XTRA | Issue 1

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Hello guys and welcome to the inaugural issue of the XRFL’s premier magazine, Xtra. We are pleased to bring this new feature to our league to help inspire gameplay and dedication amongst our members. We will endeavor to bring out weekly issues, but please know that the production of this magazine is time consuming — please be patient with us and enjoy! We are always looking for article and feature ideas so please share with us if you have any!

Enjoy!

6 Are the Cowboys a Super Bowl Sure Thing?

8 Power Rankings 9 The Rise (Again) of Colin Kaepernick 11 Team of the Week 12 College Scouting Report 14 The Changing Landscape of the XRFL 17 Meet your Opponent

XRFL Commissioner

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Written by: Jas Anthony

For four years the Dallas Cowboys started the season with high hopes of making a deep playoff run. Inevitability, those previous seasons were met with mediocrity and disappointment. The Cowboys struggled to find their footing going 30 -34 over that stretch. The turning point for the franchise could arguably be traced back to the 2014 draft. Dallas was picking 16th in the first round and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was infatuated with Texas A&M quarterback Johnny

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Manziel. Johnny “Football� was thought to be the man to lead the post Tony Romo era in Dallas. Despite concerns from his closest advisors, Jerry Jones seemed destined to draft Manziel. But, he avoided temptation and listened to his closest advisors.

The Cowboys drafted LG Travis Frederick out of Notre Dame (arguably one of the best Centers in the NFL), helping solidify the Cowboys offensive line and paved the way for Dak Prescott to be drafted 2 years later. Since the 2014 draft the Cowboys have won 2 of the last 3 NFC EAST division titles. Fast forward to the 2018 season, the Cowboys sit at 7-1 atop the NFC looking like the team to beat inside the conference. But new ownership has possibly opened the door for other top NFC contenders.

Since the ownership change, the Cowboys have committed 5 turnovers in 3 games while the previous 5 games under the old ownership only committed 3 turnovers. They can be stunningly good on defense, and their offense can be overwhelming. Then they lost to the one -win Redskins, Perhaps they lost their way? Perhaps they became overconfident? With key games remaining against the Falcons, Chargers, Redskins, Raiders and Seahawks it remains yet to be seen if the new-look Cowboys can continue to be the team to beat inside the NFC.

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Written by: Jas Anthony

There were a number of stellar rookie QB’s that came out of the 2012 Draft. Colin Kaepernick was one of them. His lightning onfield play and stealthy mobility made him an instant hit among 49er fans. In two short years he led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance, and although they lost it was apparent that the 49ers had found their golden ticket.

During the 2016 season, Colin Kaepernick had his statistically worst career season amidst his controversy of not standing for the National Anthem. An offseason full of doubt and public relations problems lead to Kaepernick believing he would never play again in the XRFL. But an early morning phone call from his agent on a Tuesday morning in September gave Kaepernick a chance to redeem himself with the LA Chargers. The Chargers had given up on Philip Rivers and looked to find a QB to bridge the gap as they attempted to rebuild. But Kaepernick had other plans. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Kaepernick has begun a comeback campaign to top them all. During his resurgence he has accounted for 20 total touchdowns opposed to 14 total turnovers. He has reignited the Chargers offense and has lead them from pretender to contender inside the AFC West. Sitting at 6-2, it is yet to be seen if the Chargers can continue to push towards a division crown. If Kaepernick can continue to effectively lead the Chargers offense, Los Angeles appears as if it could make a deep run into the playoffs.

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After a grueling season, the Chargers are sitting pretty in the AFC West with a record of 6-2. Having won 3 out of the 4 divisional games they’ve played, including a win at Denver, the Chargers are already poised to be the AFC West champions. San Diego’s defense is hungry and ranks 3rd in overall defensive takeaways with 25.

Offensively, the Chargers rank as the second best rushing attack in the league behind Melvin Gordon (1,210 yards) and 20 rushing touchdowns (2nd). They also score the third most points in the league per game with 37.1.

One thing is for sure, the Chargers are on the rise and looking for their first post-season berth since 2013.

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Written by: Jas Anthony

The junior tailback out of Yale is lacking the talent needed to become an every down back at the next level. During Yale's loss to the University of Pennsylvania, Brown's inability to pick up the blitz led to 2 sacks and a forced fumble by the Penn defense. An extra year of college would highly benefit Brown.

Parnell has had an illustrious career at William and Mary setting both school and conference records in every major rushing category. Weighing in at 228 lbs, Parnell is one of the bigger backs in this draft. What he lacks in speed he makes up for in his trucking ability and knack to find the goalline in short yardage situations.

The Houston Cougars recent success on the field can be pointed directly at the play of JaMichael Pope. His ability to contribute in the passing game along with a stout stiff arm has led to JaMichael Pope accounting for at least 150 total yards in 9 consecutive games. His glaring weakness is his inability to pull away from defenders. The lack of speed will keep him from the top rounds of the draft.

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His lack of speed and fumbling problems have XRFL scouts on edge. Ziegler is known for his ability to break tackles as he leads the FCS in yards after initial contact. If he does not show improvement on holding on to the football, Ziegler could be one of the biggest 1st round risks.

When you are drawing comparisons to USC greats Marcus Allen and Reggie Bush, you know your future is bright. Lewis Montgomery is a speedy running back who can make even the best defender miss in the open field. Standing at 6'1 his size and length have XRFL scouts drooling about his potential effectiveness out of the backfield. This kids future is bright and it will be tough to pass up on his services.

The entire SEC will be thankful to see Ihedigbo finally leave for the XRFL and stop terrorizing SEC defenses. His collegiate career numbers mirror former Auburn great Bo Jackson. Ihedigbo is a complete back who can immediately contribute to an XRFL offense.

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Written by: Mark Sickle

When the XRFL kicks off its’ first action of the 2019 season next year, the league will have a much different landscape than it is today. An unprecedented number of teams announced that they will be relocating to new cities for the forthcoming season. When the Chargers, Raiders and Rams announced in 2017 that they would all be relocating, the news shocked and stunned fans and league officials; however the mass relocation occurring in the XRFL next season will make those bold real-life NFL announcements seem like whispers in a crowded room.

The NFL has been trying to gain a permanent foothold on foreign soil for

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decades, hosting games in Toronto, Mexico City and London. In the XRFL that will become a reality as two teams announced they will take up permanent residence outside American borders. The Chargers will become the official British team as they become the London Black Knights. London has wanted a team for years and boasts a huge fanbase. British Parliament voted overwhelmingly to donate $460 million dollars to the construction of a new stadium and training facility for the new team. The 49ers, who have been a staple in San Francisco for decades, will also be moving to Toronto to become the Toronto Huskies. Canada already boasts it’s own football league, but viewership has declined in recent years and fans have been clamoring for an NFL team.

The Bengals ownership recently blew fans away by announcing that they will be uprooting following the 2018 season.

They will be headed to a massive market in Brooklyn, and have chosen to bear the name of the Brooklyn Beats. Music has always been a huge part of Brooklyn’s counter culture, and the new team will play to that varied history.

Tampa Bay was never a very successful market despite all the attempts of the NFL and the team ownership. They decided to accept an offer to move to Houston to regain a storied franchise that ended with the relocation of the Titans — the Houston Oilers. Warren Moon has already said that he will be appearing at the first home game.

Just a few short years after their Super Bowl appearance, the Panthers have decided to change directions and build a new franchise from the ground up. They will move to a sadly neglected market in the southwest — Austin, TX. They will become the 4th team to operate out of that massive republic. They have opted to become the Austin Desperados!

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One of the first great franchises in all of NFL history, the Packers, has decided to pack up shop at Lambeau Field and head south for the winter. They will engage a huge and vocal audience in Mexico City. Although locals wanted the team to be called the Conquistadors, a throw back to the rich history of the indigenous people overcoming foreign invaders, team officials have announced that the team will be called the Diablos.

The Houston Texans will no longer be residing in Houston next season. They have decided to move next door to Oklahoma to become the Night Hawks. Oklahoma is another market, like Austin, that has been clamoring for an NFL team but has never really received one. Now fans will get a chance to cheer on the new team.

New team owner Mark Sickle also announced that the Redskins will be leaving Washington, a place of continued sorrow for the team. The Redskins had a great run in the 70’s and 80’s, but since then hasn’t amounted to much. Sickle commented recently that in order to change the plight of the team, they needed to forge a whole new identity. Their final destination will be in San Diego, but since that city was so heartbroken over losing the Chargers, city officials opted not to host a team for two years. The Redskins will take up temporary station in Orlando as the Wizards for the next two years before approaching San Diego again.

One thing is for sure, with all these teams relocating, things will be much different in the league next season. What new rivalries will form between the m and how will they shape the dynamic of gameplay in the XRFL?

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Casey English Lives in: Yuma, CO Age: 31 Occupation: Farmer / Rancher Married with 1 child Favorite Team: Broncos Favorite part of Madden: I guess I would say the rush of having a back and forth game. Like where you know it's whoever has the ball last is going to win. Like both of my games against division rival the chargers were like that. 2 of the best games I've ever played were against him. And I won one and lost one

Played Football:

Yes

Yes I played football since pop warner. Middle linebacker/ tight end/ fullback. Played 4 years of high school. Had a scholarship to a small school in Iowa and broke my leg in a car accident and lost it. Went to college at northern Colorado and walked on as a safety.

Played for about a month but it was too time consuming and I knew I would always just be a scout guy. So I ended up quitting and focusing on school. So I ended up quitting and focused on school.

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