Tampa Bay Vipers QB Quinton Flowers (9) runs during the Week 1 game against the New York Guardians. (Credit XFL.com)
Week 2 of the XFL season takes us to Centurylink Field in Seattle, where the 0-1 Tampa Bay Vipers will take on the 0-1 Seattle Dragons in what is sure to be a game to remember as the XFL makes its Pacific Northwest debut.
The Vipers are coming on off a 23-3 loss on the road against the Guardians, and will be without their starter Aaron Murray, who sustained a lower leg injury in the loss. Vipers Head Coach Marc Trestman has kept his cards relatively close to the chest when it comes naming a starter for this week saying, “We’ll make a decision at gametime. Whoever starts doesn’t really matter because they’re both going to be in the game.”
Oklahoma State product Taylor Cornelius has taken a majority of the first team practice reps with Quinton Flowers, out of USF, getting the rest of the first team practice work. Cornelius stands at 6`6, which will allow his see over a defense which currently ranks sixth in the league in total pass defense and surrendered 227 passing yards last week against the Defenders.
Week 2 should provide a more interesting challenge for the Seattle Dragons, who fell 31-19 on the road against the Defenders. Now that coaching staffs have film at their disposal, opponent scouting should become easier. Something else the Dragons will have at their disposal will be legendary CFL WR, formally of the Toronto Argonauts, SJ Green, who joined the Dragons this week. Brandon Silvers is expected to make the start despite missing some practice time earlier in the week. The addition of Green, along with an offense which posted 19 first downs and outgained its opponent in yardage should provide a healthy challenge for the Vipers defense.
The Vipers take on the Dragons today at 5PM ET on FOX.
