Seattle Sea Dragons get the Full Ben DiNucci Experience
Chip Clark
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Reality Check
The complete picture of DiNucci’s 2023 season explains why the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in 2020. And why he’s currently in the XFL, trying to work his way back to the upper echelon of professional football.
The athleticism is clearly there, and his cumulative stats back it up. They also back up the fact that he has a less-than-average arm, questionable decision-making, and a penchant for shooting himself in the foot at crunch time.
What actually happened between DiNucci and receiver Josh Gordon last week in Houston is still unknown. For all intents and purposes, it looked like a miscommunication, which happens in football.
The fact that DiNucci came to the sidelines screaming that Gordon should be benched is a different issue. That shows a lack of professionalism and leadership.
It’s fine to be disappointed or even outright mad, but that doesn’t give him the right to throw a teammate under the bus during a game.
Did Gordon tank the play? It wouldn’t be a surprise, but who knows? It’s more likely that he and DiNucci saw the play differently in real-time.
Gordon is the XFL’s best player and is the wrong guy to alienate. Also, for a player who makes as many mistakes as DiNucci has in 5 games, he’s the last guy who should be pointing the finger of blame.
Pac-12 Alumni on 2023 XFL Rosters
Half of the 2023 XFL season is in the books, and DiNucci looks like the prototypical 54th man.