Chicago Seeks to Escape Xtreme Frustration

By David Curtis, Xtreme team reporter

Los Angeles - (8 February 2001) -- With all three of their division rivals winning last weekend, the Xtreme can’t afford another misstep in their home opener. And this week’s task appears more daunting. Chicago, their upcoming opponent, is also 0-1, but looked more impressive losing to Orlando than San Francisco did beating L.A.

The Enforcers lead the league in average yards per play (6.3) and rank second in points (29) despite a turnover ratio of –2. What’s more, they’ve shown the discipline and talent to remain true to their run-first philosophy when down by several scores. Keyed by an outstanding collection of tight ends and a solid starting unit along the offensive line, tailback John Avery can strike from anywhere on the field, giving his team’s ground attack an explosiveness usually associated with sophisticated passing games.

If there’s good news for the Xtreme, it’s that Chicago’s defense has allowed an average of nine yards each time a pass has been attempted against it – the worst figure in the league by far. Since L.A. Potentially has the best quarterbacks-receivers combination around, the writing may be on the wall, particularly in regard to starting wideouts Jeremaine Copeland (6’-2") and Darnell McDonald (6’-3"). The tallest corners for Chicago are five-foot-eleven wearing half-inch cleats on asphalt; as Chris Berman might say, "What could happen?"

Quarterback Tommy Maddox hopes it happens in the first half. If not, backup Scott Milanovich may see that it does in the second. The top selection in the XFL’s inaugural draft, Milanovich has a stronger arm and a more compact release than Maddox, but isn’t nearly as mobile. Fortunately, he has the upper-body strength to shake off blitzers and smaller defensive ends.

SPECIAL FORCES

Enforcers Aaron Bailey and Roell Preston have both returned kicks for touchdowns on NFL fields, and rules prohibiting touchbacks for their present team only make them more dangerous. Preston has a habit of fumbling, though, so putting the ball in his hands could result in a big play for either side.

LESSON LEARNED?

Week One notwithstanding, L.A. is still many people’s favorite to win it all, and rightfully so. Yet players still must perform before anointing themselves. That’s why it sounds a bit foreboding to hear someone like McDonald, sore ribs and all, boast that "if we lose another game all season I will be very surprised."