1990 USFL Offseason Update

Sporting News, August 5, 1990

Ongoing negotiations between the NFL and USFL have led to one of the quietest USFL offseasons in memory. With one of the initial agreements being a temporary moratorium on inter-league signings, with both leagues agreeing to sign no players who played the prior season in the other league, the USFL offseason has been primarily a story of second tier players moving within the league. Yes, we have 2 new coaching hires, and yes, there were a couple of big trades, but so far this offseason has largely been one of small signings and players most people don’t know shifting around the league.

THE COACHES

Following the signing of former NY Jets Head Coach Joe Walton to lead the Denver Gold, the two other USFL franchises with openings at the Head Coach position quickly signed their new chiefs in hopes of avoiding a delay and a possible slide in the offseason.

The LA Express followed the predictions and have signed former Stanford University Head Coach Jack Elway to lead the beleaguered franchise. Elway, a California native with no pro experience, has coached at both San Jose State and Stanford, and now takes over a team with significant offensive concerns and a fan base that is not in a forgiving mood. His first order of business will likely be trying to inject some life into the offense, a group that set franchise records for futility in 1989. Expect immediate changes at quarterback, where veteran QB Walter Lewis was ineffective, and was pulled from several games in favor of untested former USC signal caller Rodney Peete. When the best QB performance of the season was led by longtime backup Frank Seurer, you know something has to change. Do not be surprised if either Lewis or Peete are let go this offseason. The good news for LA is that within their 2 territorial schools they have two of the top QB prospects in this year’s draft pool. USC’s Todd Marinovich and San Diego State’s Dan McGwire could both be protected picks for the Express. If they can sign one of those two, they may just win back some of their disgruntled fanbase.

The last open position, that of the Texas Outlaws, was also filled this week, and in a bit of a surprise the Outlaws did not bring on the flamboyant “maverick” Jerry Glanville, instead going with the somewhat stoic former Arizona Cardinals head man, Gene Stallings. Stallings, who led Texas A&M from 1965-1991 is certainly a veteran of both the pro and college game, but his stint in Arizona was not exactly stellar, leading the Cardinals through 4 losing seasons and never finishing higher than 3rd in the NFC East. Viewed as the hire of a local celebrity, known to the fans, rather than a younger, more innovative coach, this move may push Texas towards a more old school formula. With Reggie Cobb and Kelly Stouffer leading the offense, the team could still find success, but Stallings will be expected to turn around a defense which finished in the bottom 5 of the league in pretty much every category, and a team that saw an 8-4 season turn into 8-8 with a final month to forget about.

RETIREMENTS

The 1990-199 offseason’s biggest moves may be its retirements, with several USFL stars hanging up their cleats after productive careers. With the league about to enter its 9th season, some of the early stars of the fledgling spring league, who were there to watch the league grow and establish itself in the American sports scene, have reached the end of their careers and announced that they are leaving the game.

Perhaps the retirements with the biggest impact are the two big names leaving the Michigan Panthers. The first of these is halfback John Williams. Williams retires with 2 USFL Championship rings, 8,281 yards, and 53 touchdowns to his name. The Panther back has rushed for 1,000 + yards six times in his 8 years in the league and finished 1990 as the 5th ranked back in rushing yards. Never getting the acclaim of backs such as Herschel Walker or Kelvin Bryant, Williams retires ranked 6th all time in the USFL rushing recordbook.

Michigan will also be celebrating the career of LB John Corker. Corker, who came to the Panthers from the Houston Oilers, played all 8 seasons in one of the toughest linebacker corps in the league. He finishes his career with 782 tackles, 25 sacks, 9 interceptions and a reputation as one of the grittiest players in the league.

Another team with two legends retiring this year are the New Orleans Breakers, who say goodbye to both Nolan Franz and Marcus Marek. Franz came into the league with the Boston Breakers and has led the team in receiving all 8 seasons of his USFL career, finishing with 9,305 yards on 559 receptions. He burst onto the scene in 1983 with the league, when he caught 92 balls and 12 TDs. Other than an injury-plagued 1985 season, Franz has been over 900 yards receiving every season and has had double digit TD’s 6 times in his career. Marcus Marek has been the rock at the center of the Breaker defense since coming into the league from Ohio State in 1983. He retires with 862 tackles, 19 sacks, 11 interceptions and six All-USFL nominations to his name.

Mel Gray, Memphis’s all-time leading receiver and one of the oldest players in the league, has also decided the time is now to hang them up. Gray retires with 8,924 yards and an astounding 764 receptions in 8 years, having caught more than 100 balls in 6 of his seven seasons. Gray was one of the first NFL signings by the expansion Memphis Showboats in 1984, and has proven to be a master of possession receptions, averaging only 11.7 yards per catch, but always being open on a key third down.

Denver’s all-time interception leader, David Martin retires with 31 picks in his pocket. Named Defensive Player of the Year in 1984, Martin was a ballhawking man-on-man specialist for Denver.

Other retirements of note include Philadelphia DT Jumpy Gaethers (43 sacks in 8 years), Pittsburgh WR Danny Buggs (48 career TDs for the Maulers and Bandits), longtime Denver Gold and now Texas Outlaw DT Laval Short (32 sacks, 9 forced fumbles), and former Detroit Lion QB Rusty Hilger, who came to the Chicago Machine anticipating a starting role but was never able to beat out the younger Chuck Long for the job. Houston, Michigan, and Memphis are going to be looking for new kickers as Tony Franklin, Dave Jacobs and Ali Haji-Sheikh have also opted to retire this offseason. Apparently, the lure of the golf course was too great.

THE TRADE WIRE

Two big trades made news this past month. One expected and one catching everyone by surprise. We start with a trade most expected to be in the works. After a strong 959-yard rookie season with the Machine, HB Jamie Morris has failed to provide the spark needed for the Machine run game, rushing for only 536 yards in ’89 and 631 last year. Chicago had been seeking a trade partner for Morris and found one in Jacksonville, who had been unsatisfied with the production from veteran James Wilder (802 yards and a 3.5 YPC average). It appears that the Bulls are looking at the success of rushing duos in New Orleans, Memphis and Arizona and is ready to pair Morris with Wilder. They send LB Fred Smalls and a 6th round pick in the 1992 draft to Chicago for Jamie Morris. Chicago will almost certainly be looking for a lead back in this year’s draft, with several strong candidates available, including Leonard Russell (ASU), Harvey Williams (LSU), and Eric Bienemy (Colorado), though the inside track may be for Chicago to use their territorial rights to Notre Dame to approach Golden Domer Ricky Watters.

The other big trade, and the one that no one saw coming was a QB swap. Jacksonville head coach Galen Hall bought himself a reprieve after an 0-8 start by winning 6 of 8 games, but the development of QB Chris Miller has simply not panned out for the Bulls. Meanwhile in New Jersey, the competition between starter Doug Flutie and backup Timm Rosenbach has divided the team. Rosenbach has had enough success subbing for the veteran Flutie that some have started to question whether the veteran’s unorthodox style is a hinderance to the Generals offense. Rosenbach has openly pushed for a legitimate chance to start. Well, it would seem that Coach Perkins has had enough. The Generals trade Rosenbach to the Bulls, sending along a 1992 3rd rounder as well to obtain Chris Miller. Miller, whose more dynamic style is more akin to Flutie’s would be expected to back up the former Heisman winner, with a chance to start should Flutie’s performance in 1991 prove uneven, while Rosenbach is now the presumptive starter in Jacksonville, with only veteran Tony Eason to compete with in the Bulls QB battle. It is certainly unusual to see a 3,000 yard passer traded to become a backup, but Miller has not found success in the wins-loses column in Jacksonville, and he may have a legitimate chance to replace Flutie in New Jersey, while the outspoken Rosenbach gets what he has been demanding, a chance to prove himself as a starter with the Bulls.

FREE AGENCY

As we stated earlier, this offseason is defined by the lack of inter-league signing due to the moratorium created as part of the two league’s ongoing arbitration process, and by the movement primarily of second tier players. That is not to say that some of the moves may not make an impact, just that it is not exactly front page news when a backup guard changes teams. Looking at the moves made this offseason, here are the player relocations that will likely have the greatest impact on their teams.

WR Vic James, who had three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for Denver early in his career, is leaving Orlando and signing with the Memphis Showboats, who apparently just love wideouts in their 30’s. James had career lows with Orlando last year, appearing in only 2 games and making only 1 reception.

FB Tim Manoa to Houston. The Gamblers nab one of the premier fullbacks in the game, hoping to help Thurman Thomas do even more by signing the former Blitz roadgrater.

HB Lydell Carr signed by Michigan. The former Renegade did not get a lot of carries in Orlando, but Michigan, hoping to restock the backfield after the retirement of John Williams hopes he has juice in those legs.

QB Brent Pease, who ended up 3rd on the depth chart in Michigan, is hoping to move up a notch in Orlando, where he can compete to back up Reggie Collier, the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.

G Jeff Zimmerman moves from Tampa Bay to New Orleans. Another improvement for the Breakers run game and a possible concern for Tampa’s already weak run game.

WR Steve Tasker has not caught on as a receiver in LA, but has been a shining star on special teams. Texas, which already had Carlos Carson and Eric Metcalf at wideout will likely limit Tasker’s role to kick coverage as well.

LB Glen Davila, a longtime member of the Blitz defense, is headed to the other coast, signing with Portland.

DE John Cade, who appeared in 11 games for the league champion Federals last year will now shoot for a starting position in Jacksonville.

QB Jason Garrett, let go by Pittsburgh, signed on as the 3rd QB in New Jersey. The Princeton grad will likely see more clipboard time than playing time for the Generals.

G Harry Grimminger shifts from New Orleans to Oakland. The veteran who started 11 games for the Breakers in 1985 has been a backup for several years but hopes to get into the starting 11 for the Invaders.

TE Abraham Davis from Philadelphia to Tampa Bay. Tampa continues to seek out a consistent dual option at the position as both their run and pass games hope to improve in 1991.

CHAMPION REVEALS UPDATES TO TWO TEAMS

Champion Athletics, which is the uniform supplier for 4 of the 20 USFL squads, has announced updates for the Arizona Wranglers and New Orleans Breakers. Both clubs had very successful 1990 campaigns, but fell short of a title, New Orleans losing to the Wranglers in the Conference Title Game, while Arizona came up just short against Washington in Summer Bowl 1990.

The Wranglers look changes only slightly from their familiar copper helmet and flame-bedecked copper pants. The jersey is really the only adjustment, with a new number font which has a “flame” effect built in and some shifts in the sleeve cuff and collar striping, the changes are likely to be noticed only by the most attentive of fans. The other addition is a small “State of Football” patch which features the flag of Arizona within a silhouette of the state itself. This decal appears at the rear of the helmet and will also be used on marketing products for the team.

The Breakers’ new look is a bit more of a departure, although once again the main components of the longstanding Ocean Blue, Navy and Grey Sky uniforms remain. The helmet remains the same, with the crashing waves extending along both sides and meeting in the back. The new “Crescent City” decal on the back is small enough to go unnoticed at any distance, but ties the franchise to the city. The biggest adjustment is with the striping, both on the pants and the sleeves. Gone are the straight line stripes typical of 1980’s design, and in their place are wave-like stripes meant to evoke the team’s names. The stripes vary in width along their length, giving the illusion of rising and ebbing waves. On the sleeves the two gulls found in the team logo also make an appearance, tying the uniform to the logo more closely.

So no major departures for Champion Athletic with these redesigns. We shall see if Russell Athletic does anything more radical with their upcoming reveal of the new look for the Oakland Invaders. We hope nothing too drastic, as Oakland’s Air Force inspired look is one of our favorites in the league.