Inside the XFL

by Fran Stuchbury
March 2, 2023 - XFL (XFL)

I traveled to Orlando to cover the Orlando Guardians game against the San Antonio Brahmas this past Sunday. Camping World Stadium sits just a half-mile from Exploria Stadium, home of MLS' Orlando City SC and the NWSL's Orlando Pride, and not much farther from the Amway Center where the NBA's Orlando Magic, ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears and National Arena League's Orlando Predators play.

Camping World has hosted many alternative football leagues in the past including the Orlando Panthers of the Continental Football League from 1966-1970, Florida Blazers of the World Football League in 1974, Orlando Americans of the American Football Association in 1981, Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League in 1985, Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football from 1991-1992, Orlando Rage of the original XFL in 2001, and the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League from 2009-2010. It is the current home of two college football bowl games: the Citrus Bowl since 1947 and the Cheez-It Bowl since 2001.

XFL Owner and Chairwoman Dany Garcia and XFL President Russ Brandon held a short media briefing prior the Guardians game. Here are some highlights:

• Orlando is Garcia's hometown, and she wanted it as an XFL market from the start.

• Brandon said there they no concerns over the Vegas Vipers' field, stating, "That field is extraordinarily sound. They dealt with high winds and heavy rain the second half. In general the field held up well, and they will continue to work on it, the cosmetic side of it. The field is sound."

• Garcia said she will not throw out an attendance target. "Our approach in Orlando is similar to Vegas and the new cities," she said. "You get there, build a community and you get started. We really are about what we do week after week and after the season."

• Garcia stated she is pleased with the lack of penalties in the games and the conditioning of the athletes. The league's owners have worked to be player-first, and they have open communication with the players. Brandon echoed her statements on open communication.

• Brandon and Garcia highlighted the rules from the San Antonio-St. Louis game in which St. Louis utilized the three-point play and the fourth-and-15 option which is only available after a score in the fourth quarter to pull off a comeback win.

• Brandon said they are building the XFL for the long haul with a sustainable model. "Just being in Orlando is a success," he said. "We are thrilled to be in all of our markets. We are player-first and fan-first. We are a league of innovation." He added they will tweak things for the fans as they go along, including pre-game, during the game and postgame content. He also included during the week communication with fans on social media as well.

• Brandon stated the hub in Arlington where all the teams practice was a launch strategy. "If you look at the NFL there is one day off per week during the season," he said. "That is the only time you have any engagement. The XFL engages constantly throughout the week. Our coaches have done an amazing job with that. Guardians coach Terrell Buckley has constantly been in Orlando as well as other athletes." The owners are happy with the centralized hub because it gives the athletes the best opportunity to succeed both on and off the field.

On the field, the San Antonio Brahmas defeated the Orlando Guardians 30-12.

Watching an XFL game in person is a totally different experience than watching a game on television. At the game fans are focused on the play on the field. On television viewers see behind the scenes such as when players and coaches are mic'ed in addition to interviews throughout the game from the sideline reporters.

Both the Guardians and Brahmas traveled on the same plane to get to Orlando and then flew back together to Arlington after the game.

The Guardians offense struggled, totaling just 100 rushing yards and 87 passing yards. A costly 13 penalties further crippled their effort. The offensive line improved, only giving up two sacks compared to seven last week.

Orlando Head Coach Terrel Buckley was not happy with his team's performance. "We're going to reevaluate everything when we get back first thing in the morning," he said. "We will improve and have a better showing."

Guardians inside linebacker Terrance Plummer added, "It's the small details we have to clean up, little things that kill us in the game. Honestly I don't think Houston or San Antonio are better than us, based on what we faced. We beat ourselves."

On the other hand, San Antonio Head Coach Hines Ward felt the Brahmas played a full 60-minute game after a solid week of preparation following last week's loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks.

"Freaking amazing," Ward said on how he felt about the victory. "I care for these players; it brought tears to my eyes. I wanted the win for them more than myself. To get this game ball... it will go up with my Super Bowl XL MVP trophy. To see the players buy into what I am preaching, I am happy for the players. They deserve this win today."

Ward moved the coordinators from the field to the booth this week, giving them a better view of the entire field.

Brahmas quarterback Jack Coan completed 16-of-24 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns. As icing on the cake, he was able to win the game in front of his friends and family in attendance.

Coan was asked to compare playing big games at Notre Dame compared to to those in the XFL. "Honestly it's very similar," he said. "I feel like every single game I play in is the biggest game of my life. I feel the same amount of emotion and energy every single time I step on the field. It's a ton of fun to play on the field."

"Jack is learning as well," Ward said about his quarterback. "It's not like he is a seasoned vet. The game is starting to slow down. Each day he is getting more reps, and he's starting to feel more comfortable with the offense. Look for Jack to continue to improve."

EXTRA POINTS

• Thursday's St. Louis Battlehawks - Seattle Sea Dragons game on FX drew 553,000 viewers. Saturday's D.C. Defenders - Vegas Vipers contest on FX/ESPN Deportes combined for 605,000 viewers. Sunday's San Antonio Brahmas - Orlando Guardians broadcast on ABC finished with 781,000 viewers. The Sunday night Arlington Renegades - Houston Roughnecks game on ESPN2 saw 678,000 viewers.

• San Antonio Brahmas quarterback Jack Coan, St. Louis Battlehawks defensive tackle LaCale London and St. Louis Battlehawks kicker Donny Hageman were named the OurSports Central XFL Offensive Player, Defensive Player and Unsung Hero of the Week, respectively, for week two of the XFL season.

• The XFL announced an expanded partnership with Under Armour.

• Road teams went 3-1 in week two, evening the season series at 4-4.

• Four of the eight XFL games have been decided by four points or less.

• Teams went four-of-seven on one-point conversion attempts from the two-yard line, four-of-nine on two-point conversions from the five-yard line, and one-of-two on three-point conversions from the 10-yard line.

• Former Ole Miss punter Mac Brown signed with the Orlando Guardians. Punter Johnny Townsend was placed on the reserve list.

• Former Vegas Vipers quarterback Bryan Scott, who was released during training camp signed with the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts.

• FIRST TAKE - St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback A.J. McCarron joins Stephen A. Smith to explains why he chose XFL over NFL:

• My XFL best bet lock of the week is the San Antonio Brahmas plus four points over the Houston Roughnecks. San Antonio was so close to being a 2-0 team, and the play of quarterback Jack Coan continues to get better. The Roughnecks have played well, but this will be the toughest opponent they have faced so far. With half the XFL games being decided by four points or less, expect this game to come down to the wire with the Brahmas winning a close game or barely losing it.

Camping World Stadium, home of the Orlando Guardians (Fran Stuchbury)	Press box view of the San Antonio Brahmas vs. the Orlando Guardians (Fran Stuchbury)	Press box view of the San Antonio Brahmas vs. the Orlando Guardians (Fran Stuchbury)
XFL Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia and President Russ Brandon (Fran Stuchbury)	San Antonio Brahmas quarterback Jack Coan (Fran Stuchbury)	San Antonio Brahmas Head Coach Hines Ward (Fran Stuchbury)

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XFL Stories from March 2, 2023

• Know My Name: AJ McCarron - XFL
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• Inside the XFL - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.