Western Conference is Loaded and Ready
2021 Western Conference Preview
February 2, 2021
Las Vegas, NV - As the AAF is twelve days away from starting their 6th season as a league, we will preview the ten teams that make up the Western Conference. The 2020 league Champion, Columbus Generals disbanded and folded leaving the conference up for grabs.
Seattle Dragons (3-1, Second Round loss to Fleet)
2021 Roster: HC Jim Zorn, OC Dave Ragone, DC Mike Minter, QBs BJ Daniels, Geno Smith and Keith Price, RBs Thomas Rawls, CJ Prosise and Ja'Quan Gardner, WRs TJ Graham, Ricardo Lockette, Devier Posey, Austin Proehl, 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, and CJ Spillman, LS Joe Fortunato, K Garrett Hartley and P Hayden Hunt
2021 Outlook: QB Smith beat out QB Daniels last season and gave the Dragons exactly what they needed at the position as he passed for 687 yards and 6 TDs to 0 INTs in four games. The combination in the backfield of RBs Prosise and Rawls in deadly but they couldn't stay healthy last year and only played in two games together, and three a piece. The pair combined for 506 yards and 5 TDs. Consistent WR Graham is back after racking up 349 yards in just four games and the team added former Columbus Generals top WR Posey, who had 293 yards and 4 TDs, giving the team a dynamic duo out wide.
San Diego Fleet (3-1, Conference Championship loss to Generals)
2021 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, LS Wes Farnsworth, K Blair Walsh and P Brad Wing
2021 Outlook: The Fleet liked what they saw out of an offense ran by first year OC Jon Kitna last season when QB Kaepernick threw for 846 yards and 10 TDs versus 3 INTs in just 4 games. This team was rolling until the coronavirus shut them down and limited them in their playoff run that ended with a loss in the Western Conference Championship against the eventual league Champions. RB Bibbs once again provided chunk plays from the backfield as he ran for 434 yards but struggled to find the end zone. RB Ballage should provide a little more punch there for this team. WR Bryant (385 yards, 6 TDs) is one of the league's best at the position while WR Miller (241 yards, 2 TDs) provides defenses with headaches just by how he lines up all over the field.
Los Angeles Wildcats (3-1, First Round loss to Generals)
2021 Roster: HC Scott Milanovich, OC Tee Martin, DC Winston Moss, QBs Josh Johnson, Devlin Hodges and McLeod Bethel-Thompson, RBs Branden Oliver, Spencer Ware, DeJuan Harris and Dexter McCluster, WR DaVaris Daniels, AJ Jenkins, Dontez Byrd, Adonis Jennings and Nelson Spruce, TEs Ricky Seals-Jones and Anthony McCoy, OL Thomas Welch, Evan Boehm, LaAdrian Waddle, Nico Siragusa, Jamon Brown, Mark Asper and Storm Norton, DL Ja'Gared Davis, Shawn Oakman, Christian Ringo, Victor Ochi, Cedric Reed, Brandon Deaderick and Kwame Geathers, LBs Anthony Johnson, Marcus Smith, Taiwan Jones, Quentin Groves and Khaseem Green, DBs Antoine Cason, Shaun Prater, Aaron Grymes, Jack Tocho, Arrion Springs, Ahmad Dixon and Bradley Sylve, LS James Fisher, K Chris Blewitt and P Ryan Wilson
2021 Outlook: Veteran QB Johnson (903 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT) struggled to open the season but really turned it on right before the team got derailed by the coronavirus. The team added veteran QB Bethel-Thompson who can help develop young QB Hodges. Former Oakland Panthers RB Ware and his 462 yards and 3 TDs were added to the backfield that returns multi-year starter RB Oliver (365 yards, 3 TDs). WRs Daniels and Jenkins still form an elite combination (501 yards, 6 TDs) and added versatile TE Seals-Jones. The trenches needed a shot in the arm and got exactly that by the team taking advantage of the disbanding of the Columbus Generals by adding OL Boehm and Waddle and DL Ringo and Oakman.
Las Vegas Conquerors (5-0, Second Round loss to Generals)
2021 Roster: HC Rex Ryan, OC Rick Neuheisel, DC Rob Ryan, QBs Ryan Mallett, Cole McDonald and Taylor Heinicke, RBs Isaiah Crowell, Trey Williams and Charcandrick West, WRs Corey Coleman, Brandon Coleman, Alonzo Russell, De'Mornay Pierson-El, Keith Mumphery 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, LS Austin Cutting, K Nick Rose and P Brad Nortman
2021 Outlook: The Conquerors may have been the team done the biggest disservice by the covid shut down as they were rolling at 5-0 with regular season MVP QB Mallett (1284 yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTS) at the top of his game. However, when they returned to action they looked rusty and running into the buzz saw that was the Columbus Generals didn't help. However, RB Crowell (622 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Corey Coleman (399 yards, 8 TDs) were both new additions last year, paid huge dividends and return looking to do the same this season. RB West was added from that Generals squad to help spell Crowell.
Chicago Alphas (0-5, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Lovie Smith, OC Joker Phillips, DC Dick Jauron, QBs JT Barrett, Cooper Rush and Quinton Flowers, RBs Jacques Patrick, Elijah Hood, Roosevelt Nix and De'Veon Smith, WRs Marquess Wilson, Tajae Sharp, Fred Ross, Eugene Lewis and Antonio Callaway, TEs LaDarius Green, DeAndre Goolsby and Arthur Lynch, OL Jordan McCray, Josh Garnett, Sam Young, Dillon Day, Jacques McClendon, Jeremy Zuttah, Martez Ivey and Andrew Tiller, DL Deiontrez Mount, Eugene Sims, Tim Jernigan, Ra'Shede Hageman 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, LS Drew Scott, K Jason Myers and P Austin Rehkow
2021 Outlook: After finishing the season winless, the Alphas ended the QB Aaron Murray era and brought in former Columbus Generals QB Rush. QB Rush will battle QB Barrett in camp. RB Patrick (563 yards, 4 TDs) returns as one of the league's premier backs and now has even more help. The team added speed (Hood) and power (Nix) to the backfield. Nix with OL additions, OL Young and Garnett, will help both RB Patrick and RB Smith find room. Losing WR Shaq Evans to free agency wasn't ideal, but the group became deeper. DL Hageman was a big addition on the defensive line as well. This team is looking to control the trenches.
St. Louis Stallions (3-2, First Round loss to Fleet)
2021 Roster: HC John Fox, OC Chuck Long, DC Dennis Thurman, QBs Paxton Lynch, Josh Woodrum and Jordan Ta'amu, RBs Matt Jones, Josh Ferguson and Christine Michael, WRs Terrelle Pryor, Kenny Bell, Kaelin Clay, Kevin White and Russell Shepard, TEs Clive Walford and Nick Truesdell, OL Cornelius Lucas, Jeremiah Poutasi, Russell Bodine, 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, Jermaine Whitehead, Cody Brown, Calvin Pryor and Keith McGill, LS Zak DeOssie, K Kai Forbath and P Marquette King
2021 Outlook: QB Ta'amu played well enough at the end of season while QB Lynch was out with covid that if he struggles this season, we may have a QB controversy on our hands. The team did everything they could to not let that happen as they surrounded QB Lynch (810 yards, 5 TDs, 6 INTs) with weapons (RB Ferguson, WR White, TE Walford) and protection (Bodine). Former Miami Blues WR White was one of the bigger snags in free agency league wide as he brings his 320 yards and 3 TDs to St. Louis. RBs Jones and Michael return after combining for a league's second best (943 yards, 10 TDs) last season.
Houston Roughnecks (2-3, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Wade Phillips, OC Major Applewhite, DC Jim Jeffcoat, QBs Connor Cook and PJ Walker, RBs Karlos Williams, LJ Scott and D'Onta Foreman, WRs Cam Phillips, Sammie Coates, Damion Willis, Jaelen Strong and DeMarkus Lodge, 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, Marcell Dareus 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, LS Liam McCullogh, K Lewis Ward and P Stone Wilson
2021 Outlook: Head Coach Wade Phillips and OC Major Applewhite must've liked what they saw out of young QB Walker to not bring in any competition into camp. QB Walker exploded onto the scene the last three games (884 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs) when he took over for QB Cook. They added former Columbus Generals WR Strong (215 yards, 3 TDs) and former Oakland Panthers WR Lodge (227 yards, 2 TDs) to the already strong duo of WR Phillips(411 yards, 6 TDs) and WR Coates (245 yards, 4 TDs) which is just scary for defensive backfields. RB Williams also turned it on once QB Walker was inserted into the lineup by running for 229 yards and 2 TDs the last two weeks. RBs Williams and Foreman should find more room with the dynamic QB Walker besides them.
Dallas Renegades (2-3, missed playoffs)
2021 Roster: HC Bob Stoops, OC Hal Mumme, DC Jim Tomsula, QBs Landry Jones and John Wolford, RBs Lance Dunbar, Bo Scarborough 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, LS Jon Condo, K Chandler Catanzaro and P Jordan Berry
2021 Outlook: QB Jones played really well in his three starts last season (880 yards, 9 TDs, 2 INTs) but he missed the other games due to injury. The team made a mistake by not bringing in another Quarterback for when another injury inevitably happens. QB Wolford isn't good enough to lead this team. RBs Dunbar and Artis-Payne (673 yards, 6 TDs) complement not only each other but QB Jones perfectly in the backfield. WR Butler was a great addition last season, 366 yards and 3 TDs, as he will once again team up with WRs Williams and Ferguson.
San Antonio Commanders (3-2, First Round loss to Dragons)
2021 Roster: HC Kris Richard, OC Mike Riley, DC Aaron Glenn, QBs Tim Tebow, Marquise Williams and Logan Woodside, RBs David Cobb, Zach Line, Kenneth Farrow and Daryl Richardson, WRs Greg Ward, Quinton Patton, Devin Smith, Chester Rogers, 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, Dontari Poe 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, LS Kyle Nelson, K Nick Folk and P Matt Darr
2021 Outlook: The Commanders took a step back last year when they fell down to being just an average team but credit has to go to this staff for the transactions they made this offseason in an attempt to get back to their older ways. QB Tebow (895 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs) took care of the football but still struggled to be accurate through the air and instead of replacing the veteran leader, they went out and complemented him. 2019 MVP RB Farrow returning from his stint with the Los Angeles Chargers, and the addition of FB Line just made the league's top rushing attack even more deadly. RB Cobb and Richardson combined for 1037 yards and 14 TDs last season. The defense also got more athletic up front with the addition of former Kansas City Chiefs DL Dontari Poe.
Mexico City Vipers (0-0, expansion team)
2021 Roster: HC Marvin Lewis, OC Hue Jackson, DC Teryl Austin, QBs Luke Falk, Aaron Murray and Brock Osweiler, RBs Jeremy Hill, Paul Perkins and Orson Charles, WRs Josh Doctson, Rashard Higgins, Dan Williams, 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, Danny McCray, CJ Goodwin, Ciante Evans, Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Nat Berhe, LS Beau Brinkley, K Cairo Santos and P Cameron Nizialek
2021 Outlook: This isn't your typical expansion team. The Vipers took over the Cleveland Gladiators roster and added some depth to it. The Vipers have one of the best OLs in the league with OL Fisher, Robinson and Cooper along with one of the best and most physical defenses. The defense still needs to add depth next offseason but this team will be good enough to keep them competitive all season. QB Osweiler threw for 1199 yards, 9 TDs, and 3 INTs last season with most of that going to WRs Doctson (498 yards, 5 TDs) and Henderson (212 yards, 2 TDs) but WR Higgins, Williams and Carter are also playmakers. RB Hill finished fourth in rushing with 615 yards and 6 TDs.
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