Graphic by RobRobGraphics
Written by: Roy Countryman @PreacherBoyRoy
Offensive Player of the Week
Jack Coan: QB, San Antonio Brahmas
16/24, 165 pass yds, 66.7 % comp., 6.9 YPA, 3 Pass TD, 0 INT, 3 carries for 23 rush yds.
Through two weeks, the argument could be made that Coan has been the best quarterback in the XFL, and could be a favorite in the MVP discussion, as he leads the league in completion percentage (68.3%) and is tied for the league lead in pass touchdowns (4).
Coan surprisingly went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, as he was a three year starter with experience from two big programs (Wisconsin and Notre Dame), and finished with a career 23-7 record. The Indianapolis Colts signed him after the draft, and was released after training camp.
When watching his tape, you see he possesses the requisite frame (6-3/218) you want in your signal callers. He is a gritty quarterback willing to play through pain and is at his best within the confines of the pocket cycling through progressions. He is a former lacrosse player, though, who has enough mobility to keep defenses honest when he breaks the pocket. Has the arm talent to make throws to all three levels of the field.
Coan is likely to be one of the success stories from the XFL’s return season of 2023. His upside is evident, and will definitely be in an NFL training camp come fall, with the upside of a high-end backup in the league.
Defensive Player of the Week
Tuzar Skipper: EDGE, Seattle Sea Dragon
4 Total Tackles (3 Solo), 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 FF.
Skipper was one of the key contributors to a Seattle Sea Dragon defense that kept them in the game against the St. Louis Battlehawks, one where they lost on a last second field goal.
He single handily was responsible for keeping six points off the board by forcing a fumble before halftime to knock the St. Louis out of field goal range. Skipper then corralled Battlehawk RB, Mateo Durant, late in the fourth quarter, moving the field goal attempt back, which led to a miss by Donny Hageman.
Skipper is one of the best pure pass rushers in the XFL, but has yet to get a fair shake at a roster spot in the NFL. He was a training camp phenom for the Pittsburgh Steelers a few years ago, but has since bounced around the end of rosters and practice squads of the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, and then back with the Steelers.
He possesses a solid build, standing 6-3/246lbs. He has good length to lockout offensive tackles, but what sets him apart from other pass rushers is the heaviness in his hands, as he can rip past offensive linemen who don’t get a firm grasp of him off the ball. His pass rushing repertoire is based on quality first-step quickness and a myriad of power based moves. Is not just a designated pass rusher, and can set a hard edge in rush defense.
If Skipper can continue to make game-changing plays like he did in week two, he will be back in an NFL camp this fall, possibly on a team like the Steelers or Titans, who run a similar system as the Sea Dragons.
Comments