XFL News: No Territorial Draft, Head Coaching Interviews, CFL QB's/NFL Practice Squaders, Two TV Partners?

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MikeMitchell
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XFL News: No Territorial Draft, Head Coaching Interviews, CFL QB's/NFL Practice Squaders, Two TV Partners?

Post by MikeMitchell »

Oliver Luck was a guest on The Survive and Advance podcast on Tuesday. You can check out the full 50 minute interview at thegruelingtruth.net


Here are some quick news and notes from the podcast;

* Oliver Luck has already been in contact with several head coaching candidates. Coaches that have reached out that want to join the league. The league has not made any formal offers yet. Head coaching hires are expected to be announced very early in January. After Black Monday most likely in The NFL. "The head coaching hires are the next big step for the league". The league will work with the individual head coaches in targeting premiere quarterbacks for each respective team. The coaches that have reached out are excited about having the dual role of coach/gm.


* On the subject of the potential quarterbacks targeted and the pay scale. Luck was asked if 300 grand per season is really enough for their star qb's. Oliver stated that the league will target practice squad quarterbacks, who are making roughly over 120k a season. Luck even mentioned veteran backups who have a few years of experience in the NFL but have virtually no chance to be a starter. How the XFL can appeal to those players. When asked about the CFL and their star group of quarterbacks. Luck stated that some CFL quarterbacks will be on the radar for the league. "The league has an eye on a handful of quarterbacks from the CFL"...….. (CFL Free agency begins on February 19th)


* Luck feels that the big benefit that the league has, is that they can offer these prospective quarterbacks, the opportunity to be a starter and play 10 games. Oliver cited what an aid it was for the likes of Kurt Warner, Jon Kitna, Brad Johnson and Jake Delhomme. All qb's who excelled in NFL Europe, a league that Oliver Luck ran. Luck states that the XFL is looking at young veteran quarterbacks who have 2 or 3 years experience in The NFL.


* On the subject of a potential territorial draft. Luck announced that there will not be a territorial draft in The XFL. He states that the league wants complete transparency on how players are distributed to each individual team. The league looked into a potential territorial draft but they feel that it makes more sense to give coaches the complete freedom to stock any players that they want, and to stock the rosters the way that they see fit. The league will sign players to a large pool. There may be position specific drafts for skill positions but Luck did not go into any more detail.

* Luck was asked where The XFL refs are going to come from. Oliver says that the league has a good opportunity because virtually every referee that is in college and the pros has the spring off. Oliver says that the league will be hiring 4 officiating crews because they will have 4 games a week. There will be an extra official for ball spotting, similar to what some colleges are doing. The league wants to have less penalties and that the league will be doing things differently. One of the keys is setting up a standard where the refs are more likely than not, going to keep the flag in their pocket. Only throwing flags for blatant transgressions. This led into a conversation of how officials have a tendency to throw flags to make up or cover for a poor call on a previous play. Oliver Luck wants to allow a certain amount of hand to hand contact. He feels that flags should only be thrown in blatant situations.

* Oliver Luck has stated that the league average attendance goal is 20,000 per game. There are certain markets where they feel that will exceed that 20k number. Luck mentions that the league is in the process of scaling the buildings in terms of ticket pricing.

* There was a discussion about the rules in the XFL. Luck mentioned a 30 second play clock specifically. He feels that the league has solved the kickoff issue with their most recent testing. It was funny, the hosts suggested some CFL rules that the league has already tested. There was talk of the 2 point stance rather than a 3 point stance.

* Oliver Luck says that the league is very close to announcing their tv rights package. He says "football fans will be very pleased with The XFL's broadcast partners". "Who are both partners that have extensive experience at the highest level of professional football". "The league is excited about their partnerships".... These direct comments come near the end of the interview in the last 10 minutes. This could mean one company and it's broadcast channel and cable channel but what if partners means NBC and Fox. Just some food for thought.
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