Desperados Select Two WR/DBs in Dispersal Draft
October 22, 2002 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Dallas Desperados News Release
The Dallas Desperados and the rest of the Arena Football League participated in the AFL's Expansion Draft and Dispersal Draft this afternoon. The expansion draft was for the Colorado Crush â the league's newest franchise â to stock its roster with current AFL players. The dispersal draft occurred because the Toronto Phantoms will not be participating in the 2003 season.
The Desperados acquired the first pick in the dispersal draft from the Colorado Crush by trading OS Mario Bailey and WR/DB Danny Thomas to the Crush. With the first selection, Dallas chose WR/DB DeAuntae Brown. Brown appeared in three games for the Phantoms, recording 8.5 tackles and a pass defensed. His best game took place against New York (7/18) when he posted 4.5 stops and broke up a pass. The 5-10, 195-pounder has spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos of the NFL, as well as with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe.
Dallas acquired the second pick in the draft from Detroit as part of the Andy Kelly, Matt Norwood, Jason Kaiser trade. With the second selection, the Desperados chose WR/DB Luke Leverson. Leverson saw action in 13 games last spring, catching 35 passes for 476 yards and six touchdowns while recording 21 tackles, three passes defensed and two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. He earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting a career-high 7.5 tackles and a pass defensed against New Jersey (5/24). He was named AFL Offensive Player of the Week after setting career bests with seven catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns at New York (6/1). The 5-11, 185-pounder has two years of AFL experience under his belt, and he spent the spring of 2001 with the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL.
The Desperados regular selection in the dispersal draft (pick nine) was traded to the Carolina Cobras as part of the trade for quarterback John Fitzgerald.
Dallas lost four of their exposed players in the expansion draft â Chris Brymer, Lamar Grant, Aaron Hamilton and Adrian Lunsford. Hamilton, who was chosen with the fourth pick, joined the club on June 26 and saw action in one regular season game (against Orlando, 7/20). Lunsford, chosen with the 10th pick, was the biggest contributor Dallas lost in the draft. He finished the year with 29.5 tackles, six passes defensed and two interceptions on defense, 42 catches for 348 yards and nine scores on offense and returned 32 kickoffs for 639 yards and two touchdowns and one missed field goal for 11 yards.
Grant was taken with the 12th selection in the draft by Grand Rapids, who acquired the pick by trading OL/DL Bryant Shaw to Colorado. Grant saw action in nine games with Dallas, posting 53.5 tackles and 11 passes defensed as one of the club's defensive specialists. Brymer, who was selected with the final pick of the expansion draft (19th), signed with Dallas last spring but did not report to the team. He spent the season on the club's Reserve/Did Not Report list.
The Desperados are holding the club's second open tryout this Friday at Texas Stadium in preparation for the 2003 season. Participants can pre-register on the club's website â www.dallasdesperados.com - or on Friday at the stadium beginning at 8:00 a.m. The pre-registration cost is $45 and the day of the event registration cost is $55. Each participant will receive an official Dallas Desperados Camp t-shirt and a Dallas Cowboys ticket voucher redeemable for one ticket to either the Seattle Seahawks game on Oct. 27 or the Jacksonville Jaguars game on Nov. 24. Participants will also receive the option to purchase up to three (3) additional tickets at $25 each (subject to availability).
All players will be evaluated in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and standing broad jump. Selected players will be invited to participate in an elite workout, where players will be evaluated in drills specific to the game of Arena Football.
The Desperados kick off the 2003 season on Feb. 2 by hosting the New York Dragons. Season ticket packages start at $40 and can be ordered by calling 972-785-4900 or by visiting the Dallas Desperados website at www.dallasdesperados.com.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 22, 2002
- SaberCats Lose Two in Expansion Draft, Add One in Dispersal Draft - San Jose SaberCats
- Firebirds Select NFL Vet, Lose Two in Expansion Draft - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Dallas Acquires Pair with Top Picks - AFL I
- Rampage Add One from Dispersal Draft - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Rampage Add Two, Lose Three in Expansion Draft - Grand Rapids Rampage
- John Elway's Colorado Crush Draft Avenger Lineman Dan Greer - Los Angeles Avengers
- Colorado Crush Stocks Its Roster - AFL I
- Buffalo Acquires Schmitz In Dispersal Draft - Buffalo Destroyers
- Desperados Select Two WR/DBs in Dispersal Draft - Dallas Desperados
- Firebirds to Hold Dance Team Auditions - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
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