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Playoffs Information (Outdated)
If you are a season ticket holder for the Outlaws, you should have received your order form for the playoffs and The Big Game At The End (Championship Game); you can pay for two games (playoff & Championship) to sit in your existing seats, and you can also place orders for additional seats.  If you choose not to purchase your seats for these games, then they will be open for public sale on March 30 (don't hold your breath for very many open seats).  Additional seats purchased will be deducted from the March 30 public sale offering, and probably won't be near your existing seats.  According to the order forms, however, if the Outlaws fail to host either (or both) games, then your purchase will be credited towards next year's season tickets purchase.

According to the XFL, the playoffs will be held the weekend following the final game (Week #10).  The #1 East team will host the #2 West team, and the #1 West team will host the #2 East team.  So, if that were played out following Week #7, the first game would be Orlando hosting Las Vegas, and the second game would be Los Angeles hosting New York/New Jersey.  In order for the Outlaws to host the playoff game, they HAVE to win against the Xtreme, as well as our remaining two division rivals San Francisco (April 1) and Memphis (April 7).  So be sure to get out there and support your Outlaws so we can host the playoff game!



OutlawsFANatic himself will be in Los Angeles on March 24 for the game between the Outlaws and the Xtreme; if you're going, be sure to drop me a line to let me know where you're sitting!  Section 5, Row 20, seats 12-14.



Wondering what happened to the West-coast offense of the Outlaws, or the offense entirely?  As stated below, the theory of West-coast offenses favor the pass over the run, and favor backup ("dump-off" or "dump") throws to the tight ends and running backs when the wide receivers are covered downfield.  Apparently what has plagued the Outlaws is the inconsistency at QB; with poor reads and poor throws, the defenses are stacking the line of scrimmage against the run, and increasing pressure on the QB with an intense pass rush, which forces the tight ends and running backs to focus on blocking instead of going out for a pass.  With increased pressure on the Outlaws QB, the defenses have been successful in defeating the Outlaws' offensive schemes.

After Week 3, the Outlaws searched for stability and production at QB, and hope to have found it in Mark Grieb, a former NFL-Europe and Arena Football League star.  The coaches have confidence that Grieb will make better reads and throws to receivers, giving them time to gain yards after the catch, and truly stretch out the defensive secondary; stretching out the secondary should relieve the pass rush pressure and finally allow the tight ends and running backs to release and go out for passes as well, increasing the Outlaws' offensive threat (which has been fairly non-existent to this point).



The Outlaws run a modified West-coast type of offense, which favors the pass over the run; in fact, this type of offense uses the pass to set up the run.  Ideally, this type of offense runs passing plays for gains of 5-10 yards' gain each, and then when the defense is concentrating on the pass they can run the ball as a surprise.  Look for dump passes and other deliveries to the running backs out of the backfield, and heavy involvement of the tight ends.  The Outlaws also like to throw deep to anyone that is open, and the speed of the Outlaws receivers allows them to do this.  "Traditional" offenses favor the run over the pass, and like to pound the defenses with a strong running game; the offense would usually only pass in these schemes when either they are forced to, or when they have successfully worn down the defense and can throw at will.

On defense, the Outlaws run a modified 4-3 with a Cover-2 "look".  The safeties line up about 7-8 yards off the line of scrimmage and most everyone else lines up in a 4-3, dependent upon what the offense is showing them.  If it appears that the offense is backed up in a long yardage situation, then the safeties can back up into a Cover-2, where they are 12-15 yards from the scrimmage line.  The 4-3 is tough to run against, and the Outlaws specifically selected the current defensive backs for their speed, intelligence, and toughness; play-actions and draws rarely fool them.  The Outlaws like their strength against the run; their speedy and smart corners/safeties stick to receivers like glue, essentially placing a stranglehold on the offense until the defensive linemen can collapse the pocket.



Head Coach Jim Criner has coaching in his blood.  All three of his brothers are also coaches, his son Mark is the Outlaws' Defensive Coordinator, and Jim's nephew Scott is the Outlaws' Receivers Coach.  Jim's father, Denver Criner, can frequently be seen on the sidelines at Outlaws practices and scrimmages.



On January 25, 2001, Scott Criner and his wife became the proud parents of their son Matthew.  Congratulations!



Chris Chukwuma ("Chuckwagon") pronounces his last name chuk-WOO-muh.



Former Outlaws Receiver Killed in Car Crash

On 02-13-2001, the AP reports the death of former Outlaws (Training Camp) receiver Donald Sellers in a car crash.  Sellers was returning to Arizona from Las Vegas when he lost control of his vehicle on US93, was struck by another car, and was ejected.  Sellers was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sellers was a former college QB & NFL player; he showed a lot of promise in the Outlaws' January training camp.  He was released to resolve some legal matters in Arizona, and had he been acquitted or the charges dropped, he would have had a good chance of rejoining the Outlaws' roster.

Read about the story here
 
 
 










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