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Contrasting
Styles on Display in Xtreme-Demons Matchup
By
David Curtis - XFLBoard.com
 Los
Angeles - (2 February 2001) -- Season openers call for more
than the usual guesswork when game planning, and this is of
course particularly true in a new league. Teams haven’t
yet established their own identities, so determining a competitor’s
can be a problem. Still, certain personnel decisions provide
obvious clues.
Going
into Sunday’s contest at Pac Bell Park, the Los Angeles
Xtreme have three running backs and eight wide receivers, while
the San Francisco Demons carry six backs and only four receivers
(Frank Leatherwood, listed as a fullback for the Xtreme, is
really more of a tight end). As a group, moreover, the Demon
receivers are much shorter, lighter, and faster than their L.A.
counterparts. What all this suggests is that the Xtreme anticipate
moving the chains with a short and intermediate passing game,
whereas San Francisco will complement a strong running attack
with downfield, play-action throws.
A
look at L.A.’s starters in the backfield supports the projection
here. Quarterback Tommy Maddox is a rangy, elusive athlete who
can slide in the pocket and release the ball effectively on
designed rolls, but not someone who’ll rifle it between
defenders or consistently deliver on deep outs. His game is
one of touch and timing. Halfback Rashaan Shehee, meanwhile,
has the speed to rip off long gains on screens and draws, but
is too tentative and upright to play ball-control over the course
of an entire game. Expect to see backup Ken Oxendine in short-yardage
situations.
On
the other side of the line of scrimmage, the Demons’ excess
of linebackers (eight on a 45-man roster) points to the possibility
of a 3-4 base. This would give them the option of an extra man
in zone coverage on first down, as well as a more unpredictable
blitzing scheme. Tactically speaking, a good fit for the Xtreme
offense. You’ve got to have the talent, though, and San
Francisco may be lacking in this department.
The
strength of the Demon defense is at corner and nose tackle.
Dwayne Harper was a late-blooming CB for the NFL’s San
Diego Chargers in the ‘90s, playing near a Pro Bowl level
before hamstring injuries slowed him down. In the XFL, his savvy
and remaining talent should allow him to quickly achieve "shutdown"
status. And if Emile Palmer (320+ lbs.) lines up directly over
center Jonathan Himebauch (288), there should be a mismatch
that L.A. will have to address with double- and triple-teaming.
Just
how good the Xtreme can be against the run is unclear, but they
shouldn’t have much trouble this week against what appears
to be a very predictable offensive unit for San Francisco. Cornerbacks
Clifton Abraham, Dell McGee, and Reggie Durden are just the
sort of small, swift coverage specialists who can neutralize
the Demon receivers man-to-man, allowing safety Ricky Parker
a comfort zone to play the ground game first.
COPELAND’S
CHALLENGE
Wide
receiver Jeremaine Copeland has plenty of incentive to play
with focus against the Demons and all subsequent opponents this
year. Last summer, as a Barcelona Dragon in NFL Europe, he set
the pro football record for catches in a single game with 19.
His achievement was commemorated in Canton’s Hall of Fame.
Terrell Owens of the San Francisco 49ers has since eclipsed
this mark with 20. Can Copeland regain his title? He’s
certainly playing on the right kind of team.
INJURED
INACTIVES
Wide
receiver Damon Dunn (hamstring) and cornerback Donnell Day (groin)
won’t play in Week One. Both should figure prominently
when they return. Without Dunn, the Xtreme’s only bonafide
speedster at the position is Latario Rachal. Big targets like
Copeland, Jason Shelley, Darnell McDonald, and Todd Doxzon will
still allow them to create some jump-ball situations if they
need a vertical passing game.
--
David Curtis, Xtreme team reporter
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