Luck’s XFL firing defended in filings

Lawyers for XFL owner Vince McMahon argued in court filings the wrestling magnet was justified in firing league CEO Oliver Luck last month just before the operation shut down.

Luck filed a federal lawsuit last month over his April 9 termination, alleging McMahon breached their contract. Luck, a former Oilers quarterback and the father of ex-NFL star QB Andrew Luck ,is seeking $23.8 million.

McMahon’s attorneys argued Luck was fired for cause, in part because he “effectively abandoned his responsibilities” as league CEO and commissioner. is obviously critical for our defense,” Weaver said. “When he’s on the field, he draws an incredible amount of attention from an offense. He’s going to be impactful and make plays.”

Weaver is optimistic that drafting TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock in the second round and Florida outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard in the third round will boost a front seven that lost nose tackle D.J. Reader to the Cincinnati Bengals via a $53 million free-agent deal.

The Texans also will lean on situational pass rusher Jacob Martin and Charles Omenihu.

“Ross Blacklock was a guy that from a measurable standpoint had all the attributes that you’re looking for,” Weaver said. “He was twitchy, he was instinctive, and he found the ball. Jon Greenard can rush off the edge, can rush inside, can drop into coverage. That poses a lot of potential problems for an offense.”

The Texans finished 28th in total defense last season, allowing 392.9 yards per game, 29th in passing offense, 25th against the run and 31st in third-down percentage.

“We have all the pieces to be more successful on third down,” Weaver said. “I think schematically we’ll probably be a little bit more exotic, which potentially will allow our guys to have more success so that offenses can’t pinpoint exactly where players are going to be.”

Weaver will still coach the defensive line, but he’ll get help from Matt O’Donnell and Akeem Dent. Weaver will lean on Crennel, whom he credited for mentoring him along with his high school coach, Blaise Iuliano, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

After being promoted, Weaver got some advice from former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.

“He said: ‘Weave, you’re out of the suggestion business, and you’re into the decision business,’ ” Weaver said. “Those words carried a lot of weight to me. … The creativity part of defensive scheming is maybe one of my favorite parts about the job. You’ve got to love the chess match and trying to put the pieces in the right place. That’s part of the beauty and schematics.”