The Hotshots used a fast start in scoring the first fifteen points of the game and never looked as Arizona won their third game in a row with a 23-6 win over San Antonio and their Commanders at the Alamodome.
The win allowed the Hotshots to move into a first-place tie with the Commanders in the Western Division and more than likely locked up a rematch between the two clubs for the Western championship in the playoffs.
John Wolford threw for 216 yards that included a 58-yard touchdown strike to Rashard Ross that started the scoring and Tim Cook scored the other Hotshots touchdowns on the ground.
Arizona improves to 5-3 with the win and they will play their final home game of the season this Sunday night against Birmingham.
Hot off the Grill
1) The Hotshots started fast and never looked back when John Wolford tossed the 58-yard score to Rashard Ross.
Ross will be at least a second-team all-star when such things are announced and he clearly had a step plus on the corner and the safety didn't offer much help, but give Wolford credit too, that pass was on the money.
All the receivers in the world can break open, but it is meaningless if the ball isn't there.
2) And the Hotshot defense is living up to the preseason ratings that thought it was the league's best as San Antonio managed just two field goals and with the Commanders in Arizona territory and only down nine, the defense forced a strip of the quarterback and a turnover.
3) The Commanders outrushed Arizona 173-91, but I couldn't figure out why they ran so much down between nine and fifteen points most of the game.
San Antonio uses a stable of backs, so no one stood out, but the amount of yardage was mildly concerning.
4) The Hotshots also grabbed an early interception that led to the removal of the Commanders starting quarterback Logan Woodside.
That decision led to backup Marquise Williams entering the game and Williams is far more of a multi-threat quarterback than a pure passer.
The Hotshots were protecting a lead and the skills of Williams weren't enough to turn things around.
5) Give credit to the San Antonio fans with a crowd of over 23,000 and even though the Hotshots took the fans out of the game early, San Antonio has been the best market for the AAF and should the worst case scenario occur with the league, Vince McMahon's XFL might want to reconsider one of his markets for 2020 and make sure that the fans of San Antonio still have a team to root for.
6) The words of the newest (and largest) AAF investor, Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon about the future of the league is worrisome.
Dundon among others are attempting to put together an agreement with the NFL to have the league send some players, which mainly would be practice squad and special teams type, to the AAF in order to not only improve the AAF product but give the NFL a way to develop players that ordinarily would not have that opportunity.
The AAF argument is how can we help you develop players, if you won't give us any.
The union is afraid of injury, which I can understand, but the AAF has offered to pay for insurance for any players under an NFL contract.
Dundon could be pushing for leverage, but I'd hate to see this league go under period, but especially this close to the season's end.
Dundon announced minutes ago that there will be an announcement on the league's future tomorrow,fingers crossed for good news.
Back later with a Browns trade and some more releases of players drafted by Sashi Brown.
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