Commentary: NIFL daily buzz

by Jerry Hewitt
May 12, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)


No surprise here that the on again off again Charleston at Dayton is off again. Nice ploy by the NIFL to say on again by adding it back into their schedule, only to put out a press release canceling it. My take, game was never "on," but nice try NIFL. But we are left with a very good game tonight in Billings at Wyoming.

Unknown figure big

Who will be under center for the Billings Outlaws tonight as they face what is maybe the best home team in the league, the Wyoming Cavalry? Two weeks ago I saw Bob Bees under center for the Outlaws against the Fever. That surprised me, but it showed the confidence the Outlaws have in back up Adam Sanchez. Also in camp is a newcomer and for the life of me I can't remember his name, but he's a big boy, 6'3 or 6'5 if I remember correctly, out of San Jose State and experience in the CFL. Game time will tell who leads the Outlaws tonight, but no matter who it is, they will be missing triple threat Chris Dixon.

Wyoming isn't without their quarterback problems either, Frank Borba was benched in favor of back up Dan Richard. Richard produced against St Joe last week, but any pee quarterback could produce against that team.

So what we have is a bit of an unknown for both teams. I believe it comes down to the Cavalry receivers and the Outlaws d line. I'm discounting the Outlaws win over the Cavs in Billings as Wyoming has made major changes since being embarrassed there. But in that game I saw wide open receivers for the Cavs all night long, but the inability of Borba under pressure to find anyone open except the Billings defensive backs. Whoever starts, whether it be Richard or Borba, if they have protection they will eat the Outlaws backs alive. On the other side, I don't think the Outlaws quarterbacks can make the plays downfield needed to win. Expect more of a short passing game and more running. If the Outlaws can keep Quinn and Grow watching most of the night and keep the Cavs quarterbacks on the move, they will survive with a win.

According to the Casper Star Tribune, there will be a webcast available for this game. They say the link will be on the Wyoming Cavalry website. When I visited the site, I found a 'listen here' link, but that was a promo piece for the game. Other than that I found no link to a webcast.

New leagues

I've had several fans inquire about new leagues since I mentioned a possible three next season. Let me go a little further. One is being started down in Florida. Not going to give out the league name or who I've heard is behind it, but if I had a team, I'd join the NIFL or AIFL before joining this new league. I think that says it all. The second one may be more rumor than anything, so we'll leave that one there, rumor. The third appears to be on life support as the investor who was putting the money in may end up spending it on other toys. In my opinion, this would have been a good league, but I'm biased since I am/was a part of it.

0-7 at 0-7

OK, St. Joseph at Big Sky, the other off again on again game. I will be surprised if this game does take place. If Vegas had a line on the will it or won't it, I'd go with the not gonna happen bet, but in reality I hope that it does. It's on the schedule and should be played.

Can you believe this

It has been a pretty slow week in the NIFL bad news department and that's good news! Tomorrow, folks!

Fire watch

No one added to our fire watch but the fires are still closing in on Louisiana, burning a little cooler. It would appear that the winds have calmed some, but maybe the calm before an even bigger fire breaks.

Parting notes

Time for a change folks, no question about it, but I wonder if anybody capable of making change is listening. And to maybe call out those who have the power to make a difference, to make the changes needed, I wonder, do you have what it takes to make the right decisions or cower as in years past. Blunt I know, politically correct, maybe not, but exactly as I see it.



National Indoor Football League Stories from May 12, 2006


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