If franchise playoff experience is going to be an advantage for this year’s Arena Football League champion, the edge goes to the Orlando Predators and the Arizona Rattlers.
Each team has won two AFL titles and both are shooting for a sixth appearance in the league’s ArenaBowl championship game as they start quarterfinal play this weekend.
Colorado Crush coach Mike Dailey says those credentials are important.
“A long-standing winning tradition and not being a flash in the pan is a factor,” Dailey said. “We all want to have teams that have success year in and year out.”
The San Jose SaberCats, who will play Arizona, have won two championships but can’t match the Rattlers’ championship appearances.
The Crush has one championship, winning a 51-48 thriller last year over the Georgia Force in Las Vegas. The Force and the Chicago Rush, the Crush’s opponent Sunday at the Pepsi Center, have been to the playoffs but haven’t won.
Dallas, the team Dailey considers the best team throughout the season, and Philadelphia are in the playoffs for the first time.
“I think it’s more the history of the players involved than the franchise history,” Philadelphia coach Bret Munsey said. “Certainly franchise playoff experience doesn’t hurt, but this has been a very balanced league this year.”
Munsey said most of the teams with playoff experience also have coaches with postseason experience.
Arizona’s Gene Nudo is the exception. Although the Rattlers have a lengthy playoff history, Nudo is completing his first season at the helm.
“Some people might have an opinion about an inexperienced coach in the playoffs,” Nudo said. “I know the value of having veterans such as quarterback Sherdrick Bonner and Randy Gatewood. They help bring everybody along.
“I’d like to have the Sherdrick of five years ago with his knowledge of today.”
Saturday’s playoff games are Arizona vs. San Jose and Georgia vs. Dallas. Sunday’s games are the Crush vs. Chicago and Philadelphia vs. Orlando.
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
