The shop might not be shutting down permanently, but it won’t be open for the foreseeable future.
Which does not generally bode well.
The Alliance of American Football League honestly could not have come around at a better time. After an NFL season marred by head-scratching penalty calls (and no-calls), unsightly special teams and more players (and owners) facing allegations for unsavory activities ended with a spectacular thud (and/or dud) of a Super Bowl that crowned an MVP who had been suspended for drug violations earlier THAT SAME SEASON, it appeared people were done with The Shield for a while.
Along came a savior, a hero that promised to provide things the NFL could not. There would be no kickoffs, no extra points, no TV timeouts and, we assumed, more action.
And for a week or two, it was fun. We got to learn about players who were fighting to prove they belonged, players like Luis Perez, who went from barely playing high school football (not even at quarterback) to 9th-string on his junior college team’s QB depth chart to D-II player of the year to a training camp invite with the Rams. We saw players trying get back to NFL rosters (like Gavin Escobar and Branden Oliver), players who were trying to redefine themselves as more than NFL flameouts (Trent Richardson and, eventually, Johnny Manziel) and more.
But just eight weeks in, the AAF is suspending operations. While the league has not officially folded, league big wigs have expressed growing concern, with good reason. And with the XFL set to come back from the dead next year, complete with a national championship-winning coach as the headline-getter (Hmmm…have I heard that somewhere before?), it raises a few questions. Namely, what does it mean for the league, for its players and for future ventures into spring football?
First of all, what was/is the goal of the AAF and what is its role as it pertains to the NFL?
Let’s start off with what it isn’t. The AAF, based on quotes from league founder Charlie and Ebersol and other main investors, was NOT intended to be a competitor to the NFL. Anyone who thought that was sorely misguided. The AAF had some traction in the first couple of weeks for several reasons: something new and different is almost always going to draw attention, people were not happy with the NFL but still weren’t entirely ready to say goodbye to football and there were names people recognized from their college heydays. When announcers talk about Trent Richardson’s days at Alabama rather than his disappearing act in Indianapolis, it conjures up “glory day” images, rather than the stark truth. While we might wonder, “Gee, why did so-and-so not do better in the NFL after being so good in college?”, it becomes pretty clear why.
The AAF is NOT the second coming of the United States Football League of the 1980s. The USFL worked (even if just for a couple of years) because they had star power. Three Heisman Trophy winners joined the league right out of college, not six years after and not because they had nowhere else to go. The USFL had owners willing to throw around money to start players that NFL owners simply were not willing to commit to at that time. Jim Kelly, Reggie White, Gary Zimmerman and Steve Young all would have been (or were) first-round draft picks in the NFL Draft. All chose the USFL coming out of college rather than the NFL. Given how much money the NFL makes (and the contracts some players are getting), I don’t think any league will have the financial power to compete with Mr. Goodell’s league any time soon.
Oh, and in case you forgot, the USFL ultimately folded, too.
Also, even if it didn’t have great attendance numbers, most of the USFL teams had respectable attendance numbers compared to what the Alliance has posted so far. If you’re going to succeed as a stand-alone league for years to come, lying about having 20,000 fans in the stands is not a great look.
As recently as this spring, investor Thomas Dundon said he could see the AAF becoming a “complementary developmental league for the NFL”, which makes a lot of sense. Former college stars like Zach Mettenberger, Aaron Murray and Christian Hackenberg made themselves eligible to be in the AAF because they wanted to play competitive football (and perhaps because they did not have stable jobs in the NFL at the time). A good proving ground for players wanting to improve their craft is a nice thing to have. Could we see a time where it eventually becomes a football version of the G League? Perhaps.
And look, for what it was, the AAF had a dedicated fan base and actually kept pretty consistent TV numbers. And I’ll admit, I enjoyed watching it from time to time. But with Dundon apparently having lost up to $70 million of his investment and the rest of the financial situation apparently looking bleak, this looks like it could be the death knell for the league, at least for the immediate future.
But will it kill future projects like it? Not necessarily.
I think a developmental football league would be a good thing, though I don’t know if there’s a right way to do it. If you do it in the spring, you deal with some fans who are just over football. Can you really do it in the fall until the NFLPA grants the use of players under NFL contract? Also, it will be interesting to see if broadcasting every game on cable is the way leagues like the XFL operate. While fans like football, the notion that “any football is good football” is a bit of a fallacy. You’re not going to get too many people to watch a game with twice as many turnovers as touchdowns, I don’t care what your futuristic uniforms look like.
For those fans saddened by today’s news, look one the bright side: regardless of how many years it lasted, people cared way more about this than the UFL.
As great as the Texas-Oklahoma game was, I give the nod to the marquee game from the previous week for multiple reasons. For one, Texas and Oklahoma could still face each other in the Big 12 Championship game, so Oklahoma could potentially run the table and render the result at the Cotton Bowl meaningless. Meanwhile, PSU and Ohio State went into this game knowing the winner would have the upper hand in the East.
I was admittedly not on the Sam Darnold hype train for quite some time. But the more I watch of him, especially weighed against the film of the other QB prospects in this draft, this more I’m convinced he’s the guy most suited to handle the roulette wheel of ridiculousness that is the Cleveland Browns organization.
I initially had the Giants going the “best player available” route with Bradley Chubb, but I think they look to the future and select a QB. I like Rosen’s makeup, both physically and mentally, even if some people think he’s a bit of a wacko or a loose cannon. The only cannon that matters in this equation is the one attached to Rosen’s shoulder.
The Jets didn’t trade all those picks for a running back or guard. They need a quarterback. I initially had New York taking a different quarterback here, but their interest level in Mayfield seems to be genuine. And while much of the pre-draft noise about which teams are showing interest in which players is mostly hogwash, the Jets appear to be serious about Mayfield, especially if their three-hour dinner/visit is any indication.
The Browns could go multiple different routes here. I think they consider trading the pick, but I don’t think they’ll accept too low of a on offer (Sorry, Buffalo). I know Cleveland has some nice young pass rushers, but why not augment that defensive threat with one of the best overall players in the draft?
I think the Broncos could try to trade up with the Browns to get a QB, but I think you can get a quarterback later. I know this seems a bit high to take a guard, but if Nelson is as good as scouts are saying, he’s worth it. A quarterback is often only as good as his protection.
The Bills need a quarterback. Plain and simple. And I don’t know if they’re gonna get their guy sitting at 12. Therefore, they trade up with the Colts and likely have to give up a TON to get there. I like Allen. I don’t love him. But I like him. I like his personality, I love his arm strength and he appears to be willing to learn. His completion percentage left a lot to be desired, but I think with some work, he’ll improve.
The Bucs could go with a running back here, but they decide there are good backs that will be available later. Instead, they opt for an in-state guy who is, outside of maybe a Jamal Adams, probably the best safety prospect to come into the draft in the past eight years.
The Bears need to improve their defense and Edmunds is a great fit for what they want to do. I actually think Roquan Smith is more polished as of now, but Edmunds has the build and upside that has scouts salivating.
This one is not a pick I initially predicted. I really, reaaaallly like Saquon Barkley. But there’s always one player who, for whatever reason, falls in the draft. Due to lack of need, many teams pass on him and Barkley falls into the lap of the 49ers, who probably would like someone other than Jerick McKinnon being their No. 1 back.
One of my absolute favorite players in the draft. Was a monster when his team needed him most. In the Bulldogs’ two games against Auburn, plus their Rose Bowl game against Oklahoma and National Championship game against Alabama, Smith had double-digit tackles. Most importantly, he came up with timely tackles at critical moments. Perfectly fits the type of player the Raiders want and need on that defense to go with Khalil Mack, Karl Joseph and the rest of that D.
This is interesting. The Dolphins have other needs, for sure. But the departure of Jarvis Landry means they could use a big play threat. Insert the biggest of big play threats at the wide receiver position in this draft.
This is seemingly the 29th season in a row that Ohio State has produced a first-round caliber defensive back. And Denzel Ward might be just as good as any of ’em.
The Redskins desperately need help up front and with all due respect to Phil Taylor and Ziggy Hood, Vea is a guy who is talented enough to start pretty soon. While his motor is questioned by some, he’s the kind of guy who can disrupt the rhythm of an offense, something you don’t always see from the defensive tackle position in the NFL.
Here it is. Yes, I believe Lamar Jackson is a first-round talent. Yes, I believe he is an NFL quarterback. Yes, I think it is ridiculous, and borderline racist, that teams asked him to work out at a different position because of his “athleticism” but guys like Johnny Manziel, Alex Smith, Ben Roethlisberger, Josh Allen – all of whom were also considered great athletes – were not. I think Sam Bradford is a Band-Aid for the Cardinals and they need a replacement quick.
They have to trade up a few spots to get him but the Cowboys find their “replacement” for Dez Bryant. Sutton might not have played against the best competition at times, but you watch his highlights and the guy makes plays that are, dare I say, “Dez-esque”? When the ball is in the air, he’s excellent at adjusting his body for the catch. He’s got tremendous size and physical ability. The question will be how he handles the bright lights of being the heir to the receiving throne of America’s Team.
San Di- I mean Los Angeles (sorry, old habits die hard) sticks with the same theme from last year when they selected Forrest Lamp. They need to protect Rivers and they need to set a good foundation for the next QB.
The Seahawks need to get better on the offensive line. Hard stop. If Williams had stayed healthy, he would have likely been a top-5 or top-10 pick. Good close-off ability.
Rarely do we see a true center get picked in the first round but it’s a position of desperate need for Cincy and Daniels is about as good as any center prospect since maybe Travis Frederick. He’s got good arm length and uses it. He might not be as big as Billy Price and Frank Ragnow, the two other top center prospects in this crop. But he moves better than either, in my opinion. And with that running game in Cincinnati, he’ll pave some great roads.
In many ways, Landry is the prototype for the modern pass rushing prospect. He is rangy like a DE, but quick like an LB. He rated higher than any of the edge rushers in this draft when it came to his combine numbers. A lot of the moves off the edge remind of Emmanuel Ogbah or even Von Miller.
With no Nate Solder, the Patriots need some protection for Mr. Brady. Rankin is interesting because some scouts think he eventually moves to guard or even center, while some think he can be a tackle on the non-blind side. But unless New England wants to trade up for a Williams or Miller, their options are limited here. I like Rankin; he dominated at times against Davon Bellamy of Georgia. You’ll need to work with him to develop him into a starting tackle. But I think there’s plenty to work with.
That Panther defense had a certain swagger in 2015 and so much of that stemmed from Josh Norman. Alexander would bring that. He’s a true lockdown guy who isn’t afraid to do a little talking. Some find it obnoxious or toxic. In this case, I kinda like it.
As good as the Titans’ D was, their pass rush was lacking at times. A guy like an Arden Key would be nice here but I think Hubbard is a hard-nosed guy who fits that defensive mold to a T. He was so disruptive last year and while he might not be a sack master at the next level, he can still provide some heat on the quarterback.
The Falcons like to play with speed and at the defensive tackle position, Byran has more than someone like a DaRon Payne. DaRon Payne might be more ready right now, but Bryan could be a solid pick here for the future.
Saints. Need. Protection.
This seems like more of a luxury pick for Pittsburgh. But with Ryan Shazier’s future in the air, Evans could give the Steelers some options going forward. Plus, in a 3-4, can you really ever have too many linebackers?
With Aaron Colvin signing with the division rival Texans, the Jags could sure use some more depth at corner. I’ve heard some people saying they might look at a quarterback because Blake Bortles, as good as he looked at times, is not the long-term solution. But I think that would be more of a luxury than a need at the moment. Go get a QB in the middle rounds perhaps, but Jackson can help solidify that defense that made such huge strides last year.
He’s a guy that can play inside or outside. And as good as Kendricks and Barr are, I think you want some depth at that position. As for other needs, like offensive line or strong safety, I think you can trade up in the second round and find some help.
With their second of two first-round picks, the Pats choose the (potential) heir apparent to Tom Brady. Now, there are some things about Rudolph that need to improve, specifically some of the decision-making when it comes to forcing throws. But much like the Jimmy G pick in 2014, this would allow the Patriots to groom someone under Tom Terrific, and if Brady decides to stay for a few more years, perhaps Rudolph is a trade chip. But even the greatest QB of all time will eventually retire at some point…right?
As good as Zach Ertz is, the Eagles need some more tight end help with the way their offense is. I really like Dallas Goedert but Hayden Hurst more fits the Philly mold.
Gridiron Glen 