Playoff football, is there anything better? The Drama, the pressure, the big plays, and the surprises. Well, we had ourselves a great weekend of Wild Card round games. We had 4 games with not one producing a winning margin of more than 4 points. Nailbiters every single one. We had a backup QB step up big, a rookie earn a playoff win, and a former MVP lead his team to an overtime victory. All this to set up a great divisional round for this week. We will cover that, update the situation in Denver with Coach Jauron, and give you the full story on the retirement announcements and free agency pool. But, let’s start on the field, where the action this weekend was everything you could want from playoff football.
ORLANDO RENEGADES 23 CHARLOTTE MONARCHS 21
It was a battle of two teams with very different final months as the surging Orlando Renegades took on the fading Charlotte Monarchs. The Monarchs had home field, thanks to a tiebreaker in the SE Division standings, but Orlando came in the hotter team, despite playing the final weeks of the season without Russell Wilson and having a rookie at the helm. That rookie, Connor Shaw, had himself a very solid game in the Wild Card playoff, completing 20 of 29 passing and avoiding the big mistake.
Both quarterbacks played within themselves, with both throwing 1 pick in the game, but while Shaw threw for 218 yards and helped Orlando take the lead before the half and again in the 4th, Brandon Wheedon would throw for only 154 yards and struggle to make big plays. It was a game that could have gone either way, but Orlando’s defense held when they needed to and put Charlotte in a last second bind that produced a missed field goal and a road win for the Renegades.
After a first quarter that saw both teams test each other’s defense without much result, Orlando led on a mid-range field goal from Billy Cundiff. Charlotte responded early in the 2nd with Ronny Hillman diving in from 1 yard out to give Charlotte it’s first lead and our first lead change of the game. A second Cundiff field goal did not change the lead but pulled Orlando within one.
Charlotte got the first truly big play of the game when rookie QB Connor Shaw tried to fit a ball in to Jeremy Maclin and instead threw a bad pick to Charlotte FS Tre Boston. The safety took the ball back for a score and increased the Monarch lead to 8. Undaunted, Shaw returned on the next drive, completing 3 of 4 passes and finding Michael Jenkins, the league’s leading receiver (receptions) with a 26-yard scoring toss to once again pull within 1. The ‘Gades opted to go for 1 and not tie the score, but the late first half score let Charlotte know that they would not be going anywhere.
The third quarter belonged to Orlando. They held Charlotte to only 31 yards of offense in the period, and took the lead back late when a 12-play drive fizzled at the Charlotte 29, leading to a third Cundiff field goal, but one that gave Orlando the 2-point lead at 16-14. Early in the 4th it would be their turn to expand that lead, pushing the difference to 9 points and creating the first 2-score lead of the day. The score would again come from Shaw finding Jenkins, this time at the end of a 13-play drive that saw Knowshon Moreno carry the ball 5 times for 33 yards. Shaw faked to Moreno on a 1st and goal on the 10 and that freed up Jenkins in man coverage for a fading ball to the back corner of the endzone.
Now down 2 scores, Charlotte needed a spark. They got it from a 23-yard Darren McFadden run. It was his longest of the day, contributing to his 17-carry, 70 yard day. It also put Charlotte in position to claw back into the game. It would take the Monarchs 6 plays within the 10 yard line to get into the endzone, but on a third and goal Wheedon found James Hardy crossing at the 2, and the receiver was able to drag his tackler into the endzone for the score. Still down two, with 3:49 to play, Charlotte needed a defensive stop and a quick drive to get the win.
They got the stop when a 3rd and 3 run by Latavious Murray garnered only 2 yards and Orlando was forced to punt. The Monarchs would get the ball back with 2:02 left to play, needing 33 yards to get into a realistic range for Brandon Cuotu. Brandon Wheedon connected with Luke Wilson on 1st down, then got a 3-yard draw play from McFadden to get another set of downs. In 5 more plays they got the ball to the Orlando 32, but could get no further. Two straight incompletions, and a lack of timeouts meant that Charlotte’s hopes would rest on a 49-yard kick from their former All-USFL kicker, Brandon Coutu. The Monarchs’ kicker had already missed on a 28-yarder earlier in the game, and was now on the spot for a game winner. The kick would slice to the left, missing the target by a good 3 yards, and a dejected Coutu would leave the field with his head down as Orlando players celebrated their first playoff win since 2007. Orlando would move on to face the Breakers in the next round.
OAKLAND INVADERS 24 ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS 28
The Wild Card game between the Invaders and Skyhawks would be a microcosm of the entire 2015 Oakland season, with the team looking tough early, building up a good position and then watching as it frittered away. St. Louis would announce about an hour before game time that Josh Freeman would not be able to go, still recovering from an injury that cost him the last third of the season. It would be on Ricky Stanzi, who has surprised many this season with his solid play, taking on the Invader defense.
Early in the game, Stanzi showed that he could make the big play. Just 2:12 into the game, the Skyhawks’ QB connected with Erik Decker on a 64-yard TD strike, showing arm strength many doubted he had. That score would be answered by the Invaders at the end of the opening quarter when Joey Harrington capped off a 76-yard drive with an 8-yard TD toss to Keenan Allen. Harrington, who finished the game 24 of 33 with 3 TDs was at his best in the first half, but would have a significant downturn in the second. In the 2nd quarter, Harrington would score again, connecting with Davante Adams from 7 yards out to give Oakland a 14-7 lead at the half.
The third quarter saw St. Louis even the game as Stanzi led the Skyhawks on a 14-play drive, ending with Bobby Rainey diving into the endzone from 2 yards out. The drive began after Joey Harrington threw an errant ball into the endzone, picked by St. Louis CB Jordan Pugh for a touchback. It would be the first of 3 second half picks thrown by the Oakland starter. The second would come just one play after a St. Louis fumble had given the ball to Oakland in Skyhawk territory. Going deep on first down, hoping to catch St. Louis napping, Harrington threw up a deep shot to Allen only to have SS Marquestan Huff bring the ball down for St. Louis.
The Skyhawks could not do anything with the pick and soon Oakland was back on top after a long field goal from David Buehler made the score 17-14. That score would be in place as the 4th quarter began, and Oakland would soon extend it as Harrington connected on his third TD of the day, a 10-yard corner route to Davante Adams that put the Invaders up 10, 24-14, but, just as we saw in the regular season, the Invaders would struggle to close out the game as they had struggled to close out the year.
Down 10 with just over 11 minutes to play, St. Louis turned to their playmakers, driving down the field on the receiving talents of Jordi Nelson, Rob Gronkowski, and Erik Decker. Each had a catch on the ensuing drive, each was over 10 yards, and each produced a first down for the Skyhawks. When the Birds got inside the 10, they used the big name receivers as decoys and Stanzi threw to an unexpected target, rookie TE C. J. Uzomah. The rookie brought in the TD toss and the Skyhawks were within 3 4:55 still on the clock.
St. Louis kicked deep, hoping their defense could stop Oakland and get them the ball quickly. After 3 plays that produced a new 1st down, it was looking rougher for the Skyhawks, but on a 2nd and 7, Oakland opted to pass rather than trying to gain the first down on the ground once again. That proved to be a major error as Joey Harrington’s pass to Zach Ertz was telegraphed and LB Bryce Hager was able to step in front of Ertz and pick off the pass, giving St. Louis the ball on the Oakland 41 with 2 minutes still left on the clock.
The Skyhawks, down 3, needed only about 10 yards to be within solid range for Rob Bironas. But they would not go for the tie, they wanted the win in regulation. They got the play they needed on a sideline route to Decker that gained 21 and put the ball on the 6 yard line. After a run by Rainey, starting after the injury to Eddie Lacy, got the ball to the 3, Coach Arians felt that straight ahead runs would not get it done. On 2nd and goal he called for play action, and it was the correct call. The Oakland defense crashed on the line, but TE Rob Gronkowski got behind them and Stanzi lobbed the ball up to him. Gronk found the ball at its high point, with safety Jaqwuan Jarrett draped over his back, but the big man had blocked him out and came down with the ball. Victory to the Skyhawks, who move on to the Divisional Round, with Ricky Stanzi finishing with 295 yards passing and 3 TDs. The Skyhawks now would have a decision as they moved forward, stick with Stanzi, who had finished out the season for them and had just won them a playoff game, or return to Josh Freeman for the big game in Portland the following week?
HOUSTON GAMBLERS 27 PITTSBURGH MAULERS 31
This was the game everyone had circled on the schedule, two teams with outstanding records, Houston at 12-4 and Pittsburgh at 13-3 don’t often match up in a Wild Card round, but both had fallen just short of winning their divisions, so here they were, the 4 and 5 seeds. The game would be played in front of one of the biggest crowds ever to see a Mauler game, nearly 62,000 in Heinz Field. It would prove to be everything the fans had shown up to see, a back and forth affair that saw the home team pull the game out in the end. True football classic stuff.
Matt Hasselbeck and Andy Dalton would duel it out, with both run game struggling to stay relevant (Hyde finished with 56 yards, Gerhardt with only 49). The Houston QB would finish the day with 385 yards and 3 TDs, the Maulers’ signal caller with 330 and his own 3 scores in a classic QB duel. In a game that saw no turnover and only 3 penalties called, it would come down to each team taking advantage of their opportunities.
The game started very strong for the Gamblers, who opened with their usual 15 scripted plays, needing only 8 to get on the scoreboard as Hasselbeck hit Johnny Knox with a 37-yard TD only 3 minutes into play. After a short Mauler drive, Houston got the ball back and Hasselbeck did it again, this time driving the ball deep into Mauler territory before finding TE Vernon Davis for a 3-yard score. Down 14-0, the Maulers needed to come alive, and that is what they did.
Pittsburgh would finish a 9-play drive with a field goal to get on the board as the 1st quarter ended, but the second would belong entirely to Pittsburgh. They would hold Houston outside of their side of the field for the entire quarter, and they would turn two drives into scores and a halftime lead. The first was an 11-play drive that ended with a Charles Sims TD run. Sims, who only had 2 touches on the day, would make good on his first, bursting off tackle on the left side of the line to score the Maulers’ first TD.
After a short Houston drive fizzled out when Roy Williams dropped a pretty good ball on 3rd and 6, Pittsburgh was back in action. Andy Dalton would only complete 2 passes on the drive, the first a key 3rd down toss to Victor Cruz, the second a 19-yard strike to Adam Thielen. It would be the story of the game. Dalton missing on 14 of his 32 throws, but connecting when it mattered.
At the half, Pittsburgh had clawed their way back and into the lead, 17-14 at the break. Houston would now need to be the one to recoup. And just as the Maulers had done before, the Gamblers did as the 2nd half began. Houston would score the next 13 points as they added the only score of the 3rd quarter, a 38-yard Carpenter FG that evened the score at 17. The Gamblers were driving as the quarter changed, Hasselbeck using shorter routes than in the first half to get the ball out quickly and avoid pressure from Freeney and Jared Allen. Houston regained the lead on a short pass that turned into a big play. A 6-yard toss to TE Vernon Davis turned into a 36-yard TD when Davis shrugged off the tackle by safety Robert Sands and outpaced a LB to the endzone.
Houston would add to their advantage only 4 minutes later when a 3-and-out gave them the ball on their own 48 and the offense got them into range for Dan Carpenter. Carpenter connected on a 46-yarder and Houston saw its lead pushed to 10. But, with over 9 minutes left, there was still time for the Maulers to recover and storm back, and that is exactly what we saw. After the kick, Dalton went to work, completing 3 long ball throws, including a 33-yarder to TE Jimmie Graham to get them inside the 20. Two plays later, Dalton rewarded Graham, the league’s TD leader, with a TD throw into coverage. The ball split the two defenders and Graham came down with it to pull the Maulers within 3 at 27-24 and time left on the clock. Pittsburgh kicked deep and put the game into the hands of their defense.
The defense came through, stuffing Carlos Hyde on two consecutive runs, putting Houston into a clear passing situation at 3rd and 11. Hasselbeck would not get the chance to pull a game-saving toss out as he was pressured almost immediately, not by one of the Mauler’s outstanding edge rushers, but by their young monster inside, Aaron Donald. Donald pushed aside the center with frightening ease and had Dalton in his grasp before the Houston QB could even scan the receivers. Houston was forced to punt and Pittsburgh would have nearly 2 full minutes to get a score on the board.
As with the Orlando-Charlotte game the day before, Pittsburgh could send the game to overtime with a kick, but Coach Fangio also knew that his offense could win the game in regulation, and that was the priority. On first down he would go big, and it would pay off with Dalton finding Adam Thielen for 34-yards, putting the ball almost immediately into field goal range for their kicker. But there was still over a minute left, and the Maulers used that time to keep pushing the ball deeper and deeper into Houston territory. On a 2nd and 3 at the 10, the Maulers would get the play they wanted. Houston, concerned about the outside threats of Thielen and Cruz, left TE Antony Hill in single coverage with a linebacker, and while rookie Ramik Wilson has had an outstanding year, coverage is not his strong suit. TE Anthony Hill was able to get the angle on Wilson and Dalton put a perfect ball on his hands. For the 2nd time in the Wild Card round, the TE would be the star at the end as Hill repeated Rob Gronkowski’s feat from the Skyhawk win, and hauled in the game winner for the Maulers.
Pittsburgh would hold Houston without a first down in the final seconds and the Maulers would celebrate their first playoff win since their 2011 Summer Bowl trip. Houston would be turned away, turning a very strong 12-4 season into a bitter final defeat in their opening playoff game.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS 21 TEXAS OUTLAWS 24 OVERTIME
The final game of the weekend was also one of the most exciting and most controversial. The Texas Outlaws, playing in Dallas due to the irreparable damage to the Alamodome from Memorial Day Weekend tornadoes, would be facing the Michigan Panthers, a team seeking their 4th league title. It would be the high-flying passing game of Joe Flacco and league yardage leader Marques Colston against the league’s best rushing attack, led by rushing champion LeVeon Bell.
Typical of the USFL’s entire history, it would be the passing game that would come out on top, but not before we got the post-season’s first big controversy and a game that would require extra time. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The game started slowly, with both teams going 3-and-out on their opening drives. Michigan would find their mojo on their second drive, helped in part by a bad offside penalty on 3rd and 4 that gave the Panthers an easy first down. That play, combined with a nice 13-yard toss to Cody Latimer got the Panthers inside the 10 and from there it was all LeVeon Bell as the back took a swing pass from Kirk Cousins and turned it into an 8-yard touchdown pass to open the game’s scoring.
While Bell would not have great success on the day, held to 82 yards on 35 carries, the constant threat of the run would help Kirk Cousins connect on 3 scoring tosses in the game, the first coming early in the 2nd period when a nice play fake left Ted Ginn in single coverage. Cousins looped the ball up to him and Ginn used his speed to take it all the way for a 44-yard score that gave Michigan a 14-point cushion early in the 2nd. The lead would not last long.
Just 1 play after Michigan kicked the ball to Texas, the big play offense of the Outlaws had their first longball score. Joe Flacco had all the time in the world on first down and found his favorite receiver Marques Colston deep downfield for a 54-yard strike that pulled Texas within 7. It would not be Flacco’s longest pass of the day, but it certainly set the tone for what was to follow.
Down at the half, Texas came out in the 3rd quarter with a focus on regaining the lead. That focus may have actually cost Texas points as Coach Landry opted to go for it on 4th and 2 from the Michigan 33 instead of sending Kai Forbath out to kick a 50-yarder. Marshawn Lynch got the call, but the Panthers saw it coming and stuffed the big back behind the line on 4th down, getting the ball on downs. The Panthers struggled to move the ball, however, and soon punted to Texas, a good kick placing the ball on the Outlaws’ 10-yard line.
It was from there, on their own 10, that Texas got the biggest play of the game (to that point). It was not designed to be a big play, just an easy drive starter for Flacco and the offense. A center screen to TE Chris Cooley, the play was designed to gain 6-8 yards, but they caught Michigan in a blitz, leaving a gap in the middle of the field and allowing the linemen to match up with much smaller safeties as they cleared a path for Cooley over the middle. The rest was on the tight end, who found himself in open field with the corners the only real threat to him going 90 yards for the score. A poor tackle attempt by veteran Deltha O’Neal and a good block by Texas WR Brandon Marshall and Cooley was cleared for a long huffing and puffing run down the field for the longest TD of the weekend, a 90-yard screen-turned-score.
With the game tied after 3 quarters, Texas seemed to have gained all the momentum. That thought was driven home over the course of the 4th as Texas kept Michigan’s offense in check, holding them to their side of the field and forcing 2 punts. The Outlaws had largely been stymied as well, but a late drive seemed to give Texas the win as they went 77 yards in 13 plays, finishing off their drive by taking their first lead of the day with 1:36 left to play, a 7-yard corner route to Brandon Marshall to seemingly give the game to the home team.
But a game is not over until it is over, and this game still had 1:36 left to play. That was enough time for Michigan to mount a drive to tie the game and send it to overtime. The Panther’s first 3 plays provided them with 22 yards and got the ball to their own 47. But, the three plays had cost them 36 seconds. At this pace they would not be in range for a touchdown unless they could catch a break. They would catch that break on the most controversial play of the weekend. Cousins unleashed a deep ball to Hines Ward, one that seemed to be heading out of bounds, well above the reach of Ward or the defender, Texas CB Demetrius McCay. It seemed a harmless overthrow until the flag came out. McCay, who had been handfighting with Ward down the field, was called with defensive pass interference, a call that would give Houston 40 yards on the play, but one that was booed endlessly by the Outlaw fans watching the Jumbotron. The ball seemed clearly to be uncatchable, but the officials called the penalty, and since it was within the last 2 minutes Texas Coach, Greg Landry, could not throw the red flag to force a review.
No review came. The call stood, and Houston had the ball on the Texas 14 with 30 seconds left to play. It would take them only 2 more plays to even the score, Cousins hitting Ted Ginn with his second score of the game. When Matt Prater put the ball between the uprights for the PAT, Michigan had forced overtime and Texas fans, those who made the trip up from San Antonio and those sporting Dallas Roughnecks gear but supporting their home state team, were in shock.
Michigan would get another break in overtime, winning the coin toss and getting first crack at winning the game with a score. But, other than the odd DPI call, Texas had done a good job of defending the Panthers throughout the second half of the game, and that continued in the extra period. Michigan was forced to punt after gaining only one first down and the Texas offense would get their shot to end the game and turn the odd penalty call into an annoyance rather than a game-altering play.
Texas got the ball on their own 25 after the punt went into the endzone. They would use a mix of runs from Johnson and Lynch and short passes to Cooley, Jordan Thomas and Colston to get the ball into Houston territory, and when a false start forced them to look at a 3rd and 12 from the Houston 34, they opted not to risk a pass to get a first down. They let Johnson take the carry and the Outlaw back gained 5, getting them in range for a 46-yard Kai Forbath kick for the win. The kicker came through and as Forbath’s kick soared between the uprights the fans in Cotton Bowl Stadium finally ended their chants of “Ref, You Suck” and turned to a happier celebration. The Texas Outlaws, who had endured so much in the later stages of the season and who were forced to play their home playoff game in the stadium of a rival team, had emerged victorious and would now hit the road to face off against another division rival, booking a ticket to face the Arizona Wranglers in the next round.
League Officials Admit Bad Call in Outlaws-Panthers Game
It was the most talked about play of the week, a seeming “phantom” defensive pass interference call against a Texas defender that put Michigan in position to tie the game and send it to overtime. In the end, Texas did manage to earn the win and move on, but the immediate outrage at the call, when it was clear that the pass from Kirk Cousins was well off target and uncatchable, remained a talking point all week. Pundits across the league and its 4 television networks questioned the call, took sides, debated the validity of the call and its potential to alter a game. Concerns were expressed about the next round of playoffs and the use of the same officials in next week’s St. Louis-Portland matchup.
By Wednesday the league had to say something and in a press conference, Alberto Riveron, head of USFL officiating, made a statement, acknowledging the controversy and admitting that the review by the league officiating committee in New York found that the call was a mistake by line judge Ron Phares, doubled by approval of the referee, Bill Leavy. The ball was not catchable and that should have denied the possibility of a defensive pass interference call even if the cornerback was inappropriately impeding Hines Ward from pursuing the catch. It is a rare admission of a mistake by the league’s officiating staff, but despite the “understandable error”, as Riveron was quick to categorize the call, no changes will be made to the officiating crews scheduled for this weekend’s matchup.
In the end, Texas fans are likely to let the call go since it did not cause them to lose the game in the end, but you can also bet that officiating will be under scrutiny as we move from the Wild Card Round into the Divisionals, Conference Title Games, and Summer Bowl 2015 in Los Angeles.
Could Moreno or Lynch Miss Divisionals?
Both star backs stepped to the sideline late in their Wild Card victories, both were examined by team physicians, and later by external medical teams, and both are currently listed as “Probable” on the league’s injury report, but we have seen players listed as probable who had no chance of playing before. It is often used as a tactic to keep the opposition from knowing the severity of an injury to a key player. That possibility is what both New Orleans and Arizona are contending with this week as they gameplan to slow down the Orlando and Texas offenses.
Moreno’s injury is listed as an ankle injury, and that makes sense based on the videotape of the play where he left the field gingerly. His foot was turned under the tackler, so an ankle issue is logical, but just how severe, whether a twist, sprain, or tear, is no known. If Moreno is not truly probable to start, then Orlando will likely suit up Latavious Murray as the lead back. Murray, who led all rushers (50 season carries or more) with a 5.1 YPC average, is certainly a capable stand-in, though his style is somewhat more erratic than that of Moreno’s more straight ahead slashing style.
For Lynch, the question is his right knee, which was bent oddly to the side in the final overtime drive for Texas. He was able to walk to the sideline under his own power, but did not return to the game. He has, to date, not been a full participant in Tuesday’s or yesterday’s practices, but that does not mean that his injury would absolutely keep him from the game on Sunday. The knee certainly does not have devastating damage, as Lynch was seen jogging on the sideline at practice, but his ability to cut or juke could be the issue. If he is unable to go against Arizona, then Chris Johnson will resume his role as the lead back, breaking up the duo that has been so successful for the Outlaws over the final 5 weeks of the season.
Blitz & Breakers at Full Strength
We often talk about injuries during the playoffs and how they might impact a team’s ability to play its best ball at this pivotal point in the season. Well, this week the media in both Baltimore and New Orleans have not been able to follow that storyline as neither club reported any players on their injury report. In other words, two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference are at full strength, with no missing pieces. That cannot be good news for the Renegades and Maulers who now must face these top seeds with all-hands-on-deck for the home teams.
Orlando is, as we all knew going in, already playing without their starter at QB, with Russell Wilson having missed the final 2 games of the regular season as well as last week’s Wild Card game. Now they may also be limited in their use of starting halfback Knowshon Moreno. Pittsburgh, heading to Baltimore to take on the NE Division champion who beat them only 2 weeks ago, are entering the game with CB Reggie Smith on IR, starting halfback Marcus Lattimore listed as doubtful and unable to practice, and two offensive linemen, center Nick Leckey and OT Oniel Cousins listed as probable, but likely not at 100%. That has to be concerning when facing a Baltimore squad that has its full complement of players ready to roll, and may explain the somewhat higher than anticipated 6-point line for the Maulers, nearly a touchdown underdogs to the Blitz in their divisional matchup.
Retirement Announcements Alter Team Offseason Plans
A week after the announced retirements of WR Deion Branch (WSH) and HB Steven Jackson (ATL), we have had several more declarations of intent to file for retirement, including a possible future Hall of Fame lineman and several decorated defenders from across the league. Here is our quick rundown of the newly-announced retirees from USFL action.
OG Steve Hutchinson (TBY): One of the last holdovers from the Bandit team that won it all in 2011, Hutchinson completed 15 years in Tampa Bay this season, and will step away from the game at the age of 34. “Hutch” started 201 of his 207 games in Tampa Bay and is generally considered one of the best pass protectors at the guard position.
LB Joey Porter (SD): Another potential Hall of Famer, Porter completed 17 seasons in the league, all with the Thunder, starting with the club in Portland, playing all 11 seasons in Las Vegas, and now the first season with the club relocated to San Diego. Porter will retire with over 1,400 tackles (1,443 to be exact), 277 tackles for loss, 57 sacks and 13 interceptions. When 2020 rolls around, do not be shocked to see his name among the list of Hall of Fame Nominees with numbers like that.
SS Pearson Prioleau (OH): Like Porter, Prioleau logged 17 seasons of USFL football before this week’s announcement. Unlike Porter, Prioleau moved around a bit. He began his USFL journey as a 4th round draft pick of the New Jersey Generals in 1999. He would appear in 15 games that season with New Jersey, starting 5. The next two years he would serve as a backup, appearing in 5 games each season but showing enough that when his contract was up, Oakland was interested. Prioleau would play with Oakland from 2003 through 2014, becoming a starter and then a team captain. He signed this year with Ohio, finishing his career on a 1-year contract and starting all 16 games for the Glory. He retires with 892 tackles, 25 sacks and 14 career interceptions.
CB Nate Clements (NJ): The Generals signed the Ohio State product away from the NFL Bills in 2007 and he has played for them ever since, 9 seasons in which he has racked up 28 picks and 717 tackles. Clements leaves New Jersey with a pretty sizable hole in their secondary, likely a position of focus for the upcoming offseason.
LB Chris Claiborne (DAL): At 37, Claiborne is the oldest of the retirees in our report today. The USC star signed with the then Boston Cannons in 2003, and would stay with the franchise as they relocated to Dallas in 2013. Claiborne retires with over 1,000 tackles, 23 sacks and 14 picks in his 13-year career.
Others of note who have announced this week include Birmingham HB Marion Barber, Denver CB Dawan Landry, LA defensive tackle Dan Klecko, Las Vegas corner Duane Starks, and Memphis DT Tank Johnson.
We have already spoken about several key injuries, but it would not be a full report ahead of this week’s games if we did not provide the full injury report, so here are all the reported dings, tweaks, and serious concerns for the 8 playoff teams still in the mix.
ORL: QB Russell Wilson (OUT), HB Knowshon Moreno (P)
NOR: No injuries reported.
The Breakers are looking to be at full strength. Orlando will roll with rookie Connor Shaw at QB once again, but may also have to go without their star halfback as well.
PIT: CB Reggie Smith (OUT), HB Marcus Lattimore (D), T Oniel Cousins (P), C Nick Leckey (P)
BAL: No injuries reported.
Pittsburgh will travel to Baltimore on Friday, but the question is if their offense will be traveling with them. With Lattimore still absent from practice and two linemen also in question, Pittsburgh could be shorthanded as they face the Blitz.
STL: HB Eddie Lacy (OUT), LB Zavier Gooden (OUT), CB Vontae Davis (OUT), G Keleche Osamele (D)
POR: C Brad Meester (OUT)
The loss of Eddie Lacy was evident in St. Louis, even with the ‘Hawks getting the win at home. Now they go to the road, quite likely with Josh Freeman back under center, but with a run game that is not likely to take much of the offensive load against Portland.
TEX: CB Nathan Vasher (OUT), DT Luis Castillo (OUT), HB Marshawn Lynch (P)
ARZ: FS Nate Allen (OUT), OT Wade Smith (Q), CB Mike Mickens (P)
Both Arizona and Texas have some injuries that could be impactful. With Nate Allen already out, losing Mike Mickens as well, especially against Joe Flacco, could be a real issue. For Texas, having Lynch sidelined could leave the team a bit shorthanded in the run game, and Luis Castillo being missing certainly will impact their ability to contain Arizona’s Frank Gore.
Coach Jauron Open to Offers
With his contract in Denver now officially expired, Coach Jauron is a true rarity, a free agent coach with a proven track record of success. There remain two coaching openings in the league, but we are also only 3 weeks away from the opening of the NFL-USFL transfer window, where Jauron is also likely to get a lot of attention from NFL clubs looking to bolster their coaching staffs. There are no head coach vacancies this late into training camp in the NFL, but there is certainly room for an assistant head coach or a consultant, which can be a very good deal for a year before other positions open up.
What seems clear is that Denver is not itching to resign their 18-season veteran head coach, and that Jauron is not desperate to return to Denver either. It does appear that whatever the path forward, the Jauron era in Denver is over. So, is that a situation that leads the Glory or the Machine to have immediate interest in Jauron, or are we more likely to see the former Gold head man take a year, then return with a different club? Ohio has seemingly been interested in a figure with prior head coaching experience, and there are a few out there who have had success in the USFL before, but Jauron is the newest to become available and perhaps the most highly-regarded. Chicago seems to be headed in a different direction, looking at coordinators with a lot of upside. They have also expressed an interest in a coach who was cut loose by the Bears despite having some success already in Chicago, that being Lovie Smith, coach of the NFL Bears from 2004-2012 and recently released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after only 2 seasons.
A look at the Early Free Agency List
OK, here we go, we now have 20 teams whose unsigned players are officially free agents, only 8 teams with the players still under contract and the season still moving forward. Yes, there are technically 2 more weeks (Conference Title Week and Summer Bowl Week) before free agency starts on the Wednesday following LA’s big Summer Bowl blowout, but from history we know that most players who are in the pool now will certainly stay there until multiple teams, including NFL teams, can get in the mix before resigning with their original teams. We also know that a good many will not return back to the team that did not meet their demands during this past season with a new deal, so these are players who well could be headed to a new home for 2016. Let’s break down the group we currently have by position.
QUARTERBACK
Rarely a position where bona fide starters end up in the mix, we have something of a rich pool this year as Sam Bradford has chosen not to resign with the Generals and Chicago is letting Brady Quinn depart after a very rough year. Others in the pool of available QBs include Seattle backup Mike Flynn, former U. of Texas star Vince Young, and Washington’s 3rd stringer, Ingle Martin.
HALFBACK
The Halfback position is one where some good options can often exist, and that is certainly the case this year, led by Oakland HB Ryan Williams, disgruntled with his use by the Invaders, and now available after they bowed out of the playoffs. Others who are solid starters include LA’s NFL import Reggie Bush (expected to resign if rumors are true), and Charlotte’s Ronny Hillman. Frank Gore remains unsigned, but Arizona remains alive in the playoffs, giving the Wranglers time to still get a deal done.
RECEIVER
Many names on this list will draw interest, with both speed, hands, and route running skill on display. The big names on the list include the very vocally unhappy Steve Smith (OHI), Tampa’s Santana Moss, Philly’s Troy Williamson, two Memphis starters in Mark Clayton and Sidney Rice, and two Dallas contributors in Hank Basket and former Panther Mario Manningham. We also have talent at TE with Philadelphia’s Brent Celek, veteran Express TE L. J. Smith, Charlotte’s Luke Wilson, and Jabari Holloway of the Stallions all available. Of course, the big question is whether or not USFL touchdown leader Jimmie Graham will resign before he becomes a free agent or parlay his huge year in Pittsburgh into a huge contract with the Maulers.
O-LINE
Too many to count, as is typical with the Offensive Line, but plenty of names worth exploring for teams looking to upgrade their lines or their depth. Among the most noteworthy are centers Brian Schwenke (MEM) and Andre Gurode (CHI), guards Travis Bonds (WSH), Deuce Lutui (NJ), Brett Williams (LA), and Paul Fanaika (CHI. Finally, among tackles, expect a lot of interest in Las Vegas LT Jonathan Stinchcomb as well as San Diego’s Marcus Gilbert and right tackles Jordan Gross (SEA) and Xavier Fulton (TBY).
D-LINE
We start on the interior, where there are several intriguing names, including Washington’s Corey Liuget, who is only 24 but ending his rookie deal without a new one in place. Others on the interior include Brandon Mbane in Seattle, Michigan’s Jerel Worthy, and Denver’s Gabe Watson. On the outside, no huge edge rushing success, as you would expect, but we do think there will be interest in Houston’s 26-year-old Malik Jackson as well as Atlanta’s 29-year-old Jamaal Anderson.
LINEBACKER
Not a great pool, at least not unless Arizona’s Orlando Huff and Baltimore’s Jordan Gooden join the group. Right now the biggest name is likely Jacksonville’s Cody Glenn, followed by Clint Simtim (DEN), Philip Wheeler (OHI), Blake Costanzo (LA), and Richard Burr (NJ).
CORNER
Perhaps the weakest position in the free agency pool, especially if Carlos Rogers from Tampa Bay retires, as many feel he might. Beyond Rogers the pool has Sean Smith (NJ), LaDarius Webb (MGN), and that is about it, pretty slim pickin’s.
SAFETY
Houston’s Willie Anderson is the big fish in this pond, a former All-USFL selection who still can play at only 33. Beyond him, the Free Safety pool is interesting, with Philly’s Madieu Williams and Las Vegas’s Reggie Nelson also in the mix. The strong safety pool is also pretty rich, with Atlanta’s Tayvon Branch, Jacksonville’s Tra Battle, Memphis’s Idrees Basheer, and Ohio’s Isa Abdul-Quddus all in the marketplace.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Memphis has let kicker Jason Neal depart, and that is about it unless St. Louis opts not to resign Rob Bironas after their season ends. As far as punters go, the best of the bunch is Washington’s Sam Koch, joined by Oakland’s Matt McBriar, Tampa’s Tress Way, and Jacksonville’s Bruce Reese.
Texas Outlines Plan for 2016
The league schedule may still be several months away, but the Texas Outlaws now have a plan for where they will be playing their games in 2016. With the Alamodome out of commission indefinitely, the Outlaws have had to scramble in 2015 to relocate games, first to San Marcos and Bobcat Stadium, and with their lone home playoff game to Dallas and the Cotton Bowl, but a plan needed to be put in place for 2016, and perhaps beyond, depending on the timeline for demolition and reconstruction of the Alamodome facilility. This week the Outlaws identified what that plan would be.
The team will use three different stadiums in an attempt to maximize potential gameday revenue, attendance, and statewide support. With a desire to make most games accessible to their core fanbase in San Antonio, the Outlaws will retain Bobcat Stadium in nearby San Marcos as their primary home, playing 4 games in the 30,000 seat outdoor stadium home to Texas State University. The small size of the facility will limit capacity and revenue, but it does allow Texas to offer a 4-game mini-package to their usual season ticket holders.
In addition to San Marcos, the Outlaws will play 2 games each in two larger facilities within the state, Fort Worth's Amon G. Carter Stadium, home to the TCU Horned Frogs, and Rice Stadium in Houston. The move means larger capacity in these 4 as-yet undesignated games, but it also means stepping into the home territories of the Dallas Roughnecks and Houston Gamblers. Both Rice Stadium and Amon G. Carter can hold between 45,000-47,000 fans, well beyond the capacity of Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, but the downside, of course, is that in addition to being quite distant from the team's San Antonio home, they are also right in the heart of fanbases that root for other USFL squads. The trip from San Antonio will be a long one for fans of the Outlaws located in San Antonio, with Houston being 197 miles from San Antonio, and Ft. Worth 267 miles away, requiring 2-5 hour road trips for fans to reach the games. Of course, Texas has always defined themselves with a statewide following, having previously played games across the state, from El Paso to Dallas.
We will need to wait and see which games are in which locations for the Outlaws, with the league schedule set to post in mid-December, and we are still waiting for news on the final analysis of the engineers as to just how the Alamodome will be rebuilt, as well as the city and state as to funding. The 2016 season is defined with this new stadium plan, but there is still fear that this could be a 3-5 year project to get a facility back in San Antonio, and, along with the potential cost to the city and to owner Red McCombes, the question of timing and potential loss of revenue over several years could spell real trouble for the Outlaws, trouble far more serious than playing several games a year in borrowed venues.
(6) Orlando Renegades @ (2) New Orleans Breakers
Saturday, July 12 at 2pm ET (ABC)
Louisiana SuperDome, New Orleans, LA
Breakers -8
The folks in the Vegas books feel pretty good about the Breakers being able to take this one. We have to agree. New Orleans got to 13-3 because they do everything well, not great, but well. They are not huge yardage gainers, but they take advantage of opportunities, and with a rookie QB going up against their stingy defense, we think they will get their fair share of short fields and potentially turnovers as well. Orlando has some weapons, but they lack consistency. We just don’t see them being able to hold New Orleans in check for 60 minutes.
OUR PICK: Drew Brees makes enough plays to get New Orleans through to the next round. New Orleans 21-13.
(3) St. Louis Skyhawks @ (2) Portland Stags
Saturday, July 12 at 7pm ET (FOX)
Columbia Sportswear Stadium, Portland, OR
Stags -4
This one is really interesting. To a degree it will depend on if Josh Freeman returns with a bit of rust or if he comes out firing strikes to his receivers. We don’t think St. Louis can run the ball without Lacy, so it will be up to Freeman to get points on the board. For Portland, it is about setting up Jonathan Stewart for success against the league’s 5th best run defense. If Stewart can find some space, then that makes life much easier for Fitzpatrick. Our guess is that the first quarter will give us our answers.
OUR PICK: While we love the Cinderella aspect of Portland’s 2015 campaign, we think there is just too much experience on St. Louis’s side, especially if Freeman is on his game. We pick the Skyhawks to win 24-20.
(4) Pittsburgh Maulers @ (1) Baltimore Blitz
Sunday, July 13 at 1pm ET (NBC)
M&T Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Blitz -6
This one will be intense. Only 2 weeks ago Baltimore got revenge for their Week 11 loss to the Maulers, pulling out a 34-27 shootout in Pittsburgh to take down the Maulers in Week 15. Both teams now know each other well, and both know what works, so it is a matter of one team having better execution than the other to end up on top. Dalton and Roethlisberger will get their yards, to be sure, but who can turn yards into points more effectively?
OUR PICK: The Blitz are the defending champs and have been down this road before. Pittsburgh is the young upstart, but are they truly ready for what awaits them? Talented, to be sure, but we think Baltimore is in the right head space to take this one. Our pick is Blitz 28-26.
(4) Texas Outlaws @ (1) Arizona Wranglers
Sunday, July 13 at 5pm ET (ESPN/EFN)
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Wranglers -6
Texas escaped a tough game against Michigan and now they get an even tougher assignment, march into Glendale and defeat the top seed, a 12-4 Wrangler team that boasts a Top 5 defense and a balanced offense among the league’s best as well. Joe Flacco knows what it takes to win, but so does Jim Tomsula and the very veteran Wrangler squad. We like that Arizona can win on the ground with Frank Gore or hurt you in the air with Bryant and Fitzgerald. Texas is a bit more one dimensional, especially if Marshawn Lynch is hampered at all.
OUR PICK: We are going with the home favorite for the 3rd time in our 4 picks. But hey, they are the favorites for a reason. Arizona lost to Texas in Week 16, but that was a battle of backups for the Wranglers and this time the Outlaws have to deal with a healthy, rested, and motivated Wrangler team. Our final score has the Wranglers winning 23-17.
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