Four Games, two upsets, four teams moving on and four going home disappointed. That is the USFL Divisional Playoffs. While New Jersey and Arizona held serve, taking care of business at home, Houston and Los Angeles stumbled, upset in their own stadiums and each by less than a field goal. That means upstarts Memphis and Chicago are still alive and headed to the Conference Championships. We will review how the Generals, Wranglers, Showboats, and Machine got here, look ahead at next week’s huge title games at Metlife Stadium and U. of Phoenix Stadium, but we will also bring you the big story of the week off the field, three huge retirements that came as surprises to us and very likely to their teams as well. All this, plus a look at the first 2 coaching hires, both familiar faces now headed to new places. It’s all right here in This Week in the USFL.
ORLANDO RENEGADES 8 NEW JERSEY GENERALS 12
This one was a slugfest, the kind of score you expect of a January game in the NFL when the weather is foul and the conditions keep the score down. No such issue in new Jersey, where the weather was perfect and it was only the defenses keeping each offense out of the endzone. The two teams combined for 8 third down conversions in 24 attempts, and Orlando got busted for 12 penalties, accounting for 104 negative yards. New Jersey lost the turnover race 0-2, but still came out on top thanks to their gameplan against Calais Campbell and their dedication to running the ball even when the big plays did not come.
The New Jersey defense made the first big play of the game when Vic Beasley, one of the break out stars of this season, caught up with Russell Wilson in the endzone. Wilson threw the ball away, but was called in the grasp, which makes the intentional grounding throw into a sack, and a sack in the endzone is a safety. It would be the only score of the first quarter as both defenses dominated action.
The second quarter saw only 1 score as well, as a methodical New Jersey drive got them into field goal range for Ka’imi Fairbairn. New Jersey’s kicker added a field goal and we had a baseball score at the half. 5-0. The two teams combined gained only 201 yards in the first half as both defenses were a step ahead of the offenses. New Jersey was keeping the Orlando pass rush off of Brett Hundley but Orlando had 7 or 8 men in coverage and Hundley just could not hit on anything but short dump downs. New Jersey, for their part, forced a lot of early throws and throw-away passes from Russell Wilson. He would complete only 10 of 20 passes in the first half.
Wilson would have a better start to the second half, putting together a drive that would give Orlando the lead. The drive was patient, even plodding, taking 15 plays before Wilson hit TE Daniel Fells with a 2-yard roll-out pass. Wilson went 5 of 8 on the drive, with 7 rushes split between Moreno and Murray accounting for the rest of the yardage on the way to the score. Wilson rewarded his backs, pitching the ball on what looked very much like a college option play. From Wilson’s hands to HB Knowshon Moreno and into the endzone for 2 points and a 8-5 lead for the visitors.
It would take New Jersey nearly a full quarter to respond. Three consecutive General drives provided no danger for Orlando, but the fourth one, beginning 3 minutes into the final period found a formula for success. It began with Hundley faking the ball to Jones-Drew, drawing in the coverage, and then finding Miles Austin on an out route for 12 yards. Jones-Drew would get 5 carries on the drive, but would only gain 17 yards on those carries. Hundley would connect on two more passes, but was also helped by two big penalties on Orlando, an offsides on 2nd and 4 that gave New Jersey a new set of downs, and a roughing the passer on a frustrated Arthur Moats, for a blow to Hundley’s head. The drive finished with Hundley handing the ball to Delone Carter, who burrowed in from the 2. The refs delayed their call but upon finding carter well beyond the line called the play a touchdown. Orlando protested, throwing the red flag, but there was simply no video evidence to overturn the call. With 8 minutes left in the game, new Jersey would go up by four, 12-8.
Orlando would not get a chance to come back. On their next drive, they failed on a 4th and 2 form the New Jersey 47. They would get the ball back with only 55 seconds to play and needing a touchdown. They would reach the New Jersey 22, but the final throw of the game was again a failed 4th down play, this time into the endzone.
New Jersey survived thanks to defense, patience, and a solid game plan to offset Orlando’s pass rush. They simply outlasted the Renegades, and for that effort they would get the chance not only to play in the Conference Title Game, but to host the game at MetLife in a week’s time.
SAN DIEGO THUNDER 16 ARIZONA WRANGLERS 23
The San Diego Thunder never quit, showed quite a bit of moxie, but simply did not have answers against the Wranglers. Arizona would score the first 17 points of the game and while San Diego did all they could to fight their way back, it was never enough to get closer than 7 points. Every time they pulled closer, Arizona would find a way to increase the lead once again. Not the Wranglers’s most complete game, not their most dominant, but certainly more than enough to move them along to the Conference Title Game, which they will host next weekend.
The game did not start well for San Diego. On their very first drive Joe Webb had a ball tipped at the line and right into the hands of A. J. Klien. The linebacker returned the ball to the Thunder 31, and from there Arizona moved quickly, scoring on a Ka’Deem Carey 2-yard run only 5 plays later. San Diego could not respond, punting the ball away to Arizona after only 6 plays. Arizona would then move downfield on two big plays, the first a 49-yard Carr to Fitzgerald connection, and the second the scoring play, Carr to Bryant from the 25. With 3 minutes left in the 1st quarter Arizona had built a 14-0 lead and looked to be dominating.
The Wranglers would add a field goal in the 2nd quarter and it looked like the game might be a 17-0 shutout at the half, but San Diego found some success in the 2-minute no-huddle to end the half. Joe Webb connected with Chad Johnson, then TE Kevin Everett, before finding Luke Willson, his 2nd tight end, for a 3-yard scoring toss. It was not enough to be within 1 score, but going into the half at 17-7 was a small victory for the Thunder.
The second half began with another solid San Diego drive, one which ended with a 36-yard field goal from Jeff Reed. San Diego was clawing their way back, but Arizona would not let them get closer than 7. They replied to Reed’s field goal with one of their own. Back down 10, San Diego again came out hoping to shrink the difference, but fate would not have it. Arizona CB Joe Haden gave up a short hook route to Nick Toon, only to punch the ball out after the catch. Teammate Mike Mickens would scoop the ball up and run out of bounds to give Arizona the ball in San Diego territory. The Thunder held them to another field goal, but now San Diego was down 13, with the 3rd quarter ending at Arizona 23, San Diego 10.
The Thunder would have to settle for field goals on their next two drives. Arizona would milk the clock, maintaining their lead in time of possession, and making key first downs to stay in control. San Diego would put 6 points on the board, but that would be as close as they got, a 7-point final deficit as Arizona moves on and prepares for their 3rd Western Conference Final in 4 years.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS 31 HOUSTON GAMBLERS 29
Two divisional foes, though only for the past 2 years after Houston moved over from the SW Division to the Southern Division. Nevertheless, the Gamblers and Showboats know each other well. They have been playing each other in big games ever since both teams joined the league in the 1984 expansion. They met twice in the regular season, with Houston winning both games, but in this third matchup, it would be the surprising Showboats who would get the last laugh, an upset road victory that would send more than 56,000 at NRG Stadium home disappointed.
This was a fun one, with the two teams combining for 808 yards of offense, 35 first downs, and 60 points. In the end it would come down to a 2-point conversion needed to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Matt Hasselbeck would throw for 203 and a score, Carlos Hyde running for 75 and 2 scores. But the game belonged to two Showboats. Eli Manning, having a dream season, completed 24 of 30 for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns against Houston’s defense. And while the Gamblers held Todd Gurley to only 1.2 yards per carry, it seemed like every time Anthony Allen was brought in to carry the ball, he made a big play. Allen would finish with 93 yards on only 12 carries, slashing and running over Houston defenders along the way.
The game was close throughout, a 10-7 Houston lead after one quarter with both Hyde and Memphis’s Robert Woods scoring in the opening period. In the 2nd quarter Houston kept their lead as the two teams traded scores. Memphis added a TD to Brandon Marshall, while Houston expanded their advantage with 2 field goals and a final drive TD run by Carlos Hyde to take a 23-14 advantage into the break.
Memphis came out in the 3rd quarter with a single focus, cut into the Houston lead. They did just that with a 14-play drive that saw Manning connect with Wood for a second time. This time the 8-yard TD pass pulled the Showboats back to within 2 points, 23-21. In the fourth, their mission would see them take the lead with a short Lewis Ward field goal, and then expand the lead as Manning hit Woods for a 3rd score. The former Express wideout, practically given up on by LA, has found new life in Memphis as a route specialist who can get open underneath. He would finish the game with 7 receptions, 99 yards and 3 of Manning’s 4 touchdown passes.
The Memphis score put the Showboats up by 8 with 7 minutes left. Houston would need a touchdown and a 2-point play to take the win away from their Southern Division rivals. With 1:53 left on the clock, the Gamblers got the first part of that formula, Matt Hasselbeck hitting on his only TD of the day, a 12-yard strike to Roy Williams. Within 2, they would need to go for the 2-point conversion. They lined up with 3 receivers wide, TE Dante Rosario on the edge, and Carlos Hyde behind Hasselbeck. When Rosario shifted wide, it looked to everyone like a spread pass play, but Hasselbeck handed the ball to Hyde, and the Memphis linebackers were there. Ryan D’Imperio and Jarvis Jones were not fooled, crashing into the line and stuffing Hyde behind the line of scrimmage.
The onside kick would fail, the Showboats would kill the clock and take the W as Houston fans filed out of the stadium. Memphis, a 5-11 team only a year ago, a team that was supposed to be rebuilding and preparing to transition to a rookie QB, had not only outperformed expectations, but were now heading to the site of Summer Bowl 2016 for a conference title game against the homestanding New Jersey Generals, one game away from the league championship.
CHICAGO MACHINE 24 LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 23
This was a game no one saw coming before the season. The two teams, Chicago and LA, had combined to go 7-24-1 only a year ago. Both were seen as also-rans in the preseason picks, but here they were, fighting for a ticket to the Western Conference Final. And man, did they fight. Two different styles would clash in Farmers Insurance Field, with Chicago leaning heavily on their run game, and LA taking to the air.
Matt Forte and Doug Martin would combine for 177 yards rushing, with Martin edging his teammate 97-80 in rush yards. LA’s Sam Bradford would complete 25 of 44 throws for 248 yards, with new Express teammate Demaryius Thomas his primary target. Like the Houston-Memphis game, this one would also stay close throughout, with 4 lead changes, including a 4th quarter flip that would hold up in the final minutes.
LA scored first, a 1-yard in-route to Nelson Agholor providing the opening 7 points. Chicago would respond only 1 minute later with a perfect play-action pass producing the longest play of the day, a 71-yard toss and catch from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Aaron Dobson. Dobson would finish with 116 yards on the day, but 71 of those yards came on this one play. The period ended with Chicago adding 3 on a William Hopper field goal to take their first lead, 10-7.
They would extend that lead to 17-7 when Doug Martin busted through the initial line and scampered twenty-three yards for Chicago’s second score to open the 2nd quarter. But, that lead would not hold for long. LA controlled the rest of the period, frustrated to only score field goals, but still able to pull back to 17-13 by the half. They would get their go-ahead moment early in the third quarter.
Chicago got the ball to start the half, and were moving it well, but a poor choice by Fitzpatrick produced the worst possible result. Trying to connect with Dobson in double coverage, CB Tracy Porter came up with the ball and a clear field ahead of him. Porter would score from 48 yards out and instead of Chicago extending their lead, LA was back on top 20-17. They would extend that lead to 23-17 with an early 4th quarter field goal. But a 6-point lead is a precarious lead, and LA would learn that the hard way as Chicago would come back.
Using play action effectively, Chicago moved the ball after LA’s kick and the success of both Martin and Forte meant that LA had to respect every play fake. When Fitzpatrick put the ball in the gut of Martin on a 1st and 10 from the LA 25, the linebackers crept in, the safeties took the inside receivers, and that left Kenny Stills outside in man coverage. Fitzpatrick pulled the ball back out, rolled slightly to the right, and found Stills with a step on his man. A perfect touch pass put the ball in Stills’s hands, and with 6:06 left the Machine were back on top, 24-23.
LA would never cross the 50 again. With no threat from Reggie Bush on the ground, Chicago used tight man coverage and pressure from blitzers like Courtney Upshaw and Akeem Ayers, the Machine disrupted both LA drives, forcing them to punt at the end of the first and disrupting their final play, a 4th and 7 throw that did find its target. With their defensive stops, Chicago went from the worst team in the league in 2015 to a Conference Finalist in 2016. They will head to Arizona for a faceoff against the team with the best record in the league, a David vs. Goliath showdown in the Western Final.
Surprise Retirements Shock Several USFL Clubs
While we all expect retirement announcements during the weeks of the playoff season, these are usually well-anticipated decisions that both fans and team management has a sense for long before the player steps in front of a camera. Not this week. In addition to several anticipated announcements, there were three surprises, players who pretty much everyone expected to see on the field in 2017 who have made a different decision and stepped away from the game. In each case, the sudden change of heart means that their teams now have to recalibrate their offseason, shift priorities and potentially expend draft capital or salary cap on a position that they thought was secure. For fans, the feeling of loss and, in some cases, betrayal, can taint the offseason. We start with perhaps the biggest surprise of the three, then we will discuss the other two retirement announcements and finish up with a recap of other announcements made over the past 7 days.
Las Vegas QB Cody Pickett
This was one that, at least for fans and outsiders, came out of left field. Yes, Cody Pickett’s season was cut short by a PCL tear that would require surgery. However, there had been little talk of retirement during the season or in the time since he was sidelined. The 12-year veteran was expected to come back for at least a season, perhaps two, with Las Vegas expected to be looking for a protégé in the draft either this year or next.
Now, with his announcement on Monday, the club is forced to find an immediate answer. Jeff Tuel finished the year, and played adequately (9 TD, 5 Int, 66.5% Completion Rate), but no one expects the Vipers to go into 2017 with Tuel as their starter. So, what are the options? Well, unless they restructure some of their more expensive contracts (WR DaVante Parker $4.5M, Dee Ford $4.3M, or Peria James $3.5M) they don’t have the cap space to make a serious run at the most anticipated free agent QB in several years, Eli Manning (who is still in the playoff hunt with Memphis making his asking price rise with every win.) They could go for a more modest option like Landry Jones, Adrian McPherson, or Troy Smith, but none of those QBs have proven they can be a long-term, or even necessarily a 1-season solution.
Pickett retires after 9 seasons as a USFL starter, first in Pittsburgh and then with the Knights/Vipers. He has a championship ring, but it was from the 2005 in Seattle, where he was backup to Byron Leftwich and only threw 98 pass attempts in limited action. He has since put up some solid numbers, with a lifetime QB Rating of 86.3, over 28,000 yards passing and 167 TDs. He was on pace for perhaps his best season this year, with over 2,600 yards passing in 10 games, but the PCL injury in Week 10 put an end to his season and, it seems, to his career in the USFL.
Charlotte HB Darren McFadden
While some speculated that McFadden might call it a career after an injury cut his season short this year, it was not something widely considered. McFadden, like Pickett, was having one of his best years. At the age of 32 he was averaging 64 yards per game, rushing for 513 yards in 8 games, on pace for 1,000 for the year. Despite the fact that the Monarchs had brought in Adrian Peterson from the NFl to split carries, McFadden had retained his position as the starter and primary back through the season’s first 8 weeks. He announced this week that the wear and tear on his body after 8 USFL seasons was significant and that if he wanted to live an active life he had to take seriously the advice of his doctors. With ongoing concerns about his hips, knees, and back, it is certainly understandable that McFadden would look at the long term future and opt to step away before irreparable damage was done.
Charlotte has 3 backs on the roster and under contract at this time, with Peterson signed through 2018 and backups Taiwan Jones and Kenneth Dixon also locked up for another 2 years. They may feel comfortable with that arrangement, or they may opt to bring in some fresh legs in the offseason. With serious concerns about Brandon Wheedon at QB, they may have another priority on their minds for the offense.
New Orleans WR Early Doucet
Another true shocker as Early Doucet put up a fabulous season this year. He finished the regular season with 1,289 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 89 catches. It was also an injury-free season that saw the receiver start all 16 games. So when he took to the podium on Tuesday very few in the room expected to hear him announce that he had signed the retirement documents required by the league.
Doucet cited a desire to spend more time with his family, to move to the next phase of his career, and, yes, to preserve his health as reasons for his decision. He thanked his teammates and coaches, the fans of New Orleans, and his mother and uncle for their longstanding support of his dream to play pro football. Doucet retires with 3 All-USFL honors, over 9,500 yards receiving, 71 career touchdowns, and, of course, a championship ring from last year’s Summer Bowl victory.
The Breakers now enter the offseason without one of their best offensive weapons. They perhaps feel fortunate that 2nd receiver Kenny Britt has come on very impressively over the past 3 years, with over 900 yards and 9 touchdowns this year. They may feel that the time is right to move slot receiver Tyler Lockett to the outside as a full-time starter. Beyond that they have veterans Donnyie Avery and DeMetrius Byrd under contract for 2 more seasons, but may well decide to search for another option in free agency or the draft.
Those three players were the retirements that caught us, and perhaps their teams by surprise. They were hardly the only announcements of the past week. Here are the other notable names that have announced they are not returning for 2017:
Washington LB Kevin Burnett
Seattle DT Alan Branch (34)
Seattle WR Nate Burleson (35)
Philadelphia P Steve Carlton
Ohio K David Green (37)
Los Angeles DE Keneche Udeze (35)
Las Vegas CB Willie Middlebrooks (35)
Jacksonville HB Cadillac Williams (34)
Houston FS Willie Andrews (34)
Dallas HB Antonio Pittman (32)
Birmingham WR Chris Chambers (34)
Atlanta DT Jason Ferguson (36)
While replacing important team contributors like Burleson, Williams or Udeze will not be easy but these players had informed their teams of their intentions several months before their official announcement, so we expect the player personnel teams have had plans in place for this offseason, something that might not have been the case in Charlotte, New Orleans, or Pittsburgh.
Martin & Forte Run All Over Express D
It certainly was not a surprise that Chicago would try to use the run game to set the tempo and the tone of the game. The Express expected as much, after all it has been Chicago’s primary approach to winning games all season long. But, like Lake Michigan snows in February, it is one thing to know it is coming and another thing to deal with it in real time. The Express quite simply did not handle it well. Forte averaged 5.7 yards per carry, which is not what you want as a defense. Martin averaged 8.1 yards per carry, which is well beyond reasonable. The two combined for 177 yards, an impressive total, and their constant success made it that much easier for Ryan Fitzpatrick to connect with his receivers, including on the game winning play a play action toss to Kenny Stills. Like we said, it is one thing to know it is coming, and a very different thing to actually shut it down.
Anthony Allen Surprises with Big Game
If Chicago’s run success was to be expected, Memphis’s success was more of a surprise. With Houston playing very well against Todd Gurley, Memphis threw them a curve ball, using Anthony Allen more and more as the game went on. He did not earn a ton of carries, only 12 to Gurley’s 20, but those 12 touches were impactful, with Allen averaging 7.8 yards per touch and building up 93 yards in just those 12 carries. Allen’s performance was not the only factor that led Memphis to their upset win in Houston, certainly Eli Manning’s rapport with Robert Woods was also a huge factor, but when you can get that kind of performance from a backup halfback, throwing the defense into an unexpected Plan B mode, you have something you can use to keep them off balance and making mistakes. The result? Memphis moves on and Houston can only wonder where that came from.
Swan the Secret to Generals’ Protection Plan
We spent a lot of time before the New Jersey-Orlando game talking about each team’s pass rush, and particularly just how destructive Calais Campbell can be to an offensive game plan. Certainly the two clubs felt the pressure, and a 12-8 final is not exactly an offensive showcase, but we have to note that New Jersey gave up only 3 sacks in the game, one fewer than they earned against Orlando’s offensive line. How did they minimize the damage the front line of Orlando can produce? The key may well be a name we just don’t call that often, William Swan.
Swan is a prototypical blocking fullback. His primary role in the New Jersey offense is to clear holes for Maurice Jones-Drew. And yes, he did that on most of MJD’s 24 rush attempts, but more importantly, New Jersey kept him in on passing downs, rotating to whichever side Campbell was on. Consistently, if Campbell tried to get around the tackle, there was Swan laying a hit on the big DE. If he tried to overpower the tackle, there was Swan supporting the tackle with another set of hands. Campbell ended the game with 2 sacks, which is a good game for most edge rushers, but far short of what the Renegades had hoped for. The strategy, using the fullback as a second tackle, a backup blocker on every pass play, well that worked out well enough for New Jersey to edge a tough Orlando team in a low scoring affair.
Dansby Questionable But Hopes to Play
Karlos Dansby was listed as doubtful for this week’s Divisional Playoff game, and before kickoff he was scratched, standing on the sideline in a track suit, not a uniform. But the hope in Arizona is that the story will be very different in this week’s Western Conference Final. Dansby has been upgraded to questionable, which typically means a 50/50 chance of playing. He has been practicing, taking ice baths, doing all the things you do to prepare for a game, and you know that if the call were his, he would be on the field when the Wranglers take on Chicago. Don’t be surprised if he is cleared to play, and while he may be on a play count, in the key moments, and on the key plays, don’t be surprised if the 12-year veteran is right there in the middle of the action.
Dobson Hurt but Expected to Start
Chicago got a scare in their game with LA when Aaron Dobson went out with what looked like a possible ankle injury. He would not return in Chicago’s final push to victory, but after getting imaging done on Monday, he is listed as “Probable” with a sprained ankle. A sprain can be a wide range of things, but it is not reported as a high ankle sprain, so it very well may be the more manageable lower ankle, an injury that is often addressed with a bit of cortisone and a good tape job. So, if you are a Machine fan, expect to see Dobson on the field on Sunday, doing his best to help Chicago pull off one of the most unexpected rags to riches stories in league history.
Two games to report on, and we have already addressed most of the meaningful injuries, from Dansby to Dobson, Urlacher and Maualaga. Nothing new to report, just two teams with the usual end-of-season aches, pains, and players in training gear. Will Urlacher’s absence play a bigger role against Arizona? Will Dansby be able to come in and be a difference maker? Will New Jersey struggle with Stephenson out, or will we get four teams playing their best with the 50+ men they have available?
NJ: SS A. Bethea (OUT), LB R. Maualaga (OUT), G I. Sowells (D), OT D. Stephenson (D), MEM: CB D. Martinez (Q)
CHI: LB B. Urlacher (OUT), WR A. Dobson (P), G K. Zeitler (P)
ARZ: FB L. McClain (OUT), G D. Robinson (OUT), TE D. Graham (Q), LB K. Dansby (Q)
USFL Free Agency Primer
We are officially 20 days from the opening of Free Agency for the USFL, only 35 days from the first of two NFL-USFL transfer windows, and we still have so many questions. It seemed time for a full preview of the offseason chaos to come, so we are going to raise our five big questions heading into the final weeks before the marketplace of talents officially opens, then, just to put everyone on the same wavelength we will reveal our list of the top 25 free agents we expect to be available. No guarantees, there is still time for teams to cut that deal before it becomes official, but as of right now, this will be our best estimation of who will be out there and who will be interested in them. But, let’s get started with the 5 looming questions for the free agent market.
1. Will Memphis actually let Manning walk?
This is the question we all think we know the answer to, but we cannot believe it. Every indication, from the club and from Eli himself is that he will be allowed to test the waters and potentially find a new home for his final years in the game. In the preseason that seemed a viable path, with Manning spending one year mentoring Paxton Lynch and preparing to move on. But now, with the year he has put out there and with Memphis headed to the Eastern Final it seems unthinkable that the Showboats would not even try to lock him in for 1-2 more years. Yes, they have spent some serious cash to sign Lynch, but a transition now could be the worst move a franchise has ever made, throwing out elite performance (yes, Eli has been elite this year) for an unknown. But again, all signs point to this being the case.
2. What other options are out there for QB-needy teams?
Not a lot. We see quite a few 2nd stringers in the pool, names like Landry Jones, Tony Pike, Matt Moore, and Adrian McPherson, but not anyone who a USFL team is likely to sign and start from day 1. Even the NFL pool (typically very slim in September) has only 1 prior starter among them, former Bills 1st round pick E. J. Manuel. So, it looks like even more pressure than usual to either trade for a 2nd stringer that has potential or to make that deal to get a top tier draft eligible college QB. Could this be the year that there is a market for starters who are in some heat? Wheedon? Orton? Osweiler?
3. Could we see one of the best receiver pools in years?
If the QB pool looks like Manning and nothing else, the receiver market could be the richest it has been in years. Just based on where things stand right now (and again, it could change in 2 weeks) we have some major talent here: Roy Williams, Keenan Allen, Jordy Nelson, Percy Harvin, Kelvin Benjamin, and Davone Bess are all expected to be allowed to put themselves out there. On the second level we have quite a few names too: James Hardy, Marshall Newhouse, Jordan Shipley,Derek Hagan andLance Moore are all expected to be available. That is a deep pool with a lot of cream on the top.
4. Are there more big name retirements on the way?
That is a huge question. Not only potential free agents who could opt out, but also players under contract who could create immediate needs on their team if they opt to call it a career. We know Houston is waiting to see if this is the year that Matt Hasselback does what many have expected for years, but each year he comes back and plays as well as ever. Health concerns could force Brian Urlacher to leave the Machine after yet another late season injury. We have heard rumors about Drew Brees, Antonio Gates, Roddy White, Joey Harrington and Frank Gore, but nothing confirmed and nothing the teams or the players will speak to publicly.
5. What position could be a bare cupboard in free agency?
Maybe not a position, but a whole squad as we are not seeing a lot of big names nor depth in the entire offensive line group. Yes, there are a couple of veteran linemen like OTs Andrew Whitworth and D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OG Kevin Zeitler, and C Richie Incognito who look to be seeking a new home, which is bad news for Baltimore (both Ferguson and Incognito) but otherwise this is a pretty lackluster market if you are in need of line help, and who is not always looking to upgrade their protection?
Top 25 Anticipated Free Agents in the USFL Pool for 2017
So, we have looked at the key questions, but every pool is different, with a mix of veterans looking for one more deal, players disgruntled with their current situation, young players coming off their rookie deals who have not yet shown their value, and middle-of-the-pack players who could blossom in a new system or with a new coach. As we look over the likely 2017 free agent marketplace, there is certainly a lot of talent out there. Some may be retiring before the market opens (a few, we suspect), some may end up in the NFL (as always happens) but now is the time to dream that all of the players you covet for your favorite team will find their way to just that destination. Here is our list of the 25 names that everyone wants to see headed their way.
25-OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson (BAL)
At 34, Ferguson could be a retirement risk, or he could be a gem on a 1-2 year deal.
24-WR David Tyree (ARZ)
A quality receiver, but one not likely to draw big money with a deep pool this year.
23-OT Clint Oldenberg (MEM)
Two years younger than Ferguson, and that could mean a longer deal.
22-DT Terrell Troupe (TEX/OKL)
Not a splashy player, but a solid inside space-eater, especially for a 3-4 scheme.
21-DE Antwan Odom (LA)
A solid 7-10 sack guy, but at 33, he may well be a retirement risk.
20-LB Nick Koutavides (OAK)
A swing LB in Oakland hoping for a shot to start somewhere else.
19-HB Ben Tate (HOU)
A bruising back who only got 62 carries behind Carlos Hyde.
18-TE Richard Rodgers (OAK)
The first of several starters from Oakland’s receiver group to seek a big deal.
17-WR DeShaun Jackson (ORL)
Used mostly as a very dangerous return man, but wanting more snaps on offense.
16-C Andre Gurode (PHI)
At 34, could still have some good years in him, but Philly still hopes to resign him.
15-QB Kyle Boller (TEX/OKL)
A solid backup who some think could be a solid starter in a game manager role.
14-LB Kevin Minter (NOR)
Only 23, and the Breakers want to resign him, but they are cash-strapped.
13-SS Glover Quinn (WSH)
A savvy veteran who finds himself in a very rich safety pool, not ideal for a deal.
12-LB Angelo Crowell (STL)
He may have lost a step, but his instincts are still solid. 104 tackles in 2016 for St. Louis.
11-SS Darren Sharper (PHI)
With 57 tackles this year, Sharper is a solid option for a run-stopping safety.
10-B Patrick Robinson (DEN)
We cannot believe Denver is willing to let Robinson go. A possible steal.
9-DT Glenn Dorsey (ARZ)
The Wranglers will try to resign him, but he could be a costly player if others want him.
8-WR Pierre Garçon (OAK)
Oakland’s slot option, looking to move outside if someone will give him a shot.
7-LB Shawne Merriman (DEN)
The best LB option in a pretty shallow pool. Another cost-cutting loss for Denver.
6-DT Albert Hayneswoth (ORL)
He is brash, often a handful, but even at 34, he could be a valuable short-term signing.
5-SS Corey Chavous (MGN)
One of two safeties sure to get a huge pay hike with a new deal. A team leader.
4-WR Keenan Allen (OAK)
He wants a shot to be the top dog in a team’s receiving group, and likely will get it.
3-SS Anthoine Bethea (NJ)
Our top-rated defensive player after a very strong season with the Generals.
2-WR Jordy Nelson (STL)
He wants out, and this top tier target will get his shot at a huge deal.
1-QB Eli Manning (MEM)
The feeding frenzy to get Manning after the year he has had could be epic.
Two games to decide who will appear in the 34th USFL Championship, Summer Bowl 2016. Can the Generals become that rarest of beasts, a team playing for a title in their home stadium? Can Memphis cap off a Cinderella season with a trip to the title? Is Arizona just too good to be stopped at this point, or is Chicago the miracle team that can go from worst to first? So much drama, so much at stake, so much fun for us as football fans. Here is your guide to Sunday’s huge double header of playoff football.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (4) @ NEW JERSEY GENERALS (2)
Sunday, July 17 @ 2pm ET
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Generals -2
This one could be incredibly tough to predict, which is what Vegas is telling us by setting only 2-point differential. New Jersey will have all the fan support, and we expect a big crowd at MetLife just one week before they host the Summer Bowl. Memphis has the QB, that is for sure, but New Jersey has more than enough weapons to compete. Hard to believe that these two teams both had 10 losses last year because when we look at this year’s film there is just so much we love about them.
Coach Ryan will want to pressure Hundley, but after surviving Orlando’s pass rush last week is there really anything Memphis can do that will work? New Jersey will want to establish the run with MJD and then give Hundley some easier throws. When Memphis has the ball, the format is very much the same, establish the run with Gurley and Allen, then let Eli pick apart zone coverages. Honestly, the team that throws a wrinkle into the expected game plan could well be the victor. That or, as we hate to bring up, the team that turns the ball over the most could be the loser. Cliché, we know, but it is a cliché because it is true more often than not.
OUR PICK: We love both of these teams, their rise to excellence, their pluck and determination, the stories they provide, but if we have to pick a winner, we think we have to go with home field advantage and the capacity for Coach Turner to innovate on offense. Coach Ryan has a smart one in OC Kyle Shanahan, but we think he tempers Shanahan’s creativity, while Turner will certainly plan some surprises based on what he knows of Ryan’s defense. We think it will be close, but it will be the Generals when the clock runs out. New Jersey 22-20.
CHICAGO MACHINE (6) @ ARIZONA WRANGLERS (1)
Sunday, July 17 @ 6pm ET
University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ
Wranglers -6
This one looks like a mismatch. How could it not? Last year the Machine were the worst team in the league, winning only 3 games and seemingly directionless. Enter Lovie Smith, in comes Ryan Fitzpatrick, and now we have the Machine in the Western Conference Finals. That is quite the Cinderella story, but is Arizona the clock striking midnight? They certainly look and feel like a juggernaut, a team on a mission, and certainly the deeper, more talented, and, oh yes, far more seasoned team.
With Urlacher out, a lot falls on Manti Te’o to lead the defense. He has help, but against the deep ball threat of the Wranglers, it will be a challenge. Expect Arizona to test the Chicago secondary early and often, and to use Frank Gore as a battering ram on short yardage. As for Chicago’s offense, we know the formula, run the ball to shorten the game. Get outside shots to Aaron Dobson and use both Forte and Martin as receivers out of the backfield.
OUR PICK: We love a good David v. Goliath, but the truth is that for every David victory, there are a ton of Goliath demolitions, because that is how Goliath got famous in the first place. Arizona is the 1 seed for a reason. They were not just winning games, they were dominating for most of the season. We think that Chicago, for as good a story as they have been, are just overmatched in this one. Arizona 27-17.
Hey there, USFL Fans, a quick note here to say that the Hall of Fame, Teams, and History pages have all been updated and are up to date through 2016. If you don't want spoilers for the 2016 playoffs, don't visit the History page just yet, because it will give away the Summer Bowl Winner. But, it is a great time to look at the HOF and Teams pages.
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