The AAF

[papajoe]

Anyone watch any AAF (Alliance of American Football) games this past weekend? I don’t remember hearing anything about it; but came across a game while channel-surfing Saturday night. Then I watched another game Sunday night, actually ON the NFL Network.

It’s designed to be a “developmental” league, NOT competition for the NFL. ALL players sign the same contract; but can earn bonuses; and can void their contracts, without penalty, if they sign an NFL contract.

The “alliance” is also using some ideas the NFL has discussed, or at least considered, such as no kickoffs and a “sky judge”; an official who watches/monitors a game. In Sunday night’s game, he actually called a penalty that was NOT called by the onfield officials.

I find it interesting and am curious to see how it works out. I actually bought a couple of tickets for the Arizona Hotshots next home game.


Joe

[D6]

Joe, did you enjoy your experience at the AAF Game you attended? I haven't seen even part of a game yet

[papajoe]

David - The game is tomorrow night; the Hotshots were on the road the last 2 weeks. I’ll post something about Sunday night/Monday morning.


Joe

[D6]

Thanks, Joe.

Looking forward to your take on the AAF game.

[papajoe]

It was a lot like going to a minor league baseball game; and I’ve been to several of those. Since the “alliance” is designed to be a developmental league; I guess that’s a good comparison. There were a couple of goood plays; but no one player stood out. The game was a lot shorter than an NFL, a little over 2 1/2 hours, because there are no “TV timeouts”.
The game itself wasn’t that great; the Hotshots lost; but it was pretty cool to have 50 yard-line tickets. I think we’ll be going back.


Joe

[D6]

Joe, thanks for your take.

The shorter time span of the game seems like a necessity, when considering all of the entertainment options of today's world.

What was the crowd reaction during the game?

[papajoe]

It was a VERY small crowd; but an, apparently, knowledgeable one. I saw a lot of Hotshots gear: shirts, caps, jackets. At one point one of the scoreboards encouraged the crowd to “get loud” or something along those lines; but it was while the Hotshots were on offense. The crowd did NOT “get loud” at that point; but DID at the appropriate times — when the opponent was facing a third down for example.


Joe

[D6]

Thanks, Joe.


I looked the Arizona Hotshots roster, noticing that Jeff Locke, who did a good job filling in for Sam Martin in the first half of the 2017, is the Hotshots Punter. CBs Dexter McDougle and Sterling Moore, CBs with the Lions late in the 2018 pre-season, are as well. Some other names of players on their roster jump out as well, especially on Defense, and K Nick Folk.

[papajoe]

There’s a lot of ex-NFL players in the alliance. I think I heard that 86% of the players had, at least, signed NFL contracts at one time. I’m not sure of the percentage that have actually played in an NFL game.
A lot of the coaches have ties to the NFL as well.


Joe

[D6]

The familiarity /recognition factor should be a key part of marketing each team. It's much more difficult to sell a new league when there isn't much of an identity.

[papajoe]

That’s true. I heard that the league stocked each team with players with area connections. I believe the Arizona Hotshots have more players from the state of Arizona, and more players from the University of Arizona or Arizona State; and other such connections to Arizona.
I believe there are similar ties to the other teams and their players.
Obviously, ALL the players on each team can’t have those ties; but it was a good idea to concentrate on that.

Joe

[D6]

Joe, the local/ territorial component was also a part of the USFL structure.

Unfortunately, it looks like the AAF is going to be joining the USFL as a former professional football league.


………………………………..


The AAF will suspend all football operations

[papajoe]

I heard the news this morning. I’m a little disappointed, but not very surprised.

I am curious as to why the NFL didn’t financially support the league in some way. I thought the idea of a “developmental league”, as opposed to a rival league, was a great idea.


Joe

[D6]

Joe, it's indeed disappointing that the NFL didn't help with the financing of the AAF. The need for a developmental league is most pronounced at the QB position.

[D6]

Ex-Alliance of American Football players can now sign with NFL teams

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I'm anticipating that the Lions will provide Tryout opportunities to some AAF players that would be eligible to participate in the Lions Rookie Minicamp, a weekend or two after the NFL Draft concludes.