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Commentary: NIFL Daily Buzz

by Jerry Hewitt
May 26, 2006 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)


You all say you miss me, well, isn't that comforting. Honestly I don't have the time nor the inclination to write everyday, plus the landscape is scorched so bad, not much left to report of except recovery and rebuilding efforts. Also appears the NIFL has done a decent job of plugging some leaks in the information dam. So careful what you ask for as you might just get this boring stuff from me here and there when I have time.

Might help to promote

I saw this morning the Guard owner whining in the Fayetteville paper about lack of fan support and losing money. I really wonder if he's ever considered promoting his team. From what I hear from Fayetteville fans, little to nothing in the marketing area and I can't remember the last time I seen a Fayetteville press release. OK, Mr. King, good team, no question about it, but if you want people to come, let them at least know of it's existence.

This week's forfeits

Headline should read this weeks game's I know, but that wouldn't get anybodies attention. Pretty much old news, except nobody has bothered to tell the NIFL webmaster yet. Katy at Twin City, cancelled, forfeit win to Katy. Tri-Cities at Big Sky, cancelled, forfeit win to the Fever. Wyoming at St. Joseph, should be cancelled and save some good Cavalry money being spent on a bad trip.

Speaking of St Joe

Okay, the Cyclones took over for the Lincoln Capitols in their third game of the season. Most said the St Joe ownership couldn't afford the NIFL, bit NIFL leadership promised support. We all laughed at the foolishness of the St Joe owners in believing that story. Guess what, owners gone, new owners suckered in.

To add some insult to injury I guess some player in Lincoln remain unpaid, but have been asked to stick around in case they are needed. Reports I get are they were told to hit the road if they didn't like the terms of playing without pay. Huh? OK, where's the decision on this one? Play and not be paid or not play and not get paid? Hmmm. Get real players, get an attorney and sue their butts for what you are owed.

2007

This is how I see 2007 shaping up. I feel there is going to be major changes in where teams are in more than just the NIFL. I see the southern-most teams in the NIFL and AIFL joining in a league of their own. I see some of the northern AIFL teams going to the GLIFL. I see the RiverCity Rage, NIFL, going somewhere, maybe af2 or UIF. I don't know about the Fayetteville Guard, but they better find a home as well. I think Dayton disappears, Cincinnati finds a new home and the announced Toledo NIFL franchise turns into failure before it starts. In the south, I see Katy going IFL and Beaumont caught between a rock and a hard place. In the west Billings and Tri-Cities will make some kind of move I'm sure. Rapid City may be stuck like Beaumont, wanting out, but no place to go. Wyoming needs a new league and appears the UIF may be their only option.

Leagues coming and going

I think the NIFL and AIFL will see so many changes in teams we won't recognize either, if they even return for 2007. I'm not 100% sure the UIF won't fade this season as well. I keep hearing rumors of major problems, but can't get confirmation. I also seriously wonder if the IFL won't do the one and done thing again. Leadership seems to be the common problem in all the mentioned leagues.

So who benefits? That's easy, the APFL and GLIFL. Everybody wants to look down on these two leagues as jokes or something it seems, but they could rise to be the top dogs in 2007. There might be 2 or 3 new leagues pop up as well.

Giving notice

I understand NIFL teams have till June 1st to turn in their resignations to the league. If you haven't started, better get those drafted and get them in. I don't think any quality NIFL team should even be considering staying at this point.

OK, games this week

Best game on tap is Rapid City at Billings without question. Billings with only one loss and Chris Dixon back with the team makes this game a don't miss for sure. Dayton at RiverCity, questionable, but will probably be played. Florida at Greensboro, will go on as scheduled, which is a surprise. Lakeland at Charleston, no problem, played as scheduled. Katy at Twin City, cancelled. Twin City at Big Sky, cancelled. Wyoming at St Joseph, should be cancelled and might be, don't know. Tennessee at Cincinnati, the reported hired semi pro team, Tennessee Pioneers, makes the trip to the Marshals in what might be the joke game of the week. Palm Beach at Fayetteville, if enough Phantom players stayed over this week, there might be a game.

NIFL trying to hide the facts

In my opinion the NIFL webmaster isn't dumb, slow or all that misinformed. I don't see that as the reason cancelled games and forfeits aren't put on the official site, not front page anyway. I think its just more NIFL trying to hide the facts from the public. JUst an opinion though.

Firestorm engulfs all it touches

Those that seen the fires exploding into this firestorm already prepared for the fall out. Those who are not prepared are urged to find shelter in the safest league available to you. To not move, to not seek shelter means certain death.

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National Indoor Football League Stories from May 26, 2006


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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