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There’s something to be said for star power. Even while the action on the football field maintains its credibility with another wild weeekend of top-to-bottom action, the addition of a name who may be bigger than the league is what has most people talking. The AAF’s sole undefeated team finally tasted their own blood, and the local Texas affiliate announced they were legitimate contenders, but the thing that measured most on the Richter scale was a player on the waiver wire.
The back-half of the AAF’s inaugural slate kicked off Saturday with a bang, the announcement that one of the most controversial flameouts of recent NFL history would be returning to the United States to play football again. Fresh off a failed stint up north in the Canadian Football League, Johnny Manziel announced he was taking his talents to the Alliance.
“We are pleased to welcome Johnny Manziel to the Alliance of American Football, which we’ve always described as a league of opportunity for talented players to launch or revitalize their pro football careers."
| https://t.co/8HklNp89Ar pic.twitter.com/oxKLxaRKvm
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 17, 2019
To many, this is exact reason why the AAF exists-to serve as a landing spot for potential football players who hit a roadblock and need another opportunity. How much the individual deserves that opportunity varies, but the Alliance certainly seemed to have no qualms about extending it to Manziel, despite the unceremonious terms of his CFL exit.
Manziel was subject to the waiver wire, after the San Antonio Commanders, who own his rights based on collegiate play, declined to add him.
An opportunity didn’t take long to present itself though, as Zach Mettenberger, QB for the woeful Memphis Express, went down with an injury in the first quarter of their Week 6 game.
The AAF QB pressure leader @KarterSchult gets the sack early!
Mettenberger leaves with left ankle injury
pic.twitter.com/LI1OdIPlgw
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) March 16, 2019
That very evening, Memphis had a deal with Manziel.
How this ends is anyone’s guess, but Memphis needs all the help it can get. Check out how all the action went down in Week 6 of the AAF.
San Antonio Commanders (4-2) 37, Atlanta Legends (2-4) 6
Make it three straight for the Commanders, who steamrolled Atlanta on their own turf Sunday afternoon. The Commanders defense intercepted QB Aaron Murray three times, including another pick six by DB Derron Smith.
. @D_SmithFS pick sick MACHINE.
#TakeCommand
pic.twitter.com/eLRvqOkkPN
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
It was all-around dominant game for San Antonio, who now own first place in the Western Conference. They even scored a punt return for a touchdown, courtesy of WR Greg Ward.
Punt return for a TD! @G_Ward1
Firing on all cylinders.
pic.twitter.com/7cXbA1lu0G
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
Next, the Commanders face Salt Lake City, and the Legends take on Orlando.
Full highlights:
Salt Lake Stallions (2-4) 22, Memphis Express (1-5) 9
The Stallions earned their second win of the season despite turning the ball over four times. They still handled Memphis with ease, as evidenced by their 19-0 2nd quarter lead. TE Nick Truesdall led the way, catching five passes for 67 yards and one touchdown.
6 foot 5 and can fly, Nick Truesdell and the @aafstallions are on the run! #MEMvsSL pic.twitter.com/5TcRQc7GjT
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 16, 2019
The Stallions defense also recorded seven sacks in the games, not allowing Memphis QB Brandon Silvers to do much in relief of Mettenberger. Two Express receivers, WRs Reece Horn and Daniel Williams accounted for 199 of the Memphis’s 242 receiving yards. It’s no surprise the Express were desperate enough to take a chance on Manziel, in hopes they’ll too, one day be able to again eat a dub.
Back on track.
@ADED_2 pic.twitter.com/Ll238WS0wd
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 17, 2019
The Stallions travel to San Antonio in Week 7, while the Express visit Birmingham.
Full highlights:
Arizona Hotshots (3-3) 22, Orlando Apollos (5-1) 17
The last remaining unbeaten team fell in Week 6, as the Orlando Apollos finally lost a game. Arizona did them in, led by a returning LB Steven Johnson and a balanced offensive attack.
The two teams traded field goals to start the game, before the Hotshots began to open things up. They scored the game’s first touchdown and then promptly intercepted Orlando QB Garrett Gilbert.
What a pick!
@SMJ2852 | #AZvsORL pic.twitter.com/fozkGS4ubX
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 17, 2019
But the Apollos would comeback, taking the lead early in the fourth quarter on a Jalin Marshall touchdown reception..
Touchdown, Orlando! @JalinMarshall and the Apollos take the lead.
#AZvsORL pic.twitter.com/HeXupIMu19
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 17, 2019
Arizona responded in kind, re-taking the lead on the next possession with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. With over five minutes remaining, it was their defense however, that allowed the Hotshots to hang on. Looking to keep their perfect record in-tact, Orlando was driving, when Gilbert was strip-sacked, with the Hotshots recovering to seal the game.
Don't mess with the Hotshots defense
#AZvsORL pic.twitter.com/E65euzIt1u
— Arizona Hotshots (@aafhotshots) March 17, 2019
Full highlights:
Birmingham Iron (4-2) 32, San Diego Fleet (3-3) 29
In the Game of the Week, Iron K Nick Novak did San Diego dirty, his NFL home for four seasons by drilling the game-winner as time expired. But it was a truly wild one to get to that point.
Also returning home was San Diego-native QB Luiz Perez, who stepped back into action in the first quarter. After the Iron’s offensive struggles to begin the season, Perez made the most of his second chance. He threw for 359 passing yards on 27 for 49 attempts, as well as three TD’s and two interceptions. Perez was slinging it, and his receivers were making plays for him.
Perez dumps it to Trent Richardson who muscles his way in for 6. Back and forth we go on @nflnetwork.@aafiron | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/FM0zYawzzO
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
.@MizzouMonstar2 darts through the D on his way to a 83 yard TD!@aafiron | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/3yUkVuU41Y
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
The Fleet were able to hit the big plays too, as WR Dontez Ford recorded 182 receiving yards on just three catches. Ford did not reach the end zone however, as he was tragically dragged down short of the goal line not once, but twice.
The Fleet respond immediately as @MikeBerco finds @D12Ford downfield, setting San Diego up right outside the end zone
@AAFFleet | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/JLku5ovtnd
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
San Diego eventually battled back, tying the game with 4:32 left in the game.
.@MikeBerco finds Francis Owusu in the corner for the TD!
Tie game, 29-29.@AAFFleet | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/qr1O7CDJPh
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
But it was too much time left for Perez and the resurgent Iron offense. Birmingham managed to drain the clock and get into field goal range, setting up Novak to bring it home. And the 37-year-old, 11-year NFL veteran delivered.
.@8nicknovak nails the 44 yd. FG to put @aafiron ahead as time expires
#BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/yne3ghZ6ab
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
Full highlights:
Gallery
Cowboys 7-round Mock Draft: March 15, 2019
Continue reading...
The back-half of the AAF’s inaugural slate kicked off Saturday with a bang, the announcement that one of the most controversial flameouts of recent NFL history would be returning to the United States to play football again. Fresh off a failed stint up north in the Canadian Football League, Johnny Manziel announced he was taking his talents to the Alliance.
“We are pleased to welcome Johnny Manziel to the Alliance of American Football, which we’ve always described as a league of opportunity for talented players to launch or revitalize their pro football careers."
— Memphis Express (@aafexpress) March 17, 2019
To many, this is exact reason why the AAF exists-to serve as a landing spot for potential football players who hit a roadblock and need another opportunity. How much the individual deserves that opportunity varies, but the Alliance certainly seemed to have no qualms about extending it to Manziel, despite the unceremonious terms of his CFL exit.
Manziel was subject to the waiver wire, after the San Antonio Commanders, who own his rights based on collegiate play, declined to add him.
An opportunity didn’t take long to present itself though, as Zach Mettenberger, QB for the woeful Memphis Express, went down with an injury in the first quarter of their Week 6 game.
The AAF QB pressure leader @KarterSchult gets the sack early!
Mettenberger leaves with left ankle injury
pic.twitter.com/LI1OdIPlgw
— PFF_AAF (@PFF_AAF) March 16, 2019
That very evening, Memphis had a deal with Manziel.
How this ends is anyone’s guess, but Memphis needs all the help it can get. Check out how all the action went down in Week 6 of the AAF.
San Antonio Commanders (4-2) 37, Atlanta Legends (2-4) 6
Make it three straight for the Commanders, who steamrolled Atlanta on their own turf Sunday afternoon. The Commanders defense intercepted QB Aaron Murray three times, including another pick six by DB Derron Smith.
. @D_SmithFS pick sick MACHINE.
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
It was all-around dominant game for San Antonio, who now own first place in the Western Conference. They even scored a punt return for a touchdown, courtesy of WR Greg Ward.
Punt return for a TD! @G_Ward1
Firing on all cylinders.
— San Antonio Commanders (@aafcommanders) March 17, 2019
Next, the Commanders face Salt Lake City, and the Legends take on Orlando.
Full highlights:
Salt Lake Stallions (2-4) 22, Memphis Express (1-5) 9
The Stallions earned their second win of the season despite turning the ball over four times. They still handled Memphis with ease, as evidenced by their 19-0 2nd quarter lead. TE Nick Truesdall led the way, catching five passes for 67 yards and one touchdown.
6 foot 5 and can fly, Nick Truesdell and the @aafstallions are on the run! #MEMvsSL pic.twitter.com/5TcRQc7GjT
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 16, 2019
The Stallions defense also recorded seven sacks in the games, not allowing Memphis QB Brandon Silvers to do much in relief of Mettenberger. Two Express receivers, WRs Reece Horn and Daniel Williams accounted for 199 of the Memphis’s 242 receiving yards. It’s no surprise the Express were desperate enough to take a chance on Manziel, in hopes they’ll too, one day be able to again eat a dub.
Back on track.
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) March 17, 2019
The Stallions travel to San Antonio in Week 7, while the Express visit Birmingham.
Full highlights:
Arizona Hotshots (3-3) 22, Orlando Apollos (5-1) 17
The last remaining unbeaten team fell in Week 6, as the Orlando Apollos finally lost a game. Arizona did them in, led by a returning LB Steven Johnson and a balanced offensive attack.
The two teams traded field goals to start the game, before the Hotshots began to open things up. They scored the game’s first touchdown and then promptly intercepted Orlando QB Garrett Gilbert.
What a pick!
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 17, 2019
But the Apollos would comeback, taking the lead early in the fourth quarter on a Jalin Marshall touchdown reception..
Touchdown, Orlando! @JalinMarshall and the Apollos take the lead.
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 17, 2019
Arizona responded in kind, re-taking the lead on the next possession with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. With over five minutes remaining, it was their defense however, that allowed the Hotshots to hang on. Looking to keep their perfect record in-tact, Orlando was driving, when Gilbert was strip-sacked, with the Hotshots recovering to seal the game.
Don't mess with the Hotshots defense
— Arizona Hotshots (@aafhotshots) March 17, 2019
Full highlights:
Birmingham Iron (4-2) 32, San Diego Fleet (3-3) 29
In the Game of the Week, Iron K Nick Novak did San Diego dirty, his NFL home for four seasons by drilling the game-winner as time expired. But it was a truly wild one to get to that point.
Also returning home was San Diego-native QB Luiz Perez, who stepped back into action in the first quarter. After the Iron’s offensive struggles to begin the season, Perez made the most of his second chance. He threw for 359 passing yards on 27 for 49 attempts, as well as three TD’s and two interceptions. Perez was slinging it, and his receivers were making plays for him.
Perez dumps it to Trent Richardson who muscles his way in for 6. Back and forth we go on @nflnetwork.@aafiron | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/FM0zYawzzO
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
.@MizzouMonstar2 darts through the D on his way to a 83 yard TD!@aafiron | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/3yUkVuU41Y
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
The Fleet were able to hit the big plays too, as WR Dontez Ford recorded 182 receiving yards on just three catches. Ford did not reach the end zone however, as he was tragically dragged down short of the goal line not once, but twice.
The Fleet respond immediately as @MikeBerco finds @D12Ford downfield, setting San Diego up right outside the end zone
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
San Diego eventually battled back, tying the game with 4:32 left in the game.
.@MikeBerco finds Francis Owusu in the corner for the TD!
Tie game, 29-29.@AAFFleet | #BIRvsSD pic.twitter.com/qr1O7CDJPh
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
But it was too much time left for Perez and the resurgent Iron offense. Birmingham managed to drain the clock and get into field goal range, setting up Novak to bring it home. And the 37-year-old, 11-year NFL veteran delivered.
.@8nicknovak nails the 44 yd. FG to put @aafiron ahead as time expires
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) March 18, 2019
Full highlights:
Gallery
Cowboys 7-round Mock Draft: March 15, 2019
Continue reading...