XFL Orlando Rage Press Release 20
 

 
Press Release 20
INSIDE THE HEAD
Midweek notes on the Orlando Rage
March 22, 2001

WHO CAN? KUK CAN
Brian Kuklick gets his first starting assignment since college, as he replaces the injured Jeff Brohm as starting quarterback of the Orlando Rage. Ironically, Kuklick’s last start also came in the Florida Citrus Bowl, where he guided Team USA against Team Florida in the All-Star Gridiron Classic after the 1998 college season. “We have a lot of confidence in Brian, he had an excellent pre-season camp and we believe he will emerge as solid starter in the XFL,” Head Coach Galen Hall says.

CAN RAGE FIND RUNNING GAME?
After running for 100 or more yards in the first five games of the season, the Rage offense failed to hit the century mark in their last two outings. The team was held to a season-low 20 yards on 11 carries in the 30-6 loss to Los Angeles last week. “We need to be able to run the ball to win,” Head Coach Galen Hall says. “Our offense is based around ball control and moving the ball on the ground.”

EASTERN DIVISION TITLE, HOME STREAK ON-LINE
With a playoff berth assured, the Orlando Rage can clinch a first round home game and the Eastern Division Championship with a win on Sunday. Should the Rage prevail, it would host a first round game against the number two team from the West on either Saturday, April 14 (8 p.m.) or Sunday, April 15 (7 p.m.). With a loss, Orlando would need a victory in one of its final two games to clinch the division title. In addition, win would make the Rage the only team to post a perfect 5-0 slate at home in this inaugural XFL season.

SECOND BANANA…
Although he is the starter on a first place professional football team, Rage offensive guard Jeremy Akers says he’s not even the best athlete in his own household. “My wife Angie is probably a better athlete,” Akers proudly says. “She was an All-American volleyball player at Notre Dame and she’s pretty darn competitive.” No word from Akers on whom wins the backyard basketball games.

NO BONUS WAKES UP TEAM
The XFL’s “Paid to Play, Paid More To Win” bonus feature hit hard on Rage players this week. After winning their first six games, Rage players found their paychecks an average of $2,500 lighter this week after Orlando failed to collect the $100,000 win bonus for the first time this season. “We all felt it,” wide receiver Skinny Culver says. “When you are used to collecting it, you certainly miss it when it’s not there.”

GERMAN INFLUENCE
With NFL-Europe opening camps next week in nearby Tampa, Fla., the Rage Public Relations Office has issued no fewer than a dozen media credentials to television and newspaper reporters from Germany for the New York game on Sunday. Many of which have requested interviews with former Rhein Head Coach Galen Hall and former Rhein players Derrick Clark and Mario Bailey. “Coach Hall is highly respected throughout Germany and Mario Bailey enjoyed status generally reserved for a rock star,” Klaus Rehm of Frankfurt television says. “Interest in their XFL careers is high in Germany.”

NEXT GAME
Sunday, March 25 vs. New York/New Jersey Hitmen. Game time 4 p.m. (TNN). Ticket Information (407) 398-RAGE.
 






 
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