What did former Chiefs TE Jonathan Hayes tell Jordan Ta’amu about Kansas City?

Jordan Ta’amu’s coach for the St. Louis BattleHawks played TE for nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

New Kansas City Chiefs QB Jordan Ta’amu grew up over 3,000 miles away from Kansas City. But now, perhaps surprisingly, Ta’amu has many connections to his new team. He’ll rejoin his old college teammate, Breeland Speaks, in the locker room. One of the strongest connections, however, is through his head coach from the XFL.

St. Louis BattleHawks head coach Jonathan Hayes played tight end for the Chiefs for nine seasons. He was drafted by the team in the second round of the 1985 draft and played in Kansas City through the 1993 season. When Hayes got word that Ta’amu was set to join the Chiefs, there was no one more excited.

When Ta’amu first spoke with the Kansas City media on Thursday, he explained what his former head coach told him about the Chiefs:

As soon as he heard that I got signed, he reached out to me and said, ‘The Chiefs are going to take care of you, they are a great business, a great team, great coaching staff and my love for them is over the roof. I’m going to make sure that they take care of you too.’ That meant a lot to me, just to hear that comfort level from him. I believe in Coach Hayes 100 percent, so everything he said I’m going to believe. I am just excited to be a part of this team.

That’s a nice endorsement from Hayes on his former team. It’s clear that his time in Kansas City really inspired him. Hayes helped lead Ta’amu to one of the top performances by a quarterback in the XFL’s relaunch season. Ta’amu led the XFL in completion percentage and rushing yardage among QBs. He also was second in yards per passing attempt (7.8), third in passing yards (1,050), fourth in TDs (5). Ta’amu has built a lot of trust in Hayes because of this and it appears he feels reassured by Hayes in his decision to join the Chiefs.

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Kansas City Chiefs sign Jordan Ta’amu of XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks

St. Louis BattleHawks quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has agreed to a one-year deal with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.

Look out, Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing in a quarterback.

The Super Bowl champions have agreed to a one-year deal with Jordan Ta’amu, who most recently played for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the XFL.

The dual-threat quarterback from Ole Miss was third in passing, and seventh in rushing in the new league. Ta’amu had 1,050 yards passing and 217 yards rushing as St. Louis went 3-2 before the league canceled its season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ta’amu won’t be starting any time soon as the Chiefs are the Super Bowl champions and have Mahomes, arguably the top quarterback in the NFL running the show on offense. Ta’amu, however, gives Andy Reid options on short yardage and goal-line situations.

Chiefs agree to terms with St. Louis BattleHawks QB Jordan Ta’amu

A new quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs have added their first player from the XFL.

Kenny Zuckerman of Priority Sports & Entertainment announced that his client, QB Jordan Ta’amu, will sign with the Chiefs on a one-year deal. Ta’amu was the starting quarterback for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the XFL’s 2020 relaunch. He played for former Chiefs TE Jonathan Hayes, who was the head coach of the BattleHawks.

Ta’amu recorded the highest completion percentage in the XFL (72%) while recording third-most passing yards (1,050). He threw five touchdowns and two interceptions in five games. He also had the most rushing yards of any quarterback with 41 carries for 217 yards and a score.

Ta’amu joins a quarterback room that features Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne and Kyle Shurmur. The Chiefs have a history of having four quarterbacks on the roster heading into the offseason. Ta’amu will be in direct competition with Kyle Shurmur for the third spot behind Henne.

Ta’amu played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels, appearing in 19 games between his junior and senior seasons. There he had 381 passes for 5,600 yards with 30 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Throughout his career, Ta’amu has proven to be an efficient passer and an athlete that can pick up yards on the ground.

Today marked the first day that NFL teams could sign XFL players and its no surprise that the Chiefs are adding competitive depth from the league. They’re short on salary cap space and you won’t find many of these players demanding top dollar salaries.

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XFL players the Tennessee Titans and other NFL teams could target

Here’s a look at just a handful of XFL players the Titans and other NFL teams could target.

The novelty of the XFL is beginning to wear off midway through its first season since the league’s relaunch, but it does have some staunch supporters behind it and has delivered a solid and entertaining product.

Attendance and TV ratings have been satisfactory for many of the league’s eight teams, but at this point you have to think the XFL has accepted that its ceiling is essentially to serve as a sort of minor league to the NFL — and it certainly has some talent worthy of taking a closer look at.

Here’s a look at just a handful of XFL players the Titans and other NFL teams could target once the league year ends on April 26.

QB P.J. Walker, Houston Roughnecks

This one should come as no surprise, considering Walker is considered to be far and away the league’s best quarterback and most likely player to leave the XFL for the NFL (although holding onto him as long as it can would be helpful for the XFL’s long-term existence).

Walker received a strong endorsement from former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who told his father Oliver, the XFL’s commissioner, he should add the signal-caller to the league.

Walker has completed 65 percent of his pass attempts for 1,338 yards, with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions to go with 99 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground over five contests.

His ability to almost impossibly extend plays with his legs and arm strength are impressive, and while he’s had some bad reads, there’s only some fine-tuning to do before Walker could become a viable player in the NFL.

XFL midterm report card grades for all 8 teams

The XFL is halfway through its season and the Houston Roughnecks are way ahead of the rest of the teams.

The XFL has reached the midpoint of its season. One team stands above all: the Houston Roughnecks. How does everyone grade out?

Dallas Renegades

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

One of the disappointments. There were high hopes when Bob Stoops was named coach of the Renegades. He brought the ultimate winning pedigree from Oklahoma. Dallas has struggled on offense and it has been dampened by injuries to quarterback Landry Jones, expected to be a huge asset. At 2-3, the Renegades need to find their stride in the second half of the season or they won’t qualify for the playoffs. Grade: C-minus

Watch: DC Defenders fans, Commissioner Oliver Luck add to legend of the beer snake

Fans in the end zone at the DC Defenders’ game took to building a massive beer snake.

There wasn’t much offense in the game between the DC Defenders and St. Louis BattleHawks Sunday. So, the highlights turned to what Defenders fans have made into a tradition: The beer snake.

Check out the incredible teamwork and precision of the fans in the end zone as they continue to build upon their beer snake. Something had to entertain folks as the game was low-scoring and did not feature a lot of intrigue on the field.

Commissioner Oliver Luck joined in on the fun.

FOX analyst Greg Olsen compared the beer snake to the DC Defenders when it came to goals, saying both were trying to grind it out and finish the game.

 

St. Louis Battlehawks at DC Defenders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s St. Louis Battlehawks at DC Defenders sports betting odds, picks and best bets

The St. Louis Battlehawks (3-1) will take on the DC Defenders (2-2) in Week 5 of the XFL season. Kickoff for this game is set for 3 p.m. E.T. Below, we break down the Battlehawks-Defenders Week 5 matchup, with XFL betting picks and tips.

Battlehawks at Defenders: Week 5 preview, betting trends and notes

  • After a fantastic start to open the season, Defenders QB Cardale Jones has thrown a combined four interceptions over the last two weeks. He’s thrown for a total of 175 yards on 48 attempts in the team’s two losses.
  • Battlehawks QB Jordan Ta’amu was outstanding in Week 4, completing 20 of 27 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown. Ta’amu has now three games this season with a passer rating of at least 103.

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 Defenders: Key injuries

Battlehawks:

  • RB Sherman Badie (knee) out
  • CB Robert Nelson (illness) questionable
  • RB Matt Jones (knee) questionable
  • RB Christine Michael (illness) questionable
  • CB Marquez White (illness) questionable

Defenders:

  • CB Elijah Campbell (abdomen) questionable
  • CB Doran Grant (hip) questionable
  • DB Desmond Lawrence (back) questionable
  • OT De’Ondre Wesley (shoulder) probable

Battlehawks at Defenders: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Defenders 24, Battlehawks 21

Moneyline (?)

The Battlehawks (-223) are slight road favorites over the DEFENDERS (+175) on Sunday afternoon. While St. Louis has lost just one game this season, they have shown that they can struggle to defend the pass against competent quarterback play. Considering the odds, I like the Defenders to win outright at home to pick up their third win of the season.

Against the Spread (?)

The DEFENDERS (+4.5) are more than a field goal underdog at home on Sunday afternoon. While Cardale Jones has struggled over the last two weeks, he has shown to be a highly effective quarterback at home this season. Look for the Defenders offense to bounce back this week as they should be able to keep this close, if not win.

Over/Under (?)

The total for this Week 5 matchup is set at 38.5, which is the second-lowest of the week. While both teams have good defenses, both Cardale Jones and Jordan Ta’amu have shown flashes of brilliance this season. Expect both quarterbacks to play well and for the OVER (-106) to hit in Washington, D.C. on Sunday afternoon.

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Updated XFL Championship Odds: Roughnecks, Battlehawks pulling away

Assessing the 2020 XFL Championship odds through the inaugural season’s first four weeks. Can anyone catch the Houston Roughnecks?

The XFL is four weeks of games into its inaugural season and the Houston Roughnecks and St. Louis Battlehawks have emerged as heavy favorites as division leaders. We look at the 2020 XFL Championship odds with contenders pulling away entering the mid-point of the season.

2020 XFL Championship Odds

Odds via BetMGM, last updated March 4 at 1:40 p.m. ET.

TEAM PRESEASON ODDS UPDATED ODDS
Houston Roughnecks +750 +175
St. Louis Battlehawks +1000 +250
Dallas Renegades +250 +600
DC Defenders +750 +700
New York Guardians +350 +800
Los Angeles Wildcats +450 +1200
Tampa Bay Vipers +550 +2000
Seattle Dragons +1200 +3300

2020 XFL Championship Odds: Risers

Houston Roughnecks

The Roughnecks are the only remaining undefeated team through four games, winning twice at home and twice on the road. Their plus-five touchdown differential and 16 TDs scored also lead the league.

QB Phillip Walker leads the XFL with 987 passing yards, Cam Phillips leads with 333 receiving yards and Deatrick Nichols leads with three interceptions. Three of their four wins have come by at least 7 points.

St. Louis Battlehawks

The Battlehawks’ odds have dropped to 1/4 of what they were in the preseason. They sit atop the XFL East at 3-1 and are undefeated at home at 2-0. The defense leads the league with only seven touchdowns allowed.

QB Jordan Ta’amu ranks second to Houston’s Walker with 876 passing yards, while RB Matt Jones is second with 244 rushing yards. Their only loss was a 28-24 setback at the Roughnecks in Week 2, and only Houston has scored more than 16 points against St. Louis.

2020 XFL Championship Odds: Fallers

Los Angeles Wildcats

The Wildcats entered the season with the third-best championship odds and are now one of the three teams buried at the bottom with odds worse than 10-1 to win the championship.

They’re 1-1 at home and 0-2 on the road, but they have a touchdown differential of plus-2, thanks to a 39-9 home rout of the Defenders in Week 3. They fell right back to Earth in Week 4, however, with a 17-14 road loss at the New York Guardians.

Tampa Bay Vipers

The Vipers entered the year with hope led by former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman. They’ve started the season 0-2 on the road and have a minus-2 touchdown differential.

They may have started a turnaround in Week 4 with a 25-0 home win over the Defenders, a club with a pattern of helping opposing teams turn things around, apparently.

Seattle Dragons

Things have only grown worse for the Dragons, who started the year with the worst XFL Championship odds. Their touchdown differential is just minus-1 – they haven’t lost by more than 12 points.

They’re unlikely to win it at all, but they’re much closer to being in the middle of the pack and represent a reasonable long-shot value.

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

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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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The XFL Battlehawks’ hard-seltzer celebrations are still hilarious

It’s so ridiculous and, honestly, so perfect.

The XFL is leaning into the X in their league name (even if we don’t actually know what that X stands for). The league has changed rules on controversial plays like the kickoff while adapting the extra-point play to make it more interesting. The adjustments have made the game unique and fun.

The St. Louis Battlehawks (3-1), meanwhile, have proven pioneers of the postgame celebration. After each win, they’ve taken to spraying the locker room with booze. But we’re not talking about champagne — or even beer. No, the Battlehawks seem to enjoy celebrating with hard seltzer, the fanciest blends of malt liquor. It is so perfect for the XFL.

Who cares that booze-spraying celebrations in other sports are reserved for playoff wins or Lombardi Trophies? For all these guys know, each win could be their last. Each game could be the XFL’s last. And so the players win and celebrate with desperation — and with hard seltzer. Their coach, Jonathan Hayes, has now taken to wearing goggles in anticipation of the spray.

That’s the type of adaptability you like to see in a coach — it’s all about knowing your personnel and knowing they’re going to spray seltzer in your eyes after a win.

Keep it up, Battlehawks, on and off the field.

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Jordan Ta’amu stars as St. Louis tops Seattle

Jordan Ta’amu put on a stellar show as St. Louis cut down Seattle in XFL play.

Jordan Ta’amu is the maestro of Jonathan Hayes’ offense in St. Louis. Together, they are 3-1 now in the XFL after stopping the Seattle Dragons Saturday, 23-16, before a raucous BattleHawks home crowd of more than 27,000 fans.

Ta’amu, who played college ball at Ole Miss, was 20-of-27 for 264 yards passing.

Check out these passes:

He was impressive on the ground, too, orchestrating the run/pass option to near perfection. Ta’amu had 16 carries for 63 yards. Overall, he accounted for 327 yards of the BattleHawks’ 392 yards of total offense.

Coach Hayes wore goggles to the celebration.

On the Seattle side, Jim Zorn’s Dragons are 1-3. The biggest move they made may have been bringing in B.J. Daniels at quarterback. The former South Florida star brought a spark to an offense that was beyond dull under Brandon Silvers.

Daniels ran seven times for 84 yards and completed half of his 10 pass attempts for 100 yards.

Things won’t get easier for Seattle in Week 5. They go to Houston to face P.J. Walker and the Roughnecks in what is becoming a must-win game. St. Louis will meet the Defenders in DC as the XFL season reaches its midpoint.