Spring Football, Take Six: The All American Football League

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:15 pm

For those of us who just can't get enough football, there may be yet another option on the horizon. The All American Football League. They plan to kick off their inaguaral season in the spring of 2008.

Now, spring football in the United States has been tried before - the WFL, USFL, CFL, WLAF and XFL have all tried and failed to capture that market. So what makes the AAFL different?

The AAFL is going to attach their franchises with a major college football university - for instance, they plan to have a franchise in Gainesville attached to the University of Florida. They are trying to sign former Gators to fill out that roster (I believe Travis McGriff will be involved with that franchise one way or another). The idea being that while people might not really care about Gainesville playing Tallahassee, they do care about Florida playing Florida Sate.

As of right now, the schools that are signed up are Florida, Tennessee, Purdue, North Carolina State, Iowa, Florida State and Alabama. Schools that are supposedly interested include Michigan, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Nebraska.

The AAFL has some major people behind this project, including former NCAA President Cedric Dempsey and former Tennessee Athletic Director Doug Dickey. It looks like most of the financial backing is coming from student loan mogul and diehard Georgia fan Marcus Katz.

I'll update this thread when more information comes out, but it looks like they are running a pretty slick operation - they're much further ahead than the UFL. But I'm interested in people's opinion as to how they think this league might fare. Especially those of you that are big time college football fans - would you care about a team of alumni? I'll admit I'm intrigued, but not sold.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:00 am

The AAFL has Florida's preliminary schedule up on their website:

Code: Select all

4/05 Florida Sate
4/12 at Alabama
4/19 Tennessee
4/26 at Arkansas
5/03 Michigan
5/10 Texas
5/17 at Mississippi
5/24 at Florida State
5/31 Alabama
6/07 at Tennessee
6/14 Playoffs
6/21 Playoffs
7/03 Championship

Interesting to note that it looks like as of now, they are going with eight teams but three rounds of playoffs - that would mean all eight teams would have to qualify, barring some sort of bye system.

Also, it appears the league is now working under the assumption that North Carolina State, Purdue and Iowa will not be taking part.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:55 am

Full-contact football games in the full heat of summer, and in the south of all places. I hope they hire some decent waterboys.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:22 am

I'm intrigued by this, although I don't particularly follow any of those schools. I guess I could get behind Michigan for my namesake.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:11 pm

Irn-Bru wrote:Full-contact football games in the full heat of summer, and in the south of all places. I hope they hire some decent waterboys.

Great point, and one that has occurred to the AAFL as well. From their FAQ's section (which is an interesting read all the way through):

Will games be played in the evening in the hot weather venues?

Saturday night games will be scheduled when appropriate.

What days of the week will the games be played?

Games will usually be played on Saturdays. An occasional Friday night or Monday night game is also possible.

Not that that's a real specific answer.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 4:51 pm

Irn-Bru wrote:Full-contact football games in the full heat of summer, and in the south of all places. I hope they hire some decent waterboys.

Well, according to one member...

Sartz is undersized for an nfl LB, he might make a good waterboy

at least one of our rooks is qualified for that job!

Those southern boys are running two a days for much of July and August from the time they are in the 5th grade. This is just more of the same.

I think this is a brilliant plan, and they are starting off in the strongest geographic locations to maximize the chance for success. Good call, good luck.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:23 pm

The league held tryouts in Orlando. A lot of former Gators were in attendance (and some former Redskins). Some notable names:

Chris Doering
Jacquez Green
Willie Jackson
Shane Matthews
Travis McGriff

Also, the AAFL is currently listing six teams under their "Teams" section (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas), so it looks like as of now, those are the only definites.

flamethrower · Post by **flamethrower** » Sun Jul 22, 2007 1:35 pm

Interesting Idea. I am first a football fan. So if they show the games on tv, I will watch them/.And Florida seams to be the only team with a website that has anything on it at all.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:03 pm

The All American Football League has finally nailed down it's 2008 franchises (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas), it's kickoff date (April 12), and even has some name players signing up. Everyone's favorite Heisman Trophy winner, Eric Crouch:

Chris Leak is another name mentioned, but not yet signed. The competition between the UFL and AAFL for players are going to be interesting, seeing as how the two league are going to value some players very differently. For instance, Troy Smith is just another guy to the UFL, but is someone the AAFL should want badly.

Also, our old friend Shane Matthews will be coaching, not quarterbacking, the Florida team.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:48 pm

Another picture, this from tryouts in Texas:

I think it's interesting that they're using an NFL ball. I had assumed that they would be using the NCAA size.

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:05 pm

Steve Spurrier III wrote:Another picture, this from tryouts in Texas:

I think it's interesting that they're using an NFL ball. I had assumed that they would be using the NCAA size.

the crazy commish will probably sue for copyright infringments

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 12:09 am

Believe it or not, Peter Warrick is trying out for the AAFL. Hard to believe he isn't even on an NFL roster, but he's exactly the big-time college name the AAFL is looking for.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:49 pm

Here might be Team Florida's helmet, although it certainly could just be a prototype. I believe that's Danny Wuerffel on the left.

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:22 pm

Steve Spurrier III wrote:Here might be Team Florida's helmet, although it certainly could just be a prototype. I believe that's Danny Wuerffel on the left.

Yeah, that's Wuerffel. (I guess Reedeemed has a league to watch this offseason now.) That looks like the old Florida Gators helmet.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:31 am

Jake wrote:Yeah, that's Wuerffel. (I guess Reedeemed has a league to watch this offseason now.)

Right on....right on.

How much do you wanna make a bet that Wuerffel can still throw a football over them mountains?

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 2:37 pm

I don't think Wuerffel will be playing - I believe he is working in the front office, although I can't find confirmation one way or the other. But Team Florida has landed the Gators' all-time passing leader Chris Leak, according to the Miami Herald:

Chris Leak is coming back to Florida.

The former Florida Gators quarterback and the star of the 2006 national championship game will play for Team Florida of the All American Football League, the league announced Wednesday. Leak, who went undrafted by the NFL after his collegiate success, was released from the Chicago Bears on Sept. 16.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:41 pm

Some tidbits:

According to the Indianapolis Star, the AAFL could have had a franchise at Purdue:

A new professional football league trying to capture a college-oriented fan base in the spring will not use Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium for its inaugural season in 2008.

The All-American Football League, which anticipated starting with eight teams, will instead have six: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee and Texas.

When the league's formation was announced in July 2006, the AAFL had an option to lease Ross-Ade. Purdue officials said the school assumed no financial risk.

"They had some concerns about whether Central Indiana could and would support a franchise," Purdue spokesman Tom Schott said. "We wish them well."

Marcus Katz, a founder of the league, said market research for Indiana "wasn't terribly strong."

It's smart to start off with the really strong markets rather than risk having a weaker market fail in the league's infancy. Still, only having six teams is pretty weak, so I'm surprised they passed over Purdue. But if the league succeeds, I'm sure they'll be back.

***

The Montgomery Advertiser reports that former Mississippi State coach and Alabama player Jackie Sherrill is close to becoming Team Alabama's head coach.

The same article also says that Peter Warrick has indeed signed with the league, although that's not on the team's website. The AAFL has been showing off their signings, so I think that might be premature.

And some details on the draft:

The AAFL will hold its first draft in January and teams are allowed to protect as many players from their state as they wish.

***

Some interesting things from the AAFL's website:

Each team will be comprised of 42 players and supported by a taxi squad.

During its initial season, most players will be paid $5,000 per game plus benefits. Six players on each team will be designated as franchise players, who will be eligible for an additional $50,000 per year.

The original salary numbers being talked about were $100,000. Still, that's a pretty sweet chunk of change, especially for the new college graduates who would have had to look for a real job. At the same time, I believe it's less than the average Arena League paycheck, and will probably be less than the United Football League.

One of the most interesting things to watch is going to be the competition for talent between the AAFL, UFL, Arena League, CFL and the NFL taxi squads.

It’s expected that 10 regular season games will be followed by a two-week playoff made up of the League’s top three teams. The first place team will receive a bye in week one and then play the winner of the game between the second place and third place team. A league champion will be crowned in the championship game, which will be played on Fourth of July eve, 2008.

The playoff system is a little weird, but you have to be creative when you only have six teams. I'm just glad they're not using the BCS system.

Deadskins · Post by **Deadskins** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:49 pm

A league champion will be crowned in the championship game, which will be played on Fourth of July eve, 2008.

Couldn't they just have said July 3rd?

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:00 pm

JSPB22 wrote:
A league champion will be crowned in the championship game, which will be played on Fourth of July eve, 2008.

Couldn't they just have said July 3rd?

Actually, it makes a little more sense to pair it with such a recognizable date, makes it more likely folks will remember it.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 11:49 pm

Some interesting news bits from AAFL land:

The Birmingham News reports that Jackie Sherrill won't be coaching Team Alabama after all:

Jackie Sherrill won't coach the All American Football League's Team Alabama franchise after all. Club president Joe Cribbs confirmed today that Sherrill, the former Pittsburgh, Texas A&M and Mississippi State head coach, withdrew from consideration today...

Cribbs said he will expand the interview process. Mike Jones of NFL Europa and former Auburn defensive coordinator Wayne Hall are previously reported candidates.

But here's the really interesting news. According to oursportscentral.com , the AAFL is going to partner with the NFL Officiating Department:

The All-American Football League (AAFL) announced today that they will partner with the National Football League (NFL) Officiating Department.

NFL Vice President of Officiating, Mike Pereira, will oversee the partnership with the AAFL, which will include enforcement of the AAFL's rules and regulations during games and training sessions with all coaches during the league's first training camp in February 2008. The NFL will also provide officiating crews for all thirty AAFL regular season games, two playoff games and one championship game.

"We are very pleased to work with the AAFL in the development of a top-notch officiating staff," said Pereira. "The crews will be comprised of our top candidates with a mixture of current NFL officials at the key positions. Our intent is to train and evaluate just as we do in our current NFL officiating program."

The AAFL has made it clear that they no intentions of challenging the NFL, and now with NFL Europa dead, the NFL would like nothing more than for a 100-yard minor football league to succeed - especially if financed on someone else's dime.

No one really knows whether or not the AAFL is going to end up sinking or swimming, but having not only the blessing, but a business arrangement with the NCAA and the NFL isn't a bad place to start. The AAFL is now an ESPN television deal from having every major player in American football in their corner.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:07 pm

Crain's Detroit Business reports that John Fontes, brother of former Lions' coach Wayne Fontes, will be the head coach of Team Michigan:

John Fontes, a former Detroit Lions assistant coach and brother of ex-Lions head coach Wayne Fontes, will be introduced Tuesday as the head coach of the All American Football League team that will begin play at Ford Field in April.

Fontes was an assistant under his brother in Detroit from 1992-96. He’s scheduled to talk with the media on Tuesday at the stadium about his hiring to run Team Michigan.

And The Detroit Free Press reports that former Michigan stud and Giants bust Tyrone Wheatley is interested in joining the staff:

Tyrone Wheatley watched as John Fontes was introduced as head coach of Team Michigan, a charter member of the All American Football League, on Tuesday at Ford Field...

Wheatley, who spent the past season as football coach at Robichaud, said he believes the AAFL will be successful.

Wheatley, a former star at Dearborn Heights Robichaud and the University of Michigan, said they are interested in joining Fontes' staff...

"There's always been a time in our life when we sat down and looked at a stock and said, 'I wished I would have been there at the beginning of it,' " Wheatley said.

Finally, according to The Birmingham News, NFL Europa veteran Mike Jones will be coaching Team Alabama:

Cribbs, the former Auburn and NFL star running back, landed NFL Europa veteran Mike Jones as the first coach of the Team Alabama franchise in the All American Football League.

``I feel he's most familiar with the players that are going to be available to us," Cribbs said. ``He gives us a slight advantage over some of the other teams because he's been a coach in NFL Europe. ``Since that league folded (over the summer), all of those players now are looking for a job. As someone familiar with the majority of those players he gives us an opportunity to field a very good team."

Jones coached the Frankfurt Galaxy to three World Bowl appearances in his four seasons as head coach, winning the NFL Europa title in 2006.

``I am so excited to be a part of what I feel is a part of history," Jones said. ``The long tradition of quality, winning football teams in the state of Alabama is what drew me to this opportunity, and I look forward to adding to that tradition with Team Alabama."

The article also include this bit:

Cribbs said the league is not ready to unveil uniforms, but he confirmed the Team Alabama colors will be red, blue and silver "and will look similar to the Denver Broncos."

I was shocked by this - I was under the impression that they would be going with straight Alabama colors. I understand the urge to want to include Auburn, but when you combine the colors, I think you just end up turning off everybody. I think it would have been better to pick one and stick to it.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:28 pm

Thanks for keeping us up to date on this, SSIII. (THN's AAFL correspondent.)

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:43 pm

We're just over four months away from kickoff! The franchises continue to come together:

It appears that former Tennessee quarterback Andy Kelly will be coaching Team Tennessee. From GoVolsXtra.com:

Andy Kelly will be named head coach of Team Tennessee of the fledgling All-American Football League at a press conference today at Neyland Stadium, a source told the News Sentinel.

Kelly played for the University of Tennessee 1988-91, completing 514 of 846 passes for 6,397 yards and 36 touchdowns.

The The Knoxville News Sentinel provides details about both Kelly and Team Tennessee:

Kelly said he is trying to assemble a coaching staff as soon as possible. As for players, Kelly will have to designate 15 to 60 players who played college football within Tennessee's borders by Jan. 18.

AAFL teams will then have one week to evaluate those players before they must take part in a Jan. 25 draft, which is the final step to assembling the 46-man roster.

Team Tennessee also has been granted Kentucky as part of its extended geography. Players from one state can only play for other teams if they weren't protected by their home-state team or a hardship exists.

The first player Kelly is eyeballing is former UT quarterback Tee Martin, who was at Thursday's press conference. Martin said he is considering a return to the playing field.

Martin played for UT from 1996 to 1999, leading the Vols to a national championship.

After stints in the NFL, Canadian Football League and the NFL's World League, Martin, 29, decided to try coaching. He coaches quarterbacks at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Ga. and works as a television college football analyst...

...But Martin knows playing in the AAFL could deal a serious blow to his coaching career.

"That's the risk you take," Martin said. "I'm 29 years old. Come back and play? How many years are you going to actually play?"

Indoor Insight: Kelly said some of his offense could be predicated on the concepts he learned in the Arena League. Kelly said even NFL teams have started to steal some plays from the indoor game.

"There's some concepts that will translate over," Kelly said.

Other Former Vols: Several other former Vols, such as defensive tackle Rashad Moore, defensive end Ovince Saint Preux, linebacker Jason Mitchell, receiver C.J. Fayton, linebacker John Poe and receiver Bobby Graham, participated in the tryout.

***

OurSportsCentral.com reports that the league has struck a deal with New Balance:

The All American Football League (AAFL) announced today that they have finalized the League's first corporate sponsorship deal with New Balance. New Balance will provide the new professional football league with footwear, on-field apparel and products for the League and its six teams.

The three-year $1.43M sponsorship agreement will commence November 27, 2007, and will include exclusive rights to produce, promote, sell and market all AAFL licensed on-field apparel, signage and advertising.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:46 pm

Check out this interesting bit from The Daily Reflector:

The Daily Reflector is continuing a series of stories about first Christmases following memorable events in people's lives. Today's story is about Pierre Parker's NFL dream.

Pierre Parker hopes his first Christmas after college football is the first one of a pro career.

Parker wrapped up a collegiate football career at East Carolina following the 2006 season, and has spent the last year working on his degree and his body. He's tried to transform himself into what NFL teams want in a hard-hitting safety. All that hard work paid off recently in a workout with the Tennessee Titans.

While he waits to hear from Tennessee, Parker is back in Greenville working out and spending time with friends and family.

"I'm just trying to stay in shape," Parker said. "My agent told me to just keeping working out. I went and worked out for the All American (Football) League. The Titans kind of allocated me to that league to see what I could do before they signed me."

The NFL clearly likes the concept of the AAFL, as they not only loan officials but are recommending talent. It will be interesting to see if the relationship remains informal, or if the NFL gets more involved.