The Death of the AFL
.oO0Oo. 15 Sep 06
One of the long running distinctions between the AFL and NFL was the often touted "Iron Man Football" aspect of the arena game. It harkened back to the early days of pro football when many players played both offense and defense.
On Wednesday, September 13, the Arena Football League Board of Directors approved the introduction of free substitution. In the past AFL coaches were limited to one substitution per position per quarter. Starting this season coaches will be permitted to substitute players at will.
The idea is that free substitution will improve the overall quality of AFL football. The new rule is expected to decrease penalties, particularly late in the game, as well as putting the best players on the field for every play. Reportedly teams will now be able to select from a wider player talent pool when building their rosters. How exactly this will be accomplished is beyond me unless the current active roster size is increased.
Another year and another change brought about by the ever increasing NFL influence on the Arena Football League. When the ticket prices jump to keep pace with the increased salary cap needed for the expanded rosters I'll have to rethink my two decade long allegiance to this sport. The Iron Man award was already diluted due to OS and DS players playing special teams. This will probably only further weaken the status of the award. Though it should increase the average score of an AFL game so that should make those with the gadfly attention spans happy.
Not surprisingly the changes were recommended by the Rules and Competition Committee chaired by NFL Hall of Famer Colorado Crush Co-Owner and CEO John Elway. Elway, like the Soul's Ron Jaworski, has expressed interest in making the AFL more like the NFL. Bringing the rules more in line with the bigger league. While I certainly understand the benefit to the players hoping to make the NFL or adapt to moving to the AFL. The only other benefit I can possibly imagine is the addition of new fans that found the nuances of the indoor game too alien to consider following it in the past. I can do without those fans. Coaches can now simply plug in specialty players in an arbitrary fashion and no longer need to actually plan match ups around the available personnel. Great for them. Crap for the AFL fan.
A change that makes a bit more sense is the removal of coaches from the field during the game. Previously, one coach per team was allowed on the field during game action. Observant fans may have notice coaches were not allowed on the field for special teams play last season. This was to transition to this year's rule change. Now if they can just remove the offficals from the field. Most that were on it last season were nothing more than obstacles in the field of play.
Other changes approved 2007 season:
Box Rule Markings: Field markings will be instituted to provide the officials with a point of reference to aid in enforcing the Box Rule, which restricts the movement of the Jack linebacker until the ball is thrown or the quarterback scrambles out of the pocket.
Tie-breaking system: Teams will not be re-seeded for the Conference Championship Round of the playoffs.
Injured Reserve: If a team puts a player on Injured Reserve, the player will be out for four weeks instead of two.