Around the League: October 31 - Happy Halloween !

A number of teams are holding open tryouts this weekend on Saturday, November 1, including the Dallas Desperados, New York Dragons and Los Angeles Avengers.

The Long Island Press is reporting on the Dragons tryout and talks about how head coach Weylan Harding found standout defensive back Billy Parker at one back in 2005. Coach Harding discussed their importance:

"It’s an open casting call. We don’t have a draft, so it’s through these tryouts and private workouts where we find new players."

Parker isn't the only one who was discovered this way. DallasDesperados.com has an article on their upcoming tryout and the successes of wide receiver Anthony Armstrong. Armstrong, who now plays for the Miami Dolphins, was signed following a Desperados tryout three years ago.

The Dragons will be holding open dancer auditions on Sunday, November 9 at Corporate Fitness in Uniondale. New York Dragons Dance Team Captain Gina put her dancing background to the ultimate test this past summer, when she took on the role as an MTV MADE coach on the music network’s Emmy award winning series. Gina’s MADE episode entitled “MADE: Streamer” will air this Saturday, November 1 at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.

Former Colorado Crush defensive line coach Tony Federico was added to the staff of the Cleveland Gladiators this week. Line coach Lee Johnson will return with Federico serving as the assistant.

Around the League: October 30

The Broomfield Enterprise is reporting the Colorado Crush's Delvin Hughley participated in Red Ribbon Week, speaking to hundreds of students at Legacy High School about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Storm's Brett Dietz did the same at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School in Zephyrhills, Florida.

According to The Grand Rapids Press, the Rampage will be holding dance team tryout this Sunday, November 2 with the finals set for Sunday, November 9.

Both the Chicago Rush and Rampage have added open player tryouts to their December schedules. The Rampage will host one on December 6 and the Rush on December 12.

The full tryout listing can be seen here.

Southern Division coaches weigh in on Desperados move

With Dallas' move to the Southern Division, here is what the other three head coaches had to say about the Desperados joining the division...

Tim Marcum (Tampa Bay Storm)

"The South was already a tough division and it just got tougher,” said head coach and general manager Tim Marcum. “To win this division you’ll have to play some good football."

Jay Gruden (Orlando Predators)

"The Southern Division is widely regarded as the toughest division in the Arena Football League. The addition of the Desperados just gave each team in this division two very tough games to prepare for and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Doug Plank (Georgia Force)

"Over the last four seasons, the Southern Division has been one of the toughest and most physical in Arena Football. Some of our most hard fought games have come against division opponents and with the addition of Dallas to our division I don’t see that changing. The Desperados have been one of the best teams in the AFL over the last couple of seasons and they will strengthen the competition in the Southern Division."