Memphis Showboats head coach John DeFilippo, former head coach of the 2023 USFL New Orleans Breakers.
Memphis Showboats head coach John DeFilippo has a plan for the game against San Antonio.
“This is going to be a really good football game on Saturday, and we have our hands full,” DeFilippo said. “But, we have to get after him up front. That’s where it all starts.”
DeFilippo was referring to Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers who had an impressive debut in the United Football League while leading the San Antonio Brahmas to a 27-12 victory over the D.C. Defenders at home in the Alamodome.
“That’s where it starts is upfront, ” DeFilippo said. “I was very impressed with the way Garbers gets the ball in his hand. He has a violent release, and he has great whip on his release. He has a strong arm. He gets the ball and he knows where he’s going with the football. So we have our hands full. No doubt.”
“Everything on defense starts with a pass rush and making the quarterback feel uncomfortable,” DeFilippo explained. “That’s the key for us. I thought we did a really nice job last week of disguising what we were doing. The young man, the quarterback from Houston (Jarrett Guarantano), came up to me after the game and said, ‘I was having a hard time seeing where it was coming from,’ and that’s a young man that started a lot of football games in an SEC school. Whenever you can confuse a veteran quarterback like that… I think he started something like 30 Some games at Tennessee, so he’s seen good defense.”
Other than focusing on the Showboats defense for the upcoming game, DeFilippo admits he and his squad need to work on their effectiveness when it comes to extra point attempts.
“I was not pleased with my play calls on the extra point tries,” DeFilippo said. “We tried to run it twice, and we tried to throw it and we got stymied, and they brought cover zero on the third one and had the tight end open but the quarterback got to throw it hot. You know, it’s just one of those deals where I’m learning on how the whole thing works. It was a good learning experience for me. You don’t know how it’s going to be until you get in the heat of the battle.”
Bottom line though, DeFilippo does not like the UFL’s non-kicked converts.
“I think it’s ridiculous that we don’t kick, but that’s just what it is. You know, that’s the rules of our league,” DeFilippo said.
The Memphis Showboats take on the visiting San Antonio Brahmas at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday, April 6 at 11:00 PM Central (12:00 PM ET) (ESPN). Very affordable tickets are available at Ticketmaster and Stubhub.
The Showboats will hold a pep rally from 4-5:30 p.m. Friday at Handy Park on Beale. Every member of the team and coaching staff will be in attendance. The Showboats’ mascot Skipper will be there, as will the Showboats cheerleaders.
The Showboats have announced a special ticket offer for Saturday’s home-opener. Fans can purchase $10 tickets for the showdown with the Brahmas by clicking the following link: fevo.me/boats10.
