XFL Week Four: N.Y. Guardians Defend Their House

From the desk of:  GOTHAM'S GARGOYLES OF THE GRIDIRON

WEEK FOUR

L.A. Wildcats     14

N.Y. Guardians   17

Coach Gilbride Speaks, and Gotham Guardians Listen

During last week's fight marred and rather embarrassing defeat against the St. Louis BattleHawks, the Guardians for the viewing audience put on full display their lack of discipline, poor effort, and wide spread ineptness.  Beleaguered quarterback Matt McGloin incurred an early injury forcing him out of the game; performance at center continued being a major issue; otherwise everything that could go wrong did.  How bad did it get?  Coach Gilbride on the sideline was overheard suggesting in rather matter of fact manner (paraphrasing) how the team's leadership had effectively checked out.

After winning their inaugural game at home, the Guardians resounding 9-39 defeat at the St. Louis Battle Dome marked their second straight road loss.  And with the visiting Los Angeles Wildcats coming off their big week three victory over the D.C. Defenders, naturally I believed the Guardians troubles were sure to worsen Saturday at MetLife Stadium.  Instead, a resilient home effort against Los Angeles elevates the Guardians back to par with a 2-2 record.

New York's victory over the Wildcats very much resembles their week one victory against Tampa Bay.  A solid defensive effort highlighted by a couple of key sacks, and a game changing interception, complimented by a strong running game, and back-up quarterback Luis Perez' effective game management and overall performance, proved successful.         

Los Angeles quarterback Josh Johnson was 26/40 (63%) for 330 yards, with a pair a TD's and one pivotal INT.  Otherwise the Wildcats had no running game to speak of.  Their backfield was limited to just 38 yards on 12 rushing attempts.

The Guardians on the other hand were able to ride the backs Tim Cook and Darius Victor whom joined for 114 yards yards on 26 rushes. Victor carried the load with 18 rushes for 82 yards, and Cook followed with an effective 32 yards on eight attempts.

Making his first start for the Guardians, Luis Perez despite being sacked three times was an efficient 18/26 (69%) for a modest 150 yards, with a touchdown connection to Mekale McKay, and no interceptions.  It bears mentioning that with 5:40 left in the fourth quarter the two missed on a potential 32-yard connection when a well placed pass by Perez simply slipped through a wide open McKay's fingers.

Marquis Williams gets an honorable mention for his five yard QB sneak and successful two-point conversion, as does special teams whom also played a pivotal role in Saturday's victory.

After the game Coach Gilbride further elaborated about needing to adjust his team's attitude coming off last week's performance.  For now it seems to have worked.  They responded with a victory over the team whom dumfounded Cardale Jones and the previously undefeated D.C. Defenders.

The Guardians certainly dodged a third straight loss thanks to a Wildcats missed field.  But chalk one up for coaching and corrective mood management as well.

N.Y. Guardians: The Mad Mad World of Matt McGloin

From the desk of: GOTHAM's GARGOYLES OF THE GRIDIRON

XFL

WEEK TWO

Guardians     0

Defenders    27

At no point in time did I feel we were gonna be successful out there today ... No point in time did I feel comfortable ... One of the worst games I've ever been a part of  -  Matt McGloin

A noticeably perturbed Matt McGloin and his quarterback coach G.A. Mangus in the second quarter were observed along the sidelines engaged in an animated exchange.  Shortly thereafter on his way back to the locker room McGloin was asked by a sideline reporter what halftime adjustments did the Guardians need to make.  In what was an obvious jab directed at Coach Mangus, New York's quarterback rather defiantly and to an extent disrespectfully exclaimed the entire game plan needed to change.  Also adding (paraphrasing) there's some embarrassing things going on out there for us as an offense!  None of this escaped head coach Kevin Gilbride whom first imparted some words of wisdom upon his quarterback before benching him later in the second half in favor of back-up Marquise Williams.  However, Gilbride says not to overthink the switch since nothing else was working for them.  In any event McGloin is clearly a flustered quarterback whose game continued devolving throughout Saturday's contest.  His lack of composure and accountability were put on full display, both during and after the game.  McGloin's competency moving forward is sure to be brought into question throughout the upcoming work week leading up to game three, and he has only himself to blame.

All that being said the Guardians offense has more problems than a math book.  Through two weeks they're a futile 2/21 on third down conversions.  Therefore it's no wonder the Guardians sustain their first whitewashing of the season.  Playing minus two starting lineman and two receivers New York generated just 137 yards of offense against the D.C. Defenders.  That gives them just 363 total yards from scrimmage through their first two games.  Against the Defenders the Guardians rushed 16 times for 71 yards.  Through two weeks they have now gained just 115 yards on 32 rushing attempts.  And then there's mad Matt McGloin.  He was 8/19 for a mere 44 yards, with no TDs and two rather inexcusable interceptions.  Through two games he is now 23/48 (48%) for 226 yards, with one TD and two interceptions.

The Guardians defense was simply asked to do too much.  With nothing going on offensively they were made to stay on the field too long.  As a result Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones carved them up.  Jones was 23/37 (62%) for 276 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.  Two D.C. receivers topped 90-yards for the game, and two different receivers caught touchdowns.  New York generated no sacks and just two QB hits.  Meanwhile, the Defenders backfield rushed 27 times for 94 yards.  New York has now allowed 100-yards rushing in back to back games and to date have yielded 778 total yards from scrimmage.

XFL Week Two: N.Y. Guardians Rivalry With D.C. Defenders Awaits

From the desk of: Gotham Gargoyles

XFL

WEEK ONE

Tampa Vipers         3

N.Y. Guardians     23

Yeah, I'm back.  And I'm actually excited about something for a change.  The XFL is also back and I like what I see!  Last weekend was time very well spent.  All four opening day games were quite enjoyable if not down right entertaining.

Emphasizing talent and committing money in the position of quarterback is clearly paying instant dividends.  Otherwise, the XFL in just one week demonstrated at least to this fan a league wide competency worthy of serious attention.

Week One Recap: Opening Day Victory

Tampa amasses almost 400-hundred yards of offense, including 150 yards rushing on 30 attempts.  Yet they manage only three points.  I'm sure having one of their starting offensive lineman ejected for throwing a punch doesn't help.  But the Vipers true undoing is a pair of first-half Aaron Murray INTs, a fourth quarter fumble returned for six, and an otherwise swarming Guardians pass rush.  On first and goal from the Guardians six yard line, Murray lofts an errant pass attempt into the back of the end zone which gets batted and intercepted by safety Andrew Soroh.  Then with 0:41 remaining in the first half and the Vipers threatening once again in Guardians territory, Aaron Murray is picked off by cornerback Bryce Jones at the New York ten.  Three minutes into the fourth quarter, Murray's completion to Nick Truesdell is fumbled and recovered by linebacker Jamar Summers whom returns the ball 13-yards for another New York touchdown.  A third quarter sack causes Murray to fumble but Tampa recovers, if only momentarily.  In all New York records five sacks, with three coming in the fourth quarter.  Safety Wesley Sutton accounts for two, and the guys up front grab up the rest.

On the other side of the ball, Matt McGloin and the Guardians offense is limited to 45 plays from scrimmage versus 74 for Tampa.  They generate just 226 net yards against the Vipers defense, with 16 rushing attempts going for just 44 yards.  McGloin, a former Oakland Raider, goes 15/29 for 182 yards, connecting with Colby Pearson for a touchdown, and rushing for another.  

SATURDAY

New York Guardians (1-0)

vs.

D.C. Defenders (1-0)

The Guardians defense will no doubt be tested by the Defenders.  Last week D.C. quarterback Cardale Jones threw two touchdown passes, and the Defenders rushed for two more en route to a commanding 31-19 home victory over the Seattle Dragons.  Jones was 16/26 for 235 yards, and was sacked only once.  Last week the Guardians offense sputtered but Matt McGloin made big plays when needed.  This week he must sustain drives in order to keep Cardale Jones off the field.  The Guardians last week had ten possessions against Tampa and punted seven times.  McGloin did well in the way of moving the pocket and throwing on the run, and did not get sacked.  However, at some point the offensive line must ultimately settle in and go about creating daylight for Darius Victor and Tim Cook.

Defenders fans went all out last week in support of their team.  Made for a great watch on the television.  I expect no less from them this week.

Go Guardians..!


Stats: XFL.com