Author Archives: SL

After a long and productive off-season, it was finally time to open training camp. It was a great day for Erie Explosion football as our coaches, players, and staff gathered at the Downtown Avalon Hotel for meetings and physicals. Our … Continue reading →

Wanted to extend congratulations to two members of our 2010 Erie Storm coaching staff on their recent accomplishments. Defensive Coordinator Mike Fox was recently named to a front office position and the defensive coordinator of the Abilene Rough Riders of … Continue reading →

Well Erie fans it is almost here….48 days until we open training camp. It is a very exciting time of the year as all of our signed players will come together for the first time to work towards the goals … Continue reading →

The Erie Explosion have announced the signing of quarterback Adam DiMichele to a contract for the 2011 season. DiMichele (6’2, 202) brings NFL, CFL, and Division I collegiate experience to the Explosion in 2011. As the starting quarterback for Temple, … Continue reading →

Just returned from the Gridiron Placement Services combine in Baltimore Maryland on Sunday. There was a tremendous amount of talent on hand, and we are currently in the evaluation process to determine if we will invite any of these men … Continue reading →

It was an exciting day for our franchise as our new logo and name were announced yesterday. After much hard work and preparation by our ownership group and front office the Erie Explosion logo was unveiled at a press conference … Continue reading →

Erie Explosion Professional Indoor Football announces Open Tryout for the 2011 Season. The tryout will be held on Saturday December 11th , 2010 from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Erie Explosion Head Coach Shawn Liotta and his staff will be conducting the tryout and … Continue reading →

Congratulations to former Erie RiverRats DB Jovon Johnson who was named the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ most outstanding special teams player as selected by voting members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the CFL head coaches. Johnson finished the season … Continue reading →

SIFL & AIFA ANNOUNCE MERGER Merger to Change Indoor Football Landscape DAYTONA BEACH, FL (November 9, 2010) – Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) commissioner Gary Tufford announced today (November 9,2010) that six teams from the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) … Continue reading →

It is my pleasure to be a guest on the Sports Blitz with Jim LeCorchick on Fox Sports Radio this week. Fans can tune in to Fox Sports Radio 1330 on Wednesday October 20th at 6:05pm to hear the interview … Continue reading →

Joe Blanks became the second member of the Erie Storm 2010 roster to accept a contract with an Arena Football League Franchise. Blanks (6’3, 315) a graduate of Erie Cathedral Prep and Winston Salem State signed with the Tulsa Talons. … Continue reading →

Erie Professional Indoor Football announces first Open Tryout for the 2011 Season. The first open tryout will be held on Saturday October 23rd, 2010 from 11:30am-2:00pm. Erie Head Coach Shawn Liotta and his staff will be conducting the tryout and … Continue reading →

We are pleased to announce that former Erie Storm WR Denayne Dixon has been offered a contract with the Iowa Barnstormers of the Arena Football League for the 2011 season. Dixon a former tight-end at Edinboro University made the transition … Continue reading →

I want to extend a big congratulations to former Erie QB/WR David Dinkins on being selected to the Morehead State Athletic Hall of Fame. Dinkins will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday October 15th, and will have … Continue reading →

BALTIMORE, MD (September 22, 2010) – The American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) completed two successful days of owner’s meeting on September 17th and 18th at dual sites located in Baltimore, Maryland and Reno, Nevada. At the top of the agenda … Continue reading →

BALTIMORE, MD (September 11, 2010) – The American Indoor Football Association (AIFA), set to kickoff its fifth season in 2011, will host a unique set of owners’ meetings at sites in Baltimore, Maryland and Reno, Nevada on September 17th and … Continue reading →

The Baltimore Mariners have announced that Chris Simpson has resigned his position as Head Coach. Coach Simpson in a team issued press release indicated that he will pursue other opportunities for his family. Coach Simpson led the Baltimore Mariners to … Continue reading →

I would like to announce the arrival of the newest addition of Team Liotta. My wife and I welcomed our daughter Liliana Rose into our family today. Mother and Daughter are doing very well and I would like to thank … Continue reading →

I just wanted to pass along a tremendous story of hard-work, dedication, and never giving up on your dream. The Green Bay Packers recently signed a player Maurice Simpkins who played last season with the IFL’s Green Bay Blizzard. You … Continue reading →

Baltimore Mariners public relations director John Wolfe has compiled a list of All-Time Indoor & Arena Football records through the completion of the 2010 season. The top 10 in several categories are listed below, and the Tampa Bay Storm despite … Continue reading →

It appears that the Arena Football League will place an expansion team in the Pittsburgh market for the 2011 season. According to published reports by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review the team will soon announce its ownership group which includes former … Continue reading →

It has been widely reported by several media outlets that the Reading Express are leaving the American Indoor Football Association and joining the Indoor Football League. The Reading Eagle did an in-depth article on the situation here . The Express … Continue reading →

The match-ups are set for the Arena Bowl XXIII which will be televised live Friday at 8:00pm EST on the NFL Network. The Spokane Shock 60-57 winners over the Milwaukee Iron will host the Tampa Bay Storm for the 2010 … Continue reading →

This weeks edition of “Flashback Friday” features a TV Spot from the Erie Freeze. This commercial featuring LB Roosevelt Benjamin was shown on local Erie Television during the 2007 Erie Freeze Season. The 2007 season was the final season in … Continue reading →

Leading up to to the 2011 season I will be hosting a weekly Coaches Show on UStream. The goal of the show will be to provide you with tremendous insight into our preparation and planning as we work to bring … Continue reading →

With the NCAA/NFL season fast approaching I tackle an NFL question along with a preseason Super Bowl prediction. Keep the questions coming and I will attempt to answer as many as possible. Question- Coach who is your favorite NFL Team. … Continue reading →

Today’s edition of the Play of the Week features a Rod Rutherford to Denayne Dixon 30 yard touchdown pass from our game with the Reading Express on April 25, 2010. This was a key divisional match-up with the Express which … Continue reading →

The Arena Football League showcased their first round playoff games this weekend. The Spokane Shock defeated the Arizona Rattlers for the third time this season by a score of 57-49, spoiling the monster game by Arizona WR Rod Windsor who … Continue reading →

This weeks edition of Flashback Friday features the inaugural 2005 American Indoor Football League contest between the Erie Freeze and the Johnstown Riverhawks. The Freeze were led to their first win in franchise history by QB David Dinkins as they … Continue reading →

Today I will answer a question from one of our great fans in Erie, PA. I hope you enjoy this feature where I will answer questions submitted directly from our fans. There have been many outstanding questions submitted and I … Continue reading →

August 4, 2010 In response to an unfortunate incident the Arena Football League has issued suspensions to Orlando’s Bobby Sippio and Julius Wilson for their involvement in an altercation with fans in Saturday night’s game. Wilson and Predators wide receiver … Continue reading →

August 3, 2010 In this weeks edition of the Play of the Week we have an interception return for a touchdown by the Erie Storm defense vs. the Baltimore Mariners. Erie Storm linebacker Tommie Weatherspoon takes the interception from Mariner … Continue reading →

August 2, 2010 The 2010 American Indoor Football Association season has come to a conclusion, and it is now time for the league to select their All-Star Teams. I am not sure what this process entails however in past seasons … Continue reading →

July 30, 2010 Flashback Friday- 2008 AIFA Playoffs Erie RiverRats @ Reading Express Today we will flashback to the 2008 AIFA first round playoff game with the Reading Express. Both teams entered the game with 10-4 records however the Express … Continue reading →

July 29, 2010 Former Erie Invaders Head Coach Gary Tufford has been named the Commissioner of the Southern Indoor Football League. Tufford brings over 30 years of professional football experience to the SIFL as an executive, coach and player, with … Continue reading →

July 28, 2010 Erie native and former Erie RiverRats Defensive Back Jovon Johnson has been named the CFL Special Teams Player of the Week. Johnson electrified the home crowd with an 83-yard punt return touchdown late in the fourth quarter … Continue reading →

July 27, 2010 Today’s Play of the Week is Sam Reynolds interception return for a touchdown vs. the Reading Express on 4.25.10. Reynolds finished the 2010 season with 29 tackles, 6 interceptions, and led the the team with 11 passes … Continue reading →

July 26, 2010 Congratulations to the Baltimore Mariners on defeating the Wyoming Cavalry 57-42 to win the 2010 AIFA Championship. I want to give credit to the entire Mariners organization on an undefeated 2010 season. Here are a few random … Continue reading →

July 25, 2010 The 2010 AIFA Championship Game between the Baltimore Mariners and the Wyoming Cavalry is set for today. The culmination of the 2010 season will occur at 4:00pm EST from the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, MD. Baltimore … Continue reading →

July 24, 2010 The final AIFA Bowl IV Preview Video is complete and provides a an overall review of the game and provides a prediction on the final score. I hope that you enjoyed the video blogs leading up to … Continue reading →

July 21, 2010 The Baltimore Mariners had one of the most efficient passing games in the AIFA in 2010. In the AIFA Championship Game they will have to contend with an opportunistic and physical group of defensive backs from the … Continue reading →

July 20, 2010 Today I continue with my preview of the 2010 AIFA Championship Game with an look at the Wyoming Cavalry Passing Game vs. the Baltimore Mariners Pass Defense. Both units ranked among the leaders in most AIFA statistical … Continue reading →

July 19, 2010 I want to thank everyone for visiting the site, we have had a tremendous amount of traffic here over the past week. I urge you to continue to visit the blog each day for the latest updates, … Continue reading →

July 18, 2010 Today we have the second in a series of previews of the 2010 AIFA Championship Game between the Baltimore Mariners and the Wyoming Cavalry on Sunday July 25th at First Mariner Arena in Baltimore, MD. These two … Continue reading →

July 17, 2010 Today we have the first in a series of video previews leading up to the 2010 AIFA Bowl IV on Sunday July 25 at First Mariner Arena in Baltimore. I will take you inside the film room … Continue reading →

July 16, 2010 There are two indoor football championship games on tap for this weekend. They are both going to be webcast for free on the net, and both should be good games. The SIFL Championship between the Columbus Lions … Continue reading →

July 16, 2010 Flashback Friday- Erie Invaders I have uploaded a few vintage clips of the Erie Invaders vs. Bismark Blaze from the 2000 IFL Season. It is fun to take a look at how the game has progressed over … Continue reading →

July 15, 2010 The AIFA Championship Bowl IV is scheduled for Sunday July 25 at First Mariner Arena in Baltimore. Over the next week I will give my situational analysis comparing these two squads leading up to this great match-up … Continue reading →

July 14, 2010 In an example of how volatile and unpredictable things can be at this level of professional indoor football I give you the case of Billings Outlaws QB Chris Dixon. For those of you who have possibly been … Continue reading →