XFL Memphis Maniax Press Release 16


 
Maniax Press Release 16
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MANIAX LINE UP AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO SATURDAY
Second Intersquad Scrimmage Slated for 11 a.m. PST

The Memphis Maniax take the field at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday morning in an intersquad pre-season showdown with Western Conference rival San Francisco. The scrimmage will be played in game-like conditions in front of NBC television cameras. NBC, which owns half of the XFL along with the WWF, is using Saturday’s two scrimmages (Los Angeles and Las Vegas battle at 5 p.m.) as dress rehearsals for their innovative XFL telecasts which debut on Feb. 3 when New York/New Jersey visits Las Vegas in the XFL’s inaugural game. This preseason contest will not be broadcast and is closed to all media and the general public.

The Maniax coaching staff has had its eyes on this scrimmage for weeks as it tries to evaluate the 62 players remaining in camp. All XFL teams must cut their rosters to 56 players by Monday morning and then must reduce them to 45 players when camps break the following week.

Virtually all spots on the Maniax roster are up for grabs and the individual competition between teammates has been very intense since camp opened nearly three weeks ago.

The roster definitely has a local flavor to it. Of the 62 players left in camp, 10 are products of the University of Memphis. Add to that a handful of players who are from Memphis and attended school at other southern universities, and it’s easy to see why so many Maniax players will feel right at home at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium when the club entertains Las Vegas in the historic first home game on Feb. 11. All 10 Memphis Tigers on the club are vying for playing time and four are listed as potential starters on the Maniax’ defensive squad. Defensive linemen Marvin Thomas and T.J. Frier have been very impressive in camp and join linebackers Richard Hogans and David Brandon as Tigers listed on the first unit of the preseason depth chart. All four are expected to be impact players on the defensive side of the ball. Other defensive players from UM include cornerback Kevin Cobb, defensive end Tramont Lawless and linebacker Caspor Stiles.

Offensively, wide receivers Russell Copeland and Damien Dodson and center Tim Seymour are battling for spots on the Maniax’ final roster. Copeland returned to active duty this past week after limited practice in the first two weeks of camp due to an injury. Dodson’s speed impressed Head Coach Kippy Brown when camp opened and Seymour is one of several offensive linemen being closely watched by offensive coordinator/line coach Rich McGeorge.

In addition to the 10 UM products, the Maniax roster includes safety Marcus Wimberly and offensive tackle Bernard Williams who both call Memphis home. Wimberly, who prepped at East High, attended the University of Miami and played in the NFL with Atlanta. Williams went to Georgia and was a first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles back in 1994. Both Wimberly and Williams are fighting for starting spots with the Maniax.

The Maniax also have six Mississippi state products still in camp, as well as three Tennessee Volunteers. Of the 62 players remaining, 22 played collegiately at Memphis, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Arkansas or Southern Mississippi. Add Williams and Wimberly to that and roughly 39 per cent of the team’s roster has close ties to or familiarity with football fans in the Memphis area.

“The XFL made it a priority to allow its teams to protect some players from its nearby universities,” said Brown. “There has always been great football played in the South and we are very fortunate to have the largest base of our talent pool come from this area.”









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