DAYTONA and the AF2

[centurionhater]

I believed that the AF2 was a more established league that was careful who they allowed into their league. Daytona just announced they are getting into the AF2. The Daytona team changed their name from Thunder to Thunderbirds, but they still have the same owners who lied to and didn't pay their coaches last season and run the team so far into the ground they couldn't get established players to come live and play there.

They have hired a coach already and I just hope he's getting his money upfront.....

I just thought the AF2 was better than the NIFL, AIFL or WIFL....

[rams80]

Query: is the WIFL dead?

Query: Why did the WIFL die?

The answers to those questions are a big reason why they let Daytona Beach in.

[arenafan]

Af2 Let Daytona in because they paid the money. AF2 needed a team in the south BAD, especially with the folding of Alabama. Florida and South Georgia were hung out to dry with the travel. Thats why Daytona plays Florida 3 times. Also, the reason the WIFL died is because none of the teams wanted to deal with Daytona Beach so Osceola decided to fold and Columbus and Augusta went looking for other leagues. Daytona was left standing there with no where to play. Funny how last year, the owners bashed AF2 and now its the greatest thing since sliced bread. To be honest, who really cares, just put out a good product and don't screw the fans and sponsors. Daytona is a great town and a great market. I hope they have success.

[NatePreds05]

Osceola folded because there was no league nearby for them to move to and the team never made any money whatsoever. The crowds were always sparse.

[gonzo13]

Arenafan, you hit the nail on the head as to why the WIFL folded.

I do have another question though, how many teams out there will require players to pay to tryout for a team that they were on last season?

I can think of one.....

[fred1965]

At $60 bucks a pop, 100 suckers trying out ... that'll get them through Christmas, especially since they don't pay their coaches.

[gonzo13]

At $60 bucks a pop, 100 suckers trying out ... that'll get them through Christmas, especially since they don't pay their coaches.

......Or a bus mechanic.

[gonzo13]

Here is an article about Daytona Beach's 12/7 tryout from the team site.


http://http://dbthunderbirds.com/headline-news/566/thunderbirds_step_it_up

BTW.....That article cannot possibly be a Dan Ryan production.

This is another article from the DB News Journal from the same tryout.

http://http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Sports/Other/sptTHUN01120907.htm

It's a little more fun so I'll post the whole thing here.....


By TAYLOR MOORE
Correspondent
DAYTONA BEACH -- After Saturday's grueling Daytona Beach Thunderbirds open tryout, many were sent packing while only a select few managed to raise the brow of hard-to-impress head coach Herkie Walls.

"We saw about six or seven guys we were really impressed with," Walls said. "We're out here building a competitive team in a competitive league. We've had some athletes out here with real knowledge of the game that showed great character."

The tryout at Bethune-Cookman was the first for the Thunderbirds since their recent inception as an Arena Football 2 team, the developmental league of the AFL.

Walls wanted to ensure former players of the now-defunct World Indoor Football League team, the Daytona Thunder, got no priority treatment.

"Throughout my NFL and AFL career, I had to reprove myself year in and year out," Walls said. "I don't know these players. I'm not worried about what happened last year -- I'm worried about this year."

However, it was former Thunder defensive back E.J. Gordon who received recognition as one of the most dominating players by others overseeing the tryouts.


The 24-year-old DeLand native tried out for the Thunder last year and immediately won over a slew of key staffers.

"He's just the epitome of raw talent," co-owner Brad Humphrey said. "An athlete, personified. He was like a ball of clay when he got here, and now we've molded him into the dominant player he is today."

Humphrey said someone's eventual gain would be the Thunderbirds ultimate loss.

"By the end of the season, he won't be here. He'll be at the next level at least," Humphrey said. "I'd be very surprised if someone doesn't pick him up. He's got the ability to go pro."

Former teammate Nick Allison also had praise for Gordon.

"He's a real physical player," said Allison, who was recently contracted to the AFL's Orlando Predators. "(Gordon) can jump right out of the gym, too -- higher than anyone else here. He'd be a great addition to any team. And like a fine wine, he's just going to get better with age."

But the modest and soft-spoken Gordon is just looking forward to this season's coaching staff laced with NFL and AFL experience.

"As long as I come out here and listen, I've got no choice but to improve," Gordon said. "The talent and the experience that the coaches are bringing to the table are only going to move me up."

Gordon said he feels his defensive abilities came about from his years playing basketball at Stetson University.

Gordon was a dual athlete at DeLand High School, playing both football and basketball. He received various offers from the University of Florida, Wake Forest and Clemson to play basketball, he said.

However, he opted to play hoops at Stetson instead.

"I don't regret playing basketball," Gordon said. "All the one-on-one coverage in the game helped me become the defensive player I am today."

The date for the next tryout is not certain, but is planned for sometime in January, Humphrey said.

The Daytona Beach Thunderbirds open up their training camp March 1 and start their season in Lexington, Ky., on March 29. The first home game is April 6 at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center.

................I would like to point out that Daytona Beach Owner Brad Humphrey doesn't know that AF2 players cannot move up during the season. He also thinks that E.J. Gordon has "got the ability to go pro." I tend to agree with that, mainly because he's already played "pro" football as a member of the DAYTONA BEACH THUNDER!

Young Bradley, all the term "Pro" means is that you get paid for what you do. $250 per week counts. You're not helping your cause by implying that your team is not professional.