From PFT
POSTED 7:25 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2007
CROUCH WORKING FOR THE AAFL P.R. MACHINE
So I received an e-mail today. From Eric Crouch.
And unlike other e-mails I've received from players or execs telling me how stoopid I am (get in line, guys), Crouch's message read like a press release disguised as a "hey, how ya doin'?" type of a message.
The subject line gave it away. "For Mike Florio from Eric Crouch, Heisman Trophy Winner."
I'm glad he added that last part. Otherwise, I might have confused him with "Eric Crouch, Guy who Quit the NFL." Or "Eric Crouch, Washed-Up CFL Quarterback."
Oh, wait. They're all the same dude.
So here's what my new pal, Eric, had to say:
"About a month ago I received a phone call: Marcus Katz, founder and CEO of the new the All American Football League invited me to play in the new league.
"I had heard about Katz's idea of putting new pro teams in college towns and re-creating great rivalries. I believe the New York Times called it 'Professional Football with College Spirit.'
"So I went to Detroit last month for an AAFL workout to check it out. And I liked what I saw. And so did all the other players who attended the workout.
"The league is starting with six teams in Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Michigan. The players need degrees to play. Games will be played in the Spring beginning in '08. And there are lots of great college football people involved, like Ced Dempsey, the former President of the NCAA and Gene Corrigan, the former ACC Commissioner.
"So I signed up.
"Nebraska won't even have a team 'till [sic] 2009, but, let me tell you, I have been stunned at how many people in Nebraska are really excited about this new league.
"A couple of weeks ago, I was at the Florida-Auburn game and could hardly believe how long the Florida fans were willing to wait in line to get their name on the AAFL's Florida team's ticket list.
"And besides excited fans, the league has some good players (like Fred Weary, Travis McGriff, Clint Stoerner, Tai Streets and many others with NFL experience), all of which is contributing to the League getting lots of local and national
attention.
"Just this week, Time Magazine, in comparing the AAFL with the UFL, which plans on playing head to head against the NFL next fall, said:
"'The AAFL is certainly the more innovative concept of the two new leagues . . . Since there aren't enough NFL spots for all the talented University of Florida football players, the thinking goes, why not have some of them come to Gainesville, suit
up in Gator blue, and play for the Florida AAFL team? They'd face off against teams from Tennessee and Alabama, just like the good old days.'
"Today, I learned that Alabama Crimson Tide legend, Kenny Stabler, was named to the AAFL's Alabama board of directors and Arkansas legend Joe Ferguson was named to the Arkansas team board. And they're just the latest in a string of former
NFL greats to get involved in the League's management.
"One thing I know for sure is that I am ready to play some ball.
"If how players and fans are flocking to this new league sounds like a story, I'd be happy to help any way I can."
So thanks, Eric. Next time, though, why don't you simply offer me 40 percent of the $15 million that you're trying to wire to the country from Portugal?
POSTED 7:25 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2007
CROUCH WORKING FOR THE AAFL P.R. MACHINE
So I received an e-mail today. From Eric Crouch.
And unlike other e-mails I've received from players or execs telling me how stoopid I am (get in line, guys), Crouch's message read like a press release disguised as a "hey, how ya doin'?" type of a message.
The subject line gave it away. "For Mike Florio from Eric Crouch, Heisman Trophy Winner."
I'm glad he added that last part. Otherwise, I might have confused him with "Eric Crouch, Guy who Quit the NFL." Or "Eric Crouch, Washed-Up CFL Quarterback."
Oh, wait. They're all the same dude.
So here's what my new pal, Eric, had to say:
"About a month ago I received a phone call: Marcus Katz, founder and CEO of the new the All American Football League invited me to play in the new league.
"I had heard about Katz's idea of putting new pro teams in college towns and re-creating great rivalries. I believe the New York Times called it 'Professional Football with College Spirit.'
"So I went to Detroit last month for an AAFL workout to check it out. And I liked what I saw. And so did all the other players who attended the workout.
"The league is starting with six teams in Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee and Michigan. The players need degrees to play. Games will be played in the Spring beginning in '08. And there are lots of great college football people involved, like Ced Dempsey, the former President of the NCAA and Gene Corrigan, the former ACC Commissioner.
"So I signed up.
"Nebraska won't even have a team 'till [sic] 2009, but, let me tell you, I have been stunned at how many people in Nebraska are really excited about this new league.
"A couple of weeks ago, I was at the Florida-Auburn game and could hardly believe how long the Florida fans were willing to wait in line to get their name on the AAFL's Florida team's ticket list.
"And besides excited fans, the league has some good players (like Fred Weary, Travis McGriff, Clint Stoerner, Tai Streets and many others with NFL experience), all of which is contributing to the League getting lots of local and national
attention.
"Just this week, Time Magazine, in comparing the AAFL with the UFL, which plans on playing head to head against the NFL next fall, said:
"'The AAFL is certainly the more innovative concept of the two new leagues . . . Since there aren't enough NFL spots for all the talented University of Florida football players, the thinking goes, why not have some of them come to Gainesville, suit
up in Gator blue, and play for the Florida AAFL team? They'd face off against teams from Tennessee and Alabama, just like the good old days.'
"Today, I learned that Alabama Crimson Tide legend, Kenny Stabler, was named to the AAFL's Alabama board of directors and Arkansas legend Joe Ferguson was named to the Arkansas team board. And they're just the latest in a string of former
NFL greats to get involved in the League's management.
"One thing I know for sure is that I am ready to play some ball.
"If how players and fans are flocking to this new league sounds like a story, I'd be happy to help any way I can."
So thanks, Eric. Next time, though, why don't you simply offer me 40 percent of the $15 million that you're trying to wire to the country from Portugal?