We have reviewed the 2005 USFL Draft and signing successes and failures, looked at the late free agent acquisitions, the camp trades, and the NFL-USFL transfers; now it is time to look at the teams and where they stand. Who reinvented themselves? Who got better? Who may have slipped a bit. We ranked all 24 USFL clubs in our Preseason Power Poll, from 1 to 24, looked at who has left, who is new in town, and who could be ready to break out in 2005. Is your team ready to make a move? Here is the info you need to either confidently book tickets to Summer Bowl 2005 in Houston or to pray we are way off.
2005 USFL PRESEASON POWER RANKINGS
1) Arizona Wranglers
2004 RECAP: 10-4, Western Conference Champions
DEPARTURES: HB S. Davis (RET), LB W. Tubbs (RET), HB C. Taylor (NFL), LB S. Tovar (NFL), SS J. Cherry (FA), TE O. Santiago (FA), HB E. Graham (Trade), DE E. Freeman (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: LB K. Hardy (FA), HB D. Staley (FA), WR R. Soward (FA), LB A. Jordan (FA), DT J. Ferguson (NFL), HB L. Johnson (Trade), G T. Johnson (Trade)
IMPACT ROOKIES: TE Kevin Everett (Miami), QB Andrew Walter (Az State), LB Boomer Grigsby (Il State), S Matt Giordano (Cal)
BREAK OUT STAR: We put Larry Fitzgerald on the cover of the magazine, so pretty much we think he is about to blow up. Fitzgerald had a stellar rookie year, and we expect only better things from the long and lean receiver in 2005. He may be considered the #2 receiver behind Santana Moss, but this could be a situation where the Wranglers have two #1s.
OUTLOOK: Arizona came within a field goal of landing their first league title last season, and we think that they only got better this year. Yes, Stephen Davis is gone after having finally revived the run game, but the additions of Duce Staley and Larry Johnson look to carry on what Davis started. The outstanding Wrangler D may have gotten even tougher with the “unretirement” of Kevin Hardy and the additions of Anthony Jordan and NFL DT Jason Ferguson. This team is capable of being Top 5 in both offense and defense, and perhaps in 2005 Jake Plummer will finally be able to lift high the John Bassett Trophy.
2. Tampa Bay Bandits
2004 RECAP: 12-2, Southeastern Division Champions, Lost in Eastern Finals
DEPARTURES: SS L. Butler (RET), QB K. Graham (NFL), DT P. Riley (FA), OT A. Johnson (FA), TE B. Banta (FA), HB T. Vinson (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: QB R. Mirer (FA), SS. K. Kennedy (NFL)
IMPACT ROOKIES: S Antrel Rolle (Miami), WR Roscoe Parrish (Miami), OT Ray Willis (FSU), DT Jay Ratliff (Auburn)
BREAK OUT STAR: DT Sean Gilbert has toiled in relative anonymity in a Tampa Bay defense that generally does not get a lot of press, but players around the league see him as one of the best pivot defenders in the USFL. He may not rack up big sack numbers (DTs rarely do), and the press is still likely to focus a lot on Steve Spurrier and the Bandit Ball offense, but Gilbert, going into his 14th season in the league, deserves to have a season where we focus on the way he impacts games.
OUTLOOK: Tampa Bay came out of nowhere (4-10 in 2003) to become a phoenix, with one of the top offenses in the league and a decent D to boot. The arrival of Daunte Culpepper from the NFL, and the return of the Ole’ Ball Coach were a match made in heaven. At 12-2 and playing at home they were the clear favorite to represent the East in Summer Bowl 2005, but the sneaky Generals pulled the upset and knocked the Bandits out. We expect Tampa Bay to be hungrier than ever in 2005, and they have the talent to rip through the league and claim a title if they can avoid injuries to key players and keep focused on the prize.
3. Boston Cannons
2004 RECAP: 10-4, Wild Card, Lost in Divisionals to Tampa Bay
DEPARTURES: FB R. Anderson (RET), TE C. Gedney (RET), G. E. Mahlum (RET), SS A. Wilson (NFL), HB V. Hayes (NFL), WR R. Ferguson (FA), QB J. Miller (FA), DT A. McFarland (Trade), DE T. Warren (Trade), CB A. Rossum (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: WR F. Scott (FA), G E. Mulitalo (Trade)
IMPACT ROOKIES: FB Justin Green (Montana), HB Marion Barber (Minn), WR Lance Moore (Toledo), CB Brandon Browner (OR State), QB Adrian McPherson (FSU)
BREAK OUT STAR: TE James Whalen. With Robert Ferguson gone to Memphis in free agency, Drew Bledsoe is going to need secondary targets for those rare occasions when he cannot get the ball to Chad Ochocinco. That 2nd option could be free agent Freddie Scott, or returning possession guys like Jerricho Cotchery or Joe Jurevicious, but we think it is going to be Whalen, who had 75 targets and 50 receptions in 2004 when Boston’s offense first made the league take notice. Expect those numbers to go even higher in 2005.
OUTLOOK: The Cannons will admit that their defense may have taken a step back with the departures of McFarland, Ty Warren and Wilson, and with serious cap room issues they just could not be big players in free agency, but it was not defense that got them to their first playoff run in team history. This team will be defined by the offense led by Drew Bledsoe, HB Tiki Barber, and WR Chad Ochocinco. That trifecta is one of the best in the league and could propel the Cannons far into the playoffs. Their biggest issue is that they have Tampa Bay, with an equally powerful attack, in their own division, and if their defense struggles, the Bandits could once again outpace them to the #1 seed in the East.
4. New Jersey Generals
2004 RECAP: 11-3, Eastern Division Champoins. League Champions.
DEPARTURES: DE P. Hansen (RET), CB/S J. Sehorn (RET), DE R. Nicks (RET), G M. O’Dwyer (NFL), WR D. Hayes (FA), QB T. Boumann (FA), LB K. Bell (Trade), DT T. Harris (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: OG T. Reyes (FA), QB K. Holcombe (NFL)
IMPACT ROOKIES: OG Nick Kaczur (Toledo), S O.J. Atogwe (Stanford), DE Dan Cody (OU), WR Mark Clayton (OU), OT Jeremy Parquet (So Miss)
BREAK OUT STAR: LB Donterrious Thomas. After a strong rookie season that saw DT start 10 games and make 41 tackles, 15 for a loss, the outside linebacker is expected to grow even more in 2005 and with so many defensive starters gone from the 2004 club, the Generals will need him to take on a bigger role and be even more of a force in run defense, and possibly in the pass rush as well.
OUTLOOK: Being placed 4th in the power rankings may feel like a diss to General fans, but this team, as many champions do, has taken a huge offseason hit. You don’t lose the greatest sack master in USFL history and just brush that off. Phil Hansen’s free agency and then retirement will impact the Generals, as will the departures due to cap-relieving trades, of Bell and Harris from a defense that largely carried the Generals in 2005. They will need more from their offense in 2005 if they want any hope of repeating as champions, because the D is likely taking a step back as they retool.
5. Ohio Glory
2004 RECAP: 10-4, Central Division Champions, Lost in Wild Card Round
DEPARTURES: WR T. Davis (RET), C T. McClure (NFL), WR M. Floyd (NFL), DE C. Harden (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: C. J. Pyne (FA), CB D. Townsend (FA), TE I. Mili (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: C Richie Incognito (Neb), OT J. Brown (OU), WR Chad Owens (Hawaii)
BREAK OUT STAR: WR Reche Caldwell. It may seem odd to say that a player will break out in his 5th year, but that could well be the situation for Reche Caldwell in Ohio. The truth is that someone has to step into the big shoes vacated by Chad Ochocinco, and Caldwell is best positioned to do that. He showed some signs last year before the injury to Kerry Collins slowed things down, but if he does not make a leap up and claim the WR2 spot this season, it could easily go to Justin Gage, or we could even see rookie Chad Owens get a shot.
OUTLOOK: The Ohio offense is still a major player in the USFL, and if their defense improves at all with the arrival of DeShea Townsend, they could once again be perched atop the Central Division and potentially the conference. The gap has certainly closed between Ohio and the other contenders in the East, but the Glory are still very much a team to be reckoned with.
6. Seattle Dragons
2004 RECAP: 9-5, Pacific Division Champions, Lost in Western Finals.
DEPARTURES: QB J. Garcia (RET), DT K. Pritchett (RET), HB B. Mitchell (NFL), LB B. Minter (NFL), HB J. Henley (FA), DE L. Bromell (FA), LB W. Middlebrooks (Trade), G E. Mulitalo (Trade), T J. Backus (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: CB A. Rossum (Trade)
IMPACT ROOKIES: WR Reggie Brown (UGA), S Nick Collins (Beth-Cook), WR Rashied Davies (SJSU), K Dave Rayner (Mich State), HB Darren Sproles (K State)
BREAK OUT STAR: HB Darren Sproles. We may be making too much of Sproles’s skills as a return man and 3rd down back, but his film is electric. He could be an instant upgrade over Brian Mitchell and Mitchell was a very good player. Do not go to the bathroom or fridge when Seattle’s opponents are punting or kicking off. It could be very worth your while.
OUTLOOK: The Dragons feel like they lost a few good players, in part because they did. Cap limits hit them hard, so they made some trades and lost some talent, but this is still a very talented team and one that feels like it is just beginning to catch fire. Watch them out of the gate to see if they are ready to take this to the next level.
7. Denver Gold
2004 RECAP: 8-6, Wild Card, Lost in Wild Card Round
DEPARTURES: CB C. Holmes (RET), HB R. Holcombe (RET), TE M. Battaglia (RET), T B. Brockermeyer (RET), DT. M. Bouette (RET), SS S. Lumpkin (NFL), TE D. LaFleur (NFL), LB C. Cowart (FA), CB R. Bauman (FA), G J. Goodwin (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: C M. Flanagan (FA), TE L. Johnson (FA), WR J. Stokes (FA), CB R. Crockett (FA), SS K. Kennedy (NFL), LB D. Spragan (NFL), LB K. Bell (Trade), DT T. Harris (Trade)
IMPACT ROOKIES: HB Cedric Benson (Texas), TE Tony Jackson (Iowa), G Elton Brown (Uva), QB Derek Anderson (Oregon St), CB Reynaldo Hill (Florida), LB Barrett Rudd (Neb)
BREAK OUT STAR: DT Tommy Harris. One of a wave of new members to the Gold roster, Harris is poised to have a huge year in Dick Jauron’s system. With solid DE’s on the outside, Harris’s disruptive style could make him as dangerous as any edge rusher.
OUTLOOK: The Gold lost more players, and brought more in than any other team. They broke tendencies and actually spent some money on players like J.J. Stokes, Lonnie Johnson, and Kenoy Kennedy, then they made a big deal to bring in two members of the Generals’ defense when New Jersey had a fire sale. The end results could be very good for Denver, but it may also take time for this team to find itself.
8. Chicago Machine
2004 RECAP: 9-5, Wild Card, Lost in Wild Card Round
DEPARTURES: P N. Louis (RET), HB C. Rogers (RET), T M. Spears (RET), CB J. Hitchcock (NFL), C J. Pyne (FA), CB J. Trapp (FA), DT D. Walker (FA), HB D. Staley (FA), SS C. Wire (Trade), TE B. Hartsook (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: HB B. Westbrook (FA), TE M. Ricks (Trade), SS G. Earl (Trade), HB A. Thomas (NFL)
IMPACT ROOKIES: CB Marlin Jackson (Mich), G Chris Kemoeatu (Utah), HB Maurice Clarett (Ohio St), QB Kyle Orton (Purdue)
BREAK OUT STAR: HB Michael Turner. Turner usurped Duce Staley last year, rushing for 759 yards and 6 TDs in his rookie campaign. Chicago expects even more out of him this year, likely shooting for his first 1,000 yard season. Turner will have Maurice Clarett and 3rd down back Bryan Westbrook stealing some carries, but he could become a three down back if he has early success.
OUTLOOK: Chicago lost a few pieces, but they had a strong draft and did not lose anyone who we would consider essential to their overall plan for growth. They should be there with Ohio, challenging for the division title, and they even think they may have found the successor to Jeff George, Purdue’s Kyle Orton, who will learn from George and hopefully grow into a starting job.
9. Washington Federals
2004 RECAP: 7-7, 2nd in East
DEPARTURES: DT R. Rogers (RET), QB S. Zolack (RET), DE T. Brackens (RET), LB B. Hamilton (RET), TE J. Asher (RET), T K. Farris (NFL), LB A. Wilson (FA), WR B. Shaw (FA), G T. Reyes (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: CB R. Bauman (FA), DT A. McFarland (Trade), HB E. Graham (Trade), LB I. Reese (NFL)
IMPACT ROOKIES: DE Erasmus James (Wisc), WR Courtney Roby (Indiana), TE Heath Miller (Uva), LB Cameron Wake (Penn St)
BREAK OUT STAR: DE Erasmus James. Another rookie who we expect to make an immediate impact in the USFL. Lined up opposite Greg Spires, and likely next to Anthony McFarland, James will see a lot of single teams and the Feds are hoping he can beat them and become a force for the Federals’ pass rush.
OUTLOOK: The Federals feel like a team that may have peaked. They are getting older, but they still have good talent at some key positions, including WR Deion Branch, HB Duce McCallister, LB Michael Barrow and CB Charles Woodson. How much longer their window stays open may depend a lot on whether New Jersey and Philadelphia keep putting pressure on the division.
10. Los Angeles Express
2004 RECAP: 6-8, 2nd in Pacific.
DEPARTURES: LB J. Goode (NFL), LB J. Holocek (NFL), DT N. Hand (FA), FB S. Bryson (FA), CB R. Crockett (FA), C J. Machado (FA), WR R. Soward (FA), QB R. Johnson (FA), HB M. Smith (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: LB A. Ayodele (FA), QB M. Tuiasosopo (FA), HB W. Oliver (FA), LB E. Hill (FA), C C. Raymer (Trade)
IMPACT ROOKIES: CB Carlos Rogers (Auburn), WR Tab Perry (UCLA), LB Lofa Tatupu (USC), OT Erik Pears (Colo St).
BREAK OUT STAR: DE Keneche Udeze. Not that a rookie year with 8 sacks was a quiet start to his career, but there is a lot of expectation that it was just the beginning and that Udeze can become a real force for the LA defense. The loss of DT Norman Hand may make life a bit tougher for Udeze, but Daryl Gardner and Larry Triplett are still there to help shed some blocks from the speedy edge rusher.
OUTLOOK: LA has been a tough team to figure out for several years. It seems that they alternate hot and cold years. 6 wins in 2004, but 10 in 2003, 5 in 2002, but 13 in 2001. If that trend continues, the Express are due for a double digit win total this year. Not impossible, especially if Oakland and Portland continue to provide 4 free wins each season.
11. Philadelphia Stars
2004 RECAP: 5-9, 4th in Atlantic
DEPARTURES: K J. Jaeger (RET), LB S. Rogers (NFL), QB B. Griese (FA), WR B. Engram (FA), WR A. Van Dyke (FA), DE C. Scott (FA), OT M. Cheever (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: QB K. Warner (NFL), WR C. Lee (NFL), HB A. Green (FA), SS R. Tongue (FA), LB Z. Thomas (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: WR Roddy White (UAB), K Mike Nugent (Ohio St), WR Rasheed Wallace (WV), DT Jonathan Babineaux (Iowa)
BREAK OUT STAR: CB Quentin Jammer. It would be too easy to say Kurt Warner, but he is an established All-Pro headed to a new team. Jammer, in his 3rd season, could be poised to become one of the league’s premier corners. He has 5 picks in his first 2 seasons, and we fully expect he will reach or surpass that total in year 3 as he moves into the full time #1 slot.
OUTLOOK: No team did more with their cap space than the Stars. New Head Coach Jim Harbaugh went to work, landing big fish in HB Ahman Green and QB Kurt Warner, but also filling gaps with players like Zach Thomas, Charles Lee, and Reggie Tongue. Philly also had a pretty solid draftee signing period, with both Roddy White and Rasheed Wallace now in the receiving corps with Toomer and Steve Smith. Folks are high on the Stars, and we are among them. They should challenge arch-rival new Jersey for supremacy in the East this year, assuming, of course, that Kurt Warner leaves the failures as a NY Giant behind and recaptures his magic from the St. Louis Ram years.
12. Pittsburgh Maulers
2004 RECAP: 10-4, 2nd in Central, Lost in Wild Card Round
DEPARTURES: WR A. Rison (NFL), DE B. Kuberski (FA), G P. Zakauskas (FA), LB A. Ayodele (FA), HB W. Oliver (FA), SS C. jones (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: DE C. Harden (FA), LB D. Spragan (NFL), WR T. Taylor (NFL)
IMPACT ROOKIES: WR Mike Williams (USC), WR Vincent Jackson (No Colorado), S Gerald Sensabaugh (UNC), HB Brandon Jacobs (S. Illinois), FB John Kuhn (Shppensburg)
BREAK OUT STAR: SS Sean Taylor. A highly touted draft pick last year, Taylor had something of a quiet rookie season, with no sacks, no picks, but with 66 tackles. The Maulers are hoping that in 2005 Taylor starts to move from making tackles to making big, game changing plays. The talent is there and the opportunity is waiting.
OUTLOOK: Pittsburgh at times feels like a Top 8 club, and at others they feel like a bottom 8 club, so them landing at the exact middle of the league seems fair. They need one of their rookie receivers to make an immediate impact after losing Andre Rison to the NFL. Vincent Jackson is listed as a starter for Week 1, but Williams will also have plenty of opportunities to see the field. The defense, and star LB DeMetrius DuBose remain the heart and soul of the club, them and HB Terrell Davis, and this is a club that could challenge in the Central, but landing at 3rd place is also a very real possibility.
13. Houston Gamblers
2004 RECAP: 7-7, 3rd in Southwest, Lost in Divisional Round
DEPARTURES: CB V. Buck (RET), G J. Patton (RET), QB D. Flutie (RET), SS C. Carter (NFL), HB J. Scobey (NFL), HB K. Faulk (FA), G M. Lehr (FA), DT C. Eaton (FA), DT L. Renfro (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: DE O. Umenyiura (Trade), SS J. Cherry (FA), OT A. Johnson (FA), TE B. Banta (FA), HB A. Thomas (NFL)
IMPACT ROOKIES: LB Kevin Burnett (Tenn), DE David McMillan (Kansas), DT C. J. Mosley (Mizzou), OG Dylan Gandy (Texas Tech)
BREAK OUT STAR: DE Osi Umenyiura. After 2 seasons of somewhat mixed results in Nashville, Umenyiura comes to a defense built on speed and aggression, two traits he definitely brings to the edge position. With Kavika Pittman opposite him, Umenyiura is not being asked to be the top sack master on the team, but he takes over for Michael Sinclair, and could easily recreate the 1-2 punch that Sinclair had with Pittman, which means 10+ sacks is not out of the question.
OUTLOOK: Last year Houston limped through the season with Matt Hasselbeck out, but they made it to the postseason and won a playoff game thanks to their defense. If Hasselbeck can stay healthy, this team could be pretty solid. Losing Kevin Faulk was not great, but the rotation of Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, and NFL castoff Anthony Thomas, while not great as receivers, could be solid, providing Hasselbeck with the balance he needs to find success. Freeman, Williams, and Robinson are a solid trio of receivers. With a healthy and focused Hasselbeck, the offense may just be ready to pull their weight for a change.
14. Nashville Knights
2004 RECAP: 8-6, First in the South, Lost in Wild Card Round
DEPARTURES: LB K. Hardy (RET/FA), CB O. Smith (RET), DE C. Bradtske (NFL), LB G. Favors (NFL), HB A. Green (FA), CB S. Israel (FA), G B. Williams (FA), CB B. Austin (FA), DE O. Umenyiura (Trade), OT A. Meadows (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: OT W. Gandy (Trade), CB W. Middlebrooks (Trade), DT L. Renfro (Trade), LB C. Cowart (FA), WR A. Van Dyke (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: CB Fabian Washington (Neb), HB Frank Gore (Miami), HB Cedric Houston (Tenn)
BREAK OUT STAR: HB Frank Gore. It has to be the rookie HB, right? With Ahman Green gone to Philly, the Knights were desperate to land a potential lead back. They settled on Gore and spent the money to sign him out from under the NFL. If he does not come through, that spells disaster for an offense that simply cannot play a pass-first style.
OUTLOOK: The Knights defense will still be tough, but they had some losses there. Rookie Fabian Washington and free agent Willie Middlebrooks will likely play more in the secondary than new acquisitions usually do, and DT Leonard Renfro is going to make an immediate impact, but we are not so sure this will be enough. They need to show they can have a balanced offense, and the talent on that side of the ball feels like it is falling behind a lot of the competition. The thing is, despite these concerns, Nashville is still our pick to win a very weak Southern Division, ahead of a fading Breaker club and rebuilding Showboat and Stallion clubs.
15. New Orleans Breakers
2004 RECAP: 7-7, 2nd in South, Lost in Divisional Round
DEPARTURES: DE C. Simmons (RET), LB L. Lathon (RET), CB L. Berry (RET), CB C. Barlow (RET), DE C. Ahonotu (RET), G C. Maumalanga (RET), DE M. McCrary (NFL), C Chukki Okobi (NFL), QB J. Palmer (NFL), HB R. Williams (FA), FS Myers (FA), LB D. Rodgers (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: DE T. Warren (Trade), QB S. Wynn (Trade), DT P. Riley (FA), G P. Zakauskas (FA), WR B. Engram (FA), DE C. Sears (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: C Chris Spencer (Ole Miss), LB Leroy Hill (Clemson), DE Marcus Spears (LSU), LB Robert McCune (Lousiville)
BREAK OUT STAR: QB Eli Manning. Every indication is that Coach Nolan is ready to start the 2nd year QB, and that is huge in the Crescent City. Trent Dilfer was solid all year long, but when Eli came in, there was an energy to his performances, almost as if the city itself were willing him to succeed. He had better because there is not a real plan B for the Breakers. The defense is a work in progress, and the run game will likely be an issue as well.
OUTLOOK: Last year’s suspension of Ricky Williams is now a permanent departure, and that means the Breakers are still cobbling together a run game with Troy Davis, Olandis Gary, and Troy Hambrick. That is not a good base for Manning to build on. Then you also lose your top 3 edge rushers to a combination of retirement and free agency. Also not a good sign. We see hard times ahead for the Breakers unless Eli truly does have magic about him.
16. Oakland Invaders
2004 RECAP: 4-10, 3rd in Pacific
DEPARTURES: HB M. Strong (RET), HB R. Salaam (RET), WR K. Bailey (NFL), FS J. Woods (FA), TE C. Fauria (FA), QB M. Tuiasosopo (FA), LB S. Fujita (FA), OT L. Walker (Trade), WR D. Stallworth (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: QB J. Harrington (Trade), HB R. Williams (FA), OT M. Light (FA), WR B. Shaw (FA), CB B. Austin (FA), QB R. Johnson (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: TE Joel Dreesen (Colo St), S Marviel Underwood (SDSU), OG Logan Mankins (Fresno)
BREAK OUT STAR: WR Taylor Jacobs. If Trent Green is going to have success and stave off the rise of Joey Harrington, he is going to need someone other than Plaxico Burress to catch passes. Jacobs could be the beneficiary of Christian Fauria’s departure. While Coach Green may rotate others like Marty Booker or Bobby Shaw in, Jacobs has the inside track to get more targets. Of course, whether that helps with wins depends on two other big factors, can Oakland count on Ricky Williams to provide a run game? And can the defense finally come together and show some discipline?
OUTLOOK: There is enough talent on this Invader team to make a push to finish above .500 for the first time since 1998. Can Dennis Green get this club to stop making costly mistakes, cut down on penalties and turnovers, and believe in themselves? That could be all that stands between them and an 8 or 9 win season.
17. Jacksonville Bulls
2004 RECAP: 6-7-1, 3rd in Southeast.
DEPARTURES: G M. Verstegen (RET), FB E. Bennett (RET), FS J. King (RET), LB A. Aldridge (FA), FS P. Lenon (FA), TE H. Bishop (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: OT M. Cheever (Trade), FS J. Woods (FA), WR D. Hayes (FA), TE R. Williams (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: FB Madison Hedgecock (UNC), DT Keyonta Marshall (Grand Valley), OG Adam Snyder (Oregon), OG Joe Berger (Mich Tech)
BREAK OUT STAR: WR Rashaun Woods. Jacksonville seemed to show a lack of faith in Woods, spending a good part of the offseason trying to bring in a true #2 to pair with Anquon Boldin. They had no luck, and now they are touting Woods at their #2 but we are not so sure. They traded for Donald Hayes from New Jersey, and Javon Walker is still there too, but it is Woods position to lose, and he needs to break out or he could be in deep water.
OUTLOOK: The Bulls look and feel like a team that has no clear direction. They don’t run the ball particularly well, and their passing game is in disarray. The defense can keep them close most of the time, but it rarely wins games for them. We don’t see much in this offseason to make us think that this is anything but a slow rebuilding process for Jacksonville.
18. Baltimore Blitz
2004 RECAP: 6-8, 3rd in Northeast
DEPARTURES: WR R. Moore (RET), P P. O’Neill (RET), T Blake Brockmeier (RET), TE J. Riemersma (RET), WR J.J. Stokes (FA), WR B. Schroeder (FA), OT W. Gandy (Trade), QB. Spergon Wynn (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: OT A. Meadows (Trade), HB K. Faulk (FA), WR E. Kennison (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: DE Atiyyah Ellison (Mizzou), WR Craphonso Thorpe (FSU), TE Billy Bajema (OK State), OG Chris Myers (Miami), CB E. Green (Va Tech)
BREAK OUT STAR: SS Adam Archuleta. If Baltimore is going to improve, it has to start with the defense, which has been atrocious for the past few years. Archuleta is a captain on that squad, and is the most talented defender on the team. Now he needs to be more, he needs to inspire a team to play better as a squad, to stick to their assignments, and to play with focus.
OUTLOOK: Baltimore just cannot get over the hump. Just as they look like they might compete for 2nd place, the Stars spend them out of the building and come into the season with a stronger roster. The Blitz are looking like once again they will struggle to reach .500, despite a talented 2nd year QB in Ben Roethlisberger. But, and this is huge, when your three best receiving options are Darnerien McCants, Eddie Kennison, and rookie Craphonso Thorpe, you are just not giving your QB anything to work with.
19. Texas Outlaws
2004 RECAP: 2-12, 4th in Southwest
DEPARTURES: QB B. Tolliver (RET), DE T. Hill (RET), LB S. Boyd (RET), FS M. Prior (NFL), LB M. Stonebreaker (NFL), HB B. Westbrook (FA), TE R. Williams (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: DE J. Smith (Trade), FS T. Tillman (Trade), DE B. Kuberski (FA), HB M. Schipp (FA), QB T. Boumann (FA), WR C. Russell (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: DT Luis Castillo (NWestern), LB Derrick Johnson (Texas), S Sean Considine (Iowa), QB Dan Orlovsky (UConn), TE Bo Scaife (Texas)
BREAK OUT STAR: FS Travares Tillman. Yes, the 7 year vet has had good years before, including a 7-pick season in 2001, but he has also been up and down between starting and being a swing safety backup in LA. Now, in Texas, he is the clear #1 free safety and will likely be a pivotal member of the secondary for Coach Mackovic.
OUTLOOK: Amazing what a new coach and some good offseason moves can do for the impression of a club. Texas, with only 2 wins, was the worst team in the USFL last season, but this year they start the year ahead of 5 other clubs in our power ranking simply due to the perception that they have addressed some areas. Their big whiff this offseason was their attempt to bring in a rookie to usurp Jeff Lewis as the starting QB. The failed attempt at signing Aaron Rodgers was a huge distraction for a club that otherwise improved their roster. Is it improved enough? The defense should certainly be better with Kuberski, Smith, and rookie Castillo added to the line and Tillman and Considine added to the secondary. The offense remains a question mark. Will the challenge to his role motivate Jeff Lewis or cause him to crumble?
20. Memphis Showboats
2004 RECAP: 4-10, 4th in South
DEPARTURES: CB D. Gordon (RET), HB A. Stecker (RET), HB D. Levins (RET), LB J. Schwantz (RET), HB T. Carter (NFL), WR T. Wynans (NFL), SS R. Tongue (FA), DT H. Green (FA), QB G. Torretta (FA) C C. Raymer (Trade) TE M. Ricks (Trade), SS G. Earl (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: TE B. Hartsook (Trade), SS C. Wire (Trade), HB M. Smith (Trade), QB M. McMahon (NFL), WR R. Ferguson (FA), DT L. Bender (FA), C J. Machado (FA), LB J. Rutledge (FA), LB D. Rodgers (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: HB Cadillac Williams (Auburn), LB Kirk Morrison (SDSU), OT Dave Stewart (Miss St), HB Lionel Gates (Louisville)
BREAK OUT STAR: HB Cadillac Williams. The Showboats are putting a lot of trust in Williams to be a centerpiece of their offense. They traded for Maurice Smith and have another rookie in Lionel James as their two backups, and both should see some snaps, but we expect Williams to get the lion’s share of carries for a Memphis offense that needs to rediscover itself.
OUTLOOK: Coach Mora seems to have survived on name alone, because the play of the 2004 Showboats squad certainly did not merit retention. That means that he needs to demonstrate major changes this year if he wants to avoid the ax. The key to that may be a revamped defense, complete with essentially an entirely new LB corps of free agents Rutledge and Rodgers and rookie Kirk Morrison. The other big question in Memphis is if QB Heath Shuler has fallen off a cliff. The former MVP looked pedestrian, and on occasion, outright bad, under center last year. Adding Robert Ferguson to the receiving corps may not be enough to resurrect his career.
21. Michigan Panthers
2004 RECAP: 4-10, 4th in Central
DEPARTURES: DE A. Abrahams (RET), P. J. Schafer (RET), LB G. Biekert (NFL), FB Z. Crockett (NFL), LB T. Johnson (FA), QB R. Mirer (FA), G T. Johnson (Trade), HB A. Detson (Trade), T R. Verba (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: DE E. Freeman (Trade), TE M. Rivers (NFL), QB B. Griese (FA), LB S. Fujita (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: LB DeMarcus Ware (Troy), LB Shawne Merriman (Maryland), LB Odell Thurman (UGA), P Dustin Colquitt (Tenn), S Jim Leonhard (Wisc)
BREAK OUT STAR: LB DeMarcus Ware. Michigan shocked everyone by taking back to back LBs with two picks in the Top 10 of the draft. Ware was the top prospect at the position, but Shawne Merriman could also be huge for this defense. We are picking Ware as the breakout player because we expect Coach LeBeau to use him in blitz situations to improve a pretty shaky pass rush. We would not be shocked to the see the athletic and aggressive rookie lead all linebackers in sacks this year.
OUTLOOK: Michigan will need time to gel as a team, but this is a defense that should be much faster, more aggressive, and more diverse in its schemes. It won’t likely show at first, but we think they could be one of the better units by season’s end. Now, the offense, that could still be an issue. We like Drew Brees at QB, but we are just not sure that there is enough here, particularly in a run game that was awful last year and did not sign a major contributor in the offseason. We thought the Panthers would be going after Ahman Green, but they did not even sniff around to see what Green would want to come to Detroit. Unless 2nd year back Chris Perry shows significant imrprovement in year two, we are just not sure the run game is a credible threat, and that puts way too much pressure on Brees.
22. Birmingham Stallions
2004 RECAP: 4-10, 3rd in South
DEPARTURES: QB B. Favre (RET/NFL), T R. Webb (RET), CB T. James (RET), LB D. Jones (NFL), C M. Flanagan (FA), TE F. Baxter (FA), FB P. Williams (FA), TE I. Mili (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: T J. Backus (Trade), P K. Richardson (NFL), LB T. Johnson (FA), CB J. Trapp (FA), FB S. Bryson (FA), TE O. Santiago (FA), DE G. Wistrom (FA), G M. Lehr (FA), WR E. Baker (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: QB Jason Campbell (Auburn), DT Justin Tuck (NDame), CB Corey Webster (LSU), TE Patrick Estes (Uva)
BREAK OUT STAR: QB Jason Campbell. The rookie steps into an awkward situation. The clear starter from day 1, Campbell is being asked to replace Brett Favre, whose retirement “scam” as folks in Alabama see it, got him off the team and into the NFL. Coach Franchione shuffled a lot of personnel this offseason, but no position will see more pressure than Campbell to have immediate success.
OUTLOOK: A lot of new faces in Birmingham, and a lot of questions as well. The Stallion defense will benefit from the veteran leadership of free agented Johnson and CB James Trapp. We also like the two rookies on defense, Tuck and Webster, but we are not convinced it is enough, and with an offense that is likely to have some major growing pains, the defense will be called on to do a lot, perhaps more than they can realistically expect to accomplish.
23. Orlando Renegades
2004 RECAP: 4-9-1, 4th in Southeast
DEPARTURES: TE T. Davis (NFL), DE C. Sears (FA), WR R. Anthony (FA), HB S. Stith (FA), QB J. Harrington (Trade)
NEW ARRIVALS: OT L. Walker (Trade), WR D. Stallworth (Trade), WR E. Berlin (NFL), OT J. Jennings (NFL), LB A. Wilson (FA), G B. Williams (FA), TE F. Baxter (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: DE Chauncey Davis (FSU), CB Justin Miller (Clemson), LB Channing Crowder (Florid), QB Matt Cassel (USC)
BREAK OUT STAR: QB Jeff Blake and WR Michael Jenkins. If Orlando has any success this season it will be because Blake exceeds expectations and Jenkins breaks out in his second year in the league. Orlando drafted but could not sign Utah’s Alex Smith, and they apparently lost out to Philadelphia in an attempt to sign Kurt Warner, so Blake cannot be feeling too good about how Coach Thomas sees him, but with only Koy Detmer and rookie Matt Cassel behind him, the job is his. Jenkins showed some spark in 2004, with a solid 53 receptions for 518 yards and 4 TDs. He will want to see those numbers go up if Orlando wants to compete in a very tough division.
OUTLOOK: When compared to Boston, Tampa Bay, and even Jacksonville, the Renegades do not come out looking like a team that will finish anywhere but last. We feel badly for Coach Thomas, who takes over after the retirement of George O’Reilly. His position feels very much like an interim, which means he could be a 1-and-done coach if he cannot show marked improvement this year. The Orlando offseason did not produce any headline signings, though we like the acquisition of Langston Walker, one of three new starting linemen, along with NFL import Jonas Jennings and free agent guard Bobby Williams. But, despite the revamped line, an offense guided by Blake, with Sedrick Irvin as their main weapon, is not exactly the second coming of the 2002 Ohio Glory.
24. Las Vegas Thunder
2004 RECAP: 4-10, 4th in Pacific
DEPARTURES: LB L. Bush (RET), WR P. Rowe (RET), QB J. Stark (RET), G S. Connover (RET), TE l. Johnson (FA), DT L. Bender (FA), CB D. Townsend (FA), WR F. Scott (FA), QB A. Smith (FA/CFL), WR C. Mayfield (FA)
NEW ARRIVALS: CB K. Wright (NFL), DT N. Hand (FA), CB S. Israel (FA), TE C. Fauria (FA), WR K. Hill (FA)
IMPACT ROOKIES: WR Troy Williamson (So Car), G Will Svitek (Stanford), LB Brady Poppinga (BYU), QB Brock Berlin (Miami)
BREAK OUT STAR: Head Coach Jerry Glanville. Let’s face it, if Las Vegas does anything but finish last this year it is because Coach Glanville has channeled some magic. The former Bandit coach will be entertaining, and his defense will be aggressive, but we are just not seeing enough talent on this roster this year to be much of a threat, so if the Thunder surprise us, it is Glanville who will get all the press on this, which we are sure he would be fine with.
OUTLOOK: The Thunder look like a team without any direction, particularly in the front office. They lost Akili Smith, which seemed to indicate that they were in the market for a top tier QB prospect, but did not sign anyone. They had a wave of retirements but did not spend big in free agency. Their roster simply does not impress, though we still see talent in players like DE Hugh Douglas, LB Joey Porter, and WR Muhsin Muhammad. The problem is that there are just too many holes, too many guys being asked to do more than they have shown they can handle. Do we really expect Aaron Brooks to turn into an All-USFL QB when he has never shown that quality before? And if he cannot handle it, can CFL arrival Henry Burris really be the answer? We already know that Reuben Droughns is not enough at HB, and while the acquisition of TE Christian Fauria is a good upgrade at the position, it is not nearly enough. We think Glanville will need to clean house after what we believe will be a long and painful year in Sin City.
OUR EXPERTS PICK THE 2005 SEASON
We gathered up our experts from across the ESPN galaxy, not just our football guys, but anyone we thought might have special insight, and asked them to predict the 2005 USFL season. Here is what they have to say:
Dan Patrick, ESPN USFL Prime Time Host
I think a lot of fans and experts around the league were so enraptured by the story surrounding Steve Spurrier and the resurgence of the Bandits that their loss to New Jersey in the Conference Title Game was a complete shocker. I don’t think it should have been. New Jersey was a strong team in every phase of the game. The retirement of Phil Hansen certainly makes them have to reassess, but they are still a very talented squad, and one absolutely capable of holding their own in the division, and potentially winning it all. I am going to make a bold prediction and say that we will have the first ever Summer Bowl rematch with the Generals and Wranglers meeting again in the 2005 title game in Houston.
Lynn Swan, ESPN USFL Color Commentator
Way to be daring, Mike. Pick the same teams to compete again. I am not going to do that. I am going to go out on a limb. We all know that for whatever reason the LA Express are only good in odd-numbered years, well, folks it is 2005, and that is an odd numbered year, so I am going to say that Coach Hall and Cade McNown rise up again, and this time they rise up big, learning the lessons from Ohio, Boston, and Tampa Bay and throwing everything into that offense. I love DeShaun Foster as a lead back, I love the combo of Tory Holt and Keyshawn Johnson at wideout. I am saying it is a wild offensive Summer Bowl, but LA takes out Boston for their first title.
Lee Corso, ESPN College Football Guru
Not so fast, my friend. You are overlooking the Bandits, and that does not seem like a good idea to me. They have a star QB, a run game that compliments him well, and in my mind the best WR to play in the USFL since Trumaine Johnson in Randy Moss. This is a team that should scare people. If their defense is even average then they win games by 10 or more points each week. I like the Bandits and I like them big. I am going to pick them to take the title over Arizona in one of the highest scoring Summer Bowls ever.
Dick Vitale, ESPN College Basketball Legend
This is crazy! Why are you even talking to me about this! Talk about your March Madness, baby! Do you know how much I am not paying attention to the USFL right now? Sure, fine, I will be tuning in for sure when the nets come down in St. Louie, baby, but don’t ask me about it now! Fine,sure, lemme guess. Cause that is what it is, a guess at best. I like Ohio, a classic, a big time baller, a team that can mix it up and dish it out. Ohio for the W, baby!
Michelle Tafoya, Monday Night USFL Sideline Reporter
Love the enthusiasm, Dick, now get back down to that Villanova game because it is not going to call itself. Gentlemen, you are all wrong. Some good guesses, but all wrong. The team that has done the most, and the team that is going to shock everyone is the Philadelphia Stars. I know Kurt Warner did not have a great run in New York, but this is the man who ran the Greatest Show on Turf. And they pair him up with Ahman Green in the backfield. That almost seems unfair. It is going to be a huge year for the Stars, and for wideout Steve Smith, who finally will be able to take advantage of his speed with Warner hitting him on fly after fly. Stars over the Dragons in the title game is the call.
Bucky Badger, U. of Wisconsin Mascot
(Gestures emphatically, indicating he is not allowed to talk). Shown a series of photos of team logos he seems to get excited about Chicago and Seattle, so we guess he is picking Chicago and Seattle. Why did we ask a mute fluffy badger mascot to weigh in on this? Whose idea was this? Was it Corso’s, we bet it was Corso. Guys, someone needs to vet these ideas before they get into the magazine, right?
Our ESPN The Magazine Crew
We fought this one out, we really did, but here are our official predictions for the 2005 Seasaon:
NORTHEAST: 1-NJ, 2-PHI, 3-WSH, 4-BAL.
Generals and Stars in postseason.
SOUTHEAST: 1-TBY, 2-BOS, 3-JAX, 4-ORL
Bandits and Cannons in postseason.
CENTRAL: 1-OHIO, 2-CHI, 3-PIT, 4-MGN
Glory and Chicago edge the Maulers for playoff spots.
SOUTHERN: 1-NSH 2-NOR 3-MEM 4-BIR
Nashville gets in again with a marginal 8-6 record.
SOUTHWEST: 1-ARZ 2-HOU 3-DEN 4-TEX
Arizona wins the division going away. Houston is a Wild Card.
PACIFIC: 1-LA, 2-SEA, 3-OAK, 4-LV
Oakland makes the playoffs, along with LA and Seattle
SUMMER BOWL 2005: Tampa Bay defeats Seattle 42-38
MVP: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Tampa Bay
OPOTY: Randy Moss, WR, Tampa Bay
DPOTY: Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago
Rookie: Frank Gore, HB, Nashville
Coach: Jim Harbaugh, Philadelphia
I am going with Wranglers over Glory in my Summer Bowl pick.