Post by David on Feb 18, 2016 12:43:18 GMT -8
In 2006, the city of Spokane was introduced to the sport of Arena Football. The Spokane Shock, founded by majority owner Brady Nelson, were an expansion team in the Arena Football League's developmental league, arenafootball2. The Shock defied all expectations, going on a remarkable run that ended with the ArenaCup title in Puerto Rico. It kicked off a remarkable run that included another ArenaCup title in 2009, a leap into the Arena Football League, an ArenaBowl title in 2010, and hosting the AFL's only outdoor game.
Ten years later, Spokane begins the expansion process all over again, this time as the newest member of the Indoor Football League. But unlike most expansion franchises, Spokane is a unique case.
It began back in September when the Shock announced that they were departing the AFL for the IFL, citing the AFL's failed business model and instability. Over the past 5 seasons, the league has decreased from 18 teams in 2011 to 8 teams in 2016.
A month later, the AFL greedily announced they were retaining the Shock name and trademarks for a steep price. Stripped of its identity, Spokane held a "Name the Team" contest and ultimately rebranded itself as the Spokane Empire, a tribute to Spokane's geographical ties and the city's railroad history.
When it comes to expansion franchises, the team is likely to struggle out of the gate. An expansion team does not have an established repertoire with the community and losses typically outpace the wins as the team struggles through growing pains. Unlike most expansion team, Spokane's in a unique position of having an established presence.
The Empire benefit greatly from having a successful and familiar coach in Adam Shackleford, From 2007-2009, Shackleford amassed a 49-8 overall record with the Shock, including three Western Division championships, two National Conference Titles, and an Arena Cup Championship. When the Shock made the leap to the AFL, Nelson's ownership group stunned everyone by not bringing Shackleford back in favor of former player Rob Keefe. Shackleford wouldn't be out of work for long, as he was hired less than a month later by division rival Tri-Cities, who opted for the IFL rather than join the newly formed AFL. In six seasons, he coached the Fever to a 56-37 record with four playoff appearances, two Intense Conference Championships and two United Bowl appearances. Shackleford, who resides in Spokane Valley, never left the Spokane community after his departure from Spokane and opted to keep his family in Spokane while his coaching duties forced him to rent an apartment in Kennewick for half the year. Now, Shackleford returns to his adopted home and intends to bring a United Bowl title to the Inland Northwest and kicking off a winning legacy for the Empire.
HC Adam Shackleford returns to Spokane after six years. (image credit: Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Joining Shackleford in Spokane are Ameer Ismail and Cleveland Pratt, both of whom have coached with Shackleford in Tri-Cities. Ismail was hired as the Empire's Defensive Coordinator & Strength and Conditioning Coach, a position he held with the Fever last season, and coached a defense that gave up an average of 213.6 yards per game, which was 3rd (out of 10) in the IFL and ranked 4th in the IFL in rushing defense (73.9 ypg), 3rd in pass defense (139.7 ypg), and 3rd in pass defensive efficiency. As for Pratt, who was hired as the Empire's Assistant Head Coach and Director of Player Development, he brings two decades of experience as player and coach at various levels of indoor football, including the AFL, af2, NIFL, and the IFL.
The combination of an established and successful coaching staff, in which many in the IFL regard Shackleford as one of the most accomplished coaches in IFL history, a rabid fan base and an organization considered by many as a model organization, the Empire didn't struggle in recruiting players. The Empire lured at least 14 players with IFL experience, 7 of whom have 3+ years of Indoor/Arena Football experience. In accordance with IFL rules, no team may have more than 7 players (excluding kickers) with 3 or more years of experience in the IFL, AFL, or any other arena-like leagues.
One of the key veterans on offense is QB Charles Dowdell (6'0'', 210 lbs), who will likely enter season as the starter over rookie QB Aaron Aiken (6'5'', 235 lbs). In the IFL, dual-threat QBs are more common than in the AFL, and Aiken and Dowdell both have the ability to tuck and run the football. However, Dowdell has the edge with two years experience in the IFL (Green Bay, Bloomington) and an a league MVP title with the Sioux City Bandits of the Champions Indoor Football league (CIF) last season. Dowdell threw for 2,128 yards and 48 titles as the Bandits defeated the Texas Revolution 76-61 in the first ever Champions Bowl.
QB Charles Dowdell (image credit: Sioux City Journal)
In the backfield is veteran RB Washaun Ealey (5'11'', 225 lbs), whom the team acquired prior to training camp. In 2015 with the Cedar Rapids Titans, Ealey rushed 140 times for 535 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also contributed in the passing game, hauling in 23 passes for 181 yards and 4 touchdowns. He's a lock to start the season over former Tri-Cities RB Andrew Pierce (5'9'', 210 lbs), who was placed on the Empire's Other League Exempt list as he transferred to play in the new Major League Football spring league.
The wide receiver corps is stacked with depth and talent, featuring five wide receivers with professional experience. Spokane made a big splash trading for WR Justin Helwege back in October. A native of Sammamish, WA, Helwege enters his fourth season after two years with the Colorado Ice (now Crush) and stints with Cedar Rapids, the Nebraska Danger, the Portland Thunder, and the Seattle Seahawks. He'll likely line up with 8-year IFL veteran Carl Sims, who has been a fixture in the IFL since the league's inception in 2009. Sims (6'0'', 190 lbs) and Helwege (6'5'', 220 lbs) are a great pairing on offense, and could lead to open opportunities for JJ Hayes and Samuel Charles. Hayes (6'4'', 210 lbs) played for the Wichita Falls Nighthawks last season, hauling in 43 passes for 470 yards and 7 touchdowns. He'll likely compete for the third slot with Charles (6'3'', 210 lbs), who returns to Spokane after playing 4 games for the Shock last season. The team also has Trevor Kennedy (6'0'', 205 lbs), Brendon Felder (6'0'', 190 lbs) and Darryl Thompson (5'8'', 180 lbs) on its roster, making it difficult for the Empire to decide who makes the cut.
Meanwhile, the Empire's offensive line could experience growing pains early in the season. Entering training camp, 4 of 6 offensive linemen were rookies. While it's logical to assume veterans Kyle Fischer (BC Lions / CFL) and Brandon Haskin (Alabama Hammers / PIFL) would get the starts, rookies Dave Lefotu, Michael Boyefio, Mauola Malaga, Ahongalu Fusimalohi could also push their way into the starting lineup. This could be the Achilles' heel for the Empire due to the lack of experience, but the stacked talent at wide receiver could help keep the pressure off the linemen from getting overwhelmed by opposing defenses.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Empire defense appears to be a hybrid build of the defenses in Tri-Cities and Cedar Rapids. The defensive backfield is stacked with experience and talent, including defensive backs Robert Brown (5'10'', 175 lbs) and Demetruce McNeal (6'2'', 200 lbs), who were both members of the Titans last year. Brown and McNeal have familiarity playing with one another, and pairing them with former Fever DB Lorenzo White Jr. (6'0'', 185 lbs) and former Shock DB Josh Ferguson (5'8'', 185 lbs), will mean opposing teams are going to have a tough time throwing the football against these physical corners and safeties.
DBs Robert Brown (left) and Demetruce McNeal (right) (Image Credit: Spokane Shock / RKN Photography/Cliff Jette)
Much like the defensive backs, the Empire's linebackers feature two players that played in Cedar Rapids last season in Nick Haag (6'3'', 240 lbs) and Pasquale Vacchio (6'1'', 230 lbs). Haag has the most experience of the three linebackers listed on the roster, playing two years with the Titans and recording a total of 73 tackles and 6 sacks. However, don't be surprised if rookie linebacker Michael Taylor cracks his way into the starting lineup ahead of Vacchio. Taylor (6'0'', 230 lbs), who played his college career with the Florida Gators, recorded 143.5 total tackles, 2 interceptions and 2 sacks in four seasons.
Along the defensive line is a blend of rookies and veterans, including former Shock lineman Dominique Duster, Byron Bennett, Toby Jackson, and Harold Legania. All four have had stints in the AFL and the NFL, so there's no disputing the talent. Rookies Benjamin Perry, Brett Bowers and C.J. Olaniyan look to crack the Empire's defensive line and apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks.
As a whole, the Empire's roster is filled with a lot of talent and excellent depth, something not common for "expansion teams." But the true test of the team's will won't just take place on the field; it'll take place in the first six weeks of the team's unusual schedule.
The Empire's schedule has been revised twice due to the terminations of the Minnesota (Bemidji) Axemen and the Minnesota Havok in the last 3 months. Spokane's season will start out relatively normal, with a trip down to Kennewick against the Fever (8-6 in 2014) before returning home for the Empire's first season opener against Wichita Falls (4-10). After that, the next four weeks of the season will be a test of the team's mindset. Spokane begins March with a Bye week, followed by a road trip to Billings, MT in a new rivalry against the Wolves (5-9). The Empire won't play again until April 1st against Iowa (6-8), with two bye weeks sandwiched between both games. The likely reason for the back-to-back bye weeks is because the Spokane Arena will play host to the NCAA Tournament's First and Second Round games. Due to the loss of both Minnesota based teams, Spokane ended up with two bye weeks.
It'll be vital that the Empire's players don't slack off too much before two straight home games against the Barnstormers and Colorado Crush (6-8). If they squander the opportunities to win on home turf, the Empire will go on a cross-country trek to Des Moines and back to Kennewick to get back on track.
Spokane will face tough tests as the season progresses, with two games against the 5-time United Bowl champion Sioux Falls Storm (14-0) and a critical road game against 3-time Intense Conference champion Nebraska Danger (11-4).
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Read: 2016 Spokane Empire Schedule
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It should be an interesting season for the Empire. It's unreasonable to expect a repeat of the magical 2006 season when the Shock went on an improbable run to the ArenaCup title, but it's not outside the realm of improbability. The Empire have to overcome a tough conference foe in Nebraska, let alone test themselves to see if they can stand up to Sioux Falls, a team that has been unstoppable the past few seasons. However, for the first time in a few years, this season has a sense of hope and anticipation that maybe, just maybe, Spokane can defy expectations.
Get your tickets ready and "all aboard" for what will be an exciting and interesting season for the Empire. Next Stop: Title Town.
-DKH
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Graphic courtesy of David.