West as Loaded as Ever
2020 Western Conference Preview
February 11, 2020
Las Vegas, NV - 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 Western Conference.
Seattle Dragons (3-9, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Jim Zorn, OC Dave Ragone, DC Mike Minter, QBs BJ Daniels, Geno Smith and Keith Price, RBs Thomas Rawls, CJ Prosise, Trey Williams and Ja'Quan Gardner, WRs TJ Graham, Ricardo Lockette, Austin Proehl, Dontez Byrd, Keenan Reynolds, and Kasen Williams, TEs Cooper Helfat, Colin Jeter and Joseph Fauria, OL DeMarcus Love, Kirk Barron, Isaiah Battle, Venzell Boulware, Danny Watkins, Vadal Alexander, Joseph Barksdale and Fernando Velasco DL Clayon Laing, Andre Fluellen, Anthony Moten, Jacquies Smith, Martin Ifedi and Marcell Frazier, LBs Zac Diles, Nyles Morgan, Cameron Judge, Korey Toomer and Steven Johnson, 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
2020 Outlook: Despite being 5th in passing yards (2463 yards, 14 TDs) last year, QB Daniels will be entrenched into a competition with former New York Jet QB Geno Smith. Throwing 14 interceptions and only winning three games will lead to that in this league. RB Rawls had a solid debut season with 1048 yards and 7 TDs for Seattle and the ground game should be improved on this season with the addition of another former Seattle Seahawk CJ Prosise and OL Alexander and Barksdale. WR Graham brings 910 yards and 6 TDs back with him that will provide the winner of the QB derby with a reliable deep threat. The defense has the talent, athleticism and speed to be a great unit and new DC Mike Minter will have to get them back to flying around the field. The unit looked stagnant and hesitant last season.
San Diego Fleet (8-4, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Mike Martz, OC Jon Kitna, DC Joe Vitt, QBs Colin Kaepernick, Kevin Hogan and Dustin Vaughan, RBs Kapri Bibbs, Kalen Ballage and Bishop Sankey, WRs Braxton Miller, Tre McBride, Deon Cain, Keelan Doss and Martavis Bryant, 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, Brian Price, 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
2020 Outlook: Missing the playoffs certainly wasn't in the plans for the defending league champs last year, and the defense was the biggest reason why. But despite that, HC Martz fired OC Steve Fairchild and promoted QBs Coach Kitna to the position while keeping the defense intact. He's certainly an offensive guy, but this defense has to stop someone this year. QB Kaepernick looked more comfortable as he ranked #2 in passing yards (2987) and third in touchdowns (20). RB Bibbs returns as a 1100 yard and 11 TD rusher while the team added another pair of young legs in Ballage. WR Miller didn't seem real comfortable in his role last year but he's back, and so is Bryant. The duo combined for 1927 yards and 17 TDs. The defense did add big DL Brian Price to help with the run but the secondary remains the same.
Los Angeles Wildcats (8-4, Western Conference Final)
2020 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 and Nelson Spruce, TE Anthony McCoy, OL Thomas Welch, Nico Siragusa, Jamon Brown, Justin Britt, Mark Asper and Storm Norton, 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
2020 Outlook: The Wildcats are a confident team and that was clear in camp. QB Johnson is a veteran and knows how to lead all this young talent. Clausen sticking around to be the backup was great to see. Johnson passed for over 1700 yards and 18 TDs against only 5 INTs in his 6 starts. RB Oliver ran for 1001 yards but only 5 TDs, however, with the additions of NFL veterans Justin Britt and Jamon Brown to the OL those numbers should grow. WRs Jenkins and Daniels may be the best receiving duo in the league. Jenkins never lived up the hype in the NFL but has found his niche in the Alliance. Daniels put up 1278 yards and 10 TDs last year. He's another one of those WRs that should be playing in the NFL. The defense improved a lot in 2019. If the growth continues, this team will be dangerous.
Las Vegas Conquerors (5-7, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Rex Ryan, OC Rick Neuheisel, DC Rob Ryan, QBs Ryan Mallett, Cole McDonald and Taylor Heinicke, RBs Zach Zenner, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, WRs Corey Coleman, Brandon Coleman, Alonzo Russell, De'Mornay Pierson-El, Keith Mumphery, Jarrett Boykin and Vincent Brown, TEs Wes Saxton, Troy Fumagalli 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, Prince Shembo, 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
2020 Outlook: This team had the best offseason of any team in this league. The Conquerors went out and landed former Cleveland Browns RB Isaiah Crowell and WR Corey Coleman, the top two playmakers in Free Agency. Crowell will beat out West to be the bell cow while Corey will be a legitimate number one option out wide for QB Mallett. Mallett threw for 2328 yards and 15 TDs to 7 INTs. Those are the floor numbers for this offense in 2020. Addition of QB McDonald provides this team with a possible QB of the future. The passing defense is great under DC Ryan but this team couldn't find a consistent pass rush or rush defense.
Chicago Alphas (4-8, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Lovie Smith, OC Joker Phillips, DC Dick Jauron, QBs Aaron Murray, JT Barrett and Quinton Flowers, RBs Jacques Patrick and De'Veon Smith, WRs Marquess Wilson, Shaq Evans, Antonio Callaway and Dan Williams, TEs LaDarius Green, DeAndre Goolsby and Arthur Lynch, OL Jordan McCray, Dillon Day, Jacques McClendon, Jeremy Zuttah, Martez Ivey and Andrew Tiller, DL Deiontrez Mount, Eugene Sims, Tim Jernigan and Nikita Whitlock, LBs Lucas Wacha, Emmanuel Beal, 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
2020 Outlook: Last offseason the front office was all about adding additional weapons for QB Murray. This offseason they seemed pretty satisfied with the talent level, they just brought in some competition for Murray with Barrett. Barrett was a great college QB but he hasn't done anything at the pro level. Not sure if he will here either. RB Patrick and Smith make up a powerful duo when combined with this offensive line, one of the league's best. Patrick ran for 1261 yards and 9 TDs in 2019. Callaway was a huge addition to the offense as he put up 777 yards and 5 TDs while Evans had 695 yards and 6 scores. Wilson took a step back but make no mistake about it, both he and Dan Williams are additional playmakers if a QB can get the ball out of their hands. The defense is also very stout and packed with talent. The QB position is the key.
St. Louis Stallions (9-3, First Round)
2020 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, Kenny Bell, Kaelin Clay and Russell Shepard, TE Nick Truesdell, OL Cornelius Lucas, Jeremiah Poutasi, Ryan Cummings, Tyler Marz, Kyle Murphy, Salesi Uhatafe, Luke Joeckel and Emmett Cleary, DL Karter Schult, Darius Hamilton, Tenny Palepoi, Sealver Siliga, Chris Baker, Jarvis Jones and Ryan Davis, LBs Vic Beasley, Vontaze Burfict, Keenan Robinson and Josh Banderas, DBs Bashaud Breeman, Marcus Sherels, Cody Brown, Calvin Pryor and Keith McGill, K Kai Forbath and P Marquette King
2020 Outlook: The Stallions quietly went 9-3 last year and did it behind a very strong year from QB Lynch, who led the league in passing with 3001 yards. However, he only threw 14 TDs compared to 13 INTs and that needs to improve. RBs Jones, Michael and Asiata are a powerful trio and they ran for over 2000 yards and 12 TDs together. WRs Pryor is the tall endzone target while Clay is the speedy deep threat. The team just needs to turn some of those yards into points. The defense was solid and it got better this offseason with the additions of former Atlanta Falcons LB Vic Beasley and Cincinnati Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict. HC Fox can't let Burfict be a distraction though. Talented player but hasn't been good in the locker room. This team has had enough success that that shouldn't harm it.
Houston Roughnecks (10-2, First Round)
2020 Roster: HC Wade Phillips, OC Major Applewhite, DC Jim Jeffcoat, QBs Connor Cook and PJ Walker, RBs Karlos Williams and D'Onta Foreman, WRs Cam Phillips, Sammie Coates, Danario Alexander and Cobi Hamilton, TEs Jace Amaro and Brett Brackett, OL John Moffitt, Christo Bilukidi, Mike Gibson, Derwin Gray, Desmond Harrison, 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 Lewis Ward and P Spencer Lanning
2020 Outlook: Head Coach Mack Brown left for the college game following the departure of rookie QB Jalen Hurts to the Philadelphia Eagles so the ownership brought in a veteran coach, Wade Phillips to lead this talented team. OC Applewhite did wonders for this offense that seemed stuck in the dark ages but now he's tasked with picking a starting QB. Walker and Cook will battle for the job, with Cook the favorite. RBs Williams was a disappointment last year running for only 694 yards and 5 TDs due to injury after being such a playmaker for the San Antonio Commanders in 2018. Foreman wasn't any better. The duo just couldn't stay healthy. They'll be counted on more this season so they'll need to. WRs Phillips and Coates are both awesome and accounted for 1697 yards and 14 TDs combined. The defense will be helped out by the hiring of Phillips. He will get up their discipline.
Dallas Renegades (6-6, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Bob Stoops, OC Hal Mumme, DC Jim Tomsula, QBs Landry Jones and John Wolford, RBs Lance Dunbar and Cameron Artis-Payne, WRs Terrance Williams, Jazz Ferguson, Brice Butler, Jeff Badet and Ryan Broyles, TE MyCole Pruitt, Donald Parham, and Matt Lacosse, OL Darrel Williams, Spencer Lango, Darius James, Alex Balducci, Willie Beavers, Murphy Pace and Trey Hopkins, DL Frank Alexander, Jordan Hill, Marcus Hardison, Courtney Upshaw and Billy Winn, LBs Jerry Attaochu, Tim Williams, 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
2020 Outlook: This team was in playoff position until starting QB Landry Jones missed the last two games of the season with an injury and GM Joe Pendry will regret not finding a competent backup. Jones got injured in training camp and is expected to miss the first month of the season and Wolford isn't ready to lead this team. WRs Terrence Williams and Jazz Ferguson served as a competent pair of weapons last season but the addition of Brice Butler from the Memphis Express in Free Agency was huge. Butler will add to Williams' 828 yards and 5 TDs. RB Artis-Payne had 1056 yards and 7 TDs while Dunbar adds a receiving threat out of the backfield. The addition of OL Lango will be a welcomed physical presence upfront. The defense has some all-pro pieces but aren't consistent enough to win this team games.
San Antonio Commanders (9-3, AAF Champions)
2020 Roster: HC Kris Richard, OC Mike Riley, DC Aaron Glenn, QBs Tim Tebow and Logan Woodside, RBs David Cobb and Daryl Richardson, WRs Greg Ward, Quinton Patton, 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, Sheldon Day, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and Sione Fua, LBs Lawrence Sidbury, Colin McCarthy, Shaan Washington, and Mason Foster, 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
2020 Outlook: Absolutely no one thought this team was built to win a championship last season but they made it work. QB Tebow did enough in the air to give room for league MVP RB Kenneth Farrow to destroy teams. Farrow took his 1397 yards and 15 TDs to the NFL to go play with the Los Angeles Chargers. Cobb and Richardson are talented and will try to replace him, but that's a downgrade. WR Devier Posey demanded to be traded after serving as the #3 option on a running team last season which the team turned into LB Mason Foster. Foster and Free Agent addition DL Day will help out the defense which is already one of the league's best.
Columbus Generals (1-11, missed playoffs)
2020 Roster: HC Kliff Kingsbury, OC Graham Harrell, DC David Gibbs, QBs Tyree Jackson, Chris Streveler and Cooper Rush, RBs CJ Anderson, Charcandrick West, and Byron Marshall, WRs Jaelen Strong, Devier Posey, Devin Smith, Eugene Lewis and Josh Malone, TEs Clive Walford and Erik Swoope, OL John Wetzel, Darrion Weems, Ted Karras, Josh Garnett, Sam Young and Russell Bodine, DL Lerentee McCray, Shawn Oakman, Zach Kerr, Jonathon Hankins and Christian Ringo, LBs Eli Harold, Sean Porter, Jayrone Elliott and Marcus Smith, DBs Tyler Patmon, Mike Jordan, Lafayette Pitts, Andrew Adams and Jermaine Whitehead, K Nick Folk and P Ben Turk
2020 Outlook: Former Dallas Cowboys QB Cooper Rush is an upgrade over Jackson and Tyler Bray but he's still not the kind of QB that HC Kingsbury needs to run his offense. Backup QB and CFL Champion, Chris Streveler, may fit that role better. WR Strong had a decent year last year with 625 yards and 2 TDs but he will have a lot more help this season with the addition of former New York Jet Devin Smith and San Antonio Commanders Devier Posey. RB Anderson finished the season with 1191 yards but only 4 TDs. The offensive line is a solid group but down in the red zone every opponent knew who was getting the ball.
Oakland Panthers (0-0, expansion team)
2020 Roster: HC Hue Jackson, OL Ken Zampese, DC Teryl Austin, QBs Brett Hundley and Tyler Huntley, RBs Spencer Ware, LJ Scott and David Fluellen, WRs Quincy Enunwa, Chester Rogers, Tajae Sharpe, Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi and DeMarkus Lodge, TEs Sean Culkin and Ricky Seals-Jones, OL Jerald Hawkins, Rishaw Johnson, Sean McEwen, Jeremiah Sirles, Evan Boehm, Denzelle Good and LaAdrian Waddle, DL Josh Mauro, Bryan Cox Jr., Mike Moore, Josh Tupou and Tyeler Davison, LBs Eric Wilson, Reggie Northrup, Kentrell Brothers and Josh Martin, DBs Nevin Lawson, Chris Milton, Kenny Robinson, Eric Reid, Cyrus Jones and Kalan Reed, K Ernesto Lacayo and P Ryan Allen
2020 Outlook: Former Green Bay Packer QB Brett Hundley will get the nod on the expansion team and it'll be his first significant playing time since he was at UCLA. He hasn't gotten much playing time in his six seasons of NFL action. Much like the Atlanta Defenders, the Panthers have solid players at the skill positions but no one that is going to make defenses scared. The Offensive Line isn't great and the defense is in the same category. The depth will be an issue.
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