Positive Week 1 For XFL

The XFL started this weekend, and to my own surprise I watched all four games. There were many entertaining elements which made watching the games on television fun. Although most of the games were not very close the in game interviews, gameplay innovations, and mic’ed up replay official conversations with the referees made it stand apart. D.C. Defenders quarterback Cardale Jones fumbled on a play, and when he returned to the sideline the reporter was right there to ask what went wrong. Unfortunately for the fans of new rule innovations, there was not a 3 point conversion attempted after a touchdown. The XFL only features eight teams in part because those running the league understand the value of quality over quantity. All four games were on either ESPN or FOX, and featured several players and coaches who have had successful college and professional careers that football fans recognize. Given the overall network investments, quality of personnel, and time of year, the XFL seems like it has the potential to be a legitimate spring time league that provides more opportunities for coaches, and players to find their way back into the NFL. The weeks to come will have a better indication of how competitive the league actually is both on the field, in attendance, and in television ratings.