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Yes, it is deeply sad that fans cannot be in the stands this season, but it is still great to have football, and this was a weekend that showed us why. From a nailbiter between two unbeatens as New Orleans and Michigan clashed, to a franchise first victory for San Antonio. There was plenty of action this week. Jacksonville earned their first win and needed overtime to do it. Baltimore and Washington had a classic defensive war of attrition. We had unbeatens also clash in the Southeast, with Tampa Bay and Atlanta going at it, and two more 3-0 clubs duked it out in Arizona as the Wranglers outlasted the Express in a game that saw both defenses dominate, including a safety scored by each. We will break down all the games, take a look at two Shaquiles on opposite sides of the fortune's coin, and run down the first big trades of the season, including a HB swap from two teams hoping to spark their offenses. All that is coming right up, but we start with our look at the 3 unbeatens and the 2 winless clubs as we cross the ¼ mark of the season.   Bandits, Breakers & Wranglers Unbowed, Stars & Skyhawks Underwhelming At the one month, one quarter mark of this most unique USFL season we are down to three unbeatens and only two winless teams remain. A cluster of matchups featuring 3-0 squads took the total of unbeatens from six to three, with the Breakers knocking Michigan from the ranks of the unblemished, Tampa Bay defeating fellow 3-0 Southeaster Atlanta, and the Wranglers giving the LA Express their first defeat of the season. Meanwhile, on the other end of the success spectrum, it is not the two expansion clubs bringing up the rear in the league standings but the Philadelphia Stars and St. Louis Skyhawks sitting in their respective conference basements at 0-4. Here is a look at how each club got to where they are right now, whether that is flying high or circling the drain.   TAMPA BAY BANDITS Defeated PHI, JAX, ORL, ATL. (Combined Record: 6-10) While wins over the Stars and Bulls in the season’s first two weeks are looking very much like the early season for an SEC school playing an FCS foe and a MAC team, the “conference schedule” began in Week 3 with a solid win over Orlando, and intensified this week with the Bandits victory over Atlanta. Surprisingly, while Tampa Bay has offensive firepower, they are largely sitting at 4-0 because of the surprising quality of their defense. DeMarco Murray is on a tear, Pernell McPhee is starting off his 2 nd  USFL season strong, and the Bandits are looking very much like a team that can play complementary football, holding their 4 opponents to only 15.8 PPG. Next Game Against a Contender: Week 7 vs. New Jersey   NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS Defeated STL, HOU, SAN, MGN (Combined Record: 6-10) The Breakers also have a split between “cupcakes” in their wins over the expansion Gunslingers and defensively inept St. Louis Skyhawks, but they have knocked off two of the league’s anticipated powerhouses, taking down Houston in Week 2 and Michigan in this week’s battle of unbeatens. Geno Smith is making everyone in the Crescent City forget all about their failed pursuit of LSU QB Joe Burrow, throwing for over 1,400 yards in the season’s first month, an eye-popping average of 366.5 yards per game. The Breakers may have actually landed an even better LSU prospect than Burrow in wideout Justin Jefferson. The rookie wideout is making huge catches look easy, and may be one of the best true deep ball receivers we have seen come out of the draft in years. We still want to see if the Breakers can build up their run game a bit more, but for now they just have not needed it. Next Game Against a Contender: Week 8 v. Memphis   ARIZONA WRANGLERS Defeated DAL, SD, OAK, LA (Combined Record: 8-8) Without the only 1-3 team on Arizona’s early schedule the surprisingly slow-starting San Diego Thunder, the Wranglers have shown they are a legitimate threat to go back-to-back. Other than a close shave against a game Oakland squad (27-24), the Wranglers have been largely shutting the door on opposing offenses, allowing only 26 points combined in their three other victories, an average under 9 points per game. Throw in an offense that is as balanced as any in the league and you have a defending champion looking very much like there will be no post-title hangover. Next Game Against a Contender: Week 5 v. Denver   PHILADELPHIA STARS Lost to TBY, NJ, WSH, ORL  (Combined Record 12-4) Now, we do have to admit that the Stars’ first month schedule has been a tough one, and they lost their first 3 games by a combined 7 points, so they have been close, so there is still hope they can turn this around. They did it last year after an 0-5 start, and they may have to do so again with 3-1 Atlanta on the schedule this week. What has us worried is that teams can load up against the run, holding Derrick Henry to under 80 yards per game over the season’s first month, because they just don’t fear the pass. Will this week’s trade impact that (see below) or will Philadelphia get stuck in a situation where they are just too dependent on King Henry to be effective on offense all season long? Next Best Chance to Win: Week 6 v. New England (1-3)   ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS Lost to NOR, OHI, PIT, HOU (Combined Record: 10-6) The Skyhawks have faced some tough foes, and it has shown. Averaging only 13.5 points per game while giving up 26.2 is not a good path towards earning victories. Neither is having one of the league’s worst pass defenses in a pass-happy USFL. Of course, allowing 114.2 yards per carry on the ground is not exactly stalwart either, so the Skyhawks don’t have answers on defense, that is clear. What is even more disturbing is that they don’t have an offense that matches their personnel. Coach Reich seems to be trying to fit a square peg in a round hole by having Lamar Jackson play as if he is Joe Flacco. The Skyhawks don’t face a team with a losing record again until Week 8, so the season could be all but over before they even sniff a chance for a victory. Next Best Chance to Win: Week 8 vs. expansion San Antonio.   MICHIGAN PANTHERS 27   NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 28 Another huge matchup for the Panthers as they faced the unbeaten Breakers on Sunday night. The two unbeatens clashed in Houston in what would be a back-and-forth affair. We saw Michigan with a slight lead after 1 quarter, New Orleans take the lead at the half, Michigan build up a 10 point advantage after 3 quarters, and New Orleans roar back to win by 1 at the wire.   Kirk Cousins played well in this marquee game, completing 20 of 28 for 224 yards, 2 TDs and no picks, but the night would belong to Geno Smith and the Breaker passing game. Smith finished 23 of 38, throwing for 372 yards (189 in the final period) and throwing for 4 TDs (2 in the 4 th ) to garner the win. Both of his wideouts were huge in this one, with Jordy Nelson scoring 3 times and catching 7 for 148. Rookie Justin Jefferson was also impressive with 5 catches for 112 yards, with TE Dawson Knox adding Smith’s 4 th  TD toss.   The game was nip and tuck early, with the only 1 st  quarter points being a Chase McLaughlin field goal for the Panthers. It started to heat up in the 2 nd quarter when Smith found Nelson for the first time, a 17-yard post-corner that gave the Breakers the lead. That lead was quickly countered by the Panthers when Kirk Cousins found his rookie wideout, Donovan Peoples-Jones on a short TD toss to go up 10-7. Only 74 seconds later New Orleans was back on top again as Smith found Nelson in single coverage down the right sideline and hit him with a perfect arcing throw that allowed him to catch the ball in stride for a 32-yard TD.   Down 14-10 at the half, Michigan came out fired up for the second half of play. Following a pick of Smith, the only real error the Breaker QB had all game, Michigan capitalized, putting together a 47-yard drive in only 6 plays, with LeVeon Bell scoring from the 4 to again put the Panthers on top. They would add to that lead in their next possession when it was Calvin Ridley who was engaged in single coverage. Kirk Cousins also found the in-stride pass for Ridley, who took it the rest of the way for a quick-strike 65-yard TD.  The Panthers felt in control at the end of 3, having turned a 14-10 deficit into a 24-14 advantage.   That confidence quickly eroded as New Orleans went 77 yards in only 9 plays, with Smith hitting Justin Jefferson with a 33-yard pass and then finishing the drive with Jordy Nelson’s 3 rd  TD of the day, a 21-yard strike that brought the Breakers to within 3 of Michigan. On the Panther’s next possession, they held the ball for 15 plays and nearly punched it in from the 5, but a holding call moved them back and then a 3 rd  down sack of Cousins by Breaker DE Cameron Jordan forced a 36-yard field goal after nearly 9 minutes of possession.   That missed opportunity proved deadly for the Panthers as the Breakers received the ball with 2:48 left, down only 6. Once again New Orleans went to the air (Leonard Fournette had a paltry 23 yards rushing on the day), with Smith hitting Coby Fleener, Jefferson, and Nelson on consecutive plays to get into scoring range. As the clock ticked down, Smith found a surprising receiver, fullback Curtis Nelson, on a perfectly timed swing pass that took the ball to the 7. From there it was a short TD toss to TE Dawson Knox that gave the Breakers the 1-point lead with just 31 seconds remaining.   Michigan mounted an urgent drive to try to get in range for McLaughlin, but were stymied by an offensive PI call against Calvin Ridley on what first appeared to be a completion down to the Breaker 20. Replay confirmed the call with Ridley clearly pushing off the cornerback, and that call pushed Michigan out of field goal range, forcing a Hail Mary on the final play of the game. The play was ineffective and the Breakers escaped a clash of titans with a 1-point win and an unblemished record at 4-0.   WASHINGTON 16  BALTIMORE 14 The Federals again depend on the leg of kicker Adam Vinatieri, with the veteran securing a win with a 53-yard field goal in the final minute of action. In a game dominated by both defenses, the Federals got the late drive they needed to secure their 3 rd  win of the season and take a share of first place in the very contentious NE Division. POTG:  Federals’ DE Bradley Chubb: 8 Tck, 2 TFL, 1 Sck   CHICAGO 13   MEMPHIS 17 The Showboats rise to 3-1 thanks to a 4 th  quarter comeback that saw Memphis add two TDs to flip a 13-3 deficit into a 17-13 victory. Sparked by a Dee Alford pick of Sam Bradford, Memphis pulled to within 3 on a TD pass from Lynch to Devin Funchess with 3:32 left in the game. They followed that up with a successful onside kick and then proceeded to march down field before Lynch found his other primary target, Robert Woods, for the game winner with 31 seconds left. An epic comeback and a massive choke for the Machine. POTG:  Showboats’ QB Paxton Lynch: 29/48, 288 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int   SAN DIEGO 7   OAKLAND 21 The Thunder offense continues to struggle, reaching the Oakland red zone only 2 times in the game and coming away with a lone TD. Oakland got 3 scores from QB Tom Brady, who connected with another new Invader, WR Jerrel Jernigan, along with a J.J. Arcega-Whitehead and a nice screen pass turned TD to Christian McCaffrey. POTG:  Oakland QB Tom Brady: 18/30, 191 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int   NEW ENGLAND 6   NEW JERSEY 20 The Generals D showed the Steamrollers no quarter as they held New England to only 2 field goals on the day. Backup QB Ricky Stanzi was not dynamic, but kept the ball moving, getting a TD from HB Tony Pollard and connecting with OBJ for 91 yards and a score on the day. The Generals forced 3 fumbles and a pick on the day and did not allow New England into the red zone all game. POTG:  New Jersey CB Aqib Talib: 5 Tck, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PDef   TAMPA BAY 19  ATLANTA 14 We expected a shootout in this one, but both the Bandit and Fire defenses came to play and produced a much lower scoring game than anyone anticipated. With Aaron Murray confounded by Tampa Bay pressure, it was HB Nick Chubb, rushing for 109 yards and a TD, that led the Fire offense. For Tampa Bay it was a Matt Breida TD run and a 4 th  quarter pick-six of Murray that helped secure the Bandits a 4-0 start to the year. POTG:  Bandit CB Ken Webster; 4 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD   ST. LOUIS 15   HOUSTON 37 Carlos Hyde returned to action and helped Houston roll past the struggling Skyhawks. Hyde finished the game with 90 yards rushing and another 86 through the air, including 2 receiving touchdowns. McCoy threw only 17 passes on the day, relying on the run game for much of the second half, but had 3 passing TDs. Landry Jones, who subbed in for one series threw a 4 th  as the Gamblers handled the Skyhawks easily. POTG:  Gambler HB Carlos Hyde: 23 Att, 90 Yds, 3 Rec, 86 Yds, 2 TD   PITTBURGH 28  BIRMINGHAM 21 The Battle of the Steel Cities goes to the Maulers as Pittsburgh went on a 17-0 run in the second half, thanks in part to a Shaquile Riddick 7-yard fumble return for TD and a beautiful 34-yard run by rookie Cam Akers. Cam Newton, who completed 11 of 13 passing in the first half, with 2 scores, was held to 2 of 13 in the second, a disastrous half for the Birmingham offense. POTG:  Mauler DE Shaquile Riddick: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 Def TD   LAS VEGAS 24  DALLAS 12 A stunner as 0-3 Las Vegas doubled up the Dallas Roughnecks. It was 12-10 Dallas at the half, but the Vipers put up the only points of the 2 nd  half with McGloin hitting both Arrelious Benn and Dustin Keller for 2 nd half scores to earn the Vipers’ first win of the season. Despite leading the Vipers with 35 yards rushing, Montario Hardesty was traded to Jacksonville for their lead back, Matt Jones on Tuesday in an early season shakeup among two 1-3 clubs. POTG:  Viper QB Matt McGloin: 25/33, 308 Yds, 2 TDs, 1 Int   OKLAHOMA 22   DENVER 29 The Outlaws fought in this one, even taking a 22-21 lead with 4:32 left in the game, but they could not hold down a resilient Gold team. Josh Allen led the Gold on a game winning drive at the end of regulation, connecting with Golden Tate for the winning TD with 1:11 left to play. Allen finished with 3 TDs on the day, all three to his favorite veteran target, Tate. Mason Rudolph’s 3 picks helped keep Denver close all game long, and led to widespread calls for Jalen Hurts to play on local sports radio. POTG:  Gold WR Golden Tate: 8 Rec, 113 Yds, 3 TD   ORLANDO 23  PHILADELPHIA 6 P. J. Walker was sacked 4 times, picked off twice, and hurried on every drop back as Orlando brought the pressure and rattled the backup QB. The Orlando offense struggled as well, but a pair of good drives, including TDs from Brashad Perriman and Ty Montgomery, were enough to earn the win for the Renegades. POTG:  Orlando DE Arthur Moats: 4 Tck, 1 TFL, 2 Sck   JACKSONVILLE 34  CHARLOTTE 31 The Bulls finally found some offense and earned their first win of the year. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 306 yards and 2 scores while HB Devin Singletary rushed for 86 yards for the Bulls. They were also helped out by a Sean Lee pick-six, one of two Trubisky picks on the day. Rookie Tee Higgins had a strong game as well, catching 5 throws for 94 yards and a score. POTG:  Bulls QB Teddy Bridgewater: 19/32, 306 Yds, 2 TD, 2 Int   OHIO 7   SAN ANTONIO 17 The Gunslingers’ first win as a newly reborn franchise comes in Week 4 as they hold off the Ohio Glory. C. J. Prosise got the ball rolling with a first quarter TD, followed by Flacco to TE Julius Thomas for a 2 nd  and the Gunslinger D held Joe Flacco to 207 yards and only 1 late TD to earn the win. Ohio drops to 1-3 while San Antonio celebrates their first franchise win since 1987. POTG:  San Antonio LB Gabe Miller: 7 Tck, 3 TFL, 1 Sck, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 PDef   SEATTLE 27  PORTLAND 30  OVERTIME The Stags win an exciting Cascade Clash in extra time in a game few saw live but one we recommend folks catch on replay. Both Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley had strong games, with Seattle’s QB throwing for 379 yards while the Stag QB went 23 of 40 for 339 and 3 TDs. Seattle got a late Knowshon Moreno TD to tie the score at 27 but in overtime they could not put points up and Portland was able to win the game on a short field goal from Cody Parkey, moving Portland to 2-2 after 4 weeks. POTG:  Stags’ WR Alshon Jeffery: 5 Rec, 130 Yds, 1 TD   LOS ANGELES 12  ARIZONA 19 Two of the league’s best defenses lived up to their reputations with Arizona holding the Express to a lone Hollywood Brown TD, while LA forced 3 Arizona field goals and allowed a lone TD to Victor Cruz. In a game where both teams secured a safety, it was the ability of the Wranglers to get in range for kicker Elliott Parson that made the difference. POTG:  Arizona DE Bud DuPree: 1 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty, 1 FF   Trading Block Ablaze After Week Four Hitting the one-quarter mark of the season means teams have a sense of where they are, what their rosters strengths are, and where they may need help. That often comes with some adjustments, either to gameplans, personnel packages, or to the roster itself. We certainly are seeing that this year as several teams have already begun working the trading block to try to get help. We had 3 significant trades this week as teams either try to address major issues or improve their offensive firepower with 12 weeks still on the schedule. We will break down each of these trades, as well as a late signing that essentially has the same dynamic.   Stars Make the Call, Trade for Lindley Ever since Tom Brady arrived in Oakland Invader camp, the Pacific Division squad has been openly shopping both of their 2019 starters to anyone who might have interest. This week, after dropping to 0-4 with backup P. J. Walker under center, the Philadelphia Stars took Oakland up on their offer. Choosing 28-year-old former Bandit Ryan Lindley over NFL import Jimmy Garoppolo, the Stars sent Oakland a 4 th  round pick in the 2021 draft as well as a contingent 5 th  rounder in 2022 to land themselves another option at quarterback.   Lindley, whose contract clearly made him a more affordable option than Jimmy Garoppolo, appeared in 2 games for Oakland last year, throwing for 205 yards with no picks or touchdowns. In 2017 he threw for 1,265 yards for the Invaders in 7 appearances. With Matt Gutierrez expected back in action after a 2-week absence due to a toe injury (self-inflicted, you know the story), Lindley is seen perhaps as a motivator, to help Gutierrez find his early career form, or as a potential replacement. With the addition, Philadelphia sent Penn State product Trace McSorley to the practice squad, and has already placed Lindley on the 2 nd team in the week’s depth chart, a clear sign that they are unsatisfied with P. J. Walker’s 2 game outing as the starter.   Vipers Address Anemic Run Game, Trade for Matt Jones It is rare that we see starters, or even rotational starters, traded mid-season, but that is what we got in a deal between the Las Vegas Vipers and the Jacksonville Bulls. Jacksonville, who seem to be clearly moving towards Devin Singletary as their starting back, opted to part ways with 5-year veteran Matt Jones. Jones, who was the team’s lead back since 2017, was coming off an injury-plagued 2019 campaign that saw him gain only 397 yards. Healthy this season, he already has 144 yards in 4 games, but was clearly viewed as expendable, thanks to the development of 2019 draft pick Devin Singletary, currently leading the Bulls with 214 yards and an impressive 4.8 YPC average. Enter the Las Vegas Vipers, surprisingly mired at 1-3 after 4 weeks and home to the league’s worst rated run game, averaging only 49.8 yards per game. The duo of Montario Hardesty and Kareem Hunt had accounted for a total of only 230 yards in the season’s first month and had proven ineffective particularly in short yardage situations. The Vipers needed and wanted a bigger back to take on that role, allowing Hunt to focus on plays in space, screens, swing passes, and outside runs. So, a deal was made that sent Hardesty, a 10-year veteran (now 30 years old) to head to Jacksonville to back up Singletary, while bringing Jones to Las Vegas to serve as the inside and short yardage runner to Hunt’s more mercurial style. The deal also included a swap of draft picks with the two swapping 5 th  round picks in the 2021 draft (a gamble based on each team hoping their final record is better than that of their trading partner). Expect to see both backs in action this week, assuming both clear their initial COVID testing protocols, with Matt Jones sharing caries with Kareem Hunt when Las Vegas takes on 1-3 Oklahoma, while Hardesty will back up Singletary when the Bulls face Baltimore.   Express & Glory Swap Receivers & Picks The only trade featuring a team above .500 was a swap of wide receivers between the 1-3 Ohio Glory and the 3-1 Los Angeles Express. LA having reached 3-0 before a loss to Arizona this week, is still trying to build a more productive offense around 2 nd  year QB Kyler Murray. Ohio, on the other hand, might be hinting that a major Fire Sale is eminent. The Glory were willing to part with 8-year veteran and 2019 leading receiver Eric Weems. Weems, who put up 1,000-yard seasons in both 2018 and 2019 for the Glory since coming over from St. Louis, was the Glory’s leading receiver this season as well, but was seeing more and more targets heading towards 2 nd  year up-and-comer Terry McLaurin. That, along with Weems’s occasional vocal critiques of the team and costly contract apparently made the veteran receiver a trade option. Los Angeles, which sits at 3-1 largely due to its defense, is ranked 30 th in yards per game on offense, and many have been decrying the state of the Express receiver group for a while now. Second year receiver “Hollywood”Brown leads the team with only 144 yards. Weems immediately becomes the leading receiver on the team with his current 259 yards. In trade for Weems, Los Angeles parted with backup receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling and a 3 rd  round pick in 2021, which got them Ohio’s lead receiver and a 5 th  rounder in return. Expect to see Weems lined up opposite Brown, with Nelson Agholor and Marqise Lee splitting time as well. For Ohio, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is not expected to crack the starting lineup, with McLaurin now as Receiver 1, with Curtis Samuel likely in the 2 spot and Cordarelle Patterson occupying the slot. MVS could be a backup for any of the three as the Glory try to figure out what they have gotten in trade for Weems.                 Dallas signs SS Duke Williams for Southward One last move as the Dallas Roughnecks bring in unsigned safety Duke Williams. The former Thunder safety went into free agency looking for a big deal after a solid 2019 but asked far too much and ended up without a team when camps opened. He finally agrees to a deal to come into Dallas and could start as soon as this week as the Roughnecks look to replace injured SS Dezmen Southward. Southward could miss 2-3 months with neck and skull injury last week. While he is recovering well back in Dallas after being transferred from Houston by helicopter, we could see the Roughnecks add him to IR now that they have an option in Williams.   Riddick Propels Maulers to 3-1 Shaquile Riddick is picking up where he left off last year, but this time it is directly impacting game results and helping Pittsburgh get off to a strong 3-1 start. The 6 th  year DE had a breakout season in 2019, jumping from only 4 sacks the year before to 18, finishing second only to Calais Campbell as the league’s 2 nd  best sack master. This year, with 5 sacks in his first 4 games he is already on pace to break his personal best and could be a contender for the title in a year where Calais Campbell has already missed 2 games and is well behind with only 2 sacks in the first month.   What is more important is that Riddick’s prowess chasing down the QB is being used as a tool to help the club win games. That was certainly the case this week when Riddick’s lone sack of the elusive Cam Newton produced not only a loss on the play, but the dreaded strip-sack, recovery, and touchdown for Riddick. Down 21-10 in the 3 rd  quarter, Riddick caught Newton in his windup, knocking the ball from his hand, then recovering it 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage, in the endzone, and falling on the ball for 7 points. In a game where Newton had already run for a 67-yard TD, it was a decisive, momentum-changing play that turned the tide of the game. With a 2-point conversion putting Pittsburgh down by only 3, they rallied, adding 10 points in the final quarter and winning 28-21. While Riddick currently trails Orlando’s Montez Sweat by 3 sacks, sitting in a cluster of players with 5 sacks that also includes Oakland’s Michael Bennett, Charlotte’s Chandler Jones, and LA’s Chris Jones, Riddick may well be the most likely to challenge Sweat for the title, and if he can keep on his current pace, he could cross 20 sacks this season, while also helping Pittsburgh surprise many by competing for the Central Division title.   Gold Loses Thompson for 2-3 Months A rough diagnosis for a team hoping to compete for a title this year as Denver Gold linebacker Shaq Thompson had to be carted off the field with a back injury. The diagnosis is that there was a contusion to his spinal cord as well as some compression to the vertebrae, meaning that the 7 th  year veteran will miss no less than 2 months of action and could be done for the year. Thompson, who typically handles the weak side of the offensive formation in Denver’s 4-3, was doing just that when he got caught awkwardly in a scrum with a pair of Oklahoma linemen only to have HB DeeJay Dallas essential run right into his back. Thompson went down, teammates called for immediate help, and TV cut away as the medical team removed his helmet, fit him into a backboard and brought out the cart. Thompson was able to give a thumbs up to his teammates, but reported numbness in his legs.   The good news is that within 24 hours, doctors in Tucson’s Northwest Medical Center were able to report that full feeling in Thompson's legs had returned. There had been pressure on his spinal column from the injury and the vertebrae compression will require some traction as the doctors address the swelling. Thompson is expected to make a full recovery, but time is needed for the process, anywhere from 2-3 months before he could return to practice and to game action. Denver is not expected to place Thompson on IR, hoping he is able to return for a possible late season playoff run, and for any playoff games. With 7 linebackers already on their active roster, no practice squad or free agent moves are expected, the Gold will essentially keep Thompson as inactive each week and go into games with 52 active players. On the field, expect veteran backup K. J. Wright to take over for Thompson on the weak side, with Justin Houston staying on the strong side and Patrick Onwuasor in the middle.   A good and bad week for COVID cases ahead of Week 5 action. Good in that only 2 of the players from last week’s list have not been cleared to play this week, but bad in that we have had our highest number of new cases of any week this year. We also have our first case where one team is likely to be going pretty deep into their practice squad to fill spots, as Oakland will be down two offensive tackles as roommates Andre Smith and D. J. Fluker both tested positive this week. The list also includes a couple of major contributors whose absence certainly will be missed this week, players like Portland HB Doug Martin, Orlando’s top corner Dee Milliner, and Tampa Bay wideout Ryan Grant.   As for football injuries, the big one this week is obviously the loss of DT Jonathan Babineaux for the year to the Stars. Denver also will feel the pain as LB Shaquile Barrett could miss the rest of the regular season, though the Gold are unlikely to add Barrett to the IR in hopes that he will be back in 8 weeks and could be available for a playoff run.   OUT DT          Jonathan Babineaux   PHI        Achilles    IR LB           Shaquile Barrett             DEN      Back                        8-12 Weeks OG         Jonathan Cooper            CHA      Neck                         6-8 Weeks OG         Chadwick Hodges          JAX         Shoulder                4-6 Weeks CB          Sean Smith                     PIT         Shoulder                  4-6 Weeks OT          Jonah Williams                BIR         ACL                           2-4 Weeks LB           Greg Lloyd Jr.                OKL       Neck                         1-2 Weeks LB           Josh Allen                        SEA        Ankle                       1-2 Weeks DE          Mario Addison               NEN      Jaw                            1-2 Weeks   DOUBTFUL OG         Chris Lindstrom              NJ           Knee CB          Tye Smith                       SD          Hand CB          Marcus Williams            MEM     Foot   QUESTIONABLE WR         Randall Cobb                PHI        Knee   COVID-19 INACTIVES BIR         LB           Reggie Ragland CHA      OT          Oli Udoh                              HOU     DE          Tim Crowder        2 nd Week LA          FS           Jalen Mills              2 nd Week OAK      CB          William Jackson OAK      OT          Andre Smith      OAK      OT          D. J. Fluker ORL       CB          Dee Milliner PHI        DE          Malik Jackson POR      HB         Doug Martin STL         HB         Bobby Rainey TBY        WR         Ryan Grant   New Orleans, Atlanta, and Las Vegas Looking to Get In on Daytime Action The league has not even gotten clearance to play daytime games inside the enclosed domes at NRG Stadium in Houston and State Farm Stadium in Phoenix, and there are already teams and stadiums pushing for the bubble plan to be expanded. Las Vegas and Wynn Arena, the SuperDome in New Orleans, and Atlanta’s Mercedez Benz Stadium are all pitching to allow for USFL teams to move some games to their facilities. The hope, of course, is that just having games in the facilities, even without a fan presence, helps the stadia recover some income from what has been a disastrous spring and what looks to be a very rough summer and fall. If the states of Louisiana, Nevada, and Georgia do as many hope Texas, Arizona, and Florida will do in time for the fall College & NFL seasons, and allow some occupancy on gamedays (current models are floating 20% to 25% capacity), then the benefits could be increasingly higher. The problem? Even if approved by the states, the USFL has already invested tens of millions to secure the 9 hub stadiums already in use. And while the USFL might be interested in more day games added to the schedule, a rating boon for them and the networks, it seems unlikely that they would look to cancel their contracts with any of the stadiums already under contract to make it happen. So, what options do these additional facilities have? They could make a push for playoff football, since any playoff games would be contingent and not part of the league’s initial contracts with facilities like Rice Stadium in Houston or Ben Hill Griffith Stadium in Gainesville. We could potentially see the league, if partial attendance is possible, relocate some playoff games to improve the television broadcast schedule and to expand on fan interest in markets like New Orleans (currently watching the 4-0 Breakers remotely) or Atlanta (where fans of the surprising 3-1 Fire might turn out to see their team in the postseason). Of course, if this becomes a trend, there would be nothing to stop the USFL from simply moving all teams back to their home stadiums for a postseason in September and October, assuming all states allow for some stadium capacity to be filled.   We are a long way from any decisions on the USFL playoffs, and potentially at least a month away from final decisions within various states regarding the fall sports calendar, and with the virus still growing in reported cases, it seems unwise to talk about reopening any markets beyond the current bubble system unless conditions change. But, with television money a huge concern, if there is a chance for the USFL to potentially expand its list of venues for the postseason, it could become a reality.   First Quarter Power Rankings Here we go, our first power rankings of the season. With 1/4 of the season down it is pretty clear who has started fast and who has struggled. Will the list remain static over the next 12 weeks? Very unlikely if past history tells us anything. You can almost bet that at least one team from the top 10 will end up in the bottom 3rd of the league by Week 16 and some team currently at 1-3 or even 0-4 will end up fighting for a Wild Card and a Top 12 spot. 1—Arizona Wranglers (4-0) Big Story: The defending champs are averaging 28.8 PPG and allowing 12.5 PPG to create a nasty 16.3 points per game margin of victory. Hard to argue that they are the top team. 1 st Quarter MVP: WR Victor Cruz: 21 Rec, 458 Yds, 3 TD   2—New Orleans Breakers (4-0) Big Story: With an average of 366.5 passing yards per game, this Breaker squad could finally overtake Houston in the division. 1 st Quarter MVP: QB Geno Smith: 1,427 Yds, 11:2 TD:Int, 131.7 QBR   3—Tampa Bay Bandits (4-0) Big Story : Can you believe that the Bandits defense (5 th  in Points Allowed) is actually better than their offense (9 th  in points scored)? That is a good sign that they are ready to take their game to the next level. 1 st Quarter MVP: LB DeMeco Ryans: 31 Tck, 3 TFL, 4 PDef   4—Michigan Panthers (3-1) Big Story: The Panthers boast not only the best run game in the league (129.2 YPG) but the best run defense as well (40.2 YPG). 1 st Quarter MVP: LB Sean Porter: 20 Tck, 5 TFL, 2 FF   5—Atlanta Fire (3-1) Big Story: The Fire are surprising many with the top scoring offense in the league, having topped 40 points twice in their first 3 games. 1 st Quarter MVP: WR A. J. Green: 17 Rec, 198 Yds, 3 TD   6—Memphis Showboats (3-1) Big Story: The run game is strong, Paxton Lynch is minimizing turnovers and that has been enough to help the Showboats start strong. 1 st Quarter MVP: DE Chase Winovich: 16 Tck, 7 TFL, 1 Sck, 2 FF   7—New Jersey Generals (3-1) Big Story: Stingy is the word for New Jersey’s defense. They may be giving up 313 yards per game, but when it comes to scoring on them, that is a lot tougher, at 15.8 PPG (4 th  in the league). 1 st Quarter MVP: LB Matt Milano: 24 Tck, 2 TFL, 1 Int, 1 Sck, 1 FF   8—Denver Gold (3-1) Big Story: The top defense in the league for yards allowed, mostly due to a pass defense that is allowing only 189.8 YPG even without Von Miller in the fold. 1 st Quarter MVP: HB DeMarco Murray: 314 Yds, 1 TD, 4.5 YPC   9—Los Angeles Express (3-1) Big Story: Scoring only 15 points a game is normally pretty bad, but when your defense is 1 st  in the league, allowing only 12 points a game, you can still win games.   1 st Quarter MVP: LB Uchena Nwosu: 35 Tck, 10 TFL, 3 Sck, 1 FF   10—Pittsburgh Maulers (3-1) Big S tory: The move from the NE Division to the Central has started well for Pittsburgh, thanks in large part to a solid defense and resurgent run game. 1 st Quarter MVP: CB Tre Herndon: 20 Tck, 9 PDef, 3 Int, 2 FF, 1 DefTD   11—Washington Federals (3-1) Big Story: A pretty big surprise at 3-1, the Feds offense is still a work in progress (22 nd  in the league in scoring) but the defense is keeping them in games. 1 st Quarter MVP: WR Tyreek Hill: 18 Rec, 273 Yds, 2 TD   12—Houston Gamblers (2-2) Big Story: A rough early schedule with tough losses to the Breakers and Panthers, but this is a team that can both put up points (7 th  in the league) and keep you from doing the same (3 rd  in points against). 1 st Quarter MVP: WR Mike Evans: 16 Rec, 477 Yds, 1 TD, 29.8 YPC   13—Oakland Invaders (2-2) Big Story: Tom Brady is not going to be a 400-yard passer, but his leadership is showing as the Invaders are looking like a team that can do some damage. 1 st Quarter MVP: DE Michael Bennett: 14 Tck, 6 TFL, 5 Sck, 1 FF   14—Orlando Renegades (2-2) Big Story: We are getting flashbacks of the Calais Campbell years. Montez Sweat is leading the league in sacks but the defense is still 27 th  in yards allowed. 1 st Quarter MVP: DE Montez Sweat: 14 Tck, 3 TFL, 8 Sck   15—Chicago Machine (2-2) Big Story: The Machine have one of the league’s best run defenses, and they too can run the ball. Basically they are Michigan Jr. 1 st Quarter MVP: WR Michael Floyd: 26 Rec, 345 Yds, 3 TD   16—Baltimore Blitz (2-2) Big Story: Jake Locker is struggling, but the 2 nd  best defense in yards allowed is keeping the Blitz in games. They just need to get more out of Josh Jacobs to help the O catch up. 1 st Quarter MVP: LB Jarvis Jones: 31 Tck, 6 TFL, 1 Sck   17—Dallas Roughnecks (2-2) Big Story: The D is still the issue, giving up nearly 27 points per game. The run game is much improved and Josh Freeman’s play is keeping rookie Justin Herbert on the bench. 1 st Quarter MVP: HB Samaje Perine: 290 Yds, 4 TD, 4.2 YPC   18—Portland Stags (2-2) Big Story: A big win over Seattle this week, but with the 26 th  best scoring defense, they need to tighten up to support their surprisingly solid offensive production. 1 st Quarter MVP: HB Doug Martin: 254 Yds, 3 TD, 3.9 YPC   19—Charlotte Monarchs (1-3) Big Story: Nyheim Hines has been a revelation for an otherwise pedestrian offense, but giving up over 104 yards per game against the run has the defense unable to get teams off the field. 1 st Quarter MVP: HB Nyheim Hines: 236 Yds, 2 TD, 4.4 YPC   20—San Diego Thunder (1-3) Big Story: Dead last in scoring at 10.8 PPG, the Thunder attack has just not looked at all like their 2019 squad. The defense is on the field far too long and they are wearing down already. 1 st Quarter MVP: CB Tye Smith: 13 Tck, 5 PDef, 3 Int   21—Las Vegas Vipers (1-3) Big Story: Averaging only 49.8 yards per game on the ground, the Vipers made a move to fix that with a trade this week, and good for them for being proactive before it is too late. 1 st Quarter MVP: WR Arrelious Benn: 20 Rec, 180 Yds, 3 TD   22—Seattle Dragons (1-3) Big Story: Brett Hundley has the passing game doing well, but little else is working for the Dragons, with no pass rush, little run game, and too many turnovers. 1 st Quarter MVP: QB Brett Hundley: 1,023 Yds, 3:3 TD:Int, 90.8 QBR   23—Birmingham Stallions (1-3) Big Story: Even with a dynamic QB like Newton, you are not going to win a lot of games when you allow 30 points per game on defense. 1 st Quarter MVP: QB Cam Newton: 1,045 Yds, 9:1 TD:Int, 112.4 QBR, 120 Yds Rushing, 4 TD   24—Oklahoma Outlaws (1-3) Big Story: The Outlaws are shooting themselves in the foot far too often. They give up big plays and they simply don’t seem to make any of their own. 1 st Quarter MVP: DT Luis Castillo: 16 Tck, 4 TFL, 1 Sck, 1 FF   25—Jacksonville Bulls (1-3) Big Story: The offense has finally woken up after scoring only 9 points in their first 2 games. How will trading away Matt Jones impact that progress? 1 st Quarter MVP: WR Tee Higgins: 20 Rec, 260 Yds, 1 TD   26—New England Steamrollers (1-3) Big Story: The Steamrollers surprised us all with an opening weekend win, but since then the offense has scored 10, 7, and 6 points, not a good trend. 1 st Quarter MVP: LB Cameron Smith: 24 Tck, 4 TFL, 1 Int, 1 Sck   27—San Antonio Gunslingers (1-3) Big Story: After an 0-3 start, the Gunslingers got their first W this week, and can now focus on week-to-week improvement. 1 st Quarter MVP: TE Julius Thomas: 14 Rec, 199 Yds, 3 TD   28—Ohio Glory (1-3) Big Story: Averaging only 13.2 points per game and giving up 21.8 is not a way to win games. The Glory may be on the verge of a major reshuffling in 2021 if they cannot turn this around. 1 st Quarter MVP: LB Ryan Shazier: 28 Tck, 4 TFL, 2 Sck, 1 Int   29—Philadelphia Stars (0-4) Big Story: Last year the Stars were 0-5 before a 9-2 run gave them the NE Division crown. This year we think they are just not making enough plays, and it does not help that they have had to deal with Matt Gutierrez’s injury (an injury apparently due to a temper tantrum in the locker room, not an on-field injury.) 1 st Quarter MVP: DE Malik Jackson: 14 Tck, 3 TFL, 4 Sck, 1 FF   30—St. Louis Skyhawks (0-4) Big Story: We are mystified as to why Frank Reich is not letting Lamar be Lamar. The St. Louis offense should be dynamic and fast, instead it is plodding and predictable. 1 st Quarter MVP: DE Adrian Clayborn: 23 Tck, 10 TFL, 4 Sck We kick off the 2 nd  quarter of the season with Friday night division games in the Southern and Southwestern divisions, with Birmingham facing a very tough matchup against the unbeaten New Orleans Breakers while the top 2 teams in the Southwest, the Wranglers and Gold, will face off on ASU’s campus in Tempe.   Saturday we have 4 division games, again all in Houston and Arizona, with Houston renewing a rivalry with San Antonio at Rice Stadium, Chicago facing newly-reassigned Central Division rival Pittsburgh at NRG Stadium, and then, in the late games it is Las Vegas vs. Oklahoma in a battle of 1-3 teams hoping to get on track and a Pacific Clash between the 3-1 LA Express and the 2-2 Portland Stags.   Sunday offers only 2 divisional games, with Michigan taking on St. Louis at 9pm and San Diego facing Seattle (in Tucson) at 11pm. But, outside of divisional games, there is plenty of good inter-divisional action, such as New Jersey facing Orlando on Friday and a battle of 2-2 clubs hoping to make a move as Dallas faces Oakland in a Sunday night game from State Farm Stadium.   FRIDAY 8pm ET          New Jersey (3-1) @ Orlando (2-2)                 Orlando      ESPN/EFN 9pm ET            Birmingham (1-3) @ New Orleans (4-0)         TDECU            NBC 11pm ET        Arizona (4-0) @ Denver (3-1)                          Tempe             ABC   SATURDAY 8pm ET        Washington (3-1) @ Charlotte (1-3)                Tampa          NBC 8pm ET       New England (1-3) @ Tampa Bay (4-0)      Gainesville      FOX 9pm ET           Houston (2-2) @ San Antonio (1-3)               Rice                ABC 9pm ET        Chicago (2-2) @ Pittsburgh (3-1)                NRG               FOX 11pm ET        Las Vegas (1-3) @ Oklahoma (1-3)               Tucson          ABC 11pm ET         Los Angeles (3-1) @ Portland (2-2)               Glendale    FOX   SUNDAY 8pm ET       Baltimore (2-2) @ Jacksonville (1-3)         Tampa            ABC 8pm ET            Philadelphia (0-4) @ Atlanta (3-1)                 Orlando         FOX 9pm ET          Michigan (3-1) @ St. Louis (0-4)                  NRG          ESPN/EFN 9pm ET           Memphis (3-1) @ Ohio (1-3)                           Rice              FOX 11pm ET       San Diego (1-3) @ Seattle (1-3)                       Tucson            ABC 11pm ET        Dallas (2-2) @ Oakland (2-2)                          Glendale         FOX

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: No suprise that we recognize a Breaker WR this week. The combo of Jordy & Justin, as much as that sounds like a show on Disney+, is the hottest wideout pairing in the league. This week it was all about Jordy Nelson as he brought in 7 passes for 148 yards (20.1 per reception) and 3 touchdowns for the unbeaten Breakers.

Week three has come and gone and while the league is still working out all the kinks to their bubble system and night-game schedule, the teams are beginning to take shape, with better cohesion and better play in this season without a preseason. We got a thriller this week in our GOTW between the Gamblers and Panthers, we also got some exciting finishes as Washington edged Philadelphia, Chicago nipped Ohio by a single point, and Arizona held off Oakland. We also saw our share of mismatches, with the two expansion clubs getting beaten handily, but also with Atlanta putting up 41 on Jacksonville and Charlotte surprising New Jersey with a 20-point margin of victory. We will run down all the scores, talk about how the USFL is hoping to adjust their plans on the fly, and take a look ahead at Week 4, but we start with an interesting story surrounding this year’s two big rookie QB signings and the prospect for more of the same in the future. The High Priced Rookie QB Conundrum What to do when you sign a high-priced, high-pick QB in the draft but you still have a pretty solid veteran on the roster? Both economic and fan pressure pushes teams towards wanting to put their new “investment” on the field, but prudence also calls for you to use the vet as long as you can because we all know that rookies tend to struggle and, as always, every game and every win is important. That is the conundrum that the Dallas Roughnecks and Oklahoma Outlaws are facing this season. Dallas made a deal with Portland to get a shot at Oregon QB Justin Herbert, but opted to start the year with 11-year veteran Josh Freeman under center in Week 1. Oklahoma wanted to give Mason Rudolph a shot to earn the starting job after several seasons backing up Joe Flacco, but could not pass on the talented Jalen Hurts in the territorial draft, signing the OU product to a 4-year deal for approximately $700K more per season than their intended starter.  For the Roughnecks, the strategy has always been to gauge how Josh Freeman was doing, having had a couple of down seasons since coming over from St. Louis, but most expected Justin Herbert to start seeing action pretty early. Well, now at 2-1, and with Freeman looking solid, the question is whether or not this would delay the transition to Herbert. If Freeman can keep winning, do you swap him out, or do you wait and see?  For Oklahoma, a 1-2 start is not ideal, but when you look at the stats, Rudolph is not the main issue. He is putting up solid numbers, completing 65.8% of his passes, with 3 touchdowns. The Outlaws are only averaging 11 points per game, but that may largely be due to their last-ranked run game, averaging only 45 yards per outing. So, do you throw Jalen Hurts to the wolves without a run game to rely on, or do you delay his starting debut?   For both clubs, the answers they seek will likely come directly from their win-loss record. If Dallas stays above .500 well into midseason, we may see Herbert with a ball cap and a clip-board for most of the season, much like we saw with Josh Allen his first year in Denver. If, however, 2-1 turns to 2-4, for example, well, that could hasten the switchover. The same is true for the Outlaws as a 1-2 start could turn into a 1-4 hole, and that could be enough for Coach Stoops to try to inspire some change by swapping out a young QB for a rookie QB.   This is hardly the first season where we have seen these conversations. It is pretty much a given for most teams who spent big on a rookie QB prospect. There are times when there simply is not another option at the position, but more often than not, as in the cases of Josh Freeman when Lamar Jackson arrived in St. Louis, Matt Leinart when Josh Allen arrived in Denver, or Ryan Fitzpatrick when Portland drafted Marcus Mariota.  And the reality is that we may well see the same occurring next year, where there is a deep pool of potential QB prospects. Teams are already looking ahead to 2021 and a draft that is expected to include Clemson’s dynamic QB Trevor Lawrence, BYU’s Zach Wilson, NDSU’s Trey Lance, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, Florida’s Kyle Trask, and Alabama’s Mac Jones. We could well be seeing a 2-year span that defines a generation of QB play in the USFL, but each signing will come with the same conundrum. When to switch from the veteran to the rookie? How to best develop a rookie’s talent without shattering their confidence? And what works best to turn rookie energy into early career wins?   HOUSTON GAMBLERS 16   MICHIGAN PANTHERS 21 When you saw this game on the schedule, you knew it was “must see TV”. The Eastern Conference champions from last year against the team that led the league with a 14-2 record in 2019. Offensive talent across the board, from LeVeon Bell and Cody Latimer to Colt McCoy, Evans and Smith-Schuster. But also, two very good defensive teams, capable of disrupting even the best offensive schemes. In other words, a clash of titans in the USFL.   There were a few pieces missing for this game, with Michigan having both WR Cody Latimer and CB Dre Kirkpatrick on Covid protocols, and Houston with Carlos Hyde still nursing an injury and LB Ramik Wilson also held out due to positive Covid tests.  But even with these absences, this was a game with more than enough stars in the lineup to provide great entertainment.   Neither a shootout nor a purely defensive battle, the Gamblers and Panthers provided a little of everything. LeVeon Bell was held under 100 yards but still put up 86 and a touchdown. Houston’s combo of Evans and Smith-Schuster combined for 201 yards receiving, but both were held out of the endzone as Michigan denied QB Colt McCoy a passing TD on the day. Houston also struggled to run the ball without Carlos Hyde. Rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire took over the rushing duty but averaged only 2.5 yards on the day, carrying 16 times for 40 yards. Houston’s lone touchdown would not come from the offense at all as the Panthers held the Gamblers out all day.   The game began with both teams feeling each other out, trying to establish their run games and protect their quarterbacks. The Panthers would put together the best drive of the quarter on their second possession, moving 65 yards in 11 plays before LeVeon Bell dove over the pile on 2 nd  and goal from the 1. It was Bell’s 2 nd  TD of the season and gave the Panthers an early 7-0 lead. The second quarter belonged to Houston, thanks largely to a single misunderstanding between QB Kirk Cousins and rookie receiver Donavan Peoples-Jones. DPJ was in the game for Cody Latimer, and generally played well, but with Michigan leading 7-3 after a Houston field goal, he had a clear miscommunication with QB Kirk Cousins, cutting short a route that Cousins expected him to take deeper. The result was a pick from Houston safety Budda Baker. The safety caught the ball in open space and got a convoy of Gamblers to escort him 48 yards to the endzone for a lead-changing defensive touchdown.   Houston would find success one more time in the quarter, driving into field goal range in the final minutes to increase their lead at the break to 13-7. But it was a sign of things to come that on both scoring drives the Gamblers could not punch the ball into the endzone. When the game resumed in the 3 rd  quarter, they again struggled to get the ball into scoring range, and when Colt McCoy suffered a rare sack on a 3 rd  and 9, Michigan avoided falling behind by more than 1 score. The Panthers rallied around that stop, putting together a 13-play drive that included key 3 rd  down completions to both Calvin Ridley and Martellus Bennett before Cousins found K. J. Hill for the go-ahead score. The quarter ended with Michigan up 14-13.   In the 4 th , Houston continued to struggle to move the ball deep into Michigan territory. Whether it was runs stuffed at the line or passing opportunities missed, the Gamblers simply could not get too deep into Michigan’s side of the field before bogging down. With 4:48 left in the game they got close enough to take the lead once again thanks to a 51-yard kick from Younghoe Koo. With a slim 16-14 lead, they would now rely on their defense to squelch any late game heroics from the Panthers.   Michigan got the ball at the 20 to start what would be their final drive. Knowing that they wanted to both score (at least getting into field goal range for Chase McLaughlin) and eat as much time as possible, the Panthers relied on LeVeon Bell and some underneath routes to Bennett and Ladarius Green, their 2 tight ends. It helped that Houston’s defense continued to play the pass, expecting a bit more urgency, which freed up Bell for a pair of nice runs of 7 and 9 yards on the drive. The key play, however, was a penalty on Houston DE Dante Fowler, who got a bit too aggressive trying to get to Kirk Cousins and landed a blow to his head to draw a Roughing the Passer call that gave Michigan 15 yards. That penalty put Michigan at the Houston 28 yard-line, easily within McLaughlin’s range, but with 1:37 still on the clock, the Panthers did not kick right away, they kept plugging the ball down the field.   On a 1 st  and 10 from the 11, Bell broke a tackle and got as far as the 3 before being stopped. On 2 nd  and 2, Cousins faked the ball to Bell, drawing in the linebackers and freeing up Calvin Ridley on a crossing route. A short toss and Michigan had the lead back at 21-16 with only 23 seconds left. Houston would be unable to mount a miracle comeback in that short span of time, and the Panthers would leave the game at 3-0, giving Houston its 2 nd  loss of the season and giving all of us a fun Sunday night game that thankfully was over by midnight on the East Coast.   ORLANDO 27  TAMPA BAY 37 The Bandits move to 3-0 thanks to a 3-TD game from Dalvin Cook and a solid run defense. The Bandits gave up 333 yards to QB Russell Wilson, but it was a one-sided attack as Week 2 revelation Ty Montgomery was held to only 39 yards in his second game starting for Latavius Murray. Meanwhile, the Bandits’ lead back, Dalvin Cook rattled off 98 yards rushing, another 29 through the air, and 3 total touchdowns to help the Bandits take care of their in-state rival. POTG:  Bandits’ HB Dalvin Cook: 13 Att, 98 Yds, 2 TD, 3 Rec, 29 Yds, 1 TD   BIRMINGHAM 21   MEMPHIS 40 The Showboats offense found its groove as Paxton Lynch threw for 3 scores and the run game cranked out 101 yards against rival Birmingham. The star for the Stallions was rookie WR Henry Ruggs, who hauled in 6 passes for 129 yards and TD, but it was not enough as Memphis never trailed, taking a 14-7 lead after 1 quarter, 23-7 at the half, 33-7 after 3, and a final 40-21 score at the final whistle. POTG:  Showboat QB Paxton Lynch: 29/35, 260 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int   SAN DIEGO 20   DENVER 37 The Thunder continue to struggle on both sides of the ball as Denver outgains them 392-263, on their way to a comfortable 17-point win. Josh Allen rebounded from a pair of weak outings, going 18 of 23 for 192 and a TD, but it was the Gold’s 1-2 punch at HB that did the real damage. DeMarco Murray rushed for 122 on 19 carries and Phillip Lindsay became the goal line specialist with 4 rushing touchdowns, none longer than 9 yards. POTG:  DeMarco Murray: 19 Att, 122 Yds   NEW JERSEY 14   CHARLOTTE 34 With Nick Foles held out after an injury in Friday’s practice, Charlotte was able to lock down the New Jersey offense led by Ricky Stanzi, and cruise to a 31-0 lead after 3 quarters. Touchdowns from Latavius Murray, Nyheim Hines, and Brandon Pettigrew were more than enough to win Charlotte the game, but they also added a Ronald Darby pick-six along the way to earn their first win of the season. POTG:  Monarch CB Ronald Darby: 5 Tck, 2 PDef, 1 Int, 1 Def TD   PHILADELPHIA 17   WASHINGTON 20 The Federals send rival Philadelphia to 0-3 as Stars’ backup QB P. J. Walker struggled to sustain drives despite 294 yards passing. Washington opened scoring with a 45-yard strike from Nassib to Tyreek Hill, then added a TD from rookie Darrynton Evans and two Vinatieri field goalsto take a 20-10 lead. Philadelphia rallied with a late Derrick Henry TD, but it was not enough as Washington held the ball for the final 3:37 to secure the win. POTG:  Washington WR Keenan Allen: 8 Rec, 107 Yds   NEW ORLEANS 31  SAN ANTONIO 7 The Breakers did not break a sweat in downing the expansion Gunslingers. New Orleans put up the first 31 points of the game before a garbage time TD finally got San Antonio on the board. Geno Smith topped 340 yards for the 3 rd  game in a row to start the year, with Coby Fleener (138) and Jordy Nelson (126) both topping 100 yards and each scoring a TD. Rookie Justin Jeffferson failed to hit 100 yards for a third straight game but did score his first pro touchdown. POTG:  Breaker QB Geno Smith: 12/21, 344 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int   CHICAGO 28  OHIO 27 A fun-to-watch back-and-forth game between these two Central rivals ended with Chicago getting a late Michael Floyd TD to secure the win. Both QBs threw for 3 scores, but with 1 extra pick (2:1), Hackenberg came out on the losing end of the score. Floyd finished with 2 scores, with Marion Mack adding another for the Machine, while Ohio got scores from Eric Weems, Isaiah Pead and Curtis Samuel in this classic Central Division duel. POTG:  Chicago LB Kevin Minter: 7 Tck, 1 Int   OAKLAND 24   ARIZONA 27 Arizona could not break Oakland’s spirit, but pulled out a 4 th  quarter win thanks to a Carr TD to rookie Brandon Aiyuk. Both Brady and Carr threw for 2 scores apiece, with Oakland getting a good outing from Christian McCaffrey (11 for 75 yards and a TD). Arizona again played without Calais Campbell and their pass rush only got to 43-year-old Tom Brady once. Meanwhile Derick Carr was running for his life, with Oakland recording 9 sacks on the day, including 2 each for Michael Bennett and LB Tavares Gooden. If not for 2 Jeremy Lane picks of Brady, this game could have easily gone to the Invaders. POTG:  Arizona CB Jeremy Lane: 3 Tck, 4 PDef, 2 Int   PORTLAND 31 DALLAS 38 An unexpected shootout as Portland backup A. J. McCarron survived 6 sacks to throw for 372 yards and HB Doug Martin put up 2 scores and 90 yards rushing. Dallas countered with Samaje Perine’s best games as a pro (25 Att, 123 Yds, 2 TD) and a game-clinching 59-yard pick six from veteran LB Clay Matthews, who looked like he needed about a month on the oxygen tank after running the ball back for the Roughneck’s 2 nd  defensive score on the day. POTG:  Dallas FS Jamal Adams: 6 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD   BALTIMORE 24  NEW ENGLAND 7 Baltimore fell behind 7-0 to the expansion Steamrollers before rattling off 24 unanswered points to take this NE Division matchup. Jake Locker was picked twice, but the Steamrollers were unable to convert turnovers into points, while Baltimore slowly built up their lead, thanks to a Troymaine Pope 96-yard kickoff return to open the 3 rd , and then a second score from Pope on an 11-yard run in the 4 th , his 3 rd  TD of the day. POTG:  Blitz HB Troymaine Pope: 5 Att, 36 Yds, 2 TD, 2 KR, 109 Yds, 1 TD   ATLANTA 41  JACKSONVILLE 23 That Fire offense remains as hot as their name implies. Aaron Murray threw for 295 and 3 scores, Nick Chubb added 2 on the ground, and the Fire easily dispatched the Bulls, who drop to 0-3. The Fire now sit at 3-0 and are beginning to feel like this season’s upstart contender. Rookie Gabe Davis had himself a great 3 rd game, catching 3 passes for 96 yards, with 2 going for scores. The defense gave up 368 yards to the Bulls, but the Bulls just could not keep pace with Atlanta’s scoring. POTG:  Fire QB Aaron Murray: 19/30, 295 Yds, 3 TD, 1 Int   PITTSBURGH 16  ST. LOUIS 10 The Maulers improve to 2-1 and send St. Louis down to 0-3 thanks to a solid defensive effort that included holding the Skyhawks to 75 yards rushing and only 3 of 15 on third down. Pittsburgh’s Tre Herndon did not get a pick in his 3 rd  straight game, but did produce 4 pass defenses, while Shaquile Riddick added 2 sacks for the Maulers. The Skyhawks did not cross midfield until midway through the 3 rd  period as Lamar Jackson seemed handcuffed within the pocket. POTG:  Pittsburgh DE Shaquile Riddick: 4 Tck, 2 Sck   SEATTLE 24  LAS VEGAS 23 The Dragons secured their win over the now 0-3 Vipers, thanks to 127 yards from WR Amari Cooper and a defense that held Las Vegas to only 59 yards rushing. Seattle QB Brent Hundley likely locked up his starting job for at least the next week with a 21 of 28, 262 yard performance, connecting early and often with Cooper. POTG:  Dragon WR Amari Cooper: 7 Rec, 127 Yds   LOS ANGELES 9  OKLAHOMA 3 A defensive slugfest paired with some sloppy offense produced this sleepy score. LA actually put up a TD and a safety to get to 9 points, but Oklahoma was simply unable to get anything going, held to only one Kai Forbath kick on the day. Reggie Bush’s 85 yards rushing and a lone TD pass to backup HB Paul Perkins were all LA needed as they shut down Oklahoma, limiting Jeremy Hill to only 18 yards rushing (DeeJay Dallas did 1 better at 19 yards) and holding WR DeDe Westbrook ton only 39 yards receiving. POTG:  Express LB Uchena Nwosu: 8 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty, 1 FF, 1 FR   Atlanta and LA Surprise Many at 3-0 The Fire and the Express enter Week 4 with unblemished records, but they are certainly not using the same formula to get there. The Fire are leading the league by scoring 37.7 points per game despite not being in the Top 10 in passing, rushing, or overall yards. Los Angeles is doing it with defense, the league’s best scoring defense to be precise, allowing only 9.7 points per game. Two very different formulas and some new names to learn as we start to look more seriously at these two unbeaten teams.   For Atlanta, the players to watch include QB Aaron Murray and HB Nick Chubb, of course, but it is NFL import A. J. Green who seems to have sparked a more open offense, leading the team with 3 receiving TDs despite having 7 fewer receptions than team leader Kelvin Benjamin. For the Express, get used to hearing more about 3 rd  year linebacker Uchena Nwosu. Nwosu leads the club with 24 tackls, but also has 2 sacks and a forced fumble in this season’s first three games. Lining up next to Keith Rivers, Nwosu is proving to be a dynamic sideline-to-sideline pursuer of the ball. Another player to keep an eye on is DT Chris Jones. With more teams working to slow down edge rusher Nick Bosa, Jones is finding himself in more single-blocker setups and he is making teams pay for their lack of respect, tied with Bosa with 3 sacks in 3 games.   LA and Atlanta are not the only unbeatens after 3 weeks, but there is really no surprise in seeing Arizona and Michigan here, and even New Orleans and Tampa Bay are not huge surprises. But for the Fire and Express, the goal now has to be to build on their good starts, to maintain momentum and to try to shore up the side of the ball that has not yet proven itself, Atlanta’s defense and the Express offense.   Breaking Down the Issues for the 0-3 Teams In addition to 6 unbeatens, week three brings us 5 teams that have yet to crack the win columns. Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and St. Louis join expansion San Antonio in that dubious honor, but, as with our unbeatens, each team is getting to this low point in their own way. So, just what are the issues with these 5 teams and how can they overcome them? Here is our breakdown as we prepare for Week 4.   Jacksonville While not really a surprise to see last year’s weakest club sitting at 0-3, but certainly not the start that new head coach Winston Moss wanted for his team. So what is Jacksonville’s issue? Pretty much the same as last year, a complete lack of big plays. The Bulls are 30 th  in the league, scoring only 10.7 points per game, a total that actually looks better after their 41-23 thrashing by Atlanta, because up until then they had yet to score a touchdown. The Bulls have the fewest 20+ yard plays of any team in the league, don’t have a rusher over 4.0 per carry (Devin Singletary is close at 3.9), and don’t have a receiver over 15 yards per catch. If not for a 53-yard catch and run by TE Gavin Escobar, they would not have a single reception over 25 yards in their first 3 games. Rookie Tee Higgins is the club’s leading receiver, and while he is talented, the Bulls clearly need more out of him, the rest of the receiver group, the backs, and the offense in general.   San Antonio Another club that does not surprise us with an 0-3 start. Being an expansion team is just not easy. The players are still getting to know each other, learn a new system, and they have a first-time head coach in Chuck Long who is also learning the ropes. The Gunslingers are currently 27 th  in the league in scoring and also 26 th  in points allowed. But, they are a first-year club, so their real goal is to see progress as the season progresses. We should not be so harsh on them as “newborns” in the league.   St. Louis Now we are getting to the teams that need to be concerned. The Lamar Jackson era was supposed to be one defined by the dual threat nature of the young QB, but it seems that Coach Reich is trying to force Jackson to be something he is not, a pocket passer. Jackson, in three games, has exactly 0 scripted runs. That seems like a huge missed opportunity, and for a team that is averaging only 168 yards per game passing and 13 points per game, maybe the time is now for Reich to let Jackson be Jackson. It, of course, does not help that the Skyhawks are also 29 th  in pass defense, meaning that they are so often playng from behind. They have yet to score more than 19 points and we think that while it makes sense to keep Eddie Lacy in the game, they need to be much more open to using all of Jackson’s skills.   Philadelphia Before you get all excited that we are going to pile on Matt Gutierrez (who has only played in 2 of their 3 losses), we should point out that the Stars have the 4 th best passing game at 271 yards per game. Shockingly it is the run game that has failed them. Even with Derrick “King” Henry in the backfield they are averaging only 86 yards per game. That seems absolutely criminal considering his talent. Now, before we get too despondent, we should also note that all 3 of Philly’s games have been razor thin: a 21-19 loss to the Bandits, 20-17 to the Generals, and the same 20-17 score against Washington. If they can get just a bit more out of the run game, and get Gutierrez back after his weird toe injury, they could turn this around, as they did last year, going from 0-5 to 9-7 and the division title.  Las Vegas This, even more than the Skyhawks and Stars, is the team we did not see starting off this slowly. The Vipers were so close in so many games last year that we had them pegged as a possible Wild Card, but so much seems to not be working for them. How about a run game producing only 50 yards per game? Or an inability to pull out single score games. They lost to Denver by 3, to Oakland by 2, and to Seattle by 1, in that order. That seems to indicate that this week they should tie their opponent. But Las Vegas just needs to find a way to do more with less. They are not going to be a high-flying offense, so they need to not miss on opportunities when they get them.   Murray & Lindsay Spark Gold Rush The San Diego Thunder came into their Friday night clash with Denver hoping to keep QB Josh Allen in the pocket and force him to make a few bad throws. But for that strategy to work, you also need to contain Denver’s run game, and by the looks of the game this week, that is easier said than done. The Denver Gold, perhaps anticipating San Diego’s containment strategy, did not ask Josh Allen to do much. He had some good throws, and overall his numbers were strong (18 of 23 for 192, 1 TD, 1 Int) but the focus of the Denver offense was clearly on the run game. While Allen had 23 pass attempts, the combination of DeMarco Murray, Phillip Lindsay, and Jonathan Ward produced 39 rushing attempts, and with that an even 200 yards rushing.   Murray did most of the damage between the 20’s, rushing for 122 yards on 19 carries, a 6.4 YPC average that just shredded the Thunder defense and kept drives going. Lindsay was most effective within the 20, where 11 of his 19 carries occurred, including touchdowns of 5, 5, 9, and 3 yards to give him 4 on the day. Denver’s ability to run the ball at will disrupted any attempt by San Diego to hold down the Gold offense, allowing Denver to build up a 20-6 lead at the half, and when San Diego got close at 20-23 in the 4 th , to add on 2 late Lindsay TDs to take the game by a comfortable 17 points. The game not only knocked the Thunder to 1-2, already 2 games behind division leader LA, but also demonstrated that the Gold are a team that could cause some problems, especially for teams that want them to be one-dimensional.   Sweat Secures 4 Sacks to Take League Lead While fans in Orlando certainly revere their former 10-Time USFL Sack Leader and future Hall of Famer, Calais Campbell, they are not lingering in nostalgia for the former Renegade, now Wrangler. Second year DE Montez Sweat is helping them move on. He certainly made his case this week against the arch-rival Bandits, securing 4 sacks of Dak Prescott, a bright spot in a tough 37-27 loss for the Renegades. Sweat now leads all USFL pass rushers with 6 sacks on the year, 2 ahead of a pack of players that includes Michael Bennett (OAK), Mario Edwards (ATL), Chandler Jones (CHA), and Shaquile Riddick (PIT). Just like Campbell before him, and Chris Doleman before that, Sweat is looking like another standout in a long line of Orlando pass rushers. He finished his rookie year with 17 sacks, good enough for 4 th  place in the league and only 6 behind you know who out in Arizona. This year he seems ready to take on the mantle of Orlando’s long history of outstanding edge rushing defensive ends, and that is sure to make the Renegade faithful happy rather than feeling nostalgic.   We are beginning to recognize a COVID infection pattern as it seems that many teams that have a player with a more severe symptomatic case of the virus (those lasting 2 weeks on the COVID list) are also frequently seeing a 2 nd player added. This is the case this week in Houston, LA, and Michigan. Fortunately, what we have not yet seen is a situation where a team has a massive outbreak or even an outbreak within one position group. From the surface it would appear that the team precautions and rooming assignments have been effective in avoiding a situation where all 3 QBs, TE’s or HBs are all at risk together.   As for on-field injuries, the game of football continues to produce significant injury concerns, with Dalas suffering a big blow this week, losing their starting strong safety for at least two months. The Roughnecks are not placing Dezmen Southward on IR, at least not until they get a better sense of his recovery time. Another safety, Baltimore’s James Sample, will miss at least 6 weeks with an abdominal tear, while New England will be without their veteran TE Dennis Pitta for at least 2 weeks. Here is the full report, including our weekly Covid testing results.   OUT SS        Dezmen Southward    DAL       Neck/Skull            8-12 Weeks FS           James Sample                 BAL        Abdomen              6-8 Weeks TE           Dennis Pitta                  NEN      Hamstring              2-4 Weeks LB           Josh Allen                       SEA        Ankle                     2-4 Weeks C             Joey Hunt                      NEN      Ankle                       2-4 Weeks FB          Andy Janovich             ARZ       Wrist                       1-2 Weeks WR         Randall Cobb               PHI        Knee                        1-2 Weeks   DOUBTFUL QB         Nick Foles                      NJ           Jammed Toe                      G            Patrick Omaneh              JAX         Ankle   QUESTIONABLE DT          Rashard Lawrence        MGN     Hip C             J. D. Walton                      ORL       Patella Tendinitis OT          Jawan Taylor                JAX         Hamstring DE          Jordan Willis                 OKL       Knee TE           Tyler Eifert                   CHI        Turf Toe   COVID-19 INACTIVE HOU     LB        Ramik Wilson     2 nd Week HOU     DE          Tim Crowder                     LA          CB          Isaiah Oliver        2 nd Week LA          FS           Jalen Mills MGN     WR         Cody Latimer         2 nd Week MGN    LB        Devin Bush        NJ           LB           Akeem Ayers    PIT         DT          Gabe Wright         2 nd Week POR      CB          A. J. Bouye                           Texas & Arizona Governors Open to Day Games in Domes The USFL came a step closer to adjusting their schedule to include afternoons as the governors of both Texas and Arizona seem to be helping pave the way for a reconsideration of using closed (and air conditioned) domed stadiums in both Houston and Phoenix to host afternoon USFL games this season. Both Governor Greg Abbott of Texas and Doug Ducey of Arizona have stated that they are in favor of exploring the use of indoor stadiums for USFL games. Currently both NRG Stadium in Houston and State Farm Stadium in Glendale are being used for USFL games, but only with their retractable roofs opened.   The USFL is in talks with the Public Health offices in both states, hoping to diversify their schedule and reduce the number of late night games for fans on the East Coast. In addition to the potential for use of closed domes for day games, there are also ongoing talks in each state about the possibility of re-examining capacity limits, with the hope of allowing some fan support by the USFL playoffs, scheduled for September and October. With hospitalization and death numbers continuing to rise across the U.S. it seems unlikely that we will see any USFL games with filled stadiums this year, but the hope is to have some capacity approved, allowing for smaller crowds in the playoff games. In the meantime, if the USFL can get approval in both Arizona and Texas, it could allow for up to 4 games per week to be held in the afternoon rather than at night, which almost certainly would help league ratings.   League & Network Meetings Produce Temporary Truce As expected, the USFL talks with ABC/ESPN, FOX, and NBC produced some changes, with schedule adjustments expected to kick in for Week 5 of the season. The talks were initiated by NBC, who had seen significantly reduced numbers for their 11pm kickoff games. With both NBC and ESPN/EFN broadcasting only 2 games per week, the question of assigning games had become a major issue, with each insisting that it should be exempted from the Arizona games which kick off at 11pm ET.   The goal for all 4 networks was to produce a schedule that would allow for regular scheduling, not variation from 8pm, 9pm, and 11pm games, while also ensuring that no network was taking a large hit on viewership by absorbing a lot of the later Arizona-based games. The proposal, which likely would require a 2 nd round of adjustments should the USFL begin to schedule afternoon games, has NBC locked into a 9pm Houston-based game each Friday and an 8pm Florida-based game on Saturday. ESPN/EFN has a similar schedule, but with their guaranteed 8pm start on Friday, with a 9pm game on Sunday. That leaves only the 11pm slot on Friday to be split between ABC and FOX, with each network also splitting the remaining 8 Saturday and Sunday games. There will be one 8pm start available on Saturday and two on Sunday, two 9pm starts on Saturday with 1 on Sunday, and all four 11pm starts between the two nights. So, as fans, what should we expect. Well, it gets just a bit simpler each week. Friday will be ESPN/EFN Friday Night Football at 8pm, NBC Friday Night Lights at 9pm, and either Fox USFL Friday or ABC Friday Football at 11pm in alternating weeks. Saturday will be NBC Saturday Night Lights at 8pm, along with either FOX or ABC also at 8pm. Both Fox and ABC will also host an 11pm game. Then, on Sunday, we will see 8pm games, one each, on ABC and FOX, then at 9pm it will be ESPN Sunday Night Football along with either ABC or FOX (whoever did not have a Friday game) and again both FOX and ABC will host 11pm games. This schedule will be in place starting in Week 5, with news on afternoon games still pending.   2020 USFL Hall of Fame Semifinalists Announced The 2020 roster of Hall of Fame semifinalists has been chosen and it is one sure to cause some heated debates. With 4 wide receivers among the 10 nominees, the list immediately will cause fans to argue for their favorite choice. Throw in a pair of linebackers, both of whom spent time together on the same squad, and a 2019 snub in safety Ed Reed, and you have a pretty deep pool. Knowing that only 5 of these 10 nominees will be chosen produces a lot of tension and a lot of room for fans and voters to go back and forth on their top choices. Let’s list the nominees and then we will give you our thoughts, more as a conversation starter than a prediction.   QB Duante Culpepper (TBY 2004-14) The former Bandit QB who led Tampa Bay to the 2011 league title returns in his 2 nd  year of eligibility. Culpepper, a 4-time All-USFL selection and the 2011 Playoff MVP has no other QBs in the pool this year, unlike last year when Jake Plummer garnered near unanimous support for the Hall.   WR Steve Smith (PHI 2001-10, OHIO 2011-15) The first of four wideouts on this year’s list, Smith was a stalwart for the Stars for a decade before being traded to Ohio. He retired with over 1,100 receptions, 15,000 yards and 94 touchdowns, but the diminutive receiver who played with a chip on his shoulder will have a lot of competition in his first year of eligibility WR Hines Ward (ARZ 1998-2001, MGN 2002-15) Perhaps the frontrunner from the WR group, Hines Ward played 18 seasons, amassing nearly 1,300 receptions for 18,972 yards and added 121 touchdowns. The 8-time All-USFL wideout for the Wranglers and Panthers seems a pretty sure bet to make the Class of 2020.  WR Deion Branch (WSH 2002-15) Underappreciated in his time, Branch was only nominated to an All-USFL team twice in his 13-season career despite amassing over 1,000 receptions, 13,500 yards, and 79 touchdowns. He may again suffer from underappreciation in this strong group of wide receiver candidates for the Hall.   WR Peerless Price (DEN 1999-2013) In his 3 rd  year of eligibility, things don’t get any easier for Peerless Price’s HOF prospects. The lifelong member of the Gold did help Denver win a title in 2000 and was nominated to the All-USFL team. His 1,246 receptions, 14,495 yards and 80 TDs are all competitive numbers, but does he have the swagger that others bring with them?   DE Justin Smith (LA 2001-04, TEX 2005, OAK 2006-15) The only edge rusher in this year’s pool, Smith played for 3 different teams, making his name mostly in his time with Oakland. A 3-time All-USFL nominee, Smith retired with 200 sacks to his name, good enough for 6 th All-Time in the USFL. He also had 128 tackles for loss among his 6-9 career tackles and forced 34 fumbles, all impressive totals.   LB Joey Porter (POR/LV 1999-2015) The Thunder’s all-time greatest linebacker, and current LB Coach of the NFL Steelers, Porter played 17 seasons in both Portland and Las Vegas. When he retired he had amassed 1,443 tackles (277 for a loss), 57 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, 15 recoveries, and 13 picks. A fierce hitter and one of the best run stuffers at the position, Porter was awarded with All-USFL honors 5 times in his illustrious career.  LB Mark Simoneau (POR/LV 2000-06, WSH 2007-10, POR 2011-14, ORL 2015) Another former Thunder LB, Mark Simoneau moved on to Washington, returned to Portland with the Stags, and retired after 1 season in Orlando. Over his 16 seasons, Simoneau was nominated to the All-USFL team twice, retiring with 1,261 tackles (134 for loss). He also had 37 forced fumbles, recovering 17, and added 36 sacks and 16 career interceptions.  CB Quentin Jammer (TEX 2002-03, PHI 2004-13, BIR 2014) In his 2 nd  year of eligibility, Jammer played most of his career in Philadelphia, where he was named All-USFL five times. He retired with over 1,000 tackles, with 343 pass defenses and 32 career picks to his name.   FS Ed Reed (WSH 2002-14) Another 2 nd  year nominee, many felt his being passed over last year was a true crime. Reed was an intimidating presence for the Federals over his 13-season career, but without a league title to his name, he missed out on last year’s strong group. Reed retired with 562 tackles, 27 sacks, 35 interceptions, and 4 All-USFL nominations.   From these 10 candidates, who do we see as the most likely choices to join the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame? Well, we are going to start off with the player most were upset was left off the 2019 list, former Federals’ safety Ed Reed. He is not a numbers guy, which may have hurt him last year, but if you ask anyone who went up against him during his time with the Federals, they will tell you he was a nightmare to face and certainly one of the league’s best at the position. So, after Ed Reed, who do we see making the hall. We like Hines Ward from among the 4 wideout choices, though we are also somewhat sympathetic to Peerless Price in his 3 rd  year of eligibility. We just see Ward as the most impactful of the four, but we could see votes also going to Price and to Steve Smith. We like Joey Porter as a first-year nominee, with stronger numbers than former teammate Matt Simoneau. And don’t be surprised if Justin Smith gets in as well. In an era dominated by Calais Campbell, Smith’s numbers, reaching 200 sacks, is certainly nothing to sneeze at. The hottest debate among our pool was on QB Daunte Culpepper. Yes, he led a prolific offense, especially in that 2011 title year, but his Bandits were very much an up and down team during his 11 years in the league, which might hold him back among voters.   Feel free to debate your choices. The HOF voters will convene in August and we should get our list of finalists for what we hope is an in-person induction ceremony in October.   Week 4, the one-quarter mark of the year, kicks off with a Beltway Brawl as Washington and Baltimore, both sitting at 2-1, battle at Raymond James Stadium. We then head to Houston where the Chicago Machine take on the Memphis Showboats in another battle of 2-1 clubs. The nightcap could be a nasty one as the Thunder face the Invaders in a California Clash (live from Arizona).   Saturday gives us two East Coast rivalry games as the NY-Boston rivalry kicks off with the first matchup of the Steamrollers and Generals. Later on, in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium it is a SE Division clash, and a battle of unbeatens as Tampa Bay and Atlanta meet, both sitting at 3-0. Later that night it is desperation time for the Las Vegas Vipers as they face the 2-1 Roughnecks at ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium while, across the state in Tucson we have Oklahoma facing Denver in another SW Division clash.   Sunday brings us 0-3 Philadelphia hoping to catch a break against Orlando. Another 0-3 club, the Jacksonville Bulls, will be in Tampa Bay to face the Charlotte Monarchs. At 9pm it is another great battle of unbeatens as the Michigan Panther defense will try to cool off the red-hot New Orleans Breaker passing game. We end the weekend with two late-night games for our East Coast fans as we get a Cascade Clash between Seattle and Portland from a very different climate as the two face off in the desert climate of Tucson. LA and Arizona give us our final battle of 3-0 clubs when the two battle in Glendale, a comfortable home for the Wranglers even if fans won’t be present inside State Farm Stadium.   FRIDAY 8pm ET        Washington (2-1) @ Baltimore (2-1)           Tampa             NBC 9pm ET          Chicago (2-1) @ Memphis (2-1)                   NRG                 ABC 11pm ET         San Diego (1-2) @ Oakland (1-2)                  Glendale         ESPN/EFN   SATURDAY 8pm ET        New England (1-2) @ New Jersey (2-1)        Gainesville     ABC 8pm ET          Tampa Bay (3-0) @ Atlanta (3-0)                       Orlando         FOX 9pm ET         St. Louis (0-3) @ Houston (1-2)                      TDECU            ABC 9pm ET         Pittsburgh (2-1) @ Birmingham (1-2)               Rice                 FOX 11pm ET         Las Vegas (0-3) @ Dallas (2-1)                          Tempe            NBC 11pm ET         Oklahoma (1-2) @ Denver (2-1)                       Tucson             FOX   SUNDAY 8pm ET       Orlando (1-2) @ Philadelphia (0-3)                 Orlando        ESPN/EFN 8pm ET          Jacksonville (0-3) @ Charlotte (1-2)                  Tampa             FOX 9pm ET           Michigan (3-0) @ New Orleans (3-0)                NRG               ABC 9pm ET           Ohio (1-2) @ San Antonio (0-3)                         Rice                  FOX 11pm ET         Seattle (1-2) @ Portland (1-2)                           Tucson            ABC 11pm ET          Los Angeles (3-0) @ Arizona (3-0)                    Glendale         FOX

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hard to believe that Phillip Lindsay's 4-TD day did not even get him listed as an option for POTW, but with fewer than 80 yards rushing perhaps the voters were not keen on rewarding "vulturing" of short TDs. The award this week will go instead to Dallas HB Samaje Perine, who turned in his best day as a pro with 123 yards and 2 touchdowns to help the Roughnecks improve to 2-1 in the SW Division.

Week Two is in the books and while we cannot say that things are returning to a sense of normalcy, what we can say is that games are being played, teams are defining themselves, and the sights and sounds of spring football are back. Week Two gave us some big rivalry games, some last-second swings, and some surprises as well. We also are beginning to see teams trying to figure out how to balance team cohesion, player support, and strict pandemic guidelines. Our feature article will look at the first cracks in the system as teams are having to devote time and energy to policing their own players, particularly when it comes to team facilities and down time. We will break down that story, look at all 15 games from an action-packed week, discuss a couple of interesting QB situations, and give you the latest as the league and the networks try to find ways to improve what has been a rough start to the year with the all night-game schedule. It’s all right here, so don’t wander off. Teams Find Policing Players a New Reality When the league proposed a season schedule in which all 30 USFL franchises would be holed up in hotels, practicing and playing games in empty stadiums, and spending the better part of 4 months largely isolated, there were many concerns about how this would impact the game. Health issues and how to handle potential COVID-19 infections were of course considered, but one aspect of the unique hub-city-bubble-game format which may not have received enough attention was how teams would address player behavior and conduct violations.   Perhaps they should have anticipated that there could be problems. After all, we are talking about a lot of restless young men in their early 20’s and even some restless older men in their 30’s. This was a group that was not accustomed to being sequestered, kept largely away from their friends and family, forced to spend nearly 24 hours per day with only their teammates. Something was bound to give. Well, it took only 2 weeks for teams to start discovering that keeping 53 men cloistered in their hotels was not going to happen without a few hitches, but without leaguewide guidance on how to handle discipline and mandated seclusion, teams seem to be finding their own ways, some far more restrictive than others.   The Baltimore Blitz became the first team this week to suspend a player specifically for violating COVID and semi-quarantine guidelines. Rookie WR Michael Pittman Jr. will not play in the Blitz’s Week 3 game against the expansion New England Steamrollers after getting busted outside the team hotel on Tuesday night. It appears that Pittman was at a local watering hole in Orlando on Tuesday night. While many venues are temporarily closed, there are some bars, particularly in Florida, where the governor has resisted calls to shutter restaurants, bars and clubs for fear of killing the state’s tourism business, which remain open. Pittmann apparently found one and was apparently ratted out by a hotel employee who recognized the Blitz player, calling back to the hotel to notify the Blitz staff. When Pittman returned to the hotel, Coach Caldwell was waiting for him. The frustrated coach decided that a 1-game suspension for violating team policy was in order and Pittman will be sidelined when the Blitz kick off this weekend.   A similar situation in Galveston, Texas, when DE Charles Harris was found to have violated the Skyhawks’ hotel protocol. Apparently unsatisfied with the hotel dinner on Monday, Harris left the hotel to walk through the drive through at a local fast-food establishment and was found sitting outside the undisclosed restaurant eating a second dinner. Perhaps it was the nature of the infraction, or the sheer luck that the restaurant in question had no indoor seating, but Coach Reich rather than suspending Harris opted to demote him. Harris will be suited up against Pittsburgh this week but will not get the start and will apparently have his snap count reduced.   The one coach we expected would be coming down hard on player transgressions has apparently done just that as Ohio’s Tom Coughlin implemented 11pm bed checks for all players. In a move we usually hear only for college players, the Glory players are expected to be in their rooms for the night when bed check is run by the coaching staff. To date there are no reports of violations, but there have certainly been plenty of grumbles coming out of College Station as Glory players seem none to pleased to be getting a treatment more typical for a high school field trip than a pro football team.   A story with a very different spin occurred in Flagstaff, where the Vipers allowed LB Blake Martinez to leave the team facility and drive the 250 miles back to Las Vegas to be present as his wife gave birth. Martinez was subjected to multiple COVID tests before departure, upon arrival in Las Vegas, and then again upon his return to the club’s hotel in Flagstaff 2 days later, but the short trip allowed Martinez to be present for the birth of a son. No word on whether Martinez, an avid collector and seller of rare Pokemon cards, picked up any new merch while he was away.    ORLANDO RENEGADES 20  CHARLOTTE MONARCHS 19 For the second week in a row the Orlando Renegades feature in our Game of the Week. Last week it was an overtime loss to expansion New England, this week it is a fantastic finish against division rival Charlotte that is highlighted. In a game that saw two surprising 100-yard performances from unheralded tailbacks, the game was not decided until 59:35 had been expended, with Orlando garnering a 1-point win.   Both the Renegades and the Monarchs came into the game at 0-1, and both came in with questions after Week 1 losses. For Orlando, defensive struggles against the expansion Steamrollers had fans wondering if the much-hyped Ron Rivera defense was not all it was cracked up to be. For Monarch fans, and their rookie head coach Vance Joseph, the concern was a lack of offensive production against Baltimore. Their Week Two divisional clash would not necessarily remove those two concerns, but what it did is show that both of these teams would be willing to fight for 60 minutes to earn a win.   The game started slowly, as many do, with both teams serving up 3-and-outs to open the first. Both would find more success on their second drives, with Charlotte taking the ball all the way to the Orlando 6 before a false start on 3 rd and goal put them at 3 rd  and goal from the 11. When Mitch Trubisky threw the ball out of the endzone to avoid pressure, it gave Orlando a moral victory, holding Charlotte to a field goal after coming so close. The Renegades responded with a 14-play drive that took up almost 8 minutes of game time and finished with TE Crocket Gilmore catching a 3-yard TD toss from Russell Wilson for the first TD of the game. The Orlando drive featured a player that few thought would be pivotal to the game, but who ended the day with 113 yards on only 11 carries. Ty Montgomery, a part-time back, part-time receiver in the NFL, clearly had a better day than Orlando’s starting HB, Knile Davis, who managed only 10 yards on the day. He would play an even larger role later on in the game.   Following the Orlando score, Charlotte too put up a long drive, going 77 yards in 12 plays before the Monarchs’ own surprise star for the day, HB Nyheim Hines, took the ball in from 20 yards out, juking past the initial tackle attempt and then racing down the sideline. Hines, who would see significant action due to lingering tendonitis for starter Latavius Murray, made the most of his shot, rushing for 119 yards on 22 carries and putting Charlotte up 10-7 just 3 minutes into the second quarter. That lead, however, would not hold. On their next drive, Orlando came right back down the field, again using Montgomery to surprising success. Following a nice pass from Wilson to TE David Njoku placed the ball on the Charlotte 9, Montgomery took it in on a well-designed pitch play that had two pulling guards out in front of the slight back.   The Montgomery score put Orlando on top 14-10, and that is the score that held into halftime as Charlotte’s Stephen Earl would have a chance at a chip shot field goal as time ran down, but a poor hold forced punter Jeff Locke to give up on the kick and try to throw the ball to the endzone. Locke’s impromptu pass did not find a receiver and the two teams went into the half with Orlando holding a tenuous 14-10 lead.   Coming out of the halftime break, Charlotte seemed to have made the better adjustments, finding room for Hines on the ground and getting connections from Trubisky to both Justin Blackmon and Hakeem Nicks on their first drive, producing a field goal that pulled the Monarchs to within 1. It would prove to be the only score of the 3 rd  quarter as both teams lost their offensive momentum after second half adjustments were made. The stalemate held into the 4 th , with 5 consecutive drives producing punts. Charlotte got the ball with 5:02 left in the half, and something had to give. What gave was the interior coverage of the Orlando safeties. On 2nd and 4, Charlotte’s Trubisky faked the ball to Hines. Safety D. J. Swearinger blitzed on the play, leaving only Justin Simmons in deep coverage. That proved fatal as the blitz did not get to Trubisky and the Charlotte QB found TE Brandon Pettigrew on a seam route. The big TE used a nice straight-arm to avoid the tackle from Simmons and 62-yards later he was in the endzone, and Charlotte was going for 2. The conversion failed, a play that would haunt the Monarchs.   The Renegades, who had been held scoreless since the midway point of the 2 nd quarter, had one drive left in them. The offense came onto the field with 1:54 left to play and 2 time outs available. Russell Wilson needed to get to work, or at least that is what the Monarchs believed. With a brilliant coaching call, the Renegades lined up with 3 WRs on 1 st  and 10 from their own 20, and with the defense clearly lining up to defend the pass, a perfectly executed delay draw caught Charlotte napping. Montgomery took advantage of the deep shell the Monarchs had set up, breaking through the line and racing 32 yards before an ankle tackle from Charlotte CB Ronald Darby brought him down. That one play, taking barely 6 seconds, vaulted the Renegades from their own 20 to the Charlotte 48 with nearly 1:50 still on the clock. Orlando knew they had time, so there was no need to pass on every play. They mixed in 2 more runs along with 3 passes before calling time out on the Charlotte 9-yard line with 31 seconds left to play.   Orlando failed on first down as Wilson picked out WR Brashad Perriman for an endzone corner catch, but the ball was just a bit too high and just out of bounds. On 2 nd down he went for a more secure option, finding his TE over the middle. David Njoku caught the ball at the 1, but with his defender trailing, even a good tackle from LB A. J. Johnson allowed Njoku to fall into the endzone and give Orlando a 20-19 lead. The Renegades also went for two, hoping to go up a field goal, but they too failed to convert and with 25 seconds left, the Renegades held a slim 1-point lead.   Charlotte took the kickoff with a fair catch to save time, placing themselves at their own 17-yard line. With only 1 time out left, Mitch Trubisky would need to go for large chunks to get the Monarchs into range for kicker Stephen Earl. That urgency did not work well for the Monarchs, with Trubisky missing on both 1 st and 2 nd  down. He hit HB Darwin Thompson for a short gain on 3 rd down but then failed again to find a receiver on 4 th  and 6. Orlando took a knee, and the clock ran out with the Renegades on top. The two teams had both played far better than in Week 1, but only one could claim victory and on this day it was Orlando moving up to 1-1, while Charlotte dropped to 0-2.   PHILADELPHIA 17   NEW JERSEY 20 The Generals take the first of this year’s Turnpike Tussles, thanks to a huge 2 nd quarter that provided all their scoring on the day. After a scoreless 1 st quarter, the Generals exploded for 20 points in the 2 nd , powered by a 40-yard TD toss to Muhamed Sanu and Maurice Jones-Drew’s rushing prowess. MJD finished the day with 147 on the day, averaging 7.7 YPC along the way. Shut out in the first half, Coach Harbaugh swapped in P. J. Walker for the ineffective Matt Gutierrez. Walker rallied the Stars with 2 second half TDs from Derrick Henry, a 6-yard run and a 6-yard catch, but it was not enough as New Jersey hung on to move to 2-0 and send the Stars to 0-2. POTG:  New Jersey HB Maurice Jones-Drew: 19 Att, 147 Yds, 1 TD   NEW ORLEANS 24  HOUSTON 17 The Breakers, on a huge game from Geno Smith, put 24 points on the board in the 2 nd half to wie out a 10-0 deficit and claim a huge divisional win. Smith threw for 369 on the day, with both Justin Jefferson (107) and Jordy Nelson (109) going over 100 yards. The Breakers’ third receiver, slot man Tyler Lockett, brought in both of Smith’s 2 TD tosses. Houston was in the game in large part due to a strong first half from Carlos Hyde, who would finish the day with 134 yards and a TD, but with 1:13 left to play when the Breakers took the lead 24-17, Houston needed a quick drive and instead found Colt McCoy’s 2 nd  pick of the night, both to CB Tra’Davious White. POTG:  Breaker QB Geno Smith: 14/22, 369 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int   SAN DIEGO 0   ARIZONA 34 After suffering a 41-10 blowout loss in the 2019 playoffs, San Diego was hoping to flip the script on the Wranglers, but Arizona again proved to be more than a match for the Thunder, humiliating them again with a 34-point shut out victory over the Pacific Division champions. This one was ugly from the beginning as Arizona outgained San Diego 432-266 and held the Thunder to only 50 yards rushing. David Carr threw for 3 scores and 307 yards while the combo of Carey and Crowell combined for 125 on the ground as the Wranglers left no doubt who was the best in the West this week. POTG:  Wrangler WR Victor Cruz: 6 Rec, 121 Yds, 1 TD   WASHINGTON 20  NEW ENGLAND 10 A hard crash into reality for the Steamrollers as they struggled to overcome division rival Washington. The game was close through 3 quarters and it seemed the expansion Steamrollers might again pull out a close game, but the 4 th quarter belonged to Washington as Ryan Nassib connected with Tyreek Hill for a stunning 73-yard pitch, catch, and run. Nassib added the 2-point conversion on a bootleg, giving the Feds a 7-point advantage. They added a late field goal to lock it up as both teams now move to 1-1 on the year. POTG:  Federals WR Tyreek Hill: 6 Rec, 112 Yds, 1 TD   SAN ANTONIO 21   MEMPHIS 27 Memphis rebounded from their Week One loss and made it 0-2 for the expansion clubs in Week Two by setting Todd Gurley free for 142 yards rushing in Week 2. After a week when no team had a 100-yard rusher, Memphis contributed to a Week 2 that saw 7 teams put a back over the century mark. With TD tosses from Lynch to Robert Woods and Dallas Goedert in the first half, the Showboats took a 17-0 lead into the half and held on as San Antonio rallied in the 2 nd half with Marshawn Lynch, Julius Thomas, and rookie Jaelen Reagor helping the Gunslingers pull to within 21-24 before a Lewis Ward field goal capped the win for the ‘Boats. POTG:  Memphis LB NaVorro Bowman: 8 Tck, 2 Int   PITTSBURGH 7   MICHIGAN 28 The Panthers used a dominant 1 st  half to establish a 26-0 lead on Pittsburgh, with LeVeon Bell looking much more like his 4-time rushing leader self as he averaged 7.7 YPC on his way to 170 on the day. Add in another 71 yards from Alexander Mattison (most of it in the latter stages of the game) and the Panthers easilyhold off an error-prone Maulers squad. Michigan also had some issues with self inflicted wounds, with Kirk Cousins throwing 2 picks, Martellus Bennett fumbling early in the 3 rd , and backup Tyler Thigpen (who came in late) also getting a ball tipped for a pick, but the game was always in Michigan’s hands despite the 4 turnovers. POTG:  Michigan HB LeVeon Bell: 22 Att, 170 Yds, 1 TD   SEATTLE 17   DALLAS 29 Dallas dropped Seattle to 0-2 thanks to a balanced attack that saw Perine & Sims rush for 108 and Josh Freeman looking solid with a 22 of 44 game and 307 yards passing. The defense also looked much improved as they held Knowshon Moreno to only 65 yards. Brent Hundley struggled, particularly on 3 rd  down, when Dallas’s pressure had the Dragons go 0 for 11. The Roughnecks could have run up the score, but settled for field goals on 5 drives, 3 of them in the redzone. POTG:  Roughneck QB Josh Freeman: 22/44, 307 Yds, 1TD, 1 Int   LOS ANGELES 17  DENVER 6 The Express bent but did not break as Denver outgained them 369-195 but could not turn yards into points. A Jalen Mills pick-six of Josh Allen early in the 4 th turned a slim 7-6 halftime lead into a 14-6 advantage and LA simply did not allow the Gold to get back into it with a drive late in the game. Reggie Bush rushed for 89 yards and Jason Whitten had a TD for the Express, but the key to the game was LA’s ability to end promising Denver drives before the Gold could get in scoring range. POTG:  Express FS Jalen Mills: 1 Tck, 1 Int, 1 Def TD   TAMPA BAY 16  JACKSONVILLE 3 The Bulls have scored a grand total of 9 points in their first 2 games, once again looking largely impotent on offense as they gained only 203 yards against the Bandits. Tampa Bay, for their part, got 114 yards from Dez Bryant, a combined 114 yards from Dalvin Cook and Matt Breida and 2 Teddy Bridgewater picks to help hold down the Bulls. Not the explosive Bandit offense we saw last year, but enough to move to 2-0 on the year as they down their in-state rivals. POTG:  Bandit LB Dont’a Hightower: 5 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 FF   ATLANTA 27  BALTIMORE 23 The Fire again looked much improved over 2019 as they edged out the Blitz, using a 17-point 4 th  quarter to overtake Baltimore and send them packing. The final quarter saw Aaron murray go 12 of 14 as NFL import Jordan Howard and rookie FB Reggie Gilliam both scored on goalline runs to end well-orchestrated drives in the final quarter. Baltimore before that had looked solid, getting a pick-six from Jabari Greer and 87 yards from Josh Jacobs, but their 4 th quarter was ugly, with both a fumble and a pick on two of their 4 possessions. POTG:  Fire DE Mario Edwards: 5 Tck, 2 Sck, 1 FF   ST. LOUIS 13  OHIO 19 A tale of two halves as St. Louis dominated the first half, adding a field goal early in the 3 rd  to take a 13-0 lead, but something clicked for Ohio in the 2 nd  half as their defense stymied St. Louis on their remaining 6 possessoins, while the Glory got 2 Delone Carter TD runs, part of a game that saw the Ohio backs combine for 166 yards, most of it in the final 20 minutes of game action. Those two scores, combined with two Robbie Gould field goals created a 19-point swing that gave Ohio the win. POTG:  Ohio WR Terry McLaurin: 7 Rec, 129 Yds   CHICAGO 24   BIRMINGHAM 35 Chicago gave up two Cam Newton TD runs (from 20 and 2 yards out) and 2 passing TDs as the Stallions looked more balanced and more dangerous in Week 2. Hunter Henry came up big with 2 scores and the HB combo of Tate and Burkhead put up a respectable 76 yards as Birmingham took a 21-10 lead into the half and matched Chicago score for score in the 2 nd  half to take the win. Two picks from Sam Bradford and a fumble by Jeremy Hill helped Birmingham upend the Machine. POTG:  Stallion QB Cam Newton: 14/28, 209 Yds, 2TD, 0 Int, 12 Att, 24 Yds, 2 TD   OAKLAND 16  LAS VEGAS 14 Tom Brady earns his first win in Invader gold & sky, completing 16 of 29 for 131 and a TD to Taylor Gabriel, but it was the Oakland defense that put up the big numbers, sacking Matt McGloin three times, picking him off twice, forcing a fumble in the red zone, and holding Las Vegas’s lead rusher, Montario Hardesty, to only 6 yards on the day. POTG:  Invader DE Michael Bennett: 7 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 FF, 1 FR   PORTLAND 21  OKLAHOMA 16 The Stags get a 63-yard pick-six from CB Taron Johnson on the game’s opening drive, and it did not get much better for Mason Rudolph after that. The Oklahoma QB was sacked 3 times, picked off again, and held to only 4 of 13 on third down. Meanwhile, the Stags got their run game going, with Doug Martin racking up 113 yards and a TD on 17 carries. Brandon Cooks also had a good game, catching 4 for 100 yards and a TD of his own as Portland evens their record at 1-1. POTG:  Stags HB Doug Martin: 17 Att, 113 Yds, 1 TD   Geno Smith’s Big Easy Big Numbers 2020 has been good to Geno Smith. He is leading the league in passing with over 700 yards in only 2 games (342 in the opener and 369 this week against Houston). He has got one of the most exciting rookies in WR Justin Jefferson lined up opposite a regular All-USFL wideout in Jordy Nelson, oh, and if both somehow are covered, he can dump the ball to either TE Coby Fleener or slot receiver Tyler Lockett, who scored twice this week. After being cut loose by the NY Jets after a rough 4-year career, and after lasting only 1 year with both the Giants and Chargers, Smith found himself in the USFL as a bit of an afterthought signing by the Breakers. He earned the starting job over veteran backup Pat White after Drew Brees’s retirement. His first year was a bit up and down statistically, but he managed to get the Breakers to 10-6 and a Wild Card berth. This year things are looking even brighter as Smith is this week’s POTW and is looking like a man who knows just how many weapons he has around him.   Coach Lathon has had nothing but good things to say about Smith and the Breaker offense this year. In two games they have proven they can find open receivers against even solid defenses like Houston’s, and now a game up on Houston, New Orleans can dream of reclaiming the Southern Division title. There is a long way to go, and there will certainly be tests ahead, but Geno Smith is feeling very comfortable in the Big Easy, and that may be bad news for the rest of the division.   Bell Welcomes Maulers Back with Big Day The Maulers find themselves back in the Central Division after a 6-year hiatus in the Northeast. After a solid Week 1 Outing, the Maulers were also feeling quite good about their team this year, bu they ran into a buzzsaw in the Michigan Panthers this week. The key player in Michigan’s decisive 28-7 victory was exactly who you would expect it to be, their perennial All-USFL halfback LeVeon Bell. After a solid but uninspiring 64 yards in the opener against Birmingham, Bell proved that even with defenses stacked against him, there will still be games when he just cannot be stopped.   Against the Maulers, who very much tried the same box-stacking tactics as Birmingham, Bell showed that when he is on, it just does not matter what defense you throw at him. The Michigan back averaged over 7 yards per carry despite the 8- and 9-man fronts. He scored on a 12-yard run, but also had a pair of highlight reel runs, including a 52-yarder that included no fewer than 7 Mauler players laying a hand on him before he finally went down. So, for those who posted concerns about Bell after his Week One outing, we think we can say without doubt that he is not yet beyond his prime. He is just getting warmed up.   Tre Herndon Makes it 2 in a Row The Maulers may have been a bit manhandled this week, but one player who stood out against Michigan was cornerback Tre Herndon. The unassuming and largely unknown Pittsburgh corner is having himself one heck of a start to the year. He has been named as a POTW candidate both weeks this season, first for his 9-tackle, 2 interception game against Memphis, and again this week, even in defeat, thanks to a 4-tackle, 1 forced fumble (with recovery), and 1 interception/pick six game. Herndon, who had only 2 career picks in his first two years with the Washington Federals, came over to the Maulers in free agency and already has 3 picks in just his first two games wearing the purple and orange. He is still listed as the number two corner behind Rasul Douglas, but if he keeps playing like this, teams may well decide to avoid throwing his way and take their chances with Douglas instead.   Gutierrez to Miss Action for Dumbest Reason Ever When Philadelphia came out for the 2 nd  half and we saw Matt Gutierrez sitting on the bench while P. J. Walker took over the Stars’ offense, the assumption was that Harbaugh had benched his starter in an effort to get a spark for a Stars team that was down 20-0 to the Generals. And that may be partially true, but what has come out since then, particularly in follow up to Gutierrez being cited on this week’s injury list, is that Gutierrez apparently also suffered an injury to his big toe. Now, what is fascinating is that even combing through all the Philadelphia offensive plays from the game against New Jersey, there is no indication that Gutierrez suffered an injury in game play. That means he either injured his toe during halftime or at some point post-game.   We have no definitive evidence, but the rumor running around (and this is one we have heard whispered within the Stars’ organization, not just fan speculation) is that Gutierrez was notified of his benching at the half and may have tried to take his anger out on a piece of locker room furniture. It is nearly impossible to determine if the story is true, but what we do know is that the longstanding starter for the Stars did not take another snap in the game, and is now listed as out at least 1 week with an undisclosed “toe injury”. What exactly happened may never be known, but what we are seeing in Philadelphia could well be the beginning of a QB controversy, one fans have said should have been addressed this offseason.   Seattle Swings Deal for QB Speaking of QB controversies, the injury to starter Jacoby Brissett, who was added to the season-ending IR this week, along with an 0-2 start have made the Dragons a bit desperate. They will likely continue to start former General Brent Hundley, but this week they made a deal with the Chicago Machine to bring in another option. Chicago, happy with Sam Bradford as their starter and feeling pretty good with former Northwestern star Mike Kafka as their number two, agreed to send former draft pick Trevor Siemian to the Dragons.   Siemian at one point was seen as the future starter for the Machine, but he simply never developed as Chicago had hoped. He got a few starts in his first few years in the league, including 7 games as a rookie, but he just never put together enough strong games to take over as the starter. With the arrival of Sam Bradford, Siemian was confined to backup duty, and Chicago was even wavering between him and Kafka for the 2 nd  position. He now heads to the Dragons, who likely will test him out to see if he will supplant Brad Gradkowski as the 2 nd  stringer. Should something happen to Hundley, or if Hundley continues to struggle to move the Dragon offense, we may see Siemian get another shot. As for Chicago, they pick up a 3 rd  round pick for their former QB, a pick Seattle had received in an earlier trade with the Oklahoma Outlaws. A better week on the COVID list, though perhaps not for Portland, where Marcus Mariota is not going to be reinstated for Week 3, or for Michigan, where two key players, CB Dre Kirkpatrick and lead receiver Cody Latimer are out this week. Overall we did see fewer players added to the list and fewer still who did not clear protocols in time to come back after 1 week away. Both of those are good signs that the league’s testing program and bubble protocols are largely working (look at our “Big Story” for a few other issues tied to player conduct related to these rules.   As for football injuries, we have two more players whose injuries could spark an IR placement, though neither Arizona nor Charlotte have yet to make that decision after the broken wrist suffered by Wrangler CB Blessaun Austin or Monarch Jonathan Cooper’s neck injury. We also have a pretty sizable list of injuries that will require time off as well as a few names on our Doubtful and Questionable list, including the mystery injury to Philadelphia QB Matt Gutierrez and a possible issue for Houston HB Carlos Hyde as he dislocated his index finger late in the game against New Orleans.   OUT CB          Blessuan Austin        ARZ       Wrist               8-12 Weeks OG         Jonathan Cooper            CHA      Neck               8-12 Weeks FS           James Sample                 BAL        Abdomen        6-8 Weeks CB          Sean Smith                       PIT         Neck                 6-8 Weeks OG         Chris Lindstrom              NJ           Knee                4-6 Weeks C             Joey Hunt                        NEN      Ankle               2-4 Weeks WR         Reuben Randle                NOR      Hand                1-2 Weeks QB         Matt Gutierrez                 PHI        Toe                   1-2 Weeks   DOUBTFUL WR         Jaelen Hurd                   JAX         Knee DE          Jordan Willis                OKL       Patella   QUESTIONABLE HB         Carlos Hyde                    HOU     Dislocated Finger TE           Tyler Eifert                        CHI        Turf Toe OG         Dakota Dozier                 JAX         Foot WR         Kendrick Bourne             NOR      Ankle HB         Latavius Murray              CHA      Knee inflammation   COVID-19 INACTIVE HOU     LB           Ramik Wilson   LA          CB          Isaiah Oliver NJ           G            Danny Isidora   MGN     CB          Dre Kirkpatrick MGN     WR         Cody Latimer PIT         DT          Gabe Wright                      POR      QB         Marcus Mariota               2 nd  Week SDG      WR         Marques Colston            2 nd  Week WSH     DT          Quinnen Williams     2 nd  Week   USFL to Meet with Network Executives as NBC Cries Foul Two weeks into the experimental Covid-induced hub city model for the 2020 USFL season and already we are seeing friction between the league and its television broadcast partners. NBC in particular is expressing concern about its two night games each week, and the fact that with only 2 games per week it is the network being shifted around the schedule each week, with 8pm starts one night, 9pm or 11pm another night and no regularity to the schedule. NBC has asked to sit down with the other broadcast companies, FOX and ABC/ESPN/EFN to try to make adjustments on the fly.   While it seems no one is blaming the USFL for the disappointing television numbers after 2 weeks, since all are glad to sports programming at all, but the somewhat slapdash scheduling has proven problematic, as you would expect, as have the 11pm starts from Arizona, when most of the Eastern and Central time zones are headed to bed, even on Friday and Saturday nights.   We expect NBC to ask for 2 set timeslots, perhaps a Friday game from the Eastern hub at 8pm and a Saturday Central game from the Texas hub. That, of course puts ESPN at a disadvantage, since they would be locked out of those two timeslots, but they could, in theory, switch up and take 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Sunday, a timeslot that has gotten solid numbers compared to the later starts on Sunday. Then, of course, we have ABC and FOX who are not going to be pleased at all about rotating the 11pm game on Saturday, but who may be satisfied if it means guaranteed 8pm games on Saturday and a rotating 8pm game on Sunday.   The three groups are expected to meet with the USFL this week, and all three are saying that they are not demanding a change to the excusively 8pm (local) game schedule, but that they are certainly open to other options if the league prefers to mix up the schedule a bit. What is primarily on the line is the idea of creating a more stable week-to-week schedule so that, for example, NBC and ESPN can advertise their programming at the same time week to week.   League to Explore Afternoon Games in Phoenix & Houston In a follow up to the story above, word inside the USFL is that the league is already looking for ways to break out of the current schedule in which all 15 games are played at night. Both the Houston and Phoenix hubs have the option of one retractable dome stadium apiece (Houston’s NRG Stadium and Glendale’s State Farm Stadium). It appears that the league is already speaking with state officials in both Texas and Arizona to allow for games played with the roofs closed in those two stadiums. That, along with ample air conditioning, would allow for games to be played in the afternoon on both Saturdays and Sundays. If approved, we could see as many as 4 games per week shifted from 9pm and 11pm eastern time to a much more palatable time such as 4pm ET.   Of course the issue everyone is hesitant to downplay is the issue of recycled air in the domed stadiums and the possibility of spread of the virus in that setting. With a lot of the science still out, any plan to use indoor facilities, even with fans absent, will likely require approval not only from each state’s public health offices, but from the USFLPA as well.  But, if approved, it could create a 4 th timeslot, which would go a long way to making all 4 broadcast partners happier than they are at present.   Players Union Concerned About Team Restrictions Our Big Story this week was about player conduct, team rules, and the issues teams are having with trying to police up to 63 players at a time. From the position of the USFLPA, the infantilization of USFL players, with curfews, bed checks, contact restrictions, and constant testing, is not a sustainable model. Representatives of the union on each team have been reporting dissatisfaction with the limits on player movement, the “nanny state” of coaches and team officials restricting their ability to experience anything other than practice, training, physical therapy, team meals and down time in the restrictive team bubbles. While all parties recognize that for most of us, leaving home is also a very limited opportunity and reserved for necessity, but it seems that the union is hearing from a lot of players that the restrictions are too pervasive and that some degree of self-control should be expected from players, rather than constant monitoring and checks from team officials.   So much seems to depend on changes in public health advising, and it is possible that as the season progresses, more public engagement, less restrictive closures and gathering limits will start to take shape across the country and the 3 states where the USFL hubs are located, but for now, the union has a lot of input coming in, but not a lot of solutions for how to balance safety and player freedom.   Week 3 kicks off on Friday with two great rivalry games from the South (region, not division) with Orlando and Tampa Bay playing a neutral site game in Gainsville (FOX), while an hour later fans can tune in on NBC to see the “Great Southern Tailgate” matchup of Birmingham and Memphis, though fans this year will have to smoke their own ribs and pulled pork at home since tailgating is not permitted in either city (and the teams are playing in Houston). In the late slot we will see 2019 playoff teams battle as the Thunder face the Gold.   On Saturday it is back to regional coverage with ABC and FOX sharing 5 games while NBC has the early slot with New Jersey facing Charlotte. Divisional games on Saturday include Stars-Federals, Breakers-Gunslingers, and Machine-Glory. Out West, in the 11pm ET slot we have the Invaders facing the Wranglers in Tucscon and the Stags battling the Roughnecks from ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium.   Sunday includes divisional battles between the Blitz and Steamrollers, and the Atlanta fire taking on Jacksonville in Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. We could have a very nice game between two of the league’s big teams as the Gamblers face the Panthers at Rice Stadium in the 9pm slot. We end the weekend with Seattle v. Las Vegas (at Sun Devil Stadium) and the Express facing the Oklahoma Outlaws in Glendale’s convertible State Farm Stadium.   FRIDAY 8pm ET        Orlando (1-1) @ Tampa Bay (2-0)              Gainesville        FOX 9pm ET          Birmingham (1-1) @ Memphis (1-1)        NRG                      NBC 11pm ET        San Diego (1-1) @ Denver (1-1)          Glendale            ESPN/EFN   SATURDAY 8pm ET      New Jersey (2-0) @ Charlotte (0-2)         Orlando               NBC 8pm ET       Philadelphia (0-2) @ Washington (1-1)    Tampa                  FOX 9pm ET         New Orleans (2-0) @ San Antonio (2-0)    Rice                      ABC 9pm ET         Chicago (1-1) @ Ohio (1-1)                       TDECU                 FOX 11pm ET      Oakland (1-1) @ Arizona (2-0)                 Tucson                 ABC 11pm ET       Portland (1-1) @ Dallas (1-1)                   Tempe                  FOX   SUNDAY 8pm ET       Baltimore (1-1) @ New England (1-1)        Gainesville        ABC 8pm ET          Atlanta (2-0) @ Jacksonville (0-2)            Orlando               FOX 9pm ET        Houston (1-1) @ Michigan (2-0)          Rice                      ESPN/EFN 9pm ET        Pittsburgh (1-1) @ St. Louis (0-2)            NRG                      ABC 11pm ET      Seattle (0-2) @ Las Vegas (0-2)                 Tempe                  ABC 11pm ET        Los Angeles (2-0) @ Oklahoma (1-1)       Glendale            FOX

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Geno Smith is living large and loving life in the USFL. After leading the Breakers to the playoffs in 2020, and with the real chance he would be demoted in favor of rookie Joe Burrow (who signed with the NFL), Smith is having himself a year and loving the presence of his dynamic receiving corps. Smith only completed 14 passes this week (in 22 attempts) but that was enough to finish with over 300 yards passing, hitting 369, and throwing two touchdowns. The fact that the win was over division rival Houston only made the big game that much more enjoyable for the former NY Jets castoff.

Yes, it was weird. Games with empty stands, some eerily quiet, others enhanced by FOX and ESPN computer generated crowd noise. All night games and all from three bubble-site locations, but at the end of the day it was football, and it was great to have it back. Week 1 produced some surprises, like an opening game victory for expansion New England, a blowout win by the Atlanta Fire, and snoozer of a game between the Bulls and Generals, but we also saw some anticipated outcomes. Arizona, Houston, Tampa Bay and Michigan all came out on top, with the Gamblers and Wranglers looking impressive again. We also saw some new faces contributing to their teams on opening weekend. We will run through all the Week 1 scores, discuss a season-ending injury to one of the league’s 30 starting QBs, and take a look at the QB Battle in Oklahoma, but we begin with the oddity that was COVID-impacted football in Arizona, Florida, and Texas.   2020 Season Kicks Off & So Do Covid Protocols We have football back in America, but certainly a very different experience to what we are used to. For fans of the gridiron this was a bit of a surreal week as season-ticket holders were forced to catch their favorite teams on television or through livestreamed games on their Wi-Fi devices. What they saw were their teams, who usually would be surrounded by tens of thousands of adoring fans, playing in empty stadiums, a surreal look that made even rivalry games look like offseason scrimmages. We also got our first look at the difference between NBC and ABC broadcasts in which the silence of empty stadiums was at times deafening, versus the ESPN and FOX broadcasts where the two networks used tape of prior games to create computer amplified background crowd noise. Finally, it was the first week of a season where the COVID-19 virus, and the protocols to protect both players and public, impacted team rosters. As we look at the odd nature of this week’s opening games, let’s explore three features of the week that will just be something we need to adapt to.   Television Broadcast Reactions As we mentioned, the 2020 season was one where the experience of watching games was definitely impacted by both the new USFL schedule and the decision of the 4 networks to either enhance the game with artificial crowd noise or to forego that artificial addition and produce games with only the ambient noise of empty stadia. Here is what we thought of the broadcasts. See if you agree.   Night games work on Friday and Saturday, but Sunday was rough. We absolutely get this. While even members of our own staff on the East Coast were unable to stay up for all the action from Arizona, it was clear that the league, more than ever is going to have regional appeal, with West Coasters able to absorb more USFL action than the hard working folks along the Atlantic seaboard who cannot stay up until 2am to catch a Phoenix-Tucson bubble game on Sunday night. And while we certainly agree with the league that having teams play in any of the 3 states selected (Florida, Texas, and Arizona) in the middle of the day in July or August is unworkable, adjusting to having games and game results going well into the wee hours of the morning three nights a week is going to be very tough for viewership, and no piece of cake for fantasy leagues around the nation as well. Expect a lot of early morning lineup checking and a lot of traffic on the various sports websites as fans catch up to late night scores and highlights.   As for the debate over pumped-in crowd noise (pumped in on television, not in stadiums), the jury is still out. Our bullpen was split. Some really enjoyed the access to the cadence and audibles of the quarterbacks that were far more accessible in the nearly silent stadiums. We certainly heard more pops during big hits, more grunts and groans, more taunts and reactions, even a fair share of words the networks might not want being broadcast. I would say that both ABC and NBC may need to delay game broadcasts just long enough to bleep out some of the language heard during Week One’s broadcasts. There was an “insider perspective” element to the quieter games, but there was also an eeriness to the quiet pop of the pads and sounds of lone whistles and coaching calls.   On the other hand, the ESPN and FOX games had a bit of an artificial quality to them. While we got to hear a low murmur of past USFL games throughout most of the broadcasts on both networks, the two broadcasters were unable to effectively imitate the highs and lows of a true crowd. There was not the swell of sound when the “home” team had a big play or captured momentum. There was even a comical moment in the Tampa Bay-Philadelphia game where the crowd sound used when the Stars missed a key field goal sounded celebratory only for the sound tech to try to add in a sad groan far too late after the call was made. So, some fine-tuning to the audio is certainly still needed.   Surprising Success of USFL Nationwide Package and its Use One feature of the Week One broadcast plan that certainly is not up for debate is the success of the USFL Nationwide Plan. The plan had more than 20 million subscribers by gameday on Friday and initial numbers seem to indicate a very interesting use pattern. There was, as expected, a good tune-in for out-of-market games across the league during the Saturday and Sunday broadcasts when both FOX and ABC had regional games in all markets, but what was perhaps an unexpected boon of the streaming and recording service was the amount of replay used.   It seems safe to say that for many fans, the idea of catching out-of-market games, particularly the late-night games from Arizona, the next day was extremely common. Initial viewership numbers seem to indicate that for many fans, the idea of a Saturday or Sunday afternoon without football was too much to ask, as fans caught parts of games on Friday and then replayed the action, often tuning to a different “unwatched” game the following afternoon. There even seems to be evidence that fans even started their “taped” games at familiar times, with replay viewership peaking at both 1pm and 4pm ET. So, it seems the routine of catching USFL action at certain times over the weekend stood up even when the games themselves were played the night before. Finally, a nice advantage we are seeing people hyping online is that they can use the replay to watch games in about 2/3 the time, skimming over everything from halftime to commercials, and even kickoffs and punts to shorten game time. We may well be seeing the birth of a new viewing model for USFL action as fans decide between the thrill of live broadcast at night and the convenience of shorter, “at will” viewing the next day. The only question the numbers don’t tell us is how many fans spent Saturday or Sunday morning demanding that their friends and family don’t talk about the game because they have not watched it yet.   Covid Positive Players The other huge adjustment for Week One was the reality that even without preseason games to produce early injuries, there were players missing from action as the league’s COVID testing policy kicked in and several players were forced to miss the opener due to the infection, even some who have yet to evince any symptoms. The good news for the league is that we saw only 9 players from the more than 1,500 on league rosters who tested positive and were unable to retest with a negative result before the weekend’s games. The full list is below, but certainly some of the absent players were clearly missed as Arizona lost their starting tight end, Robert Tonyan, Birmingham was without their slot receiver Julian Edelman, and the San Antonio Gunslingers were unable to suit up their anticipated sack leader in DE DeMarcus Lawrence. As we will report in our Injury Update for Week 2, the other factor to consider is that while many players may clear the protocols in only 1 week, it seems as if we will see many more who have to miss a 2 nd  week due to delays in symptom improvement and the ability to test “clean” (essentially non-contagious) ahead of the 2 nd  game’s deadline. For Week One, here are the 9 players who missed action, with an update on Week 2 coming later in our report:   ARZ       TE           Robert Tonyan ATL         DE          Tyquann Lewis BIR         WR         Julian Edelman DEN      DT          Sharrif Floyd LA          DE          Duwayne Smoot MEM     QB         Ryan Fitzpatrick MGN     QB         Tyler Thigpen POR      TE           Chris Gragg SAN       DE          DeMarcus Lawrence   ORLANDO RENEGADES 24  NEW ENGLAND STEAMROLLERS 27  OVERTIME We had a feeling that the unique nature of the 2020 season might produce some unexpected results, but we don’t think too many people had “expansion team wins debut game” on their 2020 bingo cards, especially not with the Steamrollers facing off against a pretty solid Renegades team in Florida. But we also said that the two 2020 expansion teams may have had the best pool of talent of any expansion clubs since the league’s 1984 second season additions. Between a large free agent pool, a significant NFL pool this February, the expansion draft, and more time for players to absorb the playbook due to the season delay, the stars had seemingly aligned for both the Steamrollers and the Gunslingers to be able to outperform most prior expansion clubs. Yet, despite that, the overtime win by the newest Boston-based USFL team was still a shocker.   When we look at the stats, this is a fair win, not a bit of luck, from the Steamrollers. New England outgained Orlando 435-288, largely on the strong outing from former NFL quarterback Ryan Tannehill and a surprisingly effective run game led by former Blitz back Kerwynn Williams. It also did not hurt that the Renegades’ starting QB, Russell Wilson, had to leave the game late in the first quarter after suffering an ankle injury. But, with Wilson sidelined, the Renegades still put up 21 points in the 2 nd  quarter to hold the halftime lead, but would add only 3 more in the second half. New England steadily put points on the board, leading to a 24-24 tie at the end of regulation and a shot for an ovetime win.   The game began very slowly, with both clubs just getting adjusted to real action and the odd setting of an empty Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. Aside from a few league staff, some security personnel and the two teams on each sideline, the stadium was empty, the silence deafening, and the atmosphere a bit unnerving, as it was at all the games across the league. While fans at home had computer-generated crowd noise pumped in to add a bit of ambience to the game, those in the stadium essentially played with only the shouts of their own teams heard on the field. Both teams were tentative at first, each mounting a short drive to open the game. On Orlando’s second round, a misstep by Orlando’s center caused Russell Wilson to get his foot caught beneath the big lineman’s back-step, and after falling to the ground, Wilson had to be helped to the sideline. After starting the game 0 for 5 throwing, his day would be done. Kyle Lauletta, the former Portland Stag, would have to go the rest of the way.   The injury led to a quick 3-and-out and the ball returned to the Steamrollers. New England responded with a solid drive, with Ryan Tannehill finding HB Matt Forte for a 15-yard screen play before hitting TE Dennis Pitta for the first score of the game and the first in franchise history. Orlando, with Lauletta under center, replied with a 62-yard drive that produced the equalizer on a Braxton Berrios 10-yard scoring play. Only 3 plays later a Ryan Tannehill gift gave Orlando the lead. The former Miami Dolphin misread the coverage and threw a pass intended for Doug Baldwin, but happily accepted by Orlando corner Michael Jackson, who high-stepped his way into the endzone for a 27-yard pick-six.   Now down 7, New England and Tannehill replied with a solid drive once again, this time taking advantage of the run game with both Matt Forte and Kerwynn Williams both breaking off a big run (13 and 16 yards respectively) before Tannehill hit Zay Jones on a short slant route to produce their 2 nd  TD and again even up the score with 2:36 left in the half. Orlando responded with a 2-minute drill that proved very effective as New England could not produce pressure on Lauletta. The former Stag QB completed 3 of 6 passes on the drive, finding Orlando wideout Brashad Perriman for the late TD to help Orlando take a hard-earned 7-point lead into the half, the score 21-14.   The second half would see both defenses step up, with New England finally finding some pressure in their pass rush, including the first sack in team history, a big 7-yard takedown by Mario Addison on 2 nd  and 7 that produced a 3 rd and long. Orlando also had their moments on defense, with 2 nd  year DE Montez Sweat producing his 1 st  sack of the season. New England would get the only points of the quarter, a mid-range field goal from Brett Maher, but after three they still trailed 21-17.   Orlando increased their lead to 7 on their opening drive of the 4 th  quarter, getting deep into New England territory before settling for a Billy Cundiff field goal to take the 24-17 lead. That drive turned out to be pivotal, and, in particular, the 3 rd  and goal pass from Lauletta to Jeremy Maclin, broken up by New England’s Sam Shields. That stop in the red zone kept the Orlando lead from increasing beyond 1 score. Down 7, New England needed only 1 touchdown drive to equalize the score.   The Steamrollers would get that drive late in the quarter, marching 74 yards in 10 plays, including Kerwynn William’s longest run of the game, a 23-yard backbreaker of a play on 3 rd  and 3 from the Steamroller 31. The drive also included Tannehill connecting with 4 different receivers on the drive, including both former Dragon Dennis Pitta and former Gold TE Jack Doyle. They would get the equalizer on a 12-yard fade route to former Machine wideout Will Fuller.  Fuller tapped his 2 nd  foot down just before falling out of the endzone, a play that required 3 minutes of video review before the score was confirmed. But, tied at 24, the Steamrollers were poised to have their first game become their first overtime game.   New England almost gave up the game on Orlando’s final possession when it appeared that Kyle Lauletta had connected with Brashad Perriman on a 37-yard pass that would put them in field goal range, but a yellow flag behind the play signaled a hold on Renegade right tackle Cameron Fleming, and the play came back. Orlando would not get that shot at a late game winning kick, and the two teams prepared for overtime. New England won the toss and would start the extra time with the ball. They moved the ball well, but came up short when Brett Maher’s 46-yard field goal attempt veered to the right. Had they scored it would have forced Orlando to equalize or score a TD to win on their next possession. Good thing that was not the situation, because Orlando went 3-and-out on their first drive. That was followed by a short 5-play drive by New England that ended with a failed 3 rd and 7 throw from Tannehill to Zay Jones. Orlando got a second chance to end the game, and after a nice connection from Lauletta to Jeremy Maclin, it looked like they might claim the win, but another sack of Lauletta, this time from Steamroller Tashan Bower, pushed Orlando out of field goal range and the Renegades were forced to punt. With 3:13 left to play, the Steamrollers would have one last chance to claim a win in their opening game, or finish with the rare USFL tie.   The Steamrollers moved to a 2-minute offense, playing without huddles and without changing personnel, a strategy designed to take advantage of a tired Orlando defense. The gambit paid off as Ryan Tannehill was able to connect with Zay Jones and Will Fuller on back-to-back first down plays to move the ball across the 50. After a nice draw play by Williams and a short completion to Dennis Pitta, the Steamrollers were within range for kicker Brett Maher. They moved just a few yards closer on a pair of run plays, and on 3 rd  and 6 from the Orlando 24 they sent out Brett Maher to earn them a win in their first game as a franchise. Maher’s kick was dead center and plenty long enough and the Steamrollers celebrated a very nice opening win for the franchise.   CHARLOTTE 17   BALTIMORE 23 OVERTIME The other overtime game saw Charlotte erase a 17-7 deficit in the 4 th quarter only to fall in overtime as Baltimore put together a 13-play scoring drive to open the extra period, ending the game on a Locker to Uzomah TD pass without giving the Monarchs a chance to touch the ball. The game winner was Jake Locker’s 3 rd  TD toss on the day as the former backup took the helm and proved the Blitz right in trusting in him. Locker finished as the POTG for his 2020 debut. POTG:  Blitz QB Jake Locker: 24/34, 225 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int   OHIO 0   HOUSTON 29 An ugly start to the year for the Ohio Glory as they are shut out by the defending Eastern Conference champions. The glory mustered only 209 total yards, with Isaiah Pead held to 39 yards rushing and Christian Hackenburg held to 17 of 34 with 4 sacks and a pick. Houston relied heavily on the run, with Carlos Hyde carrying the ball 21 times for 71 yards and a score while rookie Clyde Edwards Helaire added 23 yards on 10 touches. Mike Evans had the big plays, catching 5 for 191 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown catch as Houston shut out and put away the Glory. POTG:  Houston WR Mike Evans: 5 Rec, 191 Yds, 1 TD   DALLAS 14   ARIZONA 35 The League Champion Wranglers came out of the gate in midseason form, with David Carr throwing for 291 and 2 scores, the combo of Carey and Crowell accounting for 128 yards on the ground, and the defense sacking Dallas QB Josh Freeman 6 times. The Wranglers balance on offense (291 passing, 128 rushing) and defensive pressure (holding Dallas to 2 of 11 on 3 rd  down) was just too much for the Roughnecks, who kept to their word by playing Freeman all game instead of giving him the hook in favor of rookie Justin Herbert. POTG:  Wrangler FS Nate Allen: 5 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 FF, 1 FR   JACKSONVILLE 6   NEW JERSEY 9 Someone might want to tell the Generals and Bulls that the season has begun. Both offensescame out pretty listless in a game that produced few fireworks. The two teams combined for only 118 yards rushing, with Maurice Jones-Drew getting 69 of those. New Jersey got to the red zone 3 times but had to settle for Ka’imi Fairbairn kicks all three times. Jacksonville got the game’s lone TD on a short Matt Jones run, but missed on the PAT, keeping them 3 points down, with the game ending at 9-6. POTG:  New Jersey LB Aldon Smith: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 FF   MICHIGAN 28  BIRMINGHAM 25 We got a good one at TDECU Stadium as the Stallions erased a 21-10 deficit in the 4 th  quarter to take a 4-point lead only to watch Kirk Cousins connect with TE Martellus Bennett for the game winner late in the final period. Bennett was a major weapon for Cousins, catching 4 for 124 as the Stallions locked down LeVeon Bell (20 carries for 64 yards). Meanwhile, Cam Newton largely stayed in the pocket, shadowed by Panther LB Sean Porter. From there he threw for 340 yards and 3 scores, but with Kirk Cousins connecting on 4 TD passes, including 2 to Bennett, it proved too much for the Stallions. POTG:  Michigan TE Martellus Bennett: 5 Rec, 124 Yds, 2 TD   PITTSBURGH 28   MEMPHIS 9 The Maulers were outgained 365-218 but produced 3 key takeaways to hold down the Showboats and claim a big opening week win. Three rushing touchdowns, including a game opener from rookie Cam Akers helped power the Maulers to the win while Paxton Lynch struggled to find his receivers, throwing 3 picks on the day, including 2 to Mauler CB Tre Herndon, who also recorded a forced fumble (recovered by Memphis) on a punt return. POTG:  Mauler CB Tre Herndon: 9 Tck, 2 Int, 1 FF   LAS VEGAS 12   DENVER 15 A low scoring game, with no touchdowns through 3 quarters, the divisional matchup was 8-3 after 3, thanks in part to Terrell Troupe forcing a hold in the endzone that gave Denver 2 points. But, in the 4 th  Las Vegas started to find some offensive success, scoring on a McGloin to Benn TD toss. The play, with a failed 2-point PAT to follow, gave the Vipers a 9-8 lead. After a Matt Gay field goal made it 12-8 with only 2:49 left to play, Vegas was looking good, but backup Kyle Orton, who came in after Allen appeared to suffer a shoulder injury, hit on a huge play to give Denver the win. Orton found WR Kevin White completely uncovered in a blown Viper coverage and the two connected on a 62-yard TD in the game’s final minute to stun the Vipers and give Denver a fantastic finish. POTG : Gold WR Golden Tate: 7 Rec, 122 Yds   OAKLAND 20   LOS ANGELES 22 Tom Brady’s return to the USFL was a fun one as the Invaders and Express renewed the California Derby, though they did so from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe Arizona. Brady went 27 of 41 with 2 TDs and 2 picks as he tried to rally the Invaders from a 15-10 and 22-13 deficit in the 4 th  quarter. LA’s offense struggled in the red zone, but the defense gave the Express 9 of their 22 points, combining a Chris Jones safety with a pick-six from LB Keith Rivers, just enough to hold off the Invader comeback. POTG:  Express DT Chris Jones: 8 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty   TAMPA BAY 21  PHILADELPHIA 19 Another good game as Philadelphia came back from 21-10 down, but just could not connect on a final second field goal attempt from 54 yards out. Eddie Pineiro went 4 of 6 kicking, but the buzzer-beater kick sailed wide to the left, giving the Bandits a 2-point win and a sigh of relief. Dak Prescott accounted for all 3 Bandit scores, connecting with Ryan Grant twice and Deebo Samuel for his third TD of the game. Neither team had much success on the ground as the defenses won the day in the run game, but the Bandits found the big play with Grant catching a 39-yard and a 72-yard score on his only two receptions on the day. POTG:  Bandit WR Ryan Grant: 2 Rec, 111 Yds, 2 TD   ATLANTA 45  WASHINGTON 6 An unexpected scoring explosion as Aaron Murray threw for 3 scores, both Nick Chubb and Kenyon Drake scored on the ground, and Luke Kuechley put an exclamation point on his POTW game with a pick-six. It was utter domination by a Fire team that may have found something with the import of former Bengal A. J. Green. The NFL import had 5 receptions and 2 TDs in his USFL debut as Atlanta won this one in a rout. POTG:  Fire LB Luke Kuechley: 8 Tck, 2 Int, 1 Def TD   ST. LOUIS 16   NEW ORLEANS 33 Speaking of debuts, the Breakers cannot be more over the moon about their rookie WR Justin Jefferson. The LSU product had only 2 catches, but they accounted for 124 yards as Jefferson proved he was a major deep ball threat. Combined with Jordy Nelson’s 141 yards on 3 receptions, the Breakers had more than enough big plays to hold off the Skyhawks. Geno Smith looked smooth, connecting on 10 of 19 passes, but averaging 18 yards per completion as he found Nelson, Fleener, and Jefferson for big plays. POTG:  Breakers LB Jerome Baker: 6 Tck, 1 Sck, 1 Sfty   CHICAGO 21  SAN ANTONIO 10 The Gunslingers could not replicate the opening day success of New England, falling to a Machine club that showed some serious defensive might. Chicago outgained San Antonio 380-193 on the day, with Sam Bradford throwing for 250 yards and the new combo of Jeremy Hill and Marion Mack combining for 111 yards and 2 scores on the ground. The Gunslingers struggled to run the ball and that made it easier for Chicago to focus on pressuring Joe Flacco. Marshawn Lynch had only 7 carries as he split time with former Gambler C. J. Prosise. POTG:  Chicago HB Jeremy Hill: 20 Att, 61 Yds, 2 TD   SAN DIEGO 16  PORTLAND 10   OVERTIME A mistake-filled opening game for the two Pacific Division clubs as they combined for 12 penalties and 3 turnovers. The game was sloppy but close throughout, with San Diego needing a 4 th  quarter TD from Luke Wilson to even the score at 10 and send the game to overtime. Portland could not score on their opening possession of the extra period, but San Diego found their way to the endzone, with a Taiwan Jones run sealing the win for the 2019 division champs. POTG:  Stags LB David Hawthorne: 14 Tck, 1 FF   SEATTLE 13   OKLAHOMA 14 The Outlaws garnered the 1-point win thanks to a last-minute TD toss from Rudolph to DeDe Westbrook. Despite losing QB Jacoby Brissett, perhaps for the season, in the first quarter, Seattle hung tough, with Brett Hundley going 15 of 22 for 188 yards and a TD toss to the Dragons’ big free agent signing, Amari Cooper. Rudolph also had a nice debut in his first game as the new starter for Oklahoma, going 30 of 38 for 318 yards and 2 scores. POTG:  Outlaw QB Mason Rudolph: 30/38, 318 Yds, 2 TD, 0 Int.   Week 1 Overreactions We are one week into a long 16-week campaign unlike any in USFL history, so it is wrong for us to make any proclamations after watching each team play their first game (without a preseason game as warmup) in the league’s hub & bubble system? Of course it is, but we are going to do it anyway. Here are some fun overreactions we are hearing across the nation, mostly from fans just excited to have games to discuss and to overanalyze. Here are some of our favorites from across the massive USFL mediasphere.   Ryan Nassib is not a USFL starter. This is largely a hangover from a poor first season in Washington, but after a devastating 45-6 opening week destruction by the Atlanta Fire, one in which Nasib threw 4 picks, we can understand the frustration. The high-priced free agent had such a brilliant year with Arizona in 2018 and has just not lived up to the hype in his time with the Feds, but as bad as the opener was, it is far too soon to write off their QB quite yet.   Cam Newton is ready to be MVP. We are not saying he cannot be, and his opening game performance (17 of 30, 340 Yds, 3 TD, 0 Int) was certainly a solid game, even if Coach Haley was not able to unleash Newton’s running ability against a Michigan defense that spied him on almost every down, we are not quite ready to say he is a frontrunner. We do love how well tuned-in he seems to be with rookie WR Henry Ruggs, and we love the use of 2 tight ends as a regular formation (especially when those two are Hunter Henry and Eric Ebron), but Birmingham is now 0-1, and they will need to be well over .500 if their QB is going to get MVP votes, just the nature of the position.   The USFL ROTY will be a wide receiver. This one we are on board with. It was not a particularly strong HB class, with Pittsburgh’s Cam Akers the most likely candidate to even come close to 1,000 yards this year, but it was a very good WR group and we have already been impressed with the opening games put up by the 3 most likely contenders. Ruggs had 124 yards and a TD in Week One. Justin Jefferson in New Orleans proved to be a huge deep ball threat, gaining 124 yards as well, but on only 2 receptions, and Philadelphia’s K. J. Hamler was the top target for Matt Gutierrez, catching 5 balls for 62 yards. All strong starts from a very good WR group.  But, if Justin Herbert gets called on in Dallas early enough this season, he too could be in the hunt, after all a QB always gets a bit more attention than his receivers.   The Maulers will win the USFL Central Division. We love the enthusiasm Mauler fans had after their solid opening win over Memphis (28-9), and we do think they will be strong on defense this year. They also may have a better rushing attack with rookies Cam Akers and Rico Dowdle backing up Sony Michel, but are we ready to say they win the division? No, that seems very premature. Sorry, Mauler Nation, but the Panthers won 14 games last year and still have all their major pieces in place. Chicago is also a very solid club, with some nice upgrades, including a pretty good rookie WR in Chase Claypool. The Maulers looked good in Week 1, but let’s see what happens when they open divisional play with the Panthers this week before we get too excited.   Josh Allen is regressing in his 2 nd  year as the starter. What is going on with Denver fans?  Josh Allen opens the year with a win over Las Vegas, and while he did not play MVP football (15 of 24 for 169 with no TD or INT) it is not as if he stunk the place up. Yes, he had a bad fumble because he carried the ball like a loaf of bread on a scramble, and yes, he missed a couple of open receivers downfield, but this is opening week, and Allen is still learning. He had ups and downs last year, he will have them this year. Let’s not write him off, especially not after an opening week win.   LeVeon Bell has peaked. Another very overstated reaction to a slow first week. Bell only rushed for 64 yards on 20 carries in the opener, but that was against frequent 8- and 9-man fronts put up by the Stallions. Birmingham played well and they stacked the line against the run, something many teams are likely to do unless Kirk Cousins can make them pay for it. Bell will be fine. He is only 28, so it is too early to talk about him hitting the wall. Now, we will say that Michigan may want to use Alexander Mattison a bit more, because Bell should not be getting 90% of the carries, it is just not good long term. If they can get Mattison in the game, they can keep Bell fresh, and that means that they can get the kind of production from the 4-Time USFL rushing champion that they and their fans want to see.   Calais Campbell is passing the torch. This may actually be the case. In Bud Dupree, Arizona has a great protégé for Campbell to mentor. He is 34-years-old, and he might just be slowing down a bit. He had only 1 tackle and 1 sack in the opener, and while it is clear that the Roughnecks were shifting their line to double-team him, that is likely to be the case in every game. If Campbell wants to take DuPree under his wing and pass on his vast skillset to the younger DE, we could easily envision a situation where DuPree and not Campbell leads the team (and the league?) in sacks, if not this year, by 2021.   New England will go undefeated. We love having Boston fans engaged in the USFL again. They have such a unique delusion about them. We love that they have fully bought into the Steamrollers, that they are excited even if they won’t see their new team playing at Foxboro until 2021, and that they are behind their team’s Week 1 win with full-throated support, but this is just silly. It was a great win, and the Steamrollers could be more competitive than most expansion clubs, but let’s not live in a fantasy world. Only 1 team in league history has ever gone undefeated, and it was not an expansion team. One game at a time, Boston. Live in reality.       Brissett Lost for Season with Broken Hip It was an ugly injury, with Oklahoma LB Greg Lloyd Jr taking hold of a scrambling Jacoby Brissett’s ankle and Brissett’s body twisting as he fell to the ground. There was an audible pop and the look of pain on Brissett’s face was not a pretty thing. Brissett was taken out of the stadium on the cart only 7 minutes into the opener, and 5 hours later we would get the diagnosis, a dislocation of the femur with damage done to the hip joint. This would be a season-ending injury on opening day for the Seattle starting QB.   Brett Hundley came in and played well in relief, but now Seattle has some decisions to make. Do they reach out to another USFL club to find another option at quarterback, or do they ride the former New Jersey General for the rest of the season. At present only Hundley and veteran backup Brad Gradkowski are on the roster. Seattle has over $7M in cap space, so they could afford to go after a potential contributor instead of pulling in a young 3 rd  stringer. Of course, the one team that has a QB on the trading block is Oakland, a division rival unlikely to send either Jimmy G or Ryan Findley to their rivals from the north. That may mean that Seattle has few options to find someone other than Hundley to lead the team. In a season when many teams are carrying 4 QBs thanks to the expanded practice squads, there just are not a lot of options out there.   Kuechley Helps Power Atlanta to Huge Opening Win It was perhaps the most surprising score of the week, with Atlanta demolishing the Federals 45-6, and while a lot of kudos have to go to the revamped Fire offense, the video shows the story of a linebacker on a seek and destroy mission. Luke Kuechley, coming off a disappointing 75 tackle, 1 sack season in 2019, started off 2020 with a clear plan to do more and be more for the Fire. That drive led to a dominant performance in the opener. Kuechley finished the game with 8 tackles, 2 picks, and his pick-six interception return, but that only tells half the story. Used frequently in both run blitzes and straight up QB pressures, the Fire essentially used the presence of Albert Haynesworth in the middle to provide cover for Kuechley, who came into the backfield on either side of the big man and made a mockery of Washington’s blocking schemes. It was a brilliant tactical move to use the two in combination, but what was clear was that the plan worked primarily because of the ferocity and speed of Kuechley’s blitzes. This week the Fire will face off against Baltimore, who have a bit more cohesion up front, so we will see if the plan changes, but if Kuechley can keep up the passion and power of his gameplay from this week, it could be a long tough game for Jake Locker and the Blitz.   Rudolph Gets His Shot & Makes the Most of It When the San Antonio Gunslingers pulled the trigger on signing Joe Flacco away from the Outlaws, many in OKC expected their club to go after a QB to compete with backup Mason Rudolph. They did just that in the Territorial Draft, signing former Crimson Tide and Sooner QB Jason Hurts to be start a competition with Rudolph. The OK State product entered camp back in February as the starter, but a full QB competition was expected. The season delay and split camp pushed Coach Stoops to stick with the player who knew his system from 2019 and this week that decision seemed to pay off.   Rudolph had a very solid debut as the Week One starter for Oklahoma, throwing for 318 yards on 30 of 38 passing and finding DeDe Westbrook for the game winning score in the 4 th . Rudolph looked poised in the pocket, demonstrated a strong arm and a good rapport with Westbrook, Nick Toon, and TE Mark Andrews. He connected on 22 of 25 targets to those three receivers and seemed very comfortable in the pocket despite constant pressure from Seattle’s front 7, including multiple blitz packages incorporating LBs Josh Allen and Khalil Mack into the rush scheme. With Hurts behind him, the Cowpoke-Sooner rivalry of the two QBs seems to have evolved into an early friendship between the two QBs who Outlaw fans expected to battle for snaps all camp long and all season as well.   Rookie First Impressions Week One action welcomed over 200 first-time pros to the league, and while many did not see action this week, there certainly were some early contributors as the rookie class of 2020 took to the field. Here are 7 players who got the start in Week One and showed us a hint of what is to come.   Cam Akers (HB-PIT) The Maulers had two rookie backs in uniform for Week One, but it was former Seminole Cam Akers who got the longer look, splitting carries equally with veteran Sony Michel. With 10 carries, Akers rushed for 29 yards and earned his first USFL touchdown in the Mauler victory over Memphis.   Clyde Edwards-Helaire (HB-HOU) Houston’s first-round pick was expected to spell Carlos Hyde as the Gamblers took on Ohio but ended up playing most of the 4 th  quarter as Houston shut down and shut out the Glory. The LSU rookie had 8 of his 10 carries in the final period, gaining 23 yards and earning his first pro touchdown as well.   DeeJay Dallas (HB-OKL) In a tough game against a very stalwart Seattle defense, Dallas ended up leading all Seattle rushers with only 20 yards on the ground. His 3.3 YPC average was the best of all 3 Oklahoma backs, with starter Justice Hill gaining only 4 yards on 12 carries as Seattle sold out to stop the run and force QB Mason Rudolph to beat them.   Justin Jefferson (WR-NOR) One of two USFL rookie wideouts to start their careers with over 100 yards receiving, what makes Justin Jefferson’s debut so fascinating is that he accomplished it with only 2 receptions. Jefferson was targeted by Geno Smith only twice, catching both targets and combining them for a 62-yard average. He had a 74-yard catch that at first glance appeared to be a touchdown before video review showed him stepping out at the 2, and added a second catch for 52 yards, proving that he could be a very dangerous deep ball receiver.   Henry Ruggs (WR-BIR) Alabama rookie Henry Ruggs led the Stallions in receiving in their tight game with Michigan, catching 6 of 9 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown in his pro debut. With his Crimson Tide teammate Jerry Jeudy not getting on the field until the NFL season kicks off this fall, Ruggs launched the first salvo in the battle of former Nick Saban products to prove who would develop into the better pro.   K. J. Hamler (WR-PHI) Philadelphia had the third of the early round receivers coming to the USFL with Penn State’s K. J. Hamler joining the Stars after a career at nearby Penn State. The Nittany Lion was the most targeted of the three, having 10 balls headed his way in the opener. Hamler came down with 5 of those, gaining 62 yards and helping Philadelphia stay right in the game with Tampa Bay.   Bryce Hall (CB-DEN) While there were defensive rookies all across the league who made their debut on opening weekend, Denver corner Bryce Hall clearly had the best day of any of them. Hall finished the Denver-Las Vegas matchup with 7 tackles and his first USFL interception, a drive-killer that helped Denver hold off the Vipers and claim their first win of the year.    Here we go, our first COVID-impacted injury list. As you saw in the opening article of our report, there were nine players who were required to miss the season opener due to positive tests and/or symptomatic COVID infections. What we see now is that the ability for many of the infected players to return to action after only 1 week may not be as many as the league had hoped. Of the 9 who sat out in Week 1, 6 will also be required to sit out a 2 nd  week after their symptoms persisted into the testing period for Week 2. We add several more players to the Week 2 COVID inactive list, including the first starting QB to be required to sit out at least a week as Portland’s Marcus Mariota tested positive this week. And while this is certainly not as problematic as the long-duration injuries suffered by both Seattle QB Jacoby Brissett and San Diego guard Antonio Garcia, the reality of regular player sit-outs due to the COVID-19 virus is a reality that will test team rosters and put a lot on the GMs who have to try to anticipate short-term roster depletion on a regular basis. All this with the usual issues of injury within the game of football will be a test all season long.   OUT QB      Jacoby Brissett      SEA        Broken Hip           IR OT          Antonio Garcia        SD          Achilles                 8-12 Weeks C             Tyler Biadasz            OAK      ACL Strain               2-4 Weeks SS          Jaiquawn Jarrett      NEN      Neck                        1-2 Weeks DE          Tim Crowder            HOU     Eye                           1-2 Weeks   DOUBTFUL LB           Vontez Burfict        OKL       Hand                                    OT          Jawaan taylor          JAX         Hamstring   QUESTIONABLE DE          Calais Campbell      ARZ       Neck HB         Latavius Murray       CHA      Patella Tendonitis G             Vlad Ducasse          CHI        Hyperextended Knee QB         Tyler Thigpen           MGN     Broken Finger   COVID-19 INACTIVE ATL         HB         Kenyan Drake ATL         DE          Tyquann Lewis              2 nd  Week BIR         WR         Julian Edelman             2 nd  Week DEN      DT          Sharrif Floyd                    2 nd Week JAX         DT          Beau Allen                         LA          DE          Duwayne Smoot             2 nd  Week MGN     QB         Tyler Thigpen               2 nd Week OHI       FB          Mike Boone POR      QB         Marcus Mariota               POR      TE           Chris Gragg               2 nd Week STL         LB           Trey Hendrickson SDG      WR         Marques Colston WSH     DT          Quinnen Williams   TV Ratings Take Huge Hit but Streaming a Success This had to be a known and expected reality for the league. Moving all their games to 8pm local starts in the three hub locations meant that the USFL would have more regional games than ever, more late starts than ever, and fewer viewers, and that is what we are seeing. The USFL drew well with their 8pm ET starts, and the 9pm games were adequate (with a significant mid-game drop in viewership, particularly on Sunday), but the 11pm ET starts from Arizona were well below the norm for the league, particularly compared to the league’s typical viewership on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This had to be known, but the numbers released after Week 1 clearly show that this will be a tough year for the league’s viewership as well as for the four broadcasters who are engaged in the all-nocturnal schedule for 2020.   However, at least two networks, FOX and ABC, may be significantly more willing to tolerate the lower broadcast ratings than ESPN and NBC. Why? The livestreaming and replay features of their USFL Nationwide package, arranged between the two networks as a way to address the abundance of games forced into regional coverage due to the all-night-game format, has proven a huge moneymaker and a huge boon for viewership. Over 20 million subscribers joined in the weeks and days leading up to the USFL openers, and viewership on the streaming service has been better than expected, nearly 50% higher than original estimates. The two networks involved in the package are seeing viewers tuning in live, but more fascinating is that they are seeing huge numbers on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons as fans catch up on the prior night’s games during more traditional hours.   It seems that USFL fans want to catch a lot of action, they are just not excited about staying up until Midnight, 1am or later to do so. That means that while NBC and ESPN are going to struggle for viewers when their weekly offering starts at 9 or 11 pm, ABC and FOX are going to make up for their late games by having the replay option the next day. Expect ESPN/EFN (owned by the same conglomerate as ABC) to try to horn in on the streaming platform, and we would not be surprised if NBC tried to get in on the action as well. Either that or you can expect them to push the other networks for more 8pm games to offset the losses encountered with the later games.   Invaders, Bandits, and Vipers Find Audience with Hosted Watch Parties A side story on TV viewership is the niche that it seems a few teams have found with large-scale online “watch parties” organized by the franchises themselves. The Invaders, Bandits, and Vipers were the first teams to set up such groups ahead of this weekend’s games, using online platforms like Twitch, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams to create large “fan rooms” that could hold up to 50 fans at a time. The fan groups could watch the games online through links with the network broadcast or streaming and connect with each other through chat spaces and break-out rooms within the larger group events. Yes, there was some moderation needed as the occasional chat-stream got salty, but overall, the experience was praised by fans, able to watch the games and still interact across the platforms. Expect more teams to add these fanbase outreach viewings as a way to keep fans engaged through this all-remote schedule of games. Building electronic communities may be a trend we see across businesses and entertainment media across many industries as more and more people have been instructed to work from home, to avoid mass gatherings, and to minimize public exposure to the COVID-19 virus. If the USFL can be out front on electronic “meet ups”, it can be a tool that will help the league weather the storm of a season without fans in the stands.   Monarchs Lobby NC Legislature to Allow Summer Bowl We are only at Opening Week for the 2020 season, but one franchise, and one city, are already deeply concerned about the USFL’s planned virtual season. Charlotte and the Charlotte Monarchs had been preparing to host Summer Bowl 2020 ever since they were chosen as the host back in 2018. Now they are frantically lobbying the league and the state to allow for the Summer Bowl to retain its home in the Queen City, and to push for some form of fan attendance at the game. The Monarchs are working with local government to try to convince the USFL not to relocate the title game to one of the three hub regions, to delay a decision and give time for the CDC and the nation to adjust to the current pandemic and find solutions that would allow for public events once again, as well as a location outside of Florida, Texas, or Arizona for the league’s title game.   Many within North Carolina’s statehouse are in favor of the league retaining Charlotte as the host for the showcase event, but there are concerns and serious misgivings about trying to develop a plan for a filled Bank of America Stadium on October 4 th . There is still so much in doubt about how to combat the pandemic, much less how to avoid further infections, illness, and potential fatalities, if a state or city wanted to host an event that would likely draw 60,000 or more to the same venue. Even with an outdoor stadium, that concentration of people seems to pose a potential “mega-spread” situation that no government wants to get behind at this point.   For now, the case being made is for a delay, for retention of Charlotte as the host through July, possibly August, before a final decision is made. The hope, of course, is that more will be known about COVID-19, information that could make the event viable for state and city officials, as well as for the league, even if it means a reduced capacity in the 74,000-seat arena. The campaign is one of delay, hoping that a delayed decision to relocate the USFL’s championship game will provide the time needed to determine a safe and successful plan to have a live event, with spectators in the Monarchs’ back yard.   Chicago’s Rhapsody in Blue The fans have spoken, and their message was unambiguous; they want their Chicago Machine to switch things up. The Chicago Machine & Under Armour “Design the Machine” voting is done and by a huge margin the look chosen by Chicago fans is a very different, very city-friendly “City Blue” option. The final vote had the City Blue look receiving more than both of the other two options, a red-dominant look and a classic maroon look, combined. With nearly 250,000 votes coming in over the extended online voting poll, City Blue racked up over 170,000 votes while the second-place maroon and third place red look combined garnered just under 68,000 votes, a pretty clear message from the fans to the team. And, as promised, the Machine, and their Chicago-based ownership, J.B. and Thomas Pritzker, sided with fans, announcing the new look for the Machine at a press conference in front of Soldier Field this week. The Machine will wear a look that many say reminds them of the NFL Houston Oilers, but which also clearly pays homage to the easily recognizable Chicago city flag, complete with its white and blue stripes and six-pointed red stars. The new look was revealed for the first time this week, and while the team itself is camped out in Houston for the season as part of the league’s hub city “bubble” plan to combat COVID spread, team owners and a limited number of the media were on hand out the outdoor unveiling.   Announcing the new look, with the designs on display on a series of mannequins outside Soldier Field, the Pritzkers revealed the four looks that will take the field in 2021. They also revealed that regardless of the results of this year’s season, the look will not be seen until the Machine return home to play the 2021 season (something we all anticipate, and hope will be the case), with J. B. Pritzker announcing that the club will not wear the new uniforms if they qualify for the 2020 playoffs because, in his words, “This look deserves a Chicago welcome, in front of our great Chicago fans.”   The full look entails 4 different designs, as we have come to expect from Under Armour. The primary uniforms feature a white helmet with the new minimalistic “Clockwork C” logo in sky blue with a red star at the center and center striping meant to evoke the city flag, with thin maroon stripes outside thicker red, white, and blue striping. The ubiquitous Chicago star appears at the base. The road jersey is white with a sky-blue collar, sleeve stripes that parallel those on the helmet and sky-blue numbers outlined in white and red with a subtle maroon drop shadow. The sky-blue home jerseys follow the same pattern, with white numbers outlined in red with the maroon drop shadow. The team will alternate a white and a blue pant set, with an all-white look available for hot summer games, while an all-sky kit is also an option. Both pant sets again repeat the flag-inspired striping from the helmet and jersey sleeves, and each once again feature the six-pointed star on the hip. The look is capped off with red socks that have thin white, sky, and maroon striping.   With USFL teams able to utilize a 2 nd  helmet shell, and with all teams receiving a throwback look, it is no surprise that the 2 nd  helmet will be the team’s traditional maroon color with a maroon facemask. The throwback goes all the way back to the team’s origin, the 1987 look, complete with maroon pants, and the cog-inspired “M” monogram in dark metallic grey on the helmet. The “Maroonificent Mile” alternate blends the two eras, replicating the features of the new Under Armour design but emphasizing maroon as the dominant color. In this alternate look the “flag” striping combines sky blue and white, the jersey numbers are sky blue with maroon and white outlines, and the set offers a maroon pant set to be worn both with the white jersey and the dark maroon top.   So, a very different Chicago Machine begins in 2021. No more complaints from Michigan fans of the Machine riding their design coattails, and a unique design in a league that also has light blue in the designs of Las Vegas, Oakland, Dallas and San Diego. This is a look that screams “Chicago” so loudly, you almost expect Roxy Hart or Al Capone to show up.   Week Two and we prepare for another week of silent games, fake crowd noises, delayed viewing, and late nights as the unique COVID-impacted schedule of games is back. We kick the week off with a major NE Division rivalry as the Generals and Stars battle in Orlando. An hour later another rivalry kicks off as New Orleans and Houston battle at Rice University’s vast but empty stadium. And a good nightcap starting at 11pm Eastern when the Thunder get a rematch with Arizona after last year’s playoff disaster.   Saturday has 3 divisional games with Washington and New England meeting at Raymond James, Orlando on the road to Gainesville to face the Monarchs, and expansion San Antonio hoping for their first win as a franchise as the face Memphis. Sunday’s big games include a SE Division showdown as the Bandits and Bulls stay in state, playing in Gainesville. Atlanta takes on Baltimore in a battle of Week 1 victors, and Tom Brady and the Invaders take on Las Vegas from steamy Sun Devil Stadium.   FRIDAY 8pm ET      Philadelphia @ New Jersey      Camping World Stadium     NBC 9pm ET      New Orleans @ Houston         Rice Stadium                 ABC 11pm ET      San Diego @ Arizona               U. of Arizona Stadium     ESPN/EFN   SATURDAY 8pm ET        Washington @ New England    Raymond James Stadium       ABC 8pm ET       Orlando @ Charlotte               Ben Hill Griffin Stadium           FOX 9pm ET       San Antonio @ Memphis      TDECU Stadium                       NBC 9pm ET        Pittsburgh @ Michigan        NRG Stadium                           FOX 11pm ET      Seattle @ Dallas                  State Farm Stadium                ABC 11pm ET     Los Angeles @ Denver        Sun Devil Stadium                  FOX   SUNDAY 8pm ET        Tampa Bay @ Jacksonville     Ben Hill Griffin Stadium       FOX 8pm ET        Atlanta @ Baltimore       Camping World Stadium     ABC 9pm ET           St. Louis @ Ohio               Rice Stadium                           FOX 9pm ET        Chicago @ Birmingham      NRG Stadium                       ABC 11pm ET       Oakland @ Las Vegas       Sun Devil Stadium      ESPN/EFN 11pm ET      Portland @ Oklahoma    U. of Arizona Stadium             ABC

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: One of the surprise scores of the week was Atlanta's 45-6 demolition of the Washington Federals, and a big reason for their huge win was the play of their defensive captain Luke Kuechley. Kuechley came after the Federals like he was Liam Neeson and they had kidnapped his daughter. The final stat line, which includes 8 tackles, 2 picks, and a defensive score for Kuechley does not tell the whole story. He was all over the field, disrupting blocking schemes, pressuring Ryan Nassib, locking down interior receivers and just causing havok.

May 1, 2020 Great news, America! The USFL is on, the games will commence in just 3 weeks, and we will have a full 16-game season. It won’t be like any prior season, but there will be football this summer (and fall). We will break down the huge news out of the USFL this past week, will take a look at how the season will unfold, and what special adjustments have been made to make football part of our summer again. We will also use this opportunity, as players rejoin their teams, to take a peak at how the extended offseason has prepared all 30 USFL clubs for the upcoming games, give our forecast on each team, each division, and our always reliable (kidding!) predictions for this unique 2020 season’s playoffs, championship, and major awards. Football is coming to your TVs, Laptops, and Phones, so get ready! It will be a season like none before, but it is football, so we are all happy campers right now, even as we have not put on real pants in weeks.   USFL Lays Out Plan to Return to Action on May 22.   The news all football fans have been waiting for ever since a somber USFL Commissioner Steve Bisciotti announced the suspended 2020 season back in March has arrived. A much more chipper Bisciotti announced via livestreamed league announcement on the return of USFLFootball.com America’s premier spring football league in just over 3 weeks time. Appearing on screen with three governors and several USFL head coaches, Bisciotti and his team laid out the format for what will be a USFL season that will include a lot of firsts for the league. Here is the plan he laid out for USFL fans, partners, and the media.   2020 SEASON TIMING The league will kick off on Friday, May 22, with 15 games per week, newly realigned to have 3 games on Friday night, six on Saturday, and six on Sunday each week. It will be a full 16-week season, meaning that for the first time the USFL will technically be playing football in the Fall. The regular season will end on Sunday, September 6. We will see a very familiar 12-team playoff, including a Wild Card round with 8 teams, a divisional round of 8 teams, a conference title round with 4 teams, and Summer Bowl 2020, now scheduled for Sunday, October 7. So, delayed, but not shortened or otherwise altered from the format we all know and love. The schedule does remove the planned bye weeks that were to debut this year, and some special arrangements had to be made with Major League Baseball to avoid potential conflicts from an October Summer Bowl and the MLB playoffs. The two leagues agreed upon Sunday, October 7 as the date for the Summer Bowl, with the understanding that MLB would not schedule any playoff games for that Sunday. The removal of the bye week was a concession to MLB to avoid a possible World Series-Summer Bowl conflict later in October.   2020 SEASON FORMAT If you recall our March update, we proposed 5 possible paths the USFL could take. By now you can see that neither cancellation, a full fall season, or a shortened season were not chosen. That leaves the “Bubble Season” as the best option to both play games and follow safety and health restrictions in place across the country. Working with the CDC and state officials, the USFL came to an agreement that the regular season would be played in three “geographical bubbles”, bringing 10 teams each to three locations and playing all games without fans in attendance.   Yes, you heard that right. At least at first all USFL games will be played in empty stadiums. Aside from essential stadium staff, broadcast teams, and the teams themselves, there will be no attendees of the USFL games this season. Commissioner Bisciotti announced that the league will continue to work with the Public Health departments of the three states where games will be played and with the CDC. If conditions allow for partial or reduced attendance later in the season, the policy may be adjusted, but for now the plan is that we will see empty stands as the teams face off each week. Both Fox and ESPN have already said that they are considering adding computer-generated crowd noise to games to make the viewing experience as similar to past years as possible, but that certainly feels like a bit of a awkward work-around. As for season ticket holders, the USFL is offering the opportunity for fans of all 30 teams to hold their deposits towards the 2021 season or to obtain refunds. Knowing the typical USFL season ticket holder, there are going to be a lot of deposits retained for 2021.   GAME & TEAM "HUB" LOCATIONS The Commissioner turned over his presentation to the three governors also available on the livestream to announce the locations for all games and team camps. Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona, Governor Greg Abbot of Texas, and Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida each spoke proudly of their state, of the possibility to both host the USFL and to hopefully bring fans into the stands before the season is completed. All three Republican governors have been outspoken about CDC recommendations from mask use to public gatherings, so we expect some friction between the states, the CDC, the league, and the players’ union, which is very much looking to the players’ health as a key priority. In turn, each governor announced their plans to host 10 USFL teams for a unique “bubble” season with each team playing schedules clustered within their bubble.   Florida will play host to all 10 teams from the Northeastern and Southeastern Divisions. Teams will be housed in Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Gainesville, making use of local college dormitories, now empty as students were sent home for the year, and hotels (should on-campus study return in Fall 2020). Gainesville and the University of Florida will host the Generals, Steamrollers, and Monarchs. Orlando the Blitz, Federals, Renegades, and Bulls, with Tampa and St. Petersburg playing host to the Stars, Bandits, and Fire. As we will see in all 3 clusters or bubbles, Orlando and Tampa Bay players will be required to live in campus/hotel housing along with the other teams to ensure fairness in player conditions. Games will be played at Raymond James Stadium, Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, and the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp). Both the Swamp and Camping World will host 1 game each on Saturday and Sunday each week, while Camping World Stadium will host 1 game per day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.   Texas , and more specifically the Houston area, will host all 10 teams from the Southern and Central Divisions. Games will be played at NRG Stadium, Rice Stadium, and TDECU Stadium, all located in greater Houston. The league originally proposed combining Houston with San Antonio, but the use of a domed stadium was considered a higher risk than having all games played outdoors, so the Alamodome was taken off the list, and TDECU was added. The teams will be housed in 3 communities in and around Houston, with the Gamblers, Gunslingers, Maulers, and Machine in Houston proper. The Breakers, Stallions, and Skyhawks will be housed in Galveston, while the Glory, Panthers, and Showboats will be in College Station, making use of Texas A&M’s extensive sports facilities and residential space.   Finally, Arizona will play host to both the Pacific and Southwest Divisions. The Wranglers, Gold, Express and Thunder will be based in Phoenix, with Dallas, Oklahoma, and Oakland in Tucson, and the Stags, Dragons, and Vipers in Flagstaff. Despite having 3 clubs based in Flagstaff, the league will not be using NAU’s Walkrup Skydome, once again a domed facility to host games, with State Farm Stadium in Glendale hosting 3 games per week, while ASU’s SunDevil Stadium and the University of Arizona Stadium in Tucscon each hosting 2 games per week.   THE 2020 SCHEDULE Fans will immediately notice two significant differences in USFL scheduling for 2020. First is the time when games will be played. Due to the summer heat in all three states, nearly all games will be scheduled for evening play, meaning that we will be seeing a lot of regional coverage across both on Saturday and Sunday. All Florida games will begin at 8pm Eastern time, with all Houston games kicking off an hour later at 8pm Central Time, and all Arizona games delayed 2 more hours, until 8pm Pacific Time. That means fans of the Express, Dragons, Wranglers or any Pacific or SW Division teams who live on the East Coast are looking at 11pm kickoff times all season long. It is either that or play in 120 degree heat in Arizona on a weekend afternoon.   The second schedule oddity is that all games will be held between teams in the same 10-team pods. Over 16 games, all teams will play their 4 division rivals twice, nothing new there, but they will also play three of the five cross-division teams twice as well, with their final two games against the two remaining cross-division teams. To give you a sense of this, here is what the schedule looks like for the expansion San Antonio Gunslingers .   Week 1:           v. Chicago                     TDECU Stadium Week 2:            @ Memphis                        Rice Stadium Week 3:           v. New Orleans                 Rice Stadium Week 4:          v. Ohio                        TDECU Stadium Week 5:         v. Houston                       NRG Field Week 6:           @ Birmingham                 TDECU Stadium Week 7:           @Michigan                  NRG Field Week 8:            v. St. Louis                     TDECU Stadium Week 9:           @ New Orleans                Rice Stadium Week 10:         @ Ohio                            Rice Stadium Week 11:        v. Birmingham                  NRG Field Week 12:        @ Houston                         NRG Field Week 13:        @ Chicago                     TDECU Stadium Week 14:     v. Memphis                      Rice Stadium Week 15:       v. Michigan                    TDECU Stadium Week 16:      @ St. Louis                      Rice Stadium   The league will see inter-bubble matchups once the playoffs begin in September, with the home team remaining in its region and host city, while the visiting team may need to travel to a new bubble to face their playoff opponent.   And what about Charlotte and the Summer Bowl? The USFL has kept the option to host the Summer Bowl in Charlotte on the table and will make a decision in August as to the viability of a Charlotte-hosted game. If they are unable to make that work, then we should expect an announcement at that time of the host city, with Orlando and Houston the clear favorites, however, the league would like to avoid a situation in which either the Renegades or Gamblers get a clear home-field advantage, so we could see the title game played at a pure neutral site like Gainesville or Tucson if Charlotte is not a viable option.   DEALING WITH COVID Within 24 hours of the league relaunch announcement, USFL officials within the Competition Committee revealed a series of health guidelines in place for the rescheduled and reformatted season. Not to worry, players are not going to be expected to wear masks during games, but you will notice some significant changes, particularly to the injury designations and player eligibility.   TESTING: Players will be tested for COVID-19 3 times each week, each Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. In the event of a positive test, the player is immediately isolated in their housing (moved to a single with significant restrictions on contact with other team members or team personnel outside of medical staff). INJURY REPORT: Players who test positive on Monday or Wednesday are retested on Thursday. A second positive test means that they are placed on the injury list as OUT and must miss that week’s action. If they retest positive the following Wednesday, they remain in that status for a 2 nd week. League medical officials believe that in most cases a player will clear the 2 nd  week test, but there may be cases in which players are unable to do so, particularly if they demonstrate symptoms at that time.   ROSTERS: The USFL is not expanding rosters beyond 53 active players, but they are expanding the practice squad by 4 additional positions and an allowance will permit teams to add players to the active roster as late as 4 hours prior to game time.   FORFEIT: If a team has a mini epidemic within their roster and cannot field a minimal roster of no fewer than 46 players for a game, the game will be forfeited as a 2-0 victory for the opponent. With no bye weeks to reschedule games that are missed, this was the option agreed upon by the league and the union. Players will receive game checks for any forfeited games.   The league is also in discussion with the league to potentially implement temporary changes to the waiver policy, trade deadline, and IR systems to assist teams with roster replacements where possible, but no details of any adjustments to these practices have yet been announced.   So, there you have it, a full 16-game schedule, with all games at night, and all teams clustered into hubs or bubble cities in Arizona, Texas, and Florida. Players have already received their assignments on where to report, and camps reopen this week, with local high schools and some university campuses used as training facilities. There will be strict housing and meal rules in place as well as additional rules for practices, injury (and illness reporting) and gamedays, and, as we just laid out, some changes to roster management, injury reporting, and potential forfeit.   2020 TELEVISION SCHEDULE The last item to discuss is how you, the USFL fan, can catch games. This was a tricky bit of negotiation for the league and their 4 TV partners, but an eventual deal was agreed upon. The broadcast/cable/satellite structure will be as follows:   NBC will produce and broadcast 1 Friday and 1 Saturday game. ESPN will similarly produce and broadcast 1 game both Saturday and Sunday night. Both FOX and ABC will produce 4 Saturday and Sunday games, with regional coverage of all four. They will also each host 1 Friday national game in alternating weeks.   But what if you are a Generals fan in Texas or a Stags fan in Florida? Never Fear, while games will be broadcast in regional coverage on each network’s broadcast feed, each provider will offer out-of-market games to fans on their online platforms through livestreaming. In an agreement with the league, ABC and FOX, the only networks using regional coverage, will livestream all games on their web streaming platforms, with fans able to buy a Nationwide USFL package to watch all out-of-market games for $80 dollars for the season, a deal that comes to $5 per week and gives fans access to both the ABC and FOX broadcasts, making all games available to the entire nation.   But what about blackouts? OK, now you are just being silly. With no fans allowed at games, the league has obviously done away with the blackout rules around home attendance. All games will be shown in their home markets, so, for example, all Generals games in regional coverage will be available for the NY-NJ markets, while all Oakland games, despite being played in Arizona, will be shown in Northern California. So, if your favorite team is in your home region, the $80 Nationwide plan is not needed as all games will either be on national coverage or shown to you in regional coverage, but for fans of the Invaders who live in Chicago, you can use the Nationwide USFL Package to get all 16 Invader games on your computer, phone, tablet, or any Wi-Fi-enabled television.   That is more than enough talk about COVID-19, special arrangements, bubble-cities, and empty stadium games. Let’s talk some football. The second part of our Season Preview is all about the game inside the white lines, the teams and their prospects for this unique season. Let’s get ready to analyze all 30 teams, account for all the offseason moves, and make our (often dubious) picks for the 2020 season, late in arriving, but now more welcome than ever.     Season Preview: Teams & Divisions   The Northeast Division gets a new team in the expansion New England Steamrollers, loses a recent arrival in the Maulers, and is again likely to be a very close, very hard fought division. Philadelphia won the division title at 9-7 last year after an 0-5 start, but there is certainly no lack of challengers this year, with 2019 playoff teams New Jersey and Baltimore right there and Washington hoping to see major improvement this year.   NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: BAL:       Rookie WR Michael Pittman Jr. NEN:      Rookie DE Yetur Gross-Matos, DT Aaron Donald, QB Ryan Tannehill NJ:          WR Kenny Stills, TE Jonnu Smith PHI:        OT Matt Kalil WSH:     WR Jarvis Landry, NFL LB Danny Trevathan   STORIES TO FOLLOW: Stars QB Struggle The fact that the Stars made efforts not only to land a top flight rookie but also made some inquiries during the NFL-USFL transfer window should tell us that they are not sold on the fact that Matt Gutierrez still has enough in the tank to get the job done. Coach Harbaugh seems to have faith in him, but everyone else, from the GM to the very vocal fans seems to have their doubts. Will Gutierrez prove that he still can bring wins to the Stars or will the team again be looking elsewhere. The Stars still have only P. J. Walker and Trace McSorley behind Gutierrez, so once again there may not be a fallback option for Philly.   Nassib Needs to Prove Himself Again Ryan Nassib got himself a very lucrative deal to join the Federals last year after a break out performance in Arizona in 2018. But what Federals fans saw from their new QB did not exactly live up to the hype. Nassib’s accuracy was still there, completing passes at essentially the same rate, but his yards per game was down nearly 100 yards, and his TDs dropped from 32 to 20. That said, not all of that is on Nassib. After all, the Washington receivers do not match up to the 2018 Arizona combo of Fitzgerald and Bryant. With two new options in Jarvis Landry and Jalen Saunders joining Keenan Allen and Tyreek Hill, there are no excuses in 2020. That is a very solid WR group and one capable of turning short completions into big plays, so it is time for Nassib to show Washington why they showed him the money.   Steamrollers Hope to Surprise Life as an expansion team is never easy. Not only do you need to build a roster, you need to build a culture. Coach Fox will try to do just that with his Steamroller squad. He has a lot of interesting pieces, but will they come together as a team. The offense may well be pretty sound, led by former NFL QB Ryan Tannehill, this squad has some talent, including HBs Kerwynn Williams and Matt Forte, WRs Doug Baldwin, DeVante Parker, and Zay Jones, and All-USFL TE Dennis Pitta. The line will need time to come together, and there is a general lack of depth, but front line talent is there.   On defense, expect the Steamrollers to rely heavily on their huge free agent signing, DT Aaron Donald, to set the tone. Donald, more than even edge rushers Mario Addison and Tashawn Bower, may be the most dangerous player on the field for opposing QBs. The LB group is led by another NFL import, veteran Jamie Collins, who changes teams and leagues, but not zip codes, moving from the moribund Patriots to the brand-new Steamrollers. The secondary is likely the strength of the defense overall, with two quality corners in Sam Shields and Jalen Mills, and a pretty savvy safety combo of Jaiquawn Jarrett and Deion Bush. Again, depth behind the starters is where the concern lies, but this is a team that should be competitive and could surprise some folks.   OUR ASSESSMENT We are picking New Jersey to claim the division title, but this could be a three, maybe even four team race. We don’t see anyone getting beyond 10 wins and only New England likely has the capacity to lose more than 10 games. So, why did we pick New Jersey? We think Norv Turner has the pieces in place to be the most consistent team in the division. We like the addition of two more weapons in the passing game, and we think their defense is the most stable of the 4 returning teams. Could we be wrong? Of course. Perhaps Philadelphia’s 9-2 run last year is more indicative of their team than the 0-5 start. Maybe Matt Gutierrez is ready to rebound. Or maybe Baltimore, now with Jake Locker at the helm, can make a move. So hard to say, but in our mind the team with the fewest “what if” scenarios is New Jersey.   In 2019 the Southeast quickly developed into a 2-team race, with surprising Tampa Bay outperforming all expectations in Coach Trestman’s first year and Orlando certainly on the rise. Atlanta lost steam when Aaron Murray got hurt and their run defense was a pure no-show. Charlotte also seemed to lose a step. That reality led to some shakeup, with 3 of the division’s 5 teams making a change in the front office. Can Jacksonville, Atlanta, or Charlotte catch lightning in a bottle as Coach Trestman did with the Bandits last year, or are all three destined to be looking up at last year’s two best teams?   NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: ATL:        Rookie WR Gabe Davis, DT Albert Haynesworth, NFL WR A. J. Green CHA:      WR Tandon Doss, NFL CB Ronald Darby JAX:        Rookie WR Tee Higgins, DT Montravious Adams, ORL:       Rookie DT Javon Kinlaw, FS D. J. Swearinger, NFL HB Ty Montgomery TBY:       NFL HB Matt Breida   STORIES TO FOLLOW: Three New Coaches The Fire, Monarchs, and Bulls all start out 2020 with a brand new coach, each now dealing with COVID issues as well as roster and team culture issues. Of the three, Atlanta’s Jaime Elizondo helped usher in the most significant roster changes, signing 37-year-old Albert Haynesworth to help with the run game and then importing two offensive players with real potential, WR A. J. Green and HB Jordan Howard to help with the Fire’s shaky offense from last year.   Charlotte and Head Coach Vance Joseph start a new chapter for the franchise, but much remains the same for the Monarchs. They did bring in a solid backup behind Trubisky, acquiring Kyle Boller in a trade with St. Louis. Other than that, the offense looks very much like the 2019 squad that struggled under Jim Mora Jr. Can Elizondo bring in elements of the explosive Bandit offense that helped him get the job?   In Jacksonville, Winston Moss will be tackling not only the current issues that had the Bulls finish 2019 with the worst record in the league, but a culture of more than 35 years of poor performance and disappointment. He started addressing both by addressing the defense, bringing in DT Montravius Adams and shifting Alex Anzelone from MLB to the Strong Side position to try to help put energy into the run defense. On offense, Teddy Bridgewater is now securely the starter at QB, with only NFL import Cardale Jones and late round rookie Ben DiNucci behind him. Devin Singletary is expected to challenge Matt Jones for time at tailback, and rookie Tee Higgins is looking very much like a Week One starter.   Which of these three new head coaches is in the best position to win right away? That is hard to say, and we still expect the two top teams from 2019, Tampa Bay and Orlando to be atop the division in 2020, but maybe we will get a surprise like the one we saw in Tampa Bay last year.   Bandit Ball Sequel? The Bandits made a huge leap in 2019, jumping from a 3-win 2018 campaign to a division title and a trip to the Eastern Conference Championship in 2019. But, will teams catch on to their new offense? Will the departure of OC Jamie Elizondo to Atlanta lead to a decline in effectiveness? And will some of the departures on defense, like CB Trumaine McBride (retirement) or Tank Carradine (traded to Ohio) create a backstep for the Bandits? We still think they are good enough to win a SE Division in transition, with Orlando their likely main competitor, but can they get past the best of the other two divisions to get back to a Summer Bowl? That is a big question.   Haynesworth the Answer? Atlanta made a few big-time moves, but none with the potential Boom or Bust nature of the signing of a 37-year old Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth successfully petitioned the league to allow him to rescind his 2018 retirement and now returns to football at an age when most defensive linemen are on the golf course or in the jacuzzi. At his prime, Haynesworth was a monster inside, helping to free up Calais Campbell to lead the league in sacks every single year while in Orlando. But at 37, there are a lot of questions as to whether this 9-time All-USFL selection can still get the job done. The Fire certainly hope he can, because they simply had no ability to stop the run last year, and they need a presence in the middle to make teams pay for trying to grind out first downs on the ground. Haynesworth is also supposed to take on blockers so that edge rushers like William Gholston and Mario Edwards can bring pressure without devoting LB talent to the blitz. With Kuechley, Ellerbe and Patrick Willis in the LB group, Coach Elizondo may still want to bring in the extra rushers, but if Haynesworth can do as he used to, occupying both the center and a guard, he may not have to.   OUR ASSESSMENT You may be surprised to see us picking Orlando over the Bandits this season. We do that for two reasons. The first is that Tampa Bay had some losses on defense in the offseason and it was the ability of the Bandit defense to hold off opponents that allowed the Bandits to make a 7-game improvement from 2018 to 2019. If the defense again falters, we think the Bandits take a step back. Orlando, on the other hand, has been on a steady path towards improvement. We like the addition of Swearinger to the secondary and we think Kinlaw is a net positive addition in the D-line. Those two positives, along with a solid and balanced offense feels like a winning combination to us. As for the three remaining clubs, we think Atlanta did the most to improve their chances in 2020. Of course, a lot depends on if Albert Haynesworth can be even close to his All-USFL self as he returns after more than a year away from the game. Charlotte could surprise if they have truly improved their defense and if Mitch Trubisky can mature his way out of his bad decisions. The South adds a second Texas team as the San Antonio Gunslingers join Houston, Birmingham, Memphis, and New Orleans. This could well be the toughest division in the league, with the defending conference champion Gamblers, a very solid Breaker team, and two potentially improved teams in both Memphis and Birmingham. San Antonio will get few opportunities to snag division wins, but with Joe Flacco at the helm, they may surprise some folks.   NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: BIR:        Rookie WR Henry Ruggs, NFL WR Robby Anderson HOU:     Rookie HB Cyle Edwards-Helaire, NFL TE Gerald Everett MEM:     CB Josh Johnson, WR Geronimo Allison NOR:     Rookie WR Justin Jefferson SAN:      Rookie WR Jaelen Reagor, DE Marcus Lawrence, QB Joe Flacco, NFL OT Zach Banner   STORIES TO FOLLOW: Gunslinger Growing Pains The San Antonio Gunslingers were looking forward to opening day perhaps more than any other team. They had brought football back to the Alamo City five years after the devastating tornadoes led to the demolition and reconstruction of the Alamodome. And they were bringing back some familiar faces from the days of the Texas Outlaws. QB Joe Flacco, a 35-year-old Marshawn Lynch, and 6 other former San Antonians were back in town, along with a lot of new faces. But, now reality has to set in. After a 2-month delay, San Antonio will be back on the field, but not yet back in San Antonio. The Gunslingers will play all their games in Houston, and likely with no fans in the stands. So what will we see from the new Gunslingers and head coach Chuck Long?   On offense, expect Long to split carries between Marshawn Lynch and former Gambler C. J. Prosise. Joe Flacco will be throwing to at least one familiar face, another Outlaw transfer, Marquise Goodwin, but will also have former Federal Brandon LaFell and slot man Isaiah McKenzie to throw to. The line may be a bit shaky, typical for a new group learning to play together, and that could be an issue because Flacco is about as mobile as an oak tree. On defense there is some good talent and good experience in the LB group with Casey Matthews, Gabe Miller and Justin Hollins among the starters. The secondary has a real talent in CB Jordan Pugh, and a solid safety duo of Will Harris and David Bruton, but that line, that could be an issue. If teams can run on the Gunslingers, and if opposing QBs get time, this could be a defense worthy of an expansion team.   Gamblers Draw Two The Houston Gamblers have developed a knack for adding talent to key positions before they need it. We saw that with Colt McCoy prepping behind Matt Hasselbeck and producing one of the best QB handoffs in memory. We may be seeing that at halfback now, as the Gamblers drafted and signed LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire as backup, and potential future replacement for All-USFL veteran Carlos Hyde. Hyde turns 29 this year, so he is not over the hill yet, but adding a talented young back behind him seems like a very shrewd move.   The other big add for the Gamblers was a necessity. With Vernon Davis retiring this year, tight end became a position of need, and the Gamblers hope they have found the solution to that need in the form of NFL import Gerald Everett. The 2017 draftee of the St. Louis Rams is big (6’3” and 239 Lbs), fast (4.62 in the 40), and has strong hands. He caught 37 balls for 408 yards last spring and Coach Phillips thinks he is just reaching his prime. Of course, having Colt McCoy to throw to him and with outside receivers like Mike Evans and JuJu Smith-Schuster, Everett is in prime position to make a big splash this year.   Stallions Add Targets The contract extension given to Cam Newton did two really important things this offseason. It said unequivocably that the Auburn product was both the present and the future of Coach Todd Haley’s offense, and it told the league that Birmingham would not be pursuing Alabama product Tua Tagovailoa. Tua ended up signing with the NFL Chargers over the Atlanta Fire, but Birmingham was not done. They had their QB, but after losing WR Amari Cooper in free agency (Seattle), they needed to provide their new multi-millionaire QB with some options in the receiving group. The Stallions started in the draft, claiming and signing another Crimson Tide star, wideout Henry Ruggs in the T-Draft, then waited for the NFL-USFL Transfer Window to add even more, signing Robby Anderson away from the New York Jets. Anderson and Ruggs will likely split time opposite Dontrelle Inman, but if either one proves himself early, expect them to become the top target for Newton, who will also still likely finish the year as the leading rusher for Birmingham, ahead of Ben Tate or Rex Burkhead. With 2 new weapons, as well as the best 1-2 TE combo in the league (Hunter Henry and Eric Ebron) the Stallions have given Newton the weapons he needs to reach his self-stated goal of winning an MVP and a Summer Bowl. Big dreams. We will see if the Stallions are there.   OUR ASSESSMENT I think we all expect Houston to sit atop the South again. They are just so solid, and even added some depth this offseason. As for their potential rivals, we still wish Joe Burrow would have signed with the Breakers, because that would have been such good entertainment, but even without the LSU quarterback, we think the Breakers could be a real challenge to Houston’s division dominance. We also think that either Memphis or Birmingham could get into the mix. We are choosing Birmingham just because they seem far more active and intent on improvement. Coach Ryan and the Showboats seemed to be treading water this offseason, which does not make sense for a team that finished 8-8 last year. San Antonio could fare quite well for an expansion team, mostly out of division, but we think that 10 losses or more is still the most likely scenario.   The Panthers absolutely dominated the Central Division last year, winning 14 of 16 games. But 2020 looks to be a year when they could face a few tougher challenges. The Maulers return to the division and should be a mid-tier squad among the 5 teams. Chicago is certainly on the upswing and we are also expecting more from St. Louis this year. All in all the Central will likely be a lot closer than in 2019, but that does not mean we don’t still see Michigan on top.   NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: CHI:       Rookie WR Chase Claypool, HB Marion Mack, NFL WR Jermaine Kearse MGN:   Rookie WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, DT Dontari Po OHI:       Rookie LB Malik Harrison, WR Cordarelle Patterson PIT:         Rookie HB Cam Akers, DE Aaron Kampman STL:        Rookie OT Tristan Wirfs, Rookie DE A. J. Epenesa   STORIES TO FOLLOW: Michigan’s 2019 Hangover Michigan’s shocking ouster in the Divisional Round of the 2019 playoffs is still very much a topic of conversation both on local sports radio and within the organization itself. After a 14-2 regular season, the defending league champions felt poised to seek the repeat, but failed to even qualify for the Conference Title Game after a stunning 20-12 loss to the Denver Gold. Enter the offseason and what do we see? Fullback and LeVeon Bell’s personal chauffer Kyle Juszczyk heads off to the NFL in the September window, DT Kevin Vickerson retires at 34 years old, the Panthers lose DT Terrell Troupe, WR Jerrel Jernigan, and LB Cody Glenn to free agency, and the Expansion Draft costs them young QB Easton Stick (NE), a player Coach McDermott really liked and was hoping to build up this year. So, how does Michigan shake off the upset hangover and the loss of some quality talent? Well, they get active in free agency, signing Tyler Thigpen to back up Kirk Cousins, and bringing in the best DT option outside of 37-year-old Albert Haynesworth, pulling Dontari Po away from the Showboats. They also bring in HB Karlos Williams to help on third down, and then, in the NFL Window in February they add a veteran at LG in Ron Leary. Is that enough to help Michigan remain dominant in the Central Division? We think so, but is it enough to wipe away the taste of that playoff loss and make the push this year to return to the Summer Bowl? That may be a question we won’t get an answer to until September. Man, that is weird to say, September in the USFL.   Chicago Offensive Overhaul If the Panthers are going to repeat as Division Champs, they are likely going to have to fight off the Chicago Machine to do it. Chicago continues to add weapons to their offense, bringing in Marion Mack to be the piledriver paired with Jeremy Hills smooth speed. They drafted and signed Notre Dame deep threat Chase Claypool to spread the defense, and then added Jermaine Kearse from the NFL to provide a 4 th  option on those long third downs that killed them last year. The defense will be almost identical to the 2019 squad, which is a good thing, but with more offensive options for Sam Bradford to utilize, Chicago may well be a very dangerous combo of fast-strike scoring and hard-nosed defending this year.   Maulers in Midwest What at the time felt like a permanent move from the Central Division to the Northeast in 2013 turned into a 6-year experiment as the arrival of yet another team in the Boston area (the city’s 3 rd USFL attempt) once again relocated the Maulers from one division to the other. So now, instead of more Keystone Clashes with Philadelphia, the Maulers will have to rekindle their twice-a-year rivalry with neighboring Ohio, while also taking on the Panthers, Skyhawks, and Machine. The Maulers struggled to reach .500 in the NE Division the past 6 years, topping the 8-8 mark only once in their 2013-2019 run in the division. Now they return to a Central Division that seems somewhat bi-polar, with Michigan and Chicago looking like real title contenders and St. Louis and Ohio looking like teams trying to find themselves. What does that mean for new Head Coach Skip Holtz? Coming into a situation already fraught with issues, the former La Tech coach is under fire before his team even takes a snap. And now we add on a season where the Maulers will be playing in Houston and living on the campus of Rice University. It is no way to start a new era in Mauler history, but it is what it is.   OUR ASSESSMENT If anyone can challenge the Panthers for the division title, it has to be Chicago. They added more weapons for Sam Bradford, have a defense that improved over 2019 and they are coming into the year with a lot of expectations and a lot of confidence. We see St. Louis as an improved team in Lamar Jackson’s 3 rd  year and Pittsburgh could surprise as well. As for Ohio, we are feeling very much like their 2018 division title was a fluke and that the 2020 Glory will look a lot like the 2019 edition that won only 4 games.   The Wranglers were not just the best team in the division last year, they were the best team in the league, a fact proven by their domination of Houston in Summer Bowl 2019. All they did this offseason was reload, so we think they are still going to be tough to topple. Denver also had a solid year in 2019 with Josh Allen outperforming expectations in his first season as a starter. We still think they need a bit more youth on the team, but they are competitive. Las Vegas could improve, and we think that if Justin Herbert is anything like what we saw at Oregon, Dallas could also take a step forward.   NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: ARZ:       Rookie WR Brandon Aiyuk, NFL DT Snacks Harrison DAL:       Rookie QB Justin Herbert, TE Pharaoh Brown DEN:      DT Terrell Troupe, DE D’Aundre Reed, LV:           Rookie S Julian Blackmon, LB Nick Perry, OT Tyson Clabo OKL:       Rookie HB DeeJay Dallas, Rookie QB Jalen Hurts, WR Nick Toon   STORIES TO FOLLOW: Wrangler Repeat? Arizona not only won a third title last year, they claimed the right to call themselves the Team of the Decade and a true dynasty. So, what do they do for an encore? How about a 4 th ? How about a 6 th Summer Bowl appearance in an 8-year span, a nearly inconceivable feat? That is the plan for the Wranglers, and while they won’t quite be at home all season, playing in Arizona certainly cannot hurt their chances, even if they are living in a hotel in Glendale and will play some games in Tucson. The Wranglers return pretty much all of their big-name players from the 2019 run, losing only LB Travis Goethel to free agency (NEN), TE Jimmie Graham to retirement, and DT Grady Jarrett to a trade with Baltimore, and DE DeShawn Hand to the expansion draft.   Back at center stage we will have the offense led by David Carr, with the HB duo of Carey and Crowell, and the receiving group led by Victor Cruz. New to the offense will be rookie WR Brandon Aiyuk, who should see ample time in the slot, and TE Robert Tonyan, making the move from TE2 to the starting gig. On defense, it will be Calais Campbell and Bud DuPree making QBs run for their lives, while Scooby Wright, A.J. Klien, and Malik Jefferson anchor down the LB group and Joe Haden takes away a team’s best receiver. The Wranglers did not see a mass exodus of talent this offseason, so their odds to be a Summer Bowl contender once again look very favorable.   Herbert’s Timeline Dallas made the move and landed a player they think can be a generational QB for them. They will start the season with Josh Freeman at the helm, but you can expect that at some point this year we will see the Roughnecks run former Oregon star Justin Herbert out onto the field. Herbert can make all the throws, is mobile enough to make plays with his feet, and has excellent field vision. He is also an ideal front man for the Roughnecks, who really have not created a clear place for themselves in the sports psyche of Dallas-Fort Worth since coming over from Boston in 2013. Herbert may give them the chance to do just that, even if fans can only watch him from their TVs. The Roughnecks may still need to add more around their young franchise QB, but this year is all about helping Herbert adjust to the pro game and get some playing time before the club returns to Dallas in 2021.   Miller’s Retirement Tantrum He begged, he demanded, he pouted, but Denver would not budge. They held Von Miller under contract for 2 more years, and they said that he would not be cut loose, not traded, and not offered a new deal. Miller’s response was epic, and not in a good way. Over the course of the Winter he kept it largely professional, hoping that the Gold would release him in time to make a leap back to the NFL. But that did not happen. The Gold held him to his contract and left him few options. The options Miller took were to go to social media and throw an absolute tantrum about Denver. Not just the ownership of the Gold either. Miller laid into Coach Hufnagel, his DC, his teammates, even the city itself, calling the fans bandwagon jumpers who did not understand real football, the city a “whitebread imitation of a real city” and pretty much going full scorched earth on everyone and everything about his time with the Gold (apparently Denver was just fine when Miller was a Bronco, but the Gold period showed him he was wrong). When the Gold would not acknowledge his wishes and the NFL-USFL Transfer Window opened and closed without him being made eligible, it was the last straw. On March 22 nd , Miller took the one action left available to him. He retired. He did so with a flurry of tweets, a couple of loud and angry appearances on ESPN and the Stephen A. Smith podcast, and with, eventually, official filing with the league.   What does this mean for Miller? It means his USFL career is over, not just in Denver, with all 30 teams. It means that he could sign with the NFL in the upcoming months, but only if he can find a team that is OK with the way he left the Gold, and that is the part it seems he did not count on. Miller is a very talented player, and he still has gas in the tank, but the way he left the Gold is not going to sit well with a lot of NFL teams. No one wants someone with that kind of explosive capacity to bring the heat to their team, not unless they are desperate. So now Miller waits and the Gold move on. They signed D’Aundre Reed in anticipation of Miller leaving, and now Reed will pair up with Justice Cole and Denver will see what they have.   OUR ASSESSMENT The SW Division is still very much Arizona’s to lead. We like Denver to finish second, and maybe a couple of games closer to the Wranglers, but still not close enough. Dallas is our pick to jump into the playoff picture, as we have high hopes for their rookie QB. Las Vegas could also be in the mix, though they really did not make many moves worthy of boosting our confidence in them. Oklahoma took a huge hit with the expansion agreement sending 8 veterans to San Antonio. As much as we like their draft this year, we think it will take a year or two to see the dividends and until then the Outlaws could struggle. Last year we got all excited about the LA Express early on, only to watch them slump back to 8-8 by season’s end. Seattle again started very weak (1-5) only to pour it on late and find themselves in the playoffs. Could you imagine if they could just go 3-3 in the opening 6 weeks? They could win the division. Portland played 4 different QBs last year, and hopes that won’t be repeated in 2020. And then there is Oakland, who had some solid but unimpressive offseason moves until they pulled the trigger on the biggest signing in mid-February. We don’t want to get too excited about one player, but when that player is arguably the best championship QB in two leagues, it is hard not to.   NEWCOMERS TO WATCH: LA:         Rookie C Tyler Biadasz, WR Austin Pettis, NFL LB Yannick Ngakue OAK:     CB Brandon Boykin, SS Marquestan Huff, NFL QB Tom Brady POR:     Rookie DT Raekwon Davis, NFL WR Josh Gordon SD:         Rookie WR Laviska Shenault, WR Ronald Johnson, DT Rakeem Nunes-Roches SEA:      Rookie S Grant Delpit, WR Amari Cooper, NFL TE Kyle Rudolph   STORIES TO FOLLOW: The Brady Factor As a general rule, a team signing a 43-year-old QB feels more like desperation than brilliance, but when that QB is Tom Brady, generally considered the best championship QB in all of pro football, well, you have to get enthused about the move. The Invaders had a solid defense in 2019, can put together a strong run game behind Christian McCaffrey, but neither Jimmy Garoppolo or Ryan Findley felt like a real answer at QB. Both struggled and with them the Invaders were stuck in mediocre form, finishing at 8-8. If Brady is health, which the added 2 months of rest may well aid with, he can be a difference maker for certain. Could he get them 2, 3, 4 more wins? Very possibly.   Brady has weapons all around him in Oakland. The line is weaker than in past years, but still likely in the upper half of the league, and the defense is aggressive and fast-moving, very much in the model of their captain, Bobby Wagner. Expect fans to be snapping up those number 12 Brady jerseys, and look for Oakland to take every chance to put Brady in a position to win games this year. This should be fun to watch.   Sophomore Slump in LA? The Express started so strong in 2019 and then started to falter. That is not entirely surprising for a team built around 3 rookies. So, the question is, will those three star rookies advance their games in 2020, or will we see a sophomore slump that spells a rough year for Express fans once again? Of the three, we have the most confidence in DE Nick Bosa, in part because his final month of 2019 was certainly stronger than his first month. He should be a focal point of any team’s offense this year. Kyler Murray needs to take a step forward. In 2019 it looked like he was often relying on instincts, not preparation or understanding, and that can get you only so far. The Express need their QB to be able to see what is on the field and make adjustments to take advantage of it. Finally, WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown has to be more than a one-route receiver. Yes, his speed lends itself to the deep fly route, but there has to be more to his game if he wants to be a starter, much less a star, in the USFL.   Seattle QB Questions The Dragon’s third straight year with a late season run seems to speak to the ability of their team to learn and develop, but they seem to have amnesia every offseason. One of the areas of amnesia may well be around the QB position. Yes, the Dragons won some games, but was Jacoby Brissett really the long-term solution? Seattle did not pursue a top flight option at QB this offseason, which tells us that Coach Riley is happy with what he got out of Brissett last year, but for those of us outside the organization, that seems to be overvaluing a player who just has never proven to be able to carry his team when it is needed. We will see if Coach Riley’s faith in Brissett is warranted. Maybe they can get off to a faster start and compete for the division title, but maybe they are capped out at the 8-8 or 9-7 range.   OUR ASSESSMENT We suspect that fans of the San Diego Thunder are feeling very much like Rodney Dangerfield, getting no respect at all. We certainly acknowledge that their 12-4 season in 2019 was a very strong showing. Their 41-10 playoff loss to the Wranglers was not a good look, however. So, what happens in 2020? Well, we look at the return of Tom Brady and maybe we get a bit starstruck, but we think that gives Oakland an edge. We have both teams sitting at 11-5. That assumes a 3-game improvement for the Invaders and a 1-game slip from the Thunder. We have both LA and Seattle slipping back a game and Portland struggling to keep up. But a lot depends on the Brady factor. It would not surprise us if San Diego again dominated the division, but something tells us that Tom Brady returning home to Oakland could truly shake things up.   PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS So, looking over our division rankings, we have our 12 playoff teams at the end of the 2020 “bubble” season of the USFL. Our anticipated seedings would be as follows:    EAST: 1-HOU, 2-ORL, 3-NJ, 4-NOR, 5-TBY, 6-BIR WEST: 1-MGN, 2-ARZ, 3-OAK, 4-SD, 5-CHI, 6-DEN   This playoff format would produce entirely interdivision and inter-pod Wild Card games. We see New Jersey, Tampa Bay, Oakland, and San Diego coming out of those. From the ensuing Divisional games, we pick Houston to take down the Bandits, Orlando to outlast New Jersey, Michigan to knock off San Diego, and Oakland to upset Arizona. That leaves 4 teams for the conference finals. We are picking Houston to defeat Orlando, returning to the Summer Bowl for a 3 rd straight year. In the championship we think they face the Oakland Invaders. Yes, we know, we are way too excited about Tom Brady, but we cannot help it. We are going to go all the way with Brady and the Invaders, picking them to upset Michigan and win only the 2 nd  title ever for a Pacific Division team. We are so often wrong with our picks, that it just seems like we should at least go with a bit of a dark horse pick anyway, and Oakland is ours.   AWARD PREDICTIONS As bad as we are at picking league champions in the preseason, we at least tend to be in the ballpark more often than not with our Award Picks. After all, we can see who has huge talent upside and who is in a position to have that talent paired with a lot of team Ws. So, with the usual caveat that you should never put up your mortgage on one of our picks, here are our selections for the Big 5 USFL awards for 2020:   MVP: QB Tom Brady (OAK) Look, if we are picking the Invaders to capture the Pacific, and defeat Arizona, Michigan and Houston on their way to a title we have to believe that Brady will be MVP material. He may not put up huge passing numbers, but fans and voters alike will certainly be able to see his impact on the Invaders and his ability to pull out wins when they are needed. That should be enough in our minds to have voters give him the MVP even if he captures none of the statistical categories.   OPOTY: QB Colt McCoy (HOU) Here is where we see the stats being the story. McCoy has amazing weapons all around him in Houston, from Mike Evans to Carlos Hyde, and they even added a potential dual-threat understudy for Hyde in LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire and a solid safety valve option in TE Gerald Everett from the NFL Rams. If McCoy cannot win at least 2 of the 3 main passing categories (yards and TDs) then something is very wrong, and we just don’t think anything will be wrong with the Gambler offense this year.   DPOTY: CB Josh Norman (CHI) We are going out on a limb this year. We could play it safe and go with Calais Campbell, last year’s winner and a seemingly eternal sack champion. We could ride the Oakland bandwagon even more and go with 2018 DPOTY Bobby Wagner, but we are predicting that Chicago, and particularly their defense, see major improvement this year, and of all the players who could be in position to see their numbers pop off the page, we think it is Norman who could put up some major numbers. We honestly see a chance that the Machine corner could challenge the league record for picks if we are right about this defense, and if he gets in that stratosphere and the Machine are over 10 wins, then we like his chances.   ROTY: WR Justin Jefferson (NOR) This one was tough. We wanted to pick Justin Herbert in Dallas, but we are not even sure how many games he will see. If Josh Norman plays well early, he could only get some mop up duty. Meanwhile, Jefferson is poised to be starting opposite Jordy Nelson from Week One. And with Nelson absorbing a lot of double teams, Jefferson could have a huge rookie campaign. A lot depends on QB Geno Smith, but the Breakers are capable of putting up big passing numbers, and with teams having to focus on Jordy Nelson, it could be a gold mine for Jefferson.   COTY: Chuck Long (SAN) With 5 new head coaches in the league, and barring a team going from 10 losses to 10 wins like we saw with Tampa Bay last year, we think the best odds go to the expansion team that most exceeds expectations. San Antonio is in a tough division, but with veterans like Flacco, Lynch, and Goodwin on the roster we think this Gunslinger squad looks far closer to 8-8 than 0-16. If the former Wrangler OC can get his offense humming for the Gunslingers, they could impress us, and that would be a feather in the cap of their coach.   We are still 3 weeks away from the opening of the Bubble Season, but we are so anxious to see the USFL back on the field that we cannot wait. Here is your Week 1 Schedule for May 22-25. It is the kickoff of a season many thought would not come, and the start of a weird experiment in empty-stadium football, but it is football, and we are here for it.  Here is the Week 1 schedule with all stadiums listed, television networks as well, and with all divisional games in bold blue font.   FRIDAY, MAY 22 8pm ET          Charlotte @ Baltimore        Camping World Stadium   ESPN/EFN 9pm ET     Ohio @ Houston                  NRG Stadium                           NBC 11pm ET         Dallas @ Arizona                  State Farm Stadium              FOX   SATURDAY, MAY 24 8pm ET         Jacksonville @ New Jersey     Ben Hill Griffin Stadium          ABC 8pm ET          Orlando @ New England      Raymond James Stadium        FOX 9pm ET       Michigan @ Birmingham        TDECU Stadium                       ABC 9pm ET          Pittsburgh @ Memphis            Rice Stadium                            FOX 11pm ET        Las Vegas @ Denver                  U. of Arizona Stadium              ABC 11pm ET         Oakland @ San Diego             Sun Devil Stadium                   NBC   SUNDAY, MAY 25 8pm ET        Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia    Camping World Stadium        ESPN/EFN 8pm ET        Atlanta @ Washington        Raymond James Stadium      ABC 9pm ET        St.Louis @ New Orleans        NRG Stadium                           FOX 9pm ET         Chicago @ San Antonio        TDECU Stadium                       ABC 11pm ET      San Diego @ Portland            State Farm Stadium                 FOX 11pm ET      Seattle @ Oklahoma             U. of Arizona Stadium             ABC

March 17, 2020 It is mid-March, the time of the year when our team here at “This is the USFL” gear up to put out our season preview edition and get ready to hunker down for some Week One action, but this year we are instead reporting on the uncertainty and disappointment that the current global pandemic has produced. The USFL announced 10 days ago that it was closing camps, cancelling this week’s preseason games and indefinitely suspending the 2020 season. We will use this special edition of “This is the USFL” to discuss the decision, to look at possible plans the USFL is working on to offer a deferred, but not deleted season, and to discuss how the pandemic and the decision to put the 38 th season of USFL action on hiatus impacts the teams, the players, and the fans. We will also run down the news that had us excited for 2020 before a global health crisis forced the league and all of us to reconsider our priorities.   League Indefinitely Delays 2020 USFL Season When Commissioner Steve Bisciotti took the podium, backed by 5 USFL officials in blue surgical masks, it was clear the news was not going to be positive. The former minority owner of the Baltimore Blitz, who took over as USFL Commissioner in 2011 removed his mask and somberly announced that earlier that day all 30 USFL franchises had been told to close up camps, to send the players home, and to await news as the week’s preseason games were cancelled and the season itself deferred indefinitely and very much in jeopardy. Commissioner Bisciotti outlined the concerns that forced the USFL’s hand. Restrictions across multiple states which would not only make filled stadia impossible, but even the regular practices and locker room use by teams a violation of emergency restrictions on mass gatherings. Unlike the first responders, transit officers, and food supply chain staffing that was deemed essential labor, the USFL, in fact all sports, was not “essential” work, and it was not right to try to engage in what could be life-endangering activities in the conditions now in place. That was the message from the Commissioner, halting the 2020 USFL season just 2 weeks prior to its anticipated season kickoff.   Within 2 days nearly all players had left their team facilities and training grounds, returning home to their families to await an answer as to whether or not the 2020 season would be possible at all. For stadium workers and other affiliated businesses, the loss of revenue from the cancelled games would have an immediate impact. And while the Commissioner was very careful to call the decision a deferral or a delay, he had no answers when asked when and how the USFL would be back. The league offices would also be shuttered, but both league and team officials from across the USFL would continue to meet virtually, using conference calls and online technology to hold virtual meetings, seek solutions, and compare notes with other major sporting leagues and events, also on hiatus. The USFL would share strategy meetings with Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and both the NBA and NHL, both suspending their seasons as they nearly reached the postseason.   It is a pattern seen across the nation, across the world. Schools and colleges closed to in-person instruction, switching quickly to virtual formats with little to no preparation. Businesses shuttered. Theatres, concert halls, and cinemas shut down. The world of professional sports would not be an exception to the quickly moving closures, restrictions on movement, and ever-changing public health concerns, with all their federal, state, and local reactive actions. And now, as the league seeks options, we wait. We wait to see if the USFL can play its 2020 season in some form, whether a rescheduled season, a truncated “tournament” or simply a year without spring and summer football. We wait to find out what is possible, what is advisable, and what is admissible. We just wait.   Players Return Home Amid Uncertainty For players all across the league, the news of camp closures, game cancellations, and a mandate to return to their homes was a tough message to receive. These are men who had spent the better part of a month in camp with each other, sweating together, eating together, and preparing for all the possibilities of a new season. In both New England and San Antonio there was a buzz from all the new faces brought together to form new teams, players from across the USFL who found out only a few months ago that the city they called home would be changing. The same is true for the rookies attending their first pro camps, ready to impress their coaches and earn a spot on a pro team, to achieve a dream. Even grey-haired veterans, including a fair share of NFL imports signed just in the past couple of weeks, were adjusting to their new teams, only to now have their transition to the USFL halted and their futures put in doubt.   And for some the trip “home” was itself an Odyssey. Former Oakland LB Junior Galette was one of many new Steamrollers who had yet to relocate their families, requiring a 5-day journey by car for the new Steamroller player to return to northern California by car. Galette shared the ride with another former Golden Stater turned Steamroller, ex-Thunder wideout DeVante Parker, for the long ride across the country, a ride filled with closed stores, takeout food, and limited hotel options.   For others the trip was a bit quicker and a lot easier. Several members of the Jacksonville Bulls got their first train rides as they headed north to their homes in Georgia and the Carolinas. With limited flights available, players had to get inventive. One bull player, rookie QB Ben DiNucci seemed very pleased with his decision to spend a chunk of his signing bonus on a new Harley, the perfect way for him to return north to Pennsylvania and his childhood home. He had been living in a hotel in Jacksonville since relocating from James Madison after the draft and now he would at least be able to get some home cooking after a 900 mile ride up I-95 on his new bike.   For players from coast to coast, the way home is far less upsetting than the fact that they are headed home at all. We heard from players all across the league about their love of the game, their frustration with the decision made, and their hopes that a solution could come quickly, one that would let them get back together with their teammates and get back on the field. One of the newest USFL players, former Bengals WR A. J. Green said it best in a tweet posted on the day he returned to Cincinnati and the home he still had on the market after signing with the USFL: “Whole life on hold. Wanted to prove I was back and ready to ball. We were all ready to ball.”   Rookie Contracts to be Honored Perhaps the players in the most tenuous situation as we await news on the 2020 season are the rookies, many signing with the USFL only days before the season’s postponement. For many, their contracts freshly inked, their first paycheck not yet issued, the reality that an extended postponement of the USFL season could also mean an extended period of financial uncertainty. The league addressed that issue two days after the season suspension announcement, declaring that all contracts for 2020 would be honored and would remain valid. Players would receive all signing bonuses and in the event of a suspension of play beyond 1 month, which all now feel is likely at the least, there would be payments made to all players aligned with practices used in camp and preseason. This will be a significant pay cut for many players, compared with the salary they would earn in their contracts for regular season game checks, but it would be a holdover, a stop-gap payment that could help them with costs they have already incurred, everything from moving expenses to deposits on apartments in their new pro football homes.   “I needed to hear that”, said rookie guard Jon Runyan Jr. of the Ohio Glory, adding “I don’t have the kind of deal that landed me a huge signing bonus to start the year, so even a partial payment will help.” For others, including Dallas’s new Golden Boy, Oregon QB Justin Herbert, the money is a sign of goodwill. “I appreciate the gesture and what it says to all the guys, especially those who depended on that first paycheck”, said Herbert to a local station in Portland upon his return home to Eugene. Herbert had already cashed in a big bonus, so it was not about his own personal finances, but about the need to show the players that the league cared about their deal and about the uncertainty of the present. Herbert added, “For all of us, it was about the chance to play in the league, to get on the field, so that is up in the air, but it is nice that the league is trying to do what it can to make sure that every player is in a good place, and can focus on staying ready for when we can come back.” While the veteran players of the league, and those just signed from the NFL should have the resources to survive even a cancelled season, for these rookies, the league providing some support means a lot more than just the finances, it is a way to feel respected by the league.     NFL Signings Now Question Their Decision to Join Spring League The decision to jump from the NFL to the USFL is usually one focused on a player’s finances, their sense of being acknowledged, or a chance to reinvent themselves not only with a new team, but a whole new league. For many, the transition demands a heavy toll on their bodies, playing back-to-back seasons with the NFL in the fall and the USFL in the spring, with only a few weeks of rehab and rest in between. But now, with the delay, some are wondering if they should have seen the potential for disruption to the season and wondering if their colleagues back in the NFL might just have lucked out, getting several weeks or months before they need to adjust to a new reality.   “Yeah, it’s tough,” said one of the newest USFL imports, cornerback and former Eagle Ronald Darby, “Seeing your future put on hold and knowing that there is a good chance the guys back in the NFL are in a better place.” Yes, NFL minicamps, voluntary workouts, and offseason training is also on hold, but with 6 months between now and the scheduled start of the NFL season the players in the fall league seem to be breathing a sigh of relief that their league has months to figure out how to address the changing face of Covid-19 and the limits it is placing on everything from public services to the entertainment industry, particularly sports entertainment.   Perhaps the most celebrated signing of the 2019-2020 USFL offseason, two-time USFL champion and 3-time NFL champion quarterback Tom Brady put the reality into perspective. Now relocated to the Bay Area after signing a 3-year deal with the Oakland Invaders to play football back in his home state, Brady commented that for all the disappointment and uncertainty the season’s suspension has caused, the pandemic has clearly shown where our priorities should be. Brady spoke about the ability for families to stay safe, for communities to take care of each other, and for everyone to cherish what matters most. Brady had only been in camp with the Invaders for 2 weeks when the announcement was made. He was likely going to spend the first 2-3 weeks of the season waiting for his chance to take the helm of the Invader offense as he learned Coach Kubiak’s system.  Now he will have a lot of time to review the playbook, watch film, and get one-on-one guidance from Kubiak via online “mental workouts” between the head coach, QB coach Greg Knapp, and the All-USFL, All-NFL quarterback.   For many NFL imports, a delayed season, even if it means a shortened season, could well offer them the chance to recover from the long NFL season, but for others, including new Atlanta Fire wideout A. J. Green, the delay is just another disappointment. Green, who missed all of 2019 due to injury, was hoping to prove that he was ready to resume play in March, but now both he and the rest of us just don’t know when he will take the field in the navy and orange gear of the Fire. And while many NFL veterans can certainly use the time away to learn about their new teams, to adapt to new systems (at least mentally) and to provide their bodies with rest and recovery from the fall season, for many, the potential of making a shift from fall to spring only to have the season now in question feels like a snakebitten decision.   Five Ideas that Could Save USFL Football in 2020 So, what are the options for the USFL? How can they move ahead in a period of uncertainty, restricted movement, concerns about mass gatherings, and no sense of when the situation will change for the better? We spoke with several league officials, and we looked at the conversations being had in all of the major spring and summer sports, and we believe there are five possible futures for the 2020 USFL season, some darker than others, some perhaps more likely, and some perhaps just wishful thinking.   OPTION 1: Cancel the 2020 Season and Hope for Medical Help by 2021. In our view, as both football fans and folks are now confined to our homes as well, this is our least desirable option and the one we hope the league can avoid. A cancellation means that the entire season is lost and may also mean that conditions across the country have gotten really bad. If there is no option to play football for months on end, then we are all in a worse place. We know the league wants to avoid this potentiality if there is any way to safely bring teams back together and put on games. So, if we see the league come out at some point this summer and simply cancel the season, well, that is a sign that there is no light yet visible at the end of this dark tunnel, and that is the opposite of what we are all hoping for.   OPTION 2: Move to the Fall. Don’t tell former Generals’ owner Donald Trump that his goal of a fall season for the USFL might actually become a reality in 2020. His push for a move to the fall was squelched by league owners, led by the man whose name now emblazons the league’s championship trophy, the John Bassett Trophy. But, in 2020, with a spring start now deferred and time needed to come up with both safe practices and alternative plans, a fall 2020 season may be a very real possibility. Of course, there are major challenges to this idea, not the least of which is the NFL. From stadium availability to television bandwidth, trying to run both a full NFL season and a delayed USFL season at the same time feels like a big ask, particularly if the main option for viewing pro football will be through television coverage. With all 4 USFL networks (NBC, ABC, ESPN/EFN, and FOX) also heavily scheduled with NFL coverage in the fall, how could there be room for both? Add in as well the stadium use contracts held by both leagues, and the complications of likely capacity limits if fans are allowed to attend games at all, and we could be looking at a situation where both the NFL and the TV networks play hardball and refuse the concessions needed to allow for both leagues to coexist in the same timeframe.   OPTION 3: Season in a Bubble This is an idea we are hearing as a potential choice for the NBA and their upcoming playoffs. What would this mean? It would mean all teams playing in a limited number of sites, with each team holing up in a particular facility, practicing in a dedicated space, and playing games in empty facilities. It is a strategy that would be far simpler for the NBA, with 12-man rosters and far more facilities available, than for the 53-man rosters and huge facility needs of the USFL. Imagine trying to house 30 USFL teams in a single state, much less a single city. The logistics of putting those players on the field each week, and where they could fit 15 games per week are mind-boggling. While elements of the bubble plan seem viable, particularly the potential to have professional sports played in empty stadiums, other elements of a bubble plan, with teams huddled together, seem counter-productive if there are any concerns at all of players contracting the virus.   OPTION 4: The Shortened Season We all think this option may be the most likely, but it too has a lot of moving parts. To even know how to schedule a 12-game, 10-game, or even 8-game season, there has to be a sense of when any potential for play could be possible. Then you add in what are almost certain to be additional safety guidelines, and even a half-season of 8 weeks feels tough to envision. We are not going to see USFL players on the field while wearing gloves and masks, are we? And how would the league handle a short season if one or more teams ends up with a major breakout? Yes, there is the advantage that many USFL stadiums are open air, which is something the NBA or NHL cannot say, but you also have to consider the issue of team transportation from city to city, housing in locations where hotel rooms will be few and far between, and the availability of practice facilities, even a half-season starting in mid-summer could be a risky proposition.   OPTION 5: A Virtual Season You think this is a joke, but it has actually been floated. We kid you not. We are talking about a complete transition from on-field football to e-sports. Imagine each USFL team setting up small clusters of players, selected not for their physical gifts, but their ability to win team tournaments in Keith Jackson Football 2020, the EA Sports version of the spring league. Sure, it is a fun game, but do fans really want to tune in and watch Marshawn Lynch and Noah Fant sitting in their living rooms playing as the expansion San Antonio Gunslingers against rookie HB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster representing the Houston Gamblers. First off, it would be murder on the older superstars whose video-gaming skills are not what the rookies bring to the party, and there is also just a ridiculousness to broadcasting players sitting in flip flops and drinking Red Bull while their avatars run across electronic fields and tackle CGI replicas of each other. Yes, we get that e-sports is a real thing, but we can think of no faster way to lose the interest of any fan over the age of 40 as well as any semblance of legitimacy in the sport if an entire season of the USFL is replaced by a season of Virtual USFL on the PlayStation.   Draft Roundup In light of the decision to suspend the 2020 USFL season, it may seem a bit odd for us to take time to review the signings (both rookie and NFL transfers) which occurred in late January through February, but we also know that for many football fans, the complexity of both draft and transfer practices often leaves a sense of confusion and that a recap of the signings, even if we don’t know when or if these new USFL players will take the field, is helpful as fans re-engage with the league. So, rather than waiting for a final decision from the USFL as to how they will adjust to the current pandemic and potentially find a path towards a 2020 season, we felt it best to bring everyone up to speed on the USFL and NFL deals that have shaped the late winter months and the rosters in both leagues. Here are our top stories on player acquisition, beginning with USFL signings from the draft class of 2020.   NFL Wins QB Duel, USFL Stands Its Ground with Early Picks As we entered the draft season, we spoke of five blue chip QB prospects and by the end of the signing period in February we can now look back on the class of 2020 and say that the NFL garnered a slight advantage, signing 3 of the 5 top QB prospects. With Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jordan Love all opting to sign with the NFL, leaving fans in New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Atlanta disappointed. Burrow, in particular, was a surprising loss for the USFL, with the Breakers having a clear home-town advantage for the LSU product, but the NFL Dolphins simply had too much skin in the game and too many dollars at their disposal. The Fire lost out to the LA Chargers in their quest for Alabama product Tua Tagovailoa, a pretty clear case of Los Angeles’s allure and lucrative side-deal opportunities for Tua overpowering the home-region benefits of staying in the South. In the case of Utah State’s Jordan love, the Packers outbid and outwooed the Stars in their quest for an heir to Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.   But while hometown fervor did not work for the Breakers, it appears that Justin Hurts’ 1 year in Oklahoma was enough to help the Outlaws make the case that OKC would be a good market for the former Crimson Tide and Sooner QB. Hurts signed a 4-year deal to remain in the Sooner State and will now be in direct competition with OK State product Mason Rudolph for the QB duties for the Outlaws. But perhaps the happiest fanbase in the league is down the road in Dallas, where a trade to acquire the T-Draft rights to Oregon QB Justin Herbert paid off for the Dallas Roughnecks. As expected, the chance to play in Big D, along with all the local and regional spokesperson opportunities, helped woo Herbert from Oregon to the Roughnecks. It did not hurt that once again the Cincinnati Bengals just would not put up the kind of funds that the USFL club could offer. And so, with a 3-2 tally, the NFL feels they fared well in the QB Derby of 2020, but for fans in both Oklahoma City and Dallas, their teams got the job done. When we look at the overall draft situation, we see that of the 32 NFL first round picks, exactly half opted for the fall league while the USFL held their ground with 16 of their own signings. In addition to the two high profile QBs taken by the USFL, including Hurts, who was actually a 2 nd  round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, the USFL struggled to match the NFL at the top of the fall league’s draft, but by pick 32 had evened the tally. Of the Top 10 NFL picks, only 1, Justin Herbert, opted for the spring league, with major talents like DE Chase Young, CB Jeff Okudah, OT Andrew Thomas, and LB Isaiah Simmons all choosing to join the senior league. The USFL started to make more gains between picks 11-20, with WR Henry Ruggs signing with Birmingham, OT Tristan Wirfs staying in the Midwest with the Skyhawks, and CB A. J. Terrell heading to Jacksonville over the Atlanta Falcons. Of the picks between 11-20, 6 of 10 opted for the USFL, with the biggest losses to the NFL being T Mekhi Becton choosing the Jets over the Blitz, WR Jerry Jeudy opting for the Broncos over the Ohio Glory, and WR CeeDee Lamb deciding not to stay in Oklahoma with the Outlaws, but to wear the star of the Dallas Cowboys.   From pick 21-32 the USFL fared the best, landing 9 of the 12 picks, including WRs Jaelen Reagor (Gunslingers), Justin Jefferson (Breakers), and Brandon Aiyuk (Wranglers); LBs Kenneth Murray (Outlaws) and Patrick Queen (Federals); corners Noah Igbinoghene (Bandits) and Jeff Gladney (Dragons), and Houston Gambler HB selection Clyde Edwards-Helaire. A similar pattern emerged though all 7 rounds of the NFL Draft, with the USFL faring quite well with their Territorial Draft picks, landing over 60% of those choices, while the NFL fared better with players taken by USFL clubs in the Open Draft. Between the two leagues, with 224 NFL draft selections (7 rounds) and 300 USFL selections (3 rounds of T-Draft, 7 of Open Draft), there were 198 players chosen by both leagues and as of today we have 101 signed with the NFL, 93 signed by the USFL and 4 still outstanding. That aligns with what we have typically seen year to year, with a range that rarely gives either league more than a 53% signing advantage. After a shortened and interrupted USFL preseason, and in hopes that we will see a 2020 season in some shape or form this summer, here are the rookies from the Class of 2020 most expected to provide immediate impact to their clubs:   Arizona                 WR Brandon Aiyuk Atlanta                 OT Isaiah Wilson, FB Reggie Gilliam, and WR Gabe Davis Baltimore           WR Michael Pittman Jr. Birmingham      WR Henry Ruggs and DE Jabari Zuniga Charlotte            DT Leki Fotu Chicago               WR Chase Claypool and C Nick Harris Dallas                   QB Justin Herbert and WR Devin Durvernay Denver                 CBs Jaylon Johnson and Bryce Hall Houston              HB Clyde Edwards-Helaire and DT Nnamdi Madubuike Jacksonville      WR Tee Higgins and K Rodrigo Blankenship Los Angeles       OT Austin Jackson Las Vegas           S Julian Blackmon Memphis            DE Darrell Taylor, CB Dee Alford, and WR Jauan Jennings Michigan             LB Josh Uche and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones New England    OT Matt Peart and DE Khalid Kareem New Jersey        SS Kyle Dugger and DE Yetur Gross-Matos New Orleans     WR Justin Jefferson Oakland              C Tyler Biadasz and DT Jordan Elliott Ohio                      LB Malik Harrison Oklahoma          HB DeeJay Dallas and QB Jalen Hurts Orlando               DT Javon Kinlaw and OLB Anfernee Jennings Philadelphia      WR K. J. Hamler and CB John Reid Pittsburgh           HBs Cam Akers and Rico Dowdle Portland              DT Raekwon Davis San Antonio       WR Jalen Reagor and DT Ross Blacklock San Diego           WR Laviska Shenault Seattle                 S Grant Delpit and ILB Kamal Martin St. Louis              OT Tristan Wirfs and DE A. J. Epenesa Tampa Bay         CB Noah Igbinoghene Washington       WR Juwan Johnson and LB Patrick Queen     The arrival of February and the opening of USFL camps coincided once again with the opening of the NFL-USFL Spring Transfer Window, the last real opportunity for teams to add talent to their rosters, and, as we see each February, many teams did just that. As we now wonder when or if we will get to see these NFL talents take the field in our beloved spring league, here are the stories that came out of the Transfer Window this year.   1.  Brady Returns Home Both Literally and Figuratively The news that the Dallas Cowboys and 3-Time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady had parted ways, with Dallas releasing the 43-year-old QB just days before the opening of the Transfer Window was met with great delight across the USFL. Many felt that Brady would be open to returning to the league that gave him his first shot, and his first glory as a 2-Time Summer Bowl winner with the 2004 and 2006 New Jersey Generals. But with both NFL and USFL teams salivating over the opportunity to bring one of the best quarterbacks of his generation to their team, the competition would be thick. Which team could attract the legendary QB to finish his career with them. The magic mix of financials, an attractive destination, and a real shot at Brady’s presence being the missing piece to bring a 6 th  title for the veteran QB was very much a delicate balance.   Over the course of 3 weeks, nearly the entire transfer window, Brady was wooed, wined and dined by no fewer than 7 teams across both leagues. But one team sparked his interest with a perfect mix of a roster ready to win now, a financial package that would make him the highest paid QB in either league, and a chance to reconnect with his home. The choice was made, and just one week after Valentine’s Day we had a match. Tom Brady was joining the USFL’s Oakland Invaders on a 3-year deal. So, what sold Brady on Oakland over the other frontrunners, the NFL Buccaneers and Patriots, and the Philadelphia Stars.   There is no one answer, but what Oakland could offer attracted Brady on multiple levels. First we have to understand that Brady grew up and played HS ball in nearby San Mateo, so signing with the Invaders would be a return to his childhood. Brady had even attended a pair of Invader games as a young man, watching as a gangly 14-year old as Coach Dick Vermeil, QB Gale Gilbert and WR Henry Ellard brought the Invaders the 1991 USFL title. The second factor in Oakland’s favor was Head Coach Gary Kubiak, himself a former NFL quarterback with the Broncos. Throw in a roster that has talented targets for Brady, including WR Davante Adams, TE Zach Ertz, and HB Christian McCaffrey, one of the best receiving backs in the league. And even with the retirement of Cliff Avril, Oakland also boasts what is expected to be another Top 5 defense, led by LBs Bobby Wagner and Shaq Barrett, CB Eric Wright. It is a situation that could provide Brady with a solid path to the playoffs and a real shot at winning a 6 th  title. Throw in a very lucrative 3-year deal, with a major balloon payment right up front and more than $25M in guaranteed money and you have yourself the formula to bring a legend to a team that has needed a spark for quite a while now. The only question remaining is whether or not the Invader faithful will get to see their returning local hero in gold and sky blue at any point this summer.   2. Atlanta Adds Fire-Power to Their Offense The Atlanta Fire, who made a big splash in free agency by signing DT Albert Haynesworth out of retirement at age 37 made another big move in free agency, landing perhaps the most explosive wideout available, former Bengal A. J. Green. Green comes back to Georgia, where he played college ball for the Bulldogs, but he returns with a lot of question marks. The former 7-time NFL Pro Bowl player lost all of the 2019 fall NFL season to a complex ankle ligament injury. He comes to Atlanta after passing the baseline physical, but there is no assurance that this means he has retained his breakaway speed or his ability to make the sharp cuts that made him so tough to cover in his NFL career. Atlanta is hoping they have the real deal in Green, pairing him with former Federal Kelvin Benjamin outside while placing rookie WR Gabe Davis in the slot.   The Fire also added former Hoosier and Chicago Bear Jordan Howard to a pretty good RB room that already has 2018 Rookie of the Year Nick Chubb and solid backup Kenyan Drake in place. Chubb had a disappointing sophomore year, dropping from 1,056 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie to only 833 yards and 3 scores in his second campaign. Howard is very much in the mold of Chubb, a solid inside runner with surprising burst once he hits the secondary. Expect him to be the main “handcuff” to Chubb while Drake sees more action in third down situations.   3. Charlotte Focuses on Defensive Depth with 3 NFL Signings The Monarchs continue to look to their defense to be the defining trait of the club, even after a coaching change from the team’s founding coach, Jim Mora Jr., to their 2 nd  all-time coach, former LA Express DC Vance Joseph. Joseph comes from a defensive background and it showed as he worked with the Monarch front office to free up cap space and land three solid contributors for the defense, signing CB Rondal Darby away from the Eagles, DE Isaac Rochel from the Chargers, and safety Vonn Bell from New Orleans. In preparation for the now-cancelled preseason matchup with Ohio, the Monarchs had Rochell listed behind Chandler Jones on the depth charge, but both Bell and Darby were in starting positions. We will see if the trio of NFL imports get their shot to impress USFL fans or if they gain a very long inter-season break.   4. Gunslingers Spend Their Cap Space San Antonio was not shy about brining in NFL talent this offseason. They began in September by signing 7 players in the Fall Window, including WR Corey Coleman and OT Zach Banner. In this February’s Spring Window, they added 3 more, adding safety Rashad Jones (Dolphins), OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai (Eagles), and HB Trey Edmunds (Steelers). There is a very distinct possibility that if we see a USFL season opener this year, both tackle positions will be filled by NFL imports. Add in kicker Mason Crosby and punter Ryan Allen and the Gunslingers may start as many as 7 different NFL imports. That, combined with the veteran leaders they were able to bring over from Oklahoma has the Gunslinger roster looking far more like a longstanding team than a typical expansion club. Some were even saying that the new San Antonio franchise could potentially avoid the basement in their first season in the league, something often very difficult for a first-year expansion club to do. Playing in the very competitive Southern Division may make that difficult, with Houston, New Orleans, Birmingham, and Memphis not providing any clear weak sister to try to leapfrog as the Gunslingers begin their USFL story.   5. Additional NFL signings in February Not every signing was a big story at the time, but there are several additions to the league who could prove valuable should the 2020 season be played at some point. Among the best players brought in on offense we find Tom Brady, of course, but also backup QBs Cardale Jones (JAX), Cooper Rush (NOR), and Nate Sudfeld (BAL). Both former Jaguar Blake Bortles and former Buccaneer Jameis Winston had visits with USFL clubs but ended up signing back to the fall league. Among the HBs coming to the USFL, we have Howard with Atlanta, as already mentioned, along with Matt Breida, who makes the long trip from San Francisco to Tampa Bay to join the Bandits. In addition to A. J. Green and Corey Coleman, you will also be seeing former NFL Starters Josh Gordon, Jermaine Kearse, and Robby Anderson joining the USFL, with the extroverted Gorden headed to Portland as their likely new top target for Marcus Mariota, Anderson headed to Birmingham, and Kearse joining Michael Floyd and rookie Chase Clayborn in Chicago.   On defense, Ronald Darby and former Bengal Darqueze Dennard (BIR) are the only corners to make the jump, while safety Justin Simmons (ORL) Rashad Jones (SAN), and Vonn Bell (add three more NFL safeties to the league. There was not much action at the LB position, though we are intrigued by former Patriot Jamie Collins joining the expansion Steamrollers, while Oakland adds Hassan Reddick, LA signs Ngakue Yannick, both September signings. Along the D-Line we will hopefully see former Vinny Curry line up for the Invaders, who spent a pretty penny to land him, Reddick, and Tom Brady.  Keep an eye out as well for Emmanuel Ogbah in Houston along with DTs Timmy Jernigan (PHI), Quinton Jefferson (NEN), and, perhaps our new favorite USFL player name, DT Snacks Harrison, who moved to the Wranglers after several seasons in Detroit with the Lions.   Chicago Releases Updated Redesign Images Hoping to bring a second wind to their long (and now extended) vote on a new team design, the Chicago Machine released three artistic representations of their 3 new helmet designs. Shown in front of a tonal painting of the Chicago Skyline, the images depict the helmet front, side, and rear angles, showing off the logo placement, center striping, and the color combinations. These, along with the earlier release of team colors and mock-up jerseys, give us a pretty good idea of the full look that each design will bring. Voting is continuing beyond the original timeframe as a way to keep fans engaged as they (and we) await news on possible season-saving strategies from the league.   The first design, dubbed “Dark & Stormy” shows off a traditional maroon Machine shell and facemask, now adorned with the updated navy, grey, white, and red “Machine M” logo. It features a 5-stripe center line that runs from grey and navy outside to a white inner stripe. A ubiquitous 6-pointed Chicago Star is located at the base of the helmet. The second design, dubbed “Red Dawn” showcases the red helmet that will accompany the red-dominant jersey. Featuring a maroon facemask along with a thick white center stripe which contains a much thinner sky blue center stripe at its core. The logo on both sides of the helmet is the current maroon, white, sky, and red “Steampunk C” logo.   Finally, the “Rhapsody in Blue” design shows us which helmet will pair with the sky blue design showcased in September. In a look that reminds some of the NFL Houston Oilers, the sky blue jersey will be paired with a white helmet. The glossy white shell is paired with a sky blue facemask, and a complex center striping that includes pencil-thin maroon stripes outlining the thicker red stripes, and within those 2 stripes, a Chicago-flag-inspired series of white and blue stripes.   Voting continues through March, with hopes that the team can reveal the look at the same time that the league reveals its plans for 2020, so something additional for Chicago fans to look forward to in this long, strange spring season.     While we cannot say for certain exactly when our traditional Season Preview Edition will be coming out, we absolutely guarantee that no matter what shape the 2020 USFL season takes, we will come out with a leaguewide preview, including a full disclosure on the format of the season, the unique features it may hold, and our best guess as to which teams might come out on top in one of the stranger seasons in league history. We hope to hear news from the USFL leadership in New York very soon, but a fully-outlined plan for a modified season may well take weeks to determine as the league consults with medical experts, city and state governments, and their own primary stakeholders from stadium authorities to the television networks. As soon as we know what comes of those conversations, we will be back to update the situation and to talk football once again.

January 27, 2020 Welcome back, USFL fans! It has been an eventful winter and as we prepare for camps to open there is a lot to report and to look ahead to. We will bring you all the big stories, including a flurry of interest in the rookie QB class, some big draft position trades, and all the latest free agent signings. We will also take a look at the upcoming NFL-USFL Transfer Window and the top 20 NFL players who could well be available for USFL bids in 3 weeks’ time. We will also take a look at 10 USFL clubs still in the hunt for a huge missing piece in the final weeks of the offseason. It’s all coming up right now, kicking off with our look at a QB Crazy January.   Quarterback Quests Shake Up 2020 USFL Draft It should not be surprising that our story of the offseason is all about the QB position. It is the hardest position to scout, the most in-demand, and the most often linked to team success. So it is not a shock that we get years like 2018, when teams from both the NFL and USFL battled over the largest pool of blue chip QBs in nearly a decade, with the USFL landing Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Mason Rudolph, while the NFL signed Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Baker Mayfield. While 2020 was not viewed as quite as rich a QB group, the break out season from LSU’s Joe Burrow meant that there were again 5 QBs who were getting 1 st round grades from both scouts and pundits. The class of 2020 would include Burrow, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Utah State’s Jordan Love, and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts. And when there is that much talent at the most coveted position on the field, there will be some chaos leading into the draft.   What made the QB class of 2020 so intriguing for the USFL’s 30 clubs was that once again it would be the Territorial Draft that would give a team a direct shot at a coveted QB, but that we would not always see the top talent aligned with the most QB-needy teams. As in 2018, when there was one QB of the top choices who was not the product of a protected school, in that case Josh Allen at Wyoming, the 2020 Draft sees one potential target, Utah State’s Jordan Love, going directly to the Open Draft, while the other 4 were potential T-Draft selections of the Breakers (Burrow), Stallions (Tagovailoa), Stags (Herbert), and Outlaws (Hurts). And here is where it gets really interesting.   The Breakers had a very solid 2019 campaign, finishing 10-6 and advancing to the Divisional Playoff Round with NFL import Geno Smith at QB. Would they be open to trading away the rights to select Joe Burrow, or would they build for the future and use Smith as a bridge option, selecting Burrow themselves? Birmingham just signed Cam Newton to a multi-year extension, and they have a lot of needs elsewhere, so were they open to a deal for their first T-Draft pick and a shot at Tua? Portland seems very much settled on Marcus Mariota, despite his injury issues, and Oklahoma had all but handed the torch to Mason Rudolph after Joe Flacco returned to San Antonio in the Expansion Draft. So the field was set for teams that felt real pressure to upgrade at QB to make a deal to swap picks between the T-Draft and Open Draft to try to get exclusive rights to a QB. So, what did we see happen in December and early January, leading up to the T-Draft? We saw a lot of phone calls, and a lot of attempts to make moves, but in the end what we got was 2 teams holding their picks and selecting their protected QB, hoping to land a franchise player, while 2 others opted to take some collateral in swap and allow a QB-hungry team to take their shot at a blue chip prospect. Here is the story of each of the 4 protected QBs, as well as the USFL fate of the unprotected Jordan Love. LSU’s Joe Burrow  (Protected by New Orleans) Following an astounding final year at LSU in which Joe Burrow threw for over 5,600 yards and a jaw-dropping 60 touchdowns, the Breakers received more than their share of calls and offers, but they also received plenty of fan feedback, demanding that they not miss their chance to land a newly-crowned LSU legend. The Breakers never got a deal they felt could offset the bad press of allowing Joe Burrow to leave the fold, and at the Territorial Draft the Breakers did as their fans hoped they would, spending their first T-Draft pick on Burrow before also selecting his battery-mate, WR Justin Jefferson, as well as guard Damien Lewis.   Despite the ”home field advantage” the Breakers have in the Burrow chase, he was still highly coveted by NFL clubs, with the Miami Dolphins cutting a deal to swap picks with the somewhat gun shy Cincinnati Bengals. With the first overall pick Miami chose Burrow, which now sets up a battle for the young QB’s talents as the NFL Dolphins try to use the honor (and paycheck) that comes with being the first overall NFL pick to offset New Orleans’ local appeal to the LSU product.  Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa  (Protected by Birmingham) With Cam Newton’s new deal taking up both significant cap space and locking him into the starting position for the Stallions, Birmingham never really felt pressure to land the Alabama QB, one of several top prospects at the position over the past few years. So, compared to the Breakers, they were a much easier sell when it came time to listen to trade offers. They found the deal they liked 10 days prior to the USFL T-Draft, securing Atlanta’s1 st  T-Draft pick as well as the 4 th overall pick in the 2 nd  round.   The aggressive move by the Fire was not anticipated, and likely comes as quite a shock to 2019 starter Aaron Murray, who has to feel like the team has lost confidence in him. The Fire now find themselves in a bidding war with the LA Chargers of the NFL who chose Tua Tagovailoa with the 6 th pick in their draft. Certainly there is regional appeal for Tua to stay in the Southeast, but sunny SoCal can be a lure as well. As for Birmingham, they parlayed the two picks into two high potential selections, choosing Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the Fire’s T-Draft pick (Atlanta would make it 2 for 2 by choosing Isaiah Wilson with the 2 nd T-Draft choice) and then using the Fire’s Open draft pick, number 34 overall, to go after some defensive help in the form of Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield Jr.  Oregon’s Justin Herbert  (Protected by Portland) Our second traded T-Draft pick would shift from the Stags to the Roughnecks in another pre-draft deal. Dallas gave Oregon two T-Draft picks (1 st  and 3 rd ) for the Stag’s initial pick, allowing Dallas to select the Duck QB, recognizing that Josh Freeman was likely not a long-term solution as he winds down his career. With the two Dallas picks, Portland focused on defense, selecting Texas Longhorn safety Brandon Jones with the first pick and another Longhorn, DT Malcolm Roach with the 3 rd pick (Dallas selected WR Devin Duvernay in between the two).   So, who will the Roughnecks be competing with in their attempt to land a “QB of the Future”, the very same Bengals who swapped their way out of the 1 st  overall pick and opted to take their preferred QB option with Miami’s 5 th  overall pick. That has to be good news for Dallas, as Cincinnati has a well-earned reputation for frugality, almost the Denver Gold of the NFL, and that means that the Roughnecks could well outbid their NFL competitor without breaking the bank. And besides, Dallas has to be a more attractive destination for Herbert than Cincinnati. Just bring him down to Big D and have him watch footage of the Freezer Bowl back in the 80’s. That alone should make a West Coast kid choose Texas over Ohio.  OU’s Jalen Hurts  (Protected by Oklahoma) The fourth of the protected QBs becomes the 2 nd to be selected by their “natural” territorial team. Coach Stoops never had the chance to coach Hurts at Oklahoma, with the prospect playing his first three years in Tuscaloosa, but he certainly was familiar with the former Bama and OU starter. Following a very solid 32-TD, 3,800 yard season for the Sooners, Coach Stoops kept the Sooner fans happy by selecting the QB from Norman.   Oklahoma may now have the clearest path to landing their preferred QB as Hurts did not find an NFL home until midway through the 2 nd round, when the Philadelphia Eagles selected him 53 rd  overall. With all the departures in the offseason due to the expansion process, Oklahoma has more than ample cap space to make a deal with Hurts that exceeds what the Eagles are able to match in the NFL’s scaled salary system.   And what would Hurts coming to OKC mean for the incumbent, former Cowpoke Mason Rudolph? It means immediately we set up an OU-OSU rivalry at the QB position and a very likely QB competition, if not this year, in 2021. That could be fun to watch, especially for folks with strong feelings on the in-state rivalry between the two schools. We are not saying it will be Bedlam 2: Quarterback Boogaloo, but we aren’t saying it won’t be either.  Utah State’s Jordan Love (Unprotected) This leaves only one QB left from the “Group of Five” in the 2020 draft, unprotected Jordan Love. Coming out of Utah State, Love had questions about the level of competition, his route reading, and his overall production. Those questions pushed Love out of the first round of the USFL Open Draft and made him a potential steal in the 2 nd  round. The Philadelphia Stars, apparently not fully committed to Matt Gutierrez as a long term prospect after a very rough 2019, saw that potential, made a deal with the Charlotte Monarchs which allowed them to jump up 11 spots and chose Jordan Love with the 43 rd  overall pick.   The initial excitement around Love quickly turned to concern in Philadelphia when the Green Bay Packers surprised many by selecting Love with the 26 th  pick in the NFL draft, making Love an NFL first rounder. The move a huge surprise since the Packers already boast an NFL All-Pro at QB in veteran Aaron Rodgers, but they apparently want an heir apparent and took Love far sooner than most expected the Utah State Aggie to go. So, what does that mean for the Stars? It means they may well have to spend a lot more than they might like to land a QB for the future. Does that doom them to letting Love go? Or will they invest in a player who may not see the field in his first year.   So there you have the story of the five “Blue chip, 5-star” prospects at the QB position. In the next few weeks we will see if the deals made by Atlanta and Dallas pay dividends, if Oklahoma and New Orleans’s home town heroes will come to the Spring, and if Philadelphia has the clout to outbid the NFL for their QB choice. We finish by giving you an update on other QBs taken in the draft, because, as former NFL and USFL superstar Tom Brady proved, not all great QB’s start their careers on the first day of the draft. Here is a quick rundown of the other QBs taken in both the USFL and NFL drafts.   PLAYER    USFL PICK               NFL PICK Washington’s Jacob Eason         Dragons T-Draft               Redskins 4 th round FIU’s James Morgan                         Bandits T-Draft                Jets 4 th  round Georgia’s Jake Fromm                    Monarchs 4 th  round       Bills 5 th  round Oregon State’s Jake Luton         Renegades 6 th  round       Jaguars 6 th  round Hawaii’s Cole McDonald                Express T-Draft                        Copperheads 7 th  round James Madison’s Ben DiNucci      Bulls 6 th  round                        Cowboys 7 th  round Mississippi St. Tommy Stevens       Undrafted                               Saints 7 th  round Iowa’s Nate Stanley                    Undrafted                                Vikings 7 th  round Chattanooga’s Nick Tiano              Atlanta 7 th  round                  Undrafted Colorado’s Steven Montez               Denver 7 th  round                     Undrafted Northern Arizona’s Case Cookus    Arizona 7 th round                   Undrafted   The trading block was buzzing both before and during the draft itself, with teams moving up and down the draft board in search of the perfect mix of top talent and additional picks to work with. In addition to the moves that got Dallas and Atlanta T-Draft angles for top QB talent, we saw Philadelphia back out of the first round, and St. Louis trade a veteran QB for some picks.   Philadelphia Drops from First Round as Glory Move Up for WR Jerry Jeudy The Stars cut a deal only minutes before their Round 1 pick, acquiring a 2   and a 4 from Ohio to drop 9 spots and make their first pick in the early stages of the 2 nd  round. Ohio jumped up because they saw a player drop who they did not expect to be available by pick 24, Alabama receiver Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy was considered a possible Top 15 pick and a likely protected pick by the Stallions. But, when Birmingham opted instead to go with Jeudy’s teammate Henry Ruggs in the T-Draft, it apparently cast some doubt on Jeudy. As the first round of the open draft progressed, Jeudy kept slipping, and when Ohio saw that there was every chance he would be available at 24, they made the deal with the Stars to jump back into the round (having already selected Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons with the 3 rd  overall pick) and claim the Bama receiver. They now find themselves in a bidding war with the NFL Broncos for Jeudy’s services, with the Alabama receiver going 15 th  overall in the NFL Draft.   As for the Stars, they used Ohio’s 2 nd  round pick, 3 rd overall in the round, to select DE K’Lavon Chaisson, another player who slipped lower than expected in the USFL Open Draft. They would then add DT Carlos Davis from Nebraska with the 24 th  pick in the round to go back-to-back on D-line picks in the round. They used the 4 th  round pick from Ohio to go back to the Penn State well and add a receiver they passed on in the Open Draft, Nittany Lion Dan Chisena. That gave Philadelphia the rights to both Penn State wideouts in the draft, having chosen K. J. Hamler in the T-Draft 4 days earlier.   St. Louis Sends Kyle Boller to the Monarchs for 2 picks. We don’t often see many player for picks trades on draft day, but we got one this year as the Skyhawks sent veteran QB Kyle Boller to Charlotte for a 4 th this year and a 5 th  in 2021. Boller just did not fit in with the style of play that St. Louis is developing around the talents of starter Lamar Jackson. With the mobile Tyrod Taylor now firmly placed in the 2-spot and able to run the same playbook as Jackson, Boller, a more classic pocket passer, just did not make sense. He made perfect sense for a Monarch squad that has been frustrated by starter Mitch Trubisky’s interception issues. Boller would be a solid option behind Trubisky, a proven commodity who will play well in the more traditional drop back passing roll Charlotte wants to run.   With the pick gained from the deal, St. Louis added Ole Miss safety Myles Hartsfield, another piece they hope can work to improve their oft-maligned defense. The Skyhawks, with additional trade capital from earlier deals with Dallas, Arizona, and Pitttsburgh, finished the draft with a league high 10 picks in the 7-round open draft. Combined with their 3 Territorial picks (Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs, DE A. J. Epenesa, and CB Michael Ojemudia) the Skyhawks will have a lot of mouths to feed. We will have to see how well they can negotiate the cap and compete with the NFL for the 13 players they have selected.   Denver Trades Position For Picks On the other side of the USFL spectrum are the Denver Gold, who felt that their T-Draft options were very limited, and decided to maximize the pick-for-pick value of the Open Draft by conducting a series of trades to move out of the later rounds and acquire more early-round picks. They did not expand upon their 1 st  round choice at pick 27, but made deals that gave them two picks each in the 2 nd  and 3 rd  round. The plan was clearly to limit the number of players selected, but maximize the ability to outbid the NFL for each pick. That may well be good news for the 5 players Denver selected: First rounder, Utah CB Jaylon Johnson, 2 nd  rounders DE Jason Strowbridge of UNC and CB Bryce Hall of Uva, and third rounders, HB Jonathan Ward of CMU and OLB Jonathan Greenard, all of whom could get very nice deals from the Gold as they attempt to do more with less.   Las Vegas Trades for an All-USFL tackle Hoping to shore up the protection for QB Matt McGloin, the Vipers made a deal to acquire a major talent at the left tackle position. Memphis LT Tyson Clabo, a 4-time All-USFL nominee, turned 35 this offseason and was due for a bubble payment at the end of his 4-year deal with the Showboats. Memphis apparently felt that the cost of the deal made Clabo expendable and agreed to a deal that would bring them a 3 rd  rounder this year and a pick in 2021 (either a 4 th  or a 2 nd  contingent upon Clabo’s 2020 output.) The Vipers, who are limited in their cap space this year, are hoping to rework Clabo’s deal, adding a 3 rd  year to the current package to reduce the bubble in 2021, but now find themselves with one of the best bodyguards in the league. Memphis, for their part, used the additional 3 rd  rounder to work on the interior of their line, selecting Michigan guard Michael Onwenu.   With camps opening soon, we are still looking at a surprising number of free agents still unsigned, including some major talents in players like WR Antonio Bryant, FS Eric Weddle, QB Joe Webb, SS Leon McQuay, WR Kenny Britt, and DT Rakeem Nunes-Roches. But, even with some big name still in the pool it has hardly been an uneventful winter for Free Agent signings. Looking over the signings since our October report, we wanted to focus on the 5 stories that are worth following up on, and these are the ones that stood out to us:   Atlanta Takes a Shot at Unretired Haynesworth When Albert Haynesworth filed to unretire from the USFL at age 37 there were plenty of doubters that any team would take the effort seriously, but after failing in two separate bidding wars, Atlanta pulled the trigger on the 9-time All-USFL defensive tackle. Call it desperation, call it a longshot, but the Fire, who had one of the worst run defenses in the league in 2019, went into the offseason with DT as a top priority and needed to come out of the winter with some hope at the position. After losing out to Jacksonville in a bid to land 24-year-old Montravious Adams and also coming up short to the Panthers in an attempt to sign former Showboat Dontari Po, there just were not a lot of options left for the Fire. They did not find themselves in a position to draft a sure fire DT in the draft (not that there are any surefire picks in the draft anyway), so they took the long odds and signed the very-talented, but 37-year old Haynesworth to a 1-year deal. Will that be a solution for them or a case of pure folly? We will see soon enough when the Fire start the season with a tough opening day matchup against a Washington Federals team that absolutely wants to establish the run with Jahvid Best and rookie Darrynton Evans (already signed to a 3-year deal) as a 1-2 punch in the run game.   Philly Lands Kalil with 4-year deal       The Stars are not shy about the fact that 2020 will be a make-or-break year for Matt Gutierrez as the starter at QB. After a year that saw the team win the NE Division despite a pretty miserable season for their veteran signal caller, Philadelphia did not go after a big-name QB to challenge Gutierrez, but instead are adding pieces to make their QB’s life a bit easier. Those pieces include adding HB Marcus Lattimore as a change-of-pace back for King Henry, drafting a pair of Penn State wideouts, and, in perhaps the move that will make Matt Gutierrez the happiest guy in the Stars’ locker room, the Stars opened up the vault and gave former Express LT Matt Kalil a 4-year deal that makes him the highest paid LT in the game. It is a compensation deal heavily front-loaded into 2020 and 2021, but certainly a sign of recognition for the 29-year-old tackle who has already proven to be one of the best in the league. With Kalil protecting his blind side, Gutierrez is hoping for a resurgence, a bounce back year to silence the critics who were calling on the Stars to make a deal to land another option at QB. Gutierrez now has one of the league’s best protectors on his left, an OPOTY candidate in HB Derrick Henry, and a rejuvenated receiver group that features TE Travis Kelce, wideouts Randall Cobb, Quincy Enunwa, veteran slot man Steve Breaston, and quite possibly a highly touted rookie in PSU’s K. J. Hamler. If he cannot find success with that setup, well, that could be a sign that the disgruntled fans have some validity in their attacks on Gutierrez.   Is D’Aundre Reed Deal a Sign for Von Miller? It has been a winter of discontent in Denver, at least for DE Von Miller, who continues to demand either a trade or a release from the Gold. The All-USFL edge rusher wants out, after being denied a major contract upgrade repeated times, and, if the signing of D’Aundre Reed says anything, it says that Denver may well be ready to let their most dangerous defensive weapon go. Reed signed a 3-year deal just before the Winter holidays, bringing his 9-years of experience at RE to the Gold. His signing signals that Denver may be ready to shift Justice Cole back over to the left side, to Miller’s position, and that could well mean that Miller is going to get his wish.   What form that wish will take is unknown, though it seems clear that if they go the trade route any team that deals with them would have to pay a hefty price to the Gold and then immediately work with Miller and his agent to make the feisty DE happy with a new deal, a double whammy of expense that may make Miller harder to deal than his talent would normally produce. The easier path may well be for Denver just to cut Miller loose, cancelling the final 2 years of his contract and allowing another team to land the All-USFL end for just the cost of a big new deal. But, why would Denver want to free up Miller to land with a possible rival. One theory is that the Gold will hold onto Miller right up to the opening of the NFL-USFL transfer window. If they release him just as the window opens, then the odds are in their favor that Miller will head back to the fall league for 2020 rather than hastily cutting a deal with another USFL team. That is a calculated risk, but with the signing of Reed, it may well be a risk the Gold are ready to take.   Birmingham Backs Up Newton with Tebow Talk about an unorthodox backfield, Birmingham just doubled down on their 2019 strategy of using their QB as a primary contributor to the run game. Having shipped backup A. J. McCarron to the Portland Stags late in the 2019 season, and having agreed upon a 3-year extension for starter Cam Newton, the focal point of Coach Haley’s “Stampede” offense, it seemed logical that they would be seeking to upgrade from untested Bryan Kohler as their backup. Their choice to serve as Newton’s number 2 shows us that Coach Haley is going all in on the QB option offensive style, adding former Florida Gator, Jacksonville Bull, LA Express, and Orlando Renegade QB Tim Tebow this winter.   Tebow, who is often criticized for his limited skills as a drop back passer, is well-known for his fullback-like running ability. The 10-year USFL veteran has seen little action in past years, but his style of play is well suited to the offense Haley is devising for Newton, one in which there are often as many designed QB runs as there are drop back passes. Should Newton go down to injury in 2020, always a threat with any running QB, it seems Haley is interested in maintaining the same dual threat offense with Tebow stepping in. Will Tebow see action this year? Will Newton stay healthy? And will the unorthodox offensive strategy prove effective in a very tough Southern Division? That is the gamble that Haley is taking. We will see how it pans out in what could be a make-or-break season for the 2nd year coach.   Oakland Builds Secondary with 2 Additions The Invaders were burned last year by their inability to keep offenses in front of them and avoid the big play. While their defensive stats overall were solid, the defense, and particularly the secondary, had too many lapses, allowing teams to break them down, stretch them out, and get quick scores that the somewhat limited Invader offense could not overcome. And, when you add the retirement of CB Chris Gamble and SS Jaiquawn Jarret to free agency, the secondary definitely needed some attention. The Invaders saw the need and made moves to secure two solid additions to their DB group in free agency. The Invaders signed SS Marquestan Huff away from New Jersey in November and then went back into the pool to find CB Brandon Boykin, the 2 nd  rated free agent at the position, bringing on the former Federal DB in early January. Those two additions, combined with a possible signing of Cal safety Ashtyn Davis from the T-Draft, could be a huge help to the Invaders. They still need to find an answer to the retirement of DE Cliff Avril, their primary pass rusher a year ago, but the Invaders at least now feel they can put a solid defensive secondary on the field, with Boykin pairing up with William Jackson III at corner and Huff partnering with Jahleel Addae at the two safety positions. Other signings of note over the winter include HB Marion Mack heading to Chicago to back up Jeremy Hill; Houston resigning starting center Shaq Mason; Michigan bringing in Tyler Thigpen to back up Kirk Cousins; New Jersey adding former Chicago WR Kenny Stills, San Antonio signing perhaps the best corner in the entire pool, former Skyhawk Jordan Pugh; and the New England Steamrollers continuing to add first team talent through free agency, landing FB C. J. Ham, SS Duke Williams, LB travis Goethel, and punter Ken Walter over the past 3 months.   We have already laid out the wild QB situation tied to the 2020 USFL Collegiate Draft, but what about the other 23 positions on the field? Well, as always the Draft is complex, uncertain, and largely contingent on how the USFL fares in their signing battles with the NFL. We can talk all we want about our perception of how each team managed the Territorial Draft or the steals they may have found in the Open Draft, unless they can sign the talent they selected, any draft can turn from an A+ grade to an F really quickly. So, how do we analyze the 2020 USFL Draft? We probably should wait a few weeks to determine who signs and who does not, so for now, what do we do? How about we tell you our favorite picks and just hope that they are suited up and ready for USFL camps in February? So, without further ado, and putting aside the QB position for a while, here are our 15 favorite picks by USFL teams across all 10 selections (3 T-Draft and 7 rounds of Open Draft), with the hope that we will see most of these players on the field in March.   15-WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Indiana) – Seattle Dragons Undrafted by the NFL, Westbrook-Ikhine became the first Dragon draft pick to sign with the team just 3 days after being taken with Seattle’s final pick. He is not a Year One starter, but when we look at the film on the Hoosier receiver, we see an ability to get open and a very good battler for those 50/50 balls. He also plays well in inclement weather, which is always a plus if you are going to play in Seattle.   14-QB Ben Dinucci (James Madison) – Jacksonville Bulls The first of 3 Bulls picks to appear on this list, Dinucci’s selection in the final round of the USFL draft may feel like an afterthought, but we see a lot of potential in the Dukes’ QB. If the Bulls can stash him on their practice squad, Dinucci could have time to develop and we think he has potential to move up the depth chart in 2-3 years. Yes, a longshot, but with a 7 th  round pick, that is still an acceptable choice, and we think this is one that could pay off in time.   13-K Tyler Bass (Georgia Southern) – Los Angeles Express Are we serious that a kicker is one of the best picks of the draft? Well, when that kicker is one of the most accurate to come out of college in years, and when you only spend a 7 th  round pick on him and still are in very good shape to land him, well that is a good pick. Bass was taken in the 5 th  round by the NFL Bills, but here is a case where LA may well offer a much better home to a kicker than windy, cold, and snowy Buffalo. We certainly all agree that kicking at Farmers Insurance Field is a heck of a lot easier than in the swirling bitter cold winds of Buffalo.   12-HB DeeJay Dallas (Miami) – Orlando Renegades We had Dallas as a 3 rd  round talent, and Orlando liked him so much that they used their 2 nd  pick in a pretty good T-Draft pool to select the Hurricane halfback. That he did not go in the NFL Draft until the 5 th  round gives Orlando a very good chance to sign the Miami back. Picture Dallas as the inside back for the Renegades, allowing them to reduce the load on speed back Knile Davis. We could see a true Thunder & Lightning combo if Dallas shows the Renegades what we saw in Miami.   11-LB Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) – San Diego Thunder When the Thunder chose UNC-Charlotte as their optional 4 th  protected school (an option given to all teams with a small pool from their standard 3 schools), we knew exactly which player led to that odd choice. Highsmith is a high motor, high effort guy who can penetrate against the run and stay with tight ends in coverage. He is a bit raw, but he could turn out to be an excellent choice in the T-Draft by a San Diego club that just did not see much talent in their 3 California schools. They just need to outlast the NFL Steelers in the bidding battle to land him.   10-LB Anfernee Jennings (Alabama) – Orlando Renegades With so much talent coming out of the Crimson Tide it feels like every year the Stallions have to let a player go unprotected who ends up being a huge talent. This year we think that player is Jennings, a 3 rd round pick for the NFL Patriots and for the Renegades, we believe Jennings could develop into a truly devastating weakside backer. He is a hard hitter, has great range, and good instincts. His size is not ideal, but we think that is the only reason he was not viewed as a first round talent.   9-HB Cam Akers (FSU) – Pittsburgh Maulers With Marcus Lattimore off to Philadelphia in free agency, the Maulers needed to bring in a back who could help Sony Michel carry the load for a run game that needed more power runs. Enter Akers, a bruising back who also has the ability to break away and turn a short run into a 20-yarder. The Maulers chose Akers near the top of the 2 nd  round, as did the NFL Rams, so we will see which team can get him to sign, but if he does end up in the Steel City, he could be an impact player in his first year.   8-TE Cole Kmet (Notre Dame) – Seattle Dragons When Chicago passed on protecting Kmet in the T-Draft, you could see teams all across the USFL salivating. The only potential 1 st round talent at the position would be available in the Open Draft. With so many teams needing to fill their TE1 slot this offseason, including both Summer Bowl participants (with both starting TEs retiring after the Summer Bowl), it was a question of who would pull the trigger first. The answer was Seattle, using the 21 st  pick to secure the USFL rights to the Notre Dame product. That spoiled things for several teams, and helped the Dragons who lost Dennis Pitta to the expansion Steamrollers this offseason. Seattle will compete with the NFL Bears for Kmet’s services, and while there is some concern that Chicago offers Kmet the chance to stay close to home (and to South Bend), Seattle’s use of a 1 st round pick on the tight end could help balance the scales.   7-DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State) – New Jersey Generals We love this pick perhaps more than pure on-field talent should allow, for one reason only: Philadelphia took a calculated risk by not choosing the talented DE in the T-Draft, and New Jersey could make them pay for it twice a year when the two rivals meet in the Turnpike Series. Imagine the trash talk from YGM and all the Jersey fans every time he sacks the Stars’ QB after they passed on him. That kind of rivalry-enhancing pick is pure gold. Now, it is up to the Generals to land the edge rusher also selected by the NFL Carolina Panthers.   6-WR Tee Higgins (Clemson) – Jacksonville Bulls The first player taken in the NFL Draft’s 2 nd round, Higgens was a T-Draft pick of the Bulls and would be a perfect target for Teddy Bridgewater and the Bulls’ pass offense. He would bring both speed and height to a Bulls’ receiver group that was short of both. Picked by the worst team in both leagues (Bulls and the NFL Bengals) the question becomes which bad team is a better fit for the coveted receiver? We think playing in Jacksonville with Bridgewater may be a more attractive option, but it may be money that decides this one.   5-HB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (LSU) – Houston Gamblers Carlos Hyde will turn 29 this season, and as he edges towards the dreaded 30-year drop off, Houston wanted to be sure to have an option that would be able to step in, take some pressure off their All-USFL back and be as effective in the passing game as Hyde has been. With the 29 th pick in the Open Draft they may have found the perfect understudy who could turn into the protégé in the next few years. Eddwards-Helaire is a dynamic back very much in the mold of Hyde, able to run inside, outside, and catch the ball. He could not hope for a better situation than to be in Houston. We hope he sees that and does not sign with the NFL Chiefs, who also selected him late in the 1 st round of the NFL draft.   4-WR Justin Jefferson (LSU) – New Orleans Breakers The first of two back-to-back WRs taken in the T-Draft, we love, love, love the idea of the Breakers building an offense around the combo of Joe Burrow and Justin Jefferson, the dynamic pitch-catch combo that got LSU an NCAA title this past January. It will be tough to win both bidding battles (Burrow with the Dolphins, Jefferson with Minnesota), but if they can, what an immediate big-play combo they may have found in the T-Draft.   3-WR CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma State) – Oklahoma Outlaws There was almost no way for the Outlaws to screw up their T-Draft, but the double dip of choosing Sooner QB Jalen Hurts as a competitor to Mason Rudolph, and then adding his favorite receiver, Lamb, in the 2 nd  round, well that could work out very well for the Outlaws. Even if they go with Mason Rudolph at QB, if they can pull Lamb away from the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, they can have one of the most dynamic WR groups in the league. We love the idea of Lamb and DeDe Westbrook on the field together.   2-OT Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) – St. Louis Skyhawks Wirfs is viewed as a “can’t miss” prospect at left tackle after spending 3 years locking down the protection for Hawkeye quarterbacks. He will have to adjust to a much more dynamic QB in Lamar Jackson, assuming he joins St. Louis instead of heading to the NFL Buccaneers. Adapting to a more mobile QB and a gameplan that includes a lot of roll outs and bootlegs will be very different from Iowa’s more static QB strategy, but Wirfs has a ton of athleticism, seen in his use as a pulling tackle in Iowa City. We think he could be just what Lamar Jackson needs to confidently drop back and pass or go naked on a bootleg to the left.   1-DE Chase Young (Ohio State) – Jacksonville Bulls The Bulls may have put together the best overall combined T-Draft/Open Draft week of any team, always a good thing to say about the prior season’s worst club. Young was left unprotected by the Ohio Glory, who had plenty of talent from Ohio State to chose from and went for 3 picks in positions of greater need. That left the consensus choice for best edge rusher in the draft available for the Bulls, and all they had to do was not blow the pick. They did not, choosing Young with no hesitation. Now, if they can outbid the Washington Redskins, who chose Young 2 nd  overall in the NFL Draft, they could find themselves with a much improved pass rush, which can only help the team escape from the bottom of the league power rankings and the standings.   USFL Owners Wary but not Worried about Wuhan Virus With the nightly news filled with stories of concern about the spread of the virus now known as Covid-19, we spoke with USFL officials about their thoughts. League officials told us that while they are keeping an eye on the news and have asked team and league medical teams to stay abreast of news as the virus expands from China out to the globe, they do not believe that even a significant viral epidemic, similar to a major flu outbreak will have a significant impact on the league or its players. Noting that USFL players are some of the healthiest people on the planet, the league stated that it would take a major outbreak, one which shut down entire communities, to impact the league. And while the news may be building up the Covid-19 outbreak as a serious concern, the league officials we spoke to felt confident that even a considerable outbreak could be handled within the league’s health and safety protocols.   In speaking with officials from the Dragons, Invaders, and Express, whose location in major Asian ports of entry, we heard similar sentiments, though one team physician (who wished to remain nameless) stated that it is not inconceivable that the league might need to adjust its injury reporting and possibly even its IR guidelines if there were an outbreak that impacted teams rosters. All three medical teams felt that while there was a significant health risk to the virus, that what was more likely was a possible impact on league attendance if fans were concerned about large mass gatherings, but not necessarily player safety. So, as the world has Covid-19 on the tips of their tongue, the message from the USFL is that they are vigilant but fully expect that the season will not be impacted any more than we might see in a particularly bad winter of flu outbreaks.  Good news in a time when we seem to be focused on the negative.   As we look ahead towards next month’s NFL-USFL Transfer Window, there is a lot to be excited about. Almost as if on cue the NFL looks to have its largest free agent class in over a decade. Maybe it is that agents are convincing players that a USFL expansion season is a good time to hit the market and get top dollar, maybe it is just a coincidence of contract expirations, but we are looking at a very rich pool, and it may get even richer if the rumors are true about a certain 5-time pro football champion. As we look over the pool of talent available, here are the top stories to follow.   Cornerbacks Aplenty We are looking at an NFL free agent cornerback group that could be as many as 25 deep, depending on how many sign quickly during the 10 days of NFL-exclusive deals. But, with a pool this deep, there is sure to be some quality when the USFL gets their shot. At the top of the list right now are All-Pro options and consistent starters like Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Jimmy Smith, Logan Ryan, and Trae Waynes. Expect some major action at this position as clubs always want more depth and more quality in the secondary.   D-Line Destroyers While not as deep as the CB group, there are some major players along the defensive line for USFL teams to salivate over. Whether you are looking for edge help form the likes of JaDeveon Clowney, Vinny Curry, or Emmanuel Ogbah, or run-stuffers inside like Michael Brockers, Quinton Jefferson, Michael Pierce, or Maliek Collins, there looks to be a handful of top tier options for the USFL clubs to consider.   Speed & Power at HB The Halfback position may not have any of the NFL’s league leaders, as it rarely does, but if you are looking to fill a need for either a speed back or a short yardage plugger, there will be options here. For speed try 49er Matt Breida, Jet Ty Montgomery or Copperhead Dion Lewis. If you want pure power, take a look at Steeler Trey Edmunds or Eagle Jordan Howard. And if a receiving back is what you crave, you could do a lot worse than veteran LeSean McCoy or the Chargers’ 3 rd  down specialist, Austin Ekeler. Expect some USFL Coaches to consider a 2-back rotation if they can land the right back in the transfer window.   Receivers to Rave Over Whether you want speedburners, sure-handed 3 rd down options, or big tight ends with good hands, well this pool could be for you. We have veterans up and down the receiver group, and while some come with a bit of baggage (often of the “diva” stereotype), the talent is here. How about some deep ball speed with veterans like Josh Gordon, Tim Patrick, or Jermaine Kearse. If you want some sure hands, there is Robby Anderson and Jake Kumerow. And, if you want the total package, the clear number one receiver in the pool is former Bengal A. J. Green. Green is coming off an injury, so there is a risk there, but the upside is certainly there too.   And, yes, we know that there are a lot of teams, including the two Summer Bowl competitors, Arizona and Houston, who are looking to add a pass-catching TE. If that is what your team needs, then you are really happy to see Viking Kyle Rudolph in the mix, along with Copperhead Jonnu Smith, and Ram Gerald Everett. Expect Rudolph to be a major target of attention after several outstanding seasons up in Minnesota.   QB Group Waiting on Possible HOF Decision The current QB group in NFL free agency is pretty solid, but it could turn into a real feeding frenzy if the rumors of Tom Brady’s departure from Dallas prove true. Brady and the Cowboys have not been on the same page for a couple of years, and there is serious thought that Jerry Jones will let the 3-time Super Bowl MVP walk. Brady seems to want just that, and while at 43 many would expect him to retire, he seems to believe he has more than a couple of good years left in him. If Brady becomes a free agent, which could happen at any time if Jones and Brady agree to cancel the remaining year of his contract, well, that will produce a two-league QB chase that could break the bank and the internet.   Without Brady, there are still some very interesting options for QB-Hungry teams to consider. As per usual, the pool has some baggage, some players needing a 2 nd  chance, but some real talent as well. Among the players who could compete for a USFL starting job we find Jaguar Blake Bortles, Buccaneer Jameis Winston, 38-year old Charger All-Pro Phillip Rivers, and former Dolphin starter Matt Moore. For teams looking for a quality backup, we add Nate Sudfeld, Mike Glennon, Cooper Rush, and former OSU star Cardale Jones to the mix.   Lots of talent, lots of late-offseason upgrades, lots of intrigue as the 2020 February USFL-NFL Transfer Window comes to fruition in just a few weeks. Who will add a major player to their camp rosters? Who will opt to jump leagues? And, the question on everyone’s mind, will Tom Brady, a 2-time USFL Champion with the Generals and 3-time NFL Champion with the Cowboys, be on the market and possibly returning to the league that gave him his start?   We are back in mid-March, one week before the USFL season kickoff with our full USFL preview. We will examine all the teams, the rookie signings, NFL imports, late trades and free agent additions, and every team’s prospects as we prepare to kick off the 38 th  season of USFL football. All right here in just about 6 weeks time. We will see you there.

Welcome back, USFL fans. It has been just under 3 months since we last checked in on America’s favorite spring football obsession, and quite a bit has happened, as you would expect. We will run it all down for you, the trades, the signings, the arrivals and departures, and, of course, the 2020 expansion draft as the Gunslingers and Steamrollers start to put together their teams. We now have all 30 head coaching slots filled, and a lot of player news, so let’s get right to it, and stick around as we also preview January’s Collegiate Draft. All right here on This Week in the USFL. Steamrollers & Gunslingers Stock Up We start our offseason report with the two newest teams in the USFL, the San Antonio Gunslingers and the New England Steamrollers. Both clubs were active in Free Agency in August, and then September brought the 2 phase Expansion Draft process. Thanks to the original agreement made when the OKC Football Group bought the Outlaws, San Antonio had their own private selection of 8 current Outlaws who had played with the then Texas Outlaws prior to 2017. Three days later both teams engaged in a leaguewide expansion draft to add 20+ players to their early rosters. It has been a busy 2 months to say the least for these two franchises, but we will try to recap the moves made and the players brought over to start off the 29 th  and 30 th  USFL franchises.   SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS We start with the first big move, made 3 weeks after Summer Bowl 2019, when the Gunslingers held a press conference to announce that their first head coach would come from the league champion Wranglers. As many suspected, Chuck Long , former quarterback of the Chicago Machine and Philadelphia Stars, 1994 USFL MVP, and longtime offensive coach in the league, would be the first had coach of the Gunslinger franchise. Hot off a title run and a 56-point offensive showcase with the Wranglers, Long comes to the Gunslingers with the ability to craft not only an offense from scratch, but an entire franchise. He will work with GM Ryan Cowden, formerly of the NFL Oilers to build a team that can compete in year one and which should be offensive minded like the Wranglers squad that Long has helped win a 3 rd  title this past year.   The Gunslingers began their roster-building in the first days of free agency, negotiating with over 12 players before eventually signing their first USFL talent. The honor of being the first official member of the reborn San Antonio Gunslinger roster goes to DE Marcus Lawrence . The former Dragon and Stag edge rusher started every game for the Stags over the past 3 seasons, amassing 17 sacks over those years. He was soon joined by San Antonio’s second major signing, guard Andy Levitre , formerly a member of Michigan’s impressive front 5.   When it was time for the new Gunslingers to announce their 8 selections of former Texas Outlaws, there were two names on everyone’s lips, and those two names were the first two players announced on the ESPN Football Network’s Gunslinger Special. Quarterback Joe Flacco was not a surprise, having been the face of the franchise in Texas and seen as a huge draw for the new Gunslingers, even after a rather shaky 2019 campaign in Oklahoma. The second choice, HB Marshawn Lynch , was more in doubt as many expected the 35-year-old back to retire this year. But, when Lynch announced that he was not only interested in returning for a 14 th USFL season, but that he would love to return to San Antonio after the club’s hasty departure following the destruction of the Alamodome by tornadoes, the choice was another obvious one.   Beyond the two former Outlaw stars, the Gunslingers also tabbed 3 more offensive players along with 3 defenders. Tight End Julius Thomas, WR Marquise Goodwin, and OT Dennis Kelly rounded out the offensive talent selected, while DT D. J. Humphries, LB Casey Matthews, and CB Demetrius McKay will also now return to the Alamo City with the USFL’s newest San Antonio club.   Come the leaguewide expansion draft, San Antonio was at something of a disadvantage, as New England was given several compensatory picks to balance out the Gunslingers’ 8-man early selection. Even so, they were able to choose several players who project as Week 1 starters from across the league. Their Gunslingers focused on the secondary with their first two selections, Memphis CB Jaquawn Johnson and Express free safety David Bruton . Their 3 rd  round pick was considered one of the best receivers left unprotected in the expansion process, Washington Federal wideout Brandon LaFell.   With Marshawn Lynch expected to carry a reduced load in 2020 and likely to retire after 1 year, the Gunslingers added some insurance by selecting Carlos Hyde’s backup in Houston, tailback C. J. Procise , in the 5 th  round. Additional picks included three linebackers: Charlotte’s Gabe Miller, Portland’s Justin Hollins, and St. Louis’s Ulysses Gilbert, as well as Breaker safety Will Harris, Mauler TE Noah Fant, and several offensive linemen: Chicago center Ethan Pocic, G Taylor Morton (WSH), and G Dorian Johnson (BAL).  An intriguing late round pick was at quarterback, where the Gunslingers tabbed Michigan backup and 2019 rookie Easton Stick out of North Dakota State.   The third source of potential talent was the NFL-USFL Transfer Window, which opened 2 weeks after the expansion draft. As always, the fall selection of still-unsigned NFL talent was thin, so there were not a lot of immediate impact players available, though San Antonio feels they did land one gem in signing former USFL and NFL kicker Mason Crosby to be their placekicker. The Gunslingers signed a total of 3 NFL free agents, adding WR Corey Coleman and OT Zach Banner as well as Crosby. Expect a far-more active Gunslinger squad in the always richer pool of NFL talent available in February.   With plenty of roster spots still to go, we expect more action from the Gunslingers over the next few weeks, but from the start it looks like Chuck Long is hoping to recreate the vertical and dynamic offenses he had in Arizona. In Flacco, Lynch, Procise, Goodwin, LaFell, and slot receiver Isaiah McKenzie, he has some weapons to build with. NEW ENGLAND STEAMROLLERS With no pipeline like the Outlaw-Gunslinger option that San Antonio had, the Steamrollers knew they would need to be aggressive in the early days of Free Agency, and the, led by HC John Fox proved not only to be aggressive recruiters from the Free Agent pool, but very effective talent acquisition closers. The Steamrollers not only targeted, but signed, more players than any other team, including the biggest fish in the entire free agency pool, somehow convincing DT Aaron Donald to give up the immediate hope for a league title for a chance to be the face of a franchise in Boston. Donald signed with New England after a three-week wooing tour of several clubs. He became the 4 th  player to sign with the Steamrollers, but certainly the biggest name and most impactful signing of the 2019-2020 free agency period to date. His deal also made him the highest paid defensive tackle in either pro league, earning an average of $18M per year for the next 4 seasons. Donald’s huge deal likely means that the Steamrollers may not be able to sign too many more big-contract players, though they did take on some more in free agency as well as in the expansion draft.   In addition to the All-USFL defensive tackle, the Steamrollers added TE Dennis Pitta as their first official free agent signing. The former Dragon had 71 receptions for 639 yards and 2 TDs in 2019 and is generally considered a Top 5 player at his position. New England also added WR Doug Baldwin , formerly of Philadelphia, safety Jaiquawn Jarrett (OAK), and QB C. J. Beathard (JAX) before the big splash of the Donald signing. But they were not done there.   Only 3 days after the Donald announcement, the Steamrollers announced another surprise addition. Halfback Matt Forte , who had already declared his intention to retire from the USFL, agreed to join the Steamrollers on a 1-year deal. Arrangements were made with the Chicago Machine to allow the move, and the Steamrollers had themselves a tailback.   When the Expansion draft came, more pieces started to fall into place for Coach Fox’s second Boston team. Job One for the Steamrollers was to secure a viable starting quarterback, as there were few options available in free agency and backup C. J. Beathard was not viewed as a potential starter. They wasted no time, using the first pick in the expansion draft to select former Miami Dolphin QB and 2019 NFL import Ryan Tannehill . The signing of the Jacksonville Bulls was expected to take on the starting job for the Bulls but was limited to a few games of mop up action when Teddy Bridgewater put together a strong season and limited Tannehill’s opportunities to show what he can do. He will now have the chance to demonstrate that he can be a steady leader on a team that will be very much in need of leadership.   Following the Tannehill pick, New England went to work on building a roster around their new QB. In round two they added a bodyguard for Tannehill in OT Kelvin Beachem (CHA). The defense got some attention with the additions of Viper DE Mario Addison , Express LB Cameron Smith, CB Sam Shields (PHI) and 2019 breakout player, CB Chidobe Owuzie of Ohio. They also added a 2 nd  back early in the draft, signaling that Matt Forte might again be in a 2-back rotation. Baltimore’s 2 nd  back, Kerwynn Williams was chosen in the 4 th  round and will join Matt Forte in the Steamroller backfield.   Other offensive players selected include linemen Brandon Brooks (TBY), Yodney Cajuste (JAX), Eric McCoy (POR), and Martinas Rankin (ORL); receivers Zay Jones (NJ), Will Fuller (CHI), and Devante Parker (SD); receiver/return man David Clowney (POR) and Denver TE Jack Doyle. On defense, the Steamrollers added linebackers Cameron Smith (LA), Junior Galette (OAK), and Sione Takitaki (LV), Defensive linemen R. J. McIntosh (HOU), Tashawn Bower (HOU), Deadrin Senat (NJ); and safety Deion Bush (ORL).   The latest additions to the Steamroller roster came when the NFL-USFL window opened. New England was not as aggressive in the limited NFL pool, but did make two signings, landing a former New England Patriot who could be a nice draw for fans, linebacker Jamie Collins , and filling their punter position with Atlanta Falcon castoff Matt Bosher. As with the Gunslingers, there are still many roster spots in limbo as free agency leads into the Collegiate Draft and the final NFL-USFL transfer window.   Looking over the roster right now, the obvious star for the Steamrollers is Aaron Donald, but Coach Fox is hoping to support Donald with the LB trio of Smith, Galette and Takitaki as well as the veteran leadership of safety Deion Bush and two solid corners in Shields and Owuzie. The offense, led by Tannehill, will likely use a 2-back system with Kerwynn Williams and Matt Forte splitting opportunities, and a receiver group that has reliable hands but may lack speed. That may be an area where the college draft provides a burner to complement the possession game that Baldwin, Parker, and Will Fuller provide. Fire Hope to Stoke Offense with Elizondo The Atlanta Fire, coming off a year in which their offense sputtered to a 19 th ranking in points per game, and their run game could only muster 78.9 yards per game have decided that the way forward is to bring in a creative offensive mind, particularly one that can get HB Nick Chubb back to his rookie year form, when he hit the 1,000-yard mark. Their solution? Tampa Bay OC Jaime Elizondo. While many give Bandits HC Mark Trestman the credit for the offensive explosiveness and season turnaround of Tampa Bay, Atlanta saw in Elizondo a coach who could revive the Fire run game and help Aaron Murray find more options in the passing game. The pick, which seems popular with Fire fans not only for what Elizondo brings to Atlanta but what his signing takes away from division rival Tampa Bay, will need to also consider a defense that had a major letdown in 2019, dropping to dead last in the league by allowing 29.9 points per game despite having a solid pass-defense. The key there will be for Elizondo to bolster a run defense that gave up over 110 yards per game, 4 th  worst in the league. No word yet on who Elizondo’s DC will be, but that will be a vital hire if Elizondo is going to use his considerable experience as an offensive position coach and coordinator to focus on Murray, Chubb and the Fire offense.   Five-Time All-USFL Linebacker Tabbed as Newest HC for Bulls The Bulls opt to go with a former player, and a very good one, as their next head coach, signing former Renegade, Federal, and Bandit LB Winston Moss as their new head coach. Now, we are probably selling Moss’s resume a bit short. In addition to 15 seasons as a USFL player, including 5 All-USFL seasons, Moss has become a well-respected figure in coaching since his retirement. Moss began as a “quality control” expert for the Federals before taking on their LB position coaching duties. He moved up by moving on, joining New Jersey for a short 1-year stint as the Assistant DC before returning to Orlando with Coach John Fox as the defensive coordinator, a position that new ‘Gades head coach Ron Rivera insisted Moss keep last year. After taking Rivera up on the offer to stay on as the DC in Orlando, Moss helped the Renegades improve their defensive stats, particularly against the run, where Orlando finished 7 th  in the league by allowing only 81.7 yards per game. Moss also got credit for helping the Renegades develop rookie Montez Sweat after the departure of Calais Campbell last offseason.   Moss moves up the coast to Jacksonville and takes on a much larger task, becoming the Bulls’ 10 th  head coach and the 5 th  in the past decade. In addition to a 36-year record of playoff futility, Moss also inherits a team that finished with the league’s worst record at 3-13, a feat accomplished largely because of the 27 th  rated scoring defense, 27 th rated defense in yards allowed, and a bottom 5 defense against both the pass and the run. In other words, they were a sieve. Despite a respectable passing game, led by QB Teddy Bridgewater, that helped them finish in the Top 8 in yards per game, and average 20.4 points (good enough for 12 th  in the league), the Bulls won only 3 games because they allowed nearly 27 per outing on defense.   So, Moss comes in, immediately loses some talent due to free agency and the expansion draft, and now must build a team that quite frankly does not believe much in itself. He has a few pieces to work with, namely Bridgewater, DE Barkevious Mingo, LB Sean Lee, and LB Jarret Johnson, but there are a lot of gaps, a lot of issues and a need not only for a talent infusion, but a faith infusion as well. This is a Bulls’ franchise that has not had a winning season since 2007 and has had 10 or more losses every season since 2010, including an 0-16 campaign in 2014.  Moss is a good man, was a great player, and will need to be coach, mentor, and head cheerleader in Jacksonville.   Summer Bowl Tight Ends Announce Retirements While there was not a significant 3 rd  wave of retirements following Summer Bowl 2019, both title game competitors had a player declare their intention to retire, and for both the Wranglers and Gamblers it was their star tight end. Jimmie Graham and Vernon Davis both made their announcements within 48 hours of each other and both step away from the game after multiple All-USFL seasons.   Jimmie Graham leaves the game after scoring a second championship ring with the Wranglers. Coming to the desert in 2016 after several years and a 19-touchdown season in Pittsburgh in 2015, Graham won a title his first season in Arizona, and this year won his second. Graham contributed 665 yards and 4 TDs in this, his 10 th  and final season in the league, also adding 3 catches for 60 yards and a score in the Wrangler’s division win over San Diego, 1 catch for a 20-yard TD against Denver, and 4 catches for 77 yards and a pair of scores in the Wranglers’ Summer Bowl Victory.   Vernon Davis had hoped to add a 3 rd  title to his resume this year, but was thwarted by the Wranglers. The 14-year veteran played his entire career with the Gamblers, racking up some impressive numbers, including 652 receptions, 7,274 yards and 68 career touchdowns, including 5 this season. In the 2019 playoffs Davis had a total of 10 receptions and 223 yards. A 3-time All-USFL selection at tight end, Davis won titles with the Gamblers in 2010 and again 8 years later with last season’s Summer Bowl Victory.   Others who announced retirement plans after the end of the 2019 season include Denver safety DaJuan Morgan, San Diego DT Henry Melton, Atlanta fullback Marcel Reese, Michigan DT Kevin Vickerson, and two members of the 2019 Tampa Bay Bandits, CB Trumaine McBride and WR Ted Ginn Jr.   Did Expansion Slow Down Free Agency Signings? Despite the fact that newly-signed free agents were designated “unselectable” during the Expansion Draft, there still seemed to be a chilling effect on the early Free Agent period, as we saw far fewer signings than in most years. It appeared that teams, concerned about potential player losses in the Expansion Draft, were not ready to commit big money to sign free agents ahead of San Antonio’s and New England’s picks. There were, of course, some significant signings, but compared to a typical August-September period, the number of players signed was about 20%-25% lower than what we have typically seen, a reality that also meant that when the NFL-USFL transfer window opened, there was more USFL talent on the table for the NFL than we typically have seen.   We will discuss the NFL signings in a moment, but first we should acknowledge those free agents who have found new homes within the USFL. We already cited the impressive signings of the New England Steamrollers (DT Aaron Donald, TE Dennis Pitta, WR Doug Baldwin, and S Jaiquawn Jarrett) as well as the somewhat less “splashy” additions to the San Antonio Gunslinger roster (OG Andy Levitre and DE DeMarcus Lawrence). So, what other stories emerged out of the early weeks of free agency?   Cooper Flies the Coop Despite resigning Cam Newton for the 2020 season and beyond, the Stallion offense did take a hit this offseason as their leading receiver, former Alabama product Amari Cooper , came to the end of his rookie contract, tested the free agency waters, and found a new home with the Seattle Dragons. Cooper is primed to step into the lead receiver position vacated with Mike Wallace’s earlier retirement. His new deal, a 4-year deal, will significantly increase his annual salary, while joining the Dragons means a greater possibility of topping 1,000 yards consistently, after seeing his receiving numbers negatively affected the past two years by a heightened focus on the Stallion run game and Cam Newton’s tendency to quickly shift from being a passer to a runner, something Cooper will not face in QB Jacoby Brissett.   Outlaws Sign 3 in Effort to Bolster Roster Well aware that they would be losing 8 veteran players to the expansion draft, the Outlaws were one of the more aggressive teams among the 28 returning franchises. Within the first weeks of free agency the Outlaws made offers to 6 different players and were able to secure deals with three potential starters: WR Nick Toon from San Diego, OT Joe Haeg from the Seattle Dragons, and HB Jawan Jamison from the Breakers. Of course this does not make up for the 8 players lost to the Gunslingers early in September, but it is a start as the Outlaws try to remake their roster.   The theory on the Bob Stoops-led Outlaws is that they are giving OSU product Mason Rudolph a solid chance to become the heir to Joe Flacco, and that another young player, HB Justice Hill, will lead the run game in Oklahoma. With Mark Clayton retiring and Marquise Goodwin headed to the Gunslingers, the signing of Nick Toon makes sense for the receiver-short Outlaws, but we also expect they will add another receiver or two to help fill the group in around DeDe Westbrook. On defense, the toughest replacement may be LB Casey Matthews, though it is expected that either Greg Lloyd Jr. or a reinstated Vontez Burfict may be asked to step into Mathews’ role.   By the time the NFL-USFL window opened in mid-September, the larger free agent pool provided a lot of options for NFL teams. What we saw in the signings by NFL clubs was a clear preference for veteran players who could come in, spend a few weeks adapting to a new system, but step in and provide a mix of veteran leadership and late-season support to teams in need of depth or talent at key spots. While some younger players were selected, the clear pattern was the preference for shorter 1-2 year deals offered to players in their 30’s.  Here is a quick run-down of the signings from the spring USFL to the fall NFL:   DE Lamar Houston (31)                 Thunder to Chicago Bears CB Antonio Cromartie (33)            Stallions to New York Jets WR Demaryius Thomas (32)             Express to Denver Broncos FB Kyle Juszczyk (29)                        Panthers to San Francisco 49ers SS Glover Quin (32)                         Stars to Detroit Lions CB Derek Cox (32)                           Monarchs to Jacksonville Jaguars LB Jarret Johnson (33)                     Bulls to Baltimore Ravens FS Donte Whitner (32)                   Seattle to Buffalo Bills LB D’Qwell Jackson (32)                  Federals to Indianapolis Colts DE Greg Hardy (33)                        Stallions to Carolina Panthers OG Kevin Zeitler (33)                   Machine to New York Giants HB C. J. Anderson (31)                   Express to Denver Broncos C Peter Konz (33)                             Invaders to Atlanta Falcons WR Dwayne Bowe (32)                   Renegades to Kansas City Chiefs HB Zac Stacy (28)                          Stars to Philadelphia Eagles LB Carl Ihenacho (32)                        Dragons to Las Vegas Raiders LB Jonathan Moulton (34)               Outlaws to Houston Oilers DT Jerel Worthy (31)                         Renegades to Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Dan LeFevour (31)                    Gold to Jacksonville Jaguars     USFL Teams Seek Roster Depth with NFL Signings As we so often see each fall, the NFL talent still unsigned 1-2 weeks into their fall season is not much to get excited about. USFL teams sign some practice squad or unsigned depth players but not much star power is available. That was the case again this fall, with only a few signings of note to present:   Eagles’ CB Ronald Darby went unsigned in the NFL but found a new home with the USFL Monarchs. HB Jordan Howard left the Bears to sign with the Atlanta Fire as Nick Chubb’s understudy. DE Emmanuel Ogbah had 3 sacks with the Browns last fall and will now join the Gamblers. HB Ty Montgomery will reprise his 3 rd  down role for the Renegades after playing both in Green Bay and Baltimore in 2018. LB Hassan Reddick, who had 80 tackles for the Arizona Cardinals last fall held out for a big money deal and got what he wanted from the Oakland Invaders, who lost Junior Galette in the Expansion Draft. And, of course, there were the signings by San Antonio (OT Zach Banner, K Mason Crosby, WR Corey Coleman) and New England (P Matt Bosher and LB Jamie Collins) already discussed.   Other NFL players making the leap include S Justin Simmons (ORL), DT Timmy Jernigan (PHI), and LB Danny Trevathan (WSH).   While the free agent market has been noticeably underutilized in the early weeks of the offseason, there certainly has been no lack of action on the trading block as teams try to fill gaps left by retirements and free agency or to simply upgrade areas of weakness. There will surely be more trades to come as we build up to the draft, including a lot of pick swapping, but the first few months of the offseason have kicked off with significant movement from team to team. Here are the most noteworthy of the deals cut this fall.   The trading block opened up with a 2-for-1 deal involving the Ohio Glory and Tampa Bay Bandits as the Bandits sent veteran DE Tank Carradine to Ohio for two offensive linemen, guard Travis Bond and tackle Jack Mewhort. Carradine has had 6 sacks each of the past 3 seasons in Tampa Bay and now will line up opposite Robert Quinn in Ohio’s front four. New Orleans added a speed back to their RB room by trading OT Rob Haverstein to the Dallas Roughnecks for 2019 rookie Myles Gaskin . Gaskin had 404 yards rushing for the Roughnecks in 2019. Haverstein started all 16 games for the Breakers in 2016 and 2017 but had been demoted to a swing position for the past two years, getting only 2 starts in that time. Jacksonville added some heft to their offensive line, bringing in veteran center Russell Bodine in a deal that send HB Andre Williams and a 6 th  round pick to the Generals. Bodine started 4 games for the Generals in 2019, subbing for the injured Owen Phillips, and must have impressed the Bulls in that span. New Jersey adds Williams, who spent the 2019 season on Jacksonville’s practice squad, most likely to assist with special teams and with concern still for Kiero Small’s injury recovery. When neither expansion team took a Portland QB, the stags, hoping to relieve a logjam in their QB room found a willing suitor in Orlando. The Renegades offered up center Greg Mancz for the rights to QB Kyle Lauletta , with the two clubs also swapping 5 th  round picks in the upcoming draft. The biggest swap, in raw numbers, came as the Blitz worked to improve their defensive line and Arizona sought to fill a gap on offense. In a 4-man swap, both teams moved an offensive and defensive tackle, with starting DT Grady Jarrett leaving the Wranglers for the Blitz, while Arizona acquired OT Mitchell Van Dyck . Arizona also got DT P. J. Hall in the deal while Baltimore added OT D. J. Humphries. Following the loss of FS David Bruton in the Expansion Draft, LA addressed the gap by sending slot receiver Willie Snead IV to Memphis (along with a 4 th  round pick in 2020) in return for safety Lonnie Ballentine (and a 6 th  rounder). A shocking post-Expansion Draft move came from the Pittsburgh Maulers who shipped off a 1,200 yard receiver, NFL import Jarvis Landry , after a very successful first season in the USFL. Landry had 79 receptions for 1,219 yards and 7 touchdowns, all very solid numbers, but was shipped to the Washington Federals in trade for CB Tre Herndon. Herndon started 18 games for the Federals over the past 2 years, but with only 2 career picks, it seems the Maulers may have either overvalued the young corner or had a significant issue with their leading receiver from 2019. And, finally, in the only player-for-pick swap so far this offseason, St. Louis, having named Tyrod Taylor as their 2 nd  string QB behind Lamar Jackson, traded veteran Kyle Boller to the Charlotte Monarchs, where he will now likely step in as the 2 nd  option behind Mitchell Trubisky. In return, Charlotte provided the Skyhawks with an additional 4 th  round pick this year and a conditional 5 th  rounder in 2021.   Here we go! Time to start looking at the Collegiate Draft for 2020 and this could be a complicated one. Once again there appears to be a strong QB class, but with nearly all the top-rated quarterbacks protected by teams that may not be urgently seeking help at the position, it opens up the door to pick-for-pick trades, or for surprises. Who deals with Birmingham to get a shot at Tua Tagovailoa? Does Portland spend big for Oregon’s Justin Herbert or do they stand pat with Mariota? Will the sudden but impressive rise of Joe Burrow cause New Orleans to bow to local fan pressure? And what about the one QB not on anyone’s protected list, Utah State’s Jordan Love? Does he suddenly become a hot commodity for several QB-needy teams?  Of course, the QB position is not the only one of interest, but once again, it is likely to be a huge water cooler topic as the 2019 NCAA season continues and as both the USFL and NFL prepare for their 2020 draft season. Here is our look, in the order of the 1 st  round picks, at all 30 franchises, their needs, T-Draft options, and our thoughts on what their 1 st round strategy should be in the Open Draft.   JACKSONVILLE BULLS POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, DT, CB, LB, QB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With needs at both CB and LB, Jacksonville could find some help in the T-Draft with LB Isaiah Simmons of Clemson, and CBs C. J. Henderson (Florida) and A. J. Terrell (Clemson), but inside sources say the team is infatuated as well with WR Tee Higgins of Clemson, and they do certainly need more explosiveness on offense. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Bulls have so many needs that they could honestly use their 1 st overall pick on a pure “Best Player Available” pick and almost certainly hit a position of need. Based on what we think will happen in the T-Draft, the two most likely top-graded players who could be at the top of the draft are OSU edge rusher Chase Young and Georgia OT Andrew Thomas. But, would Jacksonville take a shot on a QB? Burrow? Tagovailoa? Herbert?   PORTLAND STAGS POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, DT, LB, TE, G BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The Stags are likely looking for a trade for the rights to QB Justin Herbert, and certainly can get some draft capital in exchange for the Ducks’ QB. As for who they would pick with their 2 remaining choices, a good fit for need would be Oregon LB Troy Dye. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Portland is more likely to go defense than add a QB to compete with Mariota, so if Jacksonville does go QB, we absolutely see Portland praying that Chase Young escaped the T-Draft. If not, Auburn DT Derrick Brown may be an option.   OHIO GLORY POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, DT, TE, QB, WR BEST T-DRAFT FIT: A bad year for Ohio State to produce few top talents in key positions for the Glory. They could take a run at DE Chase Young, though that is not a position of deep need. More likely they scout out the DT position,with both Jashon Cornell and DaVon Hamilton potentially becoming eligible this January. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: If Brown is there (likely if Young goes to Portland), then the glory jump on that, if not, they likely look for the best LB available, which could be Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons or Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray.   ATLANTA FIRE POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, WR, LB,OT, FB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Two outstanding tackles should come out of UGA this year, with both Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson likely to be available, so it is a question of whether Atlanta selects both or just one they like better. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: No knock on Aaron Murray, but the Fire should give real thought to the QB position, especially if either Tagovailoa or Herbert are sitting here waiting to be picked.   NEW ENGLAND STEAMROLLERS POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, OT, CB, WR, FS BEST T-DRAFT FIT: So many needs, so few good players from BC, UConn or Purdue. The league has given them a 4 th  school and they chose Minnesota. Does this mean that they are looking at safety Antonio Winfield Jr? POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Almost any player they pick here would be helpful for them, but their top need is DE, so we look at LSU’s K’Lavon Chaisson. If the Breakers locked him up, then we go OT, where there are more options: Andrew Thomas (UGA), Jedrick Wills (Bama), or Mekhi Becton (L’ville).   SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, CB, HB, DE, LB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With all the needs of an expansion team, the Gunslingers have to look long and hard at both immediate impact and depth. We really like a trio of TCU players as potential help at key positions: DT Ross Blackhart, WR Jalen Reagor, and CB Jeff Gladney could be good options. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: There is a reasonable chance that Ohio does not protect CB Jeff Okudah, and if that is the case, he could drop to the Gunslingers at pick 6. If that happens, they should definitely try to add the versatile DB.   WASHINGTON FEDERALS POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, HB, G, DE, WR BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The Feds also got a 4 th  school in 2020 because of a lack of prospects from their main 3 protected programs (UVa, Va Tech, and James Madison). They selected Appalachian State, which almost certainly means either HB Darrynton Evans or LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, both positions of need for the Federals. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: So many fans, upset with Ryan Nassib’s first year in DC, want the Feds to snag a QB here, but they have so much money invested in Nassib’s contract that we just don’t see it happening. How about replacing Brandon LaFell with a solid rookie option at WR, like either of the Bama products, Ruggs or Jeudy.   ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS POSITIONS OF NEED: OT, LB, WR, DE, QB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With OT a definite need area, the Skyhawks have to love having Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs under their scope. We also like Hawkeye DE A. J. Epenesa as a possible target of attention. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: OT is a need. We listed 3 above (New England), so there is a shot that one of those three makes it to pick 7 and the Federals. OKLAHOMA OUTLAWS POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, QB, TE, WR, HB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: We are fascinated by the possibility that QB Jalen Hurts is in the Outlaws’ pool. Would selecting Hurts cause issues for Mason Rudolph, or do they get their young QB some help with OU wideout C. D. Lamb? POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We do like Oklahoma to possibly take a QB, though for Mason Rudolph’s sake, they may wait until Round 2. If not, then they could have a competition from Day 1. If they do hold off, they could go TE with the best option being Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet.   DALLAS ROUGHNECKS POSITIONS OF NEED: TE, C, G, WR, QB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Not a lot of matches between immediate needs and protected school talent, except at WR where the Longhorns could offer 2 options in Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Dallas certainly hopes Oklahoma goes with a QB pick, because they love Kmet. If either Chicago (T-Draft) or Oklahoma snaps him up, then the next best option is to nab an interior lineman, with either Cesar Ruiz (Michigan) or guard Robert Hunt (La-Monroe) as the best case scenarios.   BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, WR, FS, CB, DT BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The resigning of Cam Newton to a lucrative deal means that Tua Tagovailoa has to be off the table. Expect Birmingham to trade his rights to a Western team just to ensure that he does not come to town in a southern rival’s uniform. As for who they should pick, how about a replacement for Amari Cooper. Bama provides 2 great options, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: If I were the Stallions, I would be waving Tua Tagovailoa at the Bulls or Atlanta Fire, hoping to move up and get some shot at Chase Young. They could also make a deal with Ohio to swap T-Draft picks, which makes sense. Birmingham could get the DE they covet and the Glory could land either Tua or one of those Bama wideouts.   PITTSBURGH MAULERS POSITIONS OF NEED: HB, G, TE, DT, DE BEST T-DRAFT FIT: A week class from both Pitt and WVU puts Pittsburgh in a bad spot here. We don’t see a single prospect who grades out as anything earlier than a 4 th  round pick, so it looks like roster depth is the route here. Maybe, just maybe the Maulers trade to get someone else’s 1 st round T-Draft talent. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We have not taken a HB yet, and the Maulers could certainly use an upgrade there (sorry, Samaje Perine). We don’t think the Breakers lock up LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, or that Atlanta goes for D’Andre Swift (not with Chubb on the roster), so Pittsburgh could have their choice of two quality backs.   CHARLOTTE MONARCHS POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, LB, SS, OT, WR BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Another team that might want to try trading for someone else’s picks, because we see no 1 st -3 rd  round talent in their pool from UNC, NC State, or Wake Forest. OT Charlie Heck from UNC and DT Larrell Murchison from NC State are in positions of need but both grade out as depth players only. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Defensive Tackle is a deep group, but Charlotte would love to address the position in the first round. That could be Auburn’s Derrick Brown, South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw, or TCU’s Ross Blacklock.   CHICAGO MACHINE POSITIONS OF NEED: C, HB, WR, G, TE BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Notre Dame could come to the rescue for Chicago, as they always seem to. TE Cole Kmet would be a need pick as would WR Chase Claypool. And don’t overlook LB Julian Okwara even if LB is not a position of immediate need. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Machine likely go for an impact player in the offensive skill positions here. That could be a wideout (Jeudy, Ruggs, Lamb, Justin Jefferson) or a halfback (Edwards-Helaire, Swift, or Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor).   LOS ANGELES EXPRESS POSITIONS OF NEED: LB, OG, OT, HB, QB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Ever since the Thunder moved to San Diego and snagged UCLA away from the Express, their T-Draft has been much weaker, and that is true this year as well. We still like USC’s Austin Jackson as an option at OT, but beyond that, the needs don’t match the small pool of talent the Express have to draw from. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: With needs along the offensive line, that seems the best early round option for the Express. The tackle group, in particular, could offer several immediate starters, including Georgia’s Andrew Thomas, Alabama’s Wills, Louisville’s Becton, or Iowa’s Wirfs.   MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, DT, CB, OG,WR BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With D-Line at the heart of Rex Ryan’s wish list, the Showboats are sure to look at both Tennessee’s Darell Taylor and Arkansas Nose Tackle McTelvin Agim. They could also scout out Volunteer WR Jauan Jennings. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: It may be tough for Memphis to get either a DE or DT who will bring the impact they want, but at cornerback they may have some good options. One player to watch is Clemson’s A. J. Terrell. Ohio State’s Damon Arnette could also be available here.   LAS VEGAS VIPERS POSITIONS OF NEED: FS, TE, WR, DE,CB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: A perfect fit for the Vipers is Utah safety Julian Blackmon, a talented player who could slot right into their need at the Free Safety position. We also think Utah HB Zack Moss would be a nice addition, though not a position of immediate need. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Is free safety a first round option? It is if Alabama’s Xavier McKinney is on the board. Another, perhaps riskier pick this early comes from unprotected Lenoir-Rhyme, a young dynamic athlete named Kyle Dugger.   ORLANDO RENEGADES POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, OG, LB, WR, QB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: There is some talent out of “The U”, as always, but our favorite fit is actually from up the coast in South Carolina, where Gamecock DT Javon Kinlaw could be a perfect fit for the Renegades’ need to beef up the run defense. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Best player available could land the ‘Gades a player in any one of their top 4 areas of need. They won’t go QB in the first round, since they are looking for a 2 nd -3 rd stringer to develop, but everything from DT to WR is an option here.   OAKLAND INVADERS POSITIONS OF NEED: DT, C, CB, SS, QB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Not a very deep pool, but a couple of names that pop out to us are safety Ashtyn Davis of Cal and Stanford LB Casey Toohill. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Oakland’s strategy could be one of the most interesting. Will they be in the QB hunt? And if they are, who do they like? Tua? Herbert? Utah State’s Jordan Love? What about OU’s Jalen Hurts? Or do they give up on the QB position because signing a 1 st round rookie adds even more chaos to their situation?   NEW JERSEY GENERALS POSITIONS OF NEED: SS, DE, TE, WR, DT BEST T-DRAFT FIT: With the shift in protected schools caused by the arrival of 2 new expansion teams, the Generals reclaimed Wisconsin as a school, and not a moment too soon. How about HB Jonathan Taylor? LB Zack Baun? Maybe C Tyler Biadasz? POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: If McKinney is here to fill the safety position, that will be the pick. If not, the Generals could shift to DE or even DT. The other option is to trade down and still have a good shot at Dugger, LSU’s Grant Delpit or Minnesota’s Antoine Winfield Jr.   SEATTLE DRAGONS POSITIONS OF NEED: FS, TE,CB, WR, LB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: No help at key positions of need, at least not immediate help, but some interesting prospects for depth, including UW quarterback Jacob Eason and Boise OT Ezra Cleveland. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Seattle is also in the safety hunt, so what New Jersey does will be essential. They could even trade up just a couple of spots to get the player they covet if they fear New Jersey will snatch that player out from under them.   BALTIMORE BLITZ POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, FS, QB, LB,CB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Last year Baltimore made the big move to trade for Josh Jacobs. They may need to do something similar this year because neither Maryland or Louisville have strong groups, well, aside from a pretty nice OT prospect in Cardinal LT Mekhi Becton. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Baltimore has to replace a superstar in Darrius Heyward-Bey, so WR has to be a priority. For star power, speed, and big play potential, we love either LSU’s Justin Jefferson or OU’s CeeDee Lamb here, assuming both escape the T-Draft.   NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS POSITIONS OF NEED: OG, SS, QB, DE, LB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: Fans in the Bayou State are hoping that the Breakers jump on LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been looking like a quick mover up the draft grade charts so far this fall. The other obvious player of interest, also from the Tigers, is DE K’Lavon Chaisson. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Breakers’ pick here depends on how deep they think the safety pool is. If they see a drop off after the first few names, they may try to trade up. If not, then they sit here and see who falls to them.   PHILADELPHIA STARS POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, CB, SS, DT, C BEST T-DRAFT FIT: We really like Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos, but we are just not sure Philly is in the market for the position. They are more likely going deep into scouting CB John Reid, as well as a pair of prospects in their own back yard, Temple center Matt Hennessey and CB Harrison Hurd. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We do know the WR group is deep, so even if there is an early run, the Stars could do well this late in the round. They will want to scout a deep pool, considering players like ASU’s Brandon Aiyuk, TCU’s Jaelen Reagor, or Colorado’s Laviska Shenault.   SAN DIEGO THUNDER POSITIONS OF NEED: OG, DT, WR, C, FS BEST T-DRAFT FIT: We lamented the loss of UCLA from the LA talent pool, but this year the Bruins are not aligning their talent with San Diego’s needs, though the Thunder could still take a look at TE Devin Asiasi. They may want to look at their other 2 in-state options, Fresno State and San Diego State, particularly for the O-line depth they are hoping to add. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: So close to the end of the round, San Diego has to avoid honing in on just one position. There may be a guard who slips, a DT who escaped, or they too dip into the deep WR pool.   MICHIGAN PANTHERS POSITIONS OF NEED: WR, DT, QB, LB, HB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: What do the Wolverines and Spartans offer to the USFL Panthers this year? How about a top flight center in Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz, a strong OLB candidate in Josh Uche, and, from MSU, a solid CB option in Josiah Scott. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: We know that Coach McDermott likes Notre Dame’s Chase Claypool, but this feels too soon for him, so do the Panthers trade into the early part of the 2 nd  round to get their man at the price they want and also pick up a later pick from someone who wants to move up?   DENVER GOLD POSITIONS OF NEED: DE, CB, TE, HB, FB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: While we are intrigued by Buffalo WR Laviska Shenault, it is not a high-need area. The Gold are more likely to be exploring some depth options with this year’s crop from the Buffs, Huskers, and Cowboys. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Trying to figure out if Denver goes for a DE or if they make a deal with Von Miller between now and January is near impossible. They would be in deep need if Miller moves on, so we look at the entire DE group. The big names won’t be here at this pick, but some talent is there, like Auburn’s Marlon Davidson and possibly Tennessee’s Darrell Taylor.   TAMPA BAY BANDITS POSITIONS OF NEED: CB, C, WR, OG, HB BEST T-DRAFT FIT: FSU Halfback Cam Akers is an interesting prospect, but does he fit Coach Trestman’s offensive style? Notas well as FIU CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver might help out the Bandit secondary. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: The Bandits are confident that a CB they like will be on the board at pick 28. There are many to choose from, so they may be right. Players like Utah’s Jaylon Johnson and Alabama’s Trevon Diggs are considered 1 st -2 nd  round tweeners, so this may be the spot to find the corner they want for their rebuilt Bandit defense.   HOUSTON GAMBLERS POSITIONS OF NEED: TE, HB, WR, DT, C BEST T-DRAFT FIT: The Eastern Conference Champs won’t get help at TE in the T-Draft, but might be able to add another outside threat in Baylor WR Denzel Mims. That and some D-Line help from either A&M’s Nnamdi Madubuika or another Baylor product, DT James Lynch. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET:  We are going to assume that Cole Kmet is not falling this far. So, who is the next best TE, and is he worth a late 1 st  round pick? On our boards we would put either Devon Asiasi of UCLA or Josiah Deguara of Cincinnati as the 2 nd  best TE, and we have both with 3 rd  round grades. So, if we were Houston, we might trade to get a TE and look at another position here.   ARIZONA WRANGLERS POSITIONS OF NEED: TE, WR, LB, DE, DT BEST T-DRAFT FIT: If the Wranglers are looking for even more weapons for David Carr, they could do a lot worse than Sun Devils Brandon Aiyuk (WR) and Eno Benjamin (HB). Other than those two, the pool is not a very promising one for the Wranglers. POSSIBLE OPEN DRAFT TARGET: Arizona also needs a TE, but they would likely be happy to nab a WR here and get their TE elsewhere. If they feel good that they can sign Brandon Aiyuk, they may even go for a LB here, and we would love to see someone like Michigan’s Josh Uche or Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara get a chance to show their stuff in a Jim Tomsula defense.   Miller Sells Home, Demands a Move If you wanted a sign to indicate how the talks between edge rusher Von Miller and the Denver Gold are going, we think the real estate listings in Denver just gave it to us. The $3.3M home formerly owned by Miller in Denver’s exclusive Belcaro neighborhood went on the market in September, and was off the market only 2 weeks later. That seems a pretty clear message from Miller that he does not expect to be returning to Denver for the 2020 season. Still under contract for another 2 seasons, Miller has demanded a trade after having his demands for a Calais Campbell range contract extension declined by the team.   Miller’s contract does not give him much leverage within the USFL structure, but, as we have seen with other players over the years, the “Favre Option” is always on the table. Miller could declare his retirement from the USFL and immediately become eligible to join an NFL team, without requirement to be cut by the Gold or to wait on the next NFL-USFL transfer window. It is a move that has been used only a handful of times over the past 20 years, but it is one that is always on the table for a top talent like Miller, if that talent is willing to risk a major hiatus between games. If Miller made that move, he would almost certainly need to prove the authenticity of his retirement by delaying an NFL signing until the 2021 season, essentially “red shirting” himself. To do otherwise would be to risk throwing his deal, his retirement, and his new NFL contract into legal litigation which could prove very costly. And so, for now, we have some surface-level gestures, like the home sale, to express his distaste for Denver’s offers, but no retirement and no imminent NFL signing. How long the stalemate lasts is largely up to Gold management, who have said that they have every desire to have Miller return to the club in 2020, but who are also well-known around the league for their hard-nosed approach to player compensation and demands for renegotiation.   Machine Offer Fans Opportunity to Reinvent Look An interesting development on the team marketing side of the USFL as the Chicago Machine have decided to give the fans a say in their 2021 Under Armour redesign. The Pritzker family, owners of the Blitz for the past 5 seasons, have been hinting at a major shift in the club’s look for several years now. When they bought the club, they commented on the oddity that Chicago and their closest rivals, the Michigan Panthers essentially shared 2 of their primary colors (maroon and sky blue). And while design “nerds” will argue that the Chicago maroon has typically leaned more towards the red spectrum, while Michigan’s “plum” version is a deeper, almost purple tone of burgundy, the reality is that in many cases the two colors are too close to separate without perfect lighting.   Well, apparently the Pritzkers, the Machine, and Under Armour are ready to move to a new look. They have offered up three different designs and are taking the choice on Chicago’s new look to the fans in an online poll that will help decide the look Chicago will bring to the field in the 2021 season, or, depending on the Machine’s 2020 output, possibly as soon as the 2020 playoffs. Fans can vote on the team’s website, with the results expected to be revealed early in the 2020 regular season as part of UA’s season long reveal of 2021’s six redesigned clubs (in addition to Chicago, that group includes Charlotte, Denver, Portland, San Diego, and Seattle.)   The three options being presented and now visible on the Machine homepage include a team logo, wordmark, and, in a unique twist, a mockup of the home jersey. In the past, these kinds of votes have often used a helmet mockup to provide a glimpse of the look, but it appears that UA did not want to differ to Riddell or Schutt, so they are offering us a glimpse of the jersey instead .   So, here is the link if you would like to take part in Chicago’s “Design the Machine” contest , and here are the three options available to choose from.   OPTION 1: Navy Pier Edition Of the three options, this is the closest to the current look, retaining maroon as a dominant color, and the color of the jersey presented. It appears that with this look Chicago may return to its roots, bringing back a stylized “M” as the helmet logo rather than a steampunk “C”. the metalwork “M” is not a new logo, but what is new is that it appears that sky blue is out and a combination of navy blue (hence the “Navy Pier” reference) and gunmetal grey is in. Chicago has never had navy as a color in its palette before, pairing a dark grey with sky blue in the past, but this new look appears to go for dark on dark on dark with only a small pop of bright red from the city flag’s ubiquitous red stars to brighten up a very serious maroon, navy, and grey design. We also note that the wordmark for this design features strong block letters in a slightly skewed perspective, with a navy blue strip between the city and team name and the red star atop the wordmark.   OPTION 2: Red Star Edition Again, some new and some old combined in a new way. The Red Star version of the look retains the same three colors currently in use, maroon, scarlet red, and sky blue, but very obviously shifts the priority of the three, using red as the dominant color, sky blue as the secondary, and retaining maroon, but only with minimal use in the jersey. The current logo which combines the steampunk “C” with the iconography of the city flag remains, but the red jersey, with sky blue block letters is a major departure from the current look. The jersey also features bold white and sky blue striping, while maroon is seen only in the wordmark, sleeve cuffs, the UA logo and a small swatch beneath the league logo on the collar. With the logo retaining maroon as a strong color, we have to wonder if this look will include a red helmet as well, or will Chicago combine the red jersey with either a maroon, sky, or white lid?   OPTION 3: City Blue Edition Now we are clearly leaning into the city flag, something the Pritzkers have already done with several ancillary marketing and stadium décor elements. The City Blue edition features a new logo, far simplified form the current steampunk “C”. This one features a sky blue “gear” and a more prominent red star. Missing entirely is maroon from the logo, though it does appear in the team’s updated wordmark, which now includes a strip of gear-inspired maroon at the base of the angled block lettering. The jersey revealed with the look is sky blue, with flag-inspired sleeve stripes, and white block numbers outlined in red. If you look hard, you can see that maroon is not entirely absent, used as a shadow effect on the numbers and as a thin piping on the outside of red, sky, and white sleeve stripes. This look also begs the question as to what the helmet might look like. Will it be sky blue, red, possibly white? It seems with so little maroon in the design, the prospect of Chicago keeping its traditional maroon helmet is least likely with this third of the three options.   The voting is now open and is expected to continue through the winter. Which design connects best with Chicagoans and Machine fans, we can only guess. In all likelihood we will see a mix of traditionalists who want to retain the maroon emphasis, and those who seek a new direction for the club, one perhaps tied with the city’s iconic flag. In the end the final decision will almost certainly lie with the Pritzker family, but the votes of Machine fans will have a lot of leverage in how the Pritzkers view the options in front of them.     N We hope you have enjoyed our Fall Edition check in on the USFL. We will be back again in late January, just as camps open, to provide all the player news, updates on each club as they enter camp, and, of course, our run-down of all the trades, moves, surprises, and selections from the upcoming Territorial and Open Collegiate Drafts as the USFL, now sitting at 30 clubs, prepares for the 2020 season ahead.