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Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1998 1:00 PM ET
Weather Conditions are an
issue
When the competition
committee recommended to THE LEAGUE that weather conditions
be used as
a home field advantage,
the owners asked them to go back and draw up some structure
and guidelines as to how it would be used and yet keep the
realism of the game. Owners did not want to see Miami or
Tampa Bay, places where it rarely - if ever - snows, use
this strategy to their advantage. This is not to imply
however that these franchises would do this, but this is an
example of how far fetched the plan could become if no
guidelines are drawn up. Therefore the membership is
expected to discuss this further at the Winter owners
meetings set for January 6. What THE LEAGUE is looking for
is a plan that can do two things. One, provide cold weather
teams that cold weather advantage, and two, provide it in a
manner that is consistent with current weather trends. For
instance, it would be extremely rare for Denver to playng day in the snow. Its possible, but highly unlikely.
That is why THE LEAGUE will experiment with some type of
plan in the Exhibition season to see how this would work.
Executive Director Charles is currently researching ways to
provide the owners with a schedule that will include a game
forecast one week prior to the game. Charles is using his
internet resources to provide the statistical data needed to
make this plan work. However, that doesn't mean THE LEAGUE
will be in favor of it. There are some owners that would
like to keep it simple. Just let the home team decide at
game time their chosen weather condition. Although it is the
simplest plan, it may not be the best for THE LEAGUE. This
is another issue that is hard to determine as to which way
the owners will go. At any rate, don't expect any changes
for the 1999 season.
Seven Expansion
Teams Up For Approval
The PFL has officially
received 7 expansion applications for 1999 game play.
Seattle, Minnesota, Tennessee, New York Giants, New York
Jets, Washington Redskins & New Orleans Saints have all
been applied for. There has been no indication as to how
LEAGUE members will vote when it comes to expansion. There
could be anywhere between four and twelve new franchises
next year, Executive Director Charles stated. It is
impossible to tell. We won't know until it goes to vote.
Front runners to get in are Brian Cook, Darryl Johnson, Tony
Smith and Edgar Rubio. Rubio will be making his return to
the PFL after a one year hiatus. More applications are
expected to come in as the deadline gets closer.
Rubio Wants Out Of New
York
Not satisfied with the
offensive production of the Giants, Edgar Rubio may be
resubmitting an application for another franchise. Rubio
selected the Giants in early October but has since indicated
that he feels his squad lacks the offensive firepower to
compete in the PFL. Rubio was interested in Tennessee but
was unable to secure the franchise because Darryl Johnson
had already reserved them. Under normal conditions, Rubio
being a former member of THE LEAGUE would have been given
first choice of the franchise. But because he left THE
LEAGUE after the season had started and did not pursue
honorary status, he lost all rights and privileges of a
regular member and has to re enter THE LEAGUE as a new
member. There has been no indication as to whether or not
Rubio will actually make the move or not. At this point the
coach is said to be weighing his options and looking at
other franchises.
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