Greg Sullivan
sports editor

Football has seen it's share of struggle and dissapointment in the Atlanta area recently, but its come mostly in the form of the Atlanta Falcons.
We'll have to wait until the fall to see if the Falcons under new direction can get things turned around, but up I-85 from the Georgia Dome there exists a professional football franchise that has never been down and out, at least not as long as they've been around.
The Georgia Force of the AFL have proved themselves to be one of arena football’s powers year in and year out. They won a conference title in 2005, division titles in 2005 and 2007 and earned wild card playoff berths in 2003 and 2006.
All of these accomplishments have come since 2002 when the franchise relocated here from Nashville. 
One thing to be said about the franchise is that it serves as proof that Arthur Blank can own a winner. The tycoon, who owns both the Force and the Falcons, moved the team back to Duluth for the 2008 season after he initially moved the team from Duluth to Phillips Arena in Atlanta when he first bought them back before the 2005 season.
This season marks the team’s first year back in Duluth since the 2004 season.
The Force recently announced that their players will report to their training camp in Flowery Branch on February 10 and will start practices on February 12.
The team returns 15 players from last year's Southern Division Championship team, including star players quarterback Chris Greisen, receiver Troy Bergeron and defensive lineman Jarmaine Smith.
The Force opens their season at home with the Dallas Desperados on March 1 and the season runs through June 21.
So for those football fans that need something to keep them busy through June arena football may be the ticket, but if you’re a defensive-person who likes low-scoring game then you can just keep waiting until fall.