This weekend the DC Defenders will face the St. Louis Battlehawks in DC. The biggest question surrounding this game will be which of the DC Defenders quarterbacks will start. It will also be questioned if the starter needs to be changed after this week. Both the Defenders and Battlehawks are 2-0, and this week’s game may be their most important yet. The top two Defenders quarterbacks on the roster are D’Eriq King and Jordan Ta’amu. Week three may finally be the week the starter is decided.
DC Defenders Quarterbacks
In the first two weeks of the XFL season, Defenders quarterback, Jordan Ta’amu got the start, but in week two, D’Eriq King replaced Ta’amu. The two quarterbacks have different play styles. Ta’amu relies on passing, while King uses his running capabilities to his advantage. Last week, against the Las Vegas Vipers, the team found strength in running the ball and got the win with King.
The Battlehawks will be the Defenders toughest opponent yet. The Defenders’ offense’s strength is to run the ball, but they will need to pass as well. It is likely that both quarterbacks will get playing time, but following this game, there should be a definitive answer on which of the DC Defenders quarterbacks will start.
Jordan Ta’amu
In week one, Ta’amu played the majority of the game against the Seattle Sea Dragons. In the game, Ta’amu completed just eight passes out of 19 attempts for 86 yards, according to the XFL website. He also threw one interception. The poor performance can be blamed on it being week one of a new league that has no pre-season.
In week two, against the Vegas Vipers, Ta’amu was pulled out of the game by halftime. A large part of the reason that he was pulled out is because of the terrible weather. The heavy rain made passing the ball too hard, leading to King entering the game. Before being pulled, Ta’amu completed 11 passes out of 23 attempts for 93 yards, according to the XFL Website.
D’Eriq King
There are not too many stats from King, but he has been a big reason the team is 2-0. In week one, King only attempted two passes, completing one for seven yards, according to the XFL website. While he did not complete many passes, he did rush for a touchdown, which is significant in a game won by just four points.
While playing the Vegas Vipers, King’s stats do not show any passing plays. He did pass for a two-point conversion to tight end, Ethan Wolf though. While he did not pass, King rushed the ball 4 times for 32 yards and one touchdown, according to the XFL website.
Which Defenders Quarterback Should Start
It seems as though week three will be the decider on who finishes the rest of the season as the starter. Ta’amu has been the one to pass the ball, but King was also never fully given a chance to pass. Ta’amu will most likely get another start this weekend unless the team says otherwise. As of now, there has been no official word on a switch for week three.
Many fans are calling for King to get the start, and even believe the team plays better with him. The Battlehawks will be the Defenders’ toughest opponent yet. DC will want to remain undefeated and need their best players on the field. St. Louis has just one interception in two games, which can potentially give the Defenders some time to adjust.
Be sure to watch the St. Louis Battle Hawks face the DC Defenders at Audi Field this Sunday at 1 PM Eastern. This may be the week the Defenders starting quarterback is decided.
More must-reads: