The Swamp

So the new league kicks off this weekend. No idea how good the product will be. Going to be interesting to see if this goes the way of the USFL or if they can get a piece of the American football pie.

Sportsbooks are even offering action on it.

Arizona Hotshots +250
Salt Lake Stallions +400
San Antonio Commanders +500
Orlando Apollos +500
Atlanta Legends +500
San Diego Fleet +1000
Memphis Express +1000
Birmingham Iron +1000

Also some familiar names are involved.

Arizona Hotshots: Head coach Rick Neuheisel, QB Trevor Knight (Oklahoma)
Atlanta Legends: Head coach Kevin Coyle (previously Brad Childress), offensive coordinator Mike Vick, QB Aaron Murray (Georgia), WR Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech)
Birmingham Iron: Head coach Tim Lewis, QB Blake Sims (Alabama), RB Trent Richardson (Alabama), QB Scott Tolzien (Wisconsin)
Memphis Express: Head coach Mike Singletary, QB Christian Hackenberg (Penn State), QB Zach Mettenberger (LSU)
Orlando Apollos: Head coach Steve Spurrier
Salt Lake Stallions: Head coach Dennis Erickson
San Antonio Commanders: Head coach Mike Riley
San Diego Fleet: Head coach Mike Martz, RB Bishop Sankey (Washington)

So when is our fantasy draft. I still have an XFL FF championship from 2001.

Oh God!

Look at those coaches. Surprised they didn't get Eric Mangini to join those luminaries.

Should have been the San Antonio Cobra Commanders.

I had a friend who honestly wanted the guys to get together to watch. I couldn't muster up any care for the Super Bowl, no fucking way I'm wasting my time on this.

I vividly remember making a point to watch the first XFL game and see the guy blow out his shoulder in the replacement for the coin toss (which the rule was changed right after that game).

The whole thing just feels amateur as fuck

Rex wrote: ↑Tue Feb 05, 2019 2:02 pm The whole thing just feels amateur as fuck

i see what you did there

Giff wrote: ↑Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:24 pm I had a friend who honestly wanted the guys to get together to watch. I couldn't muster up any care for the Super Bowl, no fucking way I'm wasting my time on this.

There's an assumption that Americans just can't get enough football. It's an assumption that has been disproved a couple of times already.

Pruitt wrote: ↑Tue Feb 05, 2019 5:32 pm

Giff wrote: ↑Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:24 pm I had a friend who honestly wanted the guys to get together to watch. I couldn't muster up any care for the Super Bowl, no fucking way I'm wasting my time on this.

There's an assumption that Americans just can't get enough football. It's an assumption that has been disproved a couple of times already.

The difference now is that there are multiple networks that air NFL football that need offseason programming, even if it barely registers a heartbeat in the ratings. NFL Network, CBS Sports Network, NBC Sports Network. If they get 200,000 viewers for what is essentially a minor league football game, that's a win, and that is in a culture where 838,000 people watched a Friday 12:30pm Eastern bowl game between Toledo and FIU.

Thoughts on the Rule Differences
* Only 2-point conversions
----I like the option that college/pro. Adds some strategy even though every team uses the same basic chart
* There will be no kickoffs; halves, odd overtime periods and after scores will begin on each team's own 25-yard line, the same as touchbacks in the NFL and NCAA. In lieu of an onside kick, a team can keep possession of the ball by attempting a scrimmage play from their own 28-yard line and gaining at least 12 yards.
---- Fine with no kickoffs but the onside thing is a bit gimmicky
* 35 second play clock
---- Expect more delay of games
* Kansas playoff for overtime (high school rule)
-----Don't care too much about this one
* "Sky Judge"- off field official who can overturn calls/missed calls on the field
-----Weird..hope he is dressed like Judge Dred

AAF on highway signage means Army Airfield.

That's all I got for now.

Well Lawrence Okoye is in NFL form 24 hours before his league starts.

Why do the AAF refs look like they’re wearing bulletproof vests?

Expecting a Last Boy Scout moment?

I like it. Quality of play isn’t great but acceptable.

Finally some offense.

Marvin Lewis as an analyst is quite dull.

degenerasian wrote: ↑Sun Feb 10, 2019 9:16 pm Marvin Lewis as an analyst is quite dull.

This might be the least-surprising Swamp post ever.

<almost breaks neck from violently nodding in agreement>

<almost breaks neck from violently nodding in agreement>

He’s the worst.

Memphis is a 16-point underdog this week. Not bad for the second game.

Memphis has already forced two turnovers.

So they almost did not make pay after 1 week of play...not good......interesting to see what Dundon's view on the league will be.
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/2603 ... s-250m-aaf

I'm not really following, but I note that Hackenburg continues to prove that he had one of the flukiest college QB years of all time as a freshman.

Did I mention I came up with the idea for this and as a result I should get 50%. He should get 50% of the part that was bankrupt before the Canes owner bought it.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2 ... 988779002/

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 8:26 am Did I mention I came up with the idea for this and as a result I should get 50%. He should get 50% of the part that was bankrupt before the Canes owner bought it.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2 ... 988779002/

"A handshake agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on" - Samuel Goldwyn

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 8:26 am Did I mention I came up with the idea for this and as a result I should get 50%. He should get 50% of the part that was bankrupt before the Canes owner bought it.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2 ... 988779002/

So basically this guy is going to sue and win half of the debt this league build up?

Manziel is playing for Memphis. It's pretty entertaining.

So WaPo article I did not bury in this thread...but it had a very interesting tidbit

There isn’t much of a press corps, and the team has to spend at least half of its practice time in Georgia for insurance reasons, so it camps in Jacksonville and buses across the border every morning to a high school. Instead of grousing, most everyone sees it as team bonding. And the laid-back approach that resulted in blame in Washington is now a welcomed sentiment.

very curious about why 1/2 practice time in GA helps the insurance.

And...we're done.

I will retire undefeated on AAF bets. Going out on top, guys.

Shocked, shocked!

phxgators wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 12:08 pm

A shoo in for the AAF HOF!

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:16 am So WaPo article I did not bury in this thread...but it had a very interesting tidbit

There isn’t much of a press corps, and the team has to spend at least half of its practice time in Georgia for insurance reasons, so it camps in Jacksonville and buses across the border every morning to a high school. Instead of grousing, most everyone sees it as team bonding. And the laid-back approach that resulted in blame in Washington is now a welcomed sentiment.

very curious about why 1/2 practice time in GA helps the insurance.

I know it's now a moot point, but I'm sure it had something to do with whatever injury or liability insurance rates are applicable being lower in GA.

Check out @CBrueyWFTV’s Tweet:

National fucking treasure

Whatever you want to say about Spurrier that guy’s always hustling.

brian wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:57 am I will retire undefeated on AAF bets. Going out on top, guys.

That is hilarious! Congrats.