We have a first in the USFL. For the first time in the league’s 15 seasons we will be enterint Week 16 with all 10 playoff berths already confirmed. There is still a lot of jockeying for position to be had, but this week’s action locked up the final playoff spots so now it is all about who gets a bye and who gets a home game in the Wild Card round. We begin with the big game in the South between the Bulls and the Stalliions to determine the Division Championship.
We knew this game would be big, and that both clubs would go all out in an attempt to win the division title, ensure themselves of a bye, and potentially home field throughout the playoffs. As expected, it came down to the final quarter as the two top clubs in the division battled for the full 60 minutes. Surprisingly the biggest unexpected twist was the degree to which the Stallions utilized their run game to manage the final quarter and keep the Bulls from a late comeback.
The game began as expected, with both clubs opening up the offenses and using the run as an occasional change of pace from a pass-dominated attack. Birmingham got on the board first as a short 6 play drive after a poor punt from the Bulls gave the Stallions a short field and Brett Favre found Lawrence Dawsey from 14 yards out to take the early lead. Jacksonville would respond with their first scoring drive, but when Chandler missed Blades on a 3rd and 5, they had to settle for 3.
Favre found his favorite receiver on the next drive, connecting with Givens for a 35-yard score to give Birmingham a commanding 14-3 lead. After a series of short back-and-forth drives, Jacksonville had time to get one more score on the board to end the half, another Stoyanovich field goal as time ran out to pull within one score at 14-6.
Birmingham would start to make use of their run game in the second half, with Steven Davis carrying the ball 4 times and Mike Alstott twice on their opening drive of the second half. The drive ended with a Mare field goal and a 17-6 lead, but the Bulls were not done yet. Jacksonville remained focused on getting the ball to their top two wideouts. Blades would finish the game with 7 catches for 120 and Terrell Owens would add 104 yards and a score on his 4 catches. It was Owens’s TD that pulled Jacksonville back into the game. It was a great out and up on 3rd and 3 that fooled the Stallion CB and allowed Chandler to hit Owens for the 28-yard score. A two point conversion later the Bulls were down only 3 at 17-14.
The Bulls defense came up big on the next play as CB Ron Pitts correctly guessed on a Dawsey hook and undercut the route, taking the ball right from Dawsey’s hands and giving Jacksonville the ball on the Stallion 22. The crowd of 58,200 was in full voice as the Bulls seemed to snatch momentum away from the Stallions. 3 plays later Natrone Means broke an arm tackle and found the corner pylon to give Jacksonville their first lead of the game, 21-17.
But Brett Favre is nothing if not resilient. He brushed off the pick and with 7:22 left in the game started a drive that would win the Stallions the division title. First hitting Sharpe for 4 yards, but then allowing Davis and Alstott to take over, he would throw only 3 passes on the drive. The third of these was the game winner as Favre again found Ernest Givens, who would finish the game with 104 yards and 2 scores on 7 receptions. It was a 2nd and 2 and Jacksonville had started to overplay the run, realizing that Birmingham was using it effectively against their nickel defense. They played a 4-3, and used a run-blitz as Favre faked to Davis. The veteran QB turned and fond Givens on an in-cutting route. The reliable Givens took the pass, split the safeties, with the help of a block from Sharpe, and crossed the endzone to put Birmingham up 3 once again.
Jacksonville would fail to respond on their next drive, but with 4:22 still on the clock, they punted rather than go for a 4th and 2 on their own 33. Birmingham would then rely on Davis and Alstott, who combined for 111 yards on the day, pounding the ball down the middle for 3 consecutive first downs, the last of which allowed Birmingham to run the clock and take the huge win and the division title. With a win next week the Eastern Conference playoffs will have to run through Legion Field, and if Birmingham can continue to balance Brett Favre’s dynamic season with a run game, this could all but ensure a return to the Summer Bowl for the Stallions.
MEM 10 ORL 20
Orlando punched their ticket against a punchless Mike Kelley and the Renegades. Scott Mitchell got dinged early, but stayed in through the 3rd quarter before Scott Zolak took over in relief. Zolak would hit Bert Emmanuel for the score that definitively gave the edge to Orlando and, with other results of the weekend, the Renegades locked up a playoff spot, and possibly a home game if they can finish the year with a win next week.
WSH 20 NJ 10
Washington got some help from the Blitz as they locked up the Atlantic by knocking off the Generals in New Jersey. The Feds had opted not to start Kordell Stewart after he had been shaken up the week before, and backup Eric Kramer did what was needed, completing 69% of his passes and throwing for 2 scores as the Federals outlasted the Generals and Tommy Maddox (who got the start with Fischer nursing a sore shoulder).
PHI 29 BAL 34
Baltimore may be out of playoff contention after this week, but they sure put a crimp in Philadelphia’s plans. Thanks to a 4-TD day from Chris Miller the Blitz edged Philly in Memorial Stadium and put Philadelphia’s once nearly-ensured playoff bye at risk. Another loss and the Stars could be stuck in the Wild Card round, and perhaps even as the road team.
STL 13 CHI 23
The combo of Watters and Staley helped Chicago put away the pesky St. Louis Knights and lock up a playoff berth and a shot at a bye. Alex Van Pelt struggled against the St. Louis D, completing only 14 of 33 passes for 103 yards, but the run game helped bail out the Machine and the win locked up their postseason ticket.
NOR 12 HOU 14
Houston had only slight playoff hopes, but it was enough to motivate them to spoil the day for the Breakers. A Lawrence Brazil pick-6 and a Thurman Thomas TD run were enough to knock off the playoff-hopeful Breakers. Jamie Martin struggled all game, completing only 46% of his throwns, and while Terrell Davis rushed for 108 and went over 1,000 yards for the year, it was not enough against a game Gambler squad.
TEX 6 MGN 24
Texas’s injury-plagued roster continues to struggle and Michigan takes advantage to claim a share of first in the Central Division thanks to a dominant win. Doug Flutie went 24 of 32 for 299 to help Michigan control the game. A win next week and the Division Title is Michigan’s for the taking.
SEA 21 DEN 48
The Dragons were just what Denver needed to snap their 5 game losing streak and claim a playoff spot at 8-7. Denver rushed out to a 24-7 lead and never looked back thanks to a 3 TD day from HB Rashaan Salaam. Add another ground game score from Terry Battle, and 2 in the air from Mark Brunell and the Gold are playoff bound, while Seattle falls to 4-11.
POR 35 LA 24
LA put up a fight, but in the end the Thunder had too much from Robert Drummond, whose 130 yard day put him in range of Herschel Walker’s season rushing record. Bill Musgrave got some action late as the Thunder protected a gimpy Jack Trudeau late in the game. Musgrave would throw for a late score to Matthew Hatchette to put the game out of reach for LA and lock up the #1 seed for the Thunder.
OAK 20 ARZ 39
In a game that saw Tim Lester rush for 122 against the undermanned Invader defense, Jake Plummer also threw for 3 scores to help Arizona to their 3rd win of the season. With all rumors being that next week’s game will be Jim Mora’s last in Oakland, the Invaders seem content to just run out the season and start fresh in 1998.
ATL 17 TBY 20
Too little too late for the Bandits as they get the win but are eliminated from playoff contention by Orlando’s victory. It took a 76-yard bomb from Aikman to Baker to lock up the win as Atlanta played tough, but the win was a hollow one for the Bandits, and a contentious one as there was clear tension and some choice words exchanged between Troy Aikman and Jerry Glanville on the sidelines.
PIT 10 OHI 29
With Orlando’s win earlier in the weekend, Pittsburgh entered their game at Ohio knowing their season would not end in a playoff game. That reality showed as the Maulers came out of the tunnel flat and gave Ohio a pretty easy victory. After a horrible start to the season, Ohio could actually fight their way to 8-8 with a win over Tampa Bay next week, a recovery that likely keeps Nick Saban employed for 1998.
The 10 playoff teams are set, but there are still some things to fight for next week. Philadelphia needs to win to ensure a home game in the playoffs, and could still get a bye with a Bulls loss. Orlando can jump over the Stars if Philly falters. Birmingham locks up the #1 seed with a win or a Federals loss. Portland already has their top seed ensured, but Michigan and Texas still have to settle who will be the Division Champ in the Central. Chicago could also move up if the Outlaws lose again, claiming the #3 seed and the bye. Hard to believe, but Texas could drop as far as 4th and be forced to host Denver in the Wild Card game with a loss.
BANDIT BERATING
Perhaps the most dramatic moment of the weekend was in a game that had little on the line. Tampa Bay’s sidelines were as entertaining as any game this week as throughout the game against the Fire there were obvious flare ups between Head Coach Jerry Glanville and QB Troy Aikman. There are rumors around the Bandits that Aikman, who will be a free agent in just 1 week, could walk, and has told ownership that he is not prepared to play another season under Glanville. If it came down to their Head Coach or their starting QB, which way would ownership go? And if the lack of a CBA leads to a free agency free-for-all, as seems to be the inevitable destiny of the USFL right now, Aikman will have more than a few suitors lined up, in both the USFL and the NFL, to offer him leverage that Glanville, after another sub-par season, simply does not have.
LEGEND NO MORE?
Jim Mora’s short stint with the Invaders has not exactly improved his reputation around the league. After a stunning career in Philadelphia Mora, one including two league titles, Mora shipped off to the NFL, where he again created an instant contender with the New Orleans Saints. His return to the USFL was seen as a triumph for the league and a boon for the Invaders, but after going 7-9 in his first season back in the spring league, Mora’s 1997 Invaders have been a huge disappointment. It is expected that Mora will separate from the club after next week’s season ender, but what will happen to him? He is still a revered figure in many quarters, and there are certainly enough teams around the league who may be looking for a new Head Coach and will forgive the bad marriage of Mora with Oakland. We should all expect his phone to be ringing as soon as he becomes available, even with 2 sub-par years as an Invader on his resume.
KNOX NOT OUT
Chuck Knox entered the season with a lot of rebuilding to do in New Jersey, and when he lost his top 2 quarterbacks to injuries early in the season many felt that the year was done. While 6-9 and riding a 4-game losing streak is not what New Jersey hoped for, it does appear that they are satisfied that Knox is taking the Generals in the right direction. Ownership came out this week and announced that they had extended the 65-year old coach’s contract through the 1999 season. Knox, who is known as a defense & run game kind of coach, old school 3 yards and a cloud of dust stuff, has got a defense that can compete with anyone (Top 10 in scoring, yards against and rush defense) but has not yet found the run game he desires with Bam Morris as his lead back. Expect Knox to seek to improve the O-line and possibly take a shot at a HB in the draft. With both Rob Johnson and Tommy Maddox expected to be on the market as well, we would not be shocked if Spence Fischer gets a new teammate to compete with for the starting job. Could you imagine if that teammate were Troy Aikman? Perhaps too much to consider right now.
RECORD MAKER
While we were all gushing about the strong year that Troy Vincent was having in St. Louis, or the talents on display from young Anthony Dorsett in Philly, Elbert Shelley in Texas was quietly having himself a record pace season. This week he did what no one anticipated and tied the league record with his 9th interception of the season. The record, held by USFL Hall of Famer Raphel Cherry since 1990, has been challenged several times, but it always seemed that players got stuck at 8 picks, as we saw happen to Chris Snyder last season. With a pick this week in their loss to Michigan, Shelley matched Cherry with his 9th pick, and with one game still to go Shelley has a shot to claim the title all to himself. Shelley, who has had an up and down career since joining the Outlaws in 1987, has never eclipsed 5 picks in any season, but he has also never been on a defense as solid as the one the Outlaws have had this year. Support from teammates like corners Jerome Henderson and Kenny Gales, have allowed Shelley to capitalize on forced throws and QB pressures to snag the record-tying 9 picks from the free safety slot. Can he reach 10? That is on the table next week.
Looking at the potential playoff-impacting games in Week 16 there are a few injuries to note. Birmingham will be without SS Darryl Williams, who could also miss the team’s playoff run with a shoulder injury. Chicago FB Kimble Anders is again likely out, this time with a fracture in his lower right arm. Philly SS Marcus Quinn is listed as doubtful with a sprained knee, while Jacksonville rookie HB Kenny Bynum is also doubtful after straining his right wrist. Orlando’s Scott Mitchell came out of the game last week but is expected to play this week. Texas may opt to rest Reggie Cobb after he jammed his toe last week.
Negotiations start up again this week between the USFLPA and the league, and if the owners want to avoid a major free agency explosion, they have until Friday to come to a deal with the union. We know that it is already too late to rescind the decision to switch to a 6-division, 14-game season for 1998, but there are voices within the ownership group, voices that had voted for the change, that now seem to be backtracking on the decision. Could the league actually make the shift back to the current 4-division, 16-week schedule, or even come up with another format for 1999? It seems clear that the vote to approve the new format was influenced by several strong-willed owners, but also by a sense that it would not negatively impact the league’s tv contracts. The significance of the move and its impact on labor seems not to have received the attention it deserved.
What is needed now is a way for the owners to save face while also coming to the table with an arrangement, even if only for one season, which the union can get on board with. Confidence is not high that this can be done in a week, and most league insiders are telling us we need to expect to see a major free agency exodus beginning next Monday. The NFL must be licking their chops at the prospect of so many unsigned players being available. Even if the league were to come to an agreement this week, the odds are pretty high that the league will see some big name stars headed elsewhere, most likely to the fall. We took a look around the USFL and selected a dozen free agents of great impact, the ones the NFL will almost certainly make serious efforts to sign. Here is our list of the 12 USFL Stars most coveted by the NFL:
New Orleans OT Troy Auzene: A huge piece of the success of both Jamie Martin and Terrell Davis, the 28-year old Auzene will draw a lot of attention from the NFL because left tackles are always in demand.
New Jersey CB/S Jason Sehorn: Sehorn came over from the NFL on a one-year contract, but could go right back to the Giants or another NFL club if the money is right. He has played well for a pretty solid New Jersey defense, so this would be a hit for the club.
Chicago QB Dan McGwire: After getting a second shot in Chicago, McGwire has had some injury issues, and now with Alex Van Pelt coming on strong, his market value may never be higher. With QB always at a premium in both leagues, McGwire may be best served to find a spot where he will be the unchallenged starter.
Washington LB Michael Barrow: Barrow is at the end of his rookie contract, and his coming into the prime of his career. In his short USFL career he has quickly become a major playmaker, with 22 sacks and 4 picks in his 4 seasons, going along with over 330 tackles.
Houston HB Thurman Thomas: If this were 1993 and not 1997, we might have Thomas at #1 overall, but he is clearly on the downside of a very good career, which may limit opportunities. That said, if the price is right a club could get themselves a very versatile back, and one who may be ready to depart the Gamblers as they experience a retooling.
St. Louis CB Try Vincent: The 29 year old Vincent is in the prime of his career, and is among the league leaders in picks once again this year. Vincent would be a clear #1 in any secondary in either league, and the struggles of the Knights to put W’s on the board may make the thought of a new start very enticing.
Portland OT Bruce Armstrong: A multiple-time All-USFL player at Left Tackle, Armstrong is only 31, and has many good years ahead of him. If you want to know how Robert Drummond has led the league in rushing for 2 years, you only need to look at Armstrong. Portland could win a title this year, which means Armstrong does not become a free agent for a month longer than others in the league, so there may just be time to sign him before that happens if the league can get a CBA in place.
Pittsburgh LB Demetrius DuBose: Double-D has been pretty vocal about his concerns about the direction the Maulers are heading. They were league champions in 1995 but seem to be slipping since then, so the perennial 100-tackle centerpiece of the Mauler D may be open to looking at other options.
Philadelphia DT Leon Lett: Chuck Long would also be a free agent if a deal is not brokered, but Lett seems to have a larger market than the 33-year old QB. A true run stuffer and space-occupier, Lett could see a lot of attention from NFL clubs looking to free up their DE’s to rush the passer.
Tampa Bay WR Shannon Baker: After the year Baker is having this season, there is no way the NFL does not come calling. The 5th year wideout has had back to back 60-reception seasons, and has already topped his 1996 numbers of 1,441 yards and 7 TDs with 1,600 yards so far this year and 10 scores. Expect the speedster to get a lot of attention, something that will not make Troy Aikman happy.
Memphis DE Reggie White: Normally a 33-year old D-End would not garner much of a market, but this is Reggie White, and even if he has only a couple of solid years left, who would not want to add him to their roster. With the Showboats consistently falling short in supporting him with a better defensive team around him, White may just jump at the chance to show what he can do in the NFL.
Birmingham Trio: We cannot separate the three top free agents from the Stallions. This club could be devastated if QB Brett Favre, WR Ernest Givens and LB Kevin Greene all depart. Favre is the only one under 30 years of age, and as the best QB in the league the USFL will do all they can to hold onto him. That could require letting Givens and/or Greene go this year.
With playoff position still on the line for many clubs, the question of who rests players is a big one. We do expect Portland to rest Jack Trudeau against the Arizona Wranglers, but with Robert Drummond seeking a league record, don’t expect the back to get any rest. Denver is locked into the 5th playoff spot, so expect some starters to get rest as they face the Invaders in Oakland. Michigan and Texas are still hoping to get that #2 seed and a home divisional game, so do not expect the Panthers to rest anyone as they visit St. Louis, or for Texas to rest any starters at home against rival Houston.
Chicago’s options as they travel to New Orleans are interesting. They have a shot at moving to the 3 seed and getting a bye, but it is a slim one, so perhaps they rest players expecting to host the Wild Card game next week. Jacksonville and Washington both have something to play for when they face off, so expect to see the starters there, and in Birmingham, where a win over Pittsburgh gives them home field for the playoffs. Philly wants to avoid a loss, but with Atlanta in town, they may still rest Chuck Long as they expect to host a playoff game next week. Orlando can steal that playoff home gig if the Stars stumble and they beat the Generals.
In games without playoff impact we have Memphis ending their year at Baltimore, Tampa Bay limping into Ohio, and LA headed up to Seattle in an utterly forgettable matchup.