SD Fleet Daily Update
January 20, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The Fleet had a morning practice at 9:20 a.m. CT at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
For the fourth-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 72 of 74 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions of CB Tyree Holder (ribs) and DE Meffy Koloamatangi (knee), who missed his ninth-consecutive day with a minor knee injury. DE Damontre Moore (illness) returned for a full practice and OL Joe Gore (knee) missed time after sustaining an injury.
HIGHLIGHTS
CB Greg Ducre (Washington) picked off a pass showing exceptional closing speed while covering a deep out route during 11-on-11 drills. Later, he made a nice stop on the edge on a running play.
LB Anthony Sarao (USC) delivered a big stick in the backfield on a running play during 11-on-11 drills and then forced a fumble a couple of plays later.
RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) had two strong runs showing burst through the line before bouncing to the outside for healthy gains. Later, he punched in a four-yard TD run in 11-on-11 drills.
TE Marcus Baugh (Ohio State) continues to display his athleticism and soft hands. He made a leaping grab on a high throw in the back corner of the end zone during seven-on-seven drills.
CB Ron Brooks (LSU), during 11-on-11 drills, had an interception in the end zone and returned it the length of the field - followed by a convoy of the entire defense for 100 yards for a group celebration in the end zone.
BOATS QUOTES
TE Marcus Baugh (Ohio State) what he's been able to learn from Tight Ends Coach Anthony Becht:
"Blocking technique - shooting my hands, using my hips when blocking. Before at Ohio State, we worked on technique. But when we got to San Diego, we focused on technique before even blocking anything. That's what I think has helped all of us - all the tight ends"
TE Marcus Baugh (Ohio State) on the possibility of the tight ends being heavily involved in the Fleet's passing game: "It's exciting. You know, I heard it at Ohio State and I'm sure they (other Fleet tight ends) heard it where they went, too. Like, 'Oh, we're going to use the tight end more this year.'
But I think this year might finally be the year for that. So it's exciting."
TE Marcus Baugh (Ohio State) on the verbal talk between he and defense during team drills: "I try
to make them understand that it's all love. They can jaw back at me, too. I just take it that we are both out here working - trying to compete and making each other better. We don't have music, so
we've got to entertain ourselves. I do it by trash-talk. It makes practice go by a lot faster."
CB Ron Brooks (LSU), on his interception and 100-yard return at practice today: "It's a team effort - it starts from the front all the way to the back; everyone working together. Just being around all those guys; just having everyone celebrate with me and running all the way down - even though some of those guys get tired or winded and we've got to come right back. Just having that fleet that convoys with me is big-time and I love it; coming out here and competing with those guys."
CB Ron Brooks (LSU), on the defense coming together: "A lot of young guys; a lot of young talent. Guys learning the game, and guys coaching younger players. Older guys taking words from our coaches and listening to our coaches, and things like that. It's just everyone from top to bottom, working together and getting better - from a technique standpoint to just to being an all-around football player."
CB Ron Brooks (LSU), on being one of the most NFL-experienced players, helping the younger players: "Everybody has been able to learn from everybody - whether they are young or they are old. I feel like it's our responsibility (to help younger players). Why not? If I have the experience and the knowledge, why not pass it on to help somebody avoid some of the speed bumps I had."
RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) on his role as a bigger back among the Fleet RB corps: "Just being diverse - playing running back and learning fullback and playing fullback and just playing my role on the team; figuring out what Coach Martz wants me to do, and just do it."
RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) on learning to play fullback for the first time in his career: "It's just something you've got to learn. I mean, I feel like it will help me in the NFL - being a running back and a fullback. Not many running backs can do that and I'm lucky with the size and the ability to be able to do that. So it's just every day, going out there and learning the details about the position and understanding what I'm doing and what the linemen are doing."
RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) on the progression of the running game: "The running game is going well; I mean, our offensive line is doing a fantastic job. Coach Martz is helping them out. They're learning stuff from their lineman coach and it's coming along pretty well."
DROPPING THE ANCHOR LINE (OF THE DAY)
DL Tani Tupou (Washington) to teammate LB Travis Feeney, who missed several plays during 11- on-11 drills after sustaining a hit below the belt: "You always got to protect the McNuggets... Well, you said you didn't want kids!"
Head Coach Mike Martz to a wide receiver who ran out of bounds after catching a shallow crossing route in 11-on-11 drills: "Why would you run out of bounds? You cannot score out of bounds!"
COUNTDOWNS
The Fleet will enter its day off tomorrow with:
6 days before its dress rehearsal game (i.e preseason game) against the Atlanta Legends at the Alamodome on Jan. 27.
19 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.
27 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - RON BROOKS, CORNERBACK
CB Ron Brooks (LSU) is one of the most NFL-seasoned players on the Fleet roster. After being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round (124th overall) in 2012 out of Louisiana State, Brooks went on to log 52 games over the course of his five-year NFL career with Buffalo (2012-15) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2016). In his rookie season, he missed the first seven games due to a broken foot sustained in the final pre-season game. In his final year, he ruptured his right quadriceps tendon in Week 7 that derailed the remainder of his 2016 campaign with the Eagles. In between, he collected 74 tackles, eight passes defended and a fumble recovery.
The Irving, Texas, native earned his first NFL start on Dec. 2, 2012, against the Jacksonville Jaguars and led the Bills with a season-high nine tackles and three passes defensed. Brooks was an SEC Champion with LSU in 2011 and played in 53 games as a Tiger alongside many talented defensive backs - namely Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. The 30-year-old was a decorated dual-threat quarterback at MacArthur High School and was selected to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - TERRELL WATSON, RUNNING BACK/FULLBACK
RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) may represent the best feel-good story in The Alliance. At just two-weeks old, Watson was abandoned by his 15-year-old mother -- who left him on the doorsteps of his maternal grandparents in Los Angeles. He would later overcome special education classes as an elementary school student to thrive at Azusa Pacific University and eventually vault into the NFL. During his collegiate career, he broke 21 rushing records (most previously held by former NFL star Christian Okoye) as well as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference career rushing record after just two seasons. His collegiate career culminated with being named Most Valuable Player in the 2015 NFLPA Collegiate All-Star Bowl for the National Team coached by Fleet Head Coach Mike Martz (he finished 9-for-55, TD in a 17-0 win). Undrafted in 2015, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and spent time on the practice squad for the Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos before making his NFL debut with the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 2, 2017, against Dallas - and game in which he finished with nine carries for 28 yards and a one-yard TD run. The 25-year-old also logged NFL time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 before returning to the practice squad with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers this past season. The challenges for the six-foot-one, 244-pounder continue, as he is learning to also play fullback for the first time in his career in Fleet Training Camp.
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