About the AAF:
Winners and losers are lining up for the new spring football league. Meanwhile, a big investor says it has staying power.
The Alliance of American Football’s goal is to be a development league for the NFL. Majority owner Tom Dundon told USA TODAY Sports that “someone who already has NFL tape is not our focus.”
But the exception to that strategy are reclamation projects such as Trent Richardson, who is willing to play on a threeyear, $250,000 contract with the hope of returning to the NFL.
The former Cleveland Browns first-round pick seems like he is headed down the path of NFL revival. He scored three more touchdowns (on 46 yards rushing) Feb. 24 in the Birmingham Iron’s 28-12 win against the Atlanta Legends. Richardson now has an AAF-leading six touchdowns.
“Every game for me and every play is like, ‘I really have to get this,’ ” Richardson told CBS Sports Network after the game. “I think about my kids a lot when I’m on the field. If I don’t get this first down, if I don’t get this touchdown, I will let my team down. I most definitely will let my kids down.”
The former No. 3 overall draft pick hasn’t played in the NFL since 2014. He now has 145 yards on 59 carries (2.5 yards per carry) for the undefeated Iron (3-0).
He’s a winner in Week 3. Here are the rest of USA TODAY Sports’ AAF winners and losers:
❚ Winner: Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier. You must appreciate Spurrier’s candor. His team is 3-0, but this is what he said in his press conference: “We needed a slap in the face a little bit after beating San Antonio (in Week 2),” Spurrier said. “I think one of the newspapers, USA TODAY said we were the top team in the Alliance. Well, we’re not the top team right now. Our record is I guess, but I don’t think we’re the best team by any means right now.”
❚ Loser: AAF television analyst Rod Woodson. He didn’t know his mic was live when he said: “Ahh, nobody’s watching, nobody cares, no one’s listening.” Not what AAF officials want to hear about their league.
❚ Winner: San Diego Fleet running back Ja’Quan Gardner. He uncorked an 83-yard touchdown run in the Fleet’s 3111 win against the San Antonio Commanders. He leads the AAF with 283 rushing yards this season. Gardner is averaging eight yards per carry. The Fleet lost to San Antonio 15-6 in the first week of the season. After a quarterback switch to Philip Nelson, the Fleet are improving — with two wins in a row.
❚ Loser: Atlanta Legends. This should be one of the AAF’s flagship cities. It doesn’t enhance the AAF to have the Legends start 0-3 while being outscored 92-30.
❚ Winner: Memphis Express quarterback Zach Mettenberger. He earned himself his first professional football game start since 2015 by looking sharp as a replacement for Christian Hackenberg in a 21-17 loss to the Orlando Apollos. Mettenberger completed 9 of 12 for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. He had 10 starts for the Tennessee Titans in 2014 and 2015.
❚ Loser: The AAF schedule. The Orlando Apollos and the Birmingham Iron are both 3-0. Wouldn’t you like to find out who is the better team in Week 4? Unfortunately, we must wait until Week 5. Orlando will have a test this week by playing on the road against an improving Salt Lake Stallions (1-2) team. Birmingham is home to face San Antonio (1-2).