ALLIANCE OF AMERICA LEAGUE WEEK 2 PREVIEW
What a fun and exciting first weekend of AAF Football we had. I went 2-2 ATS for my picks with both my losses resulting in QBs either getting benched or knocked out. I’ve watched the tape and learned a few things and just like spring football, my weekly picks column is here to stay.
SATURDAY 11 AM
SALT LAKE CITY STALLIONS @ BIRMINGHAM IRON
The Salt Lake City Stallions let me down last week. The strength of the team was supposed to be the offensive line play and well they just weren’t physical enough. Which led to the injury of starting QB Josh Woodrum, who didn’t play in the 2nd half. Woodrum didn’t practice Wednesday and appears to be questionable for the game. If it’s not Woodrum, expect former Idaho QB Matt Linehan to start and the Stallions will probably lean heavy on their running attack.
The Birmingham Iron looked amazing in their first performance scoring a shutout against the Memphis Express. The offense impressed with QB Luis Perez, RB Trent Richardson and WR Quinton Patton having standout games. The real question is whether the defense was actually that good or if the Memphis Express and Christian Hackenberg were just that bad.
Prediction
Iron 23 Stallions 19
SATURDAY 5 PM
ARIZONA HOTSHOTS @ MEMPHIS EXPRESS
Judging by the first weeks performances this one probably shouldn’t be much of a game. The Hot Shots led by former Wake Forest QB John Wofford looked fantastic. Rashad Ross looked among the league’s best receivers. Salt Lake City struggled to stop the nonstop air attack of Rick Neuheisel and the Hot Shots. From their week 1 performance, this team looks to be the best in the league.
The Memphis Express well they have their work cut out for them. Mike Singletary has never been known to have high powered offenses, but getting shutout in the season opener isn’t a good look. Christian Hackenberg was reportedly benched and sent down to the third string, but then Singletary claimed yesterday that Hackenberg is going to get the start. Only time will tell, but I’ve learned long ago to fade Mike Singletary coached teams.
Prediction
Hotshots 29 Express 8
SUNDAY 1 PM
ORLANDO APOLLOS @ SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS
This is easily the game of the week. Both these teams got wins last week and both were pretty impressive. The Apollos came right out the gate with Ol’ Ball Coach Steve Spurrier and threw the ball all over the field. Former Ohio State wideout Jalin Marshall looks to be a dynamic receiver in this offense and QB Garrett Gilbert really played a great first game.
The Commanders not only had the place rocking with a sold-out crowd, they also looked good on both sides of the ball. Former Toledo QB Logan Woodside made the big plays when necessary and the Commanders’ D not only came up with a few turnovers they also supplied us with the biggest highlight of the week when they sacked Fleet QB Mike Bercovici knocking his helmet off. This one should be a good one.
Prediction
Apollos 28 Commanders 20
SUNDAY 5 PM
ATLANTA LEGENDS @ SAN DIEGO FLEET
The Legends sure had a tough first few weeks in the AAF. Not only did their head coach Brad Childress resign but their offensive coordinator Michael Vick stepped down. Kinda hard to win when those things happen before you’ve even played a game. Then they played a game on the road against the Apollos and nothing went right and here we are wondering can Matt Simms and the Legends even keep this game close?
Mike Martz and the San Diego Fleet had their chances to beat the Commanders but at the end of the day they turned the ball over too much. Martz made a late game QB switch to former East Carolina Pirate Phillip Nelson who almost brought the Fleet back. Nelson is now the man under center in the home opener and Martz has had time to make some adjustments.
Prediction
Fleet 25 Legends 14
