XFL Preview: Houston Roughnecks
The Houston Roughnecks are a carry over franchise from the XFL 2.0. Aside from location and nickname a lot has changed. The team will call the University of Houston’s TDECU Stadium home for the upcoming season.
Coaches:
Leading the helm for the Roughnecks is NFL Legend and Super Bowl Champion Wade Phillips. This son of Bum has made stops all around the NFL including the Dallas Cowboys and in Houston with the Oilers and Texans. He has a great defensive mind and posts a winning record as an NFL head coach. Heading up the offense will be A. J. Smith a limb from the Junes Jones coaching tree who will be looking to install the run and shoot offense. The offensive line is coached by Houston native and ex-Dallas Cowboy Andre Gurode. Holding down the defense will be Brian Stewart, a coaching journeyman of 30 years from the college ranks and NFL.
Team:
The key to a successful run and shoot offense is to have a gunslinger at quarter back. The Roughnecks found a couple but have yet to publicly name a starter. The first option is Brandon Silvers out of Troy, who threw for over 10k passing yards in his collegiate career. Option 1b is Cole McDonald who in 2 seasons at Hawaii threw for over 8k yards. A player you may have never heard of will be sure to impress and that is Max Borghi from Washington State. Borghi is a scat back full of speed and agility. The most decorated WR is Hutto, Texas’ own, Davion Davis who was 1st team FCS All-American, Southland Player of the Year (2017) and 2x 1st team Southland Conference WR for Sam Houston State University.
On the defensive side of the ball the front seven groups look to be the strength. With Super Bowl Champion Trent Harris leading the linebacking corps along with Deandre Johnson, and DDSN favorite from UTSA Charles Wiley. The defensive anchor at linebacker will be Houston’s own Emmanuel Ellerbee. Ellerbee was a tackle machine for the Rice Owls earning Conference USA 1st team honors twice in 2016 & 2017.
An accurate kicker will always be important. The Roughnecks have chosen another DDSN favorite in UTSA’s Hunter Duplessis.
Season Prediction:
Just like drillers bustin’ it out in the oil field, they are only successful by digging deep into the depths and the same is true for these Houston Roughnecks. They will need to find a little extra in their well to have success this season. Expect Houston to lean on its run and shoot offense behind its offensive line to try and out score opponents.
Stay tuned for the remaining XFL team breakdowns as the season kicks off this Saturday!