Camps have closed. The preseason games have been played. The rosters have been trimmed, and all across the USFL teams are game planning and preparing for this weekend’s opening week. In what will be a first USFL season for many, and a final season for the Las Vegas Thunder, the league prepares to kick off once again. In our two-part season preview we will take a look back at the moves and stories of the offseason and then take a long look at what we might expect as we enter the new season. Today we discuss the new faces across the league, assess who we think has improved and who may have slipped over the offseason, and preview both the schedule and the Fantasy Rankings for 2014. Tomorrow we will complete our season preview with team-by-team analysis and our predictions for this season’s results and the major awards for the USFL. It’s almost time to kick off, so let’s get right into our look at the offseason with the 10 biggest additions we see across the league this year.
Hey all, a quick update on the website. Updates have been made to the HOF and the History Pages. I still need to add some narrative to the History Page, but I have added the basics up through 2013.
THE OFFSEASON'S 10 BIGGEST ADDITIONS
Every team hopes their new roster proves to be more than its accumulated pieces, and every team hopes they have found the right combination of veterans, new faces, rookies, and developing players to make a run at a title. Last year it all came together for the Arizona Wranglers, pairing a run-first offense with a shut-down defense to win the club’s first title in 31 years of existence. Who will emerge this year and which offseason acquisition will provide the key piece to the puzzle? We start our preseason preview by thinking about new faces in new places and who we see as the players that could prove pivotal to their teams this season. Here is our Top 10 Biggest Additions for 2014.
10—WR Brandon LaFell (WSH) FREE AGENT
It seems like the Federals have been looking for a receiver to complement Deion Branch for over a decade, in part because they have. Is Brandon LaFell going to be the one to finally provide another target and reduce the double teams on Branch? The former Breaker is a deep threat, but there are questions about his consistency.
9—LB Khalil Mack (SEA) ROOKIE
It is a big leap from the U. of Buffalo to pro football, but fans in Seattle are counting on Mack’s athleticism and energy to help him make the leap. Fans in Seattle are eager to see their team develop a truly dangerous pass rush, and they are looking at Mack as the answer, able to line up wide or to act as a blitzer in the middle. The physical skills are there, but how long will it take Mack to adapt to the pro game and the level of competition he will face?
8—HB Chris Johnson (TEX) NFL IMPORT
The loss of Arian Foster back to the NFL was a big blow for the Outlaws. Foster had an outstanding 2013 campaign and Joe Flacco relies on the run game to be successful on early down throws. Can speedster Chris Johnson be the solution? Once marketed as the fastest man in the NFL, Johnson has seen his production dip in his last two seasons with the Tennessee Copperheads before becoming a free agent this year. Texas is hoping that they can bring back the speedster who eclipsed 2,000 yards in the NFL back in 2009 and has never had a season below 1,000 yards.
7—LB Terrell Suggs (PHI) FREE AGENT
Just what the rest of the league needed, a Stars team that was among the league leaders in sacks bringing in one of the most effective pass rushers from the LB position. What are teams going to do when they have Anthony Hargrove occupying the tackle and Suggs coming in right behind him? You cannot chip Suggs with a TE or HB and expect it to slow him down. This move makes the Stars even scarier on passing downs than they were in their Summer Bowl appearance 2013 season.
6—DE Justin Tuck (MGN) NFL IMPORT
New Panther head coach Jim Johnson wasted no time addressing the biggest issue the Michigan defense had in 2013. The Panthers simply did not have enough of a threat in their front 4. They were among the worst in the league in sack percentage and overall pressure. Bringing in NFL import Justin Tuck, formerly of the NY Giants, is seen as a move to try to add a sense of danger to the Panther front four and to allow Michigan to provide pressure without the need to blitz, a trademark of Johnson’s defenses in his time in St. Louis and Nashville.
5—LB Paul Posluszny (PIT) FREE AGENT
The Maulers surprised many with a very solid 2013 season, but their defense gave up way too many points for them to truly compete in the very tough Northeast Division. Adding a savvy and very effective MLB to the defense gives them not only a run stuffer and solid coverage backer, but also a team leader on a defense that needed to establish an identity. “Poz” will likely end up with 100 tackles again, but more importantly he will add continuity and confidence to a Mauler defense that has lacked both.
4—WR Odell Beckham Jr. (NJ) ROOKIE
There is renewed hope in New Jersey that with Sam Bradford returning, the Generals can rebound from a disastrous 4-12 season in 2013. The strong preseason from LSU rookie Odell Beckham Jr. has only added to that hope. OBJ, as he is being called in the press, has had a very strong camp, and looked like a very dangerous weapon in the Generals’ preseason games. He will be a week 1 starter alongside Doug Baldwin, and should be a frequent target for Bradford and the Generals’ offense.
3—CB Aqib Talib (DEN) NFL IMPORT
Denver saw what the Wranglers did last year, and they loved the formula. Run the ball, and play shut down defense. That is a formula that works for Dick Jauron, and for a Denver ownership that has never wanted to spend big money on offensive playmakers. But for this formula to work, you need quality at every level of the defense. Denver believes they have added top flight talent in the secondary with NFL import Talib. One of the best corners in the NFL, Talib is viewed as an instant All-USFL candidate, a shut down corner that could allow the Denver D to simply write off the top receiver of each opponent they face. That is a huge ask for a new player, especially one who is coming into the league with no offseason to speak of.
2—LB Brian Orakpo (TBY) NFL IMPORT
Another NFL import expected to step right in and play another 16 weeks is linebacker Brian Orakpo. The former Redskin is part of a full defensive rebuild in Tampa Bay that also includes the signing of corners Carlos Rogers and Corey Graham, and the addition of four defensive rookies, including DT Timmy Jernigan and S Lamarcus Joyner from Florida state. Orakpo is seen as the lynchpin to a new defense for the Bandits. Aggressive, fast, and hard-hitting, he is a prototypical LB for a 4-3 system.
1--Johnny Manziel (DAL) ROOKIE
No shocker that “Johnny Football” is our number one new addition. Manziel Mania has hit Dallas and the entire state of Texas full force. The former Texas A&M star joins the 2nd year Roughnecks already a conquering hero after his time with the Aggies. While the rookie is not expected to open the season as the starter, we know that the pressure will be on Mike Sherman to get Manziel on the field and that Jake Locker will be on a short leash. Fans want to see their Aggie hero in Dallas sky blue, and we expect that even if the club finishes 3-13 again, the presence of Manziel on the Roughneck roster will keep the excitement level high all season.
10 WINNERS & LOSERS THIS OFFSEASON
For as much optimism as each USFL club and its fans have at this time of the year, the truth is that there are always team who put the right pieces together to make a leap forward, like Arizona last season, and there are teams who are weakened by the offseason, just as we saw with St. Louis in 2013. Not every team can find replacements for lost stars, not every rookie prospect pans out immediately, and not every combination of old and new faces meshes well. As we look ahead to the 2014 season, we choose 5 teams we think are stronger now than in July and 5 who may well be taking a step backwards.
Winner: Tampa Bay Bandits
The Bandits were one of the most explosive and dangerous offenses in the league last year, but the defense let them down week in and week out. We have already highlighted the new faces on defense, led by former All-USFL corner Carlos Rogers and NFL import Brian Orakpo. If the Bandit D can be even mid-range, we could see a resurgence of Bandit Ball. The key question is the run game. With Willis McGahee’s early retirement, the need to replace his carries and catches is key to the Bandits. Tampa traded with the Federals for speedster Jahvid Best and signed Tulane WR/HB Ryan Grant, with the expectation that they can use that combo to absorb the touches that McGahee had given them. If they can, we could see a much more dangerous Bandit team in 2014.
Loser: Baltimore Blitz
While we like how Tampa Bay addressed the retirement of their All-USFL halfback, we have to shake our heads at what Baltimore did to try to replace Ron Dayne and his annual 1,200 yard contribution. Baltimore did not make a big play on a top tier USFL or NFL halfback. They did not draft a back until the 5th round, and UCF’s Storm Johnson ended up signing with the NFL Jaguars, so now Baltimore is left with a HB room potentially led by chronic underachiever Cedric Benson. For a team whose offense is predicated on a power run game, we are just not seeing how Coach Caldwell gets what he needs from his current roster.
Winner: Philadelphia Stars
Not that the Stars needed to improve much, having taken Arizona into overtime in the Summer Bowl last year, but adding LB Terrell Suggs, NFL DT Jonathan Babineaux, and talented TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, this Stars defense could be even better than in 2013. The late retirement of CB Quentin Jammer will be a blow, but if Verrett is all that his senior year at TCU showed, Philly could be improved on defense, which is a scary concept.
Loser: Birmingham Stallions
You cannot lose both Randy Moss and Terrell Owens out of your passing game in one season and expect to rebound as if nothing has happened. Birmingham qualified for a Wild Card last year in large part due to the development of QB Cam Newton, and a huge part of his improvement was having two All-USFL receivers to throw to. What does he have in 2014? Free agent Chris Chambers, and Ole Miss rookie Donte Moncrief. Does that feel like an improvement of the position to you? We didn’t think so.
Winner: Dallas Roughnecks
All the attention in Dallas is going to be on Johnny Manziel at QB, but all across the roster this Roughneck team made improvements. They were very active in free agency, using their cap space to land players who are likely to start all across the roster, from TE Ben Watson to OT Vernon Carrey. We even like the addition of C. J. Spiller to the run game because he is such a different player than starter Rashard Mendenhall, adding a new dimension to the Roughneck offense. Dallas also added defensive depth and O-line help in the draft. We particularly like Wisconsin safety Dezmen Southward. This is a Dallas team that will need time to gel, but should be significantly better than the 2013 team.
Loser: Charlotte Monarchs
There are teams that lost more players either to free agency, the NFL, or retirement this offseason, but we are not sure there is another team that lost as much leadership from their team. The Monarchs saw Jake Delhomme retire after an injury-shortened 2013, but they also lost WR Derrick Mason, DE Fred Perry, FS Chris Crocker, and CB Carlos Rogers. That is a ton of veteran know-how, leadership, and experience. Charlotte had cap issues which kept them from adding veteran leadership through free agency, and their rookie class is one of the least impactful, at least on paper, so we cannot help but expect Charlotte to take a step back this year.
Winner: Houston Gamblers
Yes, the loss of Michael Turner was a big hit, but no team added more to their roster this year than the Gamblers. We especially love their draft class, as the Gamblers were very successful in signing their top targets, bringing a big bruising back (Carlos Hyde), a big play receiver (Mike Evans) and a quality cornerback (Malcolm Butler) to the team in the draft. Add to that the signing of NFL QB Colt McCoy as the heir apparent to Matt Hasselbeck and we cannot help but think that the overall adjustment to the Houston roster is a net positive.
Loser: Portland Stags
An unimpressive draft class, a weak free agent class, and the loss of a key defender all point towards Portland having issues with the offseason moves this year. Yes, the Stags like WR Brandin Cooks, their one big rookie signing, but they missed on their top pick, Sammy Watkins, who signed with the NFL Bills. They also failed to address the loss of their best cornerback Marquand Manuel, unless, of course you believe that rookie Pierre Desir from tiny Lindenwood College is the answer. We do not.
Winner: Oakland Invaders
The Invaders had arguable the most complete draft-and-sign periods of any team, adding two immediate offensive contributors in TE Richard Rodgers and WR Davante Adams. Paired with Keenan Allen, the Invaders now have one of the most athletic and youngest receiver groups in the league. They also signed Stanford LB Trent Murphy from their T-Draft a solid slot option in Abeline Christian WR Taylor Gabriel. This will be an improved Oakland roster even with the departures of TE Joel Dreesen and LB Terrell Suggs. And we have not even mentioned the addition of NFL back Donald Brown to share carries with Ryan Williams. Not a bad offseason at all.
Loser: Pittsburgh Maulers
While we like the addition of Paul Posluszny, the list of departures from the Mauler roster has to make Pittsburgh nervous. HB Kenny Watson, CB Patrick Surtain, LB Kawika Mitchell, TE Owen Daniels, QB Quincy Carter and LB Keith Bullock. That is a lot of quality that is no longer there. And while rookie Aaron Donald is impressing us all in the preseason, we are not sure the end result is a net positive for the Maulers, especially on offense where the addition of NFL back Toby Gerhardt to try to replace Watson’s production seems a stretch.
10 BIGGEST QUESTIONS FOR 2014
New arrivals, new coaches, new systems, and new challenges. That is what the offseason brings. It also brings a lot of questions. The impact of the offseason can provide optimism, but it also brings a sense of the unknown. As we look at the 2014 season ahead of us, there are a lot of questions to be answered. We picked the 10 that we find most interesting as the season gets ready to kick off.
Which of the New Coaches Is Positioned to Win Now?
Five new coaches across the USFL and as we usually see, most are not coming into the best situations. Mike Nolan will have a tough time in Jacksonville, at least with the roster he has inherited. Similarly, both Michigan and Nashville appear to be in rebuilding phases for Jim Johnson and Greg Roman. New Jersey is an interesting case, and it all depends on whether or not we believe Norv Turner inherited a 12-4 team that had a bad year in 2013, or a 4-12 team that played way over their heads in 2012 to reach 12 wins.
Perhaps the two teams that are closest to a possible immediate surge for their new coaches are the Thunder for Dick LeBeau, and the Maulers for Vic Fangio. Both clubs were on the cusp of the playoffs last year, and both certainly have some talent to work with. Of course, the Thunder have all sort of other issues to deal with now that they have been sold off and scheduled for relocation. That alone means that Vic Fangio in Pittsburgh may have the easier task, but the fact that they are now in the NE Division means that he will have Philly, Washington, and possibly even a resurgent New Jersey to deal with.
Which 2nd Year Player Will Break Out This Season?
Looking exclusively at 2012 rookies who did not have huge seasons already, who could be ready to break out in their sophomore season? We have 4 names to watch. Cornerback Darius Slay earned a starting gig by the end of the 2012 season and we think the former Mississippi State Bulldog could be a good one for a pretty solid Fire Defense. Another corner, Jordan Poyer, has locked up the nickel spot, and could also see some time at the number two position for the Machine.
On offense, our wideout to watch is Tim Dwight in Dallas. The speedster was not given a lot of opportunities in 2012, but when thrown the ball he showed good hands and breakaway speed potential. Robert Woods in LA will also see his stock rise with the retirement of Keyshawn Johnson. LA brought in Roddy White, but Woods could be a top 3 target for Mark Sanchez this year. Finally, while LeVeon Bell and Eddie Lacy came out strong in their first year, another 2012 rookie HB could be ready to break into the limelight this year. Watch out for C. J. Anderson in Seattle. He is a big, bruising back who the Dragons want to use more on short yardage and red zone carries. We could see him even get a chance to supplant Cadillac Williams as the lead back if his early game show promise.
Will Any Team in the South or Southeast Win 10 Games?
Boy, it sure seems unlikely the way things have looked the past few years. Both of these divisions could be described as highly competitive and balanced or as weak and inconsistent. In the Southeast, we could envision Atlanta, and possibly Tampa Bay making a run at 10+ wins, but we are just not sure they are good enough to consistently win the games they are favored to win. In the South, New Orleans and Birmingham look like the two most likely clubs to make a run this year, but both are still flawed and struggle with non-divisoin opponents. We think the odds are good that both divisions see another 8 or 9 win champion in 2014, unless, that is, someone puts the pieces together and breaks out.
Is there a 2013 Non-Playoff Team Ready to Jump to the Front of the Class?
It depends who you ask, but there are several we are keeping our eyes on. Pittsburgh has a shot, especially if Baltimore slips a bit with the retirement of Ron Dayne. If 2013 is a fluke, then we have to expect New Jersey to also make a run. Orlando is on the cusp if they could just be a bit more consistent on offense, and in the West, we think that Houston, Ohio, St. Louis and Portland could all be close. Will any of them jump up to 15-1 like Arizona did last year? No. That seems unlikely, but 10 wins, possibly for any of these teams, and that would give them a shot at a division title, at least for a good number of them.
Which New Arrival Will Have the Biggest Impact for Their Team?
From a marketing and merchandise perspective, the obvious answer is Johnny Manziel, but from a wins and losses perspective, our favorite new face on a roster has to be LB Brian Orakpo with the Bandits. As we have said before, even a mid-level defense gives Tampa Bay a real chance to be a contender, even without McGahee on the squad. Orakpo brings leadership, experience, and a lot of talent to a linebacker group that could determine if the Bandits are again a bottom 5 defense or can reach the middle of the pack.
Can Johnny Manziel Be the Hero Dallas Wants Him to Be?
No. Simply put, no. But he can be the start of something. Dallas is not there yet. They still have a lot of issues in a lot of places, and asking a rookie QB to come in and immediately turn things around is unrealistic. But what Dallas wants is for Manziel to offer those moments of magic that give the team hope for the future, that show that they have potential. Doing that would establish Manziel as a “hero” of sorts in Big D, but we think that the key for this year is to establish the groundwork for the future, not try to get it all now.
How Will the Thunder Rebound From a Rough Year?
Considering they are in franchise limbo this year, not only likely dealing with hostility at home in Las Vegas, but always looking towards 2014 and San Diego, that is tough. Add to that a new coach with new systems, and a squad likely to be haunted by their 1-7 finish last year, and we think this could be another emotional rollercoaster of a year for the Thunder. Their goal this year should be to bond and build on what they have, make a push to be ready to roll in 2014 in their new home, in front of a new fanbase, and with a new lease on life.
Can New Jersey Return to their 2012 Form Under Norv Turner?
That is the hope. With Sam Bradford back, with an exciting rookie receiver already making waves in the preseason, and with a coach who is known for his offensive schemes, the hope in New Jersey is that the 4-win 2013 season was a fluke, not the 12-win 2012 season. We like Norv’s chances to at least have the Generals competitive in a way they often were not in 2012. Having Sam Bradford back will make a huge difference, of course, but the key may well be the defense. New Jersey has a new strong safety in NFL import Antoine Bethea, a new pass rush combo with Gholston joining Kampman up front, and a LB group that is still trying to find itself with Blackburn and Maualaga in their 2nd year with the team. But this is a team that has talent at some key positions, and while they face an uphill battle with both Philly and Washington looking clearly like two of the best teams in the conference, there is room for them to make a push if they can put the pieces in place.
Has Philadelphia Set Themselves Up for a Title?
Boy, it sure looks like it. Finishing 2nd to the Wranglers last year did not sit well with Coach Harbaugh and the Stars. They were active in the offseason, adding quality in players like NFL DT Jonathan Babineaux, former Invader LB Terrell Suggs, and rookie corner Jason Verritt. The defense that was among the league’s best last year could be even better. The big question now is if Matt Gutierrez can return to his 2012 form, bouncing back from a mildly underwhelming 2013, we say that despite them carrying a 12-4 record into the playoffs and winning the conference title. They were ready for a title last year, and may be even more prepared this year to get the club’s 5th.
Can Arizona Become Only the 2nd USFL Team to Repeat as Champions?
The phrasing of our question tells you just how tough it is to repeat. But this was a 15-win team last year, and they really did not suffer a lot of big hits to the roster in the offseason. Yes, losing DT Monsanto Pope was not ideal, but if either of their rookie picks at the position, ASU’s Will Sutton or Arkansas State’s Ryan Carruthers can help out returning DT starter Glenn Dorsey, we think that Arizona will have the defense once again to make a very deep run. As you might guess, we see Philadelphia as their biggest challenge, a team that pushed the Wranglers to overtime in the Summer Bowl and looks even stronger this year. But the real question is whether or not the Wranglers will have the same fire in their belly. Repeating is so tough because the desire to win a title is so powerful, but the desire to repeat is just not as strong, especially for a team that won its first title in 31 years of existence. Getting a second would be great, but is the motivation as strong?
PREVIEWING THE SCHEDULE
Looking at the USFL schedule, we know there are going to be games that are “must watch” events nearly every week, but what are the highlights? Here is our pick for the 10 must-watch games of the year.
WEEK 2: New Orleans @ Birmingham
After an opening week that is a little short of drama, with Arizona-Denver being the best game, Week 2 may give us our first true sign of how the year will go. We have 3 big games in just this week that could show us if the races for the divisions will be decided early or up for grabs late. While we like the Philadelphia-New Jersey game and the Tampa Bay-Charlotte game to help us see if either the Generals or Bandits are ready to take a step, our favorite is Breakers @ Stallions. Birmingham wants to challenge New Orleans for the South, and they were only off by ½ game last year, so this is their chance to make a statement. Likewise, the Breakers see this game as a chance to tell the league they are ready to defend their Southern title and to return to the Conference Title Game again.
WEEK 5: Texas @ Arizona
Are the Wranglers going to be challenged in the SW Division? This game will tell us if it will be a runaway division for Arizona again or if the Outlaws are ready to challenge them. It is also a great matchup of offense v. defense, with Joe Flacco and that high-flying passing game going up against a Wrangler team that was simply a brick wall on defense last year.
WEEK 6: Las Vegas @ Los Angeles
The two teams expected to have a shot at knocking off Oakland first have to get past each other. Both LA and Las Vegas have question marks, but both also have a lot of potential, and we see this game as the deciding factor to determine who will be the primary challenger to the Invaders in a Pacific Division that just may be the most underrated division in the league.
WEEK 7: Atlanta @ Charlotte
The last two SE Division Champs face off in what could be a crucial game for both. The SE Division could be a very tough one, with 4 teams all looking like potential challengers. That means that every division matchup is vital, and none moreso than when these two contenders face off near midseason.
WEEK 9: Chicago @ St. Louis
We see the Skyhawks as the most obvious potential challenger to Chicago’s title hopes in the division. If they can rebound from a major post-title hangover, the Skyhawks have the weapons to challenge that Machine defense. This game, at St. Louis, is their best chance to announce to the league that they are back in title contention form.
WEEK 10: Denver @ Arizona
Another big clash in what could be a 3-4 team race in the SW Division, that is if Arizona does not once again build up a huge lead over the other contenders. This has become a great rivalry over the years, and that rivalry is only heightened when the Wranglers come into the year seeking to defend their league title. Denver would love to knock them off their high horse, and a win in Glendale would certainly be the way to do it.
WEEK 11: Arizona @ Oakland
A rematch of the Western Conference Finals and what are expected to be the two best teams in the West again. Can home field advantage help Oakland avenge what was a painful loss in last year’s Western Finals?
WEEK 12: Washington @ Philadelphia
It is hard to imagine that these two rivals and contenders for the Eastern Title do not meet until Week 12 of the season. That means two showdowns in the season’s final 5 weeks. Will this first matchup be a deathblow for one of them or a game that brings the two contenders into a down-the-stretch photo finish? We don’t know, but we can pretty much guarantee that this will be one intense matchup.
WEEK 15: Birmingham @ Washington
Last year it was Week 15, more than the season finale, that made huge waves in the playoff picture. There are a lot of interdivisional games in this year’s schedule in Week 15, but we see this one as a potential battle between 2 clubs still vying for a division crown. The winner of this game could be in great shape, and, we expect, the loser may be in trouble, at least relegated to a Wild Card position, but perhaps far worse, possible removal from playoff position. So hard to say at this point in the year, but on paper this game could be a biggie for both the Northeast and Southern Division titles.
WEEK 16: Orlando @ Tampa Bay
Yes, we could have picked the Feds-Stars rematch here, but we expect both to have playoff spots in hand by the season’s final week. On the other hand, both Orlando and Tampa Bay are seen as dark horse picks for a playoff run, so this game could be the one that determines if one, both, or neither of these clubs makes the postseason. We see it as the most likely game on the final week’s slate where both teams need a win to make the playoffs, and that is exactly what we like to see in Week 16.
TOP FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKS
While we tend to focus mostly on the on-field performances and leaguewide drama that the USFL provides, we would be blind if we did not see how fantasy sports has shaped and is shaping the way that professional sports is viewed, how fans follow teams and players, and how the league markets itself. The USFL has been an early adopter of the star-based emphasis of Fantasy Football, since the early 90’s, and so it is no surprise that with the rise in online games and league management both from broadcasters like ESPN and FOX, but from the league website as well, Fantasy Football cannot be ignored. So, as a nod to all our fantasy USFL fans out there. Here is our quick ranking of the top 5 Fantasy performers in each of the commonly used positions. For full rankings and strategy, check out the USA Today Fantasy USFL Preview available on newsstands, with digital content at our website.
QUARTERBACK:
No question here who the top fantasy QB is expected to be. Daunte Culpepper put up huge numbers in 2013, and now, with Willis McGahee no longer in a Bandits uniform, the passing game will be an even bigger factor for Tampa Bay. We could easily see Culpepper return to the days of 40+ touchdowns and make a push for 5,000 yards. He still has Vincent Jackson as his primary receiver, and with new options like rookie WR/HB Ryan Grant and pass-catching back Jahvid Best available, Culpepper could again be the man to beat for both yards and touchdowns. Behind Culpepper the four players we see as worth a pick in the first 3 rounds of your fantasy draft are Texas’s Joe Flacco, Memphis’s Eli Manning, Oakland’s Joey Harrington, and, assuming he is fully back in form, New Jersey’s Sam Bradford.
HALFBACK:
Frank Gore was the story of 2013 at halfback, but we are infatuated with another back, one with less mileage and more potential upside. Doug Martin, Chicago’s break out star in 2013, should again be a centerpiece to Coach Schiano’s offense, and that means touches, lots of touches. We could see Martin leading the league in both yardage and touchdowns, although Gore will certainly be there too. We just see the ceiling for Martin being just a bit higher this year. Aside from Martin and Gore, you should consider first round picks for Deuce McCallister (yet again), Eddie Lacy of the Skyhawks, and, our darkhorse pick, Knownshon Moreno of Orlando.
RECEIVERS:
2013 saw Steve Smith come out of virtually nowhere, clicking with his new QB, and he put up some huge numbers on his way to an OPOTY award. Can he repeat the feat? Will Vincent Jackson also put up stellar numbers? We think the answer to those two questions is a resounding yes in both cases. Both are clear number one options on offenses that are designed to hit the deep ball. Smith is also effective underneath, so he becomes our top choice if you are going to take a receiver in the first round. If that is your plan, but both Smith and Jackson are gone, the next best option may be a bit of an under the radar one, a pick you might hold until round 2, maybe even round 3, Pittsburgh’s Victor Cruz. The spicy Cruz finished with 1,300 yards last year and could see his targets increase once again as Andy Dalton improves with experience. Others to consider in your draft’s first three rounds are Memphis’s Lee Evans, Texas’s Marques Colston, New Orleans’s Early Doucet, and perhaps a bit of a later round flyer, either of the rookie wideouts who find themselves in a starting position with solid QBs, New Jersey’s Odell Beckham Jr. or Houston’s Mike Evans.
Among tight ends, if your league requires them, you won’t go wrong with one of the elite receiving tight ends in our Top 5, that group includes Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski, Orlando’s Greg Olsen, Jacksonville’s Jason Whitten, Baltimore’s Antonio Gates, and the newest entrant, in his 2nd year and looking to break out, Philadelphia TE Travis Kelce.
KICKER:
Kicker is such a tough spot to scout. You want a guy who is on an offense good enough to get lots of field goal attempts, but not so good that he ends up kicking PAT’s instead of three-pointers. The interesting pick this year is Washington’s NFL import, Adam Vinatieri, who has outstanding accuracy and will make the clutch kick. Washington almost always delivers, putting Shayne Graham near the top of the rankings the past few years, so we expect nothing less from Vinatieri. Others who should absolutely be considered, perhaps as early as the 9th or 10th round, include Philadelphia’s Mike Nugent, New Orleans 2nd year kicker Caleb Sturgis, Tampa Bay’s Nate Kaeding, and don’t miss on Graham, who is now in Pittsburgh, where he could continue to get strong numbers.
DEFENSE:
No surprise who the top defense is in our ranking. Arizona’s squad can not only shut down opponents but can take the ball away and turn takeaways into points. Philadelphia was close behind the Wranglers last year and with the addition of Terrell Suggs, could be even more dangerous as a scoring factor this year. Others we would consider in leagues where turnovers can lead to points for you include Orlando (Calais Campbell factors in big here), Oakland, Atlanta, and, an up and comer perhaps, the Portland Stags, good for a final pick flyer if you still need a defense.
COMING UP IN PART 2 OF OUR 2014 USFL PREVIEW
Join us for tomorrow's 2nd part of our 2014 USFL preview, when we will preview all 28 clubs, the moves and adjustments made in the offseason for each, and their prospects for a sunny 2014 summer. We will break down all 6 division races, make our picks for Summer Bowl 2014 and all the major award winners, and take a special look at what could be a very saucy season in and around Las Vegas, with the Thunder packing up shop and a still undecided team looking to take their place in 2015. Don't miss it, right here, tomorrow.
re: History page
Didn't John Reaves win MVP in '83? Walker was OPOTY
Hopefully Manziel won't have a OC to tell him how shit he is and kill his confidence
NICE report