AAF San Diego Fleet

SD Fleet Daily Update

Published on January 22, 2019 under 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. The team practiced in spider (light) pads today.

The Fleet had 72 of 74 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions being OG Joe Gore (knee) and WR Nelson Spruce (calf). CB Tyree Holder (ribs) and CB Jude Adjei'Barimah (knee) practiced in a limited capacity.

DE Meffy Koloamatangi practiced in full for the first time after missing 10 days with a knee injury.

WR Kyle Lewis (Cal Poly) returned to practicing as a wide receiver after spending the last couple of weeks as a running back. Early in Training Camp, the 23-year-old flashed the ability to take the top off the defense at his natural position.

Legendary NFL columnist and New York Times Bestselling Author Gary Myers was on the sidelines at Fleet practice today. Myers is working with CBS for coverage of the national broadcasts of The Alliance of American Football's inaugural opening weekend.

HIGHLIGHTS

WR LaQuvionte "Speedy" Gonzalez (Southeastern) lived up to his nickname on a very busy Tuesday. The former Texas A&M recruit and Kansas University standout drew "oohs" and "ahs" from both sides when he made a diving catch early on in 11-on-11 drills. The 25-year-old also made a leaping grab in traffic near the goal line and held on through contact on both sides and a fall to the ground. Later, Gonzalez found the end zone via the ground on a jet sweep off the left edge.

WR Shay Fields (Colorado) had an impressive day - which started in 11-on-11 drills when he caught a ball downfield that carried nearly 20 feet in the air before he snatched it with a leap. He continues to display the ability to be a shifty slot receiver.

TE Marcus Baugh (Ohio State) continues to serve as an excellent complement to TE Gavin Escobar (San Diego State). The six-foot-four, 240-pound former Buckeye caught a short pass in the end zone after a deflection by LB A.J. Tarpley (Stanford). Baugh also made a tough grab on an out-route and was able to stay inbounds for a short jaunt into the end zone.

FS Tyler Thornton (Azusa Pacific) hauled in the first interception of the day - and it required a diving catch as he raced towards the sidelines.

K Cole Murphy (Syracuse) connected on all but one of his field-goal attempts despite kicking into a stiff wind during special team drills. His last conversion - which was his longest at 50 yards - easily cleared the crossbar.

BOATS QUOTES

WR Laquvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) performing well late in Fleet Training Camp: "I'm just trying to go out and make the best of this opportunity. You know, the guys are top-flight in that receivers room - we compete; compete with each other every day and just try to make the best out of it."

WR Laquvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) on his role in the offense: "I feel like I'm that speed guy. Every place that I've played at, I've been that speed guy for every team. I feel like that's a big part of this team that is needed."

WR Laquvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) on playing in the two-minute drill: "Coach Martz talks about that two-minute drill - getting lined up fast, knowing what you've got and doing your job. Coach Az (Hakim) tells us that if we need a sub, tap our helmets; but those top-flight guys try their best to stay out there when we can. But when we get a little bit tired, we've got to come out."

WR Laquvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) on when his number is called in the huddle for the jet sweep: "I get a little tingle in me. I need that. I need that touchdown, man. I try to do the best for the team to get into the end zone for us."

FS Tyler Thornton (Azusa Pacific) on fighting for a spot on the team with a plethora of talent in the defensive backfield: "Just to let you know, there's good talent - you've got to come out here and compete. If you're not putting in the work off the field - like with the playbook, in the film room - it's going to show; because everyone is able to start here."

FS Tyler Thornton (Azusa Pacific) on the opportunity afforded by The Alliance: "It's awesome, man. I got the opportunity to play in the CFL (Canadian Football League) - trying to make it all the way to the NFL. But this is a step above the CFL, in my opinion; and it's right there towards the NFL. To The Alliance, I'm thankful for the opportunity. I like everything so far."

K Cole Murphy (Syracuse) on kicking in cooler, windier conditions: "Usually, you try to go into the harder elements because you can't always kick on a perfect day. So if it (the wind) is blowing real hard, you try to kick into the wind. If it is cold, you try to go outside. It's been pretty good - able to prepare properly for it."

DROPPING THE ANCHOR LINE (OF THE DAY)

QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) to fellow quarterback Phillip Nelson (East Carolina), who has upset and punching his facemask with the football multiple times: "You don't like those touchdowns?"

Nelson had driven the offense down to the six-yard line during the two-minute drill and spiked the ball - as called from the sidelines - on what proved to be the final play of practice.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - LAQUVIONTE GONZALEZ, WIDE RECEIVER

WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) went on quite a journey before signing with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2018. After being selected as an Under Armour All-American and USA Today All-USA Second-Team at Cedar Hill (TX) High School, Gonzalez began his collegiate career as a four-start recruit at Texas A&M (2013-14). After playing in all 13 games as a true freshman, his time dwindled during his sophomore year and he wound up transferring to Kansas University. The Temple, Texas, native had a breakout season as a Jayhawk junior - finishing second on KU in receptions (62) and receiving yards (729) while contributing three touchdowns. However, he was dismissed from the team in August of his senior season for an undisclosed violation of team rules. He quickly latched-on with NAIA Southeastern University (Lakeland, Fla.) and made the most of his second chance. In only eight games as a senior, the five-foot-10, 187-pound speedster led the Flames in receptions (60), receiving yards (1,018) and receiving TD (10).

His 127.3 yards per game ranked second in NAIA and he was selected as a First-Team NAIA All-America.

DEFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT - MEFFY KOLOAMATANGI, DEFENSIVE END

DE Meffy Koloamatangi (Hawaii) played three seasons at Hawaii (2015-17) after redshirting in 2013 and being assigned to the practice squad in 2014. Once active, he made quite an impact on the Warriors' defensive line -- finishing his career with 81 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and a pair of blocked kicks. He was selected Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference in each of his final two seasons (2016, 2017) and was named to the 2017 Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List entering his senior season. Although undrafted, the six-foot-five, 274-pound lineman was invited to mini-camp tryouts with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Football success runs in his family, as his brother, Leo, is a center for the Detroit Lions and his uncle, Starling Latu, played for Oregon State.

COUNTDOWNS

The Fleet will enter its day off tomorrow with:

4 days before its dress rehearsal game (i.e preseason game) against the Orlando Apollos at the Alamodome on Jan. 27.

7 days before the team returns to San Diego on Jan. 30.

17 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.

25 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.



Alliance of American Football Stories from January 22, 2019


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