After a successful first week of their inaugural season, it is on to week two for the Alliance of American Football(AAF). We take a closer look to this Saturday night’s matchup between the Salt Lake Stallions and the Birmingham Iron.
AAF Week Two Preview: Orlando Apollos at San Antonio Commanders
Previewing the AAF Week Two Matchup of the Salt Lake Stallions at Birmingham Iron
Salt Lake Stallions (0-1)
The Salt Lake Stallions are looking to bounce back in week two of AAF action this week. Last Sunday night, the Stallions fell to the Arizona Hotshots 38-22. While the Stallions did put up 22 points, the offense did have some struggles. Quarterbacks Josh Woodrum and Matt Linehan threw an interception each. Stallions head coach Dennis Erickson will need to get his team in order this week when they travel to Birmingham to take on the 1-0 Birmingham Iron.
Woodrum was forced out of action last week late in the first half with a hamstring injury. While Linehan, like Woodrum, did throw an interception, he did display more arm strength than Woodrum. That arm strength could be a weapon in Erickson’s spread pass offense. If Woodrum is healthy enough to go on Saturday night, Erickson will have an interesting decision to make. Linehan has a bigger arm, but Woodrum appears more mobile.
One way Erickson can take pressure off his quarterback is to run the ball early and often. The Stallions offense possess two solid running backs in Brandon Oliver and Joel Bouagnon. Both showed some burst in the season-opening loss to the Hotshots last week. The Salt Lake Stallions might find more success running the ball than passing.
On defense, it appears that linebacker Greer Martini is developing into the Salt Lake Stallions defensive leader. Last week, he had six total tackles and a sack. His first task this week will be stopping former NFL first round pick and now current Iron running back Trent Richardson.
If the Stallions are going to win this week, they will need to get improvement out of their secondary. Last week, the Stallions pass defense allowed Hotshots quarterback John Wolford to throw for 275 yards and four touchdown passes. The Stallions can’t allow Iron quarterback Luis Perez to have the same type of production this week.
Birmingham Iron (1-0)
Although Richardson only had 2.5 yards-per-carry against the Memphis Express last week, he made his presence felt. He scored two touchdowns and had a two-point conversion. While his over 58 yards rushing weren’t flashing, he did have moments that reminded people why he was a former NFL first-round draft choice.
Iron quarterback Perez wasn’t spectacular in their victory last week, but he was steady. Although he didn’t throw for any touchdowns, he did go 19 for 33 with 252 yards with no interceptions. It does appear that he and wide receiver Quinton Patton are starting to develop a strong bond. Last week Patton had four catches for 107 yards.
One of the biggest reasons for the Iron’s win over the Express last week was the play of their defense. Not only did they pitch a shutout, but they prevented Express quarterback Christian Hackenberg from breaking 100 yards passing (87). Iron defender Jonathan Massaquoi led the Iron defense with two sacks and five tackles.
Iron head coach Tim Lewis is a former NFL defensive coordinator. His experience coordinating defenses looks to be getting put to good use. Although it was only one week, the Iron look to have one of the better defenses in the AAF.
Last Word
We don’t like this matchup for the Stallions this week. Their starting quarterback was injured last week and their defense didn’t show much in their loss to the Hotshots. With possibly being forced to go with their backup quarterback, the Stallions will need to run the ball, keeping the defense off the field. Still, even if they can do that, we don’t like their chances. The Iron appears to have one of the better defenses in the league. If Richardson can build off of what he did last week, with Perez making timely passes and no mistakes, we think the Iron should win this game easily.
AAF Week Two Preview: Orlando Apollos at San Antonio Commanders
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