FXFL Reschedules Final Game Of The Season

by FXFLnews

The final game of the FXFL season will not take place this Wednesday as scheduled. Instead the game scheduled to pit the two best teams in the inaugural FXFL season, the Omaha Mammoths and the Brooklyn Bolts, will be rescheduled as the FXFL Championship game at a later date.

While the cancelling, or rescheduling of a game does not appear to be good news for the league, the league is claiming that the move is positive and not negative, as they simply want to attract a bigger audience for it’s inaugural championship game.

FXFL Commissioner Brian Woods told the Omaha World-Herald, that the league was looking at a couple different options for a new date for the game, including the week of Thanksgiving, and that the game would likely be played in the New York market.

“We’re talking to television partners and commercial partners, and looking to really put an exclamation point on this first season,” Woods told The Omaha World-Herald.

This Wednesday was to be the final game of the FXFL regular season, and would have seen the 4-0 Brooklyn Bolts, take on the 3-1 Omaha Mammoths, at TD Ameritrade Park, in Omaha. 

With the “post-season” likely to be a one game championship between Brooklyn and Omaha anyhow, the league has decided instead of having the same game two weeks in a row, to have one final championship game.

“We put some thought into it the last few weeks and it just made sense,” Woods told the Omaha World-Herald.

The game could be faced with potential personnel issues however, with such a break occurring between games. With Mammoths players leaving Omaha on Thursday and Friday, Mammoths head coach Sandy Buda said that when a date is set for the game, the team will get back together in whatever city the game takes place to resume practices.

“We do realize there could be some natural attrition, just through the NFL process and some electing not to come back for a last game,” Woods told the Omaha World-Herald. “So we’ll try to make it worth their while, potentially pay them more to play this game.”

The commissioner seemed optimistic about the future of the FXFL and stated that he is “already putting things in place for next year.” Woods said that the league has proved that it’s model works. Brooklyn Bolts head coach John Bock, also seemed optimistic for the future of the league, mentioning in his post game press conference that he has spoken with Commissioner Woods about the possibility of buying a franchise.

The FXFL Championship game, if played, will see the undefeated Brooklyn Bolts, at 4-0 on the season, taking on the 3-1 Omaha Mammoths. The Mammoths single loss, was to the Brooklyn Bolts, in Brooklyn, which was the Mammoths only road game. If the league can hold the teams together while they decide when the game will be, the game should be an exciting one.

What do you think about this move? Is this a positive or negative sign for the league? Comment below.

Original Story: 

http://www.omaha.com/sports/mammoths-bolts-to-play-for-title-game-in-omaha-off/article_6343b48c-fd67-5c6a-b28b-9d0b6ef90827.html

Highlights: Blacktips at Brooklyn Bolts

Highlights from last night's Blacktips vs. Brooklyn Bolts game:

Game Recap: Brooklyn Bolts Defeat Blacktips In Fourth Quarter

by FXFLnews

The Brooklyn Bolts finish 4-0 on the season.

Last night the Brooklyn Bolts defeated the travelling Blacktips to remain undefeated at 4-0, and clinch their spot as the team with the best record, in the inaugural FXFL season.

The Blacktips fall to 0-3 and end their inaugural season without winning a game.

On a cold, and windy night in Brooklyn, The Blacktips would score first, and hit the extra point, taking a 7-0 lead. The Bolts would answer right back, but not before turning the ball over on a bad snap, and then recovering it on yet another bad snap, on the very next play.

The cold and windy conditions, would lead to Brooklyn attempting a lot more 2-pt conversions than usual, but they would fail on their first attempt, and the Blacktips would lead 7-6.

The Blacktips would respond with former Superbowl Running Back, Tim Hightower, who would score his first FXFL Touchdown, and give the Blacktips a 13-6 lead.

The 13-6 lead would stand until late in the fourth quarter, when Brooklyn QB Corey Robinson led the Bolts on a drive  capped off with a Touchdown to Quintin Payton, and after a missed extra point, Brooklyn had trimmed the deficit to 13-12.

On the first play of the Blacktips next possession, Brooklyn linebacker Korey Williams would intercept a shovel pass intended for Hightower, and bring it in for the Touchdown, and give the Bolts an 18-13 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Brooklyn's Tevrin Brandon would scoop up a fumble and score another Touchdown, and Brooklyn would have three Touchdowns in less than 30 seconds of game time, and with a successful 2-pt conversion, Brooklyn would ice the game with a 26-13 lead, and go on to win by that score.

With rumors swirling that the final scheduled game of the FXFL regular season, scheduled for this Wednesday, will be rescheduled as a Championship game between Brooklyn and Omaha at a later date, this could be the last regular season game in the first season of the FXFL.

If this is the case, Brooklyn finishes in first place and goes a perfect 4-0, while the Blacktips finish in last place at 0-3 on the season.

Brooklyn will now meet 3-1 Omaha in the FXFL Championship Game, which will be scheduled at a date to be determined in late November.

Brooklyn Head Coach John Bock's post-game interview:

Tonight's Blacktips @ Brooklyn Bolts Game Will Be Televised

by FXFLnews

Tonight's game between the Blacktips and the Brooklyn Bolts is now listed on the schedule for tonight on ESPN3. 

The game will be live at 7:30 from MCU Park in Brooklyn. 

If this the game is aired, it will be the first time the Travelling Blacktips have appeared on television. 

Tim Hightower To Debut In FXFL

by FXFLnews

Former NFL RB Tim Hightower debuts in FXFL Friday

The agent of former NFL running back Tim Hightower announced on Twitter that his client will be playing for the FXFL as part of the Blacktips on Friday, in their game with the Brooklyn Bolts.

The 28-year old Hightower was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft, after playing college football at the University of Richmond.

Hightower was a member of the 2008 NFC Champions, scoring the winning touchdown for the Cardinals in the 2008 NFC Championship Game, and subsequently appearing in Super Bowl XLII.

Hightower was traded in July of 2011 to the Washington Redskins, and was placed on the injured reserve due to a torn ACL soon after. Hightower was later cut in 2012.

Hightower will play for the Blacktips as they take on the undefeated Brooklyn Bolts at MCU Park in Brooklyn. 

Game Recap: Wednesday Night Football Omaha Mammoths Stomp Boston Brawlers

by FXFLnews

Kicker Trey Barrow celebrates his game winning Field Goal

On Wednesday night, the Omaha Mammoths defeated the Boston Brawlers 10-8. In a game that was heavy on defense, penalties, and turnovers, the majority of the scoring and excitement was all in the closing minutes. 

The Mammoths led Boston after the first half 7-0 after a Touchdown by LaDarius Perkins, and an extra point by Omaha Kicker Trey Barrow.

Barrow would also miss a 35-yard Field Goal attempt in the first half, but would have a chance at redemption later in the game. 

With Omaha looking to lock up the game with a Touchdown run by Dominique Whaley, Boston’s Phillip Steward stripped him at the goal line in what was Omaha’s fifth turnover, and gave Boston life with 1:55 left in the game, on their own 10-yard line. 

Boston QB Carson Coffman would lead Boston on an 8 play, 90 yard drive to score, as Coffman found Jasper Collins for the Touchdown. Boston would then successfully attempt a 2-point conversion, to take the lead 8-7 with just 28 seconds left in the game. 

However, penalties would plague Boston once again, as the kickoff traveled out of bounds, and set up the Mammoths at the 50 yard line, with a chance to get within Field Goal range, and win the game. 

Omaha would get into range, and give their kicker Trey Barrow a chance to redeem himself, and win the game, with a 46-yard Field Goal. 

And, as time expired Trey Barrow’s 46-yard Field Goal was good, and Omaha won it, in the final seconds 10-8. Barrow’s Field Goal was given Nivea Men Play of the Game honors, and the Mammoths celebrated their victory in front of their home crowd, who had stayed till the end. 

The Boston Brawlers end the season 1-4, but end on somewhat of a high note, as they stuck it out, and almost pulled off a shocking victory over Omaha in the final seconds of the game. 

The Mammoths, with the win, improve to 3-1, and remain undefeated at home. Next Friday, the Mammoths will play their final game of the regular season, welcoming the undefeated Brooklyn Bolts to Omaha, in what will be a matchup of the FXFL’s two best teams this season.

FXFL Players Called Up To NFL

by FXFLnews

Harry Cicma interviews Jordan Dangerfield during his last game with Brooklyn.

This week, a few FXFL players have gotten called up to the NFL.

Brooklyn Bolts Safety Jordan Dangerfield was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, earlier this week.

The signing of Dangerfield is directly linked to the Steelers' current situation at Safety. Troy Polamalu is out for the immediate future with a sprained knee, veteran Will Allen is filling in, but there is a lack of depth behind him. 

Dangerfield spent the preseason with the Steelers, and was a surprise cut before the regular season.

Dangerfield earned Nivea Men Play of The Game honors in his last game with Brooklyn, after forcing a fumble late in the game.

Omaha Mammoths have lost their second player to the NFL, as Wide Receiver Eric Thomas has signed to the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad on Tuesday. Thomas had been with Indianapolis during the preseason as an undrafted free agent from Troy University.

In his last two games with Omaha, Thomas had 4 catches for 101 yards, and a Touchdown. Thomas had worked out with another NFL team previously.

Also this week, Omaha linebacker JoJo Dickson was working out for Kansas City and defensive lineman Lanier Coleman was working out with Washington. Leaving the Mammoths with the possibility of being short-handed once again.


Sources: http://www.omaha.com/sports/mammoths-receiver-becomes-second-omaha-player-to-leave-for-nfl/article_ac0be754-6453-11e4-811b-0017a43b2370.html

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2014/11/5/7160211/pittsburgh-steelers-sign-jordan-dangerfield-to-practice-squad-release

Game Recap: Halloween Night - Brawlers vs Bolts

by FXFLnews

On Halloween night, in the FXFL Game of the week, the Brooklyn Bolts defeated the Boston Brawlers 23-16 at Harvard Stadium in Boston.

The Bolts improve to 3-0 and remain the only undefeated team in the FXFL, while the Brawlers fall to 1-3 on the season. With the win, Brooklyn becomes the first team in FXFL history to win on the road.

This game would not disappoint, with plenty of drama for a Halloween Night.

After a low scoring first half, Boston led Brooklyn 6-3 on the strength of 2 Field Goals by Boston Kicker Morgan Lineberry.

The game picked up in the second half, when Brooklyn QB Corey Robinson connected with Kareem Huggins, as he took the ball 66 yards for a Touchdown early in the third Quarter, and following a successful Nick Marsh Extra Point, Brooklyn led 10-6.

Boston’s kicker, Morgan Lineberry would then hit his third Field Goal of the night, and cut the deficit down to just one, at 10-9 with 5:53 left in the third Quarter.

Brooklyn would answer, late in the third, as Corey Robinson would connect with Diontae Spencer for his second Touchdown Pass of the game, and with another successful Extra Point attempt by Marsh, Brooklyn increased their lead to 17-9.

With Boston punting to Brooklyn to start the fourth Quarter, Brooklyn’s Kevin Fogg returned the Punt 84 yards for a Touchdown, and Brooklyn padded their lead, 23-9.

However, Tajh Boyd and the Brawlers would not go quietly into the Halloween night. Boyd connected with Wilson Van Hooser for a Touchdown with 9:28 left in the game to bring the game to within one Touchdown at 23-16.

The Bolts would then miss a Field Goal try and hand the ball back to Boston with 3:37 left in the game. However, Boston would quickly fumble the ball, which would be recovered by the Johnny Millard of the Bolts, with Brooklyn’s Jordan Dangerfield earning Nivea Men Play of the Night honors for the strip.

With the ball back, on Fourth and long, Brooklyn went for it, for a chance to ice the game, however Brooklyn failed to convert and Boston would get the ball back with 2:55 left in the game.

Tajh Boyd would drive the Brawlers down the field, and Boston would find themselves on Brooklyn’s 15 yard line, with 3 seconds left in the game, with a chance to tie the game.

On the final play of the game, Boyd threw a strike into the End zone, but it would be incomplete, and Boston would fall 23-16.

QB Corey Robinson and RB Kareem Huggins were the stars of the game for Brooklyn, while QB Tajh Boyd, RB Martin Hypollite, and Kicker Morgan Lineberry were the standouts for Boston in this game.

Boston heads to Omaha this Wednesday, for the second meeting between those two teams, on the nationally televised Game of the Week, and Brooklyn heads back home to take on the travelling Blacktips on Friday.

You can view highlights of the game below: