The Memphis Showboats trimmed down their 2023 team by seven a day after seeing six of their players get selected in the XFL’s supplemental draft. Despite losing stalwarts like Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Travis Feeney, the Showboats continued to trim cut down their roster in hopes of bringing the first year franchise under 60 players before the USFL’s training.
The Showboats released five offensive players and two defensive players this week. It seems the Showboats parted ways with several players who were signed mid-season, like Dee Anderson, Hasise Dubois, Dallas Warmack and Tra Minter. All which served in reserve roles for the Showboats/Bandits throughout the 2022 season. The most notable of the mid-season signings to be released was Hasise Dubois who recorded a meager 4 receptions for 36 yards during his USFL stint. Minter a veteran of the Spring League seems to be the odd man out as the Showboats signed Kerrith Whyte, David Hamm, and Justin Stockton during the off-season.
The Two Defensive players that the Showboats did release were Rannell Hall and Rashard Causey both of whom the Showboats/Bandits drafted during the USFL’s 2022 inaugural draft. Hall a converted Wide Receiver is one of the teams more expiernced players as the USFL was his 6th football league that he has signed a contract with (NFL, CFL, AAF, XFL, NAL). Causey another NFL vet recorded 12 tackles for the team in the 2022 and now finds himself released.
The Showboats seem to be bringing in new blood all over especially on their offensive line. Despite Jordan Ta’amu putting up league leading passing statistics Ta’amu found himself constantly on the run, in addition to leading the league in sacks and yards lost. During the off season the Showboats have five new offensive linemen in an effort to re-vamp the unit. The Showboats have also added five wide receivers to offset the loss of Rashard Davis, Derrick Dillon along with the Showboats two most recently released receivers.
The Showboats like all USFL teams have begun reshaping their roster for the upcoming training camp taking place in March. With the recent string of cuts, the Showboats roster now sits at 63 with the goal moving forward to be under 60. While it’s unclear if the USFL will have a “full” draft like they did in 2022, it’s clear that all USFL teams including the Showboats will continue to shape their roster in hopes of winning a championship in 2023.
