SD Fleet Daily Update
January 29, 2019 - Alliance of American Football (AAF)
San Diego Fleet News Release
TODAY'S HEADLINES
The Fleet had an afternoon practice at 2:15 p.m. CT at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. The Fleet was one of just two teams (Atlanta Legends) to practice today.
The team practiced in spider (light) pads today.
The Fleet had 68 of 75 players on the roster participate in practice today - with the exceptions being LB Travis Feeney (biceps), WR Shay Fields (Colorado), WR Dontez Ford (knee), CB Tyree Holder (ribs), P Sam Irwin-Hill (personal), RB Bishop Sankey (knee) and WR Nelson Spruce (calf).
Spruce, who has missed the last five practices and Sunday's dress rehearsal, ramped up his work off to the side. TE Gavin Escobar (ribs) practiced in a limited capacity.
The Fleet continued to tinker with the offensive line after finding more success in both the running game and in pass protection midway through its dress rehearsal against Orlando on Sunday.
CUTTING THE ROPE
Tomorrow, the Fleet will announce cuts and trim the active roster to 52 players. This total will not include those players kept with an injured designation. A revised roster will be distributed on Wednesday.
HIGHLIGHTS
WR Kameron Kelly (San Diego State) made another highlight-reel catch, sprawling against his momentum for a diving catch on a pass thrown behind him on a short hitch rout.
QB Mike Bercovici (Arizona State) and WR LaQuvionte Gonzalez (Southeastern) continue to grow rapport, linking up on multiple passes during 11-on-11 drills.
Fleet defensive back stood out in coverage during both seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills - forcing several whistles before the quarterback had attempted a pass.
DT Donte Wilkins (Virginia) blocked a field-goal attempt with a leap at the line. Prior to the block, PK Cole Murphy (Syracuse) had converted his first three attempt.
BOATS QUOTES
OT Daniel Brunskill (San Diego State) on how he feels physically getting right into action after signing with the Fleet last week: "It was a little bit rusty right off the bat. The first day I got here, I just kind of watched practice. But the second day, it was full pads right off the bat. So it was a little rusty. I still have to get used to the bull rushes and the long arms. My second day, we were just in helmets, so it was a bit tempered down. And then Game Day was still a little rusty, so I'm still working on some things. I mean, it's coming along. It's going to take a little bit of time. I was a little out of shape from coming off the couch. Definitely, getting back in shape is going to help. Getting after these guys - we have a lot of good D-ends and they are giving me a lot of moves, and so that's huge. So I'm getting a lot of work at practice, which is nice."
OT Daniel Brunskill (San Diego State) on adjusting to the Fleet offensive system: "The offense is actually pretty similar to what I've been a part of - at least scheme-wise and how we block it. So that was nice. A lot of the plays were coming along faster once I started realizing what play it was from what I knew and then putting it together. It was nice that the plays were very similar on how they're targeted. So I was able to take the plays I already knew and just kind of memorize a new name for them. So it was a lot faster and I was able to get in the offense a lot quicker. Some things are different that I'm getting used to and learning. But other than that, it's coming along pretty fast and a lot faster than I thought."
OT Daniel Brunskill (San Diego State) on reflecting back on the transition from tight end to offensive line as a senior at SDSU: "It happened; so it doesn't matter if it's a great move or not. It's the move, and now I'm an offensive lineman. So I'm working. If anybody wants me to go play tight end, I'll play tight end. I'm just here to play football. Back then, it was all about playing football. I'm happy that I get to still play. So you could say it's a great move from that."
SS Ryan Moeller (Colorado) on the collective feel of the defense: "When you get on a new team, the hard thing is building comradery and chemistry with the whole unit. But I think we've definitely worked towards that in these last three weeks. We've definitely built a lot."
SS Ryan Moeller (Colorado) on the defensive performance in the dress rehearsal: "I think as a unit, the DBs (defensive backs) played pretty well. I think there was only one big shot they caught on us. I think there is a lot we can do to get better; I definitely don't want to stop there. It was good to see where we were at against competition other than our own teammates."
SS Ryan Moeller (Colorado) on looking forward to opening the season: "It felt really good to throw on the pads again and the jersey and dress up a little more (on Sunday) than to just go about there and hit people in practice. Since that was our first time going against another opponent, it was definitely a good time to get out some of that angst that you've been building up throughout camp... It was fun getting out there playing the game we love."
DROPPING THE ANCHOR LINE (OF THE DAY)
Head Coach Mike Martz on 'Cut Day': "It's so hard. Even when I was with the Rams, when we cut down, Charlie (Armey, General Manager) had to do it. I can't face a player. I can't do it. Dave (Boller) is going to have to do that. We have some really hard decisions. They (the players) will talk me out of it. I tried to cut one guy in my career; and by the time he walked out of the office, he talked me out of cutting him. So I know I can't do it."
OFFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT - BEAU NUNN, LEFT GUARD
LG Beau Nunn (Appalachian State) has come on strong during Fleet training camp. Undrafted out of Appalachian State University in 2018, he was signed by Detroit on May 11 and remained with the Lions late in the preseason. Nunn was a four-year starter at Appalachian State (2014-17) - starting 41 of 43 career games -- after reshirting in 2013. The six-foot-three, 311-pounder made an immediate impact in 2014, as he was selected to the Sun Belt Conference All-Newcomer Team. Nunn was later named Second-Team All-SBC as a junior and then First-Team All-Conference as a senior. In fact, the York, S.C., native achieved an overall grade of 86.6 from the PFF College Football site - which ranked 19th among 260+ FBS tackles. Nunn's family had quite an impact in Mountaineers program history, as his twin brother, Hunter, played TE at Appalachian State and his grandfather, Don Ferrell (1966-69), was honorable-mention all-American.
DEFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT - RYAN MOELLER, STRONG SAFETY
SS Ryan Moeller (Colorado) had quite a college career at Colorado University - especially considering the fact he started as a walk-on. His four-years career with the Buffaloes (2013-17) started with a bang, as the native of Rifle, Colo., native set a CU record for the most tackles (14) in playing a first game on defense, which was also in his first start at No. 3 Oregon in 2013. In that game, Moeller was in for all 77 snaps on defense. The six-foot, 214-pounder finished his time in Boulder with 156 tackles (118 solo) and earned a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection as a special teams player in 2016. As a senior, he was awarded with the CU Football's Derek Singleton Award, honoring spirit, dedication and enthusiasm. His father, Jay, lettered in football and wrestling at Northern Iowa.
COUNTDOWNS
The Fleet will enter Wednesday with:
1 days until returning to San Diego on Jan. 31.
10 days before the inaugural season kicks-off in San Antonio against the Commanders at the Alamodome on Feb. 9.
18 days before its home opener at SDCCU Stadium against the Atlanta Legends on Feb. 17.
Alliance of American Football Stories from January 29, 2019
- SD Fleet Daily Update - San Diego Fleet
- San Antonio Commanders Daily Training Camp Update for Tuesday, January 29, 2019 - San Antonio Commanders
- Salt Lake Stallions Announce ESPN 700 Radio Broadcast Team - Salt Lake Stallions
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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