Orlando – (1 March 2001) –– The Orlando Rage are now 4-0, $400,000 dollars richer, and sitting 2 games ahead of the Bolts after an easy win against Birmingham.
“We have put ourselves in a great position,” Rage Head Coach Galen Hall said. “But I think our players are smart enough to know that it is very early in this season. For the most part, teams in this league are very evenly matched. Even last week, our game would have been a lot closer if you take away a couple of plays.”
This week the Rage head to Memphis to take on a Maniax team hot off a big win against the LA Xtreme. Since he got the call, QB Jim Druckenmiller has been good for the Maniax. When asked if he thinks he should start next game he simply said, “Absolutely.”
Look for Orlando to remain consistent on the ground. Rage RB Brian Shay should have another standout performance this week after averaging 8.7 yards on just six carries. Shay added two receptions for 20 yards (including a 12-yard touchdown grab) and returned one kickoff for 22 yards.
The one thing plaguing the Rage right now is injuries. TE Terrance Huston (spinal cord contusion) and C Cal Dixon (torn bicep) were two big injuries and they come at positions where the Rage does not have much depth. Also, starting offensive lineman Dan Collins and back-up linebacker Rich Young are questionable with hamstring injuries. “Obviously we are concerned about the injuries,” Hall said. “But they are a part of football every team has to deal with.”
Although the team is undefeated, the Rage defense is ranked 7th in the 8 team XFL.
“Our defense has gotten better each week,” Coach Hall said. “We give up some yardage but we make the big plays when we need to.”
Expect the Rage Defense to raise the intensity as the Maniax bring with them the XFL league leading rusher Rashaan Salaam. The former Colorado All-American is averaging 101 yards rushing per game and has scored three touchdowns.
“Part of the reason for our success has come from the fact that we don’t give up a lot of easy touchdowns,” DB Stephen Fisher said. “Our goal is try to make the other team earn it. If you make the other team drive 60 or 70 yards each time and only give them a few yards at a time, the chances that they will make a mistake increase dramatically.”
If (ahem…when) Orlando wins on the road they will be 5-0 and sit alone as the only undefeated team in the league, and the best in the east. Orlando should be able to easily put the straightjacket on the Maniax and get their 5th straight bonus check.
