No win bonus money for Viper players as of yet, and the Vipers may have cause for concern. Today, they lost at home 34-27 in front of 18,117 at Ray Jay.
The Vipers finally got the offense on the board as they scored the first offensive touchdown in team history as QB Quinton Flowers scored a 7-yard keeper with 9:17 left in the second quarter. QB Taylor Cornelius recorded the first Vipers passing TD in team history when he threw a 20-yard pass to WR Dan Williams with 2:13 left in the third.
Vipers Head Coach Marc Trestman continued with his 2 QB rotation, and this week he stepped back from play calling duties allowing offensive coordinator Jaime Elizondo to call the plays. No one has really spoken of why Coach Trestman gave up the play calling to Jaime except to say they both worked on the call sheet and they both put the plan together.
You would think the team has been in Tampa for years. Fans do not seem to like the two QB system and they made it known during the game. The Tampa crowd chanted for their hometown QB Quinton Flowers anytime he was not in the game. It seemed like he would be in and get some momentum going but was then swapped out for Taylor Cornelius who started the game. It would seem like the two QBs dislike the rotation as well. In the post-game presser both said the rotation is not ideal, but they will be ready when their number is called. It seems to slow any momentum the team starts to gain.
Penalties again cost the Vipers as they had 6 for 99 yards. Penalties seem to be a problem as the team is averaging 79 penalty yards a game.
The Vipers again led in total offense with 365 total yards but they were 50% on 3rd down going just 9 of 18. Starting QB Taylor Cornelius went 16 of 31 for 193 total yards with one interception and one touchdown. Jalen Tolliver was the leading receiver with 8 receptions for 104 yards and De’Veon Smith was the leading rusher going for 49 yards on 15 attempts.
Vipers fans were out in force,. There were tons of stuffed snakes and team gear throughout the crowd with many fans saying they loved the experience of coming to the game.
Next week the Vipers look to get in the win column when the DC Defenders come to town. The Defenders currently sit atop the Eastern Division at 2-0.
1 thought on “Tampa Bay Vipers go 0-3 as they lose to Houston Roughnecks at Home”
I am currently a Chicago Bears Fan. We experienced Marc Trestman a few coaches ago. He was terrible then just as he is terrible now. He man is a coaching idiot and disaster. The rest of the coaching staff for the XFL appear to have some coaching savvy. When you get rid to Trestman, the Vipers may have a chance of winning some games.
I am currently a Chicago Bears Fan. We experienced Marc Trestman a few coaches ago. He was terrible then just as he is terrible now. He man is a coaching idiot and disaster. The rest of the coaching staff for the XFL appear to have some coaching savvy. When you get rid to Trestman, the Vipers may have a chance of winning some games.