One of the key characteristics of the Arena Football League in its first 20 years has been the use of two-way players.
With small rosters and small payrolls, the AFL did not allow teams to freely substitute players. With the exceptions of kickers, quarterbacks, defensive specialists and offensive specialists, most of the team had to be ready to play both ways.
It created interesting matchups as players normally used to playing only defense or offense were forced to learn additional skills just to keep their jobs.
Offensive linemen such as Hans Olsen were required to switch gears and try to attack quarterbacks rather than protect them. Receivers like Tom Pace and Orshawante Bryant had to cover speedy receivers and try to stop them from scoring.
That's all changed now, though, as the AFL — recently partnering with ESPN — has tweaked the rule book and will allow unlimited substitutions.
"I like it," newly acquired Utah fullback/linebacker Frank Carter said. "I'm a true linebacker. Now I can concentrate a little bit more on just that."
Carter is good at both offense and defense. He can carry the ball when asked to, supply a second level of pass protection and even catch a screen pass. But he's much happier getting a rest and focusing on defense.
Not everyone, though, is cool with the switch.
Though he will still probably see time on both sides of the ball, Olsen thinks the AFL is shedding one of its identifying characteristics in order to please its new corporate partner. He said the new substitution rules will change the game.
Exactly how it changes, he is not certain. But he said he is unsure the move will be a good one.
"It was one of the things that made us different than the NFL," Olsen said. "Now, we're just a mini version of the outdoor game instead of being unique."
Knowing the change was coming, Utah coach Danny White made acquiring quality defensive backs an offseason priority.
Former Ute Clarence Lawson made the move from Arizona to the Blaze where he can focus on defending passes instead of catching them. Utah also recently added defensive specialist Terrance Joseph to the roster. The veteran DB from Tulsa had four interceptions and 62 tackles for Arizona in 2005.
"I think it will improve the way some teams play," White said. "I know being able to let players focus on one area where they are best suited will help them and help us be able to address other needs. It's going to change the way teams are made up, that's for sure. You now can go out and target players that are strong in one area, but you might have had second thoughts about because they were not as strong on the other side."
Utah went out and grabbed specialists on the line, as well. Steve Konopka is one of the better pass rushers in the AFL and was signed to help strengthen the team's struggling defensive line.
"We'll see how it all shakes out," White said. "Every team out there is going to have to figure out how to do this and how to make it work best. We'll see who does it fastest."
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com