Last weekend the XFL THE SEQUEL debuted. It was 20 years ago when the first XFL game was played between the New York/New Jersey Hitmen at the Las Vegas Outlaws in Vegas. The owner of the XFL Vince McMahon promised the league would be totally different the second go around over the first. It would be pure football without the wrestling theatrics mixed in. Usually part two movies flop at the box office like a Weekend at Bernie’s II or an Airplane two. I will compare the XFL to lower budget movies, not a must see Tom Hanks award winner. It’s not the star flooded juggernaut of a league like the NFL.  Can a Spring football league thrive with a history of other leagues that seem to die off faster then a zombie virus in an apocalyptic world? The first XFL hit rock bottom so all you could do with league two is look up.

THE KICKOFF RULES

The XFL did promise football and none of those extra shenanigans. No mad scramble for the kick off. Fair catches were not outlawed. Last year AAF league had no kick offs. The XFL has a kick off, and no coin toss. The XFL revised the kick off. The kicker and the returner are lined up behind the rest of the special teams on the field. The kicker kicks the ball. No one moves until the returner touches the ball. Then play resumes. The Returner runs and the one team blocks while the other team tries to tackle the returner.  I liked this rule a lot. The AAF took one of the most exciting plays out of the game. While the NFL, this play is mostly touch backs. XFL thumbs up.

POINTS AFTER TOUCHDOWNS

Last year the AAF did no extra points. It was only two point conversions after each touchdown. Field goals are still in play if you come up short on third downs and are in range; you can kick to try to get three points. The XFL has three different point selections after you score a touchdown. No kicking involved. They range from 1 point play right on the two yard line. Then a two point play is like the five yard line. A three point play about the ten yard line. All three options the offensive team has to run the ball in or make a completed pass over the goal line.  This will set up some different strategies for your team. Depends what your offensive team is capable of. Depends on what their strong suit is. You can actually get a nine point play. It is an interesting change, but the jury is still out as to will it be a wait and see. AAF two point rule might be the better way to go.  Math skills will be important for head coaches.

THE DEFENSE

The AAF had some rule on defense you could not blitz so many players.  It was one of those rules that would be called. I compare this rule to the pass interference call in the NFL or what is a catch. No one can explain properly. Every referee has a different version. The XFL does not have any such rule which just handicaps the defense. In my opinion make it flag football then, with too many restrictions on one unit. Why even suit up? XFL gets the nod.

OFFENSE

Both the AAF and XFL wanted to speed things up. Everyone is in a rush these days. Both leagues had made adjustments to the play clock in between plays with less time to stand around. No talking about what to get Bernice for her baby shower. It’s get up and go. The XFL has headsets in the quarterback and the playmaker’s helmets. Quarterback helmets communications has been going on for years. The play makers is something new. This eliminates some of the huddling plays and kind of gives the league a hurry up offense style of play at times.  Less commercials would speed up any game in my opinion. I like to watch a game. I’m not looking at my watch or phone. Overtime is an extra beer. Less beers and both leagues lose.

SOME OF THE NAMES HAVE CHANGED BUT FAMILIAR FACES

I wonder if the AAF had survived with the XFL debut, one league or both leagues would of been completely watered down. I notice lots of X -AAF players in the XFL. Quarterback Phillip Nelson started for the Dallas Renegades last year and was with San Diego Fleet. He only got the start because Landry Jones was hurt and will start in week two. Brandon Silvers who came on late last season for the Memphis Express and did well.

Silvers is a starter for the Seattle Dragons and looked pretty good in his debut. Then Jamal Summers was making plays for Birmingham Iron in the AAF.  Last weekend he was making plays for New York Guardians. Plenty of others with the AAF back ground have merged in the XFL. The XFL has gotten players not just from the old AAF league. Former Ohio State stand out, Cardale Jones, is QB one in DC. Phillip Walker from Temple University did very well for the Houston Roughnecks behind center in the declawing of the Wildcats. With the multiple amount of AAF players in this league it’s a win for the XFL. Those players are used to playing full contact football in Spring  which it has been about less than a year still. These players could help others get their bodies to adjust in an different environment. This is a win win for the XFL.

LOGOS

The first XFL had names and logos that were mostly fit for a prison penitentiary league. Most of the logos were beyond terrible. This go around the XFL has really improved their logo and names. I thought the AAF had some great logos in their short term league. My favorite team logo from the AAF  was the San Diego Fleet.

The battleship on the side is awesome. I give Seattle Dragons as my favorite helmet from the XFL.

The Dallas Renegades helmet reminds me of some helmets from other past leagues.

DALLAS DESPERADOS, ARENA & OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS USFL, LOOK LIKE THE XFL DALLAS RENEGADE LOGO

A new football league in February in week one will always do well. The AAF’s first weekend had over 2.9 million viewers. People still have football juices flowing through their bodies from the Superbowl. Plus it’s a new league and curiosity plays a factor. Plus February is the worst sports month all year. NHL and NBA all-star weekends. Plus baseball is just going through the motions in Spring training. AAF games were on TNT, Football Network, and the CBS Sports Network. Then once in a while on the prime time channel of CBS. XFL has done better with 3.3 million viewers. XFL the games are on bigger networks. They are easier to find then the AAF. Fox, ABC and ESPN should and will help this league develop longer down the road than the  AAF followed.

The XFL opening weekend the games were not bad to watch. Just like the AAF games on their opening day weekend. I loved that it was football. Leaving wrestling out of the XFL this time probably was the number one thing that was discussed when they had this idea of the return. The XFL games will get better. February should be a big month for the league. Can this league excel beyond? March Madness, baseball opening day and the NFL draft. Plus NHL and NBA playoff push. These are the biggest obstacles in this league’s way. Plus do football fans lose their grid iron juices when the seasons change? People have outside work to do when the temperatures rise. Spring people and events come out of the wood work that take control of your couch potato days of throwing food down your gauntlet while viewing the game of football which takes over the weekends. Can the product on the field hook line and sinker the fans throughout the whole season?

It was money that demolished the AAF. Like Rocky Balboa leaving Paulie in charge of the finances. Vince McMahon is one rich SOB. With his wrestling backing. He says the league is good enough to survive on its own for three seasons. XFL has already sold more tickets then the AAF.  Oliver Luck as the commissioner has the back ground for this type of business. The XFL took some things that worked in the AAF. I liked how the AAF had big NFL names in their coaching staffs. XFL has done the same way.  They added some of their own stuff but basically have the same NFL rules to the game. I did not like how the AAF made their game as a stepping stone to the NFL. That is obvious and every player’s  dreams. The XFL has that USFL mentality that “we are a league by ourselves.” Just don’t let Donald Trump interfere with the operations of the league. Keep it simple, play the game of football, and the XFL should be able to stick around. Make your game easy to find, which they have done so far. This league should not be in any rush to expand to more teams until you have a cult following in place. They will need regulars at this bar to survive.