October 17, 2005
Six weeks into the offseason and the Philadelphia Stars are making huge waves. Apparently Miles Tanenbaum is looking for a fix along the lines we have seen in Tampa Bay, and he is willing to spend to make it happen. Denver too seems to be uncharacteristically on a spending spree, as the Gold and Stars are among several teams with cap-friendly situations, who are moving and shaking. Quite a few big names moving around the league, and several headed off to the NFL as well. It’s the USFL offseason and teams are gearing up for the holiday shopping season by stocking up on talent. We start with Philadelphia, who have been the story of the offseason with their new Head Coach, new superstar back, and a reclamation project they hope will help them return to prominence in the Northeast.
Philadelphia Making Headlines
We begin our offseason roundup with the last of the five USFL coaching positions to be filled. It took until the week after the Summer Bowl, but the Philadelphia Stars found their man. The Stars are giving a position coach with a major NFL pedigree his shot at a head coaching job, signing San Diego Chargers QB Coach Jim Harbaugh to be the next head coach in Philadelphia. Harbaugh, who is only 3 seasons out from playing QB in the NFL, becomes the youngest head coach in the USFL. After a very solid NFL career that saw him lead the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl, and also play for Chicago and San Diego, Harbaugh moved from the field to the sideline as the QB coach for the LA Raiders. After only 2 years there, he will join the USFL for the first time in his career as the new leader of one of its most storied franchises. It may be risky, but the Stars are hoping that Harbaugh’s pedigree translates to immediate rapport with players and a change in locker room culture.
The Stars are clearly going all in, as they not only made one of the more surprising coaching hires, but immediately threw around some of their cap surplus to make the biggest signing of the early free agency period, landing former Knight HB Ahman Green to be the new lead back for the Stars offense. Green signed a 4-year deal with Philadelphia and is expected to immediately be a focal point for the offense. 2004 was Green’s 6th consecutive 1,000 yard season, and one which saw him reach a career high of 1,46 yards. Over the 6-year run, Green has also scored 72 touchdowns, an average of 12 per year. With Green in the fold, the Stars immediately turned around and dealt 2004 starting HB Larry Johnson, sending the 3rd year back to Arizona in exchange for veteran WR Tim Dwight and a 5th round pick. The shift from Johnson to Green is viewed as huge boost for Philadelphia’s run game, but they still needed a QB after allowing Brian Griese to go in free agency.
So, in the span of a month, the Stars have a new head coach, a star at HB, and a veteran WR to play alongside Steve Smith and Amani Toomer, and they are not done yet, at least that is the sense we get from their front office staff. The QB Position remains a huge question mark for the Stars, as we doubt Coach Harbaugh is comfortable with either Will Furrer or inexperienced developmental QB David Garrard as the starter going into his first season. Just where he looks for a QB option is still very much in question. We could see him making a deal with Oakland if the Invaders are not planning on drafting Aaron Rodgers, which seems very possible, or the Stars, with an early pick in the open draft, could move up and try to land Alex Smith of the U. of Utah. Among veteran players only Brian Griese seems a viable starter, and he is certainly not returning to Philadelphia after being allowed to walk away from the Stars only 2 years after coming over from Seattle.
Free Agency a Tale of Haves & Have Nots
Cap room has been a huge story through the early weeks of free agency, with some teams all but excluding themselves from signing players while others have been big players in the free agent market. As we saw last year, the initial days of USFL free agency, before the NFL can get involved, are high action, with teams trying to snag players with only 23 competitors instead of 55. So, what can we say about the first weeks of free agency? These stories certainly have emerged as the ones fans are most intrigued by.
Denver breaks tendencies and spends some cash.
We are used to the Denver Gold being well under the salary cap, and staying there, sometimes signing for depth in free agency, but usually building through the draft. Well, throw that concept out the window as Denver signed 4 players, including three likely starters in the first days of the free agency period, and why not, with their huge cap advantage, they have the funds to do so. So, who did the Gold latch on to? They clearly looked to improve their passing game, landing a new TE to take over for the retired Marco Battaglia. Lonnie Johnson, considered the best all-around tight end on the market will now be catching passes from Mark Brunell. He is a solid run-blocker as well, which could help as Denver tries to reignite its run game.
A second area of need was a speedy receiver to take some pressure off of Peerless Price, and the Gold feel that they found that in veteran J.J. Stokes. Stokes is pretty much a straight line speedster, so Denver will likely use him to go over the top and free up Price underneath. But, perhaps the biggest signing for the offense was Mike Flanagan, the big center from the Stallions who will absolutely help out the run game and is a solid pass protector as well. Throw in CB Ray Crockett and you have an impressive haul for a team that is notoriously frugal in free agency.
Oakland takes a risk again
Dennis Green is known as a player’s coach, and he certainly seems open to reclamation projects
. First it was the trade with Orlando to bring in QB Joey Harrington (see below), and now it is the news that Oakland has come to an agreement with HB Ricky Williams, who, as of today, remains under league suspension for violating USFL drug policy. A decision on reinstatement is expected by late November, and from all accounts Williams is in good shape despite the 1-year absence, so Coach Green may have found himself a steal here.
And, since we are talking about the Invaders, we should mention that they have also gone out and signed themselves a quality offensive tackle to help clear the way for their new HB, inking the top LT in the draft, former General Matt Light. The Invaders and Coach Green certainly seem to be looking for a brighter future after what has been a long run of disappointments.
The Stars turn to defense
After landing the biggest name in the market with the signing of Ahman Green, Philadelphia has continued to make use of their available cap space, adding two solid defensive contributors to their roster in the past 2 weeks. The first is strong safety Reggie Tongue, who, at 27, still has several years of quality play in him. The Stars then added LB Allen Aldridge from Jacksonville. The former Houston Gambler is 32, but has played well the past two years and will provide some veteran leadership. Of course the big question still remaining in Philly is at QB, but it seems that the front office is not shy about spending money, so a plan is certainly being formed.
Birmingham Building a Roster
The Stallions are another team with a lot of cap room and the ability to sign players, four so far, who will make an impact. No word yet on plans to replace Brett Favre under center, but we did not expect them to find their starter in free agency. The only real surprise is that the Stallions are using free agency so freely, as they, like Denver, tend to be a club that builds through the draft. Signed in the first month of free agency we have a new fullback and tight end, with contracts agreed upon with former Express FB Shawn Bryson and former Wrangler TE O.J. Santiago, two solid players who will help Birmingham improve their offense from last year.
The bigger deals were on defense, however, where Coach Franchione saw a lot of room for improvement. Birmingham landed the 2nd rated defender after Phil Hansen by inking LB Ted Johnson away from Michigan. The 31-year-old is a strong leader on defense and still has some mileage left on his treads. The other signing was in the secondary, where the Stallions picked up former NFL and Chicago Machine corner James Trapp. Another veteran, the 29-year-old Trapp comes to the Stallions with significant experience in both zone and man coverage schemes.
Jerry Glanville Starts forming "His Team"
Coach Glanville wasted no time trying to bring in players who fit with his aggressive defensive scheme and his desire for a high-flying offense. Three big signings highlighted the early free agency period for the Thunder. On offense it was the signing of TE Christian Fauria that got fans excited, a big, agile, receiving TE, Fauria can help free up the outside receivers Matthew Hatchette and Muhsin Muhammad for new OC Joe Tiller. On defense, Coach Glanville wanted aggression and speed, and he thinks he has added both by signing the top DT on the market, Norman Hand and then adding CB Steve Israel of Nashville. Both Hand and Israel have a reputation as maulers, physical players who will battle to strip the ball from the offense and create opportunities for the D.
Of course, free agency is more than 5 teams, so here are a few of the other interesting additions we have seen so far in the free agent period:
Receiving HB Kevin Faulk leaves Houston for Baltimore, where he will be the lightning to Ron Dayne’s thunder.
Ohio did not have a lot of cap room, and saw several players leave, but they were able to help shore up the O-line by signing Jim Pyne to a 3-year deal. Pyne comes over from Chicago, which has to sting the Glory’s top divisional rival.
Jacksonville has added FS Jerome Woods (OAK) to replace the departed Joe King, and WR Donald Hayes (NJ) to possibly line up opposite Anquon Boldin.
Houston has added veteran FS Je’Rod Cherry (ARZ) and RT Andre Johnson.
New Orleans added former Bandit Pat Riley at DT, but is still seeking help at DE.
Chicago found their “third down” back in the form of former Texas Outlaw Brian Westbrook.
Washington beefed up their O-lline with guard Eric Mahlum (BOS) and then added CB Rashad Bauman to a secondary that was already pretty solid.
Texas signed veteran DE Bob Kuberski to improve their pass rush.
Orlando signed LB Al Wilson, guard Bobby Williams, and TE Fred Baxter
And, finally, LA made an interesting deal, bringing former Oakland QB Marques Tuiasosopo in. With Cade McNown clearly the starter and Quincy Carter looking like a solid #2, the signing of Tuiasosopo seems a luxury that LA cannot really afford.
While several teams helped themselves with early free agency, there were plenty of names on the table when the NFL came calling in early August. The teams of the fall league wasted no time snapping up players at every level from All-USFL to those who add depth on the 2nd and 3rd string of NFL rosters. While there were a few younger players taken, the trend of the NFL to sign established performers was again evident this year. The NFL signed a total of 39 players off of USFL rosters, but we believe these 15 are the biggest loss for the USFL:
WR Andre Rison
Signed by the Browns. Pittsburgh’s top receiver returns to the NFL after 7 years with the Maulers.
WR Carl Pickens
Signed by the Cowboys. Another quality receiver heads to the NFL. The 13-year veteran of 3 USFL teams gets his first taste of the NFL in 2005.
HB Brian Mitchell
Signed by the Eagles. An excellent return man and solid 3rd down back returns to the NFL after only a 3-year stint with the Seattle Dragons.
SS Sean Lumpkin
Signed by the Niners. Denver fully expected the 13-year veteran to retire this year, but instead he signs a 2-year deal with the NFL.
FB Zach Crockett
Signed by the Dolphins. After moving from Seattle, to Atlanta, to Michigan in the USFL, Crockett inks a 1-year deal to join the NFL in Miami.
G Matt O’Dwyer
Signed by the Jets. New York gets the 33-year-old Dwyer only 1 year since coming to New Jersey from the Bulls.
DE Matt McCrary
Signed by the Oilers. After a career high 8 sacks in 2001 with the Breakers, McCrary returned to his 1-3 sack norm, and was let go by New Orleans, now signing with Houston of the NFL.
SS Chris Carter
Signed by the Seahawks. The Seahawks acquired the 8-year veteran of the Gamblers, and coming off a very solid 5 pick season.
LB Greg Biekert
Signed by the Colts. The Panthers were hoping to resign the 12-year vet to another 1-year deal, but the Colts of the NFL offered him a multi-year option.
C Chukki Okobi
Signed by the Chiefs. A 3-year starter in only his 4th year, Okobi was a hot commodity as his rookie deal expired. Kansas City outbid several USFL clubs for his services.
LB John Holocek
Signed by the Bills. The veteran LB will get his first NFL experience at age 34.
SS Adrian Wilson
Signed by the Copperheads. Another younger player leaving the USFL at the end of his rookie deal. Wilson started every game for Atlanta/Boston over the past 3 years but now moves to Nashville with the NFL Copperheads.
FS Mike Prior
Signed by the Bears. Prior began his career in the NFL, came to the USFL for 8 seasons with Michigan and Texas, and now returns to finish his career in the NFL.
LB Barry Minter
Signed by the Chargers. A 12-year vet with St. Louis, Los Angeles, and this past year with Seattle, Minter will give it one more season in the NFL with San Diego.
QB Kent Graham
Signed by the Giants. Signed by the Bandits as a rookie, it was assumed that Graham would retire a lifelong backup for Aikman and others. He opts to sign on with the Giants, where he will back up Kurt Warner.
The USFL, as is typical, did not draw a ton of talent away from the NFL just as NFL teams were entering camp. Expect most USFL signings of NFL players to occur in February, when the NFL is in a position similar to the USFL right now, coming off a season with many player contracts expiring. The 4 most notable NFL signings were:
QB Kelly Holcomb by the New Jersey Generals, brought in as a backup to Brady;
LB Ike Reese of the Eagles now coming to Washington to play for the Federals;
WR Eddie Berlin of Tennessee, coming over to play for Orlando, and
OT Jonas Jennings of Buffalo, also signing with the Renegades.
With the NFL-USFL Transfer Window now closed once again, the remaining Free Agents left unsigned will remain the exclusive domain of USFL squads until the 2nd phase of NFL-USFL transfer in early February. Looking at the players that remain to be selected, there is a lot of talent waiting to sign with someone.
USFL Trading Block Starts Heating Up
We did not see much happen on the trading block during the USFL-NFL Transfer Window, but now that it has shut, we are beginning to see some picks and players shifting hands. This will pick up over the Winter as teams prep for the Draft, but for now we can say that some teams are clearly eager to make moves. Here are the 5 most impactful trades we have seen to date, and since we already reported on the Larry Johnson trade to Arizona and the Joey Harrington deal with Orlando, we will drop those two Philly moves from our list.
#5: Texas Adds Defense: LA cleared a lot of cap space, and Texas improved their defense all in one two-player trade as the Express sent both DE Justin Smith and FS Travares Tillman to San Antonio, acquiring a 2nd rounder this year (Philly’s pick which Texas had from an earlier deal) and the Outlaw’s 2nd rounder next season. The move gives LA the breathing room they needed to make some other moves, and Texas gets both a young edge rusher and an experienced safety.
#4: New Jersey Clears Cap Room: New Jersey and Denver pulled off a similar picks for players cap-clearing deal, but we think Denver got an even better deal than Texas did. The Gold send two 2006 draft picks (a 2nd and a 6th) to New Jersey and acquire both LB Kendrell Bell and DT Tommy Harris. That feels almost like stealing to us, but New Jersey was so far over the cap they likely would have had to release one or both defenders anyway. A good deal for New Jersey to get something, a great deal for Denver.
#3 Memphis Finds a Back: Memphis trades C Corey Raymer to LA for HB Maurice Smith. This may not seem like a huge deal, but that is just because Smith was stuck in a 3-way rotation with DeShaun Foster and rookie Mewelde Moore. He is a quality back, something Memphis needs, and for LA, they get another strong lineman to put in place alongside All-USFL talents like Alan Faneca and Jonathan Ogden. They are building the offense around the line, and this will help them be even stronger there.
#2 Breakers Get an Edge: New Orleans lost 3 Defensive Ends to retirement, the NFL, and Free Agency, so that was a desperate situation. Boston had no cap room and the Breakers had plenty, so the Cannons sending DE Ty Warren to the Breakers for 2 picks (2nd rounders in both 2006 and 2007) seems like a deal that will help both teams. Warren had a very solid first season and will now get a chance to blossom in the Bayou.
#1 Harrington Heads Back To the West Coast: We did not see this one coming, but it makes a good bit of sense. Oakland was hoping to add a young QB to spend a year behind Trent Green and then perhaps take over. Orlando was looking to move on from Joey Harrington. The question is what Orlando would want for the former Heisman winner. Turns out the price was rather reasonable, with Oakland sending swing tackle Langston Walker, and WR Donte Stallworth, along with a 2006 5th round pick to Orlando for the young QB. For Coach Dennis Green, the arrival of Harrington means that the Invaders have options at QB, and that Harrington will be able to learn from a solid QB in Trent Green. For Orlando, this means that Jeff Blake is currently the starter for Coach Emmitt Thomas, but we are not sure that will remain the case by March’s season kickoff.
USFL Free Agents Still Looking for a Home.
Before free agency we identified the top 20 free agents available, We will now refresh that list looking only at those players still unsigned and the teams that have at least shown interest. Only 5 of the original 20 remain after the initial weeks of both USFL and NFL signings, so 15 new faces are added to the list.
NEW TO THE LIST: QB’s Jeff Garcia and Rick Mirer; HB Duce Staley, WRs Kirby Dar Dar, Eddie Kennison, Bobby Engram, and Robert Ferguson; DE’s Chad Bradtske and Cedric Harden; DT Leon Bender, LB’s Akin Ayodole and Chris Cowart; SS Adrian Wilson, and CB DeShea Townsend
STILL OUT THERE FROM OUR INITIAL LIST: Still unsigned are DT Darwin Walker (CHI), DE Phil Hansen (NJ), QB Brian Griese (PHI), FS Joe King (JAX) and CB Ryan McNeill (ORL)
Rumors have Staley possibly catching on with Arizona or Michigan, but after the trade for Larry Johnson, we are not sure if Arizona is still in the running for Staley. The big surprise is that Phil Hansen is still on the market. Perhaps his asking prices seems a little high for his age, though his production is so stellar that we don’t see how a team could turn him down regardless of what he is asking. QB Brian Griese is still hoping to be seen as a starter, but there are fewer and fewer options out there. We could see potential in Las Vegas, but Joe Tiller’s hire as OC points away from a player like Griese. Perhaps Orlando? It is hard to see where he comes in as the clear #1. We don’t doubt that the receivers will get signed, andwe are interested in seeing where FS Joe King and SS Adrian Wilson end up, because both are too good to be left out in the cold.
Major Team Needs
After looking at players that are in need of a club, it seems only fair that we look at USFL clubs that are in serious need of some key players. We will go position by position and look at just which teams might be looking to the Draft, the remaining free agent period, and possibly the second (and better-stocked) NFL-USFL Transfer Window to fill gaps in their rosters.
QB: Typically the most obvious hole in a roster is a bad QB situation, and this year there are several clubs with major gaps. Birmingham is an obvious one after the retirement of Favre. Las Vegas has let Akili Smith go and we are not sure that Coach Glanville is confident with Aaron Brooks as the starter. Orlando is now looking at former NFL QB Jeff Blake as their current starter, so they seem another team that would be in the QB market as well. Add in a lot of teams who are hoping to sign a solid backup or a developmental pick, and we could see a lot of action on the QB front between now and February’s training camps.
HB: Several teams are looking to either find a true bell cow back, or to add to a rotation of backs. Denver, for example, is looking to find a replacement for Robert Holcombe. Nashville is not likely to stand pat. Houston is in the market for sure, as is Memphis, and Seattle. There are several quality backs in free agency, but the draft may also be a focal area here.
WR: Baltimore and Memphis both have to upgrade their receiving corps, and could be looking at a total overhaul if they can find the funds. Pittsburgh also is in need of help after losing Andre Rison. Washington needs a #2 opposite Deion Branch, as does Denver with Peerless Price, and Jacksonville with Anquon Boldin. Robert Ferguson is still out there as the most coveted receiver, but the draft could also provide some athleticism that just needs pro experience.
O-Line: It is hard to name a team that does not need help on the O-line. Some of the biggest or most glaring needs are at guard: Boston, Jacksonville, and Ohio. The Glory also need to make some moves at tackle. Other teams hoping to land a starter at Center include New Orleans, Las Vegas and Denver. At tackle, New Jersey is certainly in the market, as are Oakland and Ohio.
Edge: Another position where you can never have enough talent, but teams in perhaps most desperate need include Washington, Michigan, Houston, and New Jersey. Replacing Phil Hansen and Michael Sinclair seem especially key moves, but how do you really do that?
DT: New Jersey is in some concern here after trading away Tommy Harris, but they are not alone. Memphis, New Orleans and Las Vegas are also very interested in beefing up their interior line.
LB: The obvious answer here is Michigan, since they lost 2 starters to free agency. Add New Orleans, Birmingham, Arizona, and Orlando to the mix as well. The key here is that not every LB is a fit for every need, as we have to look at strong, weak, and middle linebackers as very different skill sets.
DB: With what we saw New Jersey do with Deion Sanders this year, expect everyone to be seeking a shut down corner. But that is sort of like trying to find a four-leaf clover. They are few and far between. Among teams most in need of help at CB we have to list Orlando, Nashville, Oakland, Memphis, and Birmingham. At safety, it again depends on the skill set needed. For example, Jacksonville would ideally like to find a ballhawking free safety, while the biggest need for the defense Houston runs is a hard hitting, in the box Strong Safety like a Polamalu or Steve Atwater.
ST: Never a high priority, but you absolutely want a kicker you can rely on and a punter who will get you out of field position hell. Really the only team desperate for a new kicker is Seattle, since Jay Feeley is gone. Philadelphia will likely have a kicker competition in camp to find a replacement for retired Jeff Jaeger as well. As for punters, expect a lot of guys to get camp invites to compete for positions in New Jersey, Jacksonville, Chicago, and Baltimore.