Eastern Conference Looks Much Improved and Ready to Go
2021 Eastern Conference Preview
February 9, 2021
Stamford, CT - As the AAF is five days away from starting their 6th season as a league, we will preview the ten teams that make up the Eastern Conference. Can the Birmingham Iron finally get over the hump with QB Trevor Lawrence taking the reigns? Can the New York Guardians get back to the top with the return of QB Josh Freeman? Can the Memphis Express finally turn around the franchise behind rookie QB Trey Lance?
New York Guardians (1-4, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Tom Coughlin, OC Kevin Gilbride, DC Antonio Pierce, QBs Josh Freeman, Luis Perez and Matt McGloin, RBs Orleans Darkwa, Andre Williams and Darius Victor, WRs Rueben Randle, Brandon Burks, Bryan Burnham, 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, LS Garrison Sanborn, K Lirim Hajrullahu and P Colby Wadman
2021 Outlook: QB Freeman returns to the New York Guardians after his stint with the Minnesota Vikings and should step right back into the starting position after QBs Perez and McGloin combined to be the lowest rated passers in the league last season. HC Tom Coughlin is a legend in New York and knows how to win big games. WR Hakeem Nicks led the team with 265 yards and 4 TDs last season but retired in the offseason, so WR Randle will have to step into the number one role while WRs Burks and Peake will take bigger roles. RBs Darkwa (488 yards) and Williams return in the same capacity for the backfield.
Baltimore Brigade (1-4, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC/OC Kellen Moore, DC Jerod Mayo, QBs Brett Hundley and Jonathon Jennings, RBs CJ Anderson, DJ Foster, 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, Avery Moss, Desmond Bryant, Wes Horton and Ricky Jean-Francois, LBs Adam Konar, Scooby Wright, Obum Gwacham, Akeem Dent and Adarius Glanton, DBs Trevin Wade, Cariel Brooks, Sterling Moore, Rahim Moore, Erick Dargan, Mohammad Seisay and Kendrick Lewis, LS Andrew East, K Ramiz Ahmed and P Dom Maggio
2021 Outlook: The Baltimore Brigade may be the most improved team on paper in the league. QB Hundley should step right into the starting position after passing for 766 yards, 6 TDs and 2 INTs for the expansion Oakland Panthers last season. RB Anderson should do the same for a backfield that was desperate for production. He brings 438 yards and 3 TDs with him from the disbanded Columbus Generals. WR Richardson was a big add for this team last season (315 yards, 1 TD) while WRs Dobson, Brown and Carroo are consistent reliable threats. The defense also added DL Avery Moss from the NFL and DB Cariel Brooks from the CFL.
Washington Valor (1-4, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Greg Schiano, 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 Eric Reid, Cyrus Jones, Brice McCain, Kyle Wilson, Elijah Campbell, Matt Elam, Shamarko Thomas, Tyree Kinnell, Dwayne Gratz, Daimion Stafford and Robert Blanton, LS Nick Moore, K Justin Medlock and P Jeff Locke
2021 Outlook: Losing your Head Coach right before the season begins is never ideal but neither is this QB situation. QB Perkins has a lot of potential but he's not ready to carry the load. RBs Taliaferro (405 yards) and Allen are very talented runners but they can't do a lot when other teams just load the box. WRs Ross (300 yards, 2 TDs), Rogers (98 yards, 2 TDs) and Martin are a talented trio but you could tell they were frustrated last season. Nothing will change on that front.
Memphis Express (1-4, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Duce Staley, OC Doug Marrone, DC Mike Singletary, QBs Chad Kelly, Trey Lance and Brandon Silvers, RBs Zac Stacy, Dexter Williams and Jeremy Langford, WRs Brandon Gibson, Shaq Evans, Saeed Blacknall, Da'More'ea Stringfellow and Devin Lucien, TEs Demetrius Harris, Adrien Robinson and Brandon Barnes, OL Terren Jones, TJ Clemmings, Dallas Thomas, Anthony Morris, 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, LS Mike Windt, K Tom Obarski and P Arryn Spioss
2021 Outlook: The Memphis Express have been the laughing stock of the league the last three seasons but with the Manning Family purchasing the team, it may be time to take them seriously again. Landing North Dakota State's standout QB Trey Lance is quite the start. It convinced former Chicago Alphas' WR Shaq Evans to sign with them in free agency. WR Evans had 305 yards and 3 TDs in four games with them last season. WR Gibson and his 249 yards and 2 TDs also returns out wide. The always consistent RB Stacy is still one of the league's best. He ran for 560 yards and 3 TDs last season. The combination of new HC Staley and OC Marrone should also be an upgrade.
Birmingham Iron (4-1, Championship Game loss to Columbus Generals)
2021 Roster: HC Byron Leftwich, OC Mike Kafka, DC Tim Lewis, QBs Trevor Lawrence, Tahj Boyd and Blake Sims, RBs Trent Richardson, Ladarius Perkins and Ty Isaac, WRs TJ Jones, Ardarius Stewart, Robert Foster, 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, LS Matt Overton, K Alex Henery and P Sam Irwin-Hill
2021 Outlook: The Birmingham Iron brought back the entire roster that competed for the Championship last season and then just added the Heisman Trophy winning Clemson stud QB Trevor Lawrence to get them over the hump. QB Boyd keeps improving, he threw for 785 yards and 7 TDs to 3 INTs last season but no team in the league could pass up on QB Lawrence. RB Richardson was a man possessed last season as he rumbled for 813 yards and 10 TDs in just 5 games. WRs Washington (208 yards, 3 TDs) and Jones (181 yards, 2 TDs) will get more of an opportunity to show their ability. WR Foster was the top practice squad prospect from last season.
Orlando Apollos (4-1, Conference Championship loss to Iron)
2021 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, LS Carson Tinker, K Younghoe Koo and P Jordan Gay
2021 Outlook: The Apollos have a good one under center with QB Gilbert, who passed for 1262 yards and 12 TDs to just 1 INT. RBs Hunt (439 yards, 2 TDs) and Andrews were a little hit or miss last season. They combined to go over 200 yards in two of the games but under 100 in the other three. The Offensive Line is built to pass block and it shows. WRs Johnson (366 yards, 5 TDs) and Moncrief (335 yards, 4 TDs) shined in this wide open offense. WR Marshall is one of the better slot WRs in the league too. The defense may be the league's fastest unit and after another year of playing with each other, it should only continue to grow.
Miami Blues (4-1, Second Round loss to Blues)
2021 Roster: HC Steve Spurrier, OC Graham Harrell, DC Jim Bates, QBs EJ Manuel, Shea Patterson and Stephen Morris, RBs Denard Robinson, Byron Marshall and Montee Ball, WRs Leonard Hankerson, Malachi Jones, Juron Criner, George Campbell and James Quick, TEs Brandon Williams and Keith Towbridge, OL John Kling IV, Sukh Chungh, Tim Barnes, Chase Farris, Matthias Goossen, Darrion Weems and Willie Smith, DL Willie Jefferson, Alex Carrington, Tracy Sprinkle, Matt Shaughnessy and Phil Taylor, LBs Geno Hayes, Jeff Luc, Alec Ogletree, Eli Harold and Arthur Brown, DBs Brandon Ghee, Delano Howell, Anthony Walters, Ed Reynolds, Doran Grant, Damian Swann, Qumain Black and Chris Greenwood, LS Dan Godsil, K Giorgio Tavecchio and P Drew Kaser
2021 Outlook: QB Manuel led the league in passing in 2020 with 1327 yards and 12 TDs while not throwing any passes to the other team. HC Spurrier's Fun and Gun offense was on full display last season, and the dynamic of adding OC Harrell to the play call decision making will be interesting. Losing WR Kevin White to the St. Louis Stallions wasn't the way the offseason was drawn up, but WR Jones, Criner and Campbell have the capability to carry the load. RB Robinson started the season strong but saw his carries bottom out down the stretch. He still ran for 604 yards and 5 TDs but this team needs to stick to running the ball. WR Hankerson may be the league's most talented wideout. He had an impressive 498 yards and 6 TDs last season.
Philadelphia Soul (2-3, missed playoffs)
2021 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, LS John Wirtel, K Matt McCrane and P Colton Schmidt
2021 Outlook: QB Kessler made this team competitive last year with 932 yards and 8 TDs to 4 INTs which was helped out with the additions of RB Smallwood and WR Thomas (336 yards, 3 TDs). RB Blue was still the bell cow out of the backfield (538 yards, 4 TDs) and should be again this season. WR Matthews is a solid possession guy who rarely drops the ball. He added 208 yards and 3 TDs last season. Another one of the younger WRs will need to step up. The defense also wasn't a strength of this team. The secondary was shredded multiple times last season.
Tampa Bay Storm (4-1, Second Round loss to Predators)
2021 Roster: HC Tony Dungy, OC Terry Robiskie, DC Marquand Manuel, QBs Blake Bortles and Brad Kaaya, RBs Alex Collins, Mark Walton and Tre Madden, WRs Kelvin Benjamin, Rashad Greene, Kermit Whitfield, 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, Jon Hankins, Dylan Wynn, Morgan Fox, Mike Pennel and Roy Robertson-Harris, LBs Jeremy Cash, Casey Matthews, Kentrell Brothers, Marquis Flowers and DJ Alexander, DBs Bene Benwikere, Morris Claiborne, Kalan Reed, Chris Milton, Craig Mager, Tyvis Powell and Jordan Richards, LS Andrew DePaola, K Elliott Fry and P Joseph Zema
2021 Outlook: QB Bortles was a great addition for the Storm last season as he passed for 1019 yards, 11 TDs and 2 INTs. QB Bortles looked to have grown under the tutelage of QBs Coach Josh McCown. Year two should be even better. Having WRs like WR Benjamin (363 yards, 6 TDs) and WR Greene (244 yards, 5 TDs) doesn't hurt. Both are huge targets and give QB Bortles room for error. RB Collins (438 yards, 3 TDs) and Walton former a nice little thunder and lightning combination in the backfield. TE Seferian-Jenkins is also an explosive option for QB Bortles from the center of the field.
Atlanta Defenders (1-4, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Steve Wilks, OC Pep Hamilton, DC David Gibbs, QBs Cardale Jones and Danny Etling, RBs Corey Clement, Jordan Scarlett and Kenneth Dixon, WRs David Moore, Trevor Davis, Justin Hardy, Jalen Toliver, Quincy Enunwa and Justice Liggins, TEs Dan Arnold, Tyree Jackson and David Morgan, OL Kevin Pamphile, Parker Ehinger, Sean McEwen, Max Garcia, Caleb Benenoch and Jason Spriggs, DL Kerry Hyder, Terry Beckner, Clinton McDonald, Xavier Williams, Akeem Spence and Kareem Martin, LBs Patrick Levels, Aaron Lynch, Sam Acho, Eric Wilson, Jayrone Elliott and Anthony Chickillo, DBs Akeem King, DeAndre Baker, Ryan White, Cordrea Tankersley, Javien Elliott and Dymonte Thomas, LS Kyle Vasey, K Aldrick Rosas and P Matt Bosher
2021 Outlook: QB Jones excelled in this offense designed by OC Hamilton to the tune of 1254 yards and 13 TDs to 5 INTs. He's going to take chances down the field, that's just the type of player he is and OC Hamilton doesn't mind. WR Enunwa was a nice addition from the Oakland Panthers. WR Liggins also developed nicely down the stretch. He had 261 yards and 4 TDs over the last four games. Former Atlanta Falcons WR Hardy also had a great debut season with 334 yards and 4 TDs. RBs Clement (403 yards, 4 TDs) and Dixon are a weird fit for this team that prefers to pass and play fast but they'll have to make it work.
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