Orlando – (2 February 2001) — The No Fun League is a Pro Bowl away from finality, and Vince McMahon’s XFL is about to receive center stage. On February 3, 2001, the XFL will begin its first season, with the Orlando Rage and the Chicago Enforcers being one of the first games of the year.
One of the more critical things for both teams to accomplish, in this inaugural game, is a sense of momentum. Despite having scrimmaged against each other, most XFL team only have a remote grasp of the complicated offensive and defensive schemes of the other teams within the league. This is mainly due to not having any true game film to solidify a scouting effort, which will be solved as the season goes on.
Surely, there are a number of factors deciding victory in this Saturday’s game:
1) Chicago RB John Avery: The former 1st round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins, Avery’s size was a major knock; however, his speed may be among the fastest in the XFL, and his field vision earned as a solid NFL return man make him one of the potential superstars of the XFL. He will be starting at tailback, and will be a legitimate receiving option out of the backfield, where his elusiveness can be maximized.
2) The passing game of the Orlando Rage: Anchored by QB Jeff Brohm, experienced with the offenses of several NFL teams, look for the Rage to utilize their speedy receiving corps of 5’9″ Mario Bailey, Mark Brunell’s college teammate at University of Washington, and 5’8″ Tony Gaiter, a University of Miami product, to effectively neutralize Chicago’s defensive backs. Dileo Burks, a 6’2″ possession WR, has the size to establish mismatches.
3) The Chicago Linebackers: For the past twenty years, there have been two givens for Chicagoans; the wind sucks, and Chicago LBs will slap you silly! The Enforcers are no exception as LB Jaime Baisley is the cream of the XFL’s linebacking crop. His cohort, Matt Finkes, plans on making some noise in the fledgling league as well. Baisley’s main job will be keeping the potent Orlando RB tandem of Derrick Clark and Brian Shay as silent as possible.
4) The Rage Offensive Line: Perhaps the best in the league right now. Offensive tackles Dan Goodspeed from Kent State, and Jeremy Akers of Notre Dame anchor this moving wall. These two mammoths will be the key factor in determining QB Jeff Brohm’s year. If Goodspeed and Akers dominate as expected, look for the Rage to finish among the top two teams in the XFL.
D.C.’s Final Call
Look for the Rage to severely dominate this game, as “Brohm to Bailey” becomes very familiar. The main offensive weapon for the Enforcers is Avery, and look for him to establish himself as a bona fide XFL weapon. In the end, the Rage’s balance will be too much for the Chicago LBs, and the rest of the team.
