2001 USFL Week 9 Recap: Tampa Topples Renegades

It’s the kind of week that just makes you love year-round football. Orlando had the win in hand, but a backup QB does the impossible and an undervalued kicker comes up huge as Tampa Bay wins their third in a row and knocks off the undefeated in-state rival. As if that were not enough, we had a shootout win in New Jersey, a truly classic Keystone Clash, a defensive slugfest in Denver, a big upset in Portland and even a win for the previously hapless Michigan Panthers. It was a really good week of football for all you USFL fans, but we have to start with one of the greatest and most improbable comeback wins in league history.

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. That’s the famous quote often attributed to Yogi Berra (though of somewhat dubious origin), but that is absolutely the message on the lips of all of America as the Tampa Bay Bandits, with only 34 seconds on the clock, and facing one of the league’s best defenses with a backup QB got the job done and won the game on an improbably last second field goal.

Orlando was the scene, and the 51,002 who showed up to watch their Renegades take on their rival from just down the road, the Tampa Bay Bandits got their money’s worth on this date. The unbeaten Renegades were taking on a Bandits club that had already upset Memphis and St. Louis the past two weeks. Few were really sure that Tampa had found the formula to win, but when two rivals clash you simply cannot trust the records, so even with Orlando unbeaten, this game was always going to be a battle.

After a relatively calm first quarter that saw both teams feel each other out and only a 45-yarder from Mike Vanderjagt on the board, things heated up in the 2nd quarter with Tampa Bay showing some teeth in this dogfight. Orlando scored first, a Zeroue 1-yard dive to go up 7-3, but the Bandits responded with a good drive ending in an Errict Rhett TD run. After a poor pass from Scott Mitchell was picked off by Tampa’s LeRoy Butler, the Bandits expanded their lead, with Trent Green hitting Chris Doering for a 14-yard score. Tampa would finish the half with another Vanderjagt field goal to go in at the half up 20-7 to a shocked Orlando crowd.

The tone of the game would change in the second half, where it appeared Orlando was taking the game over. Mitchell hit Keenan McCardell to pull within 6, and on Tampa’s next drive, a big hit from DE Israel Ifeanyi forced Tampa to go for 3, but also forced Trent Green out of the game with what appeared to be a neck or shoulder injury. Kent Graham would have to take command for the Bandits. Graham would struggle through most of the half, and bit by bit Orlando would chip away at the Tampa Bay lead. 23-14, then 23-17, then, and in a drive that started with 4:27 on the clock in the 4th, Orlando thought they had taken this game by the skin of their teeth. Mitchell hit Donald Driver in the endzone with only 34 seconds on the clock. Charlie Baumann’s PAT put Orlando up 24-23 with only seconds left and an ineffective Kent Graham under center for Tampa Bay.

A decent return got Graham the ball at the 31 with 29 seconds left. Tampa had 2 time outs left, and they would need both. On 1st and 10, Graham found Randy Moss over the middle for 17 and the Bandits called their first time out. He would miss on a pass to Moss on his second attempt of the drive, but on 2nd and 10 found Chris Doering on the wide side of the field. Doering avoided the initial tackle and was able to get out of bounds, 18 yards downfield at the Tampa Bay 38, 7 seconds left. It would be a 55-yard kick from here, so the offense tried for a quick out to get 4-6 yards closer, but Graham missed on a connection with Bobby Shaw. Vanderjagt would have to try from 55. As he lined up the kick, Coach O’Leary called Orlando’s final time out to try to ice the Tampa kicker. He would regroup and Graham, who also acts as the holder for kicks, lined up on the left hashmark. Vanderjagt would hit the ball low but straight and it just kept ascending. Some believe the kick would have been good from 60, but it was certainly good from 55 and the Bandits sideline erupted with joy not seen since Summer Bowl 1998. They had not only won their third in a row, and against a third highly regarded team, they had beaten their rival and knocked Orlando from the ranks of the unbeaten. The win moves Tampa Bay to 4-5 and very much a potential playoff contender, especially if they can keep their heads about them as they did on this drive. There would be good news later as well with a positive prognosis for Trent Green meaning he likely will be in action next week.

For Orlando it was a bitter defeat to a team they were confident they had beaten. The lesson learned is that, as Yogi may have said, it ain’t over until it is over. A hard lesson to learn for sure.

OHI 37 NJ 31

Ohio got 428 yards and 2 scores form Kerry Collins, who dealt with the pressure from New Jersey (3 Phil Hansen sacks) all day long. Both Joey Galloway and Chad Johnson went over 100 yards receiving, as did both Terry Glenn and Kevin Johnson for the Generals, in a game that saw both offenses move up and down the field on each other.

WSH 37 BAL 14

The Federals bounced back from their home loss to Portland and knocked off a fading Baltimore squad to take over sole possession of first place in the Atlantic. The Federals got solid run game contributions from their QB and both halfbacks as Stewart scrambled for 43 yards, McCallister rushed for 70 and Droughns gained 99 on the day.

PIT 24 PHI 29

The Maulers again proved a tough out but again failed to close the deal as Philadelphia came back from 24-13 to win in the final quarter on a bizarre play, a botched field goal in which holder Will Furrer was able to find little-used backup TE Mondriel Fulcher open, not only for a first down, but for the score, giving Philly the 5-point win as time expired.

MEM 48 JAX 27

Memphis exploited the Bulls’ defense for 533 yards, 429 on the arm of Heath Shuler, who threw for 4 scores and completed 20 of 29 throws. Touchdown runs from Aaron Stecker and Tony Carter helped put the game away for Memphis despite starting HB Garrison Hearst sitting the game out due to injury.

BIR 31 ATL 17

Atlanta remains the only winless club in the league after Birmingham took an early 14-0 lead and never looked back. Brett Favre would throw 2 picks, but the game was well in hand by the half and Atlanta simply could not mount a response.

MGN 28 OAK 17

Drew Brees had his best game as a pro, throwing for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns against a troubled Oakland team. Siran Stacy added 82 yards on 10 carries as the Panthers got their first win of the season. Jon Kitna threw two picks, costing the Invaders two potential scores, but the backbreaker was a 4th and inches that the Invaders could not convert, giving momentum and field position to the Panthers.

HOU 6 LA 28

This one was close (14-6 after 3 quarters) until Cade McNown hit Tory Holt with a 75-yard bomb to open the final period. That sucked all the air out of Houston’s sails and the Express would go on to win handily. LA got a combined 23 carries and 101 yards from their duo of Michael Pittman and Antowain Smith but hurt Houston more through the air with Cade McNown connecting on 3 scoring plays.

CHI 12 DEN 23

We expected a defensive struggle in this one and that is what we got, with the score 10-6 Denver at the half. With no one scoring in the 3rd, Denver took control in the 4th, scoring 2 touchdowns, both passes from Brunell (47 yards to Price and 12 to Dedric Smith). Rashaan Salaam seems to have returned to form, rushing 21 times for 101 yards on the day.

NOR 17 POR 35

This game looked very different through 3 quarters as it was a 14-10 game until the final period, when three straight drives ended with Portland rushing TDs (Smith for 1, Kaufmann the other two). The key play was a Trent Dilfer TD that gave Portland the ball on the Breaker 11-yard line. They punched it in to take a 28-10 lead and that was all she wrote for the Breakers. Portland wins a second game in a row and is now a very respectable 4-5.

STL 24 SEA 31

The Dragons, particularly Brian Griese, found holes in the Knights’ defense in this medieval clash of familiar foes (Dragons v. Knights, right?) Briese threw for 4 scores, including a 68-yarder to David Boston right before the half to upend the favored Knights. It was 24-24 into the 4th, but Seattle had the final blow, a Griese to John Embree pas swith 1:23 left to take the home win and move to 4-5.

TEX 24 ARZ 44

Jake Plummer threw for 2 scores and ran for 3 more in a game that felt like one of last year’s MVP games. Texas simply did not have a good plan to shadow the Arizona QB, who shredded the Outlaw defense every time he got out of the pocket. Santana Moss gathered a TD catch, and we even had a Craig Whelihan sighting as the backup got into the game midway through the 4th quarter.

ROOKIE RECEIVER CLASS OF 2001

We mentioned in our midseason review that wideout has been the clear impact position so far with the class of 2001 rookies, and that is certainly the case when we look a both playing time and impact on the league. This year’s crop of rookie receivers has had an immediate impact and have shown that they are ready for prime time. While not every selection has become a breakout star, there is clearly a mark being made by some of the cream of this year’s receiver crop.

Chad Johnson (OHIO) is the leader statistically of the group. He is currently 8th in the league with 840 yards receiving despite having only 38 catches for the Glory. His 8 touchdowns also have him on pace for a rookie record.

Koren Robinson (HOU) has helped to revive the Gambler passing offense, and has helped pull coverage from Antonio Freeman, allowing the veteran to become the league’s top receiver in yardage. Robinson’s totals so far have also been outstanding, 42 receptions for 558 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Steve Smith (PHI) has moved from the slot into a starting WR position opposite Bobby Engram, and has shown a penchance for the acrobatic catch and the 50/50 ball. Smith has 37 receptoins for 544 yards and 4 touchdowns this year.

Justin McCaerins (MEM) has not had quite as much attention in Memphis, where he shares targets with WR Joe Horn and All-USFL TE Adrian Cooper, but he has still managed a very strong 495 yards and 7 touchdowns on only 24 receptions.

Santana Moss (ARZ) was expected to be the most immediate starter, replacing Rocket Ismail as the speed demon on the Wrangler roster, and while he has not had quite the impact some fans hoped for, his 403 yards and 4 touchdowns are well on pace for a solid first season in the desert.

The only significant disappointment among early round receiver picks in the USFL Draft this year has to be Drew Bennett in Jacksonville, who has barely seen the field except on special teams and has only 1 reception for 8 yards to date. Bennett currently sits 4th on the depth chart, behind Terrell Owens, Cedric Tillman, and Dez White, but even veteran possession receiver Brian Stablein, technically the 5th receiver in Jacksonville, has seen more targets.

HANSEN ON PACE FOR RECORD

Phil Hansen is loving life in East Rutherford this year. For the first time in his stellar career, the Generals have a defense around him that is backing him up and the club is seeing the benefits. That is not to say that Hansen is resting on his laurels and letting others around him step up. The big man already has 18 sacks, a pace that could challenge Chris Doleman’s record of 29 sacks in a season. But what may be even more impressive for the Generals’ all-time sack leader, is that Hansen is also becoming a force in the run game, with 50 tackles already this season.

Thanks in part to offensive lines having to compensate for the stronger presence across the line, with DE Shaun Ellis and DT Darwin Walker pulling away double teams from Hansen, but an improved LB corps means that 4th pass rusher and run disruptor is disrupting blocking schemes. New Jersey is mixing up their run and pass blitzes, with Dwayne Rudd the principal blitzer, but with blitzes alternatively coming from Bobby Houston, Bobby Howard and even safety Jason Sehorn. It is a formula that is making life easier for Hansen, who in turn, is making life tougher for opposing quarterbacks.

TAMPA TURNAROUND

Trent Green is all smiles in Tampa

The Bandits were the big story this week, knocking off Orlando, but fans in Tampa are pointing to the past 3 weeks as a trend rather than a fluke. Tampa has seemingly found a rhythm and a scheme that makes sense for their personnel, and that has helped them knock off three quality teams in three weeks, Memphis, St. Louis, and now Orlando. At the center of the newfound success is QB Trent Green. Traded from the Baltimore Blitz after Coach Infante opted to go with Jeff Garcia as the full time starter in Baltimore, Green struggled early to pick up Coach George Seifert’s vertical passing game in Tampa, but the past three weeks seem to indicate that he is now on the same page as his coach and his arm talent is a good fit for Bandit Ball. Against three of the league’s top defenses, Green has managed to go 41 of 66 (63%) for 850 yards, with 7 TDs and only 1 pick. He has also formed a bond with Tampa’s top receiver, Randy Moss, who has 13 touchdowns on the year to lead all receivers. Chris Doering has also had a strong year with 571 yards and 4 scores.

Pundits are now beginning to take the Bandits seriously, and to realize that this club has had one of the toughest schedules in the league, with early games @ LA, New Jersey, and Memphis, and home losses to Orlando< Washington, and Birmingham. In fact, Tampa Bay is the only team to face 8 teams in their first 9 games thatall currently have winning records (only a Week 4 win at Jacksonville breaks the run.) To be 4-5 with that schedule is impressive, and with a much better final 7 weeks ahead, with games against Pittsburgh (3-6), Jacksonville (2-7), Oakland (2-7) and Atlanta (0-9) on the docket, the Bandits could well be a darling to make the type of late playoff run that Seifert needs and that fans want to see. If they can make a run over the season’s second half, expect Trent Green to be at the center of it as he has begun to make some fans among the Bandit brigade.

ATLANTA’S QB QUANDRY

What to do if you are the Atlanta Fire? The team is winless after 9 games, Coach Petrino has been fired, and they have a temporary coaching tandem of former defensive coordinator John Pease and consultant-turned-Assistant Head Coach Rick Neuheisel in charge. The club is 24th in passing, and the only team in the league with fewer than 200 yards per game passing. Coach Petrino named Mark Bulger the starter over the more athletic Aaron Brooks and former New Jersey starter Spence Fisher, and he did not waiver from that decision over the first 7 weeks of the season, but now, after 9 weeks, Bulger’s numbers are just not good. He is one of the league’s worst rated quarterbacks, with a 64.1 QBR, has 8 picks for his 9 TDs and has completed only 52.3% of his passes. Compare that with the 2000 stats from Aaron Brooks (47.2% completion, 12 TDs to 11 picks, 60.8 QBR) and there is not a lot of hope that a QB switch can make a difference. Spence Fisher seems a longshot as he simply has not been given much attention since arriving from New Jersey, this despite a pretty solid 1998 season as a General in his resume. Fisher threw 25 TDs to only 3 picks in 1998 for New Jersey.

So, if you are Neuheisel, who seems to be leading the offense, what do you do? The trade deadline is next week, and it is not as if starting QB’s grow on trees or on trading blocks. The Fire seem stuck with a bad situation, and quite frankly, issues with the offensive line and a weak receiving corps don’t make prospects look good no matter who is at QB. To make matters worse, the run of games coming up for the Fire includes Washington (7-2), St. Louis (5-4), Orlando (8-1), Memphis (6-3), Philadelphia (6-3) and the now dangerous Tampa Bay Bandits. The Fire are in real danger of going 0-16 this year, a true embarrassment for the club.

You know it is getting deep into the season when you start seeing backup players on the injury list, and that is what we have seen in a big way this week. While not all household names, these players contribute each week and provide much-needed depth for their clubs, so now we start to see just how deep the benches of some clubs are. In Philadelphia, the concern is at safety after Larry Wigham went on IR with a torn bicep muscle. In Pittsburgh it is DT Roderick Coleman, out for the year with a broken collarbone. Baltimore will be without WR Malcolm Floyd (neck) while Washington will lose TE Travis McNeal (PCL), both placed on IR. St. Louis is looking at 6 weeks for DE Mike Ulufale (torn hamstring) while Memphis is likely without CB Terrance Shaw for 2-4 weeks.

The only starter who could miss significant action after an injury this week is LA cornerback Aeneas Williams, whose sprained knee is a 2-4 week diagnosis. Birmingham’s Lawrence Dawsey went out with a dislocated shoulder but is expected back in 1-2 weeks. Portland backup HB Blair Thomas could miss the same amount after spraining his wrist, and Orlando’s Chris Doleman is expected to be out just this upcoming week as he deals with a hip stinger. Garrison Hearst remains questionable to return for Memphis, as does kicker Tim Seder in Texas.

Expected to return to action this week are Houston WR Koren Robinson, St. Louis CB Steve Israel, Denver SS Sean Lumpkin, Seattle TE Ken Dilger, and Atlanta wideout Terrance Mathis.

We have wondered for weeks now whether it would be the courts or the league that would be pushing St. Louis owner James Orthwein to sell off his controlling share of the Knights and this week we got our answer. League officials, including the commissioner, met with Orthwein in St. Louis this week, and the decision has come down. Regardless of any decision by the court in his tax and insurance fraud case, Orthwein will have until May 15, 2002 to divest himself of the Knights. In a statement on Thursday, Commissioner Ebersol made it clear that the preference of the league is for Orthwein to sell to a local group or individual so that the Knights could remain in St. Louis, but that it is not out of the question for the club to be purchased and relocated if local ownership could not be identified.

The news did not go over well in St. Louis, where the St. Louis Dispatch reported on local opinion. While most recognize the financial issues surrounding Orthwein are serious, there is significant fear that the team will relocate, and the lack of an obvious alternative within local businessmen has the fanbase nervous. There has been a grassroots effort to develop a public option, similar to what we see in Green Bay with the NFL Packers, but that is both unlikely to organize in time to meet the league’s 1 year deadline, or to be seen favorably by other league owners, who would have to vote to approve any such plan. A potential hybrid plan, similar to what we see with the controlled sale of shares to a local public in Birmingham might have a better shot at league approval, but only works if the effort can lock in a local investor to act as the principal owner and executive for the sale, and that is where the issue lies.

Meanwhile, in Portland, the sale of the Thunder has attracted the attention of at least two out-of-town investment groups, with both the Boston Colonials Football Club (a group led by East Coast investors interested in a franchise for the Boston area) and the USFL DFW group (a similar group seeking to bring the league to Dallas) have engaged in high level talks with the attorneys for the Thunder’s current ownership. As reported in local media, it appears that no local group or investor has come forward, putting the future of the Thunder in Portland in significant doubt. Unlike in St. Louis, where the concept of community ownership has gained some traction, in Portland there is no significant community effort on the horizon. It appears that either the Thunder will attract a local investor or, perhaps more likely, we may be looking at relocation for the 2002 or 2003 season.

Week 10 and the Playoff Position Tracker are just around the corner, and, with the Eastern Conference in divisional play this week, we get the West doing the same in Week 10. In the Central the big game is between St. Louis and New Orleans in the Super Dome, with the loser dropping to 5-5. Chicago hosts Texas and Houston hosts Michigan in the other two central games.

In the Pacific, the surprising Portland Thunder are going to be tested as they head down to Tempe to face the Wranglers and QB Jake Plummer. LA has a huge game as well, hosting the Seattle Dragons, while Denver is back at Mile High and hoping to get the W against the 2-7 Oakland Invaders.

In the East, it is the Atlantic catching some Southern hospitality. Orlando, fresh off their home loss to Tampa Bay, will try to rebound as they face the 6-3 Philadelphia Stars. Ohio and Memphis battle in the Liberty Bowl with both entering the game at 6-3. Baltimore needs a win, but they head to Birmingham, where the Stallion faithful will be anything but welcoming. Washington, the Atlantic leader, gets a bye week, by which we mean they are facing Atlanta. New Jersey hopes to get their 7th win as they visit Jacksonville, and the Bandits, winners of 3 in a row, will host the Pittsburgh Maulers.