A big week for teams trying to catch up in their divisions as Texas overtakes Arizona in the Southwest, Oakland evens up their record with LA’s, and both the NE and SE divisions remain clustered, with several teams vying for the top spot. Big wins by St. Louis, Michigan, Orlando and Charlotte keep them alive in the playoff chase, while Seattle makes a statement against the LA Express, making their case for the Pacific Division crown. A big week, with lots of stories to follow. Let’s get right to it with our game of the week.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS 26 BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS 23 OVERTIME
The Battle of the steel cities was a true test of each teams mettle, if you will pardon the pun. Birmingham gave Pittsburgh a run for their money, but the Maulers mounted a monster second half to rally back and take the W in overtime, proving that the team with the best record in the league is able to battle adversity.
The first half belonged to Birmingham entirely as the Stallions took a 20-7 lead into the half. After a scoreless first quarter that saw both teams struggle to get the run game going, Birmingham started to have success with their offense just as the quarter started winding down. Cam Newton used his legs to avoid pressure from the Maulers and on a 3rd and 3 from the 12-yard line, he found Jabari Holloway in the back of the endzone late for the first score of the game. After a tipped ball was picked off by Stallions LB Donte Curry, the Stallions were once again in business. This time, when pressured, Newton hung in the pocket and found rookie WR Jerrel Jerrigan deep for a 34-yard scoring strike.
Stunned by the 14-point deficit, Pittsburgh felt pressure to get on the board, going for a 4th and 2 from their own 41 and converting. That daring call from Coach Rivera proved worthwhile as 6 plays later, HB Ronnie Brown burrowed his way into the line and across the plane of the end zone for the first Mauler points of the game. Birmingham would respond with a field goal on their next drive, going up 17-7 with 1:00 on the clock. Hoping to get a late field goal, Pittsburgh called an aggressive no huddle, but Cody Pickett threw the ball right to safety Shiloh Keo, who returned the ball into Mauler territory. As time ran out, it was Birmingham who were able to get a late score, adding another 3 on a 34 yd kick from Garrett Hartley.
The second half began much as the first had ended, with Birmingham marching into Pittsburgh territory before settling for a Hartley field goal. Up 23-7, things were looking very good for the homestanding Stallions, but you don’t get to 11-1 without being tenacious, and the Maulers are certainly that. On their first possession of the half, the Maulers finally started to see success for tailbacks Ronnie Brown and Kenny Watson. The two combined for 51 yards on the drive as Pittsburgh tried to protect Pickett from the pressure Birmingham had found success with. The Maulers would put 6 on the board thanks to a Vincent Cruz TD catch from Pickett, but the 2-pointer failed, leaving a 10 point deficit at 23-13.
Now it was Cam Newton’s turn to have some bad luck. He too had a pass tipped, and he too saw it end up in the hands of the opposition, this time FS Robert Sands. Sands returned the ball to the Birmingham 34, where the Maulers took over on offense. They would waste no time trying to get on the scoreboard. Pickett fackedthe ball to Kenny Watson, rolled to his right and found Kevin Johnson in stride on a corner route. The slot receiver slid out of a tackle by the safety and into the endzone just as the 3rd quarter ended, pulling the Maulers within 3 at 23-20.
The fourth quarter would see more issues for Newton as the Mauler D started to find their way to the rookie QB. A sack and another pick were the results of two Stallion drives. And while the pick did not directly lead to points, the sack forced Birmingham to punt from deep in their end, giving the Maulers the field position they needed to march into field goal range and tie the score. Ryan Succop hit from 52 yards out to equalize the score with just over 3 minutes to play, but Birmingham was unable to get anything going in their 2-minute drill and the game ended with no winner decided.
In overtime, Birmingham won the coin toss, but could do nothing, going 3-and-out on the opening possession. The Maulers got a solid return from Cruz, and started with the ball on their own 37. After a run by Brown, Pickett found his favorite receiver, Vincent Jackson (7 for 109 on the day) and Jackson went for 22 yards. After 2 runs gained the Maulers another first down, the Stallion defense stiffened, but could not drive the Maulers out of field goal range. Succop would line up for a relatively easy 37-yard attempt. The kick was good and the game ended with the Maulers taking victory number 12 on the season and Birmingham dropping to 5-8 and as close to eliminated as you can get right now.
NASHVILLE 9 TAMPA BAY 27
A rough game for Jay Cutler and a big one for Chris Doering as the Bandits blow past the Knights and stake their claim on the SE Division title. With Joey Galloway and Willis McGahee both sitting with injuries, someone had to step up, and that someone was Chris Doering, whose 129 yards on 9 receptions helped the Bandits score 20 of the final 23 points in the game. The defense also did their part, picking off Jay Cutler twice and limiting him to only 22 of 44 passing for 194 yards.
ST. LOUIS 28 OHIO 25
The Skyhawks set a club win record with their 6th of the year, but more importantly, they stay in the playoff hunt after knocking off the Glory in Columbus. Josh Freeman threw for 338 and 3 TDs while rookie HB William Bethea carried the ball 27 times for 102 yards in a break out game for him. Add in 4 sacks of Vince Young and you have just enough for St. Louis to squeak by and get the win.
BOSTON 10 WASHINGTON 44
This one was all Washington and all Deuce McCallister as the star tailback rushed for 128, caught 5 for 62, and scored 4 touchdowns on the day to please Federals fans and fantasy players as well. David Garrard also looked back to pre-injury form, completing 20 of 29 for 265 and 2 touchdowns. With Adrian McPherson struggling again, it looks like the final 3 games of the year will be back to Jake Locker at QB in Boston.
NEW ORLEANS 16 BALTIMORE 31
The Breaker’s 2-game winning streak comes to a crashing halt as they come up against a determined Blitz team. Despite Ron Dayne only getting 7 carries thanks to a touchy hamstring, Baltimore had more than enough to take care of the breakers, getting 3 TDs from backup Anthony Dixon and 5 sacks from their defense in a game that was never close.
HOUSTON 17 MICHIGAN 19
It was not easy, but Michigan stays alive at 6-7 while Houston is eliminated. Brian Griese and Hines Ward connected for 128 yards passing, but it was Laverneous Cole who got into the endzone, twice. Those two scores, combined with a strong defensive outing from the Gamblers, was enough to hold on and win a tight game at Ford Field.
TEXAS 19 LAS VEGAS 13
A good defensive showing by both teams at Sam Boyd, but in the end Texas gets the W thanks to two Joe Flacco TD passes and 102 yards from Marques Colston. Las Vegas kept it close with a Rashard Jennings 15-yard TD run, but they just could not muster a final drive to recapture the lead when they needed one.
ORLANDO 16 ATLANTA 6
More defensive football, this time inside at the Georgia Dome, where Orlando shut down the Fire thanks to 8 sacks of Kyle Orton, 4 alone by the league leader, Calais Campbell. The Renegade offense did not do much, particularly after Eli Manning was knocked out of the game with a stinger, but they did get a single TD from Knowshon Moreno following an Atlanta fumble, and that proved to be enough for the visiting Renegades, who move to 8-5 and send Atlanta to 6-7.
JACKSONVILLE 17 CHARLOTTE 23
The Monarchs win their third in a row, thanks to a Delhomme to Mason TD that gave them the lead for good over the Bulls. Tim Tebow threw for 2 scores but also threw 2 picks and was sacked 7 times by an aggressive Charlotte defense. The win moves Charlotte to 7-6, still in range of Tampa Bay and Orlando, while Jacksonville drops to 3-10 and is eliminated from contention.
CHICAGO 31 MEMPHIS 6
Chicago took advantage of a pretty shaky Memphis defense to the tune of 210 yards rushing as Michael Turner racedfor 168 yards on only 22 carries, an average of 7.6 yards per carry. Maurice Clarett also got into the act, running for 2 scores in limited action. Meanwhile, the Chicago defense held Memphis to only 68 yards on the ground and sacked Ryan Mallett 4 times.
NEW JERSEY 20 ARIZONA 13
Things went from bad to worse for the Wranglers when Jim Sorgi, already subbing for an injured David Carr, was also hurt in this game, with Arizona forced to go with 3rd stringer Dave Dickenson. Dickenson would be sacked 6 times by the Generals. The game could have been much worse, but New Jersey also struggled with pass protection, with Sam Bradford sacked 7 times by the Wranglers. But, in the end, a 42-yard punt return TD from Miles Austin and a Leigh Tiffin FG in the fourth quarter were enough to give the visitors a 7 point victory.
LOS ANGELES 6 SEATTLE 26
Seattle made a statement, not only moving over .500 with a home win over LA, but pulling within one game of the division leaders in convincing fashion. Byron Leftwich threw for 2 scores and the combo of Best and Betts combined for 121 yards on the ground as the Dragons controlled the clock for nearly 37 minutes in this one. After an initial Express field goal, Seattle rattled off 23 unanswered points to take over this game and work their way right back into playoff contention.
PORTLAND 17 OAKLAND 24
Seattle’s win also helped the Invaders, who edged Portland to move to 8-5 and take a share of 1st place. They are still behind LA on the tiebreaker, but with 4 straight wins, the Invaders are peaking at the right time to make a run. The difference in this game was the Invader defense, which got 2 takeaways and forced Portland into 11 penalties (7 on offense). Despite being slightly outgained on the day, Oakland still won where it counted, on the scoreboard.
PHILADELPHIA 24 DENVER 17
A big Sunday night matchup that went down to the wire. After Denver tied the game at 17 with 6 minutes left, Philadelphia ate up 4:34 on their final drive before Kurt Warner hit Stevie Johnson with the game winner. Denver could not recover and drop to 7-6, currently out of playoff position, while the Stars keep pace with Washington in the East.
Boston to Return to Locker
We had a feeling that with the season already a lost cause, and with ownership wanting to get more out of their inveastment in a top tier rookie QB, that we would be seeing Jake Locker again, and so it is. Coach John Fox, who got the sometimes-dreaded “vote of confidence” this week, announced on Tuesday that Jake Locker would finish out the season as the starter. Locker, in his 7 starts, threw for 15,42 yards, but had only 3 TDs to 9 picks. Adrian McPherson, in only 6 games, threw for 1,387 and put up 6 TDs to only 5 picks, but had as much difficulty getting wins as Locker. So, with only 3 weeks left the Cannons are looking to use the final weeks to get Locker more snaps, and hope that growth into the position will come with additional opportunities to see game action.
Deuce Wants (and Deserves) MVP Consideration
Federals’ HB Deuce McCallister is not being shy about what he wants out of this season. And, honestly, we cannot say we blame him. McCallister is quoted as saying that he wants to be in the discussion for MVP alongside QB’s Joe Flacco and Kurt Warner. He made it clear that his top priority is a title, but that also commented on how ridiculous it is for MVP to almost always go to a QB. The Washington back is not just yelling at clouds, he has the stats to back up his desire to be in the conversation. Deuce leads all backs in the league with 1,211 yards, while also boasting a 4.7 YPC average and putting up 13 total TDs (10 rushing, 3 receiving). He is on pace for a 1,500 yard season, and it is clear that he is the focal point of the entire Federal offense.
Can he win it? Well, that could be tough even for the best player on one of the two best teams in the league. For whatever reason, quarterbacks tend to draw more attention, and that means they also get more votes. McCallister’s case could very much be damaged by a late surge by the Texas Outlaws into first place in the SW division. If Joe Flacco can continue to put up big numbers and if Texas can hold out and win the SW Division over Arizona, then all odds say that Flacco will get the nod. But an argument can truly be made that McCallister needs to be considered.
Manning to Miss Week 14
When Eli Manning left the game vs. Atlanta in the early stages of the 2nd quarter, there was concern for what had happened. He had been sacked, but seemed fine when he stood up, only to call for replacement from the sideline. We learned later that he was suffering from blurred vision, and that the likely issue was a concussion suffered when he hit the turf in the Georgia Dome. By midweek the reports were not looking good as Manning was still dealing with occasional bouts of dizziness and blurred vision, not something you want in a QB. He is listed as doubtful for this week’s game but all indications are that Orlando will take their chances with Matt Moore at QB, at least for Week 13’s game at Charlotte. It is a horrible time for the club to be missing their starter, especially with Charlotte at home on a 3-game winning streak, but the goal is to have Manning healthy for the playoffs, even if that means taking a possible step back this week.
Lynch Looks to Return in Week 14
Six weeks after going out of action in a game against Portland, Marshawn Lynch appears ready to return to action, and none too soon for a Thunder team that has lost 5 of their last 7 games. The Thunder are still in range, now only 1 game behind the Express and the Invaders, but they will need some good games down the stretch, and having Lynch back in action may well help them do that.
Lynch began practicing with the team two weeks ago, but this is the first week where he has taken full practice and participated in contact drills with his teammates. The leg looks good, and Lynch seems excited to be back. That could well spell trouble for the Tampa Bay Bandits, this week’s opponent at Sam Boyd Stadium. A healthy Marshawn Lynch makes the Thunder a much more dangerous team.
Hard to believe that after 13 games we still only have 2 playoff spots locked up, but that is the scenario as Washington joins the Pittsburgh Maulers as playoff locks. The Maulers have locked up the overall #1 seed in the west, with a solid 3 games over 9-4 Texas. Washington is in a tighter race, with theStars and Blitz only 1 game back. And, yes, we said Texas, because Arizona’s loss this week means that the Outlaws step up to the division lead and a potential bye as the 2nd seed.
Other current division leaders include Tampa Bay and Nashville in the East and La in the West, though the Express are now in a dogfight with Oakland and Seattle right there with them. Tampa Bay has 1 game on Orlando, but Charlotte is also charging late with 3 straight wins.
On the other side of the standings we saw Jacksonville, Portland, and Houston join the Showboats, Breakers and Cannons as teams no longer in the hunt. A huge disappointment for the 2010 USFL Champion Gamblers, and not at all what fans in Portland or New Orleans expected this season either.
A very good week around the USFL as no new players were added to IR and we only saw a few potential short term injuries. Atlanta TE Matt Schobel is out 1-2 weeks. Oakland SS Pearson Prioleau could also miss 2 weeks due to a dislocated knee. Philly DE Robert Mathis is out after suffering a concussion last week. Willis McGahee remains doubtful after missing last week. Eli Manning is also doubtful as we cited above.
Expected back in action this week are some big names like David Carr, Marshawn Lynch, Chauncey Davis, Will Allen, Antoine Winfield, Mike Vrabel, and Matt Hasselbeck. So, we could see Week 14 as a great week for teams to make a push as some of their stars return to action.
Pro Football Hall of Fame to induct 6 USFL Players and a Legendary Coach
The USFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 6-member class of 2011, including 5 main ballot inductees and one legacy inductee. The names will be familiar to football fans for sure, and the honor spread among 11 different teams. This year’s class is led by one of the most heralded coaches in USFL history, Jim Mora Sr, who led the Philadelphia Stars and the Memphis Showboats to league titles. He is joined by two more first ballot inductees: QB Heath Shuler, the long-time Memphis Showboat signal caller, and cornerback Phillipi Sparks, who played his entire career in Arizona. Joining them in the Hall will be 2nd year honoree Mo Lewis, a defensive force for the Bulls, Fire, and Express, and 3rd year finalist Rashaan Salaam, the former Gold and Invader halfback.
Salaam is, and always would be, a controversial pick after suffering a year-long suspension after a post-title game extravaganza of excess had him brought up on a host of legal charges. He returned to football after both his suspension and legal issues were resolved, but his legacy will always be a controversial one, a likely reason why it took 3 attempts to find himself with a gold jacket.
Finally, the Legacy Committee provided its nominee, an automatic approval in the current voting system. Quarterback Doug Williams will enter the Hall of Fame. Originally a member of the NFL Buccaneers after an outstanding college career at Grambling, Williams jumped to the USFL’s Jacksonville Bulls in 1984 as part of a contract dispute with his NFL club. He would play for Jacksonville for 3 seasons, then become the biggest offensive star of the expansion Oklahoma Outlaws in 1987, and then the merged Outlaws-Gunslingers in San Antonio, where he would play in the 1988 and 1989 seasons. A classic gunslinger as a QB, Williams still holds several team records for the Outlaws and Bulls, and can be found among all-time league leaders as well.
And so, this October, we will see two QBs, a Halfback, a linebacker, a corner, and a 3-time Summer Bowl Champion coach all take their place alongside the greats of both the NFL and USFL in the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Congratulations to all the enshrines and to the fans who got to watch these outstanding players over the years.
Federals Unveil New Look
It took a while, but the Washington Federals’ new look has finally been made public, and, with Washington sitting at the #1 seed in the East, there is a very good chance that fans at RFK will get to see the new look on the field in just a few weeks. Adidas and the Federals unveiled the new designs yesterday and while they are very much keeping with the history of the Federals’ look, there are some new elements to outline.
Firstly we have the logo, which once again tweaks the idea of a black and green eagle with its wing spread behind it. The shape is slightly different, a bit more curved than the past version, but it is certainly recognizable as the Federals. What makes it interesting this time is the way the logo blends with the wordmark, with the eagle’s beak and body forming the top of the letter “F” in Federals. The rest of the wordmark moves from the somewhat tough to read “dollar” font to a bold script font.
The uniforms have some new tweaks but are also well-grounded in Federals traditions. The white helmet now has 3 bold stripes in green and black, the pant sets (white, green, or black) also have a 3 stripe pattern, presented in a horizontal diagonal on the upper thigh, and the team’s secondary rondel logo at the hip. The jerseys feature a more legible block font with curved edges and three thick stripes on the sleeves. The big innovation here is the use of green sleeves on the white jersey, creating a very different striping look with the same white-black-white stripes than on the kelly green jersey. Of course, both jerseys will feature the league’s 30th season patch, as all teams will have, and the Federals will actually trot out a 1983 replica uniform for any matches against other 1983 founding franchises, including division rivals Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Week Fourteen kicks off with a huge game in the NE Division as our Friday night game features 10-3 Washington hosting 9-4 Baltimore. The Feds can either put some space between themselves and their rivals or fall back into a tie with the Blitz (and possibly the Stars as well).
Saturday is headlined by two of the Best in the West as the leaders of the SW and Central Divisions clash at Heinz Field. Texas brings their 9-4 record into Pittsburgh to face a Mauler squad that has not lost since the opening week of the season. We will also have the big Tampa Bay-Las Vegas game in the later slot, and then Denver heads to Houston on Saturday Night Football.
Sunday starts off strong when the Arizona Wranglers, with David Carr back under center, head to the City of Brotherly Love to face the 9-4 Stars. Philadelphia needs this win to try to keep pace with the Federals, while Arizona simply cannot afford any more losses as they battle Texas for the division. Sunday also sees a Pacific Division battle among in-state rivals as the Oakland Invaders travel down the 1 to challenge the LA Express, both tied atop the division at 8-5. The winner will have the inside track to a division title.
FRIDAY @ 8pm ET Baltimore (9-4) @ Washington (10-3) NBC
SATURDAY @ 12pm ET Boston (1-11-1) @ New Jersey (5-8) ABC
SATURDAY @ 12pm ET Texas (9-4) @ Pittsburgh (12-1) ABC
SATURDAY @ 12pm ET Nashville (8-5) @ Birmingham (5-8) FOX
SATURDAY @ 4pm ET Atlanta (6-7) @ New Orleans (2-11) ABC
SATURDAY @ 4pm ET Tampa Bay (9-4) @ Las Vegas (7-6) FOX
SATURDAY @ 8pm ET Denver (7-6) @ Houston (4-9) ESPN
SUNDAY @ 12pm ET Arizona (9-4) @ Philadelphia (9-4) ABC
SUNDAY @ 12pm ET Orlando (8-5) @ Charlotte (7-6) FOX
SUNDAY @ 12pm ET Memphis (2-10-1) @ Jacksonville (3-10) FOX
SUNDAY @ 4pm ET Ohio (5-8) @ Chicago (5-8) ABC
SUNDAY @ 4pm ET Seattle (7-6) @ St. Louis (6-7) ABC
SUNDAY @ 4pm ET Michigan (6-7) @ Portland (4-9) FOX
SUNDAY @ 8pm ET Oakland (8-5) @ Los Angeles (8-5) EFN