Atlantic City Aces: A Crumbling House of Cards
Written by Dale Walters and Adam Ireland
The Atlantic City Aces might be the new kids on the block, but their so-called savior, Addison Ross, is no stranger to the NAFC. With a 2013 Yuma Bowl Championship under his belt, Ross returned to the league in 2023 with a wave of anticipation. Expectations soared, comparisons to past glory days were inevitable, and the media lapped it up. But as the season unfolds, it’s clear that the Aces are nothing but a mirage of potential, and Ross, well, he’s the Jon Gruden of the NAFC, and that’s not a compliment.
Before the first snap of the season, Ross and his Aces were crowned media darlings, with some experts even predicting a repeat of their 2013 glory. Yet, here we are, a quarter into the season, with the Aces languishing at the bottom of the Hollywood Division with a dismal 1-3 record. If the playoffs began today, Ross and his overhyped squad would be watching from the couch. Reality has hit like a sledgehammer.
Comparing Addison Ross to Jon Gruden seems fitting at this point. Both were ushered in with pomp and circumstance, hailed as saviors, only to deliver mediocrity at best. The parallels are eerily accurate, as Ross, like Gruden, fails to live up to the colossal expectations he himself generated.
Sunday’s matchup in Billings against the Wombats was nothing short of a disaster for the Aces, with fans who had made the cross-country trek expressing their frustrations in front of Owner Addison Ross’s box. Chants of “we deserve better” and “fire him!” filled the air, with fans directing their ire at the team’s coach. Ross’s retort to “smarten up!” was a feeble attempt to regain control. But let’s face it, when the owner clashes with the fans, it’s a sure sign of a franchise spiraling out of control. His comments are emblematic of a sinking ship’s captain pointing fingers instead of taking responsibility.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, the Aces, who were favored against Montana last week, appeared to have forgotten to show up altogether. It’s as if they decided that game-planning for DJ Moore or Kenneth Walker was beneath them. Ross’s frustration boiled over, primarily aimed at starting quarterback Geno Smith’s lackluster performance and a scathing attack on backup quarterback Daniel Jones, labeling him as “shit.” If this isn’t a sign of a team in turmoil, we don’t know what is.
In an astonishing display of disregard for player safety, the Aces plan to field Tee Higgins on Sunday, despite his known injury. This decision raises serious ethical questions about player welfare and the team’s priorities. If we were Higgins, we’d be sending a verbal complaint to the league office faster than a touchdown pass.
But the incompetence doesn’t stop on the field. The Aces’ General Manager seems content to sit on their entire $173 FAAB budget, doing nothing to improve a team that was supposed to be a contender. For a franchise with such lofty preseason expectations, their inactivity is inexcusable.
The only glimmer of hope for the Aces might come this week when they face the winless Roadrunners. But given their track record, it wouldn’t be surprising if Coach Josh Peter finally managed to set a competent lineup by accident.
In the immortal words of “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” It’s painfully evident that the Aces, despite their star-studded roster, lack the work ethic required to succeed at this level.
Addison Ross, this article should serve as a wake-up call for you and your franchise. In a town teeming with gamblers and degenerates, patience, as you mentioned last week, simply doesn’t fly. It’s time to deliver on the promises and expectations you’ve created before the Aces become nothing more than a cautionary tale in the annals of the NAFC.
