Columnist Sal Sal DeFilippo: Players can make a name for themselves — literally

Friday, Feb. 23, 2001 | 11:37 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at sal@lasvegassun.com or 259-4076.

In the XFL, each player's goals are simple -- win the game and the bonus money that goes with it, and try to make a name for yourself in the process. Las Vegas Outlaws running back Rod Smart is an exception. He made a name for himself first. Literally. Since the XFL allows players to put whatever they want on the back of their jerseys, Smart -- a first-team All-Ohio Valley conference pick in 1999, when he ran for 1,249 yards and 10 touchdowns at Western Kentucky -- put his three-word moniker there for everyone to see.

Since his debut at Sam Boyd Stadium on Feb. 3, few people know the 5-foot-9, 185-pound running back by anything other than what it says on his jersey.

He Hate Me.

Despite a verb conjugation that would make any English teacher cringe, there were some smarts behind Smart's thinking.

"I liked the idea that we could put whatever we wanted on the jersey, but I never knew it would be like this," Smart said when He Call Me this week. "I'm really enjoying it."

Smart toyed around with other ideas, such as Bush Wig, which describes his hairstyle, or his nickname in college, Sticky Tip. Sorry, I'm not going there.

But since He Hate Me became en vogue, at least around the XFL, other players began to, well, show their hatred. In last week's loss to Los Angeles, two Xtreme linebackers unveiled counternicknames -- I Hate He and I Hate He Too.

The L.A. defense spent nearly as much time in the backfield as Smart did, and the running game never got going. Smart attributed the struggle to a lack of cohesiveness.

"It was just us not being on the same page. Maybe they were keying on some things, but there aren't many things they can do that we can't handle on offense when we play together as a team," He Tell Me. "We'll throw some different things at San Francisco this week."

Even a different nickname?

"I have some tricks up my sleeve. I love the nicknames, but it's also up to me to play well and get people to want to know the person, not just the name," Smart said. "But I have some ideas. You'll have to wait and see."

For the record

I was 3-1 against the spread last week. The only loss was New York/New Jersey, a 5 1/2-point underdog to Orlando, which lost 18-12. The season mark stands at an impressive 8-3-1 against the spread.

Saturday's games

CHICAGO -6 1/2 vs. New York/New Jersey -- The Enforcers have been competitive in every game, all on the road, losing in double overtime two weeks ago and blowing a first-and-goal situation in the final two minutes last week with a chance to take the lead. Chicago should roll at Soldier Field. Chicago 24, New York/New Jersey 9.

BIRMINGHAM +5 1/2 at Orlando -- The Thunderbolts have started slowly in each of their three games, but can't afford to do that against unbeaten Orlando. Casey Weldon outduels Jeff Brohm. Birmingham 19, Orlando 16.

Sunday's games

LAS VEGAS +3 at San Francisco -- Three is a fitting number, since field goals are the only way teams have scored against the Outlaws. This should be another low-scoring game. Las Vegas outkicks the Demons, 3-2. Las Vegas 9, San Francisco 6.

LOS ANGELES -4 vs. Memphis -- Jim Druckenmiller starts, but may not finish. Los Angeles scores early and never relinquishes the lead. Los Angeles 26, Memphis 12.