Arizona Hotshots at Salt Lake Stallions: AAF Game Preview, Live Stream
Feb 22, 2019
Arizona Hotshots quarterback John Wolford (7) carries the ball in the second half of an AAF football game against the Memphis Express Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Three undefeated teams remain in the Alliance of American Football. The Arizona Hotshots will look to continue their winning run in the inaugural AAF season when they visit the Salt Lake Stallions on Saturday.
After their 2-0 start, the Hotshots are the only unbeaten team remaining in the Western Conference. As for the Stallions, they are 0-2—one of three teams looking for their first win this young season.
It's the second time the two teams have played, as the Hotshots routed the Stallions 38-22 in Week 1.
How to Watch the Arizona Hotshots-Salt Lake Stallions Game
B/R Live provides free live coverage of Saturday's Arizona Hotshots-Salt Lake Stallions game from Rice-Eccles Stadium. Fans can watch the action live here. The game starts at 3 p.m. ET.
Here's the full B/R Live live-stream schedule for AAF games (all times ET):
Arizona Hotshots at Salt Lake Stallions | 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 | Watch Orlando Apollos at Salt Lake Stallions | 4 p.m. Saturday, March 2 | Watch Orlando Apollos at Birmingham Iron | 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9 | Watch Memphis Express at Salt Lake Stallions | 4 p.m. Saturday, March 16 | Watch Orlando Apollos at Atlanta Legends | 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23 | Watch Orlando Apollos at Memphis Express | 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30 | Watch Memphis Express at San Antonio Commanders | 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6 | Watch San Antonio Commanders at Salt Lake Stallions | 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13 | Watch
The Hotshots are one of three teams still undefeated, along with the Orlando Apollos and the Birmingham Iron in the Eastern Conference.
“We’re in great shape. The way we practiced in training camp, it’s like a cakewalk for us running to the ball," @RAHIMMOORESR1 on the #AZHotshots defense.
Through two games, Arizona QB John Wolford is third in the league with 469 passing yards, though he leads the AAF with six touchdown passes.
A pair of Hotshot running backs are also at the 100-yard mark, with Jhurell Pressley (121 yards) and Justin Stockton (100 yards) both reaching the century total.
As for the Stallions, three quarterbacks have completed at least seven passes. Austin Allen leads Salt Lake with 114 yards, with Josh Woodrum right behind with 103 yards. Matt Leinart is 7-for-13 for 56 yards. Joel Bouagnon is fifth in the league with his 109 rushing yards, ahead of fellow Stallion Branden Oliver (99 yards).
In the first meeting, Arizona outscored Salt Lake 16-0 in the third quarter to pull away for a 38-22 win. Wolford delivered with 275 passing yards, with Rashad Ross recording 103 receiving yards.
Arizona followed up the Week 1 win by defeating the Memphis Express on the road, 20-18. The Hotshots trailed 12-0 at the half. Meanwhile, Sale Lake lost at the Birmingham Iron, 12-9.
Alliance of American Football 2019 Week 3 Schedule, Live Stream and Odds
Feb 22, 2019
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 17: Garrett Gilbert #3 of the Orlando Apollos looks to pass the ball in an Alliance of American Football game against the the San Antonio Commanders at the Alamodome on February 17, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/AAF/Getty Images)
The AAF will have its hands full in that endeavor considering the the NCAA's biggest basketball tournament—March Madness—is on the horizon.
Week 3 will start off on Saturday, with the undefeated Arizona Hotshots facing the Salt Lake Stallions, who have lost both of their games.
Another 2-0 squad, the Orlando Apollos, will complete the evening against the 0-2 Memphis Express.
Week 3's games will close out with the Birmingham Iron facing off against the Atlanta Legends, followed by the two 1-1 teams, San Antonio Commanders and San Diego Fleet, each going for a respectable 2-1 record.
Week 3 Schedule
All Times ET.
Saturday, February 23
Arizona (-4.5) at Salt Lake (3 p.m. ET, LT on B/R LIVE)
Memphis at Orlando (-15.5) (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network, Fubo TV)
Sunday, February 24
Birmingham (-6.5) at Atlanta (4 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports app)
San Antonio at San Diego (-2.5) (8 p.m. ET, LT on NFL Network, Fubo TV)
Through two games, they are firing on all cylinders and are ranked No. 1 in points per game in the AAF with 38.5.
Gilbert has been targeting Charles Johnson (11 catches for 252 yards and a touchdown) and Jalin Marshall (six catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns) with aplomb, and he will continue to roll in Week 3 against Mike Singletary's Memphis Express.
"Garrett threw the ball beautifully, and our receivers caught everything," Spurrier told CBS Sports after Week 2's matchup.
Look for Orlando's receiving corps to catch everything again against Memphis.
Birmingham-Atlanta Should Be the Game of the Week
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 16: Trent Richardson #33 of the Birmingham Iron is brought down by Chris Odom #93 of Salt Lake Stallions during an Alliance of American Football game at Legion Field on February 16, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Tod
While it may be a while before the AFF reveals some parity among its teams, fans will have to settle for powerhouse teams versus the also-rans.
In this case, that means the 0-2 Legends, who play host to the Iron in Atlanta on Sunday.
While Legends quarterback Matt Simms has underwhelmed under center, with only 286 passing yards and one touchdown to three interceptions, look for him to have a breakout game against the Iron.
Simms has an impressive pedigree (his father is New York Giants icon Phil Simms) and has eyes on righting the ship after the turnover on the coaching staff, with former head coach Brad Childress resigning before the season started.
"He's played OK in the first two games but not to the level that I know he can," Legends head coach Kevin Coyle told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Parker Johnson. "His game last week was better than the first week. This week, I think he'll take another step forward from where he was last week."
If Atlanta wants to get its first win, it will have to find a way to overcome Birmingham's impressive pass defense.
The Iron also boast Luis Perez (436 passing yards) at QB and Trent Richardson, who leads the league with three rushing touchdowns, in the backfield.
The former No. 3 overall pick of the Cleveland Browns is looking to get back to the NFL, so expect him to put on a show.
"Ya'll keep watching," Richardson told ESPN's Tony Grossi. "We're going to do great things in this Alliance league. And hopefully one day I'll get that phone call, and hopefully I'll be jumping in that Dawg Pound one day."
This game won't be a shootout, but it will be wildly competitive.
Report: AAF Needed $250 Million Emergency Investment to Be Able to Make Payroll
Feb 19, 2019
Orlando Apollos quarterback Garrett Gilbert, left, is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass from receiver Jalin Marshall for a 5-yard touchdown during the first half of an Alliance of American Ffootball game against the Atlanta Legends on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
The Alliance of American Football has achieved early success during its inaugural season, but it reportedly was on the verge of collapsing recently because of financial troubles.
Fortunately for the AAF, Carolina Hurricanes majority owner Tom Dundon stepped up to save the day in the form of a $250 million investment, per The Athletic'sDavid Glenn on Monday.
"Without a new, nine-figure investor, nobody is sure what would have happened," a source told Glenn. "You can always tell people their checks are going to be a little late, but how many are going to show up on the weekend for games when they don't see anything hit their bank accounts on Friday?"
Dundon is expected to be announced as the league's new chairman on Tuesday.
The AAF features eight teams, with each roster consisting of 52 players. AAF co-founder Bill Polian revealed to Darren Rovell, then of ESPN, in July 2018 that players would receive three-year, non-guaranteed contracts worth $250,000. The deals were said to include health insurance and an education stipend for any player who registers one year of service time.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Trent Richardson, College Football Hall of Famer Steve Spurrier and Super Bowl champion Mike Martz are among those participating in the AAF's first season.
With fans around the country intrigued by the new football league, the AAF scored bigger ratings than a star-studded Houston Rockets-Oklahoma City Thunder clash in the NBA during its first week of action, perRovell.
Even with that early splash, though, the AAF found itself in an unexpected bind.
"The hope and belief now is that years from now, (the AAF) can look back and consider these some scary growing pains, because this league clearly has a chance to become incredibly successful," one source told Glenn. "The opening weekend provided a lot of excitement and hope, even beyond the TV numbers. Obviously, though, the original plan did not include a financial crisis in Week 2."
The AAF plays a 10-week schedule along with a two-round postseason.
Alliance of American Football 2019 Results: Week 2 Scores from Sunday
Feb 17, 2019
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 17: Garrett Gilbert #3 of the Orlando Apollos looks to pass the ball during the first half against the the San Antonio Commanders in an Alliance of American Football game at the Alamodome on February 17, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Edward A. Ornelas/AAF/Getty Images)
The Orlando Apollos stayed undefeated, while the San Diego Fleet earned their first win of the year to wrap up Week 2 of the Alliance of American Football season.
After Saturday's two games were decided by just five combined points, the four teams playing Sunday provided some more excellent play with both winners coming from behind in the fourth quarter.
Feb. 17 Results
Orlando Apollos (2-0) def. San Antonio Commanders (1-1), 37-29
San Diego Fleet (1-1) def. Atlanta Legends (0-2), 24-12
Orlando Apollos 37, San Antonio Commanders 29
Orlando trailed for most of the game but escaped with a win after overcoming a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Apollos quarterback Garrett Gilbert was impressive throughout the day, consistently finding his receivers on deep bombs:
Gilbert finished with 393 passing yards, 192 of them going to Johnson. The quarterback then tied the game in the fourth quarter with another touchdown throw to Jalin Marshall.
However, it was the defense that won the game for Orlando.
With the game tied and the clock ticking down, Keith Reaser picked off the ball and returned it for a touchdown to give the road team a lead:
The Apollos then made a goal-line stand on the next drive to maintain the lead and eventually seal the win.
San Antonio had played well with Logan Woodside running the offense, while Kenneth Farrow led the team with 74 rushing yards.
This was enough to lead after each of the first three quarters.
Still, Orlando continued to fly down the field with long completions, and it was enough for the visitors to come away with a win in one of the most exciting games of the AAF season.
"Garret threw the ball beautifully, our receivers caught everything and our defense came alive in the second half," head coach Steve Spurrier told CBS Sports after the game. "It was a good win for us."
The Apollos will try to keep it going in Week 3 at home against the Memphis Express. The Commanders will go on the road to face the San Diego Fleet.
San Diego Fleet 24, Atlanta Legends 12
The Fleet relied on the run game Sunday as Ja'Quan Gardner carried the team to a win with 104 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
His first score came in the fourth quarter, giving San Diego the lead on a fourth-down play:
San Diego finally broke the stalemate when Gardner scored the first touchdown in team history with an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter.
The home team was down 12-9 at the time but was aggressive when it mattered, and it led to the team's first win of the year.
Atlanta will hope for more luck next week against the Birmingham Iron, while the Fleet will face San Antonio.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics courtesy of the league's official site.
Video: Philip Nelson Chucks the Ball over His Head for Amazing Completion in AAF
Feb 17, 2019
The Alliance of American Football is doing its best to emulate the NFL, and it seems Philip Nelson is trying to follow Patrick Mahomes with his no-look passes. Of course, this one wasn't quite as smooth.
The San Diego Fleet quarterback found an unorthodox way to complete a pass during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Legends, chucking the ball over his hand while under pressure:
He somehow found a receiver to turn a possible sack into a completion.
While AAF coaches might get an opportunity to be more creative than their NFL counterparts, you can be sure head coach Mike Martz wasn't a fan of that one.
Still, it looks the same in the box score for Nelson.
Alliance of American Football 2019 Results: Week 2 Scores from Saturday
Feb 16, 2019
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 16: Justin Stockton #30 of the Arizona Hotshots carries the ball during the second quarter of the Alliance of American Football game against the Memphis Express at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on February 16, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Images)
The Alliance of American Football kicked off Week 2 action Saturday with the Birmingham Iron and Arizona Hotshots staying undefeated with wins over the Salt Lake Stallions and Memphis Express, respectively.
Birmingham and Arizona both bounced back from two-score deficits. The Iron were down 9-0 before scoring 12 unanswered points, and the Hotshots were down 12-0 and 18-6 before their 20-18 victory.
Here's a look at the Week 2 results, recaps and highlights.
Week 2 Results—Feb. 16
Birmingham Iron (2-0) 12, Salt Lake Stallions (0-2) 9
Birmingham running back Trent Richardson scored the game-winning touchdown with 4:40 remaining as the Iron erased a 9-0 deficit to defeat Salt Lake 12-9 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama:
Salt Lake kicker Taylor Bertolet missed three field goals, including a 48-yarder with 1:03 left. His make was from 53 yards, while his other attempts were from 50 and 55 yards.
Also, Birmingham cornerback Jamar Summers stripped Salt Lake's De'Mornay Pierson-El on a punt return, leading to a touchdown from Shaheed Salmon after a recovered fumble in the end zone.
He also stopped a fake punt and a two-point conversion attempt.
Schult was a big reason the Birmingham offense, which gained just 216 yards, sputtered for most of the game.
Richardson did finish with 91 yards from scrimmage, while quarterback Luis Perez completed 24 of 38 passes for 184 yards.
The Stallions were without Week 1 starting quarterback Josh Woodrum, who sat with a hamstring injury. Austin Allen filled in and finished 15-of-31 for 114 yards.
The Salt Lake rushing attack carried the Stallion offense, with Joel Bouagnon and Branden Oliver combining for 129 rushing yards on 24 carries. Bouagnon scored Salt Lake's touchdown on a three-yard run with 1:56 left in the second quarter:
Salt Lake will host Arizona on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. The two teams played in Week 1, with Arizona winning 38-22 at home.
Birmingham will visit the Atlanta Legends on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Arizona Hotshots 20, Memphis Express 18
Hotshots running back Tim Cook scored a touchdown off a four-yard pass from John Wolford with 7:07 remaining as Arizona beat Memphis 20-18 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee:
Per CBS Sports, the Hotshots were 11.5-point favorites heading into their matchup with the Express, who lost to Birmingham 26-0 in their Week 1 matchup. BetDSI has also listed Arizona as the 5-2 favorite to win the championship.
However, Memphis dominated for much of the game thanks to some crucial turnovers and a bruising ground game led by running back Zac Stacy.
First, this Josh Huff fumble set up a Josh Jasper field goal:
Express quarterback Christian Hackenberg, who gave the Hotshots problems with his running abilities, capped the drive with a four-yard rush to put his team up 18-6:
Wolford rushed the ball in for the two-point conversion. After Memphis failed to score on its next drive, Arizona marched for the winning score. Memphis had the ball in its own territory with a minute remaining but did not cross midfield.
Wolford finished 20-of-29 for 194 passing yards, two touchdowns and two picks. The Hotshots rushed for 209 yards as a team.
Stacy finished with 101 rushing yards and became the first AAF player to cross the century mark in that category.
Both teams will play on Saturday. Arizona will travel to Salt Lake, and the Express will visit the Orlando Apollos.
What's Next
The only matchup between two teams that won their Week 1 games takes place on Sunday at 4 p.m. when Orlando visits the San Antonio Commanders.
The 8 p.m. nightcap features Atlanta at the San Diego Fleet. Both teams lost in their AAF debuts.
The Colleges with with the Most Players in the AAF
Feb 15, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 10: Demetrius Rhaney #65 of Memphis Express prepares to snap the ball during an Alliance of American Football game against the Birmingham Iron at Legion Field on February 10, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/AAF/Getty Images)
The Alliance of American Football kicked off its inaugural season last weekend and plenty of familiar names took the field. Trent Richardson, who put up a record-setting season for Alabama in 2011, was one of many former college stars who shined opening week, scoring two touchdowns in the Birmingham Iron’s victory.
Eight teams make up the league, each with a 52-man roster. That makes for 416 players in the AAF. Of those 416 players, 385 hailed from Division I college football programs, a whopping 92.5 percent of players rostered on all AAF rosters.
So which programs are most represented in the AAF?
The eight teams took a bulk of their players from in-state schools. The Salt Lake Stallions, for example, are loaded with former players from the state of Utah, with 17 hailing from Utah, Utah State and BYU alone. The Utes are tied among the most players represented in the AAF with 10.
It’s probably no surprise that Alabama is tied with Utah for the most players rostered in the AAF this season. The 10 former Crimson Tide footballers are on the Birmingham Iron roster, joining four Auburn alum.
Here are the DI programs most represented on AAF rosters.
9 — LSU: Ron Brooks, CB, San Diego; Greg Gilmore, DT, Memphis; Josh Jasper, P, Memphis; Anthony Johnson, LB, Memphis; Terrance Magee, RB, Memphis; Zach Mettenberger, QB, Memphis; Sam Montgomery, DL, Memphis; Toby Weathersby, OT, Memphis; Brad Wing, P, Memphis.
9 — San Diego State: Alex Barrett, DE, San Diego; Daniel Brunskill, OT, San Diego; Donny Hageman, P, San Diego; Darrell Greene, OG, San Diego; Gavin Escobar, TE, San Diego; Kameron Kelly, WR, San Diego; Jeff Overbaugh, LS, Atlanta; Eric Pinkins, LB, San Diego; Terry Poole, OT, San Diego.
8 — Texas A&M: Taylor Bertolet, K, Salt Lake; Cam Clear, TE, San Antonio; Avery Gennesy, OT, Atlanta; Trevor Knight, QB, Arizona; Patrick Lewis, C, Arizona; Damontre Moore, DE, San Diego; Shaan Washington, LB, San Antonio; Trey Williams, RB, San Antonio.
7 — Arizona State: Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona; Mike Bercovici, QB, San Diego; Marcus Hardison, DT, Arizona; Devin Lucian, WR, Memphis; Robert Nelson, DB, Arizona; Rashad Ross, WR, Arizona; Will Sutton III, DT, Arizona.
7 — Florida (all players on Orlando Apollos): Austin Appleby, QB; Josh Evans, S; Drew Ferris, LS; Will Hill III, S; Earl Okine, DE; Leon Orr, DT; Chris Thompson, WR.
7 — Florida State: Ryan Green, RB, Orlando; Ro’Derrick Hoskins, LB, Atlanta; Tre Jackson, OG, Orlando; Giorgio Newberry, DE, Orlando; Reggie Northrup II, LB, Orlando; Terrence Parks, LB, Orlando; Marquez White, CB, Orlando.
7 — Notre Dame: Scott Daly, LS, San Antonio; Tarean Folston, RB, Atlanta; Greer Martini, LB, Salt Lake; John Montelus, OG, San Diego; Nyles Morgan, Arizona; Cody Riggs, CB, Orlando; Ben Turk, P, Orlando.
4 — Auburn, Baylor, Cincinnati, Colorado Houston, Louisville, Maryland, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, San Jose State, South Carolina, Syracuse.
Thirteen programs, most notably Georgia and Miami (FL), are represented by three players, while 39 programs have two players rostered this season. Some other names you may remember roaming AAF football fields are: Nick Folk (K, Arizona, Arizona), Christian Hackenberg (QB, Penn State, Memphis), Aaron Murray (QB, Georgia, Atlanta), Nick Novak (K, Maryland, Birmingham), Branden Oliver (RB, Buffalo, Salt Lake), Denard Robinson (RB, Michigan, Atlanta), Zac Stacey (RB, Vanderbilt, Memphis) and Greg Ward Jr. (WR, Houston, San Antonio).
What about outside of DI football? There are 21 former DII football players on AAF rosters. The Atlanta Legends found some local talent, rostering five former DII stars the most of any AAF team. Two of those players hail from 2018 DII football national champions, Valdosta State. The Blazers are the only DII program with more than one player in the AAF.
Two DIII football schools are represented in the AAF. That would be North Carolina Wesleyan and Heidelberg. Southeastern (FL) of the NAIA has two players on the Orlando Apollo roster, while three junior colleges—Garden City CC, Globe JC and Grand Rapids JC—are also represented around the league. Two players didn’t go to college at all and then there is Darius Prince. Prince went to Penn State Beaver of the USCAA. Prince, who is now on the San Antonio Commanders, didn’t play a single down of college football but was a basketball player instead. His first taste of football stardom was in the Arena Football League where he earned Arena Bowl XXX MVP honors.
Alliance of American Football 2019 Week 2 Schedule, Live Stream and Odds
Feb 15, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 10: Luis Perez #12 of Birmingham Iron looks to pass during an Alliance of American Football game against the Memphis Express at Legion Field on February 10, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Images)
The second week of competition in the Alliance of American Football will try to bank off the excitement Week 1's games generated.
The AAF filled the football void that usually lasts from February to August, but now the league has to prove it can produce some quality and exciting highlights for the duration of the regular season.
Orlando, Birmingham, Arizona and San Antonio enter Week 2 at 1-0 and two of the undefeated teams are set to square off in the marquee contest of the weekend.
The Week 2 slate begins with a clash between one of Week 1's top performers against a struggling defense and it ends with a meeting of teams in search of their first victory.
Week 2 Schedule
All Times ET.
Saturday, February 16
Salt Lake at Birmingham (-7) (2 p.m. ET, TNT, Fubo TV)
Arizona (-11.5) at Memphis (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network, Fubo TV)
Sunday, February 17
Orlando (-6) at San Antonio (4 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network, CBS Sports app)
Atlanta at San Diego (-9.5) (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network, Fubo TV)
Birmingham Iron quarterback Luis Perez was one of the top individual winners in Week 1, as he threw for 252 yards in his team's 26-0 win over the Memphis Express.
Perez, who was on the Los Angeles Rams' preseason roster, could be one of the few players from the Alliance of American Football to work his way on to an NFL squad by the time the season ends.
While Perez's success is a surprise to some, he has plenty of experience in pressure-packed situations, as he won the NCAA Division II championship with Texas A&M-Commerce in 2017.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - FEBRUARY 10: Luis Perez #12 of Birmingham Iron looks to pass during an Alliance of American Football game against the Memphis Express at Legion Field on February 10, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Joe Robbins/AAF/Getty Image
Perez's success at Division II, which culminated with winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, put him on NFL radars and made him a viable option at quarterback in the AAF.
Of course, Perez needs to replicate his Week 1 showing in order to gain more attention from NFL front offices.
In Week 2, Perez and the Iron face the Salt Lake Stallions, who conceded 38 points in their Week 1 defeat at the hands of the Arizona Hotshots.
Based off what we saw out of both teams in the first week of action, Perez is in line for another successful performance to push the Iron to 2-0.
In fact, Perez could achieve more success in Week 3 against Atlanta before Birmingham hits the difficult part of its schedule, with San Antonio and Orlando awaiting in Weeks 4 and 5.
Orlando-San Antonio Should Be Best Game of the Week
Speaking of Orlando and San Antonio, they oppose each other in Week 2's marquee clash at the Alamodome.
Steve Spurrier's Apollos moved to the top of the Eastern Conference with a commanding 40-6 win over Atlanta, while Mike Riley's Commanders used defense to pull out a 15-6 Week 1 victory.
The clash of Orlando's high-powered offense and San Antonio's stingy defense should be a battle to watch over all four quarters.
In Week 1, the Apollos had eight different players catch a pass, including quarterback Garrett Gilbert, and if they're able to spread the ball out once again, they'll stretch San Antonio's defense thin.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Garrett Gilbert #3 of Orlando Apollos attempts a pass during the Alliance of American Football game against the Atlanta Legends at Spectrum Stadium on February 09, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/AAF/Getty
Gilbert is the one who controls the show for Orlando, as he completed 15 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1.
San Antonio presents the perfect test for Gilbert and Co. since its secondary was one of its top positional units in Week 1.
Orion Stewart and De'Vante Bausby both recorded interceptions, while Derron Smith was one of the team's leaders in tackles with three.
The Commanders also put together a strong pass rush, with linebacker Shaan Washington leading the charge with two sacks.
If San Antonio is successful in its quest to silence Orlando's offense, it'll allow Logan Woodside to lead the offense down the field to open up a multiple-possession advantage.
While Perez basked in the AAF spotlight in Week 1, Woodside also thrived in the pocket, as he tossed for 255 yards and a pair of scores.
Report: Colin Kaepernick Wanted at Least $20 Million to Play in AAF
Feb 14, 2019
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
The Alliance of American Football reached out to Colin Kaepernick about the quarterback suiting up for one of its teams, but the former San Francisco 49ers starwas seeking a salary of at least $20 million to play in the developmental league, according to the Associated Press' Barry Wilner.
Wilner notes that the AAF also gauged Tim Tebow's interest. However, the former Denver Broncos quarterback opted to continue pursuing his MLB dreams with the New York Mets organization.
A second-round pick in 2011, Kaepernick quickly rose to stardom in the NFL. After being used sparingly as a rookie, he filled in for starter Alex Smith (who suffered a concussion in Week 10) in 2012 and subsequently led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.
From that moment forward, Kaepernick was the face of the franchise for the next few years.
Kaepernick led San Francisco to the playoffs once again in 2013, losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. After that strong start to his career, he would bag a six-year, $126-million extensionduring the 2014 offseason.
Unfortunately for him, his NFL career soon unraveled.
By the middle of the 2015 season, Kaepernick was benched in favor of former Jacksonville Jaguars bust Blaine Gabbert. However, he was ultimately able to work his way back onto the field, albeit with a transformed Niners team.
Kaepernick completed just 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2016. He added 468 yards and two scores on the ground but recorded nine fumbles in 12 games.
While Kaepernick was hardly the only one responsible for his 1-10 record that season, he wound up being the scapegoat. That was the same season in which he started the protest against racial injustice and police violence by taking a knee during the national anthem.
Kaepernickopted outof the final year of his contract following the 2016 season and has not been on an NFL roster since then.
Having Kaepernick in uniform certainly would have brought the AAF plenty of attention. However, a $20 million salary may have been more than the startup league could afford.
AAF co-founder Bill Polian revealed toDarren Rovell, then of ESPN, in July 2018 that players would receive three-year, non-guaranteed contracts worth $250,000. The pacts include health insurance and an education stipend for any player who registers one year of service time.
Colin Kaepernick, Tim Tebow Declined AAF Offers After League Reached Out
Feb 14, 2019
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 03: NFL player Colin Kaepernick speaks onstage during VH1's 3rd Annual 'Dear Mama: A Love Letter To Moms' - Inside Show at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on May 3, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Executives of the Alliance of American Football reportedly reached out to two high-profile quarterbacks to gauge their interest in playing in the league.
League co-founder Bill Polian told Lindsay Jones of The Athletic that CEO Charlie Ebersol contacted Colin Kaepernick to see if he was interested. "I don't know what transpired, but he's obviously not playing," Polian said of Kaepernick.
Barry Wilner of the Associated Press reported Kaepernick wanted at least $20 million to suit up for the new league.
Polian also said he talked with Tim Tebow, although the former Denver Broncos signal-caller declined his offer to play in the league.
Tebow won two national titles and a Heisman Trophy at Florida and played 35 games with 16 starts between the Broncos and New York Jets. However, he completed just 47.9 percent of his passes and hasn't played a regular-season game since 2012.
He is now focused on a baseball career and in spring training with New York Mets.
As for Kaepernick, he most recently played in 2016 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers. While he has a Super Bowl appearance on his resume and threw for 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in his last season, no team has signed him since he opted out of his deal with the NFC West club.
Kaepernick famously protested racial injustice and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem of San Francisco's 2016 games and filed a collusion grievance against the league's owners in October 2017.
It makes sense from the AAF's perspective to reach out to both, as they bring NFL experience and would be a significant draw for ticket sales and television ratings.Charean Williamsof Pro Football Talk noted Kaepernick, 31, still hopes to play at the NFL level.
