Flashback, January 19th, 2011: Expansion Draft Plan Approved

The expansion draft formula had been eagerly anticipated by fans of the club that would become the RedBlacks.

It was largely felt that method used to stock the Ottawa Renegades upon their entry into the league in 2002 was weak.  The major deficiency preventing the 'Gades from being competitive was a lack of experienced options at the quarterback position.  The system created for the RedBlacks is more generous in that regard; it allows the existing clubs to protect only one quarterback as opposed to two in the earlier system.

That aside, the RedBlacks expansion draft is front-heavy in terms of draft picks.  The Renegades had the opportunity to stock draft picks during their first two seasons, whereas the RedBlacks were able to participate in the college in the year prior to them taking the field (more on that later).

For now, let's post the rules for easy reference when December 16th, 2013, rolls around and the RedBlacks finally get to make use of them.

ROUND ONE:  IMPORT DRAFT

Member Clubs may protect one quarterback, and ten additional Import players.

Ottawa will select one Import player from each Member Club.

Import quarterbacks, kickers, and punters are eligible for selection (and protection), provided that:

– Each Member Club may protect a maximum of one quarterback in the Import Draft.

– All other quarterbacks on a Member Club’s roster at the time of the draft are eligible for selection in this section.

– Ottawa will only be able to select two quarterbacks in the Expansion Draft.

– If a quarterback is selected from a Member Club in the Import Draft, such Member Club will be able to protect the names of an additional two Non-Import players in the first round of the Non-Import Draft.

– If a kicker or punter is selected from a Member Club in the Import Draft, such Member Club will be able to protect one additional Non-Import player in the first round of the Non-Import Draft.


ROUND TWO: NON-IMPORT DRAFT

Each Member Club will protect six Non-Import players.

Non-Import quarterbacks, kickers, and punters are eligible for selection (and protection), provided that:

– If a Member Club had a quarterback selected from its roster in the Import draft, it will be permitted to protect eight Non-Import players in the first round of the Non-Import Draft (instead of six); and

– Ottawa will be prevented from also selecting a kicker or punter from that Member Club.

- If a Member Club had a kicker or punter selected from its roster in the Import Draft:

– That Member Club will be permitted to protect seven Non-Import players in the Non-Import Draft (instead of six); and

– Ottawa will be prevented from also selecting a quarterback from that Member Club.

Any kicker or punter selected in the Non-Import Draft must be selected in the first round. If a Member Club had a kicker or punter selected from its roster in the Non-Import Draft, such Member Club would be eligible to protect eight Non-Import players in the second round of the Non-Import Draft, instead of six.

Ottawa will then select one non-import player from each Member Club.


ROUND THREE: NON-IMPORT DRAFT

Member Clubs will then submit a second list of an additional six Non-Import players for protection

If a Member Club lost a Non-Import kicker or punter in the first round of the Non-Import Draft, such Member Club would submit two additional Non-Import player names for protection.

Ottawa will then select one non-import player from each Member Club.

The Commissioner will resolve any dispute related to player eligibility for the Expansion Draft process.

Teams will submit their lists of protected players a week prior to the draft.