The News
Thursday afternoon the XFL released a statement regarding where the league stands in the light of the coronavirus news.
Devastating, heartbreaking, the worst thing that has ever happened. All words that have been used to describe the absolute travesty that this is. The XFL’s inaugural******* season has officially been canceled.
Where does the XFL stand?
Now let’s get serious for a brief moment. As soon as we saw major leagues start to suspend/cancel operations we new this was coming. The coronavirus has dictated the way the world has and will operate for the foreseeable future. Schools across the world are canceling classes and switching to an online format, cities are shutting down large gatherings, sports leagues are suspending operations. This has become something more than anyone ever could have anticipated.
When it comes to the XFL, I feel like they did the right thing. The safety of the players, staff, and fans is and should be priority number one. On top of that, the XFL made the decision to pay their players their full salaries and benefits, an incredible gesture that even though it feels like it should be a no brainer it isn’t. The AAF proved that by canceling their operations and filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leaving players high and dry with housing and injury costs.
Former Salt Lake Stallion (AAF) and current Seattle Dragon linebacker Gionni Paul shared his story on twitter in real time.
Credit to the XFL for doing the right thing.
On the football side of things, everything looks like it will return to normal after what has now become a Pandemic (hopefully) dissipates.
So here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to treat this like the NFL Honors, we will give out awards, pay homage to the greatest players around the league, and make decisions about things and act like the season is over before we even crown a champion.
Welcome to . . .
The 1st Annual XFL Honors
First we will start off with honoring the things that made the XFL so special.
Best on Field Interview
WINNER: Matt McGloin throwing a fit on field after playing like absolute garbage.
Best All-Access Moment
WINNER: Josh Johnson ROASTING his OC Norm Chow.
*This is something that Johnson got a ton of flack for on social media but it was nice to see other players come to his defense. Stuff like this happens constantly on the sideline, it just happened to get picked up because it’s the XFL*
Bud Light Seltzer Lounge Celly of the Year
WINNER: St. Louis defensive lineman Jake Payne. If the name fits . . .
Absolutely psychotic behavior.
Now let’s get into a fun exercise. 5 XFL players that will make NFL rosters. Here you get to see me work on my best #DraftGuy impression, it’s very cliche you’re going to love it.
- QB Jordan Ta’amu – Ta’amu has all of the physical tools to be an NFL quarterback. At 6’3″ 215 lbs and only 22 years old, Ta’amu ran a NFL offense with St. Louis. He moves very well for his size and has a good arm. He struggles to stay consistent with his accuracy but that can always be improved on. NFL TEAM PROJECTION: Buffalo Bills Backup – The Bills would be able to slide a player with similar attributes to Josh Allen into their backup role, upgrading from Matt Barkley
- WR Cam Phillips – Cam Phillips was a production machine in his 5 games with the Roughnecks. He caught 31 balls for 455 yards and 9 TD’s. He already spent time with the Bills in 2018 but this go around I think it would suit him to spend time in a more spread out offense. NFL TEAM PROJECTION: Arizona Cardinals – Cam Phillips needs a Kliff Kingsbury offense to have that kind of production, the question is does Kingsbury need Phillips?
- TE Donald Parham – Parham is a big and strong receiving tight end. At 6’8″ 240 lbs he has ideal size and produced at the XFL level, but he hasn’t shown the improvement in his route running and blocking that people hoped for. NFL TEAM PROJECTION: Houston Texans – As much as I would have loved to put him on the Patriots I don’t think they have time to develop a tight end, I think putting him behind a guy who plays a similar style like Darren Fells is the best bet for Parham.
- S Kenny Robinson – This is a guy (extremely Jon Gruden voice) that is absolutely an NFL talent. He only played this past season in the XFL because he wasn’t eligible for the NFL Draft. He should be a mid round pick AT LEAST in the 2020 draft. NFL TEAM PROJECTION: New England Patriots – A lot of the draft experts have the Patriots drafting a Safety in the first round. In Robinson I think they can get a Top talent later in the draft, something Belichick LOVES to do.
- K Austin MacGinnis – Macginnis was superb in his short stint in the XFL, the only argument to be made against him for the NFL is the fact that he would need to win a training camp battle. He’s already worked out for the Patriots and Cowboys. NFL TEAM PROJECTION: Tennessee Titans – The Titans kicking situation was disastrous, in MacGinnis they get a strong, consistent leg.
Let’s get back into the awards shall we?
For The Brand Player of the Year
WINNER: Austin MacGinnis, K, Dallas
10/11 on field goals, dude is good!
Play of the Year
WINNER:
Trick plays are sick, I expect more out of the league next season.
Team of the Year
WINNER: Houston Roughnecks
June Jones’ squad went 5-0 and put up numbers! They had the leagues leading passer in PJ Walker and leading WR in Cam Phillips.
They also had the funniest moment in the history of the XFL.
Coach of the Year
WINNER: Jonathan Hayes, St. Louis BattleHawks
Though Hayes led the BattleHawks to a 3-2 record, he did it through injury and while developing a TON of talent. He helped bring not just football but winning football back to St. Louis.
Now before we get to the big 3 awards, I will announce the first ever ALL-XFL team.
ALL-XFL TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: PJ Walker – Houston
RB: Jaques Patrick – Tampa Bay
WR’s: Cam Phillips – Houston | Nelson Spruce – Los Angeles | Austin Proehl – Seattle
TE: Donald Parham – Dallas
OL: Martez Ivey – Tampa Bay | Storm Norton – Los Angeles | Jon Toth – D.C. | Damian Mama – Los Angeles | Marquez Tucker – Houston
DEFENSE
DL: Cavon Walker – New York | Tracy Sprinkle – D.C. | Bunmi Rotimi – New York | Anthony Johnson – D.C.
LB’s: Steven Johnson – Seattle | Ben Heeney – New York | Will Smith – Los Angeles | Beniquez Brown – Houston
CB’s: Deatrick Nichols – Houston | Jamar Summers – New York
S’: Kenny Robinson – St. Louis | Will Hill – St. Louis
Now for the awards we’ve all been waiting for.
Defensive Player of the Year
WINNER: Kenny Robinson, S, St. Louis
Robinson is a starting NFL caliber safety. His story is interesting, he was dismissed from West Virginia due to grades and decided to join the XFL instead of transferring to help take care of his family. He did enough to ensure himself a spot in the NFL Draft. 21 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions. He was the backbone of the St. Louis defense.
Offensive Player of the Year
WINNER: Cam Phillips, WR, Houston
Phillips won 3 of the 5 XFL Stars of the Week awards and had NINE (9!!!) touchdowns in 5 games. He showed week in and week out that he was the best WR in the XFL.
MVP
WINNER: PJ Walker, QB, Houston
M. V. PJ.
He dominated the league from jump and got better as the season progresses. I mentioned that his size, and production in a non NFL system may prevent him from staying in the NFL but he is absolutely the MVP of the XFL season. Her’s to much more of this…
We’re here folks. The OKJSBXFLPR for the final time.
- Houston Roughnecks (5-0) – The Roughnecks were a powerhouse start to finish. They dominated in most wins but even showed a ton of fight in a few close games. They deserve to be the second undefeated team in pro football history. Screw you 72′ Dolphins.
- St. Louis BattleHawks (3-2) – Despite having two losses, the BattleHawks showed heart in every game they played, they did a great job in bringing football back to St, Louis. Jonathan Hayes developed a ton of really good talent. Great job outta the KA-KAW!
- D.C. Defenders (3-2) – The Defenders won and lost in every way. They had that two week hiccup on the road but I don’t think that defined who that team was. They were a group of fighters. Pep Hamilton was the kind of a coach you rarely see, ruthless players coach. He made a ton of transaction but you could tell his players LOVED him.
- New York Guardians (3-2) – Kevin Gilbride did a great job. This team wasn’t very talented and had a locker room blow up in week two. He gathered the troops and won 2 of 3 to end the season.
- Dallas Renegades (2-3) – This was a very talented football team that got in their own way, Hal Mumme’s offense was hit or miss and Bob Stoops was just sort of there. They could have been much better.
- LA Wildcats (2-3) – They had a ton of stuff go on in terms of transactions. Josh Johnson lit into his OC and they scored points. I think that sums it up.
- Seattle Dragons (1-4) – This team wasn’t very good but fought through some really close games. They have a chance to build on what they did this year.
- Tampa Bay Vipers (1-4) – I know I said I’d give them three weeks without slandering them but the season is over. Marc Trestman STINKS!
That will do it for this season’s XFL review. Thank you for reading along. Here’s to a great XFL 2021!
*I miss it already*
KJ Sports Blog 