The new All-American Football League had its inaugural draft last Saturday. I didn't track it closely because, frankly, if there's not an Ohio team involved, it's a pointless league.
It's as useless as International Lacrosse, or the American Curling Society. If it's not Ohio, it's crap. Especially if there's something involved called "Team Michigan". Blech.
Still, I figured that there would be an opportunity here to watch the continuing antics of some of the many players who rampaged through Cleveland during the Browns' expansion years.
Of course, there's no Ben Gay sighting because the league demands that all players have their four-year degrees. That's going to limit the talent pool right there. Maurice Clarett is, likewise, unobtainable.
Scanning the complete list of AAFL draft choices reveals a handful of ex-Browns scattered amongst their number, with a huge focus on the many defensive backs who had called the Berea locker room home at some point in previous years. The AAFL is clearly looking to latch onto some of that Mel Tucker magic.
Pete Hunter was the first ex-Brown taken, as he was picked in the fourth round. Since there are only six teams in the league, that made him the 21st draft pick. That's Brady Quinn territory there. Rarefied AAFL air.
Jeremy Lesueur, another ex-Brown defensive back, was picked in the 18th by Team Michigan. A round later, one-time fourth-round draft pick and injured reserve phenom Antonio Perkins was snatched up by Team Arkansas. WR Kendrick Mosley was drafted in the 24th by Team (spit) Michigan, who also snagged S Ron Israel in the 32nd round.
Earthland Moreland, and ex-Brown and ex-Gladiator, shows up in the 36th round, picked up Team Arkansas. I think most of us could see that coming, Arkansas with their offense which uses the "forward pass" and all. I know I could.
Peter Warrick, an almost-Las Vegas Cleveland Bulldog Gladiator, was picked in the seventh round by Florida. Frankly, I thought that he was signed by Florida last week. I remember writing about it... how could he be drafted if he were already signed? Weird.
Something about this "draft" smells funny. Either that, or the dog's been eating garbage again.
Another guy who some Browns fans wanted the team to look at in years past, Tennessee QB Tee Martin, was drafted in the 16th round. By "Team Tennessee", naturally. They're just sluts for ticket sales down there in Al Gore country.
There was yet more weirdness scattered around, as Eric Crouch (QB, Nebraska) was picked as the third player in the first round, one-time Texas Tech wunderkind Kliff Kingsbury was drafted in the 20s and Rod "He Hate Me" Smart showed up in Round 36. Take that, XFL.
They actually had 50 rounds (300 players) picked in this draft. Mel Kiper slept through the whole damn thing.