Baltimore staked their claim as the Beasts of the East by knocking off the Philadelphia Stars to remain unbeaten. They have competition though, as Charlotte, Washington and Nashville kept pace with their 3rd wins of the young season. In the west, we have three unbeatens, with Denver joining Central powerhouses Ohio and Michigan at 3-0. Finishing the week at a very troubling 0-3 we find Seattle, who have been here before, Memphis, who are trying to find answers after the injury to Brett Favre, and several of last year's 10-loss teams, including Atlanta, St. Louis, and Texas. All is not lost, as Seattle showed us last year, winning 10 of 12 after an 0-4 start, but desperation and a need for a new plan is certainly the formula for these clubs, while solidifying what is working for them is the order of the day for surprise division leaders in Charlotte, Nasvhille, Baltimore, and Denver.
PHILADELPHIA STARS 35 BALTIMORE BLITZ 37
A Shootout and a statement game for the Blitz as they seek to lay their claim on the Northeast Division. In a game that came down to a 2-point play, the Blitz and the Stars traded body blows for 60 minutes in one of the best games of the early season and perhaps a sign that the level of play has fully reached regular season intensity after a couple of questionable weeks to start the year.
It was a game that saw both offenses play to their abilities, with Philadelphia racking up nearly 500 yards of offense, thanks in large part to a 375 yard, 31 of 48 game for Stars QB Kurt Warner. Baltimore countered with Ron Dayne gaining 131 and scoring three times in one of his biggest games. It was entertaining, intense, and down to the wire, exactly the kind of game USFL fans have come to expect from the always competitive Northeast.
It also did not take long to get cooking, with both clubs coring TDs on their first possession. Baltimore won the toss and deferred, so Philadelphia got the ball first and in less than 5 minutes time, they had 7 on the board, with Kurt Warner using Terrell Owens’ big frame to post up in the endzone for the first of his three TD passes. Baltimore responded immediately, driving 78 yards in 8 minutes, relying heavily on Ron Dayne, and scoring the equalizer with 3:44 left in the firt quarter on Dayne’s 5th carry, a 6-yard sweep to the corner of the endzone.
Baltimore would get the ball back only 33 seconds later when FS Nelson Leaks got the first of what would be two picks on the day, putting Baltimore back in business at their own 49. The Blitz again used a methodical combination of Dayne runs and short passes to drive the field, this time using Dayne as decoy as Big Ben hit Harry Douglas with a 9-yard TD toss on play action.
The second quarter saw Philadelphia get back on the board after a long drive stalled on the 12 yard line, producing a short 29-yarder from Mike Nugent. Baltimore was back in business as the offenses proved very effective on the day. Roethlisberger hit rookie Darius Heyward-Bey with a 29-yarder, his longest of the team-leading 4 receptions on the day. The score put them up 21-10, but it would not be a lead they would hold for long. Philadelphia came right back, and with 1:11 left in the half, Steve Smith scored from 10 yards out to bring the Stars within 4 at 21-17.
That is how it would go into the half, with both teams already over 200 yards for the game. The second half would see Baltimore boost their league once again, only to have Philly come right back. The Blitz took the second half kickoff and marched 68 yards before Ron Dayne scored his 2nd of 3 touchdowns on the day. But, while the Stars’ defense was still trying to find ways to slow down the Blitz, the offense had figured some things out. Using Steve Slaton as the primary back in the 2nd half, the Stars relied on more outside runs and were able to open up the secondary for deeper passes, including a 42-yarder to Smith that put them in range for Michael Robinson to score on a goal line run. Robinson would get his 2nd TD of the day on the next Stars drive, but the problem that Philadelphia had was that after both TDs they tried 2-point conversions and in both cases failed. So, instead of going from 28-17 to 31-28, they were only up one, at 29-28.
Baltimore got their first drive of the final period after the second Robinson TD and again found the formula to move the ball through the Stars’ defense, with Ron Dayne capping off his day with his 3rd TD. Now up 34-29, Baltimore also went for 2, and also failed in the attempt. Leaving them with only a 5 point advantage. They would add to that after Kurt Warner was the victim of a tipped ball, a ball that Blitz LB James Farrior scooped before it hit the ground, giving Baltimore the ball in Philly territory. The Stars’ D held them to 3, but the Grammatica field goal gave the Blitz an 8-point lead with only 1:30 left to play.
Philadelphia would need a big play, and they would get it. After quickly moving the ball into Blitz territory, the Stars went for broke and sent Terrell Owens on a post-corner route. The route forced the safety inside, and when Owens turned to the corner, he gained a step on the corner. Warner placed the ball perfectly and Owens touched both feet down in the endzone before falling out of bounds with the ball. Philadlelphia, with 36 seconds left, was down by 2. They would try their third 2-point play of the half, and they would need it to tie the game and potentially go to overtime.
The play called was intended to go to Owens once again, but with him blanketed by Blitz defenders, Warner had to turn to his second option, TE Dallas Clark. Clark was covered by NFL import Angelo Crowell, but the pass came just a second late, allowing Crowell time to recover from Clark’s sudden out cut and get a hand in to dislodge the ball from Clark. The Blitz held, and would end the game with a kneeldown. They now take over 1st in the NE at 3-0, tied with Washington, while Philadelphia, who came so close, drop a game back.
PITTSBURGH 21 CHICAGO 9
Week three opened with Chicago favored by 6 over the Maulers, but the Friday Night NBC game did not go as planned for the Machine. Despite 101 yards from Michael Turner, the Machine struggled to put points on the board, while Cody Pickett looked like a different QB, throwing for 3 sores and deftly avoiding the Chicago pass rush. Vincent Jackson caught 7 balls, including 2 TDs as Pittsburgh moved to 2-1 with a big divisional road win.
ORLANDO 41 ATLANTA 13
Another huge game for Calais Campbell, whose 4 sacks were part of a 9-sack game against shellshocked Fire QB Kyle Orton. Orton also threw 4 picks, including a whopping 3 returned for scores as Tyrone Carter, Lito Shepherd, and Will Overstreet all got to high step into the endzone at different points of the game. Just the defensive scores would have won the game for the Renegades, but Knowshon Moreno also put up 2 scores despite continuing to struggle for yards (2.1 yards per carry).
JACKSONVILLE 17 OHIO 45
The Bulls proved no match for the Ohio offense as Kerry Collins threw for over 300 yards and 4 scores, connecting with Randy Moss twice for scores and finding Joey Galloway for a game best 123 yards. It got ugly early with Ohio scoring on 6 of 7 drives to open the game, forcing Jacksonville to abandon the run and putting a lot of pressure on Jake Delhomme to play a game he is not well suited for. Ohio cruised to 3-0 with the 28 point win, while the Bulls drop to a dismal 0-3 to start the year.
TAMPA BAY 3 CHARLOTTE 30
As bad as the Bulls have looked, the Bandits have seemed even worse (despite being 1-2). Charlotte simply confused and capitalized against a Daunte Culpepper who just did not seem right. The Bandit QB threw 3 picks and was sacked 5 times as Tampa Bay looked nothing like last year’s 14-2 squad. The Charlotte defense held an opponent under 10 points for the 3rd time this year, with Julius Peppers landing 2 sacks and once again not allowing a TD in the game.
ST. LOUIS 20 MICHIGAN 41
Jeff Blake went without a pick for the first time this season and the Knights looked better early on, but Michigan pulled away with 24 unanswered points in the 2nd half as Coach LeBeau’s halftime adjustments shut down the early success of the Skyhawks. Brian Griese finished the game with 3 TD passes and Hines Ward led all receivers with 136 yards, including a 47-yard score to open the 2nd half. The win helps Michigan keep pace with Ohio at 3-0 to start the year.
PORTLAND 22 LAS VEGAS 0
The Thunder came out flat at home and then things just got worse as Portland shut them out in an embarrassing performance from a team many expected to be headed to the playoffs. The Thunder gained a total of 194 yards and Jake Plummer completed only 14 of 32 passes as Portland smothered the Thunder at every turn. On offense, Portland relied heavily on HB James Stewart, whose 120 yards included a 3-yard TD run that saw the line blow Las Vegas off the ball. A good game for A. J. Feeley as well, hitting 8 different receivers as he completed 22 of 33 passing.
WASHINGTON 32 BOSTON 27
A really wild finish to this NE battle as the Feds scored 14 points within the 2-minute warning to turn a 27-19 Boston advantage into a 32-27 Feds win. It began with a 70 yard Stewart to Kellen Davis TD just at the 2-minute warning, followed almost immediately by a fumble from Boston’s Tony Hunt that gave the ball back to Washington. This time Stewart found Eddie Kennison for a 48-yard score that defied logic. For some reason Boston used man instead of a 3-deep zone with less than a minute to play and Stewart, escaping the pocket and buying time, exploited it to find his receiver and win the game.
NASHVILLE 17 BIRMINGHAM 10
The Knights move to 3-0, but it was not easy. Birmingham came back from an early 17-0 hole, and nearly tied the game at the end of regulation. Kyle Boller had Joe Horn open for a game-tying score, but the ball sailed on him, and Horn could not bring it in. Nashville, who seemed very strong in the first half, lost their drive in the second half and produced almost no offense after the break, allowing Birmingham to make it a game until the final seconds.
NEW ORLEANS 31 MEMPHIS 14
The Breakers sack an uncertain Mike McMahon 6 times and see both Matt Forte and Fred Jackson go over 100 yards rushing against a suspect Showboat defense. Forte had 105 yards on 16 carries while Jackson had an equal total on 15 carries and added 2 touchdowns as the Breakers take the divisional game and send Memphis to an unexpected 0-3 start.
TEXAS 7 DENVER 27
The Gold use home field advantage and an outstanding run defense to blow past the Outlaws, sending Texas to an unwelcome 0-3 start. Denver held T. J. Duckett to only 31 yards on 17 carries (a paltry 1.8 YPC) and just slowly kept adding points to the scoreboard. With Matt Leinart sidelined by injury, Derrick Anderson played a conservative game, but it was all Denver needed as their defense did the rest.
HOUSTON 16 ARIZONA 13 OVERTIME
Houston found the Wranglers to be a tougher foe than anticipated as the Arizona D frustrated Matt Hasselbeck and the Gamblers. Shaun Alexander had one of his best games, rushing for 132 yards, but the Gamblers kept getting backed out of the red zone by sacks and penalties, leaving the game a much lower scoring affair than expected. Arizona got a workman-like game from David Carr and the run game showed some life with Sedrick Irvin gaining 80 yards, but in the end, they could not get the field goal they needed in overtime to match Houston’s kick, giving the Gamblers the hard-fought W.
NEW JERSEY 5 OAKLAND 17
In a game that was surprisingly 0-0 after three quarters, the fourth quarter erupted with multiple scores as Jerious Norwood scored twice to outpace New Jersey. With Ricky Williams out, Norwood had taken on the mantle and struggled through 3 quarters, but in the 4th the Generals started to tire on defense and Norwood would gain 55 of his 98 yards in the final period, helping Oakland eke out a tough win.
SEATTLE 20 LOS ANGELES 23 OVERTIME
The Dragons and Express faced off in the Sunday Nighter and the Dragons clearly wanted to avoid an 0-3 start to the year, but this game was played in LA, and the Express got the final say as their overtime field goal held up as the game winner. Maurice Jones Drew was the hero for the Express, rushing for 117 and catching 2 passes as well. It was a Jones-Drew swing pass that got LA into field goal range in overtime and landed them the win. Seattle got 107 from Corey Dillon and foughtback froma 20-10 deficit in the 4th to send the game to extra time, but could not get the equalizer in overtime and fall to 0-3.
Questions of Culpepper’s Health Persist
What is wrong with Daunte Culpepper? That is the question being asked in Tampa Bay this season. It is being asked by the fans, it is being asked by the media, and we fully expect it is being asked within the leadership of the Bandits franchise. We are three weeks into the season and not only has Culpepper not thrown a single touchdown, he is currently the lowest ranked QB in the league’s QB rating (of those with enough attempts to qualify). His 42.6 rating is a reflection of having thrown 4 picks, no touchdowns, completing only 45% of his passes and averaging only 150 yards per game, all this despite essentially having the same roster of receivers as last year.
Some are questioning his health, others wondering if, at 32, he is hitting “the cliff” that many quarterbacks hit a bit later in life. Mentions of “the yips” a psychological loss of confidence that we often hear about with golfers or kickers, are not uncommon. With no real changes to Culpepper’s O-line and with the same starters at receiver as last year, many are just baffled why things have gone so badly. Injury, an undisclosed injury, seems to be the common theory. Culpepper was knocked out of the season opener in St.Louis, but returned to play in losses to New Jersey and Charlotte. But in those games the Bandits have been held without a touchdown. The only touchdowns this year have been with Brad Gradkowski at the helm, and fans are wondering if there is something going on with Culpepepr, and openly asking if the team should not go to Gradkowski until an answer is found.
As you might expect, Coach Spurrier is putting the onus of his team’s bad performance on himself and his staff, saying that they have not been calling a game that puts Daunte in position to win, but he is also keeping very quiet about any concerns he may have. With local sports radio lighting up with theories ranging from blurred vision to the far-fetched theory that Culpepper is shaving points due to mob influence on gambling, the overall message being received is that fans are losing trust in their QB, and just how long it takes for that loss of confidence to reach the coaches and Culpepper himself is the big question around the Bandits right now, a question they hope they can answer this week with their first road game, a trip to Orlando to face one of the league’s nastiest pass rushes.
Calais Campbell Impresses Once Again
Let’s talk about that Orlando pass rush for a moment. And by “Orlando pass rush” we mean Calais Campbell. The signing this offseason of DT Albert Haynesworth from the NFL Copperheads, was meant to free up Campbell from double team blocking, and that it has, but what we are seeing, with two straight weeks of 4 sacks, is a set of skills that we have not really witnessed since the days of Chris Doleman and Reggie White. Campbell is benefitting from a lot of single blocks, that is true, but we are witnessing him simply embarrassing left tackles as he overpowers, outmaneuvers, or just outhustles them on his way to the QB.
Admitedly, the three first opponents for Orlando—Jacksonville, Boston, and Atlanta—have QBs not known as effective pass rush evaders. No one ever would say Delhomme, Bledsoe, or even Kyle Orton are fleet of foot. But this is not just about Orlando facing teams with pocket passers, this is about a young player who was very impressive until an injury shortened his rookie season, coming into his own and immediately developing a repuation as one of the best at what he does. And that, for all the rationalization we may have about how it is getting done, is getting done, which is what matters most for the Renegades and their fans.
Pickett’s Improved Play Keeps Pat White on the Sideline.
Another player with an impressive start to the season is a quarterback who was seen as potentially in a fight for his job after his club, the Maulers, drafted Pat White out of West Virginia. It was clear after a 2008 season that had plenty of ups and downs, that Cody Pickett was in a make-or-break situation, and that he would be pushed by the young, athletic Pat White. It appears, at least through 3 weeks, that the push was what Pickett needed to reach his potential. In his two prior seasons as the Mauler starting QB, Pickett has averaged a QB Rating of 80 points, with 27 TDs to 28 interceptions and roughly 185 yards per game. In the first three games of this year, including wins over Arizona and Chicago, Pickett is averaging 260 yards per game (a very steady 261 in weeks 1-2 and 260 this week), has produced 5 TDs to only 2 picks, and has a QB rating over 100.
Coach Ron Rivera had nothing but positive things to say about Pickett after their victory in Chicago this week. “He is making good decisions, getting rid of the ball, and not forcing things. In other words, he is playing the way a QB should always want to play” stated the Mauler Coach in the post-game presser.
For Mauler fans, who were hesitant at best when Pickett was named the starter prior to week one, the results are better than could have been anticipated based on past performance. With very winnable games at St. Louis and at Texas (both 0-3) the next two weeks, the Maulers could go into their big Week 6 match against Orlando with a very solid 4-1 record. Orlando will, of course be seen as the test for both Pickett and the Mauler front line, as we have already discussed the quality of their front line and their pass rushing abilities.
Pickett’s early success have also highlighted some of the undervalued talent in the receiving corp. Vincent Jackson is having a great start to his year, with 278 yards in 3 games and 3 scores as well. Tight Ends Alge Crumpler and David Thomas combine for 21 catches and nearly 250 yards, and former NJ General Kevin Johnson is also on pace for a personal best this year. Can Pickett keep the momentum going? That is key. Will teams start playing the Maulers differently? Moving out of a run-first mentality and devoting more resources to impede the passing game. They should, as it seems what Pittsburgh’s first three opponents failed to do is take Pickett seriously. But the league is seeing his success, and that almost always leads to an adjustment. For now though, Mauler fans are breathing a sigh of relief and are happy to have their QB spoken about in a positive light.
Chad Johnson’s Name May Change, But His Performance Doesn’t
Whether it is Chad Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, Chad “85” Johnson, or just “The Receiver Formerly Known as Ochocinco”, Boston’s leading receiver is still doing what he always does, turning routine plays into big plays and making every catch count. It took him 3 weeks to get there, but Chad “85” Johnson, as he is currently listed in the official league files and in each week’s roster list, is once again atop the leader board for yards receiving, 9 yards ahead of Philadelphia’s Steve Smith. From past history we know that once 85 gets to the top of that list, he rarely dips back down. This is a receiver, after all, who has gained over 1,500 in a season not once, not twice, but 4 times since coming into the league in 2001. Last year was his best year yet, with over 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns, even with the late season injury to Drew Bledsoe.
Will Chad NAME HERE be able to do it again? To finish as the league’s top receiving yardage leader again? To top the league in TD catches again? Every indication is that he is well on his way, so we and you had better figure out what to call him, because by every account we are going to have to talk about him a lot this year, and maybe in conversations about MVP or Offensive Player of the Year once again.
Only three weeks in and we are starting to see teams with 2, 3, or 4 starters out. While most are out for only short periods, there are more than anyone would like to see who are going to miss multiple weeks, including a few who are already out for the year. As of this week there are 3 players on IR, all defenders, with Houston LB Keith Brooking (bicep tear), Atlanta DE Marcus Howard (Achilles) and Pittsburgh LB Buster Davis (skull fracture) all done for the year.
Atlanta took another bad hit this week as their NFL import starting left tackle, Zach Strief, suffered a broken collarbone which could keep him out up to 8 weeks. That is not good news for Kyle Orton, who has yet to find his stride as the starter for the Fire. Arizona lost slot receiver Kassim Osgod for the same duration with a torn quad. Out a month if not longer is Tampa Bay DE Derrick Harvey (arm), Las Vegas tackle Kenyatta Walker (abdominal), and Oakland guard Logan Mankins.
Only expected out 1-2 weeks we have Michigan LB DeMarcus Ware (foot), St. Louis DT Dre Moore (neck), and Atlanta TE Matt Schobelll (hamstring). Listed as doubtful this week are Baltimore WR Tory Holt, Portland guard Marcus McFadden, Arizona SS Clifton Black, and Houston DE Osi Umenyiura. Adam Archuleta (BAL) is questionable for this week’s game, as is Nashville LT Jon Stinchcomb, Portland CB DeAngelo Hall, Oakland WR DeSean Jackson, and Texas FS Clyde Adams.
Stallion Sale Approved, Boston on Hold
On a conference call this week, league owners approved the sale of the Birmingham Stallions’ controlling interest from troubled banker Marvin Warner Jr. to John Menard, CEO and President of the Menard’s chain of home improvement stores. Warner, who has been indicted on several charges as a result of his part in the real estate and banking crisis that snowballed into the current major recession, was forced to sell his interest in the club. Menard was approved to purchase the entirety of Warner’s share of the team, which his, of course, the dominant shareholder position for a club that has a unique private/public ownership model. Unlike the Green Bay Packers of the NFL, the controlling interest in the team remains in the hands of private ownership, while shares sold and owned by over 45,000 individuals, most of them within the state of Alabama create a unique “community partnership” model.
In approving Menard for ownership, the league is granting the home improvement center CEO a controlling interest in the team. He will still need to garner a majority of votes from the current shareholder pool to be named President of the team, but this is expected to be a routine vote, as Menard is well-regarded in the region and seen as a stabilizing force for the Stallions. Hopes are, of course, that Menard will be able to do two things that Warner simply has not been able to accomplish over the past few years, work with the city and with the University of Alabama-Birmingham to move ahead with plans for a new stadium to replace the aging Legion Field, and, return the Stallions to a prominent place in the league after several seasons of struggles.
Attention now turns to Boston, where current owner Jeremy Jacobs is hoping to sell off the Cannons. Unlike Warner, there are no legal entanglements for the Cannons’ owner, but the issue of financial viability is the biggest concern. Boston’s home at BC’s Alumni Stadium limits the financial capacity of the franchise, which, in turn, forces Boston to try to maximize profitability in the small stadium. The Cannons currently boast the highest prices for both individual game and season tickets, as well as parking, at the facility, all of which does not work well during an economic downturn when families are struggling to get by. Add to this the fact that they must provide a portion of both ticket and concessions revenue to Boston College and you have a recipe for a team that must practically sell out every game just to maintain itself. A new owner will need to contend with this reality, as the odds of Boston ever getting permission to utilize Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots, are extremely slim as team owner Robert Kraft remains adamantly anti-cooperation when it comes to the new league.
League owners this week have tabled the request to open the Cannon franchise to a nationwide search for partners. Jacobs is not in a rush, but certainly his interest in divesting himself of the team does pose a a challenge to the league, particularly at a time when the position of the commissioner is in question.
Former USFL Stars join NFL Players in CTE Lawsuit
The other big story this week came out of a District Court in Manhattan, where over 200 former USFL and NFL players have filed a lawsuit against both leagues, claiming that data on the long term impact of not only in-game concussions, but the care practices of both leagues, has led to life long impacts to player health. At the center of the claim is a condition now known as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopothy). The claim is that inadequate care and insufficient measures to address player safety have produced an epidemic of lifelong issues with memory, headaches, personality disorders, and other mental and physiological concerns.
Among those represented in the lawsuit are former USFL players Lamar Lathon, Charlie Garner, William Perry, Kyle Turley, Dorsey Levins, and Bernie Kosar. NFL stars Mark Duper, Warren Sapp, Jamal Lewis, Mark Gastineau, Lance Briggs, Jim McMahon and Boomer Esiason are also at the center of the lawsuit. Curiously, former Tampa Bay Bandits QB and current USFL analyst on ABC, Troy Aikman, is not listed among the claimants, despite the fact that issues with recurring concussions led to both his premature retirement from the game and to several changes in USFL protocols.
The suit is expected to be heard by the district court over the next 3 months, and the results could range from significant fines to both leagues, required ongoing medical support for former players, or potential federally enforced changes to both league’s medical protocols. The case will center around the treatment of concussions in both leagues, but could also tap into issues of helmet design, league rules regarding roster composition, injury reserve, and the use of team physicians.
Best of the USFL: Tight Ends
We return to our look at the best of the best at each position with our first look at an offensive position, that of Tight End. Once thought of as a blocking position with occasional pass catching options, the Tight End has morphed into one of the primary offensive weapons on a pro football team. Seen as the safety blanket for QBs under pressure, or a way to utilize the middle of the field, the tight end, which had seen a decline in use in the 1990’s, due mostly to the rise of the Run & Shoot offense, has come back in a big way as teams want the option to have a player on the field who can both provide extra protection to their franchise QBs or become a primary weapon over the middle of the field. The five players our bullpen selected as the Best of the USFL can do both, but they are here because as receivers they are just so tough to defend. Too big to use a corner or even a safety on, and too fast to be trailed by a linebacker. All five make their impact as receivers, often primary receivers, for their teams.
1. Antonio Gates (BAL): With a basketball background, Gates is the master of the “Post Up” positioning, using his big frame to block out defenders and create a nice target for his QB, particularly in the red zone, where success is less about speed and more about positioning and ball placement. Gates has flourished with Ben Roethlisberger as his QB, averaging 60 catches and nearly 700 yards per season over the past few years.
2. Jeremy Shockey (TBY): Catching the public’s eye with a devastating after the catch run in a preseason game as a rookie, this Bandit has a bit of a cult following in Tampa Bay. Since joining the league in 2002, Shockey has also developed quite a rapport with Daunte Culpepper. His numbers are slightly lower than those of Gates, but his impact has been felt as Tampa Bay surged back up to the top of the Southeast Division. Averaging nearly 17 yards per catch, Shockey is known for his ability to shake tacklers and gain needed yards after the catch.
3. Dan Campbell (CHA): Underappreciated among the bigger name receivers at the position, Campbell is a true dual use Tight End and perhaps one of the best blockers among the elite TEs. Campbell, who spent the first 9 seasons of his career with Houston, was signed by Charlotte in the Expansion Draft, and won his first All-USFL accolades last year with the fledgling expansion club. His 63 receptions, 734 yards, and 6 TDs were all career bests, and they shone a light on a player who had been undervalued during his entire career.
4. Jason Whitten (JAX): After 4 largely anonymous years in Pittsburgh, Whitten became a free agent and signed with the Jacksonville Bulls. The impact was immediate. From an average of 18 receptions a year in Pittsburgh, Whitten exploded with 61 receptions for nearly 800 yards in his first season with the Bulls (2006). Since then he has become one of the most reliable red zone targets in the league.
5. L. J. Smith (LA): Another wily veteran, Smith is in his 7th season with the LA Express, and continues to be a reliable target as well as an effective run blocker for Coach Jackson. 2008 was his most productive year yet, with 665 yards on 54 catches. In an offense dependent on the deep ball, it is Smith who often bails out the Express QB, something rookie Mark Sanchez is quickly learning to appreciate. Smith already has 12 catches from the Express’s new starter.
As we expect will be the case each week, there are several other names that are part of our conversation of the best in the league. At the tight end position we had a pretty lengthy discussion that included several other very noteworthy contributors. Several members of our team were all in for Michigan TE Bennie Joppru, while others looked at Mauler TE Alge Crumpler, veteran NJ General Anthony Becht, new Memphis Showboat Jim Kliensasser, and last year’s lone All-USFL player from the expansion Stags, Portland’s Bubba Franks.
Week 4 sees another good slate of divisional matchups as we get the Stars in Washington, Orlando in Tampa Bay, Chicago vs. Ohio, Las Vegas in Oakland, the Knights facing the Breakers, and the Gamblers visiting Dallas for the first time to face the Outlaws. The best interdivisional game has got to be Michigan going to Boston to face the Cannons, though the LA-Charlotte game could also be a fascinating matchup.
FRIDAY @ 8pm Chicago (1-2) @ Ohio (3-0) NBC
SATURDAY @ 12pm Los Angeles (2-1) @ Charlotte (3-0) ABC
SATURDAY @ 12pm Baltimore (3-0) @ New Jersey (1-2) FOX
SATURDAY @ 12pm Atlanta (0-3) @ Jacksonville (0-3) FOX
SATURDAY @ 4pm Las Vegas (1-2) @ Oakland (2-1) ABC
SATURDAY @ 4pm Arizona (1-2) @ Denver (3-0) FOX
SATURDAY @ 8pm Houston (2-1) @ Texas (0-3) ESPN
SUNDAY @ 12pm Birmingham (0-3) @ Memphis (0-3) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm Orlando (2-1) @ Tampa Bay (1-2) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm Michigan (3-0) @ Boston (1-2) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm Portland (1-2) @ Seattle (0-3) ABC
SUNDAY @ 4pm Nashville (3-0) @ New Orleans (2-1) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm Pittsburgh (2-1) @ St. Louis (0-3) FOX
SUNDAY @ 8pm Philadelphia (2-1) @ Washington (3-0) ESPN