It took all the way to week four for every team to earn a victory. How long will the Apollos stay unbeaten?  The changing of the guard at quarterback has been paying off for teams. Some teams suddenly find themselves in quarterback trouble. Johnny Football is out there. Nobody wants to go that direction. This is week four power rankings. Last week we looked smart on Zack Mettenberger and the running back Justin Farrow. If the Legends can win a game, we can also have a good week in what we see. Most of the time it is seeing double in this league. We need plenty of beer for all the drop passes. Overall we are having fun and that is the most important thing when it comes to talking about the AAF.

#1. ORLANDO APOLLOS (4-0) Ranking: Same

To go on the road and play in the snow in Salt Lake City versus the Stallions, and the team is from Florida. It was the first time ever, Steve Spurrier played in the state of Utah. He and his Apollos were very successful as both defense and offense played well in the conditions and a pretty good Stallion team which their record does show it. Spurrier faced his long time friend, Dennis Erickson, who leads the Stallions. All the college games both these two coaches were a part of, and to finally coach against each other in the first ever year of the AAF. Gilbert has the Johnson and Johnson combo which has fueled both the running game and the passing game. Apollos had a few key defenders out, but they did not miss a beat. Snow balls were thrown at the end of this game in celebration. Perhaps snow angels in the parking lot before boarding the bus.

#2. BIRMINGHAM IRON (3-1) Ranking: Same

Does Luis Perez have anything on YouTube after you lose your first game of the season? Luis Perez might need some Jack Handy references.

Only the Jack Handy guide to cure all mental parts of the quarterback’s head is the cure. Especially they have a play date with the Apollos this weekend. The Iron defense is legit. The goal line stance they had late in the game against the Commanders was awesome. The team has problems on offense and Luis Perez looks off.  The Iron might be the Hot Shots after this weekend. The AAF version of chutes and ladders.

#3.SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS (2-2) Ranking: Up three spots

The Commanders, you don’t know what you get when they play. Like a box of chocolates. They upset the Iron last week giving them their first loss of the season. Logan Woodside reminds me of Jay Cutler. The mistakes they make during the game are always at the wrong part of the game. Can’t make mistakes versus a very good Iron defense. Logan Woodside was mistake free, so quick someone call the Guiness Book of World Records. They gave the ball to Kennneth Farrow more and what did he do? Set an AAF record with 142 yards on the ground. He needs to get the ball the most on the Commanders. The previous week he hardly had any action. Commanders would be the best team if they skipped a week after every victory.

#4.SAN DIEGO FLEET (2-2) Ranking: Down one spot

Things were finally starting to gel together for the team with the battleship on their helmets.

The offense was starting to grasp Mike Martz’s lengthy playbook. Phillip Nelson, the Fleet’s second quarterback, was starting to launch an air attack. We know the running game has been great. The defense has been playing well. Is there any cliff notes version of the Mike Martz playbook for the other quarterbacks? It’s going to be a few all-nighters, so hopefully they have enough coffee in the quarterback’s room with Nelson being out at least a month. With that hit…

#5.MEMPHIS EXPRESS (1-3) Ranking: Up two spots

Finally a permanent change at quarterback and the Express have their first victory. Christian Hackenberg is a two-time bust in two different leagues. This change should have happened in week one. Zach Mettenberger, who filled in for the Hack in week three, almost guided the Express to a victory in that game. Mettenberger, the quarterback with the most NFL experience, looked great versus the Fleet. Did not make the mistakes and was able to throw the ball and hit the receivers with precision, unlike the Hackenberg. The Express defense has been good all year and is getting better week to week with the eye of the tiger they play with.

Mike Singletery from the ’85 Bears, you knew he would have a great defense when they brought him in to be the head coach.

#6.SALT LAKE CITY STALLIONS (1-3)  Ranking: Dropped 1 spot

The Stallions did not use home field advantage as they had snow and were facing a team from Florida. All these rosters are mostly filled up by region where the player is from. Most of the Stallions have seen snow and have played games in these kinds of conditions. While the Florida team, the Apollos, have never seen snow and they had no problem playing in it. From the passing attack or even snow balls at the end of this contest. Salt Lake City has been in it every game. I like the beef they have on both lines. Very stout line prevents the run and is good for running the ball. I think this team will turn things around and be on top of the standings when regular season comes to an end. They have a very talented roster. Was it ding dong ditch day in Salt Lake City?

 

The Mormans went to the football stadium, but never went in to watch the game. You know a good snow day brings out a door bell type of day in Utah.

#7.ARIZONA HOT SHOTS (2-2) Ranking : Dropped three spots

In this league, if you lose to Atlanta you should be kicked out of the league. This was the match up of two cities that have a team in both the NFL & AAF. Both teams are struggling like the Falcons and the Cardinals. You have to lose your football patience when you watch a whole year of football, two different leagues and both teams suck. Hot Shots came out of the gates blazing. Now the fire is out and John Wolford, who looked amazing, has cooled off. Plenty of time to turn things around when the division is all jumbled together. The Hot shots still have plenty of talent across the board, but right now they are like Tom Petty used to sing, free falling without a parachute.

#8.ATLANTA LEGENDS (1-3) Ranking: Same

The Legends were able to squeeze out a victory like the last bit of tooth paste in the tube. It took the back up quarterback Aaron Murray to come off the bench to seal the deal in this first time, Legend victory.  Matt Simms took a huge hit  that knocked him out of the game in the first offensive series for the Legends. His pinkie finger was a bloody mess.

It’s week four and the Legends continue to shuffle in and out coaches. The Legends have no problems moving the ball up and down the field. Denard Robinson looked like he came off life support and had a very good game in week four. The team is not scoring enough, period. They mustered up only 14 points and left Arizona with a victory. You either give the defense credit, or the struggling Hot Shots offense has serious problems.