Fleet Q&A: Kicker Cole Murphy Looks to Sink His Shot

Photo taken by the San Diego Fleet.

Behind Syracuse University’s stunning 27-24 victory against the #2 Clemson Tigers in 2017 was the leg of Cole Murphy, who’s 4th quarter 30-yard field goal helped seal one of the greatest wins in school history.

But nearly as surprising as Syracuse’s upset win against Clemson was when Murphy, a two-time Lou Groza semi-finalist (an award given annually to college football’s best kicker), didn’t receive a tryout from any of the 32 NFL teams following the conclusion of the 2018 NFL draft.

However, it didn't take long for San Diego Fleet GM Dave Boller, formerly with the Syracuse staff, to reach out to the Southern California native and offer Murphy a shot. We caught up with Murphy to see he’s enjoying his time with the Fleet, why he thinks the AAF is special, and much more!

After finishing your career with Syracuse in 2017, what were you doing after graduation and how did you ultimately sign with the Fleet?

“After leaving Syracuse last December, I moved back home to the Santa Clarita Valley in Southern California and started training for my Pro Day.

I started working out with my aunt, who was a world champion motocross racer and is now a personal trainer. I also started driving down to San Diego to kick with one of the best kickers in NFL history, John Carney.

After Pro Day, I was very confident that I would get a phone call to participate in an NFL or CFL training camp. Unfortunately, I never received a call and so I continued to train in the hope that I would get an opportunity at a later time. In late July, I got a call from Dave Boller, who was on the football staff at Syracuse and was the new GM of the San Diego Fleet. I was (and still am) extremely thankful for the phone call because it has allowed me to continue my pro football career and compete with many talented players and teams.”  

How special is it to be a part of the AAF in its first year and why do you feel football fans should tune in?

“Being a part of the inaugural season for the AAF is very special. This league has a lot of fantastic ideas and technologies that are being used and I believe that they may ultimately change how the game and the league is structured. I think that the league is putting the fans first by limiting commercials, integrating a fantastic in-game betting experience and using new technologies that will give fans a whole new look at the sport.”

How has your experience with the Fleet organization been so far?

“My experience with the Fleet during minicamp and training camp has been fantastic. You can tell that the players and coaches are all here for the right reasons and we all have the same goals. We want to better the sport and give players a second chance at playing professional football.”

What are you most excited about heading into the season?

“I’m excited to get more game experience and continue my career. Not getting a call after the draft was difficult, but the AAF  has given me more confidence and has helped me perform to the best of my ability.”

The kicking rules in the AAF are much different than the NFL and in college (no PAT’s or kickoffs) — does that change anything for how you prepare or practice?

“The new kicking rules are definitely interesting. More than anything, it makes the limited reps I get count even more. I may only get one or two chances in the game, so I need to be able to perform every single time I step on the field. Having said that, it also means that I can devote more time to perfecting my field goal technique instead of having to spend time on other things like kickoffs and punting.”

San Diego Fleet Roster Preview: Running backs

One of the deepest positions on the team, the Fleet’s stable of experienced running backs will greatly benefit whichever young quarterback gets the opening day start against the San Antonio Commanders. The unit has a nice mix of veteran NFL talent and guys who are looking to make a name for themselves.

Bishop Sankey (Washington Huskies, Tennessee Titans)

The former second round pick from the University of Washington, Sankey spent just two seasons with the Tennessee Titans before bouncing around between several practice squads. Still, he brings valuable experience to a relatively young offense and will likely get the bulk of the carries to start the season.

At Washington, Sankey had 37 touchdowns in his final two seasons with the Huskies before being selected 54th overall by the Titans. Although he never lived up to the high expectations set by fans and the organization (762 yards and 3 TDs in two seasons), Sankey is only 26 years old and should be fully recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in the first preseason game of the 2017 with the Vikings. If Sankey flashes like he did in college, it wouldn't be surprising to see an NFL team try and scoop him up.

Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific, Pittsburgh Steelers)

There may not be a more resilient player on the Fleet roster than 25-year-old Terrell Watson. After being signed and released by the Bengals, Browns and Eagles all within 18 months, Watson finally stuck with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, where he spent most of the season backing up Le’Veon Bell and James Connor. He finished the season with 36 yards and a rushing touchdown.

Watson soon signed with the Fleet after being released from the Chargers in September 2018. Perhaps part of the reason for the signing is due to his past relationship with Head Coach Mike Martz, who coached Watson in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, in which Watson won the game's MVP award. A power back used in goal line situations with the Steelers, expect ta nice 1-2 punch between Sankey and him this season with the Fleet.  

Jahad Thomas (Temple Owls)

Before ever playing a down in the AAF, Thomas made history on Jan. 21 by becoming a part of the league’s first ever trade. The Fleet acquired the former Temple Owl after trading tight end Darryl Richardson to the Memphis Express. History books aside, Thomas is a solid back who had brief stints with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets in 2017.

Thomas is a former 1,000-yard back who has great speed and agility. The Fleet obviously like what they saw from Thomas to pull the trigger on this trade and should have a good chance to make the team’s final roster.

Paul James (Rutgers)

After a solid career at Rutgers, James went undrafted in the 2016 NFL draft. Although he received minicamp invites from the Eagles, Ravens and Browns that year, he has yet to stick with a team. In the past year, James worked overnight shifts at UPS while trying to sign with another professional team. With redemption on his mind, James will be working hard to make the Fleet’s final roster.

Ja’Quan Gardner (Humboldt State)

Gardner’s time with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018 lasted approximately three days before the team waived him in September. He spent parts of 2017 with the organization, but never played in a regular season game. At Humboldt State, Gardner finished his career with more than 5,000 yards, 72 touchdowns (including 23 touchdowns his senior year).  

San Diego Fleet Roster Preview: Quarterbacks

When first overall pick in the 2019 AAF QB Draft Josh Johnson left the San Diego Fleet to sign with the Washington Redskins in December, it opened the door for other quarterbacks on the roster while leaving several question marks at the position.

Johnson started three games in 2018 for the Redskins, winning one of those and throwing three TD’s and four INT’s. While there’s a chance the former Univ. of San Diego standout could return to the Fleet if no NFL team decides to sign him, the Fleet must move forward with the quarterbacks currently on the roster.

Mike Bercovici (Arizona State, Los Angeles Chargers)

With the first pick in the second round of the AAF QB Draft, the Fleet drafted Mike Bercovici, who was originally signed with the Arizona Hotshots.

The only quarterback on the roster with any sort of NFL experience, Bercovici returns to San Diego after spending the 2016 preseason with the Chargers before being released on the final day of roster cuts. He also spent a brief period with the Arizona Cardinals practice squad in 2017.

Although it’s still early to tell, it would seem Bercovici has the leading edge on getting the opening day start against the Commanders on February 9. The former Arizona State Sun Devil had a fantastic senior season, throwing for 30 TD’s and 3,854 yards, while adding 6 more TD’s on the ground.

NFL scouts praised Bercovici for being a fiery competitor who can rally the troops, so let’s hope he can bring that same intensity to the Fleet.

Philip Nelson (Minnesota/Rutgers/East Carolina, Winnipeg Blue Bombers)  

Competing with Bercovici for the starting quarterback position is Philip Nelson, formerly with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

While there’s no doubt Nelson has talent, there is some controversy centered around him. Nelson spent his four-year college career at three different schools and soon after transferring to Rutgers, was cut from the team after pleading guilty to assault charges. Nelson signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in January 2018 after short mini camp stints with the Browns and Bengals, but was cut from the Blue Bombers in May after serving as the fourth string QB.

Nelson joins the Fleet with a point to prove and a definite chip on his shoulder. He was a star at Mankata West High School in Minnesota, throwing for 94 career touchdowns and 7,500 yards, but never saw the same success in college or the pros. The Fleet may be his chance to prove his doubters wrong.

Alex Ross (Coastal Carolina, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers)

The final QB on the roster, Alex Ross spent two seasons in Canada, throwing just 13 career passes, no TDs and 2 INT’s. After being released by the Blue Bombers in September 2018, Ross was taken by the Fleet as the last pick of the 2019 QB Draft.

Ross three-time All-Big South First-Team selection with Coastal Carolina University and is the conference record holder for total offense, touchdowns, most rushing touchdowns by a QB and more.

Like Nelson, Ross is hoping to take advantage of his second chance to play professional football and hopes to earn a roster spot when the Fleet travel to San Antonio to take on the Commanders in a few weeks.

Prediction: 1) Mike Bercovici, 2) Alex Ross, 3) Philip Nelson  

Welcome to the Fleet!

February 9 at 5:00 pm promises to be a historic night for several reasons when the San Diego Fleet take the field for the first time against the San Antonio Commanders.

Not only will the game make an end to the more than 2-year dry spell since the city of San Diego has had a team of its own to cheer for, but it’ll be (alongside Atlanta and Orlando, who play at the same time) the first-ever Alliance of American Football (AAF) game.

Not to mention, it’ll be the first time many on the Fleet have ever played a professional football game.

For others, such as TE Gavin Escobar (Dallas Cowboys), Bishop Sankey (Tennessee Titans) and Damontre Moore (New York Giants), this season is a chance to prove they belong back in the NFL ranks.

With a nice mix of veteran players (like the ones mentioned above), a Super Bowl-winning coach in Mike Martz and several potential breakout stars, the inaugural season promises to be exciting for not just Fleet fans, but football fanatics in San Diego and across the country who are looking to quench their football thirst.  

This blog will be run by myself, Paul Amico, a lifelong football fan from Los Angeles, CA, who couldn’t contain his excitement when it was announced that there will finally be another football league to watch besides another arena league or one based in Canada.

Instead, it’s a league with several well-known former NFL’ers (Hello, Trent Richardson) who are looking for redemption, young players looking to prove themselves, and experienced coaches who know and love the game of football.

There’s no other place in my eyes that deserves to have football more than San Diego. The fans are passionate and will get behind the team win or lose, the city is beautiful, and the players and coaching staff will give their best effort.   

As we lead up to the opening game on February 9, I’ll be previewing the team by position, writing about storylines to look for heading into the season, sharing my thoughts on each game, and much more.

I know I’m not alone when I say this season can’t come here quick enough. Go Fleet!