By Jordan E. Kanter – XFLBoard.com Hitmen Team Reporter
New York – (2 February 2001) — “Hit me.” That’s what heady gamblers say at the card tables in Vegas when they’re looking to win some cash. But that phrase will take on a far more menacing meaning on Saturday, February 3, when the Outlaws go bust against the New York/New Jersey Hitmen.
After this game, no Outlaws player will ever hear the words “Hit Me” again without a shudder in remembrance of the beating they took that night. The Outlaws are looking for Black Jack this weekend but Black and Blue is what they’re going to get.
When you first heard about the XFL, you knew it would be entertaining, and when you heard that Tony Dorsett was our GM, you knew it was legit. Then, when you saw those sleek blue and black uniforms with that steely, menacing “H” on the helmets, you just couldn’t wait to see how they’d look dirty. And those Hitgirls… Wow, Go Team!
It’s not a new kind of football. It’s a new kind of football attitude. Its football the way that we want to see it and the way we’ve been waiting to see it. We’re the fans. We’re number one. And we want respect. Pro sports are nothing without us yet the football establishment didn’t hear us, didn’t even listen. The XFL did. And now, here we are just one day away from what we’ve been waiting for. The first XFL game ever between the Outlaws of Las Vegas and our own inaugural franchise, the New York/New Jersey Hitmen.
These Hitmen are our kind of guys. They want to win because they have pride. Pride in the game, pride in their team and pride in themselves. And guess what folks…if they don’t win, they’re not going to get paid any more than the league minimum of $45,000.00 per player, and $50,000.00 for the QB’s. So every game, if there’s anything left in those banged up bodies, these guys are going to leave it all on the field for us. No moral victories in this league. No way. You put up or you shut up. No going through the motions. No mailing it in. No glamour boys. Just tightly clenched jaws, bulging veins and fear in the eyes of the opposition. The way football was meant to be. The way we like it here in New York and New Jersey. We’re the twelfth man and we don’t want to share our house with some self-absorbed showboat who thinks he’s more important than the rest of the team, and us. Together we stand…There’s no other option.
The emergence of the Hitmen defense in the preseason scrimmages has been nothing short of stellar. On December 12, the Hitmen gave up just a single touchdown to the equally stingy Birmingham Bolts in a sixty-play scrimmage that saw some fine defensive play on both sides of the ball. Then, on January 8, a scrimmage against the Chicago Enforcers had to be cut a little short due to a dispute between the respective teams’ players that became…well, let’s just call it spirited. It seems that the Enforcers felt that a hit on their quarterback by a defensive tackle was a little later than they would have preferred and, in typically aggressive XFL style, a melee ensued, with tempers flaring and fists flying. Coaches Tillman and Meyer wisely canceled the last few plays of the scrimmage but you can be certain that the Hitmen won’t soon forget the jawing from those Birmingham Bolts when they show up in our house on February 10.
In the preseason, it usually takes a little longer for the offense to come together than the defense but the Hitmen offense is laden with enthusiastic talent that should give the Outlaws more than they can handle on Saturday. Led by QB Charles Puleri, the passing game should spread the opposing defense wide while the Hitmen’s considerable depth at runningback should keep them honest and close to the line. Joe Aska, Nathan Simmons and Dino Philyaw each fought hard during training camp for the starting runningback spot but it was the oft-brilliant effort by Philyaw that landed him that role over the other two fine backs. Also expect to see the fleet footed Zola Davis and the lanky Fred Brock blazing down the sidelines at wide-out and the tough blocking Marcus Hinton helping to open up lanes as the starting Tight End.
Coach Tillman and the Hitmen players feel confident that they’ll grind out a victory against the Outlaws using a balanced, offensive attack, and maybe even a surprise or two for our unsuspecting guests from the desert. However they do it, though, you can be sure that they’re going to lay it all on the line. And speaking of lines, the latest has the Outlaws favored by five. But where do you think that line comes from anyway? That’s right…Las Vegas.
I know that all of you Hitmen fans out there wish that the first game was here at home so that we could go out and make some noise. But just be patient my friends. Once the Hitmen tear the Outlaws limb from limb on Saturday, its going to send a quick message to the entire league that you don’t mess with New York and New Jersey. And next week, we’re all going to be there too. So when the Birmingham Bolts come into our house, they’d better be prepared for noise, for pain…and for defeat. It’s almost going to be unfair.
As far as this Saturday’s game goes, one thing’s for sure. Las Vegas is gonna take a Hit.
