A year ago there were 18 teams in the Arena Football League, and 12 made the playoffs — including teams with losing records like the 7-9 Utah Blaze and Chicago Rush.
While the Blaze flamed out in the Wildcard round of the playoffs, the Rush caught fire. Chicago, despite a losing regular-season record, won four straight postseason games — including the ArenaBowl XX in Las Vegas.
That sort of unpredictability is a trademark in the AFL. This year there are 19 teams in the league, as all of the 18 from last year return as does the New Orleans VooDoo, which took the 2006 season off while the city rebounded following Hurricane Katrina.
"It's going to be an even match with all 19 teams this year," said Blaze coach/general manger Danny White. "Everybody has talent and everybody gets paid. It will just come down to the teams that execute — and that's the way it should be."
The biggest change in the league is that players no longer will be required to play both offense and defense. That will only serve to increase the talent level in the league, according to White.
"Everybody is going to go with those big offensive specialists with the rule change since they don't have to play defense now," he said. "Everybody is loading up on big, fast receivers."
Then again, defenses should also be better, too. So whether or not scoring will be up or down is anybody's guess.
Here's a brief look at each AFL team:
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Western Division
San Jose SaberCats
2006 record: 10-6
2006 playoff results: had first round bye; beat Arizona; lost to Chicago in the Conference championship game
2007 outlook: Should again be a favorite in the Western Division. Veteran quarterback Mark Grieb has several fine receivers to throw to, while the SaberCats also have an outstanding secondary led by Omarr Smith and Clevan Thomas
Arizona Rattlers
2006 record: 8-8
2006 playoff results: beat Utah in the Wildcard round; lost to San Jose in Divisional round
2007 outlook: Veteran QB Sherdrick Bonner is 38 and on his last legs, but he still got the job done last season. His best receiver, Randy Gatewood, is also up there in age — by AFL standards — at 34.
Utah Blaze
2006 record: 7-9
2006 playoff results: lost to Arizona in the Wildcard round
2007 outlook: Offense was strong in first year in league, but defense was another story. To that end, White added veteran defenders in the offseason — DL Steve Konopka, LB Frank Carter and DBs Clarence Lawson and Terrance Joseph.
Los Angeles Avengers
2006 record: 5-11
2006 playoff results: failed to qualify
2007 outlook: QB Sonnie Crumbie took some lumps last year as a rookie, but should be much improved in his second AFL season. Receiver Antoine Burns had a big first AFL season and will need to come up big if L.A. wants to return to its division title ways of 2005.
Las Vegas Gladiators
2006 record: 5-11
2006 playoff results: failed to qualify
2007 outlook: Head coach Ron James was let go after the season — landing on the Blaze staff as an assistant coach. He was replaced by Danton Barto. They have one of the biggest names in the AFL — ex-NFL QB Shaun King, a former starter the Tampa Bay Bucs — but he has yet to take a snap in the AFL.
Central Division
Colorado Crush
2006 record: 11-5
2006 playoff results: had a first-round bye; lost to Chicago in Divisional round
2007 outlook: The 2005 ArenaBowl champs — co-owned by John Elway — have one of the best offenses around. QB John Dutton and WR Damien Harrell return to lead the way once again. The defensive backfield is also strong, leg by Rashad Floyd and Ahmad Hawkins.
Nashville Kats
2006 record: 8-8
2006 playoff results: lost to Chicago in the Wildcard round
2007 outlook: Landed a top free agent in the offseason in Carlos Wright, a WR/DB who also was one of the league's top kick returners last season for league champion Chicago. Started 2006 strong but struggled down the stretch. QB Clint Stoerner is a key, but the Kats don't have to score as many points as some teams thanks to a strong defense.
Chicago Rush
2006 record: 7-9
2006 playoff results: beat Nashville, Colorado, San Jose and Orlando to win ArenaBowl XX
2007 outlook: This team had a subpar regular season only to get hot when it mattered — winning four straight to earn the ArenaBowl title. Most of the team returns — including QB Matt D'Orazio and speedy receiver Bobby Sippio. Added E.J. Burt, a pass rushing defensive lineman who played last year for Philadelphia, as a free agent.
Grand Rapids Rampage
2006 record: 5-11
2006 playoff results: failed to qualify
2007 outlook: WR/DB Timon Marshall led the AFL in all-purpose yardage last season with 2,734. He'll get some help this year, as ex-NFL players Troy Edwards and Scotty Anderson will join him. The Rampage also added a couple of talented defensive backs in the offseason. The biggest question for this team is at quarterback.
Kansas City Brigade
2006 record: 3-13
2006 playoff results: failed to qualify
2007 outlook: Last year's starting quarterback at the end of the season, Raymond Philyaw, will be pushed for playing time by Michael Bishop, formerly a backup in Chicago. Depth at all positions may be the biggest weakness for this second-year franchise, however.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Eastern Division
Dallas Desperadoes
2006 record: 13-3
2006 playoff results: earned a first-round bye, beat Georgia, lost to Orlando in the Conference Finals
2007 outlook: The Desperadoes tied the AFL record for wins in a season behind QB Clint Dolezel last season. With Dolezel back and with the addition of WR Marcus Nash, formerly of Las Vegas, Dallas should once again have a potent offense. Their defense is solid, too, making the Desperadoes one of the early favorites for this year's ArenaBowl.
New York Dragons
2006 record: 10-6
2006 playoff results: lost to Georgia in the Wildcard round
2007 outlook: Aaron Garcia is one of the top AFL QBs when healthy. The problem is that he is not completely healthy after breaking his leg last season. The Dragons have a top receiver in Mike Horacek along with Kevin Swayne and Will Holder. The key to a long playoff run will be if Garcia is able to play.
Philadelphia Soul
2006 record: 9-7
2006 playoff results: beat Austin in the Wildcard round, lost to Austin in Divisional round
2007 outlook: QB Tony Graziani is a playmaker as is receiver Sean Scott. The defense lost its best pass rusher to free agency but should still be a strength for head coach Bret Munsey, a former defensive coordinator. Philly should battle Dallas for the division title.
Columbus Destroyers
2006 record: 8-8
2006 playoff results: did not qualify
2007 outlook: The Destroyers have made the playoffs only twice in eight years and may be hard-pressed to get there again in this tough division. They have a new QB in Matt Nagy and new receivers in Damien Groce and Josh Bush. The defense is led by Jerald Brown, who had 11 interceptions last year.
Southern Division
Orlando Predators
2006 record: 10-6
2006 playoff results: earned a first-round bye; beat Philadelphia; beat Dallas; lost to Chicago in ArenaBowl XX
2007 outlook: Consistently one of the AFL's best defensive teams and this year should be no different. Signed former Tampa Bay QB Shane Stafford in the offseason, which should help their offensive firepower. This team, coached by AFL veteran Jay Gruden, has one of the best track records in the league and two AFL titles.
Austin Wranglers
2006 record: 10-6
2006 playoff results: lost to Philadelphia in the Wildcard round
2007 outlook: QB Adrian McPherson was the AFL's Rookie of the Year in 2004, but has been out of the league (and on NFL rosters) the following two seasons. He's back and ready to take over for the Wranglers. McPherson has a couple of top receivers to throw to in Derrick Lewis and Kevin Nickerson and Austin should again get to the postseason.
Georgia Force
2006 record: 8-8
2006 playoff results: beat New York in the Wildcard round; lost to Dallas in the Divisional round
2007 outlook: Receiving corps of Troy Bergeron, Chris Jackson and Derek Lee will be a force for the Force. The offensive and defensive lines are also impressive. This team could be a title contender — if it gets good quarterback play. QB Chris Greisen should have success, however, thanks to the talent around him.
Tampa Bay Storm
2006 record: 7-9
2006 playoff results: failed to qualify
2007 outlook: Tim Marcum — the only man with more AFL coaching victories than Utah's Danny White — is used to long runs in the postseason. His team's not making the playoffs didn't sit well. QB John Kaleo returns. He helped the Storm to the 2003 AFL title. He has a couple of fine receivers to throw to in Lawrence Samuels and T.T. Toliver.
New Orleans VooDoo
2006 record: 0-0
2006 playoff results: N/A
2007 outlook: After taking the 2006 season off as the city recovered from Hurricane Katrina, the VooDoo is back. Because of the hiatus, the team is almost like an expansion franchise, however. The good news is that they have an experienced quarterback — Andy Kelly. Blaze fans will remember him from his six-game stint as a starter to end the year for Utah. He led the Blaze to a 4-2 record in those games.
E-mail: lojo@desnews.com