1991 USFL Midseason Review

Sporting News, April 30, 1991

Once again we reach the midpoint of a USFL season and once again we find ourselves surprised by the storylines which have developed over the first eight weeks of the year. Teams we expected to dominate are struggling, and some we figured as also-rans are surprising us with solid victories over tough opponents. The world is not completely upside down, but there have certainly been a fair share of surprises and new storylines to watch closely. Before we get to the team-by-team breakdown, complete with rankings in 8 major statistical categories), let’s take a look at some of the storylines which are making this season one of the league’s most intriguing.

1. Quarterback Quandries: Several teams have had to use two or more QB’s to complete games this year, and whether by trade or injury we have seen several QB Controversies emerge. Those teams with solid and clear #1s at the position seem in good shape, while those who are struggling seem to also be finding it difficult to decide who should be calling the shots on offense. Right now we would say that there are at least teams who simply do not know who their starter should be.

New Jersey: Doug Flutie is in a clear competition with Chris Miller for the starting job, and the pressure is on for Flutie to deliver. And yet, if Coach Perkins goes with Miller you can fully expect Flutie to seek a new home for next season. He has not taken well the pressure first from Rosenbach and now from Miller and will not take a benching well.

Baltimore: They brought in Bob Gagliano to compete with Eric Kramer, but now it seems like Coach Schottenheimer is not happy with either. He had better pick a favorite and get some offensive production soon, otherwise he may be shown the door before either Kramer or Gagliano are.

Denver: Similarly, Denver trades away a fan favorite in Gagliano, brings in Vince Evans, who is now officially older than dirt, and still opts to start Billy Joe Tolliver. Unless Coach Walton settles on a QB soon and gets Denver back into some semblance of good offensive form, this team will go nowhere.

LA: The Express signed Dan McGwire out of San Diego State to be the savior, but he has not walked on water yet. But, what choice does LA have at this point? They are unlikely to turn to Rodney Peete after his mediocre showing last year, so it is hope that McGwire matures into the role and starts to see the game slow down, but that may not happen this year, so what does that mean?

Portland: The good news is that David Archer is playing well and the Thunder are winning. The tricky spot is that Kerwin Bell played better and the Thunder won under him as well. So, what is Coach Erickson to do? He named Archer the starter, but if Portland does not continue to show some offensive fireworks, fans are likely to call for a return to Bell.

And, of course we also have teams like Oakland and Pittsburgh, where injuries have forced the hand of their coaches, and now the team’s success depends on crafting gameplans that play to the strengths of their backup quarterbacks.

2. What is up with the rookie class? Other than the stunning stats being put up by New Jersey DE Phil Hansen, there is not a lot happening with this rookie class. We have already discussed Dan McGwire’s rough start, but he is the only rookie QB getting into games. Favre, Nagle, Moore and Zolak have been happily toting clipboards behind veteran starters. Ricky Watters of Chicago leads all rookie backs with a paltry 291 yards (2nd on his own team), and Pittsburgh’s Mike Pritchard leads all rookie receivers with 35 receptions and 377 yards, trailed by Rocket Ismael (32 for 510) and TE Adrian Cooper of Portland (30 receptions for 225 yards). At this rate, Hansen will be the run-away winner of Rookie of the Year, perhaps followed by CB Bruce Pickens (DEN) and LB Godfrey Miles (PIT).

3. Is 2,000 yards receiving really going to happen? Boy does it seem possible. Not only is Carlos Carson already over 1,000 yards but he has Eric Truvillion and John Jefferson not far behind. Carson clearly has the best shot at it, but both Truvillion and Jefferson are on pass-happy teams, so there is a real chance that we may not only have one player achieve the seemingly untouchable marker, but perhaps more than one in the same year.

4. Will Thurman Thomas reach 2,000 total yards? Very likely. He is over 1,000 already and his role in the offense seems to be growing each week. If he keeps catching passes at a rate of 3-5 a game, there is a legitimate shot he will hit 2,000 yards from scrimmage while also competing for the league rushing title.

5. Is there a team currently at or below .500 who can have a strong 2nd half and make the playoffs? At .500 we have Tampa, Birmingham, Pittsburgh and Oakland. We think that this is the order of likelihood for a playoff run. Tampa looks the strongest, especially if Aikman can stay healthy. Birmingham has a good shot but needs to leapfrog someone in their division. Pittsburgh seems to be fading, and we just don’t trust Oakland with their QB dilemma right now. Of the 3-win teams (Memphis, Chicago and Arizona), Memphis is the most talented, and Chicago the most tenacious, but honestly, we just don’t know if they can win enough games to overtake the clubs ahead of them. Honestly, the best shot may be Arizona, simply because we see Oakland fading and we still are leary of Portland’s early success. The Pacific is often the league’s weakest division, so if any club can sneak in at 8-8, it would be there.

6. Is there a dominant team in the league right now? Not on both sides of the ball. Philadelphia is good at every level, but not overpowering. Texas has the passing game, Orlando or Michigan the defensive stopping power, New Orleans the offensive balance, and Portland, well, we just don’t know. If any team is going to go 8-0 in the second half and just turn into a juggernaut, our money is actually on Washington. Their defense can be overwhelming, especially against the pass, and their offense is still not hitting on all cylinders. They have added a good run element by having Barry Word carry the ball more, and they still have Majkowski and Walters. A lot depends on if the injured Herman Moore can break back into the starting lineup and be the difference-maker that they drafted him to be. If he shines, this Federals team has a very good chance at running the table and becoming the first USFL club to win back to back championships, but that is a big if, and there are a lot of tough games ahead before we crown anyone.

Ok, those are the questions everyone is asking, so now what? Now we look at all 20 teams and try to figure out what the next 8 weeks might hold for us. As we look at each USFL club’s first 8 weeks and prospects for the final 8 weeks, we are including eight team statistics to try to give a clear picture of how each team is faring in comparison to others in the league. The eight statistical categories we will reveal for each team are: Points per game (PPG), Yards per game (YPG), Passing Yards (PYGP) and Rushing Yards (RYPG) on offense. On defense we look at the flip side: Points Allowed (PPGA), Yards Allowed (YPGA), Passing Yards Allowed (PYPGA) and Rushing Yards (RYPGA). Through these team stats, as well as some commentary on each team’s outlook, we will try to predict the rest of the season and who might just be competing for the title this July.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA STARS (6-2)

26.8 PPG (2nd) 355.2 YPG (10th) 259.8 PYPG (10th) 95.4 RYPG (9th)

20 PPGA (5th) 310 YPGA (4th) 226.7 PYPGA (4th) 83.4 RYPGA (9th)

The stars are top 10 in every one of our measures of success, and top 5 in perhaps the two most important (points per game v. points allowed), leading to a solid 6.8 point margin of victory). They are consistent on offense and persistent on defense. So little changes for Philly each year that it is hard to imagine this team not being a contender. It’s Fusina. It’s Bryant. It’s no nonsense defense. It’s not flashy, it just works.

WASHINGTON FEDERALS (5-3)

26.6 PPG (3rd) 351.3 YPG (11th) 238 PYPG (14th) 113.3 RYPG (3rd)

19.1 PPGA (4th) 278.9 YPGA (1st) 213.2 PYPGA (1st) 65.7 RYPGA (3rd)

Washington feeds off their defense. #1 against the pass and #1 overall, the Federals defense sets up the offense for short drives and easy points. Add to this the balance that shifting Barry Word from FB to HB has provided, with Washington now one of the top teams in the league in rushing, and life is just easier for Don Majkowski, who does not need to throw the Feds to a win each week. This is the formula we saw last year in the weeks leading up to a championship run. And with these numbers, they look primed to make another run this year.

PITTSBURGH MAULERS (4-4)

22.3 PPG (13th) 308.7 YPG (16th) 205.6 PYPG (17th) 103.1 RYPG (7th)

24.1 PPGA (15th) 356.7 YPGA (14th) 244.9 PYPGA (8th) 111.8 RYPGA (16th)

The Maulers have been waiting for years for either their offense or their defense to become something special. The offense was solid for a while there, but now, with Alan Risher out, it all falls on Jeff Hostetler to try to do more. A bottom 5 finish in passing is not likely to equal a wild card berth. The defense is not horrible, but it certainly cannot sustain the Maulers. They need more from the offense than the reliability of Mike Rozier, and that now is on Hostetler to deliver.

NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2-6)

23.6 PPG (10th) 365.1 YPG (5th) 260.7 PYPG (9th) 104.4 RYPG (5th)

23.7 PPGA (12th) 343.3 YPGA (7th) 269.6 PYPGA (14th) 73.8 RYPGA (5th)

Hard to figure the Generals. They are decent in several areas but can never put it all together. They rank only 14th against the pass despite having the league sack leader in rookie Phil Hansen. They run the ball well, but do not seem to be able to get the plays they need in the passing game. Wavering between Doug Flutie and Chris Miller is not helping as the team, more than anything, seems to lack direction and heart. Coach Perkins better hope for a second half turnaround like they saw last year or it may be over for him in New Jersey, and if Doug Flutie continues to be vocal about his role on the team, it may be a housecleaning for the Generals this offseason.

BALTIMORE BLITZ (0-8)

12.3 PPG (20th) 246.8 YPG (20th) 183.3 PGYP (20th) 63.4 RYPG (19th)

26.3 PPGA (19th) 354.7 YPGA (13th) 260.1 PYPGA (13th) 94.6 RYPGA (12th)

You don’t expect there to be a lot of good numbers on an 0-8 team and being dead last in points per game and 2nd to last in points allowed pretty much sums up the issues. Baltimore’s offense has been unwatchable all year. A mid-year trade of both their starting halfback and quarterback is not helping. Bob Gagliano and Barry Foster find themselves moving from a bad team to a truly horrible one. The question now is not whether Marty Schottenheimer will be gone at the end of the year, but whether the Blitz cut him loose sooner than that.

SOUTHERN DIVISION

ORLANDO RENEGADES (6-2)

25.1 PPG (7th) 363.4 YPG (6th) 290.6 PYPG (3rd) 72.9 RYPG (17th)

17.3 PPGA (1st) 310.7 YPGA (6th) 236.3 PYPGA (6th) 74.3 RYPGA (6th)

When most folks talk about the rise of the Renegades, they focus on Reggie Collier (last year’s Offensive Player of the Year) and the passing game, but it truly is the defense that is the star of this club. Even a mediocre offense can succeed when the defense is simply not allowing teams to score, and Orlando has the top scoring defense in the league. The Renegades would love to have a top 10 run game to match their efficient passing game, but if they must win with defense and Reggie Collier’s arm, that is certainly a formula that can get the job done.

JACKSONVILLE BULLS (5-3)

25.2 PPG (6th) 362.8 YPG (7th) 288 PYPG (4th) 74.9 RYPG (15th)

27.1 PPGA (20th) 257 YPGA (15th) 256.6 PYPGA (12th) 100.8 PYPGA (14th)

The Bulls are this year’s favorite Cinderella story. The sudden success of QB Tony Eason has transformed the Bulls into a winner, but when we look at the numbers we have to be concerned about whether the fairy tale can last. The Bulls have the worst scoring defense in the league and are in the bottom 10 in every defensive category that matters. If Eason slows down the Bulls could see their carriage turn back to a pumpkin. Ideally, they want to boost their run game to shorten games and take some pressure off their passing game, and they need to figure out a way to turn touchdown drives into field goal attempts when on defense.

BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (4-4)

22.8 PPG (12th) 306 YPG (17th) 189.3 PYPG (18th) 116.3 RYPG (2nd)

21.4 PPGA (7th) 358 YPGA (16th) 280.1 PYPGA (18th) 78 RYPGA (8th)

If you are wondering if Birmingham can make a playoff run, you are buoyed by two stats above. First, any team that can run the ball as effectively as the Stallions do is always going to be in games, and second, their defense may not be the best on yardage allowed, but they tighten up in the red zone and teams are finding it hard to score against them. If they can be patient on offense, sustain drives, and limit the number of opponent possessions, they have a real shot at getting back to the post-season.

TAMPA BAY BANDITS (4-4)

25.4 PPG (5th) 396.3 YPG (2nd) 326.1 PYPG (2nd) 70.2 RYPG (18th)

22.2 PPGA (9th) 344.2 YPGA (8th) 249.6 PYPGA (10th) 94.7 RYPGA (13th)

If Aikman can stay healthy, this is a team that can make a serious run. They currently rank 18th in the run game, but there appears to be hope that Eric Bienemy, the rookie taken by Memphis and traded as part of the huge 4-team deal, could be a good fit for Tampa. He is not going to be a 1,500 yard Walker, Rozier or Bryant, but even getting in the 900 yard range would be a huge help to Tampa Bay’s balance on offense and any balance would make them even tougher to defend.

MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (3-5)

18.2 PPG (17th) 300.8 YPG (18th) 241.2 PYPG (13th) 59.6 RYPG (20th)

22.6 PPGA (10th) 351.8 YPGA (10th) 246.6 PYPGA(9th) 105.2 RYPGA ( 15th)

With the defense Memphis has, they should be better than this, but Reggie White seems slowed this year, we are not sure why, and things have just not been working for the entire team. The run game is horrible, so maybe trading away first Buford Jordan and then Eric Bienemy is not the ideal solution. Tim Spencer came over from Baltimore, but immediately got hurt, so now what? Memphis needs a run game to spare Mike Kelley from all out pressure. This team has the talent to go on a late season run, but they have got to get it together soon or it will be too late to matter.

CENTRAL DIVISION

TEXAS OUTLAWS (6-2)

27.4 PPG (1st) 443.3 YPG (1st) 364.4 PYPG (1st) 78.9 RYPG (14th)

25.5 PPGA (17th) 351.9 YPGA (11th) 235.4 PYPGA (5th) 116.4 RYPGA (17th)

This Outlaws offense is scary good, especially the passing game, which has been flawless both with MVP candidate Kelly Stouffer or with vagabond QB Glen Carano at the helm. The combo of Carson and Metcalf is just deadly, and if you overload on the pass, they start handing off to Reggie Cobb, who is more than capable of grinding out first downs. Texas needs this offense to control the tempo, and stay on the field, because despite the presence of Brian Bosworth, the defense always seems overtaxed and stretched thin.

NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (6-2)

25.6 PPG (4th) 387 YPG (3rd) 274 PYPG (5th) 112.9 RYPG (4th)

18.3 PPGA (3rd) 286.1 YPGA (2nd) 221 PYPGA (3rd) 65.1 RYPGA (2nd)

In past years we have seen New Orleans win despite their defense, relying on their dual backs and a very efficient passing game. This year things feel very different, as it is the defensive unit which seems poised to lead the Breakers deep into the playoffs. Third in the league in points allowed, and 2nd in yards, this defense is coming up big so that every game does not need to be a shootout. The offensive weapons are still there, so even if the defense has a bad day, the Breakers can win a shootout if they need to, but it is refreshing to see that they don’t always need to rack up points to win.

MICHIGAN PANTHERS (5-3)

23.3 PPG (13th) 356.4 YPG (9th) 266.8 PYPG (6th) 89.7 RYPG (11th)

17.8 PPGA (2nd) 301.8 YPGA (3rd) 255.9 PYPGA (11th) 45.9 RYPGA (1st)

Something just feels right when the Michigan Panthers play shut down defense. The Panthers have been murder to run against all year, and while their pass defense has allowed yards, these have often been empty yards in games the Panthers already have in hand. They have enough offense to get and hold a lead, and they rarely hurt themselves with penalties or takeaways. This is a good team that has the potential to be better, especially if Vince Workman continues to grow into his role as the lead back.

HOUSTON GAMBLERS (5-3)

24.3 PPG (9th) 358 YPG (8th) 229.1 PYPG (15th) 129 RYPG (1st)

21.1 PPGA (6th) 353.3 YPGA (12th) 276 PYPGA (17th) 77.1 RYPGA (7th)

A solid defense, particularly against the run, and the league’s best running game can win you a lot of games. Houston has improved in both areas this year, and with a top 10 scoring offense and a top 10 scoring defense, they have a shot to be dangerous, if they can avoid trap games where they just don’t show up. Coach Willsey has not exactly lit the football world on fire with innovative play calling, but as long as Kelly can avoid unforced errors, and as long as Thomas can average over 125 combined yards each game, this team can keep climbing up the standings.

CHICAGO MACHINE (3-5)

20.7 PPG (15th) 340 YPG (13th) 266 PYPG (7th) 74 RYPG (16th)

24 PPGA (14th) 381 YPGA (18th) 288 PYPGA (20th) 92.9 RYPGA (11th)

Once again it seems like those picking Chicago to make the leap from feisty also-rans to legitimate playoff contenders overestimated this squad. They sit with 3 wins in large part because they simply cannot get either their defense or their run game to move from mediocre to good, much less great. They have talent, but something about the scheme or the game plans just does not come together. Barring a strong 5 or 6 win finish to the year, we don’t see Joe Bugel getting another chance. Maybe new leadership and a new philosophy is what is needed to shift gears and make a push for late-season relevance.

PACIFIC DIVISION

PORTLAND THUNDER (5-3)

24.8 PPG (8th) 367.3 YPG (4th) 263.6 PYPG (8th) 103.8 RYPG (6th)

22.1 PPGA (8th) 340.8 YPGA (9th) 220 PYPGA (2nd) 130.8 RYPGA (20th)

The Thunder have been one of the revelations of the season, initially due to the surprisingly good play of backup QB Kerwin Bell, but Coach Erickson still feels that David Archer is more consistent and more reliable, so the Thunder, while not blowing folks away, have been winning with a combo of efficient offense (6th in rushing surprises most folks) and a defense that still has major issues defending the pass, but is at least midrange against the run. That pass defense is likely to be an issue for Portland as the season wears on, but for now, the Thunder seem content to outscore opponents when needed.

OAKLAND INVADERS (4-4)

19.0 PPG (16th) 330.2 YPG (14th) 245.3 PYPG (13th) 84.9 RYPG (12th)

23.8 PPGA (13th) 310.6 YPGA (5th) 241.9 PYPGA (7th) 68.7 RYPGA (4th)

The season started very strong for Oakland, a 3-0 start and solid play from QB Jeff Kemp, but a season-ending injury to Kemp threw the Invaders into offensive chaos. Gale Gilbert returned, and got himself hurt too, so they picked up Walter Lewis from the street. We expect Gilbert to be the starter as long as he can stay healthy, but we are just not seeing a lot of hope that this club will be able to stay competitive. If they want to do so, they will have to rely more on their defense and try to reduce the number of opposition possessions by slowing down games and handing the rock to Richard Williams.

ARIZONA WRANGLERS (3-5)

21.0 PPG (14th) 345 YPG (12th) 248 PYPG (13th) 97.1 RYPG (9th)

22.8 PPGA (11th) 364 YPGA (17th) 273 PYPGA (16th) 90.8 RYPGA (10th)

Was this team really in the league title game last year? It is hard to see how. Other than the occasional flash of brilliance from Lionel James or Trumaine Johnson, we don’t see this team as a serious contender this year. They are too erratic on offense, and too forgiving on defense. Unless they can find more consistent play on both sides of the ball, we don’t see a .500 record in their future.

LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (2-6)

17.6 PPG (19th) 267.9 YPG (19th) 188.7 PYPG (19th) 79.2 RYPG (13th)

24.6 PPGA (16th) 411.3 YPGA (20th) 281.1 PYPGA (19th) 130.2 RYPGA (19th)

The LA Express, in what looks like their swan song, are attempting to rebuild their roster at exactly the worst time. It is bad enough that fans are watching a young team learn how to play competitively, especially on offense, but now to know that the team is almost certainly on their way out of town, is just not going to build any enthusiasm in LA. That the Express cannot even rely on their overtaxed defense to hold up is even more troubling. This was a strength of the team last season, but this year, with the team ranked at or near the bottom in all major defensive categories, it is hard to see them finishing out of the bottom 5 in the league.

DENVER GOLD (2-6)

17.6 PPG (18th) 310 YPG (15th) 217 PYPG (16th) 93.5 RYPG (10th)

25.8 PPGA (18th) 386 YPGA (19th) 270 PYPGA (15th) 116.4 RYPGA (18th)

Joe Walton cannot be happy with how his tenure in Denver has started. Sure, some breaking down of a past team is needed in order to build something new in your own image, but we don’t suspect that Coach Walton expected the breaking down to lead to a complete collapse. He, of course, contributed to the problems, shaking up the offense by trading away both Barry Foster and Bob Gagliano mid-year. Add to that the fact that in getting Vince Evans and Lars Tate, most consider Denver the big loser in the 4-team swap. If Denver is going to rebound at all, they will need more from their defense, a squad which does not seem to have the energy or focus of past years, and they will need someone to step up as a playmaker on offense. Denver seems built for close games, but they have to play better defense to create those scenarios, and this year the defense is not doing the Gold’s plodding offense any favors.

PROJECTIONS

So what do we see in our crystal ball for the rest of the season? Well, it is hard to imagine most of our division leaders crumbling, or some of the league’s weaker teams suddenly going on a run. We feel pretty confident that certain teams will make the playoffs and others will finish the year thinking about draft picks. If we had to choose a potential Summer Bowl matchup right now we would likely be looking at either Orlando, Philadelphia or Washington representing the East, while Texas, Michigan and New Orleans look like the best options from the West. We polled our staff, and here is what we came up with:

Playoff Teams

EAST: 1-Washington, 2-Orlando, 3-Tampa Bay, 4-Washington, 5-Jacksonville

WEST: 1-Texas, 2-Portland, 3-New Orleans, 4-Michigan, 5-Houston

League MVP Candidates:

1-Kelly Stouffer (TEX)

2-Thurman Thomas (HOU)

3-Carlos Carson (TEX)

Rookie of the Year Candidates:

1-Phil Hanen (NJ)

2-Mike Pritchard (PIT)

3-Bruce Pickens (DEN)

Coach Who Won’t Last Until Week 16:

1-Schottenheimer (BAL)

2-Tobin (MEM)

3-Bugel (CHI)