SD Fleet Daily Update
January 26, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The Fleet had an afternoon practice at 2:30 p.m. CT at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas.
The team practiced in spider (light) pads today and in a truncated capacity. In fact, the Fleet is finished practicing in full pads at Training Camp in San Antonio.
The Fleet had 73 of 75 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions being WR Nelson Spruce (calf) and LB Travis Feeney (biceps). Spruce, who has missed the last four practices, did light work off to the side with the training staff.
The team spent the final portion of practice addressing how the Fleet pregame routine will be handled on game days.
Head Coach Mike Martz was mic'd up for practice by the Fleet video crew for a feature that will be produced soon.
NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott was in attendance at Fleet practice for the first time in training camp and was interviewed by NFL insider Howard Balzer. Lott is an investor and advisor for The Alliance.
In addition, The Alliance CEO and Co-Founder Charlie Ebersol and four-time Pro Bowl receiver Hines Ward made a return for a portion of practice.
HIGHLIGHTS
WR Kameron Kelly (San Diego State) made an unbelievable diving catch in the end zone on a deep post route during seven-on-seven drills. He fully sprawled out and snatched the ball right before it hit the turf.
WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) made a leaping grab in the back corner of the end zone on a throw by QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) in 11-on-11 drills.
TE Ben Johnson (Kansas) made a pair of short touchdown catches over the middle during the red- zone portion of 11-on-11 drills.
BOATS QUOTES
NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott on his involvement with The Alliance: "I'm a small investor (in the AAF); and I'm a small investor because I've very lucky because of the game of football... I'm thankful for that. It's also a way of giving back; it's also a way of being able to hopefully have some ideas of being able to maybe help the league. We are all always thinking about the things that we wanted to pass along - and this is a moment where I get to pass this along to my family, my kids and to my sons. This is a great opportunity."
NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott on the importance of The Alliance helping players: "That's where this league is very essential. The reason why is that football is not about how physical you are; football is about understanding the fundamentals of how you need to do it the right way. And trust me. When I came into the league, I learned from Ray Rhodes - Ray Rhodes was my coach. I learned from Dennis Thurman. I learned from a lot of people about how to be able to be a pro. Yes, you can be a great football player, but you also have to continue to learn."
NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott on the quality of coaches in The Alliance, namely Mike Martz: "I can assure you, when I saw Coach Martz, the first thing I thought about was how he used to beat me. And the reason I can remember it is that there are certain things that he did that were very complex. So I know for a fact they (the Fleet players) are fortunate to have Coach Martz being able to teach them to the game of football. Not everybody understands that here is one of the few people that know how to beat any type of defense. And my point to you is that that expertise is valuable. So these guys are able to get that and hopefully they are not only able to get that, but learn from it."
DT Shakir Soto (Pittsburgh) on the readiness of the Fleet players to scrimmage another team: "We're extremely ready... Camp is that time where you are just ready to hit somebody else; we're excited about it. We can't wait to get out there and show what we have. A lot of work has come into this and it's going to show tomorrow."
DT Shakir Soto (Pittsburgh) on his personal improvement throughout training camp: "A lot (of improvement). Coach Amey got me right... The whole defensive line has gotten better since Day One. If you go back Day One and watch the films, and then watch, for example, yesterday's practice - it's day and night how much we got better."
DT Shakir Soto (Pittsburgh) on also learning from teammates, specifically Damontre Moore: "It's a blessing to have him. He has six years in the league. He's just blessed us with his wisdom. He lets us know how it is and makes sure we just work hard and push each other every day. He's a great guy to have around. We're lucky to have him. He really shouldn't be here; but we're lucky to have him here."
DROPPING THE ANCHOR LINE (OF THE DAY)
Running Backs Coach LaMont Jordan to Ronnie Lott upon introduction: "They (Fleet PR staff) was saying what a big collision it would've been if we played against each other. But I'm telling you - my pride would have been too big to let you win!"
OFFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT - TERRY POOLE, LEFT TACKLE
LT Terry Poole (San Diego State) is another former Aztec who figures to play a prominent role for the Fleet.
After starting his college career with two seasons at Monterey Peninsula College (CA) from 2010-11, Poole transferred to San Diego State. The Seaside, Calif., native redshirted his first Division-I season before becoming a two-year starter at SDSU. His impact was immediate, as the six-foot-five, 290-pounder was a 2013 Honorable mention All-Mountain West Conference selection as a junior and a 2014 Second-Team All- MWC selection and MWC All-Academic selection as a senior. Poole was then selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft and logged a season-plus with Seattle (2015-16) before spending time on the practice squad for the Miami Dolphins (2016) and Houston Texans (2017). Poole has made good on a committed to making the most of a "second chance" after spending time in juvenile detention during his high school years.
DEFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT - SHAKIR SOTO, DEFENSIVE TACKLE
DT Shakir Soto (Pittsburgh) had a standout amateur football career in the state of Pennsylvania. The Wilkes- Barre, Pa., native starred at G.A.R. High School before going on to a productive career at University of Pittsburgh. Soto played in all four seasons as a Panther (2013-16) -- making starts in each season - and combined for 120 career tackles, 18.0 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 52 games. He was also able to thrive after transitioning from defensive end to defensive tackle as a senior. After flashing his skills in the 2017 College Gridiron Showcase All-Star Game, the six-foot-three, 301-pounder signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos and spent time on their practice squad as well as on the Oakland Raiders practice squad (2017-18). Soto's uncle, Terry Vieney, was also a Keystone State football star having played at Bloomsburg University (PA).
COUNTDOWNS
The Fleet will have a dress rehearsal against the Orlando Apollos at the Alamodome on Sunday at 7 p.m. This scrimmage will be closed to the media and to the general public. The Fleet will enter Sunday with:
4 days until returning to San Diego on Jan. 31.
13 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.
21 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.
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Alliance of American Football Stories from January 26, 2019
- Arizona Hotshots Daily Update: Saturday, January 26, 2019 - Arizona Hotshots
- SD Fleet Daily Update - San Diego Fleet
- San Antonio Commanders Daily Training Camp Update for Saturday, January 26, 2019 - San Antonio Commanders
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