Everything You Need to Know to Follow the Arena Football League 2017 Season

Arena Football League 2017 Season Breakdown

by, Billy Mumphrey



 

The Arena Football League has had it's many ups and downs, teams leaving, teams folding and re-joining. But when all is said and done, this year, the Arena Football League will be celebrating its 30th season, which is a pretty great accomplishment. After the 2016 Season, the league dramatically lost five of its eight teams; the Portland Steel, Orlando Predators, Los Angeles KISS, Jacksonville Sharks, and the Arizona Rattlers. The thee teams left, the Philadelphia Soul, Cleveland Gladiators, and Tampa Bay Storm were then joined by two new teams, the Washington Valor and the Baltimore Brigade.

 

And now, even with a slender five team group and the consolidation of players leaving every team basically an All-Star team, the Arena Football League is quickly rebuilding. The major reason for this is its overwhelming dedication to the fans. The AFL and it's players are not only known for putting on a great athletic performance on the field, but interacting and putting on a show for the fans. This is why people love Arena Football once they begin to follow it. The games are high scoring, with receivers flying around catching passes over hockey boards, big hits over the middle and thrilling endings. So, here is what you need to know about the storylines and teams of the AFL 2017 Season:

 

 

1. The Philadelphia Soul: 

The Philadelphia Soul were the 2016 AFL Champions. Their team is one of the most well known in the AFL and most years they do well. They have a great rivalry with the Cleveland Gladiators; the games are epic. Notable Players: QB Dan Raudabaugh (8th Season) AFL MVP 2015, Offensive Player of the Year. DB's James Romain (5th Season) and Dwayne Hollis (3rd Season) Both AFL All-Arena Team Players. They will be tough this year.

 



 

 

2. The Cleveland Gladiators: 

The Cleveland Gladiators are one of the most fan followed teams in the AFL. The Gladiators Arena is one of the loudest to play in and they continually fill the house. Notable Players: WR Collin Taylor, Caught 110 passes for 32 Touchdowns. QB Arvell Nelson (2nd Season). DB Fred Obi (3rd Season) AFL All-Second Team. JLB Terence Moore (6th Season) AFL All-Second Team.

 

 

Arena Football Highlights

 

 

3. The Tampa Bay Storm 

The last of three franchises left from 2016 and with a huge local following is the Tampa Bay Storm. The Storm made two huge veteran signings and two huge rookie signings one of each on offense and defense. The veteran players are: LB Dexter Jackson (6th Season) 2016 AFL All-Arena Selection. WR Tyrone Goard (4th Season) Portland Steel's favorite receivers. The rookie players are: DL OJ Mau, Gardner-Webb's only 3 Time All-America. OL Jeremiah Warren, Played 3 Years in the NFL.



 

4. The Washington Valor 

One of the new franchises that has really managed to pick up quite the following on social media in the short amount of time they have existed is the Washington Valor. This franchise feels dedicated to growing the AFL fan base. They began by signing three big players: DB Terrance Smith (6^th Season) AFL All-Arena Team, AFL All-Ironman Team. QB Erik Meyer (8^th Season) AFL MVP 2013, Won Arena Bowl with San Jose Sabre Cats with 17-1 Record. WR Mike Washington (7^th Season) 141 Career Touchdowns. The Valor also produce a Docu Web-Series about the behind the scenes working of the franchise that is really awesome and gives a great inside look. You can watch it HERE.

 

 

5. The Baltimore Brigade

The last new franchise is the Baltimore Brigade which is owned by the same group who owns the Washington Valor and I'm sure will make for an unbelievable future rivalry. The Brigade were not messing around when they brought in Head Coach Omarr Smith and his staff who have a combined 15 Area Bowl Championships. This team won't need much help. They have begun their roster with two solid DB signings in Alfonzo Dennard and Travis Hawkins. Dennard played three years in the NFL and Hawkins played two years in the CFL. Pretty good start.

 

 

This season is going to be filled with spectacular plays and nail biting finishes and Local Big Time is going to follow the storylines and continue to bring you results and articles.

 

Here is the Television Schedule: TV Schedule.

 

For more news and information on the AFL click HERE.