Tag: Keenan Reynolds

Which Seattle Dragons should the Seahawks pursue in free agency?

The Seattle Dragons could send a handful of players from the XFL to the NFL, and the Seattle Seahawks should have their eye on a few of them

The XFL’s first season back on the field was cut short, thanks to concern about the global pandemic known as COVID-19.

However – the league proved it can sustain itself thanks to an entertaining brand of football and multiple, lucrative media deals that should allow the league to survive in 2021 and beyond.

One aspect of the XFL that has yet to be fully fleshed out is the idea of the league as a feeder league for the NFL. While that is not currently a functioning relationship between the two entities, it’s clear many of the players who succeed in the XFL will inevitably end up in the NFL – starting with star quarterback P.J. Walker, who agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers on the first day XFL players were eligible to sign with NFL teams.

Walker won’t be the last XFL player to ink a new deal, and while Seattle’s local team, the Dragons, finished with just a 1-4 record, they too have some potential NFL talent on their roster.

Here are three players who could be of interest to the Seattle Seahawks, all who have previous NFL experience and who have a good chance of winning a job in training camp if they play well over the summer.

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Former Navy QB Keenan Reynolds catches 68-yard TD pass for Seattle Dragons

Keenan Reynolds of the Seattle Dragons was an offensive force at Navy. The former Baltimore Ravens draft pick showed he can catch as well as run and pass Saturday against the Tampa Vipers. After Seattle scored on a Pick Six, Brandon Silvers found …

Keenan Reynolds of the Seattle Dragons was an offensive force at Navy. The former Baltimore Ravens draft pick showed he can catch as well as run and pass Saturday against the Tampa Vipers.

After Seattle scored on a Pick Six, Brandon Silvers found Reynolds with a 68-yard touchdown pass.

Reynolds finished his college career with an NCAA Division IĀ record 88 career touchdowns and anĀ FBSĀ record 4,559 rushing yards by a quarterback.

Seattle Dragons open additional seating ahead of home opener

The Seattle Dragons opened more seating at CenturyLink Field ahead of their XFL home opener on Saturday, February 15.

Despite dropping their season opener on the road against the DC Defenders, 31-19, the XFL’s Seattle Dragons anticipate having one of the best home crowds in the entire eight-team league.

In fact, due to recent demand, the team announced Monday they will open additional seating sections at CenturyLink Field in advance of their home opener on Saturday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Vipers.

Single-game tickets are on sale for $24 dollars and season tickets are $20 each, or $100 for all five home games.

“Affordability and access for our fans comes first and we are thrilled to open additional sections to accommodate our fans,” Seattle Dragons Team President Ryan Gustafson was quoted in a press release. “We are grateful and excited about the support weā€™ve received from the incredible sports fans of Seattle leading into our first home game on the 15th at CenturyLink Field.”

The Dragons have plenty of familiar faces on the roster for Seahawks fans, including a pair of former Seattle receivers in Kasen Williams and Keenan Reynolds – who scored the team’s first one-point conversion on Saturday.

However, inconsistent play from quarterback Brandon Silvers, who threw two interceptions, led to the defeat in Week 1.

“A few errors can really affect the game,” head coach and former Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn said after the game. “We have to overcome those.”

Football fans in Seattle who want to see the Dragons in action can purchase tickets on the XFL website, or can tune in on FOX for the broadcast.

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Keenan Reynolds excited to be back in Seattle with the Dragons

Former Seattle Seahawks receiver Keenan Reynolds will once again populate the field at CenturyLink, this time with the Dragons of the XFL.

Even after spending the previous two hours in non-stop, sideways rain, Seattle Dragons receiver Keenan Reynolds was all smiles after Friday’s practice at Memorial Stadium in downtown Seattle.

“You gotta love the weather,” Reynolds cracked. “Little bit of drizzle, little bit of wind, right in front of the Space Needle, it don’t get much more Seattle than this. It’s great to be back, great to have another opportunity.”

Reynolds, more than most of his teammates, would know. The former Navy quarterback spent the 2018 season with the Seahawks, appearing in two games while spending the majority of the year on the practice squad.

He was with the Seahawks last summer as well, competing with rookie John Ursua to replace the retired Doug Baldwin in the slot. However, he was cut just before the season began and NFL rules prohibited him from being added to the practice squad, so Reynolds hit free agency.

After a brief stint as a TV analyst for the CBS Sports Network, Reynolds was selected in the fledgling XFL Draft by the Dragons – allowing him to stay close to home.

His familiarity with the city of Seattle, and their rabid fanbase, has him prepared for this upcoming season of games played at CenturyLink Field – a preparedness he is excited to share with his teammates.

“Yeah we kinda talked about it a little bit,” Reynolds said. “Just how loud the 12’s are. I think we’re going to have the best turnout fanwise. There’s nothing else going on in Seattle and Seattle fans are relentless. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for us to play in front of a great crowd.”

While the depth chart has yet to be released, Reynolds is expected to be a big part of Seattle’s offense, a unit that also features former Seahawks receiver Kasen Williams and quarterback B.J. Daniels, along with Texas A&M running back Trey Williams and Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers.

Reynolds wouldn’t go into detail about his specific role on the team (“I can’t give you too much information,” he joked) but he did express excitement about the kickoff rules in the XFL, which should allow for more returns and excitement in an area of the game that, frankly, has gone stale in the NFL.

Reynolds was also excited about another new rule the XFL is adopting, allowing for two forward passes on a single play. One of the most prolific college quarterbacks of all-time while at Navy, it’s no surprise he’d take an interest in a rule that allows him to throw the ball downfield after making a catch. But, like before, he’s not releasing any part of the playbook just yet.

“That’s top secret, I don’t know if I can divulge,” Reynolds said, when asked if he envisions throwing the ball this year. “But I definitely was smiling when I saw that you get two forward passes, so that’s pretty cool.”

The Dragons will begin their inaugural season on Saturday, February 8 in DC against the Defenders.

Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. PT.

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6 former Seahawks make Seattle Dragons 52-man roster

The Seattle Dragons will go into their first XFL season with six former Seattle Seahawks on the roster.

Football in Seattle is not over, even though the Seahawks fell to the Packers in Green Bay in the NFC Divisional Round a few weeks ago.

On February 8, one week after the Super Bowl, the XFL’s Seattle Dragons will kick off their inaugural season against the DC Defenders in Washington DC, before hosting their first home game at CenturyLink Field on February 15 at 2:00 p.m. PT. against the Tampa Bay Vipers.

While fans will immediately notice some differences in gameplay between the NFL and the XFL, namely in the pace of play and extra point rules, they may see some familiar names – at least for those who root for the Seahawks.

The Dragons released their final 52-man roster (54 if you count the two players on injured reserve) Monday morning, just 12 days before their season opener.

Headlined by receivers Keenan Reynolds and Kasen Williams, the roster features six former Seahawks and a handful of local players.

Reynolds was in training camp with the Seahawks this past season, after spending most of 2018 on the practice squad. He did not make the team out of camp this year, and because he was out of options on the practice squad he was released and found his way to the Dragons via the XFL draft.

Williams caught fire in the 2017 preseason, but was ultimately released and caught on with the Browns before fizzling out and joining the XFL.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels, cornerback Mohammed Seisay, tackle Isaiah Battle and defensive tackle Tani Tupou (who was placed on the IR) round out the former Seahawks who will suit up for the Dragons in 2020.

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The Seahawks could be in the market for more help at wide receiver

Following injuries to Jaron Brown and Malik Turner, the Seattle Seahawks could look to add more depth at wide receiver before Sunday.

The Seattle Seahawks, in a manner of weeks, went from having too many receivers on the 53-man roster to just four healthy ones heading into their playoff battle with the Eagles in Philadelphia.

The loss of Josh Gordon to suspension and Jaron Brown to a knee injury sapped them of two veterans, and Malik Turner’s concussion looks likely to keep him out for the second week in a row, at least according to Pete Carroll.

“Heā€™s recovering from concussion syndrome stuff,” Carroll said on Monday. “Heā€™s got to make it back. I canā€™t tell you that heā€™s fully back yet.”

For now, Seattle has Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, David Moore and John Ursua as the only four receivers on the active roster. Does that mean Seattle will pursue veterans on the free agent market, like they did when they brought back Robert Turbin and Marshawn Lynch last week?

“Weā€™re talking about it,” Carroll quipped. “Weā€™re talking about it.”

The Seahawks reportedly made one addition, signing big receiver Jaylen Smith to the practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Smith was a teammate of Lamar Jackson’s at Louisville and again with the Ravens, but he has yet to appear in an NFL game.

Smith joins Penny Hart as receivers on Seattle’s practice squad, and either could be promoted to the active roster as the team’s No. 5 receiver if Seattle feels they are ready to contribute.

If Seattle chooses to look outside the organization, the most prominent free agent remains Antonio Brown. Brown recently worked out with the Saints, and Seattle is no stranger to bringing in players with questionable pasts (just look at Gordon and Mychal Kendricks) but Brown’s transgressions might too much for this team to take on – even if Russell Wilson did campaign for him earlier in the year.

That could leave Seattle perusing the XFL’s pool of talent, which could be a good match considering the bevy of former Seahawks who are currently planning to suit up for the new league in February.

Included on XFL rosters are former Seattle receivers Keenan Reynolds, Kasen Williams, Jazz Ferguson and Tanner McEvoy. Of the group, Reynolds and Ferguson both spent preseason with the Seahawks, and would be the most ready to come in and contribute right away thanks to their familiarity with the offense.

The XFL has been stringent on allowing players to break contract and re-join the NFL, but if Seattle is able to get Ferguson or Reynolds back it would give them added depth and someone who should be able to step onto the field and contribute on Sunday, if needed.

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