This past weekend, the XFL had its very first full slate of games and so far, the league has shown a ton of promise. Despite most of the games being blowouts, we were able to see some high-level football that will certainly keep our palets cleansed between now and April. Some think Spring football doesn't work but the XFL is trying to feed you a different narrative and so far, it's working. Fans are already excited for next week and in all honesty, so are we.
One XFL team is starting off their season with an unexpected bang. After losing to the Houston Roughnecks by a score of 37-17 on Saturday, the Los Angeles Wildcats have fired their defensive coordinator, Pepper Johnson. As you can imagine, the news came as a bit of a shock but the team's general manager, Winston Moss, offered an explanation.
"While these decisions are difficult, we have given this significant thought. We are here to put the best possible product on the field for our fans," Moss wrote in a statement.
So far, the Wildcats have gotten off to a rough start but they will have a chance to redeem themselves next week against the Dallas Renegades who also lost their first game.
Chad Johnson Confirms Kicker Tryout With XFL’s Houston Roughnecks
Ochocinco looking to join the XFL as a kicker.
Former NFL star Chad Johnson is hoping to add a new chapter to his football career, this time as a kicker in the XFL. The man known as Ochocinco took to twitter on Tuesday morning to reveal that he has officially lined up a tryout with the Houston Roughnecks on Monday, January 20.
Writes Johnson, "The opportunity to kick in the XFL has presented itself, i must tryout Monday in Houston, I’m excited as hell & I’m sure all will go well." The 42-year old even has dreams of turning this potential XFL gig into an opportunity with an NFL team.
"Pretty far fetched but imagine me being consistent during an XFL season & getting a chance at a 53 man roster in the NFL, even i don’t make it just being able to compete for a spot at a entirely different position will be so riveting."
We all know that Ochocinco made a name for himself as one of the league's top wide receivers in the 2000s, but he also displayed his kicking ability during a 2009 pre-season game, during which he connected on an extra point and kicked off for the Bengals. Of course, if Johnson does make the Roughnecks roster he won't be kicking any extra points because they simply don't exist in the XFL (click here for more on the XFL's unique rule book).
As seen in the IG post embedded below, Johnson has the leg power to put one through the uprights from distance as well.
