Do you remember Deion Sanders’ touchdown celebrations during his NFL days?
Did he call it the prime time shuffle after his nickname? To me it looked like some version of the electric slide. Neon Deion Sanders’ son right now has his own slide that is making the prime time news in the NFL draft coverage. Shedeur Sanders was supposed to be drafted in the top 5 of the 2025 NFL draft. Some experts had Shedeur being the 2nd best QB in the draft. His father Deion, who is the head coach of the University of Colorado, was his son’s college coach. He had a list of teams he did not want his son playing for. During the NFL scouting combine, Shedeur did not throw any passes or do any of the athletic training. He was present as he did several interviews with multiple teams. Some of those interviews were solid & some went very poorly. The Tennessee Titans with the very first pick took Cam Ward out of the University of Miami. The Giants, which was where many thought Shedeur would land, went with a top notch edge rusher in Abdul Carter with the number three pick from Penn State. Many thought when the Giants made the trade with the Texans to get the 25th pick of the first round pick, Sanders’ son would be scooped up. The Giants picked a QB but it was not Shedeur. New York went with Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. Sanders would slide out of the first round without being picked. Yesterday in rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft, other quarterbacks were picked instead of Shedeur. The former Buffaloe now is on the Chutes and Ladders slide. He’s free falling as three rounds have gone and he is still available. Why?
Shedeur Sanders can throw a nice deep ball. In 4 seasons, 2 at Jackson State and 2 at Colorado. Shedeur has tallied up 14,353 passing yards combined. He has completed 1,267 passes in 1,808 attempts which is good for a 70.1% completion rate which is impressive. He has thrown 134 touchdown passes compared to only 27 interceptions which is remarkable. His arm strength is good, but not great. His short passes are not very good as the balls come out wobbly. He is not a duel threat. He’s a pocket passer that gets sacked a lot. He sounds like a Justin Fields. Fields will run the ball more. In the NFL, teams that were in the need of a QB were the Giants, Saints, Browns, and Steelers. You have some teams that will draft a QB to develop a guy for the future. The Giants went with Jaxson Dart as their guy because their head coach, Brian Daboll, and general manager, Joe Schoen, come from the Buffalo Bills organization. They like Dart because he reminds them of Josh Allen in the way he plays the game. The Saints may be without their starting QB, because Derek Carr’s injury from last year may linger into this season. Some experts said Shedeur would do well playing in New Orleans in a dome. The Saints did pick a QB on Friday and took Tyler Shough at number 40 from Louisville. Let’s remember the Saints drafted Spencer Rattler last year as he got some playing time in his rookie season. They like some of the flashes he has shown. The Browns have Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett who they traded for in this off-season. The Browns want to forget about Deshaun Watson. They drafted a QB yesterday at number 94, Dillon Gabriel from Oregon University. Cleveland does not want to risk another Johnny Manziel and they failed miserably on the Watson trade. The Steelers is a possible landing spot for Sanders. The Steelers re-signed Mason Rudolf and think they are in with Aaron Rodgers. Shedeur could still get picked up by the Steelers in later rounds. Any team could still pick up Shedeur. Five QB’s have been picked up including Seattle who took Jalen Milroe from University of Alabama, number 92. The Seahawks signed veteran Sam Darnold so they will slowly develop Milroe.
You know Deion Sanders had high hopes for his son and still does. You know Prime Time pictured Shedeur getting drafted in the top 5 of the draft and starting for some team right away. Perhaps his performance being like Jayden Daniels with what he did last year for the Commanders getting them into the post-season. Deion would be scarred coming into the draft if people even said Shedeur is suited to being a back up QB in the NFL to start his career off. Being a back up QB most of the times you are the most popular guy if the first string guy is doing bad. I see this entire drama unfolding because if your team does draft Shedeur Sanders, you’re bringing his father Deion along for the ride. Deion reminds me of those fathers when the kids are playing, telling the coach to put his son in. Deion would talk badly about any coach not playing his son through the media. Why would any team want to bring this drama into your locker room? I’m not saying all teams in the NFL should avoid Shedeur. He could be the real deal. If I’m a franchise and I choose to go down this path with the Sanders slide, I would want his son for cheap if I have to deal with the drama they bring to the table. In later rounds, Shedeur might be a guy someone takes a chance on. I would not make him a starter day one. He would have to earn it. I don’t care what Deion would say. If Sanders’ kid was taken in the first round, a team would be paying him, dealing with criticism all the time from his father on coaching him, and he could turn out to be a flop. You are fired. I think he would fit perfectly with the Steelers. First knowing Aaron Rodgers is the guy. We don’t know if he will be the guy for the Steelers. That may hurt Rodgers’ feelings having another QB on the roster. I think Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin could get the best out of Sanders’ son and contain the father. Deion’s next son should participate in the NFL combine and let the cards fall where they lie instead of sabotaging him with certain franchises because you don’t like the city or coaching. Fathers always knows best is not in the Deion handbook.
Welcome to the jungle of the UFL Power Rankings as we have a new beast at the top of the mountain for week 5. The Defenders fall like all the teams I have perched on top of the power rankings this season so far. The Brahmas found a way out of the dungeon of my UFL Power Rankings.
The Brahmas were on life support and now look like world beaters. The UFL is looking very unpredictable this season as I continue to rearrange the furniture in the power rankings. I even rearrange the rusty outdoor furniture as we have a new boat sunk at the bottom of the UFL waters. Let’s see where your team is ranked this week as we unleash week 5’s UFL Power Rankings. Enjoy!!!
#8. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-4)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Showboats sink to the bottom of the UFL waters. They dropped one spot from last week.
The Showboats Interim Head Coach, Jim Turner, will have regrets taking this crap job in Memphis if he quit the following: booze, tobacco, drugs and anything else to help you forget you have two crappy quarterbacks. On Friday night Memphis only scores 9 points. They are now the only team in the UFL without a win. The Showboats were awful last year, but they seem better than this team this season. Many of the same guys have filled out this roster the last two seasons.
They have talent at the wide receiver position with Jonathan Adams and Kwamie Lassiter II. These are two receivers that any team in the league would like to have. The Showboats have been using the same two quarterbacks every game hoping & praying one will have a solid game. EJ Perry completed 8-16 passes for 74 yards with 1 touchdown pass. Give Perry credit, he led the team in rushing yards with 30. Deneric Prince scored the only Showboats touchdown of the week which was a 3 yard run. Then Troy Williams went 4-8 for 13 yards and was sacked twice. The Showboats’ dueling banjos combined to complete 12 passes out of 24 attempts for 87 yards. That’s a 50% completion rate and under 100 passing yards. PATHETIC!! Who’s the 3rd spring QB? There has to be a better option on the waiver wire than trot these two Shemps out there game after game. The BattleHawks just signed spring veteran QB Brandon Silvers. What’s AJ McCarron doing? The Love boat theme has turned the tide with this ship wreck. The local fan base the Yacht club of Memphis has even changed the channel on this team. Screw Elvis they going to Nashville to listen to country and see if the Titans can show them what a solid QB looks like as they will be selecting number 1 in the NFL draft.
#7.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week.
The Roughnecks have just the one victory so far this season. That is not saying much because they beat the Showboats who have not put on any kind of show on the field in a good way. This Houston team has been battling. They have a solid defense that keeps them in games like last weekend versus the Stallions. On offense they have a slew of talented receivers but no one that can get them the ball on a regular basis. They benched Anthony Brown, the Roughnecks opening day starter. They gave the start to Nolan Henderson who has provided this Roughnecks team with a tiny spark here and there.
Henderson would fall victim to the blue tent with an injury. On comes the 3rd string QB who’s a veteran of spring football, Jalan McClendon.
McClendon, the former Vegas Viper, is back in the XFL league. He played for the LA Wild Cats in the XFL reboot in 2020. Last year he held the clipboard for the Defenders. He comes in and passes for 236 passing yards, which it would take Brown and Henderson weeks combined to get to that total. McClandon had a rushing touchdown as he threw a interception in a late rallying drive. He got the ball to those play makers which was the biggest take in this week in Roughneck football. If you are the coaching staff of Houston, how do you not see who is the better quarterback this entire time? Maybe the Roughnecks found their savior. I doubt it, but they will be better with McClendon.
#6.SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-3)
XFL CONFERENCE: The Brahmas shed their Llama-like play the last three weeks and move up two spots from last week to get out of UFL purgatory.
THE NEW GUY
The San Antonio Brahmas, if you remember, made it all the way to the first UFL title game last year and came out with a loss to the Stallions. This season the Brahmas started off 0-3 and didn’t look good in any of the phases of their game. Wade Phillips did not see eye to eye with the play calling of his offensive coordinator, AJ Smith. Smith then decided to resign. Then Wade Phillips suddenly had to take a leave of absence for personal reasons. Quietly moving up the ranks in all this nonsense is Payton Pardee, who has football coaching blood in his family. He was promoted from receivers’ coach to calling plays on offense. Then he was promoted again as Interim Head Coach of the Brahmas. His first challenge of the season was the undefeated DC Defenders at their place. Did I mention Payton became the youngest head coach in football history at 28 years old? Which results in the Brahmas getting their first win and knocking off the last unbeaten team in the UFL.
Payton Pardee played college football at Houston from 2015-18. He then went into coaching as he took the wide receiver’s job at Texas A&M Commerce. In 2023 he landed his first pro job with the Houston Roughnecks as a receivers’ coach. The Pardee family has Texas and spring football in their blood line. Payton’s grandfather Jack played in the NFL for 16 seasons. Then he went into coaching after his playing days came to an end. In the 1980’s he was head coach of Houston Gamblers of the USFL. He had Jim Kelly as his starting QB back then. He also coached the Houston Cougars. In the NFL he also coached for the Bears, Redskins, and the old Tennessee Titans before they moved to Nashville. The Houston Oilers. Jack Pardee was a pretty good head coach. His grandson Payton is off to a solid start with an upset win and probably just turned the Brahmas season around. Stay tuned.
#5.ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (2-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: The BattleHawks season may have fallen and may not be able to get back up. St.Louis tumbles down three spots from last week.
The BattleHawks took a major blow early in the game versus the Renegades last weekend when their QB went down on a non-contact injury. Manny Wilkins was carted off the field in the very first offensive series for St.Louis. He will be out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Wilkins wasn’t the best QB in the UFL, but he is better than most of the hot garbage this league has behind center. Wilkins in 4 games this season had tallied up 498 passing yards with one touchdown pass. He did have three interceptions. He was a duel threat QB who tallied up 135 rushing yards with two rushing touchdowns for the BattleHawks.
Now the QB for St.Louis belongs to the former Frogman of TCU, Max Duggan. If you remember, Duggan led the TCU Horney toads to the National Championship in 2022 to then get their brains beat in by Georgia. Duggan did not do well coming off the bench for Wilkins. He had two interceptions. He completed 8 passes out 17 attempts for 78 yards. The BattleHawks have a solid defense. They have a solid rushing attack. They have talented receivers. They have the number 1 fan base in the UFL. It’s up to Duggan now as he has the keys to the St.Louis car. Can he save the season? Will the BattleHawks season turn into a complete wreck? Is AJ McCarron’s number on speed dial? That is the million dollar question.
#4. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: I have the Stallions in the stable still at the number 4 spot. They were in the same stable last week as well.
The Stallions did win their 3rd straight game after opening up the season with a loss to the Defenders. It was a struggle for Birmingham to get by the Houston Roughnecks. The Stallions defense has been top notch all season long which has saved this team all season long. Last week the Roughnecks inserted their 3rd string QB, Jalen McClendon, who is a veteran of spring football. He carved up the Stallions D. Matt Corral had a better game behind center as he had two touchdown passes to only 1 interception. You would like to see Corral complete more passes as he finished the night 14-25 for 195 yards.
Davion Davis hauled in a big receiving touchdown for the Stallions as he had 2 catches for 62 yards and the score for the night. Corral would leave the game with an injury which could be a bad thing or good. The former Philadelphia Stars QB of the USFL, Case Cookus, saw some action as he completed 1-2 passes for 36 yards. Cookus is a gunslinger type QB who could be streaky in good, bad, and ugly ways behind center. In the end it was Jo Jo Tillery who save the day for the Stallions getting the key interception to put this W in the win column. How long will this Stallions defense keep bailing these guys out?
#3. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Renegades moved up two spots from last week.
Yes, Bob Stoops’ team is 3-1 right now as they looked impressive in two weeks of the season so far. Good teams find ways to win games ugly. Last week, the Renegades may have gotten a gift from St.Louis who lost their starting QB in the first series of the game. The Arlington defense took advantage of the BattleHawks back up QB, Max Duggan, who they picked off twice.
Ajene Harris had a monster day on defense for the Renegades which started with a gift fumble by BattleHawks QB Manny Wilkens, who fumbled the ball on a non-contact play. Harris picked it and took it to the house to get the Renegades the early lead. Harris had one of the two interceptions for the Renegade defense. He also had 8 tackles and two passes defended. The Renegades offense looked better than the last two weeks putting up low numbers. Luis Perez, one of the best QB’s in the league, kept the BattleHawks in the game with his pick six to the St.Louis defense. Eventually Arlington put it all together, put up 30 points on St.Louis, and got the win. In the first week of the season, the Renegades put up over 30 points which was the most by any team. The Renegades had three games in those bookends of 30 point performances, where they were held in the teens. Something to keep an eye out for in their Jekyll and Hyde Renegades offense.
#2. DC DEFENDERS (3-1)
XFL Conference: The Defenders beer snake did not have the bite last week as they slither down one spot from last week.
No way the Defenders were going to run the table with a perfect season. I did not see them losing to the Brahmas last weekend, who’s coaching staff has been in turmoil the last few weeks. You can say the Defenders have been through the same thing and won three straight games to start the season with coaches leaving and promoting within. The Defenders offense was not the problem even though they only put 18 points on the board. The DC offense out-gained the Brahmas in total yards 409-219. The Brahmas scored 24 points. Jordan Ta’amu had a great game behind center completing 19-31-299 passing yards. He had one touchdown pass & no interceptions. He also led the Defenders in rushing yards with 74 and used his legs to score two rushing touchdowns.
Jordan Ta’amu leads the UFL in passing yards after 4 games this season with 905. He also leads the league with 6 touchdown passes. The Defenders have problems converting the extra points after the touchdowns. The Defenders also settle for more field goals in the red zone than getting the six points with the touchdowns. The Defenders can move the ball up and down the field without any problems. The Defenders have played solid defense the entire season. If you take away the Brahmas’ punt return touchdown allowed by Defenders special teams last Sunday, is it a different outcome? You like the Defenders to win at home with the beer snake as the 12th man slithering.
#1.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers have moved up to the deluxe apartments in the sky. They are my new number 1 team in the power rankings moving up 2 spots.
If the Panthers QB, Bryce Perkins, can play like he did last week, Michigan is going places. Perkins completed 15-22 passes for an even 200 yards and threw two touchdown passes. The Panthers scored the most points last week. The Panthers defense is one of the best in the league and playing without their big daddy. Breeland Speaks, who was the UFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, has missed the last few games with an injury.
Speaks’ return is unknown at this time. If the Panthers could get him back this season, they could make a run at the title. Speaks had 9.5 sacks last year in regular season as he is a monster chasing QB’s down. I like Mike Nolan using a ground attack to beat his opponents and wear them out. Obviously Perkins is a duel threat QB. You want him to run only when needed as he’s starting to hit on all of his passes. The Panther running back Nate McCrary should be mentioned more. He had 60 yards on the ground with one touchdown. The Panthers have a two headed monster at the running back position brewing. Toa Taura had 10 carries for 53 rushing yards with a touchdown. Michigan is hitting their stride as Birmingham should be put on notice.
The NHL playoffs are one of the better post-seasons to watch in all of sports. The first round of the 2025 Stanley cup playoffs has some epic match ups on the docket. Unfortunately I do not have a pony in the race as my team has been at the bottom of the barrel in the NHL for years, and there’s no sign of any day light anytime soon.
Maybe I’m in need of adopting a new team in the 2025 playoffs without being one of those bandwagon jumpers. Some solid choices to root for. Everyone has teams or cities you dislike as I do too. Without prejudging any team or city that made the playoff tournament. I threw my hat into the ring and executed a winner out of each series by looking at all the data and going with gut feelings. I am not guaranteeing any epic outcomes in my picks. I may be off my rocker. I may be dead on with my predictions. My gut tells me I’ll end up Even-Steven somehow. We will see as I can’t be the only one to throw darts at each match up and come out smelling like roses. Here we go round one, let the games begin of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
ST. LOUIS BLUES VS WINNIPEG JETS
This series should be a low scoring affair between these two teams. It’s the Jets’ second straight season where they have won over 50 games. For the Blues they won 13-16 games to close the season out. You could say for St. Louis they have been one of the hotter teams in the last 3 months because they play solid defense. Meanwhile the Jets as a team have lit the lamp during regular season 273 times which is tied for 4th in the league. The Jets’ top scorers are Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele who have combined for 79 goals this season.
Can the Blues goalie, Jordan Binnington, relive the magic years back when he got hot and St. Louis went all the way to capture the Stanley Cup? Binnington played a big part in the net for Canada in the Frozen Four tournament this past February. The Jets have one of the best net minders in the league in Connor Hellebuyck. Can the Blues do what the Avalanche did to Hellebuyck last post-season & make him look average?
Hellebuyck suited up for the United States in that face off Frozen Four tournament. I think it’s Connor time here. Jets avenge last year’s post season nightmare and dispatch the Blues who lack true fire power in this match up.
OUR PICK: JETS IN SIX GAMES
DALLAS STARS VERSUS COLORADO AVALANCHE
The Stars vs Avalanche is one of the biggest match ups in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Both teams are Stanley Cup contenders as one of them will be going home after the first round. The Stars have been consistent all year round. The Stars have 8 snipers who can put the puck in the net. Eight guys with 20 or more goals. The Avalanche tinkered with their roster and made some nice solid moves. This may be a better Avalanche roster than they had when they won the Cup in 2022. If this series goes the distance, game seven favors Dallas. About their Head Coach, Pete DeBoer, his teams are 8-0 in series deciders which is game 7’s.
Dallas comes into the post-season with a 7 game losing streak which it’s very hard to flip the switch to post-season. The Stars lack defense as they will have to rely on their goal scoring to win this series. The Avalanche superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar will not be held back in this series and will have a field day exploiting the Stars’ weakness in front of the castle.
OUR PREDICTION: AVALANCHE IN SIX GAMES
MINNESOTA WILD VERSUS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
The Wild have gone through many injuries this season just to get to this point. The Vegas Golden Knights are in familiar grounds, the post-season, where they thrive even though they were just a expansion team not many moons ago. The Wild will have two of their main guys going in this series: Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson E.K. The Wild ranked 26th in the league in scoring which averages out to 2.74 goals per game. The Golden Knights average 3.34 goals per game which is 5th in the league. The good things for the Wild is their goalie, Filip Gustavsson, who could make any playoff series a tough out. The Golden Knights also struggle on the penalty kill which can help the Wild. The Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel had a monster year with 93 points in regular season.
I like the X-San Jose Shark, Tomas Hertl, who is a post- season beast. He’s my X-factor as he has 16 goals & 24 points in 29 post-season games from his days wearing the teal. The Golden Knights have a deeper roster and are more skilled than this Wild squad.
OUR PICK: GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN 5 GAMES
LA KINGS VERSUS EDMONTON OILERS
This is the 4th time in so many years the Oilers and Kings will mix it up in the post-season. The Oilers have won all three series.
Connor McDavid is the top super star of the NHL which will give the Oilers a big advantage in this series. The Kings are no joke in this series. In the last month of regular season, the Kings offense have scored 64 goals which was the most during that time span. The Kings goalie, Darcy Kuemper, is having a great season in his first year in LA. He had 31 regular season wins. What worries me about the Oilers is they will not have their top defenseman. Mattias Ekholm has been ruled out this series. Does LA have an X-factor in X-Oiler Warren Foegele who they can unleash on Edmonton. Foegele had three post-season goals for Edmonton last season. Let’s not forget about Leon.
Leon Draisaitl is another superstar in the NHL who is not talked about enough. The Kings will make this a series. It will go the full tilt. In the end, McDavid and Draisaitl help Edmonton just get by the Kings in the first round.
OUR PICK: OILERS IN SEVEN GAMES
EASTERN CONFERENCE
MONTREAL CANDADIENS VS WASHINGTON CAPITALS
We all are thinking the same thing. Can Alex Ovechkin break Wayne Gretzky’s record and win the Stanley Cup in the same season? In the first round, the Capitals face a rebuilding Montreal team with plenty of youth that can go wild. The Capitals had a monster year this season winning over 50 games. The Canadiens need their net minder to be unstoppable in this series. Can Sam Montembeault have that kind of series?
I can say Logan Thompson for the Capitals could have that epic goalie run in the post-season. Thompson finished with a .910 save percentage and has only allowed 2.49 goals per contest. The focus will be on the Russian. Hiding on the ice somewhere will be Tom Wilson who creates havoc and get under players’ skin. Wilson can put the puck into the net as well as he had 33 goals this season. The Capitals have depth and defense and can score over the inexperience of this Montreal squad.
OUR PICK: CAPITALS IN 5 GAMES
NEW JERSEY DEVILS VERSUS CAROLINA HURRICANES
The Devils’ number one fan is David Puddy from Seinfeld. This series will be very interesting and I can see this one going the distance. The Devils will be without Jack Hughes which can hurt New Jersey’s chances. The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the best 5 on 5 in the league. They also allowed the fewest shots in the league. The Devils are no slouch in their team game. New Jersey has the 3rd ranked power play unit in the league. They also have the second ranked penalty kill. Both teams have solid special teams as the Hurricanes have the top ranked penalty kill in the league. Let’s talk goalies.
The Hurricane’s number goalie is Frederik Andersen who has battled all year through injuries. The Devils allow the 5th fewest goals in the league due to their goalie, Jacob Markstrom. The Devils are not the demon they are without Jack Hughes which has deflated this team. The Hurricanes always seem to get past the first round of these NHL playoffs and I think they continue that tradition and dispatch the Devils which takes game 7 to do so. The Devils will give a good fight, but it all ends in hell for Jersey.
OUR PICK: HURRICANES IN 7 GAMES
OTTAWA SENATORS VERSUS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
The first question about Toronto: Can they slay their own playoff demons? The Senators have a very nice young core for the Maple Leafs to deal with. It starts with Brady Tkachuk, Jake Sanderson, and Tim Stutzie.
Let’s not forget about the stud Toronto has in Aushon Matthews. The Maple Leafs also have Mitch Marner and Williams Nylander. Toronto has improved their defense this season which could help them get past the first round. The Senators have solid defense and goal tending allowing only 2.80 goals per game. Since the 2004-2005 lock out season, the Maple Leafs have been ousted 8 out of 9 times in the first round. Yikes!!! I think the only way Senators win this series is if the Maple Leafs beat themselves and hand Ottawa the series. This Toronto team is deep, very dangerous, and if they get passed the Senators, they will build up confidence in the second round.
OUR PREDICTION: MAPLE LEAFS IN 5 GAMES
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VERSUS FLORIDA PANTHERS
This is the must watch series of the first round. When it comes to the state of Florida, you think college football rivals. This Florida series has been epic. This is the 4th time in the last 5 years the Lightning and Panthers have met on a date in the Stanley Cup post-season. The Panthers finally slayed the bolts last year and won it all. The Lightning have won back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and ’21. Can the Panthers defend their title run this season or will fatigue play a role in back to back grinding post-season play? The Lightning have been hot while the Panthers finished the season threading water. The Panthers may be without Matthew Tkachuk who was a big part of why this Florida team went all the way last year. The Lightning still have the stopper in goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had the most wins with 37 during the regular season. The Panthers acquired Seth Jones from the Blackhawks during the season. Jones is over paid and will need to find his game he lost years ago to help prevent the Panthers from being derailed early on.
Another X-Blackhawk, Brandon Hagel, had 35 goals this season for Tampa Bay. The Lightning have the fire power as Jack Guentzel’s first year in Tampa Bay he had a 40 goal season. This Lightning team is in the top ten at killing penalties. They are 6th in the fewest goals allowed with an average of 2.40. The Lightning always had the Panthers’ number. Without Tkachuk for the Panthers who is the heart and soul of this team, it will be tough for Florida to overcome. I like the Lightning striking in a long drawn out epic series between these two powerhouses.
We have our third change at top of our spring fling power football rankings. St. Louis finds out how hungry the beer snake of the Defenders really is. In week three we have all kinds of resignations filed as coaches can’t handle their duties in the spring fling.
The Brahmas are still holding down the lower dungeon apartments in the rankings. We have plenty of movement after a wacky week three in the UFL. We will “Iron” it all out for you but it will not be “Clad,” however you will be glad you read it all. Let’s unfold all the dirty laundry we have in week 4 of the UFL Power Rankings.
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (0-3)
XFL CONFERENCE: Never moved from last week as they are still holding down the fort.
Drama is brewing in Brahma llama land in Texas. Before the Brahmas’ best offensive production of the season occurred, one of San Antonio’s coaches resigned. The offensive coordinator, A.J. Smith, who is a young mind in the game took his ball and went home in a disagreement with Head Coach Wade Phillips about the scheme the Brahmas were running. Without Smith, the Brahmas then had their best game on offense of the season. Scoring 23 points versus a solid Panthers defense while gaining a total of 258 yards on offense, a season high. The Brahmas QB, Kellen Mond, had his best game hitting 19-31 passes for 153 yards including a touchdown pass. Jordan Williams had a monster day on defense with 9 tackles including an 85 yard pick six. The Brahmas kicker could have had one of his best videos for his U-tube followers, but Donald De La Haye missed a kick that could have sent this game to overtime. Then the news hit this week that now Wade Phillips is taking a leave of absence from the team. Which makes Payton Pardee, the Interim Head Coach, while Phillips attends to his personal reasons.
This has been a common theme this season with head coaches and assistants walking away from the spring fling for variety of reasons. Wade Phillips is the UFL’s biggest name in the league at the coaching position with all his years in the NFL.
#7. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: Still haven’t found what they are looking for as they drop 1 spot from last week.
Ken Whisenhunt elected to go for the 2 point conversion instead of tying the game with a 1 point try after the Showboats made a late rally to make things interesting with the Roughnecks. It was a battle of two teams looking for their first win. It was a game that Memphis was dominating most of the way until their starting QB, E.J. Perry, made two stupid throws that changed the momentum in favor of the Roughnecks. Perry was having a pretty good day until his first mistake, a pick six.
Then his second bad throw came in another interception trying to throw it away after being pressured. Both interceptions occurred in the 3rd quarter. Troy Williams finished the game at QB after Whisenhunt made a change at QB. Williams plunged & found the end zone on a rushing touchdown in the late rally. The Showboats out-gained the Roughnecks in the game in total offense with 261 total yards compared to 238 from the Roughnecks. If Troy Williams converts that 2 point conversion for a Showboats win, would Whisenhunt be coaching this team over Easter weekend? Wisenhunt left the Showboats in week one for personal reasons but came back the last two weeks & now has officially resigned. The Showboats offensive line coach, Jim Turner, will get the opportunity to finish off the season for Memphis.
The Showboats season is taking on too much water. It seems like this Memphis franchise is not getting a following as well. It would not surprise me if the UFL relocates this Showboats franchise to another city next year with a different name.
#6.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: Roughnecks strike oil with a victory and move up one spot from last week.
The Roughnecks break an 8 game losing streak that dated back from last season with a win over the Showboats last week. It looked like another loss was on the horizon for this Roughnecks team until they changed the momentum in this game in the 3rd quarter.
It was the Roughnecks defense or a generous gift from the Showboats quarterback, EJ Perry, who threw the ball right into the hands of Leon O’Neal who took it 30 yards to the house for a pick six. The Roughnecks defense had two interceptions off Perry in the 3rd quarter. Before this game, the Roughnecks acquired one of the top notch receivers in the league from the Michigan Panthers in a trade.
Marcus Simms joined the Roughnecks who already have Justin Hall, another solid receiver. Simms was All- UFL last year catching 23 balls for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Now if only the Roughnecks had a solid quarterback. One of them came to life last week wheb Nolan Henderson was slinging the ball down the field and looking good doing that. His touchdown pass was not to Simms or Hall, but instead to Emmanuel Butler.
#5.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (2-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 3 spots from last week
The line from the movie Lethal weapon by Detective Murtaugh sums up the last two weeks for the Renegades. They are all dressed up. They look like a football team. The last two weeks this team has scored 20 points after putting up 33 points in the very first game which was the highest by any team that week. The Renegades in week two squeaked by the Roughnecks, 11-9. Then last week Birmingham’s offense was hot garbage. Matt Corral looked like he should stop playing football for good as he was having a very bad game. The Renegades defense has been tough to score on. Donald Payne and company have put the pain on opposing offenses. Somehow they let Corral and that Stallions dormant offense march down the field in the last minutes of the game to score a touchdown while converting the extra point to take the game 10-9. When your defense only gives up ten points, what the hell is offense doing? Luis Perez is top QB in this league which I thought. The Renegades were running the football well. The Renegades went 0-4 in the red zone versus the Stallions. The Renegades running game versus the Roughnecks in week 2 averaged under 4 yards per carry. Now the Renegades have to figure how to score on the BattleHawks this weekend who looked like the best team in the entire league until they were knocked off by the Defenders. All dressed up and nobody to blow may be Bob Stoop’s press conference speech.
#4. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (2-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week.
Skip Holtz seems like that guy that created Frankenstein. Three championships in a row with three different specimens on his slab in the lab. Somehow Holtz’s creation this season in Matt Corral is not going well despite the Stallions winning 2 games in a row. When is Alex McGough coming back? That is the million dollar question. Corral versus the Renegades completed 19-41 passes for 255 yards. That is a completion percentage of 46.3% which is horrible. Corral threw a touchdown pass which ended up being the game winner in the last minute to beat the Renegades 10-9. He did throw a interception. Could Skip go with Case Cookus, a spring league veteran QB down the stretch who is Corral’s back up? Or will Skip keep working with Matt to eventually get his 4th Frankenstein QB? It is the Stallions defense who should get the victory lap in this 10-9 victory over Arlington. The Stallions defense held the Renegades to only 1 field goal in 4 trips to the red zone.
Its starts down in the trenches for the Stallions which features big ole number 97, Willie Yarbary. Yarbary has been a fixture on the Stallions D-line for the last three seasons. He had a big fumble recovery to help put away this Renegades squad. The Stallions now are 2-0 all-time versus Arlington. The Stallions now have won 10 straight home games dating back from last year.
#3.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
The Panthers traded away their best wide receiver Marcus Simms to the Houston Roughnecks for offensive lineman, Cam Carter. It’s a crazy trade which makes no sense for the Panthers. Carter is a decent lineman who has played a few seasons in the spring flings. He played well in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals a few seasons ago.
Simms can be a top receiver with most of the teams in the UFL. Maybe Mike Nolan is looking lean on the running game for the rest of the season and wants better pass protection. The Panthers QB is a duel threat as he likes to use his legs more than pass. Bryce Perkins did have 2 rushing touchdowns last weekend versus San Antonio.
Perkins did throw a six pick to the Brahmas defense and did not throw any touchdown passes. Take away that interception & he completed 17-23 for 193 passing yards. Simms who? The Panthers scored all their touchdowns running the ball. The Panthers kicker, B.T. Potter, is no Jake Bates, but he did put the dagger in Wade Phillips’ team with a 28 yard field goal to take the lead for good and put another W in the win column.
#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (2-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week.
The St.Louis BattleHawks were playing light years ahead of the competition in the UFL after the first two weeks of the season. The BattleHawks offense was lighting up the score board. The BattleHawks defense were suffocating their opponents in the first two weeks. The BattleHawks are unstoppable at home. Until the Defenders invaded which DC is St.Louis’ arch rival that goes back to the XFL days. It was a close game most of the day between these two teams. Manny Wilkins had two turnovers in the 4th quarter that the Defenders capitalized on to win this game. Wilkins has tallied 498 passing yards this season but has only 1 touchdown pass compared to three interceptions. Wilkins can get the job done using his legs as well. The Defenders defense have found ways to get the turnovers which they did and defended Wilkins really well in crunch time. The BattleHawks defense racked up 83 tackles in the game. Along with 7 pass break ups. BattleHawks corner back Chris Payton Jones broke up three passes.
The BattleHawks free safety, Nate Meadors, had a big day racking up 8 tackles which 5 were solo. The BattleHawks defense was on the field way too long and put in a bad field position from the turnovers as they could not overcome losing their first regular season game at home since their days of the XFL.
#1.DC DEFENDERS(3-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Jumped 4 spots from last week to land on the top of the power rankings for the first time this season.
The Defenders have not even been in my top 4 teams in any of my power rankings until this week. The beer snake bit me. The Defenders in the first week took out last year’s champs in week 1. I thought that game was a fluke as just a bad day at the office for the Stallions. I felt like they caught a few lucky breaks versus a bad Showboats team in week two. The Defenders showed me something in week three going to St. Louis in hostile conditions and pulling out a win. Now DC is the only remaining undefeated team in the UFL this season. The BattleHawks and Defenders hate each other. These are the two greatest fan bases in spring football and both teams were facing each other without a loss coming into week 3.
The Defenders score a season high 27 points. In the first two games of the season, the Defenders have settled for more field goals than converting touchdowns. The Defenders did get the 3 pointer in this road game as Matthew McCrane has one of the best legs in the league. It was Ty Scott who was beamed up by a beautiful throw by Jordan Ta’amu that went for a 62 yard explosion for the Defenders.
It was another battle between these teams that was close all the way into the 4th quarter. The Defenders defense then forced two turnovers from the BattleHawks QB. Manny Wilkins fumbled the ball away, threw a interception, and the Defenders capitalized on both turnovers. The Defenders held the BattleHawks offense to a season low of only 15 points. The Defenders lead the series now 3 games to 1 over the BattleHawks. The Defenders remain undefeated despite making a head coach change and defensive coordinator change. Every week so far now in the power rankings, I have had a different number one. Let’s see how long the Defenders hold their position at the top of the power rankings.
The New York Giants still have not found their quarterback solution after Eli Manning hung up the spikes for good a few seasons ago. The Giants have the number three pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft which is not as loaded at the quarterback position like it was at the 2024 draft. The current Head Coach for the G-Men, Brain Daboll, and the General Manager’s jobs are hanging by a thread. As they are on the hot seat right now. After not being able to develop Daniel Jones a quarterback they inherited when they arrived in the big apple, would this regime get the extra time they need to develop a rookie QB? The Giants loaded up on veteran quarterback free agents this off-season in hopes one of them will pay out. It would seem the Giants would pass on picking up a QB in the first round as the quarterback room is filled right now. You never know until the draft what they will do as the Giants and Shedeur Sanders have shown mutual interest in each other. Sanders has one final work out scheduled for the G-Men. Could Deon Sanders’ son be the answer for this New York franchise that is desperate right now seeing every team in their division having a guy that is the face of their franchise?
The New York Giants reside in the NFC East which had two teams that made it to the post-season. The Philadelphia Eagles won the Superbowl with the last laugh on the Giants for signing Saquon Barkley, who was a free agent running back who ran to greener pastures. The Commanders resurrected from the dead as a football franchise by drafting Jayden Daniels number two in last year’s draft. They went deep into the post-season. The Cowboys have Dak Prescott who is a pretend franchise quarterback.The Giants are so desperate at the QB position they signed 36 year old veteran Russell Wilson who had a rebound year playing for the Steelers last year. He went 6-5 as the starter for the Steelers and started off great. He completed 63.7% of his passes and had 16 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. Only problem is the Steelers backed into the post-season on a losing streak and quickly dispatched again in the first round by their arch rival, the Ravens. Wilson was a clubhouse cancer in Denver. He’s typically your primadonna and is not the same guy from his days in Seattle where he was in the top ten of the league behind center.
Then the Giants signed the crab man, Jameis Winston, to a two year deal worth 8 million. Last year he played in Cleveland and was 2-5 in 7 games filling in for the sexual predator Deshaun Watson whose season ended with an injury. Winston had 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He is the King of the pick six. After making it official with the Giants, Winston thanked the fans in the Dawg Pound for having him be their QB for one season. The memories of beating the Steelers in the snow to him was epic. Yes the crab man did beat Russell Wilson. Then the Giants still have 26 year old Tommy DeVito who went 0-2 last year in two starts for the Giants. He had no touchdown passes or interceptions but completed 70.5% of his passes. He is 3-5 as a starter in the NFL with 8 touchdown passes to 3 interceptions and has a 65.3% completion percentage. DeVito signed with the Giants as an Undrafted Free Agent in 2023 and could easily be the odd man out in this Giants’ QB saga by the time the season starts. He may not be the answer as QB 1. He is a guy that has a higher ceiling to develop I think.
The Tennessee Titans have the number one pick in the 2025 NFL draft and they are expected to take the best QB in the draft, Cam Ward, from the University of Miami. The Browns have the second pick in this upcoming draft and they should go Quarterback as Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the entire season. The Browns have traded for Kenny Pickett and have brought back Joe Flacco for his second stint with the team from free agency. Can the Browns move on from Watson with that handcuffed contract he has? The Browns are expected to sign Shadeur Sanders’ University of Colorado teammate, Travis Hunter, who is a two way player as he dabbles as a receiver on offense and defense. He also plays corner back. The Browns could also get another top edge rusher in Abdul Carter from Penn State University. The guy the Browns do not take can easily be the 3rd pick in the draft. They say Sanders is the 2nd best QB in the draft, but his stock has dropped off with the draft approaching.
Shadeur Sanders did not participate at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He was there, but he did not throw the football or take part in any athletic testing. He focused on meetings with NFL teams. Last season Sanders had 4,134 passing yards with 37 touchdown passes and only 10 interceptions. The University of Colorado made it to the Alamo Bowl. In two seasons as a Buffalo, Sanders was 13-13 as a starter. His first two seasons Sanders played at Jackson State, a smaller school where he went 23-3 as a starter in hus first two years. In College Football overall, he has a 36-15 record behind center as a starter. In the Alamo Bowl he had some cleats designed with the Giants logo and colors. The Giants have had more than one time when they had their staff scouting Sanders. It sounds like a perfect marriage between the Giants and Sanders. The Giants must have Sanders’ pops approval as being one of the teams his son can play for. Neon Deon has a list of team he will not want his son to play for. You know that Prime Time wants his son to be picked in the top 5 or at least the top 10 for the best money. Brian Daboll had Daniel Jones playing better when he arrived taking the Giants job as his first head coaching gig. Jones went back to his old habits very quickly in his second year with Daboll. When Daboll was offensive coordinator in Buffalo, he did great things with the talented Josh Allen as QB. Not sure Sanders will be that guy. That quarterback. The Giants have some talented receivers for a young guy like Sanders. Does Prime Time get involved in his son’s career choices? That could spoil this pick. Plus Daboll and his staff and the GM are right now dead men walking. If they do draft Sanders, then he may have another Head Coach and different offensive scheme in year two. Not sure I like my young QB being around a loser like Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. New York is no Colorado Mountain High either. The Big Apple can eat players alive as the worm turns. Just reading about what some of the football experts are saying, there may be other QB’s that are worth a try than paying Sanders kid the big money. If I was the Giants, I would take the Edge Rusher from Penn State or the two way star from Colorado. Roll the dice that your franchise will be here again with a top pick in 2026 and hope it’s a better crop of QB’s for the taking.
We have a new team perched high above our weekly power rankings edition of the UFL. This will be the third week we have a new team sitting on top of the power rankings mountain. In week three we have all kinds of movement in our power rankings. Houston finds a way to dig themselves out of the bottom of the heap without winning a game. Who’s worse than Houston? Stallions are back in the saddle again.
Has Luis Perez’s book hit the best sellers list yet? Does this league even have a solid quarterback? Let’s see if we can answer these questions when we roll out the 3rd week of the 2025 UFL power rankings. Go!
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (0-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 2 spots from last week
The Brahmas are the only team that has not won a game after two weeks into the season. This is not the same Wade Phillips team that made post-season last year and went on the road to St. Louis to upset the Battle Hawks to get to the first UFL title game. The Brahmas are playing like Lamas as they are the only team in the XFL conference without a win. All three of their division rivals have not lost a game yet. The Brahmas have settled for 9 points per game in two contests. They have given up the most points so far on defense after two weeks. Both weeks, the Brahmas defense let their opponents have the high score of the week. The Brahmas defense was the staple of this Wade Phillips team. Last year they did better with Chase Garbers as their quarterback, a guy who quit on this team in the title game, than Kellen Mond. Mond has been sacked six times in two games and has thrown one interception. He has completed 30 passes out of 58 throws for 288 passing yards. The Brahmas have two solid backs, but teams are zeroing on their strength, taking their running game away, and forcing Mond to beat them with his arm or legs. Former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Antony Macfarland does lead the UFL with the most all-purpose yards after two weeks. He is the only sign of a heartbeat with this Brahmas cattle on offense.
You know what they do to cattle that can’t play anymore. Right between the eyes.
#8. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (0-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up 1 spot from last week.
In week one, Houston was blown out by the Battle Hawks. In week 2 the Roughnecks held the top scoring team from week 1, the Arlington Renegades, to 11 points. When the Roughnecks offense only mustered up 9 points, you’re going to lose most football games. It was an ugly game in week 2 with Houston and Arlington but a very close game. Anthony Brown was tackled short of a two point conversion trying to stretch the ball over the goal line.
His knee touched the ground before he stretched the ball over the goal line as the score remained 11-9. The Renegades stop the Roughnecks’ attempt of the 4th and 12 on side play and iced the game. The Roughnecks scored 3 points more in week 2 than they did in week one as they have tallied up 15 points in two games so far. Bright side, Brown threw his first UFL touchdown of his career. The Roughnecks defense is solid. They have guys like Leon O’neal Jr., Markel Roby, and Xavier Benson that can make plays on the defensive side of the ball. They have one of the best front seven on defense in the entire league. Only if they can score more than single digits in a game, they may put a W in the standings.
#6. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up 1 spot from last week
The Memphis Showboats definitely were up for some motor-boating in week two as they gave the Defenders a battle to the end which ended up in their second loss of the season. The return of Ken Whisenhunt had to give this team a lift mentally as he missed week one due to personal reasons. The Showboats had the lead over the Defenders 12-9 with 11:47 left in the game. The Showboats took the lead with an EJ Perry run, a 16 yard score from the Memphis quarterback. He threw for 205 passing yards but had one interception in the game. The Showboats matched their total from week one with another 12 point game. The Showboats were driving at the end of the game after the Defenders took the lead on them in the 4th. The drive stopped, but they went for the field goal try in hopes of converting the onside play after the kick. The kick was blocked and Memphis came away with another loss but a game they showed some nice things on both offense and defense.
On defense the Showboats have Steele Chambers, former Ohio State Buckeye, who leads the UFL in tackles after two weeks with 20. He actually led each week so far with ten tackles in both week 1 and 2.
#5. DC DEFENDERS (2-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Same spot from last week
The head coach of the DC Defenders, Reggie Barlow, bolted the UFL for a college head coaching job at Tennessee State University. No worries the new guy promoted to being the new head coach of the Defenders is Shannon Harris who has DC at 2-0 to start the season. Now the Defenders lost their defensive coordinator this week to Tennessee State University. Mr. Bounty Gate, Gregg Williams, follows Barlow out of town to become his new defensive coordinator for Tennessee State.
We are all confused as Barlow has his hand up Williams’ rear end is my educated guess. Williams leaves the DC defensive coordinator job to his son Blake, who has coached college football and has coached in the NFL. Meanwhile the Defenders must have a lucky horseshoe as a team up their rear. They managed to barely beat the Showboats to collect their 2nd victory of the year. Devonnsha Maxwell blocked a key field goal towards the end of the game to keep the Showboats from attempting a comeback. Jordan Ta’amu was intercepted during the game by the Showboats defender who did not get both feet in bounds. The Defenders were able to cash in on that break with a field goal. Then Isiah Hennie muffed a punt for the Showboats at the end of the first half. The Defenders drove down the field as the drive stalled. They still cash in with a field goal. Three plays that are worth 9 points total and could have easily changed the tide of the outcome. The Defenders offense is averaging under 20 points per game so far this season. Their average 17.5 points exactly per contest. They looked good in week one getting by the Stallions. It has been the Defenders defense that has carried this team and they hosted both games. I’m not buying what this Defenders team is selling right now. The losses will start to pile up.
#4. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week
When it comes to the Michigan Panthers playing the Birmingham Stallions, it reminds me of the Buffalo Bills trying to hurdle their problem with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Panthers were knocked out of post-season play by the Panthers last year. The Panthers start off the season with victory. The Stallions get knocked off in week 1 on the road by the Defenders. The Panthers hosting the Stallions. Another road game for Birmingham. It looks good for Michigan. The Panthers even knocked out the Stallions’ former MVP quarterback right in the beginning of the game. He left the game with a shoulder injury and did not return. The Panthers played the Stallions tough, but Skip Holtz inserts the back up Matt Corral and gets the same results. The Panthers even picked off Corral twice in this game with one of them coming from DJ Miller. Bryce Perkins is the better option for the Panthers than Danny Etling. Who head coach Mike Nolan is wasting time putting him in a few times every game. Perkins is not the best QB in the league as he completed 12-23 passes for only 132 passing yards. He did hit Marcus Simms for a touchdown. He threw one interception and only completed 50% of his throws as he has to get better if they want to hurdle the Stallions. The Panthers even hit on a 3 point conversion. It was a game where both teams settled for field goals.
The Nacua brothers who are both on the Panthers are making an impact this season for Michigan. Kai Nacua plays on the Panthers defense as a safety and he had 8 tackles vs the Stallions. Then Samson Nacua plays on the Panthers offense & he had a catch for 23 yards. Both Nacua brothers are related to LA Rams stud wide receiver Puka. The Nacua brothers with that special Panthers defense, and they need Perkins to play better if they want to slay their demons in Stallions. They will have another regular season game with the Stallions. With the Showboats and Roughnecks in the same division, the Panthers will meet the Stallions once again in the post-season.
#3. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (1-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week
The Stallions quickly rebounded from their opening week loss to the DC Defenders. Can Stallions head coach Skip Holtz strike gold again at the quarterback position? Matt Corral filled in for the injured Alex McGough who left the game with a shoulder injury. Not sure how long McGough will be out as he seems kind of rusty not playing QB last year as the Packers tried to turn him into a wide receiver. Corral looked great, a strike to Deon Cain to seal the deal for the Stallions’ first victory. Corral had two interceptions and at times looks clueless on the field. The Stallions’ first championship it was J’Mar Smith who got it done behind center. The second was Alex McGough. Last year Adrian Martinez was awesome. In two games, the Stallions have made multiple mistakes with turnovers and penalties. The Stallions defense is one of the top units in the league with multiple guys you have to talk about. Last week we talked about Tae Crowder, so this week we will talk about the heart and soul of that Stallions defense.
Kyahva Tezino is a former Pittsburgh Mauler, which was my favorite spring team of all-time. Tezino had 9 tackles versus the Panthers which 5 were solo jobs. The Stallions will need this defense to carry this team maybe for the first half of the season, so Skip could figure out the QB situation. The Stallions also have Case Cookus who played for the Showboats last year. He had some solid seasons at quarterback for the Philadelphia Stars back in the USFL as well.
#2.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (2-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 1 spot from last week
I have the Arlington Renegades dropping one spot after the Houston Roughnecks took them to the distance in week two. In week 1 the Renegades scored the most points with 33. In week 2 the Renegades win the game and only score 11 to do that. The Roughnecks were close to tying this game late. If the Roughnecks would have pulled this off, it would have been Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson.
Luis Perez’s book sales may drop if the Renegades offense suddenly goes dormant for multiple weeks. Perez after two weeks leads the UFL in passing yards with 375. The running game that came alive in week one for the Renegades was contained by the Roughnecks defense and ground to a halt. Bob Stoops has that Renegades defense playing solid ball. They go after the quarterback and create turnovers. Perez will have plenty of big games. Having that defense playing lights out only giving 18 points after two games, will help this Renegades team make it to post-season.
I like the Renegades bringing back their bandit style cowboy logo and putting it back on their helmets. It beats just the letter R.
#1. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (2-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot to the number 1 position in the power rankings
Yes, the team with the biggest fan base, the St. Louis Battle Hawks, are now perched on top of the UFL power rankings. The Battle Hawks got their revenge on the Brahmas who found a way to win in St.Louis in the post-season.
The Battlehawks during regular season last year at home with the most fans in the league went undefeated in regular season. Last week they destroyed the Brahmas in front of a very nice turn out in their home opener. The Battlehawks have scored the most points in the first two weeks of play with 57. The Battlehawks defense has only allowed 15 points so far. No opponent has scored in double digits on this Battlehawks defense.
The Battlehawks defense racked up 4 sacks and linebacker Pita Taumoepenu had one of them. Pita is like a bread truck coming at the opposing QB’s this season as he has 3 sacks already on the books. On offense Manny Wilkins is looking like one of the top QB’s in the entire UFL. With the help of Jacob Saylors, the job becomes a tad easier as his running back had three rushing touchdowns last Sunday night. The Battlehawks are Beyond the Thunderdome as the Battledome since the XFL days are now 11-2 at home in Arch Town. Right now the Battlehawks are playing by far the best in the league as they stand by themselves. The worst team is San Antonio. Then the rest of the league is clumped together.
How many people are really that excited by Alex Ovechkin making NHL history with his 895th goal that breaks the Great One’s record? The Great One is Wayne Gretzky, probably the best hockey player of all-time some would say. Gretzky became the all-time NHL goals leader back in 1994 when he passed the great Gordie Howe who had 801 NHL goals in his career. Gretzky would hang up the skates lighting the lamp 894 times in his NHL career. The Great One held the record for 31 years and 14 days until Sunday when Alex Ovechkin AKA the Russian Machine made history. He’s also known as the Great 8 or in some circles goes by The Mechanic. Ovechkin hits a laser blast past the New York Islanders goalie for a power play goal and it becomes the record setter. Ovechkin hails from Moscow as Russia is his mother country and has had pictures taken with their dictator Vladimir Putin. The dick head Putin sent out his congratulations to Alex as Russia was successful at least at taking over a record unlike the country of Ukraine. Ovechkin plays for the Washington Capitals which is now Donald Trump country. The Great One had personality as a player your own kid can get behind. While Ovechkin looks like a guy after a hockey game who takes on a job to make a hit on somebody for the KGB. Maybe that’s why they nicknamed him The Mechanic.
It definitely was a surreal moment on Sunday after the goalie, Alex Ovechkin, did his own slip and slide version on the ice. Instead of that yellow plastic sprinkler laid out on the grass for kids to play on during hot summer days. The NHL and the game of hockey have always been a classy sport in sportsmanship. After a playoff series that could go the distance and turn most of your guys black and blue from the grinding punishment by each team, they always shake hands when that playoff round concludes. The Capitals face the Islanders and all the New York players shook Ovechkin’s hand. The New York crowd on hand witnessed NHL history & got to their feet to give the superstar a loud round of applause out of respect for the accomplishment on the ice. Ovechkin scored the goal off his fellow countryman in the Islanders net, Ilya Sorokin, who he joked about in a good way. The assists on the goal came from two of the Great 8’s longtime teammates, Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome. The goal occurred in the 2nd period as the game had a special stoppage as Wayne Gretzky was on hand to congratulate Ovechkin on breaking his record and did so with class. Gretzky remembered Gordie Howe being there at the stadium when he broke his record back in 1994. Ovechkin also mentioned his former teammates. Even the ones who could not play that game due to being injured. He said all the right things and had his family around him celebrating the NHL milestone with him. It’s a record he should be able to hold, like Gretzky did for a long long time.
It took Alex Ovechkin 61 games as he scored his 42nd goal of the season to break the Great One’s record at the age of 39. You have to respect anyone playing a professional sport in their late 30’s and has those kinds of results. It’s a contact sport as well which takes a lot of wear and tear each grinding season you play. He was not like some old veteran past his prime who should have been put out to pasture just hanging on to break some kind of iconic record. Ovechkin will be a for-sure first round ballot Hall of Famer as now he has the record of 895 goals as he dished out 724 career assists for a total of 1,619 points. He will get past 900 goals but 1,000 may be out of his reach at this age. He has played 20 seasons in the NHL all with the Capitals which is unheard of in sports playing your entire career with the same team. Even Wayne Gretzky played with more than one team as he played for the Edmonton Oilers and LA Kings. It was great for Capital fans seeing their guy break that NHL record wearing the Washington sweater. Ovechkin showed he was a class act guy not wanting to break this special milestone with a empty net shot as he had the other night before the Sunday game versus the Islanders. Now the Capitals as a team have gotten past this hurdle of this special record their teammate broke. They can gear up for the NHL post-season. As a team, the Capitals have played well all season as they are in first place in the Metropolitan division with a 49-19-9 record. Ovechkin helped the Capitals win their first and only Stanley Cup a few years back. This Capitals team has a great shot at winning it all this season. The Great One won a total of 4 cups in his legendary career. When you compare the basketball careers of Michael Jordan and Lebron James, what’s the best way to win that argument? Jordan won six titles and never lost in a championship game. King James could have all the stats but Jordan is the GOAT in the NBA.
When we think of Russia as a country, their land grab in Ukraine is a conflict that has gone on long enough. This war has affected their athletes as the Russian country has been banned from the Olympics and many international sports competitions around the globe. During the early 1980’s, we thought their Olympic hockey team was invincible.
When that underdog hockey team, the U.S.A, pulled off the miracle win against that Red Army Russian team in those 1980 Olympics, it was special. We as a country have been through the Cold War with the USSR. We have had peace with them for many years as well. I don’t want to sound like Rocky Balboa after Rocky 4 in his peace speech after the Italian Stallion defeated the Russian boxer Ivan Drago. Most people in the world have nothing to with the people that work our governments. Even though technically we get a say via a vote. I’m sure Alex Ovechkin puts his pants and skates on one leg at a time. I’m sure most Russian citizens like to sit down at their local pub and have a drink just like the rest of the world. Great food and drink along with some great sports competitions is what the world should be about. How many Capitals fans have waited a long time to see that franchise win a cup? Ovechkin helped deliver that. Maybe you can throw him a new nickname like “The Capital Machine.” Right now he wears number 8 and the Great 8 seems to be the perfect name for a guy that just broke a NHL record that is one of the hardest to break in sports. It’s a great moment for whichever race, color, creed, country etc etc. I saw this record broken twice in my lifetime and many may never see this again for very long time. Talking about a different generation a long time from now. You have to have longevity and prepare your body & mindset to stand the grueling game for 20 seasons or more, along with having the talent to do that. Impressive!!
In week two of the young 2025 spring football season, we already have a new number one perch high and above the season power rankings. Is it time to take the Stallions to the glue factory as they were snake bitten in DC? Some musical chairs in the top 5 spots of the power rankings going into week two. I think the teams that live under the stairs will be there for most of the season. Okay, let’s unveil week two power rankings in the UFL starting with the bad all the way to the top of the food chain. It could be the Battlehawks or Bob freaking Stoops. Enjoy!!!
#8. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (0-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK
Last week pointed out one of the major problems head coach Curtis Johnson and this Roughnecks team have – the quarterback and their offense. In the first Friday game in the UFL history, Houston was blown out of the waters at home by St. Louis. The Roughnecks were down 31-0 by the time they were moseying on in the end zone. Houston you have a problem at the QB position. The new guy, Anthony Brown, did not give this non-existent fan base any hope by completing 5-11 passing for a whopping 21 yards. It was the back up QB, Nolan Henderson, who connected with Houston’s only threat, Justin Hall, for the only score of the day. Nolan Henderson did okay and may not be the answer for the Roughnecks as they had this scoring drive in garbage time.
The Battlehawks defense did knock Nolan around, but he showed he may be the better option than Brown. Justin Hall seems the only threat on the Roughnecks these days. Hall scored the only touchdown for Houston. Hall has been in Houston when this team was called the Gamblers in the USFL reboot.
Maybe this Houston franchise should go back to their original name, the Gamblers. In 2022 & ’23, the Gamblers on the jersey went 8-12 in 2 seasons in the USFL. Since adopting the Roughnecks, this Houston squad is now 1-10.
#7. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Same spot from last week
The Memphis Showboats are sort of in the same boat as the Roughnecks. They too have a solid play maker, named Jonathan Adams, who tallied up 93 receiving yards with one touchdown. The Showboats have two quarterbacks right now dueling it out to be the man behind center for the season. Both quarterbacks have spring football experience. Troy Williams, who is a former Pittsburgh Mauler, played for Memphis last year. He completed 8-11 passes for 104 passing yards but threw an interception. Then EJ Perry who completed 10-17 passes with an interception. Perry has experience playing for the Michigan Panthers. Adams has to take on extra credit to give these guys a bigger window so they can get him the ball. The Showboats scored 12 points & that doubled the total of what Houston scored. The Showboats’ new interim head coach Jim Wilson was thrown into action when Ken Whisenhunt had to leave the team for personal reasons only a week away from the first game. The Showboats were okay under Wilson as they opened up at home and lost to a solid team in the Michigan Panthers. The Showboats fan base have their own personal club like the Bills Mafia as they name themselves the Yacht club.
I love it, but where was the Yacht club in the home opener for Memphis? Was the entire fan base out on the water on a three hour tour and then became shipwrecked on some island. That leads up to the million dollar question: Ginger or Mary Ann?
#6. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (0-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 2 spots from last week
I was not impressed with Wade Phillips’ team in week 1. The Brahmas defense gave up the most points in the first week to the Renegades. The Brahmas defense was a big part of what brought this team to the championship game last year. It seems like their defense lost some of its juice they had in their attack style. On offense, same ole story about having a quarterback that is developed. Kellen Mond made his first spring start and he completed 17-31 passes for 159 passing yards. He did not throw any interceptions but was sacked twice and completed the majority of his passes which were short not down field. It was the Brahmas rushing attack that is still solid as John Lovett and Anthony McFarland combined for 105 yards on the ground. It took the Brahmas until the 4th quarter to find the end zone. The best thing for the Brahmas was their kicker made his first field goal since high school ball.
Donald De La Haye aka Deestroying it, got the Brahmas on the board with a 39 yard field goal. De La Haye was on the Brahmas last year but did not attempt a field goal as he was injured in week 2 and done for the season. De La Hoye leads the league in followers on YouTube . In college the NCAA came down on him about his videos at Central Florida University where he quit playing college football to keep doing his thing on social media. De La Haye’s second field goal attempt did not look very promising as it was a longer attempt but sailed far away from the goal post.
#5. DC DEFENDERS (1-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
Can a beer snake swallow a Stallion? It was the Defenders defense that swallowed Stallions QB Alex McGough 8 times in eight sacks on the former USFL MVP. It was an impressive victory for the Stallions and the new head coach Shannon Harris who just got the job a week before the season started when Reggie Barlow bolted to Tennessee State for the head coaching job there.
It was Anthony Hines III who put on a clinic on defense for the Defenders. He had 6 tackles with 2 sacks and fumble recovery. The Defenders have a QB that has plenty of experience in the spring football league as Jordan Ta’amu had another solid game behind center. He completed 17-37 passes for 211 passing yards & one TD pass, along with 1 interception. The Defenders only put up 18 points which was enough to give the champs their first loss of the season. The Defenders crowd looks like something out of the Big Bang Theory or some Dungeons and Dragons club that meets there to drink plenty of beer to feed the snake. I only moved the Defenders up one spot because I need to see more. Was this victory just a lucky win by them or will they be contenders? Last year this team were pretenders.
#4.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (0-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 3 spots from last week.
The Stallions have fallen off their perch on the spring football mountain as they tumble in DC in week 1. The Stallions are the only winnless team I have in the top 4 of the power rankings because they are Birmingham and let’s not forget they have won three straight titles. The Stallions did suffer a loss last year. This Stallions team is still stacked with talent. Having Alex McGough back behind center everyone thought Birmingham would be unstoppable. The Defenders exploited something on the Stallions offensive line and sacked the former MVP 8 times. The Stallions defense only gave up 18 points which is a good thing to take from this loss. Tae Crowder had a big game for the Stallions on the defensive side of the ball.
He had 11 tackles and defended one pass. Do you think Tae is related to the Crowders in Kentucky?
I know Skip Holtz will have the Stallions back on track by week two. I think the Defenders will show their true colors next week as the team we thought they were.
#3. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1-0)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week
Even though the Panthers did win last week, to me they dropped one spot because of their dueling banjos at the QB position that do not impress me. The Panthers defense is tops in the league. They can run the ball with the best of them in the league. They have a top playmaker at the wide receiver position in Marcus Simms.
The final piece to this Panthers team puzzle is the quarterback position which does not fit. The Panthers banjos have no strings and I’m not sure if you combined Bryce Perkins and Danny Etling into one Quarterback that you would have a top passer in the UFL. The Panthers should just stick with Perkins because he can run with the ball and can escape the pocket. One of these guys just needs to be the game manager and not screw up on game day. That defense will keep them in every game. Imagine if the Panthers had a top passer, they would be a championship team.
#2. ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (1-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
I guess if you are a Battlehawks fan you can say AJ who? Referring to AJ McCarron one of the top QB’s in the UFL last year as St. Louis moved on in a different direction. Maybe the Panthers should give McCarron a call. Just saying.
The Battlehawks wanted a mobile quarterback and that is where Manny Wilkens comes in. He razzled and dazzled the Roughnecks defense with his legs and arm. Wilkens threw for 189 passing yards with no interceptions. He also ran for two touchdowns on 43 rushing yards. The Battlehawks rushing attack is something to keep an eye out for. They set a new UFL record with 273 rushing yards of which 74 of them came from a Jarveon Howard who had 115 for the night. Then St. Louis star running back had 98 rushing yards. The Battlehawks defense only gave up 6 points.
#1.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (1-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up 4 spots from last week
The Renegades made the biggest jump in the power rankings moving up 4 spots and taking the number one spot.
Did you buy the King of the Spring fling’s new book? Luis Perez learned the QB position from watching YouTube videos. He has bowled more than one perfect game. He has helped the Renegades win an XFL title & now he is a published author. Perez was not the star of the Renegades in week one as he quietly completed 20-25 passes for 164 passing yards. The Renegades put the most points on the board in week 1. They did their damage with the running game and the Renegades defense was awesome.
Kalen Ballage galloped for a 77 yard run for a score. He led the Renegades rushing attack with 9 carries for 110 yards. The Renegades’ other running back De’Veon Smith who has been playing for Arlington for years, had 3 carries for 3 yards and 3 touchdowns. I think the Renegades had all 3 phases of their game playing at top level. They can run the ball. They have a solid defense. Most importantly they have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The weakness in the UFL is the play at the quarterback position.
The Wild shamrock 