Tag: Dallas Renegades

Lincoln Riley, former Oklahoma players wish best of luck to Bob Stoops ahead of XFL debut

The visor’s return to the sidelines is almost here. During Dallas Renegades’ practice on Saturday, Bob Stoops got a surprise video.

The visor’s return to the sidelines is almost here.

Former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops will make his XFL debut on Sunday with the Dallas Renegades. The Sooners’ head ball coach from 1999-2016 will be back on the sidelines after 1,133 days.

The Dallas Renegades surprised Stoops on Saturday during practice with a video of Lincoln Riley, former players, assistants and Mack Brown wishing him the best of luck in his first season.

“Wanted to wish coach Bob Stoops and the Dallas Renegades the absolute very best in their inaugural season,” Riley said in the video. “To all the Renegades’ fans, you got the best coach in football on your sidelines, so enjoy it and have a blast.

“Coach, we got a ton of new Renegades in Norman, Oklahoma, that will be wishing you nothing but the best, Boomer Sooner and go Renegades.”

Former Texas head coach Mack Brown and former Stoops’ assistants Mike Leach and Kevin Sumlin made comments in the video. Former Sooners Roy Williams, Mark Clayton, Adrian Peterson and Tommie Harris did, too.

Stoops finished with a 190-48 over his 18-year career at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners to nine outright Big 12 Championships, four National Championship game appearances, one College Football Playoff appearance and won one National Championship in his second season in 2000.

The Dallas Renegades will kickoff against the St. Louis Battlehawks at 4 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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St. Louis Battlehawks at Dallas Renegades XFL odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s St. Louis Battlehawks at Dallas Renegades XFL betting odds and lines, with Week 1 picks, tips and best bets.

The St. Louis Battlehawks visit the Dallas Renegades in the final game of Week 1 of the XFL’s first season Sunday. Kickoff at Globe Life Park in Arlington is set for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we breakdown the Battlehawks-Renegades Week 1 matchup, with XFL betting picks and tips.

Battlehawks at Renegades: XFL Week 1 preview, betting trends and notes

  • Renegades head coach/general manager Bob Stoops will lead his team out against Battlehawks boss Jonathan Hayes. Stoops makes his debut in professional football after a long career in the college ranks. Hayes previously was the Cincinnati Bengals tight ends coach.
  • Fantasy football fans will be excited for the return of RB Christine Michael, who tops the Battlehawks’ backfield depth chart. P Marquette King and WR/KR Keith Mumphrey are among the other recognizable names on the roster.
  • The Renegades also have some notable ex-NFL talent in RB Cameron Artis-Payne and QB Landry Jones (knee). Jones’ status for the season opener is in question due to injury.
  • Both home teams won on the first day of XFL action, Saturday. The DC Defenders beat the Seattle Dragons 31-19 and the Houston Roughnecks took down the LA Wildcats 37-17.
  • The Renegades are the favorites to win the inaugural XFL Championship Game April 26, at +300 odds. The Battlehawks are the second-biggest longshots at +1000.

Get some action on this XFL matchup or other games by betting at BetMGM. New customer offer: RISK-FREE First Bet (up to $500!) paid in free bets; visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!

Battlehawks at Renegades: Key injuries

Battlehawks

  • DL Will Clarke (calf) out
  • TE Cole Hunt (hamstring) questionable

Renegades

  • WR Jeff Badet (thigh) probable
  • QB Landry Jones (knee) questionable

Battlehawks at Renegades: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Renegades 35, Battlehawks 30

Moneyline (?)

Both home favorites won with relative ease on the opening day of the 2020 XFL season. As such, the play would be to back the Renegades (-455), especially with the two teams on near-opposite ends of the futures odds. These odds are just too chalky with so much still unknown about these teams and this league. With a $10 bet on the Renegades to win returning a profit of $2.20, we’ll PASS on the moneyline in favor of the spread.

The Battlehawks (+333) could be worth a small investment with better than a 3-1 return on your investment, but we’re following the trends from Saturday and sticking with the favorite.

Against the Spread (?)

Saturday’s two games were decided by 12 and 20 points. Despite those results, we’re backing the BATTLEHAWKS (+9.5, -115) to stay within 9 points in a loss or win outright. The heavy number on the Renegades seems to be reflective of the assumed quarterback advantage with Jones under center. If he’s unable to go, he’s likely to be at less than full health and could be replaced by Philip Nelson or Eric Dungey.

Over/Under (?)

Take the OVER 51.5 (-110) after Saturday’s two games played to either side of this number with totals of 50 and 54 points. The final game of the week has allowed extra preparation time for both sides and the two head coaches have now had two games of real football to get a better understanding of the XFL’s new rules and game strategy.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Five Former Notre Dame Players Kick Off XFL This Weekend

When it does kickoff this weekend there will be five former Notre Dame players with roster spots across the eight team league for Fighting Irish fans to follow.

Ladies and gentlemen: “THIS IS THE XFL!”

To quote Vince McMahon now twenty or so years ago, but this “new and improved” version of the XFL doesn’t appear to be quite as extreme as the original product was a couple of decades ago.

When it does kickoff this weekend there will be five former Notre Dame players with roster spots across the eight team league for Fighting Irish fans to follow.

First a long snapper:

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How to watch the XFL in Week 1 as it returns after a 19-year absence

The XFL is back. There will be four games this weekend, all on national TV. A primer on the league.

Scott Halleran/Allsport

The XFL is back. The league that was one-and-done after its 2001 campaign returns this weekend with a quartet of games. Here’s how you can watch them and what to expect. The last time the league had a game the San Francisco Demons lost to the LA Extreme in the “Million Dollar Game.”

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Bob Stoops on goal of XFL tenure: ‘I want to win championships’

Don’t call it a comeback. Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has one thing he wants to accomplish in XFL—win championships.

Don’t call it a comeback.

On Sunday, the high crown and headset is back in the saddle again. Former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops will lead his Dallas Renegades of the XFL  onto the field just like he did for 18 years from 1999-2016 for the Sooners.

His Oklahoma tenure stopped at the drop of a dime the summer of 2017, and no one is more ready to be back on the field than Stoops.

“Oh, it was awful,” he told USA TODAY Sports about being away from football the past three seasons. “The first year was incredibly awful. The second year was awful. And the third year was just really bad.”

Stoops was adamant at that time that it was the right time to step down to hand off the Oklahoma baton to someone else. His protege Lincoln Riley has proved him right this far, taking the Sooners to three College Football Playoffs in the three years since Stoops’ retirement.

“Everyone acted like there was another shoe to drop,” Stoops told USA TODAY Sports. “And three years later, no other shoe has dropped. I felt completed. I’d completed 18 years and we’d had great success. I felt like I had done what I was to do.

“I believe in life, you don’t know what’s next until you open yourself up for it. What else is out there?”

The XFL is being innovative.

New scoring, new rules, new … everything.

It’s a league meant to showcase its talent for the NFL, provide football addicts its needs and generate revenue through lucrative television contracts.

Stoops, though, has one thing in mind—attempt what he chased for 18 years at the helm of the Oklahoma football machine.

“I want to win championships.”

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Six Oklahoma players on XFL rosters for XFL’s opening weekend

Football is not over quite yet. Here are where the six former Oklahoma players landed ahead of the XFL’s opening weekend.

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Just when you thought football season was over, it pulls you back in.

The XFL, the newest professional football league, is kicking off its first season since it disbanded after one season in 2001 on Saturday.

Vince McMahon’s newest toy got off to a hot start when former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops jumped on board with commissioner Oliver Luck and became the head coach and general manager of the Dallas Renegades.

Stoops won’t be the only former Sooner leaving his mark on the new league.

Here are where the six former Oklahoma players landed ahead of the XFL’s opening weekend.

DALLAS RENEGADES

No. 12 Landry Jones
No. 13 Jeff Badet
No. 57 Frank Alexander

Play on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT against the St. Louis Battlehawks on ESPN.

LOS ANGELES WILDCATS

No. 84 Jordan Smallwood

Play on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT against the Houston Roughnecks on FOX.

TAMPA BAY VIPERS

No. 30 Demontre Hurst
No. 43 Emmanuel Beal

Play on Sunday at 1 p.m. CT against the New York Guardians on FOX.

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XFL – Dallas Renegades odds, roster and projected starting lineup

Previewing the Dallas Renegades’ chances of winning the 2020 XFL Championship, with a roster breakdown and look at projected starters.

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The Dallas Renegades will host the St. Louis Battlehawks in the final game of Week 1 of the 2020 XFL season Sunday for a 5 p.m. ET kickoff. Below, we’ll preview the Renegades’ betting odds to win the 2020 XFL Championship, with a look at their roster and projected starting lineup.

Head coach and general manager Bob Stoops has left the college ranks and will take his first shot in professional football. He’s joined by offensive coordinator Hal Memme and defensive coordinator Chris Woods.

Dallas Renegades 2020 XFL Championship odds

Odds via BetMGM, last updated February 5 at 2:30 p.m.

Outright Winner: +250

The Renegades head into the inaugural season of the XFL as the odds-on favorites to win the league’s first championship game April 26. By comparison, the Seattle Dragons have the longest odds to win it all as +1200, while the New York Guardians are the No. 2 favorites at +350.

New to sports betting? A $10 XFL futures bet on the Renegades to win the championship will return a profit of $25 in late April.

Also See:

Dallas Renegades 2020 roster

QB: Eric Dungey, Philip Nelson, Landry Jones

RB: Marquis Young, Lance Dunbar, Austin Walter, Cameron Artis-Payne

WR: Jazz Ferguson, Flynn Nagel, Joshua Crockett, Jeff Badet, Jerrod Heard, Freddie Martino,

TE: Donald Parham, Sean Price, Julian Allen

OL: G John Keenoy, G Maurquice Shakir, OT Darius James, G Salesi Uhatafe, C Alex Balducci, G Josh Allen, OT Willie Beavers, OT Justin Evans, OT Pace Murphy

DL: DE Frank Alexander, DT Tomasi Laulile, DT Tony Guerad, DE Winston Craig, DE Gelen Robinson

LB: Tre Watson, Christian Kuntz, Hau’oli Kikaha, Tegray Scales, Tobenna Okeke, Greer Martini, Reshard Cliett, Ray Ray Davison, James Folston, Asantay Brown, Johnathan Calvin

CB: Josh Thornton, Treston Decoud, Donatello Brown, Josh Hawkins, Dashaun Phillips,

S: Tenny Adewusi, Micah Abernathy, Derron Smith, Doyin Jibowu

P: Drew Galitz

K: Austin MacGinnis

Keep your football betting action going by placing a legal sports bet on XFL games at BetMGM. Bet now!

Dallas Renegades 2020 projected offensive starters

QB: Landry Jones*

RB: Cameron Artis-Payne

WR1: Jeff Badet

WR2: Freddie Martino

TE: Sean Price

*Jones is questionable for Week 1 due to a knee injury. Philip Nelson would start in his place.

Want action on the 2020 XFL Championship? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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He’s back: Saints sign WR Tommylee Lewis to reserve/future contract

The New Orleans Saints signed Tommylee Lewis to a reserve/future contract. He did not play last year after trying out with the Detroit Lions

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The New Orleans Saints reunited with a familiar face on Monday, re-signing wide receiver Tommylee Lewis to a reserve/future contract, which guarantees him a spot on their 90-man offseason roster. He’ll have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot over the summer and through training camp, giving the Saints some experience at the bottom of the depth chart.

Lewis spent last offseason with the Detroit Lions after his first stint with the Saints wrapped up, but a training camp injury resulted in him not making it through roster cuts. He didn’t play in the 2019 season, though he did try out for a few different teams, including the Saints. He was selected by the XFL’s Dallas Renegades in the startup league’s inaugural draft, but declined to join them with NFL offers on the table.

Before that, though, Lewis appeared in 38 games from 2016 to 2018 (including the playoffs). He caught 20 of 28 passes for 252 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns, while also chipping in on special teams with 41 punt returns for 360 yards and 24 kick returns for 528 yards.

The arrival of rookie phenom Deonte Harris resulted in Lewis losing his roster spot and jersey number to the newcomer; including the playoffs, Harris bested Lewis’s number on both punts (fielding 40 for 382 yards) and kickoffs (returning 28 for 777 yards). It’s safe to assume Lewis won’t be a threat to Harris’s job security.

Lewis was the targeted receiver on the infamous no-call for defensive pass interference in the 2018 NFC Championship Game. His return signals little more than the serious need for better talent in the receiving corps behind first-team All-Pro Michael Thomas. Ted Ginn Jr. is headed for unrestricted free agency, while Austin Carr will have restricted status, and Keith Kirkwood will be an exclusive-rights free agent (meaning he likely returns). Here’s who the Saints currently have at wide receiver on the current depth chart:

  1. Michael Thomas
  2. Tre’Quan Smith
  3. Deonte Harris
  4. Lil’Jordan Humphrey
  5. Krishawn Hogan
  6. Emmanuel Butler
  7. Tim White
  8. Maurice Harris
  9. Tommylee Lewis

Interestingly, Lewis is the latest wide receiver from the Saints’ notorious group workout with Antonio Brown to get a job out of it. Lewis joins Harris and White with the Saints, while CFL all-star Reggie Begelton inked a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers after working out for the Saints.

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XFL’s Jeff Badet has amazing Allen Iverson ‘practice’ visor

The XFL appears to be allowing players to have fun designing their helmet visors.

Jeff Badet is bucking to be the Rod Smart — aka He Hate Me — of the new XFL.

The former Oklahoma WR, trying out for the Dallas Renegades, has one of the coolest visors in any football league.

Check out his tribute to Allen Iverson:

And so you can’t forget the inspiration: