If the Continental Indoor Football League's Chicago Slaughter win a title, reach some great attendance marks and land some regular coverage, they have the Arena Football League and the Chicago Rush to thank.
The Slaughter are pulling out all the punches to take over arena football in the Chicago area this year. They open their 2009 season this Friday when they host the Milwaukee Bonecrushers at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.
With the absence of the AFL this year, the Slaughter have been a huge beneficiary of the Rush's players, and their caliber of play should go through the roof with their new acquisitions. In December of last year, the AFL canceled its 2009 season, citing economic reasons and business restructuring.
Here are several members of the Rush who are spending the upcoming season with Steve "Mongo" McMichael's crew (and it wouldn't be a surprise if more are on the way):
- DeJuan Alfonzo (LB/WR): Spent seven seasons with the Rush and holds the franchise record for career tackles.
- Reggie Gray (WR): Member of Rush's practice squad in 2008.
- Russ Michna (QB): Took over Rush's starting QB slot and posted an 8-3 record in 2008.
- Dennison Robinson (DB): 2008 AFL Defensive Player of the Year, led Rush with 13 INTs.
- Khreem Smith (DE): Played in 10 games for the Rush in 2008.
There will be an adjustment for these guys switching from eight men in AFL games to seven in the CIFL. And it should be interesting to see how many Allstate Arena goers make the trek further northwest to the Sears Centre, now that they don't have Rush games to head to.
Plus, we're typically suckers for familiar names and personalities, and a ton of former Chicago Bears are now affiliated in some sort of way with recruiting and scouting: Ron Cox, Kent Graham, Jim McMahon, Emory Moorehead, Mickey Pruitt and Otis Wilson. Who knows how much of an impact all six are contributing, but you have to admit it ... marketing-wise, it's a smart move to lure in spectators with that type of name recognition.
This could be the Slaughter's glory season in the area, depending on the AFL's future. The AFL's original March 1 consolidation and restructuring agreement deadline has been extended, and we'll know more about a 2010 AFL season in the coming weeks.
Give the Slaughter some credit for making the most of the current situation.
For tickets and more information about the Slaughter, visit www.chicagoslaughter.com, or call 1-847-310-3190.
Comments