By Michael Heilman
After nineteen years since the original XFL started in 2001, the new XFL launched with the first game Saturday afternoon between the Seattle Dragons and the DC Defenders at Audi Field.
There were no gimmicks like nicknames on players jerseys, two players running after a football in the form of a coin toss and no wrestlers cutting promos to hype the games. This new XFL has nothing to do with the original. Instead, it was different and felt like a professional game. The presentations by both ESPN and FOX were great with familiar faces calling the games. If there was one thing, I would say needs work, while I love the sideline reporters being able to have access to the sidelines and interview players and coaches, the reporters have to let the players collect themselves before asking questions and not at the moment they come off the field.
What struck me from the beginning was the kickoff. It wasn’t just an ordinary kickoff like you see in the NFL and CFL. In an era of player safety, this new kickoff was innovative and didn’t take long to get used too. The XFL did a really good job of separating themselves from other football leagues. I love how they allow the players to play football and not flag every play so it keeps the game moving.
Another factor I liked about this new XFL was the twenty-five-second play clock. You really have to have a play ready to go as soon as the other play is over to keep the game moving. I like that they only have two timeouts to work with instead of three. It’s different, but if you watched the NFL and CFL games, not all coaches use their timeouts, and this was a nice change.
The last thing I was very intrigued about was the point conversion after a touchdown. This was neat for strategic reasons to keep the game entertaining. I like how teams can either go for one point at the two-yard line, two-point at the five-yard line, and the three-point at the ten-yard line. A nine-point lead in the XFL is not safe with these new rules.
Overall, I enjoyed the XFL this weekend. The four games had good crowds at the stadiums. The XFL has a long way to go, and if they can keep this up, more fans will come to the games as the season progresses. The games reminded me of the CFL with many of the features similar to them such as being able to hear the plays, coaches and interviews with the players during the game. Also, when challenges were made, you watched from inside the challenge booth as they debated the call and watched different angles. I can see the NFL, CFL, and college football adopting some of these rules to make their game better.
The games are played on the weekends, two Saturdays and two Sundays. Check them out, especially for those missing football right now.
Comments