2001 USFL Season Preview

PART ONE

Three weeks from kickoff of the USFL’s 19th season and the excitement is palpable. Rosters have to be trimmed to 53 by this Friday, and the NFL-USFL tranfer window has again closed for the season. There remain some free agents still looking for clubs, but for the most part teams have their rosters in place and may only tweak on the edges. Game plans for week 1 are already being developed, and fans across the country are eager to see if their club has made the changes needed to garner a title this year. We start our preview of the upcoming season with the big story, the 2001 USFL Draft and the signings the league has been able to ink since the selections were made.

We have come to learn over the past 18 years that the USFL Draft is only half the story. With the spring league always competing with the senior NFL for talent, every pick is a weighing of probabilities. Who seems open to signing with one club over another? And while the risk of joining the USFL instead of the NFL is far less daunting than it used to appear in the early years of the league, there is still always a give and take as players and their agents play the two leagues off each other to get the best deal possible. Sometimes it is a matter of funds, or of the perceived fit or quality of the NFL and USFL squad that has drafted a player. Location can be the difference, or even something as minimal as which pick was used in each league to select the player.

As we have seen each year since the NFL and USFL moved their drafts within 3 weeks of each other, the negotiations are tricky, and the smallest factor can make a club a winner or a loser in the draft. And, as usual, both leagues end up with somewhere around 50% of their selections signing with the rival league. So, as we examine the biggest hits and biggest misses of the draft, we recognize the really tough work put in by the scouts, general managers, player personnel staff, and contract negotiation teams to bring talented players to USFL rosters. Here are our biggest hits and misses of the 2001 Draft.

HIT: DT Richard Seymour (Georgia) signed by the Houston Gamblers.

A lot of folks thought Houston would go for Vick with their first pick, but they zigged when we thought they would zag, and the payoff may be the most dominant D-lineman in the draft. Put Seymour between Sinclair and Pittman and Houston has a D-line that will strike fear into offensive coordinators. The Gamblers may never need to blitz again with this 3-man line in place. Bring just one LB into the pass rush and the pocket is almost sure to crumble.

MISS: QB Michael Vick (Va Tech) chooses between two clubs in the same city.

We always knew that with the Atlanta Falcons having the first pick in the NFL draft that Vick would be enticed to play in the fall league with a club about as close to his alma mater as could be. Perhaps that is why the Fire felt that they would have a shot at the elusive dual threat QB where other USFL teams would not. They gambled with their first round pick (6th overall), but Vick took the deal with the Falcons instead. A calculated risk, but one that cannot make Aaron Brooks or Marc Bulger feel comfortable.

HIT: WR Santana Moss (Miami) an immediate starter

With Rocket Ismail off to the NFL, the Wranglers desperately needed to add a speedster to their WR corps, and the signing of Moss has definitely fit the bill. In training camp, the former Hurricane’s speed has been on display, and his hands have been pretty darn good too. Expect Moss to be a Day 1 starter and a key target for Jake Plummer this year.

MISS: LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU) leaves Texas for the SoCal Coast.

The idea of TCU’s dynamic HB staying in Texas with the Outlaws seemed a natural fit, and the Outlaws certainly hoped Tomlinson would see it that way as well when they took him with their 1st pick, but Tomlinson got a really good offer from the Chargers and the coast came calling. It is a clear missed opportunity for the Outlaws, who did add Reggie Barlow, their 4th round pick from NC State, and improved the line by signing one of the top guards in the draft, Leonard Davis of Texas, but Reggie Cobb has a lot of miles on those legs.

HIT: Drew Brees the Newest Panther

Let’s be honest, it is amazing Doug Flutie has lasted this long. He came into the league in 1985, and he has had a very solid career, but the Panthers need to plan for the future. Don’t expect Brees to start on Week 1, but don’t be surprised if the former Purdue QB is finishing the year as the starter. He shares a lot of traits with Flutie, including great vision and a somewhat diminutive size. A good transition for the Panthers as their Flutie-based offense should work well with Brees under center as well.

MISS: Strike 1 and 2 for the Thunder

It is a common strategy in the USFL draft to double up on the same position, knowing that you have about a 50/50 shot of signing your top choice. Well, Portland went 0-for-2 on their attempts to get a top flight defensive end. They did land their top pick, CB Will Allen of Syracuse, but lost out to the NFL on both Stanford’s Willie Howard and, more importantly, on Cal’s Andre Carter. It is not easy to get a California player to leave the state, so when the 49ers also drafted Carter the 1-15 Thunder knew it would be a tough sell. That Howard preferred the offer from the Minnesota Vikings over that of Portland just goes to show how hard it is to land players when your team is viewed as something of a front office trainwreck.

HIT: LA and Baltimore Get Their Men

When asking GMs who had the strongest draft (and signing record) we are hearing LA and Baltimore mentioned a lot. LA hit on 4 of their top 5 picks, signing Mizzou DE Justin Smith, USF tackle Kenyatta Jones, TE Brandon Manumaleuna and also getting a good developmental QB in Georgia’s Quincy Carter. Baltimore also landed 4 top choices (4 of their top 6), including 1st round pick SS Adam Archuleta, 2nd rounder CB Ken Lucas of Ole Miss, and then adding two solid HBs in later rounds in speedy receiving back Travis Minor of FSU and a top Div 1-AA producer in UMass’s Marcel Shipp.

MISS: Atlanta and Philadelphia Struggle to Sign Top Picks

While not surprised that Atlanta missed out on several of their top picks (including Vick), it is a bit of a surprise that Philly struggled to sign players. The Stars did get a solid talent in Utah wideout Steve Smith, but no one else in their draft really stands out. Missing out on TE Todd Heap (who signed with the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL) means that the loss of Eric Green is even tougher for the Stars. Atlanta did sign DT Casey Hampton and SS Adrian Wilson of NC State, but again, not much value added to the team beyond those two picks. In addition to missing on Vick, they also lost the bidding war for CB Eric Kelly of Kentucky and OLB Orlando Huff of Fresno State.

Other Notable USFL Signings include: WR Koren Robinson of NC State (HOU), LB Dan Morgan of Miami (OAK), DT Marcus Stroud of Georgia (OHIO), G Steve Hutchinson of Michigan (TBY), HB Deuce McCallister of Ole Miss (WSH), DE Kyle Vanden Bosch of Nebraska (PIT), TE Alge Crumpler of UNC (PIT), and WR Chad Johnson of Oregon State (OHIO).

Lower Round rookies who have impressed in camp include WR Drew Bennett of UCLA (JAX), guard Stephen Neal of Cal State Bakersfield (ORL), Midwestern State HB Dominic Rhodes (ARZ), Georgia Southern Kicker Rob Bironas (ARZ), and Guard/Center Josh Warner from tiny Brockport (SEA).

Michigan Parts Ways With Troubled Back

Following his arrest for DUI after a late December automobile accident, Natrone Means now finds himself out of work. The Michigan Panthers have opted to release the veteran halfback rather than have him occupy either a roster slot or practice squad position. The move costs Michigan $450,000 in salary cap hit, and means that the Panthers will move ahead with a committee at HB headed by former Oakland Invader Siran Stacy, and including backups Brock Olivo and Winslow Oliver. Rumors have the Panthers interested in current free agent Mario Bates as another potential signing. As for Means, he was released on bond but faces a potential hearing in the next 3 weeks, and potential suspension by the league for violation of the league’s drug policies. Even cleared of charges, which seems unlikely, Means may not find many suitors within the USFL as the issue of drug use and driving under the influence have become major PR concerns for both the NFL and USFL.

Troubles Could Cost St. Louis's Orthwein His Club

Legal trouble of a different kind as the charges against James Olthwein of financial malfeasance and insurance fraud are likely to have him in court most of the spring and summer. The investigation into the Busch family member’s finances began with reporting out of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch almost 2 years ago. The financial irregularities tie directly to Olthwein’s ownership of the St. Louis Knights, and in part revolve around the inflation of attendance and ticket sale numbers as part of a wider issue related to property and revenue appraisals as part of both insurance and credit assessments. Should Orthwein’s finances be found to contain significant irregularities it could easily lead to either legal requirements to sell of his majority stake in the Knights or potentially league injunctions on his ownerships. In either case the question of Knights ownership could come up as soon as next Fall. With much to be determined by the courts this summer, we would not want to speculate on what could happen next, except to say that while Mr. Orthwein continues to proclaim his innocence of any malfeasance, there is a well-known lineup of potential USFL ownership groups very much interested in the possibility of a franchise, particularly such a successful franchise, coming on the market.

Our final story around the league is a recap of the past month’s free agent signings. After an initial flurry of NFL-USFL transfers back in August and September, the comparable quiet of the January-February window came as a bit of a surprise. There were, however, a handful of noteworthy signings to report.

• Former Dragons guard Jesse Sapolo has signed a 1-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.

• Former Generals safety Eric McMillan is now a member of the Denver Broncos

• LB Dante Jones, who played with both Washington and Orlando, has signed on with the Chicago Bears.

• Portland tackle Herb Webster signed a 2-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals

• TE Danta Whitaker has opted to join the CFL’s BC Lions on a one-year deal.

• LB Barney Bussey has opted to return to his former NFL club in Detroit to finish his career.

• WR Hart Lee Dykes, after playing for 3 USFL clubs has signed on with the NFL’s New England Patriots.

Moving from the NFL to the USFL we have…

• LB Billy Granville, a former Cincinnati Bengal, signed a 2-year deal with Baltimore.

• Birmingham has inked former Seahawk TE Itula Mili.

• Guard Jorge Diaz of the Buccaneers has signed on with the Chicago Machine.

• Former Giants and Falcons TE Brian Kozlowski has come to terms with the Denver Gold. Brian is not related to former Gold wideout Glen Kozlowski.

• Tampa Bay also added a TE in the form of former Colt Bradford Banta.

• Jaguars DE Joel Smeenge has signed on with Houston where he will provide depth behind Michael Sinclair and Kavika Pittman.

• Michigan added perhaps the biggest of the late NFL free agents, signing LB Eric Hill away from the San Diego Chargers. Hill started 151 NFL games before coming over to the Panthers.

Within USFL ranks, the following late signings have added to club rosters:

• New Jersey made another bold move, signing former Tampa Bay corner Darrien Gordon to a 3-year deal. The highest rated CB in this year’s free agent pool will join Gene Atkins, Otis Smith and Kenny Gales to form a crowded but deep pool of cornerbacks for the Generals.

• Houston resigned LB Pat Swilling for a 1-year deal after Swilling seemed headed to New Orleans.

• Tampa Bay also added a veteran LB in Winston Moss, formerly of Washington.

• Pittsburgh signed former Federals HB Lamar Smith and added a solid DE to their roster in the form of former Showboat and Machine edge rusher Mike Mamula

• Portland added a savvy receiver in former Blitz, Express, Knight, and Bulls receiver Patrick Rowe.

• Seattle also added a halfback to the mix, signing former Mauler Tavian Banks.

• 33-year-old veteran of 5 different USFL clubs, Keith McKeller, adds a 6th club, signed to a 1-year deal by St. Louis.

• Former Machine RT Jeff Wright is a newly-inked member of the Texas Outlaws.

• Denver boosted its secondary with the signing of veteran FS Mark Carrier from the Bulls.

• Washington signed former Memphis wideout Lawyer Tillman to a 1-year deal and also bolstered their depleted LB corps by signing Houston's Quentin Coryatt to a 2-year deal, enticing the 32-year old to postpone retirement.

• Another Showboat finds a new home as center Curtis Wilson makes his way to Baltimore.

• Arizona added another CB to their secondary by signing Clifton Abraham, last of Chicago.

NFL STARS TELL US THEIR USFL PICKS

We all know that there is always a lot of interest in the NFL in each USFL season, just as USFL players follow the NFL season each fall. Players pal around with each other, including old college buddies and roommates who now find themselves not just on different teams, but in different leagues. So we decided who better to evaluate the USFL ahead of the 2001 season than some of the biggest stars of the NFL. We picked 5 of the biggest names in the NFL right now and asked them who they expected to see in the Summer Bowl in Chicago this August. What we found is a lot of homerism, and a lot of disagreement, a sign that this colud be a wide open season with a lot of contenders this year.

Peyton Manning, QB of the Indianapolis Colts

Manning was quick to turn to the QB position as the key to determining success in the USFL. While he sees great statistical success for Brett Favre, he points to Jake Plummer as a player who he feels can will his club to victory. He has Arizona defeating Heath Shuler and the Showboats as his pick for the 2001 Summer Bowl. Manning refused to pick a winner in the game, but joked that it could be the first Summer Bowl to hit 1,000 yards of combined offense.

Kurt Warner, QB of the St. Louis Rams

Warner, whose Rams have been the offensive showcase to balance with the Knights’ defensive power in St. Louis, seems to respect solid defense, picking 2 defensive clubs as the potential Summer Bowl matchup, though, to be fair, if he did not pick St. Louis to represent the West he might catch some flack. He has the Knights facing off against Washington in his picks. He cites Jerome Brown of the Federals as the one player he is glad to see in another league and not chasing after him.

Jerome Bettis, HB for the Pittsburgh Steelers

With the Maulers clearly in a rebuilding phase, Bettis did not feel pressure to stick with the home-town pick. The former Golden Domer names a former teammate, Rick Mirer of the Portland Thunder, as his favorite USFL player but even he cannot pick the 1-15 Thunder as a Summer Bowl favorite. He opts instead for the club just up the road, the Seattle Dragons. Bettis believes Seattle will outlast the Baltimore Blitz for the title. He says he is a huge Corey Dillon fan. The two rarely get to hang out since their two seasons occupy the full year, but Bettis says that he stays in touch with the Seattle back throughout the year.

Marvin Harrison, WR in Indianapolis

One of the NFL’s top receivers shows some love to another star receiver, picking the wide open passing game of the Ohio Glory and their stellar wideout Joey Galloway to take home a title. He has Ohio beating Denver in his title game clash. Harrison, who has led the NFL in receptions the past 2 seasons, loves Galloway's break away speed, and also cites Kerry Collins as an underrated passer with a good head for the game.

Ray Lewis, LB for the Baltimore Ravens

The Raven’s All-Pro middle linebacker refuses to play by the rules, rejecting the home team Blitz as his Summer Bowl pick. Instead he opts to go with the Birmingham Stallions, led by Brett Favre to win a shootout against the Seattle Dragons in this year’s title game. When asked about defensive players, Lewis mentioned former Philadelphia Star as his all time favorite USFL linebacker, but gave kudos to former Outlaw Brian Bosworth, and current USFL backers DeMetrius DuBose (PIT), Broderick Thomas (ARZ), and and Mike Vrabel (JAX), sayng the league should also keep an eye on 2000 rookie Brian Urlacher in Chicago as a big impact player.

So, no consensus among the NFL pros. I guess it comes down to us. We are notoriously bad at this, but we still have to give it our best shot. Denver has a good shot to repeat, having appeared in the past 2 Summer Bowls and finally getting over the hump this past August. We like Denver’s roster a lot, but they did not make a lot of changes this offseason, whereas Los Angeles has added talent through both the draft and free agency, so we are going to pick the Express out of the west to rebound, reclaim the division and represent the conference in Summer Bowl 2001.

From the East we are going to go with a club that came close to putting it all together last year, but could not make a playoff run without their starting QB in the lineup. Give Orlando a healthy Scott Mitchell for the full season and this squad has the talent to take it to the Championship. So, we are going with Cade McNown and the Express vs. Mitchell and the Renegades in the title game. Our pick to win it all? Well, maybe we should hold off on that one. We’ll get back to you when the season hits the midway point.

Join us for Part 2 of our 2001 USFL Season Preview, when we break down all 24 teams and explain the picks we just made.