XFL St. Louis BattleHawks kicker Taylor Russolino.
Another great XFL specialist is slated to make his NFL debut this weekend. Taylor Russolino, the former St. Louis BattleHawks’ kicker will be taking over for regular Denver Broncos kicker, veteran Brandon McManus, on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 pm EST in Denver at Mile High Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. McManus fell to the COVID reserve list earlier in the week which left the hole open for Russolino to fill.
The Broncos shared that they had been keeping Russolino distanced from the team most of the time, due to him taking the ‘COVID kicker’ rule for the team.
With Russolino, the Broncos should expect to make a field goal anywhere on the opponent’s side of the 50-yard line. XFL fans remember how he made a wicked 58-yard field goal in the dome in St. Louis.
At Mile High Stadium the football flies differently due to the high altitude factor, so it makes it quite interesting for long field goal situations which is something Russolino is quite comfortable hitting. It would be awesome to see Russolino walk out and attempt a massive field goal again from 58 yards out, or even from 60. He most certainly has the leg, so why not, if the chance is there.
Trusting Russolino
Even prior to the XFL, Russolino played his fair share of football which included taking his talent to China. In short, Russolino is fit for any field goal, anywhere in the world, quite literally.
If the game were to come down to a field goal, the Broncos should be able to trust Russolino just as much as McManus, if not more. By watching the film it seems as if Russolino has a better and more accurate leg than the NFL veteran McManus. Perhaps, if Russolino performs as expected he could have a chance to duel for the starting kicker sport for next season on the Broncos. That would be a great story.
This has been a good year and a bad year for kickers in the COVID season. It is a good thing just for the fact that a lot of the XFL and underrated kickers are getting chances, then obviously a bad thing because of the player being in close contact with the virus or having the virus.
Be sure to tune into the game on Saturday afternoon to watch one of the XFL favorites make his name known in the NFL. Taylor Russolino will wear number one for the Broncos when he laces up and takes the field.
