Dallas Renegades Season Preview

Key Games

The Renegades’ season opener versus the St. Louis BattleHawks could be more critical than expected. The team is facing injuries with Landry Jones, Lance Dunbar, and Jazz Ferguson. These could be key losses for the first game of the season. A banged-up team could make week one tough for the team.

Key showdowns later in the season could impact the playoff picture. Week eight against the Seattle Dragons could be between two playoff teams fighting for the top two spots in the West. The last two games will be tough, especially week nine on the road in a short week against the Houston Roughnecks. This could present a challenge with prepping for a pass-heavy offense in less than a week. Not to mention the last week of the season on Thursday against the LA Wildcats could determine if they make the playoffs or not.

Dallas Renegades Coaching Staff

Head coach Bob Stoops is no doubt the leader of this team. His success back at Oklahoma made him a household name and the biggest signing for the XFL. He brings with him a national title and almost two decades of winning tradition. He put together an incredible staff to help push the Renegades to success.

Offensive coordinator Hal Mumme brings his air raid offense to the picture as one of the most creative offensive minds in football. Expect a lot of passing from this offense as we have seen time and time again. Mumme and Stoops added tons of speed on offense to help with the passing game. There will be plenty of big plays created along with a lot of points being put on the board.

Defensive coordinator Chris Woods will be running the 3-4 defense this season, which, like the offense, needs a lot of speed. The team put a lot of focus at linebacker and adding players who are excellent coverage skills and are fast. The outside linebacker position will be critical as they will have to be great pass rushers and great in coverage. The safety position will be asked to blitz a lot as well. Woods and company have put together a fun group.

Offense

Landry Jones needs to get healthy and recover from his knee injury. When he is healthy, the offense will be firing on all cylinders with his great arm. If he can’t go, get ready for Philip Nelson to jump in as the starter. Nelson’s been in the system since mini-camp and should be able to take care of the deep ball well. Jones could be a star in this league, and when he’s ready to go, get ready for fireworks.

Cameron Artis-Payne has good speed with a ground and pound style of running. Artis-Payne will be taking most of the load in the running game. Lance Dunbar has great versatility catching out of the backfield and speed on the outside. While he wasn’t listed on the team’s depth chart in week one, as long as he can stay healthy, he should make an impact. Marquis Young and Austin Walter will be fighting for reps behind them. Young appears to be going into week one as the backup running back. Watch out for his speed. Walter has excellent hands out of the backfield.

Jeff Badet and Jazz Ferguson were the top performers at receiver for the team. Ferguson has been missing practice due to a hand injury and is uncertain for the season opener. When he’s ready to go, he’ll be making big plays for the team. Badet and Flynn Nagel are their most reliable receivers as both have great hands. Freddie Martino has great hands as well and impressed during his short time in training camp. Sean Price and Donald Parham both are great receiving tight ends who will split time at tight end.

Week One Depth Chart – Offense

QB – Landry Jones, Philip Nelson, Eric Dungey

RB – Cameron Artis-Payne, Marquis Young

WR1– Jeff Badet

WR2– Freddie Martino, Jazz Ferguson

WR3 – Flynn Nagel, Jerrod Heard

TE – Sean Price, Donald Parham, Julian Allen

LT – Willie Beavers, Justin Evans

LG – Salesi Uhatafe, Josh Allen

C – Maurquice Shakir, Josh Allen

RG – Alex Balducci, John Keenoy

RT – Pace Murphy, Darius James

Defense

Frank Alexander and Winston Craig are exceptional pass rushers that will be the focal points for the defensive line. Gelen Robinson will be playing defensive tackle and will be responsible for stopping the running game. The linebackers are the ones that will be getting the most attention. They will be asked to take care of stopping the run and stepping back into coverage. Greer Martini and Ray Ray Davison are experienced 3-4 linebackers who are great tacklers and have excellent coverage skills for linebackers. Johnathan Calvin played well in camp and should get plenty of opportunities to rush off the outside.

The secondary features plenty of experience and can cover with the best of them. Josh Hawkins has prior NFL experience with the Green Bay Packers and should be their top shutdown corner. Treston Decoud is young but was great in coverage in college. Decoud was especially good in man to man coverage during camp as he had to cover the speed of the Renegade receivers. An excellent group to work with to prepare for the season. Derron Smith is the star of the secondary though at safety. He’s known for creating lots of turnovers and is a great tackler. He played well in the AAF with the San Antonio Commanders and is expected to do the same.

Week One Depth Chart – Defense

DE – Frank Alexander

DT – Gelen Robinson, Tomasi Laulile

DE – Winston Craig, Tony Gueard

OLB – Johnathan Calvin, James Folston

ILB – Ray Ray Davison, Asantay Brown, Tegray Scales

ILB – Greer Martini, Reshard Cliett, Tre Watson

OLB – Hau’oil Kikaha, Tobenna Okeke

CB – Josh Hawkins, Josh Thornton

CB – Treston Decoud, Donatello Brown

FS – Derron Smith, Micah Abernathy

SS – Tenny Adewusi, Doyin Jibowu

Special Teams

Austin MacGinnis has a strong leg and showed great accuracy on his kicks. He may be playing a vital role in the first few weeks as offenses adjust to the new rules. Drew Galitz also has great foot strength and is challenged with dealing with the new punt coverage rules the league implemented. The returners on the team will be Jeff Badet, who will return punts, and Marquis Young will be the primary kick returner.

Week One Depth Chart – Special Teams

K – Austin MacGinnis

P – Drew Galitz

H – Drew Galitz, Jerrod Heard

PR – Jeff Badet, Flynn Nagel

KR – Marquis Young, Austin Walter

LS – Christian Kuntz

Overall Thoughts

The west is tough to compete with for the Renegades, but they are talented all around. Landry Jones’ health will be under the microscope through the first two to three weeks of the season. The receivers will have to step up and play big for the team. The defense will be looking at the linebackers to make or break this defense. The Renegades can’t afford to get off to a slow start. A bad start could knock them out of the playoffs before the season ends.

Final Prediction: 7-3 record, 1st in the West, Win XFL Title against DC Defenders

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