Bears off-season - feed your football craving
Feb 7, 2019 10:42:29 GMT -6
riczaj01, bears40, and 1 more like this
Post by JABF on Feb 7, 2019 10:42:29 GMT -6
As I get older, the Bears off-season gets tougher and tougher to get through. It seems like forever. We can talk Bears football here all off season and we will do that. We can watch other sports (and we will do that). But what about feeding the football cravings? Here's one option that I'm gonna look into - Alliance of American Football.
The season begins this Saturday and is on CBS, NFL Network, TNT and some other channels.
This sounds pretty cool & exciting. I can't wait to watch.
The season begins this Saturday and is on CBS, NFL Network, TNT and some other channels.
This sounds pretty cool & exciting. I can't wait to watch.
LINK
NFL Network will debut their Alliance coverage with The Salt Lake Stallions at The Arizona Hotshots on Sunday, February 10 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
Following The Alliance's opening weekend, NFL Network will air two games per week in primetime on Saturday and Sunday night.
"NFL Network understands the mission and vision for The Alliance and what we are trying to accomplish," said Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO, The Alliance. "This partnership will now keep professional football in its primetime television spot, allowing fans to continue watching America's most popular sport well into the spring."
NFL Network will debut their Alliance coverage with The Salt Lake Stallions at The Arizona Hotshots on Sunday, February 10 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
Following The Alliance's opening weekend, NFL Network will air two games per week in primetime on Saturday and Sunday night.
"NFL Network understands the mission and vision for The Alliance and what we are trying to accomplish," said Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO, The Alliance. "This partnership will now keep professional football in its primetime television spot, allowing fans to continue watching America's most popular sport well into the spring."
LINK
What is The Alliance? We're glad you asked
By The Alliance Staff
Bill Polian flashed his Super Bowl ring as he stood in front of 600 football players in early January in San Antonio. He had a simple message – call it a mission statement -- for The Alliance of American Football.
“Whether you're here for the first time, your first crack at professional football, or whether this is your second chance, we exist to give you that chance,” Polian said. “The reason we're all involved in this is to give you the opportunity to get one of these (Super Bowl rings).”
That mission has taken center stage as eight teams rapidly approach The Alliance’s inaugural season beginning Saturday, February 9 with two games on CBS. Two more games follow Sunday, February 10 on CBS Sports and NFL Network.
There’s no better spokesperson for that mission than Polian, Head of Football and co-founder of The Alliance. Polian is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, having been a general manager for 26 seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. He knows what it takes for players to make the big time. The Alliance has a solid plan to get them there:
· The Alliance is set to take its first snaps Saturday, February 9, on CBS. The primetime matchups feature the San Diego Fleet visiting the San Antonio Commanders at the Alamodome at 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT. The Atlanta Legends visit the Orlando Apollos, also at 8 p.m. ET. On Sunday, February 10, the Memphis Express travel to the Birmingham Iron at 4 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. CT to be televised on CBS Sports Network. The Salt Lake Stallions roll in to play the Arizona Hotshots at 8 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. MT on NFL Network. BUY TICKETS HERE.
· The Alliance will feature high-quality football, and it starts with over 500 combined years of NFL experience in Alliance head coaches, general managers and league officials, including Polian, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu and Mike Martz, just to name a few.
· In November, The Alliance held a first-of-its-kind “Protect or Pick” QB Draft where Josh Johnson, Aaron Murray, Matt Simms, Trevor Knight and others were selected. Over 600 players competed for 416 roster spots at The Alliance’s first ever training camp, held in San Antonio.
· In addition to authentic pro football, The Alliance has been building a proprietary tech platform the league will use to deliver in-game data in real-time as no league has before, relying on both tracking devices and wearable technology. Through its partnership with MGM, who signed on as a sponsor and investor, all in-play wagering will be hosted through MGM’s app. The Alliance will also feature real-time fantasy gaming that will result in a more active fan viewing experience.
· “One of the things we’re building is a football league,” CEO and co-founder Charlie Ebersol said, “but on the other side, we’re building a technology company that allows direct and, for the first time ever, fully real-time data streaming out of the game for what we call Stats 2.0.”
· Speaking of 2.0, The Alliance is about second chances, as well as an opportunity to begin, enhance or revitalize a career. Several players have been called up to the NFL – including quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Garrett Gilbert -- and The Alliance has yet to take its first snap.
· Player safety and health – physical and mental – are a key focus. Polamalu, the head of player relations and former safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is also excited about what The Alliance can do off the field. Polamalu said, “What we have built here is a platform not only to show you how to be the very best football player, but to be the very best husband, the very best father, the very best teammate, and the very best member of society. What we are building is an approach to help the whole person.”
· That extends to players’ post-career lives as well. Ward, The Alliance’s Head of Player Development, says the goal is "not only just help them while they're playing but also helping them when their careers are over. I mean … off the field we're setting up scholarships for players and also having some financial internships and really get them financial counseling."
· Teams will be active in their communities, serving to improve them. Example: Alliance teams performed service around San Antonio in conjunction with the Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
But at its core, The Alliance is about football. And it will be brought to life by experienced football people such as San Diego Fleet head coach Martz. As offensive coordinator, Martz guided the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl win 19 years ago and was the team’s head coach for six seasons. Along with other veteran Fleet coaches, he sees their role as helping make players better in a great environment.
“I like to call this football in its purest sense,” said Martz. “Nobody’s going to make a big paycheck, there’s not a big splash here, it’s so pure. It’s like college, but there’s no boosters, there’s no scholarships; it’s just football. I love that part of it.”
For Salt Lake Stallions quarterback Josh Woodrum, this opportunity is one he appreciates.
After signing with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Woodrum has bounced around the NFL. He never has played a regular-season snap.
“My whole experience with my three years in the NFL, I never felt like I ever truly got a great opportunity to really prove myself that I can play in that league,” Woodrum said. “So, it will be awesome here getting a chance to be out there on the field and really show that I can play at the next level.”
Every Alliance team name has significance for the cities in which they are based:
· The Fleet honors the immense U.S. Navy presence around San Diego.
· The San Antonio Commanders is a nod to “Military City USA” where four installations encircle the home of the Alamo.
· You could see the NASA moon shots from Orlando back in the day, and with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 coming, the Orlando Apollos are go for launch.
· The Atlanta Legends illuminates the city’s history as the home of greats from sports, culture and the civil rights movement.
· The Arizona Hotshots are named for wilderness firefighters.
· The Salt Lake Stallions harkens back to the animals that helped tame that area.
· The Birmingham Iron represents the industry key to the city’s existence.
· A major transportation hub, Memphis takes on the Express mantle.
Ebersol said at the opening of training camp, “Every single person who has attempted to do this before failed. You have to really dig in and put the best people at the top of it. We have an opportunity to make football better.”
What is The Alliance? We're glad you asked
By The Alliance Staff
Bill Polian flashed his Super Bowl ring as he stood in front of 600 football players in early January in San Antonio. He had a simple message – call it a mission statement -- for The Alliance of American Football.
“Whether you're here for the first time, your first crack at professional football, or whether this is your second chance, we exist to give you that chance,” Polian said. “The reason we're all involved in this is to give you the opportunity to get one of these (Super Bowl rings).”
That mission has taken center stage as eight teams rapidly approach The Alliance’s inaugural season beginning Saturday, February 9 with two games on CBS. Two more games follow Sunday, February 10 on CBS Sports and NFL Network.
There’s no better spokesperson for that mission than Polian, Head of Football and co-founder of The Alliance. Polian is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, having been a general manager for 26 seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts. He knows what it takes for players to make the big time. The Alliance has a solid plan to get them there:
· The Alliance is set to take its first snaps Saturday, February 9, on CBS. The primetime matchups feature the San Diego Fleet visiting the San Antonio Commanders at the Alamodome at 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. CT. The Atlanta Legends visit the Orlando Apollos, also at 8 p.m. ET. On Sunday, February 10, the Memphis Express travel to the Birmingham Iron at 4 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. CT to be televised on CBS Sports Network. The Salt Lake Stallions roll in to play the Arizona Hotshots at 8 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. MT on NFL Network. BUY TICKETS HERE.
· The Alliance will feature high-quality football, and it starts with over 500 combined years of NFL experience in Alliance head coaches, general managers and league officials, including Polian, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu and Mike Martz, just to name a few.
· In November, The Alliance held a first-of-its-kind “Protect or Pick” QB Draft where Josh Johnson, Aaron Murray, Matt Simms, Trevor Knight and others were selected. Over 600 players competed for 416 roster spots at The Alliance’s first ever training camp, held in San Antonio.
· In addition to authentic pro football, The Alliance has been building a proprietary tech platform the league will use to deliver in-game data in real-time as no league has before, relying on both tracking devices and wearable technology. Through its partnership with MGM, who signed on as a sponsor and investor, all in-play wagering will be hosted through MGM’s app. The Alliance will also feature real-time fantasy gaming that will result in a more active fan viewing experience.
· “One of the things we’re building is a football league,” CEO and co-founder Charlie Ebersol said, “but on the other side, we’re building a technology company that allows direct and, for the first time ever, fully real-time data streaming out of the game for what we call Stats 2.0.”
· Speaking of 2.0, The Alliance is about second chances, as well as an opportunity to begin, enhance or revitalize a career. Several players have been called up to the NFL – including quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Garrett Gilbert -- and The Alliance has yet to take its first snap.
· Player safety and health – physical and mental – are a key focus. Polamalu, the head of player relations and former safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is also excited about what The Alliance can do off the field. Polamalu said, “What we have built here is a platform not only to show you how to be the very best football player, but to be the very best husband, the very best father, the very best teammate, and the very best member of society. What we are building is an approach to help the whole person.”
· That extends to players’ post-career lives as well. Ward, The Alliance’s Head of Player Development, says the goal is "not only just help them while they're playing but also helping them when their careers are over. I mean … off the field we're setting up scholarships for players and also having some financial internships and really get them financial counseling."
· Teams will be active in their communities, serving to improve them. Example: Alliance teams performed service around San Antonio in conjunction with the Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
But at its core, The Alliance is about football. And it will be brought to life by experienced football people such as San Diego Fleet head coach Martz. As offensive coordinator, Martz guided the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl win 19 years ago and was the team’s head coach for six seasons. Along with other veteran Fleet coaches, he sees their role as helping make players better in a great environment.
“I like to call this football in its purest sense,” said Martz. “Nobody’s going to make a big paycheck, there’s not a big splash here, it’s so pure. It’s like college, but there’s no boosters, there’s no scholarships; it’s just football. I love that part of it.”
For Salt Lake Stallions quarterback Josh Woodrum, this opportunity is one he appreciates.
After signing with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2016, Woodrum has bounced around the NFL. He never has played a regular-season snap.
“My whole experience with my three years in the NFL, I never felt like I ever truly got a great opportunity to really prove myself that I can play in that league,” Woodrum said. “So, it will be awesome here getting a chance to be out there on the field and really show that I can play at the next level.”
Every Alliance team name has significance for the cities in which they are based:
· The Fleet honors the immense U.S. Navy presence around San Diego.
· The San Antonio Commanders is a nod to “Military City USA” where four installations encircle the home of the Alamo.
· You could see the NASA moon shots from Orlando back in the day, and with the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 coming, the Orlando Apollos are go for launch.
· The Atlanta Legends illuminates the city’s history as the home of greats from sports, culture and the civil rights movement.
· The Arizona Hotshots are named for wilderness firefighters.
· The Salt Lake Stallions harkens back to the animals that helped tame that area.
· The Birmingham Iron represents the industry key to the city’s existence.
· A major transportation hub, Memphis takes on the Express mantle.
Ebersol said at the opening of training camp, “Every single person who has attempted to do this before failed. You have to really dig in and put the best people at the top of it. We have an opportunity to make football better.”