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[W:549] Nfl 2018

Is anybody here planning to follow the new second division league, the AAF (Alliance of American Football)?

I watched the inaugural game Atlanta at Orlando, and I'm glad that before the opening weekend I had selected Orlando to root for, given that they seem to be a good and entertaining team that demolished Atlanta 40-6. They had some interesting play action in offense, and some deep passes caught by receivers (and their quarterback, former Carolina Panther Gilbert, even scored a TD by receiving the ball in the end zone. The initial power rankings based on training camps have them as second best in the league with Arizona being the predicted best, but Salt Lake City in some rankings is the second best ahead of them. Anyway, the Orlando Apollos should be top 3 at least and make the 4-team playoffs in April so my selection of a team to root for is likely to pay off.

Sure, it isn't the NFL level of quality, but it doesn't pretend to be. It is just a way for us hardcore football fans, to endure a bit better the long NFL/College off-season.

Most of the AAF players have played in the NFL in the last two years. If you extend this to the last five years, it's almost all of them, and the remainder have at least had relatively impressive college careers. So, the league will actually have some quality.

The games are broadcast on CBS and CBS Sports Network, or online on the league's mobile app which will carry all games. Two games will be on TNT, and two on the NFL network.

I thought that the game I watched was entertaining enough, and beats not having any live football game to watch.

There are some rule changes. No PAT, every TD needs a 2-point conversion attempt. No kick-offs, the ball always starts at the 25-yard line. No onside kicks; they are substituted by a 1-and-12 attempt from the team's own 28-yard line. Blitzing with more than 5 players is a defensive penalty (15 yards). Coaches don't earn a third challenge if they succeed with the first two. The play clock is 35 seconds. There are 60% fewer commercials and no TV timeouts, they want the games to end within 2 and a half hours. OT is done with each team necessarily having one possession from the opponent's 10-yard line, no FGs allowed; if the game is still tied after each team has had one possession, it's a tie. A ninth judge operating from a high view in the cabins can take away or award penalties missed by the field crew.

The league started with 8 teams. I hope it succeeds and grows, adding more franchises, so that we have live football almost year-round.

Opinions?
 
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Teams, Cities, Stadiums, and coaches for the AAF league:

[h=2]Teams[/h][TABLE="class: plainrowheaders wikitable"]
[TR]
[TH="bgcolor: #EAECF0, align: center"]Team[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #EAECF0, align: center"]City[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #EAECF0, align: center"]Stadium[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #EAECF0, align: center"]Capacity[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #EAECF0, align: center"]First season[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #EAECF0, align: center"]Head coach[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 8, align: center"]Eastern Conference[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Atlanta Legends[/TD]
[TD]Atlanta, Georgia[/TD]
[TD]Georgia State Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]24,333[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]2019[/TD]
[TD]Kevin Coyle[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Birmingham Iron[/TD]
[TD]Birmingham, Alabama[/TD]
[TD]Legion Field[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]71,594[/TD]
[TD]Tim Lewis[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Memphis Express[/TD]
[TD]Memphis, Tennessee[/TD]
[TD]Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]58,325[/TD]
[TD]Mike Singletary[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Orlando Apollos[/TD]
[TD]Orlando, Florida[/TD]
[TD]Spectrum Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]44,206[/TD]
[TD]Steve Spurrier[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 8, align: center"]Western Conference[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Arizona Hotshots[/TD]
[TD]Tempe, Arizona[/TD]
[TD]Sun Devil Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]57,078[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]2019[/TD]
[TD]Rick Neuheisel[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Salt Lake Stallions[/TD]
[TD]Salt Lake City, Utah[/TD]
[TD]Rice–Eccles Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]45,807[/TD]
[TD]Dennis Erickson[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]San Antonio Commanders[/TD]
[TD]San Antonio, Texas[/TD]
[TD]Alamodome[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]64,000
Dagger-14-plain.png
[/TD]
[TD]Mike Riley[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]San Diego Fleet[/TD]
[TD]San Diego, California[/TD]
[TD]SDCCU Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]70,561[/TD]
[TD]Mike Martz

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
In 2020 another league will restart, the XFL, which failed in its first attempt in 2001 due to poor on-field quality; they'll try again, trying to increase the quality. They will have 8 teams too.

What I don't understand, is why these two efforts don't merge into a 16-team league.
 
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This XFL restart will have the following teams:

[h=2]Teams[/h][TABLE="class: navbox plainrowheaders wikitable, width: 1293"]
[TR]
[TH="align: center"]Club[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]City[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]Stadium[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]Capacity[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]First season[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]Head coach[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dallas[/TD]
[TD]Arlington, Texas[/TD]
[TD]Globe Life Park in Arlington[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]25,000[/TD]
[TD]2020[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Bob Stoops[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Houston[/TD]
[TD]Houston, Texas[/TD]
[TD]TDECU Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]40,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD]Carson, California[/TD]
[TD]Dignity Health Sports Park[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]27,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]New York[/TD]
[TD]East Rutherford, New Jersey[/TD]
[TD]MetLife Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]82,500[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]St. Louis[/TD]
[TD]St. Louis, Missouri[/TD]
[TD]The Dome at America's Center[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]66,965[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Seattle[/TD]
[TD]Seattle, Washington[/TD]
[TD]CenturyLink Field[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]69,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tampa Bay[/TD]
[TD]Tampa, Florida[/TD]
[TD]Raymond James Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]65,618[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Washington, D.C.[/TD]
[TD]Washington, D.C.[/TD]
[TD]Audi Field[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Unlike the AAF that mostly focused on markets that do not have an NFL team, these teams are in NFL markets except for St. Louis. I don't know if they will succeed. I think the AAF has better chances.
 
Both these leagues will supposedly pay their players between 75,000 and 300,000 per year (apparently, this is more than the Canadian league). Head coaches, up to 500,000 per year. Bonuses will be paid to each player for each win, to keep teams competitive.
 
OK, I got the stat; it's not almost all AAF players have been members of an NFL roster; it's 81%. Still pretty decent.

Many teams have heavy presence of former college players from a single team.

It's been said that the biggest correlations are:

Arizona Hotshots = UCLA
Atlanta Legends = Georgia Tech
Birmingham Iron = Auburn
Memphis Express = LSU
Orlando Apollos = Florida Gators (heavily)
San Diego Fleet = San Diego State
Salt Lake Stallions = Utah Utes (heavily)
San Antonio Commanders = Houston Cougars, TCU Horned Frogs, and other Big 12 players

So, if you guys want to pick teams and are fans of these college teams, you might consider the above.
 
GreatNews2night said:
This XFL restart will have the following teams:

[h=2]Teams[/h][TABLE="class: navbox plainrowheaders wikitable, width: 1293"]
[TR]
[TH="align: center"]Club[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]City[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]Stadium[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]Capacity[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]First season[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]Head coach[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Dallas[/TD]
[TD]Arlington, Texas[/TD]
[TD]Globe Life Park in Arlington[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]25,000[/TD]
[TD]2020[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Bob Stoops[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Houston[/TD]
[TD]Houston, Texas[/TD]
[TD]TDECU Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]40,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD]Carson, California[/TD]
[TD]Dignity Health Sports Park[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]27,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]New York[/TD]
[TD]East Rutherford, New Jersey[/TD]
[TD]MetLife Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]82,500[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]St. Louis[/TD]
[TD]St. Louis, Missouri[/TD]
[TD]The Dome at America's Center[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]66,965[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Seattle[/TD]
[TD]Seattle, Washington[/TD]
[TD]CenturyLink Field[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]69,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Tampa Bay[/TD]
[TD]Tampa, Florida[/TD]
[TD]Raymond James Stadium[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]65,618[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Washington, D.C.[/TD]
[TD]Washington, D.C.[/TD]
[TD]Audi Field[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]20,000[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]TBD[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Unlike the AAF that mostly focused on markets that do not have an NFL team, these teams are in NFL markets except for St. Louis. I don't know if they will succeed. I think the AAF has better chances.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It makes more sense to have teams in non NFL cities. The AAF model more sense.
 
I'm watching the Memphis vs. Birmingham AAF game right now. The level of play isn't too bad.

2 thoughts though.

1) The Refs uniforms stink.

2) with no kick-offs, no onside kicks, and no Point after TD's kicks. They've pretty much taken the 'foot' out of football.

But it's not bad though. I this game anyway there's lots of passing and lots of action.
 
SenorXm/Sirius said:
I'm watching the Memphis vs. Birmingham AAF game right now. The level of play isn't too bad.

2 thoughts though.

1) The Refs uniforms stink.

2) with no kick-offs, no onside kicks, and no Point after TD's kicks. They've pretty much taken the 'foot' out of football.

But it's not bad though. I this game anyway there's lots of passing and lots of action.
Click to expand...

I can see this thing working. NBA is boring and most Americans could not care less about Hockey.
 
calamity said:
I can see this thing working. NBA is boring and most Americans could not care less about Hockey.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the NBA is shooting itself in the foot right now. Kind of reminds me of what baseball has done to itself over the past 20 years or so. And hockey will never be a top 3 sport in the US.

I was pleasantly surprised with the AAF.. Once baseball starts I'll watch/listen that a head of AAF.. Once springs is sprung I won't be sitting in the house watching football.
 
Kareem Hunt signed with the Browns.

Dumb move by the Chiefs. Should have just suspended him and let the legal process unfold.
 
Bucky said:
Kareem Hunt signed with the Browns.

Dumb move by the Chiefs. Should have just suspended him and let the legal process unfold.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Apparently that woman he lightly hit with his foot called him the N word repeatedly, over and over, and kept coming back after he made several attempts to defuse the situation. Hunt is likely to be less guilty than he appeared in that video, and the Chiefs should have waited for the resolution of the legal process. Nothing wrong with keeping him suspended indefinitely until it concluded; then, if he got exonerated, they should have let him remain a Chief.
 
Bucky said:
Kareem Hunt signed with the Browns.

Dumb move by the Chiefs. Should have just suspended him and let the legal process unfold.
Click to expand...

Browns could use the help
 
Bucky said:
Kareem Hunt signed with the Browns.

Dumb move by the Chiefs. Should have just suspended him and let the legal process unfold.
Click to expand...

I am not sure it was a dumb move, if you are going to have to keep explaining to your fans why you keep a woman beater on your team. They did the honorable thing, which is something more teams should be doing, like not blackballing someone for speaking him mind. Because what Kaepernick did was nothing compared to what Hunt did. Except Hunt comes back, Kaep is still blackballed by the NFL owners.

Also, there is still running game depth there and maybe they will sign a big free agent for the running game. But let us be honest, with the throwing game of the boy wonder, isn't it going to be a throw heavy team anyway?
 
Word is the Denver Broncos picked up Joe Flacco from the Ravens. I can't happen until March. But supposedly it's all been worked out and he'll be going to the Broncos

I think it's a huge mistake by the Ravens. But we'll see
 
SenorXm/Sirius said:
Word is the Denver Broncos picked up Joe Flacco from the Ravens. I can't happen until March. But supposedly it's all been worked out and he'll be going to the Broncos

I think it's a huge mistake by the Ravens. But we'll see
Click to expand...

I think it’s a huge mistake by the Broncos. Flacco is done, and getting a mid-round draft pick in exchange for him is beyond a steal, IMO.
 
The Man said:
I think it’s a huge mistake by the Broncos. Flacco is done, and getting a mid-round draft pick in exchange for him is beyond a steal, IMO.
Click to expand...

He's better than Case Keenum.

And I think the Ravens are absolutely insane putting all their eggs in the Lamar Jackson basket. Sounds a bit like Harbaugh's trying to prove a point..

But hey, I'm Steelers fan so the more the Ravens screw, the happier I am.
 
SenorXm/Sirius said:
He's better than Case Keenum.

And I think the Ravens are absolutely insane putting all their eggs in the Lamar Jackson basket. Sounds a bit like Harbaugh's trying to prove a point..

But hey, I'm Steelers fan so the more the Ravens screw, the happier I am.
Click to expand...

I’m not saying Lamar Jackson is the answer for the Ravens, he probably isn’t. But we KNOW that Flacco is not the answer for the Ravens. If Jackson doesn’t work out, the answer is to get a new QB and try again, not revert back to what they know no longer works, Flacco.
 
The Man said:
I’m not saying Lamar Jackson is the answer for the Ravens, he probably isn’t. But we KNOW that Flacco is not the answer for the Ravens. If Jackson doesn’t work out, the answer is to get a new QB and try again, not revert back to what they know no longer works, Flacco.
Click to expand...

I didn't say the Ravens should 'revert' back to Flacco. I am only pointing out Flacco is a better option for the Broncos than Keesum is and the Harbaugh's nuts, IMO, to think Jackson is the future.

If I were the Ravens I'd be all in the QB market this off-season.
 
SenorXm/Sirius said:
I didn't say the Ravens should 'revert' back to Flacco. I am only pointing out Flacco is a better option for the Broncos than Keesum is and the Harbaugh's nuts, IMO, to think Jackson is the future.

If I were the Ravens I'd be all in the QB market this off-season.
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t be surprised if Baltimore takes a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round as insurance. It’s not a very ripe QB draft this year though.

It was a good move for the Ravens to unload Flacco now and get something in return for him, IMO. They no longer had a use for him.
 
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The Man said:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Baltimore takes a QB in the 2nd or 3rd round as insurance. It’s not a very ripe QB draft this year though.

It was a good move for the Ravens to unload Flacco now and get something in return for him, IMO. They no longer had a use for him.
Click to expand...

I wonder if Denver has to eat his contract. Last I looked Flacco was a serviceable QB, but one who is way overpaid.
 
calamity said:
You probably thought Hulk Hogan kicked serious ass too, when he “dominated” the WWF.
Click to expand...

You have no room to speak about Tom Brady. You did say he was going to be on a rapid decline after he won the Super Bowl against the Falcons. That was two years ago.

You almost sound as ridiculous as this guy:

7/26/2016:

Max Kellerman: "Tom Brady is just about done and will be a bum in short order."

 
Kyler Murray will make a great franchise QB for the Cardinals!

Would love to see the Cardinals trade Josh Rosen for the Patriots #1.
 
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