XFL DC Defenders Jordan Ta’amu’s quarterback ratings have dropped.
UP: Quarterback controversies: Whether due to injuries or inefficient play, it was expected that several teams in the XFL would cycle through starting quarterbacks during the season. After week two, we’re already seeing teams come to a fork in the road at that spot. For the DC Defenders, Jordan Ta’amu completed less than 50% of his passes for under 100 yards for the second game in a row this weekend, though the elements in Vegas played a role. D’Eriq King undoubtedly provided an offensive spark for the Defenders, but can he throw it well enough to be effective in a more prominent role?
In the same game, backup Brett Hundley relieved Luis Perez for the Vipers after the latter started the game 1-for-5 passing. Hundley didn’t light the world on fire, but he was apparently signed to start and is backing up while still learning the offense. His time might be now. The Orlando Guardians have played all three quarterbacks; none has stood out from the pack. Head Coach Terrell Buckley has a lot of decisions to make up and down his roster this week, beginning with the most important position: Quarterback. Arlington’s Drew Plitt turned the ball over three times, yet backup Kyle Sloter never entered the game. If Plitt isn’t benched for next week’s game against Orlando, he may have a short leash.
UP: Penalties: You would expect penalties to decrease as the season goes on and players get used to the new rules and get more into the game flow, but that didn’t happen in week two. The total number of penalties increased from 39 in week one to 46 in week two. Orlando had 13 penalties on its own, which would’ve been more than any two teams combined for in any of the other seven games so far this season.
DOWN: Field goal percentages: In XFL 2020, kickers hit on 77% of their field goals, despite a ball that was shaped differently from the one many were used to kicking. In 2023, with a more normal ball, the number is just 59%. With offense down across the league to start the season, having a quality kicker takes on added importance as points are at a premium. If this trend continues, teams may begin to scour the waiver wire for reinforcements.
UP: Coach’s challenges: Coaches are allowed one challenge per game, and they can challenge anything. In week one, there was only one coach’s challenge used, by Las Vegas’s Rod Woodson, challenging an offsides non-call on a punt. He did not win the challenge. In week two, St. Louis challenged an offensive pass interference call but lost. On Sunday, San Antonio’s Hines Ward challenged a defensive pass interference call in the end zone and won. In the same game, Orlando and Terrell Buckley challenged a pass interference no-call to no avail. Then in the nightcap, Arlington claimed a player touched a punt down with one foot out of bounds at about the six yard-line, which would’ve put the ball at the 35 yard-line. That challenge, made late in the first quarter, was also unsuccessful. Houston also challenged a pass interference no-call and lost. Five challenges were made in week two after just one in week one, and coaches are 1-for-6 on challenges thus far.
Down: Deep balls: There was an on-screen graphic during the Arlington vs. Houston game that showed Renegades QB Drew Plitt having gone 0-10 on passes 10 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage. That’s not an aberration – quarterbacks have hit on very few deep balls attempted so far this season. It’s not always their fault however, as we’ve seen a few receivers fail to come down with well-thrown passes. Offensive lines are struggling to give quarterbacks time for their five-and-seven-step drops and for receivers to get down the field. The result is a lot of underneath throws and passes around the line of scrimmage. Defenses will eventually scheme to take those away (some already have) and challenge QBs to go deep. Soon, quarterbacks will have to prove they can heave it down field.
