Former AAF Players Yield Mixed Results in NFL Preseason Games
The AAF was a short-lived, yet much-talked-about football league that ceased operations before the postseason even started. For a lot of players, the experience was a nightmare. Others used the opportunity to showcase their talent to NFL teams, and when the league folded, several were signed and invited to NFL training camps.
On Thursday, the first real night of the NFL Preseason kicked off and there were former AAF players all over the place. The results were mixed but it was cool to see guys making the best of a bad (and mostly embarrassing) situation.
Highlights
Logan Woodside, the former San Antonio Commanders quarterback, torched Philadelphia for two touchdowns (zero picks) in his first preseason game with Tennessee. Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill will be No. 1 and No. 2 for Tennessee but if they carry three quarterbacks, Woodside could very well be that guy. After all, he’s familiar with the franchise; before joining the AAF, he was in camp with the Titans. Even if he nabs a practice squad gig, that’s a win.
Logan Woodside (@LwoodsideQB5) making a connection with Cody Hollister (@C_hollister81) in Preseason Week 1.
Touchdown 🙌🏾 #TENvsPHI pic.twitter.com/F2PVCisiZm
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 9, 2019
WR Tanner McEvoy uses all of his 6-6 frame to go up and get the TD! 🙌🏾 #TitanUp | #TENvsPHI pic.twitter.com/87FfOjHgv1
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 9, 2019
Three former Orlando Apollos — Ishmael Hyman (WR), Garrett Gilbert (QB), D’Ernest Johnson (RB) –helped the Browns win 30-10 over Washington. Hyman caught four passes for 39 yards, Gilbert threw for 135 yards (o TD, o INT) and Johnson’s 23 rushing yards (five carries) led the team.
Tight end Austin Taylor, once a Salt Lake Stallion, caught two passes for 20 yards in Detroit’s 30-3 loss to New England.
Lowlights
For the Redskins, former Salt Lake Stallions QB Josh Woodrum went 6-for-11 with 44 yards and a pick.
Matt Simms, an Atlanta Legends alum, was 8-for-17 (0 TD, 0 INT) in the Atlanta Falcons 34-27 loss to Miami.
Two of the best wide receivers from the AAF — Rashad Ross and Charles Johnson — both played on Thursday for their respective teams but failed to haul in any of their five combined targets.
Notable AAF Players Getting An NFL Opportunity
QB Logan Woodside, Tennessee Titans
QB Josh Woodrum, Washington Redskins
QB John Wolford, Los Angeles Rams
QB Matt Simms, Atlanta Falcons
QB Garrett Gilbert, Cleveland Browns
RB Kenneth Farrow, Miami Dolphins
RB D’Ernest Johnson, Cleveland Browns
WR Ishmael Hyman, Cleveland Browns
WR Rashad Ross, Carolina Panthers
WR Amba Etta-Tawo, New York Giants
WR Charles Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
TE Keith Towbridge, Buffalo Bills
TE Austin Taylor, Detroit Lions
TE Wes Saxton, Seattle Seahawks
TE Scott Orndoff, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
According to Draft Diamonds, 68 former AAF players were on current NFL rosters (as of 8/5). You can find the entire list here.