Undefeated Houston Roughnecks Defensive Cornerstone: DeMarquis Gates

Houston Roughnecks linebacker, DeMarquis Gates late interception during week 4 game against the Dallas Renegades secured the game and kept the undefeated season alive.

The battle for Texas was live last weekend in XFL play and the game didn’t disappoint. The Dallas Renegades were hoping to close the gap on the division-leading and undefeated Houston Roughnecks in last weekends showdown. Linebacker DeMarquis Gates had other plans. His one-handed interception with under 2-minutes left on the one-yard line secured a 27-20 win and moved the Roughnecks to a perfect 4-0 record while dropping division rival, Renegades to 2-2. I was able to catch up with, Gates to discuss the play that sealed the game and much more.

Be sure to check out DeMarquis Gates and the Houston Roughnecks take on the Seattle Dragons on Saturday, March 7^th at 2:00 PM on ABC.

Not only did you seal the game with a red-zone interception, but you played a hell of a game against the Dallas Renegades last weekend. Are you finding your rhythm as a linebacker?

DeMarquis Gates: I guess you can say that. We’re just trying to pull everything together and just continue the winning season. It’s one game at a time and just try to pull every game out and win this championship at the end.

You were pursuing the ball, the receiver bobbled it and you made an amazing interception. Talk us through the play, my man.

DeMarquis Gates: Yeah man! I think they were running a tunnel screen type of play and one of my other linebackers made a play. Ed [Edmond Robinson] made a play on the ball. He came and hit the receiver as he was trying to catch the ball and the receiver kind of fumbled it around and it popped up in the air. I was pursuing the ball when it popped up in the air and I was able to get my hand underneath it. I secured the ball, got the pick and that was the game.

You guys were blowing teams out early, but now all the adjustments have been made and these are one-possession wins. Now that these games are starting to get that playoff atmosphere. I’m sure these closer games are better preparing you guys for the long run.

DeMarquis Gates: Exactly! It’s just giving us situational football and that’s always good. You can go in and being able to hold somebody under 2-minutes, being able to hold people in the red zone and stuff like that. That’s going to help us in the long run being that we’ve been there before and knowing we can do it again.

You are 5^th in the league in tackles, obviously, it has a lot to do with your abilities, but do you also fit the scheme that you guys run well?

DeMarquis Gates: Most definitely! I personally think all schemes fit my abilities. But this one in particular, my coaches come up with great game plans each week and it’s our job to go in and execute, and that’s what we try to do each day at practice and in each during the games.

I’m sure that SEC grind helped you out a lot too. You played at Ole Miss and competing in that conference week in and week out is a different animal.

DeMarquis Gates: Oh, most definitely! Like you said, it’s week in and week out in the SEC. You can lose to any team in the SEC any given week. Playing against that speed and that level of play definitely helps out.

The linebacker position is a read and react position. Did it take you a few weeks, a few practices or even games to get your timing down?

DeMarquis Gates: I’m not sure. But as the season progresses, we’re definitely going to get better and better. Our bodies are going to start getting used to the physical play and the faster game that the XFL is bringing. As the season goes along, I’m sure it’s going to be good for us.

You guys are the only undefeated team in the league, they say the top is lonely, what keeps you guys motivated at this point?

DeMarquis Gates: Ourselves, our teammates, each other. We want to be successful for each other. We give it all we got for the players that’s next to us. When one person does good, we all do good. We understand that, it’s a team atmosphere. I don’t think we have any jealous players on the team. Everybody roots for one another and wants everybody to make the next play. We just do our jobs and everything else falls into place.

You have the Seattle Dragons on Saturday. When you watch them on film, what stands out about their offense to you?

DeMarquis Gates: They’re fast and physical. They are a good offense. They are technically sound. As I said, our coaches going to come up with a great game plan and we’re going to come in and execute that.

Do you prefer to play on Saturday or Sundays?

DeMarquis Gates: (Laughing). It don’t matter. Whenever the lights come on, I’m ready to play. It don’t matter if it’s Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Friday or Tuesday. It don’t matter. I’m always ready to go.

How does the XFL differ than the NFL or other organizations you have played in and how imperative is it to be in shape with the shortened play clock?

DeMarquis Gates: No adjustments for me really. I just go out there and be myself. Most of the rules that are slightly different aren’t too drastic. It’s all football related. Everything is basically the same. Your keys and reads are the same. With the 2-4 passes is just making sure your eyes are right. You know what I’m saying. If you’re supposed to stay home on somebody, that’s just making sure you stay home. Most of the changes aren’t anything that’s not relative to football. It’s a regular football game. Now, you most definitely have to be in shape. The tempo is very fast, and teams will pick up on you getting tired, so you definitely gotta be in tip-top condition and make sure you can play the whole game if needed.

You get to see PJ Walker everyday at practice. What a special player.

DeMarquis Gates: PJ… “Superman,” that man can make some plays happen.

What would capturing the championship at the end of the season mean to you?

DeMarquis Gates: It would mean a lot, man. Winning a championship… I haven’t won a championship in football in my life. So, winning a ring and winning a championship would be a great experience. Especially bringing one to Houston, the fans would love that. That would be exciting.

Good luck on Saturday. I can’t wait to watch the game. Is there anything else you want to say?

DeMarquis Gates: I appreciate you. I thank you for letting me be on your show, man.

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