1998 Record: 10-4, 0-1 playoffs (lost to New Jersey). Head Coach (career): Mike Dailey (16-12) Albany enters 10th season, hoping, again, to rebound from tough post-season -- another seven-point loss, the fourth such deficit in their last five appearances...Firebirds made impressive turnaround from 6-8 season...offensive coordinator Mike Hohensee left for New England, but offense shouldn't miss a beat with Mike Pawlawski behind center...last season, Albany averaged 56.6 points per game (No. 2)...Firebirds added five linemen that average 6-foot-3, 281 pounds, including Penn State grad Chris Snyder...league's top scoring threat -- Eddie Brown -- is back after scoring 284 points in 1998 (No. 1)...Joe Jacobs anchors line that allowed 10 sacks, gathering 19 of their own...Ironman of the Year Chad Dukes may opt for an NFL contract, a potentially huge blow to the Firebirds' production.
Arizona Rattlers
1998 Record: 10-4, 1-1 playoffs (def. Houston, lost to Orlando). Head Coach (career): Danny White (67-32) Rattlers will look to find a replacement for first-team All-Arena QB Sherdrick Bonner, currently with the Atlanta Falcons...Donnie Davis returns as top prospect; he led Rattlers to an ArenaBowl XI title in 1997...others in the race include former Kansas State standout and NFL veteran Chad May and Utah's Johnathan Crosswhite...Arizona has posted the best record in the AFL over the past three seasons, 38-11 (.776)...veteran receivers Hunkie Cooper, Calvin Schexnayder, and Randy Gatewood will be joined with newcomers Eddie Goines, who is North Carolina State's all-time leading receiver, Jay Kearney and Jai Hill, to make the most potent receiving corps in the league.
Buffalo Destroyers
Head Coach (career): Dave Whinham (6-26) First season could potentially be prosperous as Dave Whinham's squad boasts four former Tampa Bay starters, including Lynn Rowland, Wayne Williams, Tony Jones, and Antoine Worthman...last expansion team to win its division was Nashville in 1997 (10-4)...signings include two linemen, former Steeler Carlton Haselrig (6-1, 280) and former Wyoming star Mitch Donahue (6-3, 255)...Marcus Harris joins receiving ranks; he left Wyoming as NCAA's all-time leading receiver... Tony Kimbrough, Paul Kaiser, Tom Beck, and Jay McDonagh are battling for top QB spot...look out for 6-5, 210-pound WR/LB Melvin Phillips, acquired from San Jose.
Florida Bobcats
1998 Record: 3-11 (missed playoffs). Head Coach: Bruce Hardy (1st season) Bobcats, who played 22 of their last 28 games on the road, have a new home and new coach...Hardy spent last three seasons as offensive coordinator of Rattlers... coaching staff also features three former Miami Dolphins in Hardy, Jim Jensen and Chris Conlin...QB Fred McNair (3,150 Yds, 60 TDs) and rookie standout Curtis Ceaser (1,085 Yds, 24 TDs) return...Florida's defense ranked No. 4 in total defense, No. 9 in scoring defense, huge jumps from 1997's last-place rankings...Bobcats added linemen Stephen Gulash (6-1, 320) and Madison Johnson (6-3, 290)...Bobcats' bright spots, Bernard Edwards (58 catches, 16 TDs) and Ceaser (146 points) return along with return specialist Cleveland Pratt, who played just five games last season due to injury.
Grand Rapids Rampage
1998 Record: 3-11 (missed playoffs). Head Coach (career): Mike Trigg (30-36) Rampage started five different QB's in their inaugural season, one plagued by injuries...Corey Pullig returns and looks to solidify QB spot -- last year he started first four games before breaking his hand, but completed 117-210 passes for 1,424 yards and 20 TDs, all team highs....defensive line recorded 15 sacks, No. 4 in the league...former Michigan kicker Remy Hamilton returns from All-Rookie season (team-high 118 points)...Thomas Bailey looks to increase rookie numbers of 51 receptions for 579 yards, 8 TDs...OS Michael Baker recorded team-highs in receptions (71), receiving yards (875), TDs (13), and kick return yards (926) last year, finishing No. 2 with 94 points.
Houston ThunderBears
1998 Record: 8-6, 0-1 playoffs (lost to Arizona). Head Coach (career): Steve Thonn (8-6) Houston's improved each season since 1-13 record in 1996, including team's first division title and playoff berth in 1998...Houston produced league-high 307.7 passing yards per game...Clint Dolezel led AFL QBs with 4,228 passing yards, 343 completions and 81 TDs...added former Bucknell lineman Hunter Adams (6-5, 283) to unit that allowed nine sacks...Dolezel has number of targets to throw to, including top catcher Robert Hall (17 TDs), Bernard Holmes (14 TDs in seven games), Rodney Blackshear (118 points)...along with contributions on offense, Blackshear made 29 tackles and picked off four passes...Houston returns tough front line, including Joe Carollo (6-1, 295), Carlos Fowler (6-3, 265), Junior Soli (6-1, 285), Deryl Lane (6-5, 278).
Iowa Barnstormers
1998 Record: 5-9 (missed playoffs). Head Coach (career): John Gregory (35-19) Participants in previous two ArenaBowls, Iowa struggled to 0-5 start last year before finishing by winning five of their last nine, including wins over post-season teams Albany, New Jersey, San Jose...resurrection occurred after acquisition of QB Aaron Garcia in trade with Red Dogs...added depth signing former Syracuse All-American QB Marvin Graves and All-Big 10 selection Matt Sherman from Iowa...return All-Rookie receiver Kevin Swayne (76 receptions, 16 TDs), Carlos James (72 points, 5 INTs) and Leonard Conley (104.3 all-purpose per game)...Iowa boasts DS Shea Showers, who led team in tackles as rookie...former Ohio State starter Eric Gohlstin (6-4, 320) and Garry Howe (6-1, 318) return to anchor a line that allowed 29 sacks and recorded just four, both numbers the worst in the league.
Milwaukee Mustangs
1998 Record: 7-7 (missed playoffs). Head Coach (career): Rick Frazier (7-7) One of the more intriguing teams, who acquired former New Jersey receiver Larry Willis, former Iowa return specialist Lamart Cooper, and former Orlando DS Chris Barber in the off-season... Under Rick Frazier, team finished No. 8 in total offense, last in total defense... however, one of the top defensive lines returns with sack leader Odell Parks (9.0), Ernest Allen (4.0) and Mike Ivey (3.0)...new offenisve coordinator John Jenkins guide's offense with either Todd Hammel, the league's all-time passing leader, or All-Rookie pick Kevin McDougal behind center...Hammel needs 513 yards to become first QB to break 18,000-yard barrier...return specialist Rodney Mazion is back after recording four TDs for last year...Gary Compton looks to follow up most successful season (101 receptions, 1,484 yards, 33 TDs)...DB Richard Jones was selected to the All-NFL Europe team last year.
Nashville Kats
1998 Record: 9-5, 0-1 (lost to Orlando). Head Coach: Pat Sperduto (first season) Nashville's offense, guided by QB Andy Kelly, averaged 50.8 points per game (No. 6), while defense allowed 47.1 (No. 5)...first-year coach Pat Sperduto directed defense last two seasons, and returns a line that sacked QB 14 times (No. 5) and allowed five (No. 2)...two of Georgia's finest, OS Hason Graham and WR/LB Jeff Thomas will make leap from outdoor to indoor football...also added former Dolphin FB/LB Dewayne Dotson, one of the few players to actually play both positions in the NFL...while Kelly (3,537 Yds, 73 TDs) and Cory Fleming (1,376 Yds, 29 TDs) have been at the core of Kats' success, newcomers Tyronne Jones (5 games 200 plus all-purpose yards, 5 return TDs) and Corey Johnson (led league in tackles and interceptions) return to lineup...Johnson became only second player in league history to lead league in both tackles and interceptions in same season...Kats lost leading ground-gainer Andre Allen to CFL.
New England Sea Wolves
Head Coach (career): Mike Hohensee (31-29) Although much of the Sea Wolves' roster includes former New York CityHawks, there's optimism in Hartford, with the hiring of Mike Hohensee, who guided Albany Firebirds' offense last season to 56.6 points per game (No. 2)... He also spent three seasons as head coach of the Firebirds (1994-96), setting records in per season scoring...signed former Ohio State running back Butler By'note and interesting FB/LB prospect in Jamal Cox of Georgia Tech...Under Hohensee in 1994, current Sea Wolves QB Mike Perez became first passer to reach 4,000 yards and 80 TDs in a season...currently all-time leader in passing TDs with 298...third-year OS James Bowden had 54 catches last season for New York...DS Dwayne Zackery led CityHawks in tackles last year.
NEW JERSEY RED DOGS
1998 Record: 8-6, 1-1 (def. Albany, lost to Tampa Bay). Head Coach: Frank Mattiace (first season) Red Dogs lost head coach John Hufnagel to Cleveland Browns, but return one of the feistiest and most talented squads, including superstars QB Rickey Foggie (56 TDs in 9 games) and WR/DB Alvin Ashley (102 receptions, 4 INTs)...handed Albany first-round loss, then ran into chainsaw in Tampa Bay...watch out for newcomer OS Rod Alexander...signed Jermaine Younger from Utah State to shore up league's third-lowest rushing offense (15.9 per game)...obtained Titus Dixon from Milwaukee for Larry Willis and Alex Shell prior to camp...Foggie is now the permanent starter -- last season, Aaron Garcia was traded to Iowa in Week 6...Manny Pina should step into consistent receiving role. Steve Videtich continues to be one the most accurate kickers.
Orlando Predators
1998 Record: 9-5, 3-0 (won ArenaBowl XII). Head Coach (career): Jay Gruden (9-5) Last season, after posting a 9-5 record (sluggish 5-4 start), Orlando defeated Arizona in the semifinals and handed Tampa Bay worst loss in ArenaBowl history, 62-31... favorites to repeat in 1999, with much of their offensive and defensive units in tact... Predators' defense ranked No. 2 in scoring, while offense will need fine-tuning, averaging 46.8 points (No. 10)...uncertain if QB Pat O'Hara will return, signed NFL vet Browning Nagle and former Miami QB Ryan Clement...William Carr (6-2, 320) adds girth to a line that allowed only six sacks...Barry Wagner returns with six Ironman of the Year trophies under his arm...he finished No. 6 in scoring last season (202)...Rick Hamilton earned MVP honors in ArenaBowl XII, rushing for record 82 yards...DB Damon Mason and Kenny McEntyre give Gruden one of the top defensive backfields.
Portland Forest Dragons
1998 Record: 4-10 (missed playoffs). Head Coach (career): Stan Brock (5-17) After 2-12 season, things improved with 4-10 campaign in 1998, but playoffs are next step… Portland's hopes are higher with return of playmakers Brian Greene and Ryan Benjamin, who combined for 244 points last year...lost Rookie of the Year Oronde Gadsden, who went on to start for Miami Dolphins, but Stan Brock found suitable talent to help fill the void...an interesting signing was OS Pete McFadden; who can help keep pressure off Benjamin...Portland boasted league's most-improved line, allowing just 11 sacks and gathering 11 of their own -- in 1997, Brock's troops allowed 34... starting linemen Chris Butterfield (6-0, 300), Tom Briggs (6-5, 270), Akaba Delaney (6-2, 290) return...former Notre Dame lineman Ryan Leahy (6-4, 295) was acquired from New England...Benjamin returned four kicks for TDs last season...he's chalked up 10 for his career, eight in last two seasons...James Guidry is expected back under center, but could have challenger in untested Liberty QB Ben Anderson, who is 6-5, 210 pounds.
San Jose SaberCats
1998 Record: 7-7, 0-1 (lost to Tampa Bay). Head Coach: Darren Arbet (first season) San Jose won five of their final eight games to advance to first-round of playoffs for third time in history -- and lost for third time...return much of their roster, including Don't Blink! Player of the Year, Steve Papin...first-year coach Darren Arbet prepared special teams last season... Papin, in his first full season, scored 194 points and led the league with a record 3,190 all-purpose yards -- 228.0 yards per game -- surpassing Albany's Eddie Brown, who had 3,036 in 1996... in 19 career regular season games, he has averaged 227.2 yards per game... SaberCats have shored up offense that utilized four different QB's by signing Mark Grieb (6-3, 205), who had previously played with the Anaheim Piranhas...Ken Talanoa (6-4, 280), a former Arizona State starting lineman, joins forces with Sam Hernandez, Sai Poulivaati... Shalon Baker (5-6, 176) earned All-Rookie honors, racking up 735 receiving yards and 46 tackles...SaberCats lost leading rusher Mike Maslowski, to NFL's Chiefs.
Tampa Bay Storm
1998 Record: 12-2, 2-1 playoffs (lost in ArenaBowl XII) Head Coach (career): Tim Marcum (86-22) Tampa Bay has participated in three of last four ArenaBowls...Storm won 11 of their last 12 regular season games, but is scarred after 62-31 loss in ArenaBowl...led league with 56.7 points per game behind QB Peter Tom Willis (70 TDs) and in scoring defense... Marcum is league's all-time winningest coach...five of his current players are entering their eighth or ninth season of play... signed WR/DB Derrick Beatty and HUGE linemen, Andre Hewitt (6-6, 300) and Johnnie Church (6-3, 260)...George LaFrance, who has six rings to show off from his days with the Detroit Drive and Storm, enters his 12th season...last season, he led team in scoring (204) and had 35 receiving TDs with just 65 receptions...Stevie Thomas, Lawrence Samuels, and Tracey Perkins were key reasons why Storm dominated regular season...squad lost Defensive Player of the Year Johnnie Harris to NFL's Raiders.