What is a Dynasty?

The word "dynasty" is starting to get thrown around a lot in this age of 24/7 sports information and I for one would like to propose a definition of a dynasty. This definition will site sources that are accepted as dynasties. This definition will offend some who have come to think of their team as having a dynasty when by this definition they do not. First of all, the examples (all of these examples come from after 1950 and site the year that the team won their championship).

NFL
Cleveland Browns 1950, 54, 55
Green Bay Packers 1961, 62, 65, 66, 67
Pittsburgh Steelers 1974, 75, 78, 79
San Francisco 49ers 1981, 84, 88, 89
Dallas Cowboys 1992, 93, 95
New England Patriots 2001, 03, 04

NBA
Los Angeles Lakers 1949, 50, 52, 53, 54
1982, 85, 87, 88
2000, 01, 02
Boston Celts 1959, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69
Chicago Bulls 1991, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98

MLB
New York Yankees 1952, 53, 56, 59
1996, 98, 99, 00

NHL
Montreal Canadiens 1956, 57, 58, 59, 60, 65, 66, 68, 69, 71, 73, 76, 77, 78, 79
Detroit Redwings 1950, 52, 54, 55
1997, 98, 02
Toronto Maple Leafs 1962, 63, 64, 67
New York Islanders 1980, 81, 82, 83
Edmonton Oilers 1984, 85, 87, 88, 90

AFL
Detroit Drive 1988, 89, 90, 92
Tampa Bay Storm 1991, 93, 95, 96
Orlando Predators 1998, 99, 00

Now you either skimmed these or looked at them meticulously. All of these "Dynasties" have one thing in common. They have more than three championships in the span of 10 years and at least two of those championships are in consecutive years. This will anger my friends in San Antionio and in San Jose as it takes the Spurs and SaberCats out of the dynasty scene. I do not mean to do this out of spite for these teams because many teams I despise make this list (Lakers, Steelers, YANKEES). But that is my view of things so without further ado here is my definition:

Dynasty- a title earned by a team who shows dominance in their particular sport by winning three or more championships in a 10 year span in which any two of the championships are consecutive*

*this definition does only apply to professional leagues as college dynasties are very different

The Greatest Destroyer Games of the Year

Before Arena Bowl XXI I think it is necessary to look back on what has easily been the greatest year in Destroyer's history, and the best way to reminisce is to rank the best games of the season and figure out what to this point has been the greatest game in Destroyer history. Granted, the top game of this list falls to #2 if the Destroyers win the Arena Bowl, but most of the fun of sports is speculation and discussion. Also by clicking on the game total it will link you to a site with highlights of the game.

To evaluate these games I'm using four different criteria are going to be used and given a ranking of 1-10 (besides the Destroyers winning):

1. The competitiveness of the game
2. The quality of the opponent
3. Importance of game to the season
4. Importance of game to the history of the franchise

Let's start the countdown.....

6. Philadelphia Soul 21 @ Columbus Destroyers 44


This game makes the list for two reasons. One it was the first national coverage for the Destroyers on ESPN, and it is what I consider the game that put the AFL on notice of the Destroyers. Before this game the Soul had just started their fall and Columbus seemed like a game that could help get them back on the right track. The Destroyers not only shocked and dominated the Soul, but their fans had one of the better showings of any team on national TV this year. The game does lose points because it wasn't competitive and in hindsight, as well as the Soul rebounded at the end of the year, Philly wasn't fielding their best team.


Competitiveness: 5
Quality of Opponent: 6
Yearly Importance: 7
Historical Importance 5
Game: 5.75

5. Columbus Destroyers 74 @ New York Dragons 43

This game was not competitive and did not happen against one of the AFL's best. The reason this game makes the list is that the Destroyers came in knowing that this win was needed to make the playoffs and because it was the first game in a great run that has taken this team all the way to the Arena Bowl. For all intents and purposes this was a playoff game for this team and they showed their mettle.

Competitiveness: 3
Quality of Opponent: 4
Yearly Importance: 10
Historical Importance: 8
Game: 6.25




4. Georgia Force 61 @ Columbus Destroyers 62

Columbus entered this game at 1-2 playing an undefeated 4-0 Force team that had looked as good as any team in the early part of the season. The next week the Destroyers were going to play the also undefeated Desperados. Losing this game would send the Destroyers spiraling downward on a losing streak that could have ended their season before it started.
The Destroyers pulled together in this game holding their own playing with guts. The attitude of this team was determined in this game as the Destroyers converted a two point converstion to take a one point lead. This game ranks high for two reasons, it was highly competitive and it was against a great opponent who only lost three games all year including the playoffs.


Competitiveness: 10
Quality of Opponent: 9

Yearly Importance: 8

Historical Importance: 6

Game: 8.25

3. Columbus Destroyers 56 @ Tampa Bay Storm 55 (playoffs)

The first playoff game since the Destroyers relocated from Buffalo this one was a classic. Tampa Bay was a team on a hot streak, after starting 0-5 they rallied to finish the season 8-8 and earned the #3 seed in the playoffs. The Destroyers made it by the skin of their teeth at 7-9 (only 2-6 on the road). It was a back and forth game that was like two boxers trading punches until the last round. The play of the game had to be B.J. Barre's interception return for a touchdown. As close as this game was played it was no shock that it came down to a last second field goal attempt by Storm kicker Seth Marler which wasn't converted. This game will remain a Destroyer classic because it was such an exciting game that kicked off a spectacular playoff run and because it was the first playoff win in franchise history.

Competitiveness: 10
Quality of Opponent: 7

Yearly Importance: 10

Historical Importance: 9

Game: 9

2. Columbus Destroyers 66 @ Georgia Force 56

The first conference championship game in franchise history is a big deal. The Destroyers entered the game as a large underdog and both teams played well and with class. This game was very competitive as Georgia did surge back from a twenty-point deficient to take a 49-48 lead in the forth. But the Destroyers played strong D and the offense raged behind the leadership of Matt Nagy to take the conference championship from the team he helped reach the Arena Bowl two years before.

Competitiveness: 9

Quality of Opponent: 9

Yearly Importance: 10

Historical Importance: 10

Game: 9.5

1. Columbus Destroyers 66 @ Dallas Desperados 59

Columbus was 0-2 against division rival Dallas in the regular season. This was the David and Goliath match-up where nobody outside of central Ohio thought David would survive. Clint Dolezel (one of the great quarterbacks in Arena Football history) was leading the most dominant team in regular season history (15-1) against the lowly Destroyers who had only won their 3rd road game of the season the previous week.

Against these odds Columbus held their own for most of the first half until thing started to fall apart in the third quarter and Columbus entered the half behind 38-28 and had to start the second half kicking to Dallas. What happened next will live in AFL lore for years to come. On back-to-back Peter Martinez kickoffs the ball struck the bars and bounced into Destroyer hands. The first time recovered by Josh Bush in the endzone and the second time by Brandon Hefflin which led to another Destroyer touchdown. Columbus stretched that into a 14 point lead and for the rest of the game Dallas couldn't get closer then seven points.

This game was competitive and against the team with the greatest regular season in AFL history. Why this game takes the title of Best Destroyer Game of the Year over the Conference title game is regardless of whether the Destroyers win or lose the Arena Bowl the upset of Dallas will be remembered by many as the greatest upset in AFL history for a long time.

Competitiveness: 9

Quality of Opponent: 10

Yearly Importance: 10

Historical Importance: 10

Game: 9.75

A very cool video recap of the game.

Simply Amazing

I'm still in the midst of my victory hangover but I thought I should link to this great video on youtube.

This is me playing the world's smallest violin

Clint Dolezel was just a great quarterback whose season ended too soon in my mind. But after this:

"The best team didn't win this past weekend and I think everybody knows that," Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "If we go 16-0, it won't matter until we win in the playoffs.”

Saying that it doesn't matter till you win in the playoffs is fine. But to claim to be the best team when you couldn't prove it on the field you are showing an arrogance in my mind that may be indicative of why Dallas can't seem to put it together in the off-season. I live in a small town in central Ohio. There are a lot of white trash here, now before any one gets angry I don't view white trash as a racial term. Anyone can be white trash: rich, poor, black, white, anyone. Here is a good working definition of white trash:

White trash-a person of any ethnic, racial, or financial background that feels they are entitled to

some type of preferential treatment due to their own elitism

I may have made up some words for that, but how the Desperados have been acting all season makes me think that they have this problem. All season they seemed to buy into the idea that they were entitled to win the Arena Bowl by virtue that they think they are better than everyone else. I sure hope for all of the Desperados' fans sake that the leadership of this team loses this attitude.

And because I found another picture I feel it is necessary to point out

The Nagy Beard Rules !!!

Columbus 66- Dallas 59

I am not going to recap the game, if you want that go here.

These are the kinds of games that we watch for. The 7-9 Destroyers marched into Dallas already being set aside as the first win for the Desperados on their way to destiny. But Columbus would not go quietly. They played the type of game that you always hope your team can put together. A come from behind win in which they stayed aggressive.


The real importance of this game is the future of the Destroyer franchise. Now we are a team that has made a deep playoff run, who has gone toe-to-toe with some of the leagues best, and play at a high level when the pressure. This is now a team that will have some respect around the league and higher expectations. This is how traditions are built with big years and with huge wins. This is not to suggest that the Destroyers should be satisfied with where they are, but just as a reminder to the fans that win or lose Saturday against the Force this is easily the greatest year the Destroyers have ever had. My hope is that it sets a standard for them to meet for many years to come.

The Power of the Beard

The Destroyers are experiencing a completely unexpected streak of success in the playoffs. I'm breaking down what I believe to be the reason for the Destroyer's success. The Nagy beard. Since the beginning of the playoffs the Columbus quarterback has been growing a beard. During this time his performance on the field has greatly improved, his presence is stronger, and it seems his sheer will is taking him to the next level.

"I saw a different look in his eye," linebacker Leroy Thompson said. "It was more of a let's-go-get-them look in his eye as opposed to maybe being unsure about some things during the regular season. He knows it's money time. That's how he's playing, and hopefully he can continue to do the same."

This change can be attributed to Nagy drawing deeply into his genetic past of a survivalist. He is currently tapping into his ability to survive and to draw himself up to a higher level so that he can will his team to survival. I would go into this further, but there is an entire site dedicated to this phenomenon, and I don't think I can do better than it.

Destroyers-Desperados Preview

This is easily the biggest game in the history of the Destroyer franchise. It is in the playoffs, and in particular the later rounds, where the tradition is built and history is made. This is where the great memories of playing for glory are born and when others are forced to stand-up and take notice. Playing in a due or die situation can bring out the best and worst in a team.

Now off of the soapbox. This is going to be an extremely difficult game for Columbus. In a hostile crowd playing the most dominant team of the regular season Columbus will have to play nearly flawlessly. Columbus' best hope is that Dallas viewed the regular season as the pre-season so hopefully the Desperadoes will overlook the Destroyers as just another stepping stone on the way to their entitled Arena Bowl. If Nagy is sharp, the defense holds a ball-hawk mentality, and they get a few lucky special teams breaks then the Destroyers have a shot.

Destroyers 57- Desperadoes 54

WOOOO-HOOOO

My frequency on this is pathetic. But at least the Destroyers are giving me something great to write about when I do. Last time an entry was made here I started to question Matt Nagy's ability to be the quarterback that Columbus needed to build around, and this game enough reason for him to be the starter next year. Nagy's 73% completion 5 touchdown performance under the pressure of a close playoff game shows some great composure.

As well as the Columbus defense played the reason they won this game was persistence. When they were trading touchdowns they stuck with it. They traded blows and took everything Tampa Bay could give them. It was a game that was so well played by both sides that the only reason it wasn't settled in Sudden Death OT was because of a missed extra point.

I'll provide my preview of next Saturday's Divisional match up with the Dallas Desperados on Thursday or Friday of this week. Until then.... tick, tick, tick, tick.....BOOM!!!

Columbus/Tampa Bay Box Score

Fumble

I have been very lazy lately. Since the Monday Night game I haven't written a post and the Destroyers are a disappointing 2-3 since. The two games against New York and Grand Rapids gave me hope that they could make a run at the third or even second playoff spot. Due to Orlando stumbling as well the Destroyers still can get a home playoff game but will need to really pull themselves together as their next four opponents have a 28-21 record.

Tonight will be a big test as Columbus will have to upset one of the best teams in the league, the Georgia Force, on the road. Columbus hasn't been good on the road this year but hopefully they can circle the wagons after that loss to Dallas and win. The deciding factors in this game will be Columbus' defense and Matt Nagy. Last week Columbus' defense may have done just enough for the offense. This week they need to take the game on their backs and cause a few turnovers. Matt Nagy really hurt the Destroyers last weekend with his two picks. This week the Destroyers need Matt Nagy to be a QB who plays to win, not just a game manager.

Columbus 65 - Georgia 63

Who has the Best Uniforms? (Central Division)

Recently a post was put on ArenaFan.com asking which AFL teams uniform was the coolest, so I decided to do a completely independent unscientific study of it. The criteria includes originality, color scheme, and general style on a scale of 1 to 10. Home and away uniforms will be averaged together for a teams total score. Here is the list. (I'm trying to be somewhat objective) This will be published in four parts, one for each division, I will then pick the best from each division and tell you who has the best.

Who has the Best Uniforms in the Central Division?

Chicago Rush

The Rush are neither great or bad. Just a middle of the road decent. A strong uniform with the classic sleave stripes and standard pants. Any creativity points they get come from the color they use. I couldn't find an official color on their website, I have unconfirmed information that the color may be a reference to the blue collar workers of the city. I only have one major issue with the uniforms. That "R" that faces the back of the helmet. anytime they choose a logo that doesn't make sense on both sides of the helmet bugs me. Anyway, it's minor.

Home 6 Away 5

Average 5.5

Monday Night Football

Tonight is the first and only Monday Night Football game of the season for Columbus. My initial call with Graziani out is that the Destroyers will pull off the upset and take second place in the division.

My reason is that Philadelphia, as good as they are, seem to not be able to take on great competition. At this point many say, "Columbus...Great competition?" and I say "YES!!" Columbus has only taken three loses and two of those are to great teams.

The New Orleans loss was rough as a last second attempt to tie the game was stopped. The Chicago loss could have gone Columbus' direction had they pulled themselves together with 5 minuets to go. The disappointment against Dallas was the greatest meltdown in Destroyer history. This team could be 4-2 or even 5-1 had a few chance incidents gone their way.

Philadelphia is a good team that will make the playoffs but I think they were riding their quarterback. Depending on how long Graziani can't play they may have to face Dallas or Georgia in the first round, which will end their Arena Bowl run real quick. Columbus has defeated the mighty Force and could have beaten Dallas.

Tonight, Nagy has a great game and Gerrald Brown will infuse the great Nationwide crowd with some great defense. This will not be as large a win as last week, but will be much bigger for the franchise. The race for the number 3 playoff spot is on.

Destroyers 65-Soul 59 (The Destroyers will REDOUT the Soul)

Destroyers 72 Wranglers 49

Entering this game I didn't know what to expect. Would we see the team from the beginning of the year that couldn't crack 50, or maybe the team from the last two weeks that could put up a great first half against the best teams in the league and then fall apart to lose it?

Thankfully neither, the Columbus Destroyers put together one of the most complete game I have seen in the AFL this year since Dallas thumped New York in week one.

For the majority of the first half both teams traded scores. 7-7, 14-7, 14-14, all the way up to 28-28 with less than 1 minute to go in the half. McPherson threw the ball out of bounds on third, and the Wranglers missed the field goal. This may not have been such a blow except that as Columbus was moving down the field, trying to make use of this stop, a Wrangler got called for unsporstmanlike conduct. Columbus converted the field goal and took a 31-28 lead. Columbus came out after half time and outscored Austin 21-7 in the third quarter. Matt Nagy and company kept the offense fired up while the defense had three interceptions. By the end of the second the Wranglers had been outscored 41-21.

While the game was one sided I would encourage Wrangler fans to keep heart and McPherson. His interceptions came off of tips and he had a long run for a touchdown late in the game that made my heart skip a beat. If his defense could have given him a stop or two this would have been a whole different ball game.

The most encouraging part of this win was that Columbus had a better second half than first. If this team can keep playing like this they could finish 11-5 or 10-6. I also take some pride in that the 72-49 final was only 7 total points away from my prediction of a 67-52 final, and almost as important is that the attendance was higher than 14,000 (15,121).

The importance of this game cannot be overrated as next week Columbus will have to play the mighty Soul(4-1), at Tampa Bay (1-6), then home against New York(1-5) and Grand Rapids(2-4). That is a four game stand in which Columbus could conceivably go 4-0 over three home games.

At the end of the night, I think the AFL should have realized that the Columbus Destroyers may be able to make a deep playoff run or be a dark horse Arena Bowl team this year.

Arena football: Is it America's fifth major sport?

Recently USA today ran an article asking Arena football: Is it America's fifth major sport?

Who has the Best Uniforms? (Western Division)

Recently a post was put on ArenaFan.com asking which AFL teams uniform was the coolest, so I decided to do a completely independent unscientific study of it. The criteria includes originality, color scheme, and general style on a scale of 1 to 10. Home and away uniforms will be averaged together for a teams total score. Here is the list. (I'm trying to be somewhat objective) This will be published in four parts, one for each division, I will then pick the best from each division and tell you who has the best.

Who has the Best Uniforms in the Western Division?


New Orleans VooDoo:


First of all they get big points for the cool logo. The skull and crossbones with a top hat and sunglasses rates up there with the best. The style of the home uniform makes the best of a purple and red color scheme. The snakes on the sleeve are a plus, but the two factors that hurt them are the type of pants stripe, and the way the away uniform fails to make the red and purple jive. Maybe some non-white away pants would help their case.


Home 8 Away 6
Average 7




Arizona Rattlers

Again a team with a great strength being the helmet. The logo and golden dome creates for a great look. After that, only the tactful use of turquoise in a football uniform and making it work is their saving grace. The design is rather bland and there is no real use of color or imagination besides the helmets. (I did not take away points but would like to vent complaint that the Russell Athletics logo and the Rattler logo are so similar. It looks like every team in the league is rooting for them.)

Home 6.5 Away 5

Average 5.75

Las Vegas Gladiators


The Gladiators have the great pewter helmets like the Buccaneers, which help their style and color rating, but hurt their originality. Other things that help them is that their colors work well together as a whole and they pull off a good looking all color (color jerseys and pants) style. The white combination doesn't help them much; all white can look classic, but also boring. The shields on the sleeves are a good touch.

Home 7 Away 6.5
Average 6.8


Los Angeles Avengers


This team is about halfway to a perfect uniform. The helmet has a cool logo. they make an odd baby blue color work with the red and blue most of the time. But oddly I like the all whites more than the home uniforms. Maybe because the whites incorporate enough color to keep it from getting boring. Also because the home uniforms seem to have problems with getting the jersey stripe under the arm to match up with the pants stripe.

Home 7 Away 7

Average 7

San Jose SaberCats
I must admit that I love the SaberCats logo. It isn't often that a logo has that level of detail. The green and gold works well, the design is nothing to right home about but is nice. The road uniform is solid. Not solid enough to help the average, due to it's lack of the secondary color, but respectable.



Home 7 Away 6


Average 6.5

Utah Blaze

The Utah Blaze have some of the best uniforms in the AFL. I'm not a big fan of orange and black. But the Blaze put it together to hold a great uniform as far as style, and color combination. The logo elicits mental images of motion and power. Just as cool are their away uniforms. They make those while jerseys with orange work.

Home 8.5 Away 8

Average 8.25

The final standings for the Western Division are as follows:

• Blaze 8.25
• VooDoo 7
• Avengers 7
• Gladiators 6.8
• SaberCats 6.5
• Rattlers 5.75

Hope you enjoyed this and look forward to the Central Division reviews.

The Hall of Glory

This is the first of one of the less X's and O's centered columns. Nationwide Arena is a spectacular place to watch an Arena Football game.

Destroyers-Wranglers

This is the first day for "Building a Tradition". This is a blog dedicated to the Columbus Destroyers Arena Football Team. I'm Frank, a college student in the Central Ohio area who is attending the Destroyers games this year and who wants to put my ideas on the team out there for everyone to read and criticize if they want to. I know that this is starting late in the season but, better late than never. Tonight is the Destroyers 6th game of the season. A pivotal early season showdown with the Austin Wranglers.

First off this will be an interesting game for the Columbus Defense. They have been able to get stops in the early going against two of the better offenses in the league in the last two games (Dallas, Georgia) but can't hang on. The test this week will be Adrian McPherson, a mobile quarterback who can create opportunities and has a decent arm. But if Columbus can slow him down like they did to Griesen then they should be okay.

Offensively, the Wranglers could be a cure for a Destroyer team that has scored over 60 only once this year. Nagy will have a game that reminds us of his Georgia days and Columbus of why they traded for him. Nagy to Groce, Nagy to Saunders, Nagy to Knight, all night long.

Pick: Columbus 67 Austin 52 (and roughly 14,000 in attendance)