With Boston’s victory in Summer Bowl 2009, the USFL offseason has officially kicked off. Free Agency will open in just 3 days, the NFL-USFL transfer window will be open on September 10th, and trades have already been offered and accepted. We have three of the five USFL coaching positions filled, and we have a lot of teams trying to assess needs following the usual end-of-season retirements and contract expirations.
For our Offseason Preview, we will look at the wave of retirements, particularly at the QB position, that will impact the offseason, discuss the 5 coaching spots that opened up and the hires in place, take a look at the draft class of 2010, and take an early peek at NFL players who are still not under contract and available for the NFL-USFL Transfer Window in September. We will finish up with team previews, asking what each club’s top priority is and where they might find help in the Territorial Draft of protected schools.
Let’s get started with the latest news on the retirement front.
Quarterbacks Create Headlines But All Retirements Impact USFL Clubs
The retirement of big name QBs like Drew Bledsoe, Kerry Collins, Kordell Stewart, and Brett Favre certainly get headlines and equally send fans into a panic about the future of their clubs, but all retirements have the potential to produce holes in rosters and needs for the offseason, and this year is certainly no different.
The headlines may have gone to the 4 big QB retirements, but we should also acknowledge the other key contributors who will no longer be on the field for their teams. Players like CB Ray Crockett in Arizona, LB DeWayne Dotson in Birmingham, or guard Chris Naole in Houston are all going to produce some issues for their team as they either promote bench players to starting positions or seek an influx of talent. Here is our quick list of the retirements to date and the teams impacted.
QB: Favre (MEM), Collins (OHI), Bledsoe (BOS), and Stewart (WSH) are well-known departures that will very much be the subject of each team’s offseason plan. Boston seems the best positions after a very good showing by Adrian McPherson in 2009. Ohio could promote Chris Redman, but we expect them to bring in another option as well. Washington and Memphis seem less prepared for the transition and neither have an obvious choice in the T-Draft, so they may be possible contenders to possibly trade with Jacksonville to acquire Jake Delhomme.
HB: The departure of Corey Dillon from Seattle is a huge hole to fill. A likely HOF candidate in 2014, Dillon will be hard to replace. Less difficult is St. Louis’s situation, where Larry Johnson never filled the potential folks saw in him at Penn State.
WR: No huge names here, with Donte Stallworth (ORL) and Charles Lee (PHI) only filling spot roles for both clubs. So, while free agency may cause waves in various WR groups, retirements likely do not.
TE: Pittsburgh will be hunting for a replacement for Alge Crumpler, but they also lose Walter Rasby, so they have a huge hole at the position. Expect both free agents and rookies to join the Maulers at the TE spot.
O-LINE: Several starting tackles are stepping away, including Robert Hicks (LV), Tra Thomas (OHI), and Wayne Gandy (CHA), so there will be a market for quality tackles in the free agent pool as well as the draft. Still a bit surprised that Jonathan Ogden of LA has not made an announcement, but perhaps he feels he has more gas in the tank. Guard is another position with several departures, including Benji Olson (POR), Chris Naole (HOU), Chuck Johnson BOS), and Flozell Adams (PH).
D-LINE: Texas DT Chris Hovan and Mauler DE Dameaion Jeffries are the two biggest names in this group to hang up the cleats. Chicago’s Ted Washington could be next, and there are expectations that Tampa Bay may soon be without veteran La’Roi Glover as well.
LB: Bobby Howard (NJ), DeWayne Dotson (BIR), and Dan Morgan (OAK) are the three notable retirements from among the league’s linebackers. Expect all three to be replaced by current players, though there are some strong rookies in this year’s class as well.
DB: Ray Crockett (ARZ), Chike Okeafor (DEN), Anthony Dorsett (PHI), and Sammy Knight (CHI) head up the defensive back departures. Youth is likely to be the solution for these three clubs, though finding a safety in the draft is often a hit or miss proposition.
COACHING CAROUSEL IN FULL ROTATION
Black Monday produced 4 coaching vacancies. Texas’s later firing of Norv Turner made the number five. We have already reported on two of the spots being filled, with June Jones bringing his Run & Shoot modifications from the U. of Hawai’I to the Las Vegas Thunder and Bruce Arians taking over in St. Louis with a mandate to build an offense around Josh Freeman. We have a third hire this week as the Jacksonville Bulls look to build a defense around the coaching of USFL veteran Leslie Frazier. Frazier, who retired as a USFL DB twelve years ago, has built quite a reputation as a defensive coach. The former cornerback has helped develop not only defensive backfield play but has also become known as a master playcaller for defenses that prevent big plays and contain each opponent’s top weapon. He will be coming to Jacksonville, where the Bulls’ defense, despite strong LB play, has been very susceptible to the big play.
Frazier may need some help on offense as the Bulls appear ready to trade off Jake Delhomme and could well lose their starting HB to free agency, where he is likely to find a new home. Expect a very new look for the Bulls offense, with rumors running wild that the club is very much interested in Florida QB Tim Tebow and may build an offense that caters to his skillset if they can land him. That will almost certainly depend on the offensive coordinator Frazier hires, though it seems clear that ownership is pushing in that direction. Frazier will almost certainly remain the play caller on defense even as a head coach, so the offensive coordinator position will be key.
The hiring of Frazier leaves two positions available in the league, one with the Texas Outlaws, and the other with the LA Express. Texas has been interviewing, and seems intent on getting a coach who can mold and develop QB Joe Flacco. LA has also been exploring options, but they seem more intent on improving a defense that has a lot of star power, but has been underperforming the past 2 years. Based on the number of candidates both clubs have seen the past few weeks, we expect both are planning on hires in the next couple of weeks rather than taking the GM route through the offseason and then hiring when the NFL season ends in January as some clubs have done in recent years.
Draft Class Has Some Strengths
Looking at the 2010 USFL Draft Class, it seems once again that QB is a bit shallow, and many of the top candidates are T-Draft protected players, but that does not mean that all positions are lacking quality or depth. Here is our pick of the five strongest positions in the upcoming draft class.
5. Defensive End
A deep group, but one without a sure-fire impact player. We don’t see a new Calais Campbell in this group, but there are several players who could be picked in the first three rounds of the USFL draft if not claimed in the T-Draft. At the top of the class is Michigan’s Brandon Graham, but close behind is USF’s Jason Pierre-Paul, Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan, and Penn State’s Jared Odrick. We would not be shocked if 25 or more DE’s were selected in the draft this year. That is how deep the pool is.
4. Wide Receiver
Generally a good position each year, simply due to the talent on display across the top levels of NCAA play, this year’s crop of receivers has some interesting style clusters in it. If you are looking for a tall, strong receiver who can make the 50/50 catch, this may be the year for you. At the top of the draft we have names like Aurelius Benn from Illinois, Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State, and Brandon LaFell of LSU. For smaller, speedier receivers there is Emmanuel Sanders, Golden Tate, and Dexter McCluster, who may also be picked as a running back, an interesting “tweener” prospect.
3. Offensive Tackle
There are some big-name, high-profile players here. Names like Oklahoma’s Trent Williams and OK State’s Russell Okung, but there is also depth through all 7 rounds. We could easily see 5-6 first rounders here (again, assuming most are not snatched up in the T-draft) and still find talent in the later rounds, where players from lesser-known schools could shine, like West Texas A&M’s J’Marcus Webb or Morehouse’s Ramon Harewood.
2. Tight End
Good news for the Maulers, who have lost their top 2 tight ends to retirement. This is a strong pool, led by Oklahoma’s talented Jermaine Gresham. The player with the biggest buzz is Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski, who could well be a pick for Coach Tomsula and his new OC Norv Turner with the Wranglers, but he is not the only talented end in this group. We also like Iowa’s Tony Moeaki and Miami’s Jimmy Graham as receiving tight ends, with Dennis Pitta of BYU and Ed Dickson of Oregon as players who are also strong as blockers.
1. Cornerback
No position has more depth than the cornerback spot in this year’s draft. We could easily see 20 or more true corners taken and several college safeties also picked to take on a nickel position as well. The SEC will play a prominent role in the draft of corners, with Tennessee’s Eric Berry, Florida’s Joe Haden, and Alabama’s Kareem Jackson expected to be early round picks. Don’t sleep on Devin McCourty from Rutgers or USC’s Taylor Mayes either. And tiny Indiana U. of Pennsylvania may have the sleeper of the group with the very talented Akwasi Owusu-Ansah likely a late round pick who could be a real steal.
Will NFL-USFL Window Produce Any Big Signings?
That is the question as we await the new, mid-September opening of the NFL-USFL window. With the window not opening until after the NFL season has started, we fully expect even some of the late holdouts to be gone. It is the rare player who is willing to give up on an NFL contract to sign with a USFL team even after the NFL season has begun, so, just as we expected when the two leagues agreed to the deal, we are fully anticipating a much smaller pool to be available in September, just as the USFL pool will likely be very slim for the NFL in February.
So, are there any big-name players still unsigned as we look ahead several weeks? Actually yes, with one name getting a lot of attention.
The player everyone is holding their breath over is a big one. The rift between San Diego and Ladanian Tomlinson has appeared to only grow over the offseason, and he has not yet accepted an offer from another NFL team. The Jets appear to be the frontrunner among NFL teams, but even with NFL camps opening and teams soon to open the regular season, Tomlinson seems adamant about seeking a deal that suits him, and he has not ruled out a switch to the USFL as an option. If his statements about the USFL are legitimate, Tomlinson, an NFL rushing champion and genuine future hall of famer, could be a huge focal point for several USFL clubs.
With the retirement of Sedrick Irvin, and with Antowain Smith and Fred Jackson now free agents, we see at least 3 teams that are very much looking for a back. Arizona and Jacksonville have to be salivating over the prospect of signing Tomlinson, while New Orleans can be a bit more canny with Matt Forte developing over the course of this past season. But these three clubs may not be alone in looking very hard at Tomlinson. Yes, he is a veteran with a lot of miles on him, but he is also a top tier talent who would be an upgrade for many clubs in the league.
Once we get past LT, the list of available NFL free agents gets a bit slimmer. There are some talented players, but not true superstars in the pool, including QB Chad Pennington of Miami, WR Antonio Bryant of the Bucs, Chicago DE Adewale Ogunleye, Minnesota HB Chester Taylor, Chicago safety Darren Sharper, and Bengals’ safety Roy Williams, but how many of these players will still be free agents in September remains to be seen.
What we are more likely to see are several USFL free agents joining NFL teams after 2-3 weeks of the fall season. The same would be true in February and March when NFL players will be free agents after the 2010 season. The Window reopens 2 weeks before the USFL season starts (February 28) and will run through the first 2 weeks of the regular season. If USFL teams are able to sign any big-name NFL talent, they likely would not see the field until Week 4 or later, but the same is true for any NFL signings this fall. The goal of the agreement seems to have been fewer inter-league swaps, and that may well be what we are seeing. When we report back before the USFL Draft, we will see if any of the bigger named NFL players have crossed to the USFL or if it was a one-way transfer in September.
TEAM PREVIEWS
As we prepare for free agency and, beyond that, the draft, the key for each club is to address glaring needs, upgrade where position groups are weaker, and mold a roster to match the style of play that the coaches believe give the team its best chance to win games. Some teams may just tweak around the edges, feeling that they already have the core pieces in place. Others may seek a complete overhaul, top to bottom, to create a new culture and a new trajectory. Every team has questions, and every team is hoping to find the answers through a combination of trades, signings, and draft selections. Will it happen for everyone? Absolutely not, but we thought we would at least try to help each club out by identifying what we see as the best options for each team, starting at the top, with the newly-crowned champion, Boston, and working our way down to the team with the worst 2009 record and the #1 pick in the draft, St. Louis.
BOSTON CANNONS
Biggest Offseason Question: We are working from the premise that the Cannons are happy with the prospect of putting Adrian McPherson under center. He played very well in 2009 and is the heir apparent, so what other position is one to be concerned about? How about DE, where Hugh Douglas has retired, leaving a pretty good hole in the roster? If Boston wants to stay on top, they will need to replace both Douglas and LB London Fletcher, who we expect to sign elsewhere in free agency.
Positions of Need: SS, DE, FS, FB, G
Best T-Draft Prospect: DE O’Brien Schofield of Wisconsin may be a good pickup in the T-Draft, where Boston has no true Blue Chip options.
Player to Target: To solve a gap at strong safety, Boston should consider either Oakland free agent Pearson Prioleau or a rookie like Texas’s Earl Thomas.
OAKLAND INVADERS
Biggest Offseason Question: While many fans might think the potential loss of Plaxico Burress to NFL suspension (or jail time) is the biggest issue for Oakland, we think it is the potential loss of two key defenders to free agency that is the bigger issue. Both SS Pearson Prioleau and LB Roosevelt Colvin are testing the waters, and if both leave, that is a big concern for Dennis Green’s defense.
Positions of Need: LB, DT, SS, FB
Best T-Draft Prospect: Oakland is pretty solid at halfback, but with Jahvid Best and Ryan Matthews both potential T-Draft picks, they could be tempted. If not, then DT Tyson Alualu from Cal is the strongest candidate for the Invaders.
Player to Target: If the do lose Roosevelt Colvin, we would expect Oakland to look to sign either James Farrior from Baltimore or Paul Posluszny from the Stars.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
Biggest Offseason Question: The Panthers have some major defensive departures with Shawne Merriman (Free Agency), Eric Flowers (Free Agency) and Leonard Renfro (Retirement) potentially gone. Do they prioritize the LB group again or do they try to add more “oomphf” to the D-line?
Positions of Need: OT, DT, LB, G, DE
Best T-Draft Prospect: Wolverine DE Brandon Graham seems a great fit for this Panther team, and the best prospect emerging from Michigan, MSU, or Central Michigan this year.
Player to Target: Defensive Tackle is an area of known need, so how about having the Panthers, who have a pretty tight cap, going for a top flight rookie like Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy or Tyson Alualu?
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
Biggest Offseason Question: Is New Orleans happy with Matt Forte taking on the full load at HB, or will they go after a back to keep their tandem approach in place? With Antowain Smith the best of a pretty weak free agent pool, we could see New Orleans test the water with LaDainian Tomlinson if he is there in September.
Positions of Need: HB, C, CB, LB, WR, DT
Best T-Draft Prospect: DT D’Anthony Smith of La Tech is an intriguing prospect, and WR Brandon LaFell of LSU could also be a good compliment to the Breaker receiving corps.
Player to Target: If not Tomlinson, then what about a versatile rookie back like C. J. Spiller or Jahvid Best?
DENVER GOLD
Biggest Offseason Question: It looks like the Gold are going to lose Kendrell Bell to free agency, which means they need an aggressive and fast outside LB to fill that slot. Is there one in free agency? If not, what does Denver do to get in position to find a top LB in the draft?
Positions of Need: LB, SS, HB, FB, G, WR
Best T-Draft Prospect: Denver has first dibs on Ndamukong Suh. Do they pull the trigger or let the likely high-priced DT go in favor of a more affordable option like Cornhusker safety Larry Asante or TCU end Jerry Hughes?
Player to Target: If LB is a need, and it looks like it is, we think Denver goes cheap in the T-Draft to have the funds needed to land either Shawne Merriman or Alabama rookie Rolando McClain.
CHICAGO MACHINE
Biggest Offseason Question: If Ted Washington retires, is Chicago happy enough with Ellis Wyms and Kris Jenkins in that position:? We think the answer will be no.
Positions of Need: G, SS, DT, OT, LB, CB
Best T-Draft Prospect: Wideout does not seem to be a position of great need, but can Chicago really pass up both Aurelius Benn and Golden Tate? We already know they are not going to protect Jimmy Clausen, the Notre Dame QB, but will they pass on two top flight receivers?
Player to Target: Chicago has a need at safety, and there is a perfect fit among NFL free agents, one we think the Machine could possibly snag, Saints strong safety Darren Sharper would excel in the Machine system.
BALTIMORE BLITZ
Biggest Offseason Question: The cap is a huge issue for the Blitz. The big question now is whether or not they can find room to sign either LB James Farrior or DE Jared Allen? Could both be lost, and who could they afford to replace them with?
Positions of Need: LB, DE, CB, QB, WR
Best T-Draft Prospect: The Blitz never get a lot of bang for their buck from Maryland, Kentucky, and Louisville, but this year they could get a decent cornerback in UK’s Trevard Lindley.
Player to Target: Cap space could force Baltimore to look for some lower cost replacements for top players. If Farrior goes, the discount version is likely either Scott Fujita or Bart Scott. If it is Allen, then perhaps Eric Flowers or Tim Crowder could provide some quality at a lower cost.
ORLANDO RENEGADES
Biggest Offseason Question: After resigning Michael Jenkins, can the Renegades build a receiving corps around him? There just are not great targets for Drew Brees outside of Jenkins and TE Greg Olsen. With Dante Stallworth and Brandon Stokely gone, the time is now to build up a deeper and more varied receiving group.
Positions of Need: WR, G, LB, C, FS, CB
Best T-Draft Prospect: The “U” stands for “usually provides talent” for the Renegades, and this year there is some real talent in TE Jimmy Graham, but that is not a position the ‘Gades need. We think they look at linebacker Darryl Sharpton instead.
Player to Target: Looking at the WR need, there are some good options, ranging from Terrell Owens to Joe Horn, Santana Moss, Dez White, or Eddie Kennison.
PHILADELPHIA STARS
Biggest Offseason Question: Losing guard Flozell Adams to retirement hurts, but so too are the potential losses of LB Paul Posluszny and WR Terrell Owens. While the big question may well be “How did Philly get in such a cap crunch that they could not sign these guys?” the real issue is how do the rebuild from big losses like these three.
Positions of Need: T, G, WR, LB, FS
Best T-Draft Prospect: Penn State is Linebacker U, and they have two potential fits for the Stars in Sean Lee and NaVorro Bowman. Lee is the closest in skillset to Posluszny, but Bowman may have more upside.
Player to Target: Not a lot of cap room for the Stars to think of big signings, not unless they reconfigure some contracts, but guards tend not to be higher cost players, so it might be possible to replace Adams with someone like Sciulo, Friedman, or Genarro DiNapoli.
NASHVILLE KNIGHTS
Biggest Offseason Question: Fans are asking if this is the year Cutler turns potential into points on the scoreboard. Nashville just does not have enough to support Cutler and Frank Gore. They need more options in the passing game and maybe a solid change of pace back as well.
Positions of Need: CB, FS, G, SS, WR, HB
Best T-Draft Prospect: Safety Eric Berry from Tennessee would be nice, but we love the idea of Ole Miss’s Dexter McCluster as a back/receiver hybrid in the Nashville offense.
Player to Target: McCluster would be a great get, but for the defense, how about the best corner available, former Machine #1 Al Harris. Yes, he is 32, but he still has the speed and savvy to shut down some of the league’s best receivers.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
Biggest Offseason Question: How do the Feds replace Kordell Stewart? We don’t think the answer is on the Washington roster right now, so do they make a bid on Jake Delhomme and then look ahead to the QB-rich 2011 draft for a long term answer?
Positions of Need: QB, DT, WR, CB, DE
Best T-Draft Prospect: We don’t see the Feds solving their QB issue in the draft, but cornerback is a position with two strong territorial options, Chris Cook of Virginia and Brandon Ghee of Wake Forest.
Player to Target: Let’s assume that Jake Delhomme is not an option. Of all the free agent QBs out there, the best fit for Washington is either David Garrard or Henry Burris. Boy, that feels like a step down either way.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
Biggest Offseason Question: The big question Gambler fans are asking is if Houston still has a shot to resign Richard Seymour. His departure in free agency would be a big loss for the Houston D. If they cannot get Seymour back in Gambler gear, they will have some big shoes to fill (honestly, very literally big shoes).
Positions of Need: DT, LB, G, DE, CB, FB
Best T-Draft Prospect: TCU could provide the Gamblers with players in two key positions, with Jerry Hughes as an edge rushing DE and Daryl Washington as a possible LB replacement for Sam Cowart.
Player to Target: With guard Chris Noale retiring, the Gamblers should be eying free agents like Steve Sciulo or Lennie Friedman to try to maintain the protection that Matt Hasselbeck needs to be effective.
PORTLAND STAGS
Biggest Offseason Question: Other than “Is this club ready to truly compete?” the other big question for the Stags is whether they can pick up a true playmaker in the offseason. Portland’s offense is solid but lacks explosiveness, so a dynamic wideout or 3rd down back could be a difference maker.
Positions of Need: G, FS, CB, TE, LB, WR
Best T-Draft Prospect: Not a great year for prospects out of Oregon, Oregon State or Boise State. The best option is likely Boise’s Kyle Wilson at corner, which is a position of need. They are also looking for a safety, so Oregon’s T. J. Ward could be an option.
Player to Target: The most explosive receiver in the free agent pool is Santana Moss, or the Stags could go for the gold and try to land LaDainian Tomlinson, but that does seem a stretch.
OHIO GLORY
Biggest Offseason Question: What is the future without Kerry Collins? That is the one and only question on the lips of Ohioans across the state. Do the Glory make a deal for veteran QB Jake Delhomme, or do they stand with Chris Redman this year in hopes of finding a gem in the 2011 draft?
Positions of Need: QB, DE, CB, T, G, C
Best T-Draft Prospect: The annual Ohio State pipeline is looking a bit dry this year. No All-Americans in the 2010 grad class,but we could see DE Thaddeus Gibson being a useful signing and the Glory could go after Cincinnati QB Tony Pike as a possible developmental player.
Player to Target: Honestly, Delhomme makes a lot of sense for the Glory. He plays in some similar ways to Collins and could give the core group one to two years of life before Galloway and George call it a career and the full rebuild begins.
SEATTLE DRAGONS
Biggest Offseason Question: How do you replace a potential Hall of Fame running back? With Dillon gone, and neither Betts nor Sproles a true lead back, Seattle has to start looking for options. Is that Antowain Smith? Fred Jackson? Maybe a rookie with upside like Ryan Matthews or Auburn’s Ben Tate?
Positions of Need: HB, WR, SS, CB, LB
Best T-Draft Prospect: A bad prospect year for Seattle, with very few Huskies or Cougars of any note. Safety Shann Schillinger of Montana is a developmental option, but has physical skills in a position of need.
Player to Target: We think the Dragons may be a player in either the Tomlinson or Antowain Smith chases. Either that or they may need to move up in the draft to try to land a quality rookie at halfback.
CHARLOTTE MONARCHS
Biggest Offseason Question: Can the Monarchs build an offense to help take some pressure off their D? What that means depends who you ask. Some feel that Weinke is just not good enough at QB. Others think improving the line would help the run and passing attacks, while others look at the receivers and just don’t see enough to compete.
Positions of Need: HB, WR, G, LB, TE, T
Best T-Draft Prospect: The obvious choice for the Monarchs is one of the two UNC D-linemen, end E. J. Wilson or tackle Cam Thomas, but neither of these would help that offense get any better.
Player to Target: HB Fred Jackson would be a good addition to split time with Robert Edwards, but another option would be to find a new TE and the perfect fit might be Wrangler TE Kevin Everett, who can block well in the run game and is an effective inside receiver.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
Biggest Offseason Question: We all know TE is a huge position, and we expect the Maulers to go after options in both free agency and the draft, but we are also wondering if it is time for Pat White to step up. Pickett started 2009 strong, but faded hard down in the second half. There are a lot of grumblings from Mauler fans that Ron Rivera did not give Pat White a shot. Is 2010 when we see him get that chance?
Positions of Need: TE, DE, G, CB, T, WR
Best T-Draft Prospect: Pitt has two tight ends ready for the draft, but neither Nate Byham nor Dorin Dickeron are ready to start in the USFL. We still think the Maulers will select one or both of them, but they will need another option as well.
Player to Target: We don’t see Orlando protecting U. of Miami TE Jimmy Graham, so this could be a perfect player for the Maulers to pursue.
ATLANTA FIRE
Biggest Offseason Question: The defense seemed ready for prime time last year, and Kyle Orton got better over the year, so now the big question is whether or not Coach Ramsey is happy with a pretty middle-of-the-road receiving group. There is some real talent in free agency. Do they go get a true #1?
Positions of Need: WR, C, T, P
Best T-Draft Prospect: The T-Draft and the U. of Georgia may help Coach Ramsey find his #1 wideout. Bulldog Demaryius Thomas is viewed as a surefire 1st round pick, so if Atlanta can convince him to come to the USFL, he could very quickly take on a big role for them.
Player to Target: If the fire don’t want to wait for the draft to deal with the WR situation, the clear option is Terrell Owens, who certainly brings #1 receiver swagger to the game.
LAS VEGAS THUNDER
Biggest Offseason Question: Can June Jones’s offense work in Las Vegas without major WR upgrades? Hatchette, Ponder, and Hill are just not textbook Run & Shoot receivers, who tend to be shorter, quicker, and more explosive.
Positions of Need: WR, DE, T, SS, CB, K
Best T-Draft Prospect: Utah’s Koa Misi is a likely target of the Thunder. The Samoan edge rusher is a pure power guy, but that is good for a defense that already has Erasmus James on the other side.
Player to Target: Las Vegas could look at rookie receiver options, but most are also taller, more traditional outside guys. They may find more luck going after some mid-range free agents like Az-Zahir Hakeem, MarTay Jenkins, Troy Williamson, or Jabar Gaffney.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
Biggest Offseason Question: The big question we are all asking is what impact Norv Turner will have on the Arizona offense. There are pretty big questions at QB, where there is likely a battle between NFL import David Carr and youngster Colt Brennan, and at halfback after Sedrick Irvin’s departure. Santana Moss is also likely gone, as is TE Kevin Everett, so there is a major opportunity for Turner to build an offense around a very different roster.
Positions of Need: TE, WR, HB, DT, LB, T
Best T-Draft Prospect: We love the idea of Arizona Wildcat TE Rob Gronkowski joining a Norv Turner offense. He could be a major factor regardless of who starts at QB for the Wranglers.
Player to Target: If Arizona does not get immediately involved in the LT and/or Antowain Smith sweepstakes, they are going to catch hell from their fans. A true bell cow back would make life a lot easier for Norv Turner and the QB he selects.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
Biggest Offseason Question: It is very possible that the Bandits could lose three major players on defense with La’Roi Glover considering retirement and both Samari Rolle and Orpheus Roy in free agency. That will put pressure on the Bandits to go heavy on defense this offseason, but they also need some depth at wide receiver.
Positions of Need: CB, DT, DE, WR, T, G
Best T-Draft Prospect: A very deep pool coming out of Florida and South Carolina this year, but when you look at areas of need, DE and CB seem the obvious focus areas, especially with the Gators providing two excellent options in DE Jason Pierre-Paul and corner Patrick Robinson.
Player to Target: Other than the two rookies we just named, one free agent who would help solidify the defense would be if Tampa Bay could find the funds to land former Houston DT Richard Seymour, a perennial All-USFL nominee.
TEXAS OUTLAWS
Biggest Offseason Question: The Outlaws return home to San Antonio after a triumphant stay in Dallas, well, as triumphant as a 5-9 club can have. So the question for this offseason is whether or not the Outlaws can take the step everyone expected them to take last year. Norv Turner is gone, and we don’t know which direction the Outlaws will go with their new coach, but he had better be able to help develop Joe Flacco into a legitimate offensive weapon or Texas will simply continue to put out disappointing seasons.
Positions of Need: DE, T, TE, DT, WR, HB
Best T-Draft Prospect: Texas is providing two solid options at DE in Sergio Kindle and Lamarr Houston, expect Texas to scout both and draft one of the two.
Player to Target: The Outlaws have decent cap space, so they could be a real player in the DE and DT markets. Jared Allen, Andrew Wadsworth, Richard Seymour, and Anthony McFarland could all be in play for them.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
Biggest Offseason Question: Who will be the new coach in LA and what kind of changes will they bring? The Express have some serious talent across the roster, but they just don’t seem to be able to put it all together. Whoever their new coach is, he will need to find a way to turn individual talent into team football.
Positions of Need: WR, T, G, K, P
Best T-Draft Prospect: This is one of those years where the strengths of the UCLA and USC prospects do not align well with the needs of the Express. Safety Taylor Mays is a great prospect, but not when you have Troy Polamalu sitting in his natural position. WR Damian Williams is not as polished as LA would like for a #2, but could still be a player to watch.
Player to Target: Protecting Mark Sanchez and finding him a 2nd go to receiver seem keys for the offseason, so how about trying to double dip on lT Matt Willig (MGN) and wideout Joe Horn, a veteran presence who would be a good complement to Keyshawn. We are assuming that Jonathan Ogden does retire, and even if he doesn’t, why not prepare for that eventuality now?
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Biggest Offseason Question: With a shaky QB situation, no run game, and now Joe Horn leaving, what offensive options do the Stallions have? Which positions do they prioritize? Can they afford to get enough help to make a difference?
Positions of Need: WR, HB, C, TE, LB, G
Best T-Draft Prospect: A lot of defensive talent available for Birmingham in Alabama’s Rolando McClain, Kareem Jackson, and Terrance Cody, but where is the offensive help?
Player to Target: The Stallions cannot go into the year with Dante Do and Dedrick Ward as their top 2 receivers. The Stallions should be exploring every WR option, and, if they can get a shot at LaDainian Tomlinson, they should be putting energy there too.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
Biggest Offseason Question: What do we do now that the 3-year Brett Favre revival has ended? Mike McMahon did not fare well when Favre went down, which is why he is now a free agent. Is another vet like Delhomme the answer, or does Memphis take a shot at a somewhat raw, but high upside prospect like a Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy?
Positions of Need: QB, DT, CB, LB, HB
Best T-Draft Prospect: Just no help at all for the Showboats in this year’s very small and unimpressive pool of Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Memphis prospects. Guard Mitch Petrus is a safe bet, but even he is still only considered a mid-round prospect.
Player to Target: We would expect Memphis to be a major player in talks with the Bulls about Jake Delhomme. We don’t see Jim Haslett trying to groom a rookie QB, and Delhomme is the most plug-and-play option out there.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
Biggest Offseason Question: Can the Generals lock up Sam Bradford from their T-Draft? That is all anyone wants to know. Ryan Fitzpatrick was pretty capable last year, but could not produce wins, and fans in New Jersey are salivating at the prospect of nabbing a potential Heisman winner at QB.
Positions of Need: QB, LB, T, CB, DE, K
Best T-Draft Prospect: It’s all about Bradford, but the Generals should not pass on his teammate Trent Williams either, a pro-ready LT who could absolutely help keep Bradford (or Fitzpatrick) on the field.
Player to Target: In addition to the T-Draft options, New Jersey should invest in a pair of linebackers to fill out their LB group. How about throwing some money at James Farrior, London Fletcher, or Paul Posluszny to become the new defensive signal caller?
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Biggest Offseason Question: Fans are wondering why the urgency to trade Delhomme, one of the more consistent Bull performers. If both he and Antowain Smith are gone, what is left? There are a lot of questions, but honestly, if the Bulls can land Tim Tebow, you know the stadium will be rocking for the Bulls, and that may be enough this year.
Positions of Need: QB, HB, CB, DE, C, TE
Best T-Draft Prospect: Tebow-mania is real. He is by no means a conventional QB, so Coach Frazier will have his hands full trying to figure out how to use him, but first the Bulls need to convince the UF star to stay close to home.
Player to Target: The Bulls will need a halfback, regardless of what happens with Tebow. C. J. Spller is another T-Draft target, but that is one expensive duo to bring in. Another option might be to promote Lorenzo Booker up to a rotation with a less expensive 2nd option like Domenic Rhodes or Michael Robinson.
ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS
Biggest Offseason Question: Fifth year and third head coach for the Skyhawks. Can Bruce Arians get this right? Josh Freeman seems to be a true option at QB, but there are so many other needs on this club, the real question is “Where do we start?”. Everywhere is the answer, but it is not a viable one.
Positions of Need: HB, DT, T, DE, TE, LB, SS, CB
Best T-Draft Prospect: St. Louis may arguably have the weakest T-Draft options of any club with Iowa, Missouri, and K-State, but there are at least some decent prospects from the Hawkeye state this year. TE Tony Moeaki and LB Pat Angerer are solid options, but the #1 target should be LT Bryan Bulaga because without better protection, Josh Freeman will not have success (or a long career.)
Player to Target: Other than the Iowa trio mentioned above, the Skyhawks need a halfback who can truly take the pressure off the passing game. That could be a rookie like Ryan Matthews, Toby Gerhart or Ben Tate, but they should also consider Antowain Smith as a serious option. He is the kind of grinder St. Louis needs in order to keep drives moving.
When we next check in on the USFL, we will take a look back at all the big free agency signings, both within the USFL and the transfer window. We will look at the players protected in the T-Draft and do our best to predict the first round of the open draft. We will also catch up with any new coaching hires, big trades, or late retirements. For now, we sign off and turn our attention to the upcoming NFL season, but we will be back In January to once again turn our sights on the USFL and draft season.