NEWS ARCHIVE: 16-31 March 2001

Bolts Snake Bitten at Home
Ticker - 2001.03.31
The Birmingham Thunderbolts will not be making any noise in the XFL playoffs. The Thunderbolts squandered an eight-point lead in the fourth and became the XFL's first team to be eliminated from playoff contention with a 29-24 loss to the Orlando Rage. In a matchup of the XFL's best team against the worst, Birmingham actually outplayed the Rage for much of the night and had a 24-16 lead with 6:44 remaining after Eric Sloan returned his third interception of the contest 59 yards for a touchdown. But behind backup quarterback Brian Kuklick, the league-leading Rage were able to rally. ... Click Here for More Information

Enforcers Win the Marathon
Associated Press - 2001.03.31
Kevin McDougal returned from a neck injury and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Willy Tate with 1:41 to play to give the Chicago Enforcers a 23-18 victory over the New York-New Jersey Hitmen on Saturday night in the XFL. McDougal also threw touchdown passes of 9 and 16 yards to Luke Leverson and linebacker Jamie Beasley preserved the Enforcers' fourth win in five games by intercepting a pass at the goal line with two seconds to play. Chicago (4-5) can claim the second playoff berth in the Eastern Division by beating Orlando (8-1) at home next Sunday. ... Click Here for More Information

Orlando Rage Game Day!
Mark Zelakowski - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.31
We've got an excellent collection of photos taken at the Rage's 17-12 victory over the Hitmen on Sunday March 25th, 2001 at the Citrus Bowl. Great photos - Take a look - there are cheerleader pics too! ... Click Here for More Information

Rusty Tillman Guarantees a Hitmen Victory
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.30
Not often does a head coach stick his neck out and guarantee a victory for his team. Rusty Tillman has been doing just that all week ever since his team lost to The Rage 17-12 last Sunday in Orlando. Tillman is one of the league's most maligned coaches and his words have opened him up to more criticism. The Hitmen must now deliver Saturday night at home against The Enforcers on NBC. ... Click Here for More Information

Advice for the Home Stretch
XFL Fantasy Doctor - FantasyRef.com - 2001.03.30
Here we are, two weeks left in the XFL season. If you are in a Sandbox league, which many of you are, you have two games left to either hold on to your top spot or to gain on the leader. If you are not in Sandbox, this is your playoff season. So, as your season boils down to the last couple of match-ups, your anxiety is reaching a fevered pitch. You're checking your roster every other hour, setting and re-setting your lineup. Having been there, and done that, let me pass along some advice. ... Click Here for More Information

Butkus Visits The Steel City
Bamaslammer - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.30
Dick Butkus, arguably the greatest Linebacker that every lived and the director of competition for the XFL drove himself into Birmingham with his home on wheels Thursday. Dick will be attending the game Saturday but will most likely not be announcing it as he has recently. His primary goal was to talk to the players. He held a players only meeting that lasted about an hour. During that time he took questions from the players mostly about things that concerned them as employees of the XFL. Although Dick said that there were few questions about league stability he did mention telling them to ignore the press reports of the league folding. ... Click Here for More Information

Leigh leaps into battle for battered Birmingham
The Birmingham News - 2001.03.30
First, there was Casey Weldon. He's the one who looks like Joe Montana, and accessorizes the look with his right arm in a sling. Then, there was Jay Barker. He can't move his neck now, the aftermath of whiplash suffered a week ago at Soldier Field. Now into the black hole known as the Birmingham Bolts quarterback position steps Graham Leigh. He's 25. And with a little luck, he'll live to see 26. With a little more than a half of XFL experience directing the offense, Leigh will try to do the improbable Saturday night as Birmingham (2-6) plays host to the league's premier team, Orlando (7-1). ... Click Here for More Information

OUTLAWS: Quarterback armed, ready
Las Vegas Review-Journal - 2001.03.30
Outlaws quarterback Ryan Clement grinned as he spoke, the smile a giveaway to his soul, perhaps. Clement is proud, clearly, of the job he has done as the Outlaws' starter, but with the biggest game of the year only two days away, he isn't about to put his situation ahead of the team's predicament. The Outlaws play host to the San Francisco Demons at 4 p.m. Sunday in Sam Boyd Stadium with a playoff berth hanging in the balance. If the Outlaws win, they all but clinch a playoff spot. Lose, and the Demons clinch. ... Click Here for More Information

They Dance for Exposure
New York Daily News - 2001.03.30
At first glance, it might appear that the XFL New York/New Jersey Hitmen cheerleaders are strippers moonlighting on the gridiron. That impression survives their performance — raunchy routines in garters and fishnet tights. But spend an hour with them at a practice session, and it becomes clear that these "girls" are not bimbos or pole dancers. They're serious professionals, many of whom hold second jobs on Broadway or in different fields. In fact, the 13 squad members jiggle — oops, meant to say juggle — multiple careers, such as flight attendant, singer and choreographer. But why on earth would a Broadway dancer earning more than $1,200 a week choose to cavort in a crude outfit for a failing football league? For the exposure. ... Click Here for More Information

A Look Ahead Against the Spread
The Masked Prognosticator - 2001.03.29
Los Angeles has been awesome, taking advantage of the XFL rules changes and going 4-0 straight up and ats since their inception. They are looking for revenge for an embarrassing home loss a few weeks back at the hands of the Maniax. L.A. is also a sweet 3-0 ats as road favorites. We see no reason that Al Luginbill's pass attack won't light up the Ax as they make it 4 for 4 this week! ... Click Here for More Information

The Hitmen Prepare For The Playoffs Before The Playoffs
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.29
In the East, Birmingham is suprisingly still alive but they need to win their last 2 games and get help. An Orlando win on NBC Saturday will officially kill the Bolts hopes for a playoff spot. This leads us to the biggest NBC Saturday Night game of the season thus far. Who would have thunk it? The Chicago Enforcers head to the Meadowlands to face the NY/NJ Hitmen. Both teams are 3 and 5 and are tied for the 2nd playoff spot in the east. ... Click Here for More Information

Rage Head to Birmingham
Mark Zelakowski - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.29
The Orlando Rage (7-1) are heading to Birmingham (2-6) to play the last place Bolts. Heading into the game at Los Angeles, the Rage were ranked number one in the league in rushing, and was the least penalized team in the XFL. In the past 3 games they have been whistled for 17 penalties for 166 yards. "We need to eliminate those mistakes," Head Coach Galen Hall says. "I told our guys going into the New York game that we had to cut down on penalties, avoid turnovers and win the kicking game. We failed on two of three, but our defense stepped up and pulled it out for us." ... Click Here for More Information

XFL Expansion Committee Visits Detroit
XFL Press Release - 2001.03.29
Members of the XFL expansion committee today visited Detroit, touring legendary Tiger Stadium and meeting with Mayor Dennis Archer, XFL President Basil V. DeVito, Jr., announced. "We were extremely pleased with what we saw," said DeVito. "Detroit is a great football town and Tiger Stadium was home to many great football moments. Furthermore, coming on the heels of our visit to Washington, we are impressed by how the XFL has been received by prospective new markets." ... Click Here for More Information

Ebersol was Mis-quoted by Media
Vegas.com - 2001.03.28
Despite reports NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol may back out of the network's contract with the XFL to broadcast games through 2002, the end is not necessarily in sight, at least according to local league officials. "That's not gonna happen," Outlaws general manager Bob Ackles said Monday. "We had a conference call we have each week with all of the general managers."Dick (Ebersol) talked to (XFL president) Basil (DeVito) this morning and said that's not exactly what he said (to the newspapers). So the indication from Basil was that NBC is not going to pull out." ... Click Here for More Information

Stop the conspiracy against the XFL
MSNBC.com - 2001.03.28
Just give league a chance — it provides jobs, entertainment... The XFL is getting screwed by the national media. I have seen it up close and I’m confident that I’m witnessing my first sports media conspiracy. Various newspapers and television networks want to see Vince McMahon fail and they want to see him fail on a large scale. I’ll be the first to admit that the XFL has made mistakes and needs to make various improvements. ... Click Here for More Information

Enforcer Fans Raise Your Fists
Bob Williams - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.27
The Enforcers defense, with the exception of late in the game, played very poorly yet they were able to shut out Birmingham Sunday night. Birmingham drove the length of the field three straight times in the first half, but in this battle of "Who wants to win less," they were unable to cross the goal line. The Enforcers improved to 3-5 and hold their playoff destiny in their hands when they travel to Giants Stadium to take on the Hitmen this Saturday, but their victory over the 'Bolts was not without trepidation. ... Click Here for More Information

Barker, Mitchell and Knott Out of Action
The Birmingham Thunderbolts - 2001.03.27
The Birmingham Bolts got a dose of bad news from the medical report Tuesday when team medical officials confirmed that after further testing, quarterback Jay Barker would be held out of Saturday's game against the Orlando Rage. Preliminary reports were favorable after the game and Monday, but upon further examination Tuesday Bolts' medical personnel decided against allowing Barker to play and will re-evaluate him for next week. Bolts athletic trainer Dave Gable also said that safety David Knott and defensive tackle Johnny Mitchell have been lost for the season due to injuries sustained in last week's game at Chicago. ... Click Here for More Information

The Fan's Choose Avery, Ivy, Clark and Shay
XFLBoard.com: Players of the Week - 2001.03.27
Again, the fans have spoken! Their choices for XFL players of the week are John Avery, Chicago Enforcers, (Offensive POTW), Corey Ivy, Chicago Enforcers, (Defensive POTW), Cedric Clark, Orlando Rage, (Lineman) and Brian Shay, Orlando Rage, (Special Teams POTW). Congratulations! ... Click Here for More Information

Avery and Ivy Honored by League
XFL Press Release - 2001.03.27
The XFL today named Chicago Enforcers RB John Avery as its Offensive Player of the Week and teammate DB Corey Ivy as its Defensive Player of the Week for week eight. Avery exploded on the Birmingham defense for an XFL-record 180 yards on 20 carries, including touchdown runs of 73 and nine yards. Ivy had two interceptions to lead the Chicago defense in shutting down the Birmingham offense. The DB also added six tackles, five of them solo efforts. ... Click Here for More Information

Bolt's Woes
Bamaslammer & Sonny Sanders - Bolts Team Reporters - 2001.03.26
And I thought it couldn't get worse. I was wrong. Did anybody see the movie "Planes Trains and Automobiles". Somehow that movie reminds me of the Thunderbolts. Some believe that we pay in this life for sins committed in a past life. If that is true all of the Bolts must have been axe murderers and Dinardo must have been the lawyer who got them off. ... Click Here for More Information

The Hitmen Fall Hard To The Rage
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.26
The ride is over. Coming into yesterdays game against Orlando. The NY/NJ Hitmen had turned around their season and put themselves in a position to take their next step to the XFL Playoffs. Two steps forward and by virtue of yesterday, one step back into reality. The Orlando Rage jumped on the Hitmen early and held on late to beat NY 17 to 12 in front of 20,000 Rage fans. ... Click Here for More Information

Chicago too cold for Thunderbolts
Troy Pringle - Enforcers Team Reporter - 2001.03.26
For the past several weeks, everyone, including me, has been ragging the Chicago defense for sloppy play. They aren't playing tight enough coverage. Offenses are passing all over the Enforcers "D". Does this make us bad fans? No. In a league that the media is avoiding or trying to push into a non-existence, we want to see our team, the Chicago Enforcers, succeed. And succeed is what they are beginning to do. ... Click Here for More Information

No Clemen(t)cy for Vegas in LA
David Curtis - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.25
When last they met, the Xtreme D shot down an Outlaw O piloted by third-string quarterback Mike Cawley with a flurry of sacks and interceptions. First-stringer Ryan Clement was back at the controls this time around, giving the Outlaws reason to believe things would be different. And, sure enough, they scored 17 more points than before. Clement connected for three touchdowns, wasn’t sacked, and could blame his only pick on a deflection. Still, his performance was hardly an aerial showcase. He remained under 100 yards passing well into the fourth quarter and relied for big plays on three interference calls, two of which were questionable at best. He was, moreover, run over more times than you’d care to count or he’d care to remember. ... Click Here for More Information

Enforcers Shut out Bolts
Associated Press - 2001.03.25
John Avery continued his NFL audition by rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns as the Chicago Enforcers posted their first shutout, a 13-0 victory over the Birmingham Bolts. Avery, a former NFL first-round pick, has been among the top players in the fledgling minor league. He carried 20 times, including touchdown runs of 73 yards in the first quarter and nine in the final period. Avery's total surpassed his own league record of 157 yards against Orlando on February 3. ... Click Here for More Information

Rage Clinch Eastern Divison Title
Associated Press - 2001.03.25
Brian Shay's game-opening 95-yard kickoff return set up a touchdown and Brian Kuklick passed for another as the Orlando Rage clinched the Eastern Division title with a 17-12 win over the New York-New Jersey Hitmen. At 7-1, the Rage became the first team to clinch a division title in the XFL's inaugural season and are assured of a first-round home playoff game. ... Click Here for More Information

Extreme Dismantle the Outlaws
Associated Press - 2001.03.25
One week after dismantling the XFL's best team, the Los Angeles Xtreme dismantled the league's best defense. Tommy Maddox threw four touchdown passes in the first half as the Xtreme clinched a playoff berth with an exciting 35-26 victory over the Las Vegas Outlaws. Fresh off handing the Orlando Rage their first loss of the season, the Xtreme were not intimidated by a defense nicknamed the "Dealers of Doom" that was allowing 11.1 points per game. ... Click Here for More Information

Second Quarter Effort Propels Demons over Maniax
Associated Press - 2001.03.25
Mike Pawlawski threw two of his three touchdown passes in the second quarter when the San Francisco Demons scored 15 unanswered points en route to a 21-12 victory over the Memphis Maniax. Pawlawski completed 26-of-44 passes for 215 yards as San Francisco (4-4) won for just the second time in five games and moved into a tie with Las Vegas for second place in the Western Division. ... Click Here for More Information

The Playoff Race is On!
The Masked Prognosticator - 2001.03.24
With three games left in the XFL season, all 10 teams now play no one but division foes who they faced before. And every player is looking for something else besides their $2500 bonus- to capture the top 2 spots in their divisions. mazingly, EVERY TEAM IN THE XFL IS STILL ALIVE!!!! And mathematically, ANY TEAM CAN STILL WIN THEIR DIVISION! How's THAT for parity? ... Click Here for More Information

Demons Draw Better Than Win
San Francisco Chronicle - 2001.03.24
"If you would have told me when I took this job in August we'd average 35,000, I would have been thrilled," Preacher said. "If not in disbelief. The league has a tremendous foothold in San Francisco. Our fans are into it as much as other fans (of other teams in the league). It's been a real blessing." ... Click Here for More Information

Hitmen Look To Continue Their Winning Ways
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.24
Five weeks ago, not many supporters and followers of the XFL would have thought that an article about the Hitmen would start with the title that you see above. Five weeks ago at the Meadowlands, the Hitmen were 0 and 2 and coming off two brutal losses to the Outlaws and the Bolts. Their season had gotten off to a rocky start. ... Click Here for More Information

A Look Ahead Against the Spread
The Masked Prognosticator - 2001.03.23
The Outlaws are coming off a "let's sack Jay Barker" party to take on Al Luginbill's high flying Xtreme. They are now one game behind in the XFL West, and with a win over the Xtreme they can both get revenge for their first loss of the season and force a tie for the division lead! In week three X came to Vegas and beat the Lawz in the last second with a cheesy Cortez especial to take a thrilling 12-9 battle of the field goal kickers. In that game Vegas' clunky offense was lead by third stringer what's his name- oh yeah Mike Cawley. Those days are long gone as 2nd string but competent Ryan Clement is back, and Vegas features a better rushing game and a superior defense... ... Click Here for More Information

Maniax QB focuses on Bay Area success
The Commercial Appeal - 2001.03.23
Jim Druckenmiller didn't leave his heart in San Francisco. But the Memphis Maniax quarterback did leave the Bay Area without getting to show football fans his true ability. Druckenmiller was supposed to be the heir apparent to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young when he was drafted in the first round in the 1997 draft. But after two years as Young's understudy, Druckenmiller was traded to the Miami Dolphins, never getting a chance to live up to those expectations. Druckenmiller will finally get to show fans in San Francisco his skills -granted, it won't be against the 49ers - when the Maniax (3-4) face the San Francisco Demons (3-4) at 7 p.m. CST Saturday in a key XFL Western Division matchup. ... Click Here for More Information

McMahon Purrs for Mike and 'Dog'
Newsday - 2001.03.23
New York Radio hosts Mike and the Mad Dog climbed into the ring with WWF/XFL impresario Vince McMahon yesterday afternoon and the encounter was strikingly non-confrontational. "The guy was a puppy dog," Mike Francesa told a caller later. "Anything I said to criticize him, he agreed with. What was I supposed to do?"... The drive-time duo repeatedly admitted that they didn't follow wrestling, so their questions focused primarily on the XFL. Without raising his voice, McMahon acknowledged numerous mistakes that he made in creating the league. ... Click Here for More Information

Brohm's Season Over
The Orlando Rage - 2001.03.23
Orlando Rage quarterback Jeff Brohm saw his 2001 XFL season officially come to a halt on Thursday when the team announced the he would undergo surgery on Monday. Brohm separated his right shoulder on Sunday during the first play of the second quarter in a 30-6 loss to the Los Angeles Xtreme. Preliminary on-field diagnosis was a grade two separation that would sideline him two to four weeks. But a Tuesday MRI disclosed that Brohm suffered grade three acromio-clavicular separation -- a tear of the ligament that holds the collarbone to the scapula. Rage team physician Dr. Tom Winters referred Brohm to Dr. Lemak at the HEALTHSOUTH facility in Birmingham, Alabama for a second opinion. Dr. Lemak confirmed the diagnosis and will perform the surgery on Monday. ... Click Here for More Information

Butkus Believes XFL Had Bad Marketing
LA Times - 2001.03.23
The impression at times has been that the XFL is more about cheerleaders in the stands and strippers in hot tubs than it is about football. The XFL encouraged that sort of thinking when the league hit the scene, but it irritates the league's football people, who say that's not what the XFL is all about. And there are plenty of football people in the XFL. Dick Butkus is a top executive, and nobody is more "football" than Butkus, the Chicago Bear hall of fame linebacker. ... Click Here for More Information

XFL Expansion Committee to Visit Washington D.C.
XFL Press Release - 2001.03.22
With an eye towards adding at least two teams as early as next season, members of the newly created XFL expansion committee will visit Washington, D.C. Tuesday, March 27, XFL President Basil V. DeVito, Jr., announced today. "Our business plan calls for league expansion in either year two or three so we have formed an expansion committee to examine the feasibility of adding at least two-to-four teams in that time frame," said DeVito. "We have had requests from a number of cities who would like to join the XFL, and we have targeted several for early visits. First on the list is the nation's capital." ... Click Here to View the Official XFL Press Release

Demons Add to Roster
San Francisco Demons - 2001.03.22
Starting defensive tackle Emile Palmer joined five other teammates on the injured reserve list Wednesday and San Francisco added two defenders to its injury-ravaged roster for its final three XFL contests... Claimed by San Francisco to try to bolster the defense was all-CFL cornerback Marvin Coleman and defensive tackle Pene Talamaivao. ... Click Here for More Information

Coach Galen Hall: "We certainly still control our own destiny"
Mark Zelakowski - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.21
"The most important thing will be for this team to re-focus and get ready for a good New York team", OL Sean Love said. "They gave us a tough game up there a few weeks ago and they have been playing better ever since. I really don't see where any team in this league is a whole lot more talented than any other team. How you approach the game mentally has a lot to do with it." ...Are the Rage worried this week? Coach Hall said. "The fact of the matter is that we still have the best record in this league and we certainly still control our own destiny." ... Click Here for More Information

Let The Games Begin
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.21
The Hitmen have turned around their season after starting out 0 and 3, They have won 3 out of their last 4 and now have sole possesion of The 2nd playoff spot in the East. They control their own playoff destiny. Orlando is the first team ever in the XFL to clinch a playoff spot. They have yet to clinch the eastern division title but that is seen as simply an eventuality. There is still a very tiny possibility that the NY/NJ Hitmen can win the Eastern Division if they run the table and win all 3 games and Orlando who will be without Jeff Brohm for at least the regular season loses all of it's remaining regular season games. ... Click Here for More Information

Outlaws cry foul to NBC
Las Vegas Review-Journal - 2001.03.21
Outlaws safety Brandon Sanders was bug-eyed when he heard the reason he played only two series in Saturday's 34-12 victory over the Birmingham Bolts at Sam Boyd Stadium. Of course, it should be noted that the explanation came not from Outlaws coach Jim Criner but from NBC announcers Matt Vasgersian, Jesse Ventura and Mike Adamle. The three -- in particular, Vasgersian and Ventura -- reported during Saturday's national broadcast that Sanders didn't start and played little because Criner was sending a message to his team. Sanders, in fact, was used sparingly because of tired legs caused from an extremely heavy workload and lingering effects from a hit he took in Chicago. ... Click Here for More Information

XFL Looks at Portland Oregon
The Oregonian - 2001.03.21
The talks are preliminary and the visit exploratory, but a group of representatives from the XFL will tour Portland on Thursday. Drew Mahalic, director of the Portland Oregon Sports Authority, said the XFL is in the process of making a decision about expansion and his group is in the business of considering what might work in Portland. "We just want to talk to them and see whether this makes sense down the road," Mahalic said. ... Click Here for More Information

Can you smell it?
Troy Pringle - Enforcers Team Reporter - 2001.03.20
Once again, the Chicago Enforcers took control at Soldier Field. The offense looked superb featuring the dominant John Avery-LeShon Johnson connection. And the Chicago "D" roughed up…let me repeat that…the Chicago defense roughed up one of the best quarterbacks in the XFL, Mike Pawlawski... Can you smell a playoff game in the Enforcer's future? ... Click Here for More Information

XFLBoard.com Players of the Week
XFLBoard.com: Players of the Week - 2001.03.20
At XFLBoard.com we'd like to think that the fans are the most important commodity in the equation. Who is better than to choose the XFL players of the Week than the same fans who cheer them on? Week 7 Results:
Offensive Player of the Week: Tommy Maddox
Defensive Player of the Week: Jamel Williams
Lineman of the Week: Carl Simpson
Special teams Player of the Week: Damon Gibson
... Click Here for More Information

Maddox and Simpson XFL POTW
XFL Press Release - 2001.03.20
Maddox completed 19 of 25 passes for 199 yards, tossing for two touchdowns and running for another, all in just over three quarters of work. Simpson registered two sacks and five tackles in the Outlaws' 34-12 win over the Birmingham Bolts last Saturday, with four of the five tackles for losses. ... Click Here for More Information

Week 10 Schedule Changes
XFL.COM - 2001.03.20
The dates and times for games during Week 10 have changed. Here are the new dates and times for the final week of regular season play this year:
Saturday, April 7 - San Francisco @ Los Angeles, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Saturday, April 7 - Memphis @ Las Vegas, 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, April 8 - New York/New Jersey @ Birmingham, 4 p.m. ET (TNN)
Sunday, April 8 - Orlando @ Chicago, 7 p.m. ET (UPN)

Birmingham Thunderbolts Cheerleaders
Mad Samoan - 2001.03.20
Are these the hottest Cheerleaders in the XFL or what? Twenty-three high quality images of the Birmingham Bolts Cheerleaders in action, provided to you as a shameless plug to increase our web site hits. If you are thinking "how hot is this" when you view these photos, just think of the poor guy who stood only feet away from these babes and snapped these puppies. His name is "Mad Samoan" and we thank him for putting himelf in certain peril by providing this wonderful photographic display. ... Click Here to See the Photos

Raise Your Fists!
Bob Williams - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.19
The Chicago Enforcers dominated the San Francisco Demons Sunday night. Dominated? They won by a mere six points. The game was in doubt (as usual) heading into the final minute. The domination I speak of was in the trenches. The sure sign of football supremacy. ... Click Here for More Information

Xtreme Outrage Orlando
David Curtis - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.19
Sunday afternoon’s game between the Los Angeles Xtreme and the Orlando Rage figured to be a seesaw affair. Orlando came in as the league leader in rushing and points, while LA boasted the leading passer and receivers with the best individual marks for catches and touchdowns. So it was an especially good sign that the Xtreme scored first. And second. And third. And fourth. And fifth. And sixth. ... Click Here for More Information

Enforcers shake off Demons
Associated Press - 2001.03.18
LeShon Johnson ran for two touchdowns, and the Chicago Enforcers withstood San Francisco's second-half surge Sunday night to beat the Demons 25-19 in the XFL. John Avery ran for 110 yards, and Kevin McDougal completed 11 of 14 for 175 yards and a score for Chicago (2-5) before an announced Soldier Field crowd of 11,428. San Francisco (3-4) trailing by 19 points in the second half and made a big comeback. But its final drive was stopped with less than a minute left on an interception by Dorian Brew. ... Click Here for More Information

Xtreme hands Rage first loss
Associated Press - 2001.03.18
Tommy Maddox threw two touchdown passes and ran for a third score as the Los Angeles Xtreme handed the Orlando Rage its first loss of the season, 31-6 Sunday. Jose Cortez added 29- and 31-yard field goals in the first half and Saladin McCullough ran 3 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown for the Western Division-leading Xtreme (5-2) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Eastern Division-leading Orlando (6-1) lost quarterback Jeff Brohm for the rest of the regular season on the first play of the second quarter with a separated right shoulder. He was sacked by Los Angeles linebacker Juan Long. Brohm completed five of 10 passes for 46 yards. ... Click Here for More Information

Dealers of Doom Deliver
TheGrandonGang - Las Vegas Team Reporter - 2001.03.18
As the 1st quarter wound down on a beautiful evening in the Jewel of the Desert, it was announced that the outstanding Las Vegas Outlaws' defense, as the result of a local contest, had been named "The Dealers of Doom". And did they ever deliver! In their first home appearance in a month, this "lights out" style defense proved a toilet bowl had a better chance to keep running against them than did the Birmingham offense. Allowing only 17 yards rushing, the defense sparked the Outlaws to their dominating victory over the Bolts. ... Click Here for More Information

Situation Desperate in Birmingham
Bamaslammer & Sonny Sanders - Bolts Team Reporters - 2001.03.18
The Birmingham Bolts Players, Coaches, Staff and Management have their backs to the wall in the Steel City. Another week has brought another humiliating loss. Another backup running back looking like a champion, Another laundry list of mistakes and missed opportunities. If the XFL had a welfare line, with a 4 game losing streak the Bolts would be standing in it. ... Click Here for More Information

Rage GM: Like it or not, we'll be around for a while
Orlando Sentinel - 2001.03.18
A newspaper column last Sunday by NFL columnist Charles Bricker is a case in point of the negative editorial writing that has plagued the XFL since its inception. Bricker, with little or no knowledge of the inner workings of the XFL, contends that we may not be here for the remainder of this season, much less the next. He states we are not selling football, and that you will never again hear from most of our players. Unfortunately, Bricker's article is opinion and not fact. ... Click Here for More Information

The Hitmen Outlast The Maniax
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.18
They say good things come to those who wait. Well the wait is over for NY/NJ Hitmen fans. The Hitmen finally defended their home turf by beating the Memphis Maniax 16-15 in a dramatic come from behind victory at the Meadowlands Saturday Night. The Hitmen are now 3 and 4 and they now have sole possesion of The 2nd playoff spot in the east with only 3 weeks remaining in the regular season. The playoff picture is starting to clear up for the Hitmen and they now have complete control of their playoff destiny. ... Click Here for More Information

Las Vegas defense shuts down Birmingham
Associated Press - 2001.03.17
Ryan Clement led Las Vegas to 22 straight points, and the Outlaws used a stingy defense to beat the Birmingham Bolts 34-12 Saturday night. The Las Vegas defense allowed just 17 rushing yards and 95 passing yards. at Sam Boyd Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 23,558. Clement passed for 104 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 13 of 22 passes. The Outlaws (4-3) created three turnovers, had seven quarterback sacks and immobilized Birmingham (2-5) after it tied the game at 12 with 9:06 left in the third quarter. ... Click Here for More Information

Hitmen win with nine seconds left
Associated Press - 2001.03.17
Wally Richardson threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Zola Davis in the corner of the end zone with nine seconds left Saturday night, giving the New York/New Jersey Hitmen a 16-15 victory over the Memphis Maniax in the XFL. It was the second TD hookup of the night for the Richardson and Davis, who combined for a 9-yarder to the third quarter after Memphis had taken a 15-3 lead. The Hitmen (3-4), who overcame three quarters of turnovers, penalties and missed opportunities, drove downfield 64 yards in nine plays for the win. ... Click Here for More Information

Hot-Cold Demons Face Enforcers
San Francisco Chronicle - 2001.03.17
The Demons continue to harbor visions of taking the XFL's Western Division title, if not going further than that, but they've hardly had the look of championship outfit through the first six games of the season. They so far have been the archetype of mediocrity, alternating wins and losses every week, with a 2-2 record at home and 1-1 on the road. San Francisco shares its 3-3 record with Las Vegas and Memphis in the West, one game behind front-running Los Angeles. The Demons can scale the .500 barrier with a win tomorrow against the host Chicago Enforcers, whose 1-5 mark belies their moniker. ... Click Here for More Information

Hitmen Set for More Razzle-Dazzle
NY Post - 2001.03.17
Rusty Tillman and his Hitmen return home to Giants Stadium tonight for what the team considers its most important game of the year. With a win in the "Hell Hole" last week in San Francisco, the Hitmen now find themselves tied for a spot in the playoffs. But before anyone gets carried away with that kind of talk, the Hitmen have to win more than two games to be in. ... Click Here for More Information

Outlaws hope for Smart play today
Las Vegas Review-Journal - 2001.03.17
Running back Rod Smart, arguably the Las Vegas Outlaws' most important offensive player, remains questionable for today's game against the Birmingham Thunderbolts at Sam Boyd Stadium because of a bad knee. The Outlaws offense remains questionable as well for the 5 p.m. nationally televised game. Las Vegas (3-3) has struggled offensively all year. Despite flashes of what coach Jim Criner believes it can be, it is still the XFL's poorest offensive team. Losing Smart would multiply the problems against Birmingham (2-4). ... Click Here for More Information

Win a Trip to the Big Game at the End
CastrolUSA.com - 2001.03.16
Ready for more BONE-CRUSHING, hard hitting, ROUGH AND READY ACTION? Ready for ALL-ACCESS COVERAGE on and off the field? Ready for CHEERLEADING like you've never seen before? Then you're ready for XFL football. CastrolUSA.com wants to send you and a friend to the "Big Game at the End", the first ever XFL championship game of the season! Location depends on who hits the hardest all season long. Second prize is an official XFL football. Enter to win! ... Click Here for More Information

Secondary Costing the Enforcers
Bob Williams - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.16
As the Enforcers prepare to battle the Demons Sunday night at Soldier Field, the spotlight is on the defensive secondary. The Enforcer pass defense ranks dead last in the league allowing 218.8 yards per game. This was evidenced in the LA game in which Tommy Maddox threw for over 400 yards in a come-from-behind win and this past week's Memphis game in which Jim Druckenmiller won player of the week honors. The secondary is going to have to hold against the Demons who throw the ball almost exclusively. ... Click Here for More Information

Will The Maniax Drive The Hitmen Crazy?
Mike Mitchell - XFLBoard.com - 2001.03.16
The NY/NJ Hitmen defense may face their toughest challenge to date. On Saturday night, the XFL's hottest offense rolls into Giants Stadium to clash with the Hitmen. The league's hottest offense right now belongs to the Memphis Maniax led by Kippy Brown. The Hitmen are coming off a stunning 20-12 upset of the Demons at Pac Bell Park. They now stand at 2 and 4 after 6 games and are tied for the 2nd playoff spot in the east with Birmingham. Only 4 weeks remain in the regular season and half the teams in the XFL will be in the playoffs, while the other half will head home. ... Click Here for More Information

A Look Ahead Against the Spread
The Masked Prognosticator - 2001.03.16
The Maniax are burning like a flame off their first home win with a last minute victory against Chicago. The Ax now travel to the swamps of New Jersey to face the hapless Hitmen. Rusty Tillman and Company have been less like men and more like "sopranos" with a home record of 0-3 straight up and ats. On the road Memphis have been heartbreakers at 2-0 ats and straight up. Memphis is from the West, a better football team, and is the road favorite. Adding it all up, the odds of NY-NJ covering the spread is about the same as Sammy "the Bull" Gravano sharing a beer with John Gotti Junior! The line in this game was originally Memphis by 3. Now it's down to only 2 points, most likely due to injuries to Memphis QB Marcus Crandell (probable with a bad foot) and star running back Rashaan Salaam (questionable shoulder). ... Click Here for More Information

Barker to roll dice against XFL's top defense in Vegas
The Birmingham News - 2001.03.16
There are slot machines at the airport and in every mini-mart around. Ever since Bugsy Siegel came to town, Las Vegas' bread and butter has been legal vice. Yet despite all the temptations along the Strip, the biggest gamble in Vegas this weekend will occur at Sam Boyd Stadium, where the Birmingham Bolts try to keep their XFL playoff hopes alive without quarterback Casey Weldon. Trussville native and former University of Alabama star Jay Barker gets his first XFL start as the Bolts (2-4) try to discover what only Orlando has done: how to score more than a couple of touchdowns on the Las Vegas Outlaws (3-3). ... Click Here for More Information

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