SD Fleet Daily Update
January 17, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The Fleet held a morning practice at 9:20 a.m. CT at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
Due to wet field conditions, practice was moved back from the grass fields at the complex to the field- turf at Heroes Stadium for a second-consecutive day.
The Fleet had three transactions today, signing OL Ben Huss (Duquesne), DB Damarius Travis (Minnesota) and P Ryan Winslow (Pittsburgh). Information on all three players appears later in today's notes.
The Fleet had 70 of the 74 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions being newcomers OL Ben Huss and DB Damarius Travis along with OG Jeremiah Kolone (hamstring) and DE Meffy Koloamatangi (knee). Koloamatangi, who missed his seventh-consecutive day with a minor knee injury, progressed to doing some light work on the side with team trainers.
Award-winning sports journalist and broadcaster Howard Balzer attended Fleet Training Camp for a second-consecutive day and conducted interviews with Offensive Coordinator Jon Kitna and quarterback Mike Bercovici for an Alliance of American Football video project. Yesterday he caught up with Head Coach Mike Martz, quarterback Alex Ross and tight end Gavin Escobar.
The Fleet will not practice on Friday, as it is a scheduled day off (#2).
HIGHLIGHTS
CB Jason Matovu (Maine) made perhaps the most impressive play of the day - snaring a one-handed interception down the sidelines during defensive-back drills that prompted an "I see you" from several members of the unit. He later broke up a pass at the middle of the goal line that otherwise would have resulted in a 24-yard touchdown during 11-on-11 drills.
CB Tyree Holder (Ball State) recorded an interception in seven-on-seven drills in the corner of the end zone.
LE Frank Ginda (San Joe State) picked off a pass on a deflection and returned it 85 yards into the end zone during 11-on-11 drills. In an amusing, albeit strong, show of comradery, the entire defensive unit - including the group on the sidelines - followed "Frank the Tank" all the way down the field for a group celebration in the end zone.
QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) again took a majority of reps at quarterback during 11-on-11s.
RB Ja'Quan Gardner (Humboldt State) had another impressive day running with the football. He found the end zone three times during 11-on-11 drills - on a shifty 12-yard run, a shovel-pass from the four-yard line and later an eight-yard jaunt to culminate the trifecta.
BOATS QUOTES
Head Coach Mike Martz on the Alliance of American Football: "I like to call this football in its purest sense. Nobody's going to make a big pay check; there's not a big splash here. It's so pure. It's not like college -- there are no boosters, no scholarships and all that stuff. It's just football. I love that part of it; and I think the guys attracted to that are our kind of guys."
Head Coach Mike Martz on his coaching staff: "If you want these young guys to get the best teaching, you go out and get the best teachers. Larry Marmie (defensive coordinator) - great teacher; Larry MacDuff (special teams/linebackers); Pat Morris (offensive line). So we have four - what we call it the 'Silverback' Club; the old gorillas here. We got four guys wo have been around a long time teaching the details, and then the younger guys can cover the bases there, too. So it's a great mix for us on the staff. I'm very proud of these guys and the effort they're doing."
LB Frank Ginda (San Jose State) on the interception today that led to the huge celebration: "There's no better feeling than scoring on defense. One thing that Mike Martz has been emphasizing is making big plays. We've all got to celebrate as a team; because without each other, we're nothing."
LB Frank Ginda (San Jose State) on learning from NFL-seasoned teammate LB A.J. Tarpley: "I follow after A.J. He's been around the block a couple of times; coming out of retirement. He's a very smart football player. So I pick his mind every night - we're roommates - so I like trying to resemble him and model my game after him to get better every day."
LB Frank Ginda (San Jose State) on what it means to have been labeled the hardest hitter in the linebacking corps by teammate LB Travis Feeney (see below): "It means everything. I've always prided myself on hard work and giving everything I've got - and I apply that in tackling. One thing that people lack in in the NFL, college and high school is tackling. So I kind of pride myself on that and try to hit the ball carrier when I can."
QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) on the Fleet's ability to be a high-profile offense: "There's no doubt when you come out here to practice and competing against this defense, you see what this offense has the capability to do. But the whole offense is built around speed and trust. When you get out there in live situations when we don't rotate a lot, we're in great condition -- because of the way we practice. It's going to be fun because we have play-makers in all facets of that offense - including the offensive line. It's going to be fun to spread the ball around and just play fast."
DROPPING THE ANCHOR LINE (OF THE DAY)
LB Travis Feeney on who in the linebacking corps hits the hardest: "It's got to maybe be my boy 'Frank the Tank' (Ginda). My boy 'Frank the Tank.' Yup. He be bringing it!"
WELCOME ABOARD
P Ryan Winslow (Pittsburgh) was signed by the Fleet on Thursday. The native of Maple Glen, Pa., had a notable career at University of Pittsburgh, where he was a four-year starter at both punter and holder (2014-17). As a senior, Winslow was a First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection after leading the ACC in punting average (44.5). He also enjoyed a career highlight when he tossed a 15- yard touchdown pass on a fake punt against Virginia Tech. Undrafted in 2018, the six-foot-five, 210- pounder went through training camp with the Chicago Bears before being waived among final cuts.
Punting runs in the family, as his father, George, was the first punter on scholarship at University of Wisconsin then later spent time in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns (1987) and New Orleans Saints (1989).
OL Ben Huss (Duquesne) was signed by the Fleet on Thursday. The six-foot-two, 310-pounder was arguably the most decorated offensive lineman in Duquesne University history. After earning Second- Team All-Northeast Conference acknowledgement as a freshman in 2014, Huss was a First-Team selection in each of his last three seasons - becoming one of just two Dukes player in program history to garner all-league honors in each of his four seasons. Additionally, he received an Associated Press All-FCS Second-Team nod. The Upper St. Clair, Pa., native was also the first Dukes player ever to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. A four-year starter, Huss helped guide the team to a pair of NEC championships. He was invited to attend rookie mini-camp with the Jacksonville Jaguars this summer.
DB Damarius Travis (Minnesota) was signed by the Fleet on Thursday after spending the past two seasons on the practice squad for the New England Patriots. The 24-year-old appeared in 39 games at University of Minnesota and finished with 189 tackles and four interceptions. As a senior in 2016, Travis started all 13 games and led the Gophers in tackles (83) while recording a pair of interceptions. The six-foot-two, 217-pounder is a product of Pensacola (FL) High School.
COUNTDOWNS
The Fleet will enter its day off tomorrow with:
9 days before its dress rehearsal game (i.e preseason game) against the Atlanta Legends at the Alamodome on Jan. 27.
22 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.
30 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - FRANK GINDA, LINEBACKER
LB Frank Ginda (San Jose State) is the youngest member of the team at just 21 years of age - yet, has been said to be one of the hardest hitters in the Fleet's deep stable of linebackers. This ability was certainly on display during his three-year career at San Jose State University, where he was a starter all three campaigns.
As a junior in 2017, the native of Los Banos, Calif., was the NCAA leading tackler with 173 - the highest single-season total in Mountain West Conference history. After being named to the 2017 All-MWC first-team, Ginda declared for the 2018 NFL Draft -- foregoing his senior season. The six-foot-one, 238-pounder went undrafted and spent time during the summer with the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, but was waived prior to the start of the regular season. Interestingly, Ginda was a victim of a hit-and-run accident on the eve of his Pro Day at SJSU. His Dodge Dart was T-boned and totaled by an oncoming car while stopped at an intersection. Despite 10 stiches on his face and a severely bruised shoulder -- among other minor ailments, Ginda still participated and went through the full slate of drills.
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