AAF Week 1 Review: Several former Steelers shine in debut weekend

There was a lot to like about the opening weekend of action served up by the Alliance of American Football

By Simon Chester@SimonAChester Feb 11, 2019, 2:00pm EST

If the viewing figures are anything to go by, the debut weekend of the Alliance of American Football was a rousing success with the live broadcast of their opening game pulling in more viewers than an NBA game aired in the same time slot. While the quality of the action on the field was a far cry from the NFL, it was hard to find fault with the standard of play given the time the teams have been together and the talent of the names on the rosters.

Many of the promises the AAF made about their new league were delivered on opening weekend, with most of the new rule changes well received by the viewing public. Turnovers were perhaps more prevalent than the league would have liked and some of the offensive line play less than perfect, but plenty of players showed enough to suggest they would be a worthy addition to NFL training camp rosters later in the year.

Several former Pittsburgh Steelers players were among the standout performers in Week 1, with linebacker Terence Garvin arguably the defensive MVP of the weekend after he recorded 10 tackles and two interceptions, returning one of them for a touchdown.

Terence Garvin pick six pic.twitter.com/hm3b1PiAdU
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) February 10, 2019

Terence Garvin picks off Matt Simms on this excellently designed defensive play pic.twitter.com/UiplQnGJTP
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) February 10, 2019

Defensive Player of the Game LB Terence Garvin has 2 interceptions and a TD

#TakeAim | #ORLvsATL pic.twitter.com/YbzPPR3MZY
— Orlando Apollos (@aafAPOLLOS) February 10, 2019

Jamar Summers was in training camp with the Steelers in 2018 and showed some of the ballhawking skills Pittsburgh lacked last season with his interception for the Birmingham Iron against the Memphis Express. He also recorded three passes defended and a forced fumble on the day.

.@aafiron defense with the pick! #MEMvsBHM pic.twitter.com/bK73dUP7kq
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) February 10, 2019

Former Steelers Casey Sayles and Jacob Hagen were also visible presences for Birmingham on defense in a game they held their opponent scoreless.

Linebacker Steven Johnson was another former member of the Black and Gold making an interception in his AAF debut and he would have been credited with a sack if not for an illegal formation penalty on the play. He also led the Arizona Hotshots with seven tackles.

Former Viking Edmond Robinson tips a pass from Matt Linehan that leads to a Steven Johnson INT pic.twitter.com/XZ3GSl53GK
— Arif Hasan (@ArifHasanNFL) February 11, 2019

Highlights of all the game for those who missed them:

Orlando Apollo vs. Atlanta Legends