The Alliance of American Football (AAF) starts this weekend, and here’s who and what to watch for in the first set of games.
There’s been plenty of failures among leagues tabbed as competition or a feeder system to the NFL. Two new leagues are coming, the Alliance of American Football this year and a re-launch of the XFL in 2020. The Super Bowl might be fresh for football fans, but the AAF is starting this weekend.
Here’s a look at the first four games the AAF is offering, with names you may now and what to watch for.
Atlanta Legends at Orlando Apollos
Saturday, Feb. 9, 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Names you may know: Steve Spurrier (Orlando head coach), Michael Vick (Atlanta offensive coordinator), Aaron Murray (Atlanta QB), Denard Robinson (Atlanta QB/RB?), Matt Simms (Atlanta QB), Kevin Coyle (Atlanta head coach), Garrett Gilbert (Orlando QB), Charles Johnson (Orlando WR), Austin Appleby (Orlando QB), Jalin Marshall (Orlando WR),
“The Old Ball Coach” is back on the sideline, as head coach of the Orlando AAF team. An offense with Vick calling plays for Atlanta should also be an interesting watch.
San Diego Fleet at San Antonio Commanders
Saturday, Feb. 9, 8:00 p.m. ET,
TV: CBS
Names you may know: Mike Riley (San Antonio head coach), Mike Martz (San Diego head coach), Philip Nelson (San Diego QB), Nelson Spruce (San Diego WR), Mike Bercovici (San Diego QB), Logan Woodside (San Antonio QB), Greg Ward (San Antonio WR), David Cobb (San Antonio RB), Aaron Green (San Antonio RB), De’Marcus Ayers (San Antonio WR)
Riley and Martz are known offensive minds, so this game should have some scoring. This is also the game most of the country will get on CBS Saturday night, so it’s easily the showcase game of AAF’s first weekend.
Memphis Express at Birmingham Iron
Sunday, Feb. 10, 4 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Names you may know: Trent Richardson (Birmingham RB), Mike Singletary (Memphis head coach), Christian Hackenberg (Memphis QB), Zach Mettenberger (Memphis QB), Zac Stacy (Memphis RB), Damore’ea Stringfellow (Memphis WR), Brad Wing (Memphis P), Blake Sims (Birmingham QB), Quinton Patton (Birmingham WR), Lawrence Okoye (Birmingham DT), Nick Novak (Birmingham K)
Richardson is bringing his plodding running style to the AAF, and a camera is sure to be focused on Singletary on the Memphis sideline.
Salt Lake Stallions at Arizona Hotshots
Sunday, Feb. 10, 8 p.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Names you may know: Dennis Erickson (Salt Lake head coach), Rick Neuheisel (Arizona head coach), Trevor Knight (Arizona QB), Larry Rose (Arizona RB), Josh Huff (Arizona WR), Thomas Duarte (Arizona TE), Scooby Wright (Arizona LB), Rahim Moore (Arizona DB), Nick Folk (Arizona K), Jeff Locke (Arizona P), Matt Linehan (Salt Lake QB), Matt Asiata (Salt Lake RB), Branden Oliver (Salt Lake RB), Kaelin Clay (Salt Lake WR)
Erickson and Neuheisel make their returns to coaching in the AAF, and a look at the rosters shows plenty of names college football and some NFL fans will recognize.