Late season football is about as much fun as it gets. It’s almost like a second set of playoffs with teams needing to play their best to get into the postseason. You have teams vying for a division title, or just trying to get into the Top 7 in each conference so that they can join the playoff dance. Sure, there are some teams now playing out the string, but so many games mean a lot for the teams involved, and you just get great football. And, of course, in the USFL this does not happen with a backdrop of late season snow, ice and cold. It happens in June, when the weather is at its best and you can enjoy a game, a brew, and a tailgate unconcerned about staying warm or covering up. Sun’s out, people. Time for great USFL action, and we certainly had that this week. Let’s get to it with a great game from the Pacific NW as the Express battled the Dragons at Seattle Stadium.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 24 SEATTLE DRAGONS 33
A Clash between the division leader and the hottest team in the West as LA came to Seattle for a late season divisional game. The story of the game came early when Byron Leftwich was sidelined by blow to the head. He would leave the game on Seattle’s second series and the game would be in the hands of Craig Erickson for the rest of the way. So, how did Erickson respond? He went 13 for 19 for 214 yards, 2 TDs and no picks. That was good enough for the Dragon offense to get the W, with a lot of help form the running game.
Cade McNown started for LA and had some struggles as Seattle registered 6 sacks in the game and limited McNown to only 11 of 23 passes completed. McNown did hit Tory Holt with a TD toss, and one to rookie TE L. J. Smith, but he missed on a couple of key third downs as LA converted only 2 of 11 chances in the game.
The score was 10-8 Seattle at the half, with an Erickson to Stokes toss the only touchdown of the half. Starting the second half, Seattle paid LA back for an early safety (sack of Leftwich early in the 1st) by getting to McNown in the endzone for the rare 2-safety game. They then added a Corey Dillon TD to go up 11. LA trimmed the lead by scoring on the Holt TD reception, but they failed on the 2-pointer, so they trailed 19-14 after three periods.
In the 4th the two teams traded scores but LA was never able to acquire the lead. A field goal from Steve Christie made the score 17-19, but Seattle would score on the next drive, a 37-yard Ken Dilger TD as Erickson had his best drive of the game, going 3 for 4. LA responded quickly, with McNown connecting with L.J. Smith on a TD that again brought them within 2 points with just over 5 minutes to play. But, on their next drive, Seattle would catch a huge break as LA had only 10 men on the field on a 2nd and 2 play. When Brian Mitchell took the pitch, the Seattle blockers found one less LA defender than expected, and helped to pave the way for a 43-yard Mitchell scamper to paydirt. Up 9 with 2:16 left in the game, the Dragons eschewed the prevent defense and continued to pressure McNown. The strategy worked as LA failed to connect on a 3rd and 7 play and then came up 1 yard short on 4th down, giving Seattle the game.
The win does not alter the standings, though Seattle now sits only 1 game behind LA in the Pacific. If LA wins out, they are the Pacific Champions, but if they stumble again, especially in a divisional game, Seattle could jump up and snatch it by winning the divisional record tie-breaker. Two weeks left and both clubs have to play their best ball down the stretch. LA plays both games at home, but they have a tough matchup next week against Pittsburgh before facing the Portland Thunder. Seattle’s road is also difficult, with a home game against Chicago next week before a pretty good final game matchup for them, visiting Oakland.
CHI 17 PIT 31
The battle for a top Wild Card spot was on full display in this one, as Pittsburgh built up a 21-10 halftime lead thanks to two Charlie Batch TD tosses and a strong defensive performance. In the second half it was more of the same, with Batch Hitting Alge Crumpler early in the half to go up by 18, and then it came down to limiting Chicago possessions, which mean more carries for Terrell Davis. The win has the Maulers currently in the #4 slot, which would mean a home playoff game.
BIR 31 NOR 28
A huge win for the Stallions as they edge closer to the playoffs at 7-5. Brett Favre threw for 332 and 4 TDs without a pick as he helped the Stallions build up a 31-14 lead after 3 quarters. Birmingham got a bit sloppy in the final period, but held on to win. They now sit in the 6th position, tied with Seattle (5th) and a game up on the three 6-6 clubs chasing them. For New Orleans, who is already guaranteed a playoff spot, the division is still theirs if they can finish with 2 wins.
MEM 21 NSH 39
Memphis continues to slide as Nashville gets back in the mix at 6-6. Ahman Green rushed for 97 yards and a score and CB Steve Israel returned a pick-six 52 yards to help Nashville blow past the Showboats. Memphis simply could not run the ball, with Dorsey Levins gaining only 17 yards on the day. Nashville currently holds the 7th playoff spot out west, as they win tiebreakers with Texas and Memphis.
DEN 17 HOU 20
Denver clinched the division last week and got a bit sloppy this week, helping Houston snap an 8-game losing streak by committing 8 penalties for 80 yards and failing to stop the Gamblers’ final drive, which resulted in a game-winning field goal in front of a sparse crowd at NRG Stadium.
ARZ 30 TEX 41
Over 520 yards of offense for Arizona was still not enough as Texas countered the Wranglers at every turn. T.J. Duckett and Brian Westbrook combined for 151 yards rushing and 2 scores and Jeff Lewis threw for 250 and 3 TDs without a pick. Texas now sits at 6-6, but needs to leapfrog Nashville to get into Wild Card position.
BOS 24 TBY 11
Boston remains tied with Jacksonville at 7-5 after knocking off the Bandits in Tampa Bay despite Tiki Barber rushing for only 47 yards. Solid defense and a late Mike Cloud TD run helps the Cannons stay on pace, but they need help in the form of a Jacksonville loss to avoid being the 8th man out. Losing both matchups with the Bulls means they need a 1 game advantage to win the division, likely their best path to the playoffs.
JAX 30 ORL 27
The Renegades did not quit on this season, we can say that. They gave Jacksonville a serious scare in the Citrus Bowl this week as Joey Harrington threw for 323 yards and 2 Renegade TDs. Unfortunately he also threw 3 picks, including one in the 4th quarter that set up a Terrell Owens 9-yard TD catch. Owens finished the game with 135 yards and 2 TDs while ROTY candidate Anquon Boldin racked up 121 on 8 catches for the Bulls.
NJ 17 PHI 13
It was a tough one for the Generals, but they got the W they needed to stay well inside the Wild Card grouping at 8-4. Philly’s Stephen Davis boosted his possible free agent stock with 127 yards and a TD and wideout Steve Smith caught 7 balls for 103 yards, but in the end, New Jersey outlasted the Stars and a 3rd quarter Curtis Enis TD run was enough to put the Generals on top.
BAL 24 WSH 30
Baltimore came to play, but the Federals escape with a win thanks to a diversified offense. Deion Branch returned to action for Washington off of injury and caught 4 balls or 87 yards and a score. Deuce McCallister rushed 21 times for 116 and another TD, and the Feds officially eliminated Baltimore from contention while also holding onto the top seed in the East. With Ohio only 1 game behind them, the Feds must win out to ensure home field advantage.
MGN 6 OHI 45
The Panthers surprised us by giving Drew Brees the start after announcing that we would likely see Spergon Wynn at QB. It really did not matter as Ohio took a 21-0 halftime lead and never looked back. Eddie George was huge once again, rushing for 65 yards and a score and then catching 3 balls for 110, including a 67-yard catch and run. Ohio will be the #1 seed if they win out and the Federals lose, having already locked up the Central Division.
OAK 14 POR 27
The Thunder get a win as Akili Smith accounts for all 3 Portland touchdowns. It was a small but vocal crowd in Portland as fans booed their own team (for now) at several moments in the game. Despite the animosity towards Portland’s ownership, the fans still cheered for Smith when he found the endzone. Jon Kitna started for Oakland, but suffered a concussion in the first half, which meant that Tuiasosopo once again went under center. Kitna is expected to be back next week.
HOT SEATS
As the season enters its final weeks, we take a look at the 5 coaches who are feeling the most pressure. Obviously Mike Martz is no longer on this list, having been relieved of duties, and while there may be some pressure on Lovie Smith, the Interim Head Coach for the Panthers, we are not going to add him to the list as he took the job knowing full well that it was not likely to lead to a permanent hire this year. So, with three games left, who do we think is feeling the heat?
George O’Leary, ORL: It seems strange to list a coach who won a title as recently as 2002, but a 2-win season so far is going to beg some questions. We think O’Leary will weather the storm and get a shot to turn things around. Prior to this year the Renegades ad a 6 year run of playoff appearances, including the 2001 title, so one bad year, especially with a young QB and major offseason shakeups on defense, is not likely to spell trouble for one of the league’s most respected coaches.
Dennis Green, OAK: Another situation where we think the coach is pretty secure. Yes, 2 wins for Oakland is not the year that the owners expected when they hired Green away from the NFL, but all involved knew that Oakland was a reclamation project. The team is still in search of their QB of the future, and Green is almost certainly going to get at least one more offseason to build the roster and show results in Year 2.
Jim Mora Jr., PHI: The son of legendary Stars HC Jim Mora Sr. started like gangbusters, going 13-3 and making it to the Summer Bowl in his first year, but 3 years later things are looking dire. From 13-3 to 9-7, then 3-11 last season, and now he sits at 3 wins again. That is not a good trajectory. Will name recognition and pedigree give him a 5th season or will the Stars head in a new direction? That question is very much on the table right now.
Lindy Infante, BAL: Coach Infante has been the leader of the Blitz since 1992 (How time flies!!), but his run may be coming to a close. In 12 seasons the Blitz ownership have been very patient, and they have gotten some playoff runs from the Blitz in that time (5 of 11 seasons to date), but the Blitz have never advanced past the Divisional Round, and the last 3 seasons have seen the team decline each year. We know that folks in Baltimore are fans of Coach Infante as a man, but as a coach, his record simply does not warrant a 13th season in Baltimore. The Blitz need a new direction.
George Seifert, TBY: Another coach who simply has not lived up to his first season. Like Mora in Philly, Seifert came in hot, winning 13 games and a league championship his first season. But since then the Bandits have dropped out of playoff contention each year. This year’s record has to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Yes, the Bandits played nearly the entire year with a backup QB, but 4 wins is not enough to merit a 7th season for Seifert. Thanks for the title in 1998, but this is 2004 we are talking about and clearly the Bandits need a new start.
We think these five are the most likely to lose their jobs this year (and in some cases we think that the decision is overdue), but that does not mean that others are not at risk. Joe Vitt looks like he has the Thunder again headed for a middle-of-the-pack finish. That was astounding last year, when he took over a winless team, but this year, that was not the goal. Houston’s Wade Phillips will likely get a grace period after a division title last year, but the collapse of the Gamblers this year is troubling.
Fans in Arizona are also getting a bit tired of the Wranglers doing just enough to show potential and and optimism for the following season, only to go through another year of ups and downs that eventually leads nowhere. We think Art Shell keeps the position one more time, just because Arizona ownership has no interest in buying out the rest of his contract (which expires after 2004), but if Shell wants a new deal, the 2004 Wranglers had better impress from week one all the way through the year.
PLAYOFF DROUGHTS
With three games left to play, we have several USFL teams locked into a playoff berth, many more fighting for their shot at the postseason and a few who are already setting up tee times for July rounds of golf. Looking at the roster of teams competing for playoff spots this year made us wonder which club has the longest drought. Which fans have suffered the longest without a taste of playoff action? We know that Boston (formerly Atlanta) has never qualified for the playoffs, but looking around the league we wanted to see just where teams stood. So, here is our quick rundown of each team’s most recent playoff appearance, as well as the most recent title (for those that have won it.)
ARIZONA: Wild Card in 2002, No championships.
BALTIMORE: Wild Card in 2000, No Championships.
BIRMINGHAM: Division Champion in 1999. Title in 1993.
BOSTON: No playoff appearances since joining as Atlanta Fire in 1995.
CHICAGO: Wild Card in 2002. No Championships.
DENVER: Conference Champion in 2001. Title in 2000.
HOUSTON: Division Champion in 2002. Title in 1996.
JACKSONVILLE: Wild Card in 2002. No Championships.
LOS ANGELES: Division Champion in 2001. No Championships.
MEMPHIS: Conference Champion in 2002. Title in 1999.
MICHIGAN: Wild Card in 1999. Title in 1986.
NASHVILLE: Wild Card in 2002. No Championships.
NEW JERSEY: Division Champion in 2002. Title in 1989.
NEW ORLEANS: Wild Card in 2002. No Championships.
OAKLAND: Wild Card in 1998. Title in 1991.
OHIO: League Champions in 2002. Title in 2002.
ORLANDO: Wild Card in 2002. Title in 2001.
PHILADELPHIA: Division Champions in 2001. Title in 1994.
PITTSBURGH: Wild Card in 1999. Title in 1995.
SEATTLE: Wild Card in 2000. No Titles.
TAMPA BAY: League Champions in 1998. Title in 1998.
TEXAS: Wild Card in 1999. No Championships.
WASHINGTON: Wild Card in 2002. Title in 1997.
So, the verdict is in. If you are looking at playoff droughts the longest is Atlanta/Boston, who have never been, but next on the list is a tie between Tampa Bay and Oakland, both of whom last played postseason football in 1998. As for title droughts, the winners are New Orleans, Nashville, Baltimore, and Arizona, all of whom were founding 1983 franchises (Knights as LA Express, Baltimore in Chicago, and New Orleans in Boston) that have yet to win a title. All four have come close, making Summer Bowl appearances, but none has been able to take home the title in 21 seasons of USFL football.
With only 2 weeks left in the season, things are tightening up across both conferences. We still have only 5 teams with clinched playoff spots (Washington, Ohio, Denver, New Orleans and LA). Jacksonville controls their own destiny and can win the Southeastern Division with 2 wins or a Boston loss. Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Chicago can also lock up a Wild Card with 2 wins each, but if any of the three falter, it might allow Boston to sneak in at their expense.
In the West right now the Wild Cards are Seattle, Birmingham and Nashville. The Knights are tied with Memphis and Texas at 6-6, but two wins will ensure them a playoff spot regardless of what the others do. The same is essentially true for the Stallions and Dragons. Texas and Memphis need some help, but also need to go 2-0 to have a realistic shot. That could be tough for the Outlaws, who host Boston this week and finish with the Denver Gold. Memphis hosts Philly this week before ending their season with a huge home game against New Orleans.
With 2 weeks left to play, 8 of the 24 USFL teams are mathematically eliminated, including the 0-12 Michigan Panthers , who finish up at Portland and then home to Pittsburgh. They need a win in one of those two games if they want to avoid becoming only the 2nd USFL club in history to go winless in a season.
Fans in Seattle want to know Byron Leftwich’s status for this week, but a listing as “Questionable” simply does not offer much help. Erickson could get the start if Leftwich does not show sufficient post-concussion improvement by Friday. In Boston the concern is for Tiki Barber, who is almost certainly out this week, though listed as “doubtful’ with a shoulder injury. Mike Cloud is also banged up for the Cannons, but is expected to play.
The Express are looking short handed at LB as both John Holocek and Mo Lewis ended up on the Injury List this week. Lewis is “probable” but might be rested since LA has already clinched a playoff spot. Holocek has a groin issue and is doubtful. Pittsburgh Is looking at CB Bobby Taylor who dislocated his thumb this week. He could be out, but is listed as questionable. Dre Bly, their other starter at CB is also on the injury list with some tendinitis in his knee but is expected to play. Finally, Memphis is still trying to find the right combo at WR since Justin McCaerins went out with a broken arm. He will miss the rest of the season, so the Showboats need Kelley Washington and Tydus Wynans to step up for their starting flanker.
HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2003 NAMED
The USFL this week took a pause before next week’s owners’ meetings (and the big discussion on expansion) to celebrate the heroes of yesteryear, announcing the Pro Football USFL Hall of Fame Class of 2003. Five new member, including two first-time nominees and three linemen will enter the hall this year. It seems that after a long drought before a lineman could enter the hall, the doors are now open and three more will join last year’s trendsetter, Howard Ballard. Third year nominee, the Generals’ long time center Mike Baab got the nod, as did former Portland LT Bruce Armstrong in his second year of eligibility, and Express/Knights guard Gary Zimmerman, also in his second year of eligibility. The three linemen will be joined by Oakland’s all-time receiving leader Henry Ellard, and “the Mouth of the South”, Birmingham Stallion TE Shannon Sharpe, both first ballot HOF entrants.
With the release of the Class of 2003 Hall of Famers, there is always some disappointment as others did not make the cut, and some are now out of their entry window and can only be nominated when a special committee on early-year players begins to look for overlooked contributors, something that won’t happen until 2010. Among those who did not receive the honor this year are first year nominees Jack Trudeau, Garland Rivers, Vaughan Johnson, and Frank Winters. Among those no longer eligible for a standard nomination we have some pretty high quality names: Michigan tackle Arnoldo Gardner, LA receiver Eric Martin, LB Ben Apuna, cornerback Keith Bostic, and halfback Marcus DuPree.
With the announcement of the Class of 2003, we thought it might be a good time to review the current roster of USFL Hall of Famers nine years into its presence within the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A lot of great players already in, and this will only continue to grow over the upcoming years. Here, by position, are the current USFL Hall of Famers, including their year of induction, with a reminder that players are eligible 5 years after they retire from the league:
QUARTERBACK: John Reaves ’95, Chuck Fusina ’96
RUNNING BACK: Joe Cribbs ’97, Craig James ’97, John Williams ’99, Herschel Walker ’00, Kelvin Bryant ’01, Mike Rozier ’02, Thurman Thomas ’02
RECEIVERS: Anthony Carter ’95, Mel Gray ‘96, Jackie Flowers ’97, Trumaine Johnson ’99, John Jefferson ’99, Eric Truvillion ’00, Joey Walters ’01, Jo-Jo Townsell ’01, Henry Ellard ’03, Shannon Sharpe ‘03
OFFENSIVE LINE: Howard Ballard ’02, Bruce Armstrong ’03, Mike Baab ’03, Gary Zimmerman ‘03
DEFENSIVE LINE: Junior Ah-You ’95, Jumpy Geathers ’97, Ronnie Paggett ’98, Dexter Manley ’02
LINEBACKER: Marcus Marek ’95, John Corker ’96, Brandon Zavala ’98, Sam Norris ’00, Kiki DeAyala ’01, Brian Bosworth ‘02
SECONDARY: Raphel Cherry ’96, William Cesare ’97, Donald Dykes ’98, Frederick Wilder ’99
SPECIAL TEAMS: Tim Mazzetti ‘99
COACHES: Jim Stanley ’98, Steve Spurrier ’99, Dick Vermeil ’00, Sam Rutigliano ‘00
OWNERS: John Bassett ‘95
Week 13 of 14 is the final non-divisional week as all 24 clubs face inter-conference foes. Among the key matchups for playoff positioning, we find New Jersey headed to Nashville, Birmingham hosting Washington, Boston in Texas, Chicago at Seattle, and Pittsburgh in LA to face the Express. Other games involving playoff hopefuls include Jacksonville at Houston, Orlando visiting Denver, Baltimore at New Orleans, and Memphis hosting the Philadelphia Stars. Finally, we also have Ohio in Oakland and Michigan hoping to get their first win of the year up in Portland, where fans are not likely to give the Thunder a Bon Voyage party as they play their last game at Civic Stadium before relocating to Las Vegas.
Come on Dragons, you know you can steal the Division!