Even at only 14 weeks, the USFL season is a long one and teams that seemed unbeatable early on may fade over the long haul, others, who did not have their ducks in a row when action kicked off in March are gaining confidence and becoming more dangerous as we hit June. That is the way every season and it is no different this year, as Week 12 proved. Clubs like Houston, Charlotte, and Pittsburgh are running out of gas while others like Seattle, Boston, New Orleans and Portland seem to be peaking at just the right time. Even clubs with little playoff hope like Atlanta are proving that they are on the right path as they string together wins down the stretch. This week’s results showed us that dichotomy, particularly as some upsets sent home the message that the 2009 season is not yet done and that every team has its own internal motivations, some running on fumes and others fully energized down the home stretch.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS 17 HOUSTON GAMBLERS 13
As tempted as we were to highlight the Washington-Baltimore overtime game, we also recognize that sometimes we show a bit of East Coast bias, with our headquarters here in New York, so we decided instead to go with a game that was a defensive battle, with a couple of big moments, and which might very well prove very impactful for the playoff and division race in the West.
In Fox’s “Game of the Week” on Sunday afternoon Houston came in a significant 7-point favorite. The Gamblers were a game behind Denver for first in the Southwest, playing at home, and were facing a Wrangler squad that had lost faith in their NFL import QB and had handed the reins over to a 2nd year mid-round draft pick out of Hawaii, Colt Brennan. Brennan, who had started 2 games at the end of 2008 without throwing a TD, was back under center after a largely uninspiring 20-10 loss to Memphis the week before. Both the Vegas bookmakers and the Fox broadcast team of Chris Myers and former USFL QB Trent Green were finding little to get excited about in either Brennan or the 3-8 Wranglers, focusing most of their attention on the Gamblers and their quest for a third straight SW Division title.
The game began tentatively, with Houston’s 5th ranked defense and Arizona’s 20th ranked D both holding their own against the opposing offenses. Both teams struggled to put together more than 1 first down in 5 short first quarter drives that did not bring either team into field goal range. As the quarter wound down, Houston was having its best drive of the game, with Tatum Bell hitting on a 13-yard run, and Hasselbeck finding Roy Williams on an 11-yard toss to finally get the Gamblers into scoring range. The 2nd quarter kicked off with the first score of the game as Houston got the ball inside the 5, thanks to an Arizona roughing the passer call on Kimo Von Oelhoffen. From there Kevin Faulk took a toss, found a crease on the left side, and dove into the endzone to give the Gamblers a 7-0 lead.
The Houston score prompted Arizona to shift its strategy. No longer content to play the field position game, they started mixing things up a bit. Rather than hand the ball to Sedrick Irvin as they had on their first 3 drives, Colt Brennan threw the ball on two consecutive first downs, connecting with TE Kevin Everett and then WR Larry Fitzgerald to quickly get the ball into Houston territory. They also subbed in Ahmaad Galloway for Irvin on several plays, with Galloway the better receiver of the two. Galloway would have 3 of his 8 carries on the day on this drive, including his longest of the day, an 11-yarder that brought the ball into field goal range. When the drive stalled after a tipped ball on 3rd and 4, Arizona sent out Nick Folk and his 45-yarder put them on the scoreboard.
The Wrangler defense did its job on Houston’s next possession and shut down Matt Hasselbeck’s attempt to convert on a 3rd and 6, forcing a quick Houston punt. The Wranglers were set up on their own 31. After a good run by Irvin on first down (back to that call, apparently), the Wranglers faced a 2nd and 3, and got a bit creative. Brennan handed the ball to Irvin, who appeared to be headed towards a dive play off center, but then paused and tossed the ball back to Brennan. Santana Moss was in single coverage with the safety crashing to the line to stuff the run, and Brennan hit him with a looping bread basket toss that allowed the speedy receiver to catch the ball in stride and race away from the corner for the 63-yard TD strike.
It would be Brennan’s longest throw of the day, and a perfectly-timed misdirection play that put the Wranglers up 10-7 with only 1:52 left in the half. The play shocked the Houston crowd, and riled up the Wrangler bench. And while Houston would have an effective 2-minute drill drive that equalized the score at 10 apiece with a Dan Carpenter field goal, the touchdown gave Arizona an energy boost that they held onto for the rest of the game.
In the 2nd half, the Wrangler defense fed off the offense’s big play, sacking Matt Hasselbeck to effectively end both Gambler drives in the 3rd quarter. The first was a coverage sack for only a loss of 2, but good enough to force a Houston punt. The second was a nasty takedown, with Lance Briggs breaching the pocket unblocked on a 3rd and 7 and driving Matt Hasselbeck to the ground. The Wrangler offense was not able to take advantage during the quarter however, missing on a 4th and 2 play just on the fringe of field goal range on their deepest drive of the quarter.
When the 4th quarter began, the Houston offense finally got back into scoring range, but Hasselbeck missed on a throw to Ike Hilliard, and the Gamblers were forced to go for 3, taking a 13-10 lead just 2 minutes into the final period. With Denver having won their matchup with Texas the day before, Houston knew that a loss in this game would put them 2 games behind the Gold for the division title, and possibly ending their shot at the division. Denver had only LA and Arizona left on the schedule, while Houston would face the Pittsburgh Maulers before a finale against their rivals, the Outlaws. This game was pivotal for them to remain within 1 of the Gold.
None of that seemed to matter to the Wranglers, who sat at 3-8 and while not mathematically out of playoff contention, already knew that they would finish the year with a losing record. Arizona’s players were taking a different mindset, with every game down the stretch serving as an audition for a spot on Coach Tomsula’s roster next year. Tomsula had spoken about talent upgrades and roster shakeups in the weeks prior to this game, and his move away from David Carr to Brennan was a clear sign that no player was guaranteed a starting position or even a roster spot in 2010. Now, with Houston playing somewhat flat, and nothing to lose, the Wranglers saw an opportunity.
Down by 3, and with time running out, Colt Brennan and the Wrangler offense would have to make it happen on this drive. They started on their own 22, and got to work. A short pass to Kassim Osgood in the slot, a 4-yard grinding run by Irvin to pick up the initial first down. Going without a huddle, Brennan completed his next 2 passes, both for first downs, and then gave the ball to Galloway, who ran for 7 before going out of bounds. Arizona still had 2 time outs, but they played as if they had none, using the sideline and rushing to the line when necessary. They forced Houston to go without substitutions on several plays, and despite pressure from Kavika Pittman and Osi Umenyiura, Brennan stayed in the pocket and found receivers. After an offsides call against the Gamblers, Brennan hit on another nicely thrown ball, this time to Moss again, and the Wrangler receiver got the ball down to the Houston 9. Using their 2nd time out, Arizona began with 1st and 10 from the 9, well within range to tie the game, but with 44 seconds left to play, also within range to go for the win.
A handoff to Irvin got them only 3 yards, and they rushed to the line. A short toss to fullback LeRon McClain did not get them into the endzone, and they now faced 3rd and goal from the 4. They used their last time out with 22 seconds left, knowing that the next play had to be in the endzone or an incompletion to give them time to send Nick Folk out to tie the game. The Wranglers came out in a 2-TE, 1 back formation with Irvin in the backfield. Brennan got the snap, faked the handoff to Irvin, and rolled right. His second TE, James Casey, rolled with him, and Brennan put the ball on his hands just inside the endzone. Casey rolled to the ground but held on to the ball, and with 18 seconds to go, the Wranglers took the lead and the win.
Was this an instant classic? Well, no. But it was a game that demonstrated the power of belief and showcased the parity found in the USFL, where a team that had nothing to lose could upend a team that had everything to play for. With the loss, Houston drops to .500 and now has little hope to catch Denver for the SW Division title. They fall out of the Top 7 clubs in the West, meaning they now must fight just for a Wild Card spot, while Arizona, with the win, somehow remains alive for another week, and, perhaps most importantly, proves to themselves that they have some fight in them.
MEMPHIS 21 NEW ORLEANS 42
Favre goes down to injury again, removed from the game after only 1 pass attempt, and, accordingly, Memphis got smoked. Favre was tackled for a safety on the 2nd play of the game and that play took him out of action with a potential shoulder issue. Meanwhile the Breakers scored in almost every way you can, with the safety, an 80-yard punt return, and TDs from Fred Jackson, Early Doucet, and Kenny Irons.
TAMPA BAY 17 ATLANTA 24
The Bandits midseason rally seems to have faded hard as they drop another one. And, don’t look now, but Atlanta has now won 4 in a row for Coach Ramsey. Darren McFadden had a field day against the Bandits (missing Zeke Moreno at LB), rushing for 140 yards on only 18 carries. J. J. Arrington added another 39 and a score as Atlanta is making some noise.
PHILADELPHIA 20 PITTSBURGH 17
The Keystone Clash has lost some luster since the Maulers moved out of the NE (Atlantic) Division, but the two still know how to provide a good game. The Maulers picked off Kurt Warner 3 times in this one, but could not stop him from connecting with Steve Scott for 2 scores and the game winner.
JACKSONVILLE 30 CHARLOTTE 27
A bad home loss for the Monarchs, as their record drops to 6-6 and puts them outside the playoff qualifiers with only 2 weeks to go. Jacksonville got a pick-six from Corey Graham and a late Justin Medlock field goal to steal a win in Charlotte from a sloppy Monarch’s team that turned the ball over 3 times.
DENVER 31 TEXAS 6
Denver inched closer to locking up the SW Division with a big divisional win in Dallas. Javon Ringer had his best day as a pro, rushing for 144 yards and 2 scores against an outmanned Outlaw defense. Matt Leinart did go down in this one, and may miss the final weeks of the regular season, so it was certainly a bittersweet win for Coach Jauron and the Gold.
OAKLAND 36 LOS ANGELES 16
The California Derby has had a definitive Oakland tilt of late and this game is no different as the Invaders dominate their downstate rivals. Joey Harrington threw for 372 yards and three scores, including 2 to Greg Jennings and 1 to new TE Jeb Putzier as they took it to the Express, playing without Mark Sanchez.
SEATTLE 15 LAS VEGAS 10
Not the best game of the week, but one with lots of stories as Seattle wins their 5th in a row and now find themselves in playoff position. Las Vegas slips to 5-7 and Coach Glanville crossed a line (again), this time pulling on the facemask and striking WR Kahlil Hill after a bobbled ball turned into a fumble recovered by Seattle. Glanville has since been suspended due to the incident. And, with a club on the downslide, more may be on the way for the overheated head coach.
OHIO 6 MICHIGAN 26
A bad week for Ohio as Michigan dominates the border rivalry. Randy Moss caught 7 balls for 122 yards, but still blew up about the team’s performance in post-game. Michigan was outgained by Ohio by nearly 100 yards, but was far better at making plays that led to points, building up a 17-3 halftime lead and then keeping the pressure on all game.
NEW JERSEY 15 BOSTON 34
Bledsoe and Johnson just exploded against the New Jersey defense, with the QB throwing for 386 yards and 4 touchdowns, and the league’s best receiver catching 5 balls, 3 for scores and averaging 37 yards per reception as big play came after big play. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Cannons, who now set their eyes on Washington and a possible division title.
BIRMINGHAM 9 NASHVILLE 13
The Knights continue to struggle on offense, but got 102 yards and a vital TD from Frank Gore to avoid the divisional upset from the Stallions. Neither team surpassed 300 yards of total offense as this game was just a sluggish mess on a hot, humid day in the Music City.
ST. LOUIS 10 CHICAGO 13
Chicago also struggled offensively, with Brady Quinn picked off twice, but they hang on thanks to a late Maurice Clarett TD that helped them avoid a major upset on their way to their 8th win of the year. St. Louis was in this game despite rushing for a ridiculous total of -15 yards on the day. Most of that was Josh Freeman getting stuffed on QB runs, but Larry Johnson’s total of 5 rushing yards did not help either.
ORLANDO 24 PORTLAND 34
Brees returned to action this week but struggled against Portland’s defense, throwing two picks. Meanwhile, A. J. Feeley had a strong game despite being sacked 5 times (once by Calais Campbell, giving him the league record with 30 sacks on the year). Despite the pressure, Feeley went 23 for 28 for 324 yards and 3 scores as Portland moved to 7-5 and gave themselves a very good shot at their first playoff appearance.
WASHINGTON 23 BALTIMORE 20 OVERTIME
In what could have easily been our game of the week, Washington and Baltimore battled into extra time before a Doug Pelfrey 40-yarder settled this rivalry game. Kordell Stewart threw for 2 scores and Deuce McCallister rushed for 122 as Washington edged the Blitz in overtime. Ron Dayne led the Blitz with 124 yards on the ground, while a late Roethlisberger to Heyward-Bey TD sent the game to overtime, only for the Feds to pull out the win and take over first place in the NE Division in the end.
Campbell Sets Sack Record
It was not his most dominant game (5 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack), but it was a memorable game for 2nd year DE Calais Campbell as a 3rd quarter wrap up of A. J. Feeley set a new league record with Campbell’s 30th sack of the season. A truly amazing number, to be sure, and completing it in only 12 games makes the record even more impressive. The past two games have not been easy for Campbell.
Following a 5-sack showcase against Brett Favre and the Showboats, both Atlanta and Portland have demonstrated that using a 3rd OT as an eligible receiver (essentially a TE) was a good strategy to contain Campbell even if it gave the offense one less actual receiving threat. The strategy, first showcased by the Fire, has held Campbell to only 2 sacks in 2 games, frustrating the big man with double team blocking while not pulling away guards from the task of containing DT Albert Haynesworth. Campbell should expect to see much the same the rest of the way, as once a formula works, everyone imitates it until it doesn’t.
But, even with the frustration the new strategy creates for the Orlando end, it did not keep him from setting the record, held earlier by former Renegade great Chris Doleman. With two games left to play, both home matchups (Boston and Jacksonville), Campbell has a chance to push the record even higher, bolstered by an adoring home crowd which has helped to make his black and royal jersey one of the league’s best-selling.
Glanville Suspended After Another Sideline Blowup
Yell all you want, even at your own players and coaches, but do not get physical. That is a pretty well-known parameter in pro sports, but one that a frustrated and flailing Jerry Glanville simply cannot seem to keep straight. Once again the fiery head coach is in hot water for striking out physically. Earlier in his career with Tampa Bay, it was a sideline issue with one of his coaches. This time it was an incident with wideout Kahlil Hill on the sideline, one that, while causing no injury to the heavily padded Hill, clearly crossed a line. Glanville was suspended from the sideline for the next game against Arizona, Las Vegas’s last home game. The team announced the initial suspension, but it was strengthened by the league who required that Glanville not only be kept from the sideline, but not be present at the game at all, removing the option of having him lead the team from the coordinator’s booth.
Since the argumentative Glanville also calls the defense, that puts LB Coach Robert Gooch in a tough spot, having to take on the DC duties, while OC Charlie Joiner will serve as the 1-game interim coach on the sideline instead of in the booth. The blow-up, and the suspension derived from a dropped ball by Hill on a critical 3rd down in Las Vegas’s 15-10 home loss to Seattle.
The loss put the Thunder at 5-7 and in serious risk of a losing season and another year without a playoff appearance. General consensus is that failure to reach the postseason this year will very likely lead to Glanville being replaced as the head coach. The Thunder have been on the cusp of the playoffs for several years now but always seem to fall short. Once again they were viewed as a potential contender in the Pacific, especially after making a huge commitment in future draft capital to land QB Jake Plummer. Plummer has not been what Thunder fans expected, a white knight riding in to save the team from its offensive incompetence, and the Thunder are not looking like the dominant squad many Thunder faithful hoped would easily shoot to the top of the standings. Instead they look like the same old squad, solid on defense but unable to win the close games needed to allow a defensive-minded team to make a run at a title. Now, both the season and Glanville’s tenure with the Thunder are outside of his control, and his position may well depend on the players rallying to his defense with a win next week, a win Jerry Glanville would have to watch on TV.
Seattle Wins 5th in a Row and Is In Playoff Position
While the game against Las Vegas was most noteworthy for Jerry Glanville’s tantrum on the sideline, it should not be lost on us that the win by the Dragons marks their 5th in a row, and that this win puts them in 7th place in the West, a playoff position this year. Once again it appears that a miserable first month of the season could still be salvaged as Seattle could come back not only from an 0-4 start, but from a 1-6 first half of the year, to still make a playoff appearance. Seattle’s path is not the easiest, with a big game against another 6-6 playoff hopefull, Ohio, this week and a season finale on the road, across the country in Tampa Bay in Week 14. However, if the Dragons can pull out two more wins, they would finish at 8-6, a stunning comeback from a 1-6 start and very likely a playoff-eligible final record.
As much as we want to question how Marvin Lewis is getting his team prepared during the offseason, and why they sputter so badly to start the year, we have to be impressed by his ability to rally the Dragons and get such good results in the final half of the season. If he could just get two halves of a year together, this Dragon squad could easily be a top seed and actually get some home playoff games, instead of having to run a gauntlet of road games to reach a Summer Bowl, as they did in 2005.
Houston and Baltimore Both Lose 3rd Straight
With losses this week, both Houston and Baltimore are looking like teams in trouble. Both have lost three in a row, with Baltimore blowing a 2-game lead in the NE Division and Houston falling 2 games behind Denver in the Southwest, with a real chance to miss the playoffs entirely. So what seems to be the problem for both?
For Houston, the issues stem from the injury to Shaun Alexander. Without their leading rusher available, the Gambler offense has struggled. The Gamblers 13 points in this week’s loss to Arizona marks the most they have scored in the 3-week slide, putting up only 10 against Michigan and 7 against New Orleans the prior two weeks. Not known as a high-flying team with Alexander, the Gamblers have the 22nd rated pass attack, and that does not improve when you cannot draw in defenders with the threat of the run. With Alexander out, Houston needs to find a way to recalibrate their offense around the pass and the use of Kevin Faulk as a dual purpose back. And they had better do so quickly if they don’t want to be on the outside looking in when playoff time comes around.
For Baltimore the issues are not as obvioius. They have fallen to three solid clubs in Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, and Washington, and in each case they have scored exactly 20 points each time, but gave u 30, 24, and 23, losing the last two games by a single possession. There is no clear issue at play with the Blitz, no major injury to point to that has taken away a key player. They just are not making enough plays to win. Ron Dayne is over 1,000 yards and his production has not slumped. Ben Roethlisberger is still producing the plays he has all year, but not producing the big plays that lead to big first downs or points on the board. The Blitz are still very much in the playoff race at 8-4, but coming from an 8-1 position that had them as the #1 seed, and now sitting down at #4, they need to finish strong. They face a road trip to Jacksonville this week, certainly a winnable game, before a tough season finale in Boston against the Cannons, who are also 8-4 and would love to leapfrog over Baltimore. With two weeks left, the time is now for the Blitz to rediscover their winning formula and make a move.
A big week for playoff clinching results in the East, with 5 of 7 spots now claimed. Washington took over not only 1st place in the NE Division with their overtime win in Baltimore, but also now becomes the #1 seed in the conference, with 4 teams all 1-game back. Orlando, Nashville, Baltimore and Boston also clinch at least a Wild Card spot with 2 weeks left to make a move upward. In the West, Chicago’s narrow win over St. Louis also books them a ticket to the postseason.
Believe it or not, Arizona, at 4-8 is still mathematically alive for a playoff spot, something Texas, LA, Birmingham, and New Jersey can no longer say, as all 4 joined the Skyhawks, Bulls, and Showboats in the club of mathematically eliminated teams.
Right now Seattle is in the 7th position and controls their own destiny, but Ohio and Houston are right there at 6-6 as well. In the East, New Orleans has the final spot at 7-5, but Charlotte is only 1 game back. Atlanta, winners of 4 in a row is 2 games back, so their late surge may be just a little too late. Denver, despite a 2-game lead with 2 to play has yet to officially win the SW Division, but a win next week, or a Houston loss, and they will wrap up the division title as well. Michigan has a 2-game lead in the Central, so they are in a similar boat, 1 more win or a loss by Chicago and they are the Central champ.
It is almost a cruel irony, that as we come closer to the close of the season, the wear and tear of 14 weeks of football starts to accelerate the injury risk rather than winding it down. We saw 8 players join the ranks of IR this week, many on playoff hopefuls, by far our worst week of the year. Just as teams are gearing up for the playoffs or winding down for the offseason we see a rash of significant injuries which will spill over into both the offseason and the postseason.
Among playoff contenders we saw Ohio put OT Winston Justice on IR with a significant groin injury. Orlando added SS Atari Bigby with a compound fracture in his left foot. They also lost LB Will overstreet to a knee injury. Nashville lost WR Derrick Mason to an ACL injury that could require he miss part of training camp next spring, while Portland put WR Roddy White on IR with an MCL injury. Pittsburgh did not avoid the bug, with their best corner, Patrick Surtain, lost to a knee injury (not ACL or MCL, but meniscus). While not in playoff contention, New Jersey’s long season will conclude without either safety Bob Sanders or LB Donterrious Thomas on the field as both have been added to IR this week.
While not IR placements, we should also note that Texas will finish the 2009 campaign without Joe Flacco, who suffered 2 cracked ribs this week and will be replaced by Sage Rosenfels for the season’s final 2 games. Washington will finish the regular season with Eddie Kennison out of action, but the receiver could be back as soon as the divisional round.
Free Agency Round Up
The past few weeks have seen pretty much every team in the league get serious about resigning their stars and locking in playmakers before their contracts expire and they become free agents. Some are holding out, looking at free agency as a chance to cash in on their value or even to jump to the NFL, but many of the biggest names in the league have resigned and set themselves up well for the future with multiple year, multi-million contract. Here, as we reach less than a month from at least half of the league’s teams seeing their players eligible for free agency, is our rundown of the key signings and unsigned players for each club.
ARIZONA
Key Signings: LB Karlos Dansby, FB LeRon McClain, QB Jim Sorgi
Still Unsigned: CB Ray Crockett, WR Santana Moss, HB Ahmaad Galloway
Outlook: Moss feels like a player hoping to cash in on free agency, Crockett may be leaning towards retirement.
ATLANTA
Key Signings: LB Na’il Diggs, HB J. J. Arrington
Still Unsigned: C Jim Pyne, DE Andre Wadsworth, QB David Garrard
Outlook: Wadsworth should be the priority as we expect Garrard to be allowed to go.
BALTIMORE Key Signings: QB Ben Roethlisberger, SS Adam Archuleta
Still Unsigned: LB James Farrior, DE Jared Allen, CB Tyrone Bell
Outlook: That is a lot of defensive talent, and not much cap room to resign them.
BIRMINGHAM
Key Signings: DE Mike Rucker, OT Jef Backus
Still Unsigned: WR Joe Horn, G Steve Sciulo, TE O.J. Santiago
Outlook: Resigning Rucker was key. Horn should be next if he's not planning to retire.
BOSTON
Key Signings: LB Chris Claiborne, DE C. J. Mosley, TE James Whalen
Still Unsigned: QB Adrian McPherson, LB London Fletcher
Outlook: McPherson has to be job 1 as we all know Bledsoe is retiring after this year.
CHARLOTTE Key Signings: DE Julius Peppers, CB Carlos Rogers, CB Nnambi Asomugha
Still Unsigned: TE Dan Campbell, WR Az-Zahir Hakeem, G Chester Pitts, LB Scott Fujita
Outlook: Charlotte emphasizes the D with its personnel. But will they let Campbell go?
CHICAGO
Key Signings: LB Tommy Polley, CB Marlin Jackson, TE Anthony Fasano
Still Unsigned: G Sean Mahan, G Solomon Page, CB Al Harris
Outlook: Which guard is Chicago's priority, because they are unlikely to ink both.
DENVER
Key Signings: FS Jamel Williams, WR Peerless Price, DT Montae Reager
Still Unsigned: LB Kendrell Bell, SS Dexter Jackson
Outlook: Bell may test the FA waters, but Price was in that boat too and signed anyway.
HOUSTON
Key Signings: HB Shaun Alexander, CB Ronde Barber, WR Roy Williams
Still Unsigned: DT Richard Seymour, LB Sam Cowart
Outlook: Houston did well resigning three top targets, but Seymour is still a holdout.
JACKSONVILLE
Key Signings: TE Jason Whitten, DT Broderick Bunkley
Still Unsigned: FB Madison Hedgecock, HB Antowain Smith, CB Corey Graham
Outlook: We expect a new coaching staff in Jacksonville, and they may well have different priorities, especially at key positions like HB.
LAS VEGAS
Key Signings: G Chris Liwienski, DT Haloti Ngata, WR Kahlil Hill
Still Unsigned: OT Robert Hicks, TE Ben Hartsook, WR Troy Williamson
Outlook: Vegas could also very easily have a new head coach for 2010, so perhaps the offense gets a bit more attention?
LOS ANGELES
Key Signings: G Alan Faneca, HB Maurice Morris
Still Unsigned: OT Jonathan Ogden, WR Dez White, FS Darnell Bing
Outlook: Ogden is likely to retire, so the priority now is Bing at safety.
MEMPHIS
Key Signings: HB Cadillac Williams, C Casey Rabach, DE Reggie Torbor
Still Unsigned: QB Brett Favre, DT Leon Bender, CB Terrance Shaw, QB Mike McMahon
Outlook: Everyone is waiting to see if Favre retires after a rough injury-filled year.
MICHIGAN
Key Signings: WR Hines Ward, WR Laverneus Coles, LB Andy Katzenmoyer
Still Unsigned: DT Leonard Renfro, OT Matt Willig, LB Shawne Merriman
Outlook: The Panthers locked up their WR duo, now the question is at LB, with Katzenmoyer signed, does that mean there is no money for Merriman?
NASHVILLE
Key Signings: CB Willie Middlebrooks, LB Terrell Suggs, FB Peyton Hillis
Still Unsigned: TE Bubba Franks, FS Bhawoh Jue, G Tre Johnson
Outlook: They extended Suggs’s deal, giving them room to do more this offseason.
NEW JERSEY
Key Signings: DT Ian Scott, G Tuten Reyes
Still Unsigned: CB Mike Rumph, K Ryan Longwell, QB Kevin Kolb
Outlook: We expect some roster turnover in New Jersey, we also expect Kolb to go as they look at OU standout Sam Bradford as a protected T-Draft prospect.
NEW ORLEANS
Key Signings: LB Hannibal Navies, OT Mark Tauscher, CB Randall Gay
Still Unsigned: C Chris Spencer, HB Fred Jackson, SS Kennoy Kennedy
Outlook: The Breakers re-up Navies after trading to get him, and they have a good cap number to do more.
OAKLAND
Key Signings: HB Ricky Williams, DE Justin Smith, QB Joey Harrington
Still Unsigned: DT Joe Salave’a, WR Plaxico Burress, SS Pearson Prioleau
Outlook: With Harrington and Williams resigned, all attention turns to Plaxico Burress, who is likely to miss the entire 2010 season with his injury recovery and legal issues. We expect Oakland to cut him loose and look for a replacement this offseason.
OHIO
Key Signings: HB Eddie George, SS Jermaine Philips
Still Unsigned: QB Kerry Collins, WR Randy Moss, DE Vonnie Holliday
Outlook: We know the Glory are hoping that Collins does not call it a career. As for Moss, that could go either way, depending on how disruptive he is the rest of the way this year.
ORLANDO
Key Signings: SS Tony Carter, WR Michael Jenkins, SS Atari Bigby
Still Unsigned: HB Cedric Benson, G Scott Shaw, C Todd McClure
Outlook: Bad luck that Orlando just inks a deal with Bigby and he ends up on IR two days later. Jenkins was a big get, now they need to focus on the O-line.
PHILADELPHIA
Key Signings: C Matt Birk, QB Kurt Warner, TE Dallas Clark
Still Unsigned: LB Paul Posluszny, WR Terrell Owens, HB Michael Robinson
Outlook: The stars would like to keep all three of the names we listed, but their cap situation is not going to help them there. They could easily have to let all three walk.
PITTSBURGH
Key Signings: FS Scott Shields, LB Buster Davis
Still Unsigned: DE Dameaion Jeffries, OT Zach Weigert, WR Travis Taylor
Outlook: The Maulers are an older roster that could see a wave of retirements and a focus on bringing in more draft picks.
PORTLAND
Key Signings: WR Koren Robinson, OT Todd Wade, CB DeAngelo Hall
Still Unsigned: FS Terrance Kiel, QB Ken Dorsey
Outlook: Robinson has had a break out year with Portland and is getting paid for it.
SEATTLE
Key Signings: DE John Abraham, TE Jeramy Stevens
Still Unsigned: HB Corey Dillon, WR Darnerien McCants, LB Piso Tinoisamoa
Outlook: The big question in Seattle is if Dillon will resign or retire after this year. Their entire offseason plan will revolve around that decision.
ST. LOUIS
Key Signings: DE Antonio Smith, FS Antuan Edwards, DT Larry Triplett
Still Unsigned: HB Dominic Rhodes, SS Bobby Myers, WR Bryant Johnson
Outlook: We expect some more roster shakup this offseason, so don’t be too eager for the Skyhawks to resign any of the players still out there.
TAMPA BAY
Key Signings: TE Jeremy Shockey, SS Idrees Basheer, FS Bryan Scott
Still Unsigned: CB Samari Rolle, DT La’Roi Glover, DE Orpheus Roye
Outlook: After signing their excellent safety duo, Tampa Bay will be hard pressed to find cap room for more signings, but all three of their top candidates are also potential retirement candidates.
TEXAS
Key Signings: CB Nathan Vasher, OT Ryan Tucker, G Derrick Dockery
Still Unsigned: OT Jermaine Mayberry, DT Chris Hovan, HB Leon Johnson
Outlook: Resigning 2 of 3 linemen was key for Texas, and they opted to go for youth over the more experienced Mayberry.
WASHINGTON
Key Signings: HB Deuce McCallister, C Austin King, LB Cameron Wake
Still Unsigned: DT Anthony McFarland, DT Kenard Lang, CB Rashad Bauman
Outlook: After getting Deuce the payday he richly deserved, attention now turns to the DT position, but does Washington have enough cap room to return both of their key DT’s to the fold?
Best of the USFL—Outside Linebacker
Our last defensive position and we have some really tough choices. Do we go for the run stuffer, the edge rusher, or the sideline to sideline ranger? How about a bit of all three?
Joey Porter-LV
Porter is your classic run-stuffing, edge contain linebacker, but he is also a nasty edge rusher, with 43 sacks since coming into the league in 99. Porter has two 100+ tackle seasons, a bit unusual for an outside linebacker, but the way Coach Glanville uses him is all about his flexibility to play both the run and harass the quarterback.
Takeo Spikes-SEA
The 11-year vet is another dual threat backer, with 53 sacks in his career, and several years over 90 tackles per season. A team captain since the turn of the millennium, Spikes got himself a ring with the underdog Dragons in 2005 and would love a second.
Na’il Diggs-ATL
Diggs has, at times, felt like the glue holding together the Fire. Coming over in 2006 as part of the expansion draft, he was an important player in Nashville, but now is the clear leader of the Fire defense, with three straight 100-tackle seasons, and a 4th in range this year.
Hannibal Navies-NOR
After 7 strong years in Memphis, Navies was traded midseason this year to New Orleans, and he is already making an impact for the Breakers. A bit injury prone, Navies missed 10 games last year and 7 the year before. Can he stay on the field for the Breakers? Because when he is on the field, he can be a difference maker.
Kendrell Bell-DEN
After 4 years in New Jersey, Bell came to Denver and was just a perfect match for Coach Jauron’s defense. He is not a big pass rusher, though he will get you a handful of sacks each year. He is better in coverage than most on this list, and he can deliver a hit to the running back that will shake his teeth. Expect him to be a factor for the Gold in the playoffs.
There is certainly no lack of talent in the USFL when it comes to outside linebackers. In trying to get to 5 players for this report, we had to eliminate some really talented guys, All-USFL guys. Players like LA’s Lofa Tatupu, Oakland’s Roosevelt Colvin, Ohio’s Glenn Cadrez, and Jacksonville’s Lavar Lavar Arrington were all in the conversation, and we felt bad that Houston’s Sam Cowart and Birmingham’s DeMeco Ryans were not.
Week 13, the penultimate week of the year and a fully inter-divisional week that may still produce some playoff berths and eliminations. Sunday night’s game between the Glory and the Dragons could well be an elimination game with both teams sitting at 6-6. Similarly, both Las Vegas (5-7) and Arizona (4-8) are on the very fringe of playoff eligibility, so the loser here is done. In other big impact games we have Pittsburgh @ Houston, who cannot afford another loss. Washington is in New Orleans and Michigan is in Portland, with both home teams hoping to lock up a playoff berth with a win. We also have some heavy hitters matched up with Chicago at Oakland, Boston in Orlando, and Philadelphia traveling to Nashville. This could be the biggest week of the year for divisional titles and playoff clinching games. A full slate of quality games to be sure.
FRIDAY @ 8pm Chicago (8-4) @ Oakland (10-2) NBC
SATURDAY @ 12pm Baltimore (8-4) @ Jacksonville (2-10) ABC
SATURDAY @ 12pm New Jersey (3-9) @ Tampa Bay (5-7) ABC
SATURDAY @ 12pm Washington (9-3) @ New Orleans (7-5) FOX
SATURDAY @ 4pm Denver (8-4) @ Los Angeles (4-8) ABC
SATURDAY @ 4pm Pittsburgh (7-5) @ Houston (6-6) FOX
SATURDAY @ 8pm Boston (8-4) @ Orlando (8-4) ESPN
SUNDAY @ 12pm Birmingham (4-6) @ Atlanta (5-7) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm Memphis (2-10) @ Charlotte (6-6) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm Philadelphia (7-5) @ Nashville (8-4) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm Arizona (4-8) @ Las Vegas (5-7) ABC
SUNDAY @ 4pm St. Louis (1-11) @ Texas (4-8) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm Michigan (10-2) @ Portland (7-5) FOX
SUNDAY @ 8pm Ohio (6-6) @ Seattle (6-6) ESPN
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