Sporting News, July 10, 1992
As the USFL enters the postseason ten teams are gearing up for a chance at glory and a USFL title, while ten others are reevaluating their rosters, seeking new leadership, or simply licking their wounds. This week we look at both groups as we explore what lies ahead in the USFL playoffs and the upcoming offseason hot stove. We know the NFL is out their looking to pluck a few tasty apples from USFL rosters, and we know that USFL GM’s are looking at unsigned NFL talent as well as other USFL rosters hoping to improve their rosters and make a run for Summer Bowl 1993, but before we look at that, let’s start off by previewing the next 4 weeks of playoff football in the USFL.
PLAYOFF PREVIEW
After one of the most balanced seasons in league history, one that saw so many franchises hovering around the .500 mark all season, we come to the playoffs with a wide-open field. Ten teams, all with a chance and a dream of victory. Let’s look at the contenders and see if we cannot lay some odds on who will be lifting high the USFL Championship Trophy when Summer Bowl ’92 concludes.
PORTLAND THUNDER (8-8)
Vegas Odds: 15-1
Difference Makers: WR Cris Carter is a sideline magician and a touchdown machine. HB Robert Drummond just had his first 1,000 yard season. He won’t wow you with big plays, but can grind out important yards. CB Gill Byrd had 5 interceptions this year, and is capable of coming up and stuffing the run as well.
Concerns: Portland finished with an 8-8 record for a reason. They are solidly middle of the pack in most major statistics, below average in the passing game, and were near the bottom of the league in scoring offense (19 ppg). The good news is that their once infamous run defense has improved, and they are a top 5 scoring defense. If they can slow game tempo down and stay close, they have the ability to upset some teams.
Projection: Portland has a decent shot in the Wild Card match against Arizona, but then it would be off to Houston, and we don’t see them getting past the much more talented Gamblers.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS (9-7)
Odds: 12-1
Difference Makers: WR Trumaine Johnson had 1,400 yards and 11 TD’s in a very strong year 10. His QB, Robbie Bosco, threw for over 4,000 yards, but also had 16 INTs. On Defense the Wranglers lost their top edge rusher as Al Noga went down injured, but they still have the very talented Broderick Thomas at LB.
Concerns: The loss of Noga hurts the Wrangler D, which will now be forced to blitz more to get pressure, which exposes a middling secondary. On offense, the combo of Lionel James and Darryl Clack has not had the explosive plays of past years, so it may all rest on Bosco finding an open Trumaine Johnson.
Projection: As with Portland, we think a win this week is possible, but what happens when they face off against Houston. If they cannot pressure the QB with their front 4, they may get shredded by Jim Kelly. We don’t see them upending the #1 seed. That said, they still have the #1 defense in the league, which, come playoff time, can be a difference maker even without Noga in the lineup.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS (9-7)
Odds: 10-1
Difference Makers: QB Troy Aikman has elite accuracy and in WR Eric Truvillion he has one of the best wideouts to play the spring game. The defense has few stars, but CB Raul Brown has snagged 5 Ints despite being largely unheralded around the league.
Concerns: Tampa’s defense was 18th in the league in PPG allowed. That is never a good thing going into the playoffs. They have an explosive passing game, but the combo of Eric Bienemy and Kevin Harmon has not been up to par, ranking as the worst run offense in the USFL. If you cannot run and you cannot defend the run, how do you win in the playoffs?
Projection: If Tampa gets past Birmingham, they then face Memphis. Playing only divisional foes in the playoffs could be a huge opening for the Bandits, as familiarity may allow them to move further than if they were playing unfamiliar foes. The Bandits are definitely a longshot, but with Aikman and Truvillion we are not willing to say that they are out of the picture. If you want to take a shot on a darkhorse, you could do worse than laying some cash on the Bandits.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (10-6)
Odds: 8-1
Difference Makers: QB Brett Favre has been a revelation, taking over the starting role for an injured Cliff Stoudt, and breaking league records for passing yards (5,169) and passing TDs (47). In the process, WR Ernest Givens has exploded with 23 TDs and nearly 1,700 yards. Of course, Joe Cribbs is also on the roster, but the shift in offensive philosophy meant he had his first sub-1,000 yard season since coming into the league.
Concerns: Inexperience is a concern. How will Favre handle the pressure of the playoffs. Not exactly something he had to worry about at Southern Miss. The other big issue is pass defense. Birmingham ranked in the bottom quartile of the league, and if you cannot defend the pass in the USFL you will not get far in the playoffs.
Projection: Birmingham has a wicked home field advantage, especially with a Legion Field crowd that has fully embraced Favre as a superstar. That will likely get them past Tampa, but what happens when they head up to Memphis in the Divisional round? Will Favre escape the vicious Showboat pass rush and surprise the ‘Boats, or will the experience and pressure brought by Coach Buddy Ryan be too much?
WASHINGTON FEDERALS (10-6)
Odds: 10-1
Difference Makers: QB Don Majkowski has done it before, but 1992 has not been his best year. HB Barry Word has proved that the move from FB to HB was a good one. We also have to respect the best D-line in the game with Jerome Brown, Charles Haley and Dexter Manley combining for 38 sacks.
Concerns: Both the D and the O finished in the Top 10 in the league, and yet Washington lost some games that they should not have. Consistency has been their issue all season. If they make a run, it will be because of that defensive front as the Feds offense, while capable, is not going to win a shootout.
Projection: Washington heads to Pittsburgh for their first playoff game, and that is an issue. The Maulers match up well with Washington. The threat of Mike Rozier forces the D-Line to play the run first, slowing down the pass rush and opening up chances for play action. If they can edge the Maulers, they have a shot.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (10-6)
Odds: 15-1
Difference Makers: HB Marcus Dupree just missed 1,000 yards but clearly misses having Hilliard as a running mate. DE Jerry Reese, with 13 sacks, is their best defender, but this team has always been built on team defense and a solid balance of run & pass.
Concerns: Las Vegas hates the Breakers this year. Hard to argue. They are on their 3rd QB after Matt Robinson went down, but Danny McManus has been a surprise performer. Can he handle the playoff pressure. The other concern is that LB Jeff Herrod led the team in interceptions. This is not a scary secondary any longer, which is tough when your first game is against Oakland and Henry Ellard.
Projection: It is a bit of a shocker that New Orleans made it to 10-6 and the playoffs. Statistically they should not be here. We, like Vegas, have trouble seeing them winning on the road in Oakland against the defending league champion.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS (10-6)
Odds: 8-1
Difference Makers: HB Mike Rozier is having a monster year, finishing 300 yards ahead of the 2nd best rusher in the league. Louis Lipps had a breakout season in his first year in the Steel City, and the defense is solid, thanks in large part to the leadership of MLB Eric Kumerow and the pass rushing of John Bosa.
Concerns: The Maulers have never hosted a playoff game, and they feel pressure after missing out on the #1 seed. Washington is a tough first opponent, and Barry Word in particular is a concern as the Maulers have had some struggles against bigger backs.
Projection: Las Vegas is not sure what to make of the Maulers, and we are somewhat in the same boat. If they can show maturity and act like a team that has been here before, they can go far, but if the nerves and inexperience show, they may have a quick exit.
OAKLAND INVADERS (10-6)
Odds: 4-1
Difference Makers: WR Henry Ellard is an underrated deep threat in the league. The defense, led by CB Aeneas Williams, DE Kim Bokamper, and LBs Ken Harvey and Ron Rivera is the heart of the team, and ranked #1 in scoring D this year.
Concerns: Oakland’s offense has been irregular this year, with Siran Stacy gaining 1,000 yards but not producing a lot of big plays. The loss of Richard Williams changed this team from last year’s champions, and they seem less certain, despite the favor the Las Vegas oddsmakers seem to be showing them.
Projection: The defending champs know how to do this. The roster is solid from top to bottom and a solid scoring D can go a long way in the playoffs. That said, Oakland has not shown us a killer instinct all season, and there are concerns that the fire to fight for a repeat may not be there.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (10-6)
Odds: 5-1
Difference Makers: HB Greg Boone has had his best year in the league, rushing for over 1,300 yards, but we know the stars of this team are on defense. Reggie White is a Defensive POTY candidate with 21 sacks, and rookie Santana Dotson has been a huge factor, earning 13 sacks himself. LBs Mike Douglass and Eddie Simmons are essentially run stoppers due to the strength of the D-line.
Concerns: Despite the strong season from Boone, the Memphis offense is not exactly fear-inducing. They finished the year in the bottom half of the league in most categories. QB Mike Kelley had a poor season, throwing a league-leading 18 interceptions to go with his 24 touchdowns. If Memphis cannot completely shut down the opposing offense, they may get outpaced and outscored.
Projection: Defense wins championships, so Memphis has that going for them, but you have to be able to do something on offense as well, and we are just not sold on Mike Kelley as a guy who can shake off the bad decisions and guide the offense to a win if the defense falters.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS (11-5)
Odds: 3-1
Difference Makers: Las Vegas loves the year that Jim Kelly (39 TD’s) and Thurman Thomas (2,125 yards from scrimmage) had. Both are MVP and Offensive POTY candidates. But don’t sleep on the year that Brett Perriman put together after coming over from Tampa 2 years ago. Houston is the scariest offensive team in the post-season, and their defense, led by LBs Kiki DeAyala and Pat Swilling, can rise up when called upon.
Concerns: Houston is perhaps the most balanced team in the league, between run & pass, and offense & defense. They are the favorites this season for a reason, but that does not mean they are an unstoppable juggernaut. They lost all 3 games against the Pacific playoff teams (Arizona, Oakland and Portland), so facing off against the Arizona-Portland winner will not be automatic.
Projection: This club has experience at its core as all of its team leaders were there for their back to back Summer Bowl appearances and the 1988 league championship. We like their mindset, their grit, and their talent level. But, they need to beware of being too confident in themselves. They have lost some games this year that they should have won easily.
There you have it, a look at the next 4 weeks of playoff football in the USFL. But, with the end of the regular season also comes the opening of the USFL offseason and the transfer window between the USFL and the NFL. This year is a down year for free agency, as there are not many huge names in either league who remain unsigned, but there are some players looking to play the market, and names big enough to draw attention and possibly alter the path of their current franchise and a new team. Here are our picks for the Top 10 USFL free agents going on the market this year. We will include both playoff teams and the 10 teams already looking at free agency.
10—HB Terrance Flagler (POR); Not a bellcow by any stretch of the imagination, but Flagler’s dual carrying and catching skills could complement a big back very well, as he has done for Robert Drummond and the Thunder.
9—FS Vencie Glenn (BIR): The Stallions do not want to lose a defensive captain, but Glenn has opted to test the waters. Like William Cesare before him, the Stallion safety could be a prized addition for a team looking to add leadership to their secondary.
8—HB Vince Workman (MGN): The Ohio State product has yet to break through for the Panthers, and with Rodney Culver in the fold, it is very likely that he will look for greener pastures. Not a speed back, but Workman can fight for those tough goal line yards.
7—LB Bobby Houston (POR): Houston has not garnered much acclaim in the Pacific Northwest, but he is a consistent and smart backer who can help lead a group of linebackers against both the run and the pass.
6—LB Ed Brady (TBY): The savvy vet is no longer as fast or as hard a hitter, but he has the know-how to make plays and provide a cool head for a defense.
5—WR Weegie Thompson (JAX): A quality slot receiver with speed to burn. He will not serve as a #1 but for a team that is looking to add speed inside, Thompson is a great addition.
4—DT Michael Dean Perry (HOU): He does not get the praise that Jerome Brown does in DC, but Perry has been a rock in the middle of the Houston D-Line for years now. If you want to slow down the flow of a run game, you won’t find a better cork than Perry in this year’s free agent pool.
3—OT Doug Reisenberg (PIT): The best O-lineman to join free agency this year, Reisenberg is good in pass defense, but excels as a pulling guard in the run game, just ask Mike Rozier.
2—QB Gale Gilbert (OAK): Gilbert has never been a statistical star, and he has some limits, but he is also a Championship QB who plays smart, avoids big mistakes, and can help a team add stability. Several NFL teams have already sent out feelers, so Oakland will likely have to make Gilbert a salary exempt player near the top of the pay scale to keep him.
1—DE Charles Haley (WSH): On a line that includes Jerome Brown and Dexter Manley it can be hard to shine, but Haley is a beast. On any other team he would be a surefire #1 sack specialist. He has had double digit sacks every year in DC, with 14 again this year. Expect him to be one of the first players to be signed, since Washington cannot afford to keep him, but will he be with another USFL team or jump to the Fall league?
We’ve looked at the free agents, but that is not the full story for USFL squads as they head into the offseason. Let’s look at the #1 priority for each club as the hot stove begins (for the 10 non-playoff teams at least), going in order of the current power rankings:
Philadelphia: Find a coach who can rebuild a top notch D and groom a young QB.
Denver: Add some explosiveness to an offense that was both slow and predictable.
Chicago: Decide on an identity, which may mean new leadership at QB.
New Jersey: Devise an offense that highlights both Walker and Flutie.
Baltimore: Add defensive playmakers and draft a HB with explosiveness.
Texas: Find a pass rusher (Haley?) and improve the secondary.
Michigan: Improve the O-line with an eye towards a power run game with Culver.
St. Louis: Add speed on both sides of the ball. Give Archer a shot to unseed McGwire.
Jacksonville: Find some hard hitters on defense.
Orlando: Strengthen the secondary and add speed at LB.
Portland: Add a run-stopper at DT.
Arizona: If a true bellcow back is out there, now is the time to get one.
Tampa Bay: Find a pass rusher, LB or DE.
Birmingham: Sign a #2 receiver and prepare for Cribbs’s eventual departure.
Washington: Find a suitable replacement for Charles Haley, who is sure to go.
New Orleans: Figure out the QB spot. Will it be McManus? Will Robinson return?
Oakland: Either resign Gale Gilbert quickly or have a solid plan to replace him.
Pittsburgh: Resign Reisenberg and groom a backup/future replacement for Rozier.
Memphis: Is it time to move on from Mike Kelley?
Houston: Add youth on defense, youth and speed if possible.
Outstanding work Sir!!!