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Martin tells Team Tennessee he won't play
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It wasn't a huge shock, but Team Tennessee went into Saturday's AAFL supplemental draft without its potential marquee player.
Former University of Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin informed the league office on Friday he had decided not to play for the fledgling All American Football League.
Martin has said for weeks he was leaning to a career in coaching rather than a return to the playing field where he led UT to a national championship in 1998.
Team Tennessee selected four potential quarterbacks in the initial league draft Jan. 26 - Bryan Randall of Virginia Tech, Woody Dantzler of Clemson, Andrico Hines of Middle Tennessee State and Jeff Mroz of Yale.
On Saturday, 10 more supplemental picks and two compensatory picks came into the fold to complete Team Tennessee's 60-man practice roster heading into training camp March 13.
"We got most of the guys we wanted, and that's always a good thing," Team Tennessee coach Andy Kelly said in a release. "Our coaches did an excellent job of evening out our needs with getting the best players available. We hit the numbers we wanted for camp without overloading one position."
The supplemental draft consisted of players not taken in the Jan. 26 draft, players recently released from the NFL registered with the AAFL or players who did not submit verification of a college degree to the league office prior to the first draft.
Team Tennessee made offensive lineman Adam O'Connor of William and Mary its first supplemental pick.
"Our coaches worked hard studying film and preparing for our draft," Kelly said. "We got a lot of the guys we evaluated as good players.
"We'll know when we get them on the field, but we did fine filling our needs. We got stronger and deeper at some positions and drafted some players we feel can end up starting for us."
The draft consisted of 10 rounds and Team Tennessee got two compensatory picks because of Martin and Nebraska defensive lineman Ola Dagunduro deciding not to play.
Other picks were: DL James Shaw, Penn State; TE Kyle Acker, Salisbury; DL Kinny Spotwood, Tulsa; RB Reggie Merriweather, Clemson; DL Eze Ejelonu, Michigan State; DB Brandon Haw, Rutgers; WR Joe Danielson, Wisconsin-Platteville; DB Chris Ibezim, Southern Arkansas; WR Thyron Lewis, Howard; OL Jasen Esposito, Kutztown and LB Derrick Byrd, Missouri State.
Team Tennessee will trim its 60-man roster to 46 prior to opening the season April 12 at home in Neyland Stadium against Team Michigan.
The roster will include former Vols Jason Hall (DE), Jason Mitchell (LB), CJ Fayton (WR) and James Wilhoit (K).
Tickets are on sale (877-330-2235 or www.aafl.com) and Team Tennessee president Larry Seivers is optimistic football fans in the area will appreciate the product about to be put on the field.
"Because of construction we've only got half of the stands available to us, which is 50,000," Seivers said. "My goal is to put 50,000 in there.
"I think we could average shy of that somewhat and I would still be happy. I won't be satisfied with less than 50,000, but at the same time I'm realistic."
The league features six teams based in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan and Texas.
"It doesn't change," Seivers said. "These guys still want to beat Alabama and they still want to beat Florida. The juices are flowing a little bit."
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by stroker on February 16, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a Vol fan. Larry Seivers was a great Vol receiver, Andy kelly was A VOl QB who helped win some exciting games. I don't know about this venture but I wish good luck.
Posted by TommyJack on February 16, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good decision, Tee. No upside.
Posted by ncvol17 on February 16, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What in the H*ll has Seivers & Kelly been doing with their lives that they were available to take on this version of the Titanic? Get 50,000 to pay to see this scrimmage of has beens and wannabes? Better be real cheap Beer and bikini clad babes in the stadium to pull the 20 somethings in.
Who put up the $$ to pay these guys anything? Bankruptcy court will be the New Reality series Tennesseans will follow with this venture.
Posted by jevolball7 on February 16, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
With the right marketing, this is a GREAT IDEA!!! Go ahead nay-sayers,name ONE thing wrong with it??! If this takes off,and it will,someone is going to get rich fast. Patent it quick,bring more teams in,which will come with success,and this is a gold mine! It will have everything from bragging rights to "I told you so's" KILLER idea. It will work!!!
Posted by nicksjuzunk on February 17, 2008 at 12:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hate to hear that about Tee. That will surely drain some enthusiasm from fans.
Posted by ballewville6 on February 17, 2008 at 3:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
where they going to play and what will it cost to watch alot of over 30 players in a new league if there good i would go watch if it doesnt cost too much
Posted by rootin4volz on February 17, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me put ballewville6's question into good old proper American grammar:
"Where are they going to play, and what will it cost to watch a lot of over-30 players in a new league? If they're good, I would go watch (if it doesn't cost too much)."
Funny, but I had the same question about where they're going to be putting 50,000 seats (only I had that question in proper American grammar).
Posted by Plasticman on February 17, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Neyland Stadium is where they are playing. I'm shocked Hamilton is allowing them to use "the field" due to the wear and tear on it. Must have put up alot of $$
Posted by dvols on February 17, 2008 at 10:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
surely they are not playing at Neyland.
Posted by givehim6 on February 17, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I gess i'd rather see Tee coach at UT instead of him getting hurt playing in orange agine. It has been a few years sence he played contact.
Posted by shopsports on February 17, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TEE MARTIN FOR HIGH SCHOOL LIASON POSTION OPEN...We need some hope. Phil isn't lookin promising. I hate it but my gut says we have wasted a year and he and his new staff will be gone. Heck we may waste more than a year. Is any other news media doing anything on the new staff? I know the news sentinel and UT football are NOT on good terms. Probably, rightly so.
Posted by jawbreaker on February 17, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This team IS playing at Neyland, and while I don't care about the plusses and minuses of the league, I do believe that Tee Martin made the wisest decision for him.
Posted by MissouriVol on February 17, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This new semi-pro league is trying to get local college football fans more involved. They play in college football stadiums and have exclusive draft rights to former in state (and some surrounding state) college player's. I hope it can give some worthy players a second chance at getting noticed by the nfl. You can check them out at www.aafl.com
Posted by volfan on February 17, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Still no reply as to the cost of a single game or season tickets. Are the tickets tiered, i.e. the best cost more while the least desirable would cost a mere pittance compared to the quality seats. I too might venture out to see some former players who have completed their college education and are not too old and decrepid to run from one end of the field to the other. Hopefully they will be able to RUN through a make-shift "T" to give it some semblance of a real UT game. Also would like to know the color scheme of their uniforms. Y'all have a good day, and pass it along!
Posted by Grim1 on February 17, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NO BEER!!!..that is one bad thing...can't buy beer at Neyland.
you can't watch pro Football and not have a beer..that is un-American.
Posted by coach75 on February 17, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
can't have beer at neyland but check with colquitt he can get you some. what a disgrace to our program (these guys who can't stay out of trouble).
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