Tag: Orlando Guardians

Two former Dolphins sign with XFL teams on Thursday

Some former Dolphins find homes in the XFL.

Around the NFL, there are only 2,208 roster and practice squad spots for players to make a name for themselves. So, if a player can’t find a place to play with one of the 32 teams, they have the option to go to another league.

That’s exactly what two former Miami Dolphins did on Thursday, as offensive lineman Larnel Coleman and defensive back Keidron Smith have signed with the Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardians, respectively, of the XFL.

Coleman, 25, was a seventh-round pick of the Dolphins in 2021 after a collegiate career at UMass. He spent his rookie season on injured reserve and was on Miami’s practice squad in 2022 when he was signed by the Carolina Panthers. He’s only played in one NFL game.

Smith, 24, was an undrafted free agent signed by the Dolphins after this year’s draft following his time with Kentucky. However, he was waived during roster cuts. He spent some time with the Washington Commanders practice squad.

The XFL season is planned to begin in late March 2024.

Highlights of the Eagles 9 undrafted free agents

We’re collegiate highlights of the Philadelphia Eagles’ nine undrafted free agents.

The 2023 NFL draft has concluded, and after some key signings and tryout invites, the Eagles roster sits at 89 players ahead of Day 2 of the team’s rookie minicamp.

Howie Roseman has been open about previous undrafted free agent classes, with several big-named stars holding second-day draft grades.

Recent undrafted free agents who’ve had game action with Philadelphia include Reed Blankenship, Britain Covey, Josh Jobe, Corey Clement, Sua Opeta, Nate Herbig, Kayode Awosika, Joe Ostman, Jack Stoll, Brett Toth, Greg Ward, Marvin Wilson, T.J. Edwards, and future Hall of Famer Jason Peters, who originally signed with the Bills.

Here are highlights of the nine undrafted free agents.

What’s next for the Eagles following the 2023 NFL draft

What’s next for the Philadelphia Eagles following the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL draft is in the books, but plenty of offseason action is still on the way for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Outside of the on-field action with rookie minicamp and organized team activities (OTAs), the NFL is also gearing up for its 2023 schedule release.

The Eagles welcomed seven newly drafted rookies to the roster, including defensive tackle Jalen Carter,  edge rusher Nolan Smith, offensive guard Tyler Steen, safety Sydney Brown, cornerback Kelee Ringo, quarterback Tanner McKee and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo.

Philadelphia also signed nine undrafted free agents.

Here’s a look at the Eagles’ upcoming 2023 off-season slate, including rookie minicamp, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.

Highlights, takeaways from Eagles first rookie minicamp practice

We’re looking at some of the highlights and key takeaways from the Philadelphia Eagles’ first day of rookie minicamp

With the NFL draft and undrafted free agent signings now complete, the Eagles held their first day of rookie minicamps on Friday.

Philadelphia had seven draft picks, nine undrafted free agents, 19 official tryout participants, and a handful of selected veterans or second-year players at the NovaCare Complex for two days of sessions and drills.

With Saturday’s session set to begin, here are highlights and takeaways from Philadelphia’s first rookie minicamp.

Eagles invited 19 players to tryout during rookie minicamp

Philadelphia Eagles invited 19 players to tryout during the rookie minicamp

The Eagles started their rookie minicamp on Friday, as the seven-man draft class and nine undrafted free agent signees participated in their first NFL practice.

With Philadelphia wanting a full roster of attendees, GM Howie Roseman invited 19 players in for a tryout.

Current Eagles’ players on the minicamp roster include Mario Goodrich, Kennedy Brooks, Tristin McCollum, Noah Elliss, and Tyrese Robinson.

XFL Sunday Preview: Sea Dragons need a big win to clinch playoff spot

Seattle has the inside track, but there is work to be done!

The grand finale to the XFL regular season is upon us. After 10 weeks, the re-rebooted XFL is about ready to conclude and move to its first postseason. The Seattle Sea Dragons will end the regular season with a home rematch at Lumen Field against the Vegas Vipers, whom they defeated 30-26 in Week 3 this year.

The Sea Dragons have the inside track to the playoffs over the St. Louis Battlehawks, but they still have work to do. Had St. Louis lost to the Orlando Guardians, all Seattle would’ve needed was an outright win over Vegas to clinch. Unfortunately, the Battlehawks pasted the Guardians 53-28.

While a St. Louis defeat would make this a lot simpler, the good news is the Sea Dragons now have a barometer of what they need to do on Sunday afternoon. If both teams win, then it goes to an intricate tiebreaker based on points scored and points allowed. The XFL’s website has an excellent explanation on the full details, but here is what you need to know:

  • St. Louis has scored 249 points in the regular season, while allowing 202
  • Seattle, to date, has scored 215 and allowed 168 – the best in the north division.

Bottom line: Seattle needs to score more than 34 points on Sunday – while also not allowing 34 points themselves – to edge out the Battlehawks for a playoff spot. If the Sea Dragons can score 35 points and allow less than 34, they are in the postseason over St. Louis. If they score less, then it goes to further tiebreakers.

Of course, all of this is moot if Seattle can’t win on Sunday.

The Sea Dragons will kick off on Sunday at 4:00 pm Pacific on ESPN2 or ESPN+.

An XFL punter turned a fake punt into a wild 84-yard touchdown pass to a former NFL tight end

A fake punt led to a wild 84-yard touchdown for the XFL’s Orlando Guardians.

While the Orlando Guardians aren’t having the best season in the XFL, they sure do have a punter who can chuck it.

During Saturday’s road game against the St. Louis Battlehawks, the 1-8 Guardians took a lead on a perfectly executed fake punt.

To start, Orlando punter Mac Brown, formerly of Ole Miss, threw an absurd pass to former Houston Texans tight end Jordan Thomas on 4th and 21 from the Guardians’ side of the field.

Thomas snagged the ball and stormed to the end zone to give the Guardians an advantage over the Battlehawks during the game’s second quarter. The entire touchdown play would go for 84 yards.

The touchdown pass is Brown’s second in two games on a fake punt formation, which could be a hint to NFL teams that he’d be quite an addition to any special teams unit.

Thomas also deserved a ton of credit for hauling in the pass and making such an impressive scramble to the end zone.

Hey, maybe NFL scouts will watch this play and give both Brown and Thomas chances in training camp. Put those two together, and maybe you’ll strike gold on any fake punt formation.

Feature photo courtesy of ESPN.

XFL Week 8: weekend preview

A win is crucial for the Sea Dragons and their playoff hopes

Oh XFL, it feels like we hardly got to know thee this year. We are officially in Week 8 of the 10 week re-rebooted XFL season, and action kicks off Saturday morning.

It’s a crucial week for the Seattle Sea Dragons, as well as the other teams in a division with razor-thin margins. Seattle is coming off their 5th straight win last week, defeating the Arlington Renegades 24-15. Unfortunately, due to their narrow Week 2 loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks, they remain in third place since St. Louis – similarly 5-2 – hold the tiebreaker for now. As a result, the Sea Dragons are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.

Seattle will host the DC Defenders in a Week 1 rematch, where the Sea Dragons narrowly fell 22-18 on the road. The Defenders are coming off their first loss of the season last week, losing 37-36 to the previously winless Orlando Guardians.

Meanwhile, the Battlehawks are taking on the Vegas Vipers, last place in their division. With only two teams from each division qualifying for the playoffs, a win and/or a St. Louis loss is important for Seattle, especially since the two teams rematch next week.

St. Louis takes on the Vipers at 10:00 am Pacific Saturday morning, whole the Sea Dragons will look to defend Lumen Field against the Defenders on Sunday evening, 4:00 pm Pacific.

XFL shocker: Previously winless Orlando Guardians deal D.C. Defenders first loss

The Guardians were winless; the Defenders undefeated. It mattered not in XFL Week 7

Anything can happen in any week of XFL play.

If you don’t believe that check out this final score: Orlando 37, D.C. 36.

The Guardians came into the game 0-6; the Defenders were 6-0.

Mattered not as Terrell Buckley’s team came up with a shocker.

The game wasn’t over until the final play when D.C. missed a 63-yard field-goal attempt.

Deddrick Thomas made a circus catch for a Guardians touchdown.

Quinten Dormady was 27-of-34 for 328 yards and 3 TD passes for the Guardians.

Cody Latimer had one TD reception and 7 catches for 93 yards overall.

The Defenders were led by Abram Smith with 127 yards rushing and Chris Blair with 139 receiving yards.

Matthew McCrane missed two field goals for the Defenders, including the possible game-winner.

XFL: Sea Dragons defeat Guardians 26-19

Seattle pushes their win streak to 4-straight.

After starting the season with a rather inauspicious 0-2 start, the Seattle Sea Dragons are as hot as the fire they breathe, winning their last four consecutive games. Their most recent victim, the hapless Orlando Guardians, who remain winless after a 26-19 Seattle victory.

The Sea Dragons could not afford to overlook the Guardians, as they hope to keep pace with the St. Louis Battlehawks and DC Defenders ahead of them in the standings. Fortunately, Seattle took care of business.

It wasn’t the sharpest performance from quarterback Ben DiNucci, who completed 18-of-35 passes for 177 yards. However, he did have two touchdowns (against one interception) and threw one late when the Sea Dragons were only leading 20-19 late.

Unfortunately, St. Louis had little difficulty taking down the Vegas Vipers. The Battlehawks earned a dominant 29-6 victory over Sin City, and remain a half game ahead of Seattle in the standings thanks to a Week 2 win over them.

The Sea Dragons next game will be Friday, March 31st at 1:00 pm Pacific. They will take on the Arlington Renegades on the road.