Where we stand....

March 13th, 2008- It has been almost one year since the AAFL officially announced that day that the 2008 season would be postponed. However, we were told that the 2009 season would still be protected. Unfortunately, it now appears that the league has decided to start from scratch and select new host cities for the 2010 season. The financial situation is still unclear as the economy has completely collapsed in the past year. Last spring, we were told that the league would not be able to sustain itself with the all of its investments of $300 billion tied directly to the student loan industry.

Nevertheless, there is some good news to look forward to. After cancelling the 2008 season, the AAFL, ironically, was able to agree in priniciple with NFL Network to broadcast their games. TV revenue is the lifeblood of any franchise and it's funny to think how the NFL would basically be the main operator of the AAFL. A radio agreement with Sirius satellite radio had also been reached along with an agreement with New Balance.

So, I would like your suggestions on some suitable host locations for new teams. My proposal is to primarily have a southern football league in order to cut down on travel costs. Southeastern football has always been the biggest draw in NCAA football and I think it could work for the AAFL instead of having a Michigan team. So here are my ideas (* indicates new team, ^ indicates primary home):

Team Alabama- playing in Birmingham, ^Tuscaloosa

*Team Auburn- ^Auburn, Birmingham

Team Arkansas- Little Rock, ^Fayatteville

*Team Carolina- ^Charleston, Charlotte, Raleigh, Columbia

Team Florida- Jacksonville, Orlando, and ^Gainesville

Team Florida Gulf- ^Tallahassee, Tampa, Pensacola

*Team Georgia- Atlanta, ^Athens, Valdosta

*Team Louisiana- New Orleans, Shreveport, ^Baton Rouge

*Team Mississippi- ^Oxford, Starkville, Jackson

Team Tennessee- Nashville, ^Knoxville, Memphis

Team Texas- Dallas, Houston, ^San Antonio

Projected Lineup

OFFENSE

QB Chris Leak

RB Travis Glasford
WR Peter Warrick
WR Kevin Beard
WR Travis McGriff
WR Tavaris Capers
WR Chris Doering
TE C.J. Leak
OT Todd Williams
OT John Wilson
OG Steve Rissler
OG Tony Tella
C Zac Zedalis

DEFENSE
DE Elton Patterson
NT Buck Gurley
DE Charles Howard
OLB Bam Hardmon
MLB Greg Favors
MLB Keyonvis Bouie
OLB William Beckford
CB Mike Rumph
CB Pete Hunter
FS Willie Offord
SS Jarrell Weaver

SPECIAL TEAMS
K Judd Davis
P Matt Leach

*LEAGUE TRANSACTIONS*

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February 29th- Team Florida took some big hits these past few weeks as draftees WR Ryan Moore, CB Tay Cody, and DT Thomas Smith were all picked up by teams in the CFL. Team Tennessee took the biggest hit as QB Tee Martin decided to retire (Good luck finding a QB guys). WR Freddie Milons also decided to call it quits as well. Team Florida did acquire LB Greg Favors, a long time NFL vet. http://www.allamericanfootballleague.com/transactions.php

Supplemental Draft

February 16th- The AAFL conducted a supplemental draft today. The supplemental draft was created to select players who have been recently cut by NFL teams. Team Florida selected ten players. Notable names included former FSU stars Tay Cody & Todd Williams, Miami star Mike Rumph, and even Chris Leak's brother CJ! The rest of the names include: Sacha Lancaster (Arkansas), William Beckford (Rutgers), Keyonvis Bouie (FIU), Willie Offord (South Carolina), Justin Rascati (James Madison), Jason Hunt (Cincinnati), and Brian Ross (FSU). For a list of complete results, visit: http://www.allamericanfootballleague.com/2008_Supplemental_Draft.pdf

News and Notes from the Draft Party

-Team Florida has announced that they will be using a 3-4 defensive scheme

-It was wierd seeing Peter Warrick holding an orange and blue jersey, but he seems comfortable in his new surroundings

-There were alot of no name players selected before former famous college greats that we all remember. Yet, this only goes to show how great talent from small schools can be overlooked by the NFL and scouts. Also, remember, alot of these guys have not played football in a long time. How much time since then have they put into training?

-There already seems to be a rivalry developing between Team Florida and Team Tennessee.

-Kresser and all of the players that were protected by Team Florida met with fans before and after the draft

-The New Helmets were revealed and they look great! All of the teams feature a logo of their state with colors that are familiar in their area. Team Florida's helmets are basically like the old Gator F helmet with the following exceptions: the helmet is blue instead of white and a logo of the state of Florida is featured behind the orange F.

-Fan attendence was extremely high; the building was packed.

2008 INAUGURAL AAFL DRAFT

Today, I went to a Team Florida draft party in Gainesville. Here are the players that were selected by Coach Matthews in the draft:

QB Eric Kresser (Marshall)
DE Thomas Smith (Pitt)
OT John Wilson (Penn State)
DB Pete Hunter (Virginia Union)
RB James Lemon (Stanford)
QB Chris Leak (UF)
WR Peter Warrick (FSU)
WR Willie Jackson (UF)
LB Craig Kobel (USF)
WR Travis McGriff (UF)
WR Tavaris Capers (UCF)
WR Ryan Moore (UM)
WR Chris Doering (UF)
RB Elijah Williams (UF)
DB Fred Weary (UF)
DT Tyronn Johnson (Florida A&M)
WR Kevin Beard (UM)
DE Elton Patterson (UCF)
LB Maurice Jones (USF)
DB Leroy Smith (FSU)
TE OJ Small (UF)
DT Buck Gurley (UF)
DE Willie Cohens (UF)
LB Bam Hardmon (UF)
LB Brian Crum (UF)
FS Kyler Hall (FSU)
DB Keith Williams (Florida A&M)
DB Cory Bailey (UF)
S Jerrell Terry (FAU)
DE Alton Wright (UM)
DE Charles Howard (FSU)
G Zac Zedalis (UF)
T Tony Tella (UM)
T Bradley Kunz (UM)
TE Victor Jones (Edward Waters)
TE Cory McKinney (FIU)
G Steve Rissler (UF)
C Anthony Wollschlager (UM)
T Freddie Moore (Florida A&M)
LB Travis Harris (UF)
LB Carl Walker (UM)
DB Johnny Lamar (UF)
S Jarrell Weaver (UM)
K Judd Davis (UF)
P Matt Leach (UF)
CB Chris Hawkins (Marshall)
C Jon Schall (Pitt)
LB Mario Reese (Minnesota)
RB Travis Glaford (Western Illinois)
RB Norval McKenzie (Vandy)

Playoffs? Playoffs?!! Are you kidding me? Actual Season NOT HAPPENING?!

With only seven months left until the AAFL's inaugural season, much preparation still needs to be done. Yet, it appears that from several of my sources, the AAFL may have to postpone its se It's unknown what problems the league may be encountering but here are a few possibilities:

• Communication problems- Apparently, not even the individual team franchises are aware of the league's activities
• The $1 Million question- The AAFL has paid universities up to $1 million per game to use their stadiums. How in the world does the AAFL expect to cover a $1 million expense from every game?! Advertisements, ticket sales, and TV deals are simply not enough.
• Not enough season ticket commitments-The tickets have been slightly overpriced for such a risky investment. I was told by an AAFL spokesperson that the league expects to sell out every game! This is simply not possible.
• TV?-The AAFL hopes to broadcast its games on television. The question is whether the games will be shown on an AAFL network or another station. The league hopes that by putting the games on their own network, this will take away TV timeouts. The truth is that sports networks tend to be very pricey, which tends scares off alot of cable companies (i.e. NFL network trying to get on Comcast's regular TV package). The AAFL does not have enough money or power to fund such an expensive network. Yet, they do not have many options in terms of signing with another network. The NFL will not allow NBC, ESPN, CBS, and FOX to sign an agreement with another professional football league. The options are limited. There is the Versus Network which has shown some MWC and PAC-10 college football games along with the NHL. TBS and TNT do not carry the NFL and College Football anymore. However, TNT broadcasts the NBA playoffs in the midst of the AAFL's projected season. Local networks such as SUN sports would be a good alternative. At any rate, the league needs to find a credible TV source who can provide enough funds to cover these $1 million per game costs.
• TV and tickets- Of course, the Networks are going to be skeptical about broadcasting a game in a 90,000-100,000 stadium in which only 3,000 fans show up. The league needs to lower ticket costs and provide free tickets to college students. A committed fanbase needs to be established.
• 3 year investment- This is the AAFL's surname. If the league opens its season as planned in April, the AAFL will be running in the red for the next 3 years at least. At the end of the 2010 season, the league will need to reevaluate itself to see if they are A) establishing a consistent ROE, B) bringing in new fans, and C) providing a long term forecast. If the league can accomplish these three points, they should be able succeed. However, for now, the league remains an extremely risky investment.

Last Month's Poll

What former Florida Gator should Team Florida seek?

G Zach Piller
0 (0%)

WR Jacquez Green
7 (77%)

DT Reggie McGrew
0 (0%)

P Eric Wilbur
1 (11%)

LB Mike Nattiel
1 (11%)

It wouldn't be a suprise for Team Florida to pursue Quezzie. Jacquez Green went back to school to complete his degree just a few years ago. He still has the talent and speed to excel for Team Florida.