Quality of play?

[Big Easy]

Dare I ask...please...only respectful answers, I'm not trying to start an argument here....just trying to get an idea of how the SIFL translates on the field.

I haven't been to a game yet. How does SIFL's on field product come across? How does it compare to the IFL, af2, etc.? I know thats a hard question has many people have bias or agendas. Please check that at the door on this thread.

I caught quite a few af2 and IFL games in 07 and 08. It was my OPINION that af2 was a higher level of ball....and the presentation was better. It just came across as more "professional" to me.

I'm not a fan of the building the Pirates are playing in. I had a bad experience there....so I'm not likely to see them play in Houston....which means I may not catch any games this year. Thats too bad.

Owners, employees, homers, etc., please try to be rational in your responses. It's only realistic that you will be very positive (or negative if you are part of a different league). And YES I am affiliated (in a very small capacity) with an af2 team, but I'm not passing judgement on the SIFL as I have not been to any games. I'm not qualified to have an opinion, thats why I'm asking. It soulds like the Turfcats/Bucs game was a good one.

[mwhite212]

I've only watch a streaming game of the Bucs vs the Kings . . . and the Kings looked a complete mess, but of course the Bucs are a pro team that has been around a bit longer and are two-time champs. But 81 to 0...wow. I agree that the Af2 puts on a pretty good game. I follow my home team the Battlewings on Nifty TV and it always feels like a competitive contest. I think the number 1 thing that plagues all of these minor league teams is mediocre to bad officiating. Missed calls and bad calls are not all that uncommon even in an AF2 game.

I really think, though, that the SIFL has it right over the AF2 in the sense they are trying to keep it regional...I think (eventually) it will prove better for attendance. I've always thought that there should be some kind of United Indoor Association where a big inter-league championship game was played. But you only play games in your region until the playoffs where a regional champion would start playing against other regional champs. But I digress. I think it will take time for the league to consistently put quality teams on the field. Some will probably go by the wayside the first or second season....if the league lasts that long. I see the Turfcats, Mudbugs, and the 'Bucs sticking it out . . . not so sure about the Conquerors and the Kings. The Pirates...maybe.

Hey, and what's the deal down there in Corpus Cristi? You guys have an AF2 and an IFL team. That just seems like the teams would canablize each other.

[exit322]

The SIFL's quality of play is pretty comparable to the IFL. Louisiana could win the IFL title, and they're not undefeated.

Every league has really good teams...and not so really good teams. Seems the SIFL is much the same in that regard.

[suge night]

Good question, but you already know the answer as well (Game Video)

The on field contest comes down to which teams players use the game plan the coaches put in from watching game film that is what makes the game entertaining . You are watching a play all staged up the problem is some of the leagues don't exchange game tape which would make for a better game.

You think Austin coaches didn't breakdown the Bucs by watching some game tapes thus you got a better game and in this case the Win.

The Bucs will watch the tape and round two will be the players that do what is asked of them get the Win.

Leagues would be better served by making it mandatory for teams to exchange tapes without doing so you get those blowout games some teams can't adjust quick enough (AT GAME TIME )and at every level some teams have better players even at the Kings game NFL .

On the attendence 1200 is not a bad crowd remember bad economy and at 1200 depending on how (many players) are on the payroll a team can make enough to make it worth while Remember this is a niche sport . Sure some teams draw more but even the mighty AFL only really averaged 3 to 5000.

[Caballo Diablo]

It's tough to compare leagues, they've all got some real good teams and some crappy ones. So what do you do, compare only the top 5 to 10 teams league to league?

I've been a fan of ArenaBall for many years and am relativly new to the Indoor game. I like the Nets, they add much more excitement to special teams. when the return man (kickoff or missed FG) has to turn his back to the cover team it changes things. then you've got wierd bounces off the net and adds another skill the returnman has to develop.

They have plays drawn up intentionally throwing a pass of the net, then an errant pass in the Indoor game becomes an interception off the net.

I really like the nets, but it does add expense and must be mounted to the ceiling which isn't possible in some smaller arenas.

It's hard to judge the SIFL yet because there are only 6 teams and 5 are expansion. It looks like 3 are good and 3 stink - lol. The Florida team's performance can't be an equal part of the equation. They got a late start and weren't supposed to take the field until next year. It's hard enough to get players to sign for pocket change, and even harder when you're a part time team. Who really wants to sign with a team that only plays out of state games and entered the season ineligible for post season play before they even took a snap?

The Florida team didn't even know the rules and the game was filled with mental miscues. Having them open against a 2 time defending champ probably wasn't wise. The Pirates also had some issues with not knowing the rules and have already changed coaches.

The Austin Turfcats were fortunate to get some experienced local coaches that took a team to the playoffs in the Intense league last year. Then their GM/VP has worked in both Arena and Indoor leagues. He has worked tirelessly on all aspects of building this franchise correctly.

At the moment I don't think we can compare the Sifl to the other leagues, they need a few years under their belt to see how they pan out. Just like a draft selection, you can't judge his career by his rookie performance.

I feel the AFL is leaps and bounds above any other league.
I would put the af2 slightly ahead of the IFL. But once again experience comes into play. This is the af2's 10th season, while the IFL came from merging 2 existing leagues it is a rookie. The league itself will have it's bumps along the way and travel could be one of it's biggest problems.

The IFL has some very good teams, The CIFL has one, ok a couple of good teams. The Indoor leagues will lose their AFL players next season as they are only here on loan - lol. If they can't go back to a real paycheck playing most will just retire.

My concern isn't who's the best. My concern is keeping all of the leagues growing and improving. It's all perception to the masses, they hear about one leagues problems and associate it to all of the 50 yard leagues. We need the casual fans to start paying more attention, there's not enough diehards to make it work.

I've had 6 different teams in my area from 5 different leagues. My hope is for a team to be here for many many years. For that to happen in any town, first the league needs to be successful itself.