The Alliance of American Football will kick off its inaugural season this weekend, and fans might be surprised to learn that they’re familiar with a good portion of the players, coaches, assistants and advisors.
That is especially true for fans of the New York Giants, as blue bleeds right through the veins of the AAF. In fact, the Giants have one of the largest contingents of ex-players and ex-coaches in the league — nearly three dozen names with at least some level of previous Giants involvement.
Here’s a quick look at each of those names.
Recognizable former players
Damontre Moore, DE, San Diego Fleet – A third-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, expectations were high for Moore early in his Giants career. That never panned out however, as Moore struggled both on and off the field. He has rattled around the NFL, even playing for the Dallas Cowboys in 2018, but has never lived up to the initial billing.
Will Hill, SS, Orlando Apollos – What could have been. Talent was never an issue for Hill, who dominated when he was able to stay on the field. However, consistent off-field issues and drug problems derailed Hill’s Giants career and, eventually, his NFL career. He was suspended three times and hasn’t played since 2015.
Charles James II, CB, Memphis Express – James may not have been a draft pick, a starter or even a consistent contributor for the Giants, but fans know him and fans love him. Considered under-sized, James was never able to really stick, bouncing around six teams in five years before sitting out in 2018. It’s all about heart with James, and you can bet Big Blue fans will be rooting for him.
Brad Wing, P, Memphis Express – One of Odell Beckham Jr.’s best friends, it’s good to see Wing back on a football field. He was acquired via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015 and spent three seasons with the Giants, but a poor 2017 campaign led to his end with the team. He hasn’t played in the NFL since.
Adrien Robinson, TE, Memphis Express – A fourth-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Adrien Robinson was once referred to as “the Jason Pierre-Paul of tight ends” by former Giants general manager Jerry Reese. That never came close to being a reality as Robinson fell well short of expectations and was let go in 2015.
Kaelin Clay, WR, Salt Lake Stallions – Clay had an opportunity to carve out a significant role with the Giants in 2018, but a critical fumble in a season-opening loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars loomed large. He later suffered an injury, which led to his release and an ongoing cycle through return men.
Other former Giants players
Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Birmingham Iron – It appeared as if Etta-Tawo was going to earn a surprise spot on the Giants 53-man roster in 2018 after a very strong preseason, but it wasn’t in the cards. He later had a cup of coffee on the Houston Texans’ practice squad.
Doran Grant, DB, Atlanta Legends – Grant spent three weeks on the Giants’ practice in 2016, but never made the 53-man roster.
Jhurell Pressley, RB, Arizona Hotshots – Pressley spent the 2018 preseason in New York, was released as a part of final cuts and then spent roughly a month on their practice squad before being released.
Malcolm Bunche, OL, Arizona Hotshots – Bunche spent a few months with the Giants in 2018, but was released as a part of final cuts in September.
Rahim Moore, FS, Arizona Hotshots – Moore signed a reserve/futures deal with the Giants in 2017, but was released prior to training camp.
Marquis Bundy, WR, Arizona Hotshots – Bundy spent more than a year with the Giants, primarily on their practice squad. He was active for one game in December of 2017.
L’Damian Washington, WR, Birmingham Iron – Washington spent one week on the Giants’ practice squad in 2014.
Connor Davis, TE, Birmingham Iron – Davis was with the Giants during rookie mini-camp in 2018, but didn’t make their training camp roster.
Devin Taylor, DE, Birmingham Iron – Taylor was on and off the Giants’ roster in 2017, appearing in two games and making one tackle.
Marshaun Coprich, RB, Birmingham Iron – Coprich, who had a successful college career, joined the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016, but couldn’t overcome the sheer number of running backs on the team’s roster and was ultimately released.
Jessamen Dunker, OL, Memphis Express – Dunker is an interesting name because when the Giants signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2017, it was considered a steal. However, an injury landed him on IR and then he was released in April of 2018.
Montori Hughes, DT, Memphis Express – Hughes was with the Giants in 2015 and then on and off their roster in 2016, appearing in seven games, recording six tackles and two stuffs.
Brandon Dixon, CB, Orlando Apollos – Dixon was signed to the Giants’ practice squad in 2017 and eventually promoted to their active roster due to injuries. He appeared in five games, recording 21 tackles and four passes defensed before being released in 2018.
Akeem Hunt, RB, Orlando Apollos – Hunt signed with the Giants as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015, but a hamstring injury landed him on IR. He was later signed to the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.
Josh Banks, DT, Orlando Apollos – Banks initially made the Giants’ 53-man roster in 2018, but it was short-lived. He was released after one day.
Josh Woodrum, QB, Salt Lake Stallions – Woodrum spent rookie mini-camp with the Giants in 2016, but that was the extent of his tenure.
Austin Rehkow, P, Salt Lake Stallions – The Giants signed Rehkow to a reserve/futures deal in 2018, but was released shortly after the team acquired Riley Dixon from the Denver Broncos.
Orion Stewart, S, San Antonio Commanders – Stewart dominated at the Landon Collins Celebrity Softball Game in 2018, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a roster spot. He was a backup safety during training camp before being released.
Terrell Watson, RB, San Diego Fleet – Watson signed a reserve/futures deal with the Giants in 2018, but was released prior to the start of training camp.
Damien Mama, OL, San Diego Fleet – The Giants signed Mama off of the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad in 2017, but never put him into a game. He was released prior to training camp in 2018.
Eric Pinkins, LB, San Diego Fleet – Pinkins spent 11 months with the Giants from 2016-2017, appearing in five games and recording one tackle.
Coaches and Advisors
Justin Tuck, Member of Player Engagements Board Of Advisors – Tuck was a third-round pick of the Giants in the 2005 NFL Draft. He spent nine years with the team, winning two Super Bowls, going to two Pro Bowls, being named an All-Pro twice, a team captain and, eventually, being enshrined in the team’s Ring of Honor.
Tim Lewis, head coach, Birmingham Iron – Lewis spent three seasons as the Giants’ defensive coordinator from 2004-2006 under then-head coach Tom Coughlin. Lewis’ defenses were less than impressive and he was eventually let go in favor of Steve Spagnuolo, who helped lead the Giants to a Super Bowl title in 2007.
Pepper Johnson, linebackers coach, Memphis Express – Johnson was a second-round pick of the Giants in the 1986 NFL Draft. He spent seven years with the team, winning two Super Bowl titles, being named an All-Pro (1990) and going to two Pro Bowls (only one as a Giant).
Jimmy Robinson, wide receivers coach, Atlanta Legends – Robinson was a 15th-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 1975 NFL Draft before signing with the Giants in 1976. He spent three years with the Giants and then had stops in Denver and San Francisco prior to retirement. He returned to the Giants in 1998 as an assistant and remained until 2003.
