March 22, 2020FFL Announces Schedule for 2021 As league after league shutters their doors due to the COVID-19 virus, the Futures Football League is gearing up for its March 2021 debut.  In a season when there are so few sports stories to follow, and where doubts about everything from a summer without baseball, to the NFL draft and possible delays or cancellations even to fall sports, the FFL finds itself in a unique position, having timed their startup season for a time period which may just prove to be the rebirth of sports in America.

And so, with this as the backdrop the FFL made a major online push with news about the upcoming season.  The league will kickoff on Friday, March 12, 2021 with the first of 14 “Friday Night Lights” games. The opening game for the league will feature the return of pro football to St. Louis, as the visiting Orlando Explorers will play the St. Louis Skippers.  The Friday game will be followed by a triple header on Saturday, with games slated for Eastern Time kickoffs at Noon, 4pm and 7pm. Saturday will feature the Chicago Machine in Atlanta to take on the Flight, followed by Washington at Birmingham and ending with another post-NFL return, as the California Condors take on the San Diego Surf at the longtime home of the departed San Diego Chargers.  Sunday will feature a double header with New Orleans coming to New Jersey at 1pm and ending the week with the debut of the first pro football team of Austin, Texas, as the Drillers face off against the Denver Peaks in the Mile High City.   

The full season schedule is listed below.  There are a couple of quirks due to baseball, soccer and other major events, but overall this is a welcome sight not only for fans of football, but for all sports fans who are feeling withdrawal this spring.   

2021 FUTURES FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE
All Friday games begin at 8pm Eastern
Saturday games begin at Noon, 4pm and 8pm Eastern
Sunday games begin at 1pm and 5pm Eastern

WEEK ONE—MARCH 12-14
FRI--ORL @ STL
SAT-- CHI@ ATL, WSH@BRM, CAL@SD
SUN—NO@NJ, AUS@DEN=11pt 

WEEK TWO—MARCH 19-21
FRI—BRM@CHI
SAT—SD@NJ, NO@STL, WSH@DEN
SUN—AUS@ATL, ORL@CAL

WEEK THREE—MARCH 26-28
FRI—ATL@SD
SAT—DEN@ORL, NJ@CAL, BRM@STL
SUN—NO@CHI, AUS@WSH

WEEK FOUR—APRIL 2-4
FRI—CAL@WSH
SAT—BRM@ATL, ORL@NO, NJ@AUS
SUN—SD@STL, CHI@DEN

WEEK FIVE—APRIL 9-11
FRI—ORL@NJ
SAT—SD@CHI, CAL@NO, DEN@STL
SUN—WSH@ATL, BRM@AUS

WEEK SIX—APRIL 16-18
FRI--SD@DEN
SAT—STL@WSH, NJ@BRM, CAL@AUS
SUN—CHI@ORL, ATL@NO

WEEK SEVEN—APRIL 23-25
FRI—STL@AUS
SAT—ATL@ORL, NO@DEN, BRM@SD
SUN—WSH@NJ, CAL@CHI

WEEK EIGHT—APRIL 30-MAY 2
FRI—BRM@NO
SAT—SD@WSH, NJ@DEN, STL@CHI
SUN—AUS@ORL, ATL@CAL

WEEK NINE—MAY 7-9
FRI—ATL@WSH
SAT—NJ@ORL, CHI@NO, DEN@SD
SUN—STL@BRM, AUS@CAL

WEEK TEN—MAY 14-16
FRI—STL@NJ
SAT—DEN@ATL, BRM@CAL, AUS@NO
SUN—CHI@WSH, ORL@SD

WEEK ELEVEN—MAY 21-23
FRI—CAL@DEN
SAT—BRM@ORL, SD@AUS, NJ@CHI
SUN—NO@WSH, ATL@STL

WEEK TWELVE—MAY 28-30
FRI—CHI@BRM
SAT—ORL@WSH, DEN@AUS, STL@NO
SUN—NJ@ATL, SD@CAL

WEEK THIRTEEN—JUNE 4-6
FRI—WSH@ORL
SAT—ATL@NJ, STL@CAL, DEN@BRM
SUN—CHI@AUS, NO@SD

WEEK FOURTEEN—JUNE 11-13
FRI—CHI@STL
SAT—NO@BRM, AUS@SD, ORL@ATL
SUN—WSH@NJ, DEN@CAL

PLAYOFFS
SUN. JUNE 20   PLAY-IN GAME: #5 SEED @ #4 SEED

SUN. JUNE 27   SEMIFINAL GAMES:  #4/5 SEED @ #1 SEED,  #3 SEED @ #2 SEED\\

SUN, JULY 4      FFL CHAMPIONSHIP:  SEMIFINALS WINNERS @ HOME STADIUM OF #1 SEED.


And, for those of you interested in images, all the logos, uniforms, and now some schedule posters (with modifications) are up on the messageboards at Sportslogos.net.  The link is https://boards.sportslogos.net/forum/46-concepts/   Just look for the Futures Football League post by Wideright.  More art will be there, storyline will be here. 

Last edited by Wideright90 (4/06/2020 7:59 pm)

April 25, 2020
FFL announces Pro Mentors for all 12 teams and will announce first Commissioner soon.

 The Futures Football League has announced the names of its 12 “Pro Mentors”, one for each team.  According to Oliver Luck, the league’s Director of Football Operations, the role of the mentor is to work with the player to prepare them for life as a professional player, as a former player, and as a member of their new communities.  With a focus on personal development, good financial and life choices, and strategies to become a respected teammate and community member, the goal is to have veteran NFL players lead these younger players as they transition to being faces of their franchises in the FFL. 

The names will be familiar to most NFL fans, as the league has clearly indicated that it wants mentors to be just as much of a public figure for their franchise as any player or coach on the team. It is clear that they have also considered local appeal with many of the players signed as Pro Mentors.  A few are still active NFL players, who will serve in this capacity from February through July in addition to their NFL careers, though, it must be noted, it is possible that the players who are still active today may be retired by the time the FFL kicks off next March. One surprise name is the son of the league’s spokesperson, and former Indianapolis Colt, Andrew Luck.  One wonders if his presence as the Pro Mentor for the California Condors will lead to some conflict of interest issues with his father, Oliver. We will have to see on that front, but for now, here is the rather impressive list of players who will now serve as of FFL Pro Mentors for 2021: 

Atlanta: Former Falcon wideout Roddy White. 
Austin: Former Dallas Cowboy and current LV Raider, TE Jason Whitten
Birmingham: Former Alabama and Buccaneers LB Karlos Dansby
California: Former Stanford and Colts QB Andrew Luck
Chicago: Former Bear return specialist Devin Hester
Denver: Former Broncos & Jets wideout Eric Decker
New Jersey: Recently retired 2x Super Bowl champion QB Eli Manning
New Orleans: Current Saints QB and future HOFer Drew Brees
Orlando: Former U. of Miami and future HOF RB Frank Gore
St. Louis: Former Rams & Eagles DE Chris Long
San Diego: Former Charger TE Antonio Gates
Washington: Former Redskin LB Brian Orakpo. 

April 30, 2020
FFL’s Shocking Pick for Commisioner Rattles NFL 

Well, you knew it would happen eventually.  The Futures Football League was going smoothly and their relationship with the NFL seemed to be building nicely, but the announcement today that current General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens and HOF player Ozzie Newsome would serve as the FFL’s first commissioner sent ripples through the NFL.  Not only would Newsome depart the Ravens organization and the Competition Committee to be the new league’s commisioner, he is also bringing another top NFL executive with him. Serving as Vice-Commissioner and head of the FFL’s Competition Team will be current NFL Executive VP of Football Operations, Troy Vincent.  The loss of these two up & coming executives to the upstart FFL is sure to create some friction with the senior league. Both Newsome and Vincent announced that they will be departing the NFL effective immediately and will be joining FFL leadership (along with Oliver Luck, Bill Polian, and Mark Cuban) in time to prepare for June’s very important player pool draft and 2020 rookie draft.  

Hey everyone.  I am redoing the roster building process.  WIll check back soon with the new version.  Wanted a more accurate roster of players (Will have a limit of 28 years old or 5 years past college)

Expect:

Territorial Draft
Free Agent Draft
2020 Rookie Draft

Pool of players includes all AAF, XFL, CFL players plus NFL free agents and a select pool of NFL bench players.   Hopefully will produce a good set of 12 teams. 

Last edited by Wideright90 (4/09/2020 8:58 pm)

Honestly, I went through the past 5 drafts and removed everyone whose name I had heard of, leaving a draft pool of guys I had not heard of, so there are very likely more than a few players (especially O-line and Defense) who are on NFL squads and even starters who I just don't know because my main knowledge base is from fantasy football (so...offense skill positions only.).   

Let's just assume that something is going to make it possible for these guys to jump leagues.  I don't know what yet, but something. 

February 4, 2021 
FUTURES FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREVIEW 

After a long, strange Summer, Fall and Winter, one which saw the NFL delay the start of a shortened season until October 1, and a return, after a long hiatus of the NHL and NBA, we all are beginning to feel like the world is returning to a sense of normalcy.  Amid this changing world, and with NFL playoffs heating up, there is news in the sports world. The Futures Football League, after months of quiet negotiations, scouting, drafts and player signings via electronic means, the league released their rosters and confirmed their schedule to begin on Friday, March 12.   

There are a lot of recognizable names as the league took advantage of a cancelled CFL season and a muddled start to the NFL season.  The average FFL team has between 20-25 players with significant NFL playing time, as well as several others who are well known to college football fans.  Rather than paste the entire rosters here, let’s focus on the names that are likely to be topping the statistics for each FFL team in this inaugural season.  

ATL:  The Flight’s offense will be directed by former NY Giants Kyle Lauletta and Wayne Gallman.  The Flight will also look to RB Lawrence Pittman and WR’s Ray-Ray McCloud, Malachi Jones, and former Ottawa standout DeVonte Dedmon.  The Defense is led by LBs Stephen Anthony and Taiwan Jones, behind a D-line anchored by former Houston Texan Carlos Watkins. Among rookie standouts, expect former Georgia QB Jake Fromm to see some action behind Lauletta, and his former teammate with the Bulldogs, RB Brian Herrian may also get some touches. The other big rookie find is lineman Robert Hunt from Louisiana-Lafayette, who starts the year as a rotating fill-in but may soon find a permanent spot on the line.  

AUS: The Drillers bring a veteran team to their first season, with only 2 rookies finding their way into the active roster (each team also has a 10-12 player development squad).  Texas wideout Duvernay Devin will be the 3rd wideout for the Drillers, while former A&M punter Braden Mann won a heated battle for that spot. The Driller defense looks formidable, with several former NFL free agents on the squad.  This includes DE Damontre Moore, DT Michael Bennett, LB’s Chris Odom and Aaron Lynch, and a vet at both CB and S in Brandon Williams and Montae Nicholson. The offense too has its share of vets, with the RB core led by former Viking and Niner Jerrick McKinnon.  He will be joined in the backfield by the promising former Houston Cougar RB Kenneth Farrow. Catching the ball will be Duvernay, along with NFL vets Greg Ward Jr. and Marcus Johnson. Don’t sleep on TE Tyrone Swoopes, who has flashed some skill since signing out of Texas.   QB is the big question for Austin, as the battle for the starting job is still wide open between SMU’s Garrett Gilbert, A&M’s Trevor Knight and former Div. 2 standout Luis Perez.  

BRM: The Bulldozers proved to be one of the more aggressive teams in snagging NFL talent as the senior league made its cuts in August.  In addition to former Steeler QB Devlin “Duck” Hodges, the Dozers signed former Bucs RB Peyton Barber, and former Texan wideout KeKe Coutee.  Add to this free agent TE Malcom Johnson and WR Chester Rogers and the Dozers offense has a lot of NFL experience to fall back on. On defense the NFL presence is seen in DT Bruce Hector (Eagles), LB Jeff Holland (Rams) and Tre Crawford (Broncos), as well as CBs Cyrus Jones and Tye Smith.  Despite all the former NFL players, the Dozers also boast a full stable of 2020 draft picks, including former Bama D-lineman Raekwon Davis, former Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr. and former Auburn CB Javaris Davis. Special teams should also be interesting as both the team’s Kicker and Punter are true rookies (Matt Ammendola of OK State and Arryn Sipposs from Auburn).  

CAL: The Condors are another team looking to sign NFL talent.  Their offense will be led by the NFL trifecta of QB Davis Webb, RB Bishop Sankey (actually a CFL import) and WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside.  Add to this former BC TE Tommy Sweeney, wideouts Trevor Davis and Charles Nelson, and rookie RB Zack Moss of Utah, and the Condors should be a tough team to get off the field.  On defense their standouts are on the D-line, where DE’s Jalen Jelks and James Looney, as well as DT Tyquan Lewis all come off 2019 NFL rosters. Former Bill AJ Tarpley leads a LB corps that also has some name recognition in Azeez Al-Shaair and Chris Covington (the former Cowboy).  This looks like a solid squad for Coach Jackson, who has already been hinting that he will try to find ways to get the ball to backup QB Tyree Jackson along with the steady hand of QB Davis Webb.  

CHI: Chicago had to be shrewd with its Free Agent signings and open draft, because they simply did not snag the same talent from their territorially-protected schools (Illinois, Wisconsin, Notre Dame & Western Michigan) as some of the other FFL teams.  They were able to snag a few top notch Golden Domers from Notre Dame, including QB DeShone Kizer (who beat out MSU product Connor Cook for the week 1 starting nod), former NFL RB CJ Prosise, and wideouts Equanimeous St. Brown and rookie Chase Claypool.  On defense there are several former Irish standouts, including OLBs James Onwualu and Greer Martini, alongside CBs Cody Riggs and Troy Pride Jr.. The rest of their squad is a mix of 2020 rookies, NFL free agents and largely unknowns. Some names to look out for include former UW badger, RB Corey Clement, WR’s Geronimo Allison and Eli Rogers, DE Kendrick Norton, and CB Sojourn Shelton.  

DEN: The Peaks pulled a coup when they swooped in and snagged former Niner QB CJ Beathard this past September.  With only vagabond Matt Linehan and U. of Colorado rookie Steven Montez on the roster, the need for a viable starter was evident and the Peaks wasted no time signing Beathard when SF had to release him to deal with other roster issues.  Alongside Beathard, the Denver offense will rely on the experience of former Lion and Viking RB Ameer Abdullah and former Seahawk wideout Paul Richardson. Another former Buff, wideout Nelson Spruce impressed coaches in training and has moved up the depth chart to the #2 receiver position.  On defense, Denver brought in former Cardinal Tanner Vallejo to lead the LB corps longside Nebraska product Josh Banderas and rookie Davion Taylor (Buffs). Another 2020 rookie, CB Lamar Jackson of Nebraska is also expected to see a lot of action.  

NJ:  The QB competition in New Jersey was fierce, and it was the underdog, former Colts backup P.J. Walker who beat out the more famous names of Christian Hackenberg and Vinnie Testaverde Jr (OK, name recognition by association more than expectation) to take the helm for the G-Men.  Walker, a dual threat QB will be aided by RB Akeem Hunt, and a receiving corps that includes Penn State rookie KJ Hamler alongside former Steeler Jamal Custis. At TE former falcon Jaeden Graham gets the nod. The G-Men will play a 3-4 behind NFL Free agent Myles Humphrey and former Giant Kevin Wilkins.  Two rookies also expect to see some time on the D-Line, Syracuse’s Alton Robinson and UNC-Charlotte’s Alex Highsmith. The secondry features former Saint Saquon Hampton (S) and free agent CB Kalan Reed. Kicking for the G-men will be former NY Jet and Penn Stater Sam Fiken.  

NO: Down in the Bayou they love the local stars, and none will be bigger than the 3 players vyiing for the starting QB position.  Two Ole Miss alums, Chad Kelly and Jordan Ta’amu will be up against former Bayou Bengal Zac Mettenberger to see who will lead the Krewe onto the field.  Our money is on Ta’amu, who has looked sharp in training camp. Whoevere wins the spot will be handing off to the Thunder and Lighting combo of former Charger Branden Oliver and former Bill Jonathan Williams.  Out wide we find the one-time Falcon Laquon Treadwell and another LSU product, Malachi Dupree. We also like the look of starting TE CJ Uzomah, a former Cincinnati Bengal. The defense is young and fast, with LB Emmanuel Smith (Chiefs) leading an exciting squad that includes LSU’s Jacob Philips.  The defensive backfield is a bit of a mystery, with only former Saskatchewan Roughrider Tevin Mitchell having much professional field time.  

ORL: After a failed attempt to sign former Jaguar Blake Bortles, the Explorers settled on former Bengal Ryan Finley as their starter, though we expect we will also get to see the more mobile Quinton Flowers in some packages as well.  The backfield is filled out by two former Seminoles in RBs James Wilder Jr and Karlos Williams. Rookie wideout Van Jefferson (Florida) will compete with former Hurricane Braxton Berrios and former NE Patriot Jakobi Meyers for playing time.  ON defense, look to DE Brian Cox Jr to rile up the crowd. Another former Gater, rookie Jabari Zuniga should also see a lot of action. Another name to watch is MLB Anthony Chickillo, a former Gator intent on getting back to the NFL. 

SD: San Diego hit the free agent lottery by snagging two solid NFL runningbacks.  Former Bronco Devontae Booker was a surprise signing by the FFL, as was former Packer wideout turned rusher, Ty Montgomery.  They will be getting the ball from USC product Cody Kessler. Kessler will also try to get the young receiving corps involved by hitting wideouts Dante Pettis and Mekale McKay in Coach Bieniemy’s multiple set offense. The Surf D will also have an NFL flair to it, with starter such as former Cleveland DE Porter Gustin, former Bengal DT Renell Wren, former Lion LB Christian Sam and former Raider CB Jordan Brown.  A rookie to watch is longshot edge rusher Christian Rector.  

STL:  The Skippers seemed content to go into the season with former Buckeye Cardale Jones calling the signals, but a last minute signing brought some serious competition in the likes of former Bronco 1st Round Pick Paxton Lynch.  Lynch will start the season on the bench, but may push Jones to start very soon. In the backfield we find former Dolphin Samaje Perine battling CFL Stampeder Ka’Deem Carey for the ball. Out wide, we find former Eagle Jordan Matthews, and Joe Horn Jr.  We also expect TE Garrett Griffin and rookie Albert Okwuegbur (Mizzou) to be a big part of Coach Mitchell’s offense. On defense we like the look of NFL free agents Kentrell Brothers, Markus Golden and Devante Bond in the LB corps. UCF rookie Brendan Hayes has worked his way into the DT rotation alongside NFL vet Niles Scott.  All in all a balanced squad, but perhaps not as deep as others in the new league.  

WSH:  Many worried that with a weaker pool of territorial schools (Maryland, WVU, Va Tech and Marshall) that the Washington Sentinels would have a tough time building a competitive squad, but they have done their homework and brought in some quality across the board.  Their running game looks to be the strength of their offense with the pairing of rookie Anthony McFarland and veteran Wendell Smallwood leading the charge. At QB former Mountaineer WIll Greer beat out ECU’s Philip Nelson to take the starting gig. At wideout we find two former NFL players, Buffalo’s Greg Jennings and NY Giant Corey Coleman, alongside an exciting former Hokie in Cam Phillips.  On defense, look to CB Adonis Alexander (Rams) to lead a secondary that includes two Maryland rookies (Tino Ellis-CB and S Antoine Brooks). The dark horse to break out and become a star with the Sentinels is former Montreal Alouette, DT Woody Baron, who impressed everyone with his ability to penetrate and get tackles for loss in two scrimmages against the NJ G-Men.  


With the FFL season due to kickoff in just over 4 weeks, and with the Coronavirus behind us and bright spring days ahead, it may just be time for some more football.  

Last edited by Wideright90 (4/13/2020 1:25 pm)