Five things we learned from the XFL's opening game: Trading gimmicks for innovation was wise

xfl

WASHINGTON — Oliver Luck ascended the steps that lead to the locker rooms at Audi Field more than two hours before the XFL kicked off its inaugural season Saturday wearing a blue tie and a smile. 

Nearly two years of work had gone into relaunching a once-failed professional football league, so no one would blame the XFL commissioner for being a little anxious on the day the DC Defenders defeated the Seattle Dragons 31-19. 

Instead, the silver-haired Luck had a zen to him: his work was done. It was up to the product on the field now to convince football fans across the country that another football league is worth investing time into. 

And after one game, albeit imperfect, it appears Luck, founder Vince McMahon and the rest of their partners achieved that goal. Here are five things we learned from the XFL's opening game:

Innovation over gimmicks

The most famous aspect of the XFL's first iteration was "He Hate Me." But such gimmicks are not going to cut it in this XFL, and that's a good thing. 

Instead, the new XFL is trying to differentiate itself — and therefore captivate — through more subtle innovations. The running clock is a good idea and works well. One referee dedicated to spotting the ball helps offenses go faster. The kickoffs will always look weird, but the first time a returner hits a seam and has nothing but daylight in front of him will be worth it. Even a replay delay felt somewhat refreshing because the extra time led to the right result. 

The harsh special teams rules that discourage touchbacks or kicking the ball out of bounds on punts will force coaches to reckon with going for it on fourth down in their own territory but not quite the red zone. That occurred Saturday when DC Defenders coach Pep Hamilton kept his offense on the field for a 4th-and-6, and quarterback Cardale Jones connected with Rashad Davis for a 31-yard, go-ahead touchdown.

Those decisions will lead to more scoring opportunities that give the game a more enjoyable back-and-forth feel. 

These players know they are on their second (or sometimes) third chances at playing professional football. The goal is to make it in the NFL. But this league offers an opportunity to not only serve themselves but create a space for future players to attempt comebacks, and that's not lost on them.

PRESEASON ALL-XFL: Who will shine in league's inaugural season?

ROAD TO THE XFL: How new league keeps pro football dreams alive

XFL football is still just football

Rahim Moore, who picked off the Dragons' Brandon Silvers for the new league's first interception, has five years of NFL experience and played in the Alliance of American Football, the equally ambitious but already-failed XFL counterpart. He said the speed of the game was similar to that in the NFL.