A rivalry for the ages will begin this weekend when the Arizona HotShots host the Salt Lake Stallions. If you’re wondering just who are these entities that you speak of, first, what the hell have you’ve been doing with yourself over the last few months not hear about these teams or the league they play in, or what sport do they even belong too, and second, these two teams are a apart of the Alliance of American Football league. You should of heard of it due to it being advertised all over the place. The masses have spoken and they have unequivocally said they want more football. Well, they’re getting more football provided by the AAF, and a bunch of other leagues that are popping up like beer gardens in Philadelphia. The AAF kicks off this weekend, just in time the fill the roll that the NFL just created, and I have pledged my allegiance to the Arizona HotShots. I like to say that the Arizona HotShots chose me, but honestly, I was instantly drawn to the axes on their helmets. Axes are always cool and their logo looks like a killer family crest that I wish my own. In doing so, I’ve pretty much pigeon holed myself as the resident Arizona Hotshots correspondent. So strap yourselves in for some really in depth coverage of the very best AAF team that has ever lived.
The HotShots enter this inaugural season led by QB Trevor Knight, who honestly I had to check that there wasn’t a basketball player named Trevor Knight because I thought there was one. There isn’t and the guy commanding the HotShots offense is a former Oklahoma QB that once lost his position to Baker Mayfield. That sounds alright considering. It’s not like he got beat out by Spergon Wynn or someone like that, which sounds real bad. In the Hotshots backfield will be Larry Rose lll, until I’m wrong and their starting running back ends up being someone else that’s on their roster. If they’re smart, they’ll play Kiss from a Rose every time he gets a carry. That’s how I’d do it. The Hotshots main receiving threat is Josh Huff. Huff was a third round pick with the Eagles back in 2014 and had some moments of where he made some high impact plays. Unfortunately, Huff was released due to possession of marijuana and an illegal firearm. Hate when that happens. Then, he ran into other substance issues when he joined the Saints. All roads led to him being the big play receiver that the HotShots desperately need. Thomas Duarte, who’s a TE, was drafted by the Dolphins. What I can tell you about him is that he played in one game and didn’t record a catch. That tells me that he’s a clean slate and defenses should fear him because there’s no tape on him meaning he’s capable of anything. They have an offensive line as well.
Defensively, I can’t tell you to much about their players mainly because I’ve never heard of any of them. They do have a safety/CB combination of Rahim Moore and Sterling Moore, so that Moore combo could be one that pays of dividends early. The other highlight on that side of the ball is a DT named Chunky Clements. I don’t think I have to get to deep here, but when you have a tackle named Chunky, that can only spell good things.
A name we’ll all know is a guy on there special teams, who is manning the kicking duties. That man is Nick Folk. Folk, who was a longtime Jets’ kicker, has a career 80% FG percentage. Not sure about you, but in school, I always wanted to get at least an 80. Getting a 79, though the same low C as an 80 just made me feel bad. It was probably a visual thing. Since Folk is above that 79 mark, means that Folk is good enough to kick for me.
The guy who will be calling all the shots for the HotShots is none other than Rick Neuheisel. The former UCLA head ball coach has brought his knowledge of the game to desert, and being a veteran of USFL, Neuheisel should have no problem incorporating everything he knows about the game and relating it to his players.
As for the matchup with those terrible, loser Stallions from Salt Lake, everything comes down to stopping there best player, which is Matt Asiata. We all should remember Asiata as guy we all had on our fantasy teams at least once a few years ago in that other football league. He’s dangerous out of the backfield and really knows how to run behind his pads. Bringing him to the ground the first time, will be key in keeping the Salt Lake offense at bay.
The game is on NFL Network at 8pm on Sunday. I expect all you other HotShots die hards to tune in and support what the team we ride and die with is doing out there. If you don’t watch, then you get the heck out of here. HotShots for life
Follow me for more commentary about are beloved Arizona HotShots @2ndSatSports
