Sporting News, December 8, 1990
In what may be the last USFL draft held without alterations from the NFL-USFL arbitration the league’s 20 franchises will try to fill roster gaps, upgrade positions, offset retirements, and hope to find some immediate impact playmakers. As has been the case for its first 8 seasons, we should expect that about half of the USFL picks will decline offers and hold out for an NFL selection, so while we will list many options available to USFL franchises this year, know going in that there will be several players who will decline to meet with USFL personnel staff and more still that will postpone a decision until the NFL draft in April. With that being the reality, USFL scouts, GM’s and coaches need to choose wisely, scouting not only talent but attitude and openness to the spring league. In our preview we will comment only when it is already established that a player is looking towards the NFL draft and may be unpersuadable.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
BALTIMORE BLITZ
DRAFT NEEDS: LB, HB, DE, DT, S
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Recognizing that outside of Maryland, the regional schools are not going to produce much talent, Baltimore opted to select two distant schools among their territorial picks, Ok State and Minnesota may produce some good quality for them. From Maryland the top prospect is QB Scott Zolak, but that is a position of strength for Baltimore, so expect them to look perhaps at T Clarence Jones or G O’Neill Glenn. Minnesota’s best fit might be DT Mike Sunvold and OK State could give them a WR in Curtis Mayfield, or they could go for safety Joe King.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: With Tim Spencer simply not producing as a lead back for Baltimore, they may want to take a shot at a top-level halfback. There is no one in that category in their territorial schools, so they may have to spend a high open draft pick to sign one. They have been eyeing both ASU’s Leonard Russell and LSU’s Harvey Williams, but both of those are potential T-draft signees by the Wranglers and Breakers. If HB is not an option in the first round, they could try to fill one of their many defensive needs.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
DRAFT NEEDS: DE, CB, WR, HB, C, G
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: With Auburn and Alabama in their state, the Stallions always have good talent in their T-Draft. This year DT is a very talented pool from those schools, but not a high need for the Stallions. They may take a shot at Auburn HB James Joseph for depth, or look at Alabama S Efrum Thomas, but the Stallions also chose Southern Miss as their 3rd school, and that, in our minds, can only mean one thing, they are going to take a shot at signing QB Brett Favre. With both Cliff Stoudt and Bob Lane getting long in the tooth, signing a physically talented but not-ready-for-prime-time talent like Favre as an eventual replacement may be a very shrewd move.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Birmingham needs to add some more speed to their WR corps. Ernest Givens is getting double covered on every play and it impedes the Stallions offense, so expect Birmingham to look for a wideout early, since there are no good prospects for them in the T-Draft. Alvin Harper from Tennessee or Mike Pritchard may be good options if one escapes the T-Draft. Otherwise, look at someone like UTEP’s Reggie Barrett or Grambling’s Jake Reed.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
DRAFT NEEDS: LB, T, G, CB, HB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: After trading for Jamie Morris, Jacksonville may skip HB in the draft and focus on defense. With Georgia, FSU, and NC State as territorial schools, the Bulls have some good talent to look at. We like the look of Georgia’s Mo Lewis or FSU’s Anthony Moss at LB. They could also look at NC State DE Mike Jones or CB Joe Johnson.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Even if we assume that Jacksonville can get 1-2 solid defenders in the T-draft, they may take a shot on a high round defender in the Open Draft. Their other high need is to add quality to their O-line, so a bookend tackle like either Charlie McRae or Antone Davis, both from Tennessee, could be a choice and the Showboats likely won’t use 2 T-draft picks to acquire both.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
DRAFT NEEDS: DT, DE, TE, QB, HB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Memphis saw what having a stud at DT did to free up Manley and Haley in Washington, and they would love to do the same for league MVP Reggie White, so expect them to take a shot or two on DT’s. But, their schools, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, do not provide much there, so look for them to use the T-Draft for other positions. Tennessee is graduating three mid-range halfbacks, and Memphis could take a shot on one of them. They don’t need immediate help there, but having someone in hand in case either Dupree or Jordan go down is smart. TE is the only other position with a viable candidate, Mizzou’s Tim Bruton.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Here is where Memphis will go for their DT desires. This is a deep draft in that position, but so many of the top talents are at T-draft protected schools, so it is all about who falls through the cracks and is available in the Open Draft. One possible candidate is Wake Forest’s Eric Swann, another is Louisville’s Ted Washington.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
DRAFT NEEDS: DE, DT, G, C, P
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Once again being a Northeastern team has its disadvantages. Having Rutgers, Syracuse and BC as territorial schools was seen as such a disadvantage that the league allows NJ a fourth non-regional school, and they have once again picked Oklahoma. That is one of their best options this year as the Sooners hae several talented players, but the one NJ should focus on would be DT Scott Evans, who would fit well within their scheme. They may also take a shot at TE Adrian Cooper from the Sooners and could look at Syracuse center John Flannery, although not a position of immediate need.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Just like Memphis, the Generals are going to have to wait and watch as teams work through the T-Draft, because so many of the best D-linemen (Russell Maryland, Huey Richardson, Bobby Wilson, Kelvin Pritchett, etc.) are leaving schools on another team’s protected list.
ORLANDO RENEGADES
DRAFT NEEDS: CB, HB, WR, G
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: After selecting U. of Miami and UNC, the Renegades surprised many by choosing UCF as their third territorial school. That means they are coveting either safety Raymond Irvin or WR Shawn Jefferson, maybe both. With Miami on board, they are in the driver’s seat if anyone wants a guaranteed shot at Russell Maryland, Randall Hill or Heisman Winner Craig Erickson. Don’t expect Orlando to go after Maryland, because the big man seems a prime candidate to wait for the NFL, and Orlando does not see DT as a high need. They may let someone else swing for the fences on that pick.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: We know that Orlando is going to sign multiple draftees in two key positions ,WR and CB, but they may also go for a mid-round HB to help spell Curtis Bledsoe. Cornerback is a deep position in this year’s draft, so do not be surprised if the Renegades spread CB picks throughout their draft.
PHILADELPHIA STARS
DRAFT NEEDS: OL, DT, DE, QB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Like the other Northeast teams, the Stars went well beyond their region with their protected schools, adding both Louisville and Iowa to their usual pick of Penn State. Iowa seems an odd pick, as their best position this year is HB, which Philly does not need, but Louisville could produce some solid options, including a possible heir apparent for the oldest QB in football, Chuck Fusina. Browning Nagle has impressed scouts and we would not be surprised if Philly nabbed him with a T-Draft pick to groom him behind Fusina.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Philadelphia has solid talent all across their roster, but they need depth on both the O-line and D-line. Replacing retired DT Jumpy Geathers is likely their #1 priority and may be the target of their #1 pick. If not, if they go O-line, there are some quality DT prospects, perhaps a bit raw, in the later rounds.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
DRAFT NEEDS: DT, DE, LB, CB, WR
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: The Maulers once again sound like a broken record. Great HB, solid QB, but they just cannot get a consistent defense behind them. DT is their top need, and in Pitt’s Mark Gunn they have a good shot at signing at least one solid candidate there. I expect they will try to sign at least 2 DTs. Their other top school is Ohio State, but this year looks weak in Buckeyes, with WR being the best position. The Maulers likely will take a shot at either Jeff Graham or Bobby Olive, but will either sign with the team? Seems unlikely.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: It is hard to figure the Maulers’ strategy here. Go for smaller school talent who are more likely to sign before the NFL draft or take a shot on big names and hope they can convince them to sign? If this were LA or NY it would be easier, but for many the thought of signing for the Maulers and giving up a chance with the Steelers is still a tall order.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
DRAFT NEEDS: TE, C, K, DE, DT
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Having the rights to all Gator grads, the Bandits could take a shot at DE Huey Richardson, LB Godfrey Miles, or WR Ernie Mills. Tampa also has the Clemson players, so expect either CB Dexter Davis or DT Vance Howard to be a target.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: While not a top selection, the Bandits clearly need to upgrade at kicker. Benny Ricardo has just not been consistent enough. Georgia’s John Kasay, FSU’s Richie Andrews, or Cal’s Robbie Keen each have potential to be a more accurate option at the position.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
DRAFT NEEDS: S, G, WR, DT
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: League champions rarely have profound needs, but Washington has a shot at a major upgrade in one key area in their T-Draft. UVa’s Herman Moore has expressed openness to signing with the USFL, and certainly being selected by the defending league champion with a QB who is another Wahoo in Don Majkowski would be attractive to Moore.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Safety is the deepest need for Washington, so expect them to look for one early in the draft. The top safeties on the board include UCLA’s Eric Turner, Texas’s Stanley Richard, and Indiana’s Mike Dumas.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
DRAFT NEEDS: LB, DT, WR, TE, P
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: The U. of Arizona has some good talent to contribute to the Wranglers this year. We love DT Paul Glonek as a potential Wrangler, and CB Reggie Johnson is certainly worth a look. The big question is if the Wranglers, with a solid combo at HB with Lionel James and Darryl Clack will take a flyer on the top HB in the draft, Sun Devil Leonard Russel.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: The Wranglers would love to add more options for Robbie Bosco and TE Terry Orr is clearly losing a step, so TE might be a priority. They also need to sign a punter after a mediocre season on special teams last year, but that is a final round pick if we have ever seen one.
CHICAGO MACHINE
DRAFT NEEDS: HB, LB, G, CB, QB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT OPTIONS: When Chicago traded away Jamie Morris we all knew what they were thinking. Morris’s production had been fading since his rookie season and one of the most versatile backs in football is prime for a Chicago T-Draft signing. Expect Ricky Watters to be wooed heavily by Coach Bugel and the Machine.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Chicago needs to shore up its LB corps, so early picks in this position seem likely. Expect 2-3 choices across both drafts. They may also use a mid-round pick to sign a suitable backup to Chuck Long as Reggie Slack has not yet been able to lock up the #2 position in Chicago.
DENVER GOLD
DRAFT NEEDS: G, S, CB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Guard and DB are the two obvious areas of need for the Gold, though new coach Joe Walton may also want to add some offensive support for Bob Gagliano. As usual the combo of Colorado, BYU and Nebraska offers options. If CB is a priority (which it should be) then Denver should take a serious look at either Nebraska CB Bruce Pickens or BYU CB Brian Mitchell.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Expect Denver to use multiple picks to find a guard who is game ready. They cannot afford to develop over time, and a miscue at the position would be rough, so we expect several guards to be picked in hopes that one shines in camp. Ed King of Auburn is the highest rated guard, but we are not sure that Denver will have a shot at him unless Birmingham passes in the T-Draft.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
DRAFT NEEDS: DE, LB, G, TE, K
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Texas A&M is the best of Houston’s pipeline schools, and there is some good talent there, including TE Dennis Ransom, LB William Thomas, S Larry Horton, and C Mike Arthur. The best player from either U. of Houston or TCU is LB Reggie Burnette of the Cougars.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Houston, like Tampa, will want to sign a kicker, as Dave Jacobs’ retirement leaves them without a solid option at the position. And while Keith McKeller did well at TE for Houston, they will almost certainly use an early pick to find a more athletic option at the position.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
DRAFT NEEDS: QB, WR, HB, G, DL
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: More than anything else, the Express need to draft for box office cache. They lost a lot of fans last year with their no-name offense, and after releasing QB Walter Lewis they either have to turn the offense over to Rodney Peete or sign a rookie. Expect LA to select both USC’s Todd Marinovich and SDSU’s Dan McGwire, hoping that one of them will forego the NFL draft and sign with the team.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: QB is one key position, but LA needs to add a talented and marketable HB or WR this year to win back fans. Looking at both positions, the two best candidates to bring both excitement and production in their first year are halfback Eric Bienemy of Colorado and wideout Rocket Ismael of Notre Dame. Don’t be surprised if LA uses early picks on both (assuming Denver and Chicago don’t use T-Draft picks on them.)
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
DRAFT NEEDS: LB, DE, S, QB, K
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: The retirements of John Williams and John Corker will transform the look of the Panthers this year. They need to pick up some LB help and having Michigan State protected means they have a shot at two very good LB options in Dixon Edwards and Carlos Jenkins. They also have swapped out Central Michigan for Western this year, which makes us think that they want to use the T-Draft to potentially sign the very energetic Bronco LB Terry Crews.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: No one is sure if Michigan’s signing of Lydell Carr from the Renegades, paired with Vince Workman means the Panthers are set at HB or if they will take a shot at one in the Open Draft. We are gambling that they don’t and will focus instead on other needs such as Defensive End or Safety. The best DE who is not at a T-Draft protected college is Wisconsin’s Don Davey, who won’t be much of a pass rusher but provides excellent run coverage. Another possible target, perhaps in the 2nd or 3rd round would be UT-Chattanooga’s Tony Hill, who offers more pass rush upside.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
DRAFT NEEDS: WR, T, DT, CB, P
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: It is unlikely that the Breakers will find a replacement for the retired Nolan Franz in the draft, and while they do have some options with their three protected schools, LSU wideout Slip Watkins and LA Tech’s Bobby Slaughter are not considered top tie. Expect New Orleans to possibly take a shot at a wideout in the open spot, and to focus on other position needs here.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Wideout should be a priority here if some of the top prospects like Miami’s Randall Hill, Colorado’s Mike Pritchard, or Tennessee’s Alvin Harper are unchosen in the T-Draft, expect New Orleans to test the waters.
OAKLAND INVADERS
DRAFT NEEDS: G, T, TE, HB, WR, CB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: There really isn’t a position where Oakland could not upgrade. Looking at their protected schools (Stanford, Cal, and Fresno St.) we like the possibility of them signing several players, including Stanford wideout Ed McCaffrey, who has the look and feel of a USFL signee looking for a shot, and Oakland would be a good fit.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: The Invaders have a wide open table in front of them. They could go defense, such as a CB or DT, or they could strengthen their O-line early in the draft. We expect that somewhere in the draft they will also try to upgrade their backup HB position as Paul Palmer has had injury issues which have been problematic for the Invaders.
PORTLAND THUNDER
DRAFT NEEDS: TE, T, C, DT, CB, S, HB
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Portland has to hit on some T-Draft picks because they traded away so many picks in last year’s trade frenzy that their Open Draft will be a short one. The best prospects out of their 3 schools (Oregon, Oregon State, Washington) are safety Charles Mincey of Washington, DT Esera Tuaolo of Oregon State, and tackle Pellom McDaniels, also of the Beavers. They could go after Oregon QB Bill Musgrave, but with David Archer in camp, the need is just not there.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Withonly 5 picks in the open draft due to last year’s trades, Portland still has a lot of needs. Expect them to try to strengthen their run game by signing a possible contributor at right tackle, and to add depth to their TE corps, which was pretty poor behind starter Clint Didier.
TEXAS OUTLAWS
DRAFT NEEDS: DB, OL,
TERRITORIAL DRAFT TALENT: Whether it is Safety or Corner, Texas clearly needs help in the defensive backfield. They could get some from their protected schools. Baylor safety Charles Bell looks like a solid option, as does Texas’s Stanley Richard (if he will sign with the USFL). The O-line is another area of need, so perhaps Longhorn tackle Stan Thomas is a pick.
OPEN DRAFT OPTIONS: Don’t expect any offensive skills players here. Texas needs to shore up the line in front of Kelly Stouffer and find a way to keep other teams from burning that secondary, so those two areas will likely occupy all the top rounds for the Outlaws.