A big week for surprising results as all 28 USFL clubs were in interdivisional play, matched up against foes they don’t know quite so well. That fact may explain why so many games did not go the way most predicted. Teams like Tampa Bay, New Jersey, Atlanta, and St. Louis put up solid fights, while other underdogs like Birmingham and Seattle pulled off the upset and scored impressive wins. Speaking of impressive, Jacksonville put it all together for their first win, a domination of the spiraling Showboats. Houston and Oakland were also impressive in their matchups against two 3-1 teams (Ohio and Denver respectively). And then, as if the on-field action was not wild enough, one of the weirdest mid-week stories we have ever seen as Oakland WR Plaxico Burress basically ends his season, and very likely his chance at a big contract payday, with one of the most boneheaded accidents we have ever seen from a pro athlete. But, before we get to that odd tale, let’s look back at the on-field action from the week.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS 16 ATLANTA FIRE 13 OVERTIME
It is something of a cliché to say that good teams find ways to win games while bad teams find ways to lose them, but despite this being an overused trope, it very often proves to be true. It is the difference between hoping to win and expecting to win, and that dynamic played out this week when the Federals found themselves in a tight matchup with the Atlanta Fire. On the one hand you had a team that was unbeaten and expecting to win, even on the road, while on the other you had a 1-3 team just hoping that they could do enough to get a win at home. The result, as the cliché would predict, was that the Feds found a way to win.
The first thing we should acknowledge is that both teams played hard and both defenses did their best to secure a victory. The offenses struggled on both sides as the two teams battled for the full 60 minutes and then another 14:53 before a victor was decided. Washington’s field goal with 7 seconds left in overtime prevented a tie, which many in Atlanta were resigned to accept, but along the way both clubs showed that defensive football was the strength of their clubs.
In a game with no turnovers and a combined 9 of 34 on third down, this was a game to warm the hearts of those old enough to remember the way football was played in the 60’s and 70’s. Sure, there were 4-wide formations, QB runs, and plenty of shotgun formation, but the essence of the game was the play of the offensive and defensive lines, big hits, and solid defensive strategy. We saw only 2 touchdowns on the day, both in the 2nd quarter as the game went to the half tied at 10. There would be only 2 more field goals in the second half, sending the game to overtime at 13-all.
Atlanta struggled all day to run the ball with 2nd year back Darren McFadden. The big back would carry the ball 16 times for only 40 yards (2.5 per carry). Across the field, Deuce McCallister, the league rushing leader, would fare quite a bit better, averaging 5.2 yards per carry on his way to a 130-yard day, and yet, the Federals struggled to turn that production into points.
McCallister did have Washington’s only touchdown, a 5-yard run to open the 2nd quarter, down 3-0 at that point. It was the final play in Washington’s best drive of the day, a 58-yard, 11 play affair that followed a poor punt from Atlanta’s Ronnie Howard (not Opie or Richie Cunningham, a different Ron Howard). It was Happy Days for Washington as they would add a field goal of their own just 5 minutes later to take a 10-3 lead, but Atlanta caught a break as the half was ending and equalized the score.
The play came early in Atlanta’s scoring drive. Kyle Orton was pressured by Greg Spires and Anthony McFarland, with Spires catching Orton’s arm in motion and knocking the ball to the ground. LB Mark Simoneau picked the ball up and ran it to the endzone for an apparent score and a 17-3 lead for the Federals. But, it was not to be. A flag on the field penalized McFarland for a blow to Orton’s head, not only negating the fumble, but providing Atlanta with a 15-yard shift of field position.
The play seemed to rile up the Fire, who would finish the drive 5 plays later with an Orton connection with Marcus Robinson for their only TD of the game. Rather than going into the half down 14, the Fire were tied up with the Federals, and this seemed to inspire the club to do even more in the second half. Following the break, Washington would have only 5 first downs in the entire second half. Three of them came on one drive, the only scoring drive for the Feds in the second half, a 52-yard kick from the always dangerous Doug Pelfrey. Atlanta was down, but they were squared up and standing their ground with the unbeaten Federals.
The game would go into the 4th with the Feds clinging to a 13-10 lead. That lead would hold until the waning seconds of the game. Atlanta, desperate to get into field goal range, went to a no huddle, catching Washington in a nickel defense against 3 receivers and TE Will Heller. The Fire used the lack of substitutions to find mismatches, first Orton connecting with Ted Ginn for his only catch of the day, then Heller, and finally David Tyree. With 27 seconds left, on a 3rd and 8 from the 17, they were forced to clock the ball and trot out Josh Scobee for the game’s equalizer. His 35-yard kick was good and Atlanta pushed the game to overtime.
That play, more than any other in the game, symbolized the difference in philosophy. With nearly 30 seconds left, the Fire went for the tie when they had plenty of time to get a 3rd down pass play off and get into position for the kick, but they played it safe, hoping they could get an advantage in overtime, rather than going for the win in regulation. That lack of confidence in their ability to score would prove their undoing as Washington would shut down the Fire offense completely in the extra period.
Both clubs struggled to move the ball in overtime, creating a game of field position. When, with 2:04 left in the extra period, return man Johhny Morant returned a Fire punt for 27 yards, it gave the Feds the short field they needed. Washington kept the ball on the ground despite the running clock, moving closer and closer, and used their final time out with 7 seconds to play to set up Doug Pelfrey for the game winner. Pelfrey’s kick was good and the Federals escaped Atlanta with their 5th win in 5 tries. For the Fire it was a hard fought game, a game they had a shot to win, but in the end their lack of belief gave Washington the chance to get the road win and the more experienced, more confident club did just that. Winners win the tight game. The cliché exists for a reason.
DENVER 10 OAKLAND 48
An ugly game for the visitors as Oakland opened up a 24-3 halftime lead and just kept pouring it on. Without Matt Leinart available, Denver just did not have enough in this one, and the defense had no answers as Joey Harrington threw for 3 scores and the Williams-Norwood duo scored 3 more.
BIRMINGHAM 24 CHARLOTTE 17
The surprising Stallions knock Charlotte from the ranks of the unbeaten thanks to an Andre Weathers pick-six and a stellar defensive effort that saw Birmingham nab 5 takeaways, including 3 picks of Chris Weinke. The Stallion offense took advantage of short fields, scoring 17 of their 24 points off of turnovers to take down the Monarchs and move to 2-3.
MEMPHIS 10 JACKSONVILLE 42
The problems for the 2-time Eastern Conference Champs are clearly way deeper than just Brett Favre’s injury as the winless Bulls just dominate the Showboats. Antowain Smith rushed for 2 scores and combined with Travis Minor to produce 118 yards on the ground. Memphis was 2 of 13 on third down and 0 for 2 on fourth down as they just could not produce drives.
MICHIGAN 14 SEATTLE 29
The Dragons get their first win of the season, thanks to desperation and a new strategy, rotating Corey Dillon with Ladell Betts to wear down the Michigan defense. Two late TDs from Griese to Joppru made this one look closer than the 29-0 third quarter lead the Dragons held before they put in some subs.
OHIO 24 HOUSTON 34
Houston gets a big inter-divisional confidence booster, with 164 yards rushing helping the Gamblers outpace the Glory. Kerry Collins was sacked 7 times, including 2 from Kavika Pittman, one for a safety. Eddie George rushed for 122 in the loss, but with Moss and Galloway held to only 83 combined yards, the Glory just could not get their aerial attack on track.
BALTIMORE 7 ORLANDO 19
The Renegades dominate a Blitz team missing Ben Roethlisberger, as Calais Campbell adds 3 sacks of Chris Simms to his total for the year. The Blitz were simply not able to get it done ,converting only 1 third down all game, while Orlando played a conservative game on offense and relied on that shut-down D to get them the home win.
PHILADELPHIA 32 NEW ORLEANS 17
An impressive game from the Stars’ offense as they rack up 431 yards, including a combined 139 on the ground from Robinson and Slaton. Kurt Warner throws for 296 and 2 scores, while the Star defense limits Eli Manning to only 181 through the air.
NEW JERSEY 3 NASHVILLE 13
The New Jersey D was game, but the offense, led by Kevin Kolb, struggled to get anything going against Terrell Suggs and the Knights. Frank Gore scored the only TD on the day, along with 84 yards rushing as Nashville won a war of attrition against the very game Generals.
PITTSBURGH 16 TEXAS 6
The Maulers’ strong start continues as their defense comes up big against Joe Flacco and the Outlaws. DeShaun Foster contributes 128 on the ground and Cody Pickett has a conservative but solid game for Pittsburgh as they move to 4-1.
ARIZONA 22 LOS ANGELES 29
A really nice old style western conference clash as the Wranglers give LA all they can handle. Thanks to 109 yards and a score from Sedrick Irvin, it was tied at 22 midway through the 4th quarter before rookie Mark Sanchez drove the Express down for the game winner, a Jones-Drew 1-yard plunge. Sanchez finished the game 18 of 23 for 247 with 2 TDs as LA moves to 3-2.
ST. LOUIS 13 LAS VEGAS 16 OVERTIME
For a moment it looked like the Skyhawks had Las Vegas’s number, but a late TD was called back for holding and St. Louis had to settle for a game-tying field goal. In overtime, A. J. Hawk stopped the Skyhawks on a 4th and 3, allowing the Thunder field goal to hold up as the game winner.
CHICAGO 28 PORTLAND 16
Brian Urlacher played like a man possessed, with 14 tackles, a pick-six, a safety and a fumble with recovery as Chicago just intimidated the Stags out of their game. Chicago picked off A. J. Feeley three times, and returned all 3 for scores in a defensive showstopper of a game.
BOSTON 30 TAMPA BAY 20
The Sunday nightery was close throughout, but Boston just had too much for the Bandits as Drew Bledsoe threw for 396 and 3 scores. Daunte Culpepper started, but was relieved by Brad Gradkowski early on, after two ball got away from him, raising question about his shoulder. Three different receivers went over 100 yards for the pass-happy Cannons, with Joe Jurevicious leading the way with 144 yards, followed by Chad Johson with 124 and rookie Percy Harvin with 123.
Plaxico Burress Out for Year After Self-Inflicted Shooting
One of the most bizarre midweek stories in league history this week as Plaxico Burress essentially took himself out of the season for Oakland thanks to a poorly placed firearm. It appears, based on police reports, that while out a local club Monday evening in Oakland, Burress was carrying a loaded pistol in the waistband of his pants, and that while dancing the gun went off, putting a bullet in the thigh of the Invaders’ leading receiver.
The injury puts Burress on the IR, with an anticipated 10-12 weeks to fully heal, but what may be even worse is that the violation of state and city gun ordinances could lead to legal entanglements which could extend his time away from the game well into the 2010 season. “Boneheaded” was the word Coach Green used to describe the incident which now places his team in a predicament. They have placed Burress on IR, promoting Manuel Johnson up from the practice squad and shifting Greg Jennings into the #1 receiver slot, but it is a contract year for Burress, believe it or not, so Oakland may have to either cut bait on their top receiver, fearing an extended absence due to potential incarceration, or risk significant blowback for resigning a player who just cost himself a season of play due to pure unadulterated immaturity and stupidity. Not a place the Invader management wanted to be this year.
As for Burress, he has yet to make a statement to the press, still at the hospital but expected to be released by Friday. He will be watching the Invaders take on LA this weekend from home, where he will be for the rest of the summer, wondering if he may have not only shot himself in the thigh, but also shot himself in the foot when it comes to getting prime free agent money.
Bledsoe Glad to Be Back
On the opposite side of the player news spectrum we find Drew Bledsoe, who had announced his intent to retire early in the 2008 season only to suffer a season-ending injury. In the offseason, as he completed PT, he weighed his options, with Boston brass regularly communicating to him their hope that he would return for one more year. In the end he decided to do just that, coming back for one more go, and man, oh, man, does that look like a good decision for all parties.
After 5 weeks, Bledsoe is leading the league with 1,654 yards, well over 300 per game, and he has Boston back in contention for a playoff spot. He sits in an offense that has three top 20 receivers in Chad Johnson (#1 in yards), Percy Harvin (#9) and Joe Jurevicius (#11), and has a halfback at #7 in the league’s rushing list, 1 yard shy of 400 for the year. The offense is humming, averaging nearly 27 points per game and over 400 yards each outing.
Yes, the club is still 2 games behind Washington, but in the very tough NE Division, teams will knock each other off, and Boston is in very good shape to stay in the hunt. The line of tackles Stockar McDougle (resigned in free agency) and Marco Colombo, guards Kraig Urbrich and Chuck Johnson, and center Dom Raiola, have been focused on protecting their less-than-agile veteran QB, and Bledsoe has suffered only 2 sacks since a nasty 8-sack mess against Charlotte. That’s 2 sacks in 3 games, not bad protection at all.
Backup Adrian McPherson, who shone for the Cannons in Bledsoe’s absence last year, has been saying all the right things and is apparently happy to bide his time and take over the team in 2010, which makes it all that much easier for Bledsoe to focus on his on-field performance and on Boston’s hope to make the Summer Bowl for the first time in team history.
Knowshon a No Show?
There is concern in Orlando that while we are all going gaga for their defensive line, the other big story of the offseason for the Renegades is not working out as planned. Knowshon Moreno was the clear #1 back in the draft and was considered the key piece of the puzzle to help the ‘Gades develop a balanced offense to pair with their stellar defense. But so far this season, the value for this high draft choice has not been felt on the field.
Moreno is averaging fewer than 17 attempts per game, and, worse yet, is sitting at a miserable 2.9 yards per carry when he is given the ball. His best game so far only netted 89 yards, and that was against a Bandits team that has been sleepwalking through the season. It is early, but folks are beginning to wonder if the ‘Gades, and most of the draft “experts”, swung and missed big time on the Georgia product. The school that brought the USFL standout backs like Herschel Walker and Terrell Davis was expected to have produced another monster in Moreno, but so far it has been far more Dr. Jeckyll and not nearly enough Mr. Hyde for the Renegades.
Guard is not generally considered a high risk position, but don’t tell that to the USFL this week as three starters went down with significant injuries this week. New Jersey’s Jesse James, Philadelphia’s Damien Woody, and Seattle’s Chris Kemoeatu are all expected to be done for the year with a variety of leg injuries, though the common theme seems to be ligament damage in each case.
In addition to the loss of the three guards we have center Trey Teague of Tampa Bay gone to a broken hip, Boston corner Fred Smoot expected to miss a month or more with a torn hamstring, and New Jersey DE Shaun Ellis also suffering from a hamstring injury that could cost him up to a month.
LA is hoping that 2nd year corner Dominique Rogers-Cromartie will only miss one game after suffering an ugly dislocated finger, an injury that often looks worse than it is. On the good news front, Brett Favre has started appearing at Stallion practices, and appears to be progressing well towards a comeback targeted at Week 8.
Charlotte DT Kyle Williams went down in what looked like a nasty neck injury, but apparently it was a temporary setback. He is listed as Doubtful this week, but he doctors say he suffered no significant injury that will keep him out beyond Week 6. Similarly, Arizona CB Asante Samuel’s feared ACL injury was diagnosed as mere patella tendinitis, which again could mean he will be back by Week 7. Matt Leinart is still listed on Denver’s injury report, but with a Probable status, there is a very good chance we will see their starter back in action this weekend. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Keyshawn Johnson, Daunte Culpepper, and Donald Driver join Leinart as players who could return to action this week.
Dallas Proving Prime Territory for USFL
With three of this season’s eight home games in the books for the Texas Outlaws, it seems the decision to choose Dallas and the Cotton Bowl as their temporary home has been a huge success. The Outlaws are averaging nearly 48,000 fans per game, having faced LA, Houston, and Pittsburgh in the Big D. They are expecting a big crowd this week with Arizona coming to town, and will then hoast Memphis, New Orleans, Denver and St. Louis after that. And while the Outlaws are not looking ther best on the field, off to a 1-4 start despite many expecting a playoff run this year, the stands are something to be happy about.
So, what is next? That is a question already being asked. The Outlaws are locked into a 5-year deal at the Alamo Dome, and are only traveling to Dallas due to renovations the club is helping to pay for. Expansion seems a distant possibility, so what could fans in Dallas do after 2009 is over? The obvious answer is to put together a group to potentially lure another team to the metroplex. That has been an issue in the past, as two different bids for expansion (1995 and 2006/2008) fell apart before the city really had a chance to show its support for a USFL team.
If this year is proving anything it is that fans are not the issue in Dallas. If a viable ownership group could bring a team to town, the city itself seems more than ready to support a 2nd franchise after the NFL Cowboys (who have not exactly been burning up the NFL since the early 1990’s.). But would the league be open to relocation? And at what cost?
This is all speculative, of course. There is no current bidding group out seeking a franchise to bring to town, but what we are seeing from the community and their support of the Outlaws clearly shows that if such a bid were to form, the city would very likely throw its support behind it and a new franchise in town would have no trouble attracting a crowd.
Terrell Owens Sharpie Trick Has League Seeing Red
You knew it would not take long for Terrell Owens and his king-sized personality to run afowl of the USFL brass. While hardly as restrictive or crotchety as the NFL, the USFL owners tend to frown on blatant self-promotion nearly as much as their fall counterparts. Yes, celebrations are bigger and more brash in the USFL than in the fall league, but when a player makes a first down, pulls a pen out of his sock, signs the official game ball and throws it into the crowd, that is more than the usual $500 fine for tossing the ball.
This week the USFL penalized Owens $10,000 for his choreographed stunt with a Sharpee, citing the almost ludicrous claim that having the pen in his sock during the first down play is a violation of league uniform policy and posed a threat as a “potential weapon”. As laughable as that may sound, the truth is that carrying a foreign object on you while on the field could be an issue. We all remember the one actually interesting scene in the Bruce Willis film “The Last Boyscout” where a fictional player in a fictional league pulled a gun from his waistband and shot a defensive player. That is far from a Sharpee, but after the Plaxico Burress incident, there is some logic to the harsh league response to Owens’s little stunt.
This is not the first stunt Mr. Owens has had to pay for, famously fined for a taunt at the 50-yard line in Dallas when he played in the NFL, but it is the first time that his antics have led to a fine in the USFL. In his earlier days with Jacksonville, Owens’s big personality had really not manifested, at least not beyond the occasional endzone dance. That came with his time in the NFL, and is apparently going to be a factor for him with the Stars in Philly. Of course, with Steve Smith opposite him on the field, you have in the Stars the perfect 1-2 combo of brash extraverts at the position. Some would say Prima Donnas, but we leave that up to you to decide.
Best of the USFL: Halfbacks
Perhaps one of the toughest positions to evaluate, because there are so many strong candidates for the league’s best halfbacks. This will be one that is debated across all the social media outlets, to be sure. A lot depends on what you are looking for in a back. Do you want a piledriver who is all but guaranteed to make that key 3rd and 2? Would you prefer an all-purpose back who can be effective in the passing game? Or what about the elusive back who may get hung up behind the line or could break one for 80? So many options. And yet, what we tend to see in the USFL are bigger backs who can complement the passing game or participate in it. Looking at our Top 5, we have 2 who are very active in the passing game, and 3 who are more about brute power and the ability to make the tough yards.
Frank Gore (NSH)
We have Gore as our top overall back because he combines the two attributes that USFL teams seem to crave the most, the ability to run tough and the ability to be effective in the short passing game. Gore is among the league’s elite for a reason, he is versatile, elusive, and powerful all at once.
Deuce McCallister (WSH)
Washington does not use Deuce McCallister much in their passing game, but he sure is effective on the ground. The Deuce has topped 1,000 yards each of the past 6 seasons for Washington, and, despite limited use, averages about 30 receptions a year. The key with McCallister is his ability to get around the edge or take the tough yards in the middle.
Ricky Williams (OAK)
Breakaway speed and impact power typify Ricky Williams’s game. Not an elusive back by any means, Williams depends on breaking tackles, dragging defenders, and busting into the secondary. Since coming over from New Orleans, Williams has had 3 seasons over 1,200 yards for the Invaders, with 10+ TDs in each of the past three years.
Eddie George (OHI)
The consummate all-purpose back, George is as dangerous in the Ohio air attack as he is toting the ball in the run game. For over a decade, the Ohio State product has been among the league leaders in receptions by a back and has often had numbers that compare favorable with mid-range starting wideouts, all while also averaging nearly 1,200 yards per season rushing the ball.
Ron Dayne (BAL)
The best example of a power back in this group, Dayne is a bulldozer who would rather run over you than try to juke his way around you. Baltimore’s big back has been a regular All-USFL selection for years, and while he does not offer much in the passing game, he is one of the most reliable short-yardage and goal line backs in league history.
Like we said, this was a tough position to limit to only 5 candidates. How do we not include Texas’s T. J. Duckett? Or Tampa Bay’s dual threat back Willis McGahee? Marshawn Lynch has been a dominant performer in his short time with the Thunder, and since coming over from Birmingham to Houston Shaun Alexander has proven himself among the best in the game.
Fourteen games and twelve of them will be divisional clashes again in Week 6. We have some great rivalry games as well with Memphis kicking it off against in-state rival Nashville on Friday Night. On Saturday it is Boston @ New Jersey, LA vs. Oakland in the California Derby, and Denver headed to Houston in a clash of 3-2 teams. Sunday features the two non-divisional games, as well as a Central Division clash between Michigan and Ohio. The Week wraps up with a battle for first in the Northeast when Baltimore heads just down the road to face Washington at RFK.
FRIDAY @ 8pm Memphis (0-5) @ Nashville (4-1) NBC
SATURDAY @ 12pm Atlanta (1-4) @ Tampa Bay (1-4) ABC
SATURDAY @ 12pm Charlotte (4-1) @ Jacksonville (1-4) FOX
SATURDAY @ 12pm Boston (3-2) @ New Jersey (1-4) FOX
SATURDAY @ 4pm Las Vegas (2-3) @ Seattle (1-4) ABC
SATURDAY @ 4pm Los Angeles (3-2 @ Oakland (4-1) FOX
SATURDAY @ 8pm Denver (3-2) @ Houston (3-2) ESPN
SUNDAY @ 12pm Portland (2-3) @ Philadelphia (3-2) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm Pittsburgh (4-1) @ Orlando (4-1) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm Michigan (3-2) @ Ohio (3-2) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm Chicago (3-2) @ St. Louis (0-5) ABC
SUNDAY @ 4pm Birmingham (2-3) @ New Orleans (3-2) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm Arizona (2-3) @ Texas (1-4) FOX
SUNDAY @ 8pm Baltimore (4-1 @ Washington (5-1) ESPN