2019 Western Conference Preview

Fleet Remain as Team to Beat in the West

2019 Western Conference Preview

February 9, 2019

Las Vegas, NV - As America enters what used to be a six month funk after the end of the NFL Season, awaiting the return of Football in September, it seems an appropriate time for those of us who call ourselves football fans to show some gratitude towards the AAF for saving us from such a long hibernation. We are only two weeks away from the return of football as the 4th season of the AAF gears up. Teams are in camp, the limited scrimmage and preseason will begin soon, and those of us who were left wanting more after the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3, can get excited about the AAF Champion San Diego Fleet with Colin Kaepernick, or the always dynamic New York Guardians with Josh Freeman, or the new combination of Head Coach Byron Leftwich and star QB Jalen Hurts in Birmingham or maybe a Cinderella story like the expansion Tampa Bay Storm with Head Coach Tony Dungy. The AAF is ready to liven up spring and engage us in another rousing season of entertaining football.

Seattle Dragons (7-5 in 2018, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Jim Zorn, OC Dave Ragone, DC Al Golden, QBs BJ Daniels and Keith Price, RBs Thomas Rawls, Phillip Tanner, Trey Williams and Ja'Quan Gardner, WRs TJ Graham, Derek Hagan, Ricardo Lockette, Austin Proehl, Dontez Byrd, Keenan Reynolds, and Kasen Williams, TEs Cooper Helfat, Colin Jeter and Joseph Fauria, OL DeMarcus Love, Dillon Day, Kirk Barron, Isaiah Battle, Venzell Boulware, Danny Watkins, Fernando Velasco, Harland Gunn and Darrion Weems, DL Corey Wootton, Clayon Laing, Andre Fluellen, Anthony Moten, Will Sutton, Jacquies Smith, Martin Ifedi and Marcell Frazier, LBs Zac Diles, Nyles Morgan, Korey Toomer, Steven Johnson and Casey Matthews, DBs Curtis Marsh, Tyson Graham, Jeremy Clark, Godwin Igwebuike, Channing Stribling, Chris Cook, CJ Spillman and Danny McCray, K Garrett Hartley and P Tom Hornsey

2019 Outlook: QB Daniels returns as starter after going 7-1 in 2018. Last year's Rookie of the Year RB Kenneth Farrow signed with the San Antonio Commanders but they replaced him with former Seattle Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls giving them a nice combination in the backfield with Phillip Tanner. The trio of WRs Graham (988 yards, 5 TDs), Lockette and Hagan all return. Newly signed OL Barron, Battle and Boulware should also battle for spots on an already solid Offensive Line. DL Smith and Frazier as additions will make a formidable four man rotation at defensive end while LBs Morgan, Toomer and Johnson make that room athletic and deep.

San Diego Fleet (11-1, AAF Champions)

2019 Roster: HC Mike Martz, OC Steve Fairchild, DC Joe Vitt, QBs Colin Kaepernick, Mike Bercovici and Dustin Vaughan, RBs Kapri Bibbs and Bishop Sankey, WRs Braxton Miller, James Wright, Tre McBride, Martavis Bryant and Kendall Wright, TEs Levine Toilolo, Marcus Baugh and Gavin Escobar, OL Breno Giacomini, Zane Beadles, Terry Poole, John Montelus, Daniel Brunskill, Josh Walker, Jeff Allen and Michael Ola, DL George Johnson, Damontre Moore, Tani Tupou, Terrence Fede and Olsen Pierre, LBs Shea McClellin, Eric Pinkins, AJ Tarpley, Spencer Paysinger and Jordan Tripp, DBs David Amerson, Ron Brooks, Greg Ducre, Geremy Davis, Leon McFadden, Dewey McDonald and Curtis Riley, K Blair Walsh and P Brad Wing

2019 Outlook: The defending champions return Colin Kaepernick at QB, who started slow but averaged 270 passing yards per game over the last eight, while also throwing for 21 TDs over that same span. RB Bibbs returns after an 1147 yard, 7 TD season that saw him finishing 4th in yards. Former Pittsburgh Steelers WR Martavis Bryant, along with former Dallas Cowboys TE Gavin Escobar was added to a receiving corps that already included Miller (969 yards, 4 TDs), Wright and Toilolo. The additions of OL Montelus and DL Moore will provide aide to the trenches, while LBs Pinkins and Tarpley help out the middle. DBs McFadden and Amerson return as one of the strongest corner combinations in the league.

Los Angeles Wildcats (6-6, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Scott Milanovich, OC Tee Martin, DC Winston Moss, QBs Jimmy Clausen and Josh Johnson, RBs Kendall Hunter, Branden Oliver, Elijah Hood, DeJuan Harris and Dexter McCluster, WR DaVaris Daniels, AJ Jenkins, Adonis Jennings, Nelson Spruce, Tre McBride and Donnie Avery, TE Anthony McCoy, OL Thomas Welch, Nico Siragusa, Mark Asper, Storm Norton, Mike Johnson and Brandon Browning, DL Ja'Gared Davis, Victor Ochi, Cedric Reed, Joe Kruger, Brandon Deaderick and Kwame Geathers, LBs Anthony Johnson, Taiwan Jones, Quentin Groves, Khaseem Green and Dontay Moch, DBs Antoine Cason, Shaun Prater, Aaron Grymes, Jack Tocho, Arrion Springs, Ahmad Dixon and Bradley Sylve, K Corey Acosta and P Justin Manton

2019 Outlook: New OC Tee Martin will have a QB battle on his hands between the incumbent Clausen (2979 yards, 18/11 TDs/INTs) and NFL journeyman Josh Johnson. Regardless of who wins the job, RBs Hunter and Oliver (1002 yards, 5 TDs) both return in the backfield as does the trio of WRs Daniels (1327 yards, 8 TDs), Jenkins (688 yards, 6 TDs) and Avery providing a plethora of receiving options. Signing OL Norton gives this team a true Left Tackle to protect a QB who has been sacked way too often. LBs Johnson and Jones tack on to possibly the most athletic LBs corps in the league.

Las Vegas Conquerors (8-4, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Rex Ryan, OC Rick Neuheisel, DC Rob Ryan, QBs Ryan Mallett and Taylor Heinicke, RBs Zach Zenner and Terrance West, WRs Brandon Coleman, Alonzo Russell, De'Mornay Pierson-El, Keith Mumphery, Jarrett Boykin and Vincent Brown, TEs Wes Saxton and Crockett Gilmore, OL Menelik Watson, Oday Aboushi, Brian Folkerts, Jake Campos, Kent Perkins, Zac Kerin, Josh LeRibeus and Vinston Painter, DL Cassius Marsh, Will Clarke, Channing Ward, Vernon Butler, Tyrunn Walker and Jared Crick, LBs Junior Galette, Dexter McCoil and Don Unamba, DBs Senquez Golson, Will Hill, Robert Nelson, Marquez White, Trovon Reed, Darius Hilary, Steven Terrell, Peyton Thompson, Demetrius McCray and Jeramy Lane, K Nick Rose and P Brad Nortman

2019 Outlook: QB Ryan Mallett returns after a season that saw him throw for the 2nd most yards, and 3rd most TDs (3090 yards, 20 TDs), but also the most interceptions with 16. Consistent in-between the tackles RB West (920 yards, 9 TDs) returns but losing WRs Rashod Ross (701 yards, 5 TDs) to the Washington Valor in free agency and WR Kenny Britt to the CFL doesn't help depth. WRs Boykin, Coleman and Brown will all have to play bigger roles in the passing game. The three additions to the Offensive Line should help cut down some of Mallett's interceptions, but even more so may be the talent added to the defense. DL Clarke will provide a much needed pass rush while LBs McCoil and Unamba are both safeties playing at outside linebacker. DBs Will Hill and Robert Nelson will start instantly at safety, so DC Rob Ryan will just be tasked to find a corner to play opposite solid Golson.

Chicago Alphas (6-6, Opening Round in East)

2019 Roster: HC Lovie Smith, OC Joker Phillips, DC Dick Jauron, QBs Aaron Murray and Quinton Flowers, RBs Jacques Patrick, Juwan Thompson, and De'Veon Smith, WRs Marquess Wilson, Shaq Evans, Jake Kumerow, Antonio Callaway and Dan Williams, TEs LaDarius Green, DeAndre Goolsby and Arthur Lynch, OL Jordan McCray, Jacques McClendon, Jeremy Zuttah, Martez Ivey and Andrew Tiller, DL Deiontrez Mount, Eugene Sims, Dan Williams and Nikita Whitlock, LBs Sean Porter, Lucas Wacha, Emmanuel Beal, Reggie Northrup, Terrance Plummer, Sio Moore and Russell Allen, DBs Sam Shields, Justin Gilbert, D'Joun Smith, Tarvarus McFadden, Robert Priester, Bryce Canady, Demontre Hurst and Chris Banjo, K Jason Myers and P Austin Rehkow

2019 Outlook: After 2017's leading rusher blew out his knee and ended his career, this offense collapsed after starting 4-0. Instead of replacing the incumbent QB Murray, the organization surrounded him with talent. Flowers will add an element to the offense as a wildcat QB and return man. Patrick and Smith will share Mathews carries which will allow Thompson to go back to playing the scat back role he thrived as in 2017. Former Cleveland Browns WR Antonio Callaway and Dan Williams add to a very talented WRs room. Evans returns after a 1045 yard and 8 TD campaign and so does Wilson who added 459 yards and 3 TDs despite missing give games due to injury. McCray, Tiller and Ivey add alot of talent to an Offensive Line room that was depleted by the end of the season. DB McFadden will be added to Shields and Gilbert giving Chicago the most talented corner department in the league.

St. Louis Stallions (9-3, Opening Round in West)

2019 Roster: HC John Fox, OC Chuck Long, DC Dennis Thurman, QBs Paxton Lynch, Josh Woodrum and Jordan Ta'amu, RBs Matt Jones, Christine Michael and Matt Asiata, WRs Terrelle Pryor, Jeff Janis, Kenny Bell, Kaelin Clay and Russell Shepard, TEs Troy Niklas and Nick Truesdell, OL Cornelius Lucas, Jeremiah Poutasi, Ryan Cummings, Salesi Uhatafe, Luke Joeckel and Emmett Cleary, DL Karl Klug, Karter Schult, Darius Hamilton, Tenny Palepoi, Sealver Siliga, Chris Baker, Jarvis Jones and Ryan Davis, LBs Mychal Kendricks, Keenan Robinson and Josh Banderas, DBs Bashaud Breeman, Marcus Sherels, Cody Brown, Calvin Pryor and Keith McGill, K Kai Forbath and P Marquette King

2019 Outlook: QB Lynch returns after leading the expansion Stallions to the playoffs and throwing for 2549 yards and 18 TDs. Former Minnesota Vikings RB Matt Asiata joins a tandem the offense leaned on in Jones and Michael (1860 yards, 19 TDs combined). The Stallions signed former Birmingham Iron #1 WR in Kaelin Clay to join Terrelle Pryor (938 yards, 7 TDs) out wide. Truesdell may be the best receiving Tight End in the league. The signings of the DL Schult, Hamilton and Siliga will help them stop the run which they had difficulty doing last season.

Houston Roughnecks (1-11, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Mack Brown, OC Major Applewhite, DC Jim Jeffcoat, QBs Connor Cook, Jalen Hurts and PJ Walker, RBs Karlos Williams, D'Onta Foreman, and Cyrus Gray, WRs Greg Little, Cam Phillips, Sammie Coates, Danario Alexander and Cobi Hamilton, TE Brett Brackett, OL Jon Scott, John Moffitt, Christo Bilukidi, Mike Gibson, Avery Gennesy, Juwann Beatty-Bushell and Travis Bond, DL Jermaine Cunningham, Kony Ealy, Gabe Wright and Fili Moala, LBs Chris Carter, DeMarquis Gates, LaTroy Lewis, Khairi Fortt and Stevenson Sylvester, DBs Chris Houston, Tevrin Brandon, Chimdi Chekwa, Marqueston Huff, Saivion Smith, Deatrick Nichols, Duke Ihenacho and Tanard Jackson, K Ty Long and P Spencer Lanning

2019 Outlook: After a one win season, teams typically clean house and start over and that's exactly what this team did. Applewhite and Jeffcoat replace OC Sparky Woods and DC Greg Robinson with new faces all over. Last month, the team signed QB Jalen Hurts who will likely start over expected starter Connor Cook. The additions of former San Antonio Commanders starter Karlos Williams (1210 yards, 7 TDs) and former Houston Texans starter D'Onta Foreman give life to a dead running game that also saw two new signings on the line. WRs Little, Hamilton and Alexander have been the starters for the last three seasons but that'll change with the additions of Phillips and Coates. Phillips and Coates will give this offense the speed out wide they haven't had. Applewhite wasn't the only coach who got new toys, Jeffcoat landed six new starters in free agency as well.

Dallas Renegades (4-8, missed playoffs)

2019 Roster: HC Bob Stoops, OC Mark Mangino, DC Jim Tomsula, QBs Landry Jones and Tom Savage, RBs Lance Dunbar, Cameron Artis-Payne and Eddie Lacey, WRs Terrance Williams, Jazz Ferguson, Arrelious Benn, Jeff Badet and Ryan Broyles, TE MyCole Pruitt, Donald Parham, and Matt Lacosse, OL Darrel Williams, Darius James, Alex Balducci, Willie Beavers, Murphy Pace, Trey Hopkins, Marcus Martin, Derek Newton and Kendall Lamm, DL Frank Alexander, Jordan Hill, Courtney Upshaw and Billy Winn, LBs Jerry Attaochu, LaRoy Reynolds, Jesse Aniebonam, Tegray Scales and Kemal Ishmael, DBs Delvin Breaux, Eddie Pleasant, Antone Exum, Treston DeCoud, D'Monte Wade and Josh Hawkins, K Chandler Catanzaro and P Jordan Berry

2019 Outlook: Expect former Oklahoma Sooners and Pittsburgh Steelers QB Landry Jones to beat out the incumbent Savage at QB while a similar scenario should happen in the backfield with newly signed former Carolina Panthers RB Cameron Artis-Payne taking Eddie Lacey's carries. Lacey only averaged 44.9 yards per game after the opener. Former Dallas Cowboys WR Terrence Williams will be asked to replace WRs Sammie Coates and Brice Butler (831 yards, 3 TDs) but it'll be a tall task. OL Balducci, Pace and Beavers will try to help keep Jones upright, a task the OL couldn't do very successfully last year for Savage. Former Sooner DL Frank Alexander should start opposite Upshaw, the LBs should be much more athletic but they'll have to find a corner that can play opposite Delvin Breaux, who ranks as the league's best.

San Antonio Commanders (10-2, Western Conference Final)

2019 Roster: HC Kris Richard, OC Gary Kubiak, DC Aaron Glenn, QBs Tim Tebow, Logan Woodside and Marquise Williams, RBs Kenneth Farrow, David Cobb and Daryl Richardson, WRs Devier Posey, Greg Ward, Earl Bennett, Tandon Doss and MeKale McKay, TEs Evan Rodriguez and Cam Clear, OL Will Yeatman, Cyril Richardson, Mason Gentry, Mo Porter, Garrett Reynolds, Samson Satele, Rob Sims and SirVincent Rogers, DL Da'Quan Bowers, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and Sione Fua, LBs Lawrence Sidbury, Colin McCarthy, Shaan Washington, and Jayrone Elliott and DBs Javier Arenas, Orion Stewart, Kurtis Drummond, Zach Sanchez, Ras-I Dowling, Bacarri Rambo, Jaiquawn Jarret and Derron Smith, K Kyle Brindza and P Spencer Roth

2019 Outlook: Head Coach Kris Richard takes over for Mike Shanahan but this team is built differently from last year. QB Tebow (1915 yards, 12 TDs) returns behind the league's best Offensive Line that just added All-CFL SirVincent Rogers to help pave the way for newly signed Kenneth Farrow who had 1222 yards and 7 TDs last year for the Seattle Dragons. Cobb and Richardson return to complement Farrow. However, GM Daryl Johnston went out and signed former Birmingham Iron's Greg Ward (744 yards, 6 TDs) and Orlando Predators' MeKale McKay (914 yards, 6 TDs) to join Devier Posey (941 yards, 6 TDs) at WR while letting three starters off of the league's best defense sign elsewhere.

Columbus Generals (0-0, expansion team)

2019 Roster: HC Kliff Kingsbury, OC Graham Harrell, DC David Gibbs, QBs Tyree Jackson and Tyler Bray, RBs CJ Anderson, Charcandrick West, and Byron Marshall, WRs Jaelen Strong, Quinton Patton, Quan Bray, Josh Malone, and DeAndre Smelter, TEs Clive Walford and Erik Swoope, OL John Wetzel, Ted Karras, Josh Garnett, Sam Young and Russell Bodine, DL Lerentee McCray, Shawn Oakman, Zach Kerr and Christian Ringo, LBs Eli Harold, Mason Foster and Marcus Smith, DBs Tyler Patmon, Mike Jordan, Lafayette Pitts, Andrew Adams and Jermaine Whitehead, K Nick Folk and P Ben Turk

2019 Outlook: QBs Jackson and Bray have battled for the starting gig in camp, but regardless of who starts, this team will likely lean on former Denver Broncos CJ Anderson and former Kansas City Chiefs RB Charcandrick West and this stout Offensive Line. Jaelen Strong is a solid number one WR and there are a few names on defense for them to build around such as LBs Harold and Foster but make no mistake about it, HC Kingsbury and OC Harrell are going to want to throw the ball around the park so expect this team to chase down the best QB they can find next summer in free agency.