AAFL Florida team to play game in Tampa

The Gainesville-based "Team Florida" entry in the new All-America Football League is close to a deal to play one home game at Raymond James Stadium in June, according to the Tampa Sports Authority.

TSA spokeswoman Barbara Casey said Monday that TSA is "working on finalizing a contract" for a June 7 game at Raymond James Stadium between the new league's Florida and Tennessee franchises. If the Florida team makes the league's playoffs, a postseason game might be hosted in Tampa as well.

The league's official website shows the June 7 game as being played in Tampa, with three games in Gainesville and one in Jacksonville.

Team Florida will be coached by former Gators and NFL quarterback Shane Matthews, and the team has already signed former Florida stars such as Chris Doering, Willie Jackson and Fred Weary. The league will hold open tryouts in Tampa on Friday, with about 130 players expected to attend. Any player who graduated from a state college can register at aafl.com.

Among the former USF players expected to attend Friday's workout are linebacker Maurice Jones, defensive ends Tim Jones, Jason Allen and Jon Simmons, safeties Johnnie Jones and Drametrice Smith, tight end Mike Ruegger, receivers Allynsson Sheffield and Hugh Smith, defensive back Joe Morgan and long-snapper Ryan Bourdeau.

Comments

[G.A.]

Who could forget Albert Bentley?

[Will]

Ari, you're an idiot. Did you forget about Edgerrin James and Albert Bentley? Finkle is far from the only pro player to come out of Collier County.

[G.A.]

"Weurfel" is not playing in the league. He's lending his support in radio commercials, just saying some of his former teammates will be playing.

[Al]

5 weeks sounds about right.

[Ari]

I give it five weeks...

[jane lyones]

i heard about the new team coming to tampa for tryouts...sounds pretty cool ..

i'm a big gator fan and if the all american football league has dem gators...that's all i need to know.

is weurfel going to be there?

hope so.

[Ari]

Not sure you want to advertise Gators playing on a USF blog.

[johnny jones]

lots of gators playing football/

weary?

mcgriff?

doering?

i'm so there.

[Ari]

First BCS poll comes out 4:15 on sunday afternoon. If the bulls win - we will probably be fourth.

SOrry about beating up on the AAFL.

Its a noble idea. I will be sure to watch.

my apologies. that was a bit classless.

something i can be known for.

shalom.

Greg

when does the first BCS poll come out?

[Blake]

Ari, you forget...IT'S STILL FOOTBALL!!!!! Ergo, still amazing

[Meat]

People can be negative all they want. But when something positive arrives it's going to work no matter what society make think about it. The All American Football League, is a great idea plus a fantastic opportunity for these guys to go out and show case their talent to play in a league of their own. These individuals are being rewarded for their hard work in the class room and on the field. College graduates getting another shot to play pro ball, this sends a positive message to all the NCAA institutes across the country. This issue will address the graduation rates across the country as well. There should not be anything negative said about this. I cant wait for the league to take off. I am a fan of the AAFL!

[Ari]

I think watching a yellow shade of paint dry might be more exciting than watching a bunch of has-been 35 year olds play football.

The over under on how long this league makes it is:

5 weeks.

Open tryouts huh? Who is going to be the kicker -- Ray Finkel???

Who is Ray Finkel you ask:

Soccer style kicker graduated from Collier High June 1976, Stetson University honors graduate class of 1980, holds 2 NCAA Division One records, one for most points in a season, one for distance, former nickname "The Mule," the first and only pro-athlete ever to come out of Collier County and one hell of a model American.