XFL 2002 Roster UpdateFebruary 1, 2002
The 2nd XFL season is a mere three days 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. It should be a fun season ahead as the league had a lot of big names to replace across the board, and we will break it all down for you and get you just as ready for the 2002 XFL season!
2001 Recap - The Desperados showed how important it was to have two good quarterbacks. Pat Barnes did a fine job filling in for the injured Mike Pawlawski when called upon. The running game showed some life after Kelvin Anderson replaced former NFL RB Vaughn Dunbar was released. Travis Moore, James Hundon and Jimmy Cunningham complement each other nicely on the outside. The defensive secondary was strong, led by Kevin Kaesviharn, who tied for third in the league with six interceptions. That pair of matchups versus the Stars at the end of the season sent them home with a bad taste in their mouth.
2002 Dallas Desperados - HC Jerry Glanville, OC Wes Chandler, 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, Mareno Philyaw, Gary Compton, Jason Shelley and Brian Roberson, TEs Brian Roche, Joe Kavanaugh and Sean Manuel, OL Scott Scifres, Bernard Holsey, Seth Dittman, Calvin Collins, Pita Elisara and Jeff Buckey, DL Emile Palmer, Albrey Battle, Eric England, Colston Weatherington, Ernest Allen, Mike Ulufale, Shante Carver and Jermaine Miles, LBs Otis Floyd, Jon Haskins, Sam Manuel, Craig Powell and James Williams, DBs Wendell Davis, Kareem Larrimore, Dwayne Harper, Willie Gary, Terrance Joseph, Tim Carter, Greg Williams and Hassan Shamsid-Deen, K Scott Bentley and P Mike Panasuk
2002 Preview - Dallas lost QB Mike Pawlawski to retirement, RB Kelvin Anderson, WR Travis Moore and DB Kevin Kaesviharn to other leagues so they'll have some work to do if they want to get back to the championship game. The former Pittsburgh Steelers castoff King will likely be the starter in the backfield, but he will likely be a major downgrade at the position. Owner Stephen Jones brought in two Texans to compete for the starting job at QB in Stoerner and Case but both were wildly inconsistent at their last stops but Barnes isn't ready to lead this franchise yet. He still needs time to develop as a passer.
2001 Recap - The Stars' offense ran on all cylinders. Quarterback Tommy Maddox led the XFL with 2186 yards and eighteen touchdowns. Darnell McDonald and Jermaine Copeland were the best one-two wide receiver combination in the league, combining for 102 receptions for 1211 yards and thirteen touchdowns. The running attack, led by Rashaan Shehee and Saladin McCullough, underwhelmed a little bit and posed no real threat to opposing defenses. DB Terry Billups is the guiding force, while LB Brendon Ayanbadejo was all over the field for the defense. This was the most complete team in the league and it showed down the stretch.
2002 Los Angeles Stars - HC Al Luginbill, OC Jim Barker, DC Bob Valesente, GM John Elway, QBs Scott Milanovich, Todd Husak and Sherdrick Bonner, RBs Ken Oxendine, Frank Leatherwood, Chad Dukes and Rashaan Shehee, WRs Darnell McDonald, Jeremaine Copeland, Todd Doxzon, Latario Rachal, Damon Gibson and Damon Dunn, TEs Tremayne Allen, Austin Wheatley and Josh Wilcox, OL Bruce Beaton, Kris Farris, Donta Kendrick, Scott Whittaker, Dan Greer, Jonathan Himebauch, Bobby Singh, Jose Portilla, Nate Miller and Chris Brymer, DL Ramondo Stallings, Curtis Eason, Damonte McKenzie, Corey Callens, Eric Johnson, Matt Keneley and Chad Pegues, LBs Brendon Ayanbadejo, Steve Russ, Sekou Sanyika, Rico Mack, Juan Long and Shawn Stuckey, DBs Clifton Abraham, Reggie Durden, Than Merrill, Leomont Evans, Dell McGee, Donnell Day and Terry Billups, K Jason Malecki and P Andrew Bayes
2002 Preview - The defending champions are a hard team to get a read on at the moment, they brought back dynamic weapons, Copeland and McDonald but losing league MVP Tommy Maddox along with starting RB Saladin McCullough would be impossible for any team to replace. Milanovich didn't perform well in spot duty last year and Bonner has spent the last decade playing for the Arizona Rattlers in the arena league. Shehee and Oxendine will compete for carries but both served as backups to McCullough last season. There's no way around it, this team is a shell of what they were last year.
2001 Recap - The Outlaws must be more productive on offense. Neither Mark Grieb or Ryan Clement, could move the ball consistently enough against the top teams in the league. WRs Yo Murphy and Mike Furrey made plays when given the opportunity. RB Rod Smart received more attention because of his nickname, than for his on-field performance but finished second in the XFL with 555 yards rushing behind a stout offensive line led by Lonnie Palelei. The defense was the big story for the Outlaws, yielding only eight points a game. Kelvin Kinney tied for the league lead in sacks with ten and Brandon Sanders led the XFL with eight interceptions. LB Kurt Gouveia got everyone lined up correctly while Joe Tuipala established himself as the best linebacker in the league.
2002 Las Vegas Outlaws - HC Jim Criner, OC Joe Paopao, DC Mark Criner, GM Bob Ackles, QBs Mark Grieb, Giovanni Carmazzi and Ryan Clement, RBs Pepe Pearson, Lawrence Phillips, Ben Snell and Chrys Chukwuma, WRs Mike Furrey, Marcus Nash, Tamarick Vanover, Steve Papin, Eric Guliford and Nakia Jenkins, TEs Rickey Brady, Terry Hardy and Keith Jennings, OL Tony Berti, Jon Blackman, Kaulana Noa, Lamont Burns, Aaron Hamilton, Patrick Kesi, Anthony Cesario, Mark Nori and Lonnie Palelei, DL Antonio Edwards, Kelvin Kinney, Stacy Evans, Dorian Boose, Michael Mason, Carl Simpson and Angel Rubio, LBs Joe Tuipala, Kurt Gouveia, Masafumi Kawaguchi, Jonathan Jackson, Mike Crawford and Toran James, DBs Jamel Williams, Kory Blackwell, Hurley Tarver, Deke Cooper, Antonio Banks, Wade Davis, Brandon Sanders and Chris Bayne, K Mike Black and P Marcus Williams
2002 Preview - The former 3rd round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Giovanni Carmazzi, spent last year starting for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe, never took a snap in the NFL and got cut earlier this year. He will make a three headed competition for the starting job in Las Vegas. Neither Clement or Grieb separated themselves from one another despite having numerous chances to do so last year. However, the new ownership made a statement that they were going to do what it took to make the Outlaws competitive by signing the top RB, WR and KR on the market. Phillips, the former #6 overall pick of the St. Louis Rams, has always had the talent of a top RB but he hasn't been able to stay out of his own way. Let's hope this is finally the time for him to put it all together. Nash was another former NFL first round draft pick who has bounced around a bit, he has the talent to be a top 5 WR in this league while Vanover was absolutely dynamic as a return man for the Kansas City Chiefs for five seasons but never quite developed as a WR, so amidst some off the field incidents they cut him loose. The defense was the best in the league last year and they brought back almost everyone so should return to form. This team has the talent to be a championship favorite but the possible chemistry of a natural disaster. Should be interesting to see what happens.
2001 Recap - This team was up and down all season going an amazing 0-5 on home turf. It was smart for the Wild to turn to QB Jim Druckenmiller the last seven games. He played well, throwing for 1499 yards and 13 TDs. RB Rashaan Salaam led the league in rushing before getting hurt but had five fumbles in six games. That was one of his downfalls while playing in the NFL and turnovers killed the Wild, leading the league with 24 total. Injuries also hurt the Wild. They also lost leading WR Kevin Prentiss who tore his ACL in a loss to the Rage which slowed the passing game despite WRs Daryl Hobbs and Charles Jordan really stepping up towards the end of the season. Defensively, they struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and all of that was too much to overcome in the clearly tougher division.
2002 Minneapolis Wild - HC Wayne Fontes, OC Jim Skipper, DC David Catapano, GM Stever Ortmayer, QBs Jim Druckenmiller, Ron Powlus and Craig Whelihan, RBs Rashaan Salaam, Rafael Cooper and Roosevelt Potts, WRs Kevin Prentiss, Jeff Ogden, Jay Jones, Willis Marshall, Mike Horacek, Sean Morey and Damien Dodson, TE AJ Ofodile, Jay Tant and Mark Thomas, OL Harry Boatswain, Isaac Davis, Thomas Guynes, Jesse James, Evan Pilgram, Glenn Rountree, Ben Nichols, Mike Sheldon and Tim Seymour, DL Antonio Anderson, Carl Hansen, Ron Warner, Daniel Benetka, Lamanzer Williams, Tramont Lawless, Marvin Thomas and Leonta Rheams, LBs Richard Hogans, Paris Lenon, Cornell Menafee, Tarek Saleh, Patrick Sapp and Caspor Stiles, DBs Corey Sawyer, Delphfine Lee, Rashidi Barnes, Carlos James, Michael Booker, Tyrone Bell, Reggie Hunt, Kevin Cobb and Chris Canty, K Ola Kimrin and P Brent Bartholomew
2002 Preview - Former Notre Dame standout Powlus was brought in to compete with Druckenmiller after the team lost QB Marcus Crandell to the CFL Calgary Stampeders. Crandall just led that team to the CFL championship but couldn't find any consistency in the XFL. Druckenmiller had success last year for the Wild when he was healthy, but that seems to be an issue. Druckenmiller is likely to miss the first few weeks of the season after hurting his shoulder in the preseason. Salaam and Potts may be the best RB-FB combo in the league but the offensive line doesn't give them many running lanes. The defense has stars at all three levels, but holes also. This team could be a threat if they can survive the beginning stretch of the season and the offensive line can gel.
2001 Recap - The San Antonio Commanders are a 2002 expansion franchise.
2002 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 Ketric Sanford, WRs Dante Hall, Thabiti Davis, Justin Swift, Marco Martos, Calvin Shexnayder, Ahmad Merritt and LC Stevens, TEs Johnny Huggins, Marcus Williams 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, Chartric Darby, Rameel Connor, Jomo Cousins, David Hoelscher, Dwight Johnson and Chris Snyder, LBs Corey Atkins, Muadianvita Kazadi, Gary Stills, Cornelius Anthony, Joe Cummings, Antonio Wilson, and Kelvin Moses, DBs Duane Hawthorne, Bashir Levingston, Sedrick Curry, DeAuntae Brown, Mark Ricks, Terrell Sutton, Anthony Malbrough and JoJuan Armour, K Jesus Angoy and P Steve McLauglin
2002 Preview - This expansion team should be able to compete right away in the Western Conference because of their familiarity with one another. The coaching staff all worked together with the San Antonio Riders for a few years and shouldn't take very long to get back on the same page. Bishop, Daft and Foley are all young prospects that will battle for the starting gig. We'll roll with the former New England Patriot Michael Bishop. Bishop was suppose to be the future in New England but they found Tom Brady and that made him expendable. Stecker, Hall, Merritt and Stevens have all been standouts in NFL Europe the last few years and should make for one of the more talented offenses in the league. The defense will have to do just enough so the offense can outscore people.
2001 Recap - The Guardians struggled both on offense and defense. QB Charles Puleri played poorly for two and a half games before he was pulled in favor of Wally Richardson. The former Penn Stater played better, but made some key mistakes. The lone bright spot on offense was RB Joe Aska, who led the team in rushing after replacing Keith Elias. The defense was also very inconsistent but improved drastically down the stretch leading the team to finish just one game out of the playoff race. DL Dwayne Sabb, Isreal Raybon and Christian Maumalanga made up the toughest defensive front in the league to run while DBs Damen Wheeler, Butler B'ynote and Brad Trout made QBs pay for errant passes.
2002 New York Guardians - HC Ron Meyer, OC Joe Lombardi, DC Doug Graber, GM Steve Ehrhart, QBs Corte McGuffey, Moses Moreno and Wally Richardson, RBs Dino Philyaw, Herbert Goodman, Ralph Dawkins and Joe Aska, WRs Fred Brock, Craig Yeast, Kirby Dar Dar, Gari Scott, Zola Davis, Will Blackwell and Anthony DiCosmo, TEs Ryan Collins and Marcus Hinton, OL Ben Cavil, Harvey Goins, Matt O'Neal, Curtis McGee, Chris Janek, Darnell Alford, Juan Porter, Troy Stark and David Camacho, DL Dwayne Sabb, Jermaine Smith, Israel Raybon, DeAngelo Lloyd, R-Kal Truluck, Christian Maumalanga, Tom Briggs, James Cotton and Henry Slay, LBs Vernon Crawford, Haven Fields, Ben Hanks, Antico Dalton, Bernard Russ and Ron Merkerson, DBs Damen Wheeler, Donnie Caldwell, Tawambi Settles, Butler B'ynote, Calvin Branch, Cecil Doggette, Joey Eloms, Mark Tate and Tyree Talton, K John Markham and P Leo Araguz
2002 Preview - The former San Diego Chargers' QB Moses Moreno was brought in to compete with McGuffey and Richardson for the starting gig, and if he doesn't win the job then this team is in trouble. Both Richardson and McGuffey struggled last season in their opportunities. Aska and Philyaw are solid backup RBs, not starting caliber for this league and the WRs have a solid group of number twos but we don't see a guy that will command a double team. The defensive line and secondary will be good enough to slow down most teams, but we don't see this team scoring enough points to compete this year.
2001 Recap - The Rage was the most dominant team in the XFL jumping out to a 6-0 start before losing QB Jeff Brohm to injury. Which wasn't a real surprise, considering their coach Galen Hall won two championships in NFL Europe. The Rage showed a lot of heart finishing the season with backup Brian Kuklick. The Rage had the best one-two running back combination in Derrick Clark and Michael Black. With the lead in their favor, the Rage turned to ball control and give the ball to Clark and Black. When the need came to throw the ball, they had Dialleo Burks as tall possession receiver and Mario Bailey as the speed threat. Burks caught 38 passes for 659 yards and 7 TDs. The defense was led by LB James Burgess and was overall solid, evident by its lack of big plays allowed. The Rage pounded on a pretty weak Eastern division.
2002 Orlando Rage - HC Galen Hall, OC Jay Gruden, DC Pete Kuharchek, GM Tom Veit, QBs Joe Hamilton, Danny Wuerffel and Brian Kuklick, RBs Michael Black, James Williams, Derrick Clark and Brian Shay, WRs Mario Bailey, Dialleo Burks, Todd Floyd, Travis McGriff, James Bowden, Shannon Culver and Tony Gaiter, and TEs Lawrence Hart, Dave Stachelski and Terrance Huston, OL Jeremy Akers, Dan Collins, Cal Dixon, Jason Gamble, Sean Love, Garin Patrick, Cheston Blackshear, Jeff Miller, Doug Lytle and Kelvin Ingram, DL Mark Campbell, Thaddeus Bullard, Cecil Caldwell, Sedric Clark, Bill Duff, Andre Purvis and James Roberson, LBs Shawn Banks, Eugene McCaslin, Keith Miller, James Burgess, Rashad Harris, Jimmy Clements and Kevin Jefferson, DBs Ricky Bell, Derrick Gardner, Tommy Henry, Central McClellion, Clevan Thomas, Corey Harris, Bret Cooper, Tremain Mack, Stephen Fisher and Marcus Ray, K Jay Taylor and P Steve Videtich
2002 Preview - The former Georgia Tech standout and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Hamilton and Florida Gator legend and NFL journeyman will compete for the starting job and may dictate how this offense will look as both are completely different players. New offensive coordinator Jay Gruden was brought in and he will want to throw the ball all around the field so we expect Wuerffel to win the job, but expect some packages for the athleticism of Hamilton. Clark, Black and Shay is one of the better backfield trios in the league so they're deep there, and the WRs are as talented as they come. However, it is interesting that it's Jeff Brohm's job to help replace Jeff Brohm, as last year's All-XFL team QB is now the QBs coach. The LBs core is perhaps the league's best, but the secondary had to be completely rebuilt. Not a great formula for success in such a passing league.
2001 Recap - Birmingham finished with only two wins while losing their last seven games. QBs Casey Weldon and Jay Barker both struggled, throwing behind the Bolts' woeful offensive line. Neither guy was given enough time to throw the ball and took a lot of hits and sacks. Former NFL WR Stepfret Williams had a big year with 60 receptions for 828 yards and two touchdowns regardless. Getting behind early and often prevented the Bolts from establishing a successful ground game. RB James Bostic was a quality talent with 536 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The defense was terrible in all facets despite LB James Willis' best efforts.
2002 Birmingham Steel - HC Gerry DiNardo, OC Kippy Brown, DC Curley Hallman, DC Tim Berryman, QBs Spergon Wynn, Jay Barker and Eric Kresser, RBs Curtis Alexander, Vershan Jackson, Madre Hill and James Bostic, WRs Stepfret Williams, Quincy Jackson, Trevor Insley, Kevin Drake, Dwaune Jones, Joe Douglass and Kaipo McGuire, TEs Ed Smith, Scott Thompson and Reggie Johnson, OL Ed King, Ozell Powell, Michael Lies, Jay Hagood, Matt Hogg, BJ Cohen, Jarvis Borum, Mike Edwards and Antonio Fleming, DL Quinton Reese, Charles Preston, Cedric Pittman, Emarlos Leroy, Jon Harris, Jarrett Loggins and James Brumbaugh, LBs Dion Foxx, Keith Franklin, Julian Duncan, Malcolm Hamilton, Jamal Brooks and James Willis, DBs Duane Butler, Calvin Jackson, Dwayne Stukes, Toya Jones, Eric Sloan, Rodregis Brooks, Damon Mason and Chris Shelling, K Brad Palazzo and P Rodney Williams
2002 Preview - The former Cleveland Browns' QB Wynn tore it up last year in NFL Europe throwing for 2039 yards and 14 TDs for the Amsterdam Admirals before getting traded to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Todd Bouman beat him out for the backup job and now he's here in the XFL as a 24 year old with huge upside. Kresser was also a solid addition to the room, but he's not ready to play with his injured shoulder. Bostic is a very talented RB and should give the offense balance. The offensive line, TEs and WRs rooms are all above average. The defense lacks depth and injuries set it back last year. We would've liked to see more additions on that side of the ball, but in the XFL, offense wins games.
2001 Recap - The Memphis Express are a 2002 expansion franchise.
2002 Memphis Express - HC Bart Andrus, OC Vince Martino, DC David Duggan, GM Michael Lang, QBs Tee Martin, Kevin Thompson and Jim Arellanes, RBs Darnell Autry, Norman Miller, Frank Moreau and Sedrick Shaw, WRs Andy McCullough, Terrill Shaw, Alonzo Johnson, Randy Gatewood, Jarrick Hillery, Jason Waters and Tony Simmons, TEs James Hill, Marlon Chambers and John Waerig, OL Dennis O'Sullivan, Joe Wong, Ian Rafferty, Brad Williams, O'Lester Pope, Oliver Ross, LeShun Daniels, Lennie Friedman and Robert Hicks, DL Johnathon Brown, Gillis Wilson, Moses Harper, Mao Tosi, Winfield Garnett, Jon Kirksey, Jabbar Threats, D.J. Cooper and Abdul-Salam Noah, LBs Donnie Spragan, Marc Megna, Rupert Grant, Dwaine Carpenter, OJ Childress and Jamir Miller, DBs Blaine McElmurry, Quincy Coleman, DeShone Mallard, Darwin Brown, Jahi Henley, Tim Strickland, Jon Hesse and Nick Ferguson, K Axel Kruse and P Ignacio Brache
2002 Preview - This is the other expansion team and this is the one that looks more like an expansion team. Local legend Tee Martin was a superior signing and will put butts in the seats, but the rest of the roster looks a lot like the coaching staff, just thrown together without much of a plan. Not sure where this team will be able to hang their hat. Martin was able to take the Rhein Fire to the World Bowl in the last year of it's existence, but he can't win games all on his own.
2001 Recap - The Enforcers played good competitive football and climbed their way into the playoffs at 5-5. Three of their losses came down to the final minutes. QB Kevin McDougal replaced the ineffective Tim Lester, who went 0-4 as a starter. McDougal stepped in and posted a 15-13 victory over the Las Vegas Outlaws and earned XFL player of the week honors in his first game. His mobility is an asset to the team. RB John Avery, once a first-round draft pick with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, was a stud at running back. Anytime he touched the ball, he was capable of scoring. On the season, Avery had 800 yards rushing and 379 yards receiving. The defense ranked amongst the league's worst even with the best defensive player in the league taking away half the field in DB Corey Ivy.
2002 Chicago Enforcers - HC Rusty Tillman, OC Peter Vaas, DC Jim Tomsula, GM Dick Butkus, QBs Jarious Jackson, Leon Murray and Kevin McDougal, RBs Brent Moss, Andre Bowden, LeShon Johnson and Charles Wiley, WRs Roell Preston, Antonio Chatman, Aaron Bailey, Andre Cooper, Charles Jordan, Zechariah Lord and Luther Leverson, TEs William Tate, Tim Martin and Tyji Armstrong, OL Paul Janus, Derrick Turner, Chris Perez, Bryan LaBelle, Rob Murphy and Tony Ramirez, DL Matt Finkes, Nathan Davis, Larry Fitzpatrick, John Milem, Cleveland Pinkney, Sterling Palmer and Hubert Thompson, LBs Jamie Baisley, Troy Pelshak, Chike Egbuniwe, Jude Waddy, Carlos Timmons and Casey Dailey, DBs Raymond Austin, Jordan Younger, Jason Bray, Cornelius Coe, Gary Berry, Troy Saunders and Kerry Cooks, K Andy Crosland and P Brian Gowins
2002 Preview - The former Notre Dame and Denver Broncos' QB Jackson didn't get much of a look in the NFL but he thrived with the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe when he got some playing time. However, he's not going to just be given the starting job in Chicago. McDougal played quite well at the end of the season and was able to get the Enforcers into the playoffs despite their horrible start to the season. Bailey, Lord and Preston will give whoever is under center some dangerous weapons in the passing game and somehow the team was able to bring back both Avery and Johnson in the backfield despite both guys having offers to join other leagues. The defense lost All-XFL DB Corey Ivy though, and there is no way to replace him. He's about to be a starter in the NFL and there isn't another Ivy on any roster in this league.