NFL
By: Brock Vierra
The 2023 Vegas Vipers were the model of consistency. Consistently bad. Consistently bland. Consistently losing ball games they could’ve won. It was a little shocking for me that Rod Woodson was relieved of duties but a 2-8 record will do that sometimes. Now as the league enters its fourth overall season, we’re finally seeing some consistency in the XFL, and the health of the league couldn’t be higher. While the other teams are set to run it back with the same head coach, Vegas goes in a new direction with Dr. Anthony Blevins being given the reigns.
Now Dr. Anthony Blevins is a perfect hire. Blevins has over 20 years of coaching experience, spent the last five years with the New York Giants, and has his doctorate in Instructional Systems and Work Force Development. Vegas has a plethora of young talent that could potentially opt back in with the Vipers so it’s critical to have a guy like Blevins who has a literally doctorate in how to develop players in a way that gets them to the NFL.
In a season full of frustration and disappointment, especially from some of the bigger names on the Vipers, it was the younger and less-known players that made the difference. How the XFL will work in 2024 is that “The players that finish the season have a mutual option with the team to sign back. The team wants the player back, the player wants to come back, we’ll sign a contract”. That comes from Senior Director, Player Administration, and Officiating Operations Coordinator Russ Giglio. If this is the case, Blevins needs to secure the signatures of QB Jalan McClendon, RB John Lovett, WR Jeff Badet, WR Mathew Sexton, OLB Pita Taumoepenu, DL LaRon Stokes, LB C.J. Avery, and DB Deontay Anderson. Of course, this is all dependent on their return to the league.
Jalan McClendon was the wonderboy of the XFL in the second half of the season. Originally the third-string QB, he got his opportunity when Luiz Perez was traded and Brett Hundley was benched. Starting against the San Antonio Brahmas, he led the Vipers to a surprise victory behind an accurate arm and legs that can extend plays. A little reminiscent of another Vegas legend, Randall Cunningham, McClendon’s stature, athleticism, processing ability, and accuracy are traits you can’t replace or let another team have.
Penn State has a rich history of running backs and sometimes some really good ones fall through the crack. That’s what I see when I look at John Lovett. A true team-first player that I don’t believe was utilized in the right way at both Penn State and with the Vipers. This dude is a playmaker in open space but the issue is that he was never given that opportunity. This guy is like Austin Ekeler, decent as a true running back but spectacular as a receiving and multi-purpose back. Put this dude out wide or in the pistol and watch him work. An excellent safety valve out of the backfield, he’ll make defenses pay on swing routes or screenplays.
Forget Martavis Bryant and Geronimo Allison, the best receiver for the Vipers was Jeff Badet. The former Sooner ended his campaign with 46 receptions for 513 yards and five touchdowns. He’s sure-handed and understands coverage and space while being able to run routes with effortless smoothness. He comes from the Lincoln Riley school of offense so it should be no surprise he was able to dominate.
Mathew Sexton put together a quiet campaign of foundational football. While everyone was staring at Austin Proehl, Jahcour Pearson, and other shorter threats, Sexton was making his opportunities count. Outside of fumbling a ball into the endzone, he had a near-perfect year. Fitting the Wes Welker role, he can make a cut on a dime and is virtually unstoppable on short, outside routes. Another guy with solid hands and fundamentals, he’s a QB’s best friend and an excellent option on third and medium.
There’s not much to say about Pita Taumoepenu. He was dominant. Tied for second in season sacks, Taumoepenu was a monster in the backfield. A perfect fit for a nickel or 3-4 defense, Taumoepenu’s explosiveness off of the line combined with his incredible bend off of the edge is the stuff a defensive line coach dreams of. Vegas needs a guy like him.
LaRon Stokes is a tackling machine. Part of the reason Vegas was effective against the run, Stokes is tied fourth for tackles for loss. A big guy, Stokes sheds blocks with ease, rarely gets pushed back, and has an underrated rip move. Love the way this guy makes tackles in the trenches, he is a dude that’s not afraid to get dirty and embraces contact.
C.J. Avery is a tough evaluation. I like the player and he’s in the top rankings for multiple statistical categories but I have some questions when it comes to him in pass coverage. Depending on what defense HC Anthony Blevins will run, Avery is a bonafide run-stopper. This dude shoots the gap and brings people down. A little prone to get caught in the RPO, Blevins and his staff need to tighten up his tendency to hesitate but when it comes down to see the ball, get the ball…it’s the Avery train all day.
There wasn’t much to celebrate in the Vegas DB room with Rod Woodson having to publically challenge his players at times but one guy who continued to answer the call is Deontay Anderson. Anderson puts himself in a position to make plays. In my opinion, he was sometimes played out of place. Yes, he can create turnovers but I love the way this guy tackles. Anderson is 6’1, 218 pounds so if he puts on some weight, I’d love to see him more in the box. He’s a player you could use for some exotic zone coverages. I do have some questions about his abilities in man coverage but he’s a true safety. I do think he would be better served in a hybrid linebacker/ safety role.
Now players are one thing and they’re a big thing but a proper coaching staff is another. Offensively, Vegas was too tight and too conservative. I want to see more shotgun, more four-wide. I want to see a pass-happy spread offense. Here are some available coaches I would love to see in the OC role. Nick Rolovich, Mark Whipple, Seth Littrell, Austin Davis, or Eric Kiesau. Someone from the college ranks because that is where offensive evolution occurs.
Defensively, I hope Blevins sticks with the 3-4/ nickel defense. I’m thinking that the Vipers need to go after a DC with experience. I want a guy who has seen it at multiple levels and who is still close to the game. I’m thinking of Paul Rhoads, Tyler Santucci, Paul Pasqualoni, Andre Curtis, or Jamie Sharper.
However, these coaches need players that can make plays. Blevins’ main keys must be to improve the offensive line, defensive back, and linebacker rooms. He must invest in younger talent, he must force himself to ignore the NFL vets that will be eligible to play as we all know how that has worked out in the past and he must close out games. Vegas let victory slip from their grasp on way too many occasions.
The Vipers aren’t an easy team to coach. They have a second-rate field in the XFL’s smallest venue. They have to travel farther than most teams as they are the second most western franchise, next to Seattle and there’s a lot of work to do to build this team up.
Not everything is dark and gloomy for the Vipers. They have some nice pieces, a fresh start, and a huge talent pool to pick players from. If Blevins can put together the right mix of young talent with veteran leadership, putting a little more emphasis on young talent, he could have a squad competing for a title right out of the jump. All I say to Dr. Blevins is do yourself a favor…don’t draft Vic Beasley.
