Are you ready for some football?

[Tenshot13]

Okay I'm watching it.  I'll let you all know how it is.  So far I've seen Kurt Warner, Trent Greeb and either Tiki or Ronde Barber, couldn't tell which one, commentating.  I'm rooting for the Apollo's because they're localish and Spurrier is coaching them.  Hines Ward and Mike Martz are coaches for other teams.  Really pushing the developmental aspect and 2nd chances.

[Tenshot13]

It's produced very well, all the bells and whistles graphically as an NFL game.  Commentators are pretty decent.  The 5 seconds shorter on the play clock makes everything quicker.  A lot of players and coaches are mic up.

[stinkfish]

How was the football though? Good quality? Or bad high school bad?

[Fau Teixeira]

it's not bad .. i'd put it a step up from college ball (which is think is horrid)

[Tenshot13]

^I agree.  It started a little sloppy, but got better as the game went on.  Surprised to see some big hits, and players were eager to get back in the huddle after plays. 

[BuccaneerBrad]

What a wild game!!!  Spurrier's offense is for real!!!  Orlando won 40-6 and did their own version of the Philly Special play just before halftime.

New rules for this league to speed up the game and increase scoring:

1.  No kickoffs.  All drives after a score will start at the 25 yard line.   If you need the ball again after a score, you get the ball at your 35 with a 4th and 20 play.

2.  No extra points.  Two point conversions only.

3.  No blitzing allowed.  Only up to five defenders may rush the QB on any given play.  

4.  The play clock is 35 seconds instead of 40.  Also fewer TV timeouts.  

Overall it was much better quality football than the developmental leagues of the past.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

A lot of the guys on the Apollos roster went pro early and either didn't get drafted or got drafted late and didn't survive NFL camps. 

81% have been in the NFL.  Might only have been training camp.  So you are basically watching the same guys you see in the second half of a preseason game.

[Tenshot13]

Looks like the AAF did well on it's opening night:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/big-win-aaf-new-football-league-posts-better-ratings-rockets-thunder-174503810.html

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Be interesting to see how many of these guys get invites to NFL teams. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

AAF could add an interesting dynamic to the off season.  As far as the NFL is concerned all the players are FA.

Let’s  say a guy is does well enough that after a few games he gathers the attention of one or more teams.  Does a team try to sign him now or wait to see more film?  If they wait someone else might sign him first.  Might a player decline a midseason offer hoping to get more/better offers with more games.  But that carries injury risk.

For an NFL team a signing bonus that is larger than the remaining AAF salary is peanuts so a team could sign a guy they are not a 100% sold on just to get him into OTAs and camp.

[Phishfan]

I don't think there is much of a signing bonus to be had for these guys.

[BuccaneerBrad]

I don't think there is much of a signing bonus to be had for these guys.

Agreed.   There's a reason why they are in this league.   They've had their shot at the NFL and didn't make it.  Granted, they didn't get a lot of playing time or practice reps while they were there.   Now they are getting time to put in so they may get a second chance.  But the bonuses will be minimal.   

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I don't think there is much of a signing bonus to be had for these guys.

I agree.  But it wouldn't take much.  Midway thru the season player is scheduled to make $45k over the next 4 games.  Offer him $50k signing bonus plus two years at league minimum.  

[CF DolFan]

I didn't watch very much but I heard one of the referees discussing a penalty challenge as they review it. that's pretty cool and something I'd love for the NFL to adopt.

[Tenshot13]

^Yeah, she was the ref in the booth, it was about a catch or not.  Initially she said it was an incompletion, then right at the end she changed her mind because she say the elbow go down.  It was cool to see and hear them discuss it.