XFL Update
By XFL Fantasy Doctor of FantasyRef.com
(6 April 2001) --
Outlaws name practice squad
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Week Ten's practice squad will consist of The practice squad for the final game will consist of quarterback Jim Ballard, defensive lineman Adriano Belli, receiver Nakia Jenkins, guard Pat Kesi, running back Chrys Chukwuma and tight end Keith Jennings, with one more player to named later. The Review-Journal also reports that WR Tavarus Hogans has been released to make room for WR Brett Bech who returned from the injured list.
Transactions
The Xtreme placed CB Clifton Abraham on the practice squad and waived DE Eric Johnson and CB Richard Jones.
For the Orlando Rage, TE Terrance Huston returns from the injured list while his replacement, Vince Marrow, heads for the injured list. The Rage also waived DE B.J. Cohen.
Friday's final injury report
BIRMINGHAM THUNDERBOLTS: OUT: QB Jay Barker (Concussion), DB David Knott (Knee), OL Michael Lies (Ankle), LB Patrick Scott (Back), DT Johnny Mitchell (Knee) QB Casey Weldon (Shoulder) DOUBTFUL: LB Keith Franklin (Back), OL Matt Hogg (Shoulder) QUESTIONABLE: DE Quinton Reese (Hamstring) PROBABLE: DB Calvin Jackson (Concussion)
Looks like Graham Leigh will get his second start. He should fair a little better against the Hitmen. With Scott and Franklin banged up, look for James Willis to collect the majority of stops.
CHICAGO ENFORCERS: DOUBTFUL: DE Casey Dailey (Knee) QUESTIONABLE: RB John Avery (Hamstring) PROBABLE: CB Ray Austin (Ankle/Shoulder), WR Aaron Bailey (Sternum), LB Jamie Baisley (Calf), DE Jason Chorak (Ankles), DB Quincy Coleman (Shoulder), S Kerry Cooks (Ankle), G Paul Janus (Hand), QB Kevin McDougal (Concussion), G Rob Murphy (Knee), OT Christopher Perez (Knee/Ankle)
As I mentioned before, Avery's status might come down to whether
or not the Hitmen win the 4 PM game. I say stay away from Avery.
The secondary seems to have healed, which will be a key against
the Rage. Look for Ray Austin to be very active.
LAS VEGAS OUTLAWS: DOUBTFUL: TE Keith Jennings (Back), S Brandon Sanders (Thigh) QUESTIONABLE: QB Ryan Clement (Shoulder), LB Kurt Gouveia (Shoulder) PROBABLE: WR Brett Bech (Back), C David Diaz Infante (Knee)
Do you think B-Mack will risk aggravating his injury in a meaningless
game, especially with an NFL tryout on the horizon? I doubt
it. I haven't heard anything on Clement, but as of right now
I would expect him to start despite the injury. Brett Bech is
returning from injury.
LOS
ANGELES XTREME: DOUBTFUL: S Eric Johnson (Concussion) QUESTIONABLE:
WR Darnell McDonald (Calf) PROBABLE: CB Clifton Abraham (Quad),
CB Terry Billups (Hamstring), G Chris Brymer (Knee), RB Ken
Oxendine (Achilles), C Jose Portilla (Knee), WR Larry Ryans
(Hamstring), LB Shawn Stuckey (Bicep)
Despite
all the reports, McDonald has been upgraded to questionable.
With a pivotal game this weekend, McDonald could make himself
available. Hopefully we learn more about his status on Saturday.
Eric Johnson could have been a sleeper pick for this weekend,
but it looks as if he won't play. Stick with Ricky Parker if
you have him.
MEMPHIS
MANIAX: DOUBTFUL: LB Cornell Menafee (Biceps), RB Brent
Moss (Groin), RB Rashaan Salaam (Shoulder), LB Shin Yamada (Hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: DE D.J. Cooper (Knee) PROBABLE: DB Tyrone Bell
(Neck), DE Shante Carver (Toe), OL Isaac Davis (Ankle), WR Charles
Jordan (Sternum), C Glenn Rountree (Knees), T Mike Sheldon (Neck)
Don't
count on Salaam or Moss. Ketrick Sanford and Beau Morgan will
most likely handle the RB duties. If you're desperate for a
QB, this would be a good week to go with Morgan. Just like last
week, look for the Maniax to stick to the passing game, especially
considering their opponent is Las Vegas.
NEW
YORK HITMEN: OUT: G David Camacho (Knee), QB Wally Richardson
(Knee) DOUBTFUL: WR Fred Brock (Ankle), DE Israel Raybon (Ankle)
PROBABLE: WR Zola Davis (Hamstring), LB Tyrell Peters (Groin)
With
Richardson out yet again, I expect Corte McGuffey to get the
call. The Hitmen will miss Raybon if he sits out this weekend,
but Graham Leigh won't.
ORLANDO
RAGE: QUESTIONABLE: DT Mark Campbell (Knee), S Hassan Shamsid
Deen (Shoulder), TE Lawrence Hart (Hip), TE Terrance Huston
(Cervical), LB Kevin Jefferson (Thumb) PROBABLE: RB Brian Shay
(Knee)
No
major injuries for the best team in the East.
SAN
FRANCISCO DEMONS: OUT: DE Jomo Cousins (Ankle/Knee), RB
Juan Johnson (Knee), LB Sam Manuel (Groin) QUESTIONABLE: WR
Tydus Winans (Hamstring) PROBABLE: CB Wendell Davis (Hamstring),
OT Pita Elisara (Neck), LB Otis Floyd (Back), S Terrance Joseph
(Knee and Ankle), C Michael Kiselak (Hamstring), WR Travis Moore
(Rib), LB James Williams (Hamstring)
Tydus
Winans is the only relevant injury for the Demons. If you're
banking on Winans this week, you're probably in trouble anyways.
Lookin' ahead...
Since
I won't have time to post a full cheat sheet, here's a quick
look at the this week's fantasy studs and duds:
Looking at the weather forecasts for all four games, rain is a possibility in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Nothing looks serious, but LA might be the most concerning. Anyway, here we go:
Memphis at Las Vegas
This
game has absolutely nothing at stake, except of course the $2500
victory bonus. With Salaam and Moss most likely out (again),
look for Druck and Co. to air it out, or at least try. Expect
good games from Jordan and Hobbs and, barring any fumbles, a
decent outing by Druckenmiller. I would avoid both Sanford and
Morgan, unless you really need to fill spot. On the other hand,
Morgan could be an option at QB if the chaos of the past few
weeks have you lacking a starter.
For
the Outlaws, the game plan will be run, run, run. Rod Smart
should find plenty of running room, especially if Diaz-Infante
returns as expected. Defensively, I would say to start anyone
in Vegas's secondary, but with Sanders doubtful, there really
isn't anyone on their roster who posts tackles consistently.
Maybe give Williams or Bayne a shot. And of course Tuipala is
always a solid pick, but temper your expectations for him this
weekend.
Orlando at Chicago
Orlando desperately needs a good outing to rebuild their confidence. The best way to build confidence on offense is through the running game. I expect Coach Hall to start the game with an emphasis on getting Derrick Clark, Michael Black, and even Brian Shay back on track. With the focus of the offense, and thereby the opposing defense, on the rushing attack, the stress will be off Brian Kuklick. Chicago's defense is mediocre at best, so Orlando will have no problem getting going. Start all the usual suspects on the Rage offense, and even think about giving Kucklick a shot. Defensively, Chicago will also stick to the run, so focus on the LB corps of Alexander and Burgess, but remember that Omar Brown and Cory Gilliard always seem to make their fair share of tackles.
For Chicago, the big question is Avery or no Avery? As I have
alluded to on numerous occasions, the final decision on Avery
may not come until the Hitmen game is over. Unless by some miracle
we get a definite statement on Avery's status, I would avoid
him for this week. As for Johnson, start him if you normally
would. He could be huge if Avery sits out, but no one is sure
of that just yet. Defensively, stick with Austin, Baisley, and
possibly even Humphrey.
New York/New Jersey at Birmingham
For New York, this is do or die. While I don't foresee a replay
of their opening quarter against the Demons from a few weeks
back, I do expect them to open up the offense and even try some
trick plays. McGuffey showcased a strong arm last week, and
he will take more shots downfield this week. He seems to have
a bond with DiCosmo (remember the final play against Chicago),
but Davis and Dar Dar should be solid starts as well. Aska will
again be the main runner, at least I think so, but you never
know with Gutless Rusty. Birmingham is a horrible team against
the run, so Aska could end up as one of the best RB's this week.
On defensive, I'd stick with the big guns (Trout and Merkerson)
because I have a weird feeling about the Bolt offense this week.
Birmingham
has nothing to lose, and Coach DiNardo loves the wide open game.
We saw a double pass last week against Orlando, and I expect
plenty more where that came from. Making matters worse, this
is the final home game for Birmingham, and they are tyring desperately
to win back fans in that area. To that end, the Bolts will make
this game as entertaining as possible. Therefore, it's anyone's
guess how Birmingham will attack New York. But Graham Leigh
should be more successful this week, and with him Stepfret Williams
and Quincy Jackson will also rebound. Bostic's fumbling is really
becoming a problem. Even though he should post at least 80,
if not 100, yards this week, I would still drop him very low
on the list of RB's for this week. Defensively, there are two
opposing schools of thought on James Willis this week. With
all the injuries around him, he could either 1) Benefit by not
having as much competition, or 2) Face double and triple teams
all day. Personally, I'd still play Willis this week, but think
about replacing him on your Wagin' War roster.
San
Francisco at Los Angeles
Finally, we reach the game of the week. Mike Pawlawski is talking plenty of smack on Tommy Maddox. Remember Week One when Paw's face was plastered on the jumbo-tron saying he has never lost a game to Maddox, and he wasn't going to start now. Well, following his victory in Week One, Paw is at it again. I expect the Demons to throw close to 50 times on Saturday, which is good news for everyone involved in the passing game, which includes Anderson and Battle. I also predict that either Anderson or Battle will pick up a cheap rushing TD. Defensively, James Williams is always good for 4 or 5 points, but think about Toby Wright or even Kaesviharn against the Xtreme. For LA, the biggest question is whether or not Darnell McDonald will play. He has been upgraded to Questionable, but I would sit him until we get confirmation of his status. Maddox, Copeland, and McCullough should all be automatic starts this week. If McDonald sits, give Gibson, Rachal, and/or Dunn a look. On D, every one in the LA secondary will be a good play. Look to Ricky Parker, Ron Carpenter, and Rick Mack.
My predictions, Chicago gets in the playoffs because NY loses,
and San Francisco tops LA. In the first round of the playoffs,
LA will knock of the staggering Rage, and SF will dominate Chicago,
setting up the XFL's dream championship match-up: LA versus
SF in the Hell Hole. I think the XFL's best fans deserve no
less.
Well, besides a quick update Saturday afternoon (if necessary), this will be my last post. It has been a blast writing for the site and I have truly enjoyed talking to all of you about XFL fantasy football. I would like to thank David Gonos for giving the opportunity to write for his website. But above all, I would like to thank all of you for stopping by. Best of luck to all of you, and remember the NFL season is not too far away!
Have
a fantasy football dilemma, sent it to me at
xflfantasydr@fantasyref.com