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Team Alabama's first inkling of a roster will focus heavily on defense.

The All American Football League submitted its list of protected players over the weekend, ensuring the Birmingham franchise a training camp with recognizable players.

Jumping out on the list is a pair of linebackers - Saleem Rasheed and Karibi Dede.

Rasheed prepped at Shades Valley High and earned first-team All-SEC honors at Alabama before the San Francisco 49ers took him in the third round of the 2002 draft. Rasheed sat out the 2007 season after four years in the NFL.

Dede started parts of four years at Auburn, starting his college career as a safety, and was one of the final cuts of the New York Giants last August after signing as a free agent.

Under the AAFL's structure, Team Alabama could protect players who graduated from colleges in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. The remainder of the roster, which will be 42 players once the regular season starts, will be filled out in the inaugural draft Saturday.

Team Alabama coach Mike Jones declined comment on the protected list, but did confirm that the hardest players to locate were up front.

"You can get an idea about a player with your eyes (during tryouts)," Jones said. "But I can tell you the toughest players to find are quality offensive linemen."

Jones came to Birmingham from NFL Europa, where he led the Frankfurt Galaxy to three World Bowl appearances in four seasons.

Team Alabama President Joe Cribbs said he expects Birmingham fans to identify with the team.

"The biggest thing is that fans understand what the makeup of this team will be. It's going to take a year or two for us to really stockpile talent," Cribbs said. "They've got to be patient."

Other notable names on the protected list include UAB defensive tackle Shamar Abrams, Alabama defensive backs Jeffrey Dukes, Reggie Myles and Marcus Spencer, Auburn running back Tre Smith, who is listed as an athlete, and punter Kody Bliss and Ole Miss linebacker Eddie Strong.

The only quarterback on the protected list is former Southern Miss and Birmingham Steeldogs quarterback Brian Balazik, who actually graduated from Montevallo.

Jones and members of his staff will head to Mobile this week to scout current college seniors at the Senior Bowl.

The draft begins Saturday morning with Team Alabama having four of the first 19 picks. The Birmingham franchise gets the last of six picks in odd rounds and selects first in even-numbered rounds.

After holding a league-wide training camp in Mobile in March, Team Alabama will open the season April 19 at Legion Field against Texas.