Post by Banana Cat on Mar 3, 2012 17:07:16 GMT -5
fayobserver.com/articles/2012/02/29/1160896
Heroes indoor football teams begins anew with familiar faces
By Sammy Batten
The Cape Fear Heroes have been flying under the public radar, for the most part, since being announced as the latest reincarnation of arena football in Fayetteville last November.
That's not surprising, since a lot of behind-the-scenes groundwork goes into preparing for a professional sports season. But as a new team, with new ownership getting ready to play in a new league - American Indoor Football or AIF - the Heroes' preseason to-do list has been extensive.
About the only on-the-field news we've heard came on a single day early last month when the team's seven-game schedule was announced, along with the signings of former NFL running back Wilmont Perry, ex-Pine Forest High and East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney and two other quarterbacks.
But Monday there was a glimpse of what may be to come on the field as the Heroes held a coming out party of sorts at the Holiday Inn-Bordeaux's new sports bar and grill. The festive scene revealed a lot of old faces are returning in hopes of helping arena football make a comeback in Fayetteville.
An alumni club
As people began arriving at Monday's event, it looked like a gathering of Fayetteville's arena football alums.
There was Charles Gunnings, who has played and coached for previous franchises here. There was Perry and Jay Jackson and Tymere Zimmerman, Devonte Brown and Jon Hall, all of whom have suited up with the Cape Fear Wildcats, Fayetteville Guard or Fayetteville Force over the last decade.
Even Methodist University defensive line great Quincy Malloy was in attendance. Malloy has been a mainstay in our local arena football world for years, but vowed he'd played his last down after the 2011 season.
But even as he put on his best Brett Favre denial Monday that another comeback was forthcoming, Malloy joined the players and Gunnings for a team photo. Before the photo, however, Perry had already let the cat out of the bag on Malloy.
"He's playing,'' Perry said. "He's working out like he's playing, anyway.''
It just goes to show you can't keep a good football player out of the game.
Positive start
Filling the roster with familiar faces is a positive start for the Heroes, although adding new blood like Pinkney and others will be needed to field a championship team. But fielding a quality squad has never been the problem in Fayetteville.
Previous franchises failed for various off-the-field reasons, including last year when the Fayetteville Force nearly collapsed before completing a full schedule. Arena football mover and shaker John Morris stepped in to prop up the Force so it could finish the season.
Morris put together the AIF and remains involved with the Heroes as part of the ownership group that now includes locals in Gunnings, Barbara J. Spigner and Dimitrios "Jimmy'' Diamantopoulos.
Ultimately, it will be that group of folks who'll determine the success or failure of the Heroes. They must find a solid business model and devise a strong plan for marketing and promoting the franchise to avoid the pitfalls of the owners who came before them.
But you have to give them credit for bringing back all those familiar faces. It's a positive start.
The real test begins March 24 when the Heroes face the Maryland Reapers in their 2012 season opener. We know things will go smoothly on the field. The verdict is still out, however, on whether the business side of arena football is ready to succeed in Fayetteville.
By Sammy Batten
The Cape Fear Heroes have been flying under the public radar, for the most part, since being announced as the latest reincarnation of arena football in Fayetteville last November.
That's not surprising, since a lot of behind-the-scenes groundwork goes into preparing for a professional sports season. But as a new team, with new ownership getting ready to play in a new league - American Indoor Football or AIF - the Heroes' preseason to-do list has been extensive.
About the only on-the-field news we've heard came on a single day early last month when the team's seven-game schedule was announced, along with the signings of former NFL running back Wilmont Perry, ex-Pine Forest High and East Carolina quarterback Patrick Pinkney and two other quarterbacks.
But Monday there was a glimpse of what may be to come on the field as the Heroes held a coming out party of sorts at the Holiday Inn-Bordeaux's new sports bar and grill. The festive scene revealed a lot of old faces are returning in hopes of helping arena football make a comeback in Fayetteville.
An alumni club
As people began arriving at Monday's event, it looked like a gathering of Fayetteville's arena football alums.
There was Charles Gunnings, who has played and coached for previous franchises here. There was Perry and Jay Jackson and Tymere Zimmerman, Devonte Brown and Jon Hall, all of whom have suited up with the Cape Fear Wildcats, Fayetteville Guard or Fayetteville Force over the last decade.
Even Methodist University defensive line great Quincy Malloy was in attendance. Malloy has been a mainstay in our local arena football world for years, but vowed he'd played his last down after the 2011 season.
But even as he put on his best Brett Favre denial Monday that another comeback was forthcoming, Malloy joined the players and Gunnings for a team photo. Before the photo, however, Perry had already let the cat out of the bag on Malloy.
"He's playing,'' Perry said. "He's working out like he's playing, anyway.''
It just goes to show you can't keep a good football player out of the game.
Positive start
Filling the roster with familiar faces is a positive start for the Heroes, although adding new blood like Pinkney and others will be needed to field a championship team. But fielding a quality squad has never been the problem in Fayetteville.
Previous franchises failed for various off-the-field reasons, including last year when the Fayetteville Force nearly collapsed before completing a full schedule. Arena football mover and shaker John Morris stepped in to prop up the Force so it could finish the season.
Morris put together the AIF and remains involved with the Heroes as part of the ownership group that now includes locals in Gunnings, Barbara J. Spigner and Dimitrios "Jimmy'' Diamantopoulos.
Ultimately, it will be that group of folks who'll determine the success or failure of the Heroes. They must find a solid business model and devise a strong plan for marketing and promoting the franchise to avoid the pitfalls of the owners who came before them.
But you have to give them credit for bringing back all those familiar faces. It's a positive start.
The real test begins March 24 when the Heroes face the Maryland Reapers in their 2012 season opener. We know things will go smoothly on the field. The verdict is still out, however, on whether the business side of arena football is ready to succeed in Fayetteville.