The XFL has reached the midpoint of its season. One team stands above all: the Houston Roughnecks. How does everyone grade out?
Dallas Renegades
One of the disappointments. There were high hopes when Bob Stoops was named coach of the Renegades. He brought the ultimate winning pedigree from Oklahoma. Dallas has struggled on offense and it has been dampened by injuries to quarterback Landry Jones, expected to be a huge asset. At 2-3, the Renegades need to find their stride in the second half of the season or they won’t qualify for the playoffs. Grade: C-minus
DC Defenders
This team gets an “A” for its home performances and an “F” for its work on the road. The Defenders are 3-0 at home and 0-2 on the road. Talk about a split personality. Pep Hamilton got the Defenders to bounce back against St. Louis in an inspired defensive effort. However, if you can’t win away from home you are simply going to be a .500 team. Grade: C
Houston Roughnecks
The Roughnecks are 5-0 and June Jones appears to be in a league of his own when it comes to coaching in the XFL. P.J. Walker has lit up the league, though he has made mistakes in his last two games. Cam Phillips has been the perfect receiver for his quarterback. Houston is plus-seven on touchdowns and looks like the prohibitive favorite to take the championship. Houston has scored 21 touchdowns, nine more than any other team through the first five games. One item that can be worrisome: The Roughnecks have allowed more TDs than any team but one. Grade; A
LA Wildcats
This is a team that is headed nowhere, despite the comeback against Tampa Bay Sunday. Winston Moss’ Wildcats have two wins, one against a team that is 1-4 and the second against the DC Defenders, who can’t buy a win away from home. The Wildcats put up 80 points in their victories. Let’s consider that a tribute to the opponents. Grade: C-minus
New York Guardians
The Guardians are 3-2 and that is a pleasant surprise after the way their first three games went. Matt McGloin melted down and Ian Silberman got himself benched as Kevin Gilbride’s team was starting 1-2. They have gotten it together behind Luis Perez and won two straight. They have a negative ratio on touchdowns. This is a team that will be intriguing to follow. Not sure whether they have the goods to keep rolling. Grade: C
St. Louis BattleHawks
Love the way the BattleHawks have played for Jonathan Hayes. Jordan Ta’amu has been a find at quarterback. St. Louis gave Houston a tussle in Week One before falling. The offense fizzled against DC in Week 5 and that leaves the BattleHawks at 3-2. Good team that figures to be a factor come playoff time. Grade: B
Seattle Dragons
The Dragons need to run the table in the second half after falling to 1-4. They gave the Roughnecks a run in Week 5 but Jim Zorn’s team is definitely challenged. B.J. Daniels has provided a spark on offense. Three losses in a row heading into the second half of the season are a major reason to think this team is more of a bottom-feeder than any sort of contender. Grade: D
Tampa Bay Vipers
Any question about how the Tampa Bay Vipers were going to grade ended with their loss in Week 5 to the LA Wildcats. They had an 18-point lead and allowed LA 21 straight points en route to being outscored 35-3 before adding a cosmetic TD while falling to 1-4. Grade: F
