Game three of XFL week 1 was fantastic, with the St. Louis Battlehawks coming back from a 12-point deficit in the last two minutes to win the game, led behind the fantastic play of former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron as the San Antonio Brahmas’ defense simply wore down. McCarron threw two touchdowns, and converted the 4th and 15 try to gain possession, a substitution for the onside kick, inside of the last two minutes to complete the comeback.
You’re wrong if you don’t think that the NFL is watching. These alt-leagues have supplied players to the NFL annually, usually sending around fifty players yearly. The NFL oversees these leagues as an opportunity to add veteran talent.
Let’s get into the details.
St. Louis Battlehawks EDGE Travis Feeney
2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.
Travis Feeney stole the show with a strip sack and recovery that sent him rumbling down the field for a big gain and set up a Battlehawks field goal. Feeney showed a solid first step and good hand work to get around the offensive tackle and make the play.
Unfortunately, his day ended with a concussion after he was tackled during the fumble return. He laid on the ground appearingly unconsious for a moment before popping to his feet. His status next week is unclear.
St. Louis Battlehawks LB Silas Kelly
3 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss.
Silas Kelly made several plays at several points of the game, both on special teams and as an inside linebacker in the Battlehawks defense. He’s a strong, wrap up tackler and shows some promising instincts.
Kelly, the Coastal Carolina product, is one season removed from college and is a little bit undersized, which is why I believe he’s in the XFL right now.
San Antonio Brahmas QB Jack Coan
25/36 for 207 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 4 attempts, 10 yards.
Jack Coan turned down an NFL futures contract to come play in the XFL and put film together to strengthen his case as an NFL quarterback. He got off to a shaky start, surrendering a fumble on a sack and throwing an interception that deflected off of his receivers hands.
It wasn’t a perfect day, but we saw that the speed of the game wasn’t too much for Coan to handle. He made a lot of good decisions and good throws, and fought through a rough opening. I think Coan shows potential and I’m sure the NFL is watching Coan to see how the rest of the season looks for him.
St. Louis Battlehawks LB Mike Rose
7 total tackles.
Mike Rose is a young linebacker prospect who played his college football at Iowa State. He had a solid day for the Battlehawks, making 7 tackles and overall showing a solid wrap up on both defense and special teams.
Rose measured in well last year as a prospect (6037/243 lbs) but didn’t test as well athletically. He’s a throwback inside linebacker who plays very well downhill and probably would have been an NFL starter fifteen years ago. Rose still has some issues with instincts and play diagnosis, but I think he can make a case for himself as a developmental linebacker who can contribute on special teams.
San Antonio Brahmas CB Raleigh Texada
4 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble.
It was a good day from Raleigh Texada, who collected a strip sack on AJ McCarron and made a couple of nice plays down the field as a cornerback/safety hybrid. Texada is just a season removed from college football and has some decent length to stay with receivers down field.
Texada looks like a player that could sneak into the NFL as a nickel cornerback. He certainly got looks before but something bugged teams off of him… I can’t imagine what it was (This is sarcasm).
