This Weekend in the XFL

by Joe Torosian
Published on March 9, 2001 under XFL (XFL)

by Joe Torosian

They haven't made a legitimate sequel to Jaws in years, but this past week the sharks have been circling around the new league.

Rumors surfaced, were denied, and still linger like the bad after taste of diet soda that Vince McMahon might want to cut his losses and run.

Whatever the talk, and future outcome, week six is here with Orlando having the chance to clinch the East, and three teams looking for breathing room in the West.

No truth to the rumor that Jessie Ventura has challenged Hitmen coach Rusty Tillman to a Texas Death Match.

Saturday, March 10, 2001

Las Vegas (3-2) at Orlando (5-0)

It's Heaven and Hell for the Rage. They have the best offense in the league, but the worst rated defense.

Their starting quarterback is out, but the back up played pretty good the week before.

A win, barring a collapse on par with the 64 Phillies, gives them the East. A loss gives hope to the Outlaws who might face them again in finals.

Las Vegas' offense is dead last in the XFL and it's still up in the air as to who Coach Jim Criner will line up behind center.

Mark Grieb has been average, and Ryan Clement is coming back from injury. The Rage defense on the other hand is a tonic for the offensive soul.

Rod "He Hate Me" Smart (302-yards) has put together solid back to back games and is now third in the league in rushing.

With the Outlaws defense, led by Kelvin Kinney (Five sacks) and Brandon Sanders (Four interceptions), a hot running Smart can allow Las Vegas to control the clock and keep the Rage offense off the field.

Jeff Brohm, who suffered a mild concussion last week, was replaced by Brian Kuklick didn't allow the Rage offense to miss a beat.

Of course having the XFL's best rushing game is a help to any quarterback. The three-headed monster of Derrick Clark, Brian Shay, and Michael Black is averaging 132-yards per game.

Orlando goes to 6-0, with 14-3 win.

Chicago (1-4) at Memphis (2-3)

The Enforcers changed quarterbacks last week and got into the win column for the first time.

Notre Dame alum Kevin McDougal stepped in for previous starter Tim Lester took XFL offensive player of the week honors.

While McDougal displayed a good arm and a knack for finding receiver Kevin Prentiss, this game will be face off of two the XFL's best running backs.

Memphis' Rashaan Salaam (493-yards) and Chicago's John Avery (366-yards) are one-two in rushing in the league.

More importantly they take the pressure of the inexperienced quarterbacks who hand them the ball.

Jim Druckenmiller kept the Maniax close last week against the Rage, but lets face it; other than being a number one pick in the NFL there isn't anything all that special about him.

Salaam's legs have kept his team close this season and opened the passing lanes up to find Prentiss and Charles Jordan.

Chicago hasn't won away from home, and Memphis is looking for its first win at home.

The Maniax have too much for the Enforcers, a 24-10 victory evens their record at 3-3.

Sunday, March 11, 2001

New York/New Jersey (1-4) at San Francisco (3-2)

The most interesting thing about the Hitmen this season has been the verbal sparring between Tillman and Ventura.

The Hitmen are third in the league in overall defense, and second against the pass, which should help against the Demons air assault.

But the 44-points they've put on the board offensively is the worst in the XFL.

Quarterback Wally Richardson's solid play has netted the Hitman there only win of the season, against Chicago, and made local boy Charlie Puleri a memory, but that won't get them into the playoffs.

Joe Aska's 93-yards on the ground against Los Angeles was his teams one highlight.

While the Outlaws have allowed the fewest points this season, the Demons have allowed the fewest yards. Ranking third in the league against the run and first against the pass.

Pat Barnes stepped in last week for injured starter Mike Pawlawski and promptly led San Francisco to 39-10 route of Birmingham.

Aiding Barnes was a previously non-existent rushing game, highlighted by Juan Johnson that totaled 163-yards.

Frisco tops the XFL in everything that is third down. They are converting a league high 47.8 offensively, with Birmingham as the next closest with a 39.3 average.

Defensively they are far and away the stingiest, allowing opposing offenses to convert on third down only 21.6 percent of the time.

The Demons in a route, 35-6.

Los Angeles (3-2) at Birmingham (2-3)

The first three weeks of the season Birmingham looked like it was going to be the team to compete with the Orlando Rage.

The offense with quarterback Casey Weldon and runningback James Bostic was clicking but a week four blowout by the Rage was crushing.

Stepfret Williams is still making an impact, as one of the XFL's most dangerous receivers, but the question now is who will be passing him the ball.

While Weldon started the season like a house on fire, it was back up Jay Barker that connected with the fleet receiver for a 95-yard scoring play (league record) last week

With the Demons Pawlawski being inactive last week, Xtreme quarterback Tommy Maddox has assumed the league lead in passing yards (1,149) and touchdown tosses (8). He's also displayed something he never did during his carnival tour of the NFL; fire and leadership.

Several things will be working in Maddox favor on Sunday. Besides the fact the Bolts are struggling, he has the XFL's best wide receiver tandem, Jermaine Copeland (35-catches) and Darnell McDonald (4tds), at his disposal.

When the season began many thought the Xtreme would have league's most balance offense. It hasn't worked that. The air attack has been bombs away; the ground game needs Mr. Goodwrench.

The good news for Maddox and the Xtreme this week? Birmingham ranks dead last in stopping the rush.

If Los Angeles coach Al Lugenbil can get Terry Billups and the rest of his secondary to throw a blanket over Williams it should be all Xtreme.

Los Angeles 28 Birmingham 14.

Joe Torosian covers ABA2000 and the XFL for OurSports Central.

XFL Stories from March 9, 2001

• This Weekend in the XFL - OSC Original by Joe Torosian
• XFL mid-season grades are in - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury

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.