PACIFIC DIVISION
The last division in our preview edition is the Pacific, unchanged from last year, when there was serious doubt whether any team could finish over .500. Denver managed to scrape up to a 9 win season, and overcame a weakened Michigan squad to reach the USFL championship played in their own stadium. The whole league seems to be banking on a better Pacific Division in 1984, particularly with some big name rookie signings like LA’s Steve Young and Arizona’s Rick Neuheiseil. Having a division with no expansion franchises might equal more wins for some Pacific teams, but the real key will be if the 4 western clubs have found improvements to fix the issues that held them back last season.
DENVER GOLD (9-7, Division Champ in 1983)
Denver was the only club to actually turn a profit in 1983, thanks largely to a rabid fan base and a solid, but inexpensive roster. This year may be more of the same, as Denver largely avoided the costly talent war with the NFL, signing only an unproven backup QB in Bob Gagliano when the NFL scooped up last year’s starter, Ken Johnson. Denver was a well-coached team last year, but coach Red Miller, tired of constant haggling with owner Ron Blanding, headed off into the sunset. His OC, former Bronco QB Craig Morton will now take the reins of the franchise.
Returning Stars: RB Harry Sidney, WR Vic James, TE Bob Niziolek, LB Putt Choate, DE Larry White, SS Dave Dumars.
Departures: QB Ken Johnson (NFL), DE Francis Murphy (NFL)
New Additions: QB Bob Gagliano (NFL), WR Brian Brennan (BC), DE Greg Townsend (TCU), DT Mike Taliferro (TCU)
Projections: Denver is sort of like the tortoise that just never gives up. No flash, no sizzle, just solid, slow progress. Will that be enough this year? Well, they still have the same 3 clubs to face in the division, so it may just be. But it is possible that there is a hare in this division that is ready to burst out front.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS (5-11, 2nd in Division)
As we mentioned in our article about Chicago, this is not last year’s Wranglers. The club more closely resembles last year’s Chicago Blitz, complete with head coach George Allen and his vet-heavy roster. There are some new names on the club, the biggest of which is former UCLA quarterback Rick Neuheisel. Chicago had talent last year, and were expected to do a lot, but fell flat. Will another year under Allen be enough to meet the early expectations, or is Allen and his old-school approach too much at odds with the fast and furious youthful style of the USFL?
Returning Stars (from CHI): QB Greg Landry, RB Tim Spencer, WR Trumaine Johnson, LB Stan White, LB John Farnhorst.
Departures (From ARZ: Most of the roster, including QB Alan RIsher and WR Jackie Flowers.
New Additions: DE Mike St. Clair (NFL), QB Rick Neuheisel (UCLA), RB Mike Cade (ASU), WR Louis Lipps (So Miss), LB Vernon Maxwell (ASU), G Dean Steinkuhler (Nebr)
Projections: We like Arizona as a possible darkhorse this year, if, and only if, George Allen makes use of some of the talent he picked up in this year’s draft. Cade is likely not going to unseat Tim Spencer at RB, but is a good change of pace, and we think rookie wideout Louis Lipps has the potential to be this year’s Anthony Carter and provide Arizona with big play ability.
OAKLAND INVADERS (5-11, 3rd in Division)
Oakland is a team that just could not string good performances back to back. They would dazzle one week and fizzle the next. We like QB Fred Besana, a classic drop-back deep ball guy, and RB Arthur Whittington had a break out year, but this team needs to be more consistent. The LB’s are solid, but too much is asked of them. The addition of Clyde Glover, a promising rookie, at DT may help, but is it enough?
Returning Stars: QB Fred Besana, RB Arthur Whittington, WR Gordon Banks, LB Gary Plummer, LB Frank Manumaleuga.
Departures: WR Bob Metzger (NFL)
New Additions: WR Henry Ellard (Fresno St), G Guy McIntyre (UGa), DT Clyde Glover (Fresno St), LB Ron Rivera (Cal)
Projections: There is talent here, but we are not sure John Ralston has what he needs to turn that talent into a consistent performer. We anticipate an ’84 season much like ’83 with weeks when they can run with anyone followed by complete no-shows.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (4-12, 4th in Division)
Of all the teams in the USFL, none has made more of a transformation than the Express. They need to if they want any chance at building a fan base in Southern California. Moving to 45,000 seat Angel Stadium is a good start for a team that averaged under 20k per game in the LA Coliseum. Signing a projected #1 NFL Draft pick in QB Steve Young, is another. This is a team that has added star power, but also solid players across the roster. The Express have a chance to go from worst to first in a pretty balanced, and pretty weak, division.
Returning Stars: RB Tony Boddie, WR Jo Jo Townsell, TE Ricky Ellis, DT Eddie Weaver, LB Danny Rich
Departures: QB Tom Ramsey (NFL)
New Additions: QB Steve Young (BYU), RB Kevin Mack (Clemson), G Gary Zimmerman (Oregon), LB Niko Noga (Hawaii), K Tony Zendejas (Nevada)
Projections: We expect the 1984 edition of the Express to be more entertaining, more competitive, and more worthy of a bandwagon. Steve Young is an undeniable talent, and there is enough on this team to expect 8-8 or better as a realistic result.
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