The USFL announced its annual awards and ALL-USFL roster today, just 2 days prior to their Championship showdown in the Pontiac SilverDome. This year featured a very balanced field of MVP candidates, a runaway winner for Rookie of the Year, and a surprise at Defensive Player of the Year. Let’s get right to it.
MVP: Thanks in part to a late-season surge as well as to a sense that this honor was long overdue, the USFL panel of coaches, GM’s and designated journalists selected Herschel Walker as the 1989 MVP. Walker led the league in rushing for the third time in his 7 year USFL career, and his consistent efforts helped New Jersey garner their first division title with a 10-5-1 record. Second in the voting was last year’s MVP, New Orleans QB Matt Robinson, followed at a distance by Memphis Showboats receiver Mel Gray.
Offensive Player of the Year: In recognition of a season that saw him lead the league in receptions, with 130 catches, a 23 reception lead over 2nd place, as well as finish 2nd in the league in receiving yards with 1,427 yards, the USFL recognized veteran receiver Mel Gray of the Memphis Showboats. Gray has been the prototype of a “possession receiver” for his 4 year USFL stint. He does not have the per catch average of a Derrick Holloway or Carlos Carson, but routinely leads the league in receptions on 3rd down, and is viewed as one of the best route runners in the league.
Defensive Player of the Year: In a highly divided field it appears that DE’s Jerry Reese and Rueben Davis split a lot of votes, as did linebackers Eric Kumerow and Sam Norris. That left just enough room for a surprise candidate, and that surprise candidate was New Orleans Strong Safety Joe Restic. Restic did not lead the league in any one category, but his overall numbers are impressive. Restic garnered 80 tackles, forced 2 fumbles, recovered 4 fumbles, added 2 sacks and 4 interceptions as well as a safety and two defensive touchdowns over the course of the season. He played deep when needed, but also crept up to the line to blitz or defend the run. He was all over the field making plays. And while some still believe that the league leader in sacks (it was a 3-way tie) or tackles should take the trophy, no one denies that Restic had a standout season.
Rookie of the Year: This one was a no brainer. QB Troy Aikman was a revelation this season for the Tampa Bay Bandits. Leading the team to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth, Aikman also finished the year as the league’s leader in pass attempts and yardage. He finished his rookie season with 4,331 yards passing, 29 touchdowns (tied for 3rd in the league) and a passer rating of 89.4. In a year where rookie performances, especially on offense, were disappointing, Aikman was a shining star.
Coach of the Year: While some wanted to give Steve Spurrier this award for the simple act of convincing his GM to go after Aikman and make a trade with LA to secure the rights to the QB, the consensus pick for Coach of the Year was Birmingham’s Carl Reese. Asked to step in as interim head coach when Rollie Dotsch stepped down due to illness, Reese earned the permanent position not only by leading the Stallions to the league’s best record at 12-4, but by helping the team weather the emotional storm of losing Dotsch to pancreatic cancer just as the season was getting underway. Yes, the Stallions were a good team under Dotsch last season, but through the tragedy Reese led the team to greater victory, and helped build a culture that revered their lost leader and brought toughness and grit to work every day.
ALL USFL TEAM 1989
In a year with a lot of balance and a lot of outstanding performances, picking one roster of All-USFL Stars is tough to do, but the league has made their selections and here is this year’s All-USFL Squad.
Quarterback: Doug Williams (TEX), Matt Robinson (NOR), Don Majkowski (WSH)
The only surprise here is that Majkowski, on a poor Federals team, received more votes than Troy Aikman, but there was certainly a desire to recognize his efforts and perhaps a bias against the rookie.
Halfback: Herschel Walker (NJ), Joe Cribbs (BIR), Thurman Thomas (HOU)
Walker and Cribbs were shoe-ins, while Thomas was a worthy pick, largely for the dual threat nature of his game, though many would have preferred to see Mike Rozier in this slot.
Fullback: Keith Byars (NJ)
No real competition here as Byars is truly the only league fullback who gets regular carries and heavy use in the pass game. Ron Wolfley of Pittsburgh gets kudos for his blocking skills in Pittsburgh.
Tight End: Mark Bavaro (WSH), Butch Rolle (MGN)
Bavaro was a clear favorite here, with 8 TD’s on the season, and Butch Rolle has become an integral part of the Panthers offense. Votes also went out to Mike Shaw for the Maulers.
Wide Receiver: Mel Gray (MEM), Carlos Carson (TEX), Nolan Franz (NOR), Wamon Buggs (ORL), Ricky Sanders (HOU)
How do you pick only 5 receivers from the USFL’s bevvy of stars. Other contenders worthy of consideration include Tampa’s Eric Truvillion, Philadelphia’s Mike Quick, and Michigan’s Derrick Holloway.
Tackle: Bruce Wilkerson (MEM), Howard Ballard (HOU), William Israel (NJ)
A solid group, no complaints, except perhaps from Texas, where Ryan Dudley felt snubbed.
Guard: Kevin Gogan (OAK), Harry Galbreath (PIT), Ron Schaeffer (DEN)
The only other name that could be put into this group would be James Zimmerman from Tampa.
Center: Dermotti Dawson (MGN), William Copley (NOR)
Far and away the two best in the business this year.
Defensive End: Jerry Reese (NOR), Rueben Davis (ORL), Reggie White (MEM), Ronnie Paggett (MGN)
Here is where the popularity contest comes into play. Everyone loves Reggie White, and his 15 sacks were only 1 behind the 3 co-leaders, but a lot of folks expected to see Al Noga of Arizona here because of his effectiveness against the run.
Defensive Tackle: William Perry (TBY), Roland Putzier (POR), Earl Weaver (ARZ), Jumpy Gaethers (PHI)
A solid group, including perhaps the best player on Portland’s otherwise underwhelming roster.
Linebacker: Eric Kumerow (PIT), Brian Bosworth (TEX), John Roper (DEN), Hardy Nickerson (MGN), Sam Norris (BAL), Brian Noble (ARZ)
Hard not to include Michigan’s John Corker or Baltimore’s Ben Apuna, but if you do not want 2 players from the same linebacking corps, Norris and Nickerson deserve the kudos.
Cornerback: Anthony Blaylock (BIR), Domingo Bryant (HOU), Tory Nixon (OAK), Derrick Cudrup (MEM)
No complaints here as each of these players proved hard to pass against this year.
Strong Safety: Brian Blades (MEM), Joe Restic (NOR)
Restic was the Defensive POY so no shock there, and Blades was a monster for Memphis.
Free Safety: Martin Bayless (ARZ), Frank Wilder (NOR)
This one is a schocker. I love Frank Wilder, but it seems clear that league interception leader (tied with D. Bryant), Oakland’s Ryan Sparkman, deserves to be here.
Kicker: Scott Norwood (BIR)
I would have voted for Kevin Shea, whose 33 of 35 successful kicks was the best conversion rate in the league, but how do you vote against Norwood’s 44 field goals?
Punter: James Schafer (MGN)
Shafer did not have the highest average, but his 27 kicks within the 10 yard line were astounding, often leading to short fields for the Panthers.
Special Teams: Aubrey Matthews (POR)
A dangerous man in open space, Matthews is better as a returner than as a receiver.