XFL 2003 Roster UpdateFebruary 3, 2003
The 3rd XFL season is a mere two weeks away, and organizations have completely wrapped up their training camps along with their two preseason games and are now as prepared as they can be for the regular season. With the league having fixed salary contracts, and all player contracts being with the league itself, there isn't as much intraleague player movement as other leagues but XFL Founder Vince McMahon believes that's a good thing. "In our league, fans can buy a player's uniforms and be comfortable that he will still be there a few years down the road." Most of the XFL player movements come from the signing of players from other leagues, and speaking of those type of players, Ryan Leaf and Eric Zeier all signed with the CFL despite the XFL doing their best to bring him into the fold.
2002 Recap -
2003 Dallas Desperados - HC Jerry Glanville, OC Danny White, DC Steve Carson, GM Drew Pearson, QBs Clint Stoerner, Pat Barnes and Stoney Case, RBs Carlos King, Jamie Reader, Terry Battle and Juan Johnson, WRs Jimmy Cunningham, James Hundon, Damian Vaughn, Will Pettis, Bobby Sippio, Jason Shelley and Brian Roberson, TEs Brian Roche and Joe Kavanaugh, OL Scott Scifres, Bernard Holsey, Calvin Collins, Seth Dittman, Jimmy Herndon, Frank Romero, Jamain Stephens and Jeff Buckey, DL Emile Palmer, Mike Sutton, Albrey Battle, Shante Carver, Eric England, Ja'Mar Toombs, Dwayne Missouri and Jermaine Miles, LBs Otis Floyd, DeShone Myles, Marcus Wilkins, Antonio Wilson and Darren Hambrick, DBs Wendell Davis, Jermaine Jones, Dan Dawson, Kareem Larrimore, Dwayne Harper, Michael Booker, Terrance Joseph and Greg Williams, K Scott Bentley and P Mike Panasuk
2003 Preview - Dallas will certainly stay run & shoot on offense with the addition of offensive coordinator Danny White, but can they get over the hump in the playoffs? The focus in the offseason was the defense and that may help. DL Sutton and Missouri will huge additions up front with Carver, England and Miles already there, while the addition of Hambrick should shore up the LBs corps that should complete a defense with two of the better corners in the league in Davis and Larrimore.
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2003 Los Angeles Stars - HC Al Luginbill, OC Wes Chandler, DC Bob Valesente, GM John Elway, QBs Scott Milanovich, Dameyune Craig and Cade McNown, RBs Ken Oxendine, Frank Leatherwood, Rashaan Shehee and Keala Keanaaina, WRs Darnell McDonald, Jeremaine Copeland, Todd Doxzon, Atnaf Harris, Latario Rachal, Damon Gibson and Rashied Davis, TEs Tremayne Allen, Mike Roberg and Josh Wilcox, OL Donta Kendrick, Chad Overhauser, Bruce Beaton, Kris Farris, Scott Whittaker, Bobby Singh, Ben Lynch, Jose Portilla, Nate Miller and Chris Brymer, DL Ramondo Stallings, Curtis Eason, Damonte McKenzie, Eric Johnson, Daved Benefield, Matt Keneley and Chad Pegues, LBs Steve Russ, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Sekou Sanyika, Ryan Nece, Jamir Miller, Rico Mack, Juan Long and Shawn Stuckey, DBs Clifton Abraham, Reggie Durden, Leomont Evans, Than Merrill, Dell McGee, Todd McMillon, Donnell Day and Terry Billups, K Clay Rush and P Andrew Bayes
2003 Preview - The back to back XFL champs return both McDonald and Copeland so it may not matter who is under center, but will it be McNown or Milanovich? Milanovich was suppose to be the guy for both of the last two seasons but got surpassed on the depth chart both years. Is he destined to be a career backup or is this his year? Oxendine and Shehee enjoy running in against defenses scared of the pass and are good at it. The defense isn't dominant but the secondary limit big plays often enough that their offense can outscore people.
2002 Recap -
Las Vegas Outlaws - HC Jim Criner, OC Joe Paopao, DC Mark Criner, GM Bob Ackles, QBs Mark Grieb, Giovanni Carmazzi and Ryan Clement, RBs Lawrence Phillips, Marlion Jackson, Ben Snell and Chrys Chukwuma, WRs Marcus Nash, Tamarick Vanover, Steve Papin, Eric Guliford, Scott McCready, JJ Moses and Nakia Jenkins, TEs Rickey Brady, Werne Hippler and Keith Jennings, OL Tony Berti, Jon Blackman, Josh Lovelady, Doug Kaufasi, Tony Wragge, Kevin Barry, Pita Elisari, Mark Nori and Lonnie Palelei, DL Antonio Edwards, Kelvin Kinney, Stacy Evans, Dorain Boose, Michael Mason, Carl Simpson and Angel Rubio, LBs Joe Tuipala, Ryan Phillips, Masafumi Kawaguchi, Rob Fredrickson, Mike Crawford and Toran James, DBs Jamel Williams, Vernon Cox, Hurley Tarver, Deke Cooper, Wade Davis, Brandon Sanders and Chris Bayne, K Mike Black and P Marcus Williams
2003 Preview - When you look at this roster and their results, something doesn't add up and that doesn't bode well for Head Coach Jim Criner if things don't change this season. Owner Gavin Maloof isn't afraid to make changes. The defense is stacked at all three levels, the offensive line and receivers are above average, and RB Lawrence Phillips may be the most talented RB in the league. But the QBs are topsy-turvy and have been injury and mistake prone their first two seasons. If one of them can just protect the football this team can take a step forward, but if not, Criner is likely leaving Vegas.
2002 Recap -
2003 Minneapolis Wild - HC Wayne Fontes, OC Jim Skipper, DC David Catapano, GM Stever Ortmayer, QBs Jim Druckenmiller, Tim Hasselbeck and Craig Whelihan, RBs Rashaan Salaam, Roosevelt Potts, Ketric Sanford and Rafael Cooper, WRs Kevin Prentiss, Jeff Ogden, Kelly Campbell, Brian Alford, Willis Marshall, Sean Morey and Damien Dodson, TE AJ Ofodile, Ben Steele and Jay Tant, OL Harry Boatswain, Jesse James, Evan Pilgram, Glenn Rountree, Thomas Guynes, Rod Jones, Brendan Stai, Mike Sheldon and Tim Seymour, DL Antonio Anderson, Christian Peter, Jared Tomich, Tramont Lawless, Ron Warner, Lamanzer Williams, Daniel Benetka and Leonta Rheams, LBs Richard Hogans, Cornell Menafee, Tarek Saleh, Jamie Burrow, Patrick Sapp and Caspor Stiles, DBs Corey Sawyer, Jack Brewer, Tyrone Bell, Bret Cooper, Reggie Hunt, Kevin Cobb and Walter Bernard, K Ola Kimrin and P Brent Bartholomew
2003 Preview - We have a hard time figuring out the Wild. Coach Fontes continues to focus his attention on the defense, but it may be the offense that will determine the future of the Wild. We are not sure Jim Druckenmiller has what it takes to be healthy enough to stay on the field, let alone consistently win games in this league. However, the Wild failed to bring in another signal caller for the second straight offseason. This could be a year in which the Wild struggle to stay in games, even if the defense is able to overcome the lost of LB Paris Lenon, the league's Defensive MVP to the NFL's Green Bay Packers.
2002 Recap -
San Antonio Commanders - HC Mike Riley, OC Paul Chryst, DC Bill Bradley, GM John Peterson, QBs Michael Bishop, Kevin Daft and Glenn Foley, RBs Aaron Stecker, Ontiwaun Carter, Jesse Haynes and Troy Davis, WRs Thabiti Davis, Justin Swift, Marco Martos, Darrin Chiaverini, Calvin Shexnayder, Ahmad Merritt and LC Stevens, TEs Johnny Huggins, Luther Broughton and Rodrick Monroe, OL Rome Douglas, John Feugill, Steve Herndon, Derek West, Chris Watton, Octavious Bishop, Wilbert Brown, Reggie Nelson and Corey Hulsey, DL Derrick Ham, Jomo Cousins, David Hoelscher, Chartric Darby, Rameel Connor, Corey Callens, Dwight Johnson and Leif Larsen, LBs Corey Atkins, Jashon Sykes, Allen Aldridge, Muadianvita Kazadi, Gary Stills and Kelvin Moses, DBs Duane Hawthorne, Bashir Levingston, DeAuntae Brown, Lloyd Harrison, Reggie Austin and Anthony Malbrough, K Jesus Angoy and P Steve McLaughlin
2003 Preview - Coach Riley brought excitement to San Antonio by reviving the spirit of aggressive defense and big play offense with the most dynamic QB in the league. Adding solid depth by signing Troy Davis and Darrin Chiaverini could make the Commanders’ offense just as dangerous despite the loss of WR Dante Hall to the Kansas City Chiefs. The defense may still be a step behind the offense, but may just be good enough to turn a 35-31 shootout into a 35-21 blowout.
2002 Recap -
2003 Seattle Sea Devils - HC Rick Neuheisel, OC Kerwin Bell, DC Dennis Thurman, GM Eric Tillman, QBs Akili Smith, Corte McGuffey and Todd Husak, RBs Ken Simonton, Jamal Robertson, Joey Dozier and Shyrone Stith, WRs Dane Looker, Onome Ojo, Dameane Douglas, Vinny Sutherland, Ron Dixon and Cedric James, TEs Darnell Dinkins and Jeremy Brigham, OL Jonathan Himebach, Aaron Hamilton, Pete Pierson, Josh Warner, Jose White, Chris Smith, Broderick Lancaster and Alcender Jackson, DL DeVone Claybrooks, Mike Ulufale, Cecil Caldwell, Moses Harper, Terrell Jurineack, Cleveland Pinkney and Terdell Sands, LBs Hakim Akbar, Keith Adams, Brad Kassell, Antico Dalton and Jonathan Jackson, DBs Clinton Hart, Chris Hudson, Delphfine Lee, Tim Carter, Chad Cota, Ahmad Hawkins and Earthwind Moreland, P Dirk Johnson and K Hayden Epstein
2003 Preview - Coach Rick Neuheisel, the former UCLA QB and University of Washington Head Coach stays close to home with the Sea Devils. Neuheisel will have to bring attention to detail to his squad, as they do not appear to have the talent level of many other clubs in the league. The former QB, Neuheisel decided to jump on a big name QB that was available, Akili Smith as his starter, though the buzz in camp has been inconsistency. Akili was very mistake prone with the Cincinnati Bengals so the Sea Devils may have to lean on the backfield combination of Simonton and Robertson, who were both fantastic in NFL Europe. The defense is going to give up a lot of points.
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2003 New York Guardians - HC Rusty Tillman, OC Joe Lombardi, DC Jim Tomsula, GM Steve Ehrhart, QBs Danny Kanell, Moses Moreno, and Wally Richardson, RBs Dino Philyaw, Robert Edwards, Joel Makovicka and Joe Aska, WRs Yatil Green, Craig Yeast, Kirby Dar-Dar, Zola Davis, RJ English, Will Blackwell and Anthony DiCosmo, TEs Ryan Collins, Terry Hardy and Marcus Hinton, OL Michael Thompson, Roger Chanoine, Kaulana Noa, Harvey Goins, Tre Johnson, Curtis McGee, Juan Porter, Troy Stark and David Camacho, DL Dwayne Sabb, Delbert Cowsette, Israel Raybon, Christian Maumalanga, Tom Barndt, James Cotton and Henry Slay, LBs Vernon Crawford, Tyrell Peters, Haven Fields, Lee Woodall, Ben Hanks, Khari Samuel and Ron Merkerson, DBs Damen Wheeler, Tawambi Settles, Butler B'ynote, Calvin Branch, Cecil Doggette, Joey Eloms, Mark Tate and Tyree Talton, P Filip Filipovic and K John Markham
2003 Preview - The former Enforcers' Head Coach Rusty Tillman inherits a team that has been sliding in the wrong direction since the beginning of the league. His first order of business has to be finding QB consistency. He first signed Tim Hasselbeck, and many thought it would be Hasselbeck v. Richardson for the starting job, but reports are suggesting Moreno may be the guy after-all. Tillman is known as a no-nonsense coach with a creative mind, so expect tough play from the Guardians, maybe a few gadget plays and more importantly some closer games.
2002 Recap -
2003 Orlando Rage - HC Jay Gruden, OC Jeff Brohm, DC Pete Kuharchek, GM Tom Veit, QBs Joe Hamilton, Randy Fasani and Brian Kuklick, RBs Michael Black, Herbert Goodman, Derrick Clark and Brian Shay, WRs Mario Bailey, Dialleo Burks, Todd Floyd, Travis McGriff, Atrews Bell, Shannon Culver and Tony Gaiter, and TEs Lawrence Hart, Nate Jackson and Terrance Huston, OL Jeremy Akers, Garin Patrick, Sean Love, Dan Collins, Cal Dixon, Jason Gamble, Waverly Jackson, Damion Cook, Cheston Blackshear and Kelvin Ingram, DL Randy Chevrier, Sedric Clark, Bill Duff, Jerry Johnson, Andre Purvis and James Roberson, LBs Shawn Banks, Keith Miller, Eugene McCaslin, James Burgess, Jimmy Clements and Rashad Harris, DBs Ricky Bell, Ricot Joseph, Derrick Gardner, Clevan Thomas, Tremain Mack, Tommy Henry, Corey Harris, Stephen Fisher and Marcus Ray, P Dan Macelroy and K Jay Taylor
2003 Preview - If it wasn't for the Los Angeles Stars, I think the Rage would be the premier franchise in the league and their WRs corps is also the reason why. WRs Burks, Bailey and Culver are the best trio in the league, and Hamilton is a big play waiting to happen under center. If he can find more consistency in 2003 under newly promoted Head Coach Jay Gruden, the Rage may finally surpass the Stars. The offensive line led by Gamble and Akers is perhaps the league's best, and RB Clark isn't too shabby himself. The defense is hard to run against, but the secondary has to improve.
2002 Recap -
2003 Birmingham Steel - HC Gerry DiNardo, OC Kippy Brown, DC Curley Hallman, DC Tim Berryman, QBs Spergon Wynn, Romaro Miller and Eric Kresser, RBs Curtis Alexander, Madre Hill, Deon Dyer and James Bostic, WRs Stepfret Williams, Quincy Jackson, Trevor Insley, Kevin Drake, Randy Hymes, Marcus Knight and Kaipo McGuire, TEs Ed Smith, Scott Thompson and Reggie Johnson, OL Ed King, Ozell Powell, Jarvis Borum, Anthony Cesario, Jay Hagood, Michael Lies, Jeremese Jones, Matt Hogg, Mike Edwards and Antonio Fleming, DL Quinton Reese, Charles Preston, Ernest Grant, Emarlos Leroy, Cedric Pittman, Jarrett Loggins and Reggie McGrew, LBs Trev Faulk, Keith Franklin, Lemanski Hall, Malcolm Hamilton, Jamal Brooks and James Willis, DBs Duane Butler, Calvin Jackson, Toya Jones, Lee Flowers, Rodregis Brooks, Tyrone Drakeford, Eric Sloan and Chris Shelling, P Rodney Williams and K Lawrence Tynes
2003 Preview - Coach DiNardo got the most out of his squad last season, winning the division and making it all the way to the Million Dollar Game. Can the Steel repeat that feat or will having a target on their back make life difficult in Birmingham? The addition of rookie DT Reggie McGrew to the Steel defense could help make Birmingham’s defense elite.
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2003 Memphis Express - HC Bart Andrus, OC Vince Martino, DC David Duggan, GM Michael Lang, QBs Tee Martin, Kevin Thompson and Tony Graziani, RBs Darnell Autry, Demontray Carter, Norman Miller and Sedrick Shaw, WRs Andy McCullough, Alonzo Johnson, Isaac Byrd, Milton Wynn, Jarrick Hillary, Snoop Minnis and Tony Simmons, TEs James Hill, Marlon Chambers and John Waerig, OL Dennis O'Sullivan, Joe Wong, O'Lester Pope, Oliver Ross, Brad Williams, Bernard Robertson, LeShun Daniels, Lennie Friedman and Robert Hicks, DL DeAngelo Lloyd, Stalin Colinet, Mao Tosi, Winfield Garnett, Gillis Wilson, DJ Cooper, Abdul-Salam Noah, Jon Kirksey and Jabbar Threats, LBs Donnie Spragan, Dwaine Carpenter, Canute Curtis, Marc Megna and OJ Childress, DBs Blaine McElmurry, DeShone Mallard, DeRon Jenkins, Quincy Coleman, Jahi Henley, Darwin Brown, Tim Strickland, Jon Hesse and Nick Ferguson, P Bill LaFleur and K Axel Kruse
2003 Preview - Memphis was one of the worst teams in the league last season as expected for an expansion team. They brought in some interesting prospects, not the least of which is former 2nd round pick WR Snoop Minnis, but if Head Coach Bart Andrus cannot ignite the culture of winning in the Express it could be another long season, something Andrus cannot afford. This is a team that is still a few years away from even being competitive and the fan base isn't going to be excited to hear that.
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2003 Chicago Enforcers - HC Mike Singletary, OC Peter Vaas, DC Doug Plank, GM Dick Butkus, QBs Jarious Jackson, Leon Murray and Kevin McDougal, RBs Brent Moss, LeShon Johnson and Charles Wiley, WRs Roell Preston, Antonio Chatman, Aaron Bailey, Khori Ivy, Charles Jordan, Frisman Jackson, Zechariah Lord and Luther Leverson, TEs William Tate, Rod Rutledge and Tyji Armstrong, OL Paul Janus, Jerry Wisne, Derrick Turner, Tupe Peko, Chris Perez, DeMingo Graham, Rob Murphy and Tony Ramirez, DL Larry Fitzpatrick, Nathan Davis, Grant Irons, Sterling Palmer, Colston Weatherington and Cyron Brown, LBs Jamie Baisley, Chike Egbuniwe, Jude Waddy, Carlos Timmons, Cornelius Anthony and Casey Dailey, DBs JoJuan Armour, Kory Blackwell, Chris Watson, Jordan Younger, Ligarius Jennings, Troy Saunders and Kerry Cooks, P Ignacio Brache and K Brad Palazzo
2003 Preview - New Head Coach Mike Singletary knows defense, having served on the defensive coaching staff for the Baltimore Ravens, and playing for the Chicago Bears, and he knows that Chicago will need to overhaul a defense that has simply not been up to snuff the past two years. Even with talented players the Enforcers have been anything but stalwart and, to a large degree that is why Singletary was chosen. His defensive pedigree is solid, now he gets the chance to prove it with the Enforcers. RBs Avery and Johnson will once again have to be the focal point of this team's offense. Avery wasn't pleased with how he was used last year, and a coaching change was a welcomed sight for him. He should play motivated.
2002 Recap -
2003 Columbus Ghosts - HC Earle Bruce, OC Brent Pease, DC Fred Pagac, GM Chris Spielman, QBs Joe Germaine and Scott Covington, RBs Michael Wiley, Travis Prentice, Curtis Keaton and Joe Montgomery, WRs Ken-Yon Rambo, Mike Furrey, Ron Dugans, Randy Gatewood, Danny Farmer and Avion Black, TEs Chris Eitzmann and Sean Manuel, OL Victor Leyva, Chris Janek, Dan Greer, Antwan Kirk-Hughes, Javiar Collins, Alonzo Cunningham, Lewis Kelly and Terrance Simmons, DL Matt Finkes, Jevon Langford, Tom Briggs, Jermaine Smith, Byron Frisch and Norris McCleary, LBs Brad Jackson, Jody Littleton, Julian Duncan, Josh Parry and Riall Johnson, DBs Central McClellion, Cornelius Coe, Dwayne Stukes, Steve Bellisari, Damon Moore, Derek Combs, Rashidi Barnes and Nijrell Eason, P Travis Dorsch and K Matt Bryant
2003 Preview - The former Ohio State Buckeyes' Head Coach Earle Bruce will be building a new XFL franchise from the ground up, and one with a lot of Ohio in its blood. Not only did the front office bring in former Buckeyes throughout the roster, but then signed a few former Bengals and Browns as well. It will be a home-town team, to be sure, but can Bruce build up an expansion team from the ground up? There is talent there, but depth is a huge concern, especially in the trenches on both sides of the ball.