Post by XFLBlitz on Jun 26, 2007 13:44:34 GMT -5
Halfway through the season, and we can see some of the contenders for this year's title now clearly, and we know that there will not be a three-peat for the Outlaws. LA made sure of that with a dramatic 34 - 31 victory over Las Vegas Saturday night. One thing you can say about Vegas, they have been in every game this season. It's just a shame that they can't close out opponents like before. One thing you can point to for their slide is their lack of offensive production. They are 15th in the league. Criner needs to do something and fast. His job is not on the line, but Vince Alcade the offensive co-ordinator may have to answer for the team's collapse this year. Their D is still in the top 5, but even that will only carry you so far.
Speaking of defense......
The prime-time match-up between NY and KC (16 -13, Monarchs)didn't exatly set the world on fire (even though these were the #2 and #3 offenses coming in), but both D's came out in full force. You get the feeling that had this game been at the Meadowlands, instead of Arrowhead, this would have gone the other way. Still, kudos to the Monarchs for getting it done - and with their subs none the less! Jarvis Moss' debut - meh - but the DE who stole the show was Baraka Atkins, who finished with 2 sacks, another QB pressure, and 4 tackles. The 'Archs may have found another gem in their draft. This guy went under the radar, and we may yet see how good he can be.
Speaking of under the radar.....
OK, OK,.... I confess, I haven't given much love to the Rage who have now won 5 straight after dropping a heart-breaker to the X-men in the season-opener. Lynch is the real deal and (mark it down) is a threat to break the XFL single season rushing mark THIS YEAR. The only caveat is that aside from this past weekend, neither NY, Orl., nor KC will see other until the playoffs, which will make for some interesting matchups should form hold. The thing to note about the Rage is: as good as Lynch has been, Stanton has only been so-so. I expect teams to start putting 8 in the box to try and slow him down. If (and when) they do, the Rage club may be brought back to earth real fast.
Speaking of brought back to earth....
Dallas' 3 game run as giant killers is over, as the 'Ax finally broke through in the second half to win 17-14. Memphis rode 2 Shelton touchdowns to victory. Dallas looked like they could have pulled it off but 3 turnovers cost hem, just like turnovers cost the Monarchs last week. And folks, call off the dogs, Bart Hendricks has finally arrived! 386 yards isn't too bad. Now let's see if this will continue, or was this a one-shot deal.
Speaking of - ok, ok, on to the rankings
1. Kansas City (5-1): Thunder and Lighning: L. White for 86, D. Sproles for 134 and a TD - not bad for a guy who almost got cut in the preseason.
2. Orlando (5-1): Not just Lynch: Rage sporting league's best scoring offense, and a top 8 D to boot.
3. New York (5-1): Hamilton held to 79 yards, and Purify only 5. Paging Michael Bush....
4. Seattle (4-2): An ugly win is a win nonetheless.
5. Memphis (4-2): Good move giving Breaston the start, he and Grim should make for a nice tandem at WR.
6. Los Angeles (3-3): Not only two in a row, but two important division wins. Don't forget, the regular season finale is the rematch in LA.
7. Washington (3-3): No matter how this season ends for the Glory, their first off-season priority should be to get McPhearson a QB coach.
8. Chicago (3-3): Enforcers are going to have to win a road game or two if they expect to contend this year (3-0 home, 0-3 road).
9. San Francisco (3-3): the Shaun King experiment continues....
10. Dallas (3-3): OK, now that Wallace has tasted his first loss as a Dallas Starter, let's see how he responds
11. Carolina (3-3): Two steps forward, one back: 2-1 to start the season, 1-2 since.
12. Pittsburgh (2-4): So much for rebounding, and the Monarchs come to town this week. Not good.
13. Detroit (2-4): 329 yards of total offense is not bad, giving up 402? uncalled for. Tillman better do something quick.
14. Birmingham (1-5): Does DC have Dorsey's number? 10+ picks in the last three meetings with the Glory.
15. Las Vegas (1-5): If their offense continues to play like this, maybe their D wouldn't have to do so much.
16. Jacksonville (1-5): Palko's finally coming in to face the Outlaws this week. Well, it couldn't hurt any worse....could it?
Speaking of defense......
The prime-time match-up between NY and KC (16 -13, Monarchs)didn't exatly set the world on fire (even though these were the #2 and #3 offenses coming in), but both D's came out in full force. You get the feeling that had this game been at the Meadowlands, instead of Arrowhead, this would have gone the other way. Still, kudos to the Monarchs for getting it done - and with their subs none the less! Jarvis Moss' debut - meh - but the DE who stole the show was Baraka Atkins, who finished with 2 sacks, another QB pressure, and 4 tackles. The 'Archs may have found another gem in their draft. This guy went under the radar, and we may yet see how good he can be.
Speaking of under the radar.....
OK, OK,.... I confess, I haven't given much love to the Rage who have now won 5 straight after dropping a heart-breaker to the X-men in the season-opener. Lynch is the real deal and (mark it down) is a threat to break the XFL single season rushing mark THIS YEAR. The only caveat is that aside from this past weekend, neither NY, Orl., nor KC will see other until the playoffs, which will make for some interesting matchups should form hold. The thing to note about the Rage is: as good as Lynch has been, Stanton has only been so-so. I expect teams to start putting 8 in the box to try and slow him down. If (and when) they do, the Rage club may be brought back to earth real fast.
Speaking of brought back to earth....
Dallas' 3 game run as giant killers is over, as the 'Ax finally broke through in the second half to win 17-14. Memphis rode 2 Shelton touchdowns to victory. Dallas looked like they could have pulled it off but 3 turnovers cost hem, just like turnovers cost the Monarchs last week. And folks, call off the dogs, Bart Hendricks has finally arrived! 386 yards isn't too bad. Now let's see if this will continue, or was this a one-shot deal.
Speaking of - ok, ok, on to the rankings
1. Kansas City (5-1): Thunder and Lighning: L. White for 86, D. Sproles for 134 and a TD - not bad for a guy who almost got cut in the preseason.
2. Orlando (5-1): Not just Lynch: Rage sporting league's best scoring offense, and a top 8 D to boot.
3. New York (5-1): Hamilton held to 79 yards, and Purify only 5. Paging Michael Bush....
4. Seattle (4-2): An ugly win is a win nonetheless.
5. Memphis (4-2): Good move giving Breaston the start, he and Grim should make for a nice tandem at WR.
6. Los Angeles (3-3): Not only two in a row, but two important division wins. Don't forget, the regular season finale is the rematch in LA.
7. Washington (3-3): No matter how this season ends for the Glory, their first off-season priority should be to get McPhearson a QB coach.
8. Chicago (3-3): Enforcers are going to have to win a road game or two if they expect to contend this year (3-0 home, 0-3 road).
9. San Francisco (3-3): the Shaun King experiment continues....
10. Dallas (3-3): OK, now that Wallace has tasted his first loss as a Dallas Starter, let's see how he responds
11. Carolina (3-3): Two steps forward, one back: 2-1 to start the season, 1-2 since.
12. Pittsburgh (2-4): So much for rebounding, and the Monarchs come to town this week. Not good.
13. Detroit (2-4): 329 yards of total offense is not bad, giving up 402? uncalled for. Tillman better do something quick.
14. Birmingham (1-5): Does DC have Dorsey's number? 10+ picks in the last three meetings with the Glory.
15. Las Vegas (1-5): If their offense continues to play like this, maybe their D wouldn't have to do so much.
16. Jacksonville (1-5): Palko's finally coming in to face the Outlaws this week. Well, it couldn't hurt any worse....could it?