If a football team’s offense is going to be successful, it starts at the quarterback level. Pop Warner, high school, college, and especially the pros, strong quarterback play is needed. Each NFL team that is at the top of their division has a franchise quarterback. With the XFL 2.0 getting ready to start in 2020, each XFL franchise will be looking for that type of play out of their quarterbacks. One franchise appears to have two quarterbacks that could possibly be that type of quarterback. The DC Defenders quarterbacks are long in potential and athletic ability.
DC Defenders Quarterbacks Full of Strength and Potential
The DC Defenders quarterbacks will be coached by somebody who knows a little something about quality quarterback play.
Pep Hamilton is the head coach and general manager of the DC Defenders. His time as an offensive coach, in the college and pro ranks, is quite lengthy. Hamiton has been on the offensive staff of five different NFL teams and three different universities. But two stops and his work with one quarterback got him the most attention.
From 2011-2012 Hamilton was the offensive coordinator for Stanford University. Then he headed to the Indianapolis Colts to become their offensive coordinator from 2013-2015. At both stops, he was the coordinator for former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck.
Under Hamilton’s guidance, Luck had some major success, at both Stanford and with the Colts. He is hoping that his ability to develop quarterbacks will continue as he moves to the XFL.
The chances of that happening are high. The DC Defenders quarterbacks bring with them a lot of talent and ability.
Cardale Jones Looking to Make an Impression
At 6’5″ and 250 lbs, Cardale Jones is one of the bigger quarterbacks in the XFL. That size is what drew the Buffalo Bills to spend a fourth-round pick on Jones in the 2016 NFL draft.
Jones only threw 11 passes, completing six of them, for the Bills in 2016. In 2017, Jones was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. Jones would eventually be released by the Chargers in 2019.
Unfortunately, for Jones, he hasn’t been able to reach his potential. But now with being matched with Hamilton as his head coach, the chance of him finally reaching his potential, and getting back to the NFL, has increased.
The former Ohio State product has the size of a pocket passer. However, he showed some ability to do things on the run while playing for the Buckeyes as well. He has an NFL caliber arm as well. Hamilton will need to develop an offensive system that fits best for Jones.
Jones isn’t the only member of the DC Defenders quarterbacks that has the potential to be the starter though. The competition will be fierce for the starting job.
Tyree Jackson is a Possible Diamond in the Rough
The University of Buffalo (NY) doesn’t have an overly impressive history when it comes to football. But when Tyree Jackson came to campus, things turned around.
During his three seasons at Buffalo, he threw for 49 touchdowns and fell just one yard shy of throwing for 7,000 yards. To go along with his gaudy passing numbers, he also finished his collegiate career with 757 rushing yards and 16 touchdown carries. Jackson was a dual-threat quarterback and was able to change games with his arm as well as his legs.
Jackson felt that he had done all he could while at Buffalo and decided to declare for the draft with one year of eligibility remaining. He was passed over in the NFL draft and eventually signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bills.
Jackson had a strong training camp with the Bills. But it wasn’t enough to make the Bills 53 man roster. Jackson was cut during the final cuts and surprisingly he wasn’t signed to the Bills practice squad.
While Jackson would have loved to have been drafted and make an NFL team, being a part of the DC Defenders will give him an opportunity to get some playing time.
Jackson is the type of player that the XFL was created for. Jackson has all the physical attributes to succeed, he just needs a chance to play. Hindsight is 20/20, in regards to Jackson declaring early, but he has the chance to get back to the NFL. Like with Jones, having Hamilton as his head coach and play-caller gives him a better chance to succeed.
Potential to be the Best Quarterback Duo in the XFL
Dallas Renegades quarterback Landry Jones is getting a lot of attention because of his NFL experience. Jones could be a standout in the XFL, but we believe Jones and/or Jackson could be just as successful, if not more.
Pep Hamilton has shown that he can help develop a quarterback. His two DC Defenders quarterbacks are raw, but they have a lot of potential. Jones very might well be the opening game starter, but we believe that Jackson will eventually take over and will thrive. Either way, the DC Defenders offense should be a lot of fun to watch this season.
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
