Arena football is still a few months away from starting back up at the Consol Energy Center, but the Pittsburgh Power are about to enter the crucial period where they start building the team that will be competing for the Foster Cup in 2013. They have several ways to find talent to don the black and gold this year.
Starting Monday, the Power will have the ability to exclusively sign players from their 2012 roster for this year and perhaps beyond. As part of the new collective bargaining agreement in the AFL, teams can now offer multi-year contracts with extra signing bonuses for longer contracts as opposed to the one-year only deals that were the staple of the league before.
After the 28th it becomes open season on all remaining players to sign with any team they choose. This new multiyear option makes this off-season a vital one for Pittsburgh. You don’t want to get locked out of the top talent in the league for multiple years.
Pittsburgh has a few notable players I’d like to see signed back to the roster this year. It starts with one of the most dynamic players in the game, 2011 JLS Ironman of the Year P.J. “Superman” Berry. You also want to see explosive wide receiver Mike “The Joystick” Washington return. He’s been the leading receiver for the Power in both of their seasons.
You might not always know the good linemen in the AFL, but bulky center Beau Elliott was a strong force in the middle of the offensive line for the Power until suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. His replacements were not effective enough.
Defensively the Power should really look at trying to retain defensive backs Chris LeFlore, the single season interception leader, and Christian Wise. Wise was an interception machine down the stretch
In addition to free agency the Power have announced open tryouts on Saturday November 10th at Southpointe Fieldhouse in Canonsburg, PA. If you have dreams of suiting up for a professional Pittsburgh football team, this could be your chance. Think you’re better than the players who played for the Power last year? As they like to say in the business, put your money where your mouth is.
Pre-registration cost is $60.00 for the tryouts, or $75.00 the day of the event. For more information, check out the Power’s website, www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com.
Regardless of what avenue the Power choose to acquire talent, there is plenty of room for improvement over a team that finished 5-13 last year. With the lockout in hockey potentially wiping out their season, the Power could be the only game in town. Look for them to try and make a huge splash this year and try to win over the fans of Pittsburgh.
Photo Credits: Arena Football
