XFL Preview: Seattle Sea Dragons
The final team in the XFL preview series, is another carry over franchise from XFL 2.0. The Seattle Sea Dragons will be the sole west coast representative in the XFL. The Sea Dragons will be playing its home games at Lumen Field, also home to the Seahawks.
Coaches:
The Sea Dragons arguably have the most coaching experience among the XFL ranks. Heading up the Sea Dragons is Jim Haslett at head coach. Haslett played linebacker in the NFL for 7 seasons, after his playing career he went right into coaching at the NFL level. Haslett’s most notable coaching position was head coach of the New Orleans Saints for 5 seasons. On the offensive side of the ball the Sea Dragons have hired coaching legend June Jones and his Run and Shoot offense. June Jones will bring the fast-paced offense he helped create as a quarter back at Portland State back in 1975. The defense will be coordinated by Ron Zook, who was Haslett’s DC in New Orleans in 2000 and 2001, before leaving to be the head coach at Florida.
Team:
The Sea Dragons roster is filled with ex-NFL players with playing experience at the highest level. Starting QB for the Sea Dragons will be Ben DiNucci, former back up QB for the Dallas Cowboys. The running back group is young and unexperienced but will not be much of a factor in the run and shoot offense. The receiving corps is where the Sea Dragons are stacked at with former NFL star Josh Gordon leading the group. Other notable names at the wide receiver position include Juwan Green, Blake Jackson and Damion Willis.
The Sea Dragons experience is elevated on the defensive side of the ball as well. Its defensive line may be one of the best in the league with defensive end Niko Lalos, nose Antwuan Jackson and tackle Austin Faoliu who formerly played with the Dallas Cowboys. The linebackers are the strongest group of the defense anchored by the captain Jordan Evans.
Season Prediction:
The experience of the coaching staff mixed with the roster of talent throughout the positions will be a great combination for the Sea Dragons’ success this season. I see them ending the season at the top of the North Division and heading to the playoffs.