USFL Offseason Report - September '92 Edition

Sporting News, September 4, 1992

To say that the USFL offseason has gotten off to a bang would be an understatement. We have seen dramatic moves, surprise announcements, and some odd decisions during the first weeks of free agency, and although the first NFL-USFL transfer window did not produce a flood of movement, there were some names changing leagues and some questions raised, but let’s start with the biggest news, the retirement of future USFL Hall of Famer (if such a thing exists), halfback Joe Cribbs of the Birmingham Stallions.

JOE CRIBBS RETIRES

It had been rumored for weeks, but on August 20, in a press conference in Birmingham, former Auburn Tiger and 9 season star for the Birmingham Stallions, Joe Cribbs announced that he would be leaving the game. Cribbs, who had his first sub-1,000 yard season in 1992, cited the ongoing wear and tear on his body, as well as simply feeling it was time for him to step away, as the motivators for the decision. Cribbs leaves the team with pretty much every record in the franchise’s record book. He will retire 3rd all time in rushing yards (behind Walker and Bryant) with 12,577, and second only to Kelvin Bryant with 83 rushing touchdowns. Cribbs also holds two of the top 5 seasons in USFL history, with his 1984 season of 1,765 yards currently the 2nd best in league history, and his 1986 season ranked at 5th best. He was part of the 1984 Stallion squad that advanced all the way to the USFL Championship in his first season after coming over from Buffalo in the NFL.

Cribbs’s departure will create a huge hole in the Stallion roster. Backup Brent Fullwood, while a solid inside runner, is not likely to be the answer long term for Birmingham. And as odd as it sounds, this may be the first year in nearly a decade where neither of the core Territorial schools for Birmingham, Alabama and Auburn, have produced a top halfback prospect. This following a string of star backs which includes the 1992 USFL rookie of the year Siran Stacy, along with such names as Bo Jackson, Bobby Humphrey, Brent Fullwood, Lionel James, and Tommy Agie. Of course, it won’t be long before another emerges, perhaps as soon as 1994, when current Bama lead back Sherman Williams is expected to go pro, but in the short term the Stallions are going to need to find some help at the position.

OTHER RETIREMENTS

Other departures that will impact USFL teams include the anticipated retirement of QB Matt Robinson from the Breakers, Halfbacks Speedy Neal (TBY), Lydell Carr (MGN), and Jamie Covington (WSH), Safety Mike Fox (CHI), C William Copley (NOR), and Guard Elias Sneed (PHI). In addition to Robinson hanging up the cleats, the Breakers also will be without wideout Charlie Smith, who retires after 8 seasons with the team.

The Breakers are clearly the team hardest hit by retirements, losing not only their starting QB, but one of their top receivers, a core member of their offensive line, and two key defenders. That is a lot to replace in one offseason. While Danny McManus may be able to step in at QB after a very successful run at the end of the 1992 season, we expect the Breakers to seek out a QB through either free agency or a trade. It is likely they will seek to find replacements for some of the other positions through the draft, particularly a speedy wideout.

FREE AGENCY

The free agent wire has started to heat up, and what we are seeing is that the USFL-USFL competition has been fiercer than the inter-league exchange, with one notable exception.

QB Gale Gilbert, the only true starter on the USFL free agent market, has made the leap to the NFL. He will be joining the San Diego Chargers and leaving Oakland with a major hole in their roster. Oakland currently has only 1 QB signed, young backup Mike Pawlawski. The question now is how will Oakland fill the spot. Do they seek a trade with Jacksonville to get Timm Rosenbach, work with either Chicago or Portland to try to wrangle a T-Draft pick to go after rookies Drew Bledsoe or Rick Mirer, or do they hold out until the next NFL-USFL window, when several NFL starting QB’s are expected to join the market? Lots of questions for Coach Vermeil to answer.

DE Charles Haley, considered the prize defender in this year’s free agent pool, wasted no time signing on the dotted line. Despite getting interest from NFL clubs, Haley will stay in the USFL, as the newest Arizona Wrangler. Paired with Al Noga across the line, Haley will once again form part of a brutal 1-2 pass rush combo. Arizona still has a hole at DT after the retirement of Ed Weaver, but signing the best pass rusher available will certainly help the Wranglers pressure opposing offenses.

Denver also shored up their defensive front, signing DT Michael Dean Perry away from Houston. Perry is a solid run stuffer who takes up a lot of space and will free up both the DE’s and LB’s to rush the passer. With 34 year old Larry White the only real pass rusher on the Denver line, Coach Phillips may not be done trying to boost the strength of this group yet. We would not be shocked to see a high draft pick at either the DT or DE position.

Jacksonville, which is still looking to potentially trade 2nd string QB Timm Rosenbach after his strong performance this year, added a 3rd QB to their roster (after the Jason Garrett retirement) by signing former Texas backup Mike Shula. They also added depth to a WR corps headed by Brian Blades and Hassan Jones, signing Robb Thomas away from the Showboats.

Movement among offensive linemen as well, as we saw three big signings this past month. Pittsburgh’s Doug Reisenberg is now a New Orleans Breaker, another tackle, Ken Lanier, is the newest Washington Federal, and center Roman Fortin becomes the second Mauler to depart, signing with Orlando. Pittsburgh had good depth on the O-line, so all is not lost for the defending Eastern Conference champs, but don't be shocked if O-line still occupies a high priority on draft day.

Some movement among backs as well, with former Knight HB Tim Richardson headed to Pittsburgh to back up Mike Rozier, and scatback Terrance Flagler moving from Portland to St. Louis. There were overtures made by at least 2 USFL squads towards the LA Raiders as Marcus Allen was up for grabs, but Allen would eventually end up with the Kansas City Chiefs instead. A shame, he would have looked good in Birmingham to be sure.

Finally, we had just one noteworthy NFL signing, as the Baltimore Blitz, knowing that Jackie Flowers was to announce his retirement, came to terms with former Raider wideout Mervyn Fernandez this past week. Fernandez will join Bill Brooks as centerpieces of the Blitz passing attack.

So, as we look ahead to the remaining weeks of Free Agency, the second NFL-USFL transfer window, and the upcoming draft. What are the biggest question marks left? What holes need a quick filling, and a good one at that? Here are our top 5 looming questions for USFL teams this offseason.

Where do some of the still-unsigned defenders end up? There are some good ones out there, waiting for the right deal. LBs Bobby Houston, Joe Mott, and Jamie Kimmell, DT George Little, safeties Patrick Gannon and Marcus Quinn, and cornerback Derrick Burroughs. There are a lot of teams that could use some depth, or some pop on their defenses. The fact that Houston is still out there is surprising to us, but likely he will not last long, and getting a solid corner like Burroughs should be a priority for any team.

Does New Orleans have enough capital to fill all the holes on their roster this offseason? They almost certainly will be looking for a QB in case McManus was a fluke this year, but they have also lost key members of their line and several key defenders. With this year’s draft being somewhat thin at key positions, this may force the Breakers to spend in free agency or push for a trade.

Is Memphis happy enough with Mike Kelley to wait another year for a QB? The Showboats were the #1 seed in the East, but that was largely due to defense and a stellar year from Greg Boone. Many view the gunslinging, and interception prone, Kelley as the weak link that is holding Memphis back. Will they go after Rosenbach or will they hold out one more year, knowing that Heath Shuler of Tennessee will come out in 1993 and would be a fan favorite from day one?

Can Joe Cribbs be replaced? Birmingham may have to opt for a committee approach as they are unlikely to snag an NFL back in January, and the draft does not break well for them. The best back coming from a college locked up in the T-Draft is Roosevelt Potts of NE Louisiana, and he is not projected to be a day 1 starter. They could trade with the Bulls or Machine for the rights to draft a Garrison Hearst or Jerome Bettis, but those picks are likely to come at a very high price.

Who will be the starting QB in Oakland? Most folks expect the Invaders to make a hard run at Timm Rosenbach, but if that is the case why have they not done so yet? There are two top ranked QB’s in the draft, but Portland and Chicago may pick them both as T-Draft selections unless Oakland can trade for the pick. And, if they wish to take a risk, the Invaders could hold out for the next NFL-USFL window, when at least 3 quality NFL starters, led by the Buccaneers’ Vinny Testaverde, are expected to test the waters.

AND FINALLY

With the USFL beginning a 5-year exclusive contract with NIKE to produce game uniforms, sideline gear, and fan replica gear, we expect a lot of Nike influence in uniforms over the next few years. For 1993 they have largely reproduced past designs, though several teams have signed on for a modernization or redesign for 1994. The only team to ask for an initial redesign for the upcoming season were the Michigan Panthers, and this week that new look has been revealed.

The “New Look” Panthers come complete with an updated primary logo, incorporating more of the champagne and sky blue, along with a new secondary meant as a better stand-alone logo than the helmet design. The uniforms remain the same as far as colors go, champagne helmet and pants, burgundy jersey and socks, but the design is radically different. Gone are the traditional sleeve and pant stripes, and in their place are tapered bands of color on the shoulder and leg. The new stripes are meant to evoke both motion and the slashing of claws. Initial response has been extremely positive, with fans snatching up the first set of new jerseys and hats as soon as they went on sale at local stores. What are your thoughts of the new look for Michigan?