AFL Suspends Season

The rumors finally came true… the Arena Football League decided Sunday night to suspend their 2009 season.

http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=3633481&DB_OEM_ID=3500

We’re really bummed.  The group of us that went to games consisted of Bears fans, Packer fans and even a Viking fan – but we all joined together to cheer on the Chicago Rush.  I’m doubtful that after shutting down for one year that things will actually re-open and there will be a 2010 season, but we’ll see.

Bummer…

Things You Shouldn’t Do Unless You are Sure You are Going to Win

#5 on the list of things you shouldn’t do unless you are sure you are going to win…

 

 

Because when you don’t win and lose bigtime – you look just a bit silly.

The Chicago Rush End Their Season on a Pathetic 58-41 Loss

On Sunday 07/06/08 the Rush ended their season on a rather pathetic note.  Thinking the Rampage would be a pushover like they have been in the past, the Rush only decided to show up and play when they wanted to fight.  Not helping were the horrible calls maybe by the officials.  Overall, it made for one horrible game.

Chicago Rush Vs Grand Rapids Rampage

 

As usual, the start of the game was fun.  If only the Rush decided to actually “show up” when they showed up.

Chicago Rush Vs Grand Rapids Rampage

The Rampage quickly jumped ahead of the Rush… and the Rush never recovered.

Chicago Rush Vs Grand Rapids Rampage

The Rush kept trying to come back, but could never seem to pull ahead of the Rampage.

 

Question: Who was the MVP for the Rampage?

Answer:

Chicago Rush Vs Grand Rapids Rampage 

The game had some of the worst officiating that I have ever seen.  Most high school games have better officiating than this.  Rampage players were all over Rush players and nothing was called… and there were a lot of calls on the Rush that were simply just wrong.

Of course, crap like this didn’t help.  The Rush just imploded with a whole combination of stupid penalties.

 

 

 Mike Ditka

Throughout the game, Mike Ditka did not look amused.  Then again, does he ever????

Chicago Rush Vs Grand Rapids Rampage

The Rush tried to rally, but it was too little too late

Chicago Rush Vs Grand Rapids Rampage

Not even Grabowski could rally the troops.

 

In the end, it was a pathetic showing by the Rush.  Their Arenabowl hopes are dashed.  The countdown to the 2009 season has begun…

Fight From the Chicago Rush / Grand Rapids Rampage Playoff Game

Here’s a video of one of the fights between the Chicago Rush and the Grand Rapids Rampage.

Warning: Some of the language from the audience gets a little foul.  Just a warning!

 

 

The Rush were too worried about fighting to play well.

Bad Plays and Penalties Lead to the end of the Rush Season

The Chicago Rush ended their season yesterday with a loss to the Grand Rapids Rampage.  The game was plagued by missed opportunities and really stupid penalties.  The game highlighted the Rush’s decline in performance as the year progressed.

Chicago Rush

More images and videos will be posted tonight…

Chicago Rush Beat the Dallas Desperados 75-63

Clinching home field advantage in the playoffs, the Chicago Rush defeated the Dallas Desperados yesterday 75-63.  In a game that was clearly lacking any sort of hint of defense, each team answered score for score until about midway through the 3rd quarter.  In fact, the only time a team had the ball that they didn’t score on was the opening kickoff where the Desperados fumbled the ball in the end zone for a Rush touchdown.  Other than that, it was a major attack of the offense.

Chicago Rush vs Dallas Desperados
The teams traded blows throughout the first half!
 
Chicago Rush
Grabowski leads the team on.
 
Now, you would think that working at ESPN would be a pretty cool gig.  I mean, you can travel the US and watch a ton of games, right?  Well… it must get boring after a while.  There’s a pair of ESPN workers that never watch the game… they just sit there and play cards.
Chicago Rush
 
Chicago Rush
The Chicago Rush miss a scoring opportunity
 
Chicago Rush
Best protect that ball a little more!
 
Chicago Rush

Next stop: playoffs!

The Chicago Rush Score the Winning Touchdown Against the Brigade

Here’s a video from the game winning touchdown scored with 11 seconds to go.

 

 

The Chicago Rush turn the ball over to the Brigade

Here’s another video from the Chicago Rush game vs the Kansas City Brigade.  This happened near the end of the game and we all thought it was the nail in the coffin for the Rush…

 

Video from the Chicago Rush Vs. Kansas City Brigade Game

Here’s a video that I shot from the Rush vs. Kansas City.  For some reason Google Video wouldn’t take these videos, so I had to create a YouTube account.  Very weird (and a bit frustrating).

 

Chicago Rush Pull It Out in the 4th Quarter Against the Kansas City Brigade 52-47

The Chicago Rush narrowly defeated the Kansas City Brigade Saturday Night 52-47, scoring the game winning touchdown in the final seconds of the 4th quarter.  Despite a series of mishaps and mistakes, the Rush were able to pour it on at the end of the game.

Chicago Rush Vs Kansas City Brigade

Are you ready for some football?

 

The game started with the teams hitting on each of their first several possesions, with the Rush faltering right at the half.  To the dismay of over 16,000 fans tonight, the Rush went into halftime behind.

Chicago Rush Vs, Kansas City Brigade 2008

Grabowski watches in disbelief as the 3-9 Brigade lead the Rush

With just over 9 minutes left in the game, the Brigade incercepted a pass from Michna and ran it back for a 2 touchdown lead.  Rallying, the Rush were able to come back and score the final touchdown in the last several seconds of the game.

Chicago Rush Vs Kansas City Brigade 2008

Videos of the game are going to be posted soon…

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