Post by MGB01 on Jul 2, 2006 20:51:37 GMT -5
Here's the four most unlikely words you'll probably ever hear: Thank god for Seneca Wallace--the second word has been often used in his career. Still, the Rage might want to rethink letting him go as a free agent after the season. Yes they did trade for Dave Ragone--who in his earlier XFL stint was also somewhat underappreciated, but Ragone hasn't started a game since June 2004, while Wallace has the hotter hand in his last three extensive game outings, going 2-1. This means the Mike Jones watch is back off for another week, but a loss in a trap game to the Xtreme this week and the dogs are back on.
And on the subject of unlikely words, here's seven more: The Kansas City Monarchs continue to roll. But, speaking of trap games, they've got one coming up in San Francisco Sunday against a Demons team that scored just seven points in each of their last two games. And it's the beginning of a murderous second-half stretch in which they'll play four games away from Arrowhead Stadium--including all three division rivals on the road, two back-to-back with Dallas followed by Birmingham late in the year. Then again, if the Monarchs were the dead-end team they were under Ted Cottrell (and Eric Mangini) the last two years, they'd probably be looking at a high pick in the 2007 draft already much less figuring out how to sneak out a win in their last six games.
So new for this week, as we begin the second half stretch run, the rankings and then a look at some games to watch next week.
1. Kansas City (5-1): From outhouse to penthouse? Brutal second-half schedule holds the key.
2. Dallas (5-1): The streak ended at 115 (Kurt Warner's INT-less streak), but the Vipers' winning streak marches on.
3. Los Angeles (4-2): Maurice Drew will make first career start Sunday night in Orlando.
4. Memphis (4-2): 'Ax in for pretty tough five-game stretch of their own.
5. Las Vegas (3-3): Is Jerome Harrison Outlaws' answer to J.J. Arrington?
6. Jacksonville (4-2): Bulls just six points in their two losses.
7. Orlando (4-2): Wallace might be just the much-needed spark for the stretch run, now if the Rage could just find a running game in addition.
8. Seattle (3-3): Reign can follow up a tough loss in Memphis with a win against an all-the-sudden beatable Enforcer team, even in Chicago.
9. Birmingham (3-3): Mr. Dorsey, were you paying any attention to what we said last week?
10. San Francisco (3-3): Was it just us or did the guy that won the rushing title two years ago get only six carries?
11. Chicago (2-4): Mediocrity-me·di·oc·ri·ty. 1. The state or quality of being mediocre. 2. Mediocre ability, achievement, or performance. 3. One that displays mediocre qualities. 4. The 2006 XFL North, where the Enforcers are tied for first place.
12. Carolina (2-4): Hey that 'Canes magic might have rubbed off.
13. Washington (2-4): He might have thrown four picks the week prior, but "McMVP" had the right idea the week prior; if you're going to lose, have fun doing it.
14. Detroit (2-4): Hey, Coach Lugey's got his boys in a three-way tie for first!
15. New York (2-4): Wasn't there talk in some circles about Hitmen fans being unappreciative of Michael Bishop? You guys were saying?
16. Pittsburgh (0-6): Well, at least the Ironmen don't have to worry about crucial games and second-half runs and all that nonsense.
WEEK 7 GAMES TO WATCH
Los Angeles at Orlando, Sun 8:00 UPN
Both teams have their share of flaws, but the bottom line is each is in a very good position for the second half of the season; the Rage moved back into a tie with their Floridian rivals--the Bulls--for first place in the XFL East, while the Xtreme are on top in the XFL West all by themselves. Will the switch to Seneca Wallace end up being what the Rage need? Maurice Drew will get the start at halfback with Sultan McCullough out.
Memphis at Las Vegas, Sun 4:00 USA
The defending champs will have another opportunity to show that they're back after back-to-back road wins in Detroit and Washington. Jim Criner should feel pretty good about his ballclub after pulling through a difficult first half even on the season with four games at home. The Maniax responded to a difficult home loss to Dallas by knocking off division co-leader Kansas City three weeks ago, so they've proven their road mettle. They'll need to have plenty of it with road games at Las Vegas, Orlando, and Dallas on the docket.
Dallas at Detroit, Sun 1:00
Kansas City at San Francisco, Sun 4:00
The XFL South co-leaders are on the road in what on paper should be easy road wins, and then you play the game. Two weeks ago, the Monarchs notched a very impressive win even if it was against a not-so-impressive Enforcers team in Chicago.
The Vipers got a big road win earlier this season as well when they pulled off a 24-17 win in Memphis in week three. The Vipers will play a team that, bad as the XFL North is notwithstanding, has renewed confidence and finds themselves in a three-way tie atop the division. The Monarchs will go out west to play a team that has scored 14 points in their last two games, and has topped 20 just once--against the generous Ironmen--on the season. The Monarchs will play four of their last six on the road, including all three division rivals.
And on the subject of unlikely words, here's seven more: The Kansas City Monarchs continue to roll. But, speaking of trap games, they've got one coming up in San Francisco Sunday against a Demons team that scored just seven points in each of their last two games. And it's the beginning of a murderous second-half stretch in which they'll play four games away from Arrowhead Stadium--including all three division rivals on the road, two back-to-back with Dallas followed by Birmingham late in the year. Then again, if the Monarchs were the dead-end team they were under Ted Cottrell (and Eric Mangini) the last two years, they'd probably be looking at a high pick in the 2007 draft already much less figuring out how to sneak out a win in their last six games.
So new for this week, as we begin the second half stretch run, the rankings and then a look at some games to watch next week.
1. Kansas City (5-1): From outhouse to penthouse? Brutal second-half schedule holds the key.
2. Dallas (5-1): The streak ended at 115 (Kurt Warner's INT-less streak), but the Vipers' winning streak marches on.
3. Los Angeles (4-2): Maurice Drew will make first career start Sunday night in Orlando.
4. Memphis (4-2): 'Ax in for pretty tough five-game stretch of their own.
5. Las Vegas (3-3): Is Jerome Harrison Outlaws' answer to J.J. Arrington?
6. Jacksonville (4-2): Bulls just six points in their two losses.
7. Orlando (4-2): Wallace might be just the much-needed spark for the stretch run, now if the Rage could just find a running game in addition.
8. Seattle (3-3): Reign can follow up a tough loss in Memphis with a win against an all-the-sudden beatable Enforcer team, even in Chicago.
9. Birmingham (3-3): Mr. Dorsey, were you paying any attention to what we said last week?
10. San Francisco (3-3): Was it just us or did the guy that won the rushing title two years ago get only six carries?
11. Chicago (2-4): Mediocrity-me·di·oc·ri·ty. 1. The state or quality of being mediocre. 2. Mediocre ability, achievement, or performance. 3. One that displays mediocre qualities. 4. The 2006 XFL North, where the Enforcers are tied for first place.
12. Carolina (2-4): Hey that 'Canes magic might have rubbed off.
13. Washington (2-4): He might have thrown four picks the week prior, but "McMVP" had the right idea the week prior; if you're going to lose, have fun doing it.
14. Detroit (2-4): Hey, Coach Lugey's got his boys in a three-way tie for first!
15. New York (2-4): Wasn't there talk in some circles about Hitmen fans being unappreciative of Michael Bishop? You guys were saying?
16. Pittsburgh (0-6): Well, at least the Ironmen don't have to worry about crucial games and second-half runs and all that nonsense.
WEEK 7 GAMES TO WATCH
Los Angeles at Orlando, Sun 8:00 UPN
Both teams have their share of flaws, but the bottom line is each is in a very good position for the second half of the season; the Rage moved back into a tie with their Floridian rivals--the Bulls--for first place in the XFL East, while the Xtreme are on top in the XFL West all by themselves. Will the switch to Seneca Wallace end up being what the Rage need? Maurice Drew will get the start at halfback with Sultan McCullough out.
Memphis at Las Vegas, Sun 4:00 USA
The defending champs will have another opportunity to show that they're back after back-to-back road wins in Detroit and Washington. Jim Criner should feel pretty good about his ballclub after pulling through a difficult first half even on the season with four games at home. The Maniax responded to a difficult home loss to Dallas by knocking off division co-leader Kansas City three weeks ago, so they've proven their road mettle. They'll need to have plenty of it with road games at Las Vegas, Orlando, and Dallas on the docket.
Dallas at Detroit, Sun 1:00
Kansas City at San Francisco, Sun 4:00
The XFL South co-leaders are on the road in what on paper should be easy road wins, and then you play the game. Two weeks ago, the Monarchs notched a very impressive win even if it was against a not-so-impressive Enforcers team in Chicago.
The Vipers got a big road win earlier this season as well when they pulled off a 24-17 win in Memphis in week three. The Vipers will play a team that, bad as the XFL North is notwithstanding, has renewed confidence and finds themselves in a three-way tie atop the division. The Monarchs will go out west to play a team that has scored 14 points in their last two games, and has topped 20 just once--against the generous Ironmen--on the season. The Monarchs will play four of their last six on the road, including all three division rivals.