UFL's "Premiere" Season Will Feature Some (Not-so) Familiar Names

Saintsational — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:00:22 -0000

Team logos still have not been revealed. (Photo Source)

The inaugural season of the United Football League is quietly coming together. So quietly, in fact, that I didn't even know they had just recently held their first draft this past week until another SB Nation writer alerted me to it. If you're not familiar with the UFL, you can learn all the necessary basics by reading my original post from February. For a little background on the recent draft, I'll let the leagues official website speak for itself.

Tonight the UFL held its inaugural "Premiere" Season Draft. Selections were made from players who participated in the League's recent workouts in Orlando and Las Vegas along with other available prospects. Each franchise selected 24 players and now owns the rights to those players if they choose to play in the United Football League. The UFL has already begun contacting the players listed below and expects to announce signings over the next few weeks. This list may be subject to change based on further player evaluations or additional player availability.

The remaining openings on each team's roster will be partially filled in July with players who coaches had previously identified and "reserved". The last invites for the 60-man opening camp rosters will go to players who have been released by the NFL during training camp; with divisional/regional preferences assigned to each of the inaugural four franchises.

What was interesting was that a quick perusal of each teams roster revealed a few names of players you may or may not remember from recent Saints history. They include:

John David Washington (RB) - drafted by San Francisco - Had a short tryout with Saints during 2008 off-season.
Brian Stamper (T) - drafted by San Francisco - Signed and waived by Saints during 2008 off-season.
Ronnie Ghent (TE) - drafted by New York - Played mostly special teams for part of 2007 season.
Greg Fassitt (CB) - drafted by Orlando - Placed on IR during Saints training camp in 2008.
Rob Petitti (T) - drafted by Orlando - Backed up Jon Stinchcomb during 2006 season.

Most notable of all, however, will be the return of Jim Haslett to a full-time head coaching position. The former Saints skipper will be the man in charge of the Orlando...(names TBD). If you're a Haslett fan, you'll want to start paying attention come October when the league kicks off.

I asked for your opinions on the matter the first time we discussed the UFL but now that more pieces of the puzzle have come together, has it change your mind? Are you surprised that the league has attracted coaches the likes of Haslett, Jim Fassel and Dennis Green? Does the list of players surprise you? There are so many things to discuss regarding this new enterprise so feel free to opine from any angle you'd like.

Poll

Will you be interested in Jim Haslett's UFL career?

Of course.

68 votes

Fuhgedaboudit.

143 votes

211 votes | Poll has closed

Former Bengals players find home in UFL; there's a twinkle in Palmer's eye

Kirkendall — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:08:14 -0000

As Mr. NC-17 points out, several former Bengals players found a home during last night's UFL Draft. Some of the names include former running backs Chris Perry and Quincy Wilson, linebacker Anthony Schlegel, cornerback T.J. Wright, safety Mike Doss and tight end Ronnie Ghent. Five former Bengals players found a home with the Orlando franchise while Ghent went to New York. We're sure that we're missing someone (or two). Let us know if we do.

Player	Position	UFL Team
Chris Perry	RB	Orlando
Quincy Wilson	RB	Orlando
Mike Doss	DB	Orlando
Anthony Schlegel	LB	Orlando
T.J. Wright	DB	Orlando
Ronnie Ghent	TE	New York

James Walker writes that Jeremi Johnson participated in his first practices but "still appears he has some work to do to get to his ideal playing weight."

Quotes from a physical secondary.

“If anything, we’re going to be a physical secondary,” (Chris) Crocker said.

Said (Roy) Williams: “We bring a presence that we’re not backing down from anyone and we’re going to hit you. We’ll be able to let receivers know that we’re back there and we’re head hunting.”

You have to like it when John Clayton starts a piece saying "For the first time in a couple of years, a positive twinkle was seen in Carson Palmer's eyes."

The Denver Broncos released Herana-Daze Jones.

SB Nation - Ronnie Ghent

UFL's "Premiere" Season Will Feature Some (Not-so) Familiar Names

Will you be interested in Jim Haslett's UFL career?

Of course.

Fuhgedaboudit.

Former Bengals players find home in UFL; there's a twinkle in Palmer's eye