2019 Eastern Conference Preview

Should Still be the Iron and Guardians at the Top of the Weak East

2019 Eastern Conference Preview

February 10, 2019

Stamford, CT - As the AAF is one week away from starting their 4th season as a league, we will preview the ten teams that make up the Eastern Conference. The Guardians and the Iron are the only two returning playoffs teams as the Chicago Alphas jumped to the Western Conference as the league had a very eastern four team expansion.

The East should be pretty wide open as the conference only returns 34 wins from last season amongst it's ten teams. The Guardians and the Iron are the perceived early favorites but anything can happen in the Alliance.

New York Guardians (11-1, Eastern Conference Final)

2019 Roster: HC Herm Edwards, OC Kevin Gilbride, DC Antonio Pierce, QBs Josh Freeman and Matt McGloin, RBs Orleans Darkwa, Andre Williams and Darius Victor, WRs Hakeem Nicks, Rueben Randle, Brandon Burks, Charone Peake and Demarcus Ayers, TEs Travis Beckum and EJ Bibbs, OL Troy Kropog, Doug Legursky, Derek Dennis, Avery Young, Jarron Jones, Ian Silberman, Lemuel Jean-Pierre, Rishaw Johnson and Daryl Baldwin, DL Austen Lane, Cavon Walker, Joey Mbu, Phillip Hunt, Derek Landri and Amobi Okoye and LBs Jacquian Williams, Ben Heeney, Frank Ginda, D'Juan Hines, Prince Shembo and Josh Mauga, DBs Tommie Campbell, Ellis Lankster, Terrell Thomas, Demetrious Cox, Dravon Henry-Askew, AJ Hendy, Chris Proskinski and Brynden Trawick, C Casey Spear and P Robert Malone

2019 Outlook: The 11-win Guardians protecting itself from an injury with the addition of former Washington Valor starter Matt McGloin can't be understated but Freeman returns after an MVP season that had him passing for 3141 yards and 29 TDs. Darkwa and Williams return to make a quality backfield while Nicks and Randle return after combining for a league's best 1780 yards and 20 TDs. Depth will need to be added at WR though, as the team only currently has three WRs listed on their roster despite TEs Bibbs and Beckum both being really good. Adding Dennis, Young and Jones to the Offensive Line almost seems unfair. The defense will stay dependable under DC Pierce with DBs Campbell and Thomas forming quite the shut down combination.

Baltimore Brigade (4-8, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Brian Billick, OC Kellen Moore, DC Jerod Mayo, QBs John Wolford and Jonathon Jennings, RBs DJ Foster and Benny Cunningham, WRs Aaron Dobson, Marlon Brown, Leonte Carroo, Freddie Martino and Brittan Golden, TEs Gerald Christian and Connor Hamlett, OL Cyrus Kouandjio, Jamil Doughlas, Josh Allen, Jonotthan Harrison, Jason Fox and Nick Becton, DL Marcus Hardison, Will Sutton, Desmond Bryant, Wes Horton and Ricky Jean-Francois, LBs Adam Konar, Scooby Wright, Obum Gwacham, Akeem Dent and Adarius Glanton, DBs Nolan Carroll, Trevin Wade, Sterling Moore, Rahim Moore, Erick Dargan, Mohammad Seisay, Kendrick Lewis and Duke Williams, and K/P Taylor Symmank

2019 Outlook: Promoting the young Moore and Mayo to coordinators was the right moves for this team to make. Former BC Lions QB Jonathon Jennings should be the team's starting QB after they relegated incumbent Shane Carden to the practice squad. NFL journeymen Foster and Cunningham will have to try to replace the departed Denard Robinson and his 1094 yards and 6 TDs. Former New England Patriots WR Leonte Carroo joins as another possession receiver for a team lacking speed. Mayo has more weapons to work with than Moore does. DL Sutton and Hardison, LBs Gwacham and Scooby along with DBs Sterling and Rahim should all be starters and upgrade this defense.

Washington Valor (4-8, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Les Miles, OC Cam Cameron, DC Bo Pelini, QBs Dalton Sturm and Cardale Jones, RBs Lorenzo Taliaferro, Donnel Pumphrey and Jhurrell Pressley, WRs Keshawn Martin, Eli Rogers, Marcus Easley, Malachi Dupree, Rashod Ross and Marc Mariani, TEs Khari Lee and Larry Donnell, OL J'Marcus Webb, Logan Tuley-Tillman, De'Ondre Wesley, Malcolm Bunche, Josh Wells, Anthony Steen, Kenny Wiggins, Ulrick John, DL Tourek Williams, Kenny Bigelow, Jay Bromley, LaVar Edwards, Vance Walker and Ese Mrarube, LBs Sam Barrington, Jonathan Celestin, Audie Cole and Corey Lemonier, DBs Brice McCain, Kyle Wilson, Elijah Campbell, Matt Elam, Shamarko Thomas, Tyree Kinnell, Dwayne Gratz, Daimion Stafford and Robert Blanton, K Travis Coons and P Jeff Locke

2019 Outlook: Former Buffalo Bills QB Cardale Jones fits the kind of offense that OC Cameron is known for a lot better than the departed Matt McGloin. RBs Pumphrey and Pressley were added as scat backs to help in the passing game to go along with impressive Alliance rookie Taliaferro (1108 yards, 5 TDs). Former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Eli Rogers and former Las Vegas Conquerors Rashod Ross (701 yards, 5 TDs) will give Cardale the down field threat to complement the route running on the underneath routes of Martin (530 yards, 2 TDs). DB Campbell should help McCain and Wilson at least slow down opposing passing games this season. DL Mrarube was a breakout player last year with ten sacks, and newly signed Bigelow has the capability to give this team that off the other edge.

Memphis Express (0-12, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Greg Schiano, OC Charlie Weis, DC Mike Singletary, QBs Christian Hackenberg, Brandon Silvers and Zach Mettenberger, RBs Zac Stacy and Jeremy Langford, WRs Brandon Gibson, Jon Baldwin, Justin Hunter, Da'More'ea Stringfellow, Devin Lucien and Brice Butler, TEs Demetrius Harris, Adrien Robinson and Brandon Barnes, OL Terren Jones, Dallas Thomas, Anthony Morris, Jim Cordle, Robert Myers and Gary Williams, DL Justin Trattou, Ronald Talley, Chris Neild and Jerrell Powell, LBs Micah Awe, Sam Montgomery, Robert Francois and Dane Fletcher, DBs Eric Wright, Shaq Richardson, Mitchell White, Jonathon Cook, Charles James, Stevie Brown and Matt Daniels, K Tom Obarski and P Karl Schmitz

2019 Outlook: Mettenberger and Hackenberg return to battle newly signed QB Brandon Silvers for the starting nod despite being rated as the lowest starting QBs in 2018. Stacy (967 yards, 5 TDs) returns at RB, with new complement, former Chicago Bears Jeremy Langford along with what should be two new starters up front. Former Tennessee Titans WR Justin Hunter and former Dallas Renegades WR Brice Butler add to the productive, Gibson (670 yards, 3 TDs) and Baldwin out wide providing the weapons for whatever signal caller wins the nod. CFL signee Micah Awe will join newcomer Sam Montgomery to give some life to a defense that still looks like it's missing a pass rush presence and a corner opposite of Wright.

Birmingham Iron (9-3, Championship Game)

2019 Roster: HC Byron Leftwich, OC Mike Kafka, DC Tim Lewis, QBs Tahj Boyd, Blake Sims and Luis Perez, RBs Trent Richardson, Ladarius Perkins and Ty Isaac, WRs TJ Jones, Marcus Thigpen, Taylor Price, Ardarius Stewart and L'Damien Washington, TEs David Ausberry and Mo Alie-Cox, OL Korren Kirven, Brandon Greene, Dominick Jackson, Alex Mateas, Rich Ohrnberger, Seth Olsen, and Chris Hairston, DL Tim Jamison, Devin Taylor, Lawrence Okoye, Everette Brown, Terrence Cody and Ogemdi Nwagbuo, LBs Larry Dean, Pat Angerer, Xzavier Dickson and Orie Lemon, DBs Cassius Vaughn, Jamar Summers, Ryan White, Max Redfield, Jimmy Legree, Ross Weaver, Robert Golden and Quinton Carter, K Alex Henery and P Michael Koenen

2019 Outlook: Leftwich takes over a very talented team from Legendary Head Coach Tony Dungy who is now in Tampa. Starting QB Boyd (1803 yards, 11 TDs) and RB Richardson (1422 yards, 13 TDs) both return as starters. Out at WR, the team lost Kaelin Clay and Greg Ward but replace them with former Detroit Lions TJ Jones and former Washington Valor L'Damien Washington (663 yards, 10 TDs). Washington is an up and coming stud if he can stay healthy, he missed five games last season due to nagging injuries. The signings of DB Summers and DL Taylor gives this team a legit number one corner and pass rusher.

Orlando Predators (3-9, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Jeff Brohm, OC Brian Brohm and DC Ray Horton, QBs Christian Ponder, Austin Appleby and Garrett Gilbert, RBs Khiry Robinson, Akeem Hunt and Antonio Andrews, WRs Donte Moncrief, Jalin Marshall, Charles Johnson, Rannell Hall and Josh Boyce, TE Zach Sudfield, OL Chris Martin, Ben Garland, Tre Jackson, Ronald Patrick, Michael Harris and Bryan Witzmann, DL Paul Kruger, David Bass, Anthony Moten, Earl Okine and Bjorn Werner, LBs Andrew Gachkar, Azeem Victor, Terrence Garvin and Perry Riley, DBs Jalen Collins, Darryl Morris, Keith Reaser, LaDarius Gunter, Cody Riggs and Marcus Gilchrist, K Younghoe Koo and P Jordan Gay

2019 Outlook: Ponder returns as the starting QB after an up (2459 yards) and down (14 INTs) first year as starter. Andrews and Robinson combined for over 1300 yards and 8 TDs at RB last season but newly signed former Houston Texans' Akeem Hunt is expected to push for starter reps. HC Brohm made it a priority to sign some talented WRs after losing last year's combo, Green-Beckham to suspension and MeKale to free agency. They added former Indianopolis Colts Donte Moncrief along with former San Diego Fleet Charles Johnson and former Miami Blues Jalin Marshall. OL Martin coming out of retirement also gave the Predators a legit Left Tackle. LBs Garvin and Victor will be difference makers as will be Reaser, Riggs and Gunter adding to the secondary.

Miami Blues (3-9, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC/OC Steve Spurrier, DC Jim Bates, QBs EJ Manuel and Stephen Morris, RBs Denard Robinson and Montee Ball, WRs Leonard Hankerson, Kevin White, Malachi Jones, Juron Criner and James Quick, TEs Brandon Williams and Keith Towbridge, OL John Kling IV, Sukh Chungh, Tim Barnes, Chase Farris, Matthias Goossen and Willie Smith, DL Willie Jefferson, Alex Carrington, Tracy Sprinkle, Matt Shaughnessy and Phil Taylor, LBs Geno Hayes, Jeff Luc, Austin Spitler and Arthur Brown, DBs Brandon Ghee, Delano Howell, Anthony Walters, Ed Reynolds, Doran Grant, Damian Swann, Qumain Black and Chris Greenwood, K Giorgio Tavecchio and P Steven Clark

2019 Outlook: Former Buffalo Bills QB EJ Manuel will be taking over as the starter for an offense that hasn't had any level of success the last three seasons. This offense has been so bad, HC Spurrier has fired the offensive coordinators two consecutive off-seasons and will now be calling the plays himself. By adding former Baltimore Brigade RB Denard Robinson (1094 yards, 6 TDs) to an underachieving backfield will help with credibility. Former Chicago Bears WR Kevin White to go along with Leonard Hankerson (1314 yards, 10 TDs) and Criner will be a nightmare for opposing secondaries. Stealing OL Chungh and Goossen from the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers may have been figuratively and literally the biggest additions.

Philadelphia Soul (0-0, expansion team)

2019 Roster: HC Jim Caldwell, OC Pep Hamilton, DC Eric Mangini, QBs David Fales and Kyle Lauletta, RBs Alfred Blue, JD McKissic and Daniel Lasco, WRs Jordan Matthews, Bruce Ellington, Maurice Harris and Victor Bolden, TEs MarQueis Gray and Ben Koyack, OL Jeremy Vujnovich, Chance Warmack, Jake Brendel, Garry Gilliam and Arie Kouandjio, DL Steven Means, Geneo Grissom, Darius Philon and Rodney Gunter, LBs Reggie Gilbert, Hayes Pullard and Cameron Lynch, DBs Neiko Thorpe, Harlan Miller, Jonathan Rose and Sharrod Neasman, K Matt McCrane and P Colton Schmidt

2019 Outlook: Fales and Lauletta have been battling for the starting gig for the first year Soul. Former Philaelphia Eagles WR Jordan Mathews and former Miami Dolphins TE MarQueis Gray will serve as security blankets for the young signal callers but this team will have to rely on former Houston Texans RB Alfred Blue and this powerful Offensive Line. The defense may struggle under Mangini. This team lacks depth all over.

Tampa Bay Storm (0-0, expansion team)

2019 Roster: HC Tony Dungy, OC Terry Robiskie, DC Marquand Manuel, QB Brad Kaaya, RBs Alex Collins, Mark Walton and Tre Madden, WRs Kelvin Benjamin, Rashad Greene, Roger Lewis, DeAnthony Thomas and Amara Darboh, TEs Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Alan Cross, OL Jordan Mills, Denver Kirland, Joey Hunt, Andrew Donnal and Seantrel Henderson, DL Dion Jordan, Morgan Fox, Mike Pennel and Roy Robertson-Harris, LBs Jeremy Cash, Marquis Flowers and DJ Alexander, DBs Bene Benwikere, Craig Mager, Tyvis Powell and Jordan Richards, K Elliott Fry and P Joseph Zema

2019 Outlook: Legendary HC Dungy returns to the Alliance with Tampa and while he is known for winning with less, this team may struggle. Kaaya has a high ceiling but the team may want to sign a backup QB with this poor Offensive Line. DeAnthony Thomas will be fun to watch in the return game and expect OC Robiskie to use him all over the field. WRs Benjamin and Greene are as good of an outside combination any expansion team could hope for. Former Baltimore Ravens RB Alex Collins is expected to be the starter in the backfield. Dungy will spend the season developing the younger talent and should make a splash in free agency next offseason.

Cleveland Gladiators (0-0, expansion team)

2019 Roster: HC Marvin Lewis, OC Hue Jackson, DC Teryl Austin, QBs Luke Falk and Brock Osweiler, RBs Jeremy Hill, Paul Perkins and Orson Charles, WRs Josh Doctson, Khalil Lewis, Carlos Henderson and Duron Carter, TEs Ryan Hewitt and Neal Sterling, OL Jake Fisher, Jonathan Cooper, Matt Skura, Tyler Catalina and TJ Clemmings, DL Shilique Calhoun, Kwaku Boateng, David Irving and Robert Nkemdiche, LBs Shane Rey, Manti Teo and Jovan Santos-Know, DBs Kayvon Webster, CJ Goodwin, Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Nat Berhe, K Cairo Santos and P Cameron Nizialek

2019 Outlook: Brock Osweiler was the most coveted QB for the expansion teams and the former Denver Bronco landed with HC Marvin Lewis in Cleveland. Former Cincinnati Bengals' RB Jeremy Hill will provide the thunder to Paul Perkins lightning. Duron Carter had a breakout season in 2018 with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders so we will get to see if that level of success carries over to the Alliance. Former Washington Redskins' Josh Doctson joins him. The defense should keep the Gladiators competitive, as the Defensive Line may already be the best in the league on paper, and the same could possibly be said about the LBs room. However, just like with the other expansion teams, depth is a real issue here.