XFL Tampa Bay Vipers report on challenges of a shortened play clock

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Thomas Shanks

By all reports, the Tampa Bay Vipers were making an extraordinary effort to prepare for the planned shortened play clock that will be ever present when the league kicks off next month.

By incorporating a “big red 25-second play clock” that was counting down during the team’s practice, players and coaches were able to become more accustomed to the shortened play clock, and the XFL’s fast-paced brand of football was tested.

Players are discovering they have to make an effort to keep pace and quickly prepare for the next play.

“We gotta make sure everybody’s aligned… that’s the biggest thing,” tight end Nick Truesdell said. “If somebody’s way down the field and they’ve got to run back, we gotta be aware of that because we’ve got a short amount of time.”

Truesdell also pointed out that the XFL’s innovative in-helmet coach-to-player communications will assist the offense to get ready for the next play.

“We’re not getting in the huddle, so we got to make sure we hear everything and get lined up quick,” he said.

The shortened time between plays is also effecting the coaches, as Vipers offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo pointed out.

“There’s no doubt that the play clock is a concern. You have to, as a playcaller, go through a number of different scenarios. Where the ball’s at, the down and distance, we’re in field goal range, and all those things have to be processed rather quickly. You have to be two or three steps ahead of the game.”

The shortened play clock is one of the most exciting changes the XFL has made for their upcoming season. We can’t wait to see how this effects the quality and pace of the game.

Source: XFL.com

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

XFL Rules

Posted on January 7, 2020January 8, 2020 by Thomas Shanks

America’s favorite game is evolving, and that means less stall and more ball. When the XFL Opening Weekend kicks off on February 8, The XFL will feature exciting gameplay innovations that deliver what football fans have told us they want – a faster pace of play and more action.

Today’s announcement of the XFL rules follows a rigorous 18-month research and development process. First, the league gathered ideas and input from a variety of qualified and credible sources, including current and former football coaches, players, officials, broadcasters, medical professionals, and sports industry experts – along with, a nationwide survey of more than 6,000 football fans. Then, over the last year, the XFL tested a wide range of rules and gameplay options under game conditions on the field of play.

The gameplay innovations that resulted from this intensive effort put the XFL in a position to offer more of the excitement and on-the-field elements that fans love – meaningful plays, minimal downtime, heightened competition, and enhanced player safety. The XFL is doing this in a manner that allows them to stay true to the game America loves most and without any gimmicks.

Below, we have highlighted some of the XFL’s key rules:

Kickoff

The kicker kicks from the 25-yard line and must kick the ball in the air and in play between the opponent’s 20-yard line and the end zone.
The coverage team lines up on the return side 35-yard line and the return team lines up on the 30-yard line. Each team must have exactly 3 players outside the hash marks on both sides of the ball and cannot move until the ball is caught by the returner.
Out of bounds kicks and kicks that fall short of the 20-yard line will result in an illegal procedure penalty, taking the ball all the way out to the kicking team’s 45 yard line.
Players can move when the ball is touched by the returner or 3 seconds after the ball touches the ground (when the official waves his hand down).
If the ball is kicked into the end zone and is downed it is a “Major” touchback and the ball is placed at the return side 35-yard line.
If the ball bounces in bounds and then out of the end zone or is downed in the end zone, the ball is placed at the return side 15-yard line.
If a player on the return team touches the ball and it goes out of bounds, the ball is spotted where it went out of bounds.
If a team wishes to run an onside kick, it must indicate this to the official before the play and the two teams will be permitted to line up using traditional NFL rules (i.e. 10 yards apart from the kicking team). There will be no surprise onside kicks.

Current NFL/College Rule

The NFL kicks off from the 35-yard line, with 5 players on each side of the ball. The ball can be kicked out of the end zone for a touchback or out of bounds and placed at the 40-yard line.
College also kicks off from the 35-yard line and allows return teams to take a touchback for any kickoff fair caught inside the 25-yard line.

Rationale

In college football, kickoffs are only 6% of plays but lead to 21% of concussions. To eliminate the safety issues with kickoffs, the NCAA and NFL created more opportunities for touchbacks. The increase in touchbacks naturally leads to fewer returns which means fewer meaningful plays. The XFL’s proposed rule change will encourage more kick returns while making the play less dangerous by eliminating the 30-yard sprint to collision.

Coverage teams will line up just five yards apart to make the kickoff safer for players. Touchback penalties will be in place to incentivize returnable kicks and the potential for the big plays.

POINT-AFTER TOUCHDOWN

XFL Rule

After a touchdown, the team has the option of running a play from the 2, 5, or 10-yard line, worth 1, 2, or 3 points respectively. The team must run an offensive play and no kicking plays are allowed.
If the defense is able to cause a turnover and return the ball to the opponent’s end zone, the resulting score is equal to the number of points the offense was attempting to score on its PAT.

Current NFL Rule

In the NFL, teams can elect whether to go for a kicked extra point or go for a 2-point conversion.

Rationale

The NFL has a near automatic play with its extra-point kick. The XFL has created excitement by replacing a kick with a play from scrimmage. To provide even more excitement, we have added the opportunity for a 3-point play, which means that an 18-point deficit is still a two-possession game. Fans have told the XFL that the 3-point play creates more strategy and innovation for the coaches.

PUNT

XFL Rule

Punting team cannot release past the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.
Gunners must line up at the line of scrimmage and are permitted to move laterally once the ball is snapped until it is kicked.
Defenders over the gunner cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.
If the ball goes out of bounds inside the 35-yard line, it is a “Major” touchback and the ball goes to the 35-yard line.
If a punted ball lands in the opponent’s end zone or goes out of the end zone the result is a “Major” touchback, and the ball goes out to the 35-yard line.
Fair catches are permitted (though disincentivized – see Rationale)

Current NFL/College Rule

The NFL allows players that are the end man on the line of scrimmage (often called the “gunner”) to release once the ball is snapped, and all other players release when the ball is kicked. If a ball is kicked out of bounds it is placed at the spot it leaves the field of play.
College allows all players to leave once the ball is snapped. If a ball is kicked out of bounds it is placed at the spot it leaves the field of play.

Rationale

Fans told the XFL that they didn’t like the amount of punts (specifically punts in an opponent’s territory) and how many punts did not have a return (47% ended in fair catch, out of bounds, or touchback). The XFL has instituted two rule changes to address these concerns: all out of bounds kicks create a touchback (Major to 35), and no punt-coverage players can release until the ball is kicked. This will create an average distance between the punt return and the nearest defender to 11 yards, vs. similar leagues of 6 yards, creating less reason to fair catch.
The XFL touchback changes will create less incentive for teams to punt in an opponent’s territory. In NFL and College, touchbacks go to the 20, so teams will risk less vs. the XFL on punts. Our coaches will be incentivized to go for it on 4th down because there is a higher likelihood of a positive punt return, and no ability to “pin” the receiving team with a coffin corner kick.

DOUBLE-FORWARD PASS

XFL Rule

If a team completes a forward pass behind the line of scrimmage, that team may throw a second forward pass, as long as the ball has at no time crossed the line of scrimmage.
Once the ball has passed the line of scrimmage, no forward passes are permitted.

Current NFL/College Rule

The NFL and College only allow only one forward pass per play.

Rationale

The “Double Pass” is one of the most exciting plays in football and the XFL aims to add excitement while maintaining traditional football. The Double Forward Pass Behind the Line of Scrimmage updates the rules to make double passes less risky because the first pass may fall incomplete rather than becoming a fumbled lateral.

OVERTIME

XFL Rule

Overtime shall consist of 5 “Rounds”, staged in alternating single-play possessions as is customary in NHL shootouts or MLS penalty kicks. A “Round” will consist of one offensive play per team. Each possession starts at the opponent’s 5-yard line and the offensive team has one play to score. The team with more points after 5 rounds is the winner.
- If a team has been mathematically eliminated before all 5 rounds have been completed, the game ends immediately (e.g. If Team A scores on its first 3 attempts and Team B is stopped on its first 3 attempts, then no subsequent plays are necessary).
- If teams are tied after 5 rounds, then rounds continue until one team is leading at the conclusion of a round, and that team will be the winner.
For scoring purposes, each successful overtime score is worth 2 points.
The defensive team cannot score. If the offensive team commits a turnover, the play is over immediately.
If the defensive team commits a penalty, the offensive team will be allowed to re-attempt from the 1-yard line.
- Any subsequent penalty committed by the defensive team on any subsequent play, including in future rounds, will result in a score awarded to the offensive team.
If the offensive team commits a pre-snap penalty, the ball will be moved back from the original spot, pursuant to regular rules and the play will be re-attempted.
If the offensive team commits a post-snap penalty, the play will end and no score will be awarded.
There will be a minimum of 20 seconds between plays with the ball-spotting official working in conjunction with TV and Official Review to signal when the next play begins.

Current NFL Rule

The NFL has a 10-minute overtime period, where each team must possess, or have the opportunity to possess the ball, unless the team that gets the ball first scores a touchdown. A coin toss determines which team will possess the ball first in overtime. If neither team wins in the overtime period, the game ends in a tie.

Rationale

NFL overtime can end in a tie and a team’s offense may never see the field. Overtime may also take up to 27 minutes to complete in the NFL. XFL overtime allows both teams to play offense, in under 10 minutes, and always has a winner.

5 TIMING CHANGES

25-SECOND PLAY CLOCK

XFL Rule

We will implement a 25-second play clock that begins after the ball is spotted for the next play.
- It takes 7 seconds on average to spot the ball (average 32 second play clock)

Current NFL Rule

The NFL has a 40-second play clock that starts when the previous play ends.

Rationale

In order to speed up the game, we wanted to minimize the downtime between plays. Our coaching staffs and teams are going to provide what fans want — more football during the game.

COMEBACK PERIOD

XFL Rule

Occurs after the 2-Minute Warning in each half.
On plays that end in the field of play, the game clock will be stopped until the ball has been spotted and 5 seconds have run off of the play clock.
On incomplete passes and out of bounds plays, the game clock will stop completely until the ball is snapped.

Current NFL/College Rule

The NFL has a 2-minute warning with 2 minutes left in each half, which stops the clock. When a player goes out of bounds or there is an incompletion inside the 2-minute warning, the clock stops until the ball is snapped on the next play.
College stops the clock after every first down for the Referee to re-spot the ball.

Rationale

The most exciting part of the game is the end of each half, and the XFL aims to maximize this excitement. By stopping the game clock after every play, the team that is trailing has a clear way to maximize its remaining time and still have the ability to use its complete playbook, including runs or plays in the middle of the field.
Also, a team cannot “run out the clock” at the end of the game until the opponent has no timeouts and there is 1 minute left (5 second run off on the play clock, so 20 seconds can be run off on a play), vs. the NFL, where a game can essentially be ended with 2 minutes left through three kneeldowns that each take 40 seconds off the play clock.

RUNNING GAME CLOCK

XFL Rule

Outside the last 2 minutes of each half, the game clock will run after incompletions and out of bounds plays.
Aside from incompletions and out of bounds plays, game clock rules outside the last 2 minutes of each half are the same as the NFL.

Current NFL/College Rule

The NFL game clock stops after every out of bounds play until the Referee re-spots the ball, and on incomplete passes until the next play begins.
College stops the clock after every 1st down and when a player goes out of bounds until the Referee re-spots the ball. The clock also stops after an incomplete pass until the ball is snapped on the following play.

Rationale

The XFL is aiming to play each game in under 3 hours, but with the same amount of total plays. In order to achieve this goal, the XFL is treating incompletions and out of bounds plays the same as plays that end in the field of play.

TIMEOUTS

XFL Rule

Each team will have 2 one-minute timeouts per half.

Current NFL/College Rule

3 timeouts per half

Rationale

With our rule changes in the last 2 minutes, coaches should not need as many timeouts to help create a comeback. By eliminating one timeout per half, we limit the number of stoppages during the most exciting part of the game. If a play is reviewed and overturned by replay during a timeout, the team that took the timeout will not be charged.

REPLAY RULINGS

XFL Rule

The XFL will have no coaches’ challenges and all plays will be subject to review from the Replay Official, who will be stationed in a booth above the field.
Reviewable plays are limited to: (a) Plays involving possession. (b) Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground.. (c) Plays governed by the goal line. (d) Plays governed by the boundary lines. (e) Plays governed by the line of scrimmage. (f) Plays governed by the line to gain.. (g) Number of players on the field at the snap. (h) Game administration. (1) Penalty enforcement. (2) Proper down. (3) Spot of a foul. (4) Status of the game clock. (i) Disqualification of a player. This list of reviewable plays is identical to those in the NFL prior to 2019.
- Exception: The Replay Official may correct obvious errors involving player safety at any point throughout the game.
- Exception: The Replay Official may correct any egregious obvious error that may have a significant impact on the outcome of the game in the last five minutes of the 4th quarter or during overtime.

NFL Rule

Coaches’ Challenge:

Each team is permitted two challenges that will initiate Instant Replay reviews: (a) The Head Coach can initiate a challenge by throwing a red flag onto the field of play before the next legal snap or kick. (b) A team that commits a foul that delays the next snap can no longer challenge the previous play. The non-fouling team can still challenge the previous play, and both teams can benefit from the review. (c) The Head Coach may challenge on-field rulings listed in Section 3, except for those plays that only the Replay Official can challenge (Article 2). (d) Each challenge requires an available team timeout. A team that is out of timeouts, or has used all its available challenges, may not attempt to initiate a challenge.

Rationale

Review/Replay in football officiating is paramount to how fans view the game. To get the play right is of utmost importance to the XFL and our goal is to provide quality reviews at the right times and in a timely fashion. By eliminating coaches’ challenges, we don’t rely on the teams to fix miscues by the officials, and by only allowing “common sense” to be applied to officiating we put the fan first instead of the process.

5 COMMON SENSE RULES

ONE FOOT INBOUNDS

XFL Rule

To catch a ball means that a player:

Secures control of a live ball in flight before the ball touches the ground.
Touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and then
Maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to perform an act common to the game, i.e., long enough to pitch or hand the ball, advance it, avoid or ward off an opponent, etc.

Current NFL Rule

To gain possession of a loose ball that has been caught, intercepted, or recovered, a player (a) must have complete control of the ball with his hands or arms and (b) have both feet or any other part of his body, other than his hands, completely on the ground inbounds, and, after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, perform any act common to the game. It is not necessary that he commit such an act, provided that he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so. This rule applies in the field of play, at the sideline, and in the end zone.

Rationale

Catches in the NFL are often up to debate because of timing and control of the football. By simplifying the rules that establish control of the football, we are creating easier ways for officials to determine when a catch is made. When interviewing over 100 players on their opinion, players often said “A catch is made with your hands, not your feet.”

DEDICATED BALL-SPOTTING OFFICIAL

XFL Rule

There will be a dedicated Ball Spotting Official who will solely be responsible for quickly spotting the ball and getting a new ball after each play.

Current NFL/College Rule

The NFL and College use a seven-official system, with no single official responsible for spotting the ball.

Rationale

The NFL cycles a new ball in and out of the game between plays using the entire crew and the ball personnel on the sideline. The average time to operate the spotting of the ball is 12 seconds but it is variable depending on the situation. The Ball Spotting Official standardizes the time it takes to spot the ball and gives the XFL an on-field official with control of the game tempo.

COACH-TO-PLAYER COMMUNICATION

XFL Rule

All offensive skill position players (QB, WR, RB, TE) will have a Coach-to-Player helmet receiver.
One on-field defensive player will have a Coach-to-Player helmet receiver.
The Coach-to-Player system allows a member of the coaching staff in the bench area or the coaches’ booth to communicate to a designated offensive or defensive player with a speaker in his helmet. We will not have a cut off on the communication but will be monitoring for communication between the snap of the ball and the end-of-play whistle.
- Broadcast partners will have access to this communication and may use it during the game.

Current NFL/College Rule

College:

No Coach-to-Player communication

NFL:

The Coach-to-Player system allows a member of the coaching staff in the bench area or the coaches’ booth to communicate to a designated offensive or defensive player with a speaker in his helmet. The communication begins once a game official has signaled a down to be over and is cut off when the play clock reaches 15 seconds or the ball is snapped, whichever occurs first.

Rationale

By allowing coaches to communicate with all offensive skill players that substitute and change location for each play we can play at a faster pace. Since offense changes much more than defense we only need to adjust the way the offense communicates to players.

SIMPLIFIED ILLEGAL MAN DOWNFIELD

XFL Rule

No ineligible player shall be or have been more than three yards beyond the line of scrimmage until a passer throws a legal forward pass that crosses the line of scrimmage. A player is in violation of this rule if any part of his body is beyond the three-yard limit.

Current NFL/College Rule

College
- When, after the snap, a Team A ineligible player immediately charges and contacts an opponent at a point not more than one yard beyond the neutral zone and maintains the contact for no more than three yards beyond the neutral zone.
NFL
- An ineligible offensive player is illegally downfield if: (a) he moves more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage without contacting an opponent (b) after losing contact with an opponent within one yard of the line of scrimmage, he advances more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage (c) after losing contact with an opponent more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage, he continues to move toward his opponent’s goal line.

Rationale

This rule has become a more important part of football due to the advent of the RPO (Run Pass Option). Due to the way the rule is traditionally written, it is hard to officiate. The XFL has written the rule to be clearer while also helping teams that run the RPO.

SHORTER HALFTIMES

10-minute break, then back to the action.

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

XFL Dallas Renegades test innovative on-field communication system

Posted on January 6, 2020January 6, 2020 by Thomas Shanks

XFL Offensive Skill Player Headset System — *Source: XFL.com*

For the first time this training camp, the Dallas Renegades trialed one of the XFL’s 2020 innovations when their skill players tested a unique set of radio communication in their helmets.

In their 2020 season, the XFL has decided to allow one-way radio communication from coaches to all skill players on the field. This will allow play calls to be heard by additional offensive players and shorten the time needed for offensive huddles… all in an effort to present a faster game with “more ball and less stall.”

Reportedly, Dallas offensive coordinator Hal Mumme was pleased with the innovative new communications system.

“Speed is obviously the biggest difference because I can get the play out to six guys at a time,” Mumme said. “I think it’s pretty cool. I always hated headsets until now.”

Mumme was also impressed with how the headsets made the Renegades practice more efficient.

“It helps speed up practice, too. You get more reps in and you’ve got a chance to coach them on the run,” Mumme said. “As they’re jogging back you can tell them to make their route deeper or whatever. It’s great.”

We are looking forward to seeing innovations such as this, and others, when XFL teams hit the field next month.

Source: XFL.com

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Seems official. Johnny Football and Trent Richardson will not be in the XFL

Posted on December 15, 2019December 15, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

Johnny Manziel 2014 Browns training camp https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johnny_Manziel_2014_Browns_training_camp_(3).jpg

Through an interview with the Tampa Bay Times XFL Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck has gone gone on record to say that Johnny Manziel and Trent Richardson will not be seen on an XFL team roster.

“I would argue that the players we have are better than those guys, to be honest with you. Johnny has his own history, and we have coaches from the CFL who have seen him close up. I watched Trent when he was with the Colts, and I watched him when he was with the AAF. He was in the draft pool. Coaches and scouts looked at him and didn’t think he was going to help their team. I think the guys we have on our teams are the best 560 that aren’t playing in the National Football League.”

Trent Richardson attended a Summer Showcase, he was invited to the draft pool, and the XFL even touted him as a strong candidate prior to the draft. However, it seems that teams just didn’t see Richardson as a good fit in their roster.

Manziel was never invited to a Summer Showcase, nor did he appear in the draft pool. However, Houston Roughnecks coach June Jones did express interest in Manziel. This seems like a moot point now that Phillip Walker was selected as Houston’s tier-one Quarterback, and the Roughnecks chose Conner Cook as their first pick in the draft. It seems like Jones is definitely going in a different direction.

Of course stranger things have happened. However, the odds of these two players suiting up for the XFL seems to have become even longer.

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Introducing the Seattle Dragons’ Uniforms

Posted on December 3, 2019December 26, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

On Tuesday, the Seattle Dragons kicked off their minicamp at a private dinner hosted by head coach and general manager Jim Zorn. During the dinner, the teams uniforms and helmet were revealed to the team for the first time.

The Dragons’ uniforms reflect the team’s primary colors of navy, green, and orange.

Inspiration: Emerging from the turbulent seas of the Puget Sound comes a team fashioned to inspire fear.

Born beneath the murky skies, they are devils in deep blue, shrouded in the dark indigo mists of some ancient abyss. Their wings are covered in scales of green, like an emerald monster. Their flame-licked tails are the incandescent orange of a fire-breathing beast.

These are the Seattle Dragons. #BreathingFire in February 2020.

Helmet: Players will choose from one of the highly-rated helmets from Riddell, VICIS and Schutt.

Home Jersey Features: Navy body, green sleeves with orange inserts, green neck, cuffs and side panels, embroidered Dragons team name. Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in white with orange outline.

Home Pants Features: Navy body with orange side insert.

Away Jersey Features: White body, green sleeves with orange inserts, navy neck , green cuffs and side panels, embroidered Dragons team name. Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in orange with navy outline.

Away Pants Features: White body with green side insert

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Introducing the LA Wildcats’ Uniforms

Posted on December 3, 2019December 26, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

The Los Angeles Wildcats kicked off their minicamp on Tuesday at a private dinner hosted by head coach and general manager Winston Moss. During the dinner, the team’s uniforms and helmet were revealed for the first time.

The Wildcats’ uniforms reflect the team’s primary colors of black, red and light orange.

Inspiration: This is a team made in LA, let loose from the canyons into the land of bright lights. This beast is unleashed far from the flash and fame, prowling the southland’s back alleys in search of its prey.

Its coat is as black as the dead of night, with orange-hued highlights like the golden glow of a Pacific sunset. It leaves its mark with blood-red claws. This is a primal predator, ready to pounce. This is showtime with a snarl.

This is our time to roar. The Los Angeles Wildcats. #Unleashed February 2020.

Helmet: Players will choose from one of the highly-rated helmets from Riddell, VICIS and Schutt.

Home Jersey Features: Black body and shoulders, red sleeves, collar, cuff and side panel, embroidered Wildcats team name. Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in light orange with red outline.

Home Pants Features: Black pants with red and black sublimated Clawmark panel

Away Jersey Features: White body and shoulders, light orange sleeves and side panel, black collar and cuff, embroidered Wildcats team name. Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in red with light orange outline.

Away Pants Features: White body with light orange and black sublimated Clawmark panel.

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Introducing the New York Guardians’ Uniforms

Posted on December 3, 2019December 26, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

The New York Guardians revealed team uniforms and helmets at a private dinner that kicked off minicamp, hosted by head coach and general manager Kevin Gilbride.

The Guardians’ uniforms reflect the team’s primary colors of black, grey and red.

Inspiration: This is the grey of concrete and steel, and sentries carved in stone; watchdogs over the metropolis.

This is the red of fiery eyes and ferocious teeth, and the burning ambition of everyday heroes. This is the black of shielded streets standing guard, and a city that never sleeps.

These are the New York Guardians. #OnDuty February 2020.

Helmet: Players will choose from one of the highly-rated helmets from Riddell, VICIS and Schutt.

Home Jersey Features: Black body and sleeves, grey shoulder inserts trimmed with red striping, embroidered Guardian sleeve patches and front neckplate, and embroidered Guardian team name. Player numbers on front and back in grey twill with red outline.

Home Pants Features: Black body with grey side panels trimmed with red striping.

Away Jersey Features: Grey body and sleeves, black shoulder inserts trimmed with red striping, embroidered Guardian sleeve patches and front neckplate, and embroidered Guardian team name. Player numbers on front and back in black twill with red outline.

Away Pants Features: Grey body with black side panels trimmed with red striping.

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Introducing the DC Defenders’ Uniforms

Posted on December 3, 2019December 27, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

The DC Defenders revealed team uniforms and helmet at a private dinner that kicked off minicamp, hosted by head coach and general manager Pep Hamilton.

The Defenders’ uniforms reflect the team’s primary colors of red and white.

Inspiration: Inspired by a tradition of service and sacrifice, this team stands tall on the shoulders of giants. Blazoned with the red of the DC flag and our Founding Fathers’ coat of arms: marching ever forward, a force united, with fiery resolve.

They are the white of our sacred monuments: iconic, imposing, unconquerable and unyielding. They are star-spangled and lightning-striped, seeking glory through grit, and victory through valor. This is one team, with one quest, and one purpose.

These are the DC Defenders. #TakingTheirStand in February 2020.

Helmet: Players will choose from one of the highly-rated helmets from Riddell, VICIS and Schutt.

Home Jersey Features: Red body and sleeves, embroidered white Lightning Bolt on sleeves, Defenders logo embroidered on neckplate, embroidered Defenders team name, Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in white.

Home Pants Features: Red body with white sublimated spandex side panel and red lightning bolt.

Away Jersey Features: White body and sleeves, embroidered red Lightning Bolt on sleeves, Defenders logo embroidered on neckplate, embroidered Defenders team name, Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in red.

Away Pants Features: White body with red sublimated spandex side panel and white lightning bolt.

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Introducing the Tampa Bay Vipers Uniforms

Posted on December 3, 2019December 26, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

The Tampa Bay Vipers players and coaches reported and officially kicked off their offseason program at a private dinner and team meeting hosted by head coach and general manager Marc Trestman.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the team’s uniforms and helmet were revealed to the players and coaches for the first time.

“I am jacked up about our uniforms,” said Trestman. “I think the league did a terrific job.”

The Vipers’ uniforms reflect the team’s primary colors of green, gold and white. Below are details on the uniform features as well as the descriptive inspiration for the team’s look:

Inspiration: This is a team that slithered out of prehistoric Gulf Coast swamps, demons born in darkness. In the shadows they wait, sheathed in skins of dark green scales, with a venomous hiss, and a dangerous charm.

Their flickering tails shine like a glimmer of green, swift and serpentine. Their grip is inescapable. Their bite, unavoidable. With hoods crowned by fangs of gold, they stalk their competition in cold blood, luring all who challenge them into the jaws of defeat.

These are the Tampa Bay Vipers. #ReadyToStrike in February 2020.

Helmet: Players will choose from one of the highly rated helmets from Riddell, VICIS and Schutt.

Home Jersey Features: Green body, action green sleeves with gold inserts, action green neck and side panels, Vipers logo embroidered on neckplate, Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in gold with action green outline.

Home Pants Features: Green body with action green side insert and gold piping.

Away Jersey Features: White body, green sleeves with gold inserts, green neck and side panels, Vipers logo embroidered on neckplate, Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in green with action green outline.

Away Pants Features: White body with green side insert and gold piping.

Thomas Shanks

Lover of the game, and looking forward to Spring football. Reporting on the league in general.

Introducing the St. Louis Battlehawks Uniforms

Posted on December 3, 2019December 26, 2019 by Thomas Shanks

The St. Louis BattleHawks kicked off their minicamp at a private dinner hosted by head coach and general manager Jonathan Hayes. During the dinner, the team’s uniforms and helmet were revealed for the first time.

The BattleHawks’ uniforms reflect the team’s primary colors of royal, grey and navy.

Inspiration: This is a team born and raised in St. Louis, ready for its maiden flight. Winged warriors, preparing to fight; they attack as one.

With a streak of blue, and a flash of chrome; this is metal, muscle, and a mandate to win at all costs. Featuring a blade of iron and wings of blue steel, this is STL proud.

These are the St. Louis BattleHawks. #ClearedToEngage in February 2020.

Helmet: Players will choose from one of the highly-rated helmets from Riddell, VICIS and Schutt.

Home Jersey Features: Royal body, shoulders and cuff, navy and grey sleeve inserts, navy neck, embroidered BattleHawks team name. Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in white with navy outline.

Home Pants Features: Grey pant with royal and navy side inserts

Away Jersey Features: White body, shoulders and cuff, navy and royal sleeve inserts, royal neck, embroidered BattleHawks team name. Player numbers on front, back and shoulders in royal with grey outline.

Away Pants Features: Royal pant with white and navy side inserts.