UFL Team Coming To Omaha: Nighthawks

[husker B-rent]

old gold knights think i....

[Vince from ShamWOW]

This could be pretty neat. Will the game be NFL-like? No, but really close. Will it be better football than college football? Without question.

 

The biggest question is will Omaha and the state support the team like they should?

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

I did have to laugh yesterday when someone asked on 1620 what time the guys would be at the bowling alley with the sign up sheet for the UFL.

[whateveritis1224]

The biggest challenge will be can they get people in the seats when it's the middle of football season here. Sure it's the middle of football season for every other team in the UFL too, but they are in places that have the population support. If they make the tickets affordable, and something a high school/college kid could go on a date to, then I think it could work. It's high quality football, but for less than what it'd cost to go to a Husker game.

 

Then again, Omaha did have a Minor League (one step below NHL) hockey team a while back that got dropped. Maybe the difference in popularity between football and hockey will be the difference. Also the ability to sign a couple of popular Huskers still vying for a spot in the NFL (Swift would be a big pick-up).

[WCHusker]

The biggest question is will Omaha and the state support the team like they should?

No, the biggest question is whether the (soon to be) Underwater Football League goes belly up this year or next. This whole "semi pro" concept is as dead as Michael Jackson and has been for years, but some people just don't get it. I had to cringe at all of the suggested names besides the Omaha Steaks, which is borderline brilliant-especially considering how much OS would have to cough up to pull it off.

[suh_fan93]

I already wrote in Outlaws. From what I understood of the Sacramento team naming, everyone thought it would be something completely different and the UFL surprised them all with Mountain Lions.

[whateveritis1224]

Freaking England has 4 different divisions of professional soccer. Why can't the US support a small scale football league that helps develop players for the NFL? Sure college football is huge over here compared to college soccer over there (pretty sure if you go through youth leagues and you get signed to a team once you're good enough, no matter the age (though younger players just have their rights bought), as opposed to going through 3 years of college ball before being entered into the draft). But 4 different leagues of 15-20 teams each is the reason why I think the UFL can survive as long as they don't get too greedy and understand that the league will never challenge the NFL and it's main purpose is to develop post-graduate talent (of all ages) for the NFL.

 

I can see the UFL working, but only if they keep the number of teams to 8-12 in number. 2 4 team divisions or 2 6 team divisions. In the 4 team division you play your division mates twice (home and home) each and play every member of the other division for a 10 game season (alternate home and home every year). For the 6 team division, play every team in your division twice plus 4 of the 6 in the other division which cycle by 2s every year. Think that's a perfect set up. Too many teams provide too many players, and makes it less likely that a player will get a call from an NFL team. Too many people dilute the talent too. We want top competition that's very similar to the product the NFL produces (of course there's going to be a drop off, it just better not be too big).

[Blackshirt316]

I'm a fan of the Nebraska Harvesters.

[Vince from ShamWOW]

I'm a fan of the Nebraska Harvesters.

 

 

A friend of mine suggested the Omaha Wind or the Omaha Blast. I kind of like Omaha Wind.

[HuskerMack]

I like the outlaws the best so Far!

[Bradr]

I still think that a logo with corn cob with the leaves folded to make it look like a hand making the "flipping off" gesture would be funny, as long as it was subtle.

 

And on another note, who heard the new coach on the radio last night?

 

He announced that ticket prices would be around $20 each. This seems a little steep to me. Not to mention the $6 parking, $6 beers, $5 hot dogs, and everything else they love to nickel and dime down there by the Qwest.

 

Also said that players in this league stand to make a salary greater than practice squad members in the NFL. Not sure how much that is, but it sounds like a lot. The coach wouldn't give an exact number, but they will need some serious butts-in-the-seats to cover even average salaries for the roster. Especially with the season being so short.

 

And apparently they think they will bring in 20,000 people into these games. Whoever though this was economically viable gets a

 

Oh, and their first game - on the same day as the Washington away game :facepalm: (they better have the Husker game on the jumbo-tron...)

[GSG]

Omaha Ticket Interest

Omaha, your professional football team is here! Season tickets will go on sale soon for your new team. For as little as $60 you will be able to see all of the home games at Rosenblatt Stadium this fall. Season tickets guarantee you a full season of action and the best seats in the house. You will also receive the following benefits:

 

· A reserved season ticket holder parking lot.

 

· You will receive season ticket gifts, such as a team seat cushion and a team sling bag.

 

· Your name will appear on the video board at every home game!

 

· You will receive pregame field access for you and your guests at 1 home game

 

· Exclusive email news and updates on your UFL team.

 

· Priority rights to purchase your same seats for all home playoff games.

 

· Priority rights to purchase seats for the UFL Championship Game.

 

· An exclusive prize drawing for season ticket holders at each game.

 

· Invitations to Coach & Players meet and greet events!

 

· You will receive a 10% discount on merchandise (in-stadium only).

 

Sign up today for priority seating and you will be emailed as soon as the tickets go on sale! Signing up today does not obligate you to purchase season tickets.

 

http://www.ufl-football.com/OmahaTicketInterest

[GSG]

UFL PR: Omaha protected players list revealed

By Dusty Sloan

 

OMAHA, NE – Friday, April 16 – Less than 24 hours after he was announced as the first head coach in the history of the Omaha franchise of the United Football League, Jeff Jagodzinski selected 20 players who will compete for a place on the team’s roster for the 2010 season.

 

The league’s first expansion draft allowed the Omaha head coach to select 20 players who impressed for the California Redwoods, Florida Tuskers, Las Vegas Locos and New York Sentinels during the 2009 UFL Premiere Season. An initial roster of 70 players will attend training camp before being trimmed to 52 for the regular season.

 

The Omaha team will play its games at Rosenblatt Stadium in 2010 before moving to TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in 2011.

 

Former Boston College head coach Jagodzinski selected nine players who played last year for the Tuskers, who went unbeaten during the regular season before losing the championship game to the Locos, who have four former players on the Omaha roster. New York contributes five former players and California two.

 

“I am pleased with the level of talent that we have selected to become the historic first players named to the Omaha team roster,” said coach Jagodzinski. “We have players who made a significant impact in the UFL last season and many with NFL experience who I am sure have the potential to become fan favorites here in Omaha.”

 

Among the expansion draft highlights is former First Round NFL Draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, who was selected 12th overall in 2002 and won a UFL championship with the Locos last season. Wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe will pose an offensive threat having led the New York Sentinels with 26 catches for 275 yards and a touchdown and been nominated for the 2009 UFL Player of the Year award.

 

Safety Willie Andrews led the league in punt return yards with 171 yards on 15 attempts with a long of 68 yards and was second in the league in kick returns with 371 yards on 17 attempts for the Florida Tuskers. Two former teammates who helped protect UFL MVP quarterback Brooks Bollinger – guards PJ Alexander and Fred Matua – also make their way to Omaha.

 

The Omaha team will face opposition home and away in the form of the Florida Tuskers, Hartford Colonials, Las Vegas Locos and Sacramento Mountain Lions and the 2010 season will run from early September to the week of Thanksgiving. The UFL will announce further expansion plans in the near future.

 

Football fans eager to learn about season ticket information for UFL games in Omaha can visit the www.UFL-Football.com website.

 

Omaha Expansion Draft Selections:

 

Pos Name 2009 UFL team College

LB Adrian McCovy California Arizona

OG Adam Speer California Oregon State

CB DeJuan Tribble Florida Boston College

DE Josh Savage Florida Utah

S Willie Andrews Florida Baylor

DT Willie Williams Florida Louisville

OG PJ Alexander Florida Syracuse

OG Fred Matua Florida USC

RB Shaud Williams Florida Alabama

TE Ryan Nuefeld Florida UCLA

WR Frank Murphy Florida Kansas State

DT Wendell Bryant Las Vegas Wisconsin

DT Ross Kolodzeij Las Vegas Wisconsin

LB Gary Stills Las Vegas West Virginia

OG Martin Bibla Las Vegas Miami

CB Terelle Maze New York San Diego State

OT Michael Fladell New York Rutgers

TE Christen Hopkins New York Toledo

WR Ryan Hoag New York Gustavus Adolphus

WR Craphonso Thorpe New York Florida State

 

Omaha Expansion Draft Player Bios:

 

CB Terell Maze New York Sentinels San Diego State

Posted 13.5 tackles… finished second in interceptions for the Sentinels with 1 and broke up 6 passes, more than any other Sentinels defender.

 

CB DeJuan Tribble Florida Tuskers Boston College

Had the third most tackles on the team (22)… also had 1 sack for an 11-yard loss and an interception… tied for most broken up passes with 6.

 

DE Josh Savage Florida Tuskers Utah

Posted 2 tackles, 1 sack and 2 forced fumbles.

 

S Willie Andrews Florida Tuskers Baylor

Was fourth on the team with 21.5 tackles… led the league in punt return yards with 171 yards on 15 attempts with a long of 68 yards… finished second in the league in kick returns with 371 yards on 17 attempts.

 

DT Wendell Bryant Las Vegas Locos Wisconsin

Was drafted 12th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and played there from 2002-2004.

 

DT Ross Kolodzeij Las Vegas Locos Wisconsin

Posted 6 tackles and had 1 forced fumble which he recovered… had the second-longest fumble return on the team (36 yards).

 

DT Willie Williams Florida Tuskers Louisville

Contributed 5 tackles for the Tuskers.

 

LB Gary Stills Las Vegas Locos West Virginia

Finished seventh on the team in tackles with 16.5… broke up 2 passes and forced 1 fumble.

 

LB Adrian McCovy California Redwoods Arizona

Contributed 6 tackles for the Redwoods.

 

OG Martin Bibla Las Vegas Locos Miami

Led the offensive line for the Locos in 2009… spent three years with the Atlanta Falcons before he earned All-Arena team honors with the Philadelphia Soul in 2008.

 

OG PJ Alexander Florida Tuskers Syracuse

Anchored the Tuskers offensive line in 2009, helping Brooks Bollinger to become MVP of the league and the Tuskers to a perfect regular season.

 

OG Fred Matua Florida Tuskers USC

Helped the Tuskers to a perfect regular season in 2009… was drafted by the Detroit Lions and also spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

 

OG Adam Speer California Redwoods Oregon State

Protected quarterback Shane Boyd in the 2009 season… spent time with Atlanta Falcons.

 

OT Michael Fladell New York Sentinels Rutgers

Has spent time with the New York Giants and New York Jets… attended Rutgers University.

 

RB Shaud Williams Florida Tuskers Alabama

Was third in rushing for the Tuskers with 103 yards on 21 carries… also had 1 kick return for 33 yards, 1 catch for 3 yards and 2.5 tackles to help out the defense.

 

TE Christian Hopkins New York Sentinels Toledo

Made 6 catches for 67 yards and 1 touchdown for the Sentinels with a longest reception of 22 yards.

 

TE Ryan Neufeld Florida Tuskers UCLA

Has 2 catches for 6 yards and a touchdown.

 

WR Ryan Hoag New York Sentinels Gustavus Adolphus

Had a catch for 23 yards… attempted and completed 2 passes for 8 yards and helped the defense with 3.5 tackles.

 

WR Craphonso Thorpe New York Sentinels Florida State

Led the team with 26 catches for 275 yards, had 1 touchdown and a long reception of 54 yards… also had 2 punt returns for 2 yards and 1 tackle to help the defense.

 

WR Frank Murphy Florida Tuskers Kansas State

Finished fifth in receptions on the team with 14 for 113 yards… also had 3 touchdowns, tied for second most on the team…also aided the defense with 3.5 tackles.

 

http://uflaccess.com/omaha/ufl-pr-omaha-protected-players-list-revealed/

[HuskerMack]

Players make around 80k a year. I dont see 20 bucks as to much, hell a movie cost 12 bucks now and if you buy a season ticket its like the tickets are only 15 each.

[whateveritis1224]

I fully expected the tickets to cost more. Thought 20 bucks was at the low end, but I think it's going to be okay.