The training camp portion of the XFL preseason has now come to an end. For the last two weeks or so, all eight teams were hosted in Houston with a chance to get familiar with each other. This was beneficial for the teams to get the chance to see what talent they have assembled against what other teams have assembled, and is probably why we saw so many trades.
The XFL made it very clear that these were not preseason games, and they were scrimmages. This gave players and coaches a chance to experience the rules in motion, and make adjustments accordingly. In addition, no official statistics or finalized scores were posted by the XFL. Again, this is because all eight teams played a regular four quarters and then an overtime period despite what the scoreboard read.
Most of the information media outlets have gathered on the training camp scrimmages have come from the official team’s social media, or fans/media members that were in attendance and posted updates.
An early score by the Guardians saw one of the unique new XFL rules in action:
Not touched? Take it to the ? @XFLGuardians pic.twitter.com/ISA2dfCFfP
— XFL (@xfl2020) January 21, 2020
The tweet perfectly encapsulates the rule, if a ball carrier isn’t touched and goes to the ground, they are allowed to get back up and continue the play.
Tampa Bay answered with a touchdown of their own but failed to convert the extra point. From there, New York took over putting up 13 consecutive points on their way to 20-6 halftime lead.
The second half started with a Vipers drive that resulted in six but again ended with an unsuccessful extra point attempt. This pushed the score to 20-12 Guardians. From then on it was all New York, highlighted by a 63-yard touchdown reception by Teo Redding. A Tampa Bay field goal was not enough and the game ended in a final score of Guardians 27 Vipers 15.
Both teams then played an overtime period that did not impact the final score, but did receive some buzz on Twitter.
A little OT practice to finish XFL Training Camp. pic.twitter.com/jJfKx2TcJB
— XFL (@xfl2020) January 22, 2020
Now focus shifts to the finalization of rosters as teams have to go from 70 to 52 by Thursday, January 23rd. This was something that Vipers head coach Marc Trestman focused on in his postgame media availability.
“It’s going to be a tough night and tough morning, because we have to tell 18 players that we have grown very close to and who have worked very hard to make our team better that they have to move on.”
Vipers head coach Marc Trestman on the end of training camp
As coach Trestman said, you can expect to start hearing about cuts as early as Wednesday morning.
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