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Nicholas Ernst

2017 Preseason Recap: Season Right Around the Corner

Updated: Mar 12, 2021

Just More than a Month Away from Season #2

The Austin Generals aka Team 13 Roster is Complete

January 10, 2017

Austin, TX - With the 12 AAF teams having finished their rosters a few weeks ago, the roster of the Austin Generals is now also complete. AAF teams began practices in December, the Generals start now for preparation for the 2017 season.


The Generals roster includes QBs Mike Bercovici, Matt Simms, Dustin Vaughan, Keith Wenning and Austin Appleby, RBs B.J. Daniels, Jhurell Pressley, Brandon Burks, Rushel Shell, Trey Williams, Glen Coffee, Antone Smith, Blake Sims, and Kenny Hilliard, WRs Keyarris Garrett, Daniel Braverman, Evan Spencer, L'Damien Washington, Devin Lucien, Devin Street, Marvin Bracy, Andre Debose and K.D. Cannon, TEs Colin Jeter, Adrien Robinson, Arthur Lynch, EJ Bibbs, Nick Truesdell, and Mo Alie-Cox, DL Ian Seau, Ego Feruson and Jerel Worthy.


The Austin Generals are coached by some of the best developers of talent in the game with Marty Schottenheimer leading the way. Bart Andrus, Jerry Glanville, Terry Shea and Turk Schonert are all back to help the Generals.


Chicago Alphas Purchased by Chicago Blackhawks Owner

January 15, 2017

Chicago, IL - Vince McMahon announced that the Chicago Alphas, the newest franchise under the Alpha Entertainment LLC umbrella has been sold to Rocky Wirtz and the Wirtz Corporation LLC for $10M.


Wirtz has been the majority owner of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks since 2007 when he took over for his father, Bill Wirtz, who took over ownership in 1966. Wirtz is the President of the Wirtz Corporation and Co-chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group.


McMahon began the presser by announcing that Wirtz has had success in Chicago,

“Wirtz believes in spending money to make money. The Chicago fanbase will be very happy with how he runs the Alphas. I know it'll be very similar to how he has ran the Blackhawks.”

CFL Free Agency Begins Next Week

January 31, 2017

Toronto, ON, Canada - The Canadian Football League's free agency market opens in one week on February 6th. When asked his thoughts on whether he was worried about the AAF, the CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said,

“The Alliance League is a great minor league in America, but we don't believe they're on our level. We're an established league that has been around since 1958. We have staying power. Our players know we'll still be around next year. There is no doubt that the Alliance has spent the money on big named coaches to coach big name past their prime Quarterbacks. However, we believe we have greater talent here and we pay them as such. Our players make about $95,000 per season compared to their $75,000. Some of our fringe players may sign down there, but our top guys will stay in Canada, I believe.”

The AAF's Commissioner Oliver Luck also commented on the CFL's Free Agency,

"Our rosters are pretty complete at this point in time. We won't go out of our way to negotiate with any players from the CFL but if those players reach out to us, we will listen. They are free agents and will be treated as such."

AAF Signs Two Big Time CFL Free Agents

February 6, 2017

Stamford, CT - The Alliance don't plan on being huge players in the CFL market but they couldn't help themselves from signing two of the CFL's best free agents, OT Derek Dennis and DL Cleyon Laing along with two backup signal callers.


Laing was ranked as the 15th best CFL free agent based on his potential at only 26 years old. Laing was a dominant interior defensive lineman last season for the Ottawa Redblacks. Laing will be suiting up for the Seattle Dragons.


Dennis was ranked as the 6th overall CFL free agent coming off a season where he was named Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Dennis spent last season anchoring the league's best offensive line, while protecting the blind side of the league's MVP Bo Levi Mitchell for the 2016 CFL Champions, Calgary Stampeders. Dennis signed with the Birmingham Iron.


The Miami Blues signed the Hamilton Tiger-cats third string QB Jacory Harris to backup newly acquired Stephen Morris, while the San Antonio Commanders added Toronto Argonauts backup QB Dan LeFevour to backup starter TJ Yates. The Blues traded for Morris along with LB Eric Pinkins last month from the Chicago Alphas, as the Alphas acquired LB Russell Allen.

The Alliance League also tried to sign the 20th ranked CFL Free Agent Offensive Tackle Greg Van Roten, but he decided to sign with the NFL's Carolina Panthers instead.

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