WATCH! XFL Guardians’ Jamar Summers returns Vipers’ fumble for TD

Watch the New York Guardians’ Jamar Summers return a fumble for an XFL touchdown.

The New York Guardians’ Jamar Summers was in the right place Sunday after the Tampa Bay Vipers’ Nick Truesdell caught a pass from Aaron Murray in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium.

Summers, from nearby South Orange, NJ, picked up the fumble by the 6-foot-5, 249-pound tight end and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown to give the home team a 24-3 lead in the fourth quarter. Summers (pictured above playing for the AAF Birmingham Iron) played college ball at Connecticut.

The play went to review and replay booth official Robert Lu said the fumble and score stood due to not enough visual evidence to overturn either call made on the field.

Multiple former Georgia football players making XFL debut Sunday

On Sunday, multiple former Georgia football players will make their XFL debut. From New York, the Tampa Bay Vipers visit the New York Guardians at 2pm. The game is airing on FOX. Former Georgia nose tackle Toby Johnson plays for New York. He will be …

On Sunday, multiple former Georgia football players will make their XFL debut.

From New York, the Tampa Bay Vipers visit the New York Guardians at 2pm. The game is airing on FOX.

Former Georgia nose tackle Toby Johnson plays for New York. He will be going up against Tampa’s former Bulldogs, QB Aaron Murray, DB Corey Moore and LS Nick Moore.

Murray is indeed starting at quarterback for Tampa, where he grew up. In his preview game interviews, the Georgia record-setter sounded very exciting to start this new chapter of his career.

The league, which is owned by WWE majority owner Vince McMahon, consists of eight teams with 52 players each.

Best of luck to these former Dawgs.

Tampa Bay:

Murray returns home to Tampa to play for the Vipers. After breaking numerous SEC and Georgia records, Murray attempted to play in the NFL, where he did not find much success. He then went on to work for CBS as a broadcaster in addition to playing a single season for the Atlanta Legends, a member of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.

Corey Moore is a former Georgia safety who was undrafted in 2015 but went on to have a nice NFL career, playing for the Texans from 2015-17 and the Colts in 2019. He finished his NFL career with 72 tackles, 5 passes defended and an interception. I would not be surprised if he made a return to the NFL shortly.

Long snapper Nick Moore hails from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. He came to Georgia in 2015 as a Mark Richt recruit after spending being drafted by the Red Sox and playing four years of minor league baseball. Moore, from 2015-18, played in 23 games for the Dawgs. He was given an opportunity by the New Orleans Saints but was unable to earn a roster spot.

New York Guardians:

Former Georgia nose tackle Toby Johnson (6’4 350lb) will be playing for New York, after spending four years in the NFL playing for six teams. Last year, Johnson played for the Massachusetts Pirates of the National Arena League.

Tampa Bay Vipers at New York Guardians XFL odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Tampa Bay Vipers at New York Guardians sports betting odds and lines, with XFL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Tampa Bay Vipers will take on the New York Guardians in the first Sunday game of the XFL season. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium. Below, we breakdown the Vipers-Guardians Week 1 matchup, with XFL betting picks and tips.

Vipers at Guardians: Week 1 preview, betting trends and notes

  • The Vipers are led by head coach Marc Trestman, who brings along a coaching staff mostly comprised of former CFL coaches.
  • The Guardians are coached by former Giants’ offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Their starting quarterback will be Matt McGloin, formerly from Penn State and the Oakland Raiders.

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!


Vipers at Guardians: Key injuries

Vipers

  • TE DeAndre Goolsby (neck) out
  • DL Jason Neill (groin) out
  • CB Rannell Gall (thigh) questionable

Guardians

  • TE Keenan Brown (illness) out
  • WR Joe Horn (ankle) probable
  • CB DeJuan Neal (thigh) probable
  • DE Jarrell Owens (illness) probable

Vipers at Guardians: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Vipers 27, Guardians 23

Moneyline (?)

The VIPERS (-189) are big road favorites over the Guardians (+155) Sunday afternoon. With a more proven starting quarterback in Aaron Murray under center, look for the Vipers’ offense to put up points in their first XFL game.

Against the Spread (?)

The VIPERS (-3.5, -115) are favored by more than a field goal over the Guardians despite being on the road. Tampa Bay has one of the better skill position groups in the XFL, with former AAF standouts Seantavius Jones and Nick Truesdell. Given Trestman’s success in the CFL, look for his offense to have instant success in the XFL and cover the spread in New York.

Over/Under (?)

The total for this Week 1 contest is 52.5 points, which feels a little high for the first game of the season. While the XFL rules are certainly set up for a lot of points to be scored, the offenses will need a few weeks to get on the same page. Both of these teams have a lot of talent on defense as well, so expect the UNDER 52.5 (-110) to hit.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @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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Could this XFL kickoff strategy find its way to the NFL?

The XFL’s new kickoff rules makes player safety a priority.

The NFL season has been over for a week, but for fans still craving winter football, the XFL has you covered.

The formerly defunct league, created by Vince McMahon of the WWE, kicked off its new season Saturday with two games: Seattle Dragons vs. DC Defenders and Los Angeles Wildcats vs. Houston Roughnecks.

While it remains to be seen whether or not the XFL will stick around this time, their new kickoff strategy seems rather creative in terms of how it emphasizes player safety. And, one writer wonders whether it could find its way to the NFL?

Take a look and see what you think.

I think this is a great strategy. It’ll avoid injury and could offer a chance for some cool, inventive plays on special teams. It would definitely take some getting used to, but if it improves the overall safety of players, I’m all for it.

Oh, and for all you Buccaneers fans, your Tampa Bay Vipers take on the New York Guardians tomorrow. Let’s go, Vipers!

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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:

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.”

XFL – New York Guardians odds, roster and projected starting lineup

Previewing the XFL’s New York Guardians sports betting odds, along with their initial roster and projected starting lineup

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The New York Guardians will host the Tampa Bay Vipers in the 2020 XFL season opener Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on FOX. Below, we’ll preview the Guardians’ 2020 season, with a look at their roster and 2020 XFL Championship odds.

Head coach and general manager Kevin Gilbride, who has plenty of mileage as an offensive coordinator in the NFL, is expected to call the plays. Jim Herrmann will serve as the defensive coordinator, with former NFL players C.J. Ah You as the coach of the defensive line and Cris Dishman coaching the defensive backs entering its inaugural campaign.

New York Guardians 2020 XFL Championship odds

Odds via BetMGM, last updated February 6 at 3:15 a.m.

Outright Winner: +450

The Guardians are among the favorites to hoist the championship trophy after the 2020 season at +450. This means a $10 XFL futures bet on the Guardians would fetch a profit of $45 if they were to win the championship game April 26.

The best odds belong to the Dallas Renegades at +300, with the Tampa Bay Vipers +400 as the second-best odds for the title.

Also See: XFL 2020 Championship Odds

New York Guardians 2020 roster

QB: Matt McGloin, Luis Perez, Marquise Williams

RB: Matthew Colburn, Tim Cook, Justin Stockton, Darius Victor

WR: Austin Duke, Joe Horn Jr., Justice Liggins, Mekale McKay, Colby Pearson, Teo Redding

TE: E.J. Bibbs, Keenen Brown, Jake Powell, Jake Sutherland

OL: C Garrett Brumfield, G Anthony Coyle, T Jarron Jones, T John Kling, G Damien Mama, C Ian Silberman, T Brant Weiss, G Avery Young

DL: DT T.J. Barnes, DT Toby Johnson, DT Joey Mbu, DE Jarrell Owens, DE Bunmi Rotimi Jr., DT Cavon Walker, DE Charles Wright

LB: Nick DeLuca, Garret Dooley, Frank Ginda, Ben Heeney, D’Juan Hines, Jawuan Johnson, Ryan Mueller

CB: Terrence Alexander, Bryce Jones, DeJuan Neal, Jamar Summers, Ranthony Texada

S: Dravon Askew-Henry, Demetrious Cox, A.J. Hendy, Andrew Soroh, Wesley Sutton

P: Justin Vogel

K: Matt McCrane


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


New York Guardians 2020 projected offensive starters

QB: Matt McGloin

RB: Tim Cook

WR1: Mekale McKay

WR2: Teo Redding

TE: E.J. Bibbs

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

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI 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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A handful of ex-Jets are preparing for their XFL debuts

The Jets Wire takes a look at every former Jets player in the XFL and which are the five most notable players.

With the NFL season coming to a close, the revamped XFL is starting this weekend.

There are several former Jets involved in this new league, which has eight teams with rosters consisting of 52 players each. Not many players have extensive ties to Gang Green, nor did they have long stays in New York.

Here is a complete list of every former Jets player in the XFL:

Alex Balducci, Brandon Barnes, T.J. Barnes, William Campbell, Jeremy Clark, Stacy Coley, Kony Ealy, Obum Gwacham, De’Angelo Henderson, Darius James, Anthony Johnson, Taiwan Jones, Tre McBride, Robert Nelson, Nick Novak, Santos Ramirez, David Rivers, Edmond Robinson, Jalen Saunders, Jake Schum, Jacquies Smith, Shamarko Thomas, Jon Toth and DeAngelo Yancey

With that said, let’s take a look at the five most notable ex-Jets in the XFL.

DE Kony Ealy: Houston Renegades

(Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

The Jets claimed Kony Ealy off waivers from the Patriots in 2017 after New England traded a second-round pick to Carolina for his services.

In 15 games played for Gang Green, Ealy recorded 11 total tackles, one sack, nine passes defended and an interception. He left the Jets in free agency for the Cowboys but was cut before the season. Ealy spent time with Oakland before landing in the XFL.

Every Georgia football player in the XFL

Here are the four former Georgia football players on XFL rosters.

The Xtream Football League, also known as the XFL, will begin in February, reviving the league for the first time since its lone season in 2001.

The league, which is owned by WWE majority owner Vince McMahon, will consist of eight teams with 52 players each.

Four Bulldogs will represent the University of Georgia this season across two teams, the New York Guardians and the Tampa Bay Vipers.

Former Georgia nose tackle Toby Johnson (6’4 350lb) will be playing for New York, after spending four years in the NFL playing for six teams. Last year, Johnson played for the Massachusetts Pirates of the National Arena League.

Johnson came to Georgia in 2013 after playing at a high level at Hutchinson Community College.

On the Tamp Bay Vipers, Georgia will have three players – QB Aaron Murray, DB Corey Moore and LS Nick Moore. 

Murray returns home to Tampa to play for the Vipers. After breaking numerous SEC and Georgia records, Murray attempted to play in the NFL, where he did not find much success. He then went on to work for CBS as a broadcaster in addition to playing a single season for the Atlanta Legends, a member of the Alliance of American Football in 2019.

Corey Moore is a former Georgia safety who was undrafted in 2015 but went on to have a nice NFL career, playing for the Texans from 2015-17 and the Colts in 2019. He finished his NFL career with 72 tackles, 5 passes defended and an interception. I would not be surprised if he made a return to the NFL shortly.

Long snapper Nick Moore hails from Brookwood High School in Snellville, Georgia. He came to Georgia in 2015 as a Mark Richt recruit after spending being drafted by the Red Sox and playing four years of minor league baseball. Moore, from 2015-18, played in 23 games for the Dawgs. He was given an opportunity by the New Orleans Saints but was unable to earn a roster spot.