Orlando FL September 19 — The US Post Office has nothing on the Orlando Rage. While the service’s mantra claims that “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds ” the unflappable Rage could go one better and toss in hurricanes.

Facing 30+ mph winds and torrential rains from Hurricane Gordon that was battering Florida’s West Coast the Rage refused to let mother nature interfere with its free agent tryout camp on Sunday morning.

The club hosted 60 potential players at an “invitation only” camp on Sunday as the team prepared for October’s XFL draft. The athletes were timed in the 40-yard dash were tested in the bench press and participated in non-contact agility drills in extremely adverse conditions.

“We were not about to let something as minor as a hurricane keep us from holding this camp ” General Manager Tom Veit said. “We checked with the National Weather Service to make sure there were no tornadoes lightning or other issues that would compromise the safety of the players and then decided to hold the tryout. XFL players may be facing blizzards in Chicago wind storms in Las Vegas and tropical storms in Florida. If they are going to play in it why not hold tryouts in it?”

Player Personnel Director Will McClay noted that the conditions would be taken into account in evaluating the athletes. “These are talented players ” McClay said. “It follows that if a linebacker runs a decent 40 time in slop he certainly would be able to run faster on a dry track. Our goal is to see as many players as possible.” McClay called the tryout a success. “More than half of players tested are going to be offered letters-of-intent and will become eligible for the XFL draft. We had a few players from smaller colleges that we did not know a lot about and they surprised us with their ability. Overall we were pleased with the results.”

Orlando is one of eight franchises (Birmingham Memphis New York/New Jersey Chicago Las Vegas Los Angeles and San Francisco) in the XFL. Jointly owned by the WWE Entertainment Inc. and NBC the league will begin play in February. The Rage will play in the Florida Citrus Bowl and ticket information may be obtained by calling the Rage Office at (407) 236-9716.