Four teams battle for the right to move on to Summer Bowl 2001. Three of the title challengers emerge from the wild card round, while only Orlando remains of the league’s four division champions. After 18 weeks of football the chance to play for a title will depend on 60 minutes. In Denver, the defending league champions have home field after both of the top seeds in the West were eliminated last week. They take on one of the most unpredictable players (and teams) in the league in Arizona’s Jake Plummer. In the East it is the early frontrunner, Orlando, facing an upstart Philadelphia squad that needed back to back wins to improve from 7-7 to 9-7 and squeak into the postseason on the final week of regular season play. Will this week be another hayday for the upstarts or will the home favorites punch their ticket to Chicago and Summer Bowl 2001?
ORLANDO STRIKES MIDNIGHT ON STARS’ CINDERELLA RUN
ORL 24 PHI 10
The Orlando Renegades raced out to an 8-0 start this year and an early claim as the best team in the league. They played up to that title at home, in front of 55,000 crazed “Tail-Gaders” on Sunday, dismissing the Philadelphia Stars and booking their ticket to the Summer Bowl. Terry Kirby would be the star of the game with 3 touchdown runs, but it truly was a team effort as Orlando limited Bobby Hebert to only 172 yards passing, Stephen Davis to only 51 yards on the ground and got big performances from Kirby, Zeroue, Scott Mitchell and Donald Driver on offense.
The game hinged on a period of about 12 minutes of game time spanning the second and third quarters when Orlando scored on 3 consecutive drives, all with Kirby runs from inside the 6, while also forcing 2 Philadelphia turnovers, an Hebert pick and a failed 4th and 2 run by Davis. What had been a 3-3 tie turned to a 24-3 deficit, and the game was Orlando’s. Philly simply wilted in the 90+ temperatures in Orlando and the energy was not there to overcome the Renegade’s top rated defense.
DENVER SHUTS DOWN PLUMMER FOR RETURN TO TITLE GAME
DEN 37 ARZ 14
The Denver Gold scored 34 unanswered points to overpower the Arizona Wranglers after initially trailing 7-0 at home. Jake Plummer looked good early, hitting Santana Moss with a 16-yard TD on the opening drive of the day, but the Gold put the clamps on the elusive QB after that, holding Plummer to only 1 yard rushing on 8 attempts, and containing his passing all game. For their part, the Gold offense relied heavily on the run game, rushing the ball 36 times on the day, with Rod Smart going for 90 yards on 12 carries, while Rashan Salaam gained 74 on his 21 carries. Salaam would become a very unwanted story on Monday, but on Sunday he and Smart helped Denver control the clock and build up a massive lead, scoring 3 times in the 1st and 2nd quarter to take over the game.
Denver’s defense did the rest, sacking Plummer 3 time, picking him off once, and completely shutting down any run game at all for the Wranglers, who would earn a total of 10 yards rushing as a team. LB Deshone Myles led all tacklers with 7 on the day, followed closely by Kurt Gouveia, Leslie O’Neill, and Bruce Pickens, all with 6. O’Neill was an issue for the Wrangler line all day, with 3 tackles for loss and 2 sacks of Plummer. Special Teams also got into the mix with punter Todd Sauerbrun placing the ball inside the 20 four times in 7 punts. Add in a 34-yard kick return from wideout Peerless Price and what you get is a defending champion playing like a team that is hungry for another title.
SALAAM ARRESTED, OUT OF SUMMER BOWL
You hate to see it, a player with obvious talent but also obvious problems. Rashan Salaam is that player right now. After serving a 4-game suspension midseason for a failed drug test, the hope in Denver had been that his issue was an isolated one and that he could return and be a major factor in the Gold’s season. Through the remainder of the regular season that seemed to be the case, but that all blew up on Monday, just one day after Salaam helped the Gold win the Western Conference Title. Initial reports were sketchy, but in the past 3 days we have gotten enough information to know that the situation is not good, and enough for the Gold to step in even before the league made an official announcement, to say that unequivocally Salaam will not travel to Chicago with the club and will not participate in this Sunday’s championship game.
What appears undisputed is that police were called out to a house party in lower Downtown Denver on Monday night. On that call a large house part was broken up and several attendees arrested, among them Salaam. In later reporting it has been revealed that a sizable amount of cocaine, both in powder and crack rock form, was found in the house, with some in the personal possession of Salaam. Initial reports of shots fired at the police raid of the party have since been debunked, but charges against Salaam for possession as well as intent to distribute cocaine have been filed, along with a slew of minor issues related to resisting arrest and failure to follow police instruction. Salaam has been released on bond, but his legal woes are just beginning.
For the Gold, the issue of Salaam’s status for this week was not going to be left up to the last minute and a league edict. They suspended Salaam from the team on Thursday and are prepared to go to Chicago’s title tilt with Rod Smart as their lead back, just as they did during Salaam’s earlier suspension. This news shifted the line in Las Vegas, which had been a 3 point advantage for Orlando but now has ballooned to 6.5 points. Will Denver be able to overcome this unwanted change of plans, and, more importantly, will Rashan Salaam be able to get the help he clearly seems to need and return to football in 2002? More on both as we cover Summer Bowl 2001 and the USFL offseason.
MAULERS MAKE BICKNELL THEIR MAN
The Maulers have closed out the coaching carousel for another season, and in near record time, as they named former BC and Philadelphia Stars head coach Jack Bicknell their choice to head up the franchise. Bicknell, who served at BC during its heyday (The Doug Flutie years) had mixed results in his prior stint as head man of the Philadelphia Stars. Bicknell made his name with the BC Eagles and was named the successor to Jim Mora Sr. in Philadelphia when Mora departed for the NFL. He had moderate success with the Stars, but that was simply not adequate for a franchise which had been one of the early leaders in the league and was let go after 5 seasons.
Bicknell has since not had another head coaching position, but has served on several staffs, both in college and the NFL. He has a reputation as an offensive innovator, a good motivator of players, and an affable “player’s coach”. The hope, one expects, in Pittsburgh is that he can either develop Charlie Batch or help usher in a new quarterback who can complement the run game led by Terrell Davis. Bicknell will also have to address a defense that has been particularly bad against the pass these past few years, with a secondary that has been too forgiving of opposing quarterbacks. The retirement of Eric Kumerow also means that Pittsburgh will be promoting either DeMetrius DuBose or Godfrey Miles to defensive captain as the two lead the best position group on the Mauler D.
ALL-USFL TEAM
Just days until Summer Bowl 2001 and as always the build up to the league’s title game includes several big events, from the Media Day frenzy to the announcement of the upcoming Hall of Fame Inductees. We will get to the Hall of Fame Class of 2001 in a moment, but first let us recognize the best of the best from this past season, the 2001 All-USFL Team:
QUARTERBACK: Two conventional picks in Kerry Collins (OHI) and Heath Shuler (MEM) are joined by a more unconventional choice in Jake Plummer. We say unconventional because Plummer’s passing numbers would not make him a top 5 QB, much less All-USFL, but we simply have to recognize that as a QB Plummer was aalso a Top 15 rusher and led the league in rushing touchdowns.
HALFBACK: Terrell Davis, Ahman Green, and Ron Dayne are the picks and there is no real controversy here as they represent the three highest rushing totals of the season.
FULLBACK: Larry Centers (MEM) gets the nod here in recognition of his use not only as a blocker, but also as a ball carrier and as a receiver.
GUARD: Brandon Stai (OAK), Mike Verstegen (ORL), Alan Faneca (LA) and Greg DiNapoli (STL) get the honor for one of the toughest positions to evaluate.
TACKLE: No one is surprised to see Jonathan Ogden (LA) or Richmond Webb (BIR) on the list. A bit of a surprise that the third tackle named is not Lomas Brown (SEA) but Portland’s Saavea Malamala.
CENTER: MIke Devlin (ORL) and Matt Tucker (LA) round out the O-line.
TIGHT END: Adrian Cooper’s 14 TDs get him on the list ahead of 1,000 yard receiver Steve Johnson (NOR) with the second spot going to Denver’s Marco Battaglia, who led the league with 1,036 yards from the TE position.
WIDE RECEIVER: A deep pool of talent makes this category one of the toughest, even with 5 spots to hand out. New Jersey’s Terry Glenn is an easy choice, as is TD leader Randy Moss (TBY). Also making the cut are LA’s Tory Holt, St. Louis’s Bert Emmanuel, and Pittsburgh’s Andrew Rison. Feeling disrespected and on the outside looking in are Jacksonville’s Terrell Owens, Texas’s Carl Pickens, Birmingham’s Lawrence Dawsey, and New Orleans’s Raynard Brown, all of whom were well over 1,000 yards receiving.
DEFENSIVE END: Pretty easy to predict that the four would include Phil Hansen (NJ), Chris Doleman (ORL) , Justin Smith (LA), and Kavika Pittman (HOU). Apologies to Santana Dotson (TBY) and Leslie O’Neill (DEN), who just missed the cut.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Pat WIlliams of Orlando is a no-brainer, as is Jerome Brown (WSH). Rounding out the three is John Randall of Baltimore.
LINEBACKER: Broderick Thomas and Winfred Tubbs (ARZ) join Kurt Gouveia and Marvcus Patton (DEN) to fill 4 of 6 spots just from the 2 Pacific squads With them are Kevin Mitchell (TBY) and Lavar Arrington (JAX).
CORNERBACK: Rookie Fred Smoot makes the team in his first year, thanks to his league-best 8 picks on the season. He is joined by veterans Bruce Pickens (DEN), Charles Woodson (WSH), and Samari Rolle (TBY).
SAFETY Four spots, for four very different players. Brian Dawkins (NJ) and MIke Prior (MGN) make it as free safeties, while the strong safety position is filled by Rodney Harrison (STL) and LeRoy Butler (TBY) .
KICKER: Jeff Jaeger (PHI) just beats out Ryan Longwell (STL) for the honor.
PUNTER: Our final player is Mitch Berger of Orlando, who was not called upon as often as some other punters, but who came through when needed by leading the league in punts inside the 20.
HALL OF FAME GETS FIVE MORE MEMBERS OF THE USFL
Five new members join the esteemed roster of USFL Players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio this year. Led by one of the greatest running backs in league history, this year’s cohort is another one comprised of legendary players who helped a new league move from upstart to an iconic part of the sports calendar each year.
Kelvin Bryant (HB, Philadelphia Stars, 1983-1994): One of the most dominant players in the league in its early years, Bryant amassed 15,378 yards and 113 touchdowns in his brilliant USFL career. His constant battles with Herschel Walker, Joe Cribbs, and Mike Rozier for the league rushing title was one of the highlights of those early league seasons. Bryant won three titles with the Stars, taking home the trophy in 1985, 1987 and 1994. He was named the MVP of the 1985 season thanks to 1,524 yards rushing and 14 rushing touchdowns. Named to an incredible 10 All-USFL teams in 12 seasons, Bryant was and always will be a Star in Philadelphia.
Joey Walters (WR, Washington Federals, 1983-1996): Walters was already a veteran of 5 seasons of pro ball when he came to the Federals in 1983. In Washington, Walters quickly made a name for himself as a consummate slot receiver, fearlessly going over the middle, eluding tackles and turning a slant into a sprint to the endzone. He retired in 1996 with 1,066 receptions, 15,402 yards and 91 touchdowns. Walters was one of the offensive stars of the Federals during the good run under Sam Rutigliano and with QB Don Majkowski. He won a league title with the Federals in 1990 and was voted to 6 All-USFL Teams in his career.
David Trout (K, Philadelphia Stars, 1983-1996): The second USFL kicker to make the hall, David Trout was one of the best the USFL had to offer at the position. Trout is the league record holder for the longest field goal in league history, 60 yards against Tampa Bay in 1994, already his 12th season in the league. While Trout currently ranks 4th in total field goals made with 373 (Trailing Kevin Shea, Luis Zendejas and John Carney) he is also among the Top 5 career stats in basically every kicking category. Trout was a member of the 1985, 1987, and 1994 Philadelphia Star teams that won league titles, making him the kicker with the most rings in the league.
Jo-Jo Townsell (WR, Los Angeles 1983-1990, Memphis 1991-1995). Townsell makes the hall in his second year of eligibility. He enters the HOF with impressive numbers: 1,029 receptions, 13,678 yards and 93 TDs over 12 seasons. Townsell was a 2-time All-USFL player despite playing on some pretty rough LA and Memphis teams over his career.
Kiki DeAyala (LB, Houston Gamblers 1984-1995). An 11-year starter for the Gamblers, Kiki-D was one of the first Gamblers, signing before Jim Kelly in 1983 when the club was first forming. A UT Longhorn, Ayala was scooped up in the territorial draft by the Gamblers and quickly became a mainstay on a defense that helped Houston win titles in 1988 and 1992. DeAyala was named All-USFL at the outside linebacker position 3 times. He retired with 1,136 tackles, 19 sacks, 12 interceptions, and 99 career tackles for loss.
While the biggest story of the week heading into Summer Bowl 2001 has been the issues surrounding troubled Denver HB Rashan Salaam, there are some other players who may miss out on their chance to play in a title game, in these cases due to injury. Denver may be without DT Mark Bouette, a key piece of their run defense, as he suffered a fracture to his jaw thanks to a huge hit in this week’s game. Other than Bouette’s injury and Salaam’s absence, expect a full Denver roster.
For Orlando, the biggest concern is left tackle Paul Gruber, who could miss the game with an ACL concern, though the team has listed him as doubtful and is consulting to see if a brace could be worn which would allow Gruber to protect Scott Mitchell’s blind side this week before an off-season surgery to repair the damage. Orlando could also be without LB Rob Morris, who suffered a partial bicep tear this past week and is listed as questionable.
FRANCHISE FUTURES IN THE AIR
We are still waiting word on the proposal for ownership submitted by the St. Louis Knights to the league 3 weeks ago, and in Atlanta, there is still no news on the ownership front as the FIre were placed “on the market” after the 2001 season. Rumors do have interest in the Atlanta market, with some looking at Cox Enterprise’s James Cox Kennedy as a potential lead investor for the troubled Fire franchise. Of course we also know that there remains strong interest in both clubs from investors seeking to bring football to a variety of cities, including Miami, Dallas, Nashville, and potentially Boston should the Portland sale to a group intent on keeping that franchise in the Northwest receive approval for the sale of the Thunder.
Both St. Louis and Atlanta are considered important locations for the league as a whole, with the Knights occupying a somewhat vital Midwestern presence in a league that has not invested as heavily in the region as the more traditional NFL. While the fall league largely started as a Midwestern phenomenon in the 1920’s and now has franchises in a dozen regional markets from Cleveland to Kansas City, the USFL as a spring league and due to underserved markets, has always focused more on the South, with more teams between Florida and Texas than between Cleveland and KC. Only the Ohio Glory, Chicago Machine, and Michigan Panthers can truly be called Midwestern clubs, with St. Louis being the fourth. Even with the recent flurry of relocation bidding groups, the Midwest remains underrepresented, with cities such as Indianapolis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and the Twin Cities curiously absent from the talks of an expanded or relocated USFL franchise.
Atlanta, much like St. Louis is considered a key location, as one of the largest markets in the USFL’s core southern strategy, the city has proven to be a tough market for professional sports. Even when the teams are doing well, Atlanta fans do not appear to be as rabid for the Falcons, Braves, and Hawks as fans in other cities. The Fire, who have yet to have a winning record in their 7 USFL seasons, have barely moved the dial when it comes to fan support. Many like to blame the emphasis on SEC college football, with the annual spring game at UGA or Georgia Tech often outdrawing any Fire game. Others point to the challenge of playing in an outdoor stadium in the heat of June and July in Atlanta, wondering why the Fire have not been able to acquire options to play in the Georgia Dome, home to the Falcons. While the league views Atlanta as a potential sleeping giant, the key to keeping pro spring football in the city may well be the delivery of a winner in town, something the current Fire ownership has been unable to achieve.
Summer Bowl 2001 in Chicago looks like a clash between franchises with somewhat similar MOs. Both clubs like to slow down the action, retain possession, and use their defenses as a bulwark against the more “high flying” clubs in the league. Both have balance on offense, though the loss of Rashan Salaam for this game certainly is going to push Denver more towards the passing game of Mark Brunell over the run game. Orlando will likely counter with more aggressive blitz schemes and more nickel defensive alignments. The key in their minds will be whether or not Chris Doleman and the front 4 of the Renegades can get pressure without blitzes. Denver’s line is stout, but they also rely on play action to free up the passing game, something that could be difficult without Salaam.
On offense, Orlando will try to get the ball out of the hands of Scott Mitchell using quick routes and dump downs to either Terry Kirby or Amos Zeroue out of the backfield. Mitchell, unlike Brunell, is not a particularly mobile QB, and Leslie O’Neill can have an impact on the game if Mitchell spends too much time looking for receivers deep. Kirby may not have much success running the ball as Denver has one of the league’s better rush defenses, but if he is at least a threat for carries that should slow down the Gold’s pass rush.
Last year Coach Jauron found the formula to help Denver pull off the title game, and certainly experience is on their side, but Orlando has been one of the league’s most consistent teams, the last to lose a game this season, and despite their flaws, one of the deeper and more stable teams week to week. The injury to Paul Gruber is a concern, but we still like Orlando to be able to find a path to victory in this game.
OUR PICK: We are taking Orlando in what could be a relatively low-scoring affair. 20-17 Renegades.
Let’s Go ‘Gades!