Are you ready for some football?

AAF aims to quell your off-season doldrums

I like to call the Sunday after the Super Bowl Depression Sunday. The NFL Season is over, and we’re settling in for a long winter/spring/most of summer nap from the game we all know and love. In fact, in a league where I play on Monday our league manager posted a countdown to Kickoff that was 242 days. It feels like a lifetime.

But if that’s how you feel, you’re not alone. That why the Alliance of American Football exists, at least partly. They know the pain of the off-season. They know that in the dark of June and July Fridays, you’re watching the CFL to feel alive. And they want to salve that pain. Or at least provide a distraction.

The first season of the new Spring football league kicks off on Saturday night. Yes, this Saturday — as in February 9. And it runs until the championship game on Saturday, April 27 (the final day of the NFL draft). So on Saturdays and Sundays from now until April, you can watch football on CBS, the NFL Network and on Streaming.

But what exactly can we expect. I’d wager to say no one knows for sure, but I’m going to try and get you pumped by previewing what we might see anyway! Call this your friendly guide to off-season football.

About the AAF

This new league was born of a documentary about the XFL (which ironically is itself returning starting in 2020). The league was founded by Charlie Ebersol — son of legendary Dick Ebersol — and is led by a group that includes former NFL executives, like Bill Polian, and players, like Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward, Jared Allen and Justin Tuck. It also has the involvement of former NFL officials, like Mike Pereria and Dean Blandino. And they’re aiming to deliver an interesting and engaging product.

Still, the league’s official site, www.aaf.com, is a little short on in-depth details. There are eight teams in the inaguaral season, playing 10 weeks before four of them make the playoffs on Easter weekend. More specifics on the teams in a moment.

Early articles outlined some of the unique set up and rules, much of which has been captured on the official holding site of all the world’s knowledge, Wikipedia. Here’s what we can expect on the field:

Teams will have 52 players on each roster.

Telecasts will feature no television timeouts and 60 percent fewer “full-screen commercials,” with the league aiming for an approximate real-time game length of 150 minutes.

All teams must attempt two-point conversions after each touchdown, no extra point kicks.

There will be no kickoffs. Halves, odd overtime periods and after scores will begin on each team’s own 25-yard line.

The play clock will run only 35 seconds, five seconds shorter than in the NFL.

Two coach’s challenges per team are the only replays.

Outside organizations will handle head-safety protocols.

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, a single overtime period will be played. Each team will begin on their opponent’s 10-yard line and be given four downs to score. If the score remains tied after each team has been given their possession, the game ends in a tie.

Aside from that, the game in theory will be similar to the product we’re used to seeing in the NFL. But what kind of play will we see? Let’s look at the teams.

About the AAF Teams

We will have eight teams, broken into two conferences. The Western Conference includes the Arizona Hotshots, Salt Lake Stallions, San Antonio Commanders and San Diego Fleet. The Easter Conference includes the Atlanta Legends, Birmingham Iron, Memphis Express and Orlando Apollos. The top two from each conference will make the playoffs. Below is a little information on each team, including any notable former NFL players on offense or leading the charge. You can find full rosters for each team at www.aaf.com if you’re planning a shot in the dark fantasy draft. (All player stats from www.profootballreference.com.)

Western Conference

Arizona Hotshots

Head Coach: Rick Neuheisel. Neuheisel played in another professional football league, the USFL, before a few years in the NFL. He’s probably best known as the head coach for the University of Colorado, University of Washington and UCLA. But he also served as quarterback coach and then offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

Notable Pro Players:

Josh Huff, WR. The former Oregon Duck had a minute in the spotlight for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2014 to 2016, finishing the 2016 season with the Buccaneers.

Salt Lake Stallions

Head Coach: Dennis Erickson. Erickson is best known for his work in the college ranks, too. He’s been a head coach at Idaho, Wyoming, most famously the University of Miami, Oregon State and Arizona State. He was also an NFL head coach twice, first with the Seattle Seahawks from 1995 to 1998 and then with the San Francisco 49ers from 2003 to 2004.

Notable Pro Players:

Matt Asiata, RB. Asiata ran for the Vikings for five seasons, including posting 570 yards and nine TDs in 2014 and racking up six TDs in 2016, his last with the team.

Branden Oliver, RB. Oliver played three years for the Chargers, including rushing for 582 yards and three TDs as a rookie in 2014.

Austin Traylor, TE. Traylor was a strong contributor for the Broncos in camp the past two years, but didn’t make the cut in 2018. He did play in 2017, flashing briefly with eight receptions for 100 yards in seven games, three starts.

San Antonio Commanders

Head Coach: Mike Riley. I’m guessing that Nebraska fans won’t want to watch Riley, as he was famously once their head coach. He also served as a head coach at Oregon State and in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers from 1999 to 2001.

Notable NFL Players:

Logan Woodside, QB. OK, he might not be notable, but at least recent. Woodside was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round in 2018, and traded to the Bengals. He didn’t make the roster, but was on the Titans’ practice squad for a bit.

David Cobb, RB. Cobb was a fifth round pick for the Titans in 2015, rushing for 146 yards and a TD in his lone season with the team.

Kenneth Farrow, RB. Farrow was with the Chargers briefly in 2016, rushing for 192 yards in 13 games, starting two.

San Diego Fleet

Head Coach: Mike Martz. Martz is best known as the architect of the “Greatest Show on Turf,” serving as offensive coordinator and later Head Coach for the St. Louis Rams. He later served as Head Coach for the Detroit Lions, then offensive coordinator in San Francisco for the 49ers and Chicago for the Bears.

Notable NFL Players:

Terrell Watson, RB. Watson had a cup of coffee in the NFL with two teams, the Eagles in 2016 and Steelers in 2017. He has just 36 yards rushing in his career.

Gavin Escobar, TE. Escobar played five pro seasons, four with the Cowboys and 2017 with the Ravens. He has 30 career catches for 333 yards and eight TDs, all from his time in Dallas.

Eastern Conference

Atlanta Legends

Head Coach: Kevin Coyle. Coyle is probably the least familiar name in the AAF, coming in with no prior head coaching experience. He has served as a defensive coach in the college ranks for Holy Cross, Syracuse, Maryland and Fresno State, and worked as a defensive coach in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins.

Notable NFL Players:

Aaron Murray, QB. Murray is most famous for his work at the University of Georgia. He was a fifth round pick for the Chiefs in 2014 but never played.

Matt Simms, QB. Simms, brother of Chris and son of Phil, played for the Jets in 2013 and 2014. He threw for 195 yards, a touchdown and an INT in four games played.

Denard Robinson, RB. This might be the most exciting name I’ve seen. Robinson was a star at Michigan who had moments of brilliance during four years in Jacksonville. He rushed for 1,058 yards and five TDs in his pro career.

Birmingham Iron

Head Coach: Tim Lewis. Lewis also doesn’t boast any previous head coaching experience, but he played in the league with the Green Bay Packers. He also has a litany of experience as a position coach on defense in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers.

Notable NFL Players:

Trent Richardson, RB. Yes, you read that correctly. Good old T-Rich is back in our lives! People, rejoice! Richardson played for the Browns (where he was the No. 3 overall pick) Colts and Raiders. As a rookie in Cleveland he ran for 950 yards and 11 TDs. It was all downhill (and mostly into lineman) from there.

Quan Bray, WR. He was mostly known as a return specialist during his three seasons for the Colts.

Quinton Patton, WR. Patton played in parts of four NFL seasons, catching 30 or more passes in 2015 and 2016 for the San Francisco 49ers.

Memphis Express

Head Coach: Mike Singletary. Singletary is a Hall of Fame linebacker, but he’s also well known by now for coaching in the NFL. He served as a defensive coach for many teams, including the Ravens, 49ers, Vikings and Rams. He also memorably served as Head Coach in San Franciso.

Notable NFL Players:

Zach Mettenberger, QB. The former Titans prospect started 10 games over two season in 2014 and 2015. He threw for 2,347 yards, 12 TDs and 14 INTs. But he might have the most NFL experience of any QB I’ve seen in the AAF.

Christian Hackenburg, QB. The former Penn State standout who washed out with the Jets gets another chance. And it’s possible he’s the starter now in Memphis. While most of these teams don’t have one guy I remember from the NFL, the Express have two!

Zac Stacey, RB. The ghost of RBs past continues in Memphis with Stacey, who is most memorable from his stint with the Rams. In 2013 he had 973 yards and seven TDs. He tailed off the next year and ran for less than 100 yards in 2015 with the Jets.

Terrence Magee, RB. Magee played for three teams in three years (the Ravens, Seahawks and Falcons), totaling 17 yards in seven games.

Orlando Apollos

Head Coach: Steve Spurrier. The Old Ball Coach is best remembered as the head man for the Florida Gators, and later the South Carolina Gamecocks. In between he had a stint as Head Coach for the Washington Redskins.

Notable NFL Players:

Garrett Gilbert, QB. Gilbert was drafted in 2014 by the Rams, but most recently played for the Panthers in 2018. He even got into a game, going 2-for-3 for 40 yards.

Akeem Hunt, RB. Hunt played in 2015 and 2016 for the Texans, but he’s probably most famous for being the “other Hunt” at RB in Kansas City in 2017. He rushed for 228 yards on 45 carries in three seasons.

Jalin Marshall, WR. Marshall played for the Jets in 2016, and made a mini-splash with 14 receptions for 162 yards and two TDs in 10 games. He was suspended for four games to begin 2017 and never saw the field again for the Jets.

Charles Johnson, WR. Johnson played three years for the Vikings from 2014 to 2016, recording 60 receptions for 834 yards and two TDs.

Chris Thompson, WR. The Florida product played with the Texans in 2017, catching five passes for 84 yards in 13 games.

What to Expect

When the AAF was first announced, it was accompanied by talk of an app that would push fantasy, but so far the app hasn’t been released. It also will include enhanced sports betting. But, for those who are still game, you can play season-long AAF Fantasy Football on altfantasysports.com. But you still have to fish around the Internet and podcasts to try and get a sense of the depth chart, as even the official team pages seem to be playing things close to the vest. But if you’re looking for a leg up, www.noextrapoints.com is offering Box Scores, projecting starters and will offer point projections.

There will be some familiar faces on the sideline and in uniform, and it’s still football, which will largely be enough for most fans who feel a sense of loss after the confetti falls on Super Bowl Sunday. So, when the first game kicks off on CBS on Saturday night, I know I’ll be there. And I’d wager I won’t be alone.

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