Week 5 Preview: Memphis Showboats v. Birmingham Stallions

The Memphis Showboats travel to Protective Stadium to take on the 3-1 Birmingham Stallions on Friday night. The 0-4 Showboats are coming off a tough loss to the Michigan Panthers and looking for their first win of the season against the Stallions. 

Making this battle more intriguing is the increased likelihood that the Showboats will face their former number one quarterback, Case Cookus, as the Stallions’ quarterback following Matt Corral’s injury.  

A Week of Roster Moves 

The Showboats made several roster moves this week ahead of the game. The team acquired free agent defensive tackle De’Vere Levelston to boost the pass rush, but immediately transferred him to the injured list. However, when healthy, the former SMU talent comes to the Showboats with a great resume that could help boost the pass rush. He recorded 90 tackles,11 sacks, and a forced fumble in college.

Offensive guard J.D. DiRenzo was traded to Arlington for offensive tackle Kellen Diesch, who spent time on several NFL practice squads. Diesch signed with the Chicago Bears in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. He was also with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cleveland Browns, and most recently, the Tennessee Titans. Diesch’s 6’7″ 300 lb. physical presence could help the Memphis offensive line.  In addition, former Baltimore Ravens Ja’Mion Franklin was waived.

Memphis Showboats Will Have A Different Look To The Offense

Last week’s less-than-effective quarterback carousel saw new OC Noel Mazzone swapping out quarterbacks E.J. Perry and Troy Williams every other series. Mazzone needed time to evaluate the pair. Unfortunately, neither quarterback could sustain any consistency with the frequent change-up.

Earlier this week, interim head coach Jim Turner promised the offense would be different. In a surprise move, the team announced today that former LA Rams quarterback Dresser Winn will start Friday night. After being signed as a backup to Matthew Stafford in May 2023, Winn had the chance to study and learn from one of the best veteran quarterbacks in the NFL. Now, the 26-year-old native of Dresden, Tennessee, is finally getting an opportunity to prove himself and show what he can accomplish on the football field.

Winn benefits from a talented receiving corps, including the UFL’s top receiver, Jonathan Adams. Although he was held to only two catches last week for 21 yards, he still leads the league. Adams has 22 receptions for 284 yards with one touchdown. Kwamie Lassiter is second on the team to Adams with 137 yards on 13 catches with one touchdown.

One of the big concerns ahead of Friday’s game is the injury list. Several of the Showboats’ wide receivers took a beating last week from the loss to the Panthers. Eli Stove, who coughed up a huge interception, is unlikely to play after being diagnosed with a concussion. Kai Locksley was limited earlier this week in practice with a hamstring injury. However, Isaiah Washington, who sat out last week with a concussion, was back at practice this week.

Last week, running back Deneric Prince scored his first rushing touchdown. Prince and Jacob Kibodi are starting to find their chemistry together. Prince is the power back, and Kibodi is the more fluid rusher and pass catcher.

One area where the Showboats have looked much improved over a year ago is defensive coordinator Jarren Horton’s group. Led by Steele Chambers (37 tackles and a pass deflection) and Eli Walker (24 tackles and a pass breakup), the defense is starting to gel. However, sack production needs to improve along with forcing takeaways.

Memphis field goal kicker Matthew Coghlin is one of the best in the league. Coghlin is now 6/7, with a 52-yarder as his longest kick. His only miss this season was a blocked kick by the D.C. Defenders.

What to Look For From The Stallions  

The Stallions’ offense could look very different if Cookus gets the starting nod. Although Cookus has a solid arm, he led the league in sacks last season with 20. While the Showboats’ offensive line assumes part of the blame, Cookus is also responsible for a lack of field awareness and timing.

Fortunately for Cookus, he will benefit from the Stallions’ O-line, and coach Skip Holtz is a true quarterback whisperer. Deon Cain leads the team with nine receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns, but Cain was on the injury list with a reported knee injury that limited him at practice.

Stallions’ running back Ricky Person leads the team in rushes with 100 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown. He also has two carries for 4 yards. C.J. Marable has 78 yards on 26 carries, plus three catches for 15 yards and a touchdown.

The always dangerous Kyahva Tezino leads the Stallions’ defense. Last year, Tezino was one of the best in the league with 70 tackles. This season, he already has 39 and a forced fumble. Tae Crowder is right behind with 25 tackles and a pass deflection. Former Dallas Cowboys EDGE Bradlee Anae has four sacks to his credit.

Friday night will be another difficult match-up for the Showboats, but there’s never been a better time for this team to “Show” up and turn the season around.

On April 25th, the Memphis Showboats take on the Birmingham Stallions. The game will be televised on FOX UFL Friday at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Sue Levine

Sue Levine spent the past five years creating and producing a successful weekly health and wellness podcast starring a wonderful iconic woman as the program host. As part of Sue's responsibilities, she scripted every episode and discovered a genuine love of writing. When the podcast ended late last year, she shifted the focus of her writing to covering pro sports. A passionate fan of NFL and UFL football as well as fantasy, she is delighted to be able to share her articles with other football fans.

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