Road movies tend to be either action thrillers or comedies tied to unlikely pairings of personality, but this week's selection, 1986's "The Hitcher" is neither of those. It is straight up horror and chills. Rutger Hauer does his spooky best, and the film contains one of the better high-tension tugs of war you can imagine. Not the most well known film on the list this year, but one well worth a watch.
A big week for a few teams, an even bigger week for a few players, and a bad week for Greg Schiano. That is what Week 13 of the USFL season produced. Two teams locked up playoff berths, Arizona with a win, and St. Louis despite a loss. Several players had monster weeks, with Cam Newton’s record setting TD run being the biggest play of the week, and in Chicago ownership decided that the clock had run out on their head coach. After going 1-12-1 over the 13 weeks of the season and after declining the “request” from owners to give the starting nod back to rookie Trevor Siemian, the Machine decided the time had come to let Schiano go. So, one coach is out 3 weeks before Black Monday and Chicago remains the only team fully out of playoff contention. We start with the Schiano firing this week, will review all 14 games, take a look at Cam Newton’s historic scramble, and finish off by looking at the 10 top rated draft prospects and where they might find an ideal USFL home. All right here, right now on This Week in the USFL
Schiano Out with 3 Games Left
It is rare, but not unheard of for a team to let their coach go midseason. We have seen this before when teams start the year winless, as Chicago had for 10 weeks, but typically when we see this we see it in Week 15, allowing the team 1 week with an interim coach. We have seen a few before that but often it is due to something beyond wins and losses. That may well be the case in Chicago, and we have our theories, but this week’s firing of Greg Schiano with 3 weeks to go in the season is a bit out of the norm, so it does raise questions.
No one within the Machine organization would speak on the record, but it appears that the issue was less the fact that Chicago had mustered only 1 win all year and more the issue of just what the priority should be at the quarterback position. From what we were able to gather, ownership, having already given up on the 2015 season, wanted to see more from rookie Trevor Siemian, looking for potential growth and enough improvement to determine if he would be a viable option for 2016. Schiano, on the other hand, wanted to try to win now, even if his tenure with the Machine would likely end after Week 16. He replaced Siemian after Quinn made an injury-related appearance in Week 10. Since then Quinn has been the starter once again. It seems that by trying to salvage the year in some small fashion, Schiano actually hastened his release, butting heads with ownership over the QB position.
Whatever the internal discussion may have been, Chicago now finds itself looking very much like a club that will finish with the worst record in the league, and quite possibly with no sense of what their QB situation will be in 2016. Defensive Coordinator and former head coach of the NFL Bears (1993-1998) will step up as the interim head coach. He has already agreed to have Siemian finish the year as the starter, allowing the team’s personnel folks to evaluate the young QB. What other changes are eminent are unknown, though most expect that Wannstedt’s career as head coach of the Machine is likely only a 3-game tenure. Chicago fans have no love for Wannstedt after a pretty rocky period with the Bears, so we don’t see Machine management trying to appeal to a disgruntled fanbase by hiring a coach they already don’t trust. Expect a full search as soon as the season ends.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS 28 BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS 34
So close. That is what the Gamblers have to be saying after what could have been a miraculous comeback falls just short. For Birmingham a game defined by two of the most amazing plays you will ever see, but almost given away in the final seconds. It was a wild one in Birmingham as the Gamblers and Stallions faced off in a newly reborn divisional rivalry game.
The first half was dominated by the home team and highlighted by two incredible plays from Cam Newton. The second half showed the moxy of these Gamblers as they nearly completed a miraculous comeback. In the end, Birmingham came away with a win they absolutely had to have if they were to remain alive in the Wild Card hunt, but it got very tense in the waning moments of the game as Houston came within inches of winning this game on the final play.
The game started out like any other, both teams struggling to make plays on their opening drives, both forced to punt after short possessions. On Birmingham’s second possession they got some things going, a good run from T. J. Yeldon for 12 yards, a nice bubble screen to Dontrelle Inman, and a key 3rd down completion to Edelman put Birmingham in position to score. Yeldon did the honors with a short run to open up the scoring with 2:11 left in the first.
After a quick 3-and-out by Houston, Birmingham got the ball back and got the first of two huge plays from Cam Newton to double their advantage. After another nice Yeldon run and a short completion to Holloway gave Birmingham a 1st and 10 at the 47, it was Cam Newton on a designed run, a perfect option run that went for 63 yards and a score.
The Gamblers and the Stallions would do little more in the 2nd quarter, and with Birmingham pinned back inside the 10, little more was expected in the final seconds. But, as we will describe in detail below, in one of our week’s big stories, Newton turned a possible kneel down into a 93-yard mad dash, bringing the partisan crowd to their feet and leaving everyone feeling really confident for a Stallion victory over the halftime break.
That confidence would only grow when a missed field goal from Dan Carpenter gave Birmingham the ball on their own 32 and Cam Newton led a quick and productive drive, capping off the 7-play push with a 2-yard TD to Amari Cooper. Now up 28-0, the Stallions appeared to be cruising to a lopsided victory. But, this is Matt Hasselbeck, and he just does not quit.
On Houston’s very next possession, Hasselbeck started building the comeback. It began with a huge play of his own, a 63-yard TD strike to TE Vernon Davis, but as the quarter ended the Gamblers were still down 21 and now had only 15 minutes to battle back. Birmingham would add a field goal early in the 4th, building their lead up to 24, but Houston would come right back, Hasselbeck connecting with Roy Williams from 21 yards out at the 6:50 mark. Birmingham now up 31-14 and seemingly safe.
We always worry when a team feels a game is secured, because they start to let up and that can lead to errors. Only 26 seconds after Houston’s score the error came that would put some fear into the Stallions. Backed up to his own 11, Cam Newton dropped back to pass on a 2nd and 13, but he was clipped by a blitzing Willie Andrews, causing the ball to fly out of his hand and back towards the endzone. After a short scramble, Andrews would recover the ball in the endzone, combining his forced fumble with a fumble recovery for a touchdown. With 6:24 to play it was now 31-21 and Houston was feeling like the momentum had swung again.
Birmingham tried to calm down the situation, turning to the run, and had some success. They drove the ball into Houston territory and added another Hartley field goal to expand the lead to 13 at 34-21, but with 2:23 left, Houston still had a chance to make up two scores. The Gamblers wasted no time on their next drive, using 2 time outs and several out-breaking routes to get into scoring position before Hasselbeck hit TE Vernon Davis from 21 yards out to pull the Gamblers to within 6. The onside kick would be up next.
Carpenter kicked a high looping bouncer and when Birmingham’s Bo Scaife could not wrangle the ball, Shaun Springs recovered the ball and Houston was in business. With only 47 seconds left on the clock, and only 1 timeout, they would need to march 57 yards to get a touchdown. On their first play they got 7 before Carlos Hyde stepped out of bounds. On 2nd down they added 5 more for a first down. Hasselbeck spiked the ball with 17 seconds left. Lined up on the Birmingham 47, they first attempted another out route to Williams, but the ball sailed over his head and out of bounds. 12 seconds left. This time Hasselbeck tried to find Mike Evans also outside hash marks but had to throw the ball away when DeMeco Ryans closed in for the sack. Third and 10 from the 47, 8 seconds left.
Hasselbeck took the snap from the shotgun, scanned to his right, then to the left, and with the pocket breaking down, heaved up a deep ball towards Mike Evans. Evans, who had caught only 2 balls all day, was double teamed at the 10, but somehow lept above both defenders, came down with the ball and was able to turn to the middle of the field. This would be the last play of the game and Evans was now 5 yards from the endzone. He took a step, then another, but safety Baccari Rambo caught his ankle just as he tried to pick it up off the turf. Evans stumbled, lunging his body forward, but his elbow hit the turf at the 1-yard line, the ball in his other hand stretched out but not enough. Replay showed the ball was only inches from the goalline, but it was short. The referees announced that the game was over. Birmingham had pulled off the victory by a shoestring.
SAN DIEGO 16 PORTLAND 15
A tough loss for the Stags as they drop their first home game of the year and at a time when they could have solidified their status as a true playoff contender. The 3-win Thunder come up to Portland, a place where fans still hold a grudge for their departure early in the 2000’s and shock the Stags with a last-minute field goal to steal a win. Portland had led for most of the game, relying on Jonathan Stewart’s 103 yard effort, but the late Jeff Reed field goal snatched their win away from them.
POTG: Thunder FS Mark Barron: 5 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD, 1 FF
TAMPA BAY 16 BALTIMORE 28
The Blitz take care of business at home with Brian Hartline having a big game after paying a $30,000 fine for his role in a skirmish in Washington last week. Hartline responded with 130 yards and 2 TDs as Big Ben targeted his slot receiver in the red zone early and often. Kerwynn Williams also looked ready to rumble into the playoffs with 51 yards on only 10 carries. The Blitz still remain a game behind Pittsburgh in the NE Division but look focused.
POTG: Blitz CB Nnambi Asomugha: 7 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD
PHILADELPHIA 27 NEW JERSEY 13
The Stars continue to impress in the season’s second half, winning their 5th of 6 games and upending the Generals’ hopes of staying right in the playoff hunt. Matt Gutierrez returned to action and found both Stevie Johnson and TE Brent Celek for scores. Leon Washington had himself a day as well, rushing for 122 yards on only 12 touches. Charlie Whitehurst continued to struggle, pushing some General fans to start calling for rookie Brett Hundley to get into the game. No such luck as Whitehurst finished the game out for the Generals.
POTG: Stars HB Leon Washington: 12 Att, 122 Yds, 1 TD
PITTSBURGH 26 MICHIGAN 6
The matchup of the week turned pretty once sided quickly as Pittsburgh shut down Kirk Cousins and limited LeVeon Bell to only 38 yards rushing (1.7 YPC). Meanwhile, Andy Dalton threw for 297 and 2 scores as Pittsburgh was in control for most of the game. Both Adam Thielen and Jimmie Graham went over 100 yards and both scored on the day, giving Graham yet another score, his 17th in 13 games.
POTG: Mauler WR Adam Thielen: 5 Rec, 131 Yds, 1 TD
DALLAS 20 ARIZONA 27
No easy win for the Wranglers as Dallas hung tough all game. Jake Locker get the start, but not the finish as Landry Jones came in late in the game after a ding to Locker’s head. Dallas tied the game with 1:56 left to play, but any thoughts of overtime were wiped away when David Carr hit Larry Fitzgerald with the game winner in the final minute. Carr finished with 327 yards and 3 scores as the win, Arizona’s 10th, locked up a playoff berth and gave Arizona a 1-game lead on the field for the top seed and home field advantage in the West.
POTG: Wrangler QB David Carr: 16/27, 327 Yds, 3 TD, 1 Int
ATLANTA 20 ORLANDO 14
A good defensive game from both sides came down to the offenses as Brad Gradkowski found Demaryius Thomas to build a 20-7 lead in the 3rd. Knowshon Moreno (112 Yards) got a late rushing TD, but it was not enough as Atlanta held on to take this one on the road. Gradkowski finished with 2 TD passes and managed to avoid the Orlando pass rush for the most part. Russell Wilson was not that lucky, sacked 6 times by the Fire and picked off 4 times, including 3 from the game’s POTG.
POTG: Fire CB Brandon Boykin: 4 Tck, 3 Int
OAKLAND 10 TEXAS 44
The Invader D looked unprepared and uninspired as Joe Flacco and the Outlaw offense built a 28-3 halftime lead and coasted from there to a 34-point victory. Playing outdoors in front of a full 27,000 seat Bobcat Stadium, the Outlaws were firing on all cylinders, with Flacco throwing 3 touchdowns, and the combo of Lynch and Johnson adding 126 yards rushing in an utter dismantling of the Invaders.
POTG: Texas WR Marques Colston: 6 Rec, 118 Yds, 2 TD
CHARLOTTE 33 JACKSONVILLE 10
The Monarchs cruise to victory with Tyler Thigpen at the helm. The substitute QB went 19 for 30 and threw for 3 scores, all 3 to WR D. J. Hackett as Charlotte helped secure their spot atop the SE Division. Robert Griffin III threw 3 picks and a bad fumble by rookie HB Matt Jones led to him being benched as Jacksonville could not respond when Charlotte started pulling away in the 2nd half.
POTG: Monarchs WR D. J. Hackett: 8 Rec, 98 Yds, 3 TD
CHICAGO 14 WASHINGTON 30
Washington moves to 6-7 and remains alive in the playoff hunt with a convincing win over the Machine. Cleo Lemon outperformed veteran Brady Quinn and the Washington D showed more backbone than we have seen in a while. Of course, Chicago has hardly been an offensive juggernaut this week, so it could be an illusion. Deuce McCallister added 113 on the ground and Brandon LaFell continued to flourish, with 2 TD receptions.
POTG: Federals WR Brandon LaFell: 8 Rec, 74 Yds, 2 TD
ST. LOUIS 9 OHIO 17
The Stags looked sluggish and perhaps unprepared for a tough game in Ohio, yet still clinched a play off spot this week. It was not a good game for either offense, as both struggled to move the ball. Ohio got all 17 points in the first half, and St. Louis tried to come back but settled for field goals on 3 redzone drives. The two teams combined to go 8 for 30 on third down and kept both punters busy.
POTG: Ohio SS Pearson Prioleau: 7 Tck, 2 PDef, 1 Int
LAS VEGAS 27 DENVER 30
The Vipers still do not have that elusive road win, though this one was closer than most Denver fans would have wanted. Denver had built up a 20-7 lead only to watch as Las Vegas clawed their way back in. Cody Pickett threw 3 touchdowns but also tossed up 4 picks, including 2 to the POTG, Patrick Robinson. The win keeps Denver alive at 6-7.
POTG: Denver CB Patrick Robinson: 6 Tck, 2 Int
SEATTLE 6 LOS ANGELES 31
A true shocker as 7-point home dog Los Angeles came out on fire. It was the run game that sparked the win for the Express with a 3-headed attack of Shonn Greene (64 Yds), LeRon McClain (31) and Reggie Bush (55) accounting for most of the Express offense. McClain would finish with 2 TDs and the Express D added a late Jamar Taylor pick-six to keep Seattle from mounting a combeback with backup Mike Flynn at the helm.
POTG: LA middle linebacker Clay Matthews: 10 Tck, 1 TFL
NEW ORLEANS 26 MEMPHIS 12
The Breakers not only get the division win over Memphis, but thanks to rival Birmingham they gain back their game on Houston and retake 1st place in the division. Quincy Carter was shaky, with 2 picks and no TDs, but got a lot of help form a defense that sacked Eli Manning 4 times and forced 2 picks, including a 21-yard Patrick Peterson pick-six to lock in the win for the Breakers. Peterson got the points, but it was CB Randall Gay who stole the show for New Orleans with 5 pass defenses and a pick.
POTG: Breaker CB Randall Gay: 5 Tck, 5 PDef, 1 Int
Cam Newton's Highlight Reel Runs Are All We Can Talk About
We have gotten pretty used to Cam Newton scrambling. We are even used to him being a deliberate rusher and racking up 70, 80, even 100 yards in a game. But what we saw this weekend, there is no getting used to that. Newton rushedthe ball 9 times, averaged 18.9 yards, and scored two touchdowns on the ground, but it was how he did it. First quarter, up 7-0 on Houston and on a 1st and 10 from his own 47, Newton calls his own number. It was an option play to Yeldon and the OLB went with Yeldon, which was a mistake. Newton was off and running. The corner chased him down but dove too early, allowing Newton to step out of the tackle and score a 63-yarder. That play would have very likely been the play of the week in the USFL had it not been for what happened in the 2nd quarter.
In a quarter where both defenses stepped up, neither team had scored. Neither team had even gotten to the opponent’s 40, and Birmingham got a Houston punt with only 21 seconds left. A mishandle on the punt had left returner Richard Iverson stuck at the 7. So you know what is coming, it’s kneel down time, with Newton and the Stallions happy to take a 14-0 lead into the half. Seems pretty straightforward to everyone. Everyone except Newton.
With his offense in the kneel-down position, Newton spies that there is no outside coverage beyond his tight end. He signals a change, but no one on the offense moves, not until the ball is snapped. At the snap of the ball, the defense half-heartedly crashes into the center of the line, expecting a kneel. But Newton, who had taken a step back, does not kneel. He follows FB Jalston Fowler to the right, turns the corner and is off. There is no one within 10 yards of him and no one is going to catch him. Yes, some Gambler defender pursue, but after getting untangled from their teammates and Birmingham linemen, the gap is way too great. Now Newton is not setting any 100-yard dash record, but he is moving pretty well and by the time he crosses the endline 93 yards later, the defenders have given up and have already started to point fingers.
Newton sets a team record with the 93-yard run. He now holds the 3rd longest TD run in league history, and believe it or not two of the top 3 longest runs in the 30+ years of the USFL are now held by quarterbacks. Jake Plummer still holds the league record with a 99-yard TD run back in 2001, Marcus Dupree is 2nd with a 97-yarder in 1988 and Newton now enters the record books at number 3 with the stunning 93-yarder. Yes, Birmingham would let Houston back in the game, to make it our game of the week, but these two runs by one of the most exciting players in the league were very much a part of history this week.
Texas 2-0 in Temporary Homes
It is one thing for a team to go on a modest 2-game win streak. Another thing altogether to do so playing both games in temporary homes while players, coaches and the community are dealing with the devastation of a tornado that took out a long swath of central San Antonio, including the Alamodome where team offices, training facilities and practice equipment was stored.
On the same day that a local resident returned 2 helmets and a bag of footballs to the team, found in his yard nearly a mile away, the Outlaws won their 2nd game in 2 weeks, both “home” affairs, but both played in temporary homes. The grit of the Outlaws team has become a rallying cry for the city, with players helping out on Monday in the community, distributing water and supplies to families impacted by the tornado. There are over 3,000 families currently in temporary shelters, and several Outlaws players are now living in a local hotel as their homes are assessed for safety and repairs, but the game goes on, and the Outlaws are pulling together as a team, for themselves, but also for the community.
Chicago and Ohio Make QB Moves Again
With 3 weeks left to the season it is pretty common that we see teams starting to evaluate younger players, and that seems to be what both the Machine and Glory are planning to do at the QB position. Just one day after Dave Wannstedt stepped in as the interim coach of the Machine, following the firing of Greg Schiano, he announced to local press that Brady Quinn would again be benched and Trevor Siemian would be given the start for the final 3 weeks. It seems clear that ownership, dealing with a lost season, wanted to assess whether Siemian could do more than he showed in his earlier stint under center. The goal, of course is to determine if QB is truly a top 1-2 priority for the Machine this offseason or if they will focus on other areas of need. If Siemian can show some development, he could well be named the 2016 starter and Brady Quinn could become expendable.
In Ohio, the situation is a bit more uncertain. Brock Osweiler got the W for the Glory in their upset win over St. Louis this week, but struggled, throwing 2 more picks to raise his totals to 10 TDs and 13 picks. It appears that either ownership or Coach Andrus (also on the hot seat right now) wants to see if Troy Smith can do much better. Smith did have a 6:4 TD:INT ratio before being benched, but with both he and Oswielier mired in the high 60s in QB Rating, there is no sense that Ohio is going to feel confident at the position. This week, the move to give Smith back the ball seems to be an attempt to test out the Ohio State grad to see if he could be an option long term. Right now there is general feeling among Glory fans that if the club is going to compete in the very tough Central Division, they will have to recognize that their 2016 starter is likely not currently on the roster.
The Wranglers and Skyhawks are in, joining the 4 Eastern Conference teams who clinched last week. That leaves 6 slots to fill and 21 teams still mathematically alive for them. The biggest cluster is in the East, where 4 teams sit at 6-7 and only 1 Wild Card is still up for grabs. In the West, Texas is looking solid at 8-5, having won their two displaced home games the past two weeks. Portland’s loss this week puts them within 1 game of the 3 teams clustered at 6-7. And we are still looking at 5-7-1 Dallas and wondering if they can make a late run.
If you are looking to see who could clinch next, well there are two teams in the West sitting at 9-4 who almost guarantee themselves a spot with a win in Week 14. Oakland and Michigan should be motivated to lock things up as they head into the weekend. Charlotte could also be next, sitting at 8-5. If they can gain one more game on Atlanta and Orlando (both 6-7) they will lock up the SE Division.
Three more players added to IR, which, of course, is easier to find this late in the season as even a 1-mont injury can be a season ender. We also see several players who may be back in time for a playoff run but may miss the games that would qualify a team for the playoffs. Atlanta will be without DT Nick Fairley perhaps for the remainder of the regular season. St. Louis is down a corner and a wideout this week, and Dallas is happy to have Johnny Manziel back at practices because Jake Locker is likely out at least 2 weeks after breaking a finger on his throwing hand this week.
OUT
G Zach Martin CHI MCL IR
CB Deon Grant OAK Wrist IR
CB Reggie Smith PIT Back IR
DT Nick Fairley ATL Collarbone 2-4 Weeks
OT Levi Brown TBY Shoulder 2-4 Weeks
CB Vontae Davis STL Neck 1-2 Weeks
WR Muhammad Sanu NJ Eye 1-2 Weeks
DE Jean Pierre-Paul CHI Arm 1-2 Weeks
WR Eric Decker STL Hip 1-2 Weeks
QB Jake Locker DAL Finger 1-2 Weeks
WR Mike Wallace SEA Shoulder 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
HB LeMichael James DEN Finger
DE Quentin Groves ARZ Eye
QUESTIONABLE
FS Quinton Carter NJ Hamstring
LB Jerod Mayo CHA Broken Nose
WR Santonio Holmes TBY Concussion
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick POR Toe
G Vince Manuel MGN Knee
2 Teams Surging At the Right Time, and 2 Who May Be Fading
We are in the final month of the year, and if ever there was a time to be playing your best ball, this is it. We are going to highlight two teams we think are doing just that, and two that seem to be fading in the heat of summer. With 3 weeks left to play, a surge now can be the difference between playoff football and a July golf tournament. For all 4 of these teams the time is now to put 110% into every game.
ARIZONA: The Wranglers have taken control of the SW Division with a 3-game win streak, part of an 8-win-in-9-games domination over the past 2+ months. They are back to having the top scoring defense in the league, a bad sign for their opponents, and their offense is humming as well, with David Carr and Frank Gore both playing some of their best ball. Carr went for 3 scores this week and Gore is closing in on 1,000 yards. With both Bryant and Fitzgerald expected to cross the 1,000 yard mark this season, the Wranglers are looking very dangerous and can control their path to home field advantage.
TEXAS: The other surging team is in San Antonio (sort of) as Texas has won both relocated home games to move to 8-5, 3 games over .500. They are still 2 games behind the Wranglers, so the division may well be out of reach, but they could be a player as a Wild Card. The addition of Marshawn Lynch has helped Coach Landry balance the offense a bit more, but it is still all about Flacco, Colston, Marshall and that passing game. With a Top 5 offense and a bottom 5 defense, the Outlaws rely on outpacing teams with scoring to win games, but the strategy is working right now.
SEATTLE: The Dragons have dropped 3 in a row, slipping from 6-4 down to 6-7 and pushing them out of the current playoff picture. They can still rebound, but they are going to need more out of both the offense and the defense. After giving up 44 to St. Louis and backup Ricky Stanzi in Week 12, this week they got rolled by the most unexpected of teams, the LA Express. That is not a good sign for where this defense is headed. With Houston up next, they had better figure out how to put the brakes on teams, or they could drop right out of Wild Card contention quickly.
ORLANDO: The Renegades are a tough team to figure out, losing 3 of their last 4. They have a very solid defense, 2nd in both scoring and yards allowed, and their offense is top 10 as well, but somehow they just keep blowing games. Their only win in the past month was an ugly 9-3 win in Memphis. They had two bad losses to division foe Atlanta and another to Texas in the past month. If they want any shot at a Wild Card, they have to find more consistency, and that may largely fall on QB Russell Wilson, who can look great for a series and then look utterly helpless the next. They are still in the mix, and with back-to-back home division games these next two weeks (Charlotte & Tampa Bay) a short win streak could go a long way for a team that no one would want to face if they did make the postseason.
Top 10 Draft Prospects & Their Perfect USFL Homes
The 2015 college football season is still over a month away, and we do not know exactly what will occur over the course of the fall and winter, but that has not stopped our intrepid scouting team from assessing the rising senior class, and a few juniors, and determining who they think may be at the top of everyone’s draft wish list. What we have done is pull the top 10 from their rankings, looked at their T-Draft status (with 9 of 10 at protected schools) and then wondered aloud just where the player might best match a team in the USFL. Sometimes it is the squad that will hold their T-Draft rights, but in others that does not seem probable. So, where should these players go, assuming they come to the USFL at all? Here is our best assessment of the ideal USFL placement for the players we have ranked as the best of the best for the 2016 draft.
CB Eli Apple (Ohio State)
Apple is an aggressive ball hawk, a bit undersized as many corners are, but a dynamic player ho can turn a pick into a score on almost any play. Playing for the Buckeyes his rights will be in the hands of the Ohio Glory. The Glory have a solid player in Chimdi Chekwa at one corner, but could be looking to improve their other starting spot with Ashton Youboty now 32 years old and going into the final year of his deal. Is CB an immediate need? Not really. Could Ohio go for Apple anyway, possibly. If they don’t where should Apple go? Our pick is the Portland Stags. The secondary, particularly the corner spot, is a definite weakness on the Stags’ defense, evident in the fact that the Stags to date have only 4 total team interceptions in 13 games. That is not a winning number.
QB Paxton Lynch (Memphis)
The third of the three QBs we see at the top of the draft, but possibly the first in the hearts of Memphians, and in the eyes of the Showboats. With Eli Manning struggling, and with only 1 more year on his deal, the timing is perfect for the Showboats to go all out for Lynch, let him watch and learn, or maybe get in some late season action in Manning’s last year before his contract ends, and then make the transition. Memphis is a logical choice, a good fit, and a smart move for Lynch, who could cash in on the local fame as he turns pro. Now, will Rex Ryan prioritize offense enough to go the obvious route and pick Lynch in the T-Draft? A lot of folks in Memphis hope so.
DE Shaq Lawson (Clemson)
For the second year in a row, Jacksonville finds itself with the rights to perhaps the best edge rusher in the draft, but with 2 players on the Bulls roster who are both over 10 sacks this year (Mingo and Bowers), it is just not a position of need for the Bulls. So, if they are smart, what do they do? They could take trade offers for either of their current DE’s, but that risks alienating one or both. The better option is to make a deal to trade away their top T-Draft prospect to another team, picking up an Open Draft pick (perhaps even 2 quality picks) in the deal. Who should make that deal? How about a team whose two DE’s this year have a combined 5 sacks in 13 games? That team would be the Las Vegas Vipers. Dee Ford and Mario Addison have been good against the run, but as pass rushers they are just not getting the job done. Bring in Lawson, particularly for 3rd downs, and now they may have something. We would advise the Vipers to get on the phone and start dealing with the Bulls to try to get a shot at Clemson’s disruptive DE.
CB Jalen Ramsey (FSU)
The Bandits have a lot of needs, with QB being perhaps the biggest, but with Carlos Rodgers now in his mid-30’s and on the downside of his career, and with no QBs in their T-Draft pool, we would absolutely urge the Bandits to open up the checkbook (if they can with their cap situation) and sign Ramsey to anchor their secondary. No need to be fancy about it, he is theirs if they want him (well, except for NFL competition), so they should do what needs to be done to get him in red & silver, and then deal with QB elsewhere.
LB Leonard Floyd (Georgia)
We are not sure what to do with Floyd. He is a solid linebacker, perhaps not explosive enough to be a true edge rusher, but certainly strong against the run. He is also protected by the Atlanta Fire, who currently have no real need for him. With Luke Kuechley in the middle and a pretty solid tandem of Patrick Willis and Dannell Ellerbe outside the LB spot is just not a major area of need right now. Perhaps the best thing Atlanta could do is ensure that Floyd does not land with a division or even conference foe. Enter the Dallas Roughnecks, a team with a major need at LB, especially Floyd’s natural strong side LB position, and a team in the opposite conference. This should be a pretty acceptable trading partner for Atlanta if the Roughnecks are willing to pay what could be a significant cost to make it happen.
OT Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss)
Memphis has a lot of needs, including on their line, but LT is really not a position in trouble. While we think that going after Paxton Lynch makes a lot of sense for the Showboats, we are not feeling that same way about going after Tunsil as a classic blindside protector. Memphis is in pretty good shape there with Tyson Clabo locked up through 2017. So, let’s trade Tunsil, again, out of conference if we can. Who is concerned about pass protection? Well, Joe Flacco is the most sacked QB in the league. Part of that is his mobility (or lack thereof), but part of it is also a pretty shaky group along the line. We are not huge fans of Roger Saffold as a left tackle. His style and skills would be far better suited on the right side, where run blocking is key. Bring in Tunsil and you can move Saffold to the right and really help Flacco out.
QB Carson Wentz (NDSU)
Here is the Wild Card. The only Top 10 player we have on our list who is not at a Territorial Draft protected school. Carson Wentz, out of North Dakota State, looks the part of a franchise QB. He is tall (6’5”), has a cannon for an arm, and has proven a winner with the Bison. He is also guaranteed to be available in the Open Draft. That means he immediately becomes the most interesting player on our board. Chicago could go for him with the first pick, especially if their experiment with Siemian looks like a flop. If they stick with Siemian, then we could see a team like Ohio try to swap picks to get a shot at Wentz. New Jersey could be in that mix if Sam Bradford is truly not signable, and, let’s throw one more option out there, the Tampa Bay Bandits. Right now they would have the number two pick, so it would not take much to move up one slot and go for Wentz. But here is the rub. They went hard for Jameis Winston last draft and got burned. Will they do it a second time and hope for better results?
HB Ezekiel Elliott (OSU)
Without a doubt the best back in the draft, and our second of 3 players the Ohio Glory could target out of OSU. But again, this is not a huge need. A possible need, but not a top tier need. Isaiah Pead is a solid back, one still in range for a 1,000 yard season, so the urgency is not there. Now, that said, Ezekiel would be an upgrade, there is no doubt about that. We could see Ohio trade away Pead to land Ezekiel. Not a stretch. If they don’t, however, if they trade the T-Draft pick instead, who could be a taker. San Diego is the obvious choice. Since trading Marshawn Lynch to the Outlaws, the Thunder have been absolutely horrible in the run game. Adding a sure fire bulldozer like Elliott would be a no-brainer for the Thunder, especially if they decide that Webb’s first year with the team has shown signs that QB is not an immediate need.
DE Joey Bosa (Ohio State)
The third of OSU’s three big guns in this draft, and this is the one the Ohio Glory should absolutely be giddy about. The Glory need a pass rusher desperately. Isaac Hilton, the team’s leading sack man, is 37 years old and while his 12 sacks this year are impressive, there is no doubt that adding a player like Bosa would be a huge upgrade across the board for the Glory defense. We cannot imagine a scenario where Ohio lets Bosa slide through the T-Draft and join the Open Draft pool. This is a pick just teed up for the Glory to get right.
QB Jared Goff (Cal)
The consensus top QB in the draft this year, Goff could well be the number one pick in both the USFL and NFL drafts, if he gets past Oakland and the T-Draft. Oakland just resigned Joey Harrington to a deal that extends through 2017, but the former Oregon Duck is 35, and a pretty ragged 35 after all the hits he has taken over the year. Would Oakland invest heavily in 2 QB’s, hoping to have a 2-year transition from Harrington to Goff? That would be some serious, long-range thinking, but Dennis Green is solidly entrenched and can take that kind of chance. But, just for the sake of argument, let’s say he does not want to sink that much salary cap into a backup QB for the next year or two. Who could be in the market to make a deal for the T-Draft pick. Two teams that would be likely suitors for Goff, Los Angeles and San Diego, have almost no shot because they are division rivals of the Invaders, and no franchise wants a player of Goff’s quality to go to a division foe. That leaves possibly Chicago, if they prefer Goff to Wentz. They could trade their first overall Open Draft pick for the Goff rights. That would make sense. We could also see Tampa Bay making a serious pitch for Goff, and their early pick in the Open Draft would be a good option for the Invaders. But don’t count out New Jersey. We could see them, again if Bradford truly does leave in free agency, packaging players and picks to entice the Invaders.
So, 10 players, 10 very interesting situations, and a lot of potential for a wild Draft Week if T-Draft picks are the hot commodity we think they could be.
USFL & HOF Announce Class of 2015
The greatest honor in professional football, induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, will be bestowed this October on 6 more USFL legends. This week the USFL and the Hall announced who those six would be. As expected, it was a mix of first-time nominees and members of the very strong Class of 2014, along with a legacy player many had been clamoring for over the past decade.
Three players made the hall in their first year of eligibility this year. Wideout Antonio Freeman, a 9-time All-USFL receiver who won a title with the Gamblers in 1996 and finished his USFL career with 1,011 receptions and nearly 16,000 yards before a short 2nd career in the NFL, was elected with the highest vote tally among the nominees. He was followed by a more controversial figure, halfback for the Breakers and Invaders, Ricky Williams. Williams, a 5-time All-USFL performer, is also a well-known activist for legalization of marijuana, an issue that got him into hot water with the league on more than one occasion. But, his politics aside, Williams also rushed for over 11,000 yards and 97 TDs in his USFL career, spanning 12 seasons. The third and final first-year nominee was another of the league’s highly regarded edge rushers. Birmingham DE Mike Rucker was a terror for opposing tackles and quarterbacks over his 12-year career. Rucker was nominated to 5 All-USFL teams and retired with 199 sacks, 6th all time.
Joining the first-year nominees were two players who just missed the cut in the stacked Class of 2014. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who played his entire USFL career with the Boston Cannons, was the 2004 league MVP, and won both a title and playoff MVP honors in 2009, his last year in the league. With 176 TDs to only 66picks and a lifetime QB Rating of 105.2, this 4-time All-USFL QB now joins other 2009 retirees Brett Favre and Kerry Collins in the Hall. He is joined by one of the best halfbacks of the millennium period, Seattle’s bruising back, Corey Dillon. Dillon played only 7 seasons in the league, inactive but not yet retired in 2008 and 2009 as he tried to come back from injury. In his 7 years, however, he rushed for over 10,000 yards and was named to the All-USFL team every year.
These five players are joined by a legacy player who many have waited a long time to get his due. DE Bob Barber played in the league’s inaugural season with the Washington Federals, but he will always be remembered for his 8 years with the Birmingham Stallions, a period that saw him play as one of the best dual-use defensive ends in the game. Barber recorded 71 tackles for loss in the run game and 104 sacks in the passing game as a member of the Stallions, including 7 seasons with more than 10 sacks. He was an aggressive tackler, producing 23 forced fumbles in his career, but also a beloved teammate. Fans in Birmingham and players from those early years of the league, including QB Cliff Stoudt and HB Joe Cribbs have been actively campaigning for Barber to be included among the legacy picks for the Hall, and their efforts have borne fruit. Bob Barber will join other great edge rushers, names like Junior Ah-You, Derrick Manley, Reggie White, Charles Haley, and Chris Doleman in the Hall, where they can still get a good scare out of some QB’s. Joking about Barber’s inclusion, USFL Hall of Fame QB John Reaves stated “Just keep his bust far away from mine, because I saw enough of his face bearing down on me when I played. I don’t need to see it now.”
So, there you have it, the Hall of Fame Class of 2015. The induction ceremony will be held on October 17 in Canton, and you can expect a lot of fans and a lot of great players from the past to be there to welcome in Freeman, Williams, Rucker, Bledsoe, Dillon, and Barber.
Week 14 and again the divisional matchups are huge as we have 6 playoff spots still being contested and a lot of playoff positioning to determine. The Weekend kicks off on Friday night where the Michigan Panthers will be home to rival Ohio. A win here pretty much guarantees Michigan a playoff spot, but they are also tied with St. Louis atop the Central, so the division title is still in play. On Saturday Washington is in New Orleans for an important inter-divisional game for both clubs. Washington can reach .500 with a win and the Breakers are tied with Houston atop the Southern Division, so a loss could be a huge issue for New Orleans. Philadelphia has been on a roll and now they get a shot at Pittsburgh. The Maulers have their playoff ticket punched but if they want to retain that top seed in the conference, they cannot afford to look past the Stars.
Also on Saturday afternoon we have important matchups out West with Arizona @ Las Vegas and LA @ Oakland. The day caps off with Seattle visiting Houston. The Dragons can also reach .500 with a win, but don’t expect an easy go of it in Houston as the Gamblers are fighting to get that Southern Division crown. On Sunday we start off with Baltimore @ Atlanta, and yet again you have a playoff team battling a team 1 win away from .500. The Fire also currently hold the 6 spot in the East and do not want to cede ground to the other 6-7 squads. Birmingham will visit Portland in a cross-country clash that has playoff implications for both teams. Texas goes back on the road for the first time since the tornado struck the Alamodome, visiting Dallas at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Can they stretch their win streak to 3 with a win over the Roughnecks? Finally, it is Charlotte @ Orlando with both teams hoping they can finish strong and get a postseason bid.
Friday @ 8pm ET Ohio (4-9) @ Michigan (9-4) NBC
Saturday @ 12pm ET Washington (6-7) @ New Orleans (10-3) ABC
Saturday @ 12pm ET Pittsburgh (11-2) @ Philadelphia (5-8) FOX
Saturday @ 4pm ET Arizona (10-3) @ Las Vegas (6-7) ABC
Saturday @ 4pm ET St. Louis (9-4) @ Chicago (1-11-1) FOX
Saturday @ 7pm ET Los Angeles (4-9) @ Oakland (9-4) NBC
Saturday @ 9pm ET Seattle (6-7) @ Houston (10-3) ESPN/EFN
Sunday @ 12pm ET Baltimore (10-3) @ Atlanta (6-7) ABC
Sunday @ 12pm ET New Jersey (5-8) @ Tampa Bay (3-10) FOX Regional
Sunday @ 12pm ET Memphis (4-9) @ Jacksonville (3-10) FOX Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Birmingham (6-7) @ Portland (7-6) ABC Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Denver (6-7) @ San Diego (4-9) ABC Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Texas (8-5) @ Dallas (5-7-1) FOX
Sunday @ 8pm ET Charlotte (8-5) @ Orlando (6-7) ESPN/EFN
コメント