Divisional games are always the most entertaining, if for no reason than that fans of both clubs have a natural animosity towards the other. That is certainly what we saw this week with huge rivalry games in New Jersey, Jacksonville, and Atlanta. OK, we fibbed a bit on the last one. Atlanta wants to see themselves as Birmingham’s rival, but they have been little more than a speedbump to the Stallions since coming into the league, and their 1-win club this year, while feisty, is not exactly looking to steal a title away from their Alabama cousins. But, what we are saying is still very much true. Fans love rivalry games, divisional games, and games with playoff impacting potential, and we had a lot of all of that this week.
You have to love a rivalry game, and they rarely get better than Stars-Generals. This one went to overtime as the Stars pull off the road win in the Meadowlands. Kudos to Bobby Hebert for his 414 yard, 4 TD performance, but we also should recognize that the turning point of the game was the injury to Spence Fischer in the 3rd quarter, which forced him out of the game and put the ball into the hands of Todd Bouman.
The newest arrival in Philly also played a huge role as former Wrangler (and Knight) Darrell Thompson rushed for 5.1 yards per carry with 12 carries for 61 yards. If the Stars can maintain a run game, they could actually make a run at a Wild Card late in the year, something the usually pessimistic Philadelphia fans can get excited about.
It was not easy for the Stars, even with Fischer out of the game, and trailing 21-28 late in the game, it required some heroics from Bobby Hebert. On the Stars’ final drive, he dodged a potential Phil Hansen sack, ripping his jersey along the way, but then found Cris Carter for a vital 3rd and 9 completion for a first down. 2 plays later he hit Kevin Dyson, another new Star (traded from Denver earlier this year) for the game-tying touchdown and we were headed to overtime.
Neither team could get into field goal range on their first drives of the extra period, but with their second drive, Hebert again came up big, scrambling for a first down into New Jersey territory. It proved just enough as they trotted out Chip Lohmiller and his big leg, and the reliable kicker nailed a 53-yarder for the win. A huge win for the Stars as it moves them to 5-6 as they join a logjam that also includes New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Washington, basically everyone in the division chasing Ohio and Baltimore for what could be the 6th and final playoff spot in the East.
PIT 30 WSH 27
Pittsburgh kept their playoff hopes alive despite playing with rookie QB Shawn King at QB. King had a good day against the usually tough Federals D, throwing for 367 and a TD without turning the ball over. He got help from Terrel Davis and 111 yards from wideout Andre Rison as the Maulers and Feds both left this game at 5-6 and still alive for a Wild Card.
BAL 9 OHI 21
The Blitz and their fans are now officially in full panic mode as once again Wally Richardson is unable to generate offense. Ohio moves closer to their first ever playoff appearance, moving to 7-4, thanks to a 22 of 35, 241 yard, 2 TD day from Kerry Collins and a defensive performance that simply did not provide Baltimore with any consistency on offense.
TBY 20 JAX 27
An upset that the Bandits could not afford as they fall to the Bulls in Jacksonville. The Bulls allowed 100 yards to both Randy Moss and Chris Doering, but neither saw the endzone, which helped Jacksonville pull off the upset. Chris Chandler was not pressured by the Bandits and that led to 26 of 33 for 288 and 3 TDs on the day. Winning the turnover battle 2-0 also helped the Bulls make the home fans happy in this one.
ORL 24 MEM 38
A big 21-point third quarter helped Memphis retain its share of first place in the South and pushed Orlando outside of playoff contention, though still mathematically alive. Heath Shuler threw for 387 and 5 TDs on the day as the Renegades defense simply did not have an answer for him. Cedric Tillman’s 77-yard TD was a dagger to the gut of the Renegades, helping Memphis move to 8-3.
BIR 34 ATL 33
It sounds like a broken record, but the Fire are still playing hard but to no avail. They keep teams close but cannot close the deal. In this one Brett Favre’s 4th TD undoes the Fire and gives Birmingham the win despite a solid 128-yard, 2 TD day from backup HB Blair Thomas.
DEN 20 CHI 3
Jeff George completes only 20 of 51 tosses and the Machine defense cannot keep Rashaan Salaam under 100 yards, and that is all Denver needed to get a vital road win in this one. Two sacks by Leslie O’Neill helped the Gold corral George and keep him under 200 yards passing as the defenses showed up big for both clubs in this one.
POR 17 STL 52
It looks like St. Louis may have an answer for how to deal with Todd Collins’s injury as backup Jim Miller absolutely goes off against the erratic Thunder secondary. Miller completes 29 of 44 for 301 yards and six, yes, six touchdowns to power the Knights to a huge win and a big confidence booster. Portland falls to 4-7 and has to be doubting their chances of coming back to playoff position after a drubbing like this.
OAK 14 TEX 24
The Outlaw defense does its job against Cary Conklin and Texas moves to 8-3 to retain their lead in the Central. Reggie Cobb rushed for 87 yards and league receptions leader Shawn Collins added 8 more (for 87 yards) for the Outlaws, but the big story was once again the defense, which held Oakland to only 25 yards rushing.
MGN 31 ARZ 10
The Panthers remain hot, dropping Arizona by 21 in Pontiac. Four TD tosses from Doug Flutie helped Michigan run up the score, a lopsided win helped by a late week benching of Jake Plummer due to an eye infection. Craig Whelihan simply did not do well, throwing 3 picks to help Michigan play with a short field all day.
SEA 16 HOU 32
The Gamblers double down on Seattle, with 2 fourth quarter TDs busting open a tight 18-16 game. The big play of the game was, as is typical for Houston, on defense, with Ashley Ambrose returning a late Jon Kitna pick all the way for 6 to lock up the win for the homestanding Gamblers. Houston moves over .500 while Seattle drops a game under at 5-6.
LA 31 NOR 14
The Express keep the pressure on Denver and keep their dreams of a division title alive with a solid win in the Crescent City. Cade McNown throws for 302 and 2 TD and CB Aaron Glenn has a big day with 5 tackles and a pick-six to help power the Express to an 8-3 record. Ricky Williams had 2 TDs for the Breakers, but Jamie Martin went down, forcing the team to call on Gus Frerotte. His 2 picks did not help the Breakers and now concern for the rest of the year with Martin going down.
DON’T SAY IT
The dreaded vote of confidence, that is what both Sherm Lewis (ATL) and George O’Leary (ORL) got this week. A team owner makes a public statement of support for his head coach, a statement which almost inevitably seems to lead to a coaching change. We don’t know why owners feel the need to do this. It almost always makes them look weak and indecisive, and yet it has become a cliché in sports that owners who are considering a coaching change will for some reason feel pressure to assure the public that they are not considering exactly that.
Atlanta has only 1 win on the season, and after moving from 4 wins to 6 in his first two years, that kind of regression in year 3 is almost certainly a kiss of death for Sherm Lewis. No one expects him to retain his position with Atlanta again guaranteed a 10-loss season, and yet, for whatever reason, William Shivers Morris, principal owner of the Fire, felt the need to assure the public, which is fully in favor of releasing Lewis, that he has no plans to end the coach’s tenure in Atlanta. The only real question is whether or not he will relieve him of his duties midseason or give him a more dignified end-of-year exit.
Orlando’s situation is a bit more complex. George O’Leary has been at the helm of the Renegades since 1994, with this being his 6th season. In that time he has produced results in Orlando, including playoff berths in both 1997 and 1998, but the Renegades have had trouble competing with the elite clubs in the Southern Division, often finishing 3rd or 4th in the division and settling for a low seeded Wild Card. This year, with Orlando seemingly taking a step back at 4-7, the club’s patience may be wearing thin. Orlando can still make a run and reach 8-8 or 9-7 (though unlikely) but even that may not be enough for ownership to retain O’Leary. There just is not a lot of energy in Orlando around the Renegades, no real hope that O’Leary can make this team a championship contender. Fans have started to turn on their coach, as well as their QB Scott Mitchell, so the pressure may be on Donald Dizney to make a change. It, of course, does not help at all that Dizney is in the middle of an ownership battle with minority owner and world renowned know-it-all George Steinbrenner. The omens are all around that O’Leary may be the easiest piece to cut in order to show fans that change is in the air, whether or not the owners pledge their support at this point.
RETIREMENT RUMORS
No one engaged in the heated battle of a pro football season ever wants to admit that they are considering retirement, but both coaches and players inevitably reach a point in their careers where the thought becomes reality and they have to start listening to the voices in their heads telling them that the passion just does not burn as bright as it once did. As we enter the final stages of the 1999 season, the rumors are beginning to swirl regarding several big names around the league. Here is what we are hearing:
Ray Willsey, Head Coach, Houston: Rumors have been swirling that despite the playoff battle the Houston Gamblers are in, that Coach Willsey may be considering stepping down after 10 seasons with the club. Coach Willsey has produced two league championships in 4 Summer Bowl appearances and 6 playoff seasons. He is a near lock for USFL Hall of Fame induction, and he has the Gamblers again knocking on the door of the playoffs this season, but that has not stopped the rumors from flying that he is considering a pause, if not a permanent cessation, to his coaching career. Being a pro football head coach is high stress, high demand, and it would not surprise us if Coach Willsey felt he needed a break.
Kevin Greene, LB, New Jersey: Greene retired once already, only to come back to the league when the Generals made him an offer he could not refuse. His second stint in the league has been a struggle as the Generals simply don’t provide him the opportunity to shine that he had in his final years with Birmingham. He is still a big hitter, but he is not getting the sack totals he earned in his final years as a Stallion, and at 38, his body has to be feeling the ravages of a long pro football career.
WRs Cris Carter (PHI) and Webster Slaughter (POR): Both receivers have been very good for very long, but they now find themselves on clubs in decline, being pushed by younger receivers, and having fewer opportunities to make a big impact. Philadelphia is mounting a late playoff push, and with Bobby Hebert at the helm, Carter is still integral to the Stars’ offense, so he may feel he can give it another year, but we suspect that Slaughter may see less hope with young Akili Smith at the helm in Portland, and may opt to make an exit at age 36.
Terry Orr, TE, Arizona: This season marks Orr’s 15th with the Wranglers, a legacy that will be celebrated by the club when he choses to walk away from the game. Don’t be surprised if Orr ends up either in the front office, on the coaching staff, or in the broadcast booth in Tempe. He is beloved in Wrangler Country. His numbers remain good, and he has a dynamic young QB in Jake Plummer, but he is 35 and he has certainly lost a step or two. With so many options to remain a part of the Wrangler community after retirement, we would not be shocked to see him step away from the on-field ravages of the game.
Kurt Gouveia, LB, Denver: Another veteran who has options after his playing days. Gouveia’s injury this week is one of many he has suffered over the years on the Gold roster. This season in particular we have seen a significant drop in his production (stats) and fire (gameday energy). Gouveia is all about team, and if he is not able to help the Gold reach their ultimate goal of a title, he may feel that the time is right to think about his future.
Doug Flutie, QB, Michigan: Folks have been speculating about Doug Flutie’s future in the USFL ever since he signed with the Generals in 1985. This is his 15th season with the club, but, truth be told, we don’t see this as his last. He is still fleet of foot, still slinging the ball all over the field, and still creating occasional moments of magic. He is well on his way to a 4,000 yard, 30 TD season, after setting personal bests in 1998 with 4,917 yards and 40 TDs for the Panthers. He still seems to love the game, and he is on a club that seems happy to have him in charge, so the incentives are not there. Flutie is 35 and we could honestly see him play for another 3-5 years if his body holds out. Not bad for a guy who was too small to play pro ball.
Too early for clinching scenarios yet, especially with the logjams we see in both conferences, but what we see are all 4 divisions getting tighter. Memphis and Birmingham are tied atop the South. LA, Texas, and Baltimore now each have only a 1-game lead over their closest challengers, Denver, St. Louis, Michigan, and Ohio. Meanwhile, those 6th playoff berths in each conference look like they will go down to the wire. Philadelphia actually occupies the 6th spot ini the East right now, one game behind Tampa for 5th, but tied with 3 other clubs at 5-6. In the West, Houston is the only club at 6-5 right now, but Arizona and Seattle are still right there at 5-6.
With 5 games left, it is way too early to know how this will pan out, who will rise and who will fall. Here is what we can say, Ohio and Michigan have both won 4 in a row and appear to be peaking at the right time. Baltimore has lost both games since losing Trent Green and could be in real danger down the stretch. Seattle and Washington have also lost their last 2 games, dropping them out of current playoff position and creating some urgency for Week 12.
One big injury this week, which is generally a good thing, unless, of course, you are Stephen Davis of the Stallions. The big back is out for at least 6 weeks, but could return for a playoff run after suffering a high ankle sprain in this week’s game. We have a few more 1-2 week injuries of importance, including Denver losing DT Dan Saleamua to a broken hand, St. Louis playing without Trev Alberts after a nerve pinch produced significant issues with his right side, and Houston will be without their 3rd option at receiver as Hart Lee Dykes is likely to miss 1-2 weeks with a fractured cheekbone. The good news around the league is that it appears that neither Spence Fischer in New Jersey or Jamie Martin in New Orleans will miss more than one game as both are now listed as probable after tests showed no major damage to either signal caller.
We mentioned Donald Dizney and his battle with George Steinbrenner in Orlando, so it seems a good time to follow up on that story. As you may remember from our Week 2 “Around the League”, recently added minority owner Steinbrenner was essentially making a push to acquire shares and install himself as the majority owner of the club with the intention of possibly moving the team. Dizney was fighting to maintain control, with both owners trying to sway another minority owner, Woody Weiser, to sell them his shares in the club. Well, the news so far this season is that Weiser seems to be holding firm. Weiser, who was to be the original majority owner when the club was exploring Miami as its expansion home, still has interest in Miami, but with the Renegades proving to be quite profitable in Orlando, those hope seem to be on hold. Weiser is now playing coy with both Dizney and Steinbrenner, hoping to maximize the profitability of any sale of his portion of the club. We cannot say we blame him for this, of course, as having 2 bidders inevitably benefits the seller.
Dizney still holds the majority of club ownership (50.9%) and even if Wieser were to sell to Steinbrenner, it would not provide him with the majority, but it would increase Steinbrenner’s voice within the club. The fact that Weiser is open to potentially splitting his shares could truly be the key to any resolution of this internal conflict. Were Weiser to provide a significant portion of his interest in the club to Dizney, perhaps enough for Dizney to reach 60% of ownership, it would keep Steinbrenner below the 40% threshold while still increasing his ownership share. We simply don’t know if that would be enough to satisfy the NY Yankees owner, so he may walk away altogether if that were to happen. And this seems to be Dizney’s big move, offering Weiser an overpriced buyout of just enough shares for Dizney to reach 60% ownership, and then potentially urging a disgruntled Steinbrenner to sell down rather than pushing to acquire a larger share.
What does this mean for fans of the Renegades? Well, other than the fact that the club is likely to seek to improve revenue by increasing everything from ticket prices to the cost of a hotdog at the stadium, probably not much. It does not appear that Steinbrenner will be able to acquire a large enough share to push hard for relocation to New York (what most expect he wants) and if he were to sell off rather than buying more of the club, there is no shortage of potential investors who want their foot in the door with a USFL franchise. So, fans can expect to see higher costs to offset the expense of these share swaps, but the risk of Orlando losing their club seems minimal right now.
A big week for divisional matchups in the Western Conference with a lot of clubs playing for their playoff lives. Houston at 6-5 has home field as they take on the red hot Michigan Panthers (7-4). A win in this one puts the Gamblers right back in the thick of the hunt. St. Louis is at Texas, a win by the home team and they build a potential 2-game lead in the division, a loss and the Knights (and possibly Panthers) are tied with them atop the Central. New Orleans is in Chicago and a win would keep their marginal playoff aspirations (and Mike Ditka’s job) alive.
In the Pacific it is make it or break it for Portland as they host the 7-4 Denver Gold. At 4-7 a loss likely ends any chance at landing a Wild Card. Arizona sits at 5-6 and needs to beat the Invaders in Tempe to get back to .500. Seattle also wants to return to .500 with a win, but it will not be easy as they travel to Farmers Insurance Field to take on the 8-3 LA Express.
The Eastern Conference is not in division this week, but that does not mean there aren’t big games to be had. We start with Memphis at Philly. A win by the Stars and they are back to .500, something that did not seem possible just a couple of weeks ago. But, Memphis needs to win if they want to keep pace with Birmingham. The Stallions also face a 5-6 team desperate for a win as they travel to the Meadowlands to face the Generals. Tampa Bay is sitting at 6-5 and cannot afford to fall further back of Memphis and Birmingham, but they are in Pittsburgh, yet another 5-6 team that sees a win this week as essential. In other games we have the 1-10 Fire visiting 5-6 Washington, 4-7 Orlando visiting the Ohio Glory who hope to reach 8-4 with a win, and we have the Baltimore Blitz, hoping to generate some offense this week as they host the 4-7 Jacksonville Bulls.