If someone could locate the Governor’s Cup, XFL commissioner Oliver Luck should come to Houston and present it to the Roughnecks for their victory over the Dallas Renegades on Sunday in what was billed as the Battle of Texas.
Back when Luck played quarterback for the Oilers (1982-86) and Roughnecks’ coach June Jones coached their quarterbacks (1987-88), the Governor’s Cup was presented every year to the winner of the Oilers’ annual preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.
At some point, the Governor’s Cup disappeared. The Cowboys blamed Oilers owner Bud Adams, claiming he kept it and wouldn’t give it back, something he denied. Perhaps Luck or Jones took the Cup and put it in a storage unit.
A more appropriate award for Jones would be XFL Coach of the Year after the season. The Roughnecks are 4-0, the only undefeated team in the league going into Saturday’s game against Seattle at TDECU Stadium on the University of Houston campus.
Jones’ quarterback, P.J. Walker, is the league’s best player and the leading candidate to be voted the XFL Most Valuable Player of the Year award.
Jones and Walker are more interested in the Roughnecks winning the XFL championship in a game that’ll be played in their home stadium.
The Roughnecks are coming off back-to-back victories on the road over Tampa Bay and Dallas. They’re expecting their largest crowd of the season against Seattle.
“Hopefully, winning those two road games and playing at home will help create a bigger crowd for this game,” Jones said this week. “When we’re playing at home, the fans really get into the game. They’ve been tremendous. The more we get to watch us, the bigger impact the crowd will have on the game.”
With Jones calling the plays, it’s no surprise the Roughnecks lead the XFL in scoring with 31.5 points a game. The next-closest team averages 22.
But the Roughnecks are more than an offensive team. They’ve got a big-play defense that has been a turnover-machine playing an instrumental role in the unbeaten record.
It’s also no surprise Walker is having an exceptional season because Jones has been a terrific offensive coach who has specialized in developing quarterbacks for more than 35 years.
Walker has 987 yards, 12 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 104.5 rating. He’s done a remarkable job of getting rid of the ball fast. He’s been sacked only four times in their four games.
“P.J. is getting better within the system,” Jones said. “He’s buying into what we’re doing and making a lot of plays. When he breaks the pocket, he can really create big plays. I encourage him to keep his vision down the field and try to go through his progressions, and his receivers will get open.”
Walker’s favorite target is Cam Phillips, the best receiver in the XFL with 21 catches for 333 yards (15.8 average) and a league-best seven touchdowns.
“Cam’s a very talented player,” Jones said. “He’s really gotten into what we’re trying to teach him, like how to run routes and read coverages. He’s very exciting, and he’s got room to get better. I think his best is yet to come.”
The Roughnecks have excelled on defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell’s side of the ball, forcing 11 turnovers, including eight interceptions. Safeties Deatrick Nichols (three) and Cody Brown have combined for five interceptions.
The defense, which utilizes a lot of players, also has 11 sacks, led by linebackers Carl Bradford and LaTroy Lewis, who have two apiece.
The defense has allowed only six touchdowns passes. Opponents have been limited to 3.4 yards a carry. The opponents’ passer rating is 70.6.
The defense is coming off its best performance in the 27-20 victory at Dallas. The Roughnecks forced five turnovers, including three interceptions.
Linebacker Edmond Robinson had a strip sack that caused a fumble he returned for a touchdown. With the Renegades inside the Roughnecks’ 5-yard line and trying to tie the score as time was running out, linebacker DeMarquis Gates made an outstanding play, intercepting a deflected pass at the 2 to secure the victory.
“Since Day One, we’ve focused on takeaways and getting after the quarterback,” Jones said. “If we can take the ball away and give our offense the ball - being an offense that can score - we’re going to win some games. The players have bought into it. They take a lot of pride in forcing turnovers.”
Jones and his players are enjoying their adventure. They know six games remain, and anything can happen. Their priority is to beat Seattle to start 5-0.
When the XFL’s season ends, a lot of players are expected to sign with NFL teams. Jones estimates that 10 to 15 of his players could get opportunities in the NFL, a good selling point when he’s trying to acquire players.
“I tell them the film is their resume,” he said. “You know, this has been a lot of fun, but we’ve got a long way to go. I’m proud of our coaches and players and everyone else in the organization working so hard to help us get where we are right now, but our work isn’t done.”
twitter.com/mcclain_on_nfl
"some" - Google News
March 05, 2020 at 06:30AM
https://ift.tt/3cw781s
McClain: The Roughnecks can play some defense, too - Houston Chronicle
"some" - Google News
https://ift.tt/37fuoxP
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "McClain: The Roughnecks can play some defense, too - Houston Chronicle"
Post a Comment