First, some basic factoids:

Arena Football ^[1] uses a 50-yard field, three downs (not four), is played indoors, emphasizes passing, and is known for huge scores. In fact, the end of this year’s 16-game season last Monday produced three teams that each scored more than 1,000 points. That’s more than 60 points a game. And the playoffs started last night. What a rip-roarin’ good time!!

Portland once had an Arena Football League team. The Portland Forest Dragons ^[1] played from 1997 through 1999. Their games were a stompin’ hoot.

Now, eight years later, I think we are ready for the Arena Footlall League again. Portland sports has just been given a great shot in the arm with Oden. Professional soccer and lacrosse are attracting rabid constituencies. College sports is on the upswing.

Even if Arena games were consigned to the (cough) Memorial Coliseum, I have a feeling that Arena Football would be a big hit in Portland if it were brought back under resourceful (and resource-full) ownership.

Plus, the players are pretty good. A little smaller and slower than those in the NFL, but if you are an NFL draft-watcher and wonder where many of the seventh rounders go, that’s be to the Arena League.

Plus, if we had an Arena League team and this year’s likely champion the Chicago Rush came to town, I’d just have to root for this guy ^[2]!