Final 3

Its official the Xpress make final 3 signings. The team signed a Defensive lineman, LineBacker, and a QuarterBack. The Xpress have signed 6' 270 lb defensive tackle Curt Wiggins to a 1 year deal with a 1 year player option to give the Xpress defense depth at DT and DE. The Xpress then signed 5'8 230 lb LineBacker Oscar Baeza to the same deal to shore up the middle of the defense, Their is also a chance that he will play Fullback in our power running game. The 3rd and final signing was James Chism a 6'0 205 lb QB who played his high school ball at Lake Highlands, and WR at McMurry University. With these signings the Xpress roster is now at capacity with 53 players, any signings made at this point will either be the team releasing players or moving players to the 7 man practice squad. This has been a long process but I think the team is finally built to win the 2010 championship.

Xpress lose

The Xpress had their first pre season game for the 2010 season vs the Collin County Rattlers on Jan.23rd to help and raise money for the Buckners Children Home and a can food drive to raise food for the North Texas Food Bank. The weather played a major roll in the attendance, with a lot of rain which caused for low attendance, but the game was a success. The Xpress dressed 50 players and all had the opportunity to show case their talents in an effort to show the the coaching staff why they should be a part of the 2010 team. Certain players stood out on both sides of the Ball.On the defensive line Mckenzie Tilmon displayed his talent and his run stuffing ability by constantly clogging up the middle. At LineBacker several players stepped up Jody Linville lead all players in tackles, he showed his ability to play defensive end but seems to be making the adjustment to outside LineBacker, Sam Crawford showed why he is the head of the defense at Middle LineBacker making several stops and stopping a key 4Th and 1 play, Terrance Henson played great at strong side Backer he displayed his toughness to come up and take on the lead blocker and still make the tackle on the ball carrier. Quentin Sarpy, and Cornelious Pryor made big strides in either securing a starting spot or pushing for a starting job. In the Secondary Wisner Derosier showed good pass coverage and great run support, Chris Hicks showed he could possibly be a good front side corner in just his 2ND year at the position, Isiah Johnson displayed why he should be either a starting corner or free safety, Demarcus Nixon continued to display that he has become a big hitter and Anthony Stevenson seems to be trying to settle in as the secondary captain. On Offense their were a few bright spots. Raashad Manning showed his speed and consistently got behind the defense and made big plays, Michael Cotton showed why he was a good addition to the team making several big catches. Kendrick Matlock showed why he can stay on the field on every play displaying his ability to run block and pass protect. The running backs displayed their talent also FB/H-Back Eric Brown showed his ability to step up and pick up the blitz, Rocky Frank showed no affects of his injury from the 2009 season, Ron Manning showed his strength speed and power before he left the game with bruised ribs, Guy Smith displayed his quickness and balance, and FB Mack Harris displayed his power as a runner and a lead blocker. All in all even tho the Xpress lost the game 12-0 the offense showed it's ability to move up and down the field the whole game getting in the red zone on 5 different occasions. The next game will be 1/30/10 against the Texas Knights at 3pm. This game will be a lot different, because the Xpress staff has let the players know that the potential starters will play about 2-1/2 quarters because this is the last pre season game before the season kicks-off on 2/20/10.

Capacity

With many Free Agent signings these past few weeks the Xpress have gotten the roster to full capacity. That's right with only 1 signing left to make and that being another offensive lineman the Xpress roster will be at 53 players the league maximum. The team also has 3 players they have added to the practice squad. This team looks to be built for greatness. The past 3 previous seasons the team had been adding players and releasing players, it added players out of free agency, walk-ons and even draft picks and the team has finally gotten rid of the free agents walk-ons and draft picks that were not up to Xpress kind of football. I think this team is much better then the 2009 team, and that team was very good! This 2010 team is faster and more athletic then the 2009 team on paper, now it's about this team going out and proving it to the other NMLF teams and any other team that wants to step up the plate and play us during our bye weeks. The 2009 team finished 8-2 and lost 1 game from the championship, so for the 2010 team to better the 2009 teams accomplishments the 2010 team would have to finish 9-1 and make it to the Championship! So get on board and ride the train and lets see how far the ride will take us.

Xpress Sign 1

The Xpress make one major signing to upgrade and to add depth to the offense of the ball. Coach Vernon talked to Offensive coordinator Jaun Valles and Asst O-Line coach Pat Collins and asked what did the offense need? their response was a offensive Lineman. Well the Xpress did just that! the team went out and signed ex Denton County Patriots RG Selby Hatcher, a 6'2 330 lb lineman to a 1 year deal with a 1 year player option. These signing have made an already strong team stronger.

Major Signing

The Xpress make another huge signing, with the roster almost at capacity the Xpress needed to make to big signing on the defensive side of the ball and they did just that! Team captain and offensive player rep Chris Choice invited the DT to attend practice and talk to coach Vernon. Coach Vernon started negotiations with the DT and after a 30 min meeting, The Xpress signed 6'4 370 lb North East Oklahoma and Former Denver Crush Defensive Tackle Mckenzie Tilmon to a 1 year deal with a 1 year option. What this does for the Xpress Defensive line is give the team a true NT that can play in their 3-4 scheme and also gives the team another big run stuffer to play in the rotation with 6'3 305 lb Derrick Blount and 6'2 300 lb Robert Teal. This signing should make the Xpress run Defense even better then the 2009 defense that did not yield a 100 yard rusher all season. With 1 more major signing left, stay tuned for the last signing it should be a big one.

Rocky Frank

After several phone calls and many conversations with fellow teammates Rocky Frank returned to practice on Jan. 4Th. What many fans and coaches thought were perhaps retirement talk was actually Mr. Frank finishing school. Frank returned to practice and last years knee injury looks fully healed. He has his explosiveness, his cut back, his lateral movement and his speed. Coach Vernon has informed the Xpress staff to keep Frank's practice reps to a minimum in hopes that he can possibly complete the 2010 season. Coach Vernon discussed with Frank and made him aware that his practice carries will be at a minimum and that during pre-season his playing time will not be much, Coach Vernon was quoted " I hope in minimizing his practice carries and pre- season work will lessen the chances of injuries".