AFL to Hold Expansion Draft

Published on October 2, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

NEW YORK - A former Ironman of the Year, All-Arena and All-Rookie performers, a former Super Bowl participant and other talented players are among those the New Orleans VooDoo, Philadelphia Soul and potentially the Austin, TX franchise will choose from when the AFL conducts the 2004 Expansion Draft for its newest teams on Wednesday, October 8, 2003.

Players available to be drafted by the expansion teams include: former six-time Ironman of the Year BARRY WAGNER of the San Jose SaberCats; former All-Arena WR/DB CHARLIE DAVIDSON of the Colorado Crush; 2003 All-Rookie kicker KEITH GISPERT of the Chicago Rush; and former Super Bowl XXXI participant with the NFL's New England Patriots MARRIO GRIER of the Colorado Crush.

"We certainly understand the challenges of an expansion team, but we can't look at it that way," said Philadelphia Soul head coach MICHAEL TRIGG. "We have to believe in our mindset that we can do what's necessary to win and, more importantly, reward the fanbase and ownership with a quality product in year one. It all starts with the expansion draft."

The three expansion teams may choose a player from any current team who is designated as being "unprotected." Each team protected 16 players whose rights they control. All other players whose rights they control are deemed "unprotected" and hence eligible to be selected. AFL Free Agents (players with three-or-more accrued seasons whose contracts have expired) and Exempt players do not count on the 37-player maximum offseason roster and are not draft eligible. Once a player is selected from an existing team, the team will be allowed to pull back one player.

The draft, which is conducted via telephone conference, begins at 1 p.m. (ET) on October 8 and consists of maximum of 12 rounds or until all teams pass. A maximum of five minutes per selection is allowed in each round. If the time limit expires, the pick is forfeited. Trades between the expansion team and other clubs may be made at any time prior to and during the draft.

ABOUT THE AFL

Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League kicks off its 18th season in February of 2004. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. Two expansion teams have been added for the 2004 season - with a third possibly on the way - and at least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its second season on NBC in 2004.

Arena Football League Unprotected Players
Team-By-Team

CLUB POS. NAME HT. WT. COLLEGE
CHICAGO
OL/DL Bowick, Tony 6.02 268 TN-Chattanooga
K Gispert, Keith 6.02 185 Georgia St
OL/DL Montgomery, Jerry 6.03 300 Iowa
FB/LB Phillips, Josh 5.11 185 Yale
DS Taylor, Marvin 6.01 185 Florida A&M
COLORADO
WR/DB Davidson, Charlie 5.11 195 Mississippi St
FB/LB Dozier, Joey 6.03 240 New Mexico St
WR/LB Green, Javon 6.03 205 Colorado
FB/LB Grier, Marrio 5.11 242 TN-Chattanooga
K Groshelle, Geoff 6.00 197 Montana St
QB Pesavento, Bobby 6.05 225 Colorado
OL/DL Polinder, Chris 6.02 300 Eastern Washington
WR/DB Turner, Geoff 5.08 195 Colorado St
OL/DL Walters, Jason 6.04 280 Syracuse
COLUMBUS
WR/LB Campbell, Malik 6.03 200 Syracuse
QB Carey, Tim 6.03 200 Hawaii
FB/LB Diaz, Eddie 5.11 255 Villanova
FB/LB Hicks, Anthony 6.03 255 Middle Tennessee St
K Kral, Gary 6.01 175 Pittsburg St
OS Twyner, Gunnard 5.10 185 Western Illinois
DALLAS
OL/DL Cooper, D.J. 6.04 285 Arkansas
WR/DB Culver, Shannon 5.11 178 Oklahoma St
WR/DB Hinton, Brian 5.10 180 SE Missouri St
OL/DL Huff, Ben 6.03 285 Michigan
DS Larrimore, Kareem 5.11 190 West Texas A&M
OL/DL Lytle, Doug 6.03 300 Chadron St NE
INDIANA
WR/DB Brown, Tyrone 5.11 170 Toledo
OL/DL Connor, Rameel 6.04 280 Illinois
FB/LB Stuckey, Shawn 6.00 240 Virginia Tech
SAN JOSE
K Alcorn, Daron 6.03 256 Akron
WR/LB Baker, Shalon 5.07 185 Montana
WR/DB Coleman, Fred 6.01 194 Washington
OL/DL Garnett, Winfield 6.06 320 Ohio St
DS Joseph, Gana 6.00 210 Oklahoma
OL/DL Noah, Abdul-Salam 6.02 285 San Jose St
WR/DB Wagner, Barry 6.04 218 Alabama A&M

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 2, 2003

• Rampage Name H.S. Ironman - Grand Rapids Rampage
• Desperados Expose Six Players for AFL Expansion Draft - Dallas Desperados
• Expansion Draft Live on the Internet - AFL I
• AFL to Hold Expansion Draft - AFL I

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.