Keep that Hex wrench handy, Eric

Eric Crouch, former Nebraska star. Former Heisman Trophy winner. Former wash-out in the NFL. Proud owner of Crouch Recreation. He makes playground equipment.

He's also back. Kind of.

Eric Crouch made his return to pro football as part of the fledgling UFL's even more fledgling Omaha Nighthawks. He fumbled a snap and threw an INT. He split time rubbing the center's rear with Jeremiah Massoli, the can't miss, can't stay our of trouble QB from Oregon and Ole Miss.

The UFL in it's short existence has shown a better business plan, albeit not as exciting, than other Fall season pro football leagues have in recent memory(XFL). It is not pretending to be the 'new' AFL, or in anyway a serious threat to the NFL. What it does claim to be, is a place for guys looking to comeback to the NFL, or are overlooked, and undrafted by the NFL, a chance to keep the dream alive, earn some money, and not have to go to Canada or play for the various indoor leagues. With no more NFL Europe, this is the last option for a viable pro football career.

Wasn't the USFL sort of successful? Yeah, sorta'. Mis-management is what ruined that league, and the WLAF was re-booted to become NFL Europe, now also gone. But, those were spring football leagues. The UFL, in all it's Dante Culpepper glory(Shane Boyd, too) is attempting to run parallel with the NFL. The outcome remains un-seen, but unless it manages to merge like the AFL did, then it's not going to last long. The CFL has lasted, but it's Canadian and they are a little weird anyhow. Now, if the UFL and CFL merged, we may have something there. Not a serious threat by no means, but still, a better overall league.

And if you are waiting for the AAFL to start up and return spring football to us, keep doing what you have been doing since 2008, and that is wait. It had a good idea. You draft players to teams based in strong college football markets, share their facilities, and wait for people to grab hold and support it. So, it's completely regional. You also throw in that tidbit about drafting only players who finished college. It sounded like a fairly competitive league, with a certain charm and built in connection to it's fanbase. And, some level of player accountability and standards. Obviously, America is not interested in anything like that.

Oh well, here's hoping Timmy gets that long awaited call from the UFL.