The AFA: Post-NFL Professional Football

[OctaneHugo]

It was indeed a sad day in America. A day where the NFL officially ceased all operations and folded entirely, the last few teams remaining surrendering to fate and calling it quits. Suddenly hundreds of players had to join the unemployment line and assimilate into the workforce, a far cry from the millions they earned playing a game they love.

The year is 2010 and things went much differently than expected. The NFL began fading in popularity in the late 1980s and is now gone forever. The fans who stuck around are crushed, as are the casual men and women who would occasionally catch a game or two.


However, an upstart league, in secret planning stages for the past several years, is available to take the NFL's place. It is known as the American Football Association, and promises the same high-octane, hard-hitting action the NFL did before its decline, yet for a much longer period. The players are almost entirely non-NFL, though several rookies and free agents have entered the league. The AFA features pre-decline NFL rules and structure, including 32 teams all located near the “originals”. The league, formed-owned-and-run by billionaires, has secured TV contracts with a few major networks and has begun a marketing blitz. People are genuinely excited about professional football again, and the league is set to kick-off.


The 32 teams and their locations are listed below.


-Arizona Thermonuclears
-Athens Soul
-Bethesda Monarchs
-Toronto Brigands
-Raleigh Hammerheads
-Springfield Hawks
-Columbus Smokers [USER]
-Akron Hornets
-San Antonio Sun Devils
-Boulder Diggers
-Lansing Outlaws
-Wisconsin Bombers
-Fort Worth Bulls
-Fort Wayne Vipers
-Tallahassee Predators
-Dodge City Hogs
-Orlando Maulers
-Rochester Defenders
-Portland Devils
-Shreveport Mudmen
-Syracuse Streetpeople
-Yonkers Screaming Eagles
-San Jose Knights
-Scranton Sea Monsters [USER]
-Monroeville Undead
-Sacramento Rattlers
-Los Angeles Impalers
-Bellevue Archers
-Columbia Gamblers
-Hialeah Bulldogs
-Memphis Slashers
-Dover Meteors


The Columbus Smokers are the most interesting. Considered a replacement for the Cincinnati Bengals, the Smokers feature an elite defense led by captain Jessie Wilson at right end, a fearless player who inspires dread in the hearts of opposing Quarterbacks and Running Backs alike. The Smokers are in the process of rebuilding their offense, led by young QB Jose Stone and HB Desmond Avery.

[OctaneHugo]

The first season of the AFA featured several surprises, including the 16-0 Athens Soul, who piled up 56 passing touchdowns 1,990 rushing yards. The Smokers managed a measly 5-11, with a bottom-tier offense featuring a horrible offensive line in serious need of rebuilding. The defense was also fairly lackluster, playing well against opposing defenses but allowing an under-performing secondary to be torched by passing attacks. Overall the Smokers were a mediocre defense with a low number of sacks but a high number of interceptions: it was very hit-and-miss this season for Columbus.


Notable stats for the Smokers include:


QB Jose Stone: 13 TDs, 11 INTs, 2,354 yards, 56% completion, sacked 52 times (backups sacked 16 additional times)
HB Desmond Avery: 1,117 yards, 4 TDs, 4.0 YPC average
WR Ron Caulley: 73 REC, 1,022 yards, 10 TDs
MLB Mo Johnson: 123 tackles, 45 assists, 13 TFL, 2 sacks
RE Jessie Wilson: 46 tackles, 17 assists, 20 TFL, 12.5 sack, 1st in Pro Bowl Voting among defensive ends


In the championship game, referred to as the Evrost Cup, the Fort Wayne Vipers stunned the Athens Soul 20-15, after carrying a lead of 20-6 into the 4^th quarter. The Soul's offense completely let the team down, with star QB Pat Valentine throwing 2 interceptions and HB Eddie Houston average just 2.8 yards/carry. The offense netted just one touchdown and MVP honors went to Fort Wayne strong safety Mac Farr, with 10 tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack and an interception. The game was largely a defensive one, with several field goals attempted.


In the off-season, Columbus GM Anthony Richards is expected to pursue offensive talent to put more points on the board and take pressure off of a disappointing defense.

[CeltBhoy33]

This is tight man!

[phlstar]

hmmm why couldn't you make it arlington since the stadium is here instead of the cotton bowl in ft. worth

[phlstar]

why is there a louisiana team in shreveport???

[OctaneHugo]

Quote: Originally Posted by phlstar

hmmm why couldn't you make it arlington since the stadium is here instead of the cotton bowl in ft. worth

I didn't want to use the real cities, just those near it.

Quote: Originally Posted by phlstar

why is there a louisiana team in shreveport???

Because Shreveport is IN Louisiana?

[OctaneHugo]

To start the off-season, defensive coordinator Eric Hurdle was fired, as was offensive coordinator Derrick Minter. Dale Lindsay was hired as the new DC, and Mike Martz took over the offensive position. Upgrades like food replicators and private smoking booths were added to The Haven, the Smokers' home stadium.


Then came the resign period. Most players in the league were given one-year, entry-level deals. All 32 AFA teams rushed to lock-up valuable players, securing them for the future. Columbus, like other struggling teams, was much less inclined to resign many of their expiring deals. Preferring to simply build through the draft and free agency, Columbus resigned just 8 out of 27 players, mostly resigning defensive players. Both star defensive tackles for Columbus are now signed for 5 seasons, as are most of their defensive teammates. The offense saw many players go, including about 80% of the offensive line.


Columbus then traded overpaid backups B.B. Brent (QB), Dedric Andersen (HB), and Rob Ricks (TE) to the Bellevue Archers for a 3^rd, a 4^th and a 5^th round pick in the 2010 draft (29^th overall). Columbus then went active in Free Agency, needing many offensive players and backups on defense. And active they were.


Columbus signed 15 free agents, including stars Rich King (TE) and Reuben Buchanan (RG). Going into the draft, Columbus was figured to go offense.


Columbus' first round pick (6 OVR) was Jerald Yearwood, a 21-year-old WR out of Oregon. With a 4.26 40 time and a listed height and weight at 6'2” 222 lbs, Yearwood was projected a Top 10 pick. Picking just outside the Top 5 the Smokers added a potential big play receiver to their receiving corps.


With their 2^nd round pick, Columbus once again went offense and took Austin Bowman, a 23-year-old RT who was Jerald Yearwood's teammate at Oregon. Columbus drafted Bowman, projected as a high 2^nd rounder, for his size (6'6”, 311 lbs), strength (35 reps), athleticism (4.8 40, 33” vertical) and for his chemistry with Yearwood.


And that was Day One for Columbus.

[OctaneHugo]

With their first pick in the 3^rd round (6^th overall), Columbus went to the left side of the line and drafted 22-year-old LG Daniel Fuller from Texas Tech. At 6'1” 288 lbs is a bit on the small side, but with 32 bench reps and a great college track record Fuller is a good addition to the line.


As the 29^th pick in the 3^rd rolled around Columbus was busy, deciding who to draft next. With another chance to draft just 9 picks away, they could afford to let a player slide. However, the Smokers did not fool around and instead committed a bit of a reach: drafting Demont Thompson, QB, out of Florida State. The 21-year-old Thompson stood big at 6'2” 218 and had a heck of an arm. The QB was projected as a mid-to-late 5^th round choice due to concerns over his ability to read NFL defenses and his accuracy. However, Columbus ignored the prognosticators and drafted the young Thompson, and now have 2 young quarterbacks capable of seeing playing time.


With the 6^th pick in the 4^th round, Columbus wasted no time in drafting 22-year-old Clemson HB Michael Pomee. Pomee is small and fast, at 5'9” 186 with a 40 time of 4.26. Pomee also ran the Cone Drill in just 4.08, showcasing his agility and elusiveness. With his ability to make defenders miss Pomee is a good change-of-pace addition to a slow, powerful, up-the-gut running game.
With their final 4^th round pick Columbus went back to the line and drafted center Stephen Hutchinson, 23, out of Abilene. Hutchinson was a semi-surprising pick, as Columbus had 2 good, promising, young centers.


In the 5^th round Columbus drafted a player they had been watching carefully, Antuan Lunsford, LT, 21, out of tiny Sonoma State. A hulking figure at 6'8” 334 lbs, Lunsford pulled off a 4.4 cone drill and 32 bench reps.


26^th pick in the 5^th round was Columbus's as well, and they took 23-year-old ROLB Sean Derise out of Mount San Antonio. Derise, a high school end, did 30 bench reps and ran a 4.47 40 time. At 6'3” 237 lbs Derise is durable and can play either linebacker or defensive end.


In the 6^th round Columbus drafted 22-year-old Cal-Northridge cornerback Courtney Richardson, a fast (4.28 40) athletic (37” vertical jump) player who can electrify the field anytime he has the ball. Richardson should vye for a kick return spot.


With their final pick, 6^th overall in the 7^th round, the Smokers took kicker Elliot Duncan out of Butler. Duncan is a powerful kicker and could end up handling kickoffs and long field goals for the Smokers. Duncan is 5'11”, 226 pounds and did 12 bench reps, which could make him a viable blocker in fake field goal situations.