1968 Free Agency Part 2

1968 Free Agency Part 2

Following the NAAF draft, the offseason quieted down. The remaining top 25 free agents would sign with long-time Rouge WR, Derek Cross, signing with the Raiders, joining Robert Lang and John Rivera as WRs who have played for both teams. QB Ulysses Lawyer would land in Providence in hopes of being in the running for the starting job when Connor O’Rourke calls it a career. The last top 25 player was S Peter Sellers who would land with the Mariners to shore up their depth in the secondary.

There would be only a couple of trades. After sending RB Reggie Whitehead to Boston, Indy was in need of a running back to help out Raymond Green. They would head over to Pittsburgh and would acquire RB Ed Finley in exchange for their 1969 3rd Round Pick and prospect DL Raymond Pushor. 

A second RB trade would also occur between the Thunder and Raiders with the Thunder sending RB Lando Blake to the Raiders in exchange for a 5th Round Pick in 1969. 

Many other moves were made, but the biggest development was the introduction of the next step of the NAAF’s partnership with the semi-professional leagues in the North East. Those of course are the New England Semi-Pro Football Championship and the Eastern Canadian Semi-Pro Football League. Over the past couple of seasons, players on NAAF reserve lists have been allowed to sign contracts with the semi-pro teams to continue to play while not being dressed in the NAAF. The system has helped a lot of younger players continue to have game experience and improve their chances of getting a full-time spot in the NAAF. However, it has also helped players in the semi-pro leagues take on better talent and improve themselves. So, the next stage of their partnership will allow teams to offer tryouts to players in the semi-pro leagues to join training camp and have a shot for the roster. It will be interesting to see how the players fair at training camp and if any can crack a roster this season.