Tag: San Antonio Brahmas

Brahmas stun Showboats with two late TDs in UFL play

The Brahmas overcame a 16-0 deficit to stun the Showboats

The San Antonio Brahmas improved to 2-0 in the UFL with a dramatic, 20-19, victory over the Memphis Showboats on Saturday.

With less than a minute left and trailing 16-8, Chase Garber threw a TD pass to Jontre Kirklin.

The three-point attempt failed and San Antonio trailed 16-14.

However, the Brahmas used a UFL rule that allows teams to choose a fourth-and-12 play rather than attempting an onside kick.

The pass play was successful and it set up Garber finding Cody Latimer with three seconds left to give San Antonio the victory

Defenders lose to Brahmas in UFL debut

The Defenders drop their UFL opener.

The D.C. Defenders were one of the XFL’s top teams when it was revealed the XFL and USFL would merge in 2024 into a new league called the United Football League (UFL).

The Defenders, the Arlington Renegades, the St. Louis Battlehawks, the San Antonio Brahmas, and the Houston Roughnecks are five of the eight teams in the UFL that transferred over from the XFL.

On Saturday, the UFL debuted with two games. On Sunday, there were two mores, one of which featured the Defenders against the Brahmas. D.C. was 9-1 in 2023 — the XFL’s final season — before losing in the championship game.

Unfortunately for the Defenders, this season didn’t begin as well as their final XFL season, as San Antonio dominated D.C. 27-12 in a battle of former XFL teams.

San Antonio quarterback Chase Garbers was excellent, completing 19 of 25 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The University of California graduate spent parts of two seasons with the Raiders on their practice squad and offseason roster.

For the Defenders, quarterback Jordan Ta’amu returned for another year. Ta’amu completed 25 of 45 passes for 235 yards and an interception. He was with D.C. last season and has had multiple NFL stints on offseason rosters.

The Defenders did not score a touchdown, and kicker Matt McCrane connected on four field goals in the loss. McCrane booted field goals of 50, 34, 48 and 28 yards.

The Defenders return home to Audi Field next week and host the Roughnecks in another battle of former XFL teams. The Roughnecks also dropped their UFL debut.

Wild UFL drive ends in interception by San Antonio Brahmas

A wild sequence in the UFL wound up with a San Antonio touchdown

A fourth-quarter drive Sunday in the game between the DC Defenders and San Antonio Brahmas had something for everyone.

The Defenders had first-and-goal and thought they had a touchdown.

However, the play was reviewed thanks to a super challenge by Wade Phillips.

On the play, the Defenders’ Jean Delance spat at a Brahmas player.

Delance was ejected for the flagrant personal foul and was found to be the person who committed the false start.

Then, San Antonio committed a personal foul for taunting and gave the Defenders another first-and-goal.

It didn’t pay as Jordan Ta’amu threw an interception that was returned 89 yards by Darius Phillips. The return set up a touchdown that gave the Brahmas a 27-12 lead after the PAT

The chaotic drive:

1st and 8 on SA8J.Ta’amu steps back to pass. J.Ta’amu pass incomplete short left intended for A.Ellis (N.Wieland). [11:25]

Timeout #1 by DC. [10:43]

2nd and 8 on SA8J.Ta’amu pass short middle complete to SA End Zone. Catch made by K.Coutee at SA End Zone. Gain of 8 yards. K.Coutee for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane and the play was overturned. PENALTY on DC-J.Delance, False Start, 5 yards, accepted. No Play. PENALTY on DC-J.Delance, Personal Foul / Offense, 15 yards, accepted. No Play. [10:43]

2nd and 28 on SA28J.Ta’amu FUMBLES (aborted). Fumble RECOVERED by DC-J.Ta’amu at SA 28. J.Ta’amu pass short right complete to SA 28. Catch made by B.Moore-McKinney at SA 28. Gain of -1 yards. Pushed out of bounds by D.Phillips at SA 29. PENALTY on SA-B.Thompson, Taunting / Defense, 15 yards, accepted. [10:39]

1st and 14 on SA14C.Harris rushed right guard to SA 11 for 3 yards. Tackled by C.Patton at SA 11. [10:34]

2nd and 11 on SA11D.Francois steps back to pass. D.Francois sacked at SA 13 for -2 yards (C.Patton) [9:55]

3rd and 14 on SA14J.Ta’amu pass INTERCEPTED at SA 6. Intercepted by D.Phillips at SA 6. Tackled by K.Harmon at DC 5. [9:05]

Punter Brad Wing throws TD pass to lineman Alex Mollette for THICC-Six in UFL

A wild trick play turns into a UFL TD for the San Antonio Brahmas

The UFL had a 64-yard field goal on Saturday. On Sunday, the San Antonio Brahmas used trickeration for a wild touchdown.

Punter Brad Wing threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to offensive lineman Alex Mollette as the first half of the San Antonio Brahmas-DC Defenders game was concluding.

Wing had thrown one pass in the NFL and it was intercepted. He said during the broadcast Mollette was not primary option on the play.

The Brahmas led 20-9 at the break.

10 former Ravens are signed to UFL teams

With the NFL season now in the rearview and the UFL set to debut, we’re looking at 10 former Baltimore Ravens who are participating in the spring league

With the NFL season now complete and the offseason underway, Baltimore has one of the most extended lists of players who are getting another shot in the new eight-team UFL, which kicks off season kicks off on Saturday, March 30, 2024, with the battle of the 2023 champions: Arlington Renegades vs Birmingham Stallions.

A combination agreement (the “UFL”) is the premier spring football league that resulted from the merger of the XFL and USFL.

Russ Brandon, former President and CEO of the XFL, will lead the UFL as President and CEO. Former USFL President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston will lead football operations.

Founded in 2001, the XFL was a collaboration between NBC and WWF (WWE), spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league’s lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon again leading the reboot, but it had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks.

The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.

A group headed by Dany Garcia, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season.

The UFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C.

With action to begin this weekend, we’re looking at 10 former Ravens on UFLrosters.

15 former Eagles are signed to United Football League teams

With the NFL season now in the rearview and the UFL set to debut, we’re looking at 15 former Philadelphia Eagles who are participating in the spring league

With the NFL season now complete and the offseason underway, Philadelphia has one of the most extended lists of players who are getting another shot in the new eight-team UFL, which kicks off season kicks off on Saturday, March 30, 2024, with the battle of the 2023 champions: Arlington Renegades vs Birmingham Stallions.

A combination agreement (the “UFL”) is the premier spring football league that resulted from the merger of the XFL and USFL.

Russ Brandon, former President and CEO of the XFL, will lead the UFL as President and CEO. Former USFL President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston will lead football operations.

Founded in 2001, the XFL was a collaboration between NBC and WWF (WWE), spearheaded by Vince McMahon. After a hot start, poor ratings ultimately led to the league’s lasting just one season. The league returned in 2020, with McMahon again leading the reboot, but it had to close its doors again after COVID-19 shut things down after just five weeks.

The league filed for bankruptcy and was forced to sell.

A group headed by Dany Garcia, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, bought the league out of bankruptcy for $15 million, eyeing 2023 as its return season.

The UFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Birmingham (AL), Detroit (MI), Houston (TX), San Antonio (TX), Memphis (TN), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C.

With action to begin this weekend, we’re looking at 15 former Eagles on UFL rosters.

Saints aren’t tendering wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr.

The Saints aren’t tendering Lynn Bowden Jr., which means only 3 of the 11 wide receivers who played for them last year are set to return for 2024:

Get ready for a new-look New Orleans Saints wide receiver corps in 2024. The Saints will not be tendering veteran wideout Lynn Bowden Jr., per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, which will make him a free agent when the new league year begins on March 13.

This isn’t too surprising in itself. Bowden primarily worked as a blocker and decoy for the Saints, only drawing 16 targets in 15 games last year while catching 11 passes for 83 yards, picking up a pair of first downs. He also recorded 5 rushing attempts for 32 yards on the ground, moving the chains three times. He was a serviceable emergency returns specialist, averaging 7.6 yards per punt return and 21.3 yards per kick return. That isn’t production teams pay top-dollar for.

But things are interesting under the surface. Fowler initially said that Bowden was an exclusive rights free agent, not a restricted free agent, which he later said was a mistake. Not tendering Bowden as a restricted free agent made sense because it costs at least $2,985,000. Re-signing Bowden at the league-minimum salary is an option.

Maybe he returns later as a minimum signing, but it’s possible that the Saints will be moving on as offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak revamps the receiving corps. Bowden is the latest wideout from New Orleans’ 2023 team to depart thus far. Let’s break it down:

  • Michael Thomas will enter free agency on Wednesday after being released from his contract
  • Marquez Callaway signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after his practice squad deal expired
  • Shaquan Davis chose to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles in similar circumstances
  • Kirk Merritt is playing for the UFL’s Houston Roughnecks
  • Jontre Kirklin is with the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas as well
  • Keith Kirkwood will be an unrestricted free agent, too
  • If you’re curious, the Detroit Lions signed Tre’Quan Smith

Which leaves Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry as the only receivers returning for the 2024 season (so far). It’s possible Kirkwood and Bowden return at some point but Kubiak has a big opportunity to retool this depth chart. Stay tuned to learn what his plan for accomplishing that is.

Update: Fowler corrected his report, clarifying that Bowden was a restricted free agent (RFA), not an exclusive rights free agent (ERFA). So that confusion can be chalked up to a typo. Maybe the NFL can workshop some abbreviations which aren’t so easy to mistake for one another?

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2 former Steelers sign with San Antonio Brahmas of UFL

The San Antonio Brahmas have signed former Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr.

Two former members of the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed to play in the United Football League. Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. and punter Brad Wing have both signed with the San Antonio Brahmas franchise of the league, which is scheduled to begin play next month.

McFarland spent four seasons with the Steelers after playing his college ball at Maryland. Despite his game-breaking speed, McFarland never found a spot on the depth chart. The team finally released him during the 2023 season after firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

Wing was the Steelers’ primary punter in 2014. The Steelers also brought Wing back in 2023, when he appeared in two games and had 11 punts for an average of 45 yards. It was the first time Wing had played in the NFL since 2017.

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Former Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady selected No. 1 by San Antonio

Former Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady selected No. 1 by San Antonio.

The United Football League held its second-round player dispersal process on Monday.

Players selected will have an opportunity to be amongst 75 roster spots allotted to each team for training camp, which begins Feb. 24 in Arlington, Texas.

Former Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady was the No. 1 overall pick by San Antonio in the UFL’s second player dispersal.

Dormady played for the Vols from 2015-17. He appeared in 16 games at Tennessee, completing 100-of-176 passing attempts for 1,282 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

The 2024 season is the first for the UFL. The UFL formed after the United States Football League and XFL merged in Nov. 2023.

UFL’s 2024 season will kick off on March 30 between Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) and Arlington (2023 XFL champion). The season will feature eight teams, 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

ABC, ESPN, Fox and FS1 are UFL’s television partners.

READ: Former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Thompson to play for San Antonio in 2024

Former Vol Bryce Thompson to play for San Antonio in 2024.

Former Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson will play for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League in 2024.

Thompson played for the Vols from 2018-20 under head coach Jeremy Pruitt.

Thompson played in 32 career games at Tennessee, including 28 starts. He recorded eight interceptions, 102 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles.

The 2024 season is the first for the UFL. The UFL formed after the United States Football League and XFL merged in Nov. 2023.

UFL’s 2024 season begins March 30 as Birmingham (2023 USFL champion) plays Arlington (2023 XFL champion).

The UFL has eight teams in 2024, featuring 40 regular-season games and three postseason contests.

A list of former Vols on 2024 UFL rosters can be viewed here.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire