Cleveland's AFL Team Makes Deals, Takes Top Pick in Dispersal Draft

Showing that the Cleveland franchise is committed to success, the Cleveland AFL front office traded away the 18^th overall pick and what was disclosed as "future conditions" to the Colorado Crush for the 1^st Overall Pick in the Dispersal Draft on October 26^th. According to the team website, Joe Minucci, a lineman from Delaware, will be joining the team. The remaining five picks included Otis Amey, a small receiver from Sacramento State, a 6'3" receiver and linebacker Sakeen Wright, lineman Kimani Jones from Arkansas State and linemen Ramon Richardson and Patrice Mwamba, with playing experience from Oklahoma and Texas Tech, respectively.

Joe Minucci, the first pick in the 2007 Dispersal Draft, has played 3 seasons in the AFL, all with Nashville. His career stats show the defensive power he will add to the Cleveland lineup, with 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles in his AFL career. Otis Amey is another player to keep an eye on this season as well, coming into the AFL for the 2007 season after a failed NFL career as a return specialist with the San Francisco 49ers. While only listed at 5'10", Amey had a remarkable year last year in his first season in the AFL, recording over 1000 yards of receiving, with 18 touchdowns. Amey should be expected to serve as both a receiver and a kick returner for the Cleveland AFL franchise this coming season.

One of the most locally known players on the roster is Josh Huston, from Findlay, Ohio and a graduate of The Ohio State University. Huston initially was on the Las Vegas franchise, which is now the Cleveland AFL franchise, but has never played in an AFL game. Having spent a few years travelling the NFL with no success, most recently being cut from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad after just 5 days, it looks as though Huston may be the kicker this coming season for the Cleveland AFL franchise, barring any need for him by any NFL team.

The recent addition of players puts head coach Mike Wilpolt's roster at 29 players, with the free agency period now open. The new AFL franchise in Cleveland will also be holding tryouts for anyone interested in attempting to play for the Cleveland AFL franchise. According to the team website, tryouts will take place on November 10^th in Twinsburg, Ohio at the Edge Facility, rather than Lost Nation Sports Park in Willoughby, Ohio, where the team will practice this season. Tryouts are scheduled to begin with registration at 7:00am, with on-field drills beginning at 8:30am. Athletes trying out are reminded that the EDGE Facility consists of synthetic turf. In addition, the team will not be trying out any kickers at this session. Also, pre-registration costs are $60 as opposed to registering for tryouts on November 10^th, at which time it will be $70. For more information regarding the franchise and tryouts, go to www.clevelandafl.com .