Springfield Stallions=Semi Pro, At Best

[OutRAGEous]

The Springfield Stallions are operating with a semi-pro mentality, at best. Take a look at their "training camp". No players helmets match and they are in an array of different uniforms, as well. Doesn't look much like a team to me.

The problem they have is that they are made up of semi-pro coaches, semi-pro players and semi-pro management. You would have thought that the coaches who had been with the Rage would have demanded a little more professionalism.

Also, players have been lied to and brought in under false pretenses. Two of the former Rage players who came in from New Mexico State were told they would have housing, meals, jobs and salary increases over last season. Now, the guys are headed out of town because the Stallions couldn't follow through on their promises.

I hope the wrestling matches draw the crowds because the football is going to be pretty bad. I stick with my prediction that they won't make the entire season.

[creativelysain]

Every team practices in "training camp" and "tryouts" with different helmets and jerseys. They don't make cuts until mid-March.

Good Lord.

[The Abyss]

Thats probably the reason the UIF let them move on by, we have rules in place so we don't have crap like that. My bandits practice in bandit gear.

[exit322]

That's why the UIF let great teams like Rapid City, Tupelo, and Peoria in. Springfield definitely isn't at their caliber. What a crock. The UIF has good teams, for sure, but the 'holier than thou' attitude has cost them as well.

The CIFL can offer salary increases over what the UIF *says* teams pay their players. Kudos for the Stallions not bothering to overpay guys who couldn't even win an NIFL conference title last year...

The ownership that contacted the UIF is not the same ownership that joined the CIFL. Completely different ownership.

[ChampionOfSteel]

Springfield now has their first game on April 7th.

Is that normal not to have a complete set of football uniforms available for their tryout camp players for practices, 4 1/2 weeks before the opener?

[creativelysain]

Your Bandits may very well "practice" in "Bandit gear."

The Stallions aren't practicing yet. They are in training camp with about 40 guys. Who is gonna go out and buy equipment for guys that aren't going to be on the roster come gameday.

[preeths]

That's why the UIF let great teams like Rapid City, Tupelo, and Peoria in. Springfield definitely isn't at their caliber. What a crock. The UIF has good teams, for sure, but the 'holier than thou' attitude has cost them as well.

The CIFL can offer salary increases over what the UIF *says* teams pay their players. Kudos for the Stallions not bothering to overpay guys who couldn't even win an NIFL conference title last year...

The ownership that contacted the UIF is not the same ownership that joined the CIFL. Completely different ownership.

EVERY minor league will have teams that fail. It's just the nature of the beast. Still, after the Dayton situation, UIF has played all its games. It was comfortable enough that the ownership of the aforementioned teams could at least see them through the season and meet league obligations that it let them in. Sure, it's made some errors, but not that many. It didn't have the same comfort level with Springfield's ownership, and as you pointed out, that group didn't even make it through the offseason! Sounds as if UIF was right on the money. From my perspective, the UIF does things professionally, though that doesn't mean perfectly. I hope that doesn't equate to "holier than thou" in the indoor football world. If so, we're due for a revival.

[exit322]

Not saying the UIF wasn't right on the money, as they were with the first one.

From all I've seen, the team's current ownership would be fine financially for the UIF. Simple as that. The league (and all leagues) made the right decision in not allowing the original team's ownership, as the money simply wasn't there.

The group that currently owns the team is the group that owned it when they joined the CIFL.

[ChampionOfSteel]

EVERY minor league will have teams that fail.

If failure means teams fold during the offseason, I would agree.

Shutting down teams in the offseason (as opposed to during the season) is perfectly acceptable and should not be considered a failure.

[OutRAGEous]

The Rage never went to training camp or any other kind of practices where the players were not all wearing the same colored helmets and had the same practice attire on. That's part of being professional. The team furnishes the uniforms and equipment, not the players. You don't see NFL, AFL or AF2 teams with multicolored helmets and jerseys on. It goes with looking the part of a professional team and organization.

As to the Rage players that were lied to by the management who couldn't win an NIFL title. Let's see what Springfield can win, other than a semi-pro league. Funny too, that all those players who could not make the Rage are now playing for the Stallions: Quincy Roe, Kareem Wise, Robert Boyd, Johnny Cooper; Marc Howell, etc.

When the Stallions can go 24-7 in two seasons, then they can talk.

Also, they can promise any kind of salary they want. The problem is that they can't deliver on their promises.

[ChampionOfSteel]

How much lead time is needed to order and then receive a full set of football uniforms...plus extras?

[ragefan]

Teams are a reflection of ownership, If your ownership is bad, the team will be bad. The owners of the Stallions, while i do not know them, seem like they are more interested in promoting their Wrestling back ground than promoting the indoor football team they own.

The comparison to how things are run with the Rage is true. The Rage is a professional team, because of their ownership, they truely care about the players first and formost. While they make mistakes too, they at least learn from them and correct them. Some owners only care about promoting themselves, case in point the Stallion "Pro wresting" owners. There is more put out about them than the team.

As for the players who were lied to.... It is a shame that these players were convinced by the ex Rage coaches to make the move but hey that is the nature of the game. The grass is not always greener. Once again , where they lied to by the coaches who promised them this or the owners?? To be honest they will most likely land on their feet , all the former Rage players are a catch for any team. They were just fooled by people who truely did not have their best intrest at heart.. Best of Luck to them but i am sure some team will see their value and pick them up.... Just not the Rage.

[ragefan]

several other Rage players have said that it was an ex coach who told these players they would get extra money not the owners. That this ex coach came to them too to move from the Rage to the Stallions, so it is not the owners, who i am sure are not innocent, but coach who was trying to do some under the table dealings. Lucky for the other key Rage players who he approached knew something was up and stayed...Loyality is something that must be earned..

To bad the former coach treated the team and owners and new coaches with such disrespect as to try these under handed tactics to steal players with false promises.. Nothing wrong with trying to get players but to lie to them is a whole other ball game. Shame on this coach, they are suppose to look out for these players best intrest... Sounds like it is a good thing this coach no longer represents the Rage. good riddance!!!

[exit322]

Well, good luck to the Rage this year. Glad they got out of the ubercompetitive NIFL where they couldn't win anything (25-7 doesn't mean anything when you choke in the playoffs)...maybe they'll do better in the UIF, where everyone knows anyone can win. :-P

I must say, though...where is proof of this? I'd like to see it, because these are pretty heavy allegations being thrown around.

[FortWayneBballfan]

I just finished reading a few of your posts and I would like to break it down a little bit. I am one of the owners of the football team(the non-wrestling owner) and I have to say that some of your comments may be true, but others are completely false. As I type this, I am not trying to be a jerk, so please do not take it that way. It appears you have some sour grapes towards former Rage coaches and players. Not sure why, but you are more than entitled to have them if you have reasons.

As far as our training camp..no team supplies 50 players with gear. During the first few days of a training camp, quite a few players on teams use their own equipment. We purchased gear for guys who did not want to use their own equipment. 35 guys got new equipment to use, 16 wanted to use their own helmets and pads. So we purchased 35 sets of equpment. They know that once they have made the team, they will be required to wear gear owned and handed out by the team. Each member still was given red or black practice jerseys for camp though(based on offense or defense.) So, your comments concerning matching helmets and such did not make any sense. Most teams handle this the exact same way. Just because the Rage do it differently is no reason to put down other teams.

I believe we have a good coaching staff. I have seen first hand how well they are doing at training camp. I have been around plenty of indoor coaching staffs and know what the expectations should be and ours have gone far and above my expectations.

We do NOT just have semi pro players in camp. Over half of our camp roster is made up of guys with pro indoor experience. We actually have just as many if not a few more in camp with indoor experience than most teams in our league.

Now, about the players brought in under false pretenses. The owners and management NEVER made these promises nor would we have ever even remotely thought about making these promises. This will never be an issue with our organization. Players are not given housing, there will be a few team meals each week and those of course will be covered by the team. As far as pay, it was more than what they were paid last season. I can also say that you are only hearing one side of the story. The gentlemen brought in from out west apparently are not telling the entire story. They were brought in, given hotel rooms for two days and treated with the upmost respect by Coach Gade and our GM. They left under great terms with our head coach. But all parties agreed(management and them) that it was best we all part ways. I wish nothing but the best of luck to those guys. They will have no problem landing on a roster somewhere. But it is not as cut and dry as you post..there is much more to it than what you think.

Judging from the talent that I have seen during our practices, I am very pleased and compared to other indoor teams I have been around, we should be pretty good(always can be better no matter who you are.)

I too hope the wrestling crowd sells some extra tickets. Thats why the other owners are doing it. But our number one goal is providing quality football on the field for our fans. Anything else that is done on the side is secondary and is just additional entertainment. It does allow people who would not have typically attended a football game come because of the additional entertainment. Other teams have failed in Springfield, our goal is to reverse past failures by trying new ideas. The wrestling how and concerts after games is just one of the ways we are trying to reverse the past. So far, judging from ticket sales..its working.

I can understand some of your concerns, but trust me they were addressed and i'll leave it at that. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at kunderwood@springfieldstallions.com.

Take care and good luck to your Rage this season!

[ragefan]

I never said anything about you being a semi pro team... Don't know anything about you other than your GM is a former Rage owner and you have 3 ex coaches and several ex players.

Of course you would play up the wrestling side to sell tickets... Anything to get people in the seats... It is a great marketing tool., Just noticed that whenever you talk about the owners it is that they are wrestlers.. No biggie.. Most likely smart maketing on your part..

As for sour grapes, as a big fan and friend of the players i do take offense at the actions by one ex coach. He tried to get other players to come to the Stallions with the same offer. They knew better and did not go. Now players will follow coaches if they leave, nature of the game, but it was this coaches actions that i do not feel is right. But maybe that is why he is no longer a coach with the Rage, who knows what went on behind closed doors. I do know from the Rage players what he tried to pull... The players that left most likely would not start on the Rage anyway so it was wise for them to look else where to play... Like i said i personally have no problem with the OWNERS.. Never even hear of the owners who are wrestlers anyway , I am sure they are great guys,but I do feel the coach was wrong to promise them stuff..It sounds like the other coaches did not know this coach was offering this stuff. If they did i am sure they would not of stood by and done nothing.

Now they most likely believed this coach because the Rage does pay housing, 2 meals a day and tries to find these guys jobs, but UIF prohibits paying players more than xx amount per game so the Rage does not offer money under the table so to speak. They go by the Rules, Maybe the CIFL can pay more than the league amount but the UIF has strict rules on what a player can be paid and it is not 650.00 per game...

With that being said, it really does not matter we are in different leagues and those players are gone .... Sorry if you felt attacked... Best of Luck to you too... You do have several old Rage players as well as many others who i am sure will give 100% and help you have a successful season...

[exit322]

disregard--

[phydeaux72]

Good backtracking job. "Sorry if you felt attacked." YOUR TITLE to this thread was 'Springfield Stallions = Semi Pro, At Best.'

Try harder next time.

Actually, it was OutRAGEous who started the thread, not ragefan.

[ragefan]

exit....Try harder READING .... I did not post it ..I simply responed to what i did post..... DUH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sykotyk]

That's the problem with team-specific usernames on message boards, it makes for a very easy time to forget who is who. One rage fan started an accusation, and suddenly 'ragefan' is on the thread and the original poster is quiet.

I did the same thing for an XFL forum going by OrlRageFan instead of my usual "Sykotyk". But no matter what happens with the teams I follow, I never have to change my username.

Sykotyk

[sportsguy12]

people need to chill. That's what happens when people who think they are insiders (and I don't pretend to be in the know) act like insiders. People say stupid things and don't know what they are talking about.

Who cares if players are wearing different colored helmets. As long as it's not an actual game, they can wear tuxes and sandals. What's the big deal?

[ChampionOfSteel]

people need to chill. That's what happens when people who think they are insiders (and I don't pretend to be in the know) act like insiders. People say stupid things and don't know what they are talking about.

Who cares if players are wearing different colored helmets. As long as it's not an actual game, they can wear tuxes and sandals. What's the big deal?

The timing of uniform usage is a good indicator of which teams have their ducks lined up and whether the league as a whole has their act together. Ask the Florida Frenzy.

It's a big deal if you are thinking about putting down some serious cash for a pair (or more) of season tickets and the team is terribly behind schedule.

I don't want to see a team starting to use full gear a week before their season opener.

Yes, it's the CIFL but the league is just over one year old. They expanded from 6 to 14 teams against my will. The AIFL (now AIFA) did this too and they ended up to be a "close cousin" of the NIFL.

The CIFL hasn't been around long enough for me to dish out my season ticket money in trust. Why on earth is Chicago requesting a schedule change? The reason is quite immaterial for justification. Why is Wayne County making a venu change with a few weeks before the season starts? The reason is again immaterial even with justification. How come the league doesn't have a policy of forbidding its associates from participating on message boards? Why are significant associates in the league allowed to respond to the general public on message boards with crass and implied profanity-laced comments, etc.?

All of these issues are potential warning signs of a bush league evolving from a lack of education for those currently in charge. Last year was pretty good. I got some serious doubts now for this year.

I don't see these problems in AF2? I don't want to hear the excuse is they have more money to work with, because money has nothing to do with method of operation of who is included in the schedule with their ducks already lined up. Why not take two years to get teams together instead of one?
Something to think about.

[creativelysain]

I think that the fact that "CIFL associates" participate on message boards is one of the great things about the league. They don't mind discussing issues with fans, and just chatting with them.

[preeths]

I think that the fact that "CIFL associates" participate on message boards is one of the great things about the league. They don't mind discussing issues with fans, and just chatting with them.

Agreed. The GBL and several other leagues are represented here in one way or another. As long as they're respectful of others, their participation should be encouraged.

[mrinsideto-u]

Springfield now has their first game on April 7th.

Is that normal not to have a complete set of football uniforms available for their tryout camp players for practices, 4 1/2 weeks before the opener? No it is not. If you want to act like a pro team, you do the pro things. Not saying you have to have the Mark Cuban money but some money would go a long way. Like alot of the semi pro players on the slaughter team. oh i forgot a few of them have indoor exp, from an 0-14 or 15 team in peoria from last yr where in fact they had check's bouncing towards the end of the season. I do know for a fact a team in another league that has started already DID in fact have 48 players in camp and 3 of them used thier own helm'ts. But all the players had matching jersey's. players get 3 meals a day and do stay in a nice hotel, also they have trade out's for them to do extra things around the city so players dont stay in hotel all day. They do run a class act. It's a shame other teams dont have quality people from front office that care about players.

[exit322]

I guess if Peoria's good enough to move two starting linemen to Sioux Falls (who went 18-0), then who am I to ask why they have some in Chicago.

[sportsguy12]

The timing of uniform usage is a good indicator of which teams have their ducks lined up and whether the league as a whole has their act together. Ask the Florida Frenzy.

It's a big deal if you are thinking about putting down some serious cash for a pair (or more) of season tickets and the team is terribly behind schedule.

I don't want to see a team starting to use full gear a week before their season opener.

Yes, it's the CIFL but the league is just over one year old. They expanded from 6 to 14 teams against my will. The AIFL (now AIFA) did this too and they ended up to be a "close cousin" of the NIFL.

The CIFL hasn't been around long enough for me to dish out my season ticket money in trust. Why on earth is Chicago requesting a schedule change? The reason is quite immaterial for justification. Why is Wayne County making a venu change with a few weeks before the season starts? The reason is again immaterial even with justification. How come the league doesn't have a policy of forbidding its associates from participating on message boards? Why are significant associates in the league allowed to respond to the general public on message boards with crass and implied profanity-laced comments, etc.?

All of these issues are potential warning signs of a bush league evolving from a lack of education for those currently in charge. Last year was pretty good. I got some serious doubts now for this year.

I don't see these problems in AF2? I don't want to hear the excuse is they have more money to work with, because money has nothing to do with method of operation of who is included in the schedule with their ducks already lined up. Why not take two years to get teams together instead of one?
Something to think about.

All I meant was ... they don't have to hand them out in practice. That is what the initial comment in this post was about - teams wearing identical helmets and garb in practice.

They should have uniforms and game helmets in stock by now. I totally agree. All I meant was that you don't wear your Sunday church clothes to play out in the yard.

Team officials are usually the only ones who attend practices, so who cares what the team looks like there. That is as far as I was taking my comments.

[mrinsideto-u]

I guess if Peoria's good enough to move two starting linemen to Sioux Falls (who went 18-0), then who am I to ask why they have some in Chicago. exit, 25% of o starting line is not bad but will they start or just going to camp, i agree w/u but was it the coaching staff or players? Trying to fill Cowdrey shoe's is a big task but from playoff team to the goose egg? Alot of the players in Chicago are from Kane Co and we all know they run a great program and a power house in lower ranks but how many semi- pro teams got drilled last yr playing fill in games? When the coaches of an indoor team compare the outdoor game to being very like the arena or indoor game, someone is going to learn the hard way. Anyway Miami Valley will win that side of the bracket with ease. Look at thier roster compared to Slaughter's roster and look at Coaching staff. Miami will beat them by 21,22,24 even more maybe. Back to the subject, some of the teams runnng things like semi pro teams will have to open thier eye's and check book to do thing's the right way. Who would you rather be coached by, Rockford Richards or O cordinator from Chicago or springfield?

[indoorfootballfan]

exit, 25% of o starting line is not bad but will they start or just going to camp, i agree w/u but was it the coaching staff or players? Trying to fill Cowdrey shoe's is a big task but from playoff team to the goose egg? Alot of the players in Chicago are from Kane Co and we all know they run a great program and a power house in lower ranks but how many semi- pro teams got drilled last yr playing fill in games? When the coaches of an indoor team compare the outdoor game to being very like the arena or indoor game, someone is going to learn the hard way. Anyway Miami Valley will win that side of the bracket with ease. Look at thier roster compared to Slaughter's roster and look at Coaching staff. Miami will beat them by 21,22,24 even more maybe. Back to the subject, some of the teams runnng things like semi pro teams will have to open thier eye's and check book to do thing's the right way. Who would you rather be coached by, Rockford Richards or O cordinator from Chicago or springfield?

Well, since the Springfield o coaches had offenses that lead the NIFL and were up very high in the UIF, I would have to say that they must have a pretty good clue about running an O also. After watching the offense in camp and practice, I am thinking we will be just fine. But I congratulate on Miami Valley for already winning the division...CONGRATS TO THEM! lol

[exit322]

Considering Richmond did as well in 2006 with a much much much tougher schedule and *maybe* the same level of talent as they had in 2005 (the team was well on its way to winning the South with only Rome as a possible competitor there, until ownership/league screwed that up in the playoffs), I'm not sure what Richards did that was so great. 4-5 against playoff teams last year? Color me skeptical.

[SilverbacksGM]

I'm sure Springfield will be just fine. As for us, we haven't won anything yet, and by the looks of it, our division should be VERY tough.

I appreciate the kind words from mr.insideto-u. We are just hoping that we can compete.

[mrinsideto-u]

1st game jitters are over, Quote from remember the titans" leave no doubt" It would not be fun if you won them all, even some of the best lose 1, including us. But redemption is near. :cool: :cool:

[OutRAGEous]

In keeping with the spirit of Easter, the Stallions laid a big egg in their opener proving that they are little more than the semi-pro team that I had previously said they were. Their QB, though probably a nice guy, has never played above the semi-pro level, never played in college and it showed. He was 7 0f 19 with 5 interceptions (almost as many completions to the other team as to his own).

Also, what's with a head coach at the "professional" level with no coaching experience of any kind. Again, I am sure he is a nice guy and was a decent player, but does not have a clue as to what is needed at the professional level to devleop a team.

Finally, it looks like the wrestling promotion didn't do much to entice the fans, as well. With only a thousand people at the game, I predict that the team will not make the season. Of course I predicted that before.

[ChampionOfSteel]

My understanding is all 14 CIFL teams are fully funded even under pessimistic paid attendance projections. Which is the way it should be.

[herbenator21]

Coach Gade is a very close friend of mine. I was the Head coach of the Stallions I resigned in Dec. of 06 because my Mother was very sick and needed to take care of the family. The only experience Gade has is D-Coord. for a H.S. and a very successfully College football career. my experience is that I'm 21-5 with 2 appearances in the Championship with 1 win but at the Semi- Pro level does that make me qualified to coach? Gade is great Defensive coach he brought in an Offensive Coordinator from the Rage coaching staff to give him an hand. Thats what I did last year except my specialty is Offenses I brought in a D- coordinator and Gade was a CB for me last season he had 12 Int.'s. we put up just about 500 pts last season avj 42 pts per game. I just think it's a learning curve for him. just give them a chance.

Herb

[OutRAGEous]

Although you did OK at the semi-pro level and Coach Gade was a fine player, it does not translate into being a professional coach. The biggest problem is not having the ability to evaluate talent and the contacts to get the caliber of players to play at the next level. Both of the Stallions QBs are no better than semi-pro QBs. You cannot win at the professional level in a quarterback driven offense with QBs that don't have the knowledge, background, or experience.
Look for example at the Rage's former QB, Groefsema who lit up Everett last night in Arena 2 throwing 5 TDs and racking up 187 yards. He has professional indoor experience, as well as outdoor pro experience, that neither of the QBS for the Stallions have.
Playing professionally is not a place for on the job training, it is for players who have demonstrated their skills at the college or pro levels.
That it the responsibility for the head coach to know that.

[Lineman]

I would like to clear the air a little bit here. Yes some of the checks that were issued to Peoria players bounced but it was a mistake by the bank that the Rough Riders used and it was only one week. All the players did get paid!!! Once the team found out about the problem it was corrected and the players were told how to get their money. If they didn't do what the team told them it was their fault.

Also people need to look at Peoria's total managment history before they make any comments about the team. The franchise was mismanaged from the 2nd season in the IFL until it was sold to Pat Ward. Unfortunantly Peorians were worn out by they tim Pat bought the team and the Pirates/Rough Riders lost support.

I was at the Springfield game last night and there is a lot of potential for that team. The do need to improve their ingame entertainment and make some small adjustment but they should be fine.

[herbenator21]

my thing is you have to start some where.

[sportsguy12]

Although you did OK at the semi-pro level and Coach Gade was a fine player, it does not translate into being a professional coach. The biggest problem is not having the ability to evaluate talent and the contacts to get the caliber of players to play at the next level. Both of the Stallions QBs are no better than semi-pro QBs. You cannot win at the professional level in a quarterback driven offense with QBs that don't have the knowledge, background, or experience.
Look for example at the Rage's former QB, Groefsema who lit up Everett last night in Arena 2 throwing 5 TDs and racking up 187 yards. He has professional indoor experience, as well as outdoor pro experience, that neither of the QBS for the Stallions have.
Playing professionally is not a place for on the job training, it is for players who have demonstrated their skills at the college or pro levels.
That it the responsibility for the head coach to know that.

every college player that comes to the arena game have to start as a rookie at some point. That is what the Springfield GM/coach is trying to say. The nuances of the indoor and outdoor game are very different.

Playing professionally is a learning experience for all at some point.

[rams80]

I would like to clear the air a little bit here. Yes some of the checks that were issued to Peoria players bounced but it was a mistake by the bank that the Rough Riders used and it was only one week. All the players did get paid!!! Once the team found out about the problem it was corrected and the players were told how to get their money. If they didn't do what the team told them it was their fault.

Also people need to look at Peoria's total managment history before they make any comments about the team. The franchise was mismanaged from the 2nd season in the IFL until it was sold to Pat Ward. Unfortunantly Peorians were worn out by they tim Pat bought the team and the Pirates/Rough Riders lost support.

I was at the Springfield game last night and there is a lot of potential for that team. The do need to improve their ingame entertainment and make some small adjustment but they should be fine.

I wish you could have sent that email to the Journal Star...

[herbenator21]

thats right you have to start somewhere. wither its coaching Grade School moving up to H.S. than to a D-3 college and so on. like me I've coached some H.S. and Semi-Pro. and Pro (just in practice) I resigned before the Stallion season began. My mother was dying and needed to take care of my family. She passed away March 1, 2007 so now I'm ready to get back into coaching. my father moved in with us so I don't have to take care of him either so the cost is clear for coaching. I do know the Danville, IL. team that is in the AIFA might be looking for a new coach because there getting there butts kicked they just lost 78-6 I was at that game. they have ok talent but the coach they have is really well I'll be nice the Offense needs to execute the plays, and play like a team.

[Lineman]

I wish you could have sent that email to the Journal Star...

Things would have been much better in Peoria if the Journal wouldn't have been so negative. The team was told by potential sponsors shortly before closing up shop that the negative press was one of the big reasons why they would support the team. Then again if the team (Cowdrey/Tom T.) wouldn't have fired the first shots the Pjstar may have stayed positive.

There were more problems in Peoria than the media but this is one lesson that Springfield should learn. The press is your best friend. Unless you are an "Insider" this is how fans, sponsors, and future players get their info and form their opinions. I was suprised by the lack of coverage leading up to the first game.

That was my attempt at keeping this on subject but I hope the Stallions are listening, I've been there:)

[mrinsideto-u]

every college player that comes to the arena game have to start as a rookie at some point. That is what the Springfield GM/coach is trying to say. The nuances of the indoor and outdoor game are very different.

Playing professionally is a learning experience for all at some point.Try telling that to the Chicago people.They CLAIM the games are verry similar in playing. Yes they do use a football. And congrats to them for winning but the 2 games are very different.