Post by MGB01 on May 5, 2009 15:05:16 GMT -5
One of the newest LA Xtreme feels like he has something to prove, and for former USC LB Rey Maualuga, he will have the ability to take it out on the field for the Xtreme in 2009. Maualuga was passed over by all 32 teams in the first round of the NFL Draft, thus making him eligibile to be selected in the XFL. So naturally the Xtreme, who have a penchant for literally staying at home in the first round (four prior Xtreme first-round picks played at USC: Ennis Davis (2001), Sultan McCullough (2003), Will Poole(2004), and Fred Davis (2008)) nabbed him with the 10th overall pick.
Maualuga’s official XFL career began for real yesterday, as he took the familiar field at the LA Coliseum for his first practice with the Xtreme, and will be unveiled Saturday night when the Xtreme host the Birmingham Bolts in their first of two preseason matchups. He seemed more than ready to show why all those teams that passed on him were wrong. “I’m pretty sure there are people out there that should’ve gone higher, but those days are over,” Maualuga said. “It’s a fresh start and a brand new day to make a first impression on the coaches and the staff.”
The linebacker will have the chance to make impact right away. Playing for new Xtreme defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, he will likely replace veteran Larry Foote, who expects the Xtreme to release him later this week. He'll also have the chance to play with such stalwarts as 2007 league DROY Michael Griffin,
Demorrio Williams, Igor Olshansky, and prize-FA pickup Aubrayo Franklin -- oh, and six (at the moment) former Trojans as well.
The Xtreme look to rebound from a frustrating 6-6 season in 2008. Maualuga knows all about frustration, not joining fellow LBs Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews in the NFL's first-round club.
He’s ready to get things going and ready to take his frustration about not going earlier and use that to his advantage.
“I was upset (at not going in the NFL) but that was just the immature part of myself. I didn’t think about the team or the fans or everybody out there who are ecstatic that I’m here,” Maualuga said. “I apologize about not being too happy, but I am excited and happy for being here, especially where I've played for the last four (years)”
Xtreme fans are happy as well. Not that the Xtreme are hurting defensively, far from it. But Nolan plans to have the top defense in the league this year and as far as Maualuga is concerned, that’s just fine with him.
“It doesn’t really matter where I play,” Maualuga said. “Just give me a playbook, just give me some pads and a helmet and I’ll go out there and play. I can get adjusted and be fine as far as pass drops and the ability to drop into coverage. Every first day is a little shaky here and there, but you correct your mistakes and everything will be better.”
Maualuga’s official XFL career began for real yesterday, as he took the familiar field at the LA Coliseum for his first practice with the Xtreme, and will be unveiled Saturday night when the Xtreme host the Birmingham Bolts in their first of two preseason matchups. He seemed more than ready to show why all those teams that passed on him were wrong. “I’m pretty sure there are people out there that should’ve gone higher, but those days are over,” Maualuga said. “It’s a fresh start and a brand new day to make a first impression on the coaches and the staff.”
The linebacker will have the chance to make impact right away. Playing for new Xtreme defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, he will likely replace veteran Larry Foote, who expects the Xtreme to release him later this week. He'll also have the chance to play with such stalwarts as 2007 league DROY Michael Griffin,
Demorrio Williams, Igor Olshansky, and prize-FA pickup Aubrayo Franklin -- oh, and six (at the moment) former Trojans as well.
The Xtreme look to rebound from a frustrating 6-6 season in 2008. Maualuga knows all about frustration, not joining fellow LBs Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews in the NFL's first-round club.
He’s ready to get things going and ready to take his frustration about not going earlier and use that to his advantage.
“I was upset (at not going in the NFL) but that was just the immature part of myself. I didn’t think about the team or the fans or everybody out there who are ecstatic that I’m here,” Maualuga said. “I apologize about not being too happy, but I am excited and happy for being here, especially where I've played for the last four (years)”
Xtreme fans are happy as well. Not that the Xtreme are hurting defensively, far from it. But Nolan plans to have the top defense in the league this year and as far as Maualuga is concerned, that’s just fine with him.
“It doesn’t really matter where I play,” Maualuga said. “Just give me a playbook, just give me some pads and a helmet and I’ll go out there and play. I can get adjusted and be fine as far as pass drops and the ability to drop into coverage. Every first day is a little shaky here and there, but you correct your mistakes and everything will be better.”