After five weeks of power rankings, we still have the Apollos at number one. However, we do have new people living under the stairs.

A legend has been made. Lots of close games in week five. Two games won on the foot of the kicker.

It was not Kathy Ireland, so get out of my head. Speaking of Ireland, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all. Please have a few too many Guinnesses and enjoy the power rankings in style. I know I did.

 

#1. ORLANDO APOLLOS (5-0) Ranking: Same

THE SHOW TIME AT THE APOLLO HAS A HIGHER RATING THAN THE BOOK OF MORMONS.

In the AAF it’s all about record over ratings. The Apollos are undefeated. The Salt Lake City book of Mormons has done poorly at the box office with only one win so far.

The Orlando success recipe.

Best Quarterback in the League.

Best Wide Receiver in the League.

Many star defensive players that stand out.

Sprinkle in a coach that has done this before in the USFL and you notice Steve Spurrier’s success so far in the AAF.

Can the Apollos be the the 1972 Miami Dolphins and go perfect the whole year? The Apollos look like they stand by themselves and the rest of the league is all jumbled together.

#2. SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS (3-2) Ranking: Up one spot

Do not let the score fool you last week in the Commanders’ victory over the Hot shots 29-25. Commanders let off the gas in the second half when the Hot Shots fought back in this one but came up short. This game was over at half time. I’m not a guy I think, to ease on down the road with a big lead if I was the coach. I can see playing it safe, but Commanders showed the prevent defense that I guess you could say worked because they still held on. Too close for my comfort zone. The Commanders’ defense excelled in the first half with a pick six TOUCH DOWN. They forced a fumble and made things very tough on the Hot Shots offense. Hot Shots offense came on fire in garbage time in this contest. Logan Woodside was airing it out with the bomb, a perfect strike hitting his receiver right on stride for an easy touchdown.  Logan is prone to make mistakes in every contest. He is never gun shy about throwing a pass. He is getting better each week and many quarterbacks in this league can’t say that. This San Antonio team this year in the power rankings have been up and down in the middle floors, avoiding the basement and the pent house on top of the power rankings pyramid. I think they are ready to continue their rise.

#3.SAN DIEGO FLEET (3-2) Ranking: Up one spot.

The Fleet had the invasion of the Book of Mormons invade their coast line. It was one of the best games all year. The Fleet had the lead because of their defense. They scored two touchdowns on defense. They forced quite a few turnovers in this one. Salt Lake City somehow rallied back and took the lead with the two point conversion with less than a minute to go. The Mike Martz offense has to go with his starter from week one in which he was taken out and replaced by Phillip Nelson. Nelson got hurt so now the team has to rely on Michael Bercovici that week one starter. The former Arizona State University star. The Fleet have the number one rushing attack.The Stallions have the number one rushing defense. Defense prevailed there. Most of the game Bercovici was moving the ball down field and settling for field goals. Last minute of the game he came up with a bomb that was caught to set up the Fleet for the winning field goal. The Fleet went on to win this thriller.  I give Michael Bercovici credit, as he reminded me of Captain Rex Kramer in the movie Airplane. Getting mauled by Hari Krishnas and other activists begging for money. Instead this game had the Book of Mormons. Like the Captain karate and judo chopping his way through all these religious people begging for money to save the day, and get to the tower to help guide the airplane to the ground.   Bercovici used his arm to get through all the door bell ringers.

#4.BIRMINGHAM IRON (3-2) Ranking: Down two spots

This explains what the Birmingham Iron have been going through. They have fallen hard the last two games. The Apollos stepped all over the Iron. Like a bully on the playground giving your kid a purple nurple and noogies. The Iron defense looked human against the Apollos offense. The Iron switch at quarterback created a flicker. Keith Price came in and looked good on a few drives. He did not have enough to prevail against the top team in the league. Meanwhile is Luis Perez going back to his day job, bowling?

Not sure if they have YouTube videos on how to play quarterback on the bench. Will this team continue to free fall into next week?

#5. ATLANTA LEGENDS (2-3) Ranking: Up  three spots

We have waited and finally Atlanta is definitely legendary. It took weeks but the Legends finally have their coaching staff in place. Since Ken Zampese came in as the new offensive coordinator, this team has been rolling.  Aaron Murray came in at quarterback and the Legends have won their first two games. The offense looks crisper.

The Legends defense made a huge play at the end of the game last week in which they  forced a turnover versus the Express. Then the Legends drove the ball down field and won the game with a field goal. This is the first time the Legends have been out of the basement of our power rankings this year.

#6.MEMPHIS EXPRESS (1-4) Ranking: Down one spot

Just when you think the Express have turned the corner. After coming off your first win last week you find yourself in a battle in Atlanta. It’s a tie game. Your quarterback is not Christian Hackenberg. Your new gunslinger, Zach Mettenburger, has given your team life.

It’s the last minute of the game and your team is driving. Zach makes a throw which goes through the hands of his receiver and the old tip drill in football benefits the Legends as they get the interception. The Legends drive down the field and kick the field goal to end the one game winning streak of the Express. Oh, the humanity. Can the Express dig themselves out of a big hole in the second half of the season?

#7.SALT LAKE CITY STALLIONS (1-4) Ranking: Down one spot

The Stallions by far should have a better record than they have. This team has the best run defense. They have the best pass rusher in Karter Schult. On offense, Josh Woodrum is one of the better quarterbacks in this league. Woodrum got his bell rung. Came back into the game and led the team back from two scores down. The Stallions should have never been down as they turnover the ball four times. Two of them were scores for the Fleet. The Stallions then took the lead with 49 seconds left in the game. To have given the ball away that many times and still be able to take the lead in that game, you know you have some things that are working well for you. Then the defense let the Fleet march down the field with less than a minute to see another game get away from them.  With this loss, these Stallion book of Mormons might be seeking answers in your neighborhood at some point. When that bell rings at your house, be sure to hide under the bed. Don’t open the door to them. We have some nifty signs to put on your front door to stop the Book of Mormons from bothering you.

#8.ARIZONA HOT SHOTS (2-3) Ranking: Down one spot

Many experts thought the Hot Shots were going to be one of the best teams in the AAF. Those three experts are now covering badminton in Zimbabwe for ESPN 999. The Hot Shots came out of the gate blazing.

The wheels have been coming off on the Hot Shot Mystery Van. Scooby Wright is the heart and soul of the Hot Shot defense but the rest of the mystery team is MIA. The Hot Shots continue to come into each game cold and always playing from behind. They made it a much closer game last week versus the Commanders. However, they did their scoring in garbage time.

 

 

 

 

 

The biggest dog in the NFL is heading to the pound. The same dog pound that has lost its bark for years, watching nothing but crap on the field, year after year. The same dog pound that had a parade not too long ago for their perfect season. The same season they lost every single game. The Cleveland Browns have added Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants. The Browns will need to make sure they have plenty of rabies shots on hand. Beckham is a pure junkyard dog, foaming at the mouth, type of player. He is a wide receiver that will score on any given play and take it to the house. He may hump the goal post once or twice in a game, even on a bad day. He may even urinate on an official. In any pound or in any park, he might be the best doggone receiver in the game, and he is a Brown.

The Cleveland Browns have been to hell and back. The city of Cleveland watched their Browns sneak out of town in the wee hours of the morning and move to Baltimore, years ago . The city and fans fought like hell to at least get the Browns name back. Years later the NFL gave Cleveland back their team that should have never left in the beginning. They had their team back but they could never figure out how to put a quality team on the field. They drafted guys like Johnny Football and passed on guys like Carson Wentz. Finally they got it right at quarterback. They finally found their leader behind center in a man named Baker Mayfield. The number one draft pick in 2018. This time the Browns were not passing on a guy that could lead their team to new heights. Not just a few wins. Beyond that. He has shown that on the field already. A leader with loads of talent.

This off season the man behind getting Baker Mayfield is the new GM of the Browns, John Dorsey. The Browns GM has been a very busy man revamping the Browns roster and coaching staff. His efforts paid off in the regular season when the Browns were very competitive. They almost had a winning season. They almost made it to the 500 mark with a 7-8-1 record. Those seven wins are more than they had in many years combined. This off season he added a dog at running back. A dog that likes to push women around. Kareem Hunt is that dog. He will be suspended a few games for breaking his leash and attacking a female. He will play for the Browns at some point. Now you add Beckham with Hunt and the playmakers you already assembled, you might have an offense with weapons of mass destruction like the Kansas City Chiefs. Dorsey swindled the Giants for Beckham for two draft picks. A first rounder and a third rounder. They also gave the Giants, safety Jabrili Peppers. This is not a king’s ransom for an elite play maker like Beckham.

Not saying the Browns are barking their way to the Superbowl. They are closer than ever. John Dorsey has put together a high octane offense this off season that will scare lots of defenses. Let’s not forget about the Browns defense which is pretty good. Then you look at the Browns division. The Bengals are backing their way back to Bumble status. The Ravens are going with the running man at quarterback. One dimensional offense especially when all their receivers have left town. The Ravens defense lost a few key players. The Steelers got rid of all their crybaby play-makers. Right now if the season started today, I have the Browns winning this division. Browns just need to keep their dogs on the field and they should be good to go. The NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is always in the mood to put a bad dog to sleep for good. Ask Colin Kaepernick.

 

 

I wonder what it is like to be surrounded by the Bennett brothers around the Holidays. How these two brothers act would make the Malachi brothers seem normal. They both rant and rave like some kind of lunatic. Michael Bennett was recently traded to the Patriots, the Evil Empire. While Martellus Bennett is retired and doing some kind of children books about how Dr. Seuss stole his Christmas. Both are poets and don’t know it. Michael Bennett is a very inspiring wordsmith. Things that make white people uncomfortable is a true best seller in the back of the dumpster behind the book store. Both don’t hold back their opinions about anything. Both ramble on as if they should be the definition of what a concussion is, in the game of football.

Both brothers do have plenty of talent on the football field. Both of them have been cancerous to the locker room as well. The Eagles traded for Michael Bennett last off-season as he came from the Seattle Seahawks. The legion of boom to be exact. A bunch of thugs like the bad boys from motor city, those Piston teams in the 80’s. He played one season with the Eagles and Michael Bennett demanded a raise. Maybe for the persecution he suffers every day for the millions of dollars he already makes for himself. Any other job maybe besides pro wrestling, he would be rotting away in some jail cell if he acted the way he does. The Eagles who are well stacked at his position he plays, sold him off to the Evil Empire, the New England Patriots. The same team that just won the Superbowl. With the same owner, Robert Kraft, who just was arrested trying to get his noodle wet, and now it is in hot water. Now Michael Bennett would love to see the Patriots reunite his brother, the former tight end Martellus Bennett, for another run at the Superbowl. Two brothers on a mission to fight the injustices that these two has suffered in their life making millions of dollars. Making money in a free country.

Michael and Martellus Bennett are just two bad dudes and that’s not saying it in a good way. Michael Bennett is one of those Colin Kaepernick followers when it comes to the National Anthem. Last year with the Eagles he just stayed in the locker room for his stance nowadays. This is the same thug that pushed a paraplegic women out of his way who was in a wheel chair to go onto the field and see his brother. His brother Martellus who won a Superbowl with the Patriots years back. This is the same guy that has pushed another women before. Same guy that has pushed a Police officer before. The Paraplegic woman suffered a sprained shoulder. The court case should be coming up soon on that case.

Then Martellus Bennentt, who probably has a bit of a calmer demeanor than his brother. Besides body slamming rookies to the ground in practices that he does make. Then the one season he played seven games for the Packers and was cut. He never disclosed his injury which was a serious shoulder problem. He said then he was walking away from the game. That did not last long as he signed with the Patriots once again as they called him up to inquire about his services. He told the Patriots medical staff that the Packers’ doctors and their team forced him to play with this serious shoulder injury. The guy has been retired and still you hear rants about what went wrong that others did to the poor Bennent brother. Will he come back to try to win another Superbowl this time alongside his brother?  Besides that, he would have to get his fair share of the pot. Plus he will have a public soap box he can use to make his green eggs a little hammier when it comes to selling his children fairy tales.

I do hope Martellus Bennent does come back into the league. I hope he joins his brother in New England. The same brother that refers to Bill Belichick as Yoda. Insane in the brain thinking Belichick represents the rebel alliance. Put Dark in front of his name and you can pick which hood or mask this evil sinister wears on the sideline. I’ve seen Martellus Bennent with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall rip the Bears locker room like it was a piece of  loose leaf paper. Now you see last years Patriot superstar leave free agency and head to motor city with his former defensive coordinator, Matt Patricia. Trey Flowers  and others flee the death star in an escape hatch or even through the garbage chute. Even Danny Amendola who signed with the Dolphins a year ago then to be cut by them, fled to Detroit not even looking back towards New England as an option. Let Dark Yoda try to run the asylum with all these dangerous personalities. Like the Malachi brothers can crunch cars in a crash up derby. Let the loon boons Bennent brothers rip havoc through the Evil Empire and cut the death star into millions of pieces, ending their tyranny for good. Finally then we can say the Bennett brothers did something good in society. Maybe I might read one of their books. Perhaps not. I don’t need the White Coats at my door.

 

 

After week three in the AAF, we have a lot of rotating going on in the middle of the power rankings. We thought we had this figured out. Not quite. Some teams are on the decline while some teams are on the rise in this league. We might have some answers. But don’t count on it. Week four power rankings. Hope you enjoy.

#1.ORLANDO APOLLOS (3-0) Ranking: Same    The Apollos only scored 21 points in week three. That was enough to win against the Express. The Express has a good defense which at times can slow down an offensive power house like the Apollos have. To me the Apollos over all, on both sides of the ball, are very talented. The offense was still effective even though only scoring 21 points. The defense the Apollos have does not get talked about because of the Apollos offense and Steve Spurriers’ play calling as he is an offensive genius. I think their defense is the bigger story. We will see how the Apollos do on the road the next few weeks. Can they stay unbeaten?

#2.BIRMINGHAM IRON (3-0) Ranking: Up two spots    In the football world, Alabama always has Georgia’s number. It seems like it in College. In the pro game as well as Birmingham handled Atlanta with ease last week. Did Luis Perez learn how to win on Youtube like he learned how to play quarterback? Trent Richardson was back in the end zone twice after a very quiet week two after exploding in week one. I like the defense the Iron have. Not very big, but very quick and they can tackle.

#3. San Diego Fleet (2-1) Ranking: Up two spots  The Fleet have a very good defense that has been quietly getting things done, but made a statement last week. The Fleet blew out the Commanders.  Maybe the team is finally caught up to Coach Martz’s playbook. Besides the defense, Phillip Nelson looked sharp and the passing game was finally catching up to the running game. Who’s your favorite Nelson?

Phillip Nelson or Nelson Spruce who is emerging as one of the league’s best receivers. Watson and Gardner have formed a thunder and lightning combo in the back field for the Fleet which has been very deadly for opposing defenses.

#4. ARIZONA HOT SHOTS (2-1) Ranking: Down 2 spots Maybe the Hot Shots put out their own fire. Came into this league on fire. Looked flat in week two, but made a comeback late in that one to win. Week three, the team looked flat again and they lost their starting quarterback, John Wolford. Second string Trevor Knight was not very impressive.  How long will Wolford be out? Can Trevor Knight carry the load in week 4? Big questions for this team at the most important position on the field.

#5. SALT LAKE CITY STALLIONS (1-2) Ranking: Up one spot   Sometimes a team just needs a little home cooking. It looks like the Mormons discovered the Holy Grail last week.

The Stallions galloped to an upset victory over the Hot Shots. The Gods or they were on the right side of the doorbell, it did not come down to special teams. Especially the kicking game. Having your starting quarterback Josh Woodrum is very helpful. Plus Karter Schult on defense is still getting to the quarterback. Leads the league in sacks with four.

#6. SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS (1-2) Ranking: Down 3 spots  The Commanders I have been raving about with their defense. Thought Logan Woodside looked good. I like running back Kenneth Farrow. Not a big fan of the Commanders rotation especially on offense. Kenneth Farrow hardly carried the ball last week. Then they keep rotating their second string quarterback in for series. You have not fully developed  your starter in Logan Woodside yet. He looks like he gets in a nice groove, but then you take him out. His one mistake a game continues to haunt this team as he threw a pick six last week.

#7. MEMPHIS EXPRESS (0-3) Ranking: Same It’s about time this team made a quarterback change. Christian Hackenberg is out and Zach Mettenberger is the new guy behind center. This change should have been done a long time ago. I was impressed with Zach Mettenberger in the second half against the Apollos last week when the Express finally made the change. Zach has far more experience than many quarterbacks in this entire league. Surprised he was not starting for somebody. He had some good performances when he played for the Tennessee Titans. His 0-10 record as a starter does not show that. I think the Express with the defense which has played well and have a nice running game. With this change behind center I think the tables will turn and the Express and Zach Mettenberg will find their first professional wins coming soon.

#8. ATLANTA LEGENDS (0-3) Ranking: Same  The Atlanta Legends are the Walking Dead of the league. It’s typical because the show the Walking Dead is based in Atlanta and obviously the zombies have bitten this team.  They need a new leader. Perhaps Rick Grimes can take a few snaps.

Get some energy on defense and sign Merle Dixon. With one arm he could do more than what you have now on the Legends defense.

Maybe Johnny Football is the answer for this team since he’ll become available after another binge, most likely.

I try never to kick someone when they are down. When it comes to the Evil Empire, AKA New England Patriots, every theory is thrown out the window. Do you compare Robert Kraft to the Emperor from Star Wars? Bill Belichick is pretty evil and has that sinister dark side to him. Someone has to bring in enough money to fund the Death Star. If we break everything down and get to the head snake, we have to follow the money to the dirty old man, Robert Kraft. The owner of the Death Star was arrested last week and is facing two misdemeanor charges of soliciting prostitution. The police said they have video evidence that proves they have the head of the Death Star, Robert Kraft, twice for sexual acts.

Robert Kraft’s football team just won its sixth Superbowl early in February. He is the owner of one of the longest dynasties in sports as this has been going on too long. Some could say it is two dynasties all mixed in one. Overall it’s the same three pieces with Brady at quarterback, Bill Belichick as head coach, and Robert Kraft as the owner. Mix in a rotation of storm troopers. Add some bounty hunters as your sprinkles and that pretty much sums up the three headed monster that forms the evil empire. I think it is very hard to keep a football team on the top of the world this long. Especially during the salary cap era. They have overcome the monkey wrenches in the wheels with controversies. Such as the cheating scandals of videotaping the Jet cheerleaders. Those are Robert Kraft’s private films. Taping the others teams’ practices. We do’nt know how many practices and how many teams they have filmed and gotten away with it. Then you had the deflate gate tampering with the footballs in a playoff game. Now we add Robert Kraft’s sexual encounters and each of the three headed monster have their own scandal. Kraft getting his noodle in hot water. Belichick a peeping tom. Then Tom Brady likes his balls squishy.

I will never understand these multi-millionaires. How smart they must have been to rise up to the top and be in the situation they are in. Some you can say, were born with the silver spoon in their mouths. If you make a crazy amount of money, you should not be caught in a massage parlor of any kind. I don’t care if its upscale or not. You should never be caught drinking and driving either. They have money for their personal drivers. Have you heard of the poor man’s ride, Uber? With the money they have, they can get the finest of anything they want.

These places have  gals that are picked up from all around the world and forced to get you off. Does that get the 77 year old man off, knowing that?  Who knows how old these girls are as they could be minors. Even if these girls are not a part of human trafficking, what the hell are they? They must be future Doctors and Lawyers paying for Law and medical school.

With that amount of money they have, they can get the top of the line type of girls. Call girls. Perhaps some of these girls are the ones paying themselves through medical and law school. In the movie Any Given Sunday,Tony Pacino plays the head coach for the football team. He gets a card from a call girl. It turns out it was the girl from Saved by the Bell, Jessica Spano. Who is played by actress, Elizabeth Berkley. Would you want a gal smoking hot like Elizabeth Berkley or some minor kidnapped from a third world country ?

 

They could be into a broken down type of human being that has been beaten and forced into giving sexual acts to gross old men.  Again, it’s the point of picking up the phone for door dash or going down to some place. Chances are, visiting places with your type of money,  you could get shaken down and broken down and busted. Especially with everyone having a phone to take pictures of you walking into a classy joint like that in Jupiter, Florida.

Maybe Robert Kraft has deeper and much darker issues than just getting a massage and a sexual act. Do you remember on Seinfeld, George Costanza started dating a gal that looks like Jerry Seinfeld?

Maybe since Robert Kraft is a regular in this massage parlor in Jupiter, Florida, perhaps he found someone that resembled his true love of his life.

Looks like Tom Brady with a wig. You know Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick fight over time spent with their star quarterback

During the off season, Robert Kraft has to go to Florida to fulfill his needs with this prostitute. Needs his Tom time to cure his needs. Perhaps these two kids are just in love with each other. Maybe he wanted to make Tom jealous.

This whole Robert Kraft thing will have its day in court. Robert Kraft has hired all-star attorney Jackie Chiles to get him and his noodle out of boiling water. To try to fight the video taped evidence the Police have in their possession.

Known for his defense, if the bra fits. Stan the Caddy, who is Jackie’s assistant, had an idea did not work well before. Will they use the same defense with the condom fitting the noodle in Robert Kraft’s defense ?

Roger Goodell, another boob, is the commissioner of the NFL and has a wait and see approach before he does anything to Robert Kraft. It will wait until the trial ends when Kraft should be found guilty.  In the past, Goodell has held owners to a higher standard. In 2014, he went tough on the Colts owner,Jim Irsay. Jim pleaded guilty to driving intoxicated. Another moron, who could have had a driver of any kind take him home for a few dollars. Roger Goodell suspended him for six games that year. Fined him $500,000.  A $40.00 ride turned into a half a million plus other fines from the court costs. It will be interesting to see how hard the commissioner comes down on Robert Kraft.  Goodell never rested until Tom Brady served 4 games of suspension for his part in deflate gate. This incident will not end the Patriots dynasty. This incident will not tarnish their image, which has been done to death already. It should be a battle won for all the people that can not stand the tyranny stench of the Evil Empire. Perhaps this will be the first part of many parts of the death star coming down from space for good, in pieces. To end this group of pure blacken scum that has brought us no joy for last 20 years.

 

The Johnny Football saga continues. Not in a good way for the former Heisman trophy winner. The plan was simple for the troubled quarterback. It all sounds good in your head or on paper. Get your act cleaned. Then get back in the game. First two steps were good as Johnny Manziel headed North to Canada. The CFL to be exact and they had somebody that wanted him. The Hamilton Tiger Cats.  The Tiger Cats signed Johnny, I imagine for a insurance policy. Johnny could not get past Jeremiah Masoli on their depth chart and they traded him to Montreal. Johnny Football made 8 starts with Montreal to conclude the season.  The circus now officially has left Canada as the league cut ties with Johnny Manziel yesterday. What did he do this time as he tweeted out and thanks his coach and Alouette teammates ?  Will he come back to states and land on his feet in another football league?

It seem like such a long time ago when Johnny Manzeil  took the College gridiron by storm. He earned the nick name “Johnny Football” for what he did behind center for Texas A&M. He could run for big yards escaping the pressure of the defense. He had an arm where he could throw on the run. Everyone thought he had that ice water in his veins as he played QB with a chip on his shoulder and feared nothing as a leader on the field. Like a guy who had balls like Jim McMahon who said anything, did crazy stuff, but backed it up on the field. People think of Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns who commands the huddle and leads with passion. People lumped Mayfield in the Manziel boat. Those people found out they were wrong.

Johnny Manzeil made sure the Browns drafted him in the first round. A phone call placed by Johnny Football during the draft sealed the deal. On the outside, Johnny Football played the part of a NFL quarterback. The Browns and what the GM of the Montreal Alouettes found out being involved in Johnny Football, was disappointment. Kavis Reed said that, while he informed everyone the league has cut ties with Johnny Manzeil. In Cleveland, Johnny ended up playing in the NFL for two seasons. He played in 15 games and started in 8 games. He even won a couple of games. He threw 7 TD’S.He had 7 picks while completing a little over half of his passes. He was improving. In the C.F.L about the same numbers – 5 TD passes and 7 Interceptions. Four of those interceptions were in his very first game in an Alouette uniform. You could say he was improving in that league.

Instead of ice water in his veins, Johnny Football probably had scotch flowing through his veins. He was a broken man inside his body, in his heart and his brain. To play in Canada ,Johnny Manzeil had regular testing. Drugs, substances and who knows what else. He had regular therapy sessions. We will not know at this time what Johnny Manzeil violated to get him kicked out of the league. Canada has privacy laws that say whatever he did to violate his contract, it will stay confidential. His father once said Johnny will not make it to his 24th birthday, the way he goes about life. Johnny Manzeil known for his substance abuse problems. Add domestic abuse into the situation. Dealing with the drink and beating up the old lady has created a closet full of demons for the former Heisman trophy winner. Throw in destroying some hotel rooms and you could say all of the above is what cost him his second chance in football.

If Johnny Manziel wants to ever make it back to the NFL, he will need another league to show his skills are improving. To show that he is a good citizen once again. People first will say the new spring league, the A.A.F. This league is already in progress. Plus it’s a league where they have a separate quarterback draft. Most players in the league are assigned to the cities they are from or closest to in the region. No brainer it would be the San Antonio Commanders since Manziel played at Texas A&M. He probably knows some of the players on the team. However they might be fine at quarterback since the season has it’s 4th week coming up. Is Arena Football still around?

Maybe the world needs a league where all the Misfits can play. Gather them all and put them on their own island. Like the island of Misfit Toys in Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer. You could say a prison league. Do guards and inmates actually square off these days? I would want Burt Reynolds as my head coach if we are going that direction. This league would have to go ‘beyond the thunderdome’ of  football. Like a fight club but for football. For Guys like Colin Kaepernick and Pac-man Jones. The ones that are hated or are complete busts and have personality issues. Where bad citizens can suit up in pads after drinking a case of whisky and play football. Could be the type of league like the video game of Mutant league football. Teams of outcasts formed across the states and are playing for blood money. A league where you can tell all the adoring fans, “HE HATE ME.” Maybe put those words on back of the jerseys. Maybe mix wrestling in with MMA and bring that to the game of football. Your wish is granted. Johnny Football will resurface in the XFL. Play for a team called the Bezerkos or the Rage. This will be his final chance if the great Johnny Football will ever be great in the pro game. Next Spring who will kneel first? Colin Kaepernick will always kneel way before victory formation. Manzeil versus Kaepernick in the ultimate death match in week one coming in 2020.

 

The Philadelphia Eagles are parting ways with the guy that led their organization to their only Superbowl victory. Known as St. Nicholas in the Philadelphia area, he goes by Nick Foles too and like Santa Clause, he delivers. Instead of toys to good boys and girls, Nick Foles delivers the Eagles playoff victories. He has won 4 out of 5 playoff games, including Superbowl LII which he was the MVP of. When the Eagles were on life support last season, Nick came in again to another injury of Carson Wentz. Nick did the unthinkable and guided the Eagles to the playoffs in a year when Eagles mainly laid on the couch hungover. In the playoffs he went on the road to Chicago and beat the Monsters of the Midway. Nick Foles’ run came to an end in a divisional game which was a close game. After all of that, he was let go by the Eagles. He has become a free agent and is able to sign with any team he wants.

Philadelphia Eagles drafted Carson Wentz in 2016, at number 2 overall. He came from  a small college in North Dakota, where he put up huge numbers. He instantly became the Eagles starting quarterback in year one. In 2017, Carson Wentz was having a great season as he had the Eagles on top of the division looking to get one of the top seeds until he got hurt. He was out for the year. That’s when Nick Foles stepped in and took over. Carson Wentz’s injury lasted into a few games in the 2018 season. When he finally was healthy enough to play, the Eagles benched Nick Foles and Carson got his job back. Carson stat wise was about the same as he was in 2017. The Eagles did not look good. They looked hung over and stale. Carson Wentz then suffered another injury and Nick Foles took over and the Eagles had instant life in them.

This is the perfect year for Nick Foles to be a free agent. He is the biggest name out there. The league has plenty of teams in need of his services. He will and should get a big deal in both money and years from somebody. It would have been hard for the Eagles to commit to numbers like that. Eagles had a 20 million dollar option that Nick Foles turned down. The Eagles could have worked out a long term deal but paying him 20 million a year while you are invested in Carson Wentz, takes up a lot of salary cap space. If the Eagles franchise tag Nick Foles, it will be more money for his services next season. The Eagles could have franchise tagged him and traded him. The Eagles are doing him a favor by not tagging him so he can get a good deal done with a team he wants to go to. It’s a nice asset to have both of these quarterbacks on your roster just in case. Just in case, has been what has happened the last two years. Too much money to be paid to these guys when one of them would have to sit. Keeping both of them would not help getting players for other holes on your roster.

This was probably an unpopular decision letting Nick Foles go. He won 6 out of his eight starts in his second stint with the Eagles. He completed 66.9 percent of his passes during those games. He threw for 12 touch down passes while only thrown 6 picks. Plus overall he won big games for you. However last time Nick Foles was primarily the starting quarterback, you have to go back to his Rams days when he started 11 games. That was way back in in 2015. Nick Foles is 30 years old, can he play the whole season? Can he play at the level he played with coming in at the end of the season like he did? Nick Foles could be that type of player that developed later in his career. It happens as some players hit their peak when they are older.

The smart decision is you have to keep the younger guy you drafted in this situation. Caron Wentz has shown he can play in this league. He has only played in three seasons and he has done more in those years than Nick Foles did when he came into the league. Carson Wentz could be your face of your franchise for the next ten years. Would you risk trading a young talent for a guy like Nick Foles who caught lightning in bottle at the end of the season the last two years? Nick Foles has not shown this flash of brilliance his whole career. Those games he had will always be remembered. Giving a player 20 million for only a handful of games is very risky. Look at what Denver gave the one year wonder, Case Keenum. He had a magical year with the Vikings. Got paid and did not earn those big checks with the Broncos. They went out and got Flacco this off season from the Ravens. The Eagles’ best chance to get back to the Superbowl in the long run is with Caron Wentz. With the money you saved not paying Foles, you can find a cheaper version of Nick Foles just in case. Most of the money can help your defense or help your running game which is always a good thing to have that helps out the man behind the center. Or invest it in the offensive line to prevent hits on your number one quarterback. That is Carson Wentz.

We have more power rankings for this new football league. Our check has not bounced from the A.A.F. They must have lost ours in the mail. No worries, the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes opened his wallet with a 250 million dollar donation to the league to pay off the players’ salaries. So we still have football and power rankings for this football league. At least another week.  If the league finds themselves in more trouble again, they can ask Manny Machado for help as he just came into some money. Have a few six packs of beer which is recommended when you read these power rankings.  ENJOY!!! CHEERS!!!

#1.ORLANDO APOLLOS (2-0) Ranking: Same

Another strong performance by the Apollos in week two. They are the top scoring team in the league. They look like they have the best aerial game in the league. The Gilbert Johnson to Charles Johnson has been lethal to opposing defenses. Perhaps both Johnson & Johnson have the asbestos oozing off them to stop defenders in their tracks.

They had no problem racking up points against a strong defensive unit in the Commanders. On defense, the Apollos continue to be impressive as they score more touch downs than some of these offensive teams in this league. They have the top corner back in the league in Keith Reaser. Keith had the pick six to seal the deal versus the Commanders last week.

#2. ARIZONA HOT SHOTS (2-0) Ranking: Same

The Hot Shots were not so hot facing the Memphis Express. John Wolford and the Hot Shots were flat most of the game in week two. Memphis’ defense played well and made the Hot Shot quarterback uncomfortable all day long. Good teams always find a way to win it at the very end. Good teams like the Hot Shots probably deserve the loss in week two with how ugly they were playing. They fought back late in the game to be a few scores down and came out with a big win on the road. Which seems hard to come by in this league so far after two weeks with the home team prevailing in many of the games. The running game bust out a few big plays in the second half. John Wolford converted on a few key passes to help the Hot Shots overcome and prevail to 2-0 on this young season.

#3. SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS (1-1) Ranking: Up one spot

Even though San Antonio lost last week to the top team in the league, in my book the Apollos I did move them up one spot. In two games they have shown me they have a solid offense that looks to be getting better.  Running back Kenneth Farrow to me has been impressive. The shifty moves. The way he changes gears. He throws himself over the pile and gets hit only to land on his head and still held on to the football.

He’s a small explosive back that can catch the ball out of the back field. He’ll do anything for the extra yard and take a hit and get it. The Commanders’ quarterback, Logan Woodside, looks solid. Only problem with him is he makes one mistake a game. Last week the pick six cost his team the game. His receivers sometimes have the dropsies which does not help. But Logan is always chucking and leading his team down field. The defense of the Commanders has been solid. They can go after the quarterback. They had a strip sack touchdown to their credit last week versus a very good Apollo team.

#4.BIRMINGHAM IRON (2-0) Ranking: Down one spot

The Iron are very lucky Salt Lake City has a bad kicker. If the Iron did not make the one play on special teams forcing the fumble with the touchdown, they would be 1-1. Luis Perez, the great bowler quarterback who was impressive in week one, looked like Roy Munson in week two.

Like Luis, he had a hook for a hand in week two. Trent Richardson was reborn last week and nothing special in week two. Maybe he will be reborn again in week three.

He’ll be motivated by the Jack Handy quotes where the ball is his friend. He comes out inspired and runs people over DAMNITT !! According to the gospels.

#5. SAN DIEGO FLEET (1-1) Ranking: Up one spot

Mike Martz has the greatest show on surf in San Diego rather than turf from his days in St. Louis. In the sloppiest game of the year in which the rain did not help the Fleet passing game, nothing to write home to mom about from the carrier. They probably played the worst team in the league and it was the running game that came alive to give the Fleet its first victory of the year. However Phillip Nelson had a backwards pass.

His back was to the receiver and he chucked the ball behind him and it was caught by his own receiver. Lets see Patrick Mahomes complete something like that. Defense looks decent on the Fleet. I like the running game. The Fleet passing game is not very good. Jury is still out with this team. Maybe the game plan is too complex. We do know they have the best uniforms in the league so they can dress the part.

#6.SALT LAKE CITY Stallions (0-2) Ranking: Down one spot

 

Salt Lake City has been trying out some really impressive talent. All of them know how to ring a bell. The Stallions are in need of a quarterback and have kicking issues. They are trying to bring in local talent to fullfill their book. The Stallions have too many injuries. They should have won last week versus the Iron. But the kicking game failed. The big play on special teams cost them the game. They need to get healthy and quick before they let their season slip away. Karter Schult on that defense can definitely ring a bell.

Karter Schult has to be the best edge rusher in the league. Lots of sacks and pressures in only two weeks of the season.

#7.MEMPHIS EXPRESS (0-2) Ranking: Same

The Express defense is one of the best in the league. It’s the offense that has struggled so far in two weeks. The first week they scored nothing. In week two they had signs of life establishing the running game. The Express defense set up their offense in easy situations. They were able to feed off those opportunities and get the ball in the end zone. However they could not convert on any of the two point conversions. Christian Hackenberg is a bust in the AAF like he was in the NFL. Next season he can earn the hat trick in the XFL. With no passing attack and the defense could not serve them up with primo seating in field position. The Hot Shots came back and stole one away from the Express.

#8. ATLANTA LEGENDS (0-2) Ranking: Same

The Legends looked better in week two than in week one. Even though their play was sloppy against the Fleet. You could “Blame it on the Rain” but they were able to get a lead. They eventually gave up that lead and now fall to 0-2 for the year. The coaching carousel this team experienced right before week one will take some time to completely fix. Legends quarterback Matt Simms looked pretty good. No Peyton Manning or Eli. Phil Simms is still looking for that one son to be like their dear ole dad. What’s the secret Archie Manning ?

Everyone knows it’s all about the right DNA or wiring the subject the right way is the recipe for the elite quarterback.

Football in February is fine by me. Especially this weekend with the dullness of the all-star festivities of the NBA. This is our first ever AAF power rankings. I can honestly say we did not pick the order out of a hat. I will admit we might have had too many beers. Which is a good thing. Don’t know all the  players’ names in the first week of this new league. We may only recognize helmets for quite awhile. I promise you we will not learn everyone’s name. I do promise you an entertaining read when it comes to our power rankings. We will not hold back in weeks to come. I think we will be on our best behavior in week one.

#1.ORLANDO APOLLOS (1-0)        

It was show time for the Apollos in week one as they put up a 40 burger on the legends.  Head coach Steve Spurrier, known for his razzle and dazzle play calling, as the Apollos did that with the Philly special. The two X factors that I can say about Stev Spurrier. The first, coaching in Florida he wins down there. One of the best college coaches of all-time. Many years of success coaching the Florida Gators. Then, in new leagues like the AAF, he does very well. He did very well in the USFL in the early 1980’s. The USFL was his first head coaching job. He coached the Tampa Bay Bandits and went 35-21with them until the league folded. Put Steve Spurrier in Florida and good things will happen. Apollos, I have a feeling, will be one of the top teams in the league this season.

#2. ARIZONA HOT SHOTS (1-0) The Hot Shots look like one of the best teams in the league as they might have the best quarterback in the entire league, John Wolford, who was throwing darts all over the field. They put up 38 points. The defense looked solid with guys like Will Sutton clogging the middle. Former Arizona State and former Chicago Bear. The Hot shot defense has some pretty good NFL talent on that unit, if they hold up all year this team could be a contender. Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Chiefs have the tomahawk chop. Hot Shots have two axes on their helmet. A few fans had the look of the chopping wood style of the tomahawk chop.

#3. BIRMINGHAM IRON (1-0) Iron have Trent Richardson reborn. At least for game one. He had a big day with a few touchdowns, running through people like he was a snow plow and defenders were zombies. He had a powerful spike after one of touchdowns. The ball went into the seats. Lots of emotions pimped up. Iron has a quarterback I thought had a whale of a ball game. Luis Perez was zipping the ball down the field, moving the chains. He has an interesting back story. Never played high school football. They say he is a better bowler than a football player. Perhaps the next Bo Jackson. Kyler Murray seems to be wanting to do only football as he walks away from baseball. Iron defense looked solid. This might be one of those teams that have a chance to get to the playoffs from a good start.

#4. SAN ANTONIO COMMANDERS (1-0) Defense they have. They are the team that rang the bell of San Diego Fleets quarterback, Mike Bercovici. The biggest hit in week one. They forced a lot of turn-overs as well. Probably should have won the game by a bigger margin. Either their offense needs to get better, or is the Fleet defense stronger than we think?  Good to see football in the Alamo dome. A place they built because they thought football would come to them. Field of Dreams is what they were watching when they made their decision to build the Alamo dome. Only time they get professional football is if New Orleans has a hurricane.

#5.SALT LAKE CITY STALLIONS (0-1) Stallions have a lot of good things going on even though they lost.  I think this team has enough talent to be in the top tier. They played a good team in Arizona. The managed to score 22 points against a pretty good defense. They have a running back with some NFL experience in Matt Asiata. The former Viking knows how to get in the end zone. He did score a touchdown in his first AAF game. Overall he had a good game.  I like the former Northern Iowa defensive end, Karter Schult, who put some nice pressure on the Hot Shot quarterback. I see the Stallions getting their first win, sooner rather than later.

#6.SAN DIEGO FLEET (0-1) Best uniforms in the league. The Fleet looked like they have a pretty good defense that kept them in their first game last weekend. Is Mike Martz’s offense just too difficult to run? All the teams only had a month to get ready for the season. You have to get into game shape. Plus a playbook. A difficult playbook by Martz can take a very long time to get everyone on the same page. Looked like Martz did not like his first quarterback, Mike Bercovici, who got his bell run in the first half of the game. Originally the Fleet had Josh Johnson, however the  Redskins took him away late in the NFL season. He took Bercovici out and the second guy did not do well. Then he put Bercovici back in.  Rotating quarterbacks in week one. Maybe they can split time, one QB remembers half of the difficult play book while the other remembers the other half.

#7.MEMPHIS EXPRESS (0-1) If you asked any player from the 1985 Bears, they probably would say, “We did not need no stinking offense to win games. Yes, we were that good on the defensive side of the ball.” Mike Singletary, Hall of Fame linebacker from the ’85 Bears, is head coach of the Express. They have a pretty good defense. Offense is what is going to kill this team. Like so many Bears teams, same thing, shot themselves in the foot with the lack of. I feel bad for the Jets who drafted this kid, Christian Hackenberg. Or it explains the New York Jets’ failures better from drafting Hackenberg. His footwork is messy. Panics in the pocket. Takes too long to make a decision. Not very accurate.

#8. ATLANTA LEGENDS (0-1)

The Legends, are not quite so legen-Dary and we will have to WAIT  for it after being destroyed in their first game ever. This team is in disarray. Brad Childress, original head coach of the team, jumped ship before the season started. Perhaps the Legends are destined to hit an iceberg. Offensive coordinator, Mike Vick, had his other job came calling, he jumps ship to resume his dog walking duties.