2000 USFL Week 10 Recap: What Just Happened?

What, indeed. This week we saw two results that no one saw coming, and while two out of 12 games being hard to predict is not that out of the ordinary in the world of pro football, these two were still odd enough to make us wonder just what is in the water this week. Sure, New Jersey has been close in seemingly every game, but for them to upset the Bulls just did not seem likely. And for Portland to finally get a win just seemed near impossible after weeks of futility, though having a healthy QB with NFL experience might just have been the catalyst the Thunder needed. Let’s look at these two surprising results and all the rest of the action around the league this week.

This one was wild, and for once the Generals managed to pull out the close game and get a long-overdue W. In a game that came down to a last minute drive, it was New Jersey snatching victory from the jaws of defeat and not the other way around. Both the Generals and the Bulls had success on the ground, with New Jersey racking up 152 yards and Jacksonville an even more impressive 221. But it was the New Jersey defense, much maligned and often rightly so, that helped the Generals win their first game since opening week.

It all began with Jacksonville’s first possession, an ominous start as kick returner Tyrone Shavers muffed the punt at the end of New Jersey’s first drive, forcing the Bulls to start at their own 3. After an Irvin run got them nowhere, Phil Hansen did what he always does, brought down the QB, only this time Chandler was in the endzone. New Jersey started off with a 2-0 lead. The joy in Jersey did not last long as on their next two possessions the Bulls got a 27-yard TD pass from Chandler to Steve Johnson and a 41-yard TD run from big man Edgar Bennett, his only carry of the game. New Jersey would get a late Neil Rackers field goal but headed into the halftime locker room down 14-5.

The second half saw New Jersey get even more production out of their defense as a rushed Chandler threw the ball right to LB Lorenzo Styles, and the lanky defender took the ball all the way back for 6, helping New Jersey get back to 14-12. After another solid defensive stand by the Generals produced a 3-and-out, Jeff Lewis guided New Jersey into Bulls’ territory, eventually hitting Terry Glenn with a scoring toss to give the Generals a 19-14 lead.

The lead would be short-lived as Jacksonville countered, Chandler to Terrell Owens for 6, but a failed 2-point conversion meant it was a slim 20-19 lead for the Bulls. And that lead too would not last long as the 4th quarter opened with Jeff Lewis finding Terry Glenn for a second time, this one a 25-yard scoring strike on a seam route. With the successful 2-point conversion, New Jersey now lead by 7.

That lead would hold until the final minutes of the game, but with 1:30 left on the clock it once again seemed like the Generals were finding a way to lose a game they should win. A defensive holding call kept a desperate drive alive for the Bulls and 2 plays later Chandler found Dez White for the game-tying score. 1:30 left to play and all on the line for a club that had seen so many close games break against them.

New Jersey needed 33 yards to get to the outer range of Neil Racker’s ability, but they would get nearly 50 on only 4 plays. Completions to Kevin Johnson, Terry Glenn and rookie TE Anthony Becht got the ball well inside a comfort zone for Rackers, and with only 12 seconds left to play, New Jersey brought out the kicker on 3rd down, just in case something were to go wrong. Nothing did. The kick went right through the uprights and for once the Generals eked out a win in a down to the wire game. The loss was a big one for Jacksonville, their 2nd loss in a row, and one which dropped them from 1st place all the way to 3rd in the South, with both Memphis and Orlando leapfrogging them. For New Jersey it was both a real and a moral victory, proof that their effort would eventually bring results.

ARZ 21 POR 24

Can you be considered a hero if you have a sub-par game but still get a W? That is the question many are asking about Rick Mirer’s first full game as the Portland starter. The NFL import completed only 9 of 20 passes for only 100 yards, but he avoided turnovers and he got the W, Portland’s first of the year. Most of the credit should probably go to Napoleon Kaufmann, who shredded Arizona’s defense for 140 yards and a score. That and a defensive scheme that left a spy on Jake Plummer all game long, a spy who held Plummer to -1 yards rushing on 11 attempts. Arizona was frustrated and flustered all game, with Plummer throwing 2 picks and no run game to support him. A bad loss for a club hoping to move into safe playoff position.

NOR 10 STL 17

It was a defensive battle of attrition in St. Louis, where both clubs shut down nearly everything the opposing offenses wanted to do. Neither club accumulated 100 yards on the ground. Neither QB threw the ball well, Todd Collins only threw for 84 yards in a truly bizarre day for him. And in the end it was simply field position that allowed the homestanding Knights to get the win, sending New Orleans to defeat for only the 2nd time all year.

CHI 13 TEX 16

Another defensive battle in the Central Division, though in this case it may be more that both offenses failed to find a rhythm. The shocker in this one was that backup HB Autrey Detson ended up having a huge game, racking up 190 yards on 25 carries as Reggie Cobb dealt with injury. Nothing else worked for Texas, but Detson’s monster game was enough. With the loss, the once 4-1 Machine now drop to 4-6, five losses in a row.

DEN 20 OAK 18

Oakland nearly pulled off another amazing upset in this one, but Denver got a last minute Jeff Wilkens field goal to just get by the Invaders. Rashaan Salaam’s 113 yards helped, but in the end it was Brunell to Peerless Price that got the Gold in position for the winning kick. The win puts Denver in the driver’s seat for a #1 seed, theirs to lose.

LA 17 SEA 34

Seattle got solid play from both Corey Dillon and backup Joe Montgomery, combining for 140 yards rushing, and rookie QB Gio Carmazzi went 22 of 29 to upend the Express and win at home. LA struggled with protection as Seattle got 7 sacks of McNown, including 2 from Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite, John Abraham as the Dragons move to 8-2 on the season.

BIR 24 BAL 33

The big plays were not there for Favre on this game, perhaps due to the loss of Ernest Givens. Baltimore sacked the prolific Stallion QB 5 times as the Blitz got a much-needed win. As expected, Coach Infante made the move and called up Jeff Garcia to start after several poor outings from Trent Green. Garcia responded with 256 yards passing and 3 touchdowns as the Blitz gain ground in the Atlantic.

MEM 31 OHI 21

Ohio got good games from Eddie George and Joey Galloway but it was not enough as Memphis HB Garrison Hearst had one of his best games of the year, rushing for 116 yards and a score. 3 Heath Shuler TD passes more than made up for 3 picks from the defending league MVP. The key play was a 49-yarder to Adrian Cooper that busted open a 21-21 tie and gave the W to the visiting Showboats.

ORL 15 PHI 8

Philly struggled to find running room for Stephen Davis, while Orlando’s Moe Williams shared carries with Terry Kirby to produce a combined 125 yards rushing as the Renegades won a tough battle of field position and limited opportunities. In a game where each team scored a safety, a rare occurrence indeed, the Renegades came out on top as Philadelphia only crossed the 50 3 times, and got only 2 field goals in those trips.

TBY 27 PIT 13

A good day for Troy Aikman until a late hit produced a possible concussion. He threw for 3 TDs against a failing Mauler defense, and with Errict Rhett adding 78 yards on the ground, Tampa pulled away from the Maulers. Terrell Davis was the one consistent threat for Pittsburgh, rushing the ball 26 times for 133 yards, but failing to score on a key goal line 3rd down run.

ATL 10 WSH 40

Aaron Brooks returned under center for Atlanta but little seemed to improve as he completed only 14 of 39 throws (35.9%) and threw three picks against the brutal Federal defense. The combo of Word and Droughns for Washington racked up 116 yards rushing, and Scott Zolak threw 3 TDs to lead Washington to an easy victory, their 4th in a row, and with losses by Philly and Ohio, it is now Washington atop the Atlantic Division at 7-3.

HOU 7 MGN 37

We finish with another bad showing from the Houston offense. Houston went 4 for 16 on third down as Matt Hasselbeck completed only 16 of 41 passes. Doug Flutie, on the other hand, went 18 for 20 (90%) and connected on 3 scoring tosses for the Panthers. Jeff Campbell got heavy use in the red zone, scoring twice and catching 8 balls for 120 in total. With the win, Michigan evens its record at 5-5.

GARCIA STARTS AND WINS

Sometimes it might just be the fans who have the better idea. When Trent Green came back from injury to resume starting duties, many fans thought it a mistake to remove Garcia, who had filled in so well. After 3 straight losses, Coach Infante went back to Garcia and got back on a winning path again. When we look at the stats, we might see why the fans were right about this. Trent Green has thrown more TDs in his action (9 to 8), but he has also thrown 7 picks, while Garcia has tossed only 1 in all his action. Garcia is also completing about 71% of his throws to Green’s 58.2%. That disparity represents a considerably better third down conversion rate for Garcia.

For now it looks like Garcia will remain the starter for the rest of the season. Just what this means for Green is yet to be decided but getting demoted is never a good sign for a veteran QB. But this may just be a situation of the right man in the right moment. After all, in past seasons as a starter (With LA and Baltimore during other Green injuries), Garcia has never surpassed a 57% completion rate and his TD-INT ratio was never anything like the current 8-1 ratio we have seen this year. Maybe he is just a better fit for the Blitz system this year, or maybe the game is finally slowing down for him. Either way, Baltimore is happy to have an option like Garcia to call on.

HOW DID THEY DO IT?

We thought Portland's surprising win over Arizona required a little more analysis, because we honestly did not see this coming. The Thunder defense has been among the worst in the league, 22nd in scoring defense and allowing nearly 360 yards of offense a game, but against the Wranglers they may have found the formula to handcuffing the Arizona offense. Portland went with an unorthodox 3-3-5 alignment, basically daring the Wranglers to run the ball. The 3 man line (Hugh Douglas, Clyde Simmons, and Kelvin Pritchett) were, on most plays, assisted by at least one blitizing linebacker or D-back. They also kept a spy on Plummer, but varied it between LB Bryce Paup and Safety Jerod Cherry, with Cherry playing the role on most passing downs, aided by the 5th, and occasionally a 6th DB in coverage.

The impact of Coach Rhodes's unorthodox strategy was that Jake Plummer, while not facing intense D-line pressure, was constantly having to adjust to potential blitzers, and also was hemmed in by the spy shadowing his lateral movement. The result? Plummer scrambled or rushed the ball (designed) 11 times for a grand total of -7 yards. It likely would have been even less, but 4 of the times he was captured behind the lines were designated as sacks as he was still within the hashmarks and protection pocket. What has to be particularly gauling for Wrangler Coach Art Shell is that even despite this unique defense, one predicated on containing Plummer and the short pass, the Wranglers were still unable to mount a credible rushing attack. When seeing essentially a skewed nickel on most downs, you would expect a heavy dose of the running game, but despite carries by Levins, Lester, FB Richie Anderson, and Leeland MacElroy, the Wranglers could only muster 27 total yards rushing. That is embarrassingly bad for a pro football team, particularly against a 3-man line with only 3 backers in the game. Admitedly, the three linemen Portland has are solid, and did a great job of keeping the run blocking off kilter all day, but with only 3 linebackers, one would expect the sheer numbers game of O-line to defenders to do the job for the run game, but it did not.

The other piece of the puzzle was Portland's ability to score enough points to take advantage of a good defensive plan. Rick Mirer got his second start after an injury-shortened first game earlier this year. And, as noted above, while his 9 of 20, 100 yard day, was hardly the thing of legend, he was a calm presence in the huddle, and helped lead to 4 scoring drives in the first 2 quarters, putting Arizona in a 24-7 hole that also helped diminish the chances of the Wranglers relying on the run. Napoleon Kaufmann had his second really big game of the season, with 140 yards rushing, and Darius Turner also found room, rushing for 57. Once in front, Portland was able to essentially dink, dunk, and run the ball to kill time and keep building drives that limited Arizona's ability to come back.

Essentially, Ray Rhodes outcoached Art Shell in this one. He had an insight on how to slow down Arizona, got enough support from the offense to force Arizona into a pass-first mentality, and he contained Jake Plummer's athleticism. Is this a formula others will try to emulate? Almost certainly. But can Rhodes continue to find weaknesses in opposition schemes, or was this simply a perfect alignment of scheme and circumstance for a Portland squad that has struggled to make plays all year? That is still to be seen.

MAULER MISSTEPS

While many of us could have (or had) predicted rough seasons in places like Atlanta, Portland, or Houston, the collapse of the Pittsburgh Maulers from last year to this is a bit of a mystery. If you recall, the Maulers were one of the hottest teams in the league at the end of last year, rattling off a streak of wins to end the year that landed them a home playoff game, leading the league in rushing with Terrell Davis, and holding teams down with a well-coached, hard hitting defense. So what happened that has led Pittsburgh to a 2-8 record after 10 games this year?

Looking at the numbers the answers are not immediately clear. Terrell Davis, while not as dominant as last year, is still closing in on 1,000 yards, though the periferal rushing of others is not really there (Pittsburgh ranks 19th in rushing). The passing game was not expected to be high flying, but currently ranks 14th, which is average at worst. The Defense remains tough against the run, allowing only 99 yards a game, good enough for a Top 10 status. If we are going to point to anything statistically it has to be pass defense. Pittsburgh ranks dead last, allowing 294 yards a game, and when you allow a 300-yard passing game nearly every week, you will have some difficulties. But it is actually more than that.

The three facets you want to see in pass defense are pass rush, third down defense, and takeaways. Pittsburgh is not making the grade in any of these areas. They are tied for last in the league with only 17 team sacks, their leading sacker being LB Godfrey Miles with only 4 on the year. The Maulers are also one of the worst teams (22nd) in getting off the field on third down, meaning more drives continue into scoring territory and more points are put on the board. It also means that teams can dominate time of possession, helping to explain why Pittsburgh, which has never been a fast-moving, quick drive, big play offense, is one of the lowest scoring teams in the league. The offense gets yards when it gets the ball, but it is getting the ball less than other teams because the D cannot get off the field. Finally, the takeaways are not coming as they did last year. Pittsburgh is middle-of-the-pack with 8 picks in 10 games, but is not forcing fumbles, and so they find themselves not getting short drives, easy points, or more opportunities.

Not to lay all the team's worries on the defense, but when we look at Charlie Batch, Terrell Davis or Andre Rison we are not seeing issues there. When we look at the D, the same cannot be said. The D-Line of Moe gardner, Bob Kuberski, and Jeff Cross is just not keeping blockers off the linebackers. Erik Kumerow, Godfrey Miles, and Nate Webster are not getting any younger and are certainly not the type of speedy pursuers that a 3-4 needs. We think DeMetrius DuBose is still a top flight linebacker, but there is just not enough happening around him. Losing Bobby Taylor from the secondary has also not helped at all. Quintin Jones is not a true #1 corner, and Kareem Larrimore is best suited as a slot/nickel defender, rather than a #2. But, what perhaps is handcuffing Pittsburgh the most is that Patrick Surtain, who was so good last year, is just not playing with his head in the game this year. Far too many blown coverages, too few big plays, and too many short passes leading to broken tackles and longer gains.

It is no one player's fault that Pittsburgh is at 2-8, but Coach Thomas has got to look at what he has, what he is trying to do defensively, and make some adjustments, because while it is not immediately apparent in the stats, the chain of cause and effect between a lackluster defensive showing, a lack of scoring, and a losing record is pretty clear.

Our first official playoff standings for the year and just in time the Federals have jumped all the way up to the #1 seed. Their 4 game win streak has given them some tiebreakers that put them atop the pack of 7-3 clubs, just ahead of Orlando, with Ohio and Philadelphia trailing. In the West Denver is in prime position to snatch a #1 seed, while New Orleans and Seattle sit a game back. Right now 5-5 will get a Western team into the playoffs while at 6-4 Baltimore is currently out of the picture in the East. With 6 weeks left we expect a lot of change in these standings, but for now things are quite muddled, with even some 3-7 clubs having hope (though not much, really).

Ten weeks into the season, so just 6 weeks left for teams to get all their contracts in order for those players about to become free agents. Of course, with a hard salary cap not every player on every team can be resigned. Some tough decisions will have to happen. Veterans let go to make room for younger players, underperforming stars possibly let go, young talent with potential simply squeezed out because other positions are a priority. It is a messy business, and so, as with each offseason, we can expect a good number of players, quality players, to change teams, often to change leagues, as teams must negotiate the cap, decide on priorities, and make tough choices. Looking at the positions and players that are currently in their contract years we see some big names and some budding talent. Which of these players will change locations, teams, or leagues? Which will be resigned over the next 6 weeks? For each club’s personnel departments, this is their playoffs, determining the future of their squads. Let’s take a look at the big names and big decisions ahead. Here is our round up of current contract year players yet to be extended.

SECONDARY

A lot of corners worth investing in, but not always a position that gets the respect it deserves, especially when there are 2 or more solid players on one squad. The big names potentially looking at the free agent market include Darrien Gordon (TBY), Bobby Taylor (PIT), Tyronne Legette (ATL), Vince Buck (LA), Ashley Ambrose (HOU), Aeneas Williams (ARZ) and Samari Rolle (TBY). Tampa cannot sign both of their top corners, so expect at least one to hit the market.

Among safeties there are fewer big names coming up this year, but a few who could prove difficult to resign. Among the top names are Strong Safeties LeRoy Butler (ORL), Jason Sehorn (NJ), Sam Shade (PIT), and Eric McMillian (NJ). Again, with 2 very talented players at the same position, New Jersey will likely have to choose one over the other. In the Free Safety pool we find Darren Woodson (NOR), Joe King (DEN), Jerome Woods (PIT), Mike Prior (MGN), and Mark Carrier (JAX). Carrier, at 34, is a potential cap space victim, but we also see that Pittsburgh has a lot of players to sign and they may downplay the position, sending Woods into the pool.

LINEBACKER

As usual we see a lot of potential players over 30 in this pool, including Levon Kirkland in Seattle, Lamar Lathon in New Orleans, Cornelius Bennett in Birmingham, and Pat Swilling in Houston. Kirkland and Lathon will be top priorities for resigning, but we could see Bennett or Swilling being let go, especially if there is a change at the top of the organization in either city. Among the younger linebackers who could be squeezed out due to cap restrictions, we have some very talented players, including Kevin Mitchell (TBY), Kailee Wong (OAK), Randall Godfrey (ATL), and Chris Cowart (DEN). Youth often gets some priority, so it will be interesting to see if these clubs let up and coming players go.

DEFENSIVE LINE

While pass rushing DE’s are often a top priority to resign, in some cases it is the player who wants out. Will that be the case with some very talented edge rushers this year? Well, there are plenty on our list, and some are certainly not feeling the love with their current teams. Hugh Douglas may want out of Portland, and Santana Dotson never seems well-utilized in Tampa Bay, despite earning a ring with the Bandits. Chris Doleman will likely resign in Orlando (They would be fools to let him walk), but Renaldo Turnbull in Michigan, Mike Piel in Baltimore, or Simeon Rice in Chicago may opt to test the market.

Defensive Tackle is a position where we often see teams try to just throw bodies at the position, letting top players go to afford other positions. That may mean that several of these players could relocate in 2001: Leon Lett (PHI), Sean Gilbert (CHI), Joel Steed (ORL), Jerry Ball (STL), Leonard Renfro (HOU), or Tim Johnson (OAK). Both Jerome Brown in Washington and John Randall in Baltimore are also on contract years, but we cannot imagine their clubs will let them test the waters. They are far to central to their clubs’ defensive schemes to let them go.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Other than left tackle, this is always a low priority for resigning, just the nature of the game. So, that means there may be guards, centers and even some right tackles on the market this year. Among Centers the biggest names are Bubba Miller (JAX), Mike Flanagan (BIR), Matt Elliott (BAL), and Brian Brauninger (NOR). There are even more guards potentially let loose, including Corbin Lacina (NJ), Todd Kaliss (HOU), Jesse Sapolo (SEA), and Matt O’Dwyer (JAX).

When we look at the tackle position, we expect a lot of resignings, so don’t be surprised if Jermaine Mayberry is locked up by Texas, Herb Webster by the Portland Thunder, or Leon Searcy by Chicago. There may be a few mid-level guys available, such as LA’s Brian Williams, Denver’s Adam Meadows, and Birmingham’s Melvin Hayes, but as always we expect the RT’s to outpace the LT’s as far as free agent finds go.

WIDE RECEIVER

Always a big pool simply because each club has 6 or more and cannot resign everyone. Some may not be good fits for a new coach, or a new system, others may simply have worn out their welcome. Among the top level receivers potentially joining the free agent market we find Rocket Ismail (ARZ), Ed McCaffrey (OAK), Az Zahir-Hakeem (NOR), Brett Perriman (HOU), Keenan McCardell (ORL), and Robert Brooks (TBY). Others hope a relocation can provide them with more playing time or a move from the 3rd position to a starting job. Among those in this boat we find Kevin Dyson (PHI), Tamarick Vanover (DEN), Cedric Tillman (OHI), Patrick Rowe (JAX), and Darnay Scott (TEX).

TIGHT END

A tricky pool to predict. Will Philly really let Eric Green go? Will LA double down on Frank Wycheck? Can Dante Whittaker (ORL), Keth McKeller (BAL), or Steve Johnson (JAX) get a new deal despite all being in their 30’s? That all depends on how good the coaches and GMs feel about depth at the position. Tight End is a hard position to evaluate, and a lot depends on whether a coach wants a blocker who occasionally catches, or a receiver who will block on occasion. Get the wrong fit and even a top flight player can be let go.

RUNNING BACK

This is one where it is as often the player as the team who decides to forestall a contract and look for work elsewhere. We don’t expect Corey Dillon to look outside of Seattle, not now that the Dragons appear to be on a winning track, but can the same be said for Siran Stacy in Oakland, Ricky Watters in Chicago (where Duce Staley also needs to be resigned), or Reggie Cobb in Texas? Others who are far more likely to resign include Ahman Green (STL), Stephen Davis (PHI), and Dorsey Levins (ARZ), but we are not so sure about Darrell Thompson (stuck behind Eddie George in Ohio) or Rodney Thomas (challenged by rookie Shaun Alexander in Birmingham).

QUARTERBACK

A cavalcade of All-USFL players on this list. Doug Flutie, Bobby Hebert, Troy Aikman, Mark Brunell, Jake Plummer, Todd Collins, and Kelly Stouffer. Do we really expect any to move? That is very hard to picture, and yet it seems that every year we are surprised by at least one player who changes things up. With QB it is all about the coaching and the potential to maximize exposure, since the payscale is going to be solid whether the player stays or moves on. Look to the middle of the pack for more likely movement. Backups who want a shot at starting or players in unsettled positions. In that group we have Cary Conklin (OAK), Matt Hasselbeck (HOU), Bill Musgrave (DEN), Ray Lucas (CHI), Elvis Grbac (MGN) and Danny Wuerfel (JAX). We would not be surprised, with all the QB issues in the league, for someone to overpay based solely on potential with one of these signal callers.

KICKERS & PUNTERS

Never a high profile position, but one that can win or lose games for you. Among the kickers who may get a look from another team we find Ryan Longwell in St. Louis, John Carney in Chicago, and Brett Conway in Michigan (What is it about the Central Division?). The only punters likely to foster any type of market are Chris Moorman from Atlanta and Chris Hanson from LA.

So, a lot of talent there, but, as always, expect at least 50% of these players to be signed by week 16, another group to resign in free agency, and maybe 30%-40% to shift around. Of course, with the NFL transfer window also a factor, you never know if the temptation will be too great for some players to resist taking a swim in the free agent market just to see if competition can increase their value.

Week 11 is an interconference week with the coast-to-coast battle of Pacific clubs visiting the Atlantic while the Central Division travels to face Southern teams. Among the better matchups we see 8-2 New Orleans hoping to rebound but facing a feisty 5-5 Tampa Bay squad in Tampa. Another 5-5 club, Michigan, has a tough matchup as they head to Memphis to play the Showboats. Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the week is Ohio hosting Seattle in a battle of 1995 expansion clubs that finally seem to have found their sea legs.

In Philadelphia, the Stars will host the Denver Gold, with hopes of moving back into first place in the Atlantic. Could be a tough task, especially with Washington at home against a struggling Oakland squad. Baltimore hopes they can gain ground, but have to beware the upset as Portland has now tasted victory. In New Jersey the Generals hope to make it 2 wins in a row as they host the LA Express. Pittsburgh is at home against Arizona in a game the Wranglers certainly cannot afford to lose. We will also see two 4-6 clubs battle as Chicago, losers of 5 straight, visit Birmingham. Houston will be in Jacksonville to face an angry Bulls team after this week’s loss, and St. Louis will be the next team hoping to successfully put out the Fire as they head to Atlanta. Finally, Texas will visit Orlando, where the 7-3 Renegades are hoping to get one step closer to a division title.