year, look very competitive. i am not going to bash other leagues anymore;hope they all do well .Its best for everyone. Say what you want but are league has solid momentum. 2 great games this past weekend.By the way love the B2 network the uif has used over the past 2 years.

[exit322]

I personally hate the B2 stuff...would rather have the audio of every game for free than have to pay $7 a crack to watch games when there's other things that could be done.

So far three games that were far better than one would think they'd be (Saginaw @ Flint was competitive for more than a half). Flint has to get its off-field issues figured out and quick, but I think they're on their way to doing that as well.

[blanketman]

Was perani stadium in the movie semi-pro?

[rams80]

Was perani stadium in the movie semi-pro?

IIRC it was. I think there should be banners for the hockey team hanging from the rafters in a couple of scenes (I may be mistaken.)

[Championbuilder]

Players can move from any Indoor team to an Arena 2 team if there is a simple release form, and since there is no communication most guys just make their own and submit when they move up to AF2.

Fact.

[BananaCat]

Well, Bananacat i must say that i thought the Kzoo/ slaughter game was never going to be close in being topped then Marion/Thunder game happened. Great start for Jeff and the Cifl. They must be ecstatic. .... On the other note exit we just put up 20 billboards in the city ; full page ads in freetime; but you are right we need more community involvement ....working on it.
The Marion/Muskegon game was good, but I still thought the Kzoo matchup was the Indoor Game of the Week. I have Frisco over Katy in second, and RiverCity over Colorado third.

[BananaCat]

You know the cifl has really started to get its act together. Jeff ,eric and Jim are doing a fine job. Hopefully everything will continue. I will tell you last year is over.Port huron and the other teams are out. The teams in this league,this year, look very competitive. i am not going to bash other leagues anymore;hope they all do well .Its best for everyone. Say what you want but are league has solid momentum. 2 great games this past weekend.By the way love the B2 network the uif has used over the past 2 years.
The CIFL has improved so far, but the Flint game being pushed back because of the field not being ready and a goal post falling down wasn't too great. I know it's not a perfect world, but the field should've been procured earlier and put out weeks before to make sure it was ready. To be cutting it up to fit the field right before the game is procrastination at its finest. At least Flint got rid of the troublesome owner that didn't pay his bills and generally pissed most everyone off that came into contact with him. Other than that, things went great I think.

I saw one Intense game on B2 that looked very nicely shot and clear. I'm looking forward to the FREE AF2 games to be broadcast when their season starts however...hey, I'm cheap. SimplyMeTv for the AIFA got off to a horrible start...ouch.