Important happenings in the Spokane sports scene

I know Casey is all big and mighty with his "major league professional sports teams" but Spokane has teams too. Here's what happened last night...

Spokane Chiefs win second-round opener against Tri-City - Is there anything better than beating Tri-City (other than not living in the Tri City, I don't think so)? Nope. And considering the Americans had a really good regular season and Spokane almost didn't get out of the first round - well, we'll take it. It also knocks and kink in the Americans armor since the first game was played in Kennewick. If the Chiefs win the second game, they'll head back to Spokane with a 2-0 series lead. Time. To. Start. Getting. Excited.

Shock lose to Arizona, drop to 1-3 on the season - With a new/old quarterback in Kyle Rowley (who had just three days of practice), the Shock had a few costly fumbles. One of the fumbles came late in the fourth with Spokane up 53-50 and on Arizona's five-yard line. “We kind of handed it to them,” Rowley said. “The second fumble, that’s on the refs. The guy jumped offside and everybody saw it in the whole arena. It’s just tough. He’s in our center’s face.”

Spokane Shock are ranked No. 9 in preseason poll

The Arena Football season is just around the corner, meaning that football season is just around the corner in Spokane. Despite a 9-9 season last year, they're ranked No. 9 in the league heading into this season. They open the season on March 12, hosting Iowa.

West-coast rivals, the Utah Blaze and the Spokane Shock are eighth and ninth in the preseason polling, continuing a battle that will persist all season. Quarterback Tommy Grady leads a Blaze offense that scores as efficiently as anyone in the League, while the Shock rely on their raucous crowd and limited turnovers to propel them to victory.

I'm suprised they didn't mention former EWU quarterback and Walter Payton Award Winner ERIC MEYER, who is going to tear up the league this year as the Shock's starting quarterback. And let's be honest about Utah, about four people show up to their games.

Erik Meyer is BACK!

Eastern Washington, your hero is back!

Erik Meyer, recently traded to the Spokane Shock, went off for seven touchdown and led the defending AFL Champions to a 75-54 victory. He was selected as the MVP of the game and put new life into the team that is hanging onto the post season with a 5-7 record.

I always felt like Meyer got a rough deal from the NFL and has a bucket full of talent. But he's gotten an even rougher deal from EWU.

At my first EWU game, I remember Wulff was going through him and another quarterback to decide who would be the starter. It became quickly evident that Meyer was the man. It was like watching the kid in Pop Warner football that already developed a throwing motion and gone throw puberty, he was just above and beyond everyone else.

Meyer had a large part in making EWU Football in what it was today. And yet no honors? Why not retire his number? I know that Roos donated a bunch of money and is a big NFL tackle, but remember who he was blocking for? Meyer.

He won the Walter Payton Award, the best player in FCS, and in the years since you wouldn't even know he played for Eastern. Shame on you Eastern. Shame on you.

At least now the Shock will have to think about a statue at this point.

Erik Meyer sparks Shock - spokaneshock.com: News

Rob Keefe is a standup guy

So the Spokane Shock got beaten pretty badly in their season opener in San Jose last night. No big deal, it's a long season and the Shock lost their first game last year before going on to win the AFL championship. Today on Facebook, Spokane Shock head coach Rob Keefe had to say this...

I want to apologize to all of the Spokane Shock fans around the country because we did not play up to our potential this weekend. I will never let this happen again. I am embarrassed and upset for our players, organization, and coaching staff. I take full responsibility for this loss. "I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed." Michael Jordan

You don't here a football coach say things like that very often. Good for him to step up, and knowing Rob Keefe, he really means it. Chances are the Shock won't be losing to many teams this season...

Spokane Shock headed to championship game

In case you didn't hear... the Spokane Shock are going to the AFL Championship game. Just how big of a deal is it? Let me spell this out for all of you people.

Spokane has long had little-man syndrome. We've been the little guy to Seattle. Our Cougars have been the little guys to the Huskies. Our Eags have been the little guys to the Montana Grizzlies. Our sports teams have been minor league compared to the bigger cities, but they've always been well-supported and well-attended.

Ask the Spokane Indians, who have led the Northwest League in attendance for how many years? Ask the Spokane Chiefs, who on a sell-out night have the best atmosphere in junior hockey. Period.

And Ask Spokane Shock fans.

Dare I say, Spokane has had the best game-day atmosphere out of any Arena Football team. The Shock from the start have been the top standard in the af2. But it was the af2. Minor-league. Not in line with all the bigger cities.

Now that they're part of the AFL, this team from Spokane is beating up on cities like Jacksonville, Chicago, Milwaukee ... you know, big markets. I know the AFL isn't the NFL, but pound for pound the Shock are showing that this city can support a big boy sports team.

And they belong in the big boy sports discussion.

The Arena Bowl will be insane on Friday night. Insane! I've been to one arena cup and I've never heard a crowd more behind it's team. It just doesn't get loud, it gets eardrum busting. It gets to the point where the hair on the back of your neck starts to stand up, your mouth starts to drop wide open and you ask yourself "I'm really part of this, wow!"

You know when you watch a sports moment and you get a "chill" during the real dramatic scenes. You'll get more than a few chills this Friday at the Arena Cup. You'll see a team in love with a team, and a team that appreciated the support they get from the crowd.

Either way, Orlando and Tampa Bay are in some serious trouble right now.

Shock still Arena Football's best

Still the most underappreciated story of Washington sports this year is how awesome Spokane is playing. They won another game, and they're a league-best 12-2 on the season.

The Spokane Shock didn’t play perfect football Friday, but they managed to keep their unblemished road record intact.

The second-ranked Shock built a big early lead, and then weathered a rough patch late in the second quarter and early in the third before subduing Iowa 48-42 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Spokane won its 10th straight to improve to an Arena Football League-best 12-2. The Shock are 7-0 in road games. Iowa, which handed Spokane its lone defeat in the 2009 arenafootball2 season, dropped to 6-8.

Spokane can clinch hosting rights throughout the playoffs with a home victory against Chicago next Friday.

Do you think the Seattle Seahawks will win half as many games as the Shock this year?

Harsh words for the AFL

A staff writer for ArenaFan.com has basically written off this new league, in one sense or another. 

The AFL doesn't care about its statistics or fielding good refs that have a clue how to read a rulebook. So many teams could care less about fielding competitive teams and are just going through the motions of playing the season out. Enough of the players don't care that it is really starting to show.

So why should I, or any of the other hundreds of thousands of fans of this league care anymore? Yes, I'm still going to find myself going to games for the rest of this season and into next year, if for no other reason, it is a social outlet for myself with a lot of the friends that I have built through this league through the years.

But no, I'm not amused anymore. If I was sitting down and watching this crazy indoor game for the first time this season, I'd be turning off the television set and forgetting that it ever existed. In fact, even knowing my history and having the love for the game, it seems to me as though all of the fun that used to exist in the AFL is quickly leaving.

Hopefully when next season rolls around, the game won't be this painful to watch or ultimately, it won't just be the fun that is a thing of the past. The Arena Football League as a whole will probably be a thing of the past as well.

I'll agree that the refs in the league are terrible, but wasn't it understood from the start as being a hyrbid of the af2 and the AFL. And also keep in mind that the af2 was financially viable whereas the AFL wasn't. It's also a very big presumption to say that the players don't care. Sounds like a kid crying to mommy. It really does. 

Shock clinch division

Alright, so when do we start resting the starters? Cause it's O-VA!

CLEVELAND – Just in time for the bright lights.

The Spokane Shock will make their national television debut adorned with the trappings of the AFL’s Western Division crown after defeating the Cleveland Gladiators 62-56 before 8,237 fans on Saturday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

The victory came in overtime on Travis Williams’ interception return for a touchdown and, along with Arizona’s loss to Chicago, secured the division title for Spokane.

Friday, the Shock will make their national television debut on the NFL Network’s “Arena Game of the Week” as they travel to Iowa and take on the Barnstormers.

You hear that Iowa? You and your corn are going down!

Shock remain on top

This season just keeps on getting better for the Spokane Shock. Their latest test - the No. 2 ranked Arizona Rattlers - was a dramatic, defensive-laden battle but they came out on top once again.

July 2, 2010– Spokane, WA: The Spokane Shock defeated the Arizona Rattlers tonight, 37-36, for its tenth win of the season. The Shock are the first team in the AFL with ten wins and with only two losses, they have the best record in the league.

What does 10-2 mean? Well it means playoffs and a good shot at home field advantage, and that would be gigantic for the team in the post-season. Word on the street was that last night's crowd was amazing and as much as incoming teams like to play it down, the 9th man does get into the head of teams. They don't expect it from an arena football crowd (no offense).

Shock win seventh straight

It's officially starting to get exciting for the Spokane Shock. They avenged their opening season loss to the Milwaulkee Iron last night, smacking the cheeseheads around 62-48.

Spokane had travel issues Friday and eventually had to bus from Minneapolis to Milwaukee, arriving at 4 a.m. Saturday. It didn’t seem to bother the top-ranked Shock on the field as they toppled Milwaukee 62-48 Saturday night to improve to 9-2.

The Shock’s seventh straight victory sets up a big showdown with No. 2 Arizona, which knocked off Jacksonville 66-50 on the road Saturday night. Arizona (8-3) has won six straight after a 63-56 loss to Spokane in Phoenix.

Well after all this talk about whether or not the Shock belong in the AFL, well, I mean this pretty much answers those questions right?

Shock are tops

Hands down, the Spokane Shock are the best team in the AFL. They proved that last night when they rolled past the Tulsa Talons 63-42, and the formerly No. 1 ranked Jacksonville Sharks fell 70-48 to to Orlando. Spokane improves to 8-2 on the season.

“You have to give all the credit to the guys, they’ve been working so hard to be No. 1,” head coach Rob Keefe said. “If we are No. 1, there’s a responsibility that comes with that. Everyone is going to be gunning for us. We can’t let up.” Spokane (8-2) has had easier wins this season, but Friday’s may have been its most complete effort.

“Our guys are starting to understand what we expect of them, that non-stop aggressiveness, that inner drive. A lot of arena football is just being aware of what’s going on around you and having stamina. Our guys understand it’s four quarters, not two and a half.” Rowley bounced back from a three-interception performance last week with 307 yards passing. Vijil had another big night with 11 catches for 103 yards. He has 1,029 yards receiving and 31 TD catches this season.

They'll travel to Milwaukee next week, the same team that handed them an opening season loss. Time for redemption? 

AF1 gets contract with NFL Network

Good news everybody! Well those of you that have the NFL Network on your cable package and you follow the AF1. Every Friday night you'll be able to tune into the marquee game for the league that week (meaning that the Spokane Shock should be on basically every Friday).

TULSA, Okla. -- Arena football's new league has reached a one-year agreement with the NFL Network to broadcast a game of the week.

Spokesman Dennis Johnson confirmed Monday that the network will show one of Arena Football One's games each Friday night under the deal, which also has an option for a second year.

The agreement was first reported by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal.
By the way, found this on Tim Lewis' twitter, the hardest working sports anchor in Spokane. Follow him on Twitter and you'll know everything going on in this city.

The Thrill is back with the Shock

The af2 had showed their inability to find answers for Raul "The Thrill" Vijil and he was slated to move up to the AFL before the league went kaput. Now he'll have a chance to show his mustard on the top level of arena football as the Spokane Shock have added him back on the roster. Woo!

The Spokane Shock announced today that WR Raul Vijil has been added to the 2010 roster. Vijil, 5-11 190, is the seventh member of the 2009 ArenaCup Champions to re-sign with the team.

Vijil holds several all-time franchise records including receiving yards (3,869), receptions (339), touchdown receptions (98) and all-purpose yards (6,846).

In each of the last three seasons, Vijil has been selected as a first team all-af2 receiver. In the Shock’s victory over the Wilkes-Berry Scranton Pioneers in the 2009 ArenaCup, Vijil recorded 11 receptions for 108 yards with three touchdowns.

“There is no doubt that Raul has had an unbelievable career in the af2,” Head Coach Rob Keefe said. “Now, as we move forward to a higher level of football, he will be challenged more than ever. With that being said, I feel confident that Raul is ready to step up his game to the next level.”

I'd say that Vijil is already at that next level and he'll be a vital addition to the Shock. This team is shaping up nicely.

Shock get new QB

The Spokane Shock announced a new quarterback on the roster today, this time with a guy that had a little bit of big-time football experience.

Spokane announced the addition of three players, including 6-foot-5, 238-pound quarterback Chris Crane, who was in training camp with the Indianapolis Colts over the summer.

Crane backed up Matt Ryan at Boston College before taking over as the starter as a senior. He doesn’t have arena football experience. Crane and 2009 Shock backup Casey Hansen, also 6-5 and 230 pounds, are the team’s only QBs at this point.

Hey getting Matt Ryan would be great. Matt Ryan's backup? We'll see.

Quarterbacks that the Spokane Shock should get

The Spokane Shock are currently filling their roster for the upcoming season and it's apparent the talent level has been ramped up quite a bit. That opens up the possibility that we might see some recognizable names coming through the Spokane Arena. Here's who I think they should go after...

Doug Flutie - They play on a small field, might as well go after a small quarterback. I think Doug Flutie is the only NFL quarterback in history not allowed on a rollercoster because of his height. "Awww look at the small guy, they put pads on him and everything..."

Mister Ed - This guy is clutch and would only require hay as pay.

Kyle Orton - After his game last night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, I don't think he'll be in the NFL very long.

Ryan Leaf - "...and from THE Washington State University and THE Texas State Penitentiary, RYYYYAAAAN LEAF!" and the crowd goes wild. 

The Wildcat- the first wildcat offense in Arena Football?! The Spokane Shock should be pioneers.

Me - No seriously, you should have seen me kick this guys butt after the photo was taken. Plus I can throw a football up past them thare mountains.

We'll keep you updated on the Shock's progress this season.

Shock members of new arena football league

Arena Football has been resurrected, say hello to Arena Football 1...

Tulsa, OK: Arena Football 1 was officially introduced this afternoon at a press conference held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With this announcement, it is assured, the game Jim Foster invented will be competitive and above all fan friendly. Long serving arena football executive Jerry Kurz was introduced as Commissioner of the newly created league that will unite former AFL, af2 and other indoor football teams under the Arena Football 1 banner.

As of right now three markets from the AFL will be business: Chicago, Phoenix and Orlando. One of the smaller markets will be none another than Spokane, meaning the dream of the Shock becoming an AFL team has kind of come true.

While I'm assuming there will be some sort of tier system, here's the other markets they'll have in the AF1.

The initial sixteen teams and their respective markets are: Arizona, Arkansas, Bossier-Shreveport, Central Valley (Fresno, California), Chicago, Iowa, Jacksonville, Kentucky, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Spokane, Tennessee Valley (Alabama), Tri-Cities Washington, Tulsa, Utah (Salt Lake City). Additional teams will be announced by October 9th.

Wait a minute! Tri-Cities gets an AF1 team? Weren't they like the worst market/team in the af2? Oh boy... let's hope they're put in Tier 2 and ran out of the league in a year or so.

Shackleford out as head coach of the Spokane Shock

Huge news from the Lilac City if you're an arena football fan. Coach Shackleford - who took the Spokane Shock to two Arena Cups and won one of them - is out as coach. He will be replaced by former Shock player and assistant coach Rob Keefe.

Adam Shackleford is out as head coach of the Spokane Shock and he will be replaced by former Shock standout Rob Keefe, The Spokesman-Review has learned.

The Shock, who are on the verge of moving into a new league that is expected to compete at the highest level of arena football, issued a press release late Wednesday morning announcing Shackleford won’t be back for a fourth season as head coach. Spokane went 19-1 in Shackleford’s final season, winning the ArenaCup title last month in Las Vegas.

“We really gave ‘Shack’ a month to get off the (ArenaCup) championship and come back down and get ready for next season,” Shock majority owner Brady Nelson said. “Unfortunately we didn’t have a lot of time to enjoy the championship because we know we’re playing in this new league and it’s going to take another level or commitment and work.

“The more and more we started working toward our goals, the more we felt we wanted to go in a different direction.”

Shackleford was disappointed with ownership’s decision.

“I wanted to be here, I planned on being here and was still working hard, and I was fired,” said Shackleford, who coached Spokane to three division championships, two conference championships and one ArenaCup title in three seasons. “I don’t want anybody to think this is what I wanted.”

I'm not going to jump to any conclusions here without any facts, but the news itself is very stunning since he won the Arena Cup Championship last year. Wow.

Shock to join AFL 2.0

It looks like Spokane has just gone big-time... as the Shock are looking to join the new Arena Football League that will be forming in the ashes of the AFL.

“I was asked every single year: Would you ever join the AFL? And I always said, ‘No, it wouldn’t make any sense.’ Under the new scenario, it does make sense and I think we’re going to have a chance to play in a little bigger pond and have the big boys come to town and see what it’s like to play in our building.” Nelson said he can’t discuss specifics because details are still being worked out, but the new league could have 12-15 teams, including four former af2 franchises, several from the defunct AFL and a few expansion teams. Former af2 teams could include Spokane, Tulsa, Iowa and Milwaukee. Utah, Arizona, San Jose, Orlando, Tampa Bay and Chicago – all part of the AFL, which folded after the 2008 season – have been mentioned as candidates for the new league.

And pay will be improved... kind of.

Players in the top-tier league likely would make $400 per game for the first season, up from the $200 (plus $50 for a win) per-game salary in af2.

An official announcement isn’t expected for at least a week or two. The new league hopes to announce a schedule sometime in October.

Can't wait to see what happens with this.

Epic Video: Shock are the Champs!

In case you missed it this weekend, here are highlights from the Spokane Shock winning their second af2 championship.

The AFL probably won't return

Apparently Spokane is the last, great stronghold for Arena Football.

The president of the Tampa Bay Storm announced (via Facebook) that the AFL "will not be returning." Probably ever. Surprisingly, not playing the 2009 season didn't help to turn things around! Does this mean they file for Chapter 5.5 bankruptcy?

I was worried about this. What does this mean for the Spokane Shock of the af2? The minor-league for the AFL is strangely still alive a kicking (probably because they have a much more realistic financial model) but now where the heck would their players go from here?

Obviously there needs to be a minor-league system for the NFL because they just disbanded NFL Europe, so does the af2 tweak some things and become the main feeder league? Or is that crown for the UFL?

Interesting news, I think this really puts in the af2 (are they the af1 now?) in a strange situation.