1990 USFL Western Conference Preview

Sporting News, February 11, 1990

The story in the Western Conference is all about the quarterbacks. Texas and Los Angeles were forced to make major trades to replace NFL departures Doug Williams and Steve Young. Houston is trying to figure out what happened to Jim Kelly last year. Oakland and Arizona are still unsure about what they have at the position. Portland imported David Archer from the NFL to try to gain some traction in their division, while Michigan is just hoping that Jack Trudeau will stay healthy. It is going to be a wild ride all season as the 10 teams out west battle to define themselves and string together enough wins to avoid road playoff games.

CENTRAL DIVISION PREVIEW

Predicted Order of Finish: New Orleans Breakers (11-5), Houston Gamblers (10-6), Michigan Panthers (8-8), Chicago Machine (8-8), Texas Outlaws (6-10)

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (11-5 in 1989, Division Winner)

Biggest Change: The departure of SS Joe Restic will hurt the Breakers defense, but they still have some solid performers on the defensive side of the ball and their offense remained intact and very dangerous.

Biggest Question: The Breakers have quietly won the division 3 of the past 4 years. Can they win a third in a row and, more importantly, can they finally get over the hump and appear in their first Championship? They have the weapons to do it, do they have the focus?

Rookie to Watch: We love the addition of Lamar Lathon at LB with the Breakers’ first round pick. Lathon is a thumper who will make opposing backs fear the big hit. If Lathon can help New Orleans cause more turnovers, or even get off the field on more third downs, the Breakers could be in for that Championship run they covet.

Outlook: New Orleans has to be the favorite for the division. They are solid at every key offensive position and have made some good additions on defense. After two straight division titles, the Breakers will want more. They want a shot at the title.

HOUSTON GAMBLERS (10-6 in 1989, Wild Card)

Biggest Change: Houston lost two big contributors in WR Ricky Sanders and DE Simon Fletcher. Sanders has been the #1 receiver for Jim Kelly since both began with the Gamblers in 1984. While Clarence Verdin and Ernie Jones remain from a deep receiver group, neither is a true #1. On defense, the loss of Fletcher may force the Gamblers to be more creative to generate pass rush. Houston signed USFL DE turned NFL DT, and now back to DE with the Gamblers, Adam Carreker, but he is not a pure pass rusher.

Biggest Question: Just how will new head coach Ray Willsey change up the Houston formula for success? The Gamblers already looked to shore up lost positions with 2 WR’s chosen in the draft along with three D-linemen, but just how will the Gamblers be different this year? And will any changes Willsey makes help Jim Kelly avoid the costly interceptions that plagued him last year?

Rookie to Watch: Houston drafted 2 wideouts, and if camp is any indication the plan will be to run more 2-WR sets with new TE Keith McKellor helping the run game, but when they do go 3-wide, look out for rookie Ricky Proehl in the slot. Verdin almost certainly will move outside, and the quick-footed Proehl could excel as a slot receiver.

Outlook: Houston has a new Head Coach, and the losses of Fletcher and Sanders will certainly hurt, but this is a team with a ton of talent on defense, a gunslinger at QB and a dual threat RB in Thurman Thomas. We expect good things from this roster, but can they get back for a 3rd Championship game appearance?

MICHIGAN PANTHERS (10-6 in 1989, Wild Card)

Biggest Change: If the loss of Sanders hurts Houston, the signing of Anthony Carter by the NFL’s Vikings is a mortal wound for the Panthers. When paired with Derrick Holloway, Carter was nearly unstoppable. He is one of football’s great deep threats. Without him the Panthers may have to look at multiple options to help free up Holloway. They brought in Danny Knight from Birmingham, and drafted Wolverine Chris Calloway, but neither bring the breakaway speed that Carter possessed.

Biggest Question: Can the Panthers return to defensive dominance? The big names are still there, Corker, Paggett, Nickerson, Bostic and Carnell Lake, but the fire was just not there last year. With John Williams definitely losing a step, and no Carter to take the roof off the pass game, the Panthers will need that defense to be at least a Top 5 squad if they want to return to playoff glory (and wins).

Rookie to Watch: Michigan spent an early pick on DE Renaldo Turnbull from West Virginia, in the hopes that they could replicate the 1-2 punches we have seen have such success in Birmingham and Memphis. If Turnbull brings what his film promises, it could lead Ronnie Paggett to return to 20 sack form again.

Outlook: Michigan looked like the best team in the league until Jack Trudeau got hurt and the offense fizzled. If Trudeau can stay healthy, and if the new receivers can help free up Holloway, the Panthers could be a surprise division winner, but that is a lot of ifs for us to predict such a thing at this stage.

CHICAGO MACHINE (7-9 in 1989, 5th in Division)

Biggest Change: Chicago lost one of their premier players in LB Clay Matthews, but they gave as good as they got in free agency, signing not only a high quality LB for themselves in Buffalo’s Darryl Talley, but also snagging a local favorite to shore up the run game in DT Dan Hampton of the Bears. These two should help an already good Machine defense become even stronger.

Biggest Question: Is this the year that Chuck Long makes the leap? Chicago has been very patient with Long over the past 3 seasons, but even as his production has increased, he remains middle of the pack among USFL quarterbacks. Chicago needs more. It may be time to take a look at former NFL QB Rusty Hilger. Chicago also took a flyer on Auburn QB Reggie Slack, but he is seen as a developmental player who is likely to be the emergency quarterback only.

Rookie to Watch: Joe Bugel wants to win at the line of scrimmage, and adding 3 D-linemen, all early round picks, may be another step to building a solid rotation on the line. NC State’s Ray Agnew will likely start opposite Dwayne Board outside, while Memphis’s Torey Epps could work his way into the DT rotation.

Outlook: Chicago has a defense that could propel them to their first playoff appearance. And they have young talent on offense, so the pressure is on both Coach Bugel and Chuck Long to make the offense just good enough to keep ahead of their opposition and let the defense help them hold leads and salt away winnable games.

TEXAS OUTLAWS (8-8 in 1989, 4th in Division)

Biggest Change: No team was hit harder than Texas by NFL raids. Bad enough they lose veteran QB Doug Williams, but they also saw HB Stump Mitchell return to the NFL. Then, as if that were not tough enough, backup HB Scott Stamper announced his retirement. So, what does Texas do. They trade with Arizona to bring in Kelly Stouffer to lead the team, a move that has to upset both Glen Carano and Mike Shula, both of whom thought they would get a shot at starting. To replace Mitchell, the Outlaws got Lee Rouson from Denver and then drafted a potential lead back in Tennessee’s Reggie Cobb.

Biggest Question: Did Texas do enough to stop the bleeding? We like Stouffer, but he is no Doug Williams, and while Reggie Cobb has potential, there is no guarantee that he can match the consistent production of Stump Mitchell. And in the process of trading to acquire replacements for Mitchell and Williams, Texas gave up a lot of draft picks, ending up with only 5 signees this year. We cannot help but think that the Outlaws took a big step back this year.

Rookie to Watch: Cobb is the obvious choice, but don’t sleep on DE Lester Archambeau. He has the athleticism and drive to be a special player on a relatively weak Outlaws front line.

Outlook: Texas got slammed this offseason, and we are just not confident that they come into 1990 looking better than the team that lost their last 4 games last season, sliding from 8-4 right out of playoff contention at 8-8. We think this year’s team will be very happy to be back at 8 wins.

PACIFIC DIVISION PREVIEW

Predicted Order of Finish: Denver (10-6), Oakland (9-7), Arizona (7-9), Los Angeles (5-11), Portland (4-12)

DENVER GOLD (10-6 in 1989, Championship Runner Up)

Biggest Change: Denver had both NFL raid issues and salary cap concerns, which made for an awkward offseason just after climbing all the way to the USFL Championship Game. Harry Sydney, a constant presence for the Gold, is now gone. CB Solomon Wilcots also left for the NFL, and the Gold sent both DT Laval Short and HB Lee Rouson to Texas for DT Dave Butz, a lateral move that helped save cap space but did not improve the team.

Biggest Question: Did Denver’s gambit on trading players for picks pan out? The Gold had an impressive 8 draftees sign on with the team, but now we have to see if any of them pan out and help the Gold improve on their 10-win finish and playoff run. They have tasted success, and now they have the title in their sights. Can the youth movement help them get there?

Rookie to Watch: Two rookies from the Gold’s 8-player stash stand out to us in camp. HB Barry Foster from Arkansas looks like a perfect fit to take over Harry Sydney’s roll as Thunder to Timmy Smith’s Lightning. And adding UCLA linebacker Marvcus Patton also looks like an immediate upgrade for the Gold linebacking corps. Expect him to line up alongside Kurt Gouveia, John Roper and Fred Strickland from day one to provide Denver with one of the best 3-4 linebacking groups in football.

Outlook: Denver has a legitimate chance to repeat as both Division Champ and Western Conference rep in the Championship. With added youth and energy on defense, a solid mix of run and pass, and a dependable line protecting Bob Gagliano, the Gold are poised for another good year.

OAKLAND INVADERS (10-6 in 1989, Wild Card)

Biggest Change: Oakland came on strong in the second half of 1989 and hope to carry that momentum into 1990. Losing Kevin Gogan on the O-line is tough, but it was the only major loss for the Invaders. They were also a non-player in free agency, choosing to resign their own instead of searching for new talent. That consistency and coherence may serve them well this year when so many other teams are trying to redefine themselves.

Biggest Question: Is Gale Gilbert the long-term answer at QB? Gilbert had his best season and did finish 5th in the league in QB Rating by season’s end, so the answer may be “yes”. And while he has been efficient, the Invaders are hoping for more than his 17 TD’s last year in order to fully trust him. Waiting in the wings is former NFL QB Jeff Kemp. Gilbert needs to show this year that he can be more than a game manager if Oakland is going to make a return to the playoffs.

Rookie to Watch: Oakland played it safe in free agency, putting faith into their draft, but when we look at the players chosen we are not sure we see any immediate help here. DT Jeff Alm from Notre Dame will likely see some playing time, as will U. of Houston CB Chris Ellison, but we just don’t see any breakout stars in this bunch.

Outlook: Oakland could go 12-4 or 8-8 and we just don’t know which is more likely. They are clearly better than several teams in the division, but with a strong Central Division even a 2nd place finish may not be enough to garner a Wild Card slot.

ARIZONA WRANGLERS (6-10 in 1989, 4th in Pacific)

Biggest Change: Arizona’s big issue this offseason was the cap. They started free agency significantly over the cap, but through some shrewd trading were able to get back to a comfortable surplus to be able to sign a decent rookie class. They traded away QB Kelly Stouffer, so now they have to hope that Robbie Bosco does not repeat his injury-filled 1989. They also traded away HB James Wilder, who never produced his strong NFL numbers for the Wranglers. In his place they signed scatback Lionel James from the NFL Chargers and will likely promote Darryl Clack to the starting position.

Biggest Question: Will Arizona finally put together a solid year on defense. The talent is there. We love Brian Noble and Broderick Thomas at LB. There is also good talent on the line with veteran Earl Weaver and massive Dan Saleaumua, and they can now rotate in rookie Mike Lodish from UCLA to avoid tiring out the vets. Everson Walls and Nate Odoms are also a solid 1-2 combo at corner. Safety is still a question, but the Wranglers signed 2 rookies in hopes that one of them would emerge.

Rookie to Watch: Arizona garnered a lot of picks with all their trades, and they ended up signing a record 11 drafted players. Of those, the best of the bunch may be Lodish at DT, though we also like guards Mike Brennan and Glenn Parker. They also used a territorial pick to sign QB Scott Mitchell of Utah, who will likely end up 3rd behind Bosco and Blair Kiel, who was acquired from Texas in the Kelly Stouffer trade.

Outlook: If the defense can play up to their potential, and Bosco can stay upright, this Wrangler squad could see major improvements in their record and playoff hopes, but we feel like we have said this before and it has not panned out.

LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (7-9 in 1989, 3rd in Division)

Biggest Change: You all know what we are going to say. We like Walter Lewis, and he was certainly serviceable in Memphis before being supplanted by Mike Kelley, but he is no Steve Young. Losing Young was a major blow for the Express. It is basically Van Halen losing David Lee Roth. People showed up just to see him, even when the Express were losing. Without him we already see that season ticket sales have taken a 33% dip in the fickle LA market. Add to this the loss of HB Christian Okoye and SS Chuck Cecil and we are looking at a very different LA Express team, and one that looks to be in full rebuild mode.

Biggest Question: Who is going to run the ball for the Express. We fully expected the Express to take a serious run at a topflight back such as Blair Thomas, Emmitt Smith, or Rodney Hamption. While we like Darrell Thompson from Minnesota, we are not sold that he can carry the load for LA’s preferred power run game. And what is behind him on the roster? Tim Richardson, Mel Gray, and Spencer Tillman (acquired from Jacksonville) do not fill us with a sense of security about the Express run game.

Rookie to Watch: Thompson is the biggest name in the small LA draft pool (they signed only 6 rookies), and is likely the only one of the six to get a lot of early season playing time. Safeties Pat Eilers (Notre Dame) and Anthony Shelton (Tenn State) will have roles to play but will not be reminding anyone of Chuck Cecil.

Outlook: LA feels very much like a team on the ropes and in need of rebuilding. Walter Lewis is a stopgap for them on offense, and their ramschackle backfield does not inspire confidence either. They still have a strong receiving corps in Eric Martin, Jo-Jo Townsell, and Todd Christiansen, but is that enough?

PORTLAND THUNDER (1-15 in 1989, 5th in the West)

Biggest Change: Portland had a ton of cap room and while their defense was pretty atrocious last year, they spent most of their cap money on offense. Portland was far and away the most aggressive team in NFL signings, bringing in QB David Archer, WR Cris Carter, and trading for WR Webster Slaughter. They did sign former Charger Gill Byrd at CB and their draft was almost entirely defensive, so we still expect improvement on what was one of the worst pass defenses we have eve seen last year.

Biggest Question: Are the Thunder headed in the right direction? It seems so. The Kerwin Bell experiment at QB does not seem to have worked, and the signing of David Archer seems to indicate that the Portland front office recognizes this. They did lose Flipper Anderson to the NFL, but signing both Cris Carter and Webster Slaughter (from Washington) seems a clear upgrade in the receiving corps. We still do not trust HB Robert Drummond to be a 1,000-yard bellcow, but maybe he will get a boost from the presence of rookie Derrick Loville. And we are all waiting to see if Byrd and the rookies on defense can improve that sad sack group.

Rookie to Watch: Portland drafted and signed 5 players on defense, and the most promising by far seems is LB Bobby Houston from NC State. He looks like a plug and play guy to us and will likely lineup on the Strong side, next to veteran Mike Weddington and opposite Billie Ray Smith. Another to watch out for is CB Le-Lo Lang who could move from the Nickel to the #2 CB as the season progresses.

Outlook: Are the Thunder ready to challenge for the division title? No. But will they win 3 or fewer games again? Also no. We think they will be a better team but are still a year or two away from truly challenging. Their goal this year should be to play in more close games, and win a few of them too.