Tag: Cardale Jones

Ohio State football’s ten most memorable plays of the decade

There are a ton of memorable plays over the last decade of Ohio State football, but we’ve picked out the ten we believe stand out.

There’s a slew of big-time games over the last decade for a program like Ohio State. With all the high-stakes on the line seemingly every year for one of the best programs of all time, that means there’s plenty of memorable plays that define every year.

Take that out further, and you can rewind on the entire decade that just passed and remember where you were when certain moments took place that defined the period from 2000-2019. From the tail-end of the Jim Tressel era, to the year in purgatory under Luke Fickell, through the dominant run of Urban Meyer at the helm, to the ushering in of the Ryan Day tenure, there’s plays that will live on in the hearts of Buckeye fans, coaches, and players during this time.

Here’s our stab at the ten most memorable plays of the decade that just flashed by us as we now embark on a new ten-year period.

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Next … No. 10

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The Saints should be keeping a close eye on Cardale Jones, the face of the XFL

It’s been a while since Cardale Jones won a national title at Ohio State, but the XFL star should draw attention from the New Orleans Saints

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Who’s going to quarterback the New Orleans Saints in 2020? The easy answer would be Drew Brees, assuming he returns for one more year before entering retirement. That’s far from certain with TV networks trying to add him to the broadcast booth. And who’s going to be under center in 2021? Teddy Bridgewater or Taysom Hill, maybe? The future of the most important position in football has never been less certain for New Orleans than right now, but an interesting option could be making a name for himself in the upstart XFL.

D.C. Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones is the biggest name the spring football league has to offer, and he’s lived up to that billing with a 2-0 record and an impressive resume through the first two weeks. Jones has completed 39 of 63 passes (62%) for 511 yards and four touchdowns against just one interception, tacking on 42 rushing yards. His ability to execute plays within structure of the offense while also improvising once things fall apart has to be an intriguing draw for NFL teams, including the Saints.

He’s someone the Saints should be familiar with, having practiced against Jones for a week during the 2019 preseason in joint sessions with the Los Angeles Chargers. They presumably got a good look at him when evaluating his top receiver (Michael Thomas) and the quarterback who somehow started ahead of him (J.T. Barrett) on the Ohio State Buckeyes way back when, during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. But whatever the NFL overlooked in Jones’ college game has clearly translated to the XFL: he’s 13-0 as a starting quarterback between his college, NFL, and XFL experience, leading teams to a 25-1 overall record whenever he steps on the field. That’s what you call a gamer.

But how does Jones compare to Bridgewater and Hill, the heirs-apparent to Brees? He’s 27, a few months younger than Bridgewater, while Hill is several years their senior. Jones is a much better-developed passer than Hill, though he probably doesn’t offer the same running ability or aptitude on special teams. If the Saints aren’t able to retain Bridgewater once he tests free agency, Jones would make more sense as a backup or understudy to Brees than many other journeymen quarterbacks. He won’t be going anywhere until the XFL’s first season concludes, but it’s easy to imagine the Saints giving him a shot in training camp. They’ve added just about every other ex-Buckeyes prospect possible in recent years.

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How to Watch St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks, XFL Football Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch St Louis Battlehawks vs Houston Roughnecks Live Online.

The undefeated St. Louis Battlehawks (1-0) head to Houston to take on the Roughnecks who also won their first game of the season. Can the Roughnecks increase their lead in the XFL’s West division with a win at home or will the Battlehawks get their second straight victory? We’ll find out Sunday afternoon at TDECU Stadium in Houston. 

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St. Louis Battlehawks vs. Houston Roughnecks

  • When: Sunday, February 16
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: FS1
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

St. Louis was one of three teams in the XFL East division to come away with a victory in the league’s opener. The Battlehawks edged the Renegades 15-9 in Dallas. Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu completed 20 of 27 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown. Ta’Amu, who played collegiately at Ole Miss, also rushed for 77 yards on nine carries. Former Florida running back Matt Jones led the team with 21 carries and 85 yards, while Keith Ford scored the lone rushing touchdown. The Battlehawks defense was also stout, holding the Renegades to just 58 yards rushing. Linebacker Terence Garvin was all over the field with eight total tackles (two of those for a loss) and one sack.

In the XFL West division, Houston sits in first place after a 37-17 trouncing of the visiting Los Angeles Wildcats.  After being down 17-12 late in the third quarter, the Roughnecks took the lead on a 39-yard touchdown pass from quarterback P.J. Walker to wide receiver Sam Mobley. That series was part of a 25-0 run for head coach June Jones. It’s no secret that Jones’ offenses like to air the ball out. Walker finished the day 23 of 38 for 272 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. If St. Louis wants to stay in the game, it starts with limiting Walker and the passing game.

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This Cardale Jones highlight is the XFL in all its absurd glory

Cardale Jones, an XFL legend in the making.

Here’s hoping quarterback Cardale Jones does not use the XFL to get a spot on an NFL team. He deserves to be an XFL legend.

Jones has made a pair of XFL appearances with two victories and no shortage of jaw-dropping plays. In Week 1, he was a part of a reverse flea-flicker, which went for a touchdown in the DC Defenders victory. In Week 2 against the New York Guardians, he did something absurd and absurdly amazing. It was the old recovered-fumble, almost-sacked, fell-over, crossed-over 12-yard pass. Easy, right?

Jones made it look really, really good. And maybe he finished 23 of 37 for 276 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, but this play was his best.

After watching this play come together, it’s no wonder New York quarterback Matt McGloin lost his cool on the sideline and incessantly questioned his coaching staff.

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WATCH: Cardale Jones turn fumble disaster into unbelievable completion

Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is lighting up the XFL. He turned in a play to remember Saturday against the New York Guardians.

If you haven’t noticed, former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones is taking the XFL by storm. As the face of the DC Defenders, he is making highlight play after highlight play and living up to his nickname “12-gauge.”

Last week, he almost passed for 300 yards, including a little bit of trickeration, and this week he had an equally impressive performance, completing 23 of 37 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 14 yards.

But it isn’t the stat line that has people talking, it’s his ability to improvise that has been fun to watch. One play in particular shines above all else from week two. In it, Jones scrambles and stumbles, losing the ball on the turf. He doesn’t give up though and reclaims the pigskin, scrambles some more and throws a strike down the field for a 13-yard completion.

Click on the below and watch the chaos turned to beauty by Jones. It doesn’t look pretty, but it sure is a hoot to watch.

Jones is legitimately so much fun to watch just two weeks into this whole XFL reboot. He now has his Defenders undefeated at 2-0 after a 27-0 win over the New York Guardians.

With plays like these, maybe this whole XFL recycled experiment can work out after all. Stay tuned. Jones and the Defenders are next in action next Sunday against the Los Angeles Wildcats.

At this point, it’s appointment television.

Former Bills make mark in XFL’s opening weekend

Here’s how several former Buffalo Bills fared in the opening week of XFL action.

The second edition of the XFL has given an opportunity for several former Bills to continue their professional football journey. A few of the players who frequented Buffalo’s roster in the past made some history in the XFL this weekend.

Here’s how several former Bills players fared in the opening week of XFL action:

DC Defenders

DC Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones. Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Defenders had several familiar faces to those who have suited up with the Bills over the past number of years. Quarterback Cardale Jones made the most of his time on the field, going 16-of-26 passing for 235 yards and a passer rating of 116.7. He also rushed the ball nine times for 28 yards. 

Former practice squad candidate Tyree Jackson played sparingly, rushing the ball once for five yards and not throwing a pass during the game. His brief time on the field was mostly a change-of-space for the Defenders offense. 

Tight end Khari Lee and wide receiver Malachi Dupree were involved in the aerial attack. Dupre caught two passes for 14 receiving yards. Lee, who played primarily as a blocking tight end for the Bills, was on the receiving end of a 39-yard touchdown reception which was a trick play also involving Jones: 

Former Buffalo prospects were also on display on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker A.J. Tarpley, who retired from the NFL in 2015 due to concerns about concussions, returned to the field in the AAF and continues his comeback in the XFL. He registered five total tackles on the day. Cornerback Bradley Sylve returned an interception for a touchdown as well:

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Built to last: Reborn XFL has what AAF was missing

For football fans not ready to start the long offseason, the opening weekend of the new XFL was a potent fix to fuel the football addiction. The spring football league dominated social media, the stadiums were filled with passionate supporters …

For football fans not ready to start the long offseason, the opening weekend of the new XFL was a potent fix to fuel the football addiction.

The spring football league dominated social media, the stadiums were filled with passionate supporters developing their fandom, and the overnight television ratings reflected its success.

But, the Alliance of American Football enjoyed similar success on its opening weekend exactly 12 months earlier, and it lasted only eight weeks before the money ran out and bankruptcy ensued.

Football skeptics question whether the XFL can sustain its success in a way the AAF couldn’t, but the brainchild of Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck has what last year’s startup was missing: quarterbacks.

The name recognition won’t be there for the average NFL viewer, but the performances across the first four games of the XFL gave fans all the excitement they needed.

Former Ohio State fourth-round pick Cardale Jones continued his undefeated record as a starting quarterback with the weekend’s highest passer rating of 116.7 (16-of-26 for 235 yards and two touchdowns) for the D.C. Defenders.

Houston Roughnecks quarterback P.J. Walker earned some attention with 272 yards and four touchdowns, and one of the league’s headliners, former Pittsburgh Steeler Landry Jones, didn’t play for his Dallas Renegades because of injury.

The different for the XFL isn’t just the talent at the position. It’s the rule changes and system in place to eliminate some of the barriers to effective passing.

The league put headsets in the helmets of every offensive skill position player, and they don’t turn off, so coaches can talk directly to their players on the field.

It was designed to increase the speed of the game and make an abbreviated play clock more manageable, but the byproduct was extra guidance in the ear of the quarterbacks and receivers.

They still have to make accurate throws, but the increased communication seems to mitigate some playbook and decision-making issues that often plague ineffective passers.

It wasn’t a universal solution to poor quarterbacking — Aaron Murray of the Tampa Bay Vipers completed less than 50 percent of his passes — but seven of the eight offenses executed scoring drives well enough to keep fans engaged.

The AAF saw four of its eight teams make quarterback changes in last year’s opening weekend, and 15 different players attempted more than 30 passes over the course of the spring. When the league folded, only two teams had a positive touchdown-to-interception ratio.

XFL quarterbacks are making plenty of mistakes too. If they were polished passers, they’d still have NFL contracts. But even the ones on the losing side of the scoreboard showed a baseline consistency that was lacking in the Alliance.

Pair this improved passing with stronger television deals and a more publicized build-up, and the XFL is in a great position to learn from the failures of the past and entrench itself as a spring football staple.

Former Bills QB Cardale Jones hears ‘MVP’ chants in XFL debut

DC Defenders QB Cardale Jones hears MVP chants in XFL debut.

The XFL won’t ever rival the NFL, but heck, opening day was pretty fun on Saturday and one former Bills player is a reason why, quarterback Cardale Jones.

The ex Ohio State standout and fourth-round pick of the Bills in 2016 plays for the DC Defenders. His team won 31-19 over the Seattle Dragons and Jones was 16-for-26 passing for 319 yards with two touchdowns.

For his efforts, DC fans shouted down “MVP” chants on Jones during the game:

Jones’ top play might’ve been some trickery and involving another former Bill, too. On a double -reverse flea flicker, Jones found a wide open Khari Lee, a former Bills tight end, who went on to score on the play:

The XFL continues on Sunday, with plenty of former Bills players taking part in the league.

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This elaborate XFL trick play made for an awesome DC Defenders touchdown

This was pretty dope.

Quarterback Cardale Jones and the DC Defenders seemed to be the perfect team to kick off the (second) inaugural season for the XFL.

Jones, an Ohio State product who spent four years in the NFL, put together a heck of a performance against the Seattle Dragons on Saturday. His most epic moment came on a second-half touchdown pass with a trick play. Jones flipped the ball to Donnel Pumphrey, who sent the ball on a reverse to Eli Rogers, who flicked the ball back to Jones.

Reverse! Flea flicker!

Jones found Khari Lee running open downfield, and the tight end beat three would-be tacklers in the open field before finishing in the end zone.

In his XFL debut, Jones was 16 of 26 with 319 total yards and two passing touchdowns in the Defenders 31-19 win over the Dragons.

Looks like the XFL will be pretty fun — even if there should be a fair amount of questions about its financial viability.

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Watch what Cardale Jones had to say after his first XFL start

Watch what current D.C. Defenders and former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones had to say after his XFL debut.

By all accounts and measures, former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones had one whale of a debut with the XFL. His D.C. Defenders squad won the first game in its history 31-19 over Seattle Saturday. And Jones had a lot to do with it.

He completed 16 of 26 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns, and gained a few more on the ground because of the whole better runner than thrower thing, right?

Jones was a happy man after the game and took some time to reflect upon what he hopes is the start of something special.

“It feels good to be out there for a full game, grinding out there with these guys that we put a lot of work in since November,” said Jones.

When asked what he learned about his team, Jones said he knew one thing about his teammates.

“We knew we had a tough, hard-nosed team,” Jones said. “The unknown was what these guys will come out and prepare for, so it was hard for us to prepare.”

You can catch his exchange and brief interview after the game by clicking on the below video shared by the official Twitter feed of the D.C. Defenders.

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There you have it. Jones looked more like the quarterback that unexpectedly and somewhat miraculously led Ohio State to a national championship in 2014, instead of the one that struggled to find his place in the NFL.

Hopefully, there’s more coming too. The D.C. Defenders are back in action next Saturday at 2 PM Eastern against the New York Guardians.