The Alliance of American Football (AAF) has grabbed the attention of many football fans after the first week concluded. The newly formed developmental league is a great way of keeping people entertained with no NFL action, as we are in the midst of the offseason. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco can be added to the list of supporters.
Telesco believes it’s a great thing for the National Football League to seek out fresh talent.
“It’s a great idea. It has the potential to be a nice complement to the NFL. It’s a great spot for a developmental league for players, but even aside from that — coaches and front office, officiating, athletic trainers and video equipment people, public relations — all of that, so I think it’s a great place where people can develop in every department of football operations,” Telesco said, per ESPN’s Eric D. Williams.
Several former Chargers are on AAF rosters, including kickers Nick Novak, Younghoe Koo and Nick Rose.
Telesco’s former mentor, Bill Polian is the co-founder of the AAF. It shouldn’t come as a surprise as he was the first one to boast the league. He told him that he will send representatives from the Chargers’ personnel department to scout AAF games.
“With San Diego close and Arizona pretty close, it will be pretty convenient for us [to scout]. It’s a place where young guys can go play.
“No. 1, you get a chance to go play football and get paid for it, so that’s nice. No. 2, you get great coaching. And No. 3, you get a chance to put tape together so the NFL can evaluate you again. Most of these guys we’ve seen before, but it gives them a chance to develop and learn, get better at their craft and get it on tape.”
With Los Angeles slated to bring in new talent this offseason via free agency and the NFL draft, it’s worth monitoring the new potential players being brought up from the new league.
