SD Fleet Daily Update
January 23, 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.
The team practiced in full pads today.
The Fleet had one transaction today, as the team signed OT Daniel Brunskill (San Diego State).
More information on Brunskill appears later in today's notes. The active roster is at the full 75 max.
The Fleet had 72 of 75 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions being OG Joe Gore (knee), WR Nelson Spruce (calf) and newcomer OT Daniel Brunskill. CB Tyree Holder (ribs) practiced in a limited capacity. CB Jude Adjei'Barimah (knee) returned to full practice.
The Fleet ended practice with a series of plays near the goal-line during 11-on-11 drills, which brought out the competitive spirit between units. The offense ran 16 snaps from the two-yard line -- scoring on seven of the plays. After the offense started by punching in four of the first six opportunities, the defense was able to bare down with stops on eight of the final 11 tries. Both RB Ja'Quan Gardner (Humboldt State) and RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific) recorded a pair of touchdown runs. RB Paul James (Rutgers) and QB Phillip Nelson (East Carolina) also scored via the ground while QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) hooked up with WR Brian Brown (Richmond) for the lone passing touchdown in the series.
The Fleet will not practice on Thursday.
HIGHLIGHTS
WR Kyle Lewis (Cal Poly) made a pair of fantastic catches in one-on-one drills. First, on a fly route, he reached back over FS Tyler Thornton at the apex of his jump for a touchdown catch on an underthrown ball. Later in the same drill, he made a leaping snare on a slightly overthrown ball that was directly over his head while running out of room in the back of the end zone. Wednesday marked just the second day over the past couple of weeks that Lewis operated back at his native position after spending time working as a running back.
P Ryan Winslow (Pittsburgh) looked good... as a quarterback! On a design play during a field-goal attempt, Winslow - the holder - stood up and rolled to his right, connecting with TE Aaron Peck (Fresno State) on about a 10-yard strike downfield. Peck also reeled in a 20-yard pass on the seam on a strong throw by QB Phillip Nelson (East Carolina).
QB Phillip Nelson (East Carolina) made several nice throws with the wind on his back in nine-on- sevens - linking up with both WR Francis Owuso (Stanford) and WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) on a pair of passes.
QB Alex Ross (Coastal Carolina) reeled off a pair of nice carries while running RPO in 11-on-11 drills.
DT Tani Tupou (Washington) dished out another big hit in 11-on-11 drills, smothering RB Ja'Quan Gardner (Humboldt State) at the line of scrimmage on a draw.
BOATS QUOTES
RB Paul James (Rutgers) on running the goal-line situation in 11-on-11s: "That's what it's all about. That's when you've got to bring it. We really got hyped for it - but so did the defense. It's good for both units; good competition."
RB Paul James (Rutgers) on his role among the Fleet's deep corps of running backs: "It's a really competitive group. We've got smaller guys, we're got powerful guys. So I think we all complement each other well. I bring that feel of more speed, opening it up; get that long stride - but also able to run with some power. We all complement each other. I definitely think we have the best running back corps in the whole league."
RB Paul James (Rutgers) on his confidence in the Fleet offense: "In the beginning, it's always rough as an offense. People are still trying to learn the playbook and get it together. I think now, it's all starting to come together; starting to click for everybody. The way we're lighting up the field; the way we're moving the ball down the field - it's feeling great. I think we're going to go out there and put up a lot of points."
TE Gavin Escobar (San Diego State) on leading some of his lesser experienced teammates: "I'm not a huge talker, but I like to show my leadership just by how I go out to practice ever day. Just being a professional, like what I learned from guys like Jason Witten - trying to do that here and show guys that you have to bring it every day."
TE Gavin Escobar (San Diego State) on what he has learned throughout his pro career: "Mostly what I've learned is that the game can be taken away from you at any moment - either through injury or not having the opportunity to play. So I think the love of the game - if you ask most of the guys in this league - is what they miss the most. Just playing the game."
TE Gavin Escobar (San Diego State) on being back in Texas, where he played a majority of his NFL career: "It's exciting to be back in Texas. I don't think I've been back since my last year with Dallas. You definitely feel that energy in Texas - that football is a big deal. So it's nice to be here for Training Camp and we'll be back here for Week One."
WELCOME ABOARD
OT Daniel Brunskill (San Diego State) brings solid experience to the Fleet after spending the last two seasons on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad. The six-foot-five, 260-pounder made a remarkable transition from tight end to offensive line during his career at San Diego State University (2012-16).
After redshirting in 2012, Brunskill played in all 40 games his first three active seasons as a tight end - recording 15 receptions for 143 yards and three touchdowns. His play at tight end was good enough to get recognized for Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference selection. The switch was a success, as the Valley Center, Calif., native started all 14 contests and was voted as both a Second- Team All-MWC selection as well as the SDSU Offensive Lineman of the Year. By the end of his college career, Brunskill tied Aztecs records for most games played (54) and most consecutive starts (54) with Donnel Pumphrey and Nico Siragusa.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - PAUL JAMES, RUNNING BACK
RB Paul James (Rutgers) started his college career at Rutgers (NJ) University as a walk-on in 2011 - and left as a captain in 2015. In all, he played in 25 games with 22 career starts - rushing for 1,820 yards and 19 touchdowns with an impressive 5.6 yards-per-carry average. The six-foot, 203-pound blazer also added 21 receptions for 267 yards and two scores. As a sophomore in 2013, James led the American Athletic Conference at 97.9 rushing yards per game and was named First-Team All-AAC - becoming the first RU running back to earn first-team honors since Ray Rice in 2007 (Ray Rice). That same season, the Vorhees, N.J., native rushed for 48 yards on 10 carries against University of Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium in the Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 28). A smart player on and off the football field, James was a three-time conference All- Academic selection.
DEFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT - TANI TUPOU, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
DT Tani Tupou (Washington) - pronounced /tah-NEE TOO-poe/ earned a taste of the NFL after signing as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks on May 9, 2016, out of University of Washington. The Honolulu native was active for the Seahawks for one game as a rookie in 2016 and for another with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. This past season, the six-foot-one, 298-pounder was a member of the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. Tupou played four seasons at Washington (2012-15) after being redshirted in 2011 and served as a team captain as a senior. He appeared in 46 games for the Huskies and recorded career 59 tackles
COUNTDOWNS
The Fleet will enter its day off Thursday with:
3 days before its dress rehearsal game (i.e preseason game) against the Orlando Apollos at the Alamodome on Jan. 27.
6 days until returning to San Diego on Jan. 30.
16 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.
24 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.
Alliance of American Football Stories from January 23, 2019
- January 23, 2019 - Orlando Apollos Daily Update - Orlando Apollos
- San Antonio Commanders Daily Training Camp Update for Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - San Antonio Commanders
- Arizona Hotshots Daily Update: Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - Arizona Hotshots
- Memphis Express Daily Update - Memphis Express
- SD Fleet Daily Update - San Diego Fleet
- San Antonio Commanders Announce Methodist Healthcare System as Official Healthcare Partner - San Antonio Commanders
- Iron HC Tim Lewis Issues Statement on Coaching Staff Change - Birmingham Iron
- Salt Lake Stallions Select ESPN700 as Radio Broadcast Partner - Salt Lake Stallions
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