Whoever updates the transactions on the Arena Football League's website likely has sore fingers after the busy day around the league on April 16. Four teams were involved in trading five players, and several other notable names appeared on the day's transactions list, too.
Let's see if we can get through these without making anyone's head explode. You may want to get your flow chart ready.
Arizona Rattlers
The Arizona Rattlers (3-2) traded WR Andrae Thurman (6-foot-0, 180 pounds, Southern Oregon) to the Milwaukee Mustangs (2-2) in exchange for future considerations. Thurman played for the Dallas Desperados in 2007 and 2008 after spending 2004 and 2005 with the Green Bay Packers. He was assigned to the Rattlers in 2011 and has accumulated nine receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns so far this season.
The Rattlers were also assigned WR Siaha Burley (5-foot-11, 185 pounds, Central Florida). Burley's Arena Football League career dates back to 2001, and he has played for the Orlando Predators, the Los Angeles Avengers, the Utah Blaze, and the Rattlers, racking up 843 receptions for 10,810 yards and 247 touchdowns.
The Predators (0-5) traded DB Ahmad "Batman" Carroll (5-foot-10, 190 pounds, Arkansas) to Arizona in exchange for claim order No. 3. Carroll was a first-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2004, and also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets. He has 12.5 tackles and four pass break-ups so far in 2012.
To make room for Carroll, the Rattlers placed DB Lance Caldwell on recallable reassignment.
Kansas City Command
The Kansas City Command (0-4) got in on the trading action, too, sending LB Tyus "Action" Jackson (6-foot-3, 265 pounds, Memphis) to the Mustangs in exchange for future considerations. Jackson began his AFL career in 2010 with the Milwaukee Iron before moving to Kansas City in 2011. He led the Command last season with four forced fumbles, and his sack total of 8.5 was second-best on the team. Jackson has 5.5 tackles, a pass break-up, and a half-sack this season.
The Command also signed WR Armand Robinson (6-foot-0, 200 pounds, Miami OH). Robinson is a rookie in the Arena Football League, but he has spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL.
Additionally, the Command placed K Gary Cismesia on reassignment.
Milwaukee Mustangs
The Mustangs appear to be at the epicenter of all of this trading, receiving Thurman from the Rattlers and Jackson from the Command for future considerations.
The 'Stangs have also acquired DB Kelvin Rodgers (6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Minnesota State) from the Predators in exchange for DB Justin Hannah (5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Tuskegee). Rodgers is getting quite the tour of the country this year after spending his rookie season with the Mustangs in 2011. He was initially assigned to the San Jose SaberCats for the 2012 season but was later traded to the Chicago Rush. The Rush then turned around and traded him to the Predators, who have now traded him back to the Mustangs, where it all started last season. Rodgers has probably already set the AFL single-season record for frequent flyer miles this season. Oh, and the Mustangs' opponent this week? The Rush.
Speaking of the Rush, that's who Hannah spent his rookie season with in 2011. Hannah leads Milwaukee with six pass break-ups and ranks second on the team with 21 tackles, including one for a loss. He also has an interception on the year and leads the team with 14 kickoff returns for 216 yards. He'll take his talents down to Orlando now.
Milwaukee also placed LB Dexter Jackson on recallable reassignment.
Orlando Predators
To summarize, heading out of Orlando are Rodgers and Carroll. Coming into Orlando is Hannah and the No. 3 claim order.
The Preds also activated OL Brent Clouser (6-foot-3, 305 pounds, Villanova) from Injured Reserve and placed QB Collin Drafts on reassignment.
Now my fingers hurt. I feel the pain of the AFL employee assigned to updating yesterday's transactions on the website.
I hope you took notes on all of this. There's a quiz later.
The author is a Featured Contributor in Sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network . You can follow him on Twitter at @RedZoneWriting and on Facebook.
