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The Alliance of American Football’s Week 2 came to a thrilling conclusion with the Orlando Apollos defeating the San Antonio Commanders 37-29, the highest scoring AAF game to date. The game featured plenty of standout performances, most notably from Apollos WR Charles Johnson who picked up 192 yards on 10 targets. From across the league, players like Johnson are beginning to make waves. With the AFF serving as worthy platform for players looking for a second chance and for others that never got the opportunity to play at the NFL level.
Without further ado, here are the top performances from Week 2 featuring statistics from NoExtraPoints, an excellent site spearheaded by Matt Swanson for AAF analysis and information.
DE Karter Schult
Against the Birmingham Iron, Salt Lake Stallions DE Karter Schult was the most dominant defender of Week 2. The 6-foot-3, 259 pound edge rusher stuffed the stat sheet with six tackles, three tackles for a loss and one forced fumble. But perhaps his greatest contribution to his team was his proficiency rushing the passer.
ICYMI
That’s sack number
for @KarterSchult in the first quarter. Boom. pic.twitter.com/BUggYFuO1o
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) February 16, 2019
Schult generated two sacks on four quarterback hits, that kind of disruption is a defensive coordinator’s dream. Having an effective edge presence is highly coveted in all walks of football and if Schult is able to maintain this dizzying pace than he might find himself gaining NFL attention soon. He currently leads the AAF in sacks with three.
Karter Schult was dominant on the pass-rush for Salt Lake yesterday pic.twitter.com/AtznrSydxi
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) February 17, 2019
DE Jayrone Elliott
San Antonio Commanders DE Jayrone Elliott had a four-season stint in the NFL starting with the Green Bay Packers in 2014 and ending with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. Over the course of his NFL career Elliott was unable to find much success, accumulating only eight QB hits and four sacks during his tenure. However, in the AAF he is emerging as a playmaker on the defensive line.
Against the Apollos Elliott had a game changing strip sack that resulted in a touchdown, putting his team up 29-17 in the third quarter. On the play he demonstrated good technique. Following a direct arc to QB Garrett Gilbert, Elliott utilized a rip move to break free of the left tackle leading to the sack.
Thanks to his performance Elliott was recognized as Pro Football Focus’ highest graded defensive player in their Week 2 Team of the Week.
It started with @Jay_Elliott15's sack …
And ended with @NotoriousMbu's TOUCHDOWN!
#TakeCommand
pic.twitter.com/TwlYMqYmwp
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) February 17, 2019
DBs Tyson Graham Jr. & Ed Reynolds
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
For the Atlanta Legends, Tyson Graham Jr. and Ed Reynolds have proven to be quite the playmaking duo in the defensive backfield. Graham Jr. is versatile enough to play in the slot, act as a free roaming deep safety and he can even play closer to the line of scrimmage as a box defender. In Week 2 his talents were on full display as he notched eight tackles, a QB hit and a fumble recovery.
Ed Reynolds who plays more of the deep safety role, also had plenty of production with six tackles, one sack and two pass deflections. For his efforts he was named to PFF’s Team of the Week on defense.
The Week 2 Team of the Week on defense!
For the full team
https://t.co/3HM2Mix40s
(via @PFF_Cam) pic.twitter.com/2PYdX4y9x4
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) February 18, 2019
WR Charles Johnson
Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The most explosive WR in the AAF just might be Charles Johnson. He has played in the NFL as a member of the Minnesota Vikings and his most recent action was spent on the New York Jets’ 2018 preseason squad. Despite his fascinating traits, 4.39 speed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he was never able to stick in the NFL.
Fast forward to 2019 and Johnson is making noise in the AAF, leading the league with 252 receiving yards. What is most notable is his volume and usage for the Apollo offense, on Sunday he was targeted 10 times and hauled in seven receptions, proving to be a reliable target.
7 catches for 192 yards and a TD. Nice game @MrInkredibleXII.
Now watch him on Saturday night against Memphis at 8 p.m.https://t.co/JH4TfrWftU
#TakeAim pic.twitter.com/2nbn8U4AAq
— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) February 18, 2019
In the modern football paradigm the WR position is becoming more valuable. As passing offenses become more effective, top-tier talent at the WR spot becomes more covetous. Johnson is turning heads through Week 2 in the AAF and since he is such a featured part of the Apollos’ offense his production and efficiency will continue to be watched with a close eye.
Honorable Mention: RB Akrum Wadley
Legends RB Akrum Wadley had an interesting Week 2. The former Iowa Hawkeye rushed for only 12 yards on four carries, averaging three yards per rush. With a stat line like that, it would be easy to dismiss a player like Wadley. But in truth, he is an excellent receiving threat out of the backfield.
Wadley led his team with 70 receiving yards on eight targets, always a rare feat for a RB. His biggest play, a 33-yard screen pass late in the third quarter, put his team in primed scoring position. With a successful 26-yard field goal try the Legends got a 12-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter, unfortunately it would be the last time they would score in a 24-12 loss. Nevertheless Wadley showed that his pass catching abilities can translate into some explosive plays.
.@aaflegends take a 12-9 lead set up by this screen to @akrum_wadley! #ATLvsSD pic.twitter.com/JMR2G9TBUQ
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) February 18, 2019
The AAF is providing players with a tremendous opportunity to prove themselves. Some players are taking full advantage of that, grabbing the attention of the football world. It goes to show that there is bonafide NFL caliber talent within the ranks of the AAF, and their league is all the better for it.
Gallery
66 best pics from Week 2 of the Alliance of American Football
Continue reading...
Without further ado, here are the top performances from Week 2 featuring statistics from NoExtraPoints, an excellent site spearheaded by Matt Swanson for AAF analysis and information.
DE Karter Schult
Against the Birmingham Iron, Salt Lake Stallions DE Karter Schult was the most dominant defender of Week 2. The 6-foot-3, 259 pound edge rusher stuffed the stat sheet with six tackles, three tackles for a loss and one forced fumble. But perhaps his greatest contribution to his team was his proficiency rushing the passer.
ICYMI
That’s sack number
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) February 16, 2019
Schult generated two sacks on four quarterback hits, that kind of disruption is a defensive coordinator’s dream. Having an effective edge presence is highly coveted in all walks of football and if Schult is able to maintain this dizzying pace than he might find himself gaining NFL attention soon. He currently leads the AAF in sacks with three.
Karter Schult was dominant on the pass-rush for Salt Lake yesterday pic.twitter.com/AtznrSydxi
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) February 17, 2019
DE Jayrone Elliott
San Antonio Commanders DE Jayrone Elliott had a four-season stint in the NFL starting with the Green Bay Packers in 2014 and ending with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. Over the course of his NFL career Elliott was unable to find much success, accumulating only eight QB hits and four sacks during his tenure. However, in the AAF he is emerging as a playmaker on the defensive line.
Against the Apollos Elliott had a game changing strip sack that resulted in a touchdown, putting his team up 29-17 in the third quarter. On the play he demonstrated good technique. Following a direct arc to QB Garrett Gilbert, Elliott utilized a rip move to break free of the left tackle leading to the sack.
Thanks to his performance Elliott was recognized as Pro Football Focus’ highest graded defensive player in their Week 2 Team of the Week.
It started with @Jay_Elliott15's sack …
And ended with @NotoriousMbu's TOUCHDOWN!
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) February 17, 2019
DBs Tyson Graham Jr. & Ed Reynolds
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
For the Atlanta Legends, Tyson Graham Jr. and Ed Reynolds have proven to be quite the playmaking duo in the defensive backfield. Graham Jr. is versatile enough to play in the slot, act as a free roaming deep safety and he can even play closer to the line of scrimmage as a box defender. In Week 2 his talents were on full display as he notched eight tackles, a QB hit and a fumble recovery.
Ed Reynolds who plays more of the deep safety role, also had plenty of production with six tackles, one sack and two pass deflections. For his efforts he was named to PFF’s Team of the Week on defense.
The Week 2 Team of the Week on defense!
For the full team
(via @PFF_Cam) pic.twitter.com/2PYdX4y9x4
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) February 18, 2019
WR Charles Johnson
Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The most explosive WR in the AAF just might be Charles Johnson. He has played in the NFL as a member of the Minnesota Vikings and his most recent action was spent on the New York Jets’ 2018 preseason squad. Despite his fascinating traits, 4.39 speed at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he was never able to stick in the NFL.
Fast forward to 2019 and Johnson is making noise in the AAF, leading the league with 252 receiving yards. What is most notable is his volume and usage for the Apollo offense, on Sunday he was targeted 10 times and hauled in seven receptions, proving to be a reliable target.
7 catches for 192 yards and a TD. Nice game @MrInkredibleXII.
Now watch him on Saturday night against Memphis at 8 p.m.https://t.co/JH4TfrWftU
— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) February 18, 2019
In the modern football paradigm the WR position is becoming more valuable. As passing offenses become more effective, top-tier talent at the WR spot becomes more covetous. Johnson is turning heads through Week 2 in the AAF and since he is such a featured part of the Apollos’ offense his production and efficiency will continue to be watched with a close eye.
Honorable Mention: RB Akrum Wadley
Legends RB Akrum Wadley had an interesting Week 2. The former Iowa Hawkeye rushed for only 12 yards on four carries, averaging three yards per rush. With a stat line like that, it would be easy to dismiss a player like Wadley. But in truth, he is an excellent receiving threat out of the backfield.
Wadley led his team with 70 receiving yards on eight targets, always a rare feat for a RB. His biggest play, a 33-yard screen pass late in the third quarter, put his team in primed scoring position. With a successful 26-yard field goal try the Legends got a 12-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter, unfortunately it would be the last time they would score in a 24-12 loss. Nevertheless Wadley showed that his pass catching abilities can translate into some explosive plays.
.@aaflegends take a 12-9 lead set up by this screen to @akrum_wadley! #ATLvsSD pic.twitter.com/JMR2G9TBUQ
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) February 18, 2019
The AAF is providing players with a tremendous opportunity to prove themselves. Some players are taking full advantage of that, grabbing the attention of the football world. It goes to show that there is bonafide NFL caliber talent within the ranks of the AAF, and their league is all the better for it.
Gallery
66 best pics from Week 2 of the Alliance of American Football
Continue reading...