Sporting News, February 17, 1989
After an offseason which many view as a potential tipping point in the tenuous relationship between the NFL and the upstart USFL, the spring league prepares for its 7th season, and while overall there was less movement of players and staff between the two leagues than in past years, three controversial signings have turned up the heat on the rivalry between the fall and spring leagues.
The inking of head coach Marty Schottenheimer by the Baltimore Blitz only week before the season began for his former NFL club, Cleveland, was a shot across the bow of the NFL. Add to this the signing of two potential Top 5 NFL Draft picks in UCLA QB Troy Aikman (Tampa) and Nebraska LB Broderick Thomas (ARZ) and we have a lot of anger within NFL circles. The two leagues have had something of a cold war brewing, with the occasional stolen star (Brian Sipe to the USFL, Bobby Hebert to the NFL) and, of course, the anti-trust lawsuit back in 1984, which enriched the junior league, but something feels different this year. Many in USFL circles are concerned that Baltimore’s bold move may end up costing all of them dearly, just as the USFL is seeking to rein in costs, largely labor costs, to allow for greater profitability, they may find themselves in a bidding war for talent on a scale they have not seen in their short existence.
But, all this said, and with the fall out likely to occur after the conclusion of the 1989 season when the free agency window reopens for USFL clubs, there is a season to play, and one where the field feels more open and more unpredictable than ever. Last season was the first time in 5 years that the league did not see either Philadelphia, Michigan or both in its Championship Game. Houston’s victory over Memphis may usher in a new wave, as the Gamblers have now appeared in two consecutive Championships, while upstart teams like Memphis, New Jersey and New Orleans look poised to challenge for a trophy.
At the same time we are reaching a period when the stars of the league’s first few seasons are getting older and new stars are emerging. So, this year, let’s look at a few key positions on the field and see where we rank the talent, then a quick prognostication as to the standings and the playoffs before we get into the action in just a couple of weeks. We start with our look at the best of the league.
BEST QB SITUATIONS IN THE USFL
1. HOUSTON: Despite some setbacks last year, Jim Kelly still appears to be a top flight quarterback, capable of carrying the Gambler offense on his back when needed. Having solid backups in Sean Salisbury and rookie Chuck Hartlieb of Iowa means that the team is prepared even if Kelly were to miss time to injury.
2. NEW ORLEANS: Matt Robinson surprised everyone with an MVP season last year, after languishing on the Breakers’ bench behind Tony Eason for several seasons. If Robinson is for real, and can repeat his 1988 performance, the Breakers may again have the top offense in the league. Matt Dunigan and Danny McManus also give the Breakers solid depth at the position.
3. LOS ANGELES: Steve Young has never fully lived up to his potential, but last year saw growth in his game and his playoff appearance against Texas showed he could lead. The Express were confident enough in him that they traded away their top Territorial Draft pick to Tampa and allowed the Bandits to sign Troy Aikman, settling on former USC quarterback Rodney Peete to sign as a backup to Young. We like the fact that Peete can play in the same system as Young, so you have a quarterback who can step in and run the same plays if Young were to miss time.
4. ARIZONA: It is a definite perk to have two quarterbacks with solid pedigrees, both proven to be able to run an offense. We saw with Tampa last year what happens if the backup is just not up to the task. In Arizona Robbie Bosco is clearly the starter, but Kelly Stouffer is more than capable of starting in the league. That is a strength, though at some point we wonder wo content Stouffer will be to carry a clipboard. At some point Arizona might be wise to trade Stouffer while his value is high, but this season, with a new coach in former USC head man Ted Tollner, we don’t expect any change.
5. WASHINGTON: The Federals would be much higher on the list with the combo of Neil Lomax and Don Majkowski, except for the fact that what at first appeared to be a minor hip injury to their starter has lingered throughout the offseason. There is still significant concern that Lomax will not be able to start the season, and while Majkowski has proven to be a more than capable signal caller when called into action, concerns that Lomax may be facing a more serious condition have to make the Federals nervous.
6. PHILADELPHIA: Fusina is steady if not spectacular, but Perez and rookie Anthony Dilweg are untested.
7. MEMPHIS: Mike Kelley has been lighting things up for the past 2 years and being able to fall back on Walter Lewis is a luxury Memphis hopes they don’t need.
8. TEXAS: Doug Williams is a proven winner and adding Glen Carano to compete with Blair Kiel deepens the Outlaw bench.
9. PITTSBURGH: Alan Risher had a phenomenal season in ’88 and looks for even more success this year. Jeff Hostetler is largely untested as his backup, as is rookie Jason Garrett.
10. BIRMINGHAM: Cliff Stoudt does not often make the highlight reel, but he is steady and reliable, and if he falters, the Stallions can bring in another consistent performer in Bob Lane.
BEST BACKFIELDS IN THE USFL
1. NEW ORLEANS: No team masters the HB rotation quite like New Orleans. Both Marcus Dupree and Dalton Hilliard can take over a game, and while their styles vary, the results often do not. Neither is likely to win the rushing title, but the combo is almost guaranteed to have the Breakers near the top of the team rushing list.
2. PHILADELPHIA: Kelvin Bryant is the USFL’s all-time leading rusher after 6 seasons, and looks to be the bell cow again for the Stars. Nothing wrong with that, but we would like to see some more carries for Jamie Mueller and former Gambler Steve Howell. Philly added another back in Vi Sikahema this year, though we expect him to be more of a special teams ace than regular ballcarrier.
3. NEW JERSEY: Herschel Walker is a superstar, to be sure, but the Generals also have perhaps the best fullback in the league in Keith Byars. If injury issues arise for Walker, they are more than comfortable letting Byars carry and catch the rock. Add in rookie Heath Sherman and former Panther backup Bobby Morse and this is a very talented RB group.
4. BIRMINGHAM: Joe Cribbs remains the motor of the Stallions offense. A smaller, more elusive back than Bryant, Walker or either Breaker back, Cribbs does not appear to be losing a step after 5 grueling seasons. Interim head coach Carl Reese has stated that he does want to spell Cribbs more this year, and in Brent Fullwood and recently acquired Calvin Murphy he has two capable backs to do so.
5. WASHINGTON: Craig James does not have the explosive speed of some of the league’s best rushers, but he also rarely loses yards. Washington is also trying to provide more carries for backup Kevin Harmon and likes the elusive rookie Alfred Jenkins as well. And, as with New Jersey, they have a mult-talented fullback in Barry Word to rely on for tough yards or the occasional screen.
6. DENVER: Like New Orleans, the Gold rely on a 1-2 punch, something of a Thunder & Lightning situation as they alternate carries between bruising Harry Sydney and elusive Timmy Smith. Not as talented as the Breakers’ duo, but still effective, this combination has days when they are on fire, and others where neither seems to be on track. Lee Rouson is a little used backup but one capable when called upon.
7. HOUSTON: This is all about rookie phenom Thurman Thomas, now looking to do even more in his second year. Thomas has a shot at gaining 2,000 total yards from scrimmage as his pass catching skills may be the best in the league for a back. We are not sure if there is much behind Thomas in little used Keith Woodside or rookie Patrick Egu, but if Thomas can stay healthy, this year could be huge for him.
8. CHICAGO: Much like Thomas in Houston, 2nd year player Jamie Morris was a big hit in his first year and is looking to do even more in his second. Don’t be surprised if Morris is among the league leaders this year, though he may lose some carries to veteran and former 1,000 yard rusher Albert Bentley.
9. JACKSONVILLE: George Adams has been a consistently good back who consistently gets no press. And what is even better news for the Bulls is that they now have one of the deeper RB corps in the league. Opting to keep 4 HB’s on the active roster, the Bulls have options in former Cornhusker Tommy Agie, elusive Spencer Tillman, and newly signed former General Jamie Covington.
10. MEMPHIS: Greg Boone and Buford Jordan form a solid one-two punch for the Showboats. Boone is an outstanding runner-receiver, while Jordan can run over defenders. They are not as consistent as Memphis fans would like, but when their line opens holes for them, the game is on and these backs can take over.
BEST RECEIVING CORPS IN THE USFL
1. MICHIGAN: It has not been easy since Bobby Hebert left, but we still cannot deny that the Panthers have major weapons in the passing game. Anthony Carter and Derek Holloway remain two of the league’s best, while TE Butch Rolle is an undervalued redzone commodity. Jonathan Smiley, Daron Carter and Johnny Holloway add quality depth to a dangerous receivers group.
2. LOS ANGELES: They have the best TE in the game in former Raider Todd Christiansen. They have two dynamic playmakers in Jo-Jo Townsell and Eric Martin, and they just added a potential 4th target in rookie Robb Thomas. And we are also going to give them credit for keeping a wideout on their roster just because of his outstanding special teams play, gunner extraordinaire Steve Tasker.
3. JACKSONVILLE: TE is still a big question mark, but why dink and dunk when you have the wideouts that the Bulls have. Gary Clark just catches everything. Hassan Jones and Brian Blades can stretch the fields, and despite having many defensive needs, Jacksonville spent their 1st round rookie pick on Lawyer Tillman from Auburn and signed former Steeler Weegie Thompson. Can Chris Miller keep all these potential gamebreakers happy?
4. OAKLAND: Henry Ellard is one of the league’s best and most dangerous deep threats. Pair him with former Dolphin Mark Duper and top-notch TE Raymond Chester and the Invaders have a very dangerous receiving corps. Adding another quality TE in former General and 1-year Bandit Sam Bowers, and they can now diversify their formations as well.
5. TAMPA BAY: It is all about the deep ball in Tampa, always has been, and with All-USFL regular Eric Truvillion they have a perfect target. But Tampa also has depth here, with NFL alum Chris Collinsworth, veteran Willie Gillespie in the slot, and young Brett Perriman in the wings. Tampa is still trying to find a tight end who can also stretch the field, and, of course, now start a new chapter with rookie Troy Aikman at QB, hoping to find these receivers early and often.
6. DENVER: Mouse Davis still wants to run a wide-open offense, but receivers Bill Brooks, Mark Carrier, Odessa Turner and TE Jay Novacek are better suited to a more traditional offensive scheme. That friction keeps them from reaching their full potential.
7. HOUSTON: We love Ricky Sanders, and Clarence Verdin is solid (outstanding in the return game, but just solid as a receiver), while slot receiver Ernie Jones is coming on, but Houston still has yet to find a TE to help compliment the trio.
8. PHILADELPHIA: Mike Quick has been a huge addition for the Stars, as has young receiver Quinn Early. Old hands such as Tom Donovan and Gerard Phelan still contribute, and there were signs last year that Alex Higdon is ready to step up at tight end as well.
9. ARIZONA: The combo of Trumaine Johnson, Louis Lipps and TE Terry Orr is top level, but where is the depth?
10. CHICAGO: Adding rookie TE Wesley Walls to save Chuck Long when 2nd year receivers Wendall Davis and Michael Haynes are not open was a brilliant move by Coach Bugel.
BEST DEFENSIVE FRONTS IN THE USFL
1. PHILADELPHIA: Who do you double team on this line? DT Jumpy Gaethers is a beast inside, but you also don’t want to leave William Fuller or Tony Simmons on a single blocker. Philly wins with solid defense and that starts with a line that can win consistently in the trenches.
2. WASHINGTON: Philadelphia has stiff competition for the best d-line in the league, as the Federals have put together a murderer’s row along the defensive front. Jerome Brown is quickly proving to be one of the best DT’s in all of football, while the combo of Dexter Manley and Charles Haley outside is just unfair to offensive tackles. This line can absolutely dominate a game, but they need solid play behind them to keep teams down.
3. MEMPHIS: Reggie White is a beast, an absolute terror for offensive coordinators, but if you over-compensate, Booker Reese will swoop in from the other side. The center of the line is a bit more pedestrian, but 2nd year player Curtis Maxey could come on strong this year with so much attention paid to the edges.
4. ORLANDO: Last year rookie Rueben Davis became a major name in the USFL, but the Orlando line is deeper than just this phenom. Cedrick Hardman is a solid opposite end, and now, in this year’s draft, the Renegades signed the top DT on the board in Auburn’s Tracy Rocker. This will be a tough line for years to come with these young stars.
5. MICHIGAN: Everyone focuses on Michigan’s LB corps, but Ronnie Paggett is still a handful at DE, leading the league in sacks after 6 seasons through consistent effort. On the other side Bob Otto does not get a lot of press but is solid in pass rush and run coverage.
6. BIRMINGHAM: Bob Barber and Art Still on the edge are a nightmare, but the center of the line needs to suck up more blocks to free them.
7. DENVER: Larry White outside, Laval Short inside. Nervous o-linemen all around.
8. ARIZONA: Strength in the center with DT’s Eddie Weaver and Dan Saleamua.
9. HOUSTON: Consistency is the issue, but Simon Fletcher at DE and Michael Dean Perry inside are both capable of having monstrous days.
10. PORTLAND: The Thunder have the inside set with Rollin Putzier and Mike Golic stuffing the middle, but they need to add more speed and power outside to start pressuring quarterbacks.
BEST LINEBACKING CORPS IN THE USFL
1. MICHIGAN: John Corker anchors a squad that can do it all. With Corker inside and Hardy Nickerson outside you have a powerful combo. Scott Stephen and Rick Naylor round out one of the best groups in pro football.
2. LOS ANGELES: Giving Michigan a run for their LB money are the Express. The move to bring Chip Banks in from the NFL has paid off in a major way. He lines up with Niko Noga, 2nd year beast Marcus Cotton and veteran Bob Crable to form a formidable defensive force.
3. JACKSONVILLE: The combo of Vaughan Johnson, Charles Bratton and John Smalls are asked to do a lot in the Bulls’ 4-3 alignment, and they usually come through.
4. DENVER: Kurt Gouveia, the defending defensive MVP, does it all, and Fred Strickland can also shine. Add in rookie John Roper and Denver once again looks like a team that can win on defense.
5. HOUSTON: The Gamblers rely on their defense in a way few teams do, and the leader of that D is LB Kiki DeAyala. The backers also include underrated Johnny Holland and David Peace, and they have just added depth by signing rookies Jesse Small and Chris Chenault.
6. ARIZONA: Brian Noble gets one of the most highly ranked rookie LB’s in several years with the arrival of Broderick Thomas from Nebraska. This combo should immediately improve the Wranglers oft-maligned D.
7. CHICAGO: There is a lot of potential, we just need to see more from the combo of former Cleveland Brown Clay Matthews and his squadmates Gary Reasons, Eric Scroggins, and Rich D’Amico to rank them higher.
8. BALTIMORE: Ben Apuna, Sam Norris, Brian Davila, and Ed Brady are not big names around the league, but offensive coordinators know who they are.
9. MEMPHIS: Eddie Simmons anchors this squad, which also includes Derrick Jacks and NFL veteran Michael Douglas.
10. TEXAS: We had a hard time picking a 10th solid LB corps, so we are just going to award Texas here for signing Brian Bosworth and letting him run wild. Oakland, Orlando, and Washington can be upset about this, but not really.
BEST DEFENSIVE BACKFIELDS IN THE USFL
1. PHILADELPHIA: Losing veteran and All-USFL safety Scott Woerner hurts, but Philly had a deep pool of talent and still does in the defensive backfield. CB’s Chris Dishman and Lorenzo Lynch are high energy, high impact players, and the new safety combo of Todd Bowles, Eric McMillian and recent NFL signee Glenn Blackwood should step up big for the Stars.
2. LOS ANGELES: Any defense with interception machine Raphel Cherry is sure to be a top squad. Add in the safety combo of hard-hitting Chuck Cecil and savvy Al Burleson and this is a combo that forces teams to run first because passing is no easy thing.
3. NEW JERSEY: Gary Barbaro anchors an underappreciated backfield that is one of the best in zone coverage in the league.
4. NEW ORLEANS: While the safeties for the Breakers are sometimes uneven in their play, cornerbacks Gene Atkins and Terry Daniels are perhaps the league’s best 1-2 combo.
5. MICHIGAN: Adding highly touted safety Carnell Lake to a backfield that already includes CB’s Garland Rivers and Keith Bostic is sure to help Michigan maintain their reputation for tough D.
6. TEXAS: Najee Mustafaa is the star of an underrated defensive backfield.
7. WASHINGTON: Adding rookie safety Louis Oliver to Mark Kelso and Lester Lyles gets the Feds on the list.
8. MEMPHIS: Bennie Blades was an excellent pickup last year, and CB Derrick Burroughs is consistent at CB.
9. TAMPA BAY: Roy Gee at safety and Eric Allen at CB are a solid 2-man lineup, but Tampa needs 2 more.
10. ORLANDO: Bill Bates at safety is a defensive QB on the field. Melvin Jenkins at CB is strong in the zone, but they do need more depth here.
So, with this analysis of position groups (we apologize to the O-lines, we know you are important, really, we do) what do we know about the USFL this spring? Well, we know that there are a lot of teams vying for those 10 playoff spots, some trying to return to glory, some trying to find it for the first time. With so much wide open, and with so many teams that have potential to be great but also noticeable flaws, we may see another season where 8-8 is a playoff record and 16-0 an impossibility. Here is our best guess of where things will land this year.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. PHILADELPHIA 10-6
We are just not ready to knock the Stars off the mountain top. Too much talent remains, despite the retirements of Sam Mills, Scott Woerner and Elmo Gardiner.
2. PITTSBURGH 9-7
The Maulers made huge strides last year, and we see a bright future ahead if they can just build some defensive consistency.
3. BALTIMORE 8-8
The signing of Coach Schottenheimer is bringing a lot of heat to the Blitz organization, but he will also bring a winning attitude and a hard-nosed style to the erratic Blitz team.
4. NEW JERSEY 7-9
The Generals had some really good runs last year, including a solid playoff run, but there are still so many questions about their receivers and their defense.
5. WASHINGTON 6-10
If Neil Lomax is back to his old self, or if Don Majkowski is the real deal, the Feds could be a lot better than this, but there are a lot of questions for a team that never seems to have answers.
SOUTHERN DIVISION
1. MEMPHIS 11-5
Their playoff run to the Championship Game was no fluke. This is a team that can win a lot of games with a combo of defensive muscle and offensive balance.
2. BIRMINGHAM 10-6
Stoudt, Cribbs and Co. have something to prove after last year’s collapse and quick playoff exit.
3. ORLANDO 9-7
We see Orlando making the postseason this year after coming close for the past two. A lot is riding on the ability of Reggie Collier to lead a pretty talented squad.
4. JACKSONVILLE 8-8
There is still a lot of talent on the Bulls roster, especially in the skill positions, but they have to protect Chris Miller more, and he has to do more to lead the team.
5. TAMPA BAY 5-11
This is clearly a rebuilding year for the Bandits after the retirement of John Reaves. Rookie Troy Aikman has good tools around him, but the Bandits are still a big question mark on defense.
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. HOUSTON 12-4
The defending champs will have to battle with New Orleans all year, but we think they have the talent on both sides of the ball to edge the Breakers for the #1 seed.
2. NEW ORLEANS 10-6
This is a very good team, especially on offense, but their draft was unimpressive, and their D still needs more playmakers.
3. MICHIGAN 8-8
If Jack Trudeau can play a full year, and if their defense continues to be a force, the Panthers can rebound and make it back to the postseason this year.
4. TEXAS 6-10
We are just not sold on Texas’s depth and quality across the roster. Doug Williams cannot do it alone, and we do not expect gaudy numbers from Mustafaa and Bosworth every year.
5. CHICAGO 4-12
This Machine squad is improving, but in this tough division the wins will simply be hard to come by. They could surprise, but looking at their roster, we think this will be another year of building something for the future.
PACIFIC DIVISION
1. LOS ANGELES 10-6
We always seem to be high on the potential of LA each February only to be let down by June. We are hoping this year breaks that cycle.
2. ARIZONA 8-8
The Wranglers have all the potential in the world, but it never seems to gel for them.
3. DENVER 8-8
This is a team that is relying on a lot of seasoned vets to grind their way once again to 10 or 11 wins. At some point age catches up with all of us, and when it does, Denver does not have much to fall back on.
4. OAKLAND 6-10
The Invaders have lost a lot of talent in the past few years, and we are not as certain that their replacements have been of the same quality. A lot of pressure on Gale Gilbert to evolve from last year to this year. A lot of pressure.
5. PORTLAND 3-13
We feel a bit for coach Patera. The Thunder have added talent in the draft with WR Hart Lee Dykes and HB Robert Drummond, but we just don’t see a lot of wins in their future, at least not this year.
Our prediction for the 1989 USFL Championship is a risky one. We are bucking the trends, choosing against history, and saying that the LA Express will finally max out their potential and take a title, victorious over the Philadelphia Stars, yes, the Stars again, in July’s Championship Game. It is a risky pick, and we know it, so, when LA starts the year 1-5, please don’t hold us to this. We are trying not to be boring by picking Houston or New Orleans.
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