Alliance of American Football: Team Previews and Futures Markets

Alternative football leagues often try to imitate the NFL with the basic product. The exception, of course, would be Vince McMahon’s XFL, which went so far over the top trying to be different that it wound up rather boring and mundane.

The Alliance of American Football is a different concept. The new league – set to kick off on February 9^th – is not soft-pedaling the fact that its rosters will consist of former college heroes whose success never translated to the next level. The games are being described in advance as a “last chance” opportunity for NFL hopefuls.

But don’t expect a slow-motion slog of desperate has-beens. The AAF has given its teams a regional post-college flair with SEC, ACC and other conferences represented heavily on various rosters. Folks who spend a lot of time debating the strength of Power-5 leagues will have fun prognosticating based on a squad’s majority affiliation.

Finally, the AAF hopes to revolutionize live betting through a deal with MGM. We’d better wait and see if anyone watches first…then we’ll get to the betting.

Speaking of which, here’s AAF title futures odds and quick previews of all 8 teams.

San Antonio Commanders

San Antonio coach Mike Riley has over 2 decades of head coaching experience in the NFL, NCAA, and CFL. That’s the kind of versatility that could work wonders in a shotgun-go type of competitive situation.

The team’s tandem of running backs could light up AAF defenses. Former Minnesota Gopher standout David Cobb was a 5th Round NFL Draft pick. Daryl Richardson was the backup to Steven Jackson for the St. Louis Rams in 2012, gaining nearly 500 rushing yards.

Wide receiver Speedy Noil earned his nickname at Texas A&M and could be one of the most versatile threats in the league with his receiving and return abilities.

San Diego Fleet

Call it the Greatest Show on Surf.

Former St. Louis Rams’ skipper Mike Martz leads San Diego. The offensive guru had a career record of 56-36 in the Gateway City and earned a Super Bowl ring as OC.

The Fleet used the #1 overall pick of the AAF Draft to protect quarterback Josh Johnson, who knocked around the NFL with his most notable action coming in Tampa Bay from 2009-2011 and at the conclusion of the 2018 season with Washington.

DE Damontre Moore saw action in the NFL this season. Since being drafted in 2013, Moore has recorded 10 sacks and 77 tackles on the top level. DT Alex Barrett was 1st-Team All-Mountain West his final 2 years with San Diego State.

Memphis Express

There are a few familiar names playing for the Express, including Christian Hackenberg (another former Jet) and fellow QB Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger has not played a down in the NFL since 2015.

But the franchise is loaded with tons of SEC talent, and may have a pretty good fit in former San Francisco 49ers skipper Mike Singletary at the helm.

I’m not seeing a lot of explosive offense on the Memphis roster, but they could be one of the hardest clubs to score on.

Birmingham Iron

The SEC has a solid footing with the Iron, with dozens of former players hailing from schools like Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The key man doesn’t come from a prestigious conference, though – Luis Perez won a NCAA Division II National Championship with Texas A&M-Commerce in 2017.

Former Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims will look to challenge for a starting role or shake-up the running game. But all eyes will be on tailback Trent Richardson, the former can’t-miss NFL prospect.

Atlanta Legends

Defensive coach Kevin Coyle was set to be the Legends’ defensive coordinator, but was promoted to his first head coaching position after Brad Childress resigned. Former NFL star quarterback Michael Vick is calling plays.

Georgia’s Aaron Murray will look for a fresh start after failing to break through in the NFL. Denard Robinson is a do-it-all burner who can run, throw, and dominate in space. Stephen Hill also joins as a WR with NFL size, speed and seasoning.

Arizona Hotshots

The Hotshots drafted former Oklahoma and Texas A&M dual threat quarterback Trevor Knight in the 1st round of the QB draft. Knight was picked up by the Arizona Cardinals as an unsigned free agent in 2017, but did not gain any traction with the team.

Tough-nosed LB Scooby Wright also had a decent career at Arizona, but is looking for another chance to break through as a difference-maker.

West coast players dominate the Hotshots roster with a collection of talent from the Pac-12.

Salt Lake Stallions

2-time NCAA championship coach Dennis Erickson will lead the team from Utah. Erickson has been in the NCAA and NFL coaching ranks since the 1980s and has amassed over 200 career victories.

Erickson went with Liberty quarterback Josh Woodrum, who was cut by the Baltimore Ravens, as his #1 QB pick. B.J. Daniels, a former dual-threat quarterback at South Florida, will give Woodrum a run for his money.

Orlando Apollos

Steve Spurrier returns to the state of Florida to lead the Apollos. The “Old Ball Coach” has tallied over 200 career wins and is a former national champion with the Florida Gators.

Speedster Jalin Marshall hopes to show NFL scouts what he is made of after being waived by the Jets in 2018. The receiving corps looks deep and talented.

Meanwhile, Spurrier’s ACC-laden team is taking a big chance on Will Hill, a fierce defender who was dismissed from the NFL and Canadian Football League for character issues.

My Pick to Win the AAF

Martz’s Fleet will make hay with a high-powered aerial assault and a tough pass rush. But I’m liking Birmingham’s futures market at (+600) as a team with NFL size and strength, and potentially a refreshed and healthy star running back.