Colorado Crush Team Blog

CRUSH HOLD ADDITIONAL INVITED COMBINE

2008-11-24T16:24:00.000-08:00

Along with the announcement of the 2009 Dispersal Draft and Free Agent signing period, the Colorado Crush held another invited workout on Monday. The combine-style workout was held in Maryland, close to the home of head coach Mike Dailey, and saw almost 40 athletes participate.

It is the second invited tryout the Crush has held so far this offseason and will be holding an open tryout for all interested athletes in January. Check out ColoradoCrush.com for more details on the open tryout.

“It was a very positive and productive workout for us,” Dailey said. “We were able to hone in on some decisions going forward.”

The workout gave coach Dailey and his new assistants something more to think about going into the free agency period. Among the nearly 40 athletes was QB Brandon Kirsch. Kirsch tore his ACL last season in a game at Cleveland and sat out the rest of the 2008 campaign. The two-year Crush quarterback performed for coach Dailey in a series of workouts after being cleared by team doctors last week.

“Brandon lives about two hours away so we wanted to bring him out and see his progress,” Dailey said. “After evaluating him it looks like he has little to no adverse effects from the injury and we were pleased with his effort.”

The Crush currently has 16 players under contract for the 2009 season and will remain busy in the coming weeks with the shortened signing period.

With the holiday coming up the Crush and coach Dailey would like to thank all of the Crush fans for their continued support and offer our most sincere “Happy Thanksgiving.” Stayed tuned for much more in the coming weeks and GO CRUSH!

AFL ANNOUNCES DISPERSAL DRAFT AND FREE AGENT SIGNING PERIOD DATES

2008-11-24T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Colorado Crush hold the fifth overall pick in the 2009 AFL Dispersal Draft to be held on Tuesday, December 2 at 11 a.m. MST, the league announced Monday. 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 at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 4 with a healthy crop of 172 veteran free agents. It is expected to be an entertaining signing period highlighted by athletes including QB Matt D’Orazio(Philadelphia in 2008) and WR Mark Grieb(San Jose in 2008). The Crush has 16 returning players and will look to begin training camp in late January with as many as 37 athletes.

CRUSH HOLD COMBINE AS FREE AGENCY PERIOD CONTINUES

2008-11-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

It is bound to be a busy offseason for the Colorado Crush and on Monday things finally got underway in Denver.

Head Coach Mike Dailey welcomed around 30 athletes to participate in an invite-only tryout/combine workout with the team. Dailey and his newly appointed assistant coaches got their first real look at the newest batch of talent that could help Colorado in the 2009 season.

Several current AFL free agents and former NFL players were among the group as they were tested in combine-style workouts at Crush headquarters.

"We had a real good group of athletes out there today," Dailey said. "Everybody who showed was really professional and we were pleased with the effort."

With the AFL free agency signing period temporarily put on hold, teams and coaches are biding their time by actively pursuing potential leads with these types of tryouts. The Crush will hold another invite-only tryout in Maryland later this month before their annual open combine/tryout on January 18th of next year.

Dailey, who enters his 13th season as a head coach in the AFL (sixth in Colorado), said the delay feels reminiscent of recruiting in the college game because of the ongoing enticement of players.

"All of us are kind of used to having a set schedule when it comes to the signing period, so having it pushed back puts us into a position where we are calling guys all the time," Dailey said.

"It puts us all on a level playing field, but we are prepared to make the move on our targeted athletes as soon as the league lets us know."

The tryout also saw the debut of new Crush assistant coaches Tommy Johnson and Chris MacKeown. Johnson will take over the defensive coordinator position and MacKeown will take his shot with the offense in 2009.

"I was really impressed with the way each of the coaches carried themselves today," Dailey said. "Both coach Johnson and coach MacKeown have head coaching experience and you could tell that they have a firm grasp of instruction and discipline."

2009 Dispersal Draft Temporarily Postponed

2008-10-20T14:16:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-17T15:35:00.001-07:00

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 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!

2008-10-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-10-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-10-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-10-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-06T13:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Colorado Crush Blog Opens

2008-09-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Crush officially open their Team Blog today along with the new signing of Chris MacKeown to the coaching staff.

The Arena Football League’s Colorado Crush made their first move of the off-season today as they hired Chris MacKeown as their new offensive coordinator.

MacKeown, was most recently the Head Coach of the Amarillo Dusters of the af2. In one season in Amarillo, MacKeown led the Dusters to their best record in team history and their first ever appearance in the National Conference championship. In 10 years of coaching, MacKeown has had extensive work in the arena game having served under current Crush Head Coach Mike Dailey in Indiana as an assistant in 2001 and 2002.

“The number of experienced offensive coaches in the Arena game is somewhat limited and we think we found ourselves a vary capable coach in Chris MacKeown,” Crush Co-Owner and CEO John Elway said. “Serving as a head coach and his familiarity with coach Dailey, he fit the pedigree that we were looking for in an offensive coordinator.”

MacKeown also spent the 2006 season with the Columbus Destroyers of the AFL as their special teams coordinator and offensive assistant. In 2007 he assumed the same role with the Austin Wranglers and helped guide an offense that ranked 4th in the AFL in total offense.

“We are pleased and excited that Coach MacKeown will be joining us this season,” Crush head coach Mike Dailey said. “There is no doubt that his head coaching experience will motivate this offense in the right direction.”

Coach MacKeown is from Dayton, Ohio and attended the University of Toledo. He and his wife Alisa have two daughters.

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