The New York Guardians open their season at home, in MetLife Stadium, against the Tampa Bay Vipers on Sunday, February 9. In their last scrimmage, the Guardians led the entire game in a 27-15 victory over the Vipers, the Guardians first regular season opponent. Former Oakland Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin, put on a stellar performance with three touchdowns in the first half, though he ended the game with two interceptions.
The receiving corps for the Guardians also looks promising – lead by Colby Pearson and Teo Redding. Pearson and Redding put up 76- and 36-yard touchdowns respectively, highlighting the Guardians’ big play potential as well as their high-powered offense.
Along with Matt McGloin, Luis Perez, former Division II and AAF star, rounds out the quarterback portion of the depth chart after being traded by the LA Wildcats – giving the Guardians a couple of reliable options under center. Other players on the roster include wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey, the first skill position player they selected at #3 overall (but is unfortunately starting the season on IR), Joe Horn Jr. (son of former Saints star receiver Joe Horn), and 6-foot, 250-pound running back Tim Cook from Oregon State who was with the Jaguars for one season.
Head coach Kevin Gilbride was a two-time Super Bowl champion as offensive coordinator of the New York Giants showing he has plenty of coaching experience under his belt (almost 50 years’ worth of it) and knows how to win big games.
The Guardians’ roster consists of a combination of experienced players who have shown success in the NFL and younger players who have shown flashes of greatness in college and other professional leagues. While New York is generally ranked in the bottom half of preseason rankings (#5 according to CBSSports), they seem to have the tools necessary that go into making a run at the championship.
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