Tag: marc trestman

XFL Week One: How Five Notre Dame Products Fared

Then again, having lived through a Marc Trestman era in Chicago I can see how maybe he wouldn’t actually be the answer to that issue.

Week One of the new and improved XFL has come and gone with a lot of positive response. We’ve seen this all before and the real question comes over the next few weeks when the buzz of the new league dissipates and the product needs to leave fans seeking more.

Four games were played between the leagues eight teams on debut weekend with a pair coming each Saturday and Sunday. Five former Notre Dame players started the season on XFL rosters and here is how they all fared in XFL Week One.

Scott Daly and Jarron Jones – New York Guardians

The former Notre Dame long-snapper and former defensive tackle each repped the New York squad in their season opening win over Tampa. Daly didn’t mess up which is the best thing that can be said for a long-snapper while Jones helped pave the way for an offense that scored 23 points in a win over Tampa Bay.

“But wait, I thought Jarron Jones played on the d-line at Notre Dame?”

You’re correct. But since spending time on NFL practice squads he has made the transition to offensive tackle, a position he was drafted as a first round pick by the Guardians as.

Tarean Folston – Tampa Bay Vipers

Former Notre Dame running back didn’t suit up for the Vipers as he began the season on injured reserve. Perhaps they could have used him as they scored just three points in a 23-3 loss at New York.

Then again, having lived through a Marc Trestman era in Chicago I can see how maybe he wouldn’t actually be the answer to that issue.

Greer Martini – Dallas Renegades

The former Notre Dame linebacker recorded two tackles for the Renegades who fell at home, 15-9 to St. Louis.

My main takeaway here is that head coach Bob Stoops lost a big game in which he was favored. I feel like we’ve seen that picture before.

Nyles Morgan – Seattle Dragons

The one-time Notre Dame captain and linebacker did not record a tackle in Saturday’s league debut as Seattle lost to the DC Defenders, 31-19.

For more thoughts on the XFL’s opening weekend check out what was said in Monday’s USA TODAY.

Kyle Long confirms he won’t be a Bear next season

While Bears RG Kyle Long didn’t officially come out to say he’s retiring, his comments indicate he won’t be playing football anytime soon.

After months of speculation and cryptic messages on social media, one Chicago Bears veteran says he’s played his last down for the team.

Chicago Bears right guard Kyle Long, one of the longest-tenured players on the team, tweeted out a few messages on Sunday evening indicating he’ll be stepping away from the game to focus on his body and offered heartfelt thanks to the city.

Long continued, thanking the Chicago Bears organization for bringing him and keeping him around.

Long’s messages stem from another tweet earlier in the evening, when a fan asked how excited he was to work with new offensive line coach Juan Castillo. Long’s response was a gif of former Los Angeles Lakers President Magic Johnson when he resigned from his position, saying “I’m not going to be here.”

The former 2013 first-round draft pick brought stability and leadership to an offensive line that lacked both since center Olin Kreutz left in 2010. Long ends his Bears career with three Pro Bowl selections in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and was named second-team All-Pro in 2014.

Long struggled with injuries over the last four years, however, needing surgeries to repair a torn shoulder, broken ankle and more from 2016 through 2018.

After spending last offseason surgery-free, Long felt he was in the best shape of his life and was eager to return to the football field. But after early struggles in 2019, Long was placed on injured reserve following the Bears’ Week 5 loss to the Oakland Raiders, ending his season and effectively his career with the Bears. He was the second-longest tenured player on the team, behind defensive back Sherrick McManis.

While Long didn’t officially come out to say he’s retiring, his tweets indicate he won’t be playing football anytime soon.

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