Tampa Bay, Here’s Your New Football Team!
December 5th, 2019
Opening Day for Tampa’s new football team
Out in the strawberry fields of Plant City, a professional football team representing the city of Tampa got to work for the first time.
And it wasn’t the Bucs.
Players were screaming during sprints. Coaches were hollering during walk-throughs. And not one ball was used during the practice.
It was the Tampa Bay Vipers of Vince McMahon’s newest football league, the XFL.
As the Vipers took the field in Plant City Stadium, the previous spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds, there was a sense of urgency and excitement on the field for each of the players and coaches.
“Yeah, it was awesome,” said Vipers head coach and previous Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman.
“You know, we had very good meetings this morning, great attention. Guys were really into football. They took it very professionally. Guys were taking notes, attentive to the coaches. Real intelligent guys out there who obviously love football and we’ve got a long way to go, but it was a good start out of the walk-throughs as well. A lot of good attention, as you guys saw. We got some things done in a short period of time.”
The Vipers won’t take a meaningful snap until their first game in East Rutherford against the New York Guardians on Feb. 9, 2020. But the energy was certainly there.
One could say the practice vibe matched the feelings of many players. They know this may be their last chance at a professional football career. They know NFL teams will be watching, ready to pounce on a player with potential. They know what could come of this chance.
And one man ready to make the most of it is none other than former Bucs receiver Freddie Martino.
After a previous stint with the Arizona Hotshots of the AAF last spring, Martino knows what it’s like to be part of a start-up league. But he is happy to be back in Tampa, and he hopes that this opportunity will lead to bigger things.
“Man blessed,” Martino responded when asked his feelings on being part of the Vipers. “Blessed with the opportunity to continue playing football. Blessed with another opportunity to try to continue my dream as far as making it back into the NFL. So, you know, I’m blessed, I’m humble. Humbly glad to be out here, for sure.”
Vipers quarterback Aaron Murray, the former Plant High star and Kansas City Chiefs draft pick.
Many shared that sentiment. Former USF quarterback Quinton Flowers felt the same way. Former Georgia Bulldogs QB Aaron Murray felt that way too. Trestman too was happy and excited for what’s to come.
It’s a team that’s hungry for a chance.
Get ready Tampa Bay, because your new football team has something to prove.
This story was written by Zach Seifter, known to many of you as “Manbeast” during his intern days at JoeBucsFan.com. Joe has yanked Meanbeast Zach from his college perch at the University of Florida to cover the XFL happenings this month at Tampa Bay Vipers headquarters. Joe knows some readers here will be paying close attention and cheering like animals for the Vipers whey they kick off in February so hey, why not keep track of the team here. Keep an eye out for more Vipers chatter in the coming days.
December 5th, 2019 at 8:17 pm
Want fan attendance? Put Quinton Flowers at QB.
December 5th, 2019 at 8:24 pm
I’m excited about the Vipers. Good quality coaches and players. No more long waits for football. This will make the NFL draft and training camp not seem so long. As a player in FL it’s so much easier to get fit in the winter than the Summer.
December 5th, 2019 at 8:34 pm
Don’t know Taylor Cornelius.. Hope he is a better QB than the bucs have…
I liked Aaron Murray coming out of college and think Trestman is a good coach and can hopefully give Tampa a Football team that is actually winners!
December 5th, 2019 at 8:48 pm
I think it’s a stupid time to have another football season. I liked the areana league schedule better that went during the summer.
The sports calendar has a lot to offer during late winter/early spring. Ice Hockey & basketball games get more intense plus their AllStar games which are entertaining. March Madness. Opening Day & then you get playoff action.
December 5th, 2019 at 9:04 pm
You know it won’t last when players say they are hoping for a job with another company…
…complete waste of time.
December 5th, 2019 at 9:12 pm
Freddie Martino is back on the football field!!!!! Pair him up with Quinton Flowers and I’ll be there to watch the first game.
December 5th, 2019 at 9:58 pm
Ya might want to submit an application JayMiss ….ya know, just in case.
December 5th, 2019 at 10:31 pm
I have high hopes, but the uniforms are as bad as the Bucs. Strike one.
December 5th, 2019 at 10:32 pm
Also, does anyone else think of Vaping when you see this team name? Go Vapers?!
December 6th, 2019 at 12:11 am
Vipers already have more credibility than glazers and bucs
December 6th, 2019 at 1:20 am
Saw the Freddie Martino quote and was shocked he gave Joe the time of day. Then realized there wasn’t a smart-@ss moniker after his name and knew something was different.
Our young stud Zach penned the piece. Good to have you around Zach, you class the joint up.
In BA I Trust!
December 6th, 2019 at 5:47 am
Go Vipers!!! Can’t be any worse than the Bucs ….. and can’t start any worse than Bucs did ….
December 6th, 2019 at 7:12 am
T M A X I P A D hahaha that was a funny comment you MIght be right once in your life
December 6th, 2019 at 8:56 am
I’ll watch. It’s football. I can’t stand basketball, and In Denver, Comcast has shut down the station that shows the Avalanche, so I can’t watch them. I watch Rugby Premier League too…but NBCsn owns that and they want to put all the good matches on NBC Sports Gold, their overpriced app. Go Vipers!!
December 6th, 2019 at 9:42 am
When can we expect JoeVipersFan.com ? Looks like someone bought the domain name…
December 6th, 2019 at 10:53 am
Best uniforms in the league. Distinctive and reminds me of the Rowdies a bit.
December 6th, 2019 at 11:57 am
I will be there for the first game. There is an aire of seriousness with the league the second time around. They have done a good job with reaching out to the community and by being engaging on social media. Anyone dismissing it because of Vince McMahon and what it was two decades ago are closed minded.
December 6th, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Go Vipers!