Bears News: Previewing the XFL: Arlington Renegades |
When the 2020 XFL season got underway, no team had as much hype as the Dallas Renegades. With one of the best college coaches of the past two decades, Bob Stoops leading the way, Hal Mumme running the offense, an experienced NFL vet in Landry Jones at QB, and a pair of NFL caliber RBs, this team had all the makings of being the XFL champs.
Instead, not only did COVID shorten the season, but this team underachieved from day one and fell to 2-3 by the time things ended. That was then, and this is now as the Renegades return for the 2023 XFL season, but this time will take on the name Arlington instead of Dallas. Much like in 2020, this team comes with perhaps the highest expectations of anyone, rightfully so when you look at this organization. Bob Stoops is back to lead the way for the Renegades and will look to improve upon his first go around. After sporting a 191-48 overall record in college, Stoops landed in the XFL, where he intends to stay for the foreseeable future. He has a chance to prove he is an NFL-caliber head coach, which could come with a strong season. Things will look a little different on the coaching staff, especially on the offensive side of the ball, where Mumme is no longer calling the shots. Instead, Chuck Long and Jonathan Hayes will be the co-offensive coordinators, which will be huge. Long was the previous OC with the St. Louis Battlehawks in 2020 while holding several OC and coaching jobs in the NCAA. Hayes worked hand in hand with long in 2020 and was the head coach of the Battlehawks, leading them to a 3-2 record that season. Having that experience and the continuity of coaching together once before will be huge, as this offense will benefit from that. Arlington will also have a pair of defensive coordinators in Jim Hayes and Tim Lewis, who was the former head coach of the Birmingham Iron of the AAF, going 5-3 that season. The Renegades have a coaching staff filled with coaches with spring ball experience, and the overall roster follows the same trend. At the QB position, look for Kyle Sloter to be the man in charge when the season breaks, but don't count out Drew Plitt or Kevin Anderson. Sloter bounced around several organizations after being drafted in 2019 before finding a home in the USFL last season.
While with the New Orleans Breakers, Sloter was up and down, but still was one of the league leaders in passing with 1798 yards to go with nine TD and 11 INT. The running backs room has several guys that could be contributors, but Kenneth Farrow and De'Veon Smith will be the go-to guys.
Smith comes with XFL experience as he led the XFL in rushing while with the Tampa Bay Vipers in 2020. Farrow has played for the San Antonio Commanders and Seattle Dragons of the XFL and is now with the Renegades. He has also seen minimal NFL experience, so being the primary back shouldn't be an issue for him.
Other guys to keep an eye on the offensive end would be Flynn Nagel WR, Jordan Smallwood WR, and Kameron Lewis WR, who is currently on the inactive roster. While the offensive side of the ball could be special for Arlington, what about their defense, which was an issue back in 2020?
Former Cincinnati Bengal Will Clarke will look to change that as the 31-year-old will anchor down the defensive line in the trenches. Clarke comes with seven career sacks in the NFL and is looking to use that experience to his advantage. You also have Micah Dew-Treadway, who was once in Chicago Bears camp, on the line, as those two could be huge upfront.
The linebacker position is full of unknowns unless you are Donald Payne, who comes with nearly 100 career NFL tackles. Pair him with Josh Watson, who has limited NFL experience and a cast of young and hungry players, and that position should get after it. Behind them comes a secondary unit that could be the best in the XFL.
De'Vante Bausby returns to the XFL after spending time with the Washington Commanders in 2022. Bausby is no stranger to spring football, as he led the AAF in interceptions in 2019 and had two pick-sixes. Lining up across from him is former Green Bay Packer Josh Hawkins, looking to get noticed again.
However, the most notable player in the secondary is safety Will Hill. At 32 years old, Hill is one of the older players in the XFL, but that doesn't mean he can't play. This man had a decent NFL career with over 220 tackles until injuries derailed his future success. Perhaps this is his ticket to get back to the NFL. Either way, Arlington is locked and loaded on both sides of the ball and should be a force in 2023.
