The XFL has been actually, actually enjoyable to observe within the early elements of the season, particularly the St. Louis Battlehawks. They’re flying excessive at 2-0 and coming off one other comeback victory over the Seattle Sea Dragons. Their most vital play got here on third and two, with the Battlehawks driving to attempt to win the sport.

To transform on the primary down and finally win the sport, Battlehawks offensive coordinator Bruce Gradkowski pulled a play straight from the Patriots playbook. The play is known as Hoss Y Juke, and on the published you’ll be able to hear Gradkowski name it in to QB AJ McCarron (one of many advantages of the XFL is having that mic entry to match performs as much as what’s being referred to as). Hoss Y Juke is designed to isolate the within receiver on their weakest defender—a linebacker or security. On this case, the Battlehawks finest wideout, WR Austin Proehl, is lined up within the slot. He’s working the “juke” portion of the play, an possibility route designed to assault the place protection is the weakest.

With the RB motioning out of the backfield, it forces the Seattle protection to point out their hand early, trying like they’re calling a zero blitz. McCarron was blitzed so much on this sport, however he discovered success typically, akin to on this landing to Hakeem Butler.

On this play, Seattle has no security over high—straight man protection, with the protection bringing greater than the OL can block. McCarron and Proehl should beat the blitz and their man for the primary down, they usually just do that.

The dynamic Proehl and McCarron have proven within the first two weeks has been actually cool to see. The groups have had very restricted time to apply collectively, and having the ability to set up this type of rapport in such a brief period of time is admittedly enjoyable. Proehl leads the workforce in receptions by two video games, and is McCarron’s most trusted goal. Watching them proceed to placed on a present ought to be very enjoyable.