Leak has high hopes for AAFL

Chris Leak thought he threw his last pass at The Swamp last year against Western Carolina.

But the former Florida quarterback who helped lead the Gators to the 2006 BCS title will return to Gainesville next spring as a quarterback for Florida's inaugural All-American Football League franchise.

Leak is currently working out in Orlando and looking forward to the AAFL season. Florida opens play April 12 against Alabama in Jacksonville and will play the first of three games at Florida Field on April 26 against Arkansas.

"I think it's going to be a great opportunity," said Leak, who signed with the Florida franchise last week. "The league is going to be really popular. And it will be a chance to play in front of the Florida fans again."

A four-year starter at Florida, the 6-foot Leak holds school records for career passing yardage (11,213) and completions (895). After not getting picked in the NFL draft last April, Leak signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears.

Leak made the Bears practice squad out of training camp but was eventually cut on Sept. 16 to make room for third-string quarterback Kyle Orton. Despite getting cut, Leak said most of the feedback he received from the Bears was positive and he had no regrets about the process.

"Just a chance to re-connect with Alex Brown, Rex Grossman, some of the Gator greats, it was a great experience," Leak said. "I learned a lot, obviously. Hopefully, it will help me in my future."

Leak said he's looking forward to playing with coach Shane Matthews, a former Florida quarterback who intends to throw the ball down the field with his variation of Steve Spurrier's "Fun n' Gun" offense.

"That's another exciting part of playing in the league, getting the chance to play for one of the great Gator quarterbacks," Leak said.

Though Leak said he's received no assurances from Matthews, it's expected he'll come into camp this March as Florida's projected starter. The league, which will play with college rules, is attempting to market its franchises with former in-state college starters. Joining Leak on the Florida roster are former Gators Fred Weary, Chris Doering, Willie Jackson and Travis McGriff.

Leak said he's still following the Gators from Orlando.

"They've done a great job, especially late in the season," Leak said. "That's when you want to be at your strongest. They're getting better every week."

As for his successor at quarterback, Heisman candidate Tim Tebow, Leak said: "He's doing a great job. He's doing what a quarterback has to do, making plays and getting the ball to his playmakers. At Florida, you have to play fast and he's got a bunch of young, hungry guys playing hard with him."

Leak said he is staying ready "just in case" he gets a call from an NFL team before the end of the season. But for now, his focus is getting ready for the AAFL season next spring.

A strong season could result in a camp invite from an NFL franchise the following summer. Leak is not closing the door on the dream.

"This is going to be a popular league," Leak said. "You never know. Right now, my focus is on having the best season I can to help the Florida team win."