Sporting News, February 26 1983
We are just weeks away from the kickoff of a new adventure in professional football, the well-financed, well-publicized, and perhaps well-designed United States Football League (USFL). The USFL will begin with 12 franchises, predominantly playing in NFL cities and NFL stadiums. There are some well known names, from Chicago Head Coach George Allen to New Jersey Generals RB Herschel Walker, but there are also a lot of unknowns about this league. Early reports are that season ticket sales are doing well in most locations, and the addition of both ABC and the cable network ESPN as broadcast partners certainly adds potential to the league. But what about on the field? Will the play be of a quality to attract fans? With so many moving parts and unfamiliar faces, it is hard to say anything, but here is our best guess of what fans can expect in the USFL.
ATLANTIC
The Atlantic Division has its share of haves and have nots. At the top of the heap have to be the New Jersey Generals, who boast not only the face of the league in Walker, but also one of its most recognizable coaches in former Oklahoma and New England Patriots head man, Chuck Fairbanks.
The Washington Federals also look like a team with some potential. They are led by another big time rookie signing, former SMU "Pony Express" RB Craig James. While their leader, Ray Jauch, is not well known to most American fans, he has proven to know how to win, leading the Edmonton Eskimos to a Grey Cup victory in 1975.
The Philadelphia Stars and Boston Breakers don't have the name recognition of the other two squads, though there is some talent on both rosters. Philadelphia will be led by first-time head coach Jim Mora, formerly the D-Line coach in Seattle and New England. Boston, playing in the league's smallest stadium, BU's Nickerson Field, will need to sell out just to break even, but with a roster made up of WFL and NFL castaways, with only a few rookies of note, that may be hard to do.
CENTRAL
The ol' grey mare just ain't what she used to be, but longtime NFL coach George Allen may still have a few tricks up his sleeve. As we expect of Allen, his Chicago Blitz, were one of the more aggressive teams in signing NFL veterans instead of going for youth. Stan White, of the Lions, will likely lead a stalwart defense. That said, the Blitz did manage to sign two of the most promising offensive rookies in former Buckeye RB Tim Spencer and speedy wideout Trumaine Johnson of Grambling.
The top competition for Chicago may come from the Tampa Bay Bandits, led by former Florida Heisman-winning QB Steve Spurrier. Spurrier has put together an interesting cast of characters, and boasts a couple of dynamic rookies as well in wideout Eric Truvillion of Florida A&M and RB Gary Anderson, who just a 6 weeks ago was roaming the sidelines of Fayetteville for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Spurrier showed a flair for trickery and wide open offense while serving as OC at Duke, something he hopes to bring to Bandit Ball.
There are some intriguing storylines with both the Birmingham Stallions and the Michigan Panthers, but we are not sure if that will be enough to lead to winning records. Michigan is led by the defensive mind of Jim Staley, but their big star is wideout Anthony Carter, late of the Wolverines just up the road from the Silverdome. In Birmingham, they are relying on a steady stream of SEC talent, particularly from in state rivals Auburn and Alabama to attract fans and win games. Their best weapon, however, may be coming from across the state line, in Southern Miss QB Reggie Collier. Collier is a dual threat, but may need some seasoning, sitting behind Louisiana-Monroe product Bob Lane.
PACIFIC
It is hard not to like 5-time Grey Cup winning coach Hugh Campbell of the LA Express as the favorite to put together a winning team. Of course, he has a classic quarterback dual to deal with first, and a California classic at that. It's UCLA's Mike Rae vs. USC's Tom Ramsey to see who gets the nod to start for the Express. Supporting the winner will be another Bruin, wideout Jo-Jo Townsell.
The Denver Gold roster reads a lot like a U. of Colorado alumni gathering, with no fewer than 20 former Buffs on the preseason squad. Most notable among them are QB's Ken Johnson and Bob Gagliano. They will throw to some familiar targets, including TE Bob Niziolek and wideout Vic James. Maybe familiarity will be the key to a fast start in the mountains. At least that is what former Bronco head coach Red Miller seems to be hoping.
In the Bay Area, the loss of the Raiders to LA has been answered and fans are buying into the new Oakland Invaders. Head coach John Ralston, once the head man at Stanford, has put together a more veteran roster than most teams, but once again it is the new class of rookies that has folks excited about the Invaders. And there is definitely a California feel to the team. Stanford's Gordan Banks will be catching passes from Fred Besana (a Cal alum), while the defense will be bolstered by a pair of former rivals, Cal's Gary Plummer and UCLA's Frank Manumaleuga.
Phoenix is new to professional football, with the Arizona Wranglers representing the first pro team in the state. After years of efforts to bring an NFL team to the Valley of the Sun, it looks like the USFL will have to do. And they will try to attract fans with some local favorites, including ASU LB Ben Apuna, Arizona TE Mark Keel and BYU wideout Neil Balholm. The biggest name on the roster is QB Alan Rischer, a former standout at LSU, and just the type of scrambling gunslinger that should excite fans in Phoenix.
OUR VERY EARLY PREDICTION
While it is hard to see just who has the right combination of playmakers and depth to win it all, we trust in good coaching and the ability to run the ball. Our prediction is that George Allen and the Blitz will have just enough talent to edge out Chuck Fairbanks and the NJ Generals for the title. But, along the way, let's hope for some good, solid football, a few surprises, and a spring unlike any other in the American sports calendar. Here comes the USFL, ready or not.
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