Monday, March 19, 2001

XFL commentary — Week Seven

Knockout combinations rule the league

Teams’ one-two punches prove talent comes in bunches

By Andy Hanacek, Associate editor and XFL analyst

Chicago Enforcers RB LeShon Johnson

How many teams in any league can boast two killer running backs or wide receivers or a dominating set of defensive linemen that wreak all sorts of havoc upon the opposition? The XFL may be full of several "no-name" players, but the talent is there. And it’s seemingly concentrated in certain places.

Take, for instance, the talent at running back in the league. The league’s leading rusher and leading scorer on the ground both play for the Chicago Enforcers. John Avery leads the league in rushing with 553 yards, while his backfield mate, LeShon Johnson, leads the league in rushing touchdowns with six. Quite a one-two punch that this week took the San Francisco Demons out of the game. Chicago forced its tempo from its first drive and never looked back. What other team in the league can boast a reliable running game, let alone two solid backs?

Much of the Los Angeles Xtreme’s success has come as a result of its passing game. Led by QB Tommy Maddox, the Xtreme handed the Orlando Rage its first loss of the season this week and is now considered by some (myself included) as the best team. But Maddox doesn’t get all the credit. Take a look at his two starting wide receivers, Jeremaine Copeland and Darnell McDonald. Both hover near (or in) the top five in three major receiving categories: receptions, yards and touchdowns.

In an offensive league, you’d almost expect those two tandems to be prevalent throughout, but what about on defense? Well, the biggest standout is actually an entire unit. The Las Vegas Outlaws’ four-man defensive line has been phenomenal this season, and is a big part of the success the team has had. Kelvin Kinney, Antonio Edwards and Joseph Tuipala have been the most consistent on the unit in terms of getting to the opposing quarterback, and Carl Simpson and Jermaine Smith have had sporadic success in the sack category. The strong defensive line can also boast about being the league’s top run defense, holding opponents to just 434 yards in seven games (just 17 this week against Birmingham).

Honorable mentions

New York/New Jersey Hitmen WRs Zola Davis and Fred Brock. Davis has really come on as of late, but Brock, after a solid start has somewhat tailed off.

San Francisco Demons WRs Jimmy "The Jet" Cunningham, Brian Roberson and James Hundon. Cunningham has been a solid possession receiver and a great bailout target for his quarterbacks. After catching 12 passes in Week One, Roberson has come back down to earth, while Hundon has been a good complement as an all-around solid receiver.

You can e-mail Andy Hanacek at: ahanacek@primediasi.com

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