Week two of the USFL and we are already down to only 4 unbeatens as parity reigns over the league. Four unbeatens, five winless clubs and 19 sitting at 1-1. That is what parity looks like. It also looks like teams getting big wins as underdogs, as New Jersey did against the Philadelphia Stars or as Memphis did at home against the Denver Gold. We saw quite a bit more offense this week than in the season openers, with 12 of the league’s 28 teams scoring 28 points or more, including some surprising blow outs and a couple of shootouts. Week 2 also saw the first action for several NFL imports and a couple of big games out of the rookie class, particularly in Houston, where it looks like the GM may be due for a raise. We will recap all the action, explore an injury that could take the wind out of the sails of an up-and-coming offense, and give you the full rundown of Ray Rice’s suspension by the league. All right here This Week in the USFL.
PORTLAND STAGS 34 LAS VEGAS THUNDER 38
With all the hand wringing and worry about the first home game for the “lame duck” Las Vegas Thunder, no one seemed to talk much about the players or their potential performance. Well, if this week is any indication, the Thunder are not going to be a walkover all year, even if their organization is in a bit of disarray as they prepare to relocate the franchise. The team itself came out ready to play ball on Sunday. Despite a modest crowd reported at 17,202, though many felt it did not reach that number, the Thunder proved they are ready to play football, regardless of the status of their franchise.
They faced a Portland Stags team that was embarrassed in Week 1, putting up only 3 points in a home opener loss to Oakland. The Stags needed to prove that they could mount a viable offense with Matt McGloin at the helm. The Thunder wanted to prove that they would be playing hard this season even if their home fans were abandoning the team ahead of their announced relocation. So, what we got was two teams trying to demonstrate that they were better than we all were giving them credit for, and they proved it with a thrilling Game of the Week.
The crowd may have been sparse, but the scoring was not. A combined 72 points between the two clubs, and no fewer than 8 lead changes over the course of 60 minutes of action. By game’s end Portland had put up over 490 yards of offense, Las Vegas 370 but enough to win the game in the last minute, led by a receiver who is making a lot of noise about wanting out. To call it a shootout seems the only appropriate way to describe the game.
Matt McGloin would throw for 376 yards on the day, going 31 for 44 and adding 3 TDs with 2 picks to his totals for the year. Jake Plummer, with little run game coming from Marshawn Lynch (31 yards on 11 carries), would account for most of the Las Vegas offense, throwing for 336 yards and connecting for 5 touchdowns, including throws of 42 and 36 to Chad “Show me the money” Johnson, 21 and 23 yards to T. J. Houshmandzadeh, and 68 yards to perhaps the most underrated tight end in the game, Kevin Everett. For his part McGloin would connect with 10 different receivers on the day, with rising star Brian Quick and rookie Brandin Cooks both scoring on McGloin tosses.
The game’s score was 10-7 Las Vegas after one quarter, following TDs from Jonathan Stewart for Portland and Housh’s first TD catch of the day for Las Vegas. By halftime the game was knotted at 17, with both clubs adding TD tosses in the 2nd quarter, McGloin to the rookie Cooks from 29 yards out and Plummer finding Everett on a stunning 68-yard play in the waning seconds of the period.
The third quarter would be just a bit calmer, with Portland taking the lead on a Mason Crosby field goal after 9 minutes of play. This was followed by the only TD of the quarter as Plummer again found Houshmandzadeh, this time from 21 yards out, to again take the lead, their 2nd of the day to Portland’s 3. It would come down to a 4th quarter that would see 4 TDs scored, two from each team as the lead switched hands 4 times in this see saw game.
Portland would score first, Quick getting the honors from McGloin, flipping the score from 20-24 to 27-24 in favor of the visiting Stags. Only 41 seconds later Plummer found Chad Johnson from 42 yards out on a perfect out & up route, and Las Vegas would take the lead back at 31-27. The Stags would mount a slower, more methodical drive, killing 6 minutes with their possession before McGloin tossed his 3rd TD of the day, a short fade route to Laurent Robinson to again shift the score, now Stags on top 34-31 with 5:52 left to play.
Las Vegas would fail to move the ball on their next drive, Jake Plummer’s 3rd down scramble coming 2 yards short on a 3rd and 11. They would punt to Portland and hope to get the ball back with enough time to get back on top. They would not wait long. With just over 2 minutes left, Portland had to try to convert a 3rd and 7 with a slant to Quick, but cornerback Tyrone Bell guessed right on the route, stepped in front of quick and stole the ball away. Las Vegas was in business with 1:58 left to play. They would not need all that time to get the win, only 1:15. After a short pass and an offsides penalty against the Stags, Las Vegas was in range, and Jake Plummer went for it all. Once again it was the out & up route that burned cornerback Mike Rumph, the veteran counting on the out route to the sideline. Johnson got the step he needed, and Plummer laid the ball out in front of him for an in-stride catch. 40 yards later Johnson was in the endzone feigning a phone call to his agent as his teammates celebrated the score.
Johnson almost certainly did call his agent after the game, demanding his deal be reworked, but for now it was just a way to highlight his big game, 3 catches, 112 yards and 2 scores. Tight End Kevin Everett may also want to speak to his agent after his 5 catch, 146 yard day. At the very least his publicist.
Las Vegas got the win, and despite a less than capacity crowd at Sam Boyd, the Thunder demonstrated that they were not treating the season like a lost cause as their fanbase seems to be doing. Later in the week the apparent branding for the soon-to-be San Diego Thunder would apparently leak from Adidas, driving home the odd situation the Thunder find themselves in, but for this day they simply went on the field and played the game.
PITTSBURGH 23 WASHINGTON 38
Washington’s big guns came out blazing with both Deuce McCallister and Deion Branch scoring twice each as Washington pulled away from Pittsburgh with a 17-3 run in the second half. Pittsburgh started strong, and the passing game was there with Andy Dalton throwing for 334 yards, but with Ronnie Brown dinged up, the Maulers could not run the ball and that hurt them down the stretch. Leading 21-20 at the half, Washington scored the only points of the 3rd quarter with Garrard finding Branch twice to push the lead to 15 and take the home win to even their record. POTG: WR Deion Branch, 4 Rec, 81 Yds, 2 TD.
HOUSTON 24 NASHVILLE 17
Houston got huge games from both of their star rookies as Carlos Hyde rushed for 108 and a TD, while Mike Evans led all receivers with 8 catches for 113 yards and a score. Houston needed their inputs as Nashville proved tough despite having a makeshift rushing game after the suspension of Ray Rice. Montario Hardesty would run for 2 scores and Brandon Oliver pitched in 55 yards on only 7 carries as Nashville proved a tough out despite the distractions. POTG: Houston HB Carlos Hyde: 22 Att, 108 Yds, 1 TD
OAKLAND 19 BALTIMORE 27
The Blitz are surprising some folks with their early season success, as Oakland’s focus on Anthony Dixon allows Big Ben to pass for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns. Antonio Gates had another good game with 5 receptions for 71 yards and a score, and the Baltimore defense kept Oakland from mounting comeback in the 4th despite 93 yards from Ryan Williams and a 20 of 37 performance from Joey Harrington. POTG: Baltimore QB Ben Roethlisberger: 20/30, 321 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int.
SEATTLE 6 ARIZONA 40
Despite David Carr getting knocked out of the game early, the Wranglers rolled in this one. Nick Foles threw for 3 scores and Frank Gore added 2 more as Arizona simply overpowered the Dragons. Byron Leftwich tried to throw Seattle back into the game, finishing with 290 yards, but just could not turn yards into points as Seattel failed on 3 of 4 attempted 4th down conversions. POTG: Arizona CB Brandon Flowers: 10 Tck, 2 PD, 1 Int.
ATLANTA 19 ST. LOUIS 14
The Skyhawks drop to 0-2 as they struggle to put together offensive drives with Josh Freeman still dealing with the flu. Atlanta got 75 yards from Steven Jackson and a solid performance again from veteran Josh Reed, who caught 7 Orton passes for 94 yards. The lone Atlanta TD came from newly acquired TE Ben Watson, while Ricky Stanzi accounted for both St. Louis TDs, including a 55-yard pass to Eric Weams, given a surprise start as well. POTG: Atlanta DE Chris Kelsey: 5 Tck, 2 Sck.
PHILADELPHIA 3 NEW JERSEY 41
Well, if we were looking for a weakness in the Stars, backup QB may be it. Matt Moore struggled, sacked 3 times and throwing two picks as New Jersey just rolled over a punchless Stars team. What may be more troubling for the Stars is the defense, which allowed 3 TDs to Sam Bradford and 122 yards rushing to the combo of Maurice Jones-Drew and Delone Carter. A big win for the Generals, who now sit at 2-0 under Norv Turner. POTG: NJ halfback Maurice Jones-Drew: 20 Att, 81 Yds, 4 Rec, 37 Yds, 1 TD.
LOS ANGELES 18 TEXAS 21
Joe Flacco goes over 300 yards again and Texas gets the game winning kick with 25 seconds to play as they edge the Express in San Antonio. The Texas offense did not score in this game, as all 21 points came from special teams and defense. Texas put up 4 Kai Forbath field goals, a 104-yard Jordan Shipley kickoff return TD, and a defensive safety of Mark Sanchez. Despite the wild scoring, the game was tied at 18 until Texas added one final Forbath field goal for the win. POTG: Texas KR Jordan Shipley: 2 returns, 116 Yds, 1 TD.
ORLANDO 29 JACKSONVILLE 16
The Renegades are 2-0, thanks in part to another big day for DT Albert Haynesworth, who recorded a sack and a safety on the day. Throw in 116 yards and a TD from NFL import Jeremy Maclin, and a solid 61 yards for Latavius Murray, in relief of an injured Knowshon Moreno, and Atlanta evens their record at 1-1. POTG: DT Albert Haynesworth: 5 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty.
NEW ORLEANS 34 BIRMINGHAM 23
Drew Brees finds a new target in NFL import Kenny Britt, connecting 5 times for 109 yards and a TD as the Breakers take this early season divisional game. Rookie Jeremy Hill contributed 81 yards on the ground and the defense produced 2 takeaways to help New Orleans stay ahead of the Stallions and get the road win. POTG: Breaker QB Drew Brees: 15/29, 250 Yds, 3 TDs, 0 Int.
TAMPA BAY 21 CHARLOTTE 34
A much-needed home win for the Monarchs as they find holes in the Bandit defense and put up 377 yards of offense against their division rivals. Brandon Wheedon had a strong performance, throwing for 3 scores and avoiding mistakes. Fred Jackson, however, was the big star, rushing the ball 15 times for 128 yards, a stunning 8.5 yards per carry. Jackson’s success made it possible for Wheedon to have time to throw, as he connected with D. J. Hackett for 2 scores and found FB Jacob Green for a third. Charlotte also played well on defense, limiting WR Vincent Jackson to only 3 receptions and pressureing Daunte Culpepper all game (3 sacks, 8 hurries). The result leaves both clubs at 1-1 after 2 weeks. POTG: Charlotte HB Fred Jackson: 15 Att, 128 Yds
DALLAS 28 CHICAGO 10
A huge upset and a big win for Coach Sherman, as Dallas stunned the Chicago Machine in their home opener. The Roughnecks put up a 21-0 lead before Chicago got on the board with a field goal and led 28-3 at halftime. In a game that saw the Roughnecks pick off Brady Quinn 3 times and limit Doug Martin to only 44 yards rushing (2.1 YPC), Dallas made a statement. The game also saw the debut of Johnny Manziel as the starter, named as such by Coach Sherman on Thursday. Manziel’s numbers were modest (8 of 17 for 90 yards and 1 TD), but the result was indisputable. Thanks in large part to 154 yards from HB Rashard Mendenhall, the Roughnecks went into a hostile environment, against a 2013 division winner, and came out with a convincing victory. POTG: Dallas HB Rashard Mendenhall: 20 Att, 154 Yds, 1 TD
DENVER 28 MEMPHIS 31
Another upset victory as Memphis defended their home turf against the Denver Gold, but a costly one as QB Eli Manning suffered a fracture in his non-throwing arm and could miss 4-6 weeks of action for the Showboats. Manning had been leading an impressive offensive show, throwing for 213 yards and 2 scores before being forced out of the game. He was helped by a solid day from Darren McFadden, with 108 yards on 14 carries. Manning connected with Sidney Rice and Lee Evans for scores and left the game with a 10-point lead. Matt Cassel finished up, draining the clock to keep Denver from completing a comeback. Memphis now sits at 1-1, but will need to come together for at least the next month without their offensive leader. POTG: Memphis HB Darren McFadden: 14 Att, 108 Yds, 1 TD
OHIO 14 MICHIGAN 37
Yet one more upset, although in this case not technically, since the game was viewed as even by the Vegas books. What is perhaps surprising is the ease with which the Panthers took care of Ohio, building up a 24-0 halftime lead before subbing out some starters in the 2nd half. It was a good game for Cousins, completing 22 of 28 passes for 251 yards and 3 TDs. He connected early and often with Hines Ward, but also threw a TD to HB LeVeon Bell and another to rookie WR Cody Latimer. Bell was somewhat limited in his rushing success (held to 42 yards), but proved an effective receiver, with 3 catches, including his 2nd quarter TD. Chris Weinke and the Ohio offense did not have quite the same success, with Weinke going only 18 of 34 for 122 yards and Isaiah Pead held to only 40 yards on 10 carries. Ohio converted only 2 of 12 third down attempts and turned the ball over twice in a big win for the Panthers within the division. POTG: Michigan WR Hines Ward: 7 Rec, 129 Yds, 1 TD.
Eli To Miss a Month or More with Fracture
It came late in the Memphis win over Denver, but it could have ramifications for the entire season as Eli Manning will be out of action at least 4 weeks, with a 7-8 week rehabilitation not out of the question. The injury came on a sack of the QB, when, he was hit and driven to the ground with his non-throwing arm caught in an awkward position beneath both his body and that of the defender. He was able to walk over to the sideline, holding the arm in pain, but was rushed back to the locker room immediately. X-rays confirmed a linear fracture of his ulna, not displaced but a significant break.
Manning was seen this week at team facilities with a cast on the lower arm and the arm in a sling. It is his non-throwing arm, so the prognosis is a bit faster than if it were his throwing arm, but 4-6 weeks is considered the appropriate range to protect against future injury. In the meantime, that means the Showboats must move ahead with either Matt Cassel or Ryan Mallett at QB. Cassel is the likely starter for the next month, despite a pretty poor record in past Manning relief performances. Mallett, who has been shopped around by Memphis and who is in the final year of his rookie deal, was once the starter in Memphis (2011-2012), but struggled with accuracy and decision-making.
So, with two somewhat underwhelming options at QB for the next month, what should we expect from the Showboat offense. Well, first off, expect a lot of carries for both Darren McFadden and scat back Knile Davis. We also expect Davis, as well as TE Jermichael Finley, to get a lot of targets as both QBs are likely to need to use security valves and Coach Childress is almost certainly going to shorten routes to protect his QB. The biggest downside could be for the outside receivers, Lee Evans, Greg Jennings, and Nate Washington. Evans and Jennings have started the year strong with Manning at the helm, each with 9 catches and over 130 yards in the first two games. They will now need to focus on quicker, shorter routes to help protect either Cassel or Mallett. As for a third options, Memphis has recalled a player cut loose during camp, former Mississippi State QB James Franklin, an undrafted free agent signing out of the 2014 draft. For the 1-1 Showboats, hoping to make a run at New Orleans for the Southern Division title, the ability to win games in Manning’s absence may well be key to their goals for the year, but to do so they will need a true team effort.
Johnson Performing Despite Contract Squabble
Say what you want about the public way in which Chad Johnson (formerly Ochocinco) has been airing his desire to either get paid or get traded, he is still bringing it on the field each week. Johnson has taken nearly every opportunity in front of a camera to complain about his role, his pay, and his dissatisfaction with a Thunder team that has flatly refused to negotiate his current contract or trade him, but the one time when he is on camera where he is a team player is on the field. In two games this year, Johnson has amassed 211 yards receiving and 2 TDs, highlighted by this week’s big game against Portland. He is making the case on the field that he is an elite receiver, something most of us probably understood already, while off the field he is pleading the case that his status should be earning him more targets, more voice, and particularly more money.
It may be a major nuisance for the new owners of the Thunder to have one of their best players openly trashing the organization, something that began long before they took over the team, but they seem willing to ride out the rants and post-game complaints for now. Johnson is locked up through the 2015 season, and with a salary exceeding $4M per year, he remains the highest paid player on the club (just edging out Marshawn Lynch and easily more than QB Jake Plummer). That seems fair enough to ownership, and, they would insist, the question of targets and team role depends on the coaches, not the owners to dictate. So, for now, Johnson will continue to vent, but as long as his gameday performances are there, we don’t see how or why the Thunder would cut a deal or cut him loose.
Ray Rice Suspended by USFL just 2 days before Nashville’s Week 2 Game.
It was a shock to the coaching staff and the team, but the league felt that no other path forward was possible when charges were brought against Ray Rice for domestic violence, or, more accurately, when video of Rice striking his wife in an elevator went public. Rice’s arrest actually happened late in the USFL preseason, but, as he was released on bond awaiting the opening phase of his trial, the league allowed him to continue practicing, and to play the Week 1 opener. As has been longstanding policy of the league, they were awaiting the result of his legal battle before reacting, but when the video of Rice essentially knocking his wife unconscious in a hotel elevator became publicly known, and quite viral on the internet, the league felt action needed to be taken swiftly.
Rice is now suspended indefinitely as the league awaits his trial and the outcome of it. This marks the most severe punishment for a player due to legal concerns since the case of another running back, Rashaan Salaam, back in 2001, a drug case that included charges of corrupting minors following the post-championship partying led by Salaam. Rice’s charges, dealing with a very touchy subject of domestic abuse, are going to be tried in both the courts and the court of public opinion, which could make even a plea in the case insufficient to reinstate the running back.
As for Nashville, they went forward with Montario Hardesty and rookie Brandon Oliver as their running backs for Week 2, with the two combining for 87 yards in a 17-14 win over Houston. They have since signed 4-year veteran Jonathan Dwyer to the roster off of the free agency list, but are likely going to be looking for a longer term option at the HB position. Rice is unlikely to avoid trial in the case, and that means stretching out the suspension through the season. A guilty verdict, or even a plea that requires admission of guilt is likely to have such significant public opinion consequences that the team may well opt to cut Rice loose rather than face public backlash. For that reason many expect that Nashville will start to seek options to bring in a permanent replacement to be the team’s lead back. For now we expect to continue to see Hardesty and Oliver sharing carries.
Houston’s Dynamic Duo Shines in Week 2
Don’t look now, but it seems these Gamblers have hit on a double down bet. Houston put some serious funds and effort into this year’s draft and in so doing managed to land two players considered first round talent, wideout Mike Evans from Texas A&M, their top T-Draft selection, and halfback Carlos Hyde out of Ohio State, their first Open Draft pick. The two offensive standouts began the year as starters for the Gamblers and this week they showed us why they were both so coveted. Evans followed up a Week one 7-reception, 79 yard day with his first 100-yard day, catching 8 balls for 113 yards and his first USFL touchdown against Nashville. He looks smooth in his release from the line and showed the ability to go up and high point the ball against shorter corners. QB Matt Hasselbeck has praised his preparation and his natural ability. That bodes well for Houston to be sure.
What may be an even better sign is the 108 yard day that Carlos Hyde put up this week against Nashville. Houston had been concerned after the departure of Michael Turner in the offseason that putting the run game squarely on the shoulders of a rookie back was a gamble. That gamble seems to be paying off as Hyde is currently 2nd in the league with 166 yards in his first two outings, trailing only Rashard Mendenhall of the Roughnecks. He has 2 TDs and has shown a real knack for shaking off the first defender and getting additional yards.
Houston is 3rd in total yards after two weeks this year, and Coach Phillips says he is counting on his young stars to help the Gambler offense be a force this season. Sitting at 2-0, Houston is starting strong, but this week’s game against rival Texas could be the truest indication of just how strong the new Houston offense can be. A win over the Outlaws and a 3-0 start before a road date in LA may be just the way for Houston to assert themselves, and if they do, we expect that these two wild cards may just be a big piece of Houston’s success moving forward.
Bad news for the Thunder, as if they need any more, as one of their best defenders, DT Haloti Ngata, will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. The tear happened during the 4th quarter of their big win, putting a bit of a damper on the celebration as the team won their opener. The other big hit this week was in Memphis, where QB Eli Manning suffered a fracture to his non-throwing arm after getting caught in an awkward takedown. Manning is expected to miss at least a month, but that could be longer depending on his recovery pace. Memphis is expected to go with 9-year veteran Matt Cassel, though they also have former Arkansas first-rounder Ryan Mallett on the roster. With Manning sidelined at least a month, the Showboats also signed undrafted rookie Tyler Russell from Mississippi State. No word yet if Las Vegas will be bringing in another DT or will ride with the current roster. Here is the rest of the Injury Report ahead of Week 2:
OUT
DT Haloti Ngata LV ACL IR
QB Eli Manning MEM Broken arm 4-6 weeks
CB Nathan Vasher TEX Pinched Nerve 1-2 weeks
DE Jarius Wynn BIR Hernia 1-2 weeks
C Chris Spencer NOR Ankle 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
TE Anthony Hill CHI Knee
WR Kevin Kasper SEA Toe
G Steve Hutchinson TBY Concussion
G Long Howell ORL Arm
FS Nate Allen ARZ Scratched Cornea
QUESTIONABLE
WR Arrelious Benn OHI Neck
DE Barkevious Mingo JAX Concussion
Three Free Agents Making Early Waves
Every year we see teams make moves in the offseason, designed to fill holes, improve areas of weakness, or add an element of danger to their roster. Some of the free agent signings are huge letdowns, players who simply have little left in the tank or who don’t mesh with a new team, coach, or system, but every year we also see players who thrive in a new environment. Only 2 weeks into the 2014 season, it looks like we have at least 3 players who are looking like very sound investments by their new teams.
LB Terrell Suggs (PHI): We all knew Suggs would be a factor in the Stars’ defense, but after 2 weeks the former Monarch, Knight, and Invader is proving to be a force for the Stars. He is leadin the team in tackles, something we usually see from the MLB or SS, not a weakside backer. He secured his first sack in the opener and forced New Jersey to dedicate a player to watch for his blitzes in this week’s game. He has also become a vocal leader on the defense, leading the pre-game psych-up and calling out formation information as the offense lines up. In other words, he is providing not only leadership by example, but also turning his experience into leadership among his teammates.
CB Carlos Rogers (TBY): Tampa thought they were getting something special in the former Express and Monarch cornerback. After all, Rogers has had 3 or more picks in 7 straight seasons, but they did not anticipate he would reach 3 picks within the season’s first two weeks. Rogers, along with the team’s lead tackler, Philip Buchanon, is part of a 2-cornerback tandem that is doing something we don’t see often, switching off on receivers. Rather than have one locked into the number one receiver of the opponent and the other on the second option, Coach Shula has Buchanon manning the right sideline and Rogers on the left, with no swapping or switching. In his new role, Rogers is making teams pay, and his good hands are proving vital to the Bandits desire to produce more takeaways.
FS Jim Leonhard (OHI): Long an undervalued player with the Michigan Panthers, now relocated to one of their rivals, moving from Detroit to Columbus, Leonhard is getting some respect from the Glory fans, and is earning it with outstanding play at the free safety position in his first two games in the flag blue jerseys of the Glory. Leonhard, who had not snagged an interception in the prior 6 seasons with Michigan, already has 2 on the year. He has also been used as a blitzer, with 2 sacks to his name in his first two games with Ohio. Add to that his run support and Leonhard is getting a second chance to make a first impression with his former club’s rival.
San Diego Logos Leak
Leaks and unofficial releases have long been a part of the sports branding world. With the rise of the internet and the ability for an image to go viral in a matter of minutes, it is a surprise when a new uniform, new logo, or new team name makes it to a formal reveal without a leak having been the spoiler already. It is just the reality we live in, so it is no surprise that an unverified image, one of what appears to be the new logo designs for the San Diego Thunder, is making the rounds. The image, what appears to be a snapshot taken from someone’s phone, shows a desk at Adidas, with a one page design schematic sheet, possibly part of the planned release of the team identity.
The image shows a revised primary logo, a new secondary logo, and a 2D representation of the team’s helmet. As expected, the new ownership are maintaining the identity of the club, a team name that has been in place since 1988, now moving to its third home. The logo itself is largely unchanged, with the now-iconic hammer & lightning motif, evoking the God of Thunder (and now popular film character), Thor. There is one difference however. Whereas both the Portland and Las Vegas versions of the Thunder used a solid “electric green” base or “halo” around the logo, the new image seems to indicate that the club will use an ombre effect with the bright green morphing into a sky or powder blue color. We say “powder” blue, because this does seem to be a nod to the city’s (and Qualcomm Stadium’s) other pro football franchise, the San Diego Chargers, famous for the use of powder blue in their early years.
Both the primary and secondary logos do appear to make more use of the light blue tone when compared to the former versions of the Thunder, where the color was barely an afterthought. While it still appears that the iconic “electric green” color will maintain a strong presence in the Thunder identity, an increased use of light blue, whether the club calls it “powder” or not, is intended as a nod to the pro football history of San Diego and to the NFL Chargers.
The leaked design image, if it is the final choice of the franchise, also includes a secondary image, an “SD” monogram paired with a flat-bottomed cloud formation that evokes the original logo of the Thunder, who once wore helmets with a cloud formation pierced by a wrap around lightning bolt. The monogram has a green-yellow ombre effect, while the cloud does the same with sky blue fading into white. The use of this ombre effect throughout the logo designs would seem to indicate that the team may maintain some form of the effect in their jerseys, as they have had for their entire time in Las Vegas. The question now becomes whether or not the team will retain the green-to-yellow effect seen in Las Vegas’s current look, or could we see a stronger element of sky blue in the unifoms as well?
Rivalry of the Week: 14—The Keystone Clash
Once a standard of the Eastern Division, the Keystone Clash battles between Philadelphia and Eastern PA and the Pittsburgh Maulers, representing Western PA, were twice a year battles from 1984, when the Maulers joined the Stars in the Eastern Division, through 2001. In 2002, with a shift form 4 to 6 divisions in the USFL, the Maulers were shifted to the Central Division and the number of clashes between the two Keystone State teams were far less frequent, but always intense nonetheless. It would be Boston’s relocation to Dallas last season that would bring the Keystone Clash back to prominence in the schedules for both clubs.
With Boston moving out to Dallas, the league needed a team to move from the Western Conference back to the East to balance out the two conferences. Some looked at St. Louis or Houston as possible relocations to the Southern Division, but the majority view was that reuniting Pittsburgh with their Northeast rivals made the most sense. The Maulers still maintain a rivalry with the Ohio Glory, mirroring the NFL’s Cleveland-Pittsburgh rivalry, but their strongest feud has always been with the Stars, and the two can now renew the clash twice a year, battling for the honor of being the best team in the state.
With rich histories for both clubs, including 3 league titles for the Stars and 1 for the Maulers, the stakes are often high between these two Pennsylvanian clubs. And, what is even more rare in league rivalries, the contests are largely balanced. Both clubs have won 19 of their 38 clashes. Will this year break the tie or will the two split their season series as they have done so many times in the past? The Stars swept the series last year, their first season back as divisional foes, but it was not a landslide for the division champs. Philly managed to land a 9-point win in Pittsburgh, but the rematch saw the Maulers come close, losing by only 3 in Philadelphia. This year the two will meet in Philadelphia during Week 6, with the rematch scheduled for Pittsburgh in week 10.
Week three looks like it could be a big one for the early season, especially with so many teams sitting at 1-1 and hoping for a quick start. Friday’s night game opens in the Pacific Division with the Invaders hosting the Las Vegas Thunder in a preview of what will be an in-state rivalry in California. Saturday opens with a lot of 1-1 clashes, including Tampa hosting Nashville, Atlanta Hosting Michigan, and Seattle hosting the Maulers. We also have a battle of two 0-2 starters as either St. Louis or Portland will earn their first win. The game of the day is in Texas, where the Houston Gamblers and Texas Outlaws will meet in San Antonio, both coming in unbeaten.
Another unbeaten will be tested on Sunday, when defending conference champion Philadelphia visits the 2-0 Orlando Renegades. Matt Gutierrez is expected back under center, so we will see whether or not the Stars should be worried about more than their QB after their drubbing by New Jersey this week. New Jersey is also unbeaten after 2 weeks and they stay home to host the LA Express. The best of the afternoon games could be Charlotte at Chicago, a matchup of two teams who have to prove to their fans that they can overcome some of the early season gaffs that have cost them a game already. The Weekend concludes with the Wranglers visiting New Orleans in what could have been the Summer Bowl matchup last year. Both are 1-1 and hoping to avoid that 2nd loss this week.
FRI @ 8pm ET Las Vegas (1-1) @ Oakland (1-1) NBC
SAT @ 12pm ET Nashville (1-1) @ Tampa Bay (1-1) ABC
SAT @ 12pm ET Michigan (1-1) @ Atlanta (1-1) FOX
SAT @ 4pm ET St. Louis (0-2) @ Portland (0-2) ABC
SAT @ 4pm ET Pittsburgh (1-1) @ Seattle (1-1) FOX
SAT @ 7pm ET Washington (1-1) @ Baltimore (2-0) NBC
SAT @ 9pm ET Texas (2-0) @ Houston (2-0) ESPN/EFN
SUN @ 12pm ET Birmingham (0-2) @ Memphis (1-1) ABC
SUN @ 12pm ET Philadelphia (1-1) @ Orlando (2-0) FOX Regional
SUN @ 12pm ET Los Angeles (0-2) @ New Jersey (2-0) FOX Regional
SUN @ 4pm ET Jacksonville (0-2) @ Ohio (1-1) ABC Regional
SUN @ 4pm ET Charlotte (1-1) @ Chicago (1-1) ABC Regional
SUN @ 4pm ET Denver (1-1) @ Dallas (1-1) FOX
SUN @ 8pm ET Arizona (1-1) @ New Orleans (1-1) ESPN/EFN
Powder blue jerseys for the SD Thunder!
Adding the POTG for each game was a great addition