If there was any doubt that the Eastern Conference was the more dominant half of the USFL season, it ended this weekend. Yes, the East has most of its teams over .500 while the West has more teams under the Mendoza Line, but it could not really be that big of a difference, right? With all 24 teams in interconference play this week, we got our answer. The East crushed the West across the board. If not for Texas winning in Pittsburgh it would have been a clean sweep. 11 of 12 Eastern clubs won this week, which not only proves the level of dominance, but also means that almost no one made any ground on anyone else. Everyone but the Maulers gained one more game on the positive side. Everyone in the West except Texas now has one more in the loss column, and that changes nothing except that it makes the Eastern Conference Final a potentially better game than the Summer Bowl.
OUTLAWS 23 MAULERS 13
With no games this week being particularly close and no fantastic finishes, it was tough to pick a Game of the Week. So, in the spirit of looking at what made news, we are choosing the lone win by the Western Conference as our GOTW if only because it broke the trend that every other game this week set. And perhaps because the post-game news seems so incongruent with the result.
Texas came into this game at 1-6, winless on the road, and with one of the worst offenses in football. Pittsburgh was at home, but just one week after being blown out at Heinz Field by the division leader, Ohio. An injury to WR Nate Burleson meant that the Maulers would be starting two rookies at wideout, Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Charlie Batch, who had struggled against Ohio in his first game back from injury, would be taking on Jeff Lewis, the lowest-rated starter in the league. Las Vegas was cautious on this one, giving the Maulers only a 3 point advantage in pre-game lines.
So, what did we see on Sunday? We saw two teams struggle to keep drives going, with the two combining to go only 7 of 27 on third down. We saw Terrell Davis get only 8 carries and average only 2.1 yards per carry. Backup Kenny Bynum actually got more touches, but could muster only 0.6 YPC in the game. If you want to know how Texas won, that statistic, contrasted with T.J. Duckett’s 141 yards on 25 carries is pretty much all you need to know. Duckett also scored the first TD of the game, part of a 2nd quarter that put them in command.
After a scoreless, and largely punchless, first quarter, Texas scored on three consecutive possessions, including the Duckett 7-yard TD run, to take a 13-0 lead. Pittsburgh managed a late field goal, but went into the half down 10. Texas added another 3 points on the foot of Rian Lindell in the 3rd, leading by 2 scores as they went into the final quarter.
In the 4th, Pittsburgh showed its first signs of life all day, scoring first on a Bill Grammatica field goal, and then putting a scare into the Outlaws when a Batch to Randle-El TD brought them within 3 points in the final minutes of the game. The Maulers needed an onside kick to get the ball back and take a shot at a final field goal. What they got was a poorly kicked ball, and a penalty for failing to kick the ball 10 yards, that gave Texas prime field position. The Outlaws took their time, but when all was said and done, HB Marcel Shipp scored on a short TD run and put the game out of reach with just 1 minute left to play.
Was this a classic? No, absolutely not. But it was the only game all week where the West showed up and came away with a W. The Conference will host the Summer Bowl this year, with Houston’s NRG Stadium as the site for the Summer Classic, but this week does not make anyone feel good about the chances for whomever comes out of the conference as its rep in the big game.
KNIGHTS 6 STARS 20
The “Ahman Green Bowl was one of the better displays of effective run games we have seen all season. Ahman Green got revenge on his former club, averaging 6.8 yards per carry against the Knights’ D and outdueling rookie Frank Gore (who rushed for an even 100). Philadelphia’s defense also played a big part in the Stars’ victory, sacking Todd Collins 8 times on the day, including two each from LBs Zach Thomas and Quentin Caver, as Philly’s blitzing D caused issues for Collins all game.
GAMBLERS 14 GLORY 31
Ohio used home field, 106 yards from Eddie George, and a 3-TD day from Kerry Collins to pull away early from the Gamblers and force Matt Hasselbeck into the uncomfortable position of playing catchup. In a battle of top receivers, Galloway edged Freeman 124-103, and Hasselbeck was held without a TD toss in a disappointing result for one of the better teams from the West.
GOLD 17 PANTHERS 37
Denver came into Ford Field favored by 2 over the homestanding Panthers, but after going up 3-0, the Gold gave up the next 37 points to turn this game into a route. Drew Brees had one of his best games as a pro, completing 14 of 21, but with 5 of those 14 completions going for six. TD’s from Hines Ward, Marcellus Rivers, Bennie Joppru, and 2 from Charles Rogers put this game away for the Panthers.
INVADERS 14 RENEGADES 38
Oakland too was considered by many to be a potential road victor, though Saturday’s line on the game had this as a pick ‘em. Orlando quickly determined that it was not to be a close game, scoring the opening 17 points and putting Oakland in a bad position by the end of the 1st quarter. Orlando would control the clock (38:57 of possession) thanks to 40 rushes, 17 from Sedrick Irvin, 10 from R.J. Redmond, and 13 from their QB, Jeff Blake.
DRAGONS 10 BANDITS 31
Seattle had won three in a row, and a 4th would bring them back to .500, but it was not to be in Tampa Bay on Friday Night. The Bandits gave up an early TD to Corey Dillon, but then put 24 unanswered points on the board on their way to a 21-point victory. Randy Moss added 2 TDs to his season total, along with 137 yards through the air. Cody Pickett, starting again for the Dragons, did not have a good day, sacked 9 times for -80 yards as Tampa Bay confounded the blocking schemes of the Dragons.
WRANGLERS 6 MACHINE 26
Chicago got 72 yards rushing and another 52 through the air from Brian Westbrook on their way to a pretty comfortable win. The reason it was so comfortable? How about Jake Plummer going out in the 1st quarter with an injury that could cost him a month or more. Rookie Andrew Walter was simply not prepared to play the game and with Chicago’s relentless defense that spelled disaster for the Wranglers.
BREAKERS 12 FEDERALS 17
The Federals are trying to revive what has been their calling card, a staunch scoring defense. New Orleans is still trying to find themselves offensively. The result, a low-scoring game that was 17-3 Feds at the end of 3. New Orleans scored 9 points in the final quarter, but was never really a threat to overtake the Federals.
THUNDER 20 CANNONS 32
In what could be Aaron Brooks’s final start in Las Vegas, the QB suffered 5 sacks and 2 picks at the hands of a Boston defense that is not considered one of the league’s elite squads. With 103 yards and 2 TDs from Tiki Barber, the Cannons pulled away in the second half to win this one by 2 scores.
EXPRESS 21 BULLS 42
Jacksonville won their second in a row to improve to 5-3 by forcing Quincy Carter to play from inside the pocket. The LA QB threw for 3 scores, but also made some big mistakes, including a costly pick that helped the Bulls build a 21-point advantage. Anquon Boldin hauled in 10 passes for 92 yards, but it was rising star Rashaun Woods who scored twice, much to the delight of the Bulls’ crowd.
SHOWBOATS 21 GENERALS 24
The Boats and the Generals had the closest game of the weekend, with Memphis scoring on a Robert Ferguson TD and a 2-pointer to tie the game at 14 in the 3rd quarter, but New Jersey got a late Anthony Becht TD to pull ahead by 10 and then milked the clock before Memphis could get back in it with a garbage-time score. Curtis Enis and James Jackson combined for 130 yards on the day to pace New Jersey to the W.
STALLIONS 9 BLITZ 28
Birmingham fans have been patient with QB Jason Campbell, mostly because he is an Auburn product, but too many more outings like this one and they may wish they had gone after Rodgers or Smith instead. Campbell finished the day with only 105 passing yards on 14 of 37 throwing. Baltimore had a much better day, with 2nd year QB Ben Roethlisberger throwing for 3 scores despite constant pressure from Mike Rucker of the Stallions (2 sacks and 5 hurries).
Jake Plummer To Miss 4-6 Weeks
The 2005 season is just not going the way Arizona fans expected, to say the least. The Wranglers, after a solid showing in Summer Bowl 2004, were the favorites of many to get back to the title game. No one saw a 1-5 start as a possibility, but that is what Arizona produced. And now, to add injury to insult, the Wranglers are looking at anywhere from 4-8 weeks without their All-USFL quarterback, Jake Plummer.
The mobile QB scrambled after the pocket broke down on a 3rd and 6 in the first quarter, but just as he turned for the sideline, he crumpled to the ground. It would later be determined that he had suffered a stress fracture in his right foot, an injury that will take considerable time to heal. Rookie Andrew Walter would finish the game, and is likely to be the starter for much of what remains of the season. The Wranglers are not putting Plummer on IR, at least not at first, as he could return by Week 12, but they did sign 34-year old veteran of both the USFL and NFL, Tommy Maddox to provide more backup in case Walter struggles.
It is a bad turn in an already bad season for the Wranglers, one which could essentially force the Wranglers to begin planning for the offseason already. This is, after all, a team that struggles to build a run game and depends heavily on their star QB. Without Plummer, the Wrangler offense is going to have to change its spots, and in a hurry.
Glanville to Start Burris
Las Vegas is another club going through a very rough season. Sitting at 1-7 and possessing the 2nd worst offense in the league (yardage), Coach Glanville is not getting what he had hoped for from former Atlanta Fire QB Aaron Brooks. And so, just after the midpoint of the season, Glanville is making a change. Former CFL quarterback Henry Burris is going to start in Week 9, and for the foreseeable future we expect. Burris was something of a consolation prize when Las Vegas was unable to secure a more prominent QB in the offseason.
Having allowed Akili Smith to leave in free agency, the thought was that Brooks would be a transition QB until a rookie could be groomed, but the only rookie taken by Las Vegas and signed as well was Brock Berlin of Miami, a developmental player to be sure. With Glanville more of a defensive-minded coach, it is clear he hoped the offense would be good enough that he could devote his time to the D, but while the Defense is looking better in Glanville’s first year (6th against the run, 9th in yards allowed), the offense is holding the club back. This is likely a multi-year project, but the first step appears to be testing out Burris to see what he can offer the Thunder.
The midseason trading wave has begun. With the trade deadline in just 2 weeks, teams are trying to make moves, clear some cap space, or possibly add that one player who can help them move into the playoffs. We had three pretty significant trades this week, two surrounding the same team as the Michigan Panthers try to stock up for a possible late run in the Central. But we start in Texas, where Coach Mackovic has clearly decided to go in a new direction, and in doing so, removes a major distraction from the New Orleans Breakers.
Breakers end Dilfer Discussion with Trade to Texas
We don’t know who started the trade talks, but the end results seem to help both the Breakers and the Outlaws with two very different issues. The issue in Texas was clear. Jeff Lewis is the lowest-rated starter in the league and has been anything but happy with the Outlaw organization. Texas tried to sign Aaron Rodgers this offseason but found themselves the loser in a bidding war with the NFL 49ers. So they entered the season with Lewis a disgruntled starter.
In New Orleans the problem was a very different one. Coach Nolan had decided that the time was right to move from veteran “game manager” Trent Dilfer, to the “golden child” of Archie Manning, 2nd year QB Eli Manning. Manning’s transition has not been without a good deal of growing pains, but Nolan is committed to the young player with a lot of potential. Problem is, the fans were not. The constant second guessing and calls for Dilfer to be reinstated were a distraction, and, while Dilfer has been nothing but a good team player, supporting Eli as he struggles, the constant questions about Dilfer as a starter got to be a huge issue for the club.
So, with one fell swoop, Dilfer is in Texas, where he will likely be starting by the end of the season, maybe as soon as Week 9 or 10. New Orleans gets a solid backup in Todd Boumann, the former General, and the two clubs swap 3rd round picks, with New Orleans banking on Texas remaining a Top 3 club when it comes to draft order. So, the Breakers now move ahead with a clear starter and no option to replace Manning. The team is his. In Texas, Coach Mackovic can get Dilfer up to speed and then sit Jeff Lewis. We fully expect the disgruntled Lewis to be made available to either St. Louis or Atlanta. Perhaps a change of scenery is exactly what he needs, and Texas can now build on their run-first offense led by T.J. Duckett.
Michigan Creates a 3-Way Halfback Shuffle
Jacksonville has had something of an up-and-down season, in large part because of some defensive gaps. Michigan has had one of the worst run games in the league, with Chris Perry simply not developing as so many Panther (and Wolverine) fans hoped he would. So, with an abundance of good corners in the Michigan stable, the Bulls came calling. First, they made sure they had some help for Antowain Smith, the club’s #1 back. They signed 3rd down specialist Travis Minor from free agency, which then allowed them to feel secure in sending a pretty good player to Michigan to nab a cornerback.
Michigan gets HB Fred Jackson from the Bulls, a good dual-threat halfback who has shown great growth since coming to the USFL. They give up CB Dereck Combs, who fluctuated between the #3 and #4 spot in their secondary. But, what to do about Chris Perry?
The Panthers kept on the phones and found another team desperate to revive a moribund run game. For the price of two fourth round picks (2006 and 2007), the Breakers were happy to get former Wolverine, Perry, to add to their backfield. This is bad news for Olandis Gary, who has struggled as the “big back” paired with scatback Troy Davis. Davis’s role is unique, so the carries that Perry will get as a Breaker are almost certain to take away from Gary’s role on the team.
So, to sum up, expect to see Travis Minor taking some 3rd down snaps, and perhaps fielding punts, in Jacksonville. Prepare to see a lot of Fred Jackson, paired up with Ladell Betts in Michigan, and do not be shocked if New Orleans tests out Perry alongside Gary, with the better performer getting retained from the Expansion Draft, and the lesser option being released into the pool.
Other than the obvious exception of Jake Plummer’s foot, this was actually a very good week around the league from an injury standpoint. No new IR placements, only a couple of short-term injuries, and the usual flood of players who are now listed as doubtful, questionable or probable due to the wear and tear of the season.
Among those who we likely will not see on the field this week we find New Jersey DE Shaun Ellis (hand), Boston CB Sam Madison (neck), Nashville TE Justin Peele (shoulder), Philly WR Roddy White (neck), Denver TE Lonnie Johnson (wrist), LA DB Aeneas Williams (arm), and Arizona LB Kevin Hardy (hip).
Thinking About That Expansion Pool
As we enter the second half of the season, the looming expansion to Atlanta and St. Louis has become a very popular topic on sports radio as fans try to determine just who on their favorite club might be up for grabs in an expansion draft. Teams can only protect 12 players, which means that 10 starters on each club will be left unprotected (though some may be free agents by the draft, which does dilute the pool). Yes, each time a team loses a player they get to protect another, but that still leaves plenty of room for teams to lose some significant contributors. As we think about the Expansion Draft, we wonder just who could be out there for the Fire and Skyhawks to select. We thought a quick look, position by position, was warranted.
QB: A key to any expansion team is getting a leader who will not crumble under the pressure of trying to lead what is often an undermanned squad. Getting a QB who can either weather the storm, or find ways to make plays when there is chaos around him is key. Looking at players who are likely to go unprotected, you won’t find a lot of starters but there are some interesting options. How about Aaron Brooks from the Thunder, Jeff Lewis of Texas, or Brian Griese of Michigan, all starters (either this year or last). If it is youth and athleticism, there could be some other options as well, such as Cody Pickett from Seattle, Adrian McPherson of Boston, or Matt Cassel of Orlando. And don’t forget the trusty backup who could become a starter with a new team. How about Denver’s Eric Wilhelm, Ohio’s Chris Redman, or Chicago’s Tony Banks?
HB: While a few teams might protect both HBs if they use a rotation system, there will certainly be many available. The decision is between speed and shiftiness vs. a bigger, power runner who might do better behind what could be a piecemeal offensive line. Among the solid backs who could go unprotected we have names like Justin Fargas (OAK), Rod Smart (DEN), Olandis Gary (NOR), Mike Anderson (HOU), or James Jackson (NJ).
FB: This is one position where an expansion team, or both, could get themselves a player on the cusp of being All-USFL. With only 12 protected players per team, fullback is not likely to be a priority for most teams. Solid blocker/pass catcher/runners at the position include Obafemi Ayanbadejo (BLT), Deon Dyer (NJ), Jonathon Linton (CHI), Alan Ricard (OAK), or Mike Karney (ARZ)
TE: If a club is looking to drop some cap room, and perhaps jettison a veteran, this could be a position to do that. Could that happen to Bubba Franks (NOR), Marcus Pollard (PHI), or Dan Campbell (HOU), or would expansion clubs look to this position as one where a youthful and athletic player might be preferred, perhaps a Bennie Joppru (MGN), Antonio Gates (BAL), or Matt Schobel (TEX) could be in the pool early.
WR: Expect a lot of slot receivers or 3rd wideouts to make this list. Most teams will protect their clear #1 and with the league’s emphasis on passing, we would not be shocked to see quite a few #2’s also protected. Some talented players who won’t fit that bill include Freddie Solomon (TEX), Kevin Johnson (TBY), Antwan Randle-El (PIT), Tim Dwight (PHI), Jabar Gaffney (ORL), Marty Booker (OAK), Bobby Engram (NOR), Justin McCaerins (MEM), Dez White (LA), Donald Hayes (JAX), Koren Robinson or Drew Bennett (HOU), returner Dante Hall (CHI), or James Thrash (BIR).
OL: Offensive line positions are going to be another area where teams simply cannot protect everyone, so there could be as many as 2-3 starters from each USFL club who go unprotected. Left Tackles are likely to be protected, and Centers after that, but there will be a wide range of options here, including some quality veterans who may be cap hits, and some younger players who are sitting behind All-USFL candidates. Look for a lot of right tackles to have a shot to become starting left tackles by moving to an expansion club. Some of the bigger names who could move include tackles Chad Clifton (ARZ), Tra Thomas (HOU), Todd Steussie (LV) or Jermaine Mayberry (TEX); guards Ross Hochstein (SEA), Damien Woody (PHI), Brendan Stai (OAK), and Eric Steinbach (BAL), and centers Tom Nalen (BIR), Bubba Miller (BOS), Corey Raymer (LA), and Matt Birk (NSH).
DE: Edge rusher is a high value player, so don’t expect to see anyone from the Top 20 sack leaders going unprotected. What you are likely to see are the “other guys”, the DE’s who line up across the formation from the big name sack specialists. This means guys who are good at run stuffing, but may not be strong sack specialists. This includes players like Bob Kuberski (TEX), Travis LaBoy (SEA), Sedrick Clark (ORL), Corey Sears (NOR), or Leonard Little (MGN).
DT: There will be some DTs protected by clubs, especially the big nose tackles in a 3-4, but this is not considered a high value position, so a lot of the league’s better DTs could be available. Players like Kenard Lang (ARZ), Wendall Bryant (BOS), Brentson Buckner (CHI), Tommy Harris (DEN), Larry Triplett (LA), Marcus Stroud (OHI), or Darwin Walker (TBY) should be available for Atlanta and St. Louis.
LB: This will be interesting. There will be teams that try to protect 3 LBs, while others may feel that no one player at the position is irreplaceable. MLB will likely be a bit of a weaker pool than OLB, just because these are often defensive team captains, charged with a lot of playcalling responsibilities, and thus harder to replace. Some of the bigger names who could be available include Ike Reese (WSH), Godfrey Miles (SEA), Joe Odom (PIT), Dexter Coakley (ORL), Rocky Calmus (NJ), Hannibal Navies (MEM), Brady Poppinga (LV), Kawika Mitchell (DEN), and Wali Rainier (BIR).
S: You are not going to find Troy Polamalu, Lawyer Milloy, or Bryan Dawkins available, but we would expect one of the two safety positions to be unprotected on each club, along with all of the backups, which does include some talented players. How do these names sound?: Tavares Tillman (TEX), Anthony Dorsett (PHI), Jermaine Phillips (OHI), Paris Lenon (NOR), Tebucky Jones (MEM), Rich Coady (LA), Marquez Pope (BAL), or Yeremiah Bell (ARZ).
CB: We fully expect a lot of nickel backs and #2 corners to be available, and perhaps a few #1's if they are near the end of a contract and in their 30’s. That is just the nature of an expansion draft like this. Some of the names that would not surprise us are Ken Irvin (BIR), Sam Madison (BOS), Philip Buchanon (TBY), Jimmy Hitchcock (TEX), Donovan Greer (MGN), Kenny Wright (LV), Dereck Combs (JAX), Ike Taylor (CHI), and Asante Samuel (ARZ)
K/P: No one is going to protect a punter, let’s be honest, so Atlanta and St. Louis will likely have their pick of the league. Kickers, very few, but a handful will get protected. Of course the other reality is that with 30 picks each, there is no reason to expect that either the Fire or the Skyhawks will use a pick on a kicker or punter. Those will be available on the free agent market. It simply makes more sense to spend all 30 picks on positions that are on the field more.
We head back to intra-conference play in Week 9, with the Eastern Conference engaged in some very meaningful divisional games, while the West is in inter-divisional action. Several games bring us some major drama this week, but perhaps none moreso than Chicago at Michigan. The Panthers shuffled their HB situation this week, but, sitting at 5-3, they are right in the mix in the Central, only a game back of this week’s foe, Chicago. A win at home against the Machine and Michigan could jump into 2nd place. The other game in the Central has Ohio, flying high at 7-1, headed to Pittsburgh, where the Maulers look to be fading.
In the Northeast, we have 4 teams all within 2 games of each other, so every divisional game is huge. On Saturday it will be Baltimore traveling up I-95 to take on the New Jersey Generals in the Meadowlands. New Jersey, at 4-4, is sitting in 4th, but a win against Baltimore could help them get back in the hunt. In the other game, Washington, sitting atop the division at 6-2, hosts the Philadelphia Stars. A win by the Stars and they take a share of first, a loss and Washington could build a 2-game lead on the rest of the division.
In the Southeast Jacksonville hosts Boston with both sitting at 5-3. Tampa Bay hosts Orlando, with both also right there. Tampa is also 5-3, while Orlando sits at 4-3-1 thanks to that bizarre tie 2 weeks ago. A win by Orlando and they leap into 2nd place behind only the Cannons-Bulls winner in a division where few people gave them any chance.
Out West there is not a single game that pits two teams with winning records. 5-3 Denver is in Las Vegas to face the 1-7 Thunder, who start a new QB. 5-3 Houston is at home against the 3-4-1 Showboats. Oakland, at 4-4, is the only other club without a losing record. They are home to the Outlaws, who will likely still be starting Jeff Lewis as new QB Trent Dilfer did not arrive in town until Wednesday night. In other games, 2-5-1 New Orleans visits 2-6 Arizona, led by rookie Andrew Walter. 3-5 Los Angeles visits 3-5 Nashville for a Sunday Night game that looked a lot better back in December than it does now. Finally, Seattle will try to get their 4th win as they visit winless Birmingham in front of what could be the smallest Stallion crowd since the early years of the league.