• FOR OPENERS: The Crush begins its fifth Arena Football League season Sunday, at home (1 p.m., FSN) against the Grand Rapids Rampage.

• LAST YEAR: 11-5; lost in divisional playoffs.

• HOME GAMES: Pepsi Center.

• TICKETS: 720-258-3400.

• WEB: ColoradoCrush.com.

WHAT'S NEW?

• Free substitution: AFL coaches now can substitute players at will. Previously, AFL coaches were limited to one substitution per position per quarter. Free substitution is expected to improve the quality of play by getting the best players on the field for every play.

• Tune in: The AFL reached agreement with ESPN on a five-year agreement that gave the network minority ownership in the league as well as television rights. The deal includes a minimum of 17 regular-season games and nine playoff games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Monday prime-time games will be shown on ESPN2.

NUMBERS GAME

21 months with no home field will end for the New Orleans VooDoo, which returns to New Orleans Arena after Hurricane Katrina forced the team to suspend operations.

KEEPIN' BUSY

• Sherdrick Bonner, the 38-year-old quarterback of the Arizona Rattlers who lives in Lakewood, can only blame himself if he doesn't like the play calls - he's also the offensive coordinator.

FANTASY WORLD

• ArenaFan.com, a Web site dedicated to fans , has an AFL fantasy league. Fantasy Football Deluxe League Play allows players to form eight-team leagues, conduct league drafts, trades, waivers, and more. Information: ArenaFan.com.