Here's a look at how the Alliance of American Football league's eight teams stand after the historic opening weekend of play.

1. Arizona Hotshots

If there was a preseason AAF favorite, it might have been the Hotshots. A big reason to like their chances is the man in charge of constructing the team's roster: Phil Savage. Savage, a former NFL general manager, spent several years as executive director of the Senior Bowl and would have intimate knowledge of most of the players available for the new league. Arizona had an impressive opener against the Salt Lake Stallions, thanks to quarterback John Wolford's four-touchdown performance.

2. Orlando Apollos

The "Head Ball Coach" already is a colorful presence for the nascent league. Steve Spurrier had his Apollos run a version of the "Philly Special" in a 40-6 rout of the Atlanta Legends, then took a shot at the Washington Redskins. Garrett Gilbert — the 2008 USA TODAY high school offensive player of the year — is the Apollos' quarterback and is a little over a month removed from completing his first career NFL pass while playing for the Carolina Panthers.

3. Birmingham Iron

Trent Richardson, one of the biggest draft busts in the past decade, is back in pro football and had two rushing touchdowns in the Iron's 26-0 win over the Memphis Express. A revelation of sorts was Iron quarterback Luis Perez. Perez led Texas A&M-Commerce to the Division II national title in 2017, and was named that season's Harlon Hill Trophy winner. An undrafted rookie in Rams camp this past season, Perez will be a player to follow closely this AAF season.

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4. San Antonio Commanders

All anybody will remember from the Commanders' 15-6 win over the San Diego Fleet will be San Antonio's Shaan Washington clobbering Mike Bercovici with a hit that sent the quarterback's helmet flying. In all, the Commanders registered six sacks, and Bercovici was pulled late for backup Philip Nelson. Logan Woodside, who played collegiately at Toledo and was the last quarterback taken in the 2018 NFL draft, found a reliable target in receiver Mekale McKay, whose five catches (on 12 targets) for 80 yards would make him a fine player for an AAF PPR fantasy league.

5. Salt Lake Stallions

The AAF's inaugural weekend of play featured all four home teams winning, so the Stallions were among the road losers. Starting quarterback Josh Woodrum had to leave the game with a hamstring injury. Backup Matt Linehan — son of longtime NFL coach Scott Linehan — took over and couldn't help Salt Lake keep up with Arizona. Stallions coach Dennis Erickson was rather blunt after game, saying, "It was pretty simple to me. They kicked our rear ends."

6. San Diego Fleet

Somewhat surprisingly, a team coached by the mastermind behind the "Greatest Show on Turf' — Mike Martz — was punchless in defeat against San Antonio. Quarterbacks Mike Bercovici and Philip Nelson combined to throw three interceptions and the only scoring came via two field goals from Donny Hageman.

7. Atlanta Legends

Well, it started promising for the Legends, who scored the first points in league history when kicker Younghoe Koo — formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers — hit a 38-yard field goal. Starting quarterback Matt Simms threw two interceptions — including a pick six. Backup Aaron Murray also threw an interception as Atlanta was on the wrong end of the biggest rout in AAF history.

8. Memphis Express

Christian Hackenberg was arguably the most polarizing prospect in the 2016 draft, but the New York Jets went ahead and made him a second-round pick. Now, after being cut by four NFL teams, Hackenberg is getting what could be a final chance to resurrect his pro football career. It did not go well. He completed 10 of 23 passes for 87 yards and an interception as Memphis was the only team to be shut out.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.

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