Talons Nail Clipped

The chickens failed to hatch. I was waiting. Hell I was counting on it. The good news? Plenty of other topics to hit on this week.

When I bastardized the "don't count your chickens before they hatch" line above, I was directing the quote toward the Tulsa Talons.

They battled all season and came up one game short of reaching the af2 Championship game. I planned to call Head Coach Mitch Allner on Sunday morning to pick his brain. Alas, after a heart wrenching loss, I decided to let him rest and reflect.

The final score this past Saturday night was 51-44. The Talons fell at the hands of the Spokane Shock. When I first read 51-44 I assumed it was halftime.

The Talons mustered a meager 44 points in the biggest game of the season. Let's put this into perspective.

The Talons failed to score at least 51 points in but one previous game this season. Quarterback Justin Allgood set the af2 league record by tossing 108 touchdowns on the season. One more was needed.

It will be interesting to watch the organization in the coming months. The Arena Football League folded several weeks ago. The owners closed shop for one season, but due to the economy they decided to ax the league for good.

Will the af2 follow suit? The league and owners are saying the right things. The af2 follows a different business model including a more structured salary cap.

Here are the two scenarios we may watch play out: The af2 will continue to grow. The AFL players will fold into the af2 franchises across the county.

The other possibility is a behind-the-scenes power struggle amongst af2 owners. Some will want to increase the leagues profile and possibly land a television deal. Others may decide to bail before the same fate is dealt to them as their AFL counterparts.

Cheer Section

Last week I mentioned the Tulsa 66ers were holding dance team tryouts. Perhaps you are interested in the idea but wanted to raise the level of difficulty.

Why not give the Tulsa Oilers Ice Girls a tryout? Your opportunity to join an elite entertainment group is one solid audition away. The ability to glide across a slick sheet of ice is a bonus.

You must be 18 years of age or older. Auditions are open to the public and will take place from noon to 3. Pre-registration is encouraged. Contact Jessica at icegirls@tulsaoilers.com -- Tell'em I sent ya.

I almost forgot. The same offer is extended to potential Ice Girls. If you make the team and you tried out because of this column (at this point -- feel free to lie to me). I will make you the focal point of an article when hockey season gets into full swing.

One more Tulsa Oilers tidbit. A year ago, newly hired general manager Taylor Hall created an alumni game for the Oilers fans. It was a way to honor past Oilers' greats while also launching the upcoming season with a bit of flare.

By all accounts, it was a huge success. Just like a successful sitcom, the game was renewed for a second season.

The game is scheduled for August 29 at 7pm at the Oilers Ice Center (64th and Mingo).

"We knew last year's game would be a huge hit with the fans like it was, and we were really happy with the reaction from the alumni players. They really had a good time and wanted to do it again," said Hall. "The response from players this year has been tremendous."

Doug Lawrence, Luc Beausoleil and Mike Berger are expected to return again this year. Don't be surprised to see a larger contingent of pre-1992 Oilers in T-Town for the event.

Tickets for this special occasion as well as season tickets for the 2009-2010 campaign can be purchased by calling 632-PUCK.

Tamed

One last word on the golf season. The 91st PGA Championship ended in dramatic fashion. Tiger is human and he was Yang'd.

Several things stood out with CBS's coverage and I don't mean watching Tiger traverse a bridge heading to the tee box. That network was head and shoulders above the dreadful ABC coverage of the British Open.

My two favorite commercials? "Ambien CR may result in suicidal tendencies." But hey, at least you'll improve your sleep.

Also, Jack Nicklaus pimping the First Tee program is fantastic. The commercial brings attention to a truly great program. And of course Tulsa's First Tee chapter is one of the best in the nation.

The Tulsa chapter is sending two youngsters to play in the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. Josh Bernard and Brandon McDade join 76 other golfers from across the nation in the prestigious event.

Bernard attends Lincoln Christian High School and sports a 5 handicap. McDade attends Victory Christian School and carries a 4.5 handicap.

Good luck fellas. Make Tulsa proud but more importantly, have a blast.

Interested in signing your kid up for the First Tee program? Visit www.thefirstteeoftulsa.org for more information.

Football is coming. See our Cover Story, Page 18. Then, next week, how about a Sooners and Cowboys preview? You got it. Stay tuned.