Ahead of UFL Training Camp, Birmingham Stallions Remain Gold Standard: Part Three
In Part One of this series, we took a look at a few of the elements that have the Stallions poised to continue their reign of dominance over the spring pro football landscape. Part Two focused on the first of three obstacles ahead of Birmingham, determining who will replace quarterback Alex McGough.
McGough's departure is far from the only one the Stallions will have to address, however.
Replacing Other 2023 Stallions Standouts
Success in spring pro football can be a double-edged sword. If you are successful, the challenge becomes replacing your best players after they move on to the almighty NFL.
Beyond the QB position, that's exactly the challenge Birmingham faces with the ascension of All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey and star pass catchers Austin Watkins and Davion Davis to the National Football League.
Finding too many weaknesses in Birmingham's armor on such a stacked roster is challenging. The practice involves a bit of reaching.
The Stallions have done a great job replenishing their receiving corps by bringing back USFL 2022 yards leader and championship game MVP Victor Bolden and adding an intriguing talent in 2021 third-round draft pick and Clemson star Amari Rodgers. But will these players, along with other returnees like Deon Cain, be able to stand up as go-to weapons all season?
An even tougher act to follow is that of Aubrey. Chris Blewitt is coming off a great USFL season for Pittsburgh, where he routinely kicked long field goals to convert over 80 percent of his kicks. For long stretches of last year, the Cinderella Maulers' only offense was the former Pitt Panther. The well-traveled placekicker delivered in pressurized situations throughout the season.
Blewitt has overcome his inherited family name, which is less than ideal for a professional kicker. Living up to the legacy left by Aubrey and the inherited pressure attached to that task will be a far greater obstacle to overcome.
Next up: A New League Landscape
Ahead of UFL Training Camp, Birmingham Stallions Remain Gold Standard: Part One
You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.