Week 4 witnessed some amazing action, including one of the greatest comebacks in USFL history as Tampa Bay wiped out a 22-point deficit with 28 points in the fourth quarter. Texas remained unbeaten with a win over the Roughnecks, Arizona and Frank Gore found their groove, Las Vegas stunned the Federals in front of a mostly Washington-rooting crowd at Sam Boyd, and Seattle and Portland had an epic shootout in the Cascade Classic. All in all, a pretty good week all across the USFL, assuming, of course, that you are not a Jacksonville Bulls fan, as the lone winless club looked very much like a team without a direction this week. We will report on all of it, take a look at our 1st quarter evaluations and the stories of the league this year, and then finish up with one of the most impressive Hall of Fame semifinal lists we have ever seen. Some tough choices ahead to be sure. Let’s kick it off with that comeback in New Orleans as the Bandits make history.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS 34 NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 27
An epic comeback in the Bayou as the Bandits race back from a 27-5 third quarter deficit with a stunning 28 points in the fourth quarter to shock and awe over 51,000 fans in the Super Dome. It was a truly unbelievable feat by the Bandits, with both offense and defense contributing to the historic 4th quarter comeback.
The game had appeared to be all New Orleans throughout the first three quarters. Tampa got on the board first with a muffed shotgun snap in the endzone leading to Mike Tolbert falling on the ball and touched down for a safety, but after that initial flub, New Orleans had dominated. Getting touchdowns from Tolbert, Early Doucet, and Kenny Britt, the Breakers had built up a 14-5 halftime lead and a 27-5 lead after three quarters. They had done this most of the day with a stifling defense and a solid relief performance from QB Quincy Carter, who threw both of the Breaker TDs after Drew Brees had to leave the game with an injury in the first quarter. But everything that had gone right in the first three quarters fell apart in the fourth.
Down 22 points as the quarter began, Tampa Bay finally put together a solid drive, their first really threatening drive all day. When Daunte Culpepper hit Jahvid Best with a swing pass only to have the first defender whiff on the tackle, Best was able to scramble for 15 yards and put the Bandits in the end zone for the first time. Still, up 27-12, the Breakers did not look phased. That changed five minutes later when Culpepper hit Santonio Holmes on a perfect play action bomb for a 2nd score. Suddenly the game was in range, with Tampa now trailing only 27-19, an 8-point lead that could be wiped away with a score and a 2-point PAT. New Orleans needed a drive to kill time and perhaps add some more distance between themselves and the surging Bandits.
What they got instead was a disaster of a play, one in which DT Terrell Mclain backed the right guard right into Quincy Carter as he threw the ball, impacting the thrown and producing a wobbly duck of a pass that was picked off by nickel back Corey Graham, putting Tampa Bay within range of the game-tying score at the Breaker 31. Only 5 plays later Jahvid Best dove over the pile on the goalline and the Bandits were within 2. Culpepper connected with Luke Stocker for the conversion and the Breaker’s unassailable 22-point lead was gone. With it was all the momentum of the game. Tampa’s score came with 4:46 left to play, plenty of time to kick the ball deep and count on the defense to get it back.
New Orleans was a broken team at this point, having lost all momentum and all their fire. They would bow out after only 5 plays, punting the ball back to the Bandits after a failed 3rd and 7 attempt. The Bandits would not face the same issues, marching the ball down the field with all the confidence of an All-State HS quarterback on prom night. It would take Tampa Bay only 6 plays to get in the red zone, and only 3 more to put the winning score on the board, another perfect pass from Culpepper to Stocker in the endzone. The Bandits had put 28 points on the board in a single quarter, and with it had taken over sole possession of first place in the Southeast, knocking New Orleans down to 2-2 and into a tie with the Stallions. It was a comeback for the ages, or a choke for the ages, depending on who you ask.
ATLANTA 24 PHILADELPHIA 27
Another huge game for Steve Slaton helps the Stars hold off the Fire for a 3-point victory. Slaton rushed the ball 24 times for 136 yards and 2 scores, allowing Matt Gutierrez to have something of an off day and still come away with the win. Gutierrez would pass for only 174 yards compared to Atlanta’s Kyle Orton, who went for 270. Of course, the Philadelphia defense helped as well, picking off Orton three times and limiting Steven Jackson to only 37 yards rushing.
POTG: Stars’ HB Steve Slaton: 24 Att, 136 Yds, 2 TD
OHIO 13 ST. LOUIS 15
The Skyhawks finally notch one in the win column as a 4th quarter field goal is enough to sneak past Ohio. In a tough day for both offenses, the defenses limited each team to only 2 of 12 on third down. The fact that both punters had more yards than both quarterbacks tells you how this game went. St. Louis got a safety from Olivier Vernon and a TD from Freeman to Weems, a 2014 break out candidate, while Ohio’s lone TD came in the third quarter on an Isaiah Pead run.
POTG: St. Louis WR Eric Weems: 6 Rec, 87 Yds, 1 TD.
BIRMINGHAM 10 NASHVILLE 3
An ugly game in Nashville as both offenses struggled to get anything going. Following a 35-yard field goal by Nashville in the first quarter neither team would score until the final minutes of the 4th quarter. Garrett Hartley tied the score with a 44-yard kick, and then, in the waning moments of the game, a defensive flub by the Knights allowed Dontrelle Inman to break away and score from 56-yards out to give Birmingham the win.
POTG: Stallions’ DT Jonathon Sullivan: 9 Tck, 2 Sck.
OAKLAND 15 DENVER 20
Denver continues to impress with another complementary game between the defense and the offense. Despite 100 yards from Ryan Williams, Denver held the Invaders to one touchdown on the day. The Gold defense scored as many, with Phillip Dillard returning a fumble for a touchdown, a decisive play that would help determine the final outcome. Both QB’s struggled on the day, with Joey Harrington throwing for only 144 yards and Matt Leinart only slightly better at 194.
POTG: Denver LB Shawne Merriman: 7 Tck, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PD.
MEMPHIS 28 ARIZONA 35
Arizona leveled their record at 2-2, but it was not an easy affair for the Wranglers. Matt Cassel played well for the Showboats, throwing for 3 scores and 294 yards, but the day belonged to Larry Fitzgerald, who caught 6 balls for 150 yards and all three of David Carr’s TD passes. Frank Gore also showed he is not done yet, rushing for 102 yards on 23 carries in his best game of the season. Coach Tomsula is likely not happy with his defense’s play this year, but at least he has enough offensive firepower to pull out the game in the end.
POTG: Wrangler WR Larry Fitzgerald: 6 Rec, 150 Yds, 3 TD.
SEATTLE 26 PORTLAND 31
A shootout in the Cascade Clash as both offenses looked good, or was it that both defenses looked bad? Byron Leftwich would throw for 314 yards and 2 scores, while Matt McGloin struggled with 4 picks on the day, but got a huge hand up from HB Jonathan Stewart, whose 174-yard explosion launched him to the top of the USFL rushing leaderboard. Throw in 3 Stewart TDs and the Stags manage to get the W over the visiting Dragons despite their QB’s accuracy issues.
POTG: Stags’ HB Jonathan Stewart: 27 Att, 174 Yds, 3 TD.
BALTIMORE 33 JACKSONVILLE 3
Calls for Tim Tebow to be removed as the starter are getting louder after a game in which the Jacksonville offense looked utterly punchless. The Bulls were outgained 495-225, which just shows that the defense also has a long way to go. Big Ben threw for 4 scores and 298 yards on the day and the Blitz cruised to a 3rd victory on the year. Jacksonville falls to 0-4 and new head coach Mike Nolan may already be feeling pressure to make a change.
POTG: Blitz QB Ben Roethlisberger: 12/17, 298 Yds, 4 TDs, 0 Int.
NEW JERSEY 26 PITTSBURGH 16
New Jersey is also sitting at 3-1 after a nice divisional win on the road. Maurice Jones Drew rushed for 82 yards and added 52 more as a receiver as New Jersey showed a diversified offense against Coach Fangio’s defense. Rookie Odell Beckham Jr. added another TD to his early career total and the General defense picked off Andy Dalton twice and sacked him 4 times as the Generals pulled away in the final period.
POTG: Generals’ DE Aaron Kampman: 5 Tck, 2 Sck.
ORLANDO 24 CHARLOTTE 33
A big game for both clubs, but Charlotte uses home cooking to edge the Renegades. Well, home cooking and 130 yards from backup HB Latavius Murray, making a case for more touches when Knowshon Moreno returns to action. The Monarch defense also had a good day, picking off Orlando QB Russell Wilson four times, including a pick-six from SS Jonathan Dowling.
POTG: Monarch LB Jerod Mayo: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty, 1 FF, 1 FR.
DALLAS 14 TEXAS 35
Texas’s offense proved too much for the Roughneck defense to handle as the Outlaws got TDs from Felix Jones, Chris Johnson, and Brandon Marshall on their way to a convincing win. A Terrance Holt pick-six did not help Johnny Manziel’s cause as the Outlaws took the home win and remained unbeaten on the year, the league’s only 4-0 club.
POTG: Outlaw QB Joe Flacco: 18/28, 322 Yds, 1 TD, 0 int.
WASHINGTON 24 LAS VEGAS 34
The Thunder win their second game, both at home in front of smaller, at times hostile, crowds. This one was better as Feds fans helped boost the game to an attendance of 26,244, but the Federals’ fans who attended did not like the final result as Jake Plummer threw for 2 scores and Marshawn Lynch rushed for 2 more along with 108 yards on his first 100-yard outing of the season. David Garrard was picked off twice and Las Vegas also held Deuce McCallister to a surprisingly low 23 total yards rushing.
POTG: Las Vegas LB A. J. Hawk: 10 Tck, 1 Sck.
HOUSTON 21 LOS ANGELES 14
Houston had to come back after trailing 14-6 at the half, but they did so thanks to TD runs from Carlos Hyde and Ben Tate. The Gamblers held LA scoreless in the 2nd half, despite 120 rushing yards from former USC back Reggie Bush. With the loss, the Express dropped to 1-3 while Houston stays only 1 game behind Texas at 3-1.
POTG: Houston HB Carlos Hyde: 19 Att, 90 Yds, 1 TD.
CHICAGO 20 MICHIGAN 12
Chicago won the War for 94 thanks in part to a big game from their perennial All-USFL MLB, Brian Urlacher. The big man racked up 14 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a recovery to lead all Chicago defenders. Brady Quinn connected for scores with both Emanuel Sanders and Matt Forte, while the defense, despite 117 yards for LeVeon Bell, held Michigan to only 2 field goals and one TD (with 2-point PAT).
POTG: Chicago LB Brian Urlacher: 14 Tck, 2 FF, 1 FR.
Our 1st Quarter MVPS
Rather than look at the five different league awards after 4 games, we thought it made more sense to pick 5 players who, for different reasons, are the MVPs of their teams. Each of these players is either overachieving, or surprising us with strong performances week in and week out. In some cases keeping a team afloat, in others providing the spark to move from good to great. Now, we are not sure that any of these five will be in the MVP hunt, usually reserved for the league’s top performing QB, but for their teams these players are certainly leading the way.
QB Jake Plummer (LV)
Yes, we expect that if he keeps up this pace Plummer could well be the leaguewide MVP frontrunner, but for now let’s just say that the veteran is absolutely the MVP of the club. Not only is he keeping the team focused at a time when they could easily find themselves distracted and dysfunctional, but he is almost single-handedly keeping them competitive. Plummer currently leads the league with 1,266 yards passing, 11 passing touchdowns and a Quarterback Rating of 120.8, well ahead of his career average of 92.0. His last 3 games he has thrown for 336, 425, and 259 yards, with 9 TDs in the three-game span. He is listed as doubtful for this week after suffering a toe injury (yes, turf toe) last week, but should be back for Week 6 if he does not go this week. If Las Vegas is able to finish over .500 in this rough year, we think that the kudos will have to go to Plummer.
HB Carlos Hyde (HOU)
We will discuss the dynamic duo of Houston rookies as one of our divisional stories, but we thought that Carlos Hyde needs to be singled out because of what he has done for the Houston offense. The Gambles, with Hyde as the bell cow back, have shifted their offense away from overdependence on the passing game to a true balance, one that has come with the league’s 2nd best ground attack at nearly 114 yards per game. Hyde is currently 2nd in the league behind only Jonathan Stewart with 357 yards and his 4 touchdowns have helped Houston to a 3-1 record, their only loss being a 2-point edging by the Texas Outlaws. Hyde is on pace for 1,300, perhaps 1,400 yards this year and has fans excited about the run game in Houston and about the Gamblers in general.
WR Vincent Jackson (TBY)
A year ago we said that Vincent Jackson moving from Pittsburgh to Tampa Bay could be huge, and we were dead on about that. After several seasons toying with 1,000 yards as a Mauler, (1,053 in 2012), Jackson exploded for 1,563 in his first year in Tampa and went from 4 touchdowns in 2012 to 19 in 2013 in one of the most dramatic changes of scenery we have ever seen. So, what is he doing this year? Well, he is on pace again for a possible 1,600-yard season, and while the TD’s have not been coming (only 1 so far), the danger he poses has allowed others to benefit. Six different Bandits have at least 1 receiving touchdown as Daunte Culpepper is seeing Jackson double covered in the red zone and that is leaving players like Dustin Keller and Santonio Holmes in easier assignments. Jackson will get his numbers, that seems assured, but his presence is changing the way teams play the Bandits, and at 3-1, that change seems to be helping Tampa Bay quite a bit.
DE Aaron Kampman (NJ)
While we are certainly impressed by rookie OBJ and the revival of the Generals’ passing game with Sam Bradford back, equally impressive has been the rise of the New Jersey defense, currently 1st in the league in yards allowed and 4th in scoring, allowing only 17 points per game (and most of that in one shocking let down vs. LA). At the center of the defensive revival is DE Aaron Kampman. Brought in from Texas after a pretty uneventful rookie year, Kampman has had double digit sacks each of his 3 years in New Jersey (12, 15, and 10) and this year, with 6 already on the board, he could make a legitimate run at 20 sacks for the year. With no Shaun Ellis opposite him, Kampman has become the clear threat for offenses, and yet he is putting up better numbers than ever before, not only leading the team in sacks (Gholston is a distant 2nd with 2), but also third on the team with 18 tackles as he proves he can also play the run. Kampman is to the General defense what Bradford is for the offense, the centerpiece around which the gameplan runs.
HC Greg Landry (TEX)
We know that a coach cannot be MVP, but in the case of the Outlaws, Coach Landry may well be the key to their success. No running game to speak of? No problem, we just shift gears and use a spread offense to allow Joe Flacco to destroy nickel coverage. Trouble with allowing long drives, OK, we focus on a bend but don’t break philosophy and hold teams under 20 points a game by dominating the clock. Maybe we throw in some trick plays, a fake punt, an unexpected onside kick, anything to add possessions to the Outlaws and steal them from the opposition. Texas has been in a lot of tight games, including a squeaker over Houston, but in those games, Landry is working the clock, the tendencies of his opponents, and the expectations of what his team should do, zigging when they expect a zag, and that has been enough to keep Texas unbeaten after 4 weeks. Now, with Arizona up this week, he can deliver a huge blow to the anticipated division champs and give himself and the Outlaws a 3-game lead over the Wranglers after only 5 weeks.
Three Stories to Watch from Each Division
So much happened across the league in the season’s first quarter, we thought we should run through all the stories that we are following in the USFL. What are people talking about? What is surprising us or what is becoming evident as the season progresses. Here are three stories from each division, 18 in total, that are on the minds of USFL fans and all of us who follow the league closely, stories to track as we enter the 2nd quarter of the season.
Parity Reigns
The first thing even the casual observer will notice about the Pacific Division is the apparent parity, with 4 clubs sitting at 2-2 and LA the lone outlier at 1-3. Oakland was expected to dominate the division, and they are 2-0 in division games, but so far have not been able to build up an advantage. When we look at team stats we also see that no one team is dominating the division across the board. Las Vegas is the league’s top scoring team, but Portland and Oakland are not far behind. Four of the five Pacific clubs are also in the top 5 for yards, with LA being the only one missing. What we also notice is that Vegas, Portland, and Seattle struggle on defense, which may be the one area where LA and Oakland have a clear advantage.
Las Vegas Hanging Tough
The second story of the division has to be the surprising success of the Thunder. As we mentioned, they lead the league in scoring with 116 points in 4 games. They are also among the league leaders in total yards and passing yards. That offensive production has kept them alive in games and helped them win both home games despite the chaos and lack of support at Sam Boyd. Can the Thunder stay focused and stay competitive all season? That was the issue last year, where the season wore them down and they lost 7 of their final 8.
Running to Daylight
A team with a very different strategy is Portland. The Stags are 3rd in the league in scoring with 106 points per game, but they are doing it on the ground, leading the league in rushing with 464 team rushing yards already this year, most of it thanks to Jonathan Stewart, who has 97 carries to LeGarret Blount’s 22, and 407 of the 764 yards. Stewart is on pace to possibly crack 400 carries this year, which many would say is not a good thing, but for now, his rushing attack is the main reason Portland is staying competitive despite having the 26th rated defense.
Champions Struggle to Regain Form
Arizona is not getting off to the hot start we saw this year. As champions the bullseye is on their back every week, and the fire may not be the same for the team. They suffered a tough loss in Denver in the opening week, falling by 3, just crushed Seattle, and then got smothered by New Orleans before bouncing back this week with a tougher-than-expected win at home against a Memphis team that is playing without Eli Manning. It is easy to say the defense is lacking the same intensity, after all they are currently ranked 14th in yards allowed, which is not what most expected. Coach Tomsula will have to try to find some of the magic that had Arizona’s defense setting records last year, because a middling defense is not what you want if you are trying to repeat as champion.
Texas Does it Without A Run Game
The Texas Outlaws are 4-0, but it is how they reached 4-0 that is most surprising. The Outlaws have the league’s worst run game at only 40.5 yards per game. Common wisdom is that you need the run game to win games, to free up the passing game and grind out games in the 2nd half, but Texas is doing it with a wide-open passing game and a reasonably sound defense. The strategy for the Outlaws seems to be to get the lead early and then play the pass the rest of the game to keep teams from coming back on them. However, their wins have not all been comfortable, only this week’s blowout of Dallas had a final spread of more than 3 points. So, this is a 4-0 team, but perhaps one that is vulnerable if someone can keep their score-first, defend-later strategy in check.
Houston Rookies Shining Early
They are the talk of Houston, the Dynamic Duo, the rookies taking the Gambler Nation by storm. Halfback Carlos Hyde and wideout Mike Evans look like the best rookie tandem we have seen in a long time. Hyde is currently 2nd only to Jonathan Stewart with 357 yards rushing and his 4 TDs are a great start towards what could be a 12+ TD season for the rookie back out of Ohio State. Evans is a little lower down on the rankings, currently 14th in the league with 304 yards receiving, but he has clearly become a favorite for Matt Hasselbeck, leading the team in targets and receptions, despite the presence of veterans Roy Williams and Mike Sims-Walker. This is a duo to watch all year, and if they can keep up their early success, the 3-1 Gamblers could be a team to watch as well.
St. Louis Starting Slow
The Skyhawks finally got their first win this week, a muddling 15-13 win against the Ohio Glory, but that has not made Skyhawk fans any less concerned that this is not the same team as 2 years ago. Yes, they did have to start the year without Josh Freeman, and Ricky Stanzi did not exactly light things up, but in his 2 games back Freeman has not yet topped Stanzi in yards or TDs, so the offense has simply not taken a step forward. With Taylor Jacobs now in the NFL, St. Louis hoped to fill the hole in their passing game with Jordy Nelson and Devery Henderson, but neither has really stepped forward. If not for unheralded WR Eric Weems (16 catches for 240 yards and 3 TDs) the Skyhawk passing game would be far worse than their current ranking of 22nd in the league. With a defense that has never been dominant, St. Louis depends on offensive production, but having the 26th scoring offense after 4 weeks is a major sign that the 2014 team may not have what it takes once again.
Leonhard a Rising Star
It’s a phenomenon in Columbus. After a pretty long and pretty anonymous career in Michigan, Jim Leonhard is making waves in Ohio with 4 picks in the first 4 weeks, including a 2-interception, 1 pick-six game last week. The free safety is gaining a following among Glory fans who see defense as the way forward in the Central Division. Ohio may have won their accolades with the Collins-Galloway-George offense, but now it is Leonhard and teammates Tommy Polley, James Laurinaitis, and Ryan Shazier that have Ohio thinking like an old school defensive powerhouse.
Chicago Does it with Defense
The Machine are another team building on defense. The Machine are averaging only 16 points per game, good enough for a tie for 2nd place in the league behind Baltimore. They are also making life tough for opposing passers, allowing only 203 yards per game while also leading the league in forced fumbles. Brian Urlacher is the league’s tackle leader once again and the Chicago pass rush is looking solid with Anthony Weaver leading the way. Chicago’s offense is built on slowing the game down, running with Doug Martin and short completions from Brady Quinn, but the key is that when the opposition has the ball, nothing comes easy. In their three wins, Chicago has held each opponent under 17 points, while their one loss was a surprising 28-point outburst by Dallas. Chicago needs to avoid those trap games and let-downs, as they are a team that wins in a very specific way, and that way is with ball control and a stifling defense.
Manning Brother Woes
It is not the best of times to be a Manning brother. Not only is Eli out for at least another 2-3 weeks with a fractured arm, but older brother Peyton is struggling with a 1-3 Nashville team that is without lead receiver Robert Meachem and which is leading some to call for Cody Pickett to actually start over the 3-time NFL champion. Peyton’s post-injury return to football with the Knights has been nothing short of miraculous, but the production is just not there, and the physical nature of Manning’s game is being called into question. With a 1:3 TD:INT ratio after 4 weeks, Manning is looking like his fast ball is not there, and while he may still be one of the smartest players in the game, the physical requirements needed to be an effective USFL QB may be lacking. It may seem unthinkable, but those calling for Cody Pickett to take over the offense may well have a point.
Newcomers "Breaking" in Well
The Breakers were very active this offseason and some of their moves seem to be paying some immediate benefits. Whether it is rookie HB Jeremy Hill, who is averaging 4.1 YPC on his way to 235 yards over the first month, or NFL receiver Kenny Britt, who has 4 catches for 207 yards and 2 scores, the new faces in New Orleans are contributing to a Breaker team that finds itself in a tougher division than many expected. Now it appears that a third offensive acquisition, backup QB Quincy Carter will also be called into action, at least for the next week or two. With Drew Brees out this week, Carter will get his first start for the Breakers as they head to Baltimore to take on the Blitz. Can the Breakers make it 3 of 3 in successful acquisitions turning into successful on field play?
Inman Looking for Respect
The talk all offseason has been debating how the Stallions could possibly replace both Terrell Owens and Randy Moss in their offense. And while 3rd year receiver Dontrelle Inman certainly cannot keep up with the Moss/Owens media blitz each week, he is certainly doing his part to take on the receiving role. Inman and free agent acquisition Chris Chambers are the two starters in Birmingham, and between them they have 39 receptions, nearly 560 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Inman is averaging 19 yards per catch and seems to have caught on as the deep threat for the Stallions, while Chambers is better suited as a possession receiver, catching the tough over the middle balls to lock in some first downs. The combo may not have the dynamism or flare of Owens & Moss, but they are helping Birmingham survive in a very tough division. The Stallions still have the 13th rated passing game, only a slight dip from 2013, and with no apparent run game at all (even when Joseph Addai is healthy), they are really the only option in the Stallion arsenal, them and Cam Newton scrambling.
Bandits Looking Rowdy in Tampa Bay
It is way too early to declare that Bandit Ball is back, but fans in the bay area seem ready to party like it is 1983 all over again. The Bandits are undeniably off to a good start at 3-1. They have one of the best passing games in the league and their rebuilt running game with Jahvid Best as the lead back is doing enough to keep defenses honest. Vincent Jackson has elevated his game to OPOTY levels and even the defense is chipping in, with Tampa Bay surprisingly in the Top 5 in yards allowed. Kudos to Coach Shula for bringing in a game changing player like Brian Orakpo at MLB, and for trusting in some castoff players like Best and TE Dustin Keller. This is a team that believes in themselves, and it seems that it is also a team that the community believes in again.
Bulls’ Defense a Disaster
What other term could you use for a defense that is giving up 32.2 points per game, 357 yards per game, and has allowed every single opponent to score 29 or more points? It is not going well in Jacksonville, and that means that new head coach Mike Nolan may have to make some moves and quickly. Whether replacing his defensive coordinator, or putting some younger players on the field, something will have to be done. It seems clear that veteran LB Mike Vrabel is not the force he once was. It does not help that his LB mates, Alonzo Jackson and Jarret Johnson seem to be chronically out of position. The DE combo of David Bowens and Barkevious Mingo were supposed to be the backbone of the defense, but between the two they have only 3 sacks in 4 games. The club also has only 2 picks over the season’s first quarter, with teams seemingly passing at will against a secondary that feels undermanned in every matchup. It is not a good place to be for Nolan, and while he will likely have time to make some changes, he had better not wait until the offseason to do so.
Fire Need More Firepower
The Fire offense is not horrible, but it is not exactly “on fire” either. Atlanta is solidly middle of the pack in nearly every category: scoring (16th), yards (11th), passing (12th) and rushing (15th). That is fine if you have a Top 5 defense, which Atlanta is toying with, but it also means that the defense cannot have a bad series much less a bad game. Atlanta has talent on their offense, players like Steven Jackson, Josh Reed, and Demaryius Thomas, but none of these players is playing like a superstar, and none is striking fear into the defenses they face. While fans in Atlanta like to blame QB Kyle Orton, the QB’s stats are solid. He has a 63% completion rate, his TD:INT ratio is above water (well, barely at 5:4) and his rating of 83, while not All-USFL level, is hardly a major concern. But what the Fire seem to lack is explosiveness, the ability to make defenses worry. They can put together drives, but rarely make the big back-breaking play that demoralizes a defense.
Generals & Blitz Impress Early
Once again, the NE Division looks like a hornet’s nest, with all 5 teams looking solid and dangerous. New Jersey looks far more like their 2012 12-win selves than the 4-win debacle last year. They are currently boasting the 6th best scoring offense and the 4th best scoring defense and have already built up a 2-0 record in the division, including a win over the Stars. Meanwhile, Baltimore, who we picked to finish last in the division is ranked 1st in scoring defense, 1st in pass defense, and 2nd in overall defense. That, combined with a Top 10 offense has the Blitz at 3-1, a huge surprise for those of us who saw them headed the wrong way. Anthony Dixon has been better than anticipated, Big Ben is already over 1,100 yards on the year, and Antonio Gates is proving you don’t need a top tier wide receiver to have a quality passing attack. If these numbers hold up all year, we could see New Jersey and Baltimore competing for a division title, perhaps even a top seed.
OBJ a Media Darling in NYC
The story for New Jersey this first quarter has been rookie wideout Odell Beckham Jr. Not only did he earn the starting job in camp but has already become the clear number one receiver for the Generals. He leads the team with 16 catches and 201 yards, both significantly more than veteran Doug Baldwin, and his 3 touchdowns are equal to the next three receivers combined. Combined with a renewed run game in Maurice Jones-Drew (316 yards in 4 games) and the return of Sam Bradford under center, OBJ is helping New Jersey forget last year’s last place finish and has them thinking about challenging Philadelphia at the top of the division.
Slaton Keeping Defenses Honest
Not a lot has gone as planned for the Stars this season. Yes, they are 3-1, but they are also ranked 23rd in scoring offense and their defense, expected to be a Top 3 squad, is ranked 19th. But, the one feature of the team that is still on schedule is halfback Steve Slaton. With 318 yards and 4 TDs in the first month of the season, Slaton is on pace for possible career highs in both categories. While Philly’s passing game is only 22nd in the league at 177 yards per outing (including 1 game without Gutierrez), the run game with Slaton in lead position is 8th at 102 per game. Philadelphia needs to sort out other issues, but for now the run game feels like the core of their success, and at the center of that core is Steve Slaton.
A good week if we look at long-recovery injuries. No new IR placements, but we do seem to be having a flurry of short-term injuries across the league, including some concussion concerns and quite a few foot, ankle, and toe issues. The biggest concern may be in Las Vegas, where the Thunder will likely be without both QB Jake Plummer and star TE Kevin Everett this week as they face off at home against Chicago. Washington will also miss some key contributors as they prepare to face New Jersey. In New Orleans, the Breakers are preparing to take on the Baltimore Blitz without Drew Brees. Quincy Carter, acquired this offseason, is expected to get the start in Baltimore.
OUT
WR Greg Jennings MEM Finger 1-2 Weeks
SS Darren Sharper PHI Concussion 1-2 Weeks
WR Albert Wilson ATL Concussion 1-2 Weeks
OT Cordy Glenn DAL Shoulder 1-2 Weeks
SS Patrick Chung HOU Neck 1-2 Weeks
DE Mathias Kiawanuka WSH Shoulder 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
QB Jake Plummer LV Toe
QB Drew Brees NOR Neck
CB Devin McCourty J Concussion
QUESTIONABLE
SS Glover Quinn WSH Toe
TE Kevin Everett LV Concussion
SS DaJuan Morgan ATL Foot
DE Jarius Wynn BIR Hernia
CB Nathan Vasher TEX Pinched Nerve
DE Adam Carriker ARZ Ankle
USFL Announces Hall of Fame Semifinalists for Class of 2014
The USFL’s 10 nominees for the 5 Hall of Fame slots in 2014 was announced this week and man, oh man, this year is going to be brutal. This happens every once in a while, where a big retirement wave in a particular year leads to a crowded and very deserving cluster of players all eligible for Hall of Fame nomination all at once. That was absolutely the case in 2009 when a wave of retirements, especially among the league’s top rated QBs led to a significant, but fortunately short-lived, talent drain. For the Hall of Fame voters, that meant a year with an abundance of very worthy players. Just look back at the retirement list from 2009 and you will see what we mean: Brett Favre, Kerry Collins, Kordell Stewart, Drew Bledsoe, Corey Dillon, Jonathon Ogden, Wayne Gandy, Bobby Howard, Ray Crockett, Hugh Douglas, Anthony Dorsett, a massive cluster of elite USFL talent all fighting for recognition.
So, who did the selection committee pick? Well, they went with a heavy Class of 2009 group, with 7 of the 10 spots going to first year selections. But even with that there were some deserving names left off. Starting at the QB position, the committee chose four to be in the 7 new nominees. Brett Favre, Kerry Collins, Kordell Stewart, and Drew Bledsoe made the cut, the largest single position group in any HOF semifinal class, and a group that may lead to several potential snubs. There is no denying that Favre, Collins, and Bledsoe are all deserving, and all capable of being first ballot entrants into the hall, but Stewart, a 5-time All-USFL QB, 2008 MVP, and leader of the 1997 USFL Champion Federals seems like he may have the toughest case to make, and yet still have a good case.
Outside of the QB position, there were 3 more slots in the pool of first-year semifinalists, including two offensive tackles to rank among the best of all time. Career-long LA Express keystone, Jonathan Ogden simply could not be left off the roster, and much the same could also be said for Wayne Gandy, a 6-time All-USFL tackle for the Blitz, Knights, and Monarchs. The final spot was reserved for another deserving candidate, Seattle halfback Corey Dillon, a 7-time All-USFL performer with over 10,000 yards and 75 touchdowns in basically a 10-year career (he stepped away in 2006, but did not officially retire until 2009, hoping to get back into the league but nagged by health issues after 2006).
So, there you have the 7 new nominees, any one of whom we could argue is a surefire 1st ballot candidate: Favre, Collins, Bledsoe, Stewart, Dillon, Ogden, and Gandy. So, what are the odds for returning nominees Dragon and Fire OT Willie Anderson, former Orlando DT Pat Williams, and 3rd year returnee Randall Godfrey, the Atlanta and Houston linebacker? Honestly, the odds are not good. By all accounts Favre and Collins have to be in as first ballot players. We would also consider Ogden in that category as well. That leaves 2 spots left for the remaining 7 candidates, so Godfrey, Williams and Anderson have to prove more worthy than Drew Bledsoe, Corey Dillon and Wayne Gandy. Ouch, that is a tough case to make. We honestly would not be surprised to see all 5 picks be from the retirement group of 2009, it is just that strong.
Expect the announcement of the 5 new Hall of Fame enshrinees as well as the 6th pick, the Legacy Candidate (retired prior to 2004) to come somewhere between Weeks 11-14 of the season, as we have typically seen. The new class will be enshrined the weekend of October 18-19 in Canton, Ohio, becoming the 20th USFL Hall of Fame class, and, from the looks of it, one of the most anticipated.
Rumors Aboud About Las Vegas Relocation Candidates
With the USFL Owners expected to meet in mid-May to review the options and discuss potential relocation of a franchise, with a final vote expected in June, the speculation has run wild across the league. It is apparent that the league is dead set on putting a team in the soon-to-be completed Las Vegas Dome (still awaiting a naming rights partner), and that they are equally opposed to a 1-team expansion on such short notice, which leaves every team as a possible contender to be relocated, with potential sale also on the table. While there are certainly some markets which seem very unlikely to be included in the mix of clubs to be propositioned with a move, teams like large market franchises in New Jersey, Houston, Oakland (Bay Area), and Philadelphia, many others could be on the table. You may have noticed that we left two clubs off our list of large markets, Chicago and Los Angeles. Chicago, having been sold to local investors just last year feels very much off the table, both for size and due to the “hometown” nature of the ownership group. Los Angeles, on the other hand, could be ripe for the picking. The team, as has been the case throughout its entire history, has struggled to meet attendance expectations, just saw an ownership split with one of its minority owners signing on with the San Diego group to bring the Thunder to southern California, and are also in a stadium deal that could be fractured if some rumors about the NFL Raiders are true.
We should elaborate. While the USFL is scrambling to find a tenant for the new dome in Las Vegas, the city and the stadium authority have also been scrambling to find an NFL franchise willing to make the move. Among the lead contenders to consider a jump to Sin City are both the San Diego Chargers and the Los Angeles Raiders. Many believe that the Raiders are using the lure of Las Vegas to obtain a more favorable deal in Farmers Insurance Field, also home to the Express. The fate of Al Davis’s former club could very well determine the viability of the Express in the facility. A new deal for the Raiders could be a very bad deal for the Express, but the relocation of the Raiders, making the Express the stadium’s lone tenant could be a boon for the club, which is already working with Major League Soccer to make the stadium home to a new MLS club, the city’s second.
So, LA is absolutely in the mix, and oddly enough, it all may come down to what the renegade NFL Raiders opt to do. But, as we have discussed before, LA being a large market would be a tough sell for the USFL’s TV partners, even if stadium attendance is not among the elites in the league, the TV market is. ABC, ESPN, NBC, and FOX would much rather see a smaller market club make the move to Las Vegas. In that pool we have the Ohio Glory, Nashville Knights, Memphis Showboats, Birmingham Stallions, and Orlando Renegades. Based on current ownership, stadium arrangements, and franchise finances, the two frontrunners for a possible move are Ohio and Nashville, with Orlando and Memphis also not out of the running. Birmingham’s unique partial public status, with 35% of the team owned by shareholders, and predominantly local shareholders, makes a sale and relocation of Birmingham nearly impossible, much as the sale and relocation of the Green Bay Packers would be.
So, what is happening now? Financial and logistical considerations are being prepared as reports by the USFL league office in New York. Ownership groups are being questioned about their willingness or reluctance to sell off a portion of the team and relocate the franchise. The Competition Committee is reporting on league parity and structure shift if the Pacific were to have both a San Diego and Las Vegas team, and every sports-talk radio station in the USFL sphere is taking calls from worried fans. For now that is all there is, but it will not be long before we get actual news about the cities under consideration and the enticements being provided to fill that stadium in Las Vegas next March.
USFL’s Top Rivalries: Number 12: The Tennessee Tussle
Yes, it is a relatively new rivalry, with the Knights having moved from St. Louis to Nashville only in 2002, but for Memphis fans, this rivalry goes back to the Knights in St. Louis, when the battle for the Mississippi was a thing. Now that it is an in-state clash, the stakes are even higher. Memphis lost a considerable chunk of their fan base when Nashville got a team, and the folks on the western side of the state have not forgotten it. Playing twice a year certainly plays a role as well, as these two often battle not just for pride, but for positioning in the division. The Knights (both in St. Louis and Nashville, and even LA before that) hold a distinct edge in the rivalry, winning 22 and losing 12 over the years. That makes sense considering Memphis’s overall issues for the better part of the past 2 decades while the Knights have been regular playoff participants.
The question now is whether or not this rivalry is in danger. Nashville is one of the teams featuring prominently in discussions about shifting a team to Las Vegas. There are a lot of Memphis fans who would love to see that, not only for the potential return of a portion of their fanbase, but as a bit of spiteful derision for the city of Nashville, which has become trendy and “cool” at a time when Memphis is feeling like a forgotten community.
A big week across the league with 8 divisional games and some nice inter-divisional matchups as well. Tampa Bay can lay an early claim to the SE Division with a win over Charlotte on Friday night. Orlando hopes to stay in the mix with a win at home over Jacksonville in a Saturday early game, while the Stags and Invaders, both 2-2, will square off with hopes of jumping to the top of the Pacific in the 4pm slot. The two-night games are also big divisional matchups with New Jersey visiting Washington and LA trying to get back into contention with a road game in Seattle.
Sunday brings us a slate of inter-divisional games early with Nashville and Pittsburgh both hoping for their second win, New Orleans with a tough matchup at Baltimore, and Atlanta taking on Memphis at the Liberty Bowl. The late games bring us Chicago at Las Vegas and Michigan & Ohio renewing their college-fueled rivalry. We also have a big one in the SW Division with Matt Leinart and the Denver Gold facing off against Houston’s Dynamic Duo of rookies, Hyde and Evans. The weekend caps off with perhaps the game of the season’s first quarter as the unbeaten Texas Outlaws head to the desert to face the defending champions and a divisional rival, the Wranglers.
FRI @ 8pm ET Charlotte (2-2) @ Tampa Bay (3-1) NBC
SAT @ 12pm ET Jacksonville (0-4) @ Orlando (2-2) ABC
SAT @ 12pm ET Philadelphia (3-1) @ Birmingham (2-2) FOX
SAT @ 4pm ET Portland (2-2) @ Oakland (2-2) ABC
SAT @ 4pm ET St. Louis (1-3) @ Dallas (1-3) FOX
SAT @ 7pm ET New Jersey (3-1) @ Washington (2-2) NBC
SAT @ 9pm ET Los Angeles (1-3) @ Seattle (2-2) ESPN/EFN
SUN @ 12pm ET Nashville (1-3) @ Pittsburgh (1-3) ABC
SUN @ 12pm ET New Orleans (2-2) @ Baltimore (3-1) FOX Regional
SUN @ 12pm ET Atlanta (2-2) @ Memphis (1-3) FOX Regional
SUN @ 4pm ET Michigan (1-3) @ Ohio (2-2) ABC Regional
SUN @ 4pm ET Chicago (3-1) @ Las Vegas (2-2) ABC Regional
SUN @ 4pm ET Denver (3-1) @ Houston (3-1) FOX
SUN @ 8pm ET Texas (4-0) @ Arizona (2-2) ESPN/EFN
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