On Duty - New York Guardians 2020

By Allen Austin

A week after the Super Bowl is usually a time for sports fans like myself to start counting down the mere weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. This year however, there is a new tradition ready to begin - er, begin again. Let me explain.

The year was 2001, and the inaugural season of the XFL had just wrapped up. The LA Xtreme defeated the San Francisco Demons for the championship. After that, the XFL was no more. A massive failure after one year, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had no choice but to tap out, and fold the league.

McMahon waited 19 years to try and get his win back. It was announced in 2019 that the XFL would relaunch, it was also announced New York/New Jersey would once again get a hometown team. Would they be called the “Hitmen” again? In 2020? Quite the opposite. The New York Guardians.

While everyone waits to see if this edition of the XFL will be more successful than its predecessor, hopefuls like myself are ready to go all in!

The Guardians will play in MetLife Stadium, where their head coach has quite the history. Kevin Gilbride returns to the Meadowlands after 2 Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants as their offensive coordinator. After retiring from the NFL in 2014, Gilbride will throw the headset back on in an environment much more forgiving that that of the New York press come the NFL season.

Some of the unique things about the XFL that the offensive minded Gilbride and the rest of the squad will have to master are the rule differences from those of the NFL. There will be no kicked extra points. Points after touchdowns will be decided from different yard lines, and depending on the distance from the goal line, the offense can earn either 1, 2 or 3 points. Another rule is the 25 second play clock.

The Guardians will have some ex-NFL talent leading their team as well. The quarterback position will be helmed by former Penn State star, Matt McGloin. McGloin started 7 games in the NFL between 2013-2016, all with the Oakland Raiders. He will be looking to build on his Nittany Lions success, going forward, where he gathered over 6,000 passing yards, and 46 touchdowns.

One of his targets will be the son of a retired NFLer, one time Saints wide out Joe Horn, Joe Horn, Jr. While Horn may be remembered most for a touchdown celebration where he pulled a cell phone out from the goal posts, he should also be remembered for his 4 Pro Bowl appearances. Therefor, let’s hope the (big) apple doesn’t fall too far from he tree.

These two will join Guardians first round draft pick, receiver DeAngelo Yancey, and Oregon alum Tim Cook leading the backfield.

Every team has a clean slate. Every team of dedicated football professionals are ready to take the field. Can the Guardians be the first championship team of the new XFL? Stay tuned this season to find out!

February 9th is opening day, with a 2:00 PM start time against the Tampa Vipors.