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Xtreme QB
Tommy Maddox
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The Xtreme hosts the Enforcers at the L.A. Coliseum on Sunday (7 p.m. EDT on UPN) in
the second semifinal of the XFL playoffs. Chicago squeaked into the playoffs with a 5-5
record, earning second place in the East, after starting the season at 0-4. Los Angeles
took the West Division crown with a 7-3 record. These two teams are the hottest in the
league right now. What follows is a breakdown of the matchups by position.
Quarterbacks
Xtreme QB Tommy Maddox vs. Enforcers QB Kevin McDougal
Maddox is the only quarterback in the league to start every regular-season game for his
team, and he has definitely earned it. He led the league in passing yards and passing
touchdowns. Almost as impressive has been the play of McDougal, who, in just half a
season, climbed into the top five in yards and the top 10 in passing touchdowns. Both have
been at the heart of their team’s rejuvenation down the stretch.
Edge: Los Angeles
Running backs
Xtreme RBs Saladin McCullough and Rashaan Shehee vs. Enforcers RBs John Avery and
LeShon Johnson
The Enforcers are the only playoff team that has a run-first mentality. But you would
too if you were coaching Avery and Johnson. I’d say these two are prolific scorers,
but that’s an understatement if there ever was one. Avery led the league in rushing
yards (800), average per carry (5.3) and yards per game (88.9), and he finished tied for
third in rushing touchdowns with five. Johnson finished second in rushing touchdowns with
six. McCullough took over the full-time rushing duties for the Xtreme in Week Six and has
been very impressive most of the time, adding a dimension to the Xtreme offense that had
been missing. Avery and McCullough are both major receiving threats out of the backfield.
Edge: Chicago
Receivers
Xtreme WRs Jeremaine Copeland, Darnell McDonald and Damon Gibson vs. Enforcers WRs
Aaron Bailey, Junior Lord and Luke Leverson
Without Copeland and McDonald, Maddox wouldn’t have been able to lead the Xtreme
to the Western Division title. They are the best one-two receiving punch in the league,
both ranking in the top 10 in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns. For the
Enforcers, Bailey and Leverson have stepped up with McDougal at the helm, giving the
Enforcers a downfield threat that they didn’t have in the first half of the season.
Edge: Los Angeles
Offensive linemen
Had this been the first half of the season, the Xtreme would get a clear-cut advantage.
The Enforcers’ offensive line played very poorly during the team’s 0-4 stretch,
but it was hurt by injuries. Since then, the line’s pass protection has improved
dramatically. It has provided very, very good run blocking. The Xtreme has one of the top
offensive lines in the league, as evidenced by the miniscule 14 sacks they’ve given
up this year on a pass-first team.
Edge: Even
Defensive linemen and linebackers
The Enforcers’ front seven is another unit that has stepped up and carried the
team into the playoffs. LB Jamie Baisley and DL Aaron Humphrey have been solid all season.
The Enforcers could use a standout pass rusher, however. Los Angeles’ group is not an
outstanding unit, but it definitely gets the job done. It has had some trouble against the
run but held Avery to just 69 yards in Week Two.
Edge: Chicago
Defensive backs
Early on, Chicago’s defensive backs were torched by some of the better passers in
the league, but they have since found their niche, placing the Enforcers at the top in
total team interceptions with 15. However, their pass defense is ranked last in the
league. The Xtreme secondary is not known for its big-play ability, but it also gets the
job done and features some big hitters.
Edge: Even
Special teams
The Xtreme has the best kicker in the league in Jose Cortez. He has been unstoppable
since Week Two. Its return game is led by Damon Gibson, who is one of the more dangerous
return men in the league. Chicago’s special teams and kicking game have been average
at best.
Edge: Los Angeles
Head coach and intangibles
Xtreme head coach Al Luginbill and Enforcers head coach Ron Meyer are nearly polar
opposites. Luginbill is far more fiery than Meyer, but both have their teams in the
playoffs, so both their systems worked for their players. Los Angeles won the first
matchup in double overtime, 39-32, in Week Two, in what was arguably the best XFL game so
far. But both teams have become more well-rounded on both sides of the ball since that
week. The Coliseum will be rocking in favor of the Xtreme, but the Enforcers are out to
prove that they can hang with the big boys despite a slow start.
Edge: Even
Summary
This will probably be the better of the two games this week, simply because I think the
first game will get out of hand for one of the teams. The Xtreme and Enforcers seem to be
very evenly matched, and I don’t think we’ll see a score as high as their Week
Two matchup. The defenses have gotten better, as have the offensive schemes. While L.A.
has had some success against the run, Avery has been playing so well that it would seem to
be hard to stop him. L.A. needs to focus on running its style of offense, wearing down the
Enforcers’ defense, and focus on stopping McDougal first. If the Xtreme takes
McDougal out of the equation early, it can then focus on slowing Avery and Johnson. The
Enforcers need to pound Avery and Johnson early and not get burned too often by Maddox. If
they can pressure Maddox and force him to rush his throws, Chicago’s defensive backs
could come up with a few interceptions. They also must not forget about McCullough, who is
capable of putting up Avery-like numbers when he’s allowed to run wild.
The Enforcers are on a four-game winning streak, and they’ve been in every game
this year. Their five losses came by an average of 8.2 points, and they’ve averaged
18.6 points per game. Los Angeles has won five of its last six games and has averaged 23.5
points per game. The Xtreme is 6-0 when scoring 24 points or more, but 1-3 when scoring 13
points or less. Arguably the top two players in the league, Maddox and Avery, will go a
long way in determining who wins this game. If Avery can take over and lead a few
Enforcers drives, Chicago could grind out a win. But if the game becomes a high-octane
scoring fest, Maddox has the ability to consistently put up points. The wild card in the
matchup will be the play of McDougal and the Enforcers’ receivers. If it turns into a
shootout, much of the pressure will fall on that aspect of the offense.
I believe this game is truly the championship game. Looking at these two teams and how
hot they’ve both been playing, I think the winner of this game will beat whomever
they have to play in the championship game, barring major injuries. This should be a war,
just as it was in Week Two, when L.A. won in double overtime. But I think the Xtreme is
still a hair better. It’s tough to call this one, but I think L.A. takes it, in
similar fashion to its Week Two win over the Enforcers.
You can e-mail Andy Hanacek at: ahanacek@primediasi.com |
