2020 USFL Week 6 Recap: Harbuh-bye.
- USFL LIVES
- Oct 4
- 28 min read
It’s the end of an era in the City of Brotherly Love as a bad loss by the Stars to expansion New England spells the end of the Jim Harbaugh Stars, with Philly sacking the 15-year coach. That is our big story, but we will also bring you up to speed on all this week’s games, including a thriller in the South between the Showboats and Gamblers, and the upset that knocks the Breakers from the ranks of the unbeatens, leaving only Arizona and Tampa Bay unblemished. All this, plus news from the USFL owners’ virtual meeting and a look at what may be the best rookie class for receivers in league history. We start it off in Philadelphia, with the news of the firing of Coach Harbaugh as Philadelphia drops to 0-6 with a bad loss to the Steamrollers.
Harbaugh Axed After 0-6 Start
Fifteen years, 146 wins, a .591 winning percentage, 11 playoff appearances, and two trips to the Summer Bowl. That is what Philadelphia parted ways with when they announced that Jim Harbaugh had been relieved of his duties. But that is what can happen when you start the season 0-5 for the second consecutive year and then proceed to put forward a low-energy, low-effort performance and get beaten by 18 points by an expansion team. The Stars were simply not going to continue down this road, a change needed to be made and that change was at the top, letting Jim Harbaugh go six weeks into his 16th season.
Now, had Harbaugh brought the Stars a title, perhaps he would have gotten yet another chance to turn things around, but years of playoff frustration paired with yet another rough start to the year and a truly bad loss this week was more than ownership could tolerate. So, they let Harbaugh go, promoted his DC, Don Smith, to the interim position, and promised a lot more changes to come. That could mean that we see recently obtained QB Ryan Lindley under center. It could mean more coaches are let go when the season ends, or that the club will undergo what may be a very much needed roster overhaul this offseason.
As we look over the 2020 Stars, we see sloppy play, a lack of focus and intensity, and, yes, a need to upgrade all across the roster. That Philadelphia was able to pull 9 wins and a division title out of this club in 2019 may actually mean that Jim Harbaugh was not the problem. The team has needs that are just not being addressed, which to us feels more like a GM issue. That said, the coach is the man responsible for getting the most out of his players, and that was just not happening this year. So, where do we see the Stars needing to improve most. Here are 5 areas of immediate concern.
QUARTERBACK
You would not expect any QB with 804 yards and only 4 TDs in 4 starts to be locked into the starting job, and even with a solid track record behind him, it is clear that Matt Gutierrez is not the same player as he was in past seasons. The last 2 years in particular have seen a precipitous decline in production. Gutierrez’s arm lacks the zip it once had, and his decision making has not improved enough to help him compensate. But, P. J. Walker was not showing us any ability to take over in the 2 starts he got this year, throwing for 5 picks and racking up a pretty miserable 65.5 QB Rating. So, while we expect to see Ryan Lindley get some starts this year, it seems clear that Philadelphia needs to upgrade the position this offseason. Expect them to be among several teams in the rookie QB hunt, and it is a good class. If the Stars finish with the worst record in the league (which feels viable), they would have a clean shot at one possible prospect North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, but they could also work some deals to pursue several others who look like T-Draft protectees to us, like Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, BYU’s Zach Wilson, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, or Alabama’s Mac Jones.
WIDE RECEIVER
Rookie K. J. Hamler leads the Stars with 46 targets and 29 receptions. That tells us that Randall Cobb, in addition to injury issues, is just not a clear number one receiver. It might make sense for him to return to the slot and have the Stars sign a proven veteran to line up opposite Hamler. Depth should also be addressed this offseason. If not for Travis Kelce, we don’t think the Stars would be able to put together any passing game at all, and that is not all on the QB.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Yes, injury to Jonathan Babineaux hurt, as has losing Malik Jackson to Covid restrictions for 2 weeks, but even beyond that this is just not a front four that can get the job done without requiring blitz assistance. Both the DT and edge positions need upgrades if the Stars want to stifle the run and put pressure on the QB. They are currently giving up too much in the run and allowing QBs far too much time in the passing game, and that all has to do with a lack of playmakers on the D-line.
CORNERBACK
The Stars’ linebackers are passable (an upgrade would not hurt), but their corners are clearly sub-par. Jaire Alexander is still learning the USFL game and needs time, so thrusting him into the 1 slot was clearly a mistake, and behind him there just is not much there. We think safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Nick Scott are workable, but again, an upgrade would not hurt, but corner is the clear need, as was evident by the strong performance New England’s Doug Baldwin put up this week.
GENERAL MANAGER
Let’s face it, this is likely the cause of many of Philadelphia’s troubles. Other than landing Derrick Henry in the 2016 draft, the Stars have found little of value in the draft. They seemingly ignored needs, including at QB, and played it safe. This is a team that needs to be aggressive if they want to compete for a title, and with so many needs, they cannot build slowly through the draft, they need to land some key free agents, make a trade or two, and also draft well. We think there will be a new GM in the organization by August, perhaps sooner, and that may well be the biggest move of any. For now we just have to see what Don Smith can do with the players he has on the roster, but that has to change, and quickly, for 2021.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS 24 HOUSTON GAMBLERS 30 OVERTIME
The Gamblers and the Showboats, two division rivals, one used to commanding the division after claiming 3 division titles, the other always the outside, the up and comer who never arrives. That is the story of this renewed rivalry. When Houston returned to the South in 2015, they brought with them the swagger of a 4-time league champion, and they added their 5th only 2 years ago. Memphis has not had that kind of track record, having won two titles, but not having won a playoff game since 2016.
The two would face off in Houston’s home field, NRG Stadium, and while the stands were empty, the home cooking was still very much in effect for the Gamblers. Memphis had been camping out at a hotel in a student residence on the campus of Texas A&M since early May, far from home, but the Showboats came into this one with a 1-game advantage, sitting at 4-1 to Houston’s 3-2 mark. They had won their last 4, including divisional games against San Antonio and Birmingham, and Rex Ryan’s defense was looking solid, but what was even better, they had gotten Todd Gurley on track and their feature back was helping the Showboats stay balanced on offense.
That balance would be tested against Houston’s D, and Rex Ryan’s pressure defense would also get tested in a game that showcased both teams. Memphis would get a huge game from their star halfback, with Todd Gurley rushing for 145 yards on only 19 carries, and while Gurley would not find the endzone, his runs made it easier for Paxton Lynch and the former Memphis Tiger came through with 3 TD tosses. For Houston, Colt McCoy would have an up and down day, but would end the game with a strong 4th quarter and an even stronger overtime performance, finishing the day with 386 yards passing, 3 TDs and 2 picks. In a game that looked like it was Memphis’s through 3 quarters, Houston did not give up and by the final whistle, a walk-off TD to end the game, it was the Gamblers once again on top.
Memphis started the game with some swagger, and with a very strong 13-play drive that ended when Paxton Lynch hit Robert Woods from 5 yards out with the game’s opening score. The Memphis defense also played well in the first, limiting Carlos Hyde to only 12 yards on 7 carries in the opening period. Houston would put up two field goals but Memphis held the edge as the teams flipped the field and started the 2nd. In that quarter, Houston finally found the endzone, with Colt McCoy finding Denzel Mims on a crossing route from the 3 to give Houston its first lead of the game at 13-7. But that lead was short-lived. Memphis roared back, putting together a drive that again ended with Robert Woods bringing down the ball in the endzone. Up 14-13 with 1:52 left in the half, Memphis braced for the Gamblers to try to double up by scoring at the end of the half and then getting the 2nd half kickoff.
Rather than stay back and focus on coverage, Rex Ryan, as he so often does, went for pressure, and this time it paid off. Colt McCoy made a bad throw while fading backwards away from the rushers. The ball fluttered and was snagged by Memphis CB Josh Johnson, giving the Showboats the ball at midfield with time to set up a half-ending kick for Lewis Ward. Ward connected from 50 yards out and the Showboats went into the half feeling good and up 17-13.
The visitors would feel even better as the third quarter provided a 2nd McCoy pick and two stalled Houston drives. Memphis would have only one solid drive in the period, a 10-play, 58-yard affair that ended when Lynch hit slot receiver Jamison Crowder for another short TD toss, giving the Showboats a nice cushion at 24-13 after 3 quarters.
But if there is one thing we know about the Gamblers, it is that their offense can go from 0 to 60 in a heartbeat. They found their swagger in the 4th quarter, first putting together a nice drive from their own 13, going 87 yards in 15 plays with Anthony Sherman getting a rare reception and forcing his way into the endzone from 4 yards out. Houston went for 2 and McCoy found Mims for a score that put them within 3.
Memphis needed a drive to kill time and to potentially build up their lead again. What they go was a near disaster as Paxton Lynch threw a pick on an attempted screen play, tossing the ball where Gurley should be but where Houston safety Budda Baker had disrupted the play. Baker reacted quickly, keeping the ball from hitting the ground and giving Houston the ball back with 2:02 on the clock.
The Gamblers knew what they needed to do, but hoped to do more, trying to get in the endzone to finish the game in the final minutes. They moved the ball to the red zone, and then within the 10, where Memphis was faced with the Gamblers, first and goal from the 8. On first down, the defense did its job, holding Carlos Hyde to only 1 yard on an outside run. Second down saw McCoy miss Mike Evans in the endzone, creating 3rd and goal from the 7. McCoy tried a swing pass to Edwards-Helaire, who appeared to give the Gamblers the lead, only to see the yellow flag on the field. A lineman had gotten out in front of the play and was declared illegally downfield. Houston would now be at the 12, and on 3rd and goal from there, the Memphis secondary did not give McCoy any options.
Colt McCoy was forced to throw the ball out of the endzone on 3rd down, settled for a short Younghoe Koo field goal to tie the game with 6 seconds left to play, and everyone prepared for overtime. Despite a solid goal-line stand by Memphis, the momentum was still clearly on Houston’s side, having put up the only 10 points of the final period. Memphis had the ball first in overtime, but all that produced was a 3-and-out as Lynch missed on a deep ball to Devin Funchess. Houston would get a shot, and they would take it. After a series of short runs and underneath routes, Houston was on the fringes of Koo’s range at the 34. It would be a 51-yard kick from here. The Gamblers opted not to try to garner 3-5 yards on a 3rd and 11 from the 34, instead they faked the ball to Hyde and McCoy took a shot at the endzone. It was a jump ball between Houston’s JuJu Smith-Schuster and Memphis’s Marcus Williams, one of the league’s best corners against one of the best 50/50 receivers.
The two went up for the ball, but despite solid coverage from Williams, Smith-Schuster got both hands on the ball and spun it away from the defender’s reach, crashing to the turf with the game winning score. Houston had taken on the challenge from Memphis and again come out victorious. The Gamblers would now improve to 4-2, sharing the same record with the Showboats, and proving that their off and on start was not a sign that the Gamblers were ready to abdicate their leadership in the South, even if both they and Memphis were still a game behind the Breakers.
NEW JERSEY 7 BALTIMORE 24
It was all Baltimore as the Blitz outgained the Generals 374-169 and limited New Jersey to only 7 first downs. The Blitz defense was all over Maurie Jones-Drew, limiting him to only 1.2 yards per carry, and Nick Foles did not fare much better, throwing for only 143 yards. On offense, the star was Jake Locker, who threw for 318 in the game, including TD tosses to rookie Michael Pittmann Jr., TE C. j. Uzomah, and TE Dion Simms.
POTG: Blitz QB Jake Locker: 26/42, 318 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int
LOS ANGELES 12 SAN DIEGO 6
The Express D rebounds from their shocking let down against Portland by simply shutting down any scoring chances from the spiraling San Diego Thunder. In a game that saw all the points come off the toes of the kickers, LA simply got into range for Dan Bailey more often than San Diego did for Jeff Reed. Eric Weems showed he can be a weapon for QB Kyler Murray, catching 4 of 9 targets for 77 yards, while Reggie Bush averaged 4.1 per carry on his way to a 16-carry, 65-yard outing. But this one was all about defense, with LA getting 6 sacks of Thunder backup Case Keenum (Ponder was in Covid protocols).
POTG: LA Linebacker Uchena Nwosu: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 FF
CHARLOTTE 21 ATLANTA 34
A 24-21 Atlanta lead at the half grew as the Fire put up 14 in the second half while holding Charlotte scoreless. Aaron Murray again had a strong game, throwing for 347 and 3 scores, but it was the emergence of Nick Chubb from hibernation in the 2nd half, with 73 of his 111 yards coming after the halftime break, that really opened up the game for the Fire. Mitch Trubisky went 20 of 25 without throwing any picks, but he just could not get Charlotte into scoring territory in the second half and that was the difference.
POTG: Fire WR A. J. Green: 10 Rec, 130 Yds, 2 TD
PHILADELPHIA 13 NEW ENGLAND 31
A result so shocking it led to the dismissal of the Stars’ longstanding head coach. No other way to describe it, the Steamrollers rolled in a game that surprised everyone but Coach Fox. Ryan Tannehill threw for 3 scores, Kerwynn Williams and Matt Forte combined for 136 yards, and the New England defense held Derrick Henry to only 43 yards rushing in a game that had all the hallmarks of a team wanting to win facing a team that was running on empty.
POTG: Steamroller QB Ryan Tannehill: 16/24, 177 Yds, 3TD, 1 Int
SAN ANTONIO 12 BIRMINGHAM 33
The league’s other expansion club did not fare as well this week, succumbing to another huge game from who else, Cam Newton. The Stallions’ one-man offense did it again, throwing for 351 (and 2 TDs) while also leading the team in rushing with 110 yards on only 10 carries. Newton was just too much for the Gunslingers as every time they bit on the run fake, he would hit them over the top, with rookie Henry Ruggs often the target. Ruggs finished with 4 receptions for 150 yards, a fabulous 37.5 YPC average.
POTG: Stallion QB Cam Newton: 16/30, 351 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int, 10 Att, 110 Yds
ST. LOUIS 17 CHICAGO 30
Chicago wins the Battle of I-55 as they build up a 23-0 lead at the half and then coast their way to a 13-point victory. The game started with Chicago SS Lano Hill blitzing Lamar Jackson and recording a safety on the opening drive of the game, then Chicago added TDs from Chase Claypool, Marion Mack, and Jeremy Hill to build up their halftime lead before St. Louis ever got on the board. With no run game whatsoever after Eddie Lacy’s injury, the Skyhawks had only 24 rushing yards to Chicago’s 111.
POTG: Chicago WR Michael Floyd: 6 Rec, 122 Yds
ARIZONA 27 LAS VEGAS 26
The Vipers gave Arizona a serious scare, with new HB Matt Jones combining with Kareem Hunt to rack up 138 combined rushing yards and allowing Matt McGloin to use the play action game for 254 yards and 2 scores. But Arizona hung in all game, with David Carr throwing 3 TD passes and Ka’Deem Carey adding 81 on the ground. Down 23-20 after three, Arizona added a long TD toss to Victor Cruz to take the lead and held Las Vegas to a lone field goal in the final 15 minutes to squeak by their SW Division rivals.
POTG: Wrangler WR Victor Cruz: 3 Rec, 112 Yds, 1 TD
DENVER 27 PORTLAND 38
Portland is staking a claim as the breakout team of the season, putting up 38 on the Denver defense. It was a shootout throughout the game as Josh Allen threw for 338 and 3 TDs but also threw a pair of costly picks. Marcus Mariota had far more modest numbers but completed 12 of 16 and had 3 TDs of his own, all three to Marcus Mariota. At one point Portland led 31-3, but Denver put up 24 points in the 2nd half, almost coming back before a Doug Martin TD run slammed the door shut on the comeback.
POTG: Portland WR Alshon Jeffery: 4 Rec, 141 Yds, 3 TD
ORLANDO 3 JACKSONVILLE 10
With Russell Wilson sidelined by an infection, Kyle Lauletta got the start for the Renegades and Jacksonville took advantage. While only recording 3 sacks, the pressure from the Bulls was still very present and Lauletta completed only 47% of his pass attempts. Teddy Bridgewater’s 11 of 19 was just good enough to get the Bulls their 2nd win of the year, secured with a TD to QB-turned-TE Taysom Hill. The defense did the rest as Orlando drops to 3-3 after 6 weeks.
POTG: Bulls’ CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie: 7 Tck, 5 PDef
TAMPA BAY 27 WASHINGTON 3
A rough day for Feds’ QB Ryan Nassib, who was sacked 6 times and threw 2 picks on only 112 yards passing. Dack Prescott had much stronger numbers, throwing for 307 with 2 TDs, including an amazing corner-of-the-endzone diving catch by Dez Bryant as Tampa Bay moved to 6-0 on the season. Bryant, TE Jordan Cameron and slot man Deebo Samuel helped Tampa Bay weather the absence of Ryan Grant (Covid protocols) and the Bandit defense came up big, allowing Washington to convert only 2 third downs all night.
POTG: Bandit QB Dak Prescott: 16/24, 307 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int
PITTSBURGH 24 NEW ORLEANS 17
A late Dalton to Albert Wilson TD knocks the Breakers from the ranks of the unbeatens. It was a brilliant game all around for the Maulers, who stymied the Breakers TD machine despite giving up 370 yards to Geno Smith and the duo of Nelson and Jefferson. Between the 20’s the Breakers moved the ball well, but they had 2 red zone turnovers and missed on 2 field goals, and that was enough for the Maulers to get the upset.
POTG: Mauler LB Brian Orakpo: 5 Tck, 1 FF, 1 FR
OHIO 7 MICHIGAN 35
Not exactly the Wolverines and Buckeyes as the Panthers simply manhandled Tom Coughlin’s Ohio Glory. This one got ugly early with the Panthers scoring on their first three possessions. Ohio had some highlights, but far too few as it was LeVeon Bell’s 160-yard, 3-TD rushing and receiving performance that dominated the day. Cody Latimer also had a good day, catching 8 for 113 and a TD, while the Panther defense held Ohio to only 2 successful third down conversions, forced 2 turnovers, and helped the Panthers stay atop the Central at 5-1.
POTG: Panther HB LeVeon Bell: 23 Att, 145 Yds, 2 TD, 3 Rec, 15 Yds, 1 TD
DALLAS 14 OKLAHOMA 36
Mason Rudolph came out the clear victor in the “QB Bowl” as he faced off against Josh Freeman with both having high-priced rookies nipping at their heels. Rudolph finished the game 22 of 29 for 217 yards, throwing 3 TDs while Josh Freeman threw 3 picks in what could be his final start before Justin Herbert gets a shot. TE Mark Andrews was Rudolph’s favorite target, catching 9 of 9 targets for 70 yards and 2 scores as the Outlaws improve to 3-3.
POTG: Outlaw QB Mason Rudolph: 22/29, 217 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int
OAKLAND 13 SEATTLE 3
Brett Hundley got clocked early on an illegal hit, but that forced Brad Gradkowski into the game for Seattle, and, well, that did not go great. Gradkowski threw 2 picks and was sacked 3 times, while Seattle stumbled to only 1 field goal in the game. Oakland did not look great on offense either, but Tom brady did connect with Jerrel Jernigan for the game’s lone TD and that was enough to help the Invaders move to 4-2 on the season.
POTG: Oakland DE Vinny Curry: 8 Tck, 1 Sck 1 FF, 1 FR
Maulers Get Statement Win at Breakers’ Expense
Sometimes a team can have success but not gain respect until they put up a big game against a top opponent to earn the attention of the nation. After a 3-2 start, Pittsburgh felt they were not getting the respect they felt their club deserved. That may not be a problem any longer after a huge win over the unbeaten New Orleans Breakers. In this week’s game, the Maulers played complementary football and proved they could pull out the tough one with a late score to claim victory.
On defense they did what few have proven able to to, declaw the Breaker attack. Yes, they allowed plenty of yards, with Geno Smith throwing for 370 yards, yet another 300-yard effort, but they held the run game under 60 total yards and they avoided giving up the big scoring play, holding Smith to only one big play. They limited the Breakers to only 17 points, a season low, and well below their 30+ point average. On offense, they showed excellent balance, with Cam Akers and Sony Michel combining for 106 yards while Andy Dalton went 18 of 28 for 190 yards. They even caught New Orleans with a trick play, freeing up Brian Quick for a rare rushing TD on a nicely executed reverse.
The Maulers are still a game behind 5-1 Michigan, but they are right there with Chicago as the most likely challengers to the Panthers’ supremacy in the division. They don’t have a lot of big-name playmakers, but they are a tough nut to crack, playing with few penalties, few self-inflicted wounds, and few big defensive blunders. That may not make them the most exciting team to watch, but it does make them a tough out every week. They will get a chance to jump up to 5-2, a very nice position to be in, if they can get yet another upset win over a Southern Division favorite as they take on the Houston Gamblers this weekend.
Newton Sizzles Against San Antonio
It may not be entirely fair to tout a players stats run up against an expansion team, but we saw one expansion club earn their 2nd win this week, and San Antonio, while still stuck at 1 win, has been in nearly every game they have played, so the outing put together by Cam Newton is still impressive, even if it was against a first year club. Todd Haley is getting the dual-threat machine cranked up again, giving Newton 9 designed runs in the game, which along with one well-timed scramble, helped Newton rack up 110 yards rushing. What helps those run plays is Newton’s comfort in the pocket and throwing on the run. He did a bit of both this week, completing 16 of 30, including a few key 3rd down plays, on his way to a 351-yard, 2-TD performance that included a 40-yard TD toss to Henry Ruggs as well as another long completion to his new rookie target, a 49-yarder that set up a Ben Tate TD run.
With Newton it is all about his focus, with the QB often following up a strong game like this one with a dud. Todd Haley’s job is to keep his QB mentally in the game, to get the best out of him each week, and that is what could help Birmingham improve on their current 2-3 record and make a real run at the playoffs, something Stallion fans have been waiting to see from their club for some time.
Atlanta’s Offense Continues to Impress
You cannot average over 35 points per game, score 40 in 3 of the season’s first 5 weeks, and not expect to turn some heads. The fact that no one saw this coming is just more proof that what is happening in Atlanta under rookie head coach Jaime Elizondo is something special. Elizondo, who helped build last season’s breakaway offense in Tampa Bay, seems to have taken the formula with him to rival Atlanta. The Bandits, now without Elizondo’s play calling, have slipped a bit, averaging 26.3 points per game, still among the league’s best, but Atlanta has jumped from near the bottom of the production numbers last year to become the top scoring offense in the league after 6 weeks.
Aaron Murray is having himself a season, making all the UGA Bulldog fans happy with 14 touchdowns and over 1.500 yards in the first 6 games, well on pace to set personal bests in nearly every passing stat. He is clearly benefitting from one of the best offseason moves of any team, the signing of temperamental but talented NFL import A. J. Green. Green has 415 yards and 7 touchdowns in his first 6 USFL games, numbers that impress, but even moreso when you realize that his number 2, Kelvin Benjamin, actually has more catches and yards, meaning that the Fire passing game has options. TE O. J. Howard is also contributing with 24 receptions over 6 games, while rookie Gabe Davis has had some nice plays in limited action as well.
The run game is also benefitting from Atlanta’s more aggressive stance, with Nick Chubb rebounding from a slow 2019. He has 463 yards and 5 TDs in his first 6 games of the year, a pace that could easily put him over 1,000 for the year and could see him rack up double digit scores. The Fire are playing for chunk plays, making defenses second guess what is coming next, and keeping themselves from the difficult third-and-long situations that plagued them so much last year. Coach Elizondo’s creative design and play calling is turning Atlanta into a team worth watching and one that fans of high-flying football can get behind.
Without Wilson, Renegades Stumble
It was a surprise on gameday, Russell Wilson standing on the sidelines in training gear, with a wrap on his throwing hand. Apparently what had begun as a laceration on his palm became infected over the week and on gameday the doctors told Coach Rivera that they advised against having Wilson play, and that if he did he would need to wear heavy gauze and a glove on his throwing hand. In pre-game warmups, Wilson simply could not grasp the ball, and that led Coach Rivera to have to bench his starter and go with former Portland Stag Kyle Lauletta.
Without more than a handful of snaps over the week’s practices, Lauletta was clearly not prepared for game action, and it showed. The backup faltered, missing on 7 of 8 third down throws, leading to a total of only 2 conversions on 17 third down attempts. The run game could not compensate, with neither Knile Davis nor Ty Montgomery able to find much room against Jacksonville’s front 7, and the Renegades were held to only a lone field goal in a tough Florida Derby loss.
Wilson should be back in action this week, after a run of antibiotics and some TLC to his throwing hand. With the Renegades sitting at 3-3 in a division that has unbeaten Tampa Bay and 5-1 Atlanta looking very tough, there is no room for error. The ‘Gades need a healthy Wilson to lead their offense and they need to avoid more surprises on their roster as they prepare for a stretch of games that starts this week with a tough Baltimore Blitz squad before back-to-back divisional backbreakers against the Fire and Bandits. If the Renegades falter in this 3-game run, their season could be over very early, but if they can pull off some upsets, they could be right back in the mix.
Roughnecks Make Expected Move at QB
It did not take long after Dallas’s 36-14 defeat at the hands of rival Oklahoma before Coach Kingsbury made the move that fans had been hoping to see, announcing on Monday that Justin Herbert would be the Week 7 starter. The T-Draft selection from Oregon who Dallas traded to obtain will start his first USFL game against the Denver Gold in a vital divisional game for the 2-4 Roughnecks. The hope, of course, is that Herbert has learned quite a bit from the sideline over the season’s first month and a half and is ready to hit the ground running. The former Oregon Duck has a ton of talent, can clearly make all the throws, but now we will see if he is seeing the game as comfortably fast or uncomfortably too fast.
The goal, of course, will be for Dallas to make Herbert’s first start as easy as possible. Expect a somewhat limited playbook, a focus on getting Samaje Perine and the run game going, and to provide lots of safety valve options between the backs, and tight ends. The hope is that Herbert will start strong, stay under center, and flourish over the course of the season. What Dallas wants to avoid is a flip-flopping between their rookie star and their veteran former MVP.
Houston will be in the market for a QB after backup Landry Jones tore his ACL and was placed on IR. The injury occurred after a blocked field goal, with Jones serving as holder and then racing to get to the ball. Houston will have Bryce Petty behind Colt McCoy this weekend but expect them to look to find a more experienced backup in the market. For Atlanta, following Jeremiah Poutasi’s leg injury, the plan is to stick with 4 guards on the roster, replacing Poutasi on the active roster with OT Colton McKivitz from the practice squad. Beyond these two injuries, it was a light week on the injury front, with fewer new Covid Protocol cases as well.
OUT
QB Landry Jones HOU Torn ACL IR
G Jeremiah Poutasi ATL Broken Leg IR
DE Dante Fowler HOU Eye 1-2 Weeks
LB Jamie Collins NEN Pinched Nerve 1-2 Weeks
DE Tyrone Crawford POR Torn Miniscus 1-2 Weeks
DOUBTFUL
SS Chuck Clark STL Wrist
OT Marcus Gilbert NOR Foot
QUESTIONABLE
WR Steve Breaston PHI Toe
WR Justin Blackmon CHA Hamstring
WR Courtland Sutton DAL Concussion
COVID-19 INACTIVES
ATL CB Darius Slay
DEN SS Sammie Moore 2nd Week
LA CB Isaiah Oliver
NEN DE Mario Addison
OKL LB Greg Lloyd Jr.
SAN DE Da’Shawn Hand
SD QB Christian Ponder 2nd Week
STL LB Cody Glenn
Rookie Roundup: Best WR Class Ever?
One of the stories emerging out of the early weeks of the 2020 USFL season is that we may be looking at one of the best draft classes in years, at least at one position, the wide receiver spot. While the USFL might have had mixed results in its draft competition with the NFL across the entire spectrum of talent available, in the case of the wide receiver group it appears the spring league has struck gold. Early results have shown that this is a talented and driven group of young receivers, and across the league they are adding excitement and helping their clubs even as they learn the pro game. In a good year you may get 3-4 breakout players across all the offensive positions, but a quick look at the 2020 receiver class and we are seeing some major stars in the making all over the place.
WR Henry Ruggs (BIR)
At the head of the pack, at least for now, is Birmingham wideout Henry Ruggs. The former Alabama star, chosen along with his NFL-bound teammate Jerry Jeudy in the Stallion’s territorial draft, leads the team with 27 receptions, 590 yards, and 6 TDs. Expand that out over a full season and we are easily looking at a 1300-1400-yard season with double digit touchdowns. Ruggs’s presence is a big reason we are seeing Cam Newton hitting the 300-yard mark consistently.
WR Justin Jefferson (NOR)
No one made a bigger initial splash in the league than the Breakers’ newest threat. Paired with Jordy Nelson, Justin Jefferson is putting up big numbers and making big plays. With 21 receptions for 538 yards, the former LSU Bayou Bengal and another T-Draft success is averaging nearly 26 yards per catch. If you want to know why failed NY Jet QB Geno Smith is a candidate for a possible USFL MVP award this year, it is the addition of Jefferson to a receiver group that already included one of the league’s best deep threats in Nelson and its best receiving tight end in Coby Fleener.
WR Tee Higgins (JAX)
Not a lot has gone right for the Bulls this year, but rookie Tee Higgins is certainly one bright spot. And if you are beginning to see a theme, yes, Higgins too is a T-Draft selection. The Clemson product leads the Bulls with 29 receptions for 403 yards and 2 TDs. While Mike Williams works the underneath routes, it is Higgins’s deep ball ability that has fans excited in Jacksonville.
WR Michael Pittman Jr (BAL)
With the retirement of Darius Heyward-Bey, the Blitz were very much in need of a player who could challenge defenses and take pressure off of Brian Hartline. In Pittman they may have found what they need. The former USC Trojan, and our first WR catch from the Open Draft, has shown burst and a knack for creating space against single coverage. He has 23 catches, 265 yards and 2 scores for the Blitz. His development is helping to force defenses to avoid over-compensating for Hartline and also making C. J. Uzomah a bigger threat inside.
WR Chase Claypool (CHI)
We are back to the T-Draft, where Notre Damer Chase Claypool was chosen by the Chicago Machine. The rookie started the year behind Kenny Golloday on the depth chart, but with mentoring from veteran Michael Floyd, we are seeing him take on more and more snaps, earning the start in Week 5. He is currently 3rd on the team with 21 catches, behind only Floyd and TE Tyler Eifert. His 14 YPC average is best among Machine receivers, and he has also added 3 TDs.
WR Brandon Aiyuk (ARZ)
The Arizona Wranglers already had a dynamic WR duo in Victor Cruz and DeMarcus Robinson, but what the ASU grad (and T-Draft pick) Aiyuk has done is give them an inside target, Pair him opposite TE Maxx Williams and the safeties of opposing defenses are in for a long day. While Aiyuk only has 10 receptions over the season’s first 6 weeks, 3 of those have been red zone touchdowns. Expect to see Aiyuk used often on slants, crossing patterns and some in-and-out routes, especially on 3rd down and in scoring range.
WR Gabe Davis (ATL)
While NFL import A. J. Green has rightfully been getting most of the attention as part of the Fire’s offensive upgrade, UCF product and 2nd round draft selection Gabe Davis has also been a pleasant surprise. The former Golden Knight has 14 receptions, 3 touchdowns and 209 yards largely playing in the slot or as a 3rd receiver in spread formations (Coach Elizondo’s preference even on early downs.) Davis has 3 touchdowns in his 14 receptions and is on pace for 600 yards this year, pretty good for a third option behind Green and Kelvin Benjamin.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (MGN)
The former Wolverine was Michigan’s final T-Draft pick and considered a developmental option, but despite largely getting on the field as either Cody Latimer or Calvin Ridley take breathers, Peoples-Jones has proven he has some skills to contribute, catching 17 passes from Kirk Cousins, including 2 touchdowns.
WR K. J. Hamler (PHI)
The last in a long line of T-Draft picks to step up this season, the Penn State product has been a bright spot in a very dark season so far for the Stars. K. J. leads the team with 29 receptions, due in part to nagging injuries to Week 1 starter Randall Cobb. Hamler’s 368 yards also leads the team. And while QB play has been a huge question for the Stars, they feel they have made the right call in landing the former Nittany Lion.
Owners Move to Add Day Games & Las Vegas Hub
The owners have met, the decision has been made, and the return of daytime football is now eminent. Owners of the league’s 30 franchises met this week to discuss television ratings, late night games out of Arizona and the need for options to play day games even in the heat of summer in Florida, Texas, and the Grand Canyon State. With the support of the governors, and subsequently the Public Health offices of all three states, and with additional states and stadium authorities trying to get a piece of the action as well, the league had some options and has come up with an initial plan to amend the 2020 schedule to produce far fewer 11pm ET starts and bring summer football back to Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
The plan is twofold. In addition to clearing Houston’s NRG Stadium and Phoenix’s State Farm Stadium for daytime games with the dome closed, the league reviewed the proposals that were made from Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the New Orleans Super Dome, and Las Vegas’s Wynn Arena. The decision was made that the cancellation clauses for contracts made for games to be played in 9 stadiums in their hub states were too prohibitive to cancel deals across all three locations, but that by ending two contracts and swapping out both open-air stadiums in Arizona for the domed and air conditioned comfort of Wynn Arena, the league could reduce their biggest headache, the miserable ratings for the 11pm starts out of Arizona.
So, the choice was made. Tucson’s University of Arizona Stadium and Tempe’s Sun Devil Stadium are out, Las Vegas and Wynn Arena are in. The teams based in Tucson (Dallas, Oklahoma, Oakland) will relocate to Henderson, Nevada, and the weekly schedule will switch to all 5 Pacific & Southwest Division games per week split between Las Vegas and Glendale (State Farm Stadium). This removes the dreaded 11pm starts from the schedule each week. Expect to see an 8pm ET (5pm PT) start on Fridays from Las Vegas, with afternoon starts from both Las Vegas and Glendale on Saturdays and Sundays.
With clearance for domed stadium use in 2 of the 3 “bubble” locations, the new schedule will be far more attractive to viewers and to the 4 league networks that broadcast games. The plan, without an East Coast dome in play, will mean that the teams from the Northeast and Southeast Divisions will remain fully nocturnal, but the 8pm starts have not been an issue for ratings, so that seems a fair situation, at least from a revenue standpoint. The new schedule will begin in Week 8, giving the teams 10 days to plan for any adjustments in their training and for the 3 teams from Tucscon to relocate. On Week 8 expect to see 8pm ET starts on Friday Night from both Florida and Las Vegas. Saturday will have 3 day games, a mix of 1pm ET starts and 4pm ET starts, from Houston, Las Vegas and Phoenix, with Sunday offering the same. NBC and ESPN/EFN will retain evening games, while ABC and FOX will split the 1pm and 4pm ET starts between Saturdays and Sundays. With no more 11pm ET kickoffs, the league anticipates as much as a 20% increase in overall viewership, though there is hope that a return to weekend afternoon football will provide even higher returns, at least until the return of NCAA football and competition with the NFL begins in late August and early September. The weekend football viewing schedule will get very crowded just in time for the USFL playoffs.
So, what is on tap in Week 7? Well, after a week that saw 12 of 15 games fought between division rivals, we have the opposite this week, with only 4 division games the entire weekend. That does not mean there are not good matchups however. How about the Bandits taking on a struggling New Jersey club, or the Breakers hoping to bounce back after their first loss of the year but facing a very tough Chicago team. Both of those are on the slate for Friday. On Saturday we have 5-1 Atlanta facing the Steamrollers, who stunned Philadelphia this week. We also have Orlando, who hope to have Russell Wilson back, facing the 4-2 Baltimore Blitz. Saturday also gives us two interesting SW Divisional games with Oklahoma facing Arizona in Tempe while the Denver Gold head to Tucson to face the Dallas Roughnecks, who are likely to offer Justin Herbert his first USFL start.
Sunday has only 1 divisional game, but it is a good one as the surprising Portland Stags (4-2) try to take over sole possession of first place by knocking off the Oakland Invaders (also 4-2). In other action we have Jacksonville at Washington, Charlotte hoping to give interim Stars head coach Don Brown his first career loss, and Houston facing a tenacious Pittsburgh Maulers’ squad.
FRIDAY
8pm ET Tampa Bay (6-0) @ New Jersey (3-3) Orlando ESPN/EFN
9pm ET New Orleans (5-1) @ Chicago (4-2) NRG NBC
11pm ET Seattle (2-4) @ Los Angeles (4-2) Glendale ABC
SATURDAY
8pm ET Orlando (3-3) @ Baltimore (4-2) Tampa NBC
8pm ET Atlanta (5-1) @ New England (2-4) Gainesville FOX
9pm ET Birmingham (2-4) @ Ohio (1-5) Rice ABC
9pm ET Memphis (4-2) @ St. Louis (0-6) TDECU FOX
11pm ET Oklahoma (3-3) @ Arizona (6-0) Tempe ABC
11pm ET Denver (3-3) @ Dallas (2-4) Tucson FOX
SUNDAY
8pm ET Jacksonville (2-4) @ Washington (3-3) Orlando ABC
8pm ET Charlotte (2-4) @ Philadelphia (0-6) Tampa FOX
9pm ET Houston (4-2) @ Pittsburgh (4-2) NRG ESPN/EFN
9pm ET San Antonio (1-5) @ Michigan (5-1) TDECU FOX
11pm ET Portland (4-2) @ Oakland (4-2) Glendale ABC
11pm ET San Diego (1-5) @ Las Vegas (1-5) Tempe FOX
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