2019 USFL Week 14 Recap: 8 Spots, 16 Teams, 2 Weeks to Settle it.

Some close calls this week, with Oklahoma giving Arizona a scare (both on the scoreboard and with Calais Campbell taken out of the game). Jacksonville nearly got a major upset in Las Vegas, Portland caused some issues for Oakland, and Atlanta came close to a major upset at home vs. Tampa Bay. But, by week’s end we saw only 2 significant upsets, with Seattle adding another win to their streak by taking care of San Diego and New Orleans getting the win they needed on the road against a Houston team that seems to be struggling to compensate for Mike Evans’s injury. We will recap these games and more as we review the 14^th week of USFL action. We will also take a look at some possible names atop the wish lists of teams looking for a change at Head Coach, bring you news of a big name player who is declaring now that he wants to test the free agent waters, and some odd news from another big defensive star as a rare request to cancel a retirement has been sent to the league. All this, plus big news from St. Louis and a preview of all the Week 15 action ahead of us.

Five USFL Coordinators Who Could Get a Shot in 2020

With two expansion teams already looking to fill their front offices and with Black Monday only 2 weeks away, the time is now for several top tier USFL coordinators to get their shot at the big chair. We spoke with 15 GMs from across the league and asked them who they thought the hottest USFL coordinators would be, coaches who are finding great success and who are ready to take the next step and take the reins of a club. Of course, both the expansion clubs in New England and San Antonio are free to interview any range of coaches, from college coaches to former head coaches from both the USFL and NFL. We have also seen some teams wait until January to lock in a coach from the fall league, but the most common path is the Coordinator to Head Coach route. So, who did GM’s across the league cite? Well, 5 names came up time and again as coaches ready to take the leap this offseason.

Orlando Renegades DC Winston Moss

When Ron Rivera agreed to take on the Renegades job last offseason, one of his requirements for the position was that not only would Orlando retain the services of their LB coach, former USFL star Winston Moss, but that he would be promoted to the OC position. Moss, a 15-year veteran of the Renegades, Feds, and Bandits, came on as a position assistant, working with the Renegades LBs back in 2012, when John Fox took over as Head Coach. He took over as the LB Coach in 2014, and under Rivera this year, he took over the defensive play calling. In a year when most expected a major letdown after the trade of Calais Campbell, not only did Moss produce a Top 10 defense, allowing only 17.9 points per game, but he helped rookie Montez Sweat step in and find instant success, racking up 14 sacks in his first 14 games. Moss plays an aggressive style of defense that is sure to attract some interest. The only question is what a team can expect on offense if they go with the former linebacker as their main man.

Arizona Wranglers OC Chuck Long

Understanding offensive schemes is what Chuck Long does best. Many thought he would move on when both Frank Gore and Larry Fitzgerald retired last year, but he stuck with Coach Tomsula, and what the Wranglers are doing this year is proof that Long has had a huge role in their success, not just the talent on offense, but the talent in the Coach’s box as well. Long’s offense has barely missed a step with KaDeem Carey and Isaiah Crowell in the backfield and Victor Cruz and DeMarcus Robinson stepping in for Fitzgerald and Antonio Bryant. The Wranglers currently sit in 2^nd position in both yards per game and scoring, a testament to Coach Long’s system, a system pretty much every team in the league would love to have in place.

LA Express DC Vance Joseph

Yes, it has not even been one full year for Joseph in LA, but when you put together the top-rated defense in the league, with a roster that most view as not one of the league’s strongest, you are going to get a lot of attention. And it is not as if Joseph has not had enough time to build up a reputation. He began as a grad assistant at Colorado, his alma mater, after a brief NFL career (3 years). From there he moved on to be a DB position coach for the Buffs, at Bowling Green, and then for the NFL 49ers. He held that same position with the Bengals as well, which parlayed into a position with Coach Lewis during his final 2 years in Seattle. When Coach Lewis built a staff for the new gig in LA, Vance Joseph (at the time working in the NFL again) jumped at the chance to be the DC for the rebuilding Express. His work in that role this year has not gone unnoticed and both his players (in the NFL and USFL) say he is born to be a head coach some day. Is that day coming this year?

Tampa Bay Bandits OC Jaime Elizondo

Mark Trestman drew most of his coaching staff for the Bandits from the USFL and NFL ranks, but one coach he brought with him from the CFL was his OC. Coach Elizondo had never coached in either of the major U.S. leagues before, making a name for himself as a position coach and OC for various CFL clubs. Trestman brought his style of multiple-motion, pass-first offense from the Canadian league and, well, the proof is in the pudding, the Bandits are perhaps the most explosive, hard to scheme offense in the league. You know that other teams are watching as Tampa Bay rockets up the standings in Trestman’s first year, and that they will give serious attention to Elizondo’s role in that immediate success.

Denver Gold DC Orlondo Steinauer

Another former CFL coach, Orlondo Steinauer came with Coach Hufnagel when Denver plucked him away from the Stampeders. What was interesting about the move was that Steinauer had not been with Calgary, he was the DC at Hamilton at the time, but Coach Hufnagel had been dealing with Steinauer’s defense as a CFL coach and he respected and liked the Tiger-Cat DC, so he asked him if he wanted to return to the US, and Steinauer jumped at the chance. Since coming to Denver with Hufnagel, Steinauer’s defenses have been highlighted by an aggressive pash rush, led by the duo of Von Miller and Justice Cole, and use of the DB’s in run coverage as well as bump & run man-up pass coverage. Just take a look at the current Gold stats and you will find starting cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Artie Burns right there with the LBs atop the list of the team’s top tacklers. With Denver the 2^nd best team in the league in points allowed, and giving up only 80.8 YPG in the ground game, Coach Steinauer is getting a lot of attention for his player-friendly, simple but effective schemes.

Those five coordinators will be on several teams’ short lists. They likely won’t be alone, as there are sure to be some established Head Coaches looking for work, but we would not be surprised at all if 2, 3, maybe even 4 of the men from this list are sitting in the big office for a USFL team by January.

TAMPA BAY BANDITS 30  ATLANTA FIRE 27

We had a good one in the Southeast this weekend, and a bit of a surprise challenge for the Tampa Bay Bandits as 4-8-1 Atlanta put up a major fight before going down to their 9^th defeat. The Bandits have been one of the revelations of the 2019 season, led by an offense that lives on the big play and the quick strike. Atlanta has shown a tendency to give up the run more than the big pass play, so perhaps we should have expected them to give Tampa Bay a game, but we did not think it would be quite as daunting as it turned out to be.

The Bandits, recognizing Atlanta’s major issues in run defense, did adjust their gameplan to take advantage of the issue, with Dak Prescott only throwing 20 passes in the game while Dalvin Cook carried the ball 16 times and David Wilson 6 more. The strategy was effective, with Cook gaining 131 yards with his 16 touches, an average of 8.2 YPC, which will win you most games. Cook got cooking right away, busting off a 14-yarder on the opening drive, a drive which led to Prescott finding his favorite receiver, Dez Bryant, for an 8-yard TD strike to open scoring in the game.

Atlanta responded only 1 minute later when the Fire, taking advantage of Tampa Bay’s biggest defensive weakness, deep ball coverage, got a quick strike score on the board. Aaron Murray found Roy Williams for a 38-yard post-pattern that left the Bandit safety out of position and equalized the score at 7. This battle, with both teams playing to the weakness of the opposing defense, would be the theme of the day.

The Bandits, wanting to make a statement early and hopefully discourage Atlanta from putting up a major fight, decided to take their chances on a big play and on their next drive Dak Prescott unleashed a deep out, trying to hit Prescott again, but the Fire were ready for it. With CB Darius Slay taking the underneath position, Prescott tried to loft the ball over the top, but FS Earl Thomas was zoned in, snatched the ball out of the air right in front of Bryant, and proceeded to run, and high step, his way into the endzone to put Atlanta up and stun the Bandit faithful who made the drive to Atlanta.

The pick-six was the second TD in the first 2 minutes of the quarter, but it would hardly be the last. We would see another 17 points scored in the period as Tampa Bay responded well with a long drive and a Dalvin Cook TD. Atlanta would reply again, this time with Murray finding Kelvin Benjamin on a nicely executed rub route, freed up by a “rub” (or was it a pick?) from Williams. With time running out, Tampa Bay worked their way into field goal range and put up 3 as the clock ticked down to zero, leaving Atlanta with a surprising, but narrow, 21-17 advantage at the half.

The game calmed down a bit in the 2^nd half, with both quarters producing 10 points apiece, but it remained a back-and-forth affair throughout. On their first possession of the 2^nd half, Tampa stuck with the run and Dalvin Cook added a 2^nd TD to give the Bandits the lead at 24-21. But by the end of the quarter, Atlanta had equalized the score on a 30-yard John Bounds TD. They could have taken the lead, but a holding call brought back what appeared to be a 3^rd Murray TD toss, a nice fade route to Benjamin. As the 4^th quarter started, the game was knotted at 24 and it seemed clear that either team could come away with the W.

Both teams failed to put up points on their first drives of the fourth, Atlanta’s Nick Chubb getting caught in the backfield by Bandit LB DeMeco Ryans on a 3^rd and 2 and Prescott failing to connect with Ryan Grant on a 3^rd and 7, forcing a punt back to the Fire once again. On their 2^nd drive, Atlanta got some help, with a 3^rd and 14 turned into an automatic first down when Bandit CB Jalen Ramsey was called for defensive holding on Williams. That call helped Atlanta get in range for John Bounds, who once again gave the underdog Fire the lead at 27-24. But, with over 6 minutes left to play, it was clear this game was far from over.

The Bandits took over on their 20 after a touchback and right away they found a money ball, with Ryan Grant snagging a slant route on 1^st and 10, eluding the first tackler and going 52 yards into Fire territory. But, the success of the drive was to be short-lived. Another killer penalty forced Tampa Bay into a 3^rd and 18 and pushed them out of field goal range. Hesitantly they punted the ball back to Atlanta, pinning them at their own 5. The Fire tried to run out of the shadow of their endzone, but DeMeco Ryans and Dont’a Hightower were all over the run on both first and second down, leaving the Fire with a tough 3^rd and 8 form their own 7. Atlanta tried a screen to get the yards they needed, but HB Boston Scott was stopped a yard short and the Fire had no choice but to punt the ball away with 2:02 left on the clock.

Two minutes left, with 2 timeouts is not what the Fire wanted to give Tampa Bay. They also had to decide if they were going to go into a shell, hoping to slow down the Bandits but allow them enough room to get into field goal range for a tying score, or to play a more pressure defense, hoping to force mistakes or push the Bandits into a tough third and long before getting in range for Harrison Butker. Coach Arians and the Fire chose the latter, blitzing either LB Luke Kuechley or safety Baccari Rambo on every play of the Bandit drive. The strategy proved to be a flawed one. Prescott dealt with the pressure well, completing 4 of 7 on the drive, including a key 3^rd and 3 play that went for 14 when Prescott found TE Larry Izzo over the middle while racing away from pressure.

Atlanta not only did not get the 3^rd and impossible they were hoping for, but their use of man coverage and pressure gave space to the Bandit receivers. When Ryan Grant turned a 10-yard out into a 26-yard play, it placed the Bandits not only inside Butker’s range, but gave Prescott 19 seconds to try some shots into the endzone before bringing out the kicker. The Bandit offense would not need all 19 seconds, connecting on the first play from inside the redzone. Prescott rolled to his right, all but eliminating the pressure from the blitzing Luke Kuechley. He paused, pumped, and then found Dez Bryant for an endline catch that had the receiver touch his knee to the turf before rolling out of bounds. With 11 seconds left, Tampa Bay had finally overcome the Fire, and with that final drive had earned their 10^th win of the year, 7 more than in all of 2018. While they were not officially ensured a playoff spot yet, the odds were certainly in their favor with only 2 weeks to go. Bandit Ball was in full effect and a happy crew of Bandits headed back to Tampa Bay to prepare for what they hoped would be a division-clinching Florida Derby game against Orlando.

BIRMINGHAM 3  MEMPHIS 20

The Memphis Showboats were prepared for the new Cam-centric offense of the archrival Stallions. Todd Haley stuck with the plan, hoping to get a break out play, but in the end Newton rushed 16 times for exactly 16 yards, a pale shadow of the success they had against Houston last week. Memphis, on the other hand, balanced their run game (Gurley & Hester) with a short passing game from Paxton Lynch. That proved more successful as Lynch hit Devin Funchess for a big 3^rd quarter TD, and HB David Williams put the game away with a 1-yard plunge in the 4^th.

POTG: Showboat WR Devin Funchess: 3 Rec, 85 Yds, 1 TD

SAN DIEGO 16  SEATTLE 24

It looks like the time has come to say that Seattle is for real. They were outgained 417-232 by the Thunder, but forced 2 turnovers and held San Diego to only 3 points in the second half. Trailing 16-7 early in the 3^rd, Seattle turned up the heat and scored the game’s final 17 points, with Wendell Smallwood putting them up for good with a 12-yard TD run with 2:24 left to play.

POTG: Seattle CB Desmond Truffant, 5 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Int

NEW JERSEY 28  PITTSBURGH 17

Nick Foles survived 7 sacks to go 10 of 17 for 264 yards with 3 TDs as the Generals pulled away in the 2^nd half thanks to scores from TE John Carlson and WR Odell Beckham Jr. Maurice Jones-Drew added 93 yards rushing and 2 scores, one each from the ground and the air. The loss officially eliminates Pittsburgh from playoff contention and puts Vic Fangio’s tenure in question.

POTG: Generals’ LB Matt Milano: 5 Tck, 2 PDef, 1 Int

DENVER 24  ST. LOUIS 7

Josh Allen goes 15 for 21 and throws 3 TDs while the Denver defense holds St. Louis to 257 total yards and only 39 on the ground. Eddie Lacy only gained 40 against a stacked front 7, while Phillip Lindsay and DeMarco Murray combined for 170 on the day. The highlight for St. Louis was LB Roquon Smith, who had 11 tackles, and a sack in the game.

POTG: Gold QB Josh Allen: 15/21, 197 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int

NEW ORLEANS 20  HOUSTON 13

Don’t blame the absence of Mike Evans for this Gambler loss, because Colt McCoy still threw for 313 yards and JuJu Smith-Schuster stepped up with 140 yards, but Houston could not turn those yards into points as the Breaker D tightened every time they got into the red zone. McCoy did throw 3 picks, so perhaps there was a bit of an Evans factor, but, more importantly, Geno Smith avoided the turnover, throwing for 193 yards and 2 scores.

POTG: Breaker LB Tim Williams: 10 Tck, 1 PDef, 1 Int

OAKLAND 23  PORTLAND 17

Oakland struggled to get past the Stags, as Portland HB Doug Martin kept them in the game with his 144 yards rushing, but in the end the Invaders pulled to a 23-10 lead before letting up a late score. Jimmy Garoppolo was picked off twice, but led Oakland to 4 scoring drives in the 2^nd half. Christian McCaffrey got the eventual game-winner, a 13-yard run with 12:38 left to play.

POTG: Invader DE Cliff Avril: 8 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 FF

OHIO 10  CHICAGO 34

This one got ugly quickly, with 4 first half TDs giving the Machine a 28-3 lead at the break. They got contributions from everyone, but it was Sam Bradford’s 3 TDs and 17 of 20 passing that lead the way for the Machine. Christian Hackenberg had himself a rough game, picked twice and sacked 5 times as he just could not generate offense for the Glory. They finished the day with a paltry 27 yards rushing, more than 100 yards fewer than the Machine.

POTG: Machine QB Sam Bradford: 17/20, 254 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int

OKLAHOMA 21  ARIZONA 24

The Outlaws put some pressure on their SW Division rivals, with a 14-14 tie extending into the 4^th quarter before Arizona got the narrow win, thanks primarily to our Player of the Week, FS Nate Allen’s 3 interceptions, including the game winning score, a 36-yard pick six early in the 4^th. Oklahoma had a shot late, but a sack on 3^rd and 11 put them outside of range for Kai Forbath to kick a game-tying field goal. They ended up going for it on 4^th and 19 and did not connect.

POTG: Arizona FS Nate Allen: 2 Tck, 3 PDef, 3 Int, 1 Def TD

BALTIMORE 17  MICHIGAN 29

It was an unsung hero for the Panthers that helped them put away the Blitz. Tight end Martellus Bennett had himself a day, turning 4 catches into 134 yards, including a 68-yard catch and run in the 4^th quarter that put the game away for the Panthers. The Michigan D was huge all game, sacking Jake Locker 5 times, picking him off twice, and keeping Baltimore to only 3 points in the first half.

POTG: Michigan TE Martellus Bennett: 4 Rec, 134 Yds, 1 TD

WASHINGTON 21  ORLANDO 15

With 16 unanswered points (a safety and 4 field goals) in the 2^nd half, Washington turne da 15-7 deficit into a surprising 21-15 win in Orlando. The Renegades led in most stats, including a 35-25 advantage in time of possession, and a 324-210 yardage advantage, but Washington just would not go away. They got field goals on 4 consecutive possessions between the 3^rd and 4^th quarters to turn defeat into victory.

POTG: Washington kicker Adam Vinatieri: 4 of 4 on field goals in the 2^nd half, including two 46-yarders and a 48-yarder.

DALLAS 13  PHILADELPHIA 27

Derrick Henry had himself only his 2^nd 100-yard game of the season as Philadelphia used old-fashioned smashmouth football to roll past the visiting Roughnecks. Philly outgained Dallas 158-80 on the ground and got 3 rushing TDs, including 2 from Henry. The win improves Philadelphia to 7-7 and keeps them alive in a crowded Wild Card race.

POTG: Stars’ HB Derrick Henry: 20 Att, 101 Yds, 2 TD

JACKSONVILLE 19  LAS VEGAS 24

The Vipers got a big game from HB Montario Hardesty (127 Yds, 1 TD) and two McGloin TDs in the 3^rd quarter to take the win at home and remain alive at 7-7. Jacksonville got 305 yards from Teddy Bridgewater, who completed 34 of 44, but could not get the late score they needed in the final minutes.

POTG: Viper HB Montario Hardesty: 13 Att, 127 Yds, 1 TD

LOS ANGELES 19  CHARLOTTE 3

In a game that saw only 1 TD, it seems fitting that it came from LA cornerback Stephon Gilmore, returning a Trubisky pick for 44 yards and a score in the 4^th quarter. The rest of the game was an exercise in offensive futility as both teams struggled to put together drives. Reggie Bush, with 115 yards on 24 carries, did enough to get Dan Bailey in range for 4 field goals, while Charlotte only crossed the 50 twice in the entire game, with one of those ending with a blown 4^th down call.

POTG: Express CB Stephon Gilmore: 3 Tck, 2 PDef, 1 Int, 1 Def TD

Reception Leaders All on Struggling Squads

Some may have noticed that our stats page always lists the Receiving stats based on yardage, not receptions. That differs from the way the NFL reports their receiving leaders, but it is conscious decision as history has shown us that USFL receivers tend to cluster in one of two categories, possession guys who rack up catches but often lag in big impact plays or in receiving touchdowns. The second group are the home-run hitters, the 1,400-1,700 yard receivers, some averaging well over 20 yards per catch. In the USFL’s rich history as a pass-first, vertical stretch league, it is the deep ball receivers who get the accolades, make the game-changing plays, and tend to rack up the awards.

If you believe that is unfair, this season shows you very clearly the dichotomy between high-reception guys and high-yardage guys. When you look at the Top 5 among USFL receivers for yardage, you see players on winning teams: Dez Bryant in Tampa Bay, Jordy Nelson in New Orleans, Brashad Perriman in Orlando, and both Mike Evans and JuJu Smith-Schuster for Houston. But when you take a look at the league leaders in receptions, well, the team results are not quite as impressive.

Currently leading the league in both targets and receptions is Ohio’s Eric Weems, with 92 receptions for 1,061 yards but only 1 touchdown. I think we can all agree that while Weems is certainly a talented receiver, his 92 catches have not helped Ohio win many games this year. In 2^nd position is Mike Williams of Jacksonville with 85 receptions, again for a team at the bottom of the standings, though we should acknowledge that Williams has managed to snag 5 TDs this season, significantly better than Weems. Third is held by Oklahoma’s DeDe Westbrook, with 84 receptions. Westbrook also surpasses 1,000 yards, currently at 1,014, and his 7 TDs are more than solid, and yet, Oklahoma also finds themselves out of contention for the playoffs this year. So, what is the takeaway? Well, the immediate response to the stats, and this year is not at all an anomaly, is that while the reliability of a solid possession receiver can be helpful, it is the big play, the deep ball, and the quick strike that often produces wins and helps teams break down USFL defenses.

Aaron Donald to Test Free Agency Waters After Disappointing Mauler Season

While it is still unknown whether Head Coach Vic Fangio will be back with the Maulers for 2020, one big name in Purple & Orange who we now know will not be returning is defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The big man, without a doubt one of the best defenders on the team, is looking to move on, get himself not only a payday but a shot at a title, something that seems unlikely for the Maulers right now. Donald, through his agent, has confirmed for the Maulers that he will not be reviewing any contract offers before the end of the season and will be entering the free agent market. While the Maulers certainly don’t want to lose their best D-lineman, perhaps their best defender over all, they will likely have to come to free agency with both money and a plan to lure Donald back to the squad. For every other team, the impetus will be figuring out exactly what would attract the big DT and how they can put together a package that will bring the All-USFL tackle to their club.

Ohio ownership gives Coughlin Vote of Confidence

Take it for what you will, but the Glory ownership made it very public this week that they believe in Coach Coughlin, despite this season’s collapse. It is true that up until this year, Coughlin’s tenure in Ohio has been a productive one, with the disciplinarian coach taking Ohio from a 5-win 2015 season to back-to-back 8-win, .500 seasons before improving to 10-6 and claiming the Central Division title in 2018. That the Glory have won only 2 games this year puts his position at risk, and we have all seen that a vote of confidence holds almost no value whatsoever. They are just as often followed by a Black Monday pink slip as not, so when the Glory tell us that Coughlin’s position is secure, we don’t exactly take that to the bank. It is very possible that the Glory will view this season as a glitch, though it has not had an obvious weak-point like a key injury or two, it is very much a mystery why the breaks have not gone Ohio’s way this year. But, if the team truly believes that Coughlin can get a quick rebound out of the Glory, they may well keep him on for the 2020 season. If the recovery does not happen, that will be a move many will question, but if they do bounce back, well then they will be proven right.

Could the Gunslingers Opt to Pass on Flacco?

That is a question a lot of fans in San Antonio are bringing to the conversation about how to build a new team for the Alamo City. Before the season, had you asked the new Gunslinger fanbase which Outlaw players they most wanted to see on their roster in 2020, certainly QB Joe Flacco would have been right at the top of the list. But, what we have seen of Flacco this year seems to have fans nervous that the version of the Outlaw QB they are going to get in 2020 is not what they remember from his heyday with the Texas Outlaws.

A quick look at two key stats tell the story. If we compare his 2019 QB Rating and TD:INT Ratio in Oklahoma with his 2016 output, his last year in Texas, you can see why some fans are hesitant to hand the offense over to the veteran QB.

                QB Rating:          98.3 in 2016                    78.7 in 2019

                TD:INT Ratio:    10:3 (20:6) in 2016            6:7 (18:21) in 2019

Flacco has a higher completion percentage this year, and is attempting significantly more passes, but that all speaks to a shift away from the vertical game to more of a dink & dunk style of play. For a QB who made his name with the deep ball, that shift has some worried that the fast ball is no longer there and that Flacco is not throwing short by choice, but by necessity. That, combined with the sudden increase in interceptions (he had only 11 in both 2017 and 2018), has fans worried that they may not be in as advantageous position at QB as they had believed earlier this spring. But, is a solid veteran presence, even one who may be fading, better than many of the other options available to an expansion club? Many would say yes. The question is whether leadership of the Gunslingers is of that mindset, or do they see Flacco as a callback to the past, a figurehead as much as an on-field leader? We will know in September when the special Outlaw-Gunslinger draft precedes the main Expansion Draft. Until then, fans will speculate, but it is ownership and leadership in the Gunslinger organization that has the biggest say, and the biggest risk to address, with their choice for a first year QB for their new franchise.

Campbell Dislocates shoulder, but Expects to Play

With Arizona still in the hunt for a 1-seed in the West, you can imagine that the thought of going into the final weeks of the season without the league’s sack leader could be a scary one. Well, Calais Campbell wants his coaches to know they can count on him. The veteran DE came out of this week’s win over the Outlaws late in the 3^rd with a dislocated shoulder, the result of a tough fall to the ground during a run play. Campbell went straight to the locker room, but by game’s end could be seen on the sideline with a large icepack on the shoulder. Apparently it was a simple dislocation and the training staff was able to reset the arm, one can only imagine with some sort of Mel Gibson “Lethal Weapon” snap action, though that is pure speculation. Campbell has been held out of practice this week, but told the press (and his teammates) that he fully expects to be on the field when the Wranglers travel to Atlanta this week. This is not unheard of after a dislocation, though we expect that we could see Campbell in a compression sleeve to help minimize the risk of a recurrence. Bad news for Atlanta, but potentially a huge plus for the Wranglers as they try to surge past Michigan to earn homefield in the season’s final 2 weeks.

Week 14 did not lock in any new playoff teams, meaning that with only 2 weeks of action left we are still looking at 8 of the 12 playoff spots up for grabs. We did get some clarity in the division races as Michigan, Arizona, and San Diego are all locked in as division champions. We also got some more eliminations as Oklahoma, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Washington, and Atlanta joined Portland, Jacksonville, and Ohio as non-playoff teams for 2019. So, 8 spots left, 16 teams in play, and 2 weeks left to decide it all.

Looking ahead to Week 15, what do we think can be settled? Well, in the West, a Michigan win and a Wrangler loss would guarantee the top spot in the conference to the Panthers, while a reverse result would let Arizona leapfrog Michigan into 1^st. We also could see the 2-seed settled, depending on the Arizona and San Diego Results. St. Louis is eliminated with a loss, but could remain alive with a win and some help.

In the East, a Houston win over the Showboats would not only give them the division title, but would also lock up the top seed and home field advantage for the defending champs. The Bandits can also lock up a Division Crown this week if they can hold off the Orlando Renegades. Baltimore needs some help but would win the East with a victory this week and losses by both the Generals and Stars.

Both Charlotte and Birmingham face elimination with a loss this week, as could New Jersey if the 4 teams at 8-6 all win and the Generals lose. A big weekend, to be sure.

A bad week for guards as 3 are added to IR and all 3 are on teams still fighting for a playoff spot. We also see Orlando FS Deion Bush placed on IR after suffering a back injury this week. That could be a big loss for the Renegades as they prep for the Bandits this week and for a possible playoff run.

OUT

OG         Keleche Osamele     STL         ACL                       IR

OG         Andy Alleman                  BAL        Neck                     IR

FS           Deion Bush                   ORL       Back                     IR

OG         Logan Mankins                OAK      Wrist                     IR

CB          Siran Neal                     HOU     Collarbone        1-2 Weeks

DOUBTFUL

LB           Demario Davis              SD          Arm      

WR         Donte Moncrief               OAK      Neck

QUESTIONABLE

LB           Akeem Ayers                  NJ           Toe

FB          Mike Boone                  OHI       Concussion

CB          Joejuan Williams            MEM     Knee

DE          Calais Campbell             ORL       Shoulder

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Skyhawks Get Support from State & City

It seems the city of St. Louis and the state of Missouri are feeling the heat from their constituents as meetings with both seem to have brought the Skyhawks some assurances that a deal can be made for a new stadium. Maybe it was the impending departure of the Rams back to LA (an official vote in the NFL to come later this summer, but expected to pass), or the interest shown by the Twin Cities Football Group, or maybe it was the protests in St. Louis or the petitions sent to Springfield, but it looks like a deal is largely in place for a new open-air dual-use stadium to be placed on the ballot this fall.

The Skyhawks, and owner David Steward, have been quite vocal that while they are willing to contribute up to 40% of the costs for a stadium, with Major League Soccer and their St. Louis expansion group committing to a 20% investment, but that the remaining 40% would need to come from public funding. The goal? A new dual-use stadium in central St. Louis, not far from the MLB Cardinals’ Busch Stadium. The new facility would be home to the USFL Skyhawks and the tentatively-approved Major League Soccer club expected to begin play in either 2022 or 2023. The design proposed would include a lower bowl capable of holding 27,000 for the MLS, while the upper decks on both sides would allow the USFL squad to have a maximum capacity of 51,500.  That is smallish for a pro football stadium, but very much within the sweet spot for the USFL, which typically sees attendance in the mid-to-high 40,000-50,000 range.

The expected cost of the facility ranges from $450M to $800M, with a design similar to that of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (though to a slightly smaller scale. The proposed deal would have the state raise nearly $200M through bond sales, while St. Louis county would propose a temporary hotel, conference, and restaurant tax increase to add an additional $90M-$180M (depending on the cost of the approved stadium contract.) The twin deals would require approval from the city council in St. Louis as well as a statewide referendum vote this November to be approved, but simply getting a plan in place for the Skyhawks is a huge positive. They will have to wait and see if the residents of the state and their city will support the effort, but with the grass roots campaign already in place, and with the Skyhawks soon to be the only pro football in the city, one has to believe that getting the votes will not be as challenging as getting the vote to be set in place in the first place.

Albert Hayensworth Files Petition to “Unretire” at 36

It is one of the rarest of situations, where a player has filed all the paperwork to retire from the league, has taken time away from the game, and now wishes to return. It is rare, but apparently it is what we are going to see from former Renegade and Gambler DT Albert Haynesworth. The 36-year old defensive tackle was one of the league’s best during his 10-year tenure before retiring at the end of the 2018 season. Apparently, retirement has not suited the big man, who now seems eager to return to the game.

Former Gambler to roll the dice again?

Haynesworth is apparently filing with the league to rescind his retirement. If approved, the defensive tackle could become a free agent this August. Now, at 36, and after a year away from the game, we expect that teams will be somewhat skeptical of Haynesworth, but if the talent he showed in his NFL and USFL career are still there, certainly there will be a team who can use the big man, even if only in a rotational role. As to why Haynesworth wants back into the league, well, that is up for debate. There are rumors that the 9-time All-USFL performer has significant financial concerns, and that there may be a financial motivation behind the move. That would not be unheard of, though we rarely see a case where a player has burned through their accumulated contract funds this quickly. We hear plenty of cases of players 10, even 5 years out who have little left from their playing days, but to run through his funds in 1 year, that would be a feat.

Whether the return to the USFL is driven by finances, a sense of unfinished business, or simply difficulty adapting to life post-football, what is known is that the 36-year-old Haynesworth believes he can still contribute, still play at a high level, and still be attractive to a USFL team this offseason. We expect the league to make a decision within the next 1-2 weeks, after meeting with Haynesworth and his agent, but it may well be that this 9-time All-USFL DT could be a player of real interest as free agency kicks off this August.

With Portland and San Diego Deal Nixed, UA Can Get Started on 2021 Looks

Under Armour was placed in an odd position this offseason. Just as they were gearing up for their next 6-team run of new designs, two of the teams hit them with a curveball, the possibility of a name and identity change. With voters in San Diego asked to weigh in and grassroots groups in Portland making a push to bring the Thunder name and look back to the Rose City, suddenly 2 of the 6 clubs on the docket for 2021 looks were now in doubt.

The vote in San Diego went strongly towards keeping the Thunder identity, and with the club looking like a solid Summer Bowl contender, you can understand why fans would want to keep the team in their current look. The vote assured ownership that the Thunder brand was strong among the fanbase and that there was no need to try to reinvent themselves to satisfy their fans. That means that the Thunder remain San Diego’s team, and with that vote putting an end to speculation, it means that Portland will remain the Stags, much to the chagrin of fans who feel that the 2008 expansion team has not lived up to the tradition of their former club. 

To be fair, Portland football fans have not exactly gotten the best results from their new team. The Stags have now played 12 seasons, and have only qualified for the playoffs 4 times, and have an overall playoff record of 1-4. While the Thunder’s time in Portland was hardly legendary, with no league titles, at least they produced several playoff seasons, including a trip to the Summer Bowl in 1997, before moving to Las Vegas, and now, San Diego. But, fans in San Diego are loving their new team, with 3 consecutive playoff seasons, and a 2^nd Division Title this year, the Thunder are popular, playing well, and building a name for themselves in a city jilted by the NFL Chargers after more than 50 years in the city.

So, with the idea of a brand sale from one team to another now off the table, Under Armour can move ahead with their 6-team uniform and design updates. The 2021 class of new looks will include both San Diego and Portland, as well as fellow Pacific Division squad, Seattle, the Chicago Machine, and the Denver Gold, and the Charlotte Monarchs. And while rumors have both Charlotte and Seattle looking for some pretty radical changes, we expect Denver, Portland, and San Diego to retain much of what has been their brand for some time. The interesting case may be in Chicago, where the Pritzkers, owners of the club, have expressed interest in expanding on the connection between the team and the city, primarily linking to the ubiquitous flag of the city of Chicago, with its sky blue stripes and red stars.  

Recently, team president and CEO Thomas Pritzker, who took over most of the shares when his cousin J.B. became governor of Illinois and was required to divest from the team, was quoted saying he never understood why the Machine took on maroon or claret as a primary color back in 1987 when the Michigan Panthers, a potential regional rival, already used a very similar plum color as its primary. Does this mean a change is coming? Chicago has worn maroon helmets and jerseys since they came to Chicago in 1987, only 1 year after the league founding Blitz (who wore red, blue and silver) left for Baltimore. From the sound of it the Pritzkers would be open to a change, but will they give Chicagoans a vote, because they have more than 30 years of tradition in Chicago already, so that could be a tough call to make without fan input. All this to say that even with the Portland-San Diego drama behind them, Under Armour may still have some issues to address as they look ahead to 2021.

Only 2 weeks left, and for more than half of the league their playoff future is still very much in play. We kick off on Friday with a huge game on each coast. The 7pm NBC game is very likely going to determine the SE Division champions as 8-6 Orlando heads just a short way down the road to 9-5 Tampa Bay. If the Bandits get the win, they take the crown. If Orlando wins, they set themselves up for a 1-week win & in situation where they could take the title. We follow that with San Diego visiting Oakland. The Invaders have been struggling, but at 7-7 they still have a shot at a Wild Card, while San Diego is hoping to grab a top 2 seed and get that bye.

Saturday is just a mad dash of games that can have real impact on the upcoming playoff season. We have teams hoping to lock in their spots or division titles, like Baltimore hosting Pittsburgh or LA heading to Dallas. We have battles of teams on the fringe of Wild Card consideration, like the huge game in New Jersey was the Chicago Machine take on the Generals. And then we have what may be a true classic in Houston as the Gamblers, playing without Mike Evans, hope to lock up the South against a very game Memphis Showboat team, hoping to still get a shot at the title.

Sunday features more playoff cusp matchups, with Charlotte at New Orleans, Las Vegas at Oklahoma, and Seattle heading to Birmingham. We also have two clubs battling for the 1-seed in the West, with 11-3 Arizona visiting Atlanta while 12-2 Michigan faces a tough divisional matchup on Sunday Night as they host the 7-7 St. l.ouis Skyhawks. A win by the Hawks could help Arizona leapfrog the Panthers for that 1-spot, but if Michigan holds on, they could lock up that coveted home field advantage.

Friday @ 7pm ET               Orlando (8-6) @ Tampa Bay (9-5)                     NBC

Friday @ 9:30pm ET          San Diego (10-4) @ Oakland (7-7)                    FOX

Saturday @ 12pm ET              Pittsburgh (5-9) @ Baltimore (8-6)                  ABC

Saturday @ 12pm ET                Chicago (8-6) @ New Jersey (7-7)                   FOX

Saturday @ 4pm ET              Los Angeles (8-6) @ Dallas (5-9)                     ABC

Saturday @ 4pm ET              Ohio (2-12) @ Portland (4-10)                         FOX

Saturday @ 7pm ET                 Philadelphia (7-7) @ Washington (5-9)             NBC

Saturday @ 9pm ET             Memphis (8-6) @ Houston (10-4)              ESPN/EFN

Sunday @ 12pm ET              Charlotte (6-7-1) @ New Orleans (8-6)             ABC

Sunday @ 12pm ET             Arizona (11-3) @ Atlanta (4-9-1)    FOX Regional

Sunday @ 12pm ET        Denver (8-6) @ Jacksonville (3-11)   FOX Regional

Sunday @ 4pm ET                 Las Vegas (7-7) @ Oklahoma (5-9)                   ABC

Sunday @ 4pm ET                 Seattle (8-6) @ Birmingham (6-8)                      FOX

Sunday @ 8pm ET               St. Louis (6-8) @ Michigan (12-2)                      ESPN/EFN