{"id":58275,"date":"2019-02-13T22:41:47","date_gmt":"2019-02-14T03:41:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=58275"},"modified":"2019-02-16T12:52:20","modified_gmt":"2019-02-16T17:52:20","slug":"aaf-week-two-atlanta-legends-san-diego-fleet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/02\/13\/aaf-week-two-atlanta-legends-san-diego-fleet\/","title":{"rendered":"AAF Week Two Preview: Atlanta Legends at San Diego Fleet"},"content":{"rendered":"

So far, the Alliance of American Football<\/a> has proven itself to be a success<\/a>. Whether or not it can sustain long term success remains to be seen, but as the AAF heads into the second week of its inaugural season, two teams are already desperate to claw their way back after difficult road losses. This weekend, the Atlanta Legends travel once again to take on the San Diego Fleet, who are playing their first home game.<\/p>\n

After an embarrassing loss<\/a> against the Orlando Apollos landed them in last place of the Week One power rankings<\/a>, the Legends hope they can bounce back to even out their 0-1 record. As for the Fleet, who became the talk of the AAF after a nasty hit on quarterback Mike Bercovici<\/strong>, are hoping to establish themselves with a first-time home win.<\/p>\n

AAF Week Two: Atlanta Legends at San Diego Fleet<\/h1>\n

Atlanta Legends Seek Rebound After Embarrassment in Orlando<\/h2>\n

Not only is a 40-6 loss a bad way to open your inaugural season, it’s flat out embarrassing. Week One literally could not have gone any worse<\/a> for the Legends. Despite heading into the season as early favorites around the league, thanks to names like Michael Vick<\/a><\/strong> and Aaron Murray<\/a><\/strong>, the sudden departure of Vick<\/a> and questionable change to Matt Simms<\/a><\/strong> as starting quarterback<\/a> caused the majority of Atlanta fans to wonder what exactly was going on with the team.<\/p>\n

By the end of the game, both Murray and Simms had combined for three interceptions while the team’s collective running backs rushed for fewer than four YPC on 24 attempts. Worse still, the team’s defense surrendered a league-high<\/a> 40 points to the Orlando Apollos. That’s not exactly a record you want to set in your first ever game.<\/p>\n

Of course, the road ahead doesn’t look much brighter, but the team seems hopeful. Wide receiver Justin Thomas<\/strong> spoke after practice on Thursday<\/a>, saying “It\u2019s very important to get a win after a loss […] It will get us back on our feet and get us going in the right direction again.”<\/p>\n

Players to Watch<\/h3>\n
\"Atlanta
Look, a homegrown LWOS meme.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Matt Simms, QB:<\/strong> Okay, maybe his first outing was a fluke. Maybe he really does deserve to be the starting quarterback. The fans might not say so, but what do they know? Simms himself comprised two-thirds of Atlanta’s three interceptions in their first game. It’s entirely possible that Simms can bounce back against the Fleet, but this may very well be his last chance. A repeat performance of last week should land him on the bench, if not on the side of the road while the team travels back to Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Justin Thomas, WR:<\/strong> Starting wide receiver Seantavius Jones<\/a><\/strong> reeled in a dismal 37.5% of passes last weekend, while Justin Thomas brought in all four of his targets. Jones was listed as one of the starting receivers when the season opened, but he could be usurped at that position if Thomas continues on his path of catching whatever comes his way. He’ll face some difficulty against the Fleet, whose secondary combined for two interceptions against the San Antonio Commanders.<\/p>\n

Tyson Graham, DB:<\/strong> After surrendering 40 points to the Apollos, there’s honestly not much to look out for on defense for Atlanta. That being said, Tyson Graham performed admirably in the first week. While Graham recorded no interceptions, he did rack up six total tackles (five solo). While he has seen time on NFL teams, he’s never played an NFL snap. Still, he was the University of South Dakota’s leading tackler<\/a> in 2014.<\/p>\n

San Diego Fleet Not Sinking Despite Loss in San Antonio<\/h2>\n
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What. A. Hit. \ud83d\udca5@aafcommanders<\/a> | #SDvsSA<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cZIyt91mTz<\/a><\/p>\n

— The Alliance (@TheAAF) February 10, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n