SD Fleet Daily Update
January 19, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The Fleet was back in action for a morning practice at 9:20 a.m. CT at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas, following a day off on Friday. It was a blustery morning, as wind gusts in San Antonio got up to 35 miles per hour.
For the third-consecutive day, practice was moved back from the grass fields at the STAR complex to the field-turf at Heroes Stadium due to wet field conditions.
The Fleet had 71 of 74 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions of DE Damontre Moore (illness), CB Tyree Holder (ribs) and DE Meffy Koloamatangi (knee), who missed his eighth-consecutive day with a minor knee injury. OL Jeremiah Kolone (hamstring) returned to a full practice along with newcomers OL Ben Huss and DB Damarius Travis
Two-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time Super Bowl champion Darryl Johnston was at practice on Saturday scouting the Fleet. In addition to his current broadcasting role for NFL on Fox, "Moose" is the General Manager of The Alliance's San Antonio Commanders - the Fleet opponent in the opener on Feb. 9.
Four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Champion Hines Ward also made an appearance at Heroes Stadium on Saturday. The Super Bowl XL MVP currently serves as Player Relations Executive of The Alliance of American Football.
HIGHLIGHTS
FS Demetrius Moore (USC) stole the spotlight on Saturday. In seven-on-seven drills, he made an interception on a ball that was deflected into the air by CB Ron Brooks (LSU) and sprinted 60 yards into the end zone. Not only did the players in the drill and on the sidelines race behind him into the end zone - the defensive line corps stopped in the middle of its pass rush drills and left the offensive line hanging to join the other members of the unit for a full defensive celebration. Moore, 27, later recorded another interception towards the end of 11-on-11 drills.
CB Curtis Mikell (Southern Miss) deflected a ball with a late lunge to break a completion and nearly lead to an interception - as the carom was just out the range of diving SS Ryan Moeller (Colorado).
WR Francis Owusu (Stanford) made a great adjustment for a long catch in seven-on-seven drills. He came back for an underthrown pass during a fly route to make a diving catch just before the ball hit the turf.
K Cole Murphy (Syracuse) connected on five-of-seven field-goal attempts despite kicking directly into a stiff wind that, at times, reached 35 miles per hour.
BOATS QUOTES
Player Relations Executive of the Alliance Hines Ward on the progress of the league: "It's been amazing. The feedback from the players getting the opportunity to showcase their talents; coming out here and watching some of the former players like Anthony Becht teaching his knowledge to the players -- I can't ask for anything more. Mike Martz has done a tremendous job putting this team together. Players are starting to buy-in. I can't wait until February ninth."
Player Relations Executive of the Alliance Hines Ward on his assessment of the talent level on display in the Alliance: "Just going around throughout whole training camp - there's talent. There's a lot of talent around here, there's no question about it. There are question marks - like, 'Man, what are you doing here? You should playing be in the NFL.' For whatever rhyme or reason, this is an opportunity for them to get a second chance and really showcase to play the game they love and be coached by credible guys who have been there, done that. I just look at our league as a league of opportunity for these guys. The talent is here, now they've got to go out there and showcase what they can do."
Player Relations Executive of the Alliance Hines Ward on why he joined in the Alliance: "Helping guys; helping guys fulfill their dreams. I think myself, Troy Polamalu, Jared Allen, Justin Tuck - we were all captains on our team. We were helping the young guys coming into this league; trying to preach to them on how to have longevity in the league. Being a captain; being a leader of my team has helped me in this position because I want to help all these guys - not only on the field but off the field, as well."
Player Relations Executive of the Alliance Hines Ward on his thoughts of the Fleet: "I just think Mike Martz and his coaching staff - just being out here today - it's a well-oiled machine. Guys looking forward to playing February ninth. Some great talent on this field - so stay tuned."
FS Demetrius Wright (USC) on providing a couple of opportunities for the defense to celebrate on Saturday: "It's great for a defense to come together and celebrate; do different things on the field together - celebration, have a different handshake or something. It builds some good chemistry throughout the defense."
FS Demetrius Wright (USC) on the tight competition for spots on the Fleet defense: "Competition brings out the best out of everyone. I feel like we've got a lot of great athletes on the defense - and that's what brings out the drive and power of each guy."
FS Demetrius Wright (USC) on having six-time pro bowler Eric Allen as his DB coach: "It's great. Every time he talks, the whole group turns arounds and gives him eyes. It's real great to have someone who is legendary in our room that can give us knowledge from everything he's been through. You get to sit with him for four hours throughout the day, so that's a lot of good time."
DROPPING THE ANCHOR LINE (OF THE DAY)
K Cole Murphy (Syracuse) on having to attempt field goals straight into the teeth of a stiff wind: "All wind for a kicker is bad. Even when it's at your back, it might help you make a kick; but it's not a true indicator of how when you hit it. But I'm not going to lie. This was not fun."
COUNTDOWNS
The Fleet will enter its day off tomorrow with:
7 days before its dress rehearsal game (i.e preseason game) against the Atlanta Legends at the Alamodome on Jan. 27.
20 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.
28 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - DEMETRIUS WRIGHT, FREE SAFETY
FS Demetrius Wright (USC) was a heralded product of Corona (CA) High School who was selected as a U.S. Army All-American in 2010. He spent his collegiate career at University of Southern California (2010-13), where the six-foot-two, 216-pounder recorded 110 tackles over his 36-game career with the Trojans.
Undrafted in 2014, he was promptly signed by the Miami Dolphins in May but was later released prior to the start of the 2014 season. Wright has since played in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2015) and Edmonton Eskimos (2016). His brother, Daiveun Curry-Chapman, was a wide receiver at Northern Arizona (2007-10) who played briefly with the Arizona Cardinals and Arena League's Kansas City Command.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - FRANCIS OWUSU, WIDE RECEIVER
WR Francis Owusu (Stanford) was a Fleet addition early in Training Camp after being released from the Miami Dolphins practice squad. Owusu gives the corps good height with his six-foot-three frame. Though putting up modest career numbers at Stanford University - 34 catches, 482 receiving yards and three touchdowns, Owusu made one of the most memorable catches in NCAA history for a touchdown against UCLA on Oct. 15, 2015. His talent did not go unnoticed, as the Oxnard, Calif., native signed as an undrafted free agent with Miami in 2017 and spent each of the past two seasons as a member of the Dolphins' practice squad. Owusu comes from a talented family, as his brother, Chris, also played at Stanford and is an NFL free agent; brother Brian played at Harvard University; younger brother Michael is committed to play at Vanderbilt; and older sister Crystal played basketball at Columbia University.
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Alliance of American Football Stories from January 19, 2019
- San Antonio Commanders Daily Training Camp Update for Saturday, January 19, 2019 - San Antonio Commanders
- Memphis Express Daily Update - Memphis Express
- Arizona Hotshots Daily Update: Saturday, January 19, 2019 - Arizona Hotshots
- January 19, 2019 - Orlando Apollos Daily Update - Orlando Apollos
- SD Fleet Daily Update - San Diego Fleet
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