THE BUCS AND THE XFL The XFL was a one-year wonder league launched in 2001 by Vince McMahon of the World Wresting Federation. It featured eight teams across the US, playing a 10-week schedule and some interesting rule changes including no fair catches on punts and a two- player free-for-all instead of the coin toss at the start of the game. The league folded after pretty dismal TV ratings and attendances, but not without making a splash in more ways than one. The cheerleaders were certainly a lot more risque than those found in the NFL, use of in-game cameras, huddle microphones and sideline interviews livened things up, but could not overcome the quite awful standard of football played at times during the season. But there was a great deal of Buccaneer interest in the XFL. Rusty Tillman who served as defensive co-ordinator to Sam Wyche in 1995, was the head coach of the New York/New Jersey Hitman, and former Buc assistant coach Kippy Brown took the helm of the Memphis Maniax. NFL Europe was represented as Amsterdam's mad Al Luginbill coached the LA Xtreme, the Rhein Fire's Galen Hall was coach of the year of the Orlando Rage, and the Claymores' Jim Criner led the Las Vegas Outlaws. The XFL even had its own draft prior to the season starting and the first two picks were former Buccaneer quarterbacks. Scott Milanovich went first to Los Angeles Xtreme, followed by the Birmingham Thunderbolts' selection of Casey Weldon. Another former Buc QB, Mike Pawlawski (pictured above) went to the San Francisco Demons, whilst Jeff Brohm's acquisition by the Orlando Rage meant that half the starting QBs in the XFL were ex-Buccaneers. The 2001 XFL season ended with the Los Angeles Xtreme hammering the San Francisco Demons 38-6 in the "Million Dollar Game" and despite promises of the league being back in 2002, the announcement of its demise came later that year. It will remain a series of trivia points for gridiron fans for years to come, most notably the details of the Buccaneer players who were part of it. Buccaneer players in the XFL CB Clifton Abraham - LAX - Played cornerback for the championship winning LA Xtreme and had three tackles in that game. Originally a 5th round pick of the Bucs in 1995 who played six games that year. TE Tyji Armstrong - CHI - The great Tyji - ex-Amsterdam Admiral, Was a 3rd round pick of the Bucs back in 1992 and had four receptions for 33 yards for the Enforcers of the XFL. OL Dan Goodspeed - ORL - A member of the 2002 Buccaneers having been signed from the practice squad. Played as a back-up lineman and tight end for the Orlando Rage. WR Alvin Harper - MEM - Yes the “great” one even played in the XFL. Had one reception for eight yards for the Maniax and then disappeared back into the hole that he came out of to sign for the Bucs. CB Corey Ivy - CHI - Got into one game in the 2001 season at Detroit. Led the XFL with five interceptions and was named to the All-League team. Also returned kicks for a 21.2 average and had one sack. WR Darnell McDonald - SF - A 7th round pick, he made it on to the roster briefly in 1999. Led the XFL with eight TDs with 34 receptions for 456 yards. Had seven catches for 82 yards in the title game. QB Scott Milanovich - LAX - Spent the XFL season as back-up to championship game MVP Tommy Maddox. Completed two of nine passes for 45 yards with one interception in mop-up duty. WR Yo Murphy - LV - The former Claymore favourite had three receiving TDs for the Las Vegas Outlaws during the regular season. Wound up back in the NFL with the Rams and played in the Super Bowl. QB Mike Pawlawski - SF - A 1992 draft pick who played many years in the Arena League. Led the XFL with 1,659 yards passing and 12 TDs but only went 8 of 20 for just 74 yards and two picks in the final. TE Willy Tate - CHI - Another former Scotish Claymore who spent 1996 playing as a back-up tight end with the Bucs. Had nine receptions starting for the Enforcers. QB Casey Weldon - BIR - Spent four years with the Bucs and played in NFL Europe for Barcelona. Led the Enforcers with 1,228 yards passing and seven TDs including a 300-yard game.

XFL 2001 Final Standings Orlando Rage 8-2 Los Angeles Xtreme 7-3 San Francisco Demons 6-4 Chicago Enforcers 5-5 Memphis Maniax 5-5 Las Vegas Outlaws 4-6 NY/NJ Hitmen 3-7 Birmingham Thunderbolts 2-8