Could Be Anyone on Top of Wide Open East
2020 Eastern Conference Preview
February 7, 2020
Stamford, CT - As the AAF is one week away from starting their 5th season as a league, we will preview the eleven teams that make up the Eastern Conference.
New York Guardians (7-5, Eastern Conference Final)
2020 Roster: HC/OC Kevin Gilbride, DC Antonio Pierce, QBs Luis Perez, Marquise Williams 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 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 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
2020 Outlook: Despite only finishing 7-5 in the regular season, this team found it's groove late and made a great playoff push before falling to the Birmingham Iron in the Eastern Conference Final. However, this team is going to have to find itself all over again as they transition to even more a running team under OC turned HC Gilbride with the departure of starting QB Josh Freeman as he heads to the NFL to backup Kirk Cousins with the Minnesota Vikings. The Guardians look to be turning to veteran journeyman Matt McGloin who struggled as the starter of the Washington Valor in 2018. RB Darkwa led the league in rushing last year with 1483 yards and 11 TDs while Williams added value as a touchdown vulture where he added 8 more scores. The duo of Nicks and Randle return out wide after combining for 1499 yards and 19 TDs and Burks will add another dimension to the passing game after missing all of last season due to injury.
Baltimore Brigade (3-9, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Brian Billick, OC Kellen Moore, DC Jerod Mayo, QBs Tom Savage and Jonathon Jennings, RBs DJ Foster, Eddie Lacy, Alfred Morris and Benny Cunningham, WRs Aaron Dobson, Marlon Brown, Paul Richardson, 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 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 and Kendrick Lewis, and K Matt Gay and P Taylor Symmank
2020 Outlook: The midseason acquisitions of QB Savage and RB Lacy made this team competitive as they finished 3-4 over their last seven games. Former Washington Redskins RB Morris and WR Richardson should provide the same type of boost to this team. Morris will likely beat out Lacy for the starting spot after Lacy showed up to camp out of shape last month despite Lacy running for 750 yards in his seven games with the team. Richardson brings a speed aspect to this offense that they've lacked. Carroo was their leading receiver last year with 668 yards and 4 TDs. They'll be a good complementary pair.
Washington Valor (10-2, First Round)
2020 Roster: HC Les Miles, OC Cam Cameron, DC Bo Pelini, QBs Bryce Perkins and Dalton Sturm, RBs Lorenzo Taliaferro, Donnel Pumphrey, Buck Allen 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
2020 Outlook: The Valor will be returning to Sturm as the starting QB after owner Ted Leonsis decided against franchising team MVP Cardale Jones who led them to a 10-2 record. Jones headed to the expansion Atlanta Defenders in Free Agency. Adding former Baltimore Raven RB Allen to Taliaferro and his 1142 yards and 12 TDs shows how this team plans to play. WRs Ross and Rogers return bringing 1697 yards and 17 TDs with them, but we will see how OC Cameron decides to use them this year as Sturm won't be able to push the ball down the field like Cardale was able to. The defense was much improved last season, and they'll have to play up to that level again this year if Valor doesn't want to take a step back.
Memphis Express (1-11, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Greg Schiano, OC Steve Logan, DC Mike Singletary, QBs Chad Kelly and Brandon Silvers, RBs Zac Stacy and Jeremy Langford, WRs Brandon Gibson, Jon Baldwin, Justin Hunter, Da'More'ea Stringfellow and Devin Lucien TEs Demetrius Harris, Adrien Robinson and Brandon Barnes, OL Terren Jones, TJ Clemmings, Dallas Thomas, Anthony Morris, Jim Cordle, Robert Myers and Gary Williams, DL Justin Trattou, Will Sutton, 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
2020 Outlook: Letting both QBs Christian Hackenberg and Zach Mettenberger walk was the right decision by the franchise. Silvers showed promise towards the end of season providing the team with their only win since the team won the 2017 AAF Championship. RB Stacy and Langford weren't this issue with this team as Stacy compiled 1228 yards and 8 TDs last season. The WR corps of Baldwin, Gibson and Hunter comprise a solid trio of WRs but Brice Butler is going to be missed. Butler led the team last year in receiving yards and touchdowns. He signed with the Dallas Renegades in Free Agency. As bad as the offense has been, the defense has been only marginally better. The defense will need to continue to gel under DC Singletary.
Birmingham Iron (10-2, Championship Game)
2020 Roster: HC Byron Leftwich, OC Mike Kafka, DC Tim Lewis, QBs Tahj Boyd and Blake Sims, RBs Trent Richardson, Ladarius Perkins and Ty Isaac, WRs TJ Jones, Ardarius Stewart, Frankie Williams and L'Damien Washington, TEs Asante Cleveland and David Ausberry, 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, Mark Barron, Pat Angerer, Xzavier Dickson and Orie Lemon, DBs Cassius Vaughn, Jamar Summers, Max Redfield, Jimmy Legree, Ross Weaver, Robert Golden and Quinton Carter, K Alex Henery and P Michael Koenen
2020 Outlook: HC Leftwich left little doubt to the franchise that they've found their man in his first season replacing Tony Dungy. The offense actually expanded a bit under him and he helped QB Boyd deliver his first 2000+ yard season as he finished in the top ten for passing yards on the season. RB Richardson continues to carry the load of the offense as he added 1396 yards and 9 TDs onto his career stats. WRs L'Damien Washington and TJ Jones bring a combined 1520 yards and 13 TDs with them. Williams was a great addition to that position. He was dynamic in the CFL last year. He should add big plays in the return game and give this team the option to throw more screen passes. The defense has been one of the league's best and should stay there.
Orlando Predators (6-6, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Jeff Brohm, OC Brian Brohm and DC Ray Horton, QBs 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, TEs Ben Koyack and 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
2020 Outlook: After an 0-6 start, HC Jeff Brohm turned from incumbent starting QB Christian Ponder to Gilbert and team rallied behind the young signal caller. Gilbert passed for over 1700 yards and 18 TDs in just six starts and also helped deliver a 6-0 finish that left the Predators right on the outside of the playoffs. Hunt, Robinson and Andrews also return as a trio that got the job done on the ground once Gilbert started opening up the running lanes. WR Moncrief had 826 yards and 10 TDs last season and Johnson added another 605 yards and 6 TDs through the air providing Gilbert with the necessary weapons. The secondary on the defense also stepped up and slowed down opposing teams, but the run defense will need to improve as teams will try to keep the ball away from Gilbert in 2020.
Miami Blues (8-4, First Round)
2020 Roster: HC/OC Steve Spurrier, DC Jim Bates, QBs EJ Manuel, Shea Patterson 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, Alec Ogletree, 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
2020 Outlook: Coach Spurrier transitioning himself to playcaller and adding QB Manuel to the team was huge for this team as Manuel finished #3 in the league passing for 2849 yards and 19 TDs with 10 INTs. The other additions of RB Robinson (927 yards, 7 TDs) and WR White (744 yards, 6 TDs) were necessary as well for this team to dig itself out of cellar. Hankerson is still there after a 1126 yard and 7 TD season. He should be playing in the fall. WRs Jones and Criner add great additional options through the air. The offensive line remained intact after a dominant year and the defense added a field general in the middle with former St. Louis Ram Alec Ogletree joining the squad.
Philadelphia Soul (0-12, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Jim Caldwell, OC Edgar Bennett, DC Kevin Coyle, QBs David Fales, Cody Kessler and Kyle Lauletta, RBs Alfred Blue, Wendell Smallwood, JD McKissic and Daniel Lasco, WRs Jordan Matthews, DeAnthony Thomas, Bruce Ellington, Maurice Harris and Victor Bolden, TEs MarQueis Gray and Ben Koyack, OL Jeremy Vujnovich, Harland Gunn, Chance Warmack, Jake Brendel, Garry Gilliam and Arie Kouandjio, DL Steven Means, Geneo Grissom, Corey Wootton, Darius Philon and Rodney Gunter, LBs Reggie Gilbert, Darron Lee, Stephone Anthony, Hayes Pullard and Cameron Lynch, DBs Neiko Thorpe, Duke Williams, Tre Boston, Harlan Miller, Jonathan Rose and Sharrod Neasman, K Matt McCrane and P Colton Schmidt
2020 Outlook: Philadelphia struggled on both sides of the ball last season as was expected and now both coordinators are gone. The expansion team didn't have the depth the rest of the teams in the league had, they upgraded that this offseason. The biggest addition was former New England Patriot and USC Trojan standout Cody Kessler, who easily won the starting gig. RB Smallwood and WR Thomas also bring different skillsets to this team. The former Philadelphia Eagle Smallwood is dynamic in the passing game as a RB while former Kansas City Chief Thomas will bring explosiveness to the return game and a speed element to the passing game for the Soul. LB additions of Darron Lee and Stephone Anthony should provide the same thing to the defense. This team now has speed all over the field.
Tampa Bay Storm (3-9, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Tony Dungy, OC Terry Robiskie, DC Marquand Manuel, QB Blake Bortles and Brad Kaaya, RBs Alex Collins, Mark Walton and Tre Madden, WRs Kelvin Benjamin, Rashad Greene, Roger Lewis and Amara Darboh, TEs Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Alan Cross, OL Jordan Mills, Denver Kirland, Joey Hunt, Kendall Lamm, Andrew Donnal and Seantrel Henderson, DL Dion Jordan, Dylan Wynn, Morgan Fox, Mike Pennel and Roy Robertson-Harris, LBs Jeremy Cash, Casey Matthews, Marquis Flowers and DJ Alexander, DBs Bene Benwikere, Morris Claiborne, Craig Mager, Tyvis Powell and Jordan Richards, K Elliott Fry and P Joseph Zema
2020 Outlook: The former Jacksonville Jaguar QB Bortles should be the new starting signal caller for Coach Dungy down in Tampa after Kaaya showed some promise last season but was a little too inconsistent to be a starter at this point. Collins and Walton complemented each other nicely in the backfield when Walton could stay healthy. Benjamin and Greene should both build on decent seasons with the addition of Bortles. Benjamin had 979 yards and 6 TDs while Greene added 596 yards and 6 TDs in 2019. Seferian-Jenkins may be the most talented TE in the league but he seemed to find himself in the dog house as the offense struggled last season. The defense was one of the league's worse last season and nothing looks to have changed on that front.
Cleveland Gladiators (7-5, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Marvin Lewis, OC Johnathon Hayes, DC Jay Hayes, QBs Luke Falk and Brock Osweiler, RBs Jeremy Hill, Paul Perkins and Orson Charles, WRs Josh Doctson, Rashard Higgins, Khalil Lewis, Carlos Henderson and Duron Carter, TEs Ryan Hewitt, Jeff Heuerman and Neal Sterling, OL Jake Fisher, Greg Robinson, Jonathan Cooper, Marcus Martin, Matt Skura and Tyler Catalina, DL Shilique Calhoun, Michael Bennett, Kwaku Boateng, David Irving and Robert Nkemdiche, LBs Shane Rey, Manti Teo and Jovan Santos-Know, DBs Kayvon Webster, CJ Goodwin, Ciante Evans, Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Nat Berhe, K Cairo Santos and P Cameron Nizialek
2020 Outlook: Easily the best of the expansion teams, the Gladiators look to build on the success of their first season. Part of that success was QB Osweiler passing for 2384 yards and 17 TDs to go along with the rushing attack of Jeremy Hill who ran for 1314 yards and 5 TDs. Adding former Cleveland Brown OL Greg Robinson was a massive addition to an already stout offensive front. He was the best OL on the market and the Gladiators made him a priority. No team outside of Birmingham and San Antonio dominate the tranches like the Gladiators and this team may have made the leap above them this offseason. This defense is one of the league's best.
Atlanta Defenders (0-0, expansion team)
2020 Roster: HC Steve Wilks, OC Pep Hamilton, DC Charlie Strong, QBs Cardale Jones and Danny Etling, RBs Corey Clement and Kenneth Dixon, WRs David Moore, Trevor Davis, Justin Hardy, Jalen Toliver and Justice Liggins, TEs Dan Arnold and David Morgan, OL Kevin Pamphile, Parker Ehinger, Max Garcia, Caleb Benenoch and Jason Spriggs, DL Kerry Hyder, Xavier Williams, Akeem Spence and Kareem Martin, LBs Aaron Lynch, Sam Acho and Anthony Chickillo, DBs Akeem King, DeAndre Baker, Ryan White, Cordrea Tankersley, Javien Elliott and Dymonte Thomas, K Aldrick Rosas and P Matt Bosher
2020 Outlook: Washington Valor owner Ted Leonsis looking to save some money was a huge bonus for this team as they swooped in and stole 2019 standout QB Jones after he led the Valor to ten wins. Jones doesn't have the weapons in the passing game with Atlanta that he had in Washington though and that will provide him with some growing pains. WR Liggins looked solid on the Atlantic City Blackjacks last season but this is another level. RBs Clement and Dixon are adequate RBs but neither are great enough to overcome this Offensive Line. The defense has some interesting pieces at all three levels but we will see how DC Strong will put it all together. Depth will be an issue.
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