Georgia Doom Sign Veteran Wideout Christian Wise

The Georgia Doom have signed veteran Christian Wise. Wise last played in the China Arena Football League with the Shanghai Skywalkers.

He is all too familiar with playing in the state of Georgia. His career started in 2008 when he played for the Albany, GA team. In 2009, Wise went to play for the Albany (NY) Firebirds. He recorded 1,999 total yards, 19 touchdowns, three kickoff return touchdowns, and one interception – all done in a span of just 10 games!

In 2010, Wise began his Arena Football League career. Over the next six seasons, he played with several teams including the Cleveland Gladiators, Pittsburgh Power and Spokane Shock.

Over his career in the top-tier arena league, he caught 64 passes for 923 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also did well playing on other sides of the ball. On defense, he recorded six interceptions. On special teams, he recorded 1,052 kickoff yards and one return touchdown.

In 2016, Wise was drafted by the Shanghai Skywalkers of the China Arena Football League (CAFL). Shanghai finished in third place in the league, but Wise joined by much arena talent such as wide receivers Shaun Kauleinamoku and Mike Washington and quarterback Shane Austin.

The Doom will play their inaugural season in the American Arena League, a merger of the Arena Pro Football (APF) and Can-Am Indoor Football Leagues. The season kicks off on March 17 with the title game set to be played on Saturday, June 30.

Ranking the ArenaBowls, #19: ArenaBowl XXIII

ArenaBowl XXIII was a special game. It was the first ArenaBowl since the league cancelled the 2009 season. The 2010 season was looked at as a new era in the AFL. The Spokane Shock and Tampa Bay Storm were facing off in the big game.

Tampa scored first when fullback Eric Ortiz ran the ball in from three yards out. Spokane quarterback Kyle Rowley found Huey Whittaker for a seven yard touchdown to bring them within one at the end of one.

Rowley would find Markee White on two touchdown drives – both ending in four yard touchdown passes – to give Spokane a 20-7 lead. After going back and forth most of the second quarter, Terrance Royal scored to give Tampa a 28-27 lead with just 15 seconds left in the first half. A 22-yard touchdown from Rowley to White as time expired gave Spokane a 34-28 halftime lead.

The Storm scored to take the lead to start the third quarter. That’s when Spokane went on a 21-0 run through the third and fourth quarter. They opened up a 55-35 lead. Despite Tampa scoring three touchdowns in the fourth, it was too little too late.

The Shock went on to win ArenaBowl XXIII 69-57. In their first and only ArenaBowl appearance, they were crowned champions.

Storm Bolster Both Sides of the Ball

On Wednesday, The Tampa Bay Storm announced they activated defensive back Al Phillips and acquired offensive lineman Devonte Danzey.

Phillips (5’11”, 190 lbs) rejoins Tampa Bay after spending 2016 with the National Conference Champion Arizona Rattlers. The Hialeah, FL native joined the Arena Football League in 2010 after playing collegiately at Wagner College. That year, he won ArenaBowl with the Spokane Shock, beating, of all teams, Tampa Bay. Over the years, Phillips spent time with the Utah Blaze and the Milwaukee Iron, joining the Storm for the first time in 2015. That year, he led the team, not just the backfield, with 107.0 total tackles (2.0 for loss) and a single-season franchise record 39 pass breakups, to go along with three interceptions and a forced fumble.

In his career, Phillips has 424.5 total tackles (5.5 for loss), 95 pass breakups, 15 interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three forced recoveries.

Danzey (6’2”, 305 lbs) joins the Storm for his rookie year in the Arena Football League. Coming out of Tampa Bay Tech where he earned All-Hillsborough County honors from the Tampa Tribune, he started his college ball at Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS. Ranked as the top prospect in the country at offensive guard, Danzey transferred to Auburn and appeared in 29 games (12 starts at left guard, right guard, and center). As a professional, Danzey now comes to play for his hometown team.

Washington Valor Quarterback Erik Meyer Announces Retirement

Washington Valor quarterback Erik Meyer has announced his retirement. He has not played since suffering an injury early this season.

Meyer joined the  Valor after sitting out a year of football. In 2015, he led the San Jose Sabercats to a 17-1 record and a win over the Jacksonville Sharks in ArenaBowl XXVIII.

Meyer started his arena football career with the Spokane Shock back in 2010. He played with Spokane until 2014. Meyer has also spent time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, as well as the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europa.

His signature year came with Spokane in 2013. He threw for 112 touchdowns while completing 68.2 of his passes with a 123.6 passer rating. The numbers were good enough to earn him AFL MVP that season, as well as a spot on the All-Arena First Team.

Expectations were high for Meyer and the Valor headed into their first season. On April 7, the Valor played their first game against the other team playing their first game, the Baltimore Brigade. Meyer threw for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Valor won the game by a final score of 51-37.

Things have gone downhill since then. Washington has lost nine in a row while losing Meyer and wide receivers Mike Washington and T.T. Toliver to injury. Now that Meyer is not going to return, Sean Brackett will lead the team the rest of the way.

Despite their 1-9 record, Washington is still alive in the playoff race. They will face off against the Philadelphia Soul at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on July 15.

The Arena Football League is playing their 30th season. The Soul, currently sitting at 10-0, are looking to become the first repeat champion since the Arizona Rattlers won three ArenaBowls in a row from 2012-2014. ArenaBowl XXX is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26.