2009 Dispersal Draft Temporarily Postponed

NEW YORK - Pending an in-person meeting between the Arena Football League and the Arena Football League Player Association, the 2009 Dispersal Draft and the date teams can begin signing free agents have been temporarily closed. 

A date for the meeting has not yet been set but is expected to take place this week. After the conclusion of the meeting, new dates for the Dispersal Draft and free agency will be announced.

 

2009 AFL DISPERSAL DRAFT

DENVER, Colo. – The Colorado Crush hold the fifth overall pick in the 2009 AFL Dispersal Draft to be held on Tuesday, October 21 at 1 p.m. ET. All 16 teams will have a chance to acquire key former New Orleans Voodoo players such as 2008 All-Rookie and All-Arena Second Team selection LB NORMAN LEJEUNE, as well as proven AFL veterans DL HENRY BRYANT and WR DERRICK LEWIS.

 

The Dispersal Draft will be conducted via telephone conference and will consist of an unlimited number of rounds until all eligible players are selected or all teams in a round pass. The Columbus Destroyers will have the first overall pick. A maximum of five minutes per selection is allowed in each round. If the time limit expires, the pick is forfeited. Trades between teams may occur at any time prior to or during the draft. All undrafted players will become free agents.

 

The free agent signing period begins on Wednesday the 22^nd and with a healthy crop of veteran athletes it is expected to be an entertaining inquisitional period. 

The Colorado Crush welcome the Louisville FIRE FANATICS To the Crush Football Family!

The recent signing of Offensive Coordinator Chris MacKeown and Defensive Coordinator Tommy Johnson has sparked a new Crush fan base half-way across the country. Both coaches worked together at the Louisville Fire of the af2 and now some of the greatest fans of that league are cohorts of the Colorado Crush. The Crush organization would like to personally welcome Mr. Scott Shireman and all those “Fire Fanatics” to the Crush Nation. We are so very happy that the Fanatics are on board for another push toward ArenaBowl 23.

The Crush has also announced that this season’s Open Tryouts will be held sometime in January with a specific date yet to be set. Stay tuned to the blog for more details.

VooDoo Unexpectedly Cease Operations.

Just as it seemed that this would be the first time in the AFL's 22-year existence that all 17 teams would return for back-to-back seasons, the New Orleans VooDoo announced late Monday that they are going to cease operations for the 2009 season. 

In a very unexpected move, VooDoo owner Mr. Tom Benson announced his plans to terminate operations of his Arena football team: the New Orleans VooDoo, said Saints Vice President of Communications Greg Bensel. 

"The VooDoo fans have been the best in the AFL. Their passion, enthusiasm and support made it possible for us to bring two consecutive Arena Bowls to benefit New Orleans. It is a sad day for our community and our organization but circumstances prevented us from continuing in the AFL," said Executive Vice President - Owner - Rita Benson LeBlanc.

The move will push the league to 16 teams and will likely force a restructuring of conferences and divisions, yet that process should not delay any of the other current league developments for the 2009 season.

A league spokesperson released this message, "“Tom Benson and Rita Benson LeBlanc have been exemplary AFL operators, leaders and partners. The League is saddened to learn of their sudden decision to terminate their ownership of the VooDoo and regrets that they will no longer be part of the AFL family. VooDoo fans and the New Orleans community will always maintain a special place in the history of the AFL for their support of two sold-out ArenaBowls. The League will examine all possibilities regarding the future of the team. This development will not prevent or delay the AFL from continuing to examine new structure possibilities.”

Hughley having eventful offseason.

It was seven years ago on Christmas Eve that Colorado Crush DB Delvin Hughley found out that he would be coming to play football in Denver. In 2001, Hughley was signed the Denver Broncos roster after he was released by the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. After spending the rest of the season with the Broncos, the Jacksonville State graduate was released and found his way indoors the next season with the Crush.

 

In Colorado’s inaugural season in 2003, Hughley led the team in tackles with 71.5, yet found himself on the trading block because of the team’s dismal 2-14 record. After a difficult offseason that saw the firing of then head coach Bob Beers, Hughley along with Anthony Derricks and Chris Janek were all traded to the Indiana Firebirds for the coaching rights of AFL legend Mike Dailey.

 

The move sent Hughley to the struggling franchise in Indiana for one season before the team disbanded and he was left waiting to see what would happen next. Without the use of an ordinary college draft, AFL coaches have had to acquire the ability to evaluate talent on the fly in a game that so few players have come to master. That being the case, coach Dailey knew Hughley’s experience and talent level and drafted the then third-year veteran in the 2005 dispersal draft with the ninth overall pick.

 

Entering his seventh season in the AFL and the sixth with the Crush, Hughley is Colorado’s second all-time leading tackler and has continued to make Denver his home. He continues to be a personal trainer in the Boulder area and is even beginning his own business as an elite trainer for local schools and other professional athletes. Fans can check out his webpage at www.delvinhughley.com for more details.   

 

Crush Plan to Celebrate "Season 7" in Style!

For the first time in AFL history every team in the league will return for the 2009 season, signaling perhaps the strongest ownership stability in the 23 year-old organization. Following their fifth straight AFL Playoff appearance in 2008, the Crush will celebrate their seventh season in the AFL in grand fashion. "Season 7" will feature giveaways, contests and fan interaction like never before. For more information on what fans can expect in “Season 7” stayed tuned to the blog for further updates or call the Crush Ticket Office at 720-258-3400.

 

News and Notes:

As many of you in the Colorado football world were made aware of late Wednesday, a suspect in the Darrent Williams murder case has been indicted. In the Crush’s close relationship with the Denver Broncos, we are pleased that the Denver Police Department had made progress in this tragic case. The organization will continue to watch with a keen eye on any new developments.

Crush busy as free agency signing period moved back

The Crush's new coaching staff is furiously contacting free agents from all over the AFL and other leagues as the Free Agent signing period has been moved back from October 15th to October 22nd.

With one of the richest free agency pools in recent history this offseason is sure to be one to remember in Colorado's seven year history.  Mike Dailey has hand selected both coach Chris MacKeown and coach Tommy Johnson for their superb coaching pedigree in the AFL and af2. Both coaches will be in Denver in late October to get acquainted with the Crush facility and the area. They will also be in charge of filling roster spots left by unsigned free agents.

CRUSH CURRENT ROSTER

8 QB Dutton John

25 DB Harmon Jason

13 WR Hosack Aaron

2 DB Hughley Delvin

52 OL Huyser Brett

20 DB Malone Antonio

91 DL McConnell Aaron

96 OL Moore-Brown Kyle

11 LB Nagle Kevin

81 WR Nelson Ben

9 WR Owens Chad

3 K Rush Clay

59 DL Syptak John

98 DL Taylor Charrod

44 FB/LBThomas Robert

10 K Yaussi Deric

Crush's new Defensive Coordinator

DENVER, Colo. – The Arena Football League’s Colorado Crush filled their second assistant coach vacancy of the off-season on Wednesday as they hired Tommy Johnson as their new defensive coordinator.  

Johnson served as the Head Coach of the Louisville Fire of the af2 for five seasons prior to signing with the Crush. In 2005 Johnson led the Fire to the ArenaCup Championsip game and is the Fire’s all-time leader in wins with 44. Johnson spent time as a player under current Crush Head Coach Mike Dailey for the Albany Firebirds. 

“With the signing of our new offensive and defensive coordinators, we are now set to make some strong free agency moves in the coming weeks,” Dailey said. “I have known Coach Johnson for some time now and am really pleased with his knowledge of the arena game and his ability to evaluate talent.”

Johnson began his coaching career as a defensive coordinator for the Fire in 2001. He was also a cornerback on the 1992 National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide team and holds the current record for the longest interception return for a touchdown in AFL history.  

“From playing this game to now being a coach, we are certain that Coach Johnson will be an important asset to the success of this team,” Dailey said.  

The signing comes on the first day of the free agency period for the AFL season. The list includes 172 athletes and is regarded as one of the most abundant free agency pools in recent history.

The Colorado Crush made their fifth consecutive playoff appearance in 2008 and will look for much more of the same in “Season 7” starting March 2009. Crush season tickets are on sale now call 303.258.3400.