March 17, 2007
The Season Ahead
We have looked back at a truly eventful, some would say chaotic, offseason, and now it is time to look ahead to the 2007 season before us. Fourteen weeks of USFL action is on tap. What should we expect from the 2007 season? Who will step up and impress us in the new season? Which rookies will have an instant impact? And we probably should also pay some attention to the preparations for the arrival of Charlotte and Portland in 2008, as another wave of expansion means more difficult personnel decisions are on the way to the USFL. But, first things first, as we gear up for next week’s action, let’s take a look at the 2007 rookie class, the stories to follow, and the outlook for all 26 clubs. We start with the Class of ’07, an interesting mix of prospects and blue chippers trying to make the transition to pro ball with a splash.
10 Rookies To Watch
Every season brings a new class of first year pros, and every class brings some names into the national identity. Whether a dynamic defensive star like Phil Hansen’s incredible rookie campaign, or unanticipated offensive production like that we saw from Frank Gore only 2 seasons ago, the potential is always there for a USFL newbie to become an instant star. Here, for you to consider, is our pick of the 10 rookies who could make waves this season.
10—Greg Olsen, TE, Orlando
We expect Olsen to quickly become a favorite target of Drew Brees. That combo could help keep drives alive, and help free up Michael Jenkins and Brandon Marshall outside. Orlando is a hot pick to upend the status quo in the Southeast, and Olsen is expected to be a big piece of that plan.
9— Robert Meachem, WR, Nashville
Nashville is retooling with Jay Cutler now at the helm. Cutler has a huge arm, and while Derrick Mason is a great route runner, speed is not his top skill, so a speedster like Meachem is essential to take the top off of the defense. We expect Mason to have more targets, but Meachem has to show that he can bring in the deep ball for the Knights to have a successful campaign.
8— Victor Abiamiri, DE, Chicago
We debated between Abiamiri and Pittsburgh’s Amobi Okoye, both of whom were named to start in week 1. While we think both are very talented, the DE position allows for more individual skill to come to the fore, so Abiamir has a shot to make an impact, especially with Anthony Weaver sure to garner double teams on the other side of the line.
7— Sidney Rice, WR, Memphis
Rice is penciled in as the 3rd receiver for the Showboats, but with Brett Favre at the helm, hopes are sky high that the Showboats will put on an offensive show this year. Rice could line up inside or outside for Memphis, and his speed is something that complements the skills of Robert Ferguson and Justin McCareirins well, so we expect him to get a good number of targets.
6—Ted Ginn Jr, WR, Baltimore
Ginn was a big play waiting to happen on every snap at Ohio State, and Ben Roethlisberger is hoping that carries over to the USFL. Expect a lot of crossing routes, slants, and quick outs for Ginn, who will occupy the slot. The hope is that he can turn 5 yards into 50 as he did in college. Ginn could also make an impact on special teams, where he has been set up as the primary punt returner.
5—Paul Posluszny, LB, Philadelphia
“The Pos” is hoping to replicate the type of rookie season that “the Boz” had for the Oklahoma Outlaws 20 years ago. he will be the MLB in Philly’s 4-3, with Zach Thomas and Quintin Caver on either side of him. His main job will be to root out the inside run and stuff it, though he also could find himself in coverage on a lot of tight ends, something he did not see as much of at Penn State.
4— LaRon Landry, SS, Nashville
Our second Knight rookie on the list, but the one who has the most riding on him. Nashville has carved out an identity as a hard-hitting, no-nonsense defensive club, and Landry is expected to be the kind of player that Tory Polamalu (LA) and Adam Archuleta (BAL) have been for their clubs, an intimidator in the middle of the field.
3—Antonio Pittman, HB, Arizona
A rare non-1st rounder makes our list for one reason, Coach Fassel has named the Ohio State product as the starter for the Wranglers. We know Arizona tends to use a HB by Committee structure, but if Pittman can make an impact early, he could earn more and more carries over Ahmaad Galloway and fellow rookie Chris Perry.
2—Brady Quinn, QB, Chicago
Trading away Jeff George was a bold move by Chicago, and that move means Brady Quinn will begin his pro career with the weight of the franchise on him. Chicago has a solid receiving corps, and Michael Turner will help relieve some pressure, but the future of Chicago is in Brady Quinn’s hands, and that can be a lot for a rookie.
1—Marshawn Lynch, HB, Las Vegas
No player has brought more hype, more energy, or more swagger to his new team than Las Vegas HB Marshawn Lynch. Calling himself “Beast Mode”, Lynch is promising to take it to defenses, to run with authority and purpose, and to help Thunder fans remember the days of Robert Drummond. Sounds like he has his sights set high, and that is the kind of energy the Thunder need to help them develop their Las Vegas fanbase.
5 Storylines to Follow
Rookies will be a big part of the 2007 season, but there are so many stories to follow, we thought you might want a bit of a primer on what we are anticipating this year. Here are the five storylines we think will dominate the newswire this season.
5—Put Up or Shut Up
As we start the new season, we already know that there are several coaches around the league who need to prove they have their clubs on the right path or risk getting the dreaded Black Monday call into the team headquarters. With huge moves this offseason both Ron Rivera in Pittsburgh and Jerry Glanville in Las Vegas have to show that their risks are going to pay dividends. Las Vegas started strong last year but faded badly. Pittsburgh was a disaster all year long and now faces a major rebuild, but one that included trading away the fans’ favorite player, Terrell Davis. If the Maulers don’t show improvement this year, Rivera’s grand plan could get curtailed quickly.
Glanville has been making big moves to transform Las Vegas from an also-ran to a contender, but also to give the club some flash and star appeal, adding Steve McNair last year and signing Marshawn Lynch this year. If it produces wins along with media presence, then it is a win-win for the “man in black”, but if not, it could force the Thunder to look another direction.
4—Can LA and NJ Silence the Naysayers
There is a lot of blame being thrown around the Express and Generals after their scintillating Summer Bowl was followed by huge departures. For LA, it was Cade McNown headed to the New England Patriots, while New Jersey lost their head coach, starting QB, and All-USFL shutdown corner all in the span of about a month. These are two teams that competed for a title last year, but many are expecting a huge crash to earth this season. Can either club avoid a collapse and find a way back to Summer Bowl competitiveness despite the changes.
For LA the gamble is that one of their “not ready for the lead role” QB’s can step up and surprise us. Seneca Wallace is slated to start week 1, but he is part of a 3-headed monster with former Outlaw and Fire QB Jeff Lewis (signed only 2 weeks ago), and former Alabama QB Brody Croyle. Can one of these three do enough to keep LA afloat or will the Express struggle in a very dynamic Pacific Division?
In New Jersey, the key word is “continuity”, as in how well Romeo Crennel can maintain the winning culture that Bill Parcells created for the Generals. Can either NFL vet Kelly Holcomb or rookie Kevin Kolb manage the offense to even a reasonable degree of what Tom Brady, himself a largely dismissed late round draft pick, was able to do? And can NFL import Nate Clements, signed away from Buffalo, hope to fill the shoes of Deion Sanders? Three tough sets of shoes to fit, and a lot of eyes in the tri-state area fixed on the Generals, with a sense of dread in the air.
3—Can Favre Flip the Script in Memphis?
It was not that long ago that the Memphis Showboats were perennial playoff contenders, but things have gone sour the past few years, first with mounting losses, then the Heath Shuler career-ending car crash, and finally the departure of Jim Mora Sr after last season’s debacle. His role is being filled by former DC Jim Haslett, but hopes were not high until the Jets let Brett Favre walk, and Memphis went all in to sign the former rival. Favre has now stoked new hopes for the Showboats, and new fire in the Birmingham-Memphis rivalry. Can he live up to the hype? He came to the NY Jets with a lot of hype and it just did not pan out (injuries and a bad supporting cast played a part). Will things be different in Memphis? Can Favre get Memphis back on top before Old Man Time starts to take his gunslinging game away from him?
2—Is Orlando Ready to Win the “Florida Smackdown”?
The Southeast Division, made up of the three Florida-based teams and the Atlanta Fire has been one of the more exciting divisions for years, but a lot of that excitement has been the rivalry between the Bulls and Bandits. Orlando has largely stood to the side, suffering through several seasons of bad QB play since Scott Mitchell retired. Once a very competitive team, Orlando became something of an afterthought, but the ‘Gades were solid last year, despite their 5-8-1 record, and the arrival of Drew Brees has Orlando thinking about reasserting themselves in the three-way battle of Florida clubs.
The Renegades made other additions, including rookie Greg Olsen at TE, NFL import Najeh Davenport, and a new offensive coordinator in former General FB Maurice Carthon. Carthon is promising a more dynamic, more unpredictable offense, and with Brees at the helm, he may have the ideal field marshal to lead a more freewheeling attack.
1—Can one of the Original 12 Win Their First Title in this 25th Season
The USFL began with 12 franchises in 1983, and so far, through 24 seasons, only 8 of those 12 teams have ever won the league title. The Wranglers, Express, Breakers and Blitz have all played 24 seasons without a title (with the Breakers and Blitz also having changed cities). Are any in a position to win it all in their 25th season?
Arizona seems the most likely. They finished 10-4 last year, winning the Southwest Division, and they have a dynamic leader in Jake Plummer. The defense regained its form after a rough 2005, and they have added youth with a strong draft crop this year. But we have been hear before only to be disappointed by the Wrangler’s ability to play consistent ball.
Los Angeles came so close last year, a 2-point conversion away from sending the Summer Bowl to overtime, but this LA team seems like they have taken a step back. The loss of Cade McNown to the NFL is huge, but this is still a team with weapons at every level, from Holt and Keyshawn out wide, to the duo of Foster and Jones-Drew in the backfield. The defense has stars at DE (Udeze and Kearse), at LB (Tatupu), and in the secondary (Polamalu). Is that enough to challenge for a title?
New Orleans is an up and coming team, winning the Southern Division last year, a year in which they played all 7 home games and their playoff game on the road. They return home this year with a lot of optimism, but also with a lot of questions. In a stacked Eastern Conference, can New Orleans put the pieces together to get past the more established clubs like Boston, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville?
Baltimore finished 3rd in the Northeast last year, sitting at 6-8, and with New Jersey predicted to implode, they could be the team to challenge Boston, but do they have the weapons to do it? Ron Dayne is consistent but not a gamebreaker. They brought in Ted Ginn Jr to add big plays to the gameplan, but can the rookie really make that big of an impact? A bigger question is the defense, which was not great last year, and needs to be a Top 10, maybe Top 5 squad for the Blitz to truly compete.
The oddsmakers have Arizona as the third most likely club to take the title in their preseason odds book, with LA in 8th, New Orleans in 11th, and Baltimore in 17th, so having a new champion come out of one of the four founding teams never to win it is a dream that will have to be fought for. There are 22 other teams in the way of that dream, so it will be a dogfight.
Our Team By Team Preview
You have the stories to follow, the rookies to watch, and, we expect, the big question on your mind is just how your favorite USFL club will fare this year. Will there be a big surprise, a team rising from obscurity to take the title as Seattle did 2 years ago, or will one of the favorites get the W? We will take a look at each of the 26 USFL teams, starting at the favorite of the Las Vegas oddsmakers, the Boston Cannons, all the way down to the team with the longest odds, the Pittsburgh Maulers. Along the way we will give reasons for optimism, potential concerns, and our best guess of where they will finish. Here is our look at the 26 teams competing for USFL supremacy.
#1 BOSTON CANNONS
HEAD COACH: John Fox (6th Year)
2006 RECORD: 11-3 (2nd in NE Division)
DEPARTURES: DT W. Bryant (FA), C A. King (FA), DE G. Ellis (FA), FS T. Parrish (FA)
ARRIVALS: C A. Graham (FA), FS J. Woods (FA), DE H. Douglas (FA), OT M. Colombo (NFL), P K. Walter (NFL)
ROOKIES: DT Demarcus Tyler (NC State), HB Tony Hunt (Penn St)OT Jermon Bushrod (Towson)
OUTLOOK: Boston escaped a lot of big hits in free agency and with retirements, and may have actually come out on top. Replacing Greg Ellis with Hugh Douglas may be a step up, and adding FS Jerome Woods is clearly an improvement. The Cannons’ D in particular looks more formidable, and with one of the league’s best offenses already in place, it seems pretty clear why the Cannons start the year atop our power rankings. They are the odds-on favorite to take the title, especially when their toughest competitor in the division, New Jersey, clearly lost a lot this offseason.
OUR PICK: We are going to second the opinion of the Las Vegas oddsmakers. Boston is primed for a Summer Bowl run. We see 12-2 and the top seed as a distinct possibility.
#2 OHIO GLORY
HEAD COACH: Al Luginbill (9th Year)
2006 RECORD: 10-4 (1st in CEN Division)
DEPARTURES: HB M. Smith (FA), DT L. Glover (FA), G. C. Carlisle (FA), G J. Nesbit (FA),
K J. Carney (RET),
ARRIVALS: DT L. Ellis (FA), G B. Ferrario (FA), DT S. Gilbert (FA), K M. Hollis (FA), DT . Allen (NFL), HB K. Watson (NFL)
ROOKIES: WR Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio St), DE Jay Richardson (Ohio State)
OUTLOOK: Ohio seemed to be following the same script as Boston, building up some defensive strength to go with their already-potent offense. The Glory added 3 defensive tackles, including All-USFL regulars Sean Gilbert and Luther Ellis. Their draft was a bit lackluster, signing only 3 picks, but their roster remains stacked and their offense is still killer. If Santonio Holmes can progress in his 2nd year, the Glory will be right there to challenge the Cannons. What a Summer Bowl that would be!
OUR PICK: We see Ohio as the frontrunner for the #1 seed in the West. If their defense has even moderate success, this could be another run to the Summer Bowl for the Glory. We are picking them to go 12-2, but don’t ask us who the two losses would be against.
#3 ARIZONA WRANGLERS
HEAD COACH: Jim Fassel (4th Year)
2006 RECORD: 10-4 (1st in SW Division)
DEPARTURES: HB J. Wells (FA), G C. Johnson (FA), C G. McGuire (FA), K O. Pochman (NFL), HB S. Pritchett (NFL), HB D. Staley (NFL), WR N. Jacquet (NFL), CB P. Sparks (RET)
ARRIVALS: QB J. Sorgi (FA), CB R. Crockett (FA), HB A. Galloway (FA), G B. Olsen (FA), CB D. Starks (NFL), DE J. Tafoya (NFL), LB N. Harris (NFL)
ROOKIES: DE Adam Carriker (Neb), HB Chris Henry (Ariz), HB Antonio Pittman (Ohio St), FB Le’Ron McClain (Bama), K Nick Folk (Ariz)
OUTLOOK: A lot of movement on the Wrangler roster, but overall it looks like a younger, hungrier, and more athletic squad. Losing both Staley and Pritchett from the run game seems huge, but their production was always dubious. Rookies Chris Henry and Antonio Pittman have a chance to inject some energy into the Wrangler rushing scheme. The Defense is also quicker, with Ray Crockett and Duane Starks now at CB and Napoleon Harris and Joe Tafoya also adding some aggression to a pretty solid D.
OUR PICK: Arizona could challenge Ohio for that top seed out West. They still have the ultimate Wild Card in Jake Plummer, and their roster is still young and getting better. Nothing less than a Conference Title Game appearance should satisfy the Wranglers. An 11-win season is not out of the question for this Wrangler squad.
#4 JACKSONVILLE BULLS
HEAD COACH: Brad Childress (3rd Year)
2006 RECORD: 10-4 (1st in SE Division)
DEPARTURES: WR A. Boldin (FA), C A. Graham (FA), T A. Davis (FA), K K. Brown (FA), WR R. J. Soward (FA), QB J. Palmer (RET), CB F. Thomas (NFL), G J. Berger (Trade)
ARRIVALS: TE J. Whitten (FA), DE D. Bowens (NFL), T B. Brooks (NFL), DT M. Stroud (Trade)
ROOKIES: DT Alan Branch (Mich), HB Lorenzo Booker (FSU), LB Anthony Waters (Clems), K. Justin Medlock (ULA)
OUTLOOK: No team lost more players to free agency than the Bulls, and yet, with a strong draft and some shrewd free agent picks, they feel pretty good about the squad they brought to camp. TE Jason Whitten has been outstanding in camp, earning the starting nod, and DT Marcus Stroud is looking fitter than ever after losing 20 lbs from last year. Jacksonville does not have the sex appeal of the Boston Cannons, but they are solid on both sides of the ball. If they catch a few breaks and make a few of their own, they could challenge in the East. They made it to the Conference Championship last year, and we could see them do it again.
OUR PICK: Jacksonville will be challenged in a much tighter Southeast Division that now has a retooled Orlando squad, a rising Atlanta team, and the always tough Bandits down the road in Tampa Bay, but we still think the Bulls can walk away with the division if they play to their strengths. We see 10-4 and the SE Division.
#5 HOUSTON GAMBLERS
HEAD COACH: Wade Philips (7th Season)
2006 RECORD: 9-5 (2nd in SW Division)
DEPARTURES: FS L. Evans (FA), P M. Whitaker (FA), HB M. Anderson (NFL), WR A. Freeman (NFL), G R. Hadnot (Trade), WR D. Bennett (Trade)
ARRIVALS: C N. Hardwick (FA), LB M. Crawford (FA), HB K. Faulk (Trade)
ROOKIES: T Joe Staley (CMU), WR Mike Sims-Walker (UCF), P Daniel Sepulveda (Baylor), LB Zak DeOssie (Brown)
OUTLOOK: We think Houston gained more than they lost in the offseason, which is not bad for a pretty good team to say. Yes, losing Antonio Freeman to the NFL stung a little, but wideout was a deep position for Houston, so Roy Williams, Koren Robinson, and David Patten will step up. The Gamblers also brought in Ike Hilliard from their cross-state rivals and drafted a good-looking speed guy in Mike Sims-Walker, so we think the Gamblers are looking very solid on offense. We love the draft pick of Brown’s Zak DeOssie at LB, along with free agent Mike Crawford. Once again, Houston will be a top defensive squad.
OUR PICK: If the offense can average over 20 points per game, then the Gamblers should find themselves on the winning side of a lot of games. We put Houston a step behind Arizona, but that could easily flip if the Gamblers can get just a bit more production out of Matt Hasselbeck and a run game that welcomes back Kevin Faulk after a 1-year jaunt to Atlanta. We say 10-4 and in the hunt.
#6 TAMPA BAY BANDITS
HEAD COACH: Steve Spurrier (4th Season)
2006 RECORD: 9-5 (2nd in SE Division)
DEPARTURES: SS J. Pratt (FA), QB T. Banks (FA), HB T. Prentice (FA), DE J. Copeland (FA), DT S. Gilbert (FA), WR T. Streets (Trade)
ARRIVALS: T J. ST. Clair (FA), G V. Allotey (FA), WR D. Farmer (FA), DT L. Glover (FA), HB L. Toefield (NFL), P M. Turk (NFL), QB K. Detmer (Trade)
ROOKIES: T Levi Brown (Penn St), S Brandon Meriweather (Miami)
OUTLOOK: Another club with a lot of roster churn this offseason, but mostly among older players and marginal role players. The addition of LeRoy Glover pretty much compensates for Sean Gilbert’s departure and the addition of Koy Detmer is a wash with Tony Banks leaving. So, the question is, can Tampa Bay tread water and at the same time improve upon a 2nd place finish in the Southeast Division?
OUR PICK: We still think Tampa is a very good team, but that does not make them a favorite to win the division, much less the Conference Title. Good, not great, and that may not be enough this year. We see 9-5 and 2nd place in the Bandits’ future.
#7 SEATTLE DRAGONS
HEAD COACH: Marvin Lewis (5th Year)
2006 RECORD: 8-5-1 (2nd in PAC Division)
DEPARTURES: WR C. Bradford (FA), FBC. Massey (FA), CB A. Harris (FA), TE B. Banta (NFL), QB C. Pickett (Trade), LB B. Jones (Trade)
ARRIVALS: DT W. Bryant (FA), WR D. McCants (FA), LB D. D. Lewis (NFL), QB J. Blake (Trade), OT C. Clifton (Trade), LB E. Mason (Trade)
ROOKIES: WR Dwayne Jarrett (USC), TE Tyler Ecker (Mich), DE Mkristo Bruce (WSU)
OUTLOOK: Seattle remains an intriguing team. Their biggest coup this offseason was simply retaining Corey Dillon when so many other big name free agents bolted to the NFL. They made three trades, sending QB Cody Pickett to Pittsburgh, but then trading with Orlando for Jeff Blake. They have two new offensive weapons thanks to the draft and also added a potential #2 receivier in McCants during Free Agency. The defense lost a key player in CB Al Harris, but adding DT Wendell Bryant is a net positive.
OUR PICK: We think Seattle is a better than average team, and that could be an understatement if the defense can come together. The Pacific is a very volatile division, and Seattle could benefit from LA losing Cade McNown, but the division will not be an easy one, so racking up 10+ wins will be a tough task. We say 9-5, possibly first place, but a #3 seed.
#8 LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
HEAD COACH: Hue Jackson (2nd Season)
2006 RECORD: 9-5 (1st in PAC Division)
DEPARTURES: LB S. Foley (FA), P T. Gowin (FA), C Z. Austin (FA), CB W. Poole (FA), QB C. McNown (NFL), TE A. Shea (Trade)
ARRIVALS: QB J. Lewis (FA), C G. McGuire (FA), LB G. Irons (NFL), FS T. Kiel (Trade),
ROOKIES: C Ryan Kalil (USC), CB Dante Hughes (Cal), OT Mike Otto (Purdue), WR Syndric Steptoe (Ariz)
OUTLOOK: It’s all about the QB for the Express. The rest of their roster largely remained unchanged, so the defense should still be more than adequate, the run game is there, the receivers are top flight, so all they need is for one of their QBs to step up. Seneca Wallace earned the Week 1 start in camp, but former Fire and Outlaw QB Jeff Lewis should also see some action. Expect a bit of a 2-headed monster (with Brodie Croyle in 3rd) through the first month, unless one of the two just dominates.
OUR PICK: The Express remain a very talented team at every position except the one that can define a season. We think they take a step or two back until they can solve their QB problem. That could be a month, could be a year, could be a decade. We think 7-7 would be a very solid season when we look at the big picture.
#9 DENVER GOLD
HEAD COACH: Dick Jauron (10th Season)
2006 RECORD: 7-7 (3rd in SW Division)
DEPARTURES: DT C. Hill (FA), CB R. Crockett (FA), HB A. Galloway (FA), QB E. Wilhelm (RET), WR J. J. Stokes (RET), G Chris Dishman (RET), K J. Wilkens (RET), P T. Sauerbrun (RET)
ARRIVALS: P P. O’Neill (FA), CB D. Terrell (FA), WR A. Boldin (FA), CB T. James (NFL), G F. Womack (NFL)
ROOKIES: DT Brandon Moses (Cal), K Mason Crosby (Colo), LB Stewart Bradley (Neb), QB Jordan Palmer (UTEP)
OUTLOOK: Denver did what Denver usually does, play tight with the pursestrings, but make 1-2 meaningful moves. After losing more than any other team to retirements, the Gold signed two truly impactful free agents; WR Anquan Boldin from the Bulls and CB Tory James from the NFL Bemgals. They landed their new kicker from the draft, and not much else. It was boring around Denver, as it often is.
OUR PICK: The key for the Gold is whether or not Matt Leinart, the 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year, makes the next step, progressing to be a true danger as a signal caller. Leinart played it pretty close to the vest last year, and Coach Jauron did not ask a lot of him, but this year, he will need to open up the playbook a bit more to have success with this offense. Having Boldin across from Peerless Price should help him do that. We think another 7-7 year is very possible here.
# 10 NEW JERSEY GENERALS
HEAD COACH: Romeo Crennell (1st Season)
2006 RECORD: 11-3 (1st in NE Division)
DEPARTURES: DT L. Legree (FA), LB B. Simmons (FA), QB T. Brady (NFL), CB D. Sanders (NFL)
ARRIVALS: QB D. Huard (FA), DT B. Tanner (FA), CB N. Clements (NFL)
ROOKIES: QB Kevin Kolb (Houston), OT Marshal Yanda (Iowa), WR Steve Breaston (Mich), DE C. J. Ah You (OU)
OUTLOOK: Will the Generals fall from Champ to Chump? That is what many are predicting as New Jersey loses their legendary coach, their starting QB, and their best defensive player, all within the span of a month. But, a title team is not just a few players. If Coach Romeo Crennell can get the rest of the squad to pick up some slack for the departed Brady, helping out Kelly Holcombe at QB, the Generals could still be a tough out. Nate Clements is not Deion, but he is a solid corner, so don’t expect the General defense to just crumble without Prime Time.
OUR PICK: This is not the same club as we saw in the Summer Bowl. You don’t lose Parcells, Sanders, and Brady and expect to just shake it off. The Generals are in the unenviable position of trying to retool on the fly. We think that is a tough call, but with the talent they have, .500 is doable. We say 7-7, and hoping to return to form in 2008.
#11 NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
HEAD COACH: Mike Nolan (8th Season)
2006 RECORD: 8-6 (1st in SOU Division)
DEPARTURES: WR A. King (FA), LB D. Edwards (FA), G T. Metcalf (FA), DT B. Cofield (Trade), HB C. Perry (Trade)
ARRIVALS: LB D. Smith (FA), LB C. Powell (FA), G E. Mathis (FA), QB T. Rattay (NFL), HB J. Jones (Trade), HB D. Ward (Trade)
ROOKIES: WR Dwayne Bowe (LSU), DE Chase Pittman (LSU), HB Kenny Irons (Auburn)
OUTLOOK: This may be low for the Breakers. They won the South at 8-6 last year while playing every single game away from the Super Dome. This year they return to their bayou home, likely in front of huge crowds, and their team appears to have added more than they lost. We could see New Orleans as a 10+ win team. There is still a bit of mistrust of Eli Manning, and the run game will be brand new, with Julius Jones, Derrick Ward, and rookie Kenny Irons now seen as the key players. We love the signing of Dwayne Bowe out of LSU. He should make an impact right away, allowing Hakeem to stay in the slot, where he is at his best.
OUR PICK: We are going to defy the oddsmakers and pick New Orleans to go 10-4 and win the South, despite all the excitement about Memphis.
#12 MICHIGAN PANTHERS
HEAD COACH: Dick LeBeau (4th Season)
2006 RECORD: 8-6 (2nd in CEN Division)
DEPARTURES: T J. St Clair (FA), WR B. Shaw (FA), QB D. Brees (FA), SS S. Knight (FA), G B. Olson (FA), DT J. Manley (RET), DE A. Schobel (Trade), TE L. Pinkney (Trade), HB L. Betts (Trade)
ARRIVALS: WR N. Burleson (FA), SS J. Pratt (FA), DE G. Ellis (FA), G C. Liweienski (NFL), WR A. Randle-El (Trade), HB J. Fargas (Trade)
ROOKIES: CB Leon Hall (Mich), QB Drew Stanton (MSU), WR Laurent Robinson (Ill ST)
OUTLOOK: Losing Drew Brees is a big blow to the Panthers. They had a solid backup option in Brian Griese, and the former Wolverine will likely start the year under center, a solid transition player. Michigan signed Drew Stanton out of Michigan State, with hopes that he will be able to learn under Griese and perhaps take over next season. We shall see if that plan provides success for Michigan, or if they take a step back this year. We like the additions of Burleson and Randle-El to an already solid WR group, and Justin Fargas could be the steal of the offseason if he can take be more consistent. The defense is largely unchanged, though adding Jorge Pratt is a nice upgrade. Greg Ellis has at least 1 more good year left in him as well.
OUR PICK: Michigan got little press this winter, but they put together a pretty solid, strategic offseason. If Griese can be solid, and if the run game can come along, the Panthers could be in the running. But those are solid “ifs”, not guarantees. We see 7-7 as very realistic here.
#13 LAS VEGAS THUNDER
HEAD COACH: Jerry Glanville (3rd Season)
2006 RECORD: 6-7-1 (3rd in Pacific)
DEPARTURES: G V. Allotay (FA), P C. Jarrett (FA), FB C. Kramer (FA), WR M. Muhammad (FA), DE H. Douglas (FA), HB D. Smith (RET), TE C. Fauria (RET), T T. Steussie (NFL), QB Henry Burris (Trade), DT Marcus Stroud (Trade), LB Mark Simoneau (Trade), HB J. Jones (Trade), HB D. Rhodes (Trade)
ARRIVALS: TE B. Hartsook (FA), DE T. Rodgers (FA), FB Ovie Mughelli (NFL), LB O. Huff (NFL), HB C. Perry (Trade), DE E. James (Trade), CB M. Booker (Trade), G J. Berger (Trade), HB E. Graham (Trade)
ROSTERS: HB Marshawn Lynch (Cal), CB Eric Wright (UNLV), TE Dante Rosario (Oregon), WR John Broussard (SJSU)
OUTLOOK: The spirit of Las Vegas got into the Thunder this year, as no team did more wheeling, dealing, and gambling in the offseason than Jerry Glanville’s bunch. Losing LT Todd Steussie was a blow, as was Muhsin Muhammad’s move to Texas. Trading away their top 2 running backs is daring, but when you draft Marshawn Lynch, you are counting on a very different run game the next year. Las Vegas had a draft high in quality but short in quantity, but they made up for it with some good trades.
OUR PICK: If the aggressive moves pay off, the Thunder could surprise many, if they don’t then Coach Glanville will be on the hook for them. That is the risk you take when you go all in. With a short window for QB Steve McNair, it makes sense for the Thunder to go big right now, hoping to catch some lightning.
#14 ORLANDO RENEGADES
HEAD COACH: Emmitt Thomas (2nd Season)
2006 RECORD: 5-8-1 (4th in SE Division)
DEPARTURES: LB P. Chukwarah (FA), LB D. Coakley (RET), WR J. Gaffney (NFL), T K. Turley (NFL), QB K. Detmer (Trade), QB J. Blake (Trade)
ARRIVALS: QB D. Brees (FA), HB N. Davenport (NFL), WR T. Streets (Trade), LB B. Jones (Trade)
ROOKIES: TE Greg Olsen (Miami), DT Marcus Thomas (Florida), C Dustin Fry (Clemson), FS John Wendling (Wyo), QB Matt Moore (Ore St)
OUTLOOK: A lot of folks are high on Orlando this year. Bringing in Drew Brees as your QB can have that effect. But outside of Brees, there have also been some good additions to be excited about, including rookie Greg Olsen, HB Najeh Davenport, and LB Bryan Jones. Orlando could be a very interesting team. We are just not sure if that puts them in the hunt with Tampa Bay and Jacksonville, or if they are more likely to battle Atlanta to avoid the basement.
OUR PICK: Our guess is that Orlando struggles at first, and then finds themselves around midseason, so if they can be at least 3-4 at the 7-week mark, we could see them finishing the year strong. Our pick is 8-6 but still 3rd in the division.
#15 MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
HEAD COACH: Jim Haslett (1st Season)
2006 RECORD: 3-11 (4th in SOU Division)
DEPARTURES: CB J. Greer (FA), DE L. Bromell (FA), LB M. Pope (FA), TE B. Hartsook (FA), WR M. Jenkins (FA), QB H. Shuler (RET), QB J. Kitna (NFL)
ARRIVALS: CB K. Carpenter (FA), QB B. Favre (NFL), TE D. Martin (NFL)
ROOKIES: DE Jamaal Anderson (Ark), LB Patrick Willis (Ole Miss), WR Sidney Rice (So Car), DE Quentin Moss (UGA)
OUTLOOK: Another team that is getting a lot of hype due to their new QB, but when that QB is Brett Favre, you have to expect that you have new higher aspirations. Favre is a godsend to a team that suffered a really rough 2006. But what may be more impactful is one of the best draft classes the Showboats have ever put together. Willis, Rice, Moss, and Anderson could all be starting by midseason. A lot of new talent, and a lot of potential on this team.
OUR PICK: We don’t expect Brett Favre to be 1993 Favre, but even average early 2000’s Favre is a huge plus for the Showboats. They could still improve at wideout, though we do like Sidney Rice, but more importantly, Coach Haslett has got to get their run game to be productive each and every week. Cadillac Williams can do more than we have seen to date. We see Memphis as a potential 9-5 squad, but we are going to be more cautious and say 7-7.
#16 ATLANTA FIRE
HEAD COACH: Jay Gruden (2nd Season)
2006 RECORD: 7-7 (3rd in SE Division)
DEPARTURES: G E. Mathis (FA), CB K. Carpenter (FA), FS J. Woods (FA), QB J. Lewis (FA), DE T. Rodgers (FA), FB C. Fuamatu-Ma’afalu (RET), HB K. Faulk (Trade), FS S. Shields (Trade)
ARRIVALS: WR M. Robinson (FA), S L. Schulters (NFL), TE W. Heller (NFL), WR S. Morey (NFL), FS M. Washington (Trade), G R. Hadnot (Trade), HB T. Davis (Trade)
ROOKIES: G Justin Blalock (Texas), G Mansfield Wrotto (Ga Tech), QB Tyler Thigpen (Coastal), S Tra Battle (UGA)
OUTLOOK: Atlanta shocked everyone in their first season by going 7-7 and making the USFL playoffs as an expansion team. That will be a hard act to follow for the Fire, though they certainly made some news this offseason as well, trading with the Maulers to bring Terrell Davis back to Georgia. Davis is the key to Atlanta’s continued success. With Jeff Lewis gone, and Kevin Faulk traded to Houston, Davis will be at the center of every offensive game plan for the Fire. The thing is, Davis is no spring chicken. Many are worried that he has hit the Wall of 30, meaning his best days are behind him, and that Atlanta went for the marketing move instead of the good football move. We will see pretty soon if that is the case.
OUR PICK: We think Atlanta is due for a step back, not necessarily one forward. We are not sold on David Garrard as a starter, and while Davis certainly brings plenty of bona fides to the party, it is no guarantee that he will be able to lead the Fire beyond where they were last year. Our pick is a slight slip back, 6-8.
#17 BALTIMORE BLITZ
HEAD COACH: Tom Coughlin (4th Season)
2006 RECORD: 6-8 (3rd in NE Division)
DEPARTURES: DE D. Howard (FA), LB D. Smith (FA), WR D. McCants (FA), FS M. Pope (FA), P P. O’Neill (FA), T A. Meadows (NFL), WR D. Bates (RET)
ARRIVALS: P T. Gowin (FA), C Z. Austin (FA), C R. Tobeck (NFL), DE J. Johnson (NFL), LB C. June (NFL), WR M. Booker (Trade)
ROOKIES: WR Ted Ginn Jr (Ohio St), G Andy Alleman (Akron), S Aaron Rouse (Va Tech), FB Deon Anderson (UConn)
OUTLOOK: Is adding Ted Ginn Jr. and Marty Booker to the WR corps enough to turn Baltimore from a mid-range .500 team into a potential competitor with Boston for the NE Division? That seems like a hard sell, and yet, they have a solid roster in most other areas. We worry a little about a lack of pass rush, and some issues still in the secondary, but if Ben Roethlisberger can expand the passing game a bit with these new options, it could be a difference maker.
OUR PICK: We think Baltimore still needs more to truly compete with the likes of the Cannons, but they could find themselves in 2nd place and maybe even a playoff spot if New Jersey’s fate is as bad as many predict. We think 7-7 is about right here.
#18 NASHVILLE KNIGHTS
HEAD COACH: Jim Johnson (13th Season)
2006 RECORD: 6-8 (3rd in SOU Division)
DEPARTURES: CB S. Brown (FA), SS I. Ohalete (FA), WR B. Emmanuel (RET), QB T. Collins (NFL)
ARRIVALS: HB M. Smith (FA), LB S. Foley (FA), G S. Scifres (FA), WR B. Shaw (FA), QB R. Mirer (FA), CB L. Walls (NFL)
ROOKIES: S LaRon Landry (LSU), WR Robert Meachem (Tenn), DE Turk McBride (Tenn), G Manuel Rodriguez (Texas Tech)
OUTLOOK: It is the end of an era. Not only does Bert Emmanuel retire after being the Knights’ go to guy for over a decade, but Todd Collins accepts an offer to join the NFL Bills, recognizing that Jay Cutler may well be the future for Nashville. Cutler begins with a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in a long time last year. But he also starts with a team that brought in a really good haul of talent this offseason, including WR Bobby Shaw, HB Musa Smith, rookie Robert Meachem, and a defense that still has quite a bit of swagger left, bolstered by rookie safety LaRon Landry.
OUR PICK: We think it will take Cutler a year or two to really hit his stride, so in the meantime, Nashville may just be building a roster. Playoffs would be a huge win for them this year, but give them another season (and hope the expansion draft does not derail them) and the Knights could be back sooner rather than later. 6-8 and building.
#19 OAKLAND INVADERS
HEAD COACH: Dennis Green (5th Season)
2006 RECORD: 6-8 (4th in PAC Division)
DEPARTURES: CB D. Terrell (FA), G C. Spikes (FA), FB A. Ricard (FA), G B. Stai (FA), QB T. Green (NFL), LB H. Crockett (NFL), HB J. Fargas (Trade), WR M. Booker (Trade)
ARRIVALS: QB R. Lucas (FA), LB P. Chukwarah (FA), G R. Brown (FA), CB D. Grant (NFL), DT J. Fisk (NFL), DE A. Schobel (Trade), TE L. Pinkney (Trade)
ROOKIES: WR Jacoby Jones (Lane), LB Michael Okwo (Stanford), WR David Clowney (Va Tech), LB Desmond Bishop (Cal)
OUTLOOK: At first the loss of Brendan Stai, the rock of the Oakland O-line might have seemed an insurmountable obstacle for Dennis Green’s club, but the Invaders went right out and may have even upgraded the position by signing former Star Ruben Brown. The bigger loss may be Justin Fargas. While he never fully grasped the brass ring and became the #1 back, Fargas always seemed to have his best days when Ricky Williams was struggling. Without him in the backfield, it will put more pressure on Williams to not have bad days.
OUR PICK: An argument could be made that Oakland would win the Pacific. An equal argument could be made that they come in last. That is the issue (with the Invaders and the whole division). Hard to see anyone in the Pacific winning or losing 10 games. So, we go with 5-9 if we are pessimistic, 9-5 if we are optimistic, and 7-7 if we are undecided.
#20 BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
HEAD COACH: Dennis Franchione (5th Season)
2006 RECORD: 6-8 (2nd in SOU Division)
DEPARTURES: DT B. Tanner (FA), WR A. Van Dyke (FA), WR M. Robinson (FA), G B. Ferrario (FA), K. M. Hollis (FA), LB T. Johnson (NFL), SS K. Lassiter (NFL), QB E. Zeier (RET), C T. Nalen (RET), FS M. Washington (Trade)
ARRIVALS: K K. Brown (FA), SS I. Ohalete (FA), QB A. Wright (NFL)
ROOKIES: G Ben Grubbs (Auburn), LB Johnny Baldwin (Alab A&M), WR Courtney Taylor (Auburn)
OUTLOOK: Birmingham looks like a team that is just not trying hard enough. They had significant losses this offseason and did not do enough to restock their roster, failing to land any big name free agents and signing only 5 rookies. We are not seeing the urgency that Coach Franchione probably needs if he wants to retain his position with the club. The Stallions look to us like a team that could bottom out this year and have to do a major overhaul.
OUR PICK: The Vegas books may not agree, but we think Birmingham has a legit shot at “earning” the #1 pick in next year’s draft. We just don’t see much here to be enthusiastic about.
#21 CHICAGO MACHINE
HEAD COACH: Marty Mornhinweg (9th Season)
2006 RECORD: 6-8 (3rd in CEN Division)
DEPARTURES: QB R. Lucas (FA), LB D. Smith (FA), SS B. Meyers (FA), DE S. Rice (NFL), FS O. Stoutmire (NFL), FB J. Linton (RET), QB J. George (Trade), FS T. Kiel (Trade)
ARRIVALS: QB T. Banks (FA), SS S. Knight (FA), FB A. Ricard (FA), FS L. Evans (FA), CB A. Harris (FA), LB R. Boiman (NFL), TE A. Shea (Trade)
ROOKIES: QB Brady Quinn (N Dame), S Eric Weddle (Utah), DE Victor Abiamiri (N Dame), WR D’Juan Woods (OK State)
OUTLOOK: Chicago opted to move on from Jeff George, the QB who took them to the Summer Bowl in 2005. The Machine will now firmly base their future on Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn. No pressure there. Quinn inherits a team with a lot of talent, and Chicago added some good pieces on defense as well. We think Eric Weddle could be the find of the draft for Chicago, and we also love the upgrade from bringing in Al Harris at corner. The decline of Chicago’s secondary was a big reason for their fall last year, so a new corner and a rookie safety might just help them turn it around.
OUR PICK: Las Vegas seems very skeptical of the Machine, but we think Chicago made the right call in going after Quinn. They may not bounce back into playoff contention this year, but their long term future seems like the better focus anyway. We see Chicago at 6-8 this year, but perhaps 9-10 wins in 2008.
#22 PHILADELPHIA STARS
HEAD COACH: Jim Harbaugh (3rd Season)
2006 RECORD: 4-9-1 (4th in NE Division)
DEPARTURES: QB J. Sorgi (FA), TE J. Gilmore (FA), LB M. Crawford (FA), G R. Brown (FA)
ARRIVALS: CB B. Kelly (CB), G C. Carlisle (FA), G S. Edwards (NFL)
ROOKIES: LB Paul Posluszny (Penn St), LB Tim Shaw (Penn St), TE Brent Celek (Cinci), QB Matt Gutierrez (Idaho St)
OUTLOOK: The loss of guard Ruben Brown is a big one, one Phillly hopes they have remedied through both NFL signee Steve Edwards and USFL free agent Cooper Carlisle. They also are hoping that rookie Paul Posluszny can fill in for Mike Crawford, who left in free agency. The Stars won only 4 games last season, and we are not seeing where the big improvement on either side of the ball will be.
OUR PICK: We think the Stars are looking another 4-5 win season in the face, which is not what Coach Jim Harbaugh needs if he is going to extend his contract. They need to find a way to turn the talents of Kurt Warner and Ahman Green into wins, or this could be a very long season.
#23 TEXAS OUTLAWS
HEAD COACH: Norv Turner (1st Season)
2006 RECORD: 5-9 (4th in SW Division)
DEPARTURES: CB M. Kerner (FA), C N. Hardwick (FA), WR I. Hilliard (FA), QB T. Dilfer (NFL), HB M. Shipp (NFL)
ARRIVALS: WR A. Van Dyke (FA), HB T. Prentice (FA), HB R. J. Redmond (FA), WR M. Muhammad (FA), C S. O’Hara (NFL), QB J. George (Trade)
ROOKIES: CB Aaron Ross (Texas), DE Tim Crowder (Texas), DT Antonio Johnson (Miss St), OT Jacob Bender (Nicholls)
OUTLOOK: We are expecting a radically different Texas offense this year. Jeff George at QB, Muhsin Muhammad as the main target, more of a rotation at HB with T. J. Duckett sharing more carries with R. J. Redmond and Travis Prentice, but most importantly, the signing of center Sean O’Hara from the NFL gives Texas a team captain on the line.
OUR PICK: We think it will take a while for Coach Turner to develop this offense. He has to hope his defense can keep Texas in games early in the season. Expect a lot of new formations, new calls, and new roles for Texan players as Turner experiments, trying to find a winning formula. We think it will be a tough go this year, and we predict a 5-9 record again.
#24 WASHINGTON FEDERALS
HEAD COACH: Sean Payton (1st Season)
2006 RECORD: 4-10 (5th in NE Division)
DEPARTURES: HB W. Parker (FA), TE A. Mayes (FA), WR D. Farmer (FA), G S. Scifres (FA), WR B. Engram (NFL), FB R. Booker (NFL), HB E. Graham (Trade), CB Michael Booker (Trade), DE Erasmus James (Trade)
ARRIVALS: HB J. Wells (FA), WR R. J. Soward (FA), C A. King (FA), FB C. Massey (FA), WR A. Davis (NFL), LB M. Simoneau (Trade), QB H. Burris (Trade)
ROOKIES: G Arron Sears (Tenn), DE Charles Johnson (UGA), G Uche Nwaneri (Purdue), TE Derek Schouman (Boise)
OUTLOOK: Everything about Washington this year makes us think that their window has closed. They still have a decent trio in Kordell-Deuce-and Deion Branch, but the supporting cast seems weaker. The defense is not the force it once was. New Head Coach Sean Payton will need time to build a team to his specifications, and we are not sure the current core of players is the right one for what he is going to want to do.
OUR PICK: We see Washington just starting to reinvent themselves this year. But we think more personnel changes will be needed before they start to ascend. 4-10 this year seems very possible.
#25 ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
HEAD COACH: Art Shell (2nd Season)
2006 RECORD: 4-10 (4th in CEN Division)
DEPARTURES: HB V. Hayes (FA), QB R. Mirer (FA), LB C. Powell (FA), HB R. J. Redmond (FA), SS J. Cherry (NFL)
ARRIVALS: CB M. Kerner (FA), SS B. Meyers (FA), HB J. Scobey (NFL), WR W. Ponder (NFL), WR D. Bennett (Trade)
ROOKIES: TE Mark Spaeth (Minn), HB Michael Bush (Louis), CB William Gay (Louis), QB Troy Smith (Ohio St), OT Corey Hilliard (OK State)
OUTLOOK: Compared to Atlanta, the other expansion team seems to be spinning their wheels a bit. We are just not seeing a lot of impact players being brought in. Yes, depth is improved, but the starting 22 is still pretty weak compared to most other clubs, and in the Central Division, that is not what you want to hear.
OUR PICK: We don’t see St. Louis making a big leap after a 4-win inaugural season. Coach Shell needs to be more aggressive and more ambitious in seeking out talent. We see 4-10 again.
#26 PITTSBURGH MAULERS
HEAD COACH: Ron Rivera (2nd Season)
2006 RECORD: 2-12 (5th in CEN Division
DEPARTURES: QB Charlie Batch (FA-CFL), TE J. Whitten (FA), WR N. Burleson (FA), DT L. Ellis (FA), QB E. Grbac (NFL), HB T. Davis (Trade), LB E. Mason (Trade), WR A. Randle-El (Trade)
ARRIVALS: WR A. King (FA), WR M. Jenkins (FA), G C. Johnson (FA), DT D. Klecko (NFL), TE M. Bruener (NFL). HB L. Betts (Trade), QB C. Pickett (Trade), FS S. Shields (Trade)
ROOKIES: DT Amobi Okoye (Louis), LB Anthony Spencer (Purdue), LB Buster Davis (FSU), OT Mario Henderson (FSU), QB Tyler Palko (Pitt)
OUTLOOK: Ron Rivera’s rebuild begins in earnest. Gone are both Charlie Batch and Terrell Davis, along with a host of others, and in their place we have largely untested Cody Pickett and a run game to be led by Ladell Betts. We are not sure if this is the offense to make any waves. The defense will be younger and faster, which is good, but will it come together in time to help the Maulers win more games?
OUR PICK: Our guess is that this will be another year of learning the hard way, but that perhaps there will be some signs of progress. A lot is riding on Cody Pickett. Part of us wishes the Maulers had signed either Adrian Peterson or Marshawn Lynch to help Pickett out, but for now it is Ladell Betts and Brandon Jacobs trying to keep pressure off of the young QB. This is going to take time ,if it works at all. 4-10 would at least be a step up.
We have looked at all 26 clubs, now let’s make our picks. We brought together our USFL experts, former players, announcers, coaches, and pundits, and this is what we came away with. Take it with the usual grain of salt.
We see Boston walking away with this one in a much-weakened division.
BOSTON* 12-2
BALTIMORE 7-7
NEW JERSEY 7-7
PHILADELPHIA 6-8
WASHINGTON 4-10
A much more competitive division. So much so that they knock each other out of contention for a top seed or a bye in the playoffs.
JACKSONVILLE* 9-5
TAMPA BAY* 9-5
ORLANDO* 8-6
ATLANTA 6-8
A tough division to call because we could see huge leaps from Memphis or we could see them stagnate. We think they make a leap, but New Orleans holds them off.
NEW ORLEANS * 10-4
MEMPHIS* 9-5
NASHVILLE 6-8
BIRMINGHAM 4-10
Ohio has to be the favorite here, because we are just not sure Michigan can compete and Chicago is just not ready yet with a rookie QB.
OHIO* 11-3
MICHIGAN 8-6
CHICAGO 6-8
ST. LOUIS 4-10
PITTSBURGH 4-10
Arizona, Houston, and Denver make for a very tight trio, and Texas may also be improved.
HOUSTON* 10-4
ARIZONA* 10-4
DENVER* 9-5
TEXAS 7-7
Another tight division out west, with another trio of teams we could imagine all making the postseason.
SEATTLE* 10-4
LAS VEGAS* 9-5
LOS ANGELES 7-7
OAKLAND 5-8
This just feels like a year where the top seeds cruise through the playoffs against teams that just are not as dangerous. That means we are picking Ohio vs. Boston, and that would be a lot of fun. The two would be a great matchup, and we think the winner is the one whose defense progresses the most this year, just enough to slow down the other. As much as we want to see Drew Bledsoe and Tiki Barber get a title, we still find ourselves leaning towards the Glory. Ohio 35 Boston 28 is our predicted Summer Bowl result.
AWARD DARKHORSES
Rather than a straight up prediction of the award winners for 2007, we thought we would challenges ourselves to come up with someone unexpected in each category, a darkhorse who we think has the potential to leap into the public's consciousness with a strong 2007 season. We'll identify the frontrunner, but make our pick for the darkhorse we see coming up on the outside.
MVP: We all expect this to be a race between the league's best QB's, as it almost always is. But, we eliminate the obvious choices, Kerry Collins, Drew Bledsoe, and 2006 winner Jake Plummer. Who do we see as another potential MVP candidate? How about NFL import Steve McNair. With teams now likely to focus on rookie HB Marshawn Lynch as a key player in the Thunder attack, and with Las Vegas expected to compete for the Division Title, McNair is in perfect position to make a run at a surprise MVP nod.
Offensive POTY: Usually the best back or receiver each year (when not the 2nd best QB), that means Chad Ochocinco and Tiki Barber of Ohio are usually competing against Ohio's Eddie George and Joey Galloway. So, we look beyond those four and who do we see? We like the potential for one of Oakland's stars to make a run here. If Joey Harrington can show some of his rookie year style, then either Plaxico Burress or Ricky Williams could have a huge year, and that could translate into a lot of national attention and even a POTY award.
Defensive POTY: It is rare for the POTY to come from a team with a losing record, but it has happened, especially if that defender clearly dominates and wins one of the Big 3 defensive stats (tackles, sacks, interceptions), with sack masters often favored. We almost had that last year, and we think that in his second year with Ron Rivera, Pittsburgh's Kyle Vanden Bosch has a shot at the league sack title, and that puts him in the running here as well.
Rookie of the Year: The two frontrunners here are HB Marshawn Lynch and LB Paul Posluszny, both getting a lot of press and a Week 1 starting position, but there are some lesser-known candidates who are also being in a position to make an immediate impact. There is Antonio Pittman in Arizona, Robert Meachem in Nashville, LaRon Landry also in Nashville, but we are going to go with wideout Dwayne Bowe, who starts the season as the #2 receiver in New Orleans, but could quickly develop into the Breakers's deep ball threat.
Coach of the Year: This one is all about coaches who do more with less, reaching heights with their team that the preseason pundits did not see coming, so it is really hard to pick before the season even starts. But, if we look at teams with 10+ losses last year, and try to guess which one could make a leap up to .500 or better, we put our money on the Washington Federals, and that means 1st year coach Sean Payton. Payton is considered an offensive whiz kid, so if the Feds can have a top 10 offense with Kordell Stewart, Deion Branch and Deuce McCallister, and if they can rebound from a truly bad 4-win season, Payton is likely to be in the running.
What’s Coming Up on The USFL This Week this season
To celebrate the 25th season of the USFL, each week of our coverage we will have a special report where we revisit one key event and one key player in the history of the league. From the crazy first season of spring football to the amazing undefeated season of the 2002 Ohio Glory, we will relive some of the highlights of the league’s first 25 years. The on-field heroics and the off-field drama that helped make the league what it is today.
We will start in Week 1 with our look at the Founding of the USFL and its first big star, New Jersey General HB Herschel Walker.
Previewing Week 1
A lot to talk about this season, but it all comes down to what happens on the field. Here is our lineup of games for the 25th Season’s Kickoff Weekend:
Friday, March 23
Jacksonville @ New Jersey: The opening Friday Night Lights Game is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals from last year, but what a difference a year makes. It will be our first look at Coach Crennell, at Kelly Holcombe, and at a very different Generals squad from the one that hoisted the Bassett Trophy last July.
Saturday, March 24
Michigan @ Philadelphia: New Panther QB Brian Griese tries to start off with a win as Michigan heads to the City of Brotherly Love, but Kurt Warner and the Stars are hoping to exceed expectations and start the season with a home win.
Orlando @ Washington: The new look Renegades and QB Drew Brees visit Washington and Kordell Stewart. Can the Feds get a Week 1 win or will Drew Brees continue to create believers in central Florida?
Seattle @ St. Louis: The Skyhawks host Byron Leftwich and the Dragons. St. Louis will start Luke McNown against a tough Dragon defense.
Los Angeles @ Texas: Seneca Wallace gets the start for the Western Conference Champions as they visit a very different looking Texas Squad in Jeff George’s first start as an Outlaw.
Denver @ Las Vegas: The Saturday Night Special features two teams with a lot of hopes for 2007 as Matt Leinart and the Denver Gold visit the Thunder and their rookie sensation, HB Marshawn Lynch.
Sunday, March 25
Tampa Bay @ Memphis: Brett Favre returns to the USFL with a huge home opener for the Showboats. They host a very talented Tampa Bay squad in a game that could give us a good sense of what is ahead for both teams.
Boston @ Baltimore: The dreaded divisional game as a Week 1 tilt. Both teams will be cautious at first, not knowing what to expect from the other, but don’t expect these two QB’s to dink and dunk all day, both Bledsoe and Roethlisberger want to test the defenses deep.
Arizona @ Atlanta: A tough first game for the Wranglers as they head to Atlanta for the opener. Jake Plummer and the new run game for the Wranglers will face off against a Fire squad hoping that QB David Garrard is ready for prime time.
Chicago @ Houston: A fun one in the Southwest as the Gamblers face Brady Quinn and the Machine. Expect Matt Hasselbeck to test that new Chicago secondary, while the Machine will try to get Michael Turner and the run game going to keep things simple for their rookie QB.
Pittsburgh @ Ohio: A rivalry game, a division game, and a border war between PA and OH. That is what is in store in Columbus as the Maulers, and Cody Pickett head to Ohio to face one of the favorites to win it all this year.
Birmingham @ Oakland: A West Coast trip for Jason Campbell and the Stallions as they visit the Bay and QB Joey Harrington in his new role as the clear cut starter for the Invaders.
Nashville @ New Orleans: They are expecting a sell out crowd in the Super Dome for the return of the Breakers to New Orleans. They get a division rival in Nashville as Jay Cutler tries to tamp down the enthusiasm of over 65,000 expected Breaker faithful in the Dome on this exciting Sunday Night showdown.
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