The post-apocalyptic world of Mad Max, where gasoline is a cherished commodity and both heroes and villains race across the desert in cobbled together vehicles serves as the "Road movie" for week 3. A classic of the 1980's that sets the stage (as the 2nd in a series, but the first big box office success) for a universe that still continues to grow even now.
In many ways Week 3 felt like bit of a return to normalcy. No 400-yard passing games, no 200-yard rushers, for the most part the favorites won out, though with some glaring exceptions. In other words, this was a week when things largely played out the way most would expect. Sure, the Generals’ upset of Philadelphia was a bit of a surprise, though in that rivalry certainly not out of the question. And, it is true that most did not predict Birmingham to upend the Baltimore Blitz in Baltimore, or for Seattle to get a win in Denver, but we are still early in the year and the true quality of most teams is still up in the air. We base who we think should win on last year and on what we think of each team’s roster, but the reality can be much different from our anticipation, and so even these “upsets” may prove to just be indicators that we are overestimating some teams and undervaluing others. So, as we review the week that was and preview Week 4, we might want to put aside our preconceptions of who “should” win and just go with the flow of this season.
An Early Season Full of Surprises
Surprise has been the theme of the year so far, both on the team level and in individual performances. When we look at both the standings and the league leaders we see some things we did not anticipate. It is safe to assume that no one expected to see an 0-3 Stars team, or to find both Dallas and Portland atop their divisions at 3-0. Likewise, the early successes and big games from players like Andy Dalton, Maurice Jones-Drew, and rookie Amari Cooper have absolutely raised some eyebrows across the league. But that is half the fun of a new season.
So what should we make of an 0-3 Philadelphia team? Do we put it all on the Week 1 injury to Matt Gutierrez or do we think there are other concerns? Well, for one, it seems almost too easy to say that Zac Stacy is not Steve Slaton, and that with the run game struggling to find traction, there is a lot of pressure on the QB, in the current case Chad Henne, to create offense. That is not easy, and we should not be surprised that it has been a struggle for the Stars. What about the defense? That may be where the real surprise is. So far this year the Stars have struggled, giving up 34 to Baltimore, 24 to Washington, and this week a more modest 13 to the Generals. Perhaps they are finding their way as the opponent scores have dropped each week, but we are seeing a particularly surprising lack of consistency against the pass, where Philly is giving up over 260 yards per game. That alone could be reason to struggle, and when we add the offensive issues (17 ppg, only 195 yards passing), it perhaps is fully explicable why Philadelphia finds itself at 0-3.
Now, as for Dallas and Portland sitting at 3-0 each, the answer seems to be the same for both: Defense. Portland is giving up only 11.7 points per game, and has been particularly strong against the pass, allowing only 178 yards per game. Dallas currently sits in first place in the rankings for points allowed, giving up a measly 8.3 each game, having allowed 7, 9, and 9 in their 3 games. They are also tops in the league in yards per game at a paltry 265 allowed each week. Now, there are potential “yeah, buts” for each. Portland has played all 3 games at home and two of those games have been soggy rain-soaked affairs. Dallas has played three offenses that are not exactly firing on all cylinders in LA, Charlotte, and Ohio. There is a real chance that both clubs are mirages, and that the illusion of their superiority will quickly be shattered as their schedules change. Dallas will be hitting a 4-game run against 2014 playoff teams starting in Week 5 with Denver, Texas, Michigan, and Denver again in that run. Portland will finally hit the road in Week 5, with games in San Diego, Arizona, and Houston on a 3-game tour. So, let’s be a bit patient to see if these two can sustain their early success.
As for the early individual success, we probably should not be too surprised by Andy Dalton’s early season success. We did after all predict Pittsburgh as our dark horse and specifically highlight Dalton’s development as a big reason for the possible change of fortune for the Maulers. What has perhaps been a bit surprising is that Dalton’s production did not drop off when Victor Cruz went out in Week 2. This past week he was equally successful finding stand-in Mike Williams for 129 yards and a score in a big road win over Orlando.
Amari Cooper also should not be a huge surprise. After all, the Stallions saw enough in the Alabama product to slot him in as the number one receiver even in preseason, over veterans like Dontrelle Inman and Julian Edelman. So, we should not be surprised that he leads the club with 292 yards. His 16 catches also leads the club, though it is TE Jabari Holloway who still has the most targets with 24.
As for MJD, that 200+ yard game in Week 2 was impressive, and possibly a blueprint for the Generals moving forward. But if we look at his Week 1 and Week 3 outings, we see much more of what we have been accustomed to: 21 attempts and 71 yards in Week 1 and a truly sub-par 25 attempts for only 15 yards in Philadelphia. And while General fans hope the 200-yard outing is a sign that MJD is ready to bust out in 2015, the reality may be that the 29-year-old back had a perfect outing and may well see his weekly production stabilize at a much lower and more anticipated number.
Early season is always full of the unexpected, and this year we have gotten more than a fair share of surprises, but as tends to be the case, the long 4-month season has a way of evening out results with expectations. We will see if this year holds true to form.
CHICAGO MACHINE 25 LAS VEGAS VIPERS 26
There are a lot of great Friday Nights in Las Vegas, a city designed from top to bottom to provide them, but this week’s Friday Night felt particularly energy-packed as the Las Vegas Vipers opened their home season and their new domed stadium with a matchup against the Chicago Machine, and, as with any good premiere, the Vipers put on a show to remember.
This was one of those games that kept fans on the edge of their seats, excited one moment, nervous the next, as the two clubs battled back and for the the entire night. After the initial fanfare of team introductions, the anthem, and the first appearance of Hiss, the larger-than-life Vipers mascot, the teams took the field and the buzz in the stadium grew focused on the on-field action. Early on it was Chicago that got the upper hand, ending their first two drives with field goals. Las Vegas struggled to move the ball with runs by Montario Hardesty and LeGarrett Blount not making much headway.
By the early 2nd quarter it was 9-0 Chicago after a third William Hooper kick, but something shifted in the 2nd quarter. The backs started to find some room for Vegas and the threat of the run allowed Cody Pickett to find receivers in single coverage. Las Vegas got on the board at the 9:40 mark with a Pickett to Denarius Moore TD toss that got the crowd to its feet. Following a 3-and-out from the Vegas defense, the Vipers repeated the drive, and again it was Pickett to Moore, this time fort the lead. The Las Vegas fans, happy to be in air conditioned comfort on an evening where the external temperatures still hovered in the low 90’s at game time, were quite content at the half with their newly adopted club up 14-9.
The third quarter would prove more anxious for the more than 54,000 in attendance, nearly all in sky blue, silver and black Vipers gear. Chicago dominated the quarter, sparked by a poor throw by Pickett that turned into 7 points thanks to a nice return from CB Josh Norman. The Machine were back on top, and the situation got even worse after a Las Vegas 3-and-out and a shanked punt gave Chicago the ball inside Viper territory. The Machine needed only 4 plays to score, with Brady Quinn connecting with Aaron Dobson from 19 yards out to expand their lead to 22-14.
But, football is a game of momentum and a key play in early in the 4th gave Las Vegas the push they needed. Down 8, they had put together a moderately successful drive, but were now faced with a tough call. It was 4th and 1 from the Chicago 35. Do they try for the 52-yard field goal, or do they go for the 1st down. Coach Roman opted to go for the 1st. The play called for Montario Hardesty to go off the left guard and plunge over for the first, but when Hardesty reached the line there was a pile up of players, so he bounced the ball outside, much to the surprise of everyone. He found the corner, and with most of the Machine stuck in a dogpile in the middle of the field, he easily sped past the closest linebacker and down the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown.
That play caused an eruption of cheers from the appreciative fans. Roman had made a pretty standard call but Hardesty had turned it into an extraordinary play. The Vipers were down by 2. The PAT failed so they were still back 22-20, but they were fighting.
Chicago would add a field goal to push the lead to a precarious 5 points with just over 5 minutes to play, but that just fed the crowd to cheer on the Vipers, and that energy pushed the Vipers to be daring on their final drive as well. Faced with a 3rd and 19, the Vipers called a trick play. What appeared to be a screen in the center to Hardesty turned into a flea flicker, and with the defenders all converging on the halfback, Pickett was able to roll to his left and find Tyler Eifert for a 21-yard completion and a drive saving play. 5 plays later, the Vipers were on the 5 and looking to put the ball in the endzone. Pickett would connect with Arrelious Benn, the free agent signing from the Glory, and Benn would go up high and bring down the 50/50 ball over the top of Josh Norman. Las Vegas again failed on the 2-point conversion, leaving them with a 1-point lead and 1:30 left to play.
A fired up Vipers’ defense shut down Brady Quinn after only 1 first down, forcing incompletions on both 3rd and 4th down as the desperate Machine fought both the clock and the Viper D. With a kneel down, Cody Pickett ended the game as the stadium, still largely full, celebrated the first home victory for their new home town team.
NEW JERSEY 13 PHILADELPHIA 11
An ugly game that saw both teams struggle on offense as the Generals and Stars combined to go 4 of 30 on third down. Sam Bradford was knocked out of the game early so it was Henne vs. Whitehurst for most of the game, and that did not exactly produce offensive fireworks. Jones-Drew follows up his 200-yard day by rushing for only 15 yards on 25 carries, a miserable 0.6 yards per carry. Zac Stacy did not do much better, averaging 2 yards per carry on the day. It was a war of attrition and New Jersey barely edges the Stars to send Philly to 0-3 on the season.
POTG: NJ linebacker Rey Maualaga: 10 Tck, 4 TFL, 1 Sck
BIRMINGHAM 35 BALTIMORE 21
Cam Newton was at his best in this matchup as he completed 30 of 35 passing for 333 yards and 3 scores, but also ran for 66 yards and a score as the Stallions knock off the defending champions. Baltimore had no run game at all, totaling only 28 yards on the ground, while Birmingham put up 114 (largely due to Newton’s scrambles). Inman, Cooper, and TE Bo Scaife all scored for the Stallions, who got the lead early and held it all game long.
POTG: Stallion QB Cam Newton: 30/35, 333 Yds, 3 TD, 1 int, 6 Att, 66 yds, 1 TD
SEATTLE 24 DENVER 17
Seattle gets the tough road win at Invesco Field as Byron Leftwich hits Mike Wallace for a 4th quarter touchdown to break the 17-17 stalemate. Joseph Addai looked good for a 2nd straight week, rushing for 91 yards on 17 carries and Mike Wallace finished with 2 scores. Matt Leinart struggled against the Seattle zones, completing 19 of 31 but for only 197 yards on the day. The run game for Denver also failed to produce, mounting only 87 yards on 31 carries.
POTG: Dragon WR Mike Wallace: 4 Rec, 90 Yds, 2 TD
OAKLAND 14 PORTLAND 16
The Stags’ extended homestay (4 games to start the year) is paying off as they move to 3-0 with a tight win over the Invaders. Three field goals and a Jonathan Stewart 1-yard plunge was all the Stags needed as their defense held Oakland to only 282 total yards on the day. With Ryan Williams and David Brown combining for only 90 yards, Stewart’s 102 and a mistake-free day from Ryan Fitzpatrick was all the Stags needed. Fans still want to see Mariota, but Fitz-Magic just keeps getting Ws.
POTG: Stag HB Jonathan Stewart: 27 Att, 102 Yds, 1 TD
TEXAS 38 ATLANTA 27
The Atlanta secondary keys on Marques Colston, holding the league leader to only 65 yards, but that allows Flacco to find Brandon Marshall for 3 scores as the Outlaw offense still gets the job done. Chris Johnson adds 81 on the ground and CB Nathan Vasher adds a pick-six off a poor ball thrown by Orton as Texas outpaces the Fire and moves to 2-1 on the year.
POTG: Outlaw CB Nathan Vasher: 9 Tck, 2 Int, 1 Def TD
HOUSTON 35 SAN DIEGO 6
The Thunder’s new home opener did not go the way the club would have liked as Houston QB Matt Hasselbeck carves up the San Diego defense for 5 scores on a 15 of 22 day. Hasselbeck hit 4 different receivers with scoring tosses, with rookie Mike Evans gaining an even 100 yards on 4 receptions. Joe Webb had a rough night for the Thunder, throwing 3 picks as the Gambler defense came up big time and again.
POTG: Houston QB Matt Hasselbeck: 15/22, 275 Yds, 4 TD, 0 Int
WASHINGTON 27 ST. LOUIS 24
The Federals survive a furious St. Louis 4th quarter to improve to 2-1. Washington was up 27-7 midway through the 4th before St. Louis scored 17 points in less than 8 minutes, but it was not enough to overcome 138 yards from Deuce McCallister and Garrard TDs to Branch and LaFell.
POTG: Federals HB Deuce McCallister: 21 Att, 138 Yds, 1 TD
MEMPHIS 20 NEW ORLEANS 28
The Showboats proved a tough out, but New Orleans kept plugging and scored the final 14 points to turn a 20-14 deficit into a 28-20 win. Second half TD tosses to Kenny Britt and HB Jeremy Hill gave New Orleans the win, helped in part by 3 Eli Manning interceptions.
POTG: Breaker WR Kenny Britt: 4 Rec, 62 Yds, 2 TD
PITTSBURGH 28 ORLANDO 17
Marcus Lattimore rushes for 114 and Andy Dalton tosses 2 TDs to help the Maulers steal a win in Orlando despite Dalton being sacked 7 times by the nasty Orlando defense. Pittsburgh’s D also showed up, sacking Russell Wilson 7 times and holding Knowshon Moreno to only 55 yards rushing. The Maulers got a good game from Mike Williams, subbing for the injured Victor Cruz, as the receiver hauled in 5 balls for 129 yards and a score.
POTG: Mauler CB Dunta Robinson: 5 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD, 1 FF, 2 FR
MICHIGAN 31 LOS ANGELES 19
Aaron Murray struggles again for the Express, throwing 2 picks and completing only 21 of 46 against the Panther defense. Michigan’s Kurt Cousins also struggled, throwing 3 picks, but LeVeon Bell helped pick up the Panthers with 147 yards and 2 scores. The game was closer than the final score, with LA getting a Roddy White TD to pull within 24-19 until a desperation throw by Murray late turned into a pick-six for Michigan CB Dre Kirkpatrick to put the game away.
POTG: Michigan HB LeVeon Bell: 23 Att, 147 Yds, 2 TD
JACKSONVILLE 7 ARIZONA 23
Arizona builds a 20-0 lead and is never truly threatened as Jacksonville drops a 19th consecutive game. Frank Gore runs for 96 yards and Larry Fitzgerald catches 5 for 115 as the Wranglers cruise. Jacksonville started NFL import Robert Griffin III, who went 10 of18 with a pick, but returned to McPherson after Griffin tweaked his ankle on a scramble.
POTG: Wrangler WR Larry Fitzgerald: 5 Rec, 114 Yds, 1 TD
OHIO 9 DALLAS 30
We are clearly not talking up the Dallas defense enough as they hold Ohio to only 7 points (a safety made it 9). Troy Smith was picked off 4 times by the Roughnecks, who also limited Isaiah Pead to only 2.9 yards per carry on the day. The D also added 7 points for Dallas on a Brandon Carr pick-six, and Johnny Manziel connected for 2 TD passes in a game dominated by the home team throughout.
POTG: Roughneck QB Johnny Manziel: 17/24, 189 Yds, 2 TD, 2 Int
TAMPA BAY 17 CHARLOTTE 24
Charlotte sends Tampa Bay to 0-3 as Brandon Wheedon throws for 2 scores and the defense shuts down the Bandit run game. It got close late, thanks to a 75-yard catch and run by Santonio Holmes, but the Bandits could not get a late equalizer to send the game to overtime. Darren McFadden had his first 100-yard game with his new team and Donte Do scored on a nice 70-yard fly pattern for Charlotte as they move to 1-2.
POTG: Charlotte LB Rolando McClain: 10 Tck, 1 FF
NFL Imports See Action in Week 3
Here is the thing with NFL players jumping to the USFL. They come in tired and often beat up. We have seen it year in and year out. After a full NFL season there are few players who can just take a few weeks to heal and then get right back into full game action. Most NFL imports are more multi-year investments than immediate impact players. It is just a reality of human endurance and the brutality of pro football that a body is not designed to play 30 or more games in one year. So, as many of the 2nd window NFL imports took the field this week, it was wise to temper expectations.
We saw 5 players get their first snaps this week, and while none of their numbers jump off the page, there were some highlights. Von Miller had only 2 tackles in Denver’s home loss to the Dragons, but Miller did record his first of what Gold fans hope will be many sacks. Another lineman, Atlanta’s Nick Fairley played only 26 snaps, but managed to record 5 tackles and 1 for loss. Similarly, Birmingham’s new edge rusher, Greg Hardy, was also limited to a 20-down snap count but accounted for 4 tackles.
On offense, Robert Griffin was the biggest name on the field from the NFL import class, getting his first start in Jacksonville’s Week 3 game in Arizona. Griffin seemed to be gaining some confidence, going 10 of 18 in his first game, though for only 60 yards as Coach Tomsula kept him to short quick throws. He did have one pick in the game, though it was more the fault of the receiver who tipped the ball up instead of bringing it down. But, Griffin’s day would be cut short as an attempted scramble turned into a tweaked ankle, forcing him to take a seat and bringing Adrian McPherson back into action.
The only other offensive player with any notable snaps was halfback Bobby Rainey of the St. Louis Skyhawks, who was in on 17 plays, getting the handoff 6 times, and doing quite well with it, rushing for 41 yards, including a nice 12-yard dash around the right side.
As we said, expect slower starts, limited snaps, and modest results most of this year. If a team is lucky, their NFL import will start to feel that he is 100% by midseason and we could see some real impact in the season’s final quarter. That is just the nature of cutting short a player’s recovery time and asking them to get right back on the field again.
Philadelphia Stunned to be 0-3.
“This is not the start we wanted, and not the quality of play we expect of ourselves," were the words Stars’ Head Coach Jim Harbaugh used when asked about the team’s 0-3 start. Harbaugh would not elaborate on why he believed the team was struggling, only stating again that he expects full effort each and every week. For the defending NE Division champion and top seed in the East last year, an 0-3 start is a bad way to kick off the new year, doubly troubling when you consider that all three games were divisional matchups, which means that the best the Stars can hope for this year is a 5-3 division record, and that is if they don’t drop any other games against their closest rivals.
The reasons for the poor start are multiple: the injury to Matt Gutierrez (listed as questionable for Week 4), the loss of Steve Slaton to the NFL, issues with defensive continuity and a general lack of aggressiveness. Teams are aggressively trying to counter 2014 Defensive Player of the Year Terrel Suggs, which has allowed DE Anthony Hargrove to rack up 4 sacks already, but has kept Suggs from having a dominant performance. He is currently third on the team with 15 tackles, but has only 2 TFL and only 2 sacks (actually 1 sack and 2 half-sacks to his credit).
The team as a whole has just not looked crisp, particularly this past week when they managed only 11 points against a New Jersey team not exactly know for defensive prowess. And what is coming up is no reboot opportunity. The Stars have their second game against league champion Baltimore this week, then face a tough Birmingham squad before heading on the road to Charlotte and then New Orleans. We could very possibly be looking at a 2-6 or even 1-7 Stars squad at the halfway point of the season, something we have not seen from this club during the Harbaugh era (and rarely before that as well.)
Dallas Start “Better Than We Had Hoped For”
Coach Sherman was humble in his acceptance of praise for the strong start to Dallas’s season, praising the players for their preparation and effort, but also acknowledging that it has been a build up that has taken patience and hard work over the 3 years since the club moved from Boston. The Roughnecks are one of the surprise success stories after 3 weeks, using defensive stopping power and a protect-the-ball mentality on offense to build up a 3-0 record. As we mentioned earlier, their schedule has not been the most difficult, but every game is a challenge in its own way. So what do we know about the Roughnecks as of Week 3?
1. We know they are causing more mistakes than they make. Yes, they have six turnovers in three games, but they have collected 11 takeaways, giving them one of the best differentials in the league at +5 (They trail the first place Outlaws in this category by only two takeaways).
2. They are first in the league in both points allowed and total yards allowed, giving up only 25 points over 3 games and limiting teams to only 265 yards a game.
3. The offense is not a fireworks display, but it has been balanced and consistent enough to average 22.3 points per game, a Top Ten total.
4. Johnny Manziel’s completion rate is up, his scrambles are more controlled than last year, and he is finding receivers deeper into his progressions, all good signs for the future.
In other words, this is a team that could truly be ready for a step up after several pretty rough seasons. The Roughnecks some tough games ahead, particularly in the middle of the season, and those divisional games are no cake walk when you consider that the Roughnecks were the only non-playoff team in the entire division last year. It won’t be easy to stay on the winning track, but as of Week 3 there is a lot more excitement and hope in Dallas this season.
Is Murray at Risk?
When LA traded away Mark Sanchez, the general consensus was that Coach Reid felt very comfortable with Aaron Murray as his starter. But after 3 weeks, Murray has 5 picks to only 3 TDs, is completing less than 60% of his passes, and has a QB Rating of only 57.1, one of the worst of any starter in the league. Is there a risk that Coach Reid will look at Tim Tebow, holding that clipboard, and wonder if the athletic former Gator and Bull is a better option for his offense. It hardly seems the case, after all Reid wants to run a quick-decision West Coast derivative offense, and that really does not play to Tebow’s strengths. It should be playing to Murray’s strengths, but so far we are just not seeing the former Georgia Bulldog making plays when he needs to.
The run game in LA has actually been faring pretty well, with Reggie Bush averaging 4 yards per carry on his way to 214 yards over 3 games. The addition of Shonn Greene in free agency also gives LA a decent option on those short yardage plays. The issue does seem to be the passing game. In Murray’s defense, a receiver group of Roddy White, Marqise Lee, and Robert Woods is not exactly blowing past defenders or dazzling secondaries with crisp routes. Rookie Nelson Agholor has largely been a no-show so far, with only 4 catches on the season to date, and even the TE position, which should be a key option for Murray with former All-USFL TE Jason Whitten as the starter, has not proven effective. But, in the end, the blame for a weak passing attack is almost certainly going to fall on Murray, and that could very soon mean that Coach Reid feels obligated to try something new.
Another week with a lot of players listed as “OUT” for Week 4, including two more IR additions. Football is a grueling sport, but you hate to see teams already dealing with season-ending injuries.
OUT
C Russell Bodine OAK Neck IR
LB Spencer Larsen MEM Back IR
WR Golden Tate DEN Groin 2-4 Weeks
OT Clint Oldenberg MEM Hamstring 2-4 Weeks
LB Joey Porter SD Ankle 1-2 Weeks
DT Jonathon Sullivan BIR Back 1-2 Weeks
WR Hakeem Nicks CHA Knee 1-2 Weeks
WR Keenan Allen OAK Wrist 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
CB Ashton Youboty OHI Wrist
WR Brian Hartline BAL Pinched Nerve
DT DeMarcus Tyler PHI Concussion
HB C. J. Spiller DAL Concussion
SS Shaun Schillinger SEA Wrist
QUESTIONABLE
G Brandon Brooks TBY Hamstring
CB Aqib Talib DEN Hand
G Dakota Dozier JAX Foot
CB William Gay STL Knee
HB Marshawn Lynch SD Turf Toe
TE Daniel Fells ORL Knee
TE Richard Rodgers OAK Knee
Trade Rumors Swirl Around Two Backup QBs
With several USFL teams feeling a bit less than confident in their starting QB situation, two accomplished backups are becoming prime targets of attention, with fans on sports radio creating a wild array of trade scenarios to bring either Oakland’s Pat White or Texas’s Kyle Boller to their team. We have heard these names talked about in relation to the QB situation in LA, Jacksonville, San Diego, Ohio, and even Chicago, where Trevor Siemian hasn’t even had a shot yet as the star rookie acquisition.
It is very early for teams to seriously be looking at trading for a QB, especially when we have yet to see (and hopefully won’t see) a starter go down to season-ending injury, but that does not stop either unhappy fans or attention-seeking pundits from imagining scenarios where one team’s backup suddenly becomes available to become another team’s savior. It may seem implausible, but it has happened before and could happen this season, we are just not all that sure that either Texas or Oakland is in much of a mood to leave their rosters without a viable 2nd option should their QB be the one forced out of action. We don’t see any deals on the horizon, but that won’t stop folks from speculating, especially as QB play in some cities seems less than ideal.
Hall of Fame Semifinalists Announced by USFL
The USFL and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have published their roster of 10 semi-finalists for this year’s class of enshrinees. As has become somewhat expected, more than half of the nominees are newly eligible first year candidates, a combination of players who retired from the USFL in 2010 and those that left the USFL earlier but retired from the NFL in 2010. Six of the ten named semi-finalists are new options for the voters, including the first punter to be nominated since Chris Mohr back in 2008. So, without further ado, here are your semifinalists for the HOF Class of 2015:
SS Jerod Cherry
(POR 96-00, CHI 01-02, PHI 03, ARZ 04, HOU 05, STL 06, NFL 07-10)
Perhaps the player with the most teams in his bio of any USFL Hall of Fame Nominee, Cherry played with 6 different USFL teams before spending 3 years in the NFL. In his USFL career he was a 3-time All-USFL safety, leaving the league with 802 tackles, 29 sacks, and 14 interceptions. Known more as a box safety with a good blitz instinct, Cherry had his best years with Portland and Chicago, before signing a bunch of 1-year contracts later in his career.
WR Antonio Freeman
(HOU 95-06, NFL 07-10)
With a 12-year career in Houston, Freeman was about as steady as they come. Even without the stats from 3 years in the NFL his numbers are impressive. As a member of the Gamblers, Freeman racked up 1,011 receptions for 15,583 yards and 104 touchdowns. He won a title with the Gamblers in 1996 and left the USFL as a 9-time All-USFL honoree. That all sounds like first-ballot material to us.
DE Mike Rucker
(BIR 99-10)
The only player in this class of semi-finalists to play his entire career with one club, lifelong Stallion Mike Rucker played 12 seasons in Birmingham, wreaking havoc on offensive linemen, backs, and especially quarterbacks. He was a five-time All-USFL selection. He retired with 546 tackles (not bad for a D-End who was seen mostly as an edge rusher), along with a ludicrous 199 sacks, good enough for a 5th place tie with Anthony Weaver. Rucker was a speed rusher who could also bowl a blocker over, especially those poor tight ends or backs who were asked to chip him.
HB Ricky Williams
(NOR 99-04, OAK 05-10)
A bit of a controversial player in his day for his advocacy for legalized medical marijuana, Williams had a very successful career split over two teams, though he would never hoist a championship trophy. He played 5 seasons in New Orleans before shuffling off to Oakland for 6 more seasons. Over that span he rushed for 11,645 yards, more than 1,000 a season on average, and scored 97 touchdowns. His lifetime yards per carry were a very solid 4.2 and he also had nearly 3,000 yards receiving, which is impressive for a big man.
P Chris Gardocki
(POR 91-92, DEN 93, NFL Gap, PIT 04-10)
Yes, a punter. Gardocki played 7 seasons in the USFL, with a pretty sizeable NFL career in between. But as is the case with both leagues, players can only be considered for their contributions in one league or the other, no joint nominations. In his USFL career, Gardocki averaged 44.1 yards per punt, a very strong number over such a long span of time. He also placed over 300 kicks inside the 20, another pretty nice feat. But, as we all know, kickers and punters tend to be overlooked come voting time, so we are not feeling a lot of first ballot energy here.
LB Roosevelt Colvin
(OAK 99-09, POR 10)
For 12 seasons, Roosevelt Colvin chased down backs and dropped into coverage to disrupt tight ends and slot receivers. The former Invader and short-lived Stag, Colvin retired in 2010 with 815 tackles, including a very nice total of 122 tackles for loss. Not much of a blitzer, Colvin still had 29 sacks to go with his 14 interceptions in coverage. He was a 2-time All-USFL nominee but never won a title with the Invaders.
FS Anthony Dorsett
(PHI 96-09)
Overlooked last year, it is nice to see Dorsett get recognized this season. The former Philadelphia Star played 14 seasons in the USFL, amassing 35 interceptions, 632 tackles, and four All-USFL designations. Known for his willingness to come up on run plays and his speed off the edge on cornerback blitzes (19 career sacks), Dorsett was a well-rounded and well-respected corner.
HB Corey Dillon
(SEA 97-09)
The 2009 Hall Class was a packed roster, with so many backs and quarterbacks that someone had to be left out. We think this year may well be the time that Corey Dillon gets the respect he deserves and gets his bust in the Hall. Dillon retired in 2009 with over 10,200 yards rushing, 75 touchdowns, and a career YPC average of 4.1 yards. He was a 7-time All-USFL honoree and helped the Dragons complete that miracle run from a 6-8 club to league champion In 2005. Seems like a very worthy enshrine to us.
QB Drew Bledsoe
(BOS 02-09)
Did Drew Bledsoe play long enough in the USFL after his time with the New England Patriots of the NFL? That is the question. Seven seasons is not a full career, but when you win a title, pass for nearly 25,000 yards, throw 176 touchdowns, win league MVP (2004) and get nominated to the All-USFL team 4 times in 7 years, you deserve some consideration. It was not enough to beat out legends Brett Favre and Kerry Collins last year. Is it good enough this year to put Bledsoe in Bronze?
CB Ray Crockett
(LA 95-04, DEN 05-06, ARZ 07-09)
Another member of last year’s newly eligible candidates, and another that could not bust through in a packed class, Crockett returns as a nominee in 2015. The 15-year veteran of the Express, Gold, and Wranglers was a starter for all 15 years of his career, amassing 881 tackles and 39 picks. He was also known for his knack for the pick-six, returning 10 career picks for touchdowns. He may still be a bit of a longshot as he was never nominated to an All-USFL team, but 15 years of solid play is pretty impressive, nonetheless.
A big divisional week with 8 of 14 games between rivals as Week 4 wraps up the first quarter of play in the USFL. We start on Friday Night with the Thunder headed up the coast to play the Invaders. On Saturday we have Washington in New Jersey with both teams a surprising 2-1 after 3 weeks. Then it is Chicago, still searching for their first win, in Michigan. The NBC night game features two NE powers who don’t seem to have found their power just yet as 0-3 Philadelphia head to 1-2 Baltimore.
Sunday starts with what used to be a divisional rivalry as Ohio visits Pittsburgh. We also have Jacksonville and Tampa Bay in a battle of 0-3 squads. In the late afternoon slot, it is LA visiting surprising 3-0 Portland and Denver headed to Texas in a big SW showdown. The weekend wraps up with the ESPN/EFN prime time matchup between the Breakers and the Stallions.
Friday @ 8pm ET San Diego (1-2) @ Oakland (2-1) NBC
Saturday @ 12pm ET Arizona (2-1) @ Orlando (2-1) ABC
Saturday @ 12pm ET Washington (2-1) @ New Jersey (2-1) FOX
Saturday @ 4pm ET Chicago (0-3) @ Michigan (2-1) ABC
Saturday @ 4pm ET St. Louis (2-1) @ Dallas (3-0) FOX
Saturday @ 7pm ET Philadelphia (0-3) @ Baltimore (1-2) NBC
Saturday @ 9pm ET Atlanta (1-2) @ Houston (3-0) ESPN/EFN
Sunday @ 12pm ET Ohio (2-1) @ Pittsburgh (2-1) ABC
Sunday @ 12pm ET Charlotte (1-2) @ Memphis (1-2) FOX Regional
Sunday @ 12pm ET Jacksonville (0-3) @ Tampa Bay (0-3) FOX Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Las Vegas (1-2) @ Seattle (1-2) ABC Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Los Angeles (0-3) @ Portland (3-0) ABC Regional
Sunday @ 4pm ET Denver (1-2) @ Texas (2-1) FOX
Sunday @ 8pm ET New Orleans (3-0) @ Birmingham (2-1) ESPN/EFN
Comments