The second part of our season preview focuses on where the teams are now and what their prospects for the future hold.  We will break down all 6 divisional races, make our annual playoff predictions, and go in depth on all 28 clubs, their off-season moves and signings, their potential for this season, and our best guess (and it really is a guess more often than not) at who is on the rise, and who may be headed for a bit of a slide.  We start with a story we will be following all year, the “swan song” season for the Las Vegas Thunder, sure to be a difficult one for the club before they relocate to San Diego.  We will then preview the divisions, teams, and potential award winners, and finish up with some last minute news updates and a quick look at all 14 games on tap this opening weekend of the league. LAST SEASON OR LOST SEASON? The Thunder are preparing for their final season in Sin City, already shifting some team operations to their new home, San Diego, but still playing out the 2014 season as a lame duck franchise in the home they adopted after moving from Portland in 2004.  It has been a rough decade for the Thunder, with stadium issues, ownership issues, and a topsy-turvy decade on the field, but this season could be the weirdest and most turbulent of all. What can we expect from the Thunder this year?  Well, as we have come to expect, we should plan on seeing a lot of visiting fans at Sam Boyd Stadium for each home game. The Thunder and the city of Las Vegas have always been a popular road trip option for fans of visiting teams, but with only 11,000 season tickets sold for the final year of the Thunder in Las Vegas, there will be more seats than ever available to out-of-towners who step away from the strip for a USFL game.  We should also expect that with a new club already planned for 2015, fans in Las Vegas will be eagerly awaiting their new club, ditching their Thunder gear, and very likely openly hostile to the league and the team’s failed ownership group.  How that manifests at games is yet to be seen, but if the example of the Boston Cannon’s departure from BC’s Alumni Stadium is anything to learn from, the league should absolutely invest in beefed up stadium security. The new domed stadium, still seeking a corporate sponsor for the naming rights, is scheduled to open in time for a 2015 season opener for the USFL, and the city along with its stadium authority also continue to push for an NFL club to join the USFL in the stadium.  It will be a showcase venue, just steps off the famous Las Vegas strip and providing something Thunder fans have never felt, a cool, comfortable climate controlled environment for the home team’s games.  Just how the league will place a team in Las Vegas for 2015 is still unknown, though we expect that relocation will be the solution, but the league has committed to fill the stadium that it has largely financed. As for 2014, the Thunder not only have to contend with the fallout from their relocation and sale, but also from a 2013 season that saw them start 6-2 only to drop 7 of their final 8 games and miss the playoffs that seemed so likely at midseason.  The Thunder have a new head coach in former Panther head man Dick LeBeau.  A no-nonsense disciplinarian and defensive strategist, it will be a dramatic shift from the more easy-going and offensive-minded June Jones.  How the Thunder react to their new leader, their new direction, and to all the craziness that is sure to ensue over the next season and the next year will be a story we will continue to follow all season long. ANALYSIS OF THE 6 DIVISIONS Twenty eight teams in six divisions. How will they rank?  Who will take the division titles and who will compete for one of 6 Wild Cards across the league?  Will any of the 2013 division winners tumble as St. Louis did?  Will any non-playoff teams rise up like Arizona did last year?  We keep telling you that your guess is as good as ours, but you keep asking us to make picks anyway, so here they are. This feels very much like a 2-team race once again, with the Stars and Federals battling it out all season.  We feel a bit more confident about Philadelphia, so we are going to give them the division once again, but we see this as a 1-game swing either way.  Of the remaining 3 teams, we think Pittsburgh is best positioned to make a run, but would not be shocked if New Jersey rebounded from a disastrous 2013 with a strong season under Norv Turner.  We see Baltimore as heading into a rebuild cycle and lacking the firepower to challenge this year. Five Players to Watch in the Northeast: HB Anthony Dixon (BAL): Replacing Ron Dayne may seem an impossible task, but in 2012, when Dayne missed nine games, Dixon rushed for nearly 1,000 yards. The Blitz are counting on him being able to step up and step into the bell cow back role this year. TE WR Odell Beckham Jr (NJ): The Generals seem primed to have OBJ line up with Doug Baldwin as a starter from day one, and if his 131-yard preseason game is any indication, he may explode onto the scene in that role. Travis Kelce (PHI): As a rookie, Kelce had 70 receptions and 658 yards in only 12 games. He could make a legitimate run at 1,000 yards in 2014, which for a TE is a rare thing. DT Aaron Donald (PIT): Already a well-known commodity in the Pittsburgh area after a stellar career at Pitt, the big, brawny DT could now become a household name nation wide. Expect the Maulers to use Donald for more than blocker-occupation. They want him to penetrate and disrupt, something he did regularly as a Pitt Panther. DE Chris Long (WSH): After a 14-sack outburst in 2013, the Feds are hoping to see even more from their left end. The goal this year will be to put Long in a position to get one-on-one blocking assignments, with 20 sacks the ultimate goal. Our Projected Standings: Philadelphia*                  12-4 Washington*                   11-5 Pittsburgh*                       9-7 New Jersey                       8-8 Baltimore                          5-11 This division could see as many as 4 teams competing for a title, and could have a division winner with as few as 8-9 wins on the year.  Charlotte seems to be losing a step, and their advantage over Atlanta was not a big one to begin with. We also like Tampa Bay to make a run, Orlando to potentially surprise some folks, and, yes, Jacksonville to bring up the rear once again. Five Players to Watch in the Southeast: LB Luke Kuechley (ATL): The Fire snagged Kuechley from Boston/Dallas last year and he struggled a bit to adapt to a new system, but this offseason has been a good one for the MLB and Coach Ramsey says that he expects the former BC star to come into his own this season, seeking his first 100-tackle season in the league. FS Tre Boston (CHA): The UNC product will be the only rookie starter on the Monarchs squad, and starting as a rookie in the free safety position can be a big challenge. We will see if teams try to exploit his inexperience with slot receivers and tight ends. OT Taylor Lewan (JAX): Another rookie starter, Lewan will move from this LT position at Michigan to the right side in Jacksonville, at least at first. We may well see him take over the LT slot by midseason. QB Russell Wilson (ORL): In his first year as a starter, Wilson put up 19 touchdowns (15 picks) and threw for over 3,200 yards. The goal this year is to see his TD:INT ratio move towards 2:1 and to turn yards into points. HB Jahvid Best (TBY): Replacing a legend is never easy, so Best's role, stepping in for Willis McGahee, will be to create his own identity. In his best prior season, 2012 in Seattle, Best had 649 yards rushing. He may need to double that total to win over skeptical Bandit fans. Our Projected Standings: Tampa Bay*                       10-6 Charlotte*                           9-7 Atlanta                                 8-8 Orlando                               6-10 Jacksonville                        6-10 This feels like New Orleans’s division to lose, with Birmingham and Memphis the most likely competition, but at least one or two steps behind.  The bigger question for New Orleans is if they can be better in inter-divisional play, improving enough to take on the big guns from the Northeast?  We are not sure, but in the South they do seem the best team.  We are also looking at Nashville as both a potential basement dweller in Greg Roman’s first year at the helm. Five Players to Watch in the South: WR Julian Edelman (BIR): With the departure of both Moss and Owens, Edelman is the receiver on the squad with the most career receptions. Can the career slot man expand his role to become a primary target for Cam Newton? LB NaVorro Bowman (MEM): Now in his 5th year with the Showboats, a lot will be placed on the defensive captain to improve this defense and build a cohesive squad. Yet to reach 100 tackles in any season, Bowman has to lead by example. QB Eli Manning (MEM): If the Showboats are going to move into playoff position for the first time since 2008, it is going to be the offense that gets them there, and that means that Eli Manning has to show us all that he truly is an elite QB in the league and not just a decent QB who occasionally has explosive games. HB Ray Rice (NSH): Rice had his first 1,000 yard season in 2012 wth LA, then 1,100 with Nashville in 2013. Can his stock keep rising? The Knights could certainly use the balance that comes with a strong run game. HB Jeremy Hill (NOR): A lot is expected of the LSU product, with Matt Forte gone, the run game could be his. The Breakers have high hopes for this season and Hill coming out of the gate strong could be a big piece of those hopes. Our Projected Standings: New Orleans*                   10-6 Birmingham                        8-8 Memphis                             8-8 Nashville                             3-13 This division depends a lot on whether or not St. Louis can rebound from a disappointing 2013 season.  If they can return to their 2012 league title form, then we have a really nice 2-team race. If not, then Chicago may run away with this division.  We think that both Michigan and Ohio are slowly getting closer to the leaders, but they don’t seem ready to be there yet unless one can pull off an Arizona-like leap this season.  Our Projected Standings: Five Players to Watch in the Central: WR Aaron Dobson (CHI): Dobson had over 1,000 yards but only 4 TDs as a rookie. For Chicago to develop an elite passing game, they will need more out of him in his 2nd year. QB Kirk Cousins (MGN): A season with 23 TDs and 3,500 yards is a great start, but for Michigan to get over the hump, Cousins will have to work on avoiding mistakes. Another 18-pick season will have new head coach Jim Johnson looking for other options. DE Justin Tuck (MGN): The former NY Giant had 22 sacks last year in the NFL. The Panthers would be overjoyed to see those kinds of numbers from him this spring. LB Ryan Shazier (OHI): The Ohio State rookie is hoping to not miss a beat as he continues to cause chaos in Ohio Stadium. Coach Andrus would like nothing more than to see the Buckeye disrupt the Central Division the way he disrupted the Big 10. QB Josh Freeman (STL): The Skyhawk QB threw for 1,000 fewer yards and 15 fewer touchdowns in 2013 than their 2012 title year. If he cannot bounce back this year, St. Louis may not be able to rebound either. Our Projected Standings: Chicago*                         10-6 St. Louis*                     9-7 Ohio                              9-7 Michigan                        7-9 While this division is certainly Arizona’s if they can maintain their 2013 effort, we think the natural post-title hangover, along with pretty solid squads in Texas and Denver, will produce a tighter division than the runaway division crown that Arizona won last year.  There are a lot of new faces across the board in the SW Division, mostly on teams other than the defending USFL champions.  That may mean some time is needed to adjust, but it also could produce a team that rises up with the right mix of players to challenge the Wranglers. Five Players to Watch in the Southwest: HB Ka'Deem Carey (ARZ): Do we expect 200 carries or 1,000 yards from the Arizona Wildcat rookie? No, but what is needed is just a reliable back to spell Frank Gore and keep him healthy for the full season. QB Johnny Manziel (DAL): We know, we know, the season has not even started yet and you are already getting tired of hearing about "Johnny Football". Trust us when we say that the feeling is not shared in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. HB DeMarco Murray (DEN): Last year Murray said he wanted to be considered not only a starting back but an elite back, but with only 882 yards last year, he will need to prove he deserves that honor with at least 300-400 more this season. WR Mike Evans (HOU): One of two impressive rookies the Gamblers signed, along with HB Carlos Hyde, Evans has a shot to be a prime target for Matt Hasselbeck and a game changer for the Gamblers. HB Chris Johnson (TEX): The NFL import won't likely play for 1-2 games, to give his body time to recover from the NFL season, but Texas needs him to be an impact player as soon as he sees action. Our Projected Standings: Arizona *                     12-4 Texas*                       10-6 Denver*                        9-7 Houston                         7-9 Dallas                              6-10 This now feels like the division with the clearest frontrunner and the potential to only land 1 team in the playoffs.  Oakland looks and feels like a real contender, while LA, Las Vegas, and Portland all seem to be either treading water or taking a step back from their 2013 success.  We just don’t see this as a very tight division, and while we could be wrong, for now we are going to predict that Oakland is the first team to clinch a playoff berth even if they don’t end up as the top seed in the West. Five Players to Watch in the Pacific: HB Marshawn Lynch (LV): Lynch has not had a 1,000 yard season since 2009. Injuries and bad line play have stunted his talent. Las Vegas needs to set him free this year. WR Roddy White (LA): White had 1,000 yards and 8 TDs with Portland in 2012. After a rough 2013 he is now in LA, and he steps in as the number one target for Mark Sanchez. The Express are counting on him to grow into that role. TE Richard Rodgers (OAK): As excited as Invader fans are about WR Davante Adams, it may well be Rodgers who has a bigger rookie season. With Joel Dreesen gone, Oakland certainly hopes Rodgers can step up. QB Matt McGloin (POR): Coach Mornhinweg has put his faith in 2nd year QB McGloin over veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Can the Penn State product deliver points, wins, and a playoff berth for the Stags? LB Khalil Mack (SEA): One player is not going to turn around the fortunes of the club, but don't tell that to Dragon fans, who are already canonizing Mack as the next big thing. Our Projected Standings: Oakland*                     12-4 Portland                           9-7 Los Angeles                   9-7 Seattle                              7-9 Las Vegas                       6-10 PLAYOFF PREDICTONS OK, we have the standings and the 12 playoff teams. Here is what we see happening.  Oakland and Philadelphia get the 1 seeds, with Arizona and new Orleans the twos (so no changes at the top).  The wild Card round sees only 1 upset, with St. Louis upending Texas in San Antonio.  The other top seeds all advance, Setting up Washington @ New Orleans, Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, St. Louis at Oakland and Chicago at Arizona.  Again, the favorites rule, with one exception, the Federals upend the Breakers.  Eastern Conference is Washington v. Philadelphia, and the West is a rematch with Arizona now traveling to Oakland.  Our pick for the Summer Bowl in Atlanta is for the Stars to return for another shot, where they will face Oakland, the two one seeds making it through once again. This is where it is a real toss up.  Good arguments can be made for either club, but we have a bit of a soft spot for Coach Green, Joey Harrington, and the Invaders, so we are going to pick Oakland to take home their second title and Philadelphia to once again be stymied in the Summer Bowl.  Of course, astute observers will quickly note that we did not even pick Arizona to make the playoffs last year, and we are very rarely even close, having missed on the SkyHawks the year before as well.  So, this is why they play the games. TEAM BY TEAM PREVIEW We have looked at the divisions and made our playoff picks.  Now it is time to look a bit more closely at all 28 clubs, who they have lost, who they have added, and what we think it all means for each.  It’s team by team previews, so be prepared for a lot of new names and a lot of pure speculation. BALTIMORE 2013 Record: 8-8, 3rd in division Head Coach: Jim Caldwell Departures: LB A. Crowell (FA), QB K. Kolb (FA), WR C. Thorpe (BAL), CB C. Graham (FA), DT J. Zgonina (NFL), CB J. Bell (CFL), P T. Gowin (RET), WR R. Ferguson (RET), HB R. Dayne (RET), G E. Steinbach (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: HB C. Benson (FA), P S. Gibson (FA), WR R. Parish (FA), CB J. Greer (NFL), QB V. Young (TRADE) Rookie Class: DT Dominique Easley (Florida), LB Marcus Smith (LVille), OT Mitchell Van Dyk (Por St) Outlook: it is hard to make the case that the Baltimore Blitz are a better team today than the 8-8 squad that barely missed the playoffs last season. Ron Dayne’e retirement is a big blow, one we are not sure the team is ready to address with Anthony Dixon and journeyman back Cedric Benson.  The team did add a pair of rookie defenders, and we like their effort to bring Jabari Greer in from the NFl, but overall this team feels a bit weaker than last year’s squad, and a lot more is going to be on the shoulders of Big Ben Roethlisberger. Predicted Finish: The NE Division is one where you simply have to be on your best every week, and we are not sure Baltimore’s best will be good enough.  We see them bringing up the rear in a rough year.  Our prediction is 5-11 and an early draft pick. NEW JERSEY 2013 Record: 4-12, 5th in division Head Coach: Norv Turner (1st year) Departures: CB A. Ward (FA), QB J. Blake (RET), DE S. Ellis (RET), G T. Reyes (RET), DT B. Mbane (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: OT J. Greco (FA), HB T. Bell (FA), G S. Mahan (FA), DE M. Harrison (FA), S A. Bethea (NFL), DE H. Melton (TRADE), G P. Zakauskas (TRADE) Rookie Class: WR Odell Beckham Jr (LSU), LB Chris Borland (Wisc), LB Telvin Smith (FSU), DE Michael Sam (Mizzou) Outlook: We all understand that 2014 will largely hinge on Sam Bradford’s return and how new head coach Norv Turner can best utilize his QB and the other offensive talent on the team. After trading away Michael Crabtree, the Generals go out and draft one of the most explosive and exciting wideouts available in LSU’s Odelle Beckham Jr.  That will certainly go a long way.  Bringing in two solid guards in Zakauskas and Mahan is another shrewd move.  Now, that defense.  That is still a problem, and losing Shaun Ellis will not help it any, even with lower cost DE’s Harrison and Melton brought in.  Expect more of a rotation on the D-line but it will be the LB group that may determine if New Jersey can compete. Predicted Finish: Somewhere between the 4-12 outing last year and the 12-4 outing in 2013 is the truth about this team.  They could stay down or could skyrocket back up, but we are going to take the middle position, 8-8 and 4th place in the division. PHILADELPHIA 2013 Record: 12-4, Division Winner, Eastern Conference Champion Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh Departures: G M. McGlynn (FA), WR J. Hardy (FA), TE D. Fells (FA), OT S. Vollmer (FA), HB K. Irons (FA), CB Q. Jammer (RET) Veteran Arrivals: LB T. Suggs (FA), DT J. Babineaux (NFL) Rookie Class: CB Jason Verritt (TCU), WR Allen Robinson (Penn ST), DE Aaron Lynch (USF), TE Cameron Brate (Harvard) Outlook: The Stars were a hair’s breath away from a title last year and they look like an even better team this year.  That defense, with the addition of Terrell Suggs and NFL DT Babineaux, is going to be just brutal for opponents.  The offense will largely be the same as last year, so as long as everyone can stay healthy this Stars squad should once again be a contender for the top seed and another Summer Bowl run. Predicted Finish: Philly’s 12-4 season last year was impressive.  Repeating in the same vein will be doubly impressive, but we think this team has what it takes to do so.  We will go 12-4 and another top seed in the East for the Stars. PITTSBURGH 2013 Record: 7-9, 4th in division Head Coach: Vic Fangio (1st Year) Departures: LB K. Bullock (FA), TE O. Daniels (FA), K E. Parson (FA), HB B. Boldin (FA), QB Q. Carter (FA), CB P. Surtain (NFL), HB K. Watson (NFL), LB K. Mitchell (NFL), DE H. Melton (TRADE), WR K. Johnson (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: WR M. Williams (FA), CB K. Lewis (FA), LB P. Posluszny (FA), K S. Graham (FA), HB T. Gerhardt (NFL) Rookie Class: DT Aaron Donald (PITT), QB Tom Savage (PITT), TE Arthur Lynch (UGA), LB Randell Johnson (FAU), HB Chris Sims (WVU) Outlook: The Maulers surprised many last year, but another sub-500 season meant that patience for what Ron Rivera was building came to an end.  In comes Arizona DC Vic Fangio, trying to recreate the magic of last year’s Wrangler D.  They have some tools to work with, including one of the best safeties in the league in Sean Taylor.  They need more QB pressure, and they need Andy Dalton to continue to develop.  Getting him a solid option at WR in Mike Williams, to go with 2nd year standouts Adam Thielen and Tavon Austin is a good start.  If DT Aaron Donald is everything we expect of him, the defense will be solid, now just put some points on the board. Predicted Finish: Pittsburgh is one of our darkhorse teams this year.  We think they have improved from last season and could jump into the 9-10 win range. We are going to be conservative and say 9-7, which could quite possibly put them in Wild Card territory. WASHINGTON 2013 Record: 10-6, 2nd in Division, Wild Card team Head Coach: Sean Payton Departures: OT V. Carey (FA), WR D. Amendola (FA), K S. Graham (FA), WR D. McCants (FA), WR R. Wallace (FA), DE R. Edwards (FA), WR B. Johnson (CFL), G G. DiNapoli (NFL), DE K. Wemberley (TRADE), HB J. Best (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: WR S. Breaston (FA), WR B. LaFell (FA), HB J. Hester (FA), K A. Vinatieri (NFL), LB D. Jackson (NFL), C Ben Jones (TRADE), G T. Bond (TRADE) Rookie Class: DT Brent Urban (Uva), WR Kelvin Benjamin (FSU), WR Jalen Saunders (OU), C Luke Bowanko (Uva) Outlook: There was a fear at the end of last season that Deuce McCallister would retire, leaving Washington in a lurch, but he is back, and Washington has added some talent around him as well, with receivers Steve Breaston and Brandon LaFell, the passing game under David Garrard (or Joe Webb) should be improved and that bodes well as Washington aims to challenge the Philadelphia Stars.  The one concerni is that the defense did not really add any major contributors, and with the loss of Ron Edwards and Kamerion Wemberley the D-line is thinner than in the past. Predicted Finish: We still like Washington as perhaps the 2nd best team in the entire conference.  The problem, of course, is that  our pick for the best team is also in their division.  We see 11-5 and another 4-seed as the top Wild Card in the mix for Washington. ATLANTA 2013 Record: 8-8, 2nd in division, Wild Card team Head Coach: Tom Ramsey Departures: C R. Tobeck (FA), LB R. Nece (RET), QB J. Palmer (NFL), OT C. Glenn (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: TE B. Hartsook (FA), QB K. Clemons (NFL), FS E. Thomas (TRADE) Rookie Class: C Marcus Martin (USC), S Nat Berhe (SDSU), WE Albert Wilson (Ga State) Outlook: After winning the division in 2012, the Fire slipped just a touch and that allowed Charlotte to take the title last year.  Atlanta needs to get to 10 wins to have a realistic chance at a title in a division where as many as 4 of 5 teams could be in the hunt.  We love the addition of Earl Thomas to the secondary and Ben Hartsook as a safety valve for Orton, but we don’t see a lot of help coming from the rookie class.  This feels very much like a team that is stuck in neutral. Predicted Finish: If Atlanta is treading water, we can’t expect a big leap in the standings.  We are going to say 8-8 once again, but this time that is 3rd place and not a playoff position. CHARLOTTE 2013 Record: 8-7-1, Division Winner Head Coach: J. Mora Jr. Departures: DT R. Sims (FA), CB C. Rogers (FA), WR A. Lelie (FA), WR S. Breaston (FA), DE F. Perry (RET), WR D. Mason (RET), QB J. Delhomme (RET), FS C. Crocker (NFL), G T. Bond (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: WR C. Thorpe (FA), CB D. Cox (FA), WR J. Hardy (FA), DE K. Wemeberley (TRADE) Rookie Class: S Tre Boston (UNC), OT Morgan Moses (Uva), G John Urschel (Penn St), S Jonathan Dowling (WKU), LB Brock Coyle (Montana) Outlook: The Monarchs won the division last year, but had some major losses in the offseason, including QB Jake Delhomme, who had largely passed the torch to Brandon Wheedon anyway, and CB Carlos Rogers, a bigger loss.  The rookie class is not particularly impressive, and whilewe like the addition of James Hardy and Kamerion Wemberley, this still does not feel like an 11-12 win team Predicted Finish: We think 9-7 is the ceiling, and that may only be good enough for 2nd place and a possible Wild Card this year. JACKSONVILLE 2013 Record: 4-12, 5th in division Head Coach: Mike Nolan (1st Year) Departures: HB C. J. Spiller (FA), CB K. Smith (FA), WR J. Cotchery (FA), K W. Farnsworth (FA), WE A. Caldwell (FA), CB T. Williams (FA), WR L. Moore (FA), G D. Woody (RET), G A. Snyder (NFL), DT M. Stroud (NFL), OT L. Petigout (NFL), TE V. Shiancoe (NFL), S J. Jarrett (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: DT H. Melton (FA), CB J. Knox (FA), WR J. Kerley (FA), G C. Hodges (FA), WR S. Moss (FA), TE K. Winslow II (NFL), C A. Caldwell (TRADE) Rookie Class: CB Jaylen Watkins (Florida), OT Taylor Lewan (Mich), G Dakota Dozier (Furman), HB Kiero Small (Arkans) Outlook: We have said that 4 of 5 teams in the SE Division should compete for the title, and Jacksonville is the 5th team. Other than Tim Tebow putting up huge numbers, often because the team was playing from behind, there was not much positive to take out of 2013.  The offseason saw a major roster turnover, and we do like some of the additions, including NFL TE Kellen Winslow II and receivers Jeremy Kerley and Sinorice Moss, but is it enough to turn the tide?  Mike Nolan, former Breaker coach, will be charged with helping to revive the team and get more positive results. Predicted Finish:  We think Nolan has his hands full and will need at least another year to build the roster he wants in Jacksonville.  For now modest growth, perhaps 6-10 , is what we should expect. ORLANDO 2013 Record: 8-8, 3rd in division Head Coach: John Fox Departures: LB P. Posluszny (FA), WR J. McCaerins (FA), QB D. Anderson (FA), HB L. Stephens-Howling (NFL), K B. Grammatica (RET), FS T. Kiel (RET) Veteran Arrivals: TE D. Fells (FA), FS D. Bing (FA), K B. Cundiff (NFL), WR J. Maclin (NFL) Rookie Class: LB Anthony Barr (UCLA), DT Ego Ferguson (LSU), DE Kareem Martin (UNC), QB Connor Shaw (So Car), OT Seantrel Henderson (Miami) Outlook: The question the past few years in Orlando is how can a team with the best defensive player in the game keep finishing with such mediocre records.  Orlando just has not put enough around Calais Campbell to win consistently, though 8-8 is not a bad start.  While we like rookie LB Anthony Barr, the loss of Paul Posluszny in the middle will be felt.  Orlando seems to have swapped a lost player with an equivalent or even a downgrade at several positions, with few where we see potential improvement.  That is not what Coach Fox needs in order to get over the hump. Predicted Finish:  Orlando should compete in a division where 9-7 could be enough, but our feeling overall is that they could also slip a bit from 2013.  The roster just does not have enough offensive punch to scare most opponents.  We think 6-10 is a very real possibility. TAMPA BAY 2013 Record: 7-9, 4th in division Head Coach: Mike Shula Departures: CB P. Robinson (FA), SS I. Basheer (FA), WE D. Tyree (FA), G M. McFadden (FA), LB M. Beisel (FA), LB J. Vilma (NFL), FS B. Scott (NFL), HB W. McGahee (RET) Veteran Arrivals: CB C. Rogers (FA), CB C. Graham (CB), G P. McQuistan (FA), OT S. Vollmer (FA), LB NB. Orakpo (NFL), HB J. Best (TRADE) Rookie Class: DT Timmy Jerningan (FSU), S Lamarcus Joyner (FSU), S Adrian Phillips (Texas), LB Devon Kennard (USC), WR Ryan Grant (Tulane) Outlook: The Bandits had one of the most explosive offenses in the league last year, with Daunte Culpepper hitting a second wind that most did not expect.  That offense will take a hit with the departure of Willis McGahee, but we like the potential for a combo of Jahvid Best and rookie WR/HB Ryan Grant to pick up the slack.  Add to that a younger, and more talented defense, particularly with the addition of CB Carlos Rogers and NFL linebacker Brian Orakpo, and this could be a tough team. Predicted Finish: We are liking the moves Mike Shula made, and we think that the defense could be improved enough to garner a division title in a very tight division.  Our pick is 10-6 and the SE Division crown for this Bandit group. BIRMINGHAM 2013 Record:  8-8, 2nd in division, Wild Card team Head Coach: Mike Shanahan Departures: OT J. Greco (FA), DT H. Melton (FA), TE J. Thomas (FA), QB A. Wright (FA), WR R. Moss (RET), WR T. Owens (RET) Veteran Arrivals: TE D. Walker (FA), WR C. Chambers (FA) Rookie Class: OT Greg Robinson (Auburn), WR Donte Moncrief (Ole Miss), DT Kaleb Ramsey (BC), QB A. J. McCarron (Alabama) Outlook: After a quick start in 2013, the Stallions got a bit sloppy and finished 8-8, with a bit of luck to eke their way into a playoff berth.  They will need to do more to get back there, but we do like some of the talent they have added.  Their biggest issue, and it is a huge one, is at wideout, where they lose potential HOF receivers in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens. Adding Chris Chambers and rookie Donte Moncrief does not feel like enough of a backfill to make up for the loss.  So, passing game could be weaker, can they run the ball and play more consistent defense?  That too seems problematic. Predicted Finish:  Birmingham should have been a 10-win team last year but they let games slip away.  This year they cannot afford to take any weeks off.  We think 8-8 is about right, but this year they cannot count on that getting them a postseason berth. MEMPHIS 2013 Record: 5-11, 3rd in division Head Coach: Brad Childress Departures: P D. Colquitt (FA), G L. Vasquez (FA), G C. Stephenson (FA), HB M. Smith (FA), SS J. Paige (NFL), FS B. Pollard (RET), TE J. Kliensasser (RET), FS T. Jones (RET) Veteran Arrivals: CB K. Smith (FA), FB P. Hillis (FA), S Idrees Basheer (FA), P P. McAfee (NFL) Rookie Class: S Calvin Pryor (LVille), TE Crockett Gilmore (Co State), S Lonnie Ballentie (Memphis), LB Jeremiah George (IA State), CB Marcus Williams (ND State) Outlook: The Showboats found some offense last year with Eli Manning as their new QB.  This yea rthey hope to build on that, but they absolutely had to rebuild a pretty porous defense.  Bringing in CB Kevin Smith, safety Idrees Basheer, and rookie Calvin Pryor all seem like good moves that will help them defend the pass in particular.  The stealthy addition of one of the best blocking fullbacks in Peyton Hillis could also be a huge help as the Memphis run game could really boost their overall offensive production. Predicted Finish: We like Memphis to take a step forward, possibly to overtake Birmingham for 2nd place in the division.  We are going to be conservative and say 8-8, but 9 wins is certainly feasible. NASHVILLE 2013 Record: 5-11, 4th in division Head Coach: Greg Roman (1st Year) Departures: FB P. Hillis (FA), TE D. Walker (FA), G S. Mahan (FA), WR A. Merit (FA), LB B. Johnson (FA), WR C. Roby (FA), C J. Grove (NFL) Veteran Arrivals: LB A. Crowell (FA) Rookie Class: DE Dee Ford (Auburn), G Spencer Long (Nebr), C Wesley Johnson (Vandy), LB Avery Williamson (UKy), HB Branden Oliver (Buff) Outlook: As much as we love Peyton Manning, he is not the same QB we saw in the NFL, and this year very much feels like the start of a rebuild, with new head coach Greg Roman tasked with creating something new for a team that now finds itself possibly in a lot of turmoil.  There is talent in the Knights’ draft class, especially with DE Dee Ford, but they needed to do more in free agency and just did not find success.  Time and more roster improvements are absolutely needed in Nashville. Predicted Finish: We see a rough year ahead for the Knights, rough as in 3-13.  A tough result for a proud team with a lot of success in the rear view mirror and a lot of uncertainty looking ahead. NEW ORLEANS 2013 Record: 9-6-1, Division Winner Head Coach: Lamar Lathon Departures: WR B. LaFell (FA), SS C. Chavous (FA), HB M. Forte (FA), QB K. Boller (FA), CB D. Landry (FA), LB T. Marshall (FA), LB D. Smith (NFL), OT J. Hatch (NFL), TE A. Shea (RET) Veteran Arrivals: TE J. Dreesen (FA), QB Q. Carter (FA), WE K. Britt (NFL) Rookie Class: HB Jeremy Hill (LSU), S Terrence Brooks (FSU), CB Shaquille Richardson (Ariz), OT Charles Leno (Boise), LB Christian Jones (FSU) Outlook: Lamar Lathon has improved this team each year he has been at the helm and we expect the same in 2014.  The addition of Kenny Britt from the NFL feels like a very good swap for the departure of LaFell to Washington.  Joel Dreesen is a nice add at TE as well, but our favorite move may be the rookie addition of Jeremy Hill from LSU.  After years trying to turn Matt Forte into the next Thurman Thomas, that experiment is over.  Hill is a different type of runner, and paired with Mike Tolbert, could be a nice 1-2 punch. Predicted Finish: New Orleans is a pretty solid bet to repeat as champions of the division.  After a run to the Eastern Finals, the question is whether they are ready to compete with the likes of Philadelphia or Washington for a Summer Bowl berth.  We think they are close, but maybe one step short. 11-5 is our pick for the 2014 Breakers. CHICAGO 2013 Record: 10-6, Division Winner Head Coach: Greg Schiano Departures: TE B. Hartsook (FA), HB B. Tate (FA), G P. McQuistan (FA), WR T. Streets (FA), QB A. Walter (NFL), LB K. Bell (RET) Veteran Arrivals: HB M. Forte (FA), HB B. Boldin (FA), QB J. Booty (FA), TE S. Chandler (NFL) Rookie Class: G Zach Martin (NDame), LB Christian Kirksey (Iowa), DT Louis Nix (NDame), TE Troy Niklas (NDame), S Jemea Thomas (Ga Tech) Outlook: The Machine surprised many with a 10-win season in 2013, but not Coach Greg Schiano.  Despite some losses in free agency, Schiano is even more optimistic about the 2014 club.  The addition of Matt Forte and Brandon Boldin gives him some depth behind Doug Martin.  NFL import Scott Chandler has impressed in camp, and the Machine, as per usual, were able to squeeze every drop of talent out of the Notre Dame graduating class.  We particularly like DT Louis Nix.  Keep an eye on Christian Kirksey out of Iowa as well.  Not slated as a starter, he could still see a lot of snaps. Predicted Finish: Chicago has to watch out for a rebound from St. Louis, but by most accounts, they are the team to beat in the division.  The defense is getting an infusion of young blood and the offense is both balanced and stable, if a bit predictable, but that is OK.  We think they repeat as division champs, and 10-6 feels about right once again. MICHIGAN 2013 Record: 6-10, 4th in division Head Coach: Jim Johnson (1st Year) Departures: DE C. Baker (FA), WR K. Kasper (FA), WR K. Colbert (NFL), LB K. Ellison (NFL), G L. Friedman (RET), S J. Leonhard (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: S C. Chavous (FA), DE J. Tuck (NFL) , LB R. Jeanty (TRADE), Rookie Class: WR Cody Latimer (IU), G Chris Watt (NDame), DT Caraun Reid (Prince), G Jon Halapio (Florida), G Bryan Witzmann (SD State) Outlook: From one longstanding coach in Dick LeBeau to another in former Knights head man Jim Johnson.  It seems the Panthers value stability.  Now, if they could just be as consistent on the field.  Kirk Cousins made plenty of mistakes last year, in part due to the loss of Hines Ward for much of the year, but the offense had some moments and LeVeon Bell at HB proved he was the real deal.  Those are some good building blocks.  The defense needed help, and the additions of NFL edge rusher Justin Tuck and free agent Corey Chavous could be the cavalry, but this is a team that will need to undergo some transformations to match Coach Johnson’s vision. Predicted Finish: Still rebuilding, now redesigning their schemes, Michigan is a work in progress.  We think returning to 6-10 would be a solid year, 7-9 would be an accomplishment. OHIO 2013 Record: 8-8, 2nd in division Head Coach: Bart Andrus Departures: WR J. Walker (FA), CB D. Cox (FA), C E. Olson (FA), P. S. Gibson (FA), OT J. Rogers (NFL), G k. Simmons (NFL), DE C. Davis (RET), FS T. Driver (RET), SS J. Philips (RET), QB V. Young (TRADE), LB R. Jeanty (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: P. D. Colquitt (FA), G M. Petrus (FA), WR R. Brown (FA), G E. Steinbach (TRADE), S J. Leonhard (TRADE) Rookie Class: LB Ryan Shazier (OH State), OT Jack Mewhort (OH State), S Maurice Alexander (UT State), DE Cassius Marsh (UCLA), C Corey Lindsley (OH State) Outlook: Ohio surprised us with their Chris Weinke-led offense last year.  Now, can the arrival of Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier and safety Jim Leonhard do the same for the defense?  Ohio could be in the mix when it is all said and done, assuming, of course, that they avoid the late season swoon we saw last year. Predicted Finish: We think Coach Andrus learned from last year’s issues, and that the defense can be better, which puts us in a 9-7 mindset, which may just be enough for a Wild Card. ST. LOUIS 2013 Record: 8-8, 3rd in division Head Coach: Bruce Arians Departures: WR S. Moss (FA), QB J. Booty (FA), DE M. Harrison (FA), WR T. Jacobs (NFL), SS K. Curtis (RET), FS A. Edwards (RET), G P. Zakauskas (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: WR E. Decker (NFL), DT B. Mbane (TRADE) Rookie Class: DE Kony Ealy (Mizzou), CB E. J. Gaines (Mizzou), S Marqueston Huff (Wyom), QB Tajh Boyd (Clems), G Justin McCray (UCF) Outlook: The Skyhawks did not fare well in their title defense, dropping to .500 despite staying relatively healthy last year.  They lose some role players, and the management decided to part ways with Taylor Jacobs after a pretty stellar career in St. Louis.  Who will step up as the new number one receiver?  That is a huge question for the Skyhawks.  We don’t think it will be NFL speedster Erik Decker, though he will likely have a strong year.  Even with that question out there, we think St. Louis rebounds, just enough to compete for the division title, but most likely a Wild Card. Predicted Finish: We are going to say modest improvement to 9-7, and perhaps a Wild Card as the 2nd team in the Central. ARIZONA 2013 Record: 15-1, Division Winner, League Champion Head Coach: Jim Tomsula Departures: DT L. Jordan (FA), WR M. Williams (FA), K D. Buehler (FA), HB J. Dwyer (FA), DT M. Pope (NFL), DT J. Shaw (NFL) Veteran Arrivals: K E. Parson (FA), WR D. Tyree (FA) Rookie Class: DT Will Sutton (ASU), OT Ja’Wuan James (Tenn), DT Ryan Carrethers (Ark St), LB Carl Bradford (ASU), HB Ka’Deem Carey (Ariz0 Outlook: Usually we see a league champion picked a part in free agency, but Arizona had very few major contributors available for other teams to land.  They also did a fair job of replacing those they did lose.  We particularly like Ka’Deem Carey as a change of pace behind Frank Gore and Ryan Carrethers adding depth at DT.  This is a team that is very much ready to make a run at a repeat. Predicted Finish: We don’t think the Wranglers will sneak up on anyone, so 15 wins may be a lot to ask, but a division title and deep playoff run, absolute.  We say 12-4 and a possible 1 seed once again. DALLAS 2013 Record: 4-12, 5th in division Head Coach: Mike Sherman Departures: HB T. Bell (FA), FB T. Fiametta (FA), OT S. McDougle (NFL), DE C. Nwokorie (RET), SS D. Jackson (RET), OT M. Colombo (RET), FS E. Thomas (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: HB C. Spiller (FA), TE B. Watson (FA), DE C. Baker (FA), LB M. Beisel (FA), OT V. Carrey (FA), OT C. Glenn (TRADE) Rookie Class: QB Johnny Manziel (TAMU), DE Taylor Hart (Oregon), DT Shamr Stephen (UConn), OT Garry Gilliam (Penn St), S Dezmen Southward (Wisc) Outlook: A lot of change in Dallas, but none bigger than the arrival of Johnny Manziel.  Other additions, such as receiving back C. J. Spiller or TE Ben Watson should help Manziel have early success, but the biggest changes are needed on defense, and we are just not sure enough has been done for Dallas to leave the divisional basement. Predicted Finish: We think Dallas still has some roster building to do, but they should be a touch better than 2013, so we will say 6-10 but still 5th place. DENVER 2013 Record: 10-6, 3rd in division, Wild Card Head Coach: Dick Jauron Departures: LB W. Overstreet (FA), CB K. Lewis (FA), HB J. Hester (FA), DT J. Mahelona (CFL), DE R. Denney (RET), CB J. Fletcher (RET), WR P. Price (RET), C B. Jones (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: CB D. Landry (FA), CB P. Peterson (FA), CB A. Talib (NFL) Rookie Class: LB Shaquil Barrett (CO St), DE Stephon Tuitt (NDame), HB Andre Williams (BC), LB Todd Davis (Sac ST), C Weston Richburg (CO St) Outlook: Denver basically replaced and, we think, upgraded their entire CB group.  That will be a big help in this league and this division.  We also like the pick of Shaquil Barrett in the T-Draft.  We do worry that the loss of Peerless Price will be a big one, but we see Denver still competing in a 3-way race for 2nd place.  Will they get there? Predicted Finish: We are going to pick Denver to finish third in the division, and we think that 9-7 feels about right this year. HOUSTON 2013 Record: 7-9, 4th in division Head Coach: Wade Phillips Departures: C R. Pontbriand (FA), CB J. Knox (FA), WR J. Kerley (FA), HB M. Turner (NFL), QB T. Rattay (NFL), CB C. Canty (RET), WR I. Hilliard (RET) Veteran Arrivals: HB B. Tate (FA), QB C. McCoy (NFL), CB L. McKelvin (TRADE), WR K. Johnson (TRADE) Rookie Class: CB Malcolm Butler (West AL), C Travis Swanson (Arkan), HB Carlos Hyde (OH State), WR Mike Evans (TAMU) Outlook: Two very good rookies on tap for the Gamblers with Carlos Hyde taking over Michael Turner’s interior run focus while Mike Evans will replace Ike Hilliard as the red zone target and “tall receiver”.  The signing of Colt McCoy is an interesting long term strategy, perhaps designed to get fans upset about giving away Johnny Manziel to Dallas off the team’s back.  Winning will do a better job of that. Predicted Finish: We are not sure that Houston right now is not a truly mid-range, 500-level team.  They just feel like a team that can win a big game and then lose two that they should win.  So, we are going to keep them right where they were last year at 7-9 until they prove otherwise. TEXAS 2013 Record: 10-6, 2nd in division, Wild Card team Head Coach: Greg Landry Departures: FB R. Razzano (FA), WR R. Parrish (FA), WR R. Brown (FA), HB J. Finley (FA), HB A. Foster (NFL), OT R. Tucker (RET), QB L. McCown (RET) Veteran Arrivals: QB K. Boller (FA), HB C. Johnson (NFL) Rookie Class: DT Ra’Shede Hageman (Minn), LB Anthony Hitchens (Iowa), HB Terrance West (Towson), FB Roosevelt Nix (Kent), OT Jeremiah Sirles (Nebr) Outlook: The consensus 2nd best team team in the division, Texas could compete with Arizona, but that will require them to get a very good season from Chris Johnson.  The NFL import had a couple of down years in Tennessee but is hoping to rebound in the USFL.  If he does, this team could compete. Predicted Finish: We are concerned that Johnson simply does not have the dynamism he once demonstrated, the 2,000-yard capacity and break away speed.  If we are wrong, than this pick will be wrong, but we are going to say 10-6 once again and 2nd place once again. LAS VEGAS 2013 Record: 7-9, 4th in division Head Coach: Dick LeBeau (1st year) Departures: FB M. White (FA), TE B. Watson (FA), HB C. Benson (FA), WR W. Ponder (FA), QB I. Martin (FA), CB W. Allen (NFL), DE E. James (NFL), DE E. Flowers (RET), WR M. Booker (RET) Veteran Arrivals: QB K. Kolb (FA), TE J. Thomas (FA), TE O. Daniels (FA), OT J. Bragg (FA), WR D. Amendola (FA), DE L. Houston (NFL) Rookie Class: CB Justin Gilbert (OK State), LB Kyle Van Noy (BYU), HB Alfred Blue (LSU), DE Jonathan Newsome (Ball St), FB Trey Millard (OU) Outlook: This feels like a team that players are fleeing from, and despite the addition of two solid tight ends, we are not sure the Thunder are ready to move forward.  The distractions will be there, both off the field and after last year’s horrific 1-7 finish that pulled them from 1st place to 4th.  We think 4th is very possible once again. Predicted Finish: We are pessimistic about this team’s ability to bounce back after so much chaos and a very bad 2nd half last year.  We think they end up slipping a bit more to 6-10 this year, and then try to regroup in San Diego. LOS ANGELES 2013 Record: 9-7, 2nd in division, Wild Card team Head Coach: Andy Reid Departures: WR B. Lloyd (FA), HB T. Fredrickson (FA), TE P. Estes (FA), WR K. Johnson (RET), G S. Page (RET), LB G. Irons (RET) Veteran Arrivals: LB W. Overstreet (FA), WR R. White (FA), G K. Nwaneri (NFL) Rookie Class: WR Marqise Lee (USC), QB Aaron Murray (UGA), TE Ted Bolser (IU), G Andrew Norwell (OH State), WR Willie Snead IV (Ball St), DT Jimmy Slaten (MTSU) Outlook: Los Angeles came on late, won a playoff game, but then lost one their stars in Keyshawn Johnson.  They got two good-looking receivers in the draft, but right now it still feels like a hole in their overall roster strength. They will need to rely more on the run game and the defense. Predicted Finish: We think that the loss of Johnson will be significant, and so we are going to drop them a game to 8-8 for this year, as they need time to rediscover their offensive rhythm. OAKLAND 2013 Record: 13-3, Division Winner Head Coach: Dennis Green Departures: LB T. Suggs (FA), TE J. Dreesen (FA), FB S. Smith (FA), G C. Hodges (FA), WR A. Bannister (FA), HB B. Green-Ellis (NFL), K M. Hollis (RET), C A. Caldwell (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: K D. Buehler (FA), LB K. Bullock (FA), HB D. Brown (NFL), SS J. Jarrett (TRADE) Rookie Class: WR Davante Adams (Fresno), TE Richard Rodgers II (Cal), LB Trent Murphy (Stanf), FS Christian Bryant (OH State), WR Taylor Gabriel (Abeline), C Russell Bodine (UNC), G Tyler Shatley (Clems) Outlook: The Invaders lost a couple of really big pieces in LB Terrell Suggs and TE Joel Dreesen.  However, they had a very strong draft, adding two very promising offensive weapons in Adams and Rodgers (both T-Draft choices).  We also like Abeline Christian’s Taylor Gabriel as a reserve slot weapon and return man.  LB Trent Murphy could also contribute this year and the addition of NFL back Donald Brown could mean fewer carries for Ryan Williams and a nice change of pace in the run game. Predicted Finish: Oakland came really close to a title game appearance last year before Arizona shut them down.  They may face the same hurdle again this year, but we like their odds in the regular season to win the division.  We are going to say 12-4. PORTLAND 2013 Record: 7-9, 3rd in division Head Coach: Marty Mornhinweg Departures: G M. Petrus (FA), WR R. White (FA), FS D. Bing (FA), OT T. Wade (FA), CB M. Manuel (NFL) Veteran Arrivals: G M. McGlynn (FA), DT R. Edwards (FA), FB G. Jones (NFL), S D. Whitner (NFL) Rookie Class: WR Brandin Cooks (Or St), CB Pierre Desir (Lindenw), OT Kevin Pamphile (Purdue), TE Trey Burton (Florida) Outlook: While we like WR Brandin Cooks to stretch the field a bit for Matt McGloin, this still feels like a team that is just not superior to most foes in any one area, nothing they can lean on.  They will need to manufacture wins by playing error free ball, and that is a lot to ask over 16 weeks. Predicted Finish: We are going to bump up Portland to 8-8, which may be good enough for 2nd in the division but may still miss out on the postseason. SEATTLE 2013 Record: 6-10, 5th in division Head Coach: Stump Mitchell Departures: WR C. Chambers (FA), OT J. Bragg (FA), LB S. Arnaux (FA), LB I. Reese (RET), WR A. Boldin (RET), LB T. J. Slaughter (RET), CB L. McKelvin (TRADE) Veteran Arrivals: WR J. Cotchery (FA), CB T. Williams (FA), LB T. Marshall (FA), LB B. Johnson (FA), FB R. Razzano (FA), LB C. Pace (NFL) Rookie Class: LB Khalil Mack (Buff), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (Boise), G David Yankey (Stanf), P Pat O’Donnell (Miami), S Pierre Warren (Jax St), DT Beau Allen (Wisc) Outlook: Seattle brought up the rear last season, but the good news is that they got the man they wanted in the draft, trading up for LB Khalil Mack, a day one starter.  We also like the selection of DeMarcus Lawrence in the T-Draft and the addition of NFL LB Calvin Pace.  It could be a very different LB group for the Dragons, but we are still worried that their offense is not as diverse as it should be to compete each and every week. Predicted Finish: Improved over 2013, but unlikely to reach beyond .500.  We will give them 7-9, but we are not feeling confident about it. AWARD PREDICTIONS One last set of predictions before we get to our last minute news of the week and our preview of Week One’s action.  We cannot preview the 2014 season without making some picks for the various league awards.  Rather than pick one winner, we will give you a pool of 3 top candidates for each, players (and coaches) who we think are going to put up some huge results and nice numbers this year. MVP: Most Valuable We all know that this award is nearly always the domain of the best QBs in the league, with last year’s choice of Frank Gore being the exception.  So, if we look at QBs around the league, who do we think could take home this trophy?  First up is Daunte Culpepper of Tampa Bay.  He had the numbers last year, but the team’s horrible defense kept them from posting a winning record, which killed his chances.  We have the Bandits winning the SE Division this year, and with that Culpepper rockets to the top of the list.  Next up is Joe Flacco, who is consistently among the league’s best and who may well have to do more this year, particularly if Chris Johnson does not prove to be the perfect replacement for the NFL-bound Arian Foster.  Finally, we want to throw a possible comeback player here.  Sam Bradford had huge numbers in 2012, then missed most of last year with an injury.  He would have a lot of support if his numbers rebounded. OPOTY: Offensive Player Assuming the MVP goes to a QB, then we look at the other offensive positions for standout players.  Among running backs we see two who could be big vote getters. The first is Chicago’s Doug Martin.  He finished 2nd to Gore last year in rushing and could top the list this year.  If that helps lead Chicago to a repeat atop the Central, he will be a top choice.  The other potential choice comes from Philly.  We all saw how huge Steve Slaton was in the playoffs, after his own return from injury.  If he can put together a season in the vein of his playoff run, he could also be among the top rushers in the league and that, paired with a strong season for the Stars, could give him the OPOTY nod.  Finally, among receivers, we are tempted to go back to Steve Smith, but we also really like the opportunity Vincent Jackson has in Tampa Bay.  He put up huge numbers last year, and if those can be paired with a 10+ win season for the Bandits, we could imagine a Bandit sweep of MVP and OPOTY. DPOTY: Defensive Player Let’s assume that Calais Campbell is in the mix.  How could he not be?  But if Orlando is not a playoff contender, he is not the favorite.  You have to win games to win DPOTY.  Just a fact.  So, looking at teams that are in contention and their best defensive players, we see 3 names that could jump to the top.  Troy Polamalu in Arizona did not have glaring numbers last year, but that could change, or voters could simply recognize how pivotal he is to one of the league’s best defenses.  Anthony Hargrove, the big DE in Philly, has been close to Campbell in numbers for several years, but never seems to get the recognition he deserves.  Another strong run by the Stars could change that. Finally, we are going to look at a potential darkhorse in Oakland’s Justin Smith.  He is a nasty edge rusher who is most likely the closest to catching Campbell, and Oakland is a clear contender, so Smith could finally get some spotlight this year. ROTY: Rookie Always a tough category to pick.  We know that Manziel will be considered from day one, but if Dallas finishes with 10 or more losses, it seems unlikely he would get the award without gargantuan production.  Our favorite is actually a receiver, Odell Beckham Jr in New Jersey.  With Bradford back, but Michael Crabtree gone, OBJ has a real shot at being the top receiver on a pretty solid offense. That is a good position for a rookie to have.  Our second pick is on defense and it is based purely on this player’s ability to disrupt games.  We love the idea of Aaron Donald in Pittsburgh becoming the next great Steel City defensive superstar.  If he even sniffs 10 sacks and can be the effective run disruptor we saw at Pitt, Donald could be a real contender.  Our final pick is another darkhorse, because we did not think this was a very good draft for running backs, but Carlos Hyde is penciled in as the lead back in Houston and any time a rookie halfback is given the starting nod before the season even begins, that back has a shot at big  numbers and consideration for ROTY. COTY: Coach What you are looking for here is either a coach who produces a huge jump in team wins (as Jim Tomsula did with Arizona last year) or a coach who is viewed as maximizing the potential of a somewhat undermanned roster.  In the former category, we think that Mike Shula in Tampa Bay has a real shot if our predicted rise up the standings for the Bandits takes place.  New Jersey’s Norv Turner is also in this category, if and only if the Generals can rebound back over .500 in 2014.  The third candidate falls into the “if this roster can win games, he deserves it” category.  That is Nashville’s new head man Greg Roman.  We are picking Nashville to win 3 games, worst in the league.  But, if Roman can finally get big numbers out of Peyton Manning and if the Knights somehow can reach .500, that may be enough for folks to praise and honor the work of the rookie head coach in Nashville. LATE BREAKING NEWS Baltimore Adds 2 Former Glory Players to Roster Apparently unhappy after their preseason performances, the Baltimore Blitz have added two late signings to their roster, both former Ohio Glory teammates.  The first is largely uncontroversial, wideout Javon Walker, the second, center Richie Incognito, could be a bit of a concern from a PR standpoint.  Both are solid players, with Incognito having been a full-time starter in Ohio before his suspension last year and Javon Walker having contributed over 110 catches and 10 touchdowns for the Glory in the past two seasons.  The problem for Baltimore with Incognito is the cause of his suspension and eventual release by Ohio, charges of both racist and homophobic slurs used against both opposing players and teammates.  While Incognito admits to using terms which many would find offensive, he insists that his type of trash talking is common in the league and in football in general.  Neither the league or the Ohio Glory concurred with that assessment, leading first to a team suspension, and then a league extension of that sanction.  Ohio released Incognito after the 2013 season and he passed through the free agent process as well as two NFL-USFL transfer windows unsigned until Baltimore added him to the roster just this Wednesday. Walker will be a far less problematic figure, having produced good numbers for the Glory the past few seasons.  He is likely to split time with Brian Hartline as the number two receiver, though we could also see Walker as a slot receiver as well.  Incognito is not expected to appear in this week’s game, but will almost certainly see action soon, either at center or potentially replacing Terron Armstead at right tackle. Birmingham Lures Quentin Jammer Back from Retirement Another club looking to fill an area of concern has reached out to a retired player and lured them back to the game.  Quentin Jammer, former Stars All-USFL cornerback, retired this past August, but apparently was open to a return for the right offer.  Philadelphia released Jammer’s rights and the Stallions found a formula for a 1-year deal that would bring the 5-time All-USFL selection to Birmingham.  Jammer arrived at team facilities Thursday morning and is expected to make his debut with the Stallions in Week 2.  When asked about the sudden change of status, Jammer said simply that he felt healthy and ready to play and that the passion for the game was still there.  Former coach Jim Harbaugh wished Jammer well and said he would look forward to reuniting with the cornerback when the Stars visit Birmingham to face the Stallions in Week 5. Bulls Add CFL Star Kory Sheets at HB Jacksonville continues to tweak their run game in hopes of finding a combination of players who can boost one of the league’s worse rushing attacks from last year.  C. J. Spiller left in free agency and it looked like Jacksonville would go into the 2014 campaign with Lamar Miller firmly established as the lead rusher, with rookie Kiero Small as the backup, but Jacksonville has added another option with just 3 days before their opener, signing 2013 CFL star Kory Sheets to a 2-year deal. Sheets finished the 2013 Summer/Fall CFL season with 1,598 yards and 12 touchdowns, huge numbers for a league where running backs and the run game are clearly secondary to the passing game.  Sheets is a Purdue product, having rushed for 1,131 as a senior with the 2008 Boilermakers.  He will be used largely on third down and to spell Miller, but he is considered a solid option in the run game, having  proven himself up north. Federals Cut Former Bandit QB Rhett Bomar Not all the last minute transactions were additions, The Washington Federals, now with David Garrard chosen as the starter, Joe Webb the clear number two, and only one more spot on the roster for a QB, had a decision to make between two veteran backup, Cleo Lemon and Rhett  Bomar.  Bomar had come to the Feds in 2013 after 4 seasons in Tampa Bay, and that lack of familiarity may well have been the deciding factor as Coach Peyton had worked with Lemon for far longer.  The Feds released Bomar, who now becomes a free agent.  For those hoping Bomar would return to Tampa Bay, we would say not to hold your breath as the Bandits feel quite comfortable with 2012 draft pick Ryan Lindley and 2013 signing B. J. Daniels behind Duante Culpepper.  Bomar started 3 games for Tampa bay back in 2010, but has not thrown a regular season pass since that time.  That said, there are always teams looking to add an experienced QB, especially once injuries start to hit this season. Teams Make Last Minute Moves to Get Under the Cap Finally, the reality of the league’s salary cap struck several team rosters as clubs had to reach a sub-cap number by this Wednesday.  For most teams it was a matter of adjusting or extending some high cost contracts to either reduce or spread over more years the cap hit from some key players.  This is what Birmingham did, extending LB DeMeco Ryans’ deal and adjusting the pay schedule for HB Joseph Addai.  Jacksonville did likewise, extending QB Tim Tebow for 2 more years, reducing his cap hit by nearly $1M.  Ohio restructured the contract of cornerback Ashton Youboty in a similar fashion to get below the cap maximum. Other teams had to make some tough choices.  Orlando cut linebacker colin McCarthy, whose $1.2M contract was not matched with his production.  Seattle did likewise with DE Christian Ballard. The moves now put all 28 clubs under the cap, though some, like Arizona, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Jacksonville, LA, and New Jersey have less than $1M in cap space and may need to restructure some more deals or make some more roster adjustments if and when they need to sign players midseason due to injury.  At present the clubs with the greatest cap space are the Stars ($10.8M), Invaders ($7.9M), and Federals ($6.5M), which just goes to show that the teams that are effective in their financial strategy can also be clubs who have great on field success as well. WEEK 1 GAME PREVIEWS Here is a quick look at all 14 games headed your way this week. Blue indicates divisional matchups. Friday @ 8pm ET                             Arizona @ Denver                           NBC A nice divisional matchup between two bitter rivals to open the year on Friday Night Lights. Saturday @ 12pm ET                     Nashville @ Charlotte                  ABC Two teams criticized for their offseason performance.  Can one silence the critics in Week 1? Saturday @ 12pm ET                     Washington @ Tampa Bay          FOX It’s defense against offense as both teams try to impose their will on the other. Saturday @ 4pm ET                       Baltimore @ Los Angeles            ABC A cross-country trip for the Blitz as LA hopes to notch a season opening win. Saturday @ 4pm ET                       New Orleans @ Houston            FOX A pseudo rivalry between bayou neighbors as the Breakers travel to NRG Stadium. Saturday @ 7pm ET                       Chicago @ Atlanta                       NBC Not much history between these two, but both want to get off to a 1-0 start. Saturday @ 9pm ET                       Oakland @ Portland                      ESPN/EFN Is this a battle of haves and have nots in the Pacific? Sunday @ 12pm ET                        Birmingham @ New Jersey        ABC It will be fun to watch Cam Newton and to see if Sam Bradford is back to his 2012 form. Sunday @ 12pm ET                        Memphis @ Philadelphia           FOX Regional A tough way for  the Showboats to start the year, against the favorite to hoist the championship trophy. Sunday @ 12pm ET                        St. Louis @ Orlando                      FOX Regional Just how well with St. Louis’s line hold up against Calais Campbell? Sunday @ 4pm ET                          Las Vegas @ Ohio                          ABC Regional Two teams that swooned late last year and want to start strong in 2014. Sunday @ 4pm ET                          Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh           ABC Regional The Maulers have playoff aspirations, Jacksonville is still in rebuilding mode. Sunday @ 4pm ET                          Michigan @ Seattle                       FOX Two teams hoping they have put enough pieces in place to compete this season. Sunday @ 7pm ET                          Texas @ Dallas                                ESPN/EFN A new rivalry that may be sparked this year, especially if Manziel gets in the game.

Camps have closed. The preseason games have been played.  The rosters have been trimmed, and all across the USFL teams are game planning and preparing for this weekend’s opening week.  In what will be a first USFL season for many, and a final season for the Las Vegas Thunder, the league prepares to kick off once again.  In our two-part season preview we will take a look back at the moves and stories of the offseason and then take a long look at what we might expect as we enter the new season.  Today we discuss the new faces across the league, assess who we think has improved and who may have slipped over the offseason, and preview both the schedule and the Fantasy Rankings for 2014.  Tomorrow we will complete our season preview with team-by-team analysis and our predictions for this season’s results and the major awards for the USFL.  It’s almost time to kick off, so let’s get right into our look at the offseason with the 10 biggest additions we see across the league this year. Hey all, a quick update on the website. Updates have been made to the HOF and the History Pages. I still need to add some narrative to the History Page, but I have added the basics up through 2013. THE OFFSEASON'S 10 BIGGEST ADDITIONS Every team hopes their new roster proves to be more than its accumulated pieces, and every team hopes they have found the right combination of veterans, new faces, rookies, and developing players to make a run at a title.  Last year it all came together for the Arizona Wranglers, pairing a run-first offense with a shut-down defense to win the club’s first title in 31 years of existence.  Who will emerge this year and which offseason acquisition will provide the key piece to the puzzle?  We start our preseason preview by thinking about new faces in new places and who we see as the players that could prove pivotal to their teams this season.  Here is our Top 10 Biggest Additions for 2014. 10—WR Brandon LaFell (WSH) FREE AGENT It seems like the Federals have been looking for a receiver to complement Deion Branch for over a decade, in part because they have.  Is Brandon LaFell going to be the one to finally provide another target and reduce the double teams on Branch?  The former Breaker is a deep threat, but there are questions about his consistency. 9—LB Khalil Mack (SEA) ROOKIE It is a big leap from the U. of Buffalo to pro football, but fans in Seattle are counting on Mack’s athleticism and energy to help him make the leap.  Fans in Seattle are eager to see their team develop a truly dangerous pass rush, and they are looking at Mack as the answer, able to line up wide or to act as a blitzer in the middle.  The physical skills are there, but how long will it take Mack to adapt to the pro game and the level of competition he will face? 8—HB Chris Johnson (TEX) NFL IMPORT The loss of Arian Foster back to the NFL was a big blow for the Outlaws.  Foster had an outstanding 2013 campaign and Joe Flacco relies on the run game to be successful on early down throws.  Can speedster Chris Johnson be the solution?  Once marketed as the fastest man in the NFL, Johnson has seen his production dip in his last two seasons with the Tennessee Copperheads before becoming a free agent this year.  Texas is hoping that they can bring back the speedster who eclipsed 2,000 yards in the NFL back in 2009 and has never had a season below 1,000 yards. 7—LB Terrell Suggs (PHI) FREE AGENT Just what the rest of the league needed, a Stars team that was among the league leaders in sacks bringing in one of the most effective pass rushers from the LB position.  What are teams going to do when they have Anthony Hargrove occupying the tackle and Suggs coming in right behind him?  You cannot chip Suggs with a TE or HB and expect it to slow him down.  This move makes the Stars even scarier on passing downs than they were in their Summer Bowl appearance 2013 season. 6—DE Justin Tuck (MGN) NFL IMPORT New Panther head coach Jim Johnson wasted no time addressing the biggest issue the Michigan defense had in 2013.  The Panthers simply did not have enough of a threat in their front 4.  They were among the worst in the league in sack percentage and overall pressure.  Bringing in NFL import Justin Tuck, formerly of the NY Giants, is seen as a move to try to add a sense of danger to the Panther front four and to allow Michigan to provide pressure without the need to blitz, a trademark of Johnson’s defenses in his time in St. Louis and Nashville. 5—LB Paul Posluszny (PIT) FREE AGENT The Maulers surprised many with a very solid 2013 season, but their defense gave up way too many points for them to truly compete in the very tough Northeast Division.  Adding a savvy and very effective MLB to the defense gives them not only a run stuffer and solid coverage backer, but also a team leader on a defense that needed to establish an identity.  “Poz” will likely end up with 100 tackles again, but more importantly he will add continuity and confidence to a Mauler defense that has lacked both. 4—WR Odell Beckham Jr. (NJ) ROOKIE There is renewed hope in New Jersey that with Sam Bradford returning, the Generals can rebound from a disastrous 4-12 season in 2013.  The strong preseason from LSU rookie Odell Beckham Jr. has only added to that hope.  OBJ, as he is being called in the press, has had a very strong camp, and looked like a very dangerous weapon in the Generals’ preseason games.  He will be a week 1 starter alongside Doug Baldwin, and should be a frequent target for Bradford and the Generals’ offense. 3—CB Aqib Talib (DEN) NFL IMPORT Denver saw what the Wranglers did last year, and they loved the formula.  Run the ball, and play shut down defense. That is a formula that works for Dick Jauron, and for a Denver ownership that has never wanted to spend big money on offensive playmakers.  But for this formula to work, you need quality at every level of the defense.  Denver believes they have added top flight talent in the secondary with NFL import Talib.  One of the best corners in the NFL, Talib is viewed as an instant All-USFL candidate, a shut down corner that could allow the Denver D to simply write off the top receiver of each opponent they face. That is a huge ask for a new player, especially one who is coming into the league with no offseason to speak of. 2—LB Brian Orakpo (TBY) NFL IMPORT Another NFL import expected to step right in and play another 16 weeks is linebacker Brian Orakpo.  The former Redskin is part of a full defensive rebuild in Tampa Bay that also includes the signing of corners Carlos Rogers and Corey Graham, and the addition of four defensive rookies, including  DT Timmy Jernigan and S Lamarcus Joyner from Florida state.  Orakpo is seen as the lynchpin to a new defense for the Bandits.  Aggressive, fast, and hard-hitting, he is a prototypical LB for a 4-3 system. 1--Johnny Manziel (DAL) ROOKIE No shocker that “Johnny Football” is our number one new addition.  Manziel Mania has hit Dallas and the entire state of Texas full force.  The former Texas A&M star joins the 2nd year Roughnecks already a conquering hero after his time with the Aggies.  While the rookie is not expected to open the season as the starter, we know that the pressure will be on Mike Sherman to get Manziel on the field and that Jake Locker will be on a short leash. Fans want to see their Aggie hero in Dallas sky blue, and we expect that even if the club finishes 3-13 again, the presence of Manziel on the Roughneck roster will keep the excitement level high all season. 10 WINNERS & LOSERS THIS OFFSEASON For as much optimism as each USFL club and its fans have at this time of the year, the truth is that there are always team who put the right pieces together to make a leap forward, like Arizona last season, and there are teams who are weakened by the offseason, just as we saw with St. Louis in 2013.  Not every team can find replacements for lost stars, not every rookie prospect pans out immediately, and not every combination of old and new faces meshes well.  As we look ahead to the 2014 season, we choose 5 teams we think are stronger now than in July and 5 who may well be taking a step backwards. Winner: Tampa Bay Bandits The Bandits were one of the most explosive and dangerous offenses in the league last year, but the defense let them down week in and week out.  We have already highlighted the new faces on defense, led by former All-USFL corner Carlos Rogers and NFL import Brian Orakpo.  If the Bandit D can be even mid-range, we could see a resurgence of Bandit Ball. The key question is the run game. With Willis McGahee’s early retirement, the need to replace his carries and catches is key to the Bandits.  Tampa traded with the Federals for speedster Jahvid Best and signed Tulane WR/HB Ryan Grant, with the expectation that they can use that combo to absorb the touches that McGahee had given them.  If they can, we could see a much more dangerous Bandit team in 2014. Loser: Baltimore Blitz While we like how Tampa Bay addressed the retirement of their All-USFL halfback, we have to shake our heads at what Baltimore did to try to replace Ron Dayne and his annual 1,200 yard contribution.  Baltimore did not make a big play on a top tier USFL or NFL halfback.  They did not draft a back until the 5th round, and UCF’s Storm Johnson ended up signing with the NFL Jaguars, so now Baltimore is left with a HB room potentially led by chronic underachiever Cedric Benson.  For a team whose offense is predicated on a power run game, we are just not seeing how Coach Caldwell gets what he needs from his current roster. Winner: Philadelphia Stars Not that the Stars needed to improve much, having taken Arizona into overtime in the Summer Bowl last year, but adding LB Terrell Suggs, NFL DT Jonathan Babineaux, and talented TCU cornerback Jason Verrett, this Stars defense could be even better than in 2013.  The late retirement of CB Quentin Jammer will be a blow, but if Verrett is all that his senior year at TCU showed, Philly could be improved on defense, which is a scary concept. Loser: Birmingham Stallions You cannot lose both Randy Moss and Terrell Owens out of your passing game in one season and expect to rebound as if nothing has happened.  Birmingham qualified for a Wild Card last year in large part due to the development of QB Cam Newton, and a huge part of his improvement was having two All-USFL receivers to throw to.  What does he have in 2014?  Free agent Chris Chambers, and Ole Miss rookie Donte Moncrief.  Does that feel like an improvement of the position to you?  We didn’t think so. Winner: Dallas Roughnecks All the attention in Dallas is going to be on Johnny Manziel at QB, but all across the roster this Roughneck team made improvements. They were very active in free agency, using their cap space to land players who are likely to start all across the roster, from TE Ben Watson to OT Vernon Carrey.  We even like the addition of C. J. Spiller to the run game because he is such a different player than starter Rashard Mendenhall, adding a new dimension to the Roughneck offense.  Dallas also added defensive depth and O-line help in the draft. We particularly like Wisconsin safety Dezmen Southward.  This is a Dallas team that will need time to gel, but should be significantly better than the 2013 team. Loser: Charlotte Monarchs There are teams that lost more players either to free agency, the NFL, or retirement this offseason, but we are not sure there is another team that lost as much leadership from their team.  The Monarchs saw Jake Delhomme retire after an injury-shortened 2013, but they also lost WR Derrick Mason, DE Fred Perry, FS Chris Crocker, and CB Carlos Rogers. That is a ton of veteran know-how, leadership, and experience.  Charlotte had cap issues which kept them from adding veteran leadership through free agency, and their rookie class is one of the least impactful, at least on paper, so we cannot help but expect Charlotte to take a step back this year. Winner: Houston Gamblers Yes, the loss of Michael Turner was a big hit, but no team added more to their roster this year than the Gamblers.  We especially love their draft class, as the Gamblers were very successful in signing their top targets, bringing a big bruising back (Carlos Hyde), a big play receiver (Mike Evans) and a quality cornerback (Malcolm Butler) to the team in the draft.  Add to that the signing of NFL QB Colt McCoy as the heir apparent to Matt Hasselbeck and we cannot help but think that the overall adjustment to the Houston roster is a net positive. Loser: Portland Stags An unimpressive draft class, a weak free agent class, and the loss of a key defender all point towards Portland having issues with the offseason moves this year.  Yes, the Stags like WR Brandin Cooks, their one big rookie signing, but they missed on their top pick, Sammy Watkins, who signed with the NFL Bills. They also failed to address the loss of their best cornerback Marquand Manuel, unless, of course you believe that rookie Pierre Desir from tiny Lindenwood College is the answer.  We do not. Winner: Oakland Invaders The Invaders had arguable the most complete draft-and-sign periods of any team, adding two immediate offensive contributors in TE Richard Rodgers and WR Davante Adams.  Paired with Keenan Allen, the Invaders now have one of the most athletic and youngest receiver groups in the league. They also signed Stanford LB Trent Murphy from their T-Draft a solid slot option in Abeline Christian WR Taylor Gabriel.  This will be an improved Oakland roster even with the departures of TE Joel Dreesen and LB Terrell Suggs.  And we have not even mentioned the addition of NFL back Donald Brown to share carries with Ryan Williams.  Not a bad offseason at all. Loser: Pittsburgh Maulers While we like the addition of Paul Posluszny, the list of departures from the Mauler roster has to make Pittsburgh nervous.  HB Kenny Watson, CB Patrick Surtain, LB Kawika Mitchell, TE Owen Daniels, QB Quincy Carter and LB Keith Bullock.  That is a lot of quality that is no longer there.  And while rookie Aaron Donald is impressing us all in the preseason, we are not sure the end result is a net positive for the Maulers, especially on offense where the addition of NFL back Toby Gerhardt to try to replace Watson’s production seems a stretch. 10 BIGGEST QUESTIONS FOR 2014 New arrivals, new coaches, new systems, and new challenges. That is what the offseason brings.  It also brings a lot of questions.  The impact of the offseason can provide optimism, but it also brings a sense of the unknown.  As we look at the 2014 season ahead of us, there are a lot of questions to be answered.  We picked the 10 that we find most interesting as the season gets ready to kick off. Which of the New Coaches Is Positioned to Win Now? Five new coaches across the USFL and as we usually see, most are not coming into the best situations.  Mike Nolan will have a tough time in Jacksonville, at least with the roster he has inherited.  Similarly, both Michigan and Nashville appear to be in rebuilding phases for Jim Johnson and Greg Roman.  New Jersey is an interesting case, and it all depends on whether or not we believe Norv Turner inherited a 12-4 team that had a bad year in 2013, or a 4-12 team that played way over their heads in 2012 to reach 12 wins. Perhaps the two teams that are closest to a possible immediate surge for their new coaches are the Thunder for Dick LeBeau, and the Maulers for Vic Fangio.  Both clubs were on the cusp of the playoffs last year, and both certainly have some talent to work with. Of course, the Thunder have all sort of other issues to deal with now that they have been sold off and scheduled for relocation.  That alone means that Vic Fangio in Pittsburgh may have the easier task, but the fact that they are now in the NE Division means that he will have Philly, Washington, and possibly even a resurgent New Jersey to deal with. Which 2nd Year Player Will Break Out This Season? Looking exclusively at 2012 rookies who did not have huge seasons already, who could be ready to break out in their sophomore season?  We have 4 names to watch.  Cornerback Darius Slay earned a starting gig by the end of the 2012 season and we think the former Mississippi State Bulldog could be a good one for a pretty solid Fire Defense.  Another corner, Jordan Poyer, has locked up the nickel spot, and could also see some time at the number two position for the Machine. On offense, our wideout to watch is Tim Dwight in Dallas.  The speedster was not given a lot of opportunities in 2012, but when thrown the ball he showed good hands and breakaway speed potential.  Robert Woods in LA will also see his stock rise with the retirement of Keyshawn Johnson.  LA brought in Roddy White, but Woods could be a top 3 target for Mark Sanchez this year.  Finally, while LeVeon Bell and Eddie Lacy came out strong in their first year, another 2012 rookie HB could be ready to break into the limelight this year.  Watch out for C. J. Anderson in Seattle.  He is a big, bruising back who the Dragons want to use more on short yardage and red zone carries.  We could see him even get a chance to supplant Cadillac Williams as the lead back if his early game show promise. Will Any Team in the South or Southeast Win 10 Games? Boy, it sure seems unlikely the way things have looked the past few years.  Both of these divisions could be described as highly competitive and balanced or as weak and inconsistent.  In the Southeast, we could envision Atlanta, and possibly Tampa Bay making a run at 10+ wins, but we are just not sure they are good enough to consistently win the games they are favored to win.  In the South, New Orleans and Birmingham look like the two most likely clubs to make a run this year, but both are still flawed and struggle with non-divisoin opponents.  We think the odds are good that both divisions see another 8 or 9 win champion in 2014, unless, that is, someone puts the pieces together and breaks out. Is there a 2013 Non-Playoff Team Ready to Jump to the Front of the Class? It depends who you ask, but there are several we are keeping our eyes on.  Pittsburgh has a shot, especially if Baltimore slips a bit with the retirement of Ron Dayne.  If 2013 is a fluke, then we have to expect New Jersey to also make a run. Orlando is on the cusp if they could just be a bit more consistent on offense, and in the West, we think that Houston, Ohio, St. Louis and Portland could all be close.  Will any of them jump up to 15-1 like Arizona did last year?  No.  That seems unlikely, but 10 wins, possibly for any of these teams, and that would give them a shot at a division title, at least for a good number of them. Which New Arrival Will Have the Biggest Impact for Their Team? From a marketing and merchandise perspective, the obvious answer is Johnny Manziel, but from a wins and losses perspective, our favorite new face on a roster has to be LB Brian Orakpo with the Bandits.  As we have said before, even a mid-level defense gives Tampa Bay a real chance to be a contender, even without McGahee on the squad.  Orakpo brings leadership, experience, and a lot of talent to a linebacker group that could determine if the Bandits are again a bottom 5 defense or can reach the middle of the pack. Can Johnny Manziel Be the Hero Dallas Wants Him to Be? No. Simply put, no. But he can be the start of something.  Dallas is not there yet. They still have a lot of issues in a lot of places, and asking a rookie QB to come in and immediately turn things around is unrealistic.  But what Dallas wants is for Manziel to offer those moments of magic that give the team hope for the future, that show that they have potential. Doing that would establish Manziel as a “hero” of sorts in Big D, but we think that the key for this year is to establish the groundwork for the future, not try to get it all now. How Will the Thunder Rebound From a Rough Year? Considering they are in franchise limbo this year, not only likely dealing with hostility at home in Las Vegas, but always looking towards 2014 and San Diego, that is tough.  Add to that a new coach with new systems, and a squad likely to be haunted by their 1-7 finish last year, and we think this could be another emotional rollercoaster of a year for the Thunder.  Their goal this year should be to bond and build on what they have, make a push to be ready to roll in 2014 in their new home, in front of a new fanbase, and with a new lease on life. Can New Jersey Return to their 2012 Form Under Norv Turner? That is the hope. With Sam Bradford back, with an exciting rookie receiver already making waves in the preseason, and with a coach who is known for his offensive schemes, the hope in New Jersey is that the 4-win 2013 season was a fluke, not the 12-win 2012 season.  We like Norv’s chances to at least have the Generals competitive in a way they often were not in 2012.  Having Sam Bradford back will make a huge difference, of course, but the key may well be the defense.  New Jersey has a new strong safety in NFL import Antoine Bethea, a new pass rush combo with Gholston joining Kampman up front, and a LB group that is still trying to find itself with Blackburn and Maualaga in their 2nd year with the team.  But this is a team that has talent at some key positions, and while they face an uphill battle with both Philly and Washington looking clearly like two of the best teams in the conference, there is room for them to make a push if they can put the pieces in place. Has Philadelphia Set Themselves Up for a Title? Boy, it sure looks like it.  Finishing 2nd to the Wranglers last year did not sit well with Coach Harbaugh and the Stars. They were active in the offseason, adding quality in players like NFL DT Jonathan Babineaux, former Invader LB Terrell Suggs, and rookie corner Jason Verritt.  The defense that was among the league’s best last year could be even better.  The big question now is if Matt Gutierrez can return to his 2012 form, bouncing back from a mildly underwhelming 2013, we say that despite them carrying a 12-4 record into the playoffs and winning the conference title.  They were ready for a title last year, and may be even more prepared this year to get the club’s 5th. Can Arizona Become Only the 2nd USFL Team to Repeat as Champions? The phrasing of our question tells you just how tough it is to repeat.  But this was a 15-win team last year, and they really did not suffer a lot of big hits to the roster in the offseason. Yes, losing DT Monsanto Pope was not ideal, but if either of their rookie picks at the position, ASU’s Will Sutton or Arkansas State’s Ryan Carruthers can help out returning DT starter Glenn Dorsey, we think that Arizona will have the defense once again to make a very deep run.  As you might guess, we see Philadelphia as their biggest challenge, a team that pushed the Wranglers to overtime in the Summer Bowl and looks even stronger this year.  But the real question is whether or not the Wranglers will have the same fire in their belly.  Repeating is so tough because the desire to win a title is so powerful, but the desire to repeat is just not as strong, especially for a team that won its first title in 31 years of existence.  Getting a second would be great, but is the motivation as strong? PREVIEWING THE SCHEDULE Looking at the USFL schedule, we know there are going to be games that are “must watch” events nearly every week, but what are the highlights?  Here is our pick for the 10 must-watch games of the year. WEEK 2: New Orleans @ Birmingham After an opening week that is a little short of drama, with Arizona-Denver being the best game, Week 2 may give us our first true sign of how the year will go.  We have 3 big games in just this week that could show us if the races for the divisions will be decided early or up for grabs late.  While we like the Philadelphia-New Jersey game and the Tampa Bay-Charlotte game to help us see if either the Generals or Bandits are ready to take a step, our favorite is Breakers @ Stallions.  Birmingham wants to challenge New Orleans for the South, and they were only off by ½ game last year, so this is their chance to make a statement.  Likewise, the Breakers see this game as a chance to tell the league they are ready to defend their Southern title and to return to the Conference Title Game again. WEEK 5: Texas @ Arizona Are the Wranglers going to be challenged in the SW Division?  This game will tell us if it will be a runaway division for Arizona again or if the Outlaws are ready to challenge them.  It is also a great matchup of offense v. defense, with Joe Flacco and that high-flying passing game going up against a Wrangler team that was simply a brick wall on defense last year. WEEK 6: Las Vegas @ Los Angeles The two teams expected to have a shot at knocking off Oakland first have to get past each other.  Both LA and Las Vegas have question marks, but both also have a lot of potential, and we see this game as the deciding factor to determine who will be the primary challenger to the Invaders in a Pacific Division that just may be the most underrated division in the league. WEEK 7: Atlanta @ Charlotte The last two SE Division Champs face off in what could be a crucial game for both.  The SE Division could be a very tough one, with 4 teams all looking like potential challengers. That means that every division matchup is vital, and none moreso than when these two contenders face off near midseason. WEEK 9: Chicago @ St. Louis We see the Skyhawks as the most obvious potential challenger to Chicago’s title hopes in the division.  If they can rebound from a major post-title hangover, the Skyhawks have the weapons to challenge that Machine defense.  This game, at St. Louis, is their best chance to announce to the league that they are back in title contention form. WEEK 10: Denver @ Arizona Another big clash in what could be a 3-4 team race in the SW Division, that is if Arizona does not once again build up a huge lead over the other contenders. This has become a great rivalry over the years, and that rivalry is only heightened when the Wranglers come into the year seeking to defend their league title. Denver would love to knock them off their high horse, and a win in Glendale would certainly be the way to do it. WEEK 11: Arizona @ Oakland A rematch of the Western Conference Finals and what are expected to be the two best teams in the West again.  Can home field advantage help Oakland avenge what was a painful loss in last year’s Western Finals? WEEK 12: Washington @ Philadelphia It is hard to imagine that these two rivals and contenders for the Eastern Title do not meet until Week 12 of the season.  That means two showdowns in the season’s final 5 weeks. Will this first matchup be a deathblow for one of them or a game that brings the two contenders into a down-the-stretch photo finish?  We don’t know, but we can pretty much guarantee that this will be one intense matchup. WEEK 15: Birmingham @ Washington Last year it was Week 15, more than the season finale, that made huge waves in the playoff picture.  There are a lot of interdivisional games in this year’s schedule in Week 15, but we see this one as a potential battle between 2 clubs still vying for a division crown.  The winner of this game could be in great shape, and, we expect, the loser may be in trouble, at least relegated to a Wild Card position, but perhaps far worse, possible removal from playoff position.  So hard to say at this point in the year, but on paper this game could be a biggie for both the Northeast and Southern Division titles. WEEK 16: Orlando @ Tampa Bay Yes, we could have picked the Feds-Stars rematch here, but we expect both to have playoff spots in hand by the season’s final week.  On the other hand, both Orlando and Tampa Bay are seen as dark horse picks for a playoff run, so this game could be the one that determines if one, both, or neither of these clubs makes the postseason.  We see it as the most likely game on the final week’s slate where both teams need a win to make the playoffs, and that is exactly what we like to see in Week 16. TOP FANTASY FOOTBALL PICKS While we tend to focus mostly on the on-field performances and leaguewide drama that the USFL provides, we would be blind if we did not see how fantasy sports has shaped and is shaping the way that professional sports is viewed, how fans follow teams and players, and how the league markets itself.  The USFL has been an early adopter of the star-based emphasis of Fantasy Football, since the early 90’s, and so it is no surprise that with the rise in online games and league management both from broadcasters like ESPN and FOX, but from the league website as well, Fantasy Football cannot be ignored.  So, as a nod to all our fantasy USFL fans out there.  Here is our quick ranking of the top 5 Fantasy performers in each of the commonly used positions.  For full rankings and strategy, check out the USA Today Fantasy USFL Preview available on newsstands, with digital content at our website. QUARTERBACK: No question here who the top fantasy QB is expected to be.  Daunte Culpepper put up huge numbers in 2013, and now, with Willis McGahee no longer in a Bandits uniform, the passing game will be an even bigger factor for Tampa Bay.  We could easily see Culpepper return to the days of 40+ touchdowns and make a push for 5,000 yards.  He still has Vincent Jackson as his primary receiver, and with new options like rookie WR/HB Ryan Grant and pass-catching back Jahvid Best available, Culpepper could again be the man to beat for both yards and touchdowns.  Behind Culpepper the four players we see as worth a pick in the first 3 rounds of your fantasy draft are Texas’s Joe Flacco, Memphis’s Eli Manning, Oakland’s Joey Harrington, and, assuming he is fully back in form, New Jersey’s Sam Bradford. HALFBACK: Frank Gore was the story of 2013 at halfback, but we are infatuated with another back, one with less mileage and more potential upside.  Doug Martin, Chicago’s break out star in 2013, should again be a centerpiece to Coach Schiano’s offense, and that means touches,  lots of touches.  We could see Martin leading the league in both yardage and touchdowns, although Gore will certainly be there too. We just see the ceiling for Martin being just a bit higher this year.  Aside from Martin and Gore, you should consider first round picks for Deuce McCallister (yet again), Eddie Lacy of the Skyhawks, and, our darkhorse pick, Knownshon Moreno of Orlando. RECEIVERS: 2013 saw Steve Smith come out of virtually nowhere, clicking with his new QB, and he put up some huge numbers on his way to an OPOTY award.  Can he repeat the feat?  Will Vincent Jackson also put up stellar numbers?  We think the answer to those two questions is a resounding yes in both cases. Both are clear number one options on offenses that are designed to hit the deep ball.  Smith is also effective underneath, so he becomes our top choice if you are going to take a receiver in the first round.  If that is your plan, but both Smith and Jackson are gone, the next best option may be a bit of an under the radar one, a pick you might hold until round 2, maybe even round 3, Pittsburgh’s Victor Cruz.  The spicy Cruz finished with 1,300 yards last year and could see his targets increase once again as Andy Dalton improves with experience.  Others to consider in your draft’s first three rounds are  Memphis’s Lee Evans, Texas’s Marques Colston, New Orleans’s Early Doucet, and perhaps a bit of a later round flyer, either of the rookie wideouts who find themselves in a starting position with solid QBs, New Jersey’s Odell Beckham Jr. or Houston’s Mike Evans. Among tight ends, if your league requires them, you won’t go wrong with one of the elite receiving tight ends in our Top 5, that group includes Arizona’s Rob Gronkowski, Orlando’s Greg Olsen, Jacksonville’s Jason Whitten, Baltimore’s Antonio Gates, and the newest entrant, in his 2nd year and looking to break out, Philadelphia TE Travis Kelce. KICKER: Kicker is such a tough spot to scout.  You want a guy who is on an offense good enough to get lots of field goal attempts, but not so good that he ends up kicking PAT’s instead of three-pointers.  The interesting pick this year is Washington’s NFL import, Adam Vinatieri, who has outstanding accuracy and will make the clutch kick.  Washington almost always delivers, putting Shayne Graham near the top of the rankings the past few years, so we expect nothing less from Vinatieri.  Others who should absolutely be considered, perhaps as early as the 9th or 10th round, include Philadelphia’s Mike Nugent, New Orleans 2nd year kicker Caleb Sturgis, Tampa Bay’s Nate Kaeding, and don’t miss on Graham, who is now in Pittsburgh, where he could continue to get strong numbers. DEFENSE: No surprise who the top defense is in our ranking.  Arizona’s squad can not only shut down opponents but can take the ball away and turn takeaways into points.  Philadelphia was close behind the Wranglers last year and with the addition of Terrell Suggs, could be even more dangerous as a scoring factor this year.  Others we would consider in leagues where turnovers can lead to points for you include Orlando (Calais Campbell factors in big here), Oakland, Atlanta, and, an up and comer perhaps, the Portland Stags, good for a final pick flyer if you still need a defense. COMING UP IN PART 2 OF OUR 2014 USFL PREVIEW Join us for tomorrow's 2nd part of our 2014 USFL preview, when we will preview all 28 clubs, the moves and adjustments made in the offseason for each, and their prospects for a sunny 2014 summer. We will break down all 6 division races, make our picks for Summer Bowl 2014 and all the major award winners, and take a special look at what could be a very saucy season in and around Las Vegas, with the Thunder packing up shop and a still undecided team looking to take their place in 2015. Don't miss it, right here, tomorrow.

Camps are open. Pads are hitting pads.  New faces are being introduced, and rookies are beginning to sign deals and pick their jersey numbers.  It’s February in the USFL and it has been an active 3 months since we last checked in with the spring league. A lot has happened in that time, from a draft day blockbuster trade to big news out of New York that is sure to make fans in several markets a bit nervous.  We will break down how the USFL Draft went, what later free agent signings will impact the 2014 season, and where there remain some pretty big gaps in team rosters, gaps that may well motivate some bidding wars as the 2nd of the offseason’s NFL-USFL Transfer Windows opens.  All of this, plus the latest coaching news, and a look at the 5 new Head Coaches that will have their hands full preparing for a new season.  Don’t go anywhere, the USFL is on tap. Texas-Sized Deal Sends Manziel RIghts to Dallas It was a shot fired across the bow of the USFL, and a deal that will define the legacy of two head coaches, one well established, one trying to make a name for himself.  With the Houston Gamblers holding the rights to Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the league’s Territorial Draft, teams had been calling in to Houston for weeks trying to discern whether or not the Gamblers were willing to make a deal, and just what the terms of that deal may be.  By the morning of the leauge’s T-Draft on January 25th, most clubs had decided that the price was either too high or the Gamblers were simply not going to part with a potential franchise quarterback, even if Matt Hasselbeck had made no indications of eminent retirement.  Most, but not all clubs that is. On the morning of the draft, about 2 hours before the three player selections from each team were due, and just hours before the live ESPN reveal show would tell the nation which three players would be protected from the Open Draft by each of the league’s 28 clubs, the Houston Gamblers got the deal they had hoped for.  In a risky move, the Gamblers would make a deal with a division rival, the newly-relocated Dallas Roughnecks.  Dallas had a lot to offer, including the very first pick in the Open Draft, and it would take 3 such picks for the Gamblers to make the deal.  Dallas offered their 1st overall pick, their 2014 first T-Draft pick, and the 2015 1st round pick to Houston, all for the rights to compete with the NFL and not 27 other USFL teams for “Johnny Football”.  Manziel would be the choice, and Dallas would begin in earnest to work with Manziel’s agent to try to seal a deal even before the NFL draft 2 weeks later. As for Houston, the move would certainly create some frustration and anger among a segment of their fanbase, after all, Houston and College Station are practically within spitting distance of each other, and many Gambler fans, eager to return to the style of wide open gunslinging they have not seen since Jim Kelly, had their hearts set on Manziel wearing black and red.  But, Coach Phillips and the Gamblers were not as enamored of Manziel and his style of play.  They certainly praised him in public, in part to keep his value high, but concerns over his style of play, his size, and his off-field escapades, had largely turned away the Gambler personnel team, who had decided back in December to field offers for the T-Draft pick that would nab the Aggie QB. Dallas’s deal gave Houston what they wanted, three high value picks, and a chance to rebuild in areas of more immediate need.  The day of the deal, Houston would use the Dallas T-Draft pick earned in the swap to select Oklahoma CB Aaron Colvin, a player they felt could plug in well to Coach Phillips’s defensive scheme, the hope being that Colvin could serve as a nickel corner in 2014 and perhaps move into the starting two if Shaun Springs retired after the season as many anticipate.  But, with secondary being a major concern for the Gamblers, they did not stop there.  Only 3 days later, on the cusp of the USFL’s open draft, the Gamblers again defied the wishes of some fans and traded away the #1 overall pick in the Open Draft. Many had expected that the Gamblers would take a run at DE Jadeveon Clowney, left unprotected by the Orlando Renegades and considered the best edge rusher in the draft. But with the combo of Osi Umenyiura and Antwan Applewhite well-established with the Gambler D-line, Coach Phillips was still concerned about the secondary.  Seattle was eager to move up from the 7th spot, fearing that their ideal pick, Buffalo LB Khalil Mack, would never make it past the Bulls at 3 or the Knights at 4.  The Dragons would send Houston their 7th pick, a 4th rounder they had picked up from New Jersey in a 2013 deal, and, most coveted by the Gamblers, man-up cornerback Leodis McKelvin. By trading away one pick from their Territorial Draft, Houston had acquired two potential starting cornerbacks, a first round pick in 2015, a 4th rounder this year, and now had both the 7th and 8th pick in the first round of the Open Draft.  They would, two days later, turn those three 2014 picks into potential players, using Seattle’s pick in the 1st round to select Ohio State HB Carlos Hyde, their own pick at 8 to select their own LB choice, Alabama’s C. J. Mosely, and the Seattle 4th rounder to select center Travis Swanson from Arkansas. Seattle had gotten their shot at Khalil Mack, making the linebacker the first player chosen in the Open Draft. Dallas, meanwhile, had used the pick on Manziel as predicted, but now find themselves in a bidding war with the NFL Cleveland Browns, who selected the quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft.  None of the players have signed with either league yet, with Mack chosen by the NFL Bears, and Houston’s two first round picks chosen by the 49ers (Hyde) and Baltimore (Mosely). Whether the moves prove to be boons for each club or major failures will depend a lot on the signing decision of each player.  Were Manziel to sign with the Browns, the Roughnecks would have expended three important picks with no return.  If Mack signs with the Bears, the Dragons would also have cost themselves not only picks but a very solid starting cornerback.  Houston certainly hopes to land all 4 players acquired via the trades during this year’s draft, but at the very least they have landed a corner in McKelvin.  Of course, if that is the only gain, and if Manziel does sign with Dallas, there could be some major blowback in Houston from the deal.  A lot of fans are not going to be happy to see Manziel in the Roughnecks’ sky blue jerseys, especially if Houston has nothing to show for it but a lone cornerback. The combined T-Draft and Open Draft saw a total of 17 other trades, with several coming on draft day in the open draft.  The Territorial Draft saw 2 other significant 1st pick trade, as the Ohio Glory made a deal with Oakland to acquire the Invaders’ first pick, a choice the Glory used to select Fresno State QB Derek Carr, brother to Arizona’s starter, David Carr.  Oakland would later chose the QB they liked best as a backup and protégé to Joey Harrington, Eastern Illinois’s Jimmy Garoppolo.  Meanwhile, Seattle sent their 1st T-Draft pick to the Washington Federals, who coveted and selected UW halfback Bishop Sankey. As for Open Draft swaps, we saw two more in the first round, followed by the usual flurry of movement in rounds 3-7.  Aside from the dual trade that moved the 1st pick in the draft from Dallas to Houston and then on to Seattle, the 2nd pick was also swapped, with New Jersey dropping from 2 to 6 in a deal with Michigan that gave the Panthers their shot to select DE Jadeveon Clowney to bolster their somewhat ineffective pass rush.  New Jesey felt comfortable that they could get the target they had at 2 with pick 6 as well, and the fans from the Tri-State area in Madison Square Garden certainly seemed happy when the name of LSU wideout Odell Beckham Jr. was announced by the commissioner as New Jersey’s pick. The only other first round movement came in a deal between the Maulers and the Renegades.  Orlando packaged their 2014 1st rounder and a pair of 2015 picks in a deal that helped them move up from 16th to 11th, a move designed to get them ahead of Portland, a team known to be interested in UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr.  Barr was left unprotected in the T-Draft by LA, in something of a surprise move, and when he survived the first 10 picks without being chosen, Orlando made their move, jumping up 5 spots to nab the Bruin linebacker.  Pittsburgh would drop down to 16th, where they would hope to help their offense with TE Eric Ebron of North Carolina. We will recap the entire 1st round of the draft a bit later on, but we should mention at least one more trade that occurred during the weekend, with Washington sending DE Kamerion Wemberly to Charlotte in exchange for a 5th rounder and guard Travis Bond.  The move came soon after Nebraska’s Spencer Long was selected in the 3rd round by Nashville. Long had been a targeted player for the Feds, so when he went off the table they dealt Wemberly to Charlotte to acquire Bond and fill the gap they had at RG. Before we jump into our recap of the USFL Open Draft’s first round, we should note that both of the open coaching positions in the league, that of Las Vegas and Nashville, were filled in December.  Short after being approved for ownership by the USFL, the new CEO of the Thunder, John Moores, consulted with the team’s personnel team and remaining front office staff, including several of the league-appointed “guardians” of the team during the league’s short ownership period, to select the next head coach.  The choice was a well-known entity to USFL fans, former Michigan Panthers head coach Dick LeBeau.  After over a decade prowling the Panther sideline, LeBeau spent less than 6 months on the unemployment line before the Thunder brought him in to be the leader of the team during what could be a rough year in Las Vegas and a huge transition as the team prepares to relocate to San Diego in 2015.  LeBeau takes over a club that started 2013 with a 6-2 record only to lose 7 of their last 8 and miss the playoffs, the result of one of the biggest collapses in league history for a team in first place at the midway point of the season. Now the only team without a coach, Nashville got their man 2 weeks later, making an early January announcement. Many expected the team to be announcing an NFL hire, as several NFL coaches were released from their positions in the days following the conclusion of the fall league’ season, but Nashville did not go that direction, choosing instead to jump on the still unsigned Philadelphia OC Greg Roman.  Roman had been reluctant to sign a new deal with the Stars while there were still open head coaching positions within the league and with 5 NFL positions also opening up in January, but the Knights made that delay in signing pay off, giving Roman his first head coaching job.  An offensive guru who has helped Philadelphia find success despite injuries over the past year to several of their biggest names on offense, Roman’s role will be to rebuild a Knights offense that has suffered with the departure of Frank Gore, and to try to maximize what could be the final year of pro ball for QB Peyton Manning. With all 28 coaching positions now filled, the draft would be an exercise in prioritization and expectation.  As always the USFL would have the first shot at the new class of college players, with the NFL holding their draft approximately 2 weeks after the USFL T-Draft and one week after the Open Draft. The T-Draft would produce its share of big names taken off the board for the other 28 teams, including A&M stars Manziel and Mike Evans, Auburn OT Greg Robinson, Pitt DT Aaron Donald, and Buckeye LB Ryan Shazier.  But with several of the big name, first round talents still on the board, there was room for teams to make a play for their preferred target before the NFL came calling.  The first round of the USFL Open Draft would be an attempt by each team to not only pick the best talent available, but to stress to that player that they were both in demand and best-suited for a move to Spring Football, an annual act of “persuasion” that tends to produce between 50%-60% success rates for the league. As we review the first round picks of all 28 teams, we will indicate any players who have signed a deal, as well as the NFL club that our USFL squads are competing with. Seattle (From HOU-DAL):   LB Khalil Mack (Buffalo) NFL Competitor: Bears The Dragons made the move to ensure they would get their man, a Tasmanian Devil of an outside LB, equally talented in the pass rush and in stretching out run plays.  Now all they have to do is outbid the often-stingy Bears. Michigan (From NJ): DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina) NFL Competitor: Houston Oilers The clear number one edge rushing end in the draft.  Michigan had to make a deal with the Generals to get ahead of Jacksonville and Nashville to get a shot at Clowney, but now they will be dealing with the NFL Oilers to try to land their pick. Jacksonville:  OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan) NFL Competitor: Tennessee Copperheads The Panthers left Lewan unprotected, which was a bit of a surprise, but then stole Clowney out from under the Bulls, so picking a Michigan Wolverine feels a bit like payback.  Lewan will certainly benefit from the bidding war sure to come between the Bulls and Copperheads. Nashville:  DE Dee Ford (Auburn) NFL Competitor: Kansas City Chiefs The Knights were another club hoping Clowney would be available.  There were rumors that they too were in negotiations with New Jersey to get ahead of the Bulls, but lost out to the Panthers.  Their second choice is big power rusher Dee Ford from Auburn.  To land him they may have to use the “home region” advantage over KC as well as the financial one. Memphis:  S Calvin Pryor (Louisville) NFL Competitor: New York Jets Chalk an early victory up on the board for the USFL as Memphis announced this week that they had signed the former Cardinal to a 4-year deal.  Apparently staying in the Mid-South was more appealing than dealing with the pressure of being a top draft pick for a NY club. New Jersey (MGN): WR Odell Beckham Jr (LSU) NFL Competitor: NY Giants Oof, it will be an in-house battle between two denizens of Met-Life Stadium as Beckham has to choose between the USFL Generals and the NFL Giants.  If there is any advantage to being picked earlier in the draft, that goes to the Generals, who took Beckham 6th, while the Giants had to wait until the 12th pick to select the Bayou Bengal receiver. Houston (SEA): HB Carlos Hyde (Ohio State) NFL Competitor: San Francisco 49ers The first of two back-to-back picks for the Gamblers, Hyde was ranked as the 3rd best back in this year’s somewhat shallow pool, but with Bishop Sankey and Jeremy Hill both selected out of the T-Draft, Hyde’s value soared.  Houston lost Michael Turner this offseason, so signing Hyde has to be a priority. Houston:  LB C. J. Mosely (Alabama) NFL Competitor: Baltimore Ravens Mosely is a solid all-purpose backer, perhaps best used on the strong side, and excels at run coverage.  Baltimore and Houston both need his youthful energy at that position so expect his final contract to be over market value since neither club wants to lose out on their pick. Tampa Bay:  QB Blake Bortles (UCF) NFL Competitor: Jacksonville Jaguars It will be an in-state battle between the Bandits and the Jags for this UCF product.  Tampa Bay wants to groom Bortles behind Daunte Culpepper, while the Jaguars seem ready for an immediate transition to a new starter.  That difference in trajectory could be a problem for Tampa Bay, who were hoping to sign Bortles quickly, before his NFL destination was known. Las Vegas: CB Justin Gilbert (OK State) NFL Competitor: Cleveland Browns Another of the rare breed of players on teams not included in the Territorial Draft, Gilbert is a solid zone corner who needs to work on his bump & run a bit, especially if he signs with a Dick LeBeau team.  Cleveland may have to expend a lot of funds to land Johnny Manziel, who they took earlier in the draft, so that may bode well for the Thunder. Orlando (PIT):  LB Anthony Barr (UCLA) NFL Competitor: Minnesota Vikings Barr going unprotected by the LA Express was a bit of a surprise, but one that Orlando could not let slip by. They traded up with Pittsburgh to get a shot at Barr, and now look to compete with the Vikings to land him. Portland:  WR Sammy Watkins (Clemson) NFL Competitor: Buffalo Bills What we have here are two teams known for being a bit on the cheap side, both fighting over a player with a lot of playmaking ability.  Buffalo used a much earlier pick on Watkins than Portland, which could bode well for them as they can use more cap room to sign the Clemson wideout.  Portland will need to be creative to offer a more enticing deal. St. Louis:  OT Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) NFL Competitor: Atlanta Falcons The second tackle off the board (Lewan-JAX), and in some estimations a better pass protector than Lewan.  The Skyhawks have a lot to offer the rookie, including a known commodity at QB and a dynamic HB in Eddie Lacy, but will team fit compete with some solid NFL money? Baltimore: DT Dominque Easley (Florida) NFL Competitor:  New England Patriots Easley was viewed by many as a late first round or early 2nd round pick, so this was seen as a stretch by many, but sometimes taking a player as a stretch is a good way to improve your odds of signing him away from the NFL.  That has already proven to be the case with Easley, who signed with Baltimore only 2 days after being chosen by the NFL Patriots as well. Ohio:  S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix NFL Competitor: Green Bay Packers Perhaps the best player name in the entire draft, Clinton-Dix is also an outstanding player who could start immediately for either club.  No real territorial advantage for either team as the Alabama product has to choose between cold late season games in Green Bay or cold early season games in Columbus. Pittsburgh: TE Eric Ebron (UNC) NFL Competitor: Detroit Lions The Maulers are hoping to provide Andy Dalton with a reliable target over the middle, but the Lions have exactly the same thought as they try to build around QB Matthew Stafford.  Detroit has more swagger, having made the playoffs 2 of the past 3 years, and a more stable coaching situation.  This could be a tough get for the Maulers. Birmingham: CB Kyle Fuller (Va Tech) NFL Competitor: Chicago Bears Birmingham is rooting for the Bears to land Khalil Mack away from the Dragons, because that expensive signing would all but guarantee that Fuller would get a better offer from the Stallions than from the NFL Bears.  If Seattle lands Mack, then the Bears will double down on Fuller to ensure they don’t miss out on both first round picks. Atlanta: C Marcus Martin (USC) NFL Competitor: San Francisco 49ers Another club hoping their NFL counterpart spends big on an earlier selection.  If the Niners can land Carlos Hyde, that helps Atlanta outbid them for Martin, but if not, then it could be a tough negotiation for the Fire. Denver: DE Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame) NFL Competitor: Pittsburgh Steelers Two lunchpail clubs fighting over a lunchpail DE. What could be more perfect?  We like Denver’s chances for one big reason, Tuitt was Pittsburgh’s 2nd round pick, so the NFL rookie cap structure hinders their bidding ability, while Denver can use 1st round money to lure the big DE to the Mile High City. Chicago: QB Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville) NFL Competitor: Minnesota Vikings Both the Machine and the Vikings have what appears to be a 1-year development plan for the athletic Bridgewater.  Chicago wants him to watch and learn behind Brady Quinn, Minnesota behind Christian Ponder.  Problem for Minnesota is that Ponder is a younger player and the potential for Bridgewater to not get his shot any time soon is more tangible in the NFL than with the Machine. Los Angeles: WR Jordan Matthews (Vanderbilt) NFL Competitor: Philadelphia Eagles The Express make the predictable pick, a WR who they hope can stand in for the retired Keyshawn Johnson.  Matthews is a tall, rangy, deep ball receiver like Johnson in his early years, which would be a good fit for the Express.  However, it would also be a good fit for the Eagles, so let the bidding begin. Texas: DT Ra’Shede Hageman (Minnesota) NFL Competitor: Atlanta Falcons Another reach on defense, but another situation where the use of a 1st round pick on Hageman puts the USFL club at an advantage over the NFL club, as Atlanta can only spend 2nd round cap limits on the Minnesota product. Washington: WR Kelvin Benjamin (FSU) NFL Competitor: Carolina Panthers We like Washington’s chances of landing the FSU product.  The possibility of joining a perennial playoff contender, one with not one, but two solid QBs and a respected offensive mind like Sean Payton, those seem enticing factors for a player who will get paid regardless of the team he picks. Charlotte:  OG Xavier Su’A-Filo  (LA) NFL Competitor: Houston Oilers The Oilers moved back up in to the 1st round for a 2nd pick and that could be bad news for Charlotte, who hoped Su’A-Filo would fall to the 2nd in the NFL draft.  Houston is an attractive destination for the Samoan guard, while Charlotte could be a tougher sell. New Orleans: CB Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State) NFL Competitor: Cincinnati Bengals The upside for the Breakers is that the Bengals are notoriously cheap.  The downside is that Dennard’s parents attended every game at Michigan State, and that tradition is a lot easier for them to keep up if he plays in Ohio than if he is in Louisiana. Oakland:  QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois) NFL Competitor: New England Patriots The Invaders are hoping to groom Garoppolo behind Harrington. The Patriots are once again looking for a solution at QB, so Garoppolo could start in Foxboro.  That may be enough to offset the 1st round, 2nd round disparity between the two selections, that and the higher cap for QBs in the NFl system. Philadelphia: CB Jason Verrett (TCU) NFL Competitor: San Diego Chargers We are still somewhat shocked that Verrett fell this far. He was seen as a Top 15 player in nearly every mock draft.  That could be good news for the Stars, but now they have to compete with San Diego, who selected Verrett slightly earlier at pick 25 of 32, not 27 of 28.  Is that difference really important? Hard to say. Arizona: OT Ju’Wuan James (Tennessee) NFL Competitor: Miami Dolphins Can the Wranglers just keep winning?  Not only did they win their first league title last year, winning 15 of 16 games along the way, but they land their target at OT and sign him only days after he was also picked by Miami of the NFL.  Things continue to come up sunny for the team from the Valley of the Sun. We are less than 2 weeks away from the 2nd NFL-USFL transfer window of the offseason, and for USFL fans, this one is the one that tends to produce them most benefit for the league.  With the NFL having just concluded their season, the pool of available free agents is at its peak, just as the USFL list was back in September.  That means a lot of talent looking to use the two leagues to push up the offers and provide maximum benefits for the player.  So, just who is out there at this time for the 28 USFL clubs to consider?  Who will make the leap from fall to spring and begin their 2014 season within the next 4-6 weeks?  We have reviewed the NFL restricted and unrestricted free agent pools and selected who we believe are the 25 players that USFL clubs should be scouting, interviewing, and negotiating to sign.  We know that many will end up remaining with the NFL, but we should expect that some of these names will be announced at USFL games as soon as Week 1. QUARTERBACK Only two quarterbacks make our list, one a younger player with potential to grow, the other a known commodity, but one who comes with a lot of baggage.  Will teams take the PR hit by signing former Atlanta Falcon and Philadelphia Eagle Michael Vick?  The controversial dual threat QB has lost a bit of the dynamic run ability he had with the Falcons, but his time in Philadelphia with the Eagles has shown that he can still be a very effective starting QB.  The other potential starter in the pool this year is Colt McCoy, the UT product who has had sporadic opportunities to prove himself in the NFL, often with bad teams.  We could see McCoy being a “sign and develop” prospect for any one of several teams that have veteran QBs nearing their final seasons, teams like Las Vegas (Plummer), Tampa Bay (Culpepper) or Houston (Hasselbeck). HALFBACK There are three solid options at the tailback position, particularly if you are looking for a speed back or a 3-down back who is a bit more elusive than powerful.  No true grinders in the bunch, but when we look at former Giant Ahmad Bradshaw, former Colt Donald Brown, and former Copperhead Chris Johnson, we see a lot of potential for break away speed, one-cut moves, and use in the passing game.  Of the three, the biggest question mark is Johnson.  The one-time 2,000 yard back has not been the same since coming back from ACL injury, but could still be a good option for a team willing to nurse his recovery.  Brown and Bradshaw do not have as high a ceiling, but their floor is also not as tricky.  You take Johnson, you may have a boom or bust proposition, whereas with either of the other two you more or less know what you will have. TIGHT END One name rises to the top of this list, but is it because of his own talent or the name he carries.  Kellen Winslow II certainly has the pedigree to be a game-changing tight end, but his short NFL career has not yet shown that he can live up to the expectations, and certainly not the legacy of his father.  For the team that goes after Winslow, the goal has to be for them to find ways to make him into the receiver that most expected coming out of Miami. WIDE RECEIVER Speed with height or quick cut escapability?  Those are the two options at the wide receiver spot.  The best two receivers coming onto the market are very different in their demeanors and in their style of play.  Kenny Britt is solid as a straight line route runner and can go up and make the tough red zone catch above the corner or safety.  Jeremy Maclin is best used underneath, where his quick cut ability and off the line elusiveness can turn a 3-yard gain into a 15-yarder.  So, what is the interest of USFL teams, a possible slot or 2nd receiver with good inside moves or a bigger body to taken on the DBs and come down with the ball? OFFENSIVE LINE This is often an area where the transfer market has the biggest impact, but this year the depth of talent available is just not there.  We list 4 linemen among our 25, but none of them would be considered top 10 in our list, or clear-cut starters in the league.  At tackle we have Anthony Collins and Austin Howard, at guard we like Brian Waters, and then at center we list Brian De La Puente.  We could see any of these four as rotational starters in the USFL, though none of them feels like an immediate impact player. DEFENSIVE LINE Two solid defensive tackles and a potential 10-15 sack DE are who we see on the defensive line.  Of the three, the most expensive, but also the most potentially impactful, is former NY Giant Justin Tuck.  Tuck can be a very effective edge rusher, especially when paired with a block-absorbing DT inside.  With several USFL teams desperately trying to find an answer on the edge, an impactful rusher who forces teams to adjust their blocking schemes, we expect to see Tuck as a popular target for potential interleague transfer.  Inside we have both Randy Starks and Jonathan Babineaux.  You don’t here their names called a lot, but when you watch film of both you see how effective they can be at controlling the line and providing cover for aggressive LB play behind them. LINEBACKER Speaking of aggressive linebacker play, our Top 25 has three names that should excite USFL fans. That group is led by former Redskin Brian Orakpo.  A natural leader and strong run defender, Orakpo could be the key to a defensive scheme on any of the league’s 4-3 defenses.  We expect that defensive-minded coaches like Jim Johnson, Dick LeBeau, and Jim Tomsula will certainly be interested in Orakpo.  Perhaps not as dynamic as Orakpo, we also have Darryl Sharpton and Paris Lenon in the free agent pool.  We actually like both more in 3-4 lineups where they can roam behind the line and attack the gaps. CORNERBACK Perhaps no other position has the attention of the USFL quite like cornerback.  The reason?  The potential to land a true shut down corner.  There are two free agents this year who fit that category.  First up is Aqib Talib, who is a bona fide All-NFL selection and who could fetch a pretty penny from either league.  Just a small step below Talib is another outstanding corner, Jabari Greer, who works well in the nickel as well as in zone coverages. SAFETY Looks like a good year for the defensive backfield as we have another strong group in the safety position.  We like three players as strong options in an area where several teams have need.  Buffalo’s Donte Whitner, Dallas’s Antoine Bethea, and Seattle’s Chris Clemons are all solid tacklers and good in coverage. We could see all three being immediate starters across the USFL. SPECIAL TEAMERS It is rare to get excited about kickers and punters, but we have two of the most highly-touted specialists in this year’s free agent pool.  After a long career in New England, Adam Vinatieri is now a free agent. Known for his ability to shake off pressure and make the tough kick when it is most needed, Vinatieri is about as clutch as they come.  Punter Pat McAfee is known more for his flamboyant personality and willingness to make tackles as for the power of his leg, but that should not make us forget that McAfee is one of the most effective punters in the NFL, a kicker who can flip field position or pin a team back at any time. LEAGUE PUSHES INTERNAL RELOCATION PLAN FOR LAS VEGAS Following the surprising decision to allow the Moores/Tu investment group to purchase the Las Vegas Thunder with a plan in place to relocate the team to San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium in the spring of 2015, the same year that the new domed stadium will open just off the Las Vegas strip, questions have been flying about what the future for the league in Las Vegas will be.  With the league having taken on not only their own commitment to stadium construction, but also the share originally assigned to the Las Vegas franchise and their ownership, the USFL is in nearly $600M into the project, a project that now does not have a franchise attached to it. Well, the first question about the situation has now been answered.  The USFL has announced that there will be a concerted effort to place a team in the new facility in the spring of 2015 and that the primary vehicle for the establishment of a new Las Vegas franchise will be relocation of an existing franchise.  That announcement has sent ripples throughout the league as it essentially guarantees that another city will lose their USFL club within the next 2 years.  So, just who is at risk?  That is a complex question, though we believe we know the first piece of the puzzle. We know that the league is heavily invested in the television contracts which provide the largest portion of league revenue.  The reality of the move from Las Vegas to San Diego is that it provided a significant shift from a small media market to a larger market.  That benefits the league as they work with ABC/ESPN, Fox and NBC.  But what the league will absolutely want to avoid is to lose a large market in order to fill the gap in Las Vegas.  As the league explores options, reaches out to individual franchises, and debates best options, the first limitation we anticipate being a major factor in a relocation decision is one of market size. There are currently six USFL franchises whose market size is smaller than the Las Vegas market.  And while many are in growth areas, there are few markets that are growing faster than Las Vegas as an MSA, which means that each of these markets is likely to remain below Las Vegas in market size.  So, just which fanbases should be concerned about their franchises and the chance that their club will be sacrificed to salvage Las Vegas.  The six smallest markets currently in the USFL are largely in the U.S. south, with Las Vegas ranked as the 29th largest metro area in the USA, you have Columbus (32nd), Nashville (35th), Jacksonville (38th), Memphis (45th) and Birmingham (47th) below them. What makes this pool of potential relocation targets so interesting is that while the market share and market size is smaller in these markets, many of these clubs represent teams with strong attendance averages, including high-attendance tentpost franchises such as Jacksonville, Memphis, Birmingham and New Orleans.  It seems almost inconceivable that the league would look at a franchise like Birmingham, a founding franchise with an average attendance regularly over 45,000 per game, and see a team that is ripe for relocation.  Similarly, New Orleans and Jacksonville have also been strong attendance leaders and solidly-run franchises for decades.  So, who does that leave as potential targets for a move to Las Vegas? The most obvious answer is Nashville.  Already embroiled in a nasty stadium lease negotiation with both the NFL and the stadium authority.  The Knights have been a strong attendance club, but have only been in Nashville for around a decade, not for 30+ years as with several other clubs.  We have seen already that the owners of the Knights are using the Las Vegas situation to try to gain leverage on the stadium authority.  Could that leverage turn into a push to move the team from the South to the Southwest? The other fanbase that is feeling nervous right now is in Ohio, where the Glory have 20 years in Columbus, but are still playing their games at Ohio Stadium, an oversized facility that houses Ohio State, but even in good years is half-empty on game day.  Ohio’s average attendance of 40,012 in 2013 was an improvement over the past 3 years, when the club’s on-field struggles dropped the Glory’s regular attendance below 40,000.  A better 2013 campaign has helped to build some bounceback in both season tickets and overall attendance, but the Glory remain very much a secondary tenant of Ohio Stadium, and their gameday revenue is among the bottom 10 in the league, despite the size of the facility and the exclusivity of the Glory in a market that only has NHL hockey as a competitor. So, a rough patch if you are a Knights fan or a member of the Glory Nation, and potential trouble for the league as no market is eager to see their club head elsewhere.  And, while we look at these two markets as perhaps the most desirable for the league, there is also the very real possibility that an owner in another market will make a pitch.  The league is certainly not excited about the prospect of losing a New Jersey, Houston, or Detroit franchise, for the right deal, they may very well move in that direction and then speed up the expansion timeline to restock a club in the city, much like the NFL did when the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, but their history and identity remained behind to be taken up by an expansion club.  The Las Vegas situation is certainly one we will be following throughout the year, particularly as there is great impetus on the league to put the pieces in place to have Las Vegas represented in 2015, the same year the Thunder will officially reside in San Diego. We will be back in 4 weeks, returning for our USFL Preview Edition.  At that point, with the season ready to kick off, we should have a clear picture of the draft signings, NFL transfers, and those last second moves that impact rosters and depth charts.  We will review the offseason’s biggest moves and preview the 32nd season of the Kings of the Spring, the USFL.

November 6, 2013 It has been three months since the Arizona Wranglers secured their first John Bassett Trophy in 31 seasons, and a lot has happened.  Yes, there was the chaos of a victory parade in Phoenix held at 10pm at night to avoid the heat of Arizona in August, and there was huge news out of New York, news that will not go over well in Las Vegas to be sure.  We also had a very active free agency period open up, a pretty one-sided NFL-USFL transfer, and four of six coaching vacancies have been filled.  In our first of two editions focusing on the USFL offseason, we will explore these stories and take a look at late January’s College Draft, with all the drama that can only come when hype builds around a college quarterback, and we have plenty of that as “Johnny Football” is taking Texas A&M and the college football world by storm.  Lot’s to talk about, so let’s get right to it with our Big Story, the sale and future relocation of the Las Vegas Thunder. OWNERS APPROVE SALE AND 2015 RELOCATION OF LAS VEGAS THUNDER We had a feeling that the Owners’ Meetings this past week would not be a smooth and quiet event and we were certainly correct on that account. The Chaos surrounding the sale of the Las Vegas Thunder produced some heated debates, many of which spilled out to the media, and while an eventual decision was made, it is one that simply will not make many happy around the league. It took 4 days and several failed votes before the owners finally, and largely begrudgingly sold the Thunder franchise to the investment group led by former MLB Padres owner John Moores and LA Express minority owner John Tu.  The group came into this week’s meetings with a clear advantage both financially and in familiarity for the league owners, but their proposal to relocate the team to San Diego went against the desire of nearly every owner to find an ownership group that would keep the team in Las Vegas and buy into the new domed stadium that the league has been funding in lieu of the failed prior ownership of the Thunder. The sale means that the Thunder will move to San Diego for the 2015 season, leaving the club with an uncertain 2014 season ahead, one likely to be almost as ugly as the final year of the Boston Cannons before their relocation.  Whether it is empty seats at Sam Boyd Stadium or angry protesters, the league simply has to expect that Thunder games will not be putting the league in the best light.  That said, what they do gain in the Moores-Tu group is a deep-pocketed and stable leadership that is very familiar with professional sports ownership as well as with the USFL.  John Tu will take on the CEO role for the new, soon-to-be San Diego Thunder, while Moores will be responsible for what the group hopes is a short-term contract with Jack Murphy Stadium as they work with the city and the Cal State University system to get a new stadium approved for both the USFL and the SDSU Aztecs. On the Las Vegas stadium front, the USFL remains committed to putting a franchise in the city.  That commitment has already been used as a lever for at least one team as Nashville Knights ownership is using the soon-to-be completed and soon-to-be-vacant Las Vegas domed facility to put pressure on the stadium authority in Nashville.  The Washington Federals are also expected to make use of the situation to try to push D.C. into a new stadium deal.  They have already been partnering with MLS Club DC United to try to make headway with the District, but the threat of the club moving to Las Vegas, after the NFL Redskins already abandoned the district for a suburban location in Maryland, is a powerful bit of leverage that the club can use in their negotiations. So, what does this mean for the Thunder?  Long term it is likely a good sign, stable ownership always is, but the players on the team need to get through what is likely a rough 2014 “lame duck” season at Sam Boyd before they relocate with the team to southern California and Jack Murphy Stadium.  All this for a club that still does not have a head coach, after their late-season collapse cost June Jones his position. A lot of uncertainty still lingers over the team and its players. Michigan Eagerly Lands Jim Johnson It certainly did not take former Nashville Knights Head Coach Jim Johnson long to find a suitor.  The 19-year veteran of USFL battles was snapped up early in August by the Michigan Panthers, themselves recently having released a longstanding coach in Dick LeBeau.  Michigan wanted a coach who could develop a waning Panther defense and provide stability for now 3rd Year QB Kirk Cousinsk, and by most accounts they found that in Johnson.  The Knights under Johnson were often among the league leaders in team defense, and his run-first philosophy could help keep pressure off of Cousins, especially if 2013 rookie LeVeon Bell continues to develop. Johnson had some struggles the last few years with the Knights, including a rough tenure with NFL import Peyton Manning, who simply did not deliver the wins or the offensive fireworks that Nashville fans expected, but there is no doubt that Johnson has proven himself, taking the Knights to the 12 times in the past 2 decades, including 4 division titles, a goal the Panthers certainly have in what feels like a very fluid Central Division. Generals Hire Former Outlaw Head Coach Norv Turner made a name for himself as an offensive guru, and while he did not find early success with the Texas Outlaws, the team he coached from 2007 through 2009, a lot of pundits now credit him with the development of Joe Flacco, a growth in skills that would manifest itself soon after.  It is that hope for offensive dynamism that brought Turner to the attention of the New Jersey Generals, who plummeted from 12-4 in 2012 to only 4-12 last year, largely due to the collapse of the offense without QB Sam Bradford on the field.  The Generals signed Turner to a 4-year deal with the hope that the former Outlaw coach and multiple team OC could bring back the explosive offense the team used to reach the 2012 playoffs. Turner is expected to have Bradford back in action by minicamps next month, but may well be looking for some more explosive players in the draft.  HB Maurice Jones-Drew had a solid 2013, his first 1,000-yard season, but the passing game lagged behind.  Doug Baldwin led all receivers with 940 yards, and Muhamad Sanu made solid gains after the team traded away Michael Crabtree, with several 100-yard games in the final half of the season.  Pieces to build around for Turner. Fangio Gets His Shot with Maulers Arizona DC Vic Fangio was one of the hottest coordinators on the coaching market. His tenure with Arizona was short, only 3 seasons, but this year’s Wrangler squad was such a phenomenon, setting record and guiding the club to a 15-1 record and the squad’s first league title.  It was that dominant defense that made Fangio a target of several teams, and the reason that Pittsburgh offered Fangio a $5M deal to spend the next 4 years in the Steel City. Fangio will take over a Mauler club that has some serious talent on defense, including former All-USFL DE Jared Allen, CB Dunta Robinson, and LB Brian Cushing, but struggled for consistency in 2013, finishing 26th in the league by allowing 25.9 points per game and nearly 335 yards each week. Addressing that defense will be Fangio’s main task, with his new OC, former Bandit and Showboat QB Ken Dorsey, taking on the task of turning QB Andy Dalton into an elite starter in the league.  With young receivers like 2013 rookies Adam Thielen and Tavon Austin on the squad, expect Pittsburgh to mix it up a bit on offense while Fangio brings some discipline to the D. Las Vegas & Nashville Yet to Pull the Trigger We are still waiting for the Thunder and the Knights to make their pick for their open head coaching positions.  Both clubs are in a bit of turmoil at the top, with the sale of the Thunder just announced, and with Nashville still without a stadium contract for 2014, so perhaps the attention of the GM and even the personnel teams are in a bit of turmoil, but both clubs need tRo step up soon.  The USFL Draft is only 2 months away, and there are still plenty of holes on both clubs which need personnel solutions.  Add to that a general sense that both clubs are perhaps not the most stable, and you have a tough offseason for signing quality players.  Lacking a proven head coach, or a player-oriented coach who will  motivate folks to sign with either club is a major issues as the two teams try to prepare for next season. Manziel Mania Puts Houston Gamblers in Tough Position How do you handle a problem like Manziel?  To paraphrase the famous song from The Sound of Music, the meteoric rise of “Johnny Football” has been a boon for Texas A&M and for College Football, but could be creating major headaches for one USFL club.  Manziel’s star quality is undeniable, but what is a team to do when they don’t see QB as a position of priority but they hold the rights to the Aggie QB and half of their fanbase is clamoring for the Aggie star? Manziel has taken college football by storm, very much reminiscent of the mania around Herschel Walker during his years at Georgia or Doug Flutie in his final season at BC.  And what do both of those players have in common? They became early superstars of the USFL as the fledgling league broke the bank to ensure that both Heisman winners would choose the young league over the NFL.  The USFL is not in that same desperate situation after 31 seasons, but to say that there is interest in having the hottest young QB in the game join the spring league is not an overstatement.  Not only is there general interest, but with the Houston Gamblers holding the rights to protect up to 3 players from Texas A&M (among 3 schools) from the open draft this January, the pressure is on the Gamblers to bring Manziel to Houston and keep him in the state of Texas, where his legend is growing exponentially with each win in College Station. Manziel broke onto the scene last fall, with a 26 TD season and some electrifying performances.  This fall has already seen the diminutive but agile QB pull off huge wins, putting up huge totals against early foes Rice (52), Sam Houston State (65), and even Alabama (a 42-49 loss).  The Aggies, with Manziel leading the way, have scored 40 or more points in every game this season , including a 57-7 drubbing of UTEP just this past weekend.  The 2012 Heisman winner is drawing all sorts of comparisons with past Heisman winners, including USFL legend Doug Flutie, and in the state of Texas there has not been a bigger star coming out of the state since Ricky Williams, possibly since Earl Campbell. So, what are the Gamblers to do?  They have a QB they really like and who has done very well for them in Matt Hasselbeck.  But, Hasselbeck is clearly in the final few years of his career, so there could be room for a transition. The pressure is there to make Manziel a Gambler and sell a ton of jerseys with his familiar number 2 on them.  But, Houston has several roster needs that supersede the QB position and there will be no shortage of teams offering them a king’s ransom to swap into the Gambler’s first T-Draft slot. Could Houston actually trade away the rights to Manziel despite his superstar status in the state?  We cannot imagine that they would make any friends in the Lonestar state if Manziel were to sign with the Seattle Dragons, Jacksonville Bulls, or Ohio Glory.  Even a move to the Outlaws or Roughnecks would be controversial, essentially providing a rival with a lot of publicity and revenue from Manziel.  At the end of the day, the Manziel decision will have to be a football one, and if the price is right we absolutely could see Coach Phillips and the Gamblers taking a handful of high draft picks to give up the rights to the Aggie QB, but they would do so at the risk of ostracizing their fans, fans who may well like Hasselbeck, but who readily admit that Manziel would be a superstar in a Gamblers’ jersey. MONTH BY MONTH RECAP OF THE OFFSEASON A lot happening as always in the first few months of the offseason.  Free Agency opened one week after Arizona’s Summer Bowl victory.  The NFL-USFL Transfer Window 3 weeks after that, and we have even started to see our first draft-related trades.  Rather than break down the moves by type, we thought we would take a quick month-by-month look at the action as it happened, including some pretty big retirement announcements and a few surprising moves early in the offseason.  So, let’s get to it with August’s moves AUGUST:  Retirements & Early Free Agent Signings August is often the month when clubs get a few surprises from their most veteran players. Retirement announcements tend to cluster around the first few weeks of the offseason and then again during mid-winter camps.  While some are known in advance, some are decisions made as players recover from the long season and discuss their options with their agents and their families.  We already knew of some pretty big names who were stepping away, players like HB Willis McGahee, QB Jake Delhomme, and a cluster of wideouts that included Randy Moss, Robert Ferguson, and Ike Hilliard.  But there were a few more pretty major decisions made following the Summer Bowl, retirements that will push teams to prioritize a new position in their offseason plans.   Here are the 10 post-Summer Bowl retirements which we feel will have the deepest impacts on their teams and the league. SS Kevin Curtis (STL):  After 6 years with the Thunder and 5 in St. Louis, Curtis has called it a career at the age of only 33.  The centerfielder has struggled with ankle and knee issues the past two seasons and faced a challenge from 3rd year player Kendrick Lewis, who started seeing more snaps than Curtis this year.  So, St. Louis may be well-prepared for this transition, but will want to add some depth to the position. QB Luke McCown (TEX):  A 10-year backup in the USFL, McCown had one lone season as the team starter, 2006 as the QB of the expansion St. Louis Skyhawks.  He spent the last two years in Texas, backing up Joe Flacco, which meant getting 7 starts in Flacco’s injury-shortened 2012 season.  He retires with some decent numbers, a career QBR of 85.7, 44 TDs and 27 picks, and just over 8,000 yards.  Texas, still very solidly Joe Flacco’s team, will almost certainly look to the draft to bring in a young backup, but could also seek to find a veteran backup as well. CB Quentin Jammer (PHI):  This one is going to hurt the Eastern Conference Champion.  Jammer was a 4-time All-USFL selection at cornerback. With 10 picks over the past 2 seasons, the Stars are going to be hard-pressed to fill Jammer’s spot on the roster.  They like Sam Shields as a number 2 corner, but is he ready to move up to the top spot?  Expect CB to be a major focus for the Stars this offseason as they cannot afford to be weak at that position in a NE Division that has Sam Bradford, Joe Webb, Andy Dalton, and Ben Roethlisberger among their annual foes. SS Tyrone Carter (MGN):  Another DB hanging up his cleats.  Carter opted to do it while on top, or perhaps he was just exhausted after a season that saw the safety lead the Panthers in tackles and finish in the Top 5 in the league with 130 tackles.  It marks 3 times in the past 4 years that the safety has had over 100 tackles, which is generally what you only want to see from a MLB.  After 14 seasons, that is a lot to ask. Michigan has 2nd year safety Troy Petty on the roster, and he will get a shot to win the starting job, but the Panthers have already added a Free Agent in former Breaker Corey Chavous to compete with Petty. DE Ryan Denney (DEN): After 3 straight 10-sack seasons, Denney dipped to 7 this year, and also saw his playing time drop as Bryce Fisher and Justice Cole both got more snaps.  After 12 seasons in the trenches, Denney decided that he had done what he came to the league to do, retiring with 78 career sacks.  With no moves made so far to replace Denney, we expect DE to become a priority for the Gold as they prep for the draft. OT Marco Colombo (DAL):  Whether Colombo’s departure was known ahead of time or came as a surprise, the truth is that you never want to lose your LT without a plan in place, and we are not sure Dallas has one.  Stockar McDougle is better suited for the right side of the line and we are not sure that Mario Henderson is starting material.  So, what is Dallas to do? Rumors have them pursuing free agent tackle Vernon Carey of the Feds.  If that pursuit fails, it may require a look at the NFL pool in January. K Mike Hollis (OAK):  Going out on top. That is what Hollis did as the 2013 All-USFL kicker after a career best 151 points and 43 of 44 on field goals.  Hollis kicked for 3 teams in his 12-year USFL career, but will certainly relish his time with the Invaders most of all, as they included clutch kicks that helped Oakland become a perennial division title contender. Oakland has already made their move to replace Hollis, signing former Wrangler kicker David Buehler to a 3-year deal. DE Shaun Ellis (NJ): After 13 years in East Rutherford, Ellis retires after one of his best seasons in the league, a 16-sack performance on a pretty shaky Generals defense.  Ellis won two titles with the Generals back in the early-mid 2000’s and will certainly be among the potential candidates for the Hall of Fame in 5 years.  As for the Generals, they did see this move coming, having brought in Aaron Kampman and drafting William Gholston this year.  We expect to see Gholston get his crack at Ellis’s left side while Kampmann stays on the right. WR Terrell Owens (BIR): Bad enough that the Stallions lose Randy Moss, a future Hall of Famer, but to also lose Owens as well?  That is going to require a major facelift to the Stallion offense.  The dual retirements mean that Dontrelle Inman, the 2nd year receiver, and slot man Julian Edelman are now the two wideouts on the team with the most catches over this past season, combining for 44 receptions, well short of either Owens’s or Moss’s total this year.  Birmingham has signed former Dragon Chris Chambers, but we are feeling pretty sure that is not going to be their only move. HB Ron Dayne (BAL):  Are we shocked that Ron Dayne has called it a career at age 33?  Not really, but after another outstanding 1,200 yard season, the 7th of his Hall of Fame career, the Blitz cannot be excited about filling those shoes.  Dayne has been the constant for the Blitz over the past decade, reliable and steadfast.  He undoubtedly will remain close to the team and the city that has welcomed him as one of their own, but the Blitz had better invest some time and resources into finding a run game solution with Dayne no longer in the backfield. August also opened the USFL Free Agency period and, as we often see, some big names came off the list of available players within the first 72 hours, a shockwave of signings that causes all other teams to recalibrate their plans. Here is our look at the first 72 hours of signings. DAY ONE The first day of free agency kicked off with a flurry of action across the league, and with immediate impact.  Two-time All-USFL corner Carlos Rogers was officially the first player signed to a new deal as he joins his third team in his 9 year career, staying within the SE Division by moving from Charlotte to Tampa Bay on a new 3-year deal.  Another defender made a big move as Oakland LB Terrell Suggs, the former Baltimore Raven, will jump from coast to coast, joining the Philadelphia Stars.  Tampa safety Idrees Basheer inked a deal with the Memphis Showboats as they try to build up their shaky defense. Chicago made an interesting move, signing Breaker HB Matt Forte to a 2-year deal to act as backup to Doug Martin, a big step down from his starting role in New Orleans, but a pretty lucrative deal for a backup position.  WR Sinorice Moss will move from the Skyhawks to the Bulls on a new 3-year deal, and TE Julius Thomas will join Kenny Everett in Las Vegas as the Thunder make a first day signing.  Finally, QB Quincy Carter is on the move again, the 33-year old QB joining his 5th team as he is signed by the Breakers as a backup to Drew Brees. DAY TWO On the second day, one of the bigger names in the free agency pool is off the table as Orlando’s MLB Paul Posluszny will move on to the Pittsburgh Maulers, returning to Pennsylvania, where he made his name as a Nittany Lion.  Charlotte had the first big re-signing as they inked DT Ryan Sims to a new deal, and we saw two backs switch teams as former Clemson star C. J. Spiller jumps from the Bulls to the Dallas Roughnecks and fullback Peyton Hillis stays in state, moving from the Knights to the Showboats. DAY THREE By day three we started to see a pattern as teams with bigger cap allowances, teams like Charlotte, Tampa, and Pittsburgh, added to their early free agent haul.  The Monarchs inked Stars’ wideout James Hardy, Pittsburgh added wideout Mike Williams, and the Bandits opted to give a second shot to German import Sebastian Vollmer, who moves on from the Stars to Tampa Bay.  Also signed on this third day of the market were HB Tatum Bell (Dallas to New Jersey), and QB Kyle Boller, who goes from backing up Brees in New Orleans to Flacco in Texas. We also saw our first major trades of the offseason in August as Washington sent Jahvid Best to Tampa Bay (Reported prior to the Summer Bowl), and then Ohio found a taker for QB Vince Young.  Young will now be the new backup to Ben Roethlisberger in Baltimore.  That kind of makes sense.  Both are big, strong-armed QB’s, though Young tends to be a bit more of a scrambler than Big Ben, they both can put the ball deep down the field when called on.  Baltimore sent guard Eric Steinbach to the Glory in the trade, as well as a 6th round pick in this year’s draft. Over the next few weeks, more names were taken off the free agency board, including WR Jeremy Kerley (HOU to JAX), LB Monty Beisel (TBY to DAL), DE Marcus Harrison (STL to NJ), and CB Dawan Landry (NOR to DEN).  Perhaps the biggest name from the rest of August was that of LB Keith Bullock, who leaves the Philadelphia Stars for rival Washington, a move that certainly will not win him any friends in eastern PA. SEPTEMBER:  The NFL-USFL Window Leads to Several Big Departures September saw the hot stove continue with several significant signings within the USFL.  The list of signings from the month included the following USFL to USFL moves and resignings: WR Brandon LaFell:       Breakers to Federals WR Josh Reed:                 Resigned with Atlanta G Mitch Petrus:               Stags to Glory CB Deltha O’Neal          Resigned with Michigan LB Angelo Crowell         Blitz to Knights P Dustin Colquitt            Showboats to Glory CB Patrick Robinson     Bandits to Gold WR Roscoe Parrish        Outlaws to Blitz TE Ben Hartsook             Machine to Fire HB Cedric Benson          Thunder to Blitz WR Danny Amendola   Federals to Thunder G Sean Mahan                 Knights to Generals K Shayne Graham          Federals to Maulers But while the USFL free agency market continued, the big story in September was the opening of the NFL-USFL transfer window.  As we often see, the September window heavily favored the NFL with nearly a 3-1 transfer rate to the fall league, with teams adding players with the fall season already in play.   The opposite would be expected in the February-March market, when recently released NFL players often joined USFL clubs for their season.  The USFL did have a few noteworthy signings, including Atlanta landing QB Kellen Clemons to be a backup to Kyle Orton.  Stanford product Toby Gerhardt could not find an NFL team after his rookie deal expired, but the Pittsburgh Maulers brought him in to rotate with Ronnie Brown in their 2-back system.  Chicago added some TE help, landing Scott Chandler, LA added guard UcheNwaneri, and LB Calvin Pace will now join the USFL Dragons in Seattle. But, when you look at the names that jumped from the USFL to the NFL in September, you see why teams across the league dread the fall transfer window. Here is the pretty deep pool of USFL players that will now join NFL clubs and begin seeing action this fall: 5x All USFL WR Taylor Jacobs (Skyhawks to San Francisco) 5x All USFL CB Patrick Surtain (Maulers to Denver) 4x All USFL CB Will Allen (Thunder to LA Raiders) 2x All USFL DT Jeff Zgonina (Blitz to Dallas) 2013 All-USFL HB Arian Foster (Outlaws to Houston) CB Marquand Manuel (Stags to Seattle) LB Jonathan Vilma (Bandits to NY Jets) HB Michael Turner (Gamblers to Atlanta) DT Monsanto Pope (Wranglers to Pittsburgh) FS Chris Crocker (Monarchs to Minnesota) WR Keary Colbert (Panthers to Carolina) FS Bryan Scott (Bandits to Philadelphia) DE Erasmus James (Thunder to Green Bay) HB Kenny Watson (Maulers to New Orleans) DT Marcus Stroud (Bulls to Buffalo) LB Jamie Winborn (Dragons to LA Raiders) LB Keith Ellison (Panthers to Washington) LB Kawika Mitchell (Maulers to NY Giants) QB Jordan Palmer (Fire to Jacksonville) HB BenJarvis Green-Ellis (Invaders to New England) QB Tim Rattay (Gamblers to 49ers) The pattern of the NFL focusing on experienced USFL veterans clearly continued, with several All-USFL standouts now joining the fall league.  The USFL continues to focus on “overspending” for their rookies, and the NFL, while not happy about losing out on many draft picks, seems more than content to sign away big name and All-USFL veterans to fill the gaps.  Whether the USFL will be able to reciprocate in turn next spring will have to be seen, though the trend is for the spring league to cherry pick players coming off their rookie NFL contracts rather than veterans in their 30’s. OCTOBER: Filling Gaps & Making Trades October tends to see a drop in USFL free agent signings, though we did have a few noteworthy selections, as well as our first draft-impacting trades of the season.  We should expect that action to grow as we enter the winter and teams shift their focus to the wrap up of the NCAA season and the declarations for both the NFL and USFL drafts from players ready to leave the college ranks. Among the noteworthy USFL free agents who have landed new deals we have OT John Greco leaving the Stallions for the Generals, FB Rick Razzano, a 4-time All USFL selection at the often undervalued position, jumping from the Outlaws to the Dragons, guard Mike McGlynn headed from Philly to Denver, and TE Delanie Walker leaving Nashville to join rival Birmingham.  Other signings include QB John David Booty (Chicago), LBTorrance Marshall (SEA), DT Ron Edwards (POR), HB Jacob Hester (WSH), and WR Steve Breaston (WSH). Quite a few player for picks trade deals were also signed this month, though the highest draft pick swapped out was a 4th rounder, so no big shakeup at the top of the draft just yet.  Pittsburgh sent DE Henry Melton to the Generals for a 6th rounder and WR Kevin Johnson to the Gamblers for a 4th rounder, as it seems clear that new HC Vic Fangio is looking to stockpile some picks.  Denver sent backup center Ben Jones to the Federals for two picks, a 4th and a 6th.  Jones is expected to compete for the starting job in Washington.  The Federals, in turn, sent DE Kamerion Wemberly to Charlotte, getting in return guard Travis Bond and a 5th round pick.  And in the one player for player swap we have seen, Jacksonville sends SS Jaiquawn Jarrett to the Invaders to bolster their line with center Antoine Caldwell.  No huge names yet, no top picks swapping hands yet, but we know from experience that this is just a matter of time. We may be two solid months away from the USFL’s College Draft, but there is more excitement this year than we have seen in a long time.  And while a lot of the attention has gone to 2012 Heisman winner, Johnny Manziel, the truth is that this draft may be special not because of one player but because of the depth of talent across many positions.  It may not be a great draft for running backs, with none receiving a top rating, but in many other positions there are solid ratings 10-12 players deep, and that is a rarity. What that means for USFL teams is that it will not just be about nabbing the best player in their Territorial Draft pool or landing the perfect 1st round pick.  It will be about the full two part draft process. But, that does not mean that there is not an upper echelon  of talent that has many across the league buzzing.  We have selected our 10 Immediate Impact candidates from what we anticipate will be the 2013 Draft pool.  The USFL would love to land as many of these 10 as possible, maintaining their strong draft history vs. the NFL, and for many of these players, it may be the Territorial Draft that determines how and when they get picked. These 10 are in order of position, not a ranked list, because by most accounts any of these 10 could prove to be ROTY candidates. QB Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M) Territorial Pool: Houston Gamblers Profile: A dynamic dual threat QB with a knack for playmaking.  Some are comparing his game to that of Doug Flutie or Jim Kelly, two of the biggest names in USFL history. QB Blake Bortles (UCF) Territorial Pool: Orlando Renegades Orlando seems quite happy with Russell Wilson’s first year, so the more traditional pocket passer Bortles could be available in the open draft, which could make him a very coveted player when the teams without strong QB prospects start looking at that pool. WR Sammy Watkins (Clemson) Territorial Pool: Jacksonville Bulls The most dynamic playmaker of a pretty good receiver group, Watkins is strongest at quick cut routes and can play at all three levels of route.  The Bulls could very well be in the market for his skill set. WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M) Territorial Pool: Houston Gamblers More of a straight route and contested ball receiver than Watkins, Mike Evans is an ideal red zone target, big and able to leap as well.  We think Houston will be scouting him heavily ahead of the territorial draft, especially with Ike Hilliard retiring this year. OT Taylor Lewan (Michigan) Territorial Pool: Michigan Panthers The Panthers would be a good landing spot for the Wolverine LT, but they have a lot of needs on defense, so there is a chance that they go heavily in that direction this draft, allowing Lewan to possibly make an appearance early in the Open Draft. DE Jadeveon Clowney (So. Carolina) Territorial Pool: Orlando Renegades The most talked about defensive player in this year’s draft, Clowney is viewed as a top tier edge rusher, but here is the issue.  If there is one position where Orlando does not need or have the funding to support a top tier player, it is at edge rusher.  The new Calais Campbell contract all but guarantees that the ‘Gades will let Clowney join the Open Draft unless someone makes a solid trade offer to snap up one of their T-Draft picks. DT Aaron Donald (Pitt) Territorial Pool:  Pittsburgh Maulers We hope teams won’t get their hopes up about Donald.  There is little to no chance that the Maulers will not select him with their first T-Draft pick.  They have a clear need on the interior of their D-line and Donald looks very much like a cannot miss prospect. LB Khalil Mack (Buffalo) Territorial Pool: None This is an exciting prosepct, the rare top tier talent who is not at a protected school.  That makes Mack one of the few known quantities in the Open Draft from day one.  We cannot imagine he escapes the Top 10 picks in the Open Draft, and could be a good target for the 1st overall pick if Dallas does not go QB in that spot. LB Anthony Barr (UCLA) Territorial Pool: Los Angeles Express Barr is a solid tackler, a fierce competitor, and a natural leader.  Those are all things that an aging LA Express LB group could use.  We see Barr being the Express’s first territorial pick, even with the rich talent pool they have with USC and UCLA players in their exclusive domain. LB Ryan Shazier (Ohio State) Territorial Pool: Ohio Glory The last of our top 10, and another who could be available in the Open Draft if Ohio has other priorities.  Shazier is known for his hitting, and no team passes up on that, but Ohio has needs on both sides of the ball, needs that are more pressing than at LB, so it is conceivable that they will lock up some other Buckeyes and allow Shazier to seek top dollar on the Open Draft market. There are certainly more than 10 prospects that fans should be excited about.  As we review each team’s situation, we will try to present some of the best from each club’s territorial protected schools and some of the best fits should certain players remain available for the Open Draft.  Of course, we also realize that typically 50% or more of the picks from the USFL Draft end up on NFL rosters, but last year was a very strong year at the top of the draft for the USFL, so we don’t rule out the possibility that 2014 could see another bumper crop of rookie talent hitting the league. Team by Team Needs & T-Draft Prospects Let’s take a look at each club, in their initial first round draft order (assuming no trades happen in the next few weeks, at least for now).  We will present each club’s top position of concern, whether for immediate contribution or a need for depth.  We will then review the best options each has in the schools they have protected, and finally a possible name to consider in the first round of the Open Draft, if the players somehow make it that far without being selected. DALLAS ROUGHNECKS Positions of Need: QB, DE, SS, DT, OT Top T-Draft Prospects: TCU’s Jason Verrett is a very talented corner, but as a pure fit, Dallas may also look at QB Garrett Gilbert out of SMU to add to their young QB group. Perfect Fit: If the Bulls don’t jump on South Carolina DE JaDaveon Clowney, you know Dallas will be all over him in the Open Draft. NEW JERSEY GENERALS Positions of Need: WR, LB, DE, OG, OT Top T-Draft Prospects: Losing OU but gaining Wisconsin changes the pool quite a bit for the Generals.  This year that pool could provide them a safety in Dezmen Southward, or a LB In Chris Borland, both Badgers. Perfect Fit: New Jersey needs speed at WR, so either Clemson’s Sammy Watkins or LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr, would be ideal picks at 2. JACKSONVILLE BULLS Positions of Need: OT, CB, OG, HB Top T-Draft Prospects: Do the Bulls go after Clemson WR Sammy Watkins? It is not a high need area, but he is a talent.  They do need a corner (or two), so Florida’s Jaylen Watkins or Clemson’s Bashaud Breeland would be good options. Perfect Fit: The Bulls want to beef up the O-line, so they could look at someone like Greg Robinson, OT out of Auburn or Jake Matthews out of A&M. If Michigan passes on protecting Wolverine Jake Lewan, he too could be on their radar. NASHVILLE KNIGHTS Positions of Need: DE, G, OT, LB, HB, WR Top T-Draft Prospects: Not a deep pool for the Knights, but right at the top is OT Ja’Waun James, a definite need pick for Nashville’s rebuilding O-line. Perfect Fit: If Clowney somehow is there at pick 4, they will jump on him, if not, the next best option may be Auburn’s Dee Ford. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS Positions of Need: FS, LB, TE, OG, K Top T-Draft Prospects: A good selection of talent for the Showboats.  We know they like FS Lonnie Ballentine, but what about a wideout like Donte Moncrief or a guard like Kadeem Edwards from Tennessee State? Perfect Fit: Safety is a tough pick to make this early, but if they are serious about the need, they have either Louisville’s Calvin Pryor or Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton Dix both possibly here at 5. MICHIGAN PANTHERS Positions of Need: CB, WR, OG, DT, FS Top T-Draft Prospects: A pretty slim list out of UM and MSU this year, but if the Panthers can land OT Taylor Lewan or CB Darqueze Dennard, they will be happy. Perfect Fit: The Panthers and Coach Johnson will want to shore up that secondary, so how about a top flight corner like OK State’s Justin Gilbert, Va Tech’s Kyle Fuller, or TCU’s Jason Verett? SEATTLE DRAGONS Positions of Need: LB, DE, DT, OG, FS, P Top T-Draft Prospects: We love Boise State’s DeMarcus Lawrence as a good fit for the Dragon D-line, but they should also take a long look at safety Deone Bucannon out of Wash State, and, of course, Bishop Sankey is another top target for the Dragons. Perfect Fit: Seattle needs some stopping power at LB.  Are they comfortable that Buffalo’s Khalil Mack will drop to 7, or do they need to make a move up the board to get a shot at a player who is not coming out of a T-Draft protected school? HOUSTON GAMBLERS Positions of Need: HB, C, WR, CB, QB Top T-Draft Prospects: A great group coming out of Texas A&M, but do the Gamblers prioritize Manziel or his top target, Mike Evans?  How about tackle Jake Matthews?  Solid talent to pick from and certainly offers will be on the table for a chance to land Manziel. Perfect Fit: If Houston picks and signs Johnny Manziel, that will show us a lot. But if they trade that T-Draft pick, they could have several 1st round picks on tap.  That gives them a lot of options.  We like a halfback early if that is the case.  How about Bishop Sankey out of UW (assuming the Dragons don’t pick him.) TAMPA BAY BANDITS Positions of Need: DT, SS, LB, WR, FS Top T-Draft Prospects: So much talent out of FSU this year.  The best fit for the Bandits may be either safety LaMarcus Joyner or DT Timmy Jernigan, but what about Terrence Brooks, HB Devonta Freeman, or WR Kelvin Benjamin.  Some quality Seminoles on the board to be sure. Perfect Fit: If somehow Aaron Donald slips past the Maulers (how?), the Bandits will not hesitate to jump on the Pitt product. LAS VEGAS THUNDER Positions of Need: CB, LB, HB, DE, FB Top T-Draft Prospects: The Thunder’s schools (BYU, UTAH, and UNLV) rarely produce a truly solid pool, often requiring a 4th school be added.  At least this year there is one clear choice, LB Kyle Van Noy out of BYU is a must-target for the Thunder D. Perfect Fit: Another team looking for a corner. They like both Gilbert (OK State) and Fuller (Va Tech), so we will see who is on the board with this pick. PITTSBURGH MAULERS Positions of Need: DT, QB, TE, HB, LB Top T-Draft Prospects: If the Maulers do not throw everything they have at signing Pitt DT Aaron Donald, they will be guilty of malpractice.  A better plug-and-play defender has not come out of the college ranks in years and it is a position of need for the club as well. Perfect Fit: Let’s assume that the Maulers get their DT in Donald.  So, next up is a backup QB or a halfback.  We think there is a good chance that either Teddy Bridgewater or Blake Bortles will be here at this pick. PORTLAND STAGS Positions of Need: CB, WR, OT, TE, P Top T-Draft Prospects: We like Brandin Cooks as a target for the Stags and for QB Matt McGloin.  He could help take the top off the defense. Perfect Fit: Wideout and Corner are the two biggest needs, but if one of the big tackles is still here, they may have to jump on that. ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS Positions of Need: DE, SS, CB, QB, WR Top T-Draft Prospects: Iowa and Missouri have some interesting players to look at, including Hawkeye LBs Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens and Mizzou CB E. J. Gaines.   DE Michael Sam is a bit of a controversial choice, but he has some talent, and that can be the most important factor. Perfect Fit: Dee Ford or DeMarcus Lawrence would need to clear the T-Draft, but St. Louis would be very happy if one of those big DE’s was to be had with their first Open Draft pick. BALTIMORE BLITZ Positions of Need: HB, DT, LB, OT, DE Top T-Draft Prospects: We think the Blitz will take a shot at both safety Calvin Pryor and LB Marcus Smith, both out of Louisville.  Do they also look at Teddy Bridgewater?  Or would that send a bad message to Big Ben? Perfect Fit: The Blitz want a big pounding running back. That is not Bishop Sankey, but it could be Carlos Hyde from Ohio State, and the Glory don’t seem inclined to spend the money needed to land him as a backup to Isaiah Pead, so he could be here. OHIO GLORY Positions of Need: SS, OT, DE, FS, C, LB Top T-Draft Prospects: LB Ryan Shazier and CB Bradley Roby are both top flight options for the Glory, though perhaps Shazier is a better need pick.  We also like OT Jack Mewhort, and maybe even HB Carlos Hyde, all Buckeyes, though Isaiah Pead’s outstanding 2013 may make the Hyde pick unneeded. Perfect Fit: Speaking of Ohio, they should solve some of their problems in the T-Draft, but they could be in the market for a tackle or a safety.  Calvin Pryor from Louisville would be a nice fit, as would OT Ja’Wuan James out of Tennessee. ORLANDO RENEGADES Positions of Need: LB, DT, DE, QB, OT Top T-Draft Prospects: The best player by far is DE JaDaveon Clowney, but can the Renegades really invest big money in Clowney as they restructure Calais Campbell to be the highest paid defender in the game today?  If they pass on Clowney, expect them to look at O-line with picks in the T-Draft. Perfect Fit: The Renegades are hoping some of the topflight linebackers like Shazier, Barr, or Mack somehow escape the T-Draft and at least one of them is still on the board here. If not, they may have to look at OT. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS Positions of Need: WR, OT, DT, QB, TE Top T-Draft Prospects: We love Greg Robinson, the big burley Auburn tackle as a perfect fit for the Stallions, and they might also take a look at safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix or DE Dee Ford out of Auburn as well. Perfect Fit: The Stallions have needs on both lines, but they also need to address the retirements of both Moss and Owens, so we expect them to draft several wideouts.  How about starting with big Mike Evans out of A&M, a receiver who will high point the ball and win those 50/50 matchups? ATLANTA FIRE Positions of Need: C, FS, LB, WR, K Top T-Draft Prospects: QB Aaron Murray is an intriguing prospect, but just not a need position for the Fire.  A much better fit would be at WR, where Albert Wilson is a low risk pick, very likely to sign.  We also like TE Arthur Lynch as a possible weapon for the Fire offense. Perfect Fit: Center is a weird position to take in the first round.  It is a clear need, but will they stretch to take a Weston Richburg (Colorado State) or Marcus Martin (USC) when one or both could be there in the 2nd round? DENVER GOLD Positions of Need: DE, LB, HB, C, TE Top T-Draft Prospects: Not a great pool for Denver, but a good potential pool for adding depth (not impact).  OG Spencer Long from Nebraska, LB Shaquil Barrett from Colorado State, or WR Paul Richardson of the Buffs could all be useful additions. Perfect Fit: As much as we want Denver to go for a flashy playmaker, that has never been their style.  How about a solid DE like Notre Dame’s Stephon Tuitt or a hard-hitting LB like Kyle Van Noy, if either get through to the Open Draft. CHICAGO MACHINE Positions of Need: LB, OG, DT, TE, HB Top T-Draft Prospects: Notre Dame could provide all 3 picks for the Machine, between guard Zach Martin, DE Stephon Truitt, TE Troy Niklas, DT Louis Nix, and guard Chris Watt, there is no lack of options for Chicago. Perfect Fit: This may seem an odd pick, but quality TE play is so important to the Chicago offense, how about UNC’s Eric Ebron at this point in the first round?  We don’t think Charlotte is going to protect him and he should drop at least this far. LOS ANGELES EXPRESS Positions of Need: DT, WR, TE, LB, QB Top T-Draft Prospects: The Express have a need for young linebacker and UCLA’s Anthony Barr should be a target.  They also want to add a young receiver with Keyshawn retiring, so USC’s Marqise Lee could also be a prime target. Perfect Fit: If Sammy Watkins or Brandin Cooks are here, the Express will be gleeful.  If not, they could do worse than someone like FSU’s Kelvin Benjamin or Vandy’s Jordan Matthews.  One way or the other they need a new number one receiver, and a rookie may have to be the answer. WASHINGTON FEDERALS Positions of Need: DT, WR, C, DE, K Top T-Draft Prospects: Not a great pool out of Virginia, Duke and Va Tech, but there is interest in CB Kyle Fuller, from Va Tech and CB Ross Cockrell from Duke. Perfect Fit: Washington is also hoping there is a quality receiver available, but would be equally happy if a big run-stuffing DT is here, someone like Florida’s Dominique Easley or Minnesota’s Ra’Shede Hageman. CHARLOTTE MONARCHS Positions of Need: DT, FS, OT, LB, SS, G Top T-Draft Prospects: UNC has three talented defenders in DE Kareem Martin, S Tre Boston and CB Jabari Price. We expect Charlotte to target one, two, or all three of these Tarheels. Perfect Fit: Charlotte is hoping Washington goes wideout, because they want the big DT even more than the Federals do. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS Positions of Need: HB, SS, OT, CB, LB Top T-Draft Prospects: A good year for LSU equals a good year for the Breaker’s T-Draft.  How about WRs O’Dell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry?  Or DT Ego Ferguson?  HB Jeremy Hill? Or guard Trai Turner? Perfect Fit: Halfback is the key position with Forte leaving in Free Agency.  They could solve this issue with LSU’s Jeremy Hill, but if not, and if Sankey is available, he would fit their run-pass system well. OAKLAND INVADERS Positions of Need: WR, LB, TE, K, C Top T-Draft Prospects: With WR a need, we expect Oakland to take a long look at Fresno State wideout Davante Adams.  They could also use a TE who can run the field, and Cal’s Richard Rodgers II fits that bill.  On defense, how about LB Trent Murphy of Stanford or Khairi Fortt from Cal? Perfect Fit: We could see the Invaders swap their way out of the first round, especially if they really like and are able to get reciprocal feelings from Davante Adams at WR in the T-Draft.  If not, then a LB like Jeremiah Attaochu (Ga Tech) or Marcus Smith (Louisville) would be a good addition. PHILADELPHIA STARS Positions of Need: CB, DE, WR, TE, OT Top T-Draft Prospects: Penn State has at least one prospect the Stars covet, wideout Allen Robinson.  They also will likely take a look at PSU DT DaQuan Jones and BC linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis. Perfect Fit: Philadelphia wants a corner more than anything, and the one we like for them is Jason Verett out of TCU.  Could they trade to get a T-Draft pick from Dallas to land him?  Not out of the question. ARIZONA WRANGLERS Positions of Need: OT, DT, LB, HB, K Top T-Draft Prospects: We love it when opportunity matches need.  How is this for a match?  DT Will Sutton from ASU to fill Monsanto Pope’s spot?  Then you have ASU linebacker Carl Bradford, and, if halfback is an area for some depth, Ka’Deem Carey adds a nice 3rd down dimension that could give Frank Gore some needed snaps off. Perfect Fit:  The last pick in the first round is often a “trade down” position for the defending champion.  Doing so saves cash and they still get an early 2nd rounder in most cases.  With OT and DT being pretty deep positions, we could see Arizona drop into the early 2nd round and still have a good shot at someone like Dominique Easley (Florida) or Ja’Wuan James (Tennessee). We will be back in February, right after the USFL Draft, to assess how the draft went, who is likely or unlikely to sign on for some spring football, and review all the trades, free agent signings, and offseason moves. We will see what the coaching situation looks like in Las Vegas and Nashville, and what the league is going to do about the Las Vegas market after the agreement was cut to move the Thunder to San Diego in 2015.  So, enjoy the holidays, Merry Christmas everyone, and we will be back just as camps open to look at the situation for your favorite USFL squad.  Until then, stay safe, enjoy the holidays, and enjoy the NFL as we gear up for the 32nd USFL season in March.  It will be here before you know it.

It was everything the USFL and its fans could have wanted out of a title game; two top seeds, the best of each conference, engaged in a back and forth struggle for 60 minutes, with the score unresolved, the game would go to overtime before a champion was decided, and in the end a new champion, a first-time champion was crowned.  It was a game filled with stars, with bone-crunching hits, dramatic turns, and big plays.  Pre-game concerns about the status of Frank Gore were dispelled, and by game’s end the Arizona halfback was able to take 28 carries, but Gore’s presence also meant that the threat of the run was fully felt, even if the back was not at 100%, and that made the play action game with David Carr work to perfection. Carr would finish the game as the Summer Bowl MVP, riding off with a 19 of 23 performance, 321 yards through the air against a tough Philadelphia defense, and three touchdown passes. Larry Fitzgerald would be dubbed the playoff MVP, with his third consecutive 100-yard game, this time racking up 135 yards on only 5 receptions, and the defense led by DPOTY Adam Carriker would hold off the Stars in overtime, allowing Arizona to set up the winning kick to bring the Wranglers their first title in over 30 years of play in the league. For the Stars, their big hitters also showed up in force.  Steve Slaton, who had missed the final month of the regular season, added a third consecutive 100-yard rushing game with 101 yards in the game. Stevie Johnson was nearly unstoppable, with 9 receptions for 115 and a touchdown.  On defense, LB Dan Connor racked up 9 tackles, 4 for a loss, and added a sack, while FS Jarius Byrd got the lone pick of Carr in the game. It was a hard fought, tight battle all game long, the kind of game that kept viewers, both in the stadium and at home, on the edge of their seats.  The festivities began with Kelly Clarkson performing “America the Beautiful”, before the national anthem was performed by the Air Force Academy Band from just down the road in Colorado Springs.  It was a perfect late summer Colorado evening, temperatures in the high 70’s with just a slight breeze coming down from the mountains.  The coin toss gave the Wranglers the choice, and they deferred, meaning that Philadelphia would take the ball first when the game kicked off. A booming kick from David Buehler started the game with a touchback.  The Stars’ first series would be a short one, with Arizona’s defense proving its mettle early on with a three-and-out.  Matt Gutierrez was pressured on 3rd and 4 and was forced to throw the ball away, unable to spot that James Hardy had gotten open over the middle.  Philadelphia punted and Arizona took over on their own 38.  The Wranglers would bring out Frank Gore and the offense to rousing applause as a predominantly Arizona crowd welcomed the Wrangler offense to the field. On his first touch of the day, Frank Gore found a hole on the right side and burst for 5 yards.  The run was met with another round of cheers from the nervous Wrangler faithful, happy to see their MVP in the game and starting off well.  Gore would not have an MVP game in his totals, averaging only 2.5 yards per rush against the stout Star defense, but on the second play from scrimmage, it became clear how Arizona would use him.  Faking the handoff to Gore, the Star defense converged on the back, and that created room for David Carr to roll slightly to the left and find Antonio Bryant for the first down.  The play-action strategy on first and second down would mean that Arizona would face only 9 third downs the entire game as they racked up over 400 yards of offense against a Star defense that was 2nd best in the league. On their opening drive, the Wranglers would mix the run and pass evenly (4 of each), with Carr getting the ball down to the Philadelphia 21 and then take a shot at the endzone.  Carr sought out Larry Fitzgerald in the endzone, but Fitz was obstructed by Sam Shields, and the refs threw the flag.  From the 1, everyone expected Gore over the top, but that perfectly set up a quick leak-out from TE Rob Gronkowski and the big man blocked out the defender and caught the 1-yard TD toss to open scoring in the game. Philadelphia would respond with their 2nd drive.  Establishing the run with Slaton and Zac Stacy, the Stars also began using play action to provide Matt Gutierrez with time to throw.  He connected with Stevie Johnson on a 17-yard gainer that shook the Arizona defense and sent a clear message that the Stars would not be intimidated by Arizona’s defensive rep.  4 plays later, Steve Slaton took a pitch, fond the corner, and raced 9 yards to the end zone and the equalizing score. In what was one of the higher scoring first quarters in recent Summer Bowl history, Arizona came right back, to the point where many were beginning to question how these two teams had cracked each other’s defensive schemes so effectively.  Again it was the play-action pass that was the key, as Arizona was able to get Carr time to throw and Carr, in turn, connected with his receivers, hitting Larry Fitzgerald for a 23-yard gainer before finding Antonio Bryant from 14 yard out to retake the lead at 14-7. It was a 15-minute span that had both head coaches consulting with their defensive coordinators to try to find answers.  The start of the second quarter saw the defenses start to find themselves after the flurry of offense in the opening period.   Arizona forced a Philadelphia punt after a sack of Gutierrez, one of only 3 on the day for the Wranglers, as Larry English shed his blocker and found the Philly QB unprepared.  Philadelphia reciprocated with a solid defensive stop, stuffing Frank Gore on a 3rd and 3 run to again force a punt.   But the Stars on their second drive of the quarter again fell short when Daniel Fells was hit by safety Troy Polamalu, turning a potential first down catch into an incompletion and again forcing a Philadelphia punt. The Stars would catch their first break, and a key shift in the first half, on the next Arizona possession however, when the Stars did not bite on the fake to Gore, having called a blitz on the play.   The blitzing linebacker occupied the tackle, allowing DE Reggie Torbor to reach David Carr just as he was winding up the throw. He clipped Carr’s arm in motion, and the ball sailed on the Arizona QB.  Safety Jarius Byrd won the tip drill and Philadelphia found themselves with the first turnover of the game and with the ball on the Arizona side of the field.  They would cash in to equalize the score 6 plays later, when Stevie Johnson used a rub route out of a 3-receiver cluster to work his way free of the corner and Matt Gutierrez found him for a 2-yard TD toss. With the game now tied at 14, Philadelphia kicked off to the Wranglers, who got a good return from Kassim Osgood, a 35-yarder that brought the ball practically to midfield.  But, unfortunately, the Wranglers failed to convert a 3rd and 4 and were forced to punt the ball back to the Stars.  However, the precision of All-USFL punter Shane Lechler turned a negative into a positive as he coffin corner kicked the ball out on the 4-yard line.  The Stars tried to run up the middle with Stacy, but the rookie back was absolutely stuffed by LB Travis Goethel, losing 2 yards and placing the ball precariously close to the endzone.  The Wranglers doubled down on pressure on 2nd and 12 from the 2.  Sending Karlos Dansby and A. J. Klien on blitzes to either side of the center, they immediately flushed Gutierrez out of his dropback, only to have him roll right into the rushing DPOTY, Adam Carriker.  The big DE wrapped up Gutierrez for the safety and a 2-point lead with just over a minute left in the half. Arizona would not be able to move the ball again and once again were forced to punt, but now, with only 17 seconds left in the half, Philadelphia was content to kneel down on the ball and send the game to the halftime break.  Both defenses had asserted themselves in the second quarter, Philadelphia holding the Wranglers out of scoring range and the Wrangler D putting points on the board with a big assist from their special teams unit.  Now, as both coaches looked over their offensive plans of attack, the defenses got a much needed rest. As the fans at Invesco Field rocked to music by Train and local Colorado favorites The Fray, the coaches tried to figure out what was and was not working for their teams.  This was a game that had the feel of a drawn out battle that could be decided on one or two key plays.  The kind of game that would require discipline and focus for all 60 minutes, and, as it turned, out additional time as well. The third quarter began with Arizona receiving the kickoff. They had a bit more success moving the ball, but once again were stymied as they crossed midfield. Philadelphia’s defense put enough pressure on Carr on third and 7 that his pass to Fitzgerald was off the mark and once again the Wranglers were forced to punt.  Backed up once again, Philadelphia played it conservatively. Using Steve Slaton out of a 2-back formation, they were able to gain 2 first downs and reach midfield, but they too bogged down.  Arizona would take over on their own 17 after a John Carlton punt.  Their next drive would be kind of slow, steady slog downfield that demoralizes a defense, though the Stars would not give up the touchdown, a huge factor down the road. Arizona got several nice runs form Frank Gore on the drive, his most proficient of the game, likely due to some trainer support during the half.  With Gore running the ball, spelled only once by Stevan Ridley, and with Carr finding WR Mike Williams and TE Rob Gronkowski with first down-earning passes, the Wranglers moved the ball down inside the Philadelphia five.  First and goal on the 4 seemed to indicate that the Stars were about to go down by 2 scores.  But Philadelphia held.  They limited Frank Gore to a 1-yard run on first down, then 2 yards on 2nd down, putting the ball on the 1-yard line.  On third down, Carr took the ball out of the shotgun, looked towards Gronkowski, but was flushed by the Stars defense.  He made it back to the line of scrimmage, but was officially ruled down, a sack for Anthony Hargrove, and the Wranglers, after nearly 10 minutes of possession, had only a field goal and a 5-point lead to show for it.  The third quarter wrapped up at 19-14. The final period would be the most furious of the game, with both teams moving the ball effectively once again.  Philadelphia took the first possession of the quarter down to the Arizona 34, before being stifled on third down.  Coach Harbaugh, trusting in the leg of Mike Nugent, and trying to get the score down within 3, would send his kicker out for the 51-yard attempt.  Nugent paid off his coach’s confidence with a solid kick and the Stars would find themselves down only 2 points with nearly 12 minutes left to play. Philadelphia would get a shot to tie only 3 minutes later, as Arizona’s offense again failed to convert and the Wranglers again punted, but after gaining two first downs and crossing midfield, the Stars would suffer another turnover as Leon Washington took a swing pass from Gutierrez, but in the process of going down on the tackle, the ball was forced out by a solid punch-out from LB Lance Briggs, and Arizona would recover the untimely fumble to take over again. They would strike quickly, with a perfect first down play action pass that found Larry Fitzgerald open for a 52-yard strike. Safety Jarius Byrd was able to track down the receiver and knock him out at the Philadelphia 12, but the damage was done.  Two plays later, following a false start by the Wranglers, Carr went back to his lanky receiver, and Fitzgerald rewarded him with a 17-yard touchdown on a fade pattern that was indefensible for the shorter cornerback against Fitzgerald’s height.  Arizona had built up a 9-point lead, 26-17, and it seemed were on their way to a celebratory champagne shower. But with just over 5 minutes left, this game was far from over.  The Stars drove the ball quickly into Arizona territory, and closed in on a touchdown, with the ball down to the Arizona 3-yard line.  But once again a fumble would undo the Stars. This time it was a botched handoff between Gutierrez and Slaton.  The Philadelphia fans in attendance groaned as they saw their shot at getting back into the game fumbled away.  But, they would be back on their feet only 1 play later. Pinned at their own end zone, the Wranglers tried once again to use play action, hoping to catch Philadelphia focused on Frank Gore, but this time the Stars were ready, and when David Carr dropped into the end zone, the pass rush was there.  Carr got the ball off, but not before a flag had been pulled.  Holding was the call, and with the call occurring in the end zone, it was 2-points for the Stars and a kickoff to Philadelphia with 47 seconds left to play, a last chance for a TD drive to equalize the score. The Stars were decisive in the final possession.  Leon Washington was brought in as a pass-catching back, three receivers (Johnson, James Hardy, and Michael Newhouse) and TE Travis Kelce would be the players on the field. An 11-yard pass to Hardy on first down got the ball to the Arizona 33 and with Hardy stepping out of bounds, the clock stopped with 34 seconds on the clock.  Rather than dink and dunk their way to the end zone, Philadelphia opted to go big.  Arizona was notorious for bringing pressure and playing man coverage, even in game ending situations, so OC Greg Roman sent in a play designed to beat man coverage, though it would require some time to set up.  Matt Gutierrez was to roll out to his right, to the side of the field that had only 1 receiver, Stevie Johnson.  Johnson would run a post route, with Michael Newhouse undercutting that route from the left side and racing to the right corner of the end zone. The play would require Washington to stay in and block to avoid a possible sack. The play worked as it was written up.  Washington chipped Carriker to help Gutierrez have more time, the safety followed Johnson towards the middle of the field, and Newhouse got a step on the corner.  Gutierrez put the ball out in front of Newhouse, and with 34 seconds left to play, Philadelphia connected on the play and Newhouse had himself a game-saving touchdown.  With Mike Nugent’s confident PAT kick the game was knotted up at 26. Arizona would elect to push the game to overtime, somewhat shellshocked by the final minute of play.  They would need to recover and regroup in the short break between the 4th quarter and the coin toss, because Philadelphia certainly had gained momentum with the 9-point swing in the game’s final minute.  As the visitor, Philadelphia called tails and it was tails.  They opted to receive, hoping to end the game on the first drive, never giving Arizona a chance to recover. The Wranglers needed to circle the wagons on defense and retake field position and momentum if they wanted to pull out this game and their title hopes.  They would do just that as Philadelphia earned one first down and then was stuffed, pressure and good coverage caused the Stars to falter on both 2nd and 3rd down from their own 33, forcing a punt that gave Arizona their first possession in overtime, knowing that any points put up would end the game. The Wranglers did not change their formula, mixing up the run and pass plays, using run formations but sending their backs and tight ends out on routes as well.  Frank Gore would get his only catch of the game, TE James Casey had two catches on the overtime drive, and Larry Fitzgerald got his final catch, a 14-yarder on 2nd and 9 that helped Arizona get into range for David Buehler.  By the 9-minute mark of overtime, the Wranglers were well within Buehler’s range, sitting with the ball on the Philadelphia 15.  They wasted no time, bringing Buehler out on first and 10 from the 15 for a 32-yard kick.  Philadelphia would ice Buehler, which sent the crowd into a Ferris Buehler-esque chant of “Buehler, Buehler… Buehler”.  The Arizona kicker sent the ball straight down the middle and Invesco Field was suddenly a blizzard of copper and red confetti.  The Wranglers had won their first title in the team’s and the league’s 31-year history.  It had taken an extra 7 minutes, but the victory was theirs. The team that featured the league’s Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP stood at the podium to hold aloft the John Bassett Trophy.  The oft-unsung hero of the team, David Carr, received the game’s MVP award, but was quick in interviews to thank everyone from Coach Tomsula to his line and the defense that had given them a shot in overtime.  The Stars had come close once again, but now evened their Summer Bowl record at 3-3 with a third loss.  The Wranglers had finished off a magical season, one which saw them fall to defeat only once, with a well-deserved title.  Arizona would be home to the Champions of Spring Football.

The One Seeds prevail and set up one of the most anticipated Summer Bowl matchups in memory. It will be the Philadelphia Stars, champions of the East, taking on the Arizona Wranglers, 15-1 champions of the West. Two teams with outstanding defenses, deep threats at WR, and a run game that can take over the pace of play and the clock. There are concerns about one key figure, injured in the Conference Final, but there is also amazing energy around the game and the matchup as Arizona strives to win their first title in the club's 31-season history, while Philadelphia seeks to become only the 2nd club, after Houston, to win 4 USFL titles. We will recap how both clubs got through the Conference Title Games to be in the big dance, preview the matchup, and catch you up on all the league news this week. So let's get right to it with the 2013 Conference Championships. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 19    PHILADELPHIA STARS 24 In a championship matchup, if I tell you that one team committed more turnovers, lost the time of possession battle, and was outgained by nearly 70 yards, you might well be expected to say that the team I am describing lost, and lost handily.  And yet, the 2013 Philadelphia Stars bucked the odds and found a way to win a very challenging matchup with the New Orleans Breakers.  Aided by a 161-38 advantage on the ground, and fortunate that New Orleans was only able to muster 6 points off of three Star turnovers, Philadelphia outlasted the Breakers to return to the Summer Bowl as Eastern Conference Champions.  It will be their 6th appearance in the USFL title game, firmly cementing the Stars as one of the blue bloods of the league. But this honor did not come easy for the Stars, not by a longshot.  New Orleans came into the game with a solid defense and a dynamic passing game led by QB Drew Brees, and that helped them stay in this game, despite trailing for most of the game.  Brees would finish with an impressive 34 of 45 passing, throwing for 391 yards and 2 scores.  Compared to the more modest 19 of 29 for 183 of Matt Gutierrez, the Breaker QB certainly  had the advantage in the passing game, but when we turn our attention to the rushing stats we can see the Breakers’ biggest weakness and Philadelphia’s key strength.  While Stars’ HB Steve Slaton had a second consecutive 100-yard game after returning from injury, rushing for 123 yards and 2 scores, the best New Orleans could muster was 29 yards on 12 carries from Mike Tolbert.  Matt Forte, the de facto starter, would get only 7 carries and could only produce 10 yards, a measly 1.4 yards per carry.  That differential proved fatal for the Breakers. New Orleans put the only points up in a tentative first quarter, a 31-yard field goal that came when the Breaker drive was stifled by Philadelphia just inside the red zone.  Neither team had done much in the quarter, but a single play, a nice Brees to LaFell pass, had gotten the Breakers into range for Caleb Sturgis, and he helped put them up after 15 minutes of action. But, Philadelphia, taking the cue to start mixing up their offense, responded with a strong second quarter.  Based largely on the run game of Slaton, Stacy and Leon Washington, the Stars got their kicker into range and Mike Nugent responded with a 43-yarder to even the score.  5 minutes later, Philadelphia had the ball back and once again was driving.  Steve Slaton hit a big play, running for 33 yards on a simple first down counter tre play.  That would lead to Matt Gutierrez connecting on his lone TD of the day, a slant route to James Hardy to give Philly the 10-3 lead. After a quick 3-and-out by the Breakers, Philadelphia had the chance to put the game away before the half, but receiver Marshall Newhouse, was stripped of the ball after his first catch of the game and New Orleans’s Cameron Jordan was fortunate to fall on the ball, giving New Orleans a chance to even the score.  They struggled to move the ball against the Stars and were forced to settle for a second Sturgis field goal.  Philadelphia went into the half up 10-6, but cautious about hurting themselves with more turnovers. The opening drive of the second half gave Philly the advantage they had been seeking at the end of the first half.  A controlled 12-play drive led to Steve Slaton’s 5-yard slashing run to the end zone and Philadelphia was up 17-6.  This could have been the end of the game for the Breakers, but Drew Brees was not ready to concede the game.  He led New Orleans on their first touchdown drive, highlighted by a 66-yard catch and run by Early Doucet.  The play should have been a 13-yard completion, but when the corner and safety sandwiched Doucet, the impact led to both defenders falling to the ground, but left Doucet still standing.  He raced down to the 2 before being forced out by Jairus Byrd. Two plays later Donnie Avery caught the play action pass from Brees for six.  The Breakers went for 2 to get within a field goal, but failed on the attempt, leaving them trailing by 5, but having sent a message to Philadelphia that this game was far from over. Most of the fourth quarter saw the two teams fail to string together drives.  Brees was picked on a tipped ball, Leon Washington saw a catch and run turn into a fumble, and both teams stood pat for most of the quarter.  Philadelphia took over after a good defensive stand, getting the ball on their own 31 with 5:07 left to play.  They would mount a 9-play drive, benefitting from a key offsides call against New Orleans DE Ty Warren on a 3rd and 3 to keep the drive alive.  Just at the 2-minute warning, Steve Slaton added his 2nd touchdown and once again Philadelphia was up by 12, sitting at 24-12 with only 2 minutes left. New Orleans would need to score quickly and then get a break on the onsides kick.  They moved the ball effectively against Philadelphia’s shell coverage, with Brees completing 4 of 6 passes, until finally he found Coby Fleener in the endzone with 57 seconds left.  New Orleans was out of time outs, but they were back within 1 score and could get the ball back with a successful onside kick. Both teams put in their hands team, but the star of the moment would be Philadelphia’s All-USFL corner, Quentin Jammer, who snapped the ball out of the air and fell to the ground.  With no time outs left, New Orleans could not stop the clock.  Matt Gutierrez took a knee, then another, and the Philadelphia Stars had their conference title and a ticket to Denver to play in Summer Bowl 2013. OAKLAND INVADERS  6    ARIZONA WRANGLERS  20 A very different game took place in greater Phoenix, but one that exemplified the entire season for the Wranglers.  Arizona would use a simply impassible defense and a patient, methodical offense, to overcome an early deficit and pull away for the victory that would send them to their first Summer Bowl in 8 years, and give them the chance to finally earn their first John Bassett Trophy. In another game where the winner lost both the yardage and time of possession battle, the Wranglers bent but never broke, keeping Oakland out of the endzone despite 93 yards from Ryan Williams and 41 pass attempts by Joey Harrington. Arizona countered with 139 yards from game MVP Larry Fitzgerald, but were somewhat hobbled by an injury to league MVP Frank Gore, an injury that leaves his presence in the Summer Bowl very much in question. After a first quarter that saw both teams struggle to get past midfield, Oakland caught a break when HB Stevan Ridley mishandled a toss and the ball was ruled a backwards lateral.  Recovered by Oakland’s Nick Koutavides, the turnover, Arizona’s only on the day, would put Oakland in field goal range, and when they failed to gain any yards in 3 attempts, they settled for a 48-yard kick from Mike Hollis, the Special Teams player of the year. After a 3-and-out from Arizona, Oakland would again have good field position, and would double their advantage before the half by putting Hollis in position once again for a kick.  Oakland went into the half with a 6-0 lead, but there was certainly no sense that they had this game won.  It was too tight and Arizona’s offense had kept them from even a red zone appearance. Arizona would make a statement coming out of the half, driving the ball deep into Oakland territory before a holding call produced a 3rd and 16 on the 22 yard line.  The 3rd down pass missed its mark, but Arizona finally put some points on the board, cutting the lead to 6-3 with a David Buehler kick.  They would hold off Oakland on the next drive and then get the two game-defining plays that their offense needed. The first was a third an 9 throw that Larry Fitzgerald snagged over the outstretched arms of the corner and turned into a 23-yard gain.  The very next play, Carr found a rare target, backup tight end James Casey.  Used mostly as a blocker, Casey was covered by the MLB, and that proved to be a mismatch.  He took an 8-yard pass, got some blockers, including a devastating hit by Rob Gronkowski on the safety, and rumbled 48 yards for the first touchdown of the game.  Arizona now led 10-6 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter. Oakland would need to respond, but the response they gave was not at all what they needed.  On a simple 1st down run, Ryan Williams was stood up by Larry English, which allowed Karlos Dansby to lay a hit on him that popped the ball loose.  A dogpile resulted, and at the bottom of that pile was Nate Allen, who came away with the ball and gave Arizona the chance to build a two-score lead.  The Wranglers would do just that only 5 plays later when Stevan Ridley made up for his earlier fumble by turning in an 8-yard scoring run. Up 17-6, Arizona’s defense was now in its element.  The fourth quarter would produce 3 of the Wrangler’s 4 sacks, along with 2 failed fourth down conversion attempts, and along the way the Wranglers added 3 more points to make the final difference an even 14 points.  Oakland never got deeper than the Arizona 42, and could not even bring out Hollis to chip away at the lead.  It was a display of defensive control that we had seen all season long from the Wranglers.  Despite the loss of Frank Gore for much of the game, and 7 sacks of David Carr, the Wranglers had held off the Invaders and now would head to Denver to face Philadelphia in Summer Bowl 2013. Tampa Bay Seeking to Replace McGahee Even Before Free Agency Opens We are not sure if this is a shrewd move by the Bandits or a sign that the front office is panicking after the somewhat unexpected announcement by Willis McGahee that he is retiring from football, but Tampa Bay has made a trade to acquire the type of dual threat back that they prefer, even as we are still a week away from free agency opening.   The Bandits have sent a third round pick in this season’s draft to the Washington Federals to acquire HB Jahvid Best. Best, who come to the Federals from Seattle this year, had largely settled into the relief and occasional third down role, rushing for 450 yards on 131 carries and catching 24 balls out of the backfield for Washington, after serving in more of a primary role as a Dragon.  His best season to date came in 2012, when he reached 639 yards.  In his career he has yet to top 3.4 yards per carry, so there is some concern that he is not the player that Tampa Bay needs to fill McGahee’s role or his numbers. The expectation is that Coach Shula wanted a veteran back who could take on some of McGahee’s carries, but that the Bandits will also look to the rookie pool of backs to complement Best. The Bandits would have the T-Draft rights to Florida State back Devonta Freeman, which makes some sense for them. What this means for current backup Shane Vereen remains to be seen, but it would appear that Tampa Bay feels some degree of urgency in finding a replacement for McGahee’s numbers, even if that will be through a HB-by-committee format. Bulls Surprise Many with Early Coach Signing While we knew that Jacksonville was eager to get a new staff in place, many expected that they were holding out for one of the two Summer Bowl participant coordinators to become available, with primary focus expected to be on Arizona DC Vic Fangio.  It appears that the process either proved to slow for the Bulls or that they had such a good interview with one candidate that they changed directions and went with the quick hire. That hire is former New Orleans Breakers’ head coach Mike  Nolan.  Nolan, who was let go by the Breakers after the 2011 season, has spent the past two seasons as an analyst on the ABC pregame USFL show and on their NCAA coverage, but was seeking to return to coaching. While many respect Nolan’s record with the Breakers, one in which he took a 1-13 squad to the playoffs in his first year and then for 2 years after that, reaching the Eastern Conference championship in 2009, the sudden shift away from other high-demand candidates did take both the fanbase and the local media by surprise.  Nolan had interviewed with the team last week, following earlier interviews with both Vic Fangio and Greg Roman.  It would appear that the interview last week went very well, that Nolan was able to speak to the needs of the team and the direction he would take them, and that this impressed Bulls brass enough to put Nolan in place and get started on rebuilding a roster that had some pretty obvious holes. And so the first of five USFL coaching vacancies is filled.  We now turn to the 4 remaining teams to see if any will be quick to land a coach or if any will use the growingly popular strategy of waiting out the NFL season to then choose from available coaches from both leagues, a move that brought Andy Reid to the LA Express last year. Washington DC Rex Ryan to Visit Pittsburgh We are not done with the coaching news, as Pittsburgh is our second of the five teams where we turn our focus. The Maulers parted ways with Ron Rivera after a 7-year run that peaked in 2011 with a Summer Bowl appearance. Rivera’s departure, despite a 13-3 record in Pittsburgh in that same season, came after back to back losing seasons.  And yet, of the teams that are looking for new coaches, Pittsburgh seems to be the one on the best footing.  They finished 2013 at 7-9, just missing .500 for a second year in a row, but finished 4-2 down the stretch and boasted some solid wins in their first year back in the very tough NE Division, knocking off The Breakers and the Stars, the two teams in this week’s Conference Title Game among their 7 wins. And so, the club is now in the hunt for a coach who can get them over the hump.  They appear to be starting by looking within the division at Federals’ DC Rex Ryan.  The outspoken son of former USFL and NFL legend Buddy Ryan, Rex is in his 2nd year with the Federals, and helped to rebuild the Feds defense to a Top 6 team in scoring defense and a top 5 team against the run. Ryan has not been shy in Washington about his interest in eventually becoming a head coach in the USFL after a short stint in that role with the New York Jets of the NFL.  Opinionated, and often confrontational with the press, Ryan’s tenure in New York was short but fiery.  In DC he has gotten into a bit of hot water thanks to his weekly radio show, where he routinely criticizes USFL officiating and what he perceives as a leaguewide tilting of the table towards offense, which is a strange thing to say when your club is built on defense first, and when the best record in the league, that of Arizona, is clearly due to defensive might. Ryan is a controversial figure, to be sure, but he does have a track record of building solid defenses, and with the Maulers finishing 2013 with the 26th ranked scoring defense, it is certainly an area that ownership would like to see improve in 2014. Former Knights Coach Jim Johnson a Popular Choice in Michigan One last coaching note, as local sports radio has sent a clear message to the Michigan Panthers after their decision to remove longstanding coach Dick LeBeau from his role as head coach.  A recent 5-day survey of fans led by sports radio station KDKA (93.7 The Fan), produced a landslide victory for former Nashville Knights coach Jim Johnson.  Fans regularly cited Johnson’s teams as disciplined on defense, something Michigan certainly was not this year, and pointed out that the former Knights’ coach had his club competitive and fighting for a division title nearly every season of his long tenure. We are not going to argue with them.  For a coach who never reached the pinnacle of a Summer Bowl title, Johnson has had a very long tenure in Nashville, and earned the respect of the league time and time again with his team’s performances and quality of play.  He would certainly be a solid choice for a Panthers squad that hopes to regain the glory of its former years. Gore To Be Gametime Decision for Wranglers We finish our run through the stories of the week with the one that has the greatest potential to impact the Summer Bowl.  Frank Gore left the Western Conference Championship early with what appeared to be a gimpy ankle.  While X-rays and MRI’s revealed nothing beyond a strain, the concern now is that Gore may be sidelined this week, or that he will be in the lineup but significantly limited in his touches.  Either scenario would be a major issue for the Wrangler offense, which has been about as centered on a halfback as any in the league this year. Gore led all rushers in the USFL with 380 carries, which for any back is a major workload, but when you consider the beating that the former Knight back has taken in the league, and his age at 32, clearly can lead to breakdowns.  Gore, who was just announced this week as the league’s MVP for his 1,520 yard season, carried the ball 20 times for 94 yards in the divisional playoff, but was only able to add 7 carries to the Arizona offense this week before he was sidelined with the ankle injury. Team officials say it will be a gametime decision, but even if he is able to get into action, just how effective he can be, and for how long, is a major concern for Gore. When you consider that the two other backs on the roster, Stevan Ridley and Jonathan Dwyer, combined for only 114 carries, not even a third of Gore’s workload, the concern will be that without Gore at full strength, the Wrangler offense may have a very difficult go in the most important game of the season, of many seasons, for the Wranglers. Frank Gore’s injury, as outlined above, is the primary story of the buildup to Summer Bowl 2013.  With Arizona having no other injuries reported and Philadelphia moving both of their cornerbacks, Bradley Fletcher and Sam Shields from questionable to probably on Wednesday, the Gore situation will be the one injury that all fans are focused on. ARZ—HB Frank Gore (PRO) PHI—WR Reche Caldwell (OUT), CB Bradley Fletcher (PRO), CB Sam Shields (PRO) League Award Winners & ALL-USFL Team Named The 2013 USFL Honors were held this Tuesday night in Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the first time the event has been held at an outdoor venue, but what a venue it was.  Set against the rock formations famous for some of the most celebrated musical performances of the past two decades, the honors took on a more casual, but very engaging tone.  Players from across the league hobnobbed with sports media celebrities, while the two large screens on either side of the stage provided views of the various speeches and highlight reels of the event. It was an event highlighted not only by the venue, but by some surprise announcements among the night’s big winners.  For the first time in 20 years neither the MVP or the Offensive Player of the Year was a quarterback.  Add to that a Defensive Player of the Year who came almost out of nowhere and we had a night of surprises.  Here is our rundown of the night’s big awards as well as the newest All-USFL team for 2013. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: With Arizona’s success this year, one game away from an unbeaten season, it is no surprise that various members of the Wrangler squad received honors on the night, and the least surprising of the three major awards the club collected was that of league MVP, given to halfback Frank Gore.  Gore led the league in carries and rushing yards, and was the engine that powered the Arizona offense all season long.  After years of outstanding play in Nashville, Gore, the 2005 USFL Rookie of the Year, gets his second major award this season, his first with the Wranglers. OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  With Gore winning MVP, and with no quarterbacks among the favorites for OPOTY, we got another modest surprise, as the award goes to a player on an 8-8 squad, which is somewhat rare. But when that player led the league in both receptions and receiving yards, largely putting his entire team on his shoulders, it is no surprise that Steve Smith of Ohio was recognized.  Smith’s 123 receptions and 1,586 yards were both impressive feats, particularly for a team with a largely undervalued QB in Chris Weinke, and on a team that was not consistently in a position to throw the ball deep.  Smith’s numbers alone likely did not get him the award, it was also his leadership on a team that stepped up this season and seems to have turned a corner after several years in the Central Division basement. DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:  Here we have perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, with Arizona DE Adam Carriker taking the honors.  Often overshadowed on his own team by LB Karlos Dansby or safety Troy Polamalu, there is no denying that Carriker put together a career year with the Wranglers this season.  The former Nebraska Cornhusker led the Wranglers with 17 sacks this season, paired with Larry English’s 13 to form one of the most effective duos in the league.  He also produced 44 tackles, a career best, and a safety.  These numbers did not put him at the top of the league leaders in any of these categories, but it was the role he played within Arizona’s system that was recognized.  It is hard to deny that a Wrangler should win a defensive award this year, as the club finished 1st in both scoring defense and yardage allowed, giving up a measly 273 yards per game and only 12.5 points each outing.  Carriker is essentially the face that will represent the entire squad as it truly was a team defense that won the day for Arizona week after week. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:  A lot of great contenders this year, from the big play speedsters like Keenan Allen, Aaron Dobson and Adam Thielen, to slashing back LeVeon Bell, and breakout defenders like New Orleans’s Kevin Minter, but at the end of the voting, St. Louis running back Eddie Lacy stood above the others and stood out as the 2013 Rookie of the Year.  Lacy finished the season with 1,289 yards, good enough for fourth among all backs and a mere 56 yards ahead of the second place vote getter, Leveon Bell.   Lacy added 10 touchdowns to the Skyhawk offense this year, and was a more than adequate replacement for the retired Antowain Smith, exactly why he was chosen by the Skyhawks in the draft.  In a good rookie year, with several big performances this year, Lacy is now considered the best of a good draft class. COACH OF THE YEAR:  Yes, there were certainly strong years put out there by new coaches such as LA’s Andy Reid, and by teams on the rebound, but nothing could compare to the campaign that the Arizona Wranglers put together.  Improving from 6-10 in 2012 to 15-1, a 9 game swing in one season, was about as impressive as any year-to-year shift we have ever seen, and when you add to that the dominant performance by the Wrangler D and the outstanding season from HB Frank Gore and WR Larry Fitzgerald, this was a bit of a runaway election for Jim Tomsula.  Tomsula, in his 5th season with the Wranglers makes his second playoff appearance, and now is one game away from possibly bringing to the desert the first title in the club’s 31 years of existence.  With the best record we have seen from a USFL teams since the legendary 2002 Ohio Glory’s unbeaten run, Jim Tomsula is a very deserving COTY winner. Finally, the All-USFL team also shows how strong the Wranglers’ season has been, with six Arizona players making the squad, though Larry Fitzgerald, who led all receivers in yards per catch, was noticeably absent. The 8-8 Bandits actually had the second largest All-USFL representation, with four players in all, including QB Daunte Culpepper and WR Vincent Jackson.  They were followed by Texas, Washington, Charlotte, and Oakland, each with three.   Here is your full 2013 All-USFL Team: QB              J. Flacco (TEX), D. Culpepper (TBY), E. Manning (MEM) HB                  F. Gore (ARZ), D. Martin (CHI), D. McCallister (WSH) FB                   R. Razzano (TEX) TE                K. Everett (LV), K. Davis (WSH) WR                  V. Jackson (TBY), S. Smith (OHI), M. Colston (TEX) V. Cruz (PIT), J. Blackmon (DAL) OT                   L. Brown (TBY), B. Bulaga (STL), T. Clabo  (CHA) OG                   C. Warmack (ARZ), E. Brown (TBY), P. McQuistan (CHI) C                     M. Pouncey (CHA), S. O’Hara (STL) DE                  C. Campbell (ORL), A. Carriker (ARZ), T. Warren (NOR) DT                  A. Haynesworth (ORL), S. Ellis (OAK), M. Pope (ARZ) LB                    M. Vrabel (JAX), C. Matthews (LA), T. Suggs (OAK) J. Farrior (HOU), K. Bullock (PIT), C. Blackburn (NJ) CB  A. Samuel (CHA), M. Boulware (HOU), J. Fletcher (DEN), S. Brown (WSH) SS               T. Carter (MGN), D. Morgan (ATL) FS                   C. Fuller (ATL), T. Polumalu (ARZ) K                     M. Hollis (OAK) P                      S. Lechler (ARZ) Johnson “Not Going Anywhere” Say Thunder He may complain to the media and throw fits with the coaches, but the Las Vegas Thunder say they have no plans to acquiesce to Chad Johnson’s demands to be traded, certainly not until a new coach is in place.  “It makes no sense to trade him now.  Not until we know the offense we are going to run next year”, said an unnamed member of the team’s personnel team. Johnson has been with the Thunder for 2 years after coming over from Boston in 2012. In that time he has 123 catches and nearly 2,000 yards receiving, including 1,129 this year.  But he feels he could be among the league leaders if the were in an offense better suited to his style.  The truth is that he was targeted 118 times this year, which is a very solid number.  That he came up with only 54 catches may be more about him than the offense or the QB in Las Vegas.  Johnson is not getting the wide open looks he had seen in Ohio and then in Boston.  He is simply not as elusive and not as fast as he once was, and that fact has clearly not sunk in. In Las Vegas, Johnson has been paired with T. J. Houshmandzadeh, and while Johnson’s numbers are generally better than those of Housh, it was Houshmandzadeh who led the team with 9 TD receptions, while Johnson had only 5, and that may be another factor pushing him to demand a trade.  But the truth is that Las Vegas has Johnson under contract for 2 more years, and he is the highest paid player on the roster.  With a new coaching staff expected in the next few weeks, perhaps Johnson should take a wait and see attitude, because that is what the team is taking, and with a lot still up in the air for the club, including ownership and possibly even their home city, now is not the time to be pushing for anything. Houston Fans Split in their Loyalty Fans of the Houston Gamblers find themselves in a quandary.  On the one hand they have a pretty proven QB on their roster in Matt Hasselbeck, but on the other the team has the Territorial Draft rights to something of a college football phenomenon in Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel.  Matt Hasselbeck has taken Houston to the playoffs consistently since arriving in Houston, including a USFL title only 3 seasons ago.  But after three seasons with no playoff appearances, and with Hasselbeck turning 36 before the 2014 season, there is certainly a lot of buzz about the team taking a stab at Manziel. Signing the Aggie QB and potential Heisman Winner would be a marketing coup for the Gamblers, with comparisons already being made between the college starter and former USFL legend Doug Flutie. Both are undersized scramblers with a knack for making big plays outside the pocket.  Manziel is also seen as something of a gunslinger, much in the mold of Gambler legend Jim Kelly, though physically the two are nothing alike. Houston is almost certainly not the only team interested in Manziel, and that means that the Gamblers could be receiving significant offers for that 1st round T-Draft pick.  They could very likely parlay interest in Manziel into a deal that gets them multiple 1st rounders, both in the territorial and open drafts.  That may be tempting, but to make that deal would put the Gamblers at risk of angering their own fanbase, a fanbase very familiar with Texas A&M and with Manziel.  The other option is to do their best to sign the Aggie QB and hope he can grow into the game on what could be a swan song season for Hasselbeck in 2014.  Some tough choices ahead for the Gamblers, but choices that could help them get back into contention in a SW Division that seems to have passed them by. Here we go, the big show, the summer classic.  The highlight of every USFL season, the 2013 Summer Bowl.  We have a defensive juggernaut against one of the most consistent, well-coached, and talented rosters in the league.  Arizona vs. Philadelphia live from the city where the USFL first held their title gam in 1983, Denver, Colorado.  The league expects a sell-out crowd at Invesco Field, with a huge contingent of Wrangler fans making the drive up from Arizona, and a pretty good traveling fanbase for the Stars as well.  Add to that all the pomp and celebration of Summer Bowl Week and the Mile High City will be felling the love this weekend. So, what should we make of the game?  This is a matchup of two 1-seeds, the best of each conference, and that has excitement and anticipation at an all time high.  The two did not meet this year, and that air of the unknown is also building anticipation.  They had only 1 shared opponent this year, the Dallas Roughnecks, and it is really not fair to judge Arizona’s two defeats of Dallas up against Philadelphia’s Week 16 loss to the Roughnecks, particularly because the Stars had already clinched the top seed in the east and spent most of the game with 2nd and 3rd stringers on the field. So, who has the advantage?  It depends on what you think wins championships.  If you are a believer in the old saw that defense wins titles, well, Arizona is 1st in both points allowed and yardage, but Philadelphia is no slouch, finishing the year 2nd in scoring.  If you believe in offense, the Stars are able to attack you in multiple ways, with backs who can both catch and run the ball, a pretty diverse receiver group, and an impressive rookie at TE with Travis Kelce.  Arizona is a bit more traditional, pounding the rock with Frank Gore (if he is healthy) and then using the run to set up deep balls to Larry Fitzgerald. Frank Gore’s health is the big unknown.  Without him, Arizona could struggle to put points on the board, but Philadelphia cannot over-prepare for a Wrangler team without Gore in case the back is cleared to go on Sunday.  We have in the coaching matchup the 2013 COTY in Jim Tomsula, up against Jim Harbaugh, who has led Philadelphia to a 90-45 record and 8 career playoff appearances since 2005.  In Vic Fangio, the Wrangler DC, and Greg Roman, the Philadelphia OC, we have two of the hottest prospects in the Head Coach market, so there will be some battles of strategy between those two for certain. But when we look at the on-field matchups, two things stand out.  First, Matt Gutierrez, in his first full year as the starter, seems to have regressed a bit from his strong 2012 season, when he stepped in for the injured Kurt Warner.  His QB Rating dipped from 121.7 to 92.1.  Now, while a lot of teams would be very happy with a QB that has Gutierrez’s 2013 numbers, the fact is that while Gutierrez has dipped a bit after an impressive debut, David Carr has stepped up his game in 2013.  His QB Rating has been on a steady upward climb over the past few seasons, from 85.0 in 2010 to 90.1, then 96.1, and then this year’s big leap up to 106.3.  He has cut down on interceptions while having the strongest TD season of his career with 27 on the season. In a game where the run games of both teams could be huge, and where both defenses have to respect the run, and a game where both defenses are very solid, we think QB play will be essential.  If that is going to be the key factor in the game, we have to give a slight edge to the Wranglers, who just do not hurt themselves.  They make you earn every yard and every point, and David Carr has been masterful at controlling the offense and keeping drives alive. We are going to go with Arizona as our 2013 champion because we just have a bit more faith in Carr than Gutierrez after this year.  Add to that the good feelings that having a brand new champion, a team seeking their first title in 31 seasons, would bring to the league, and we have to say we are just a bit in Arizona’s corner.  We think it will be a tough, low-scoring, clean game, but we are going to pick the Wranglers to hold high the John Bassett trophy.  Our pick is Arizona 17, Philadelphia 13.

They say the cream rises to the top, and that appears to have happened in the USFL in 2013.  All four of the 1 and 2 seeds won their home playoff games this week, with three of the four winning by double digits. Perhaps it was the bye week that helped these division champions come out ready to dominate, or perhaps there just is a bit of a gap between the top teams and the Wild Card clubs.  Whatever the reason, we once again have two Championship Games that feature 1 v. 2 matchups, as it will be New Orleans at Philadelphia, and Oakland at Arizona in next week’s action.  We will recap all the scores from Divisional Weekend, take a look ahead at the Conference title games, refresh our list of potential free agents, and report on possible news out of Las Vegas, all right here. CHARLOTTE MONARCHS 7   NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 21 The only non-divisional matchup of the four playoff games this week, the Monarchs-Breakers matchup had a weird feel to it all day.  It was a game that saw 17 penalties accepted, for over 150 yards, and one where the Monarchs were expected to run the ball quite a bit, but only managed 80 yards rushing, while New Orleans, which was expected to throw the ball quite a bit more, rushed for 115, with the leading rusher in the game being Mike Tolbert, with 74 yards.  It was a game largely played between the 30 yard lines, with limited scoring opportunities and a dearth of big plays,  There were only 3 plays of over 20 yards the entire game.  But in the end the Breakers had held court and taken the home win, moving them on to their first Conference Title Game since 2009. In a slow first quarter, neither team seemed to have a sense of how to convert their possessions into sustained drives.  Four drives but nothing particularly threatening from either team as the defenses seemed to have things under control.  It was not until Charlotte’s first possession of the 2nd quarter that either team reached the 30 of their opponent.  Charlotte did more than that, taking advantage of a defensive pass interference call to get within the 10 and then Brandon Wheedon connecting with TE Luke Wilson for the score.  Little did the Monarchs know that this 7-0 lead would be their only points on the day. The Breakers quickly removed the Monarchs’ lead, driving 73 yards in 11 plays, and, with one of the few 20+ yard plays of the day, Drew Brees equalized the score by hitting Santana Moss on a perfect over-the-shoulder throw into the end zone.  7-7 would be the score going into the half, but even after 30 minutes there was no real sense that either team had put the pieces into place to take over the game. We saw the first clear turning point in the game when, after a 5-play possession fizzled out for Charlotte, punter Ken Walter caught the ball on the side of his foot, producing a shank of a punt that went for only 21 yards.  That put New Orleans on the Charlotte side of the field and they would not squander the gift.  On their only scoring drive of the quarter, the Breakers dinked, dunked, and rushed their way to the endzone, with little-used Jawan Jamison getting the call from the 4-yard line and pushing the ball to the corner pylon for New Orleans’s first lead. Charlotte would try to respond as the third quarter winded down, but after a holding call, they found themselves with a 3rd and 17.  Wheedon forced a ball towards D. J. Hackett, but it was picked by CB Randall Gay, and once again New Orleans took over.  That drive would fizzle and Caleb Sturgis was brought out to try a 54-yard field goal.  When it sliced to the left, it was Charlotte’s ball again.  Penalties and solid Breaker defense had held the Monarchs in check all game, and the combination would do it again.  On a 2nd and 3, it appeared that Wheedon had found Hakeem Nicks for a sizeable 17-yard gain, but an illegal shift penaltie called it back.  The drive again fizzled, and the Monarchs again punted the ball away. Midway through the fourth, New Orleans put the game away with a bit of a herky jerky drive, but one that eventually found paydirt, with Tolbert busting a 16-yard run to get the Breakers inside the 10 and then Brees, rolling right to find Early Doucet in the back of the endzone.  Up 21-7 with just about 10 minutes to play, the Breakers just needed to do what they had done all day, eliminate big plays by the Monarchs and force them to sustain drives slowly and methodically. That was something that Charlotte could not do.  Their first possession was stymied by a Ricky Jean-Francois sack, and their second by a poorly thrown 3rd down pass that was nearly picked off by Corey Chavous.  With 3:02 left to play, the ball went back to New Orleans and the Breakers ground down the clock, converting on a 3rd and 2 with Mike Tolbert’s final run of the day, and then 3 kneel downs to end the game and send New Orleans on.  They would not know to where until the next day, but they knew that they had advanced. LOS ANGELES EXPRESS 18   OAKLAND INVADERS 31 A sunny 78 degrees with a slight breeze coming off the bay greeted the LA-Oakland game, perfect California weather for a football game.  The two rival California clubs would celebrate with 10 scoring drives in 16 possessions, but the final tally would favor the Invaders by quite a margin, as they were able to put the ball in for 6 when LA often was forced to settle for 3.  It was a game that saw Joey Harrington toss 4 touchdowns, and which left LA frustrated by its own miscues and mistakes. A good example of LA miscues came on the opening drive, when a dropped pass in the end zone removed 6 points from the scoreboard and forced the Express to kick a game-opening field goal.  When Oakland moved the ball into LA territory on the next drive, they did not have the same difficulty, with Harrington hitting TE Zack Ertz, a game time decision to play at all, with the first touchdown of the day. LA would drive the ball effectively once again, but this time it was a penalty, one of 10 by the Express on the day, costing them 105 yards.  This one was a false start, and it pushed a 3rd and 2 into a 3rd and 7.  Once again, Damon Duvall would put 3 on the board and after 1 quarter it was LA down 7-6.  The second quarter would not be as forgiving to the Express.  Oakland opened the quarter with another touchdown drive, this time Harrington hitting Pierre Garçon for the score, giving the homestanding Invaders a 14-6 lead. When LA’s Rod Smart, playing in what would be his final pro game, slid to the ground when he stepped from the turf to the dirt infield at the Coliseum, it stymied a 3rd and 3 run attempt and forced an Express punt.  The Invaders saw their chance to take control of the game and put together a well-orchestrated drive, with Harrington completing 3 of 5 attempts, including a 5-yard pass to rookie Keenan Allen for the young star’s first of 2 touchdowns on the day.   The Invaders and Express would go to the half with Oakland holding a healthy 21-6 lead. In the 3rd, LA got a rare break in the game when a poor snap forced Joey Harrington to fall on the ball in the end zone, giving the Express two points and possession.  They could not produce points on the post-safety possession, another missed opportunity.  After a pair of 3-and-out possessions, Oakland again found their offensive groove, this time with Ryan Williams taking the lead thanks to 3 very nice runs on the drive.  36 of his 97 total rushing yards would come on the drive, and once again Harrington found Allen for the score, pushing the Oakland advantage to 28-8. With time quickly running down, LA was forced to abandon the run game.  The Express would add 3 on their next drive, and would score a late touchdown, but it was too little too late against an Invader defense that did not have to stop all scoring, just ensure that adding points to LA’s tally would take time and effort.  They did just that, and by game’s end the Invaders still had a 13 point cushion as they celebrated a win over their in-state rival and a trip to the Conference Title Game. WASHINGTON FEDERALS 21   PHILADELPHIA STARS 33 Hot and muggy was the situation in Philadelphia when the Feds and Stars clashed on Sunday afternoon.  A high of 90 meant an on-field temperature hanging around 100 degrees.  But the heat did not seem to diminish the firepower of either team as they both seemed pretty comfortable executing their game plans.  The two teams would combine for over 700 yards of offense and 54 points, well over the expected over-under of 41.  And yet, despite the high score, this game was largely out of hand for the Federals by the half. Philadelphia dominated the first half, putting up a 19-0 lead by the break. They did it thanks in large part to the return of two key players, WR Stevie Johnson and HB Steve Slaton. Slaton would have the bigger day in yards, with 127 rushing yards on 22 carries in the game, while Stevie Johnson would add two touchdowns to help Philadelphia get the advantage over their division rival.  The defense would also chip in with a safety, six total sacks, and a pick in the red zone that ended a scoring threat from the Federals.  The first half saw both Slaton and Johnson score as Philadelphia got two touchdowns to go along with the safety, caused by a Sean Lee blitz of Webb deep in the Washington end. Add on a Mike Nugent field goal and it was a formidable lead for Philadelphia at the midway point. Washington would battle back in the second half, finally making some of the plays that had been missed in the first half.  While they largely had to give up on the run by the half, Joe Webb survived the 6 sacks and put up 293 yards, most of it in the second half, to help Washington claw slightly closer.  A TD pass to McCallister were the first points for the Federals, but they were quickly offset when Matt Gutierrez hit Stevie Johnson on the longest play of the game, a 36-yard touchdown strike.  By the end of 3 quarters, Philly still held a 19-point lead, up 26-7. Washington would add two more touchdowns in the final period, Joe Webb tosses to Chase Coffman and Bryant Johnson, but sandwiched between them was a Zac Stacy TD run for the Stars, which maintained their comfortable lead.  The Stars would hold the ball for the final 1:57, comfortable with a 2-score advantage, and Philly would move on to host New Orleans in the Eastern Final.  Slaton would be named game MVP, and after nearly 6 weeks inactive, it was a sight for sore eyes in Philadelphia to see their top tailback performing so well in his first game back, a sight that the Breakers had better prepare for. TEXAS OUTLAWS 15   ARIZONA WRANGLERS 20 A rematch of the regular season finale, but this time with all the starters on the field, the Outlaws and Wranglers hooked up again inside the comfortable climate-controlled University of Phoenix Stadium.  Good thing too, with temperatures outside soaring over 100 degrees.  The final matchup of the week would prove to be the most balanced, with the lead switching 3 times, including twice in the final 10 minutes.  It would also be the lowest scoring of the weekend’s 4 contests, but that certainly did not mean it was not an exciting matchup. The hero of the day would be WR Larry Fitzgerald, league leader in yards per catch, as he contributed 125 yards on 5 receptions, two of which were long TD catches.  His first would come early in the game, on Arizona’s first possession.  Down 3-0 after an initial drive for Texas garnered them a field goal, Arizona struck quickly, with David Carr finding Fitzgerald in single coverage and connecting for what would be a 53-yard strike. Fitzgerald would also come into play in the 2nd quarter, when, again after Texas added 3 on a Kai Forbath field goal, Arizona would find a flaw in the Texas defense and again exploit it with Larry Fitzgerald.  The 25-yard touchdown throw from Carr, who finished the day 15 of 24 for 231 yards, would give Arizona a 14-6 lead at the half. Normally an 8-point lead for the Wranglers might mean the end of the game’s drama, but Texas fought back in the second half.  They added a 3rd field goal as the only score of the third quarter, and then shocked the Wrangler faithful with an extended 13-play drive, that ended with Flacco finding fullback Rick Razzano, a favorite playoff target for the QB, for the go-ahead touchdown with 6 minutes left in the game.  Texas was ahead 15-14 after the failed 2-point play, but with 6 minutes left, Arizona had time to take the game back. The Wranglers would do just that, using up more than 5 minutes on a methodical drive led by HB and MVP candidate Frank Gore.  Gore would finish the game just shy of 100 yards rushing, with 94 total, but on this drive he was the centerpiece, helping to use up clock and position Arizona for a possible game-winning field goal.   That kick would not be needed as a short pass to Rob Gronkowski, thanks to a missed tackle, turned into a 23-yard play and put the ball on the 2 with about a minute to play.  On 2nd and goal, David Carr found Antonio Bryant for the touchdown and gave Arizona their 20-15 final score.  Texas could not mount a last second scoring drive against a ferocious Arizona pass rush (Joe Flacco was sacked a nasty 10 times in the game, twice on this final drive), and the Wranglers would punch their ticket to the Western Conference Final.  Their first trip to a championship game since 2004. Double Whammy for Fans as Retirements Follow Playoff Ousters It is bad enough to have your favorite team knocked out of the playoffs, but then to find out that one of the best players on that team has decided to retire from the game, well that puts a little salt on the wound.  That has to be the feeling for fans of 5 of the USFL’s ousted playoff sides as defeat in their post season matchup has been paired with a retirement announcement.  Three wide receivers, all top targets for their teams, have announced their departure from the game, along with a not-entirely unexpected announcement from Jake Delhomme, and one of Chicago’s linebacking core group all hang up the cleats. Birmingham WR Randy Moss made the announcement on Saturday during a short interview during halftime of the Charlotte-New Orleans game.  The former Marshall product has played 16 seasons in the league, his first 10 in Tampa Bay, where he won a title with the Bandits in 1998, his last 6 in shorter stints with Ohio, Los Angeles, and Birmingham (2 years at each).  He retires as one of the best in the history of the league, third all time in receiving yards with 19,841, fourth in receiving touchdowns with 144, and still considered one of the best long ball receivers ever to play in the spring league. An iconic figure in LA sports, former USC Trojan and career-long LA Express receiver Keyshawn Johnson announced just this Monday that he was also stepping away from the game.  At age 37, Johnson played 10 seasons with the Express, racking up over 9,000 yards and 56 touchdowns.  Once a teammate of Randy Moss, Johnson had four 1,000-yard seasons during his time in the USFL.  He will now join FOX Sports as a studio analyst. The third receiver to step away from the game is Denver’s Peerless Price, who spent all 15 of his pro seasons in Denver.  Price retires as the team record holder for career receptions (1,246), receiving yards (14,495), and receiving touchdowns (80).  He also still holds the Gold’s record for the longest punt return in team history with an 86-yarder back in 1999.  Price currently ranks third all time in receptions, behind only Joey Galloway and Henry Ellard, having surpassed former Wrangler Trumaine Johnson just this year. Perhaps the least surprising announcement was that of QB Jake Delhomme. The Monarchs’ QB missed most of the 2013 season with a knee injury, he had previously missed 2 playoff games in 2012 to injury as well.  At 38 years of age, Delhomme was one of the elder statesmen among USFL QBs, having played 3 years in Charlotte, 1 in Memphis, 8 in Jacksonville and several years as a backup developing in Philadelphia.  He retires as a 2-time All-USFL quarterback and the Monarchs record holder for passing yards and pass completion rate. Finally, Chicago’s departure from the playoffs came with the announcement that one of their core linebackers would be stepping down.  No, it was not the injured Brian Urlacher, but the teammate who stepped in to fill his MLB role when he went down, Kendrell Bell.  Bell arrived in Chicago in 2010 after 5 years in Denver and 4 more in New Jersey.  The rangy outside LB retires with 49 career sacks and 11 picks to go along with his 868 career tackles. Also filing for retirement this week, but perhaps without the same fanfare, were Charlotte WR Derrick Mason, Express guard Solomon Page, Seattle wideout Anquon Boldin, and Texas tackle Ryan Tucker. A League of Favorites It does not take much digging to realize that when playoff time rolls around, the USFL has often been a league of favorites, with top seeds often making the run to a league title. Yes, there are exceptions like the 2005 Seattle Dragons who rode a 6th seed all the way to a title, but the general trend has been for 1 and 2 seeds to find their way to the title game and the championship, a trend now guaranteed to continue with both of the conferences’ 1 and 2 seeds advancing to next week’s conference title games.  Looking over the past 10 years, what we see is a clear trend of top seeds taking the shorter route (with their bye weeks) to the title.  Just a quick look at the past 10 champions shows this to be the general rule: 2012     St. Louis                              1 Seed in the West 2011     Tampa Bay                         2 Seed in the East 2010     Houston                              1 Seed in the West 2009     Boston                                 1 Seed in the East 2008     Michigan                            4 Seed in the West 2007     Memphis                            2 Seed in the East 2006     New Jersey                        1 Seed in the East 2005     Seattle                                6 Seed in the West 2004     New Jersey                        2 Seed in the East 2003     Ohio                                      2 Seed in the East Other than Seattle’s miracle run, and an 11-5 Michigan team that would have been a 2-seed if not for the guaranteed spots for all 3 division winners, it has pretty much been a battle between 1 and 2 seeds for the title, as it will be this year. The good news for New Orleans and Oakland, who take their games on the road this week, is that of the past 10 winners, as many began the playoffs as the 2 seed than as the 1 (4 wins apiece). Both Oakland and Arizona should note that Western Conference teams have not won back to back titles since Ohio did so in 2002 and 2003.  We should cite as well that of the 4 remaining teams, Philadelphia is the club with the most recent Summer Bowl appearance, losing to Houston in 2010.  Oakland appeared the year before, defeated by Boston in Drew Bledsoe’s fabulous swan song season.  For Arizona the drought goes back 10 years to the 2004 title game, and New Orleans counts it at 11 years, back to 2003, when they fell to the Ohio Glory in their repeat title year. Of the four contenders, Philadelphia has won 3 titles, the last in 1994.  Oakland has one lone title from back in 1991, and neither New Orleans nor Arizona, despite both being founding franchises from 1983, have ever won a title. Campbell Ready to Sit Out in Orlando News out of Orlando where arguably the best defensive player in the game today, DE Calais Campbell, is threatening to sit out camps and possibly the preseason if he is not offered a new deal for 2014.  Campbell is entering the final year of his 4-year deal, and, believe it or not, is currently the 11th highest paid player on the Renegades, behind far less impactful players like TE Greg Olsen, OT James Carpenter, and even rookie CB Dee Milliner.  Campbell is asking for a deal in the range of $5,000,000 per year for 4 years, a reasonable request when we look at the production he has put forward over the past 6 years.  The problem, of course, is the cap.  Orlando enters the offseason with just about $8M in available cap space, expanding Campbell’s cap hit another $3M would make it nearly impossible for the Renegades to do much else this offseason.  Of course they could and should rework several contracts to free up more space, so there is room for them to find money for Campbell and still build their roster. But is there will to do so, and to do so quickly, so that Campbell does not need to miss valuable offseason training time? Chad Johnson Seeks a Trade Another player unhappy with his current situation is perennial human loudspeaker Chad Johnson.  The former Chad Ochocinco is apparently not satisfied with his role in Las Vegas, despite his 1,129 yards, good enough for 10th in the league.  It appears that with 118 targets, nearly 60 fewer than Steve Smith received, and with only 5 TDs on the season, Johnson feels he is not being used to his capabilities.  Johnson does not seem to be complaining about his $4.7M contract, but seems to be largely making the case that he needs to be a focal point of the team’s offense.  Well, with June Jones relieved of duties, and a new head coach yet to emerge, we are not exactly sure who Johnson is making his case to.  Perhaps once a new coach arrives, he will be able to make peace with the flamboyant, and often outspoken, receiver, and perhaps we will see Johnson once again among the league leaders in targets in 2014. An intriguing dance with the injury report for Oakland as they are now listing DE Junior Galette as out for the Conference Title Game, but at the same time, the man he was subbing for, Justin Smith, appears ready to return to action, so is this really an upgrade?  Arizona continues to list no injured players, definitely a plus for them, while Philadelphia added one big name, sack leader Anthony Hargrove, to their injury report.  Hargrove is listed as probable with an ankle injury, but by all accounts, the big man is expecte to play. NOR—OT Nat Dorsey (PRO) PHI—WR Reche Caldwell (OUT), G Steve Edwards (PRO), DE Anthony Hargrove (PRO) OAK—DE Junior Galette (OUT), DE Justin Smith (PRO) ARZ—No injuries reported. Thunder Suitor Wants to Move Team It appears that the sale of the Las Vegas Thunder may be even more complex than first expected. One of the lead bidding groups, in fact the one that many had as the favorite to acquire the team, may have thrown down an ultimatum.  Reports out of New  York seem to indicate that the ownership group headed by minority owner of the LA Express, John Tu, and former owner of the San Diego Padres, John Moores, have informed the league that their bid is contingent upon the league allowing the relocation of the franchise to San Diego. This comes as something of a shock as much of the appeal of the franchise was expected to be the share of Las Vegas’s new domed stadium. For an ownership group to bid on the club but turn away the chance to have partial ownership of the stadium seems counterintuitive, and to a degree, perhaps, counterproductive.  The league seems dead set on having a USFL franchise occupy the new stadium located just off the famous Las Vegas Strip.  After all, the league has already sunk nearly $300M into the construction of the facility, so to do so, and to own a portion of the stadium, but to have no USFL franchise housed there is both bizarre and potentially very problematic. If the rumors of the San Diego group’s ultimatum are to be believed, the premise would be that the new owners would purchase the Thunder identity, roster, history, and staff, relocating the franchise to southern California, but would not impede the relocation of another USFL franchise to Las Vegas, foregoing the potential revenue that comes with the new domed facility.  Such a move would certainly be unusual, and could spur additional interest in Las Vegas as a potential haven for any number of teams, but it also throws a wrench in the idea of a simple purchase and hand over of the reins of an already existing franchise to a new ownership group. In other words, if San Diego’s bid is, in fact, the strongest, it may well force the league to engage in a two-stage process, with the first stage being the sale of the Thunder, but not the stadium rights, and then a second stage in which a second owner would be brought in to take over the league’s role in the stadium’s construction and management, quite possibly bringing a new team to the city to replace the departed Thunder.  It would be a complex process, but not necessarily one which the city or the league would entirely reject.  And so the plot thickens. Chicago Expected to Seal the Deal at League Meetings While the sale of the Thunder seems to be gaining in complexity, the sale of the Chicago Machine seems all but a completed affair.  A proposal has been submitted for review, already approved by current owner, Rocky Wirtz, heir to the team’s founder, and it seems that the upcoming league meetings this summer will quite possibly approve the sale to the Pritzker Group, formed by two cousins, both heirs to the Hyatt Hotel fortune. By all accounts the sale to local Chicagoans has been well-received by fans in the Windy City, and the financial depth is certainly there to support the Pritzker’s bid for the team.  With the Wirtz family hoping for a quick resolution, and with the league not wanting the Machine sale to be in any way complicated by the ongoing drama in Las Vegas, we fully expect a very brief presentation to the owners and an equally swift vote to approve the sale this August. The Pritzker Group has already promised to assist the city with renovations of historic Soldier Field, and have expressed publicly their desire to make the Machine the premier sports franchise in the city, a tough task when you consider the history of the NFL Bears and the success of the NBA Bulls.  But, it is the kind of expression of home town pride that makes a sale all the more attractive to the public.  With the Machine winning the Central Division this season, the Pritzkers seem to be buying in at the right time, with the club seen to be in a phase of ascension and the possibility of a good run of initial years, the new owners could very well benefit from the success of current ownership and management. Knights and LP Field at an Impasse If there is a city that should be worried, especially following the news out of San Diego, it may well be the fans of Nashville.  Ongoing negotiations between the Nashville Knights and the stadium authority that operates LP Field, home to the Knights, seem to be at an impasse.  The desire to retain the NFL Copperheads as the primary tenant is a significant sticking point, one which removes any possibility that the Knights will receive the concessions they have sought, mainly expanded revenue from on-site sources such as parking, concessions, and facility use during the March-July season.  To provide that to the Knights, the stadium authority would need to violate the terms of the contract already in place with the NFL and the Tennessee Copperheads.  That is simply not something the city or the stadium authority is willing to do.  It would seem that the Knights ownership is in a tough position. The Knights ownership conglomerate, and their CEO, could opt to rescind their initial demands, but not without losing significant face with the fanbase and force a much weaker negotiation stance from the club.  Their other option would be to wave the possibility of relocation in front of the stadium authority and hope that the threat, whether empty or legitimate, would move the negotiators to find means to provide some of what the Knights are asking, even if it forces restructuring of their current NFL deal.  Of course, if the stadium authority were to call the Knights on that claim, it would all but force ownership to find a new home for the franchise. That prospect has been largely the reason why Knight fans and the local media have not given much credence to any  talk of relocation, even if only to Vanderbilt’s stadium in town.  But now, with the very real possibility that ownership could stumble into a very attractive deal to relocate the club to Las Vegas and get in on a lucrative stadium deal, the risk is suddenly a much more plausible one.  There are, of course, local ties within the Knights ownership, but sentimentality about the region may not be able to outweigh the financial benefits of a move, and at the very least the potential negotiating position that discussion with Las Vegas and with the league could provide. At this point this is all speculation.  We know that the league wants the Las Vegas sale in place by their November meetings, but the viability of the city as a site for any current franchise lies entirely with the decision as to which bidding group for the Thunder wins out.  While the San Diego group has been seen as a frontrunner, their push for possible relocation could actually move the league to accept a lesser bid, simply to create a more direct path towards having a franchise in Las Vegas without losing another market to do so.  Stay tuned, USFL fans, as the next few months could be a very dynamic period for not only the Thunder, but for the league as a whole. Here we are, only 2 games on the schedule and the winner finds themselves in the Mile High City ready to battle for the USFL title.  Can either New Orleans or Oakland get the road upset and find themselves fighting for a title or will the two number one seeds use their home field to maximum advantage? EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP New Orleans Breakers (9-6-1) @ Philadelphia Stars (12-4) Sunday, July 21 @ 2pm ET Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA Stars -7 These two played a pretty good game back in Week 7, with the Breakers getting the win 24-19.  That game shows us quite a bit about how the two will match up.  In that game, the Breakers focused on Steve Slaton, holding the back to only 66 yards on the ground, and also used shifting zones to limit Matt Gutierrez’s effectiveness, leading him to complete only 16 of 36 passes on the day.  They also got a strong game from HB Matt Forte, who rushed for 106 on the day.   That was the game where we saw Drew Brees knocked out of action, so it was Kyle Boller who got the win, but that also means that we are not sure how the Breakers’ plan would have been different with Brees in for all 4 quarters. The fact that the Breakers won that earlier game is not lost on Philadelphia, who do not plan for a repeat performance.  The Stars came out flat that day, but at home, in front of their raucous crowd, we don’t expect any half measures from the Stars this week.  Expect Philadelphia to try to pressure Brees from the get-go, bringing not only Hargrove and Reggie Torbor on the edges, but to regularly send LB’s Sean Lee and Greg Lloyd Jr on blitzes.  On offense we think the Stars will expect New Orleans to try to push safeties up to stifle the run, so don’t  be surprised if we see more of Matt Gutierrez with quick passes to Stevie Johnson, James Hardy and TE Travis Kelce to try to loosen up the run-stuffing defense the Breakers want to play. Our pick: The return of Slaton and Stevie Johnson to the lineup means that Philadelphia has its full range of weapons available.  The defense is among the league’s best, and with home field as well we just cannot pick against them.  Our pick is Philadelphia 22-17. WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP Oakland Invaders (13-3) @ Arizona Wranglers (15-1) Sunday, July 21 @ 6pm ET University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale AZ Wranglers -3 The Wranglers and Invaders also met earlier this year, way back in Week 2, when the then unsung Wranglers came into Oakland and handed the Invaders a defeat by a 14-11 margin.  That game saw Arizona knock Joey Harrington out of action, and harass Pat White for the remainder of the game. We also saw Ryan Williams limited to only 24 yards rushing.  It was a major eye-opener to the league that maybe this Wrangler team was to be taken seriously.  But, while Arizona has now earned our respect, folks still seem to be sleeping on Oakland, despite the Invaders having now rattled off 11 straight wins. We see Oakland as a very viable threat to the Wranglers. They can beat you either on the ground or in the air, and their 3rd ranked scoring defense is going to be a problem for the Wranglers. The Invaders boast the league’s best scoring offense, and while we don’t think this will be a 35-34 shootout, we do see that Oakland has as good a chance as anyone of breaking down the Arizona defense.  Look, we love what the Wranglers have done on D this year, and we even like their offense centered on Frank Gore and Larry Fitzgerald, but Oakland should not be ignored. Our Pick: We are going with the underdog in this one.  Something in our gut tells us that Oakland is being sold short, and that even the Wranglers may not be taking them seriously enough.  We say Invaders by a score of 20-18.

Playoff football.  What else needs to be said?  We had 3 of 4 homestanding favorites win, but it was not a cake walk to be sure.  Wild Card games rarely are.  We had one upset as LA went into Chicago and took advantage of a Machine club weakened by injuries.  We had some big performances like Cam Newton’s 151 yards rushing for Birmingham, Deion Branch’s 99 yards and a score for Washington, and Michael Crabtree’s break out game as a member of the Gold.  We will recap all four games, take a look ahead at the Divisional Round, and take a moment to celebrate some of the best performances of the season.  All right here, right now, in This Week in the USFL. BIRMINGHAM 24   CHARLOTTE 32 A huge game on the ground for Cam Newton, but trouble in the air as his 2 picks help Charlotte pull out the victory.  Newton would complete only 12 of 24 for 138 in the game, but he rushed 10 times for 151 yards, including a ridiculous TD run of 93 yards in the 4th quarter.  But it was not enough as Charlotte pulled ahead late and then got a pick-6 to secure the victory in the final seconds. Charlotte started strong, scoring the first 10 points of the game as Fred Jackson and Shonn Greene got the run game going against Birmingham’s defense.  But the Stallions came roaring back early in the first when a scripted run by Newton turned into a 34-yard TD scamper. 9 minutes later the Stallions would take the lead as Newton hit Jabari Holloway for the score that would make it 14-10 Stallions at the half. The third quarter would be dominated by Charlotte, limiting Brimingham to only 1 first down and containing Newton in the process.  But, despite a significant advantage in time of possession, the Monarchs could only muster 2 field goals.  It was enough to put them up 16-14, but that lead would not hold during a wild 4th quarter. The final period began with Birmingham retaking the lead on a 43-yard field goal, but it would be on their next possession that Cam Newton made history.  Backed up by a good Charlotte punt, Birmingham found themselves with a 2nd and 6 on their own 7-yard line.  The called play was a pass play, but when a huge hole opened in the pocket, Newton scrambled, and before you could say “He is in the secondary”, Newton was racing towards the opposite endzone with Joseph Addai and Terrell Owens providing security to keep tacklers away.  It was a stunning play, perhaps not the fastest 90+ yard run we have ever seen, but certainly an eye-popping play that had the Charlotte stadium stunned and silent in disbelief. But the Monarchs were not phased, now down 24-16, they mounted a drive to get back in the game.  It took until the 1:52 mark, but they got the ball into the endzone with Shonn Greene.  The 2-point PAT failed and so Charlotte still trailed 24-22.  They would need an onside kick to get the ball back, and they got it.  Brandon Coutu, one of the league’s best, put the ball right where it needed to be and Charlotte recovered.  It would take them 7 plays, but with 10 seconds left on the clock Coutu stepped onto the field again to try a 55-yarder. The veteran kicker put the ball right between the uprights to give Charlotte a 25-24 lead with only 7 seconds on the clock.  Birmingham would take the touchback to save time, and Newton would set up for a needed miracle.  What he got instead was an exclamation point for the Monarchs.  Trying to hit Randy Moss on a deep out route, Newton’s pass was behind his receiver and Carlos Rogers, the cagey veteran, not only scooped the ball out of the air, but returned it the length of the field to expand the Monarch advantage to 8.  32-24 was the final score, but this was no easy game for the Monarchs.  It came down to scores in the final 2 minutes for Charlotte to pull it out. LOS ANGELES 19   CHICAGO 13 We called this one as having potential upset potential, and that is the way it played out.  Chicago’s beleaguered defense did what they could and held LA under 20 points, but the Machine offense struggled all day, converting only 1 third down the entire game and contributing only 245 yards of offense as the Express came in determined to win a slugfest. Mark Sanchez found the room he needed to pass for 304 yards despite being pressured by Chicago on nearly every passing down. He would have to mix his targets up as Chicago kept tabs on Keyshawn Johnson.  Johnson would finish with 6 catches, 2nd year receiver Jerrel Jerrigan would have 6 as well, TE L. J. Smith finished with 5 and Brandon Lloyd had 4.  All in all 8 different receivers would catch passes from Sanchez, and while Reggie Bush was limited to only 2.9 yards per carry, his carries did help slow the passrush just a little. On the other side of the ball, Brady Quinn was efficient, completing 20 of 25 passes, but nearly all within 5-8 yards of the line of scrimmage.  His longestwas a 17-yarder to Dobson.  Meanwhile, with the LA linebackers keyed on him, Doug Martin could not break free. His average was only 2.8 yards, rushing for 57 yards in the game.  The result was that Chicago only managed 3 trips past the LA 40, and 2 of those three drives ended with field goals. There were only 2 touchdowns in the game, an early Emmanuel Sanders TD catch in the first quarter and a much more impactful L. J. Smith TD catch early in the 4th.  The rest of the scoring drives were finished by the kickers, with LA’s Damon Duvall connecting on 4 of 6 attempts, while rookie Jason Myers for Chicago hit on both his attempts, but got only 2 shots at it. Outgained 361-245 and with a nearly 10-minute disadvantage in time of possession, Chicago just did not have the big play capacity needed to break past the Express and get the win.  Los Angeles moves on and will now face a very familiar foe, the Oakland Invaders, in the Divisional Round. ATLANTA 19   WASHINGTON 24 The early game on Sunday maintained the weekend’s theme of close matchups as the Fire gave Washington everything they could handle.  In a game that saw no scoring in the 4th quarter, the Federals felt fortunate to walk away with a victory on a day when they were clearly not at their best. Atlanta had its chances but could not make the big play when it was most needed. We expected the star of the game to come from the run game, with Deuce McCallister up against former NFL star Steven Jackson, but it was the receivers who gave us the best show, with Jeff Reed and Deion Branch both having good days.  Joe Webb would finish with 2 TDs and an 18 of 25 day, while Kyle Orton went 15 of 26, but had two costly picks. The game started about as well as it could for the Fire, who got touchdowns from both J. J. Arrington and rookie Marcus Lattimore to start off the game.  A missed PAT led to a 13-0 lead after one quarter, but Washington roared back in the 2nd.  They got their first points on a Deuce McCallister special, a 2-yard run off the right guard.  They added a Shayne Graham field goal and at the half were trailing only 13-10 despite a pretty poor first half performance. In the third, Washington would turn the table with back to back TD drives.  The first saw Joe Webb complete 4 consecutive passes to move from their own 46 to the endzone, connecting with TE Kellen Davis for the score. The second saw Deion Branch make a beautiful one-handed catch on the sideline for six points.  Suddenly, Washington was up 24-13 and Atlanta needed to respond. The Fire did that with Marcus Lattimore’s second TD of the game, but the 2-point PAT failed, leaving Atlanta with a 5-point deficit and one quarter left to play.  It was a final quarter that would be dominated by the Washington defense.  Coach Payton turned up the pressure, bringing weakside blitzes against Orton, and the strategy payed off. On Atlanta’s first drive, Orton misfired and his pass was picked off by safety Ed Reed.  The next drive was ended by a tipped ball by DT Geno Atkins, and the third drive with another pick, this time from LB Dennis Ellerbe. Atlanta would not get the ball back and Washington would survive and advance.  They now must prepare to take on their bitter rival, the Philadelphia Stars, a team that beat them twice this season. DENVER 24   TEXAS 30       OVERTIME The only divisional matchup of the Wild Card round was another good game, with Denver laying catch up most of the game, but needing to wait until the final seconds to tie the score and send the game to overtime, but in the extra period an unsung hero got Texas the win on the opening possession and sent Texas on to the next round and another divisional matchup, this time with the 15-1 Arizona Wranglers. It was a good game for both QBs, with Matt Leinart going 20 of 29 for 361 yards and 3 scores, while Joe Flacco completed 17 of 26 for 308 and 3 scores of his own.  Denver’s Michael Crabtree had his biggest game since coming over from New Jersey, catching 3 balls, but turning 2 of them into scores, including a 69-yarder to open the 4th.  Arian Foster led all backs with 101 yards, but the return of DeMarco Murray gave Denver enough of a run threat that Texas could not play the pass exclusively. Texas scored twice in the opening period, sandwiching a Denver TD.  First it was Arian Foster on a 2-yard dive, but Denver responded with Michael Crabtree’s first score.  Then, in a play that would foreshadow what was to come, fullback Rick Razzano caught a 21 yard pass on a play where he was left completely uncovered, something that did not escape Head Coach Greg Landry’s attention. A field goal made it 17-7 Texas at the half and gave the San Antonio crowd a celebratory mood.  But Denver scored the next 10 points, and suddenly the game was tied at 17 with only 7 minutes to play.  Dener had added a field goal in the 3rd, and on a 3rd and 7 early in the 4th, they had hit on their biggest play of the game, an out & up to Crabtree that fooled the corner.  Crabtree survived the sideline shove of the safety and raced for the 69-yard score to even the score. Texas would take back their lead on the next possession, moving down the field quickly before Flacco hit Felix Jones for a go ahead score with 3:40 left to play.  But nearly 4 minutes meant that Denver would not need to rush, and they didn’t.  They milked the clock, moved the ball steadily, and with only 15 seconds on the clock, DeMarco Murray caught a swing pass from Leinart and found the endzone. Coach Jauron opted to go for the tie instead of trying to win the game with a 2-pointer at regulation.  It was a reasonable decision but one that he would later regret. Texas won the toss and opted to take the ball first.  Slowly they moved the ball down the field, relying on Foster runs and some short passes, but on a 2nd and 3 from the Denver 40, Coach Landry pulled up the very same play that had worked so well for Razzano earlier in the game. Razzano was again uncovered, an easy toss for Flacco, and with TE Chris Cooley and WR Marques Colston clearing the way, the fullback rumbled the 40 yards to paydirt, sudden death paydirt for the victorious Outlaws. Texas will head to Arizona for their next game, another tough divisional matchup of two foes who know each other about as well as any two teams can. Three Retirements That Will Deeply Impact Their Teams The end of the regular season always brings with it four things: playoff football, coach firings, a free agent pool, and a wave of player retirement announcements.  The last two deeply impact how teams enter the offseason and what priorities they will  have.  For three clubs, retirement announcements of key offensive contributors will certainly impact the offseason.  Texas, Baltimore, and Tampa Bay all saw one of their prominent offensive stars announce that their time on the field has ended, creating an immediate need for a backup plan. In Baltimore, the trade that brought Robert Ferguson to the Blitz has now proven to be a costly one, as Ferguson played less than a full season in the Charm City before announcing that he had decided to step away.  Fergusion played for 5 teams over his 13-year career, but will always be remembered for his time in Memphis.  It was there that he had his first 1,000-yard season, finishing with 4 of them in Memphis, his fifth being split between the Showboats and Blitz this year.  Fergusion was brought to Baltimore to help with a late playoff push.  He contributed 5 TDs and nearly 600 yards in 9 games with the Blitz, becoming a prime target for Ben Roethlisberger in the season’s second half. Baltimore will likely look for a younger wideout in free agency, or will go for a receiver in the draft as their receiving group was seen as a problem leading into 2013 and is now back to square one. Houston also lost a receiver to retirement as 11-year veteran Ike Hilliard has opted to call it a career. Hilliard spent his first 4 seasons in San Antonio with the Outlaws before jumping ship and finding a home in Houston. He amassed over 10,000 yards and 79 touchdowns over his career and was a consistent 1,000 yard receiver for Matt Hasselbeck and the Gamblers.  This season he finished with over 1,100 yards and 75 receptions, also contributing 8 touchdowns on the season. Houston has some depth at the position, with Roy Williams, Mike Sims-Walker, Bethel Johnson and Sam Hurd all under contract for the next few seasons.  They may opt to go with a mid-round rookie pick or T-Draft selection at the position, but we don’t see them trying to find a plug & play starter in free agency. Tampa Bay likely takes the biggest hit as it appears they were not anticipating that halfback Willis McGahee would step away from the game at 31 years old.  McGahee has been a core component of the Bandit offense since coming to the team in the 2003 draft.  He had over 1,100 yards in his rookie campaign and has amassed over 12,000 over his 11 seasons, including 1,003 yards this year.  A prolific receiver as well as an elusive runner, McGahee’s talents will be tough to replace.  The 2012 OPOTY and former All-USFL back is planning to remain in Florida in his retirement (Who doesn’t?) and will likely join the local WDAE Radio Station broadcast team for Bandit games. Expect HB to be a priority for Tampa Bay, and we expect them to target players who fit the mold of the Bandit back, which is a prolific pass catcher and good inside-outside runner in the mold of McGahee and early superstar Gary Anderson Other announced retirments include Des Chuckie Nwokorie (DAL), Eric Flowers (LV), and Chauncey Davis (OHI), TE Jim Kliensasser (MEM), FS Tebucky Jones (MEM), kicker Bill Grammatica (ORL), and journeyman QB Jeff Blake (NJ) A Quick History of Washington & Philadelphia’s Rivalry While perhaps not as renowned as the Stars-Generals or Feds-Blitz rivalries, the tension between the Stars and Federals has been longstanding and the fans enjoy a friendly rivalry.  The two began as franchises in the league’s 1983 season, and while the rivalry was decidedly one-sided in the early years, with Philadelphia finding almost immediate success in the league while Washington often found themselves overmatched and underwhelming, the tide began turning in 1987, when the Feds started to win and started to make regular playoff appearances. The Stars and Feds have met on the field 56 times in the regular season, with Philadelphia holding the edge 32-24, though the matchups have been pretty even over the past decade.  This year, the Stars took both matchups, winning 27-13 in Week 2, but only eking out a 16-15 win in Week 15.  The two will meet again in this week’s Divisional matchup.  That may not be good news for the Feds, who have never beaten the Stars in the postseason.  The two have met twice and Philadelphia has won both outings.  The last time they met in the postseason was only 2 years ago, when Philadelphia edged the Feds 27-24 in RFK to advance to the Eastern Final. Stars-Federals may not be the fiercest of rivalries, but there is certainly a rivalry there, and when it comes to playoff football, there is nothing either club would like better than to knock off their division opponent and advance to the Eastern Conference Playoff. The California Derby, Playoff Edition Oakland and Los Angeles face off in the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum this week, reviving another well-known rivalry game.  While technically this Express team is not the one that began the California Derby rivalry back in 1983 (that team now plays in Nashville), the SoCal-NoCal rivalry has been a strong one with both iterations of the Express franchise.  This season the two split their season series, with both clubs winning at home.  Over their history, the “New” Express have been slightly on the defensive, losing 20 of 36 matchups, while winning 16.  These two have never met in the postseason, so this year’s clash will be a new chapter in their West Coast rivalry. Wranglers & Outlaws Are No Strangers In a Divisional round where 3 of the 4 games are divisional matchups, we cannot forget to highlight the rivalry between the Wranglers and Outlaws.  Again not a primary rivalry, as we all know Arizonans like to get riled up about games against Denver while the Outlaws’ primary rival resides in Houston, but the divisional clash is still one that will bring out the fans and get their emotions high.  Arizona does hold the advantage all time against the Outlaws, with a 22-16 record against Texas all time.  This season, of course, Arizona did sweep the series, winning 21-18 in Glendale and then doubling up with a 19-14 victory just 2 weeks ago, although that game was more of a battle of backups in many ways.  Oddly enough, despite both clubs being in the league since the 1980’s (Arizona ’83 and Texas ’87), the two have never met in the postseason, so again, this will be a new chapter in their history together. Charlotte &  New Orleans To Meet for Southern Bragging Rights The only non-divisional game this week, the Monarchs and Breakers have a very limited history.  The two have only met three times, with each taking a victory once and both playing to a tie just 3 weeks ago. Obviously, with Charlotte having come into the league with the 2008 expansion they do not have nearly the playoff history of the Breakers.  Charlotte has an overall playoff record of 3-2, having lost in their first playoff game in 2011 before going on their run to the Summer Bowl last year.  New Orleans has been a perennial bridesmaid over its history.  They have appeared in the playoffs in 19 different seasons, including 9-season run in the late 80’s and 90’s, but they have never taken home the John Bassett Trophy, having lost in their lone Summer Bowl appearance in 2003. All things considered a very healthy Divisional Round.  New Orleans has only one player out, DT Nat Dorsey.  Philadelphia has two players who are going to be game day decisions, Oakland is likely to be without DE Justin Smith, but TE Zack Ertz could see action, and Arizona has no injuries to report.  Here is the full breakdown, but there is little changed for the 4 Wild Card teams, so we expect all 8 clubs to be fully prepared for action this week. CHA—QB Jake Delhomme (OUT), FS Chris Crocker (OUT) NOR—OT Nat Dorsey (QUE) WSH—QB David Garrard (OUT), DE Chris Long (QUE), OT Vernon Carrey (QUE) PHI—WR Reche Caldwell (OUT), G Steve Edwards (QUE), CB Sam Shields (PRO) LA—DE Keneche Udeze (OUT), HB LeRon McClain (OUT), C Alex Mack (DOU) OAK—DE Justin Smith (DOU), TE Zack Ertz (PRO) TEX— WR Brandon Marshall (OUT), FS Dennis Linkous (OUT) ARZ—No Injuries Reported Celebrating the Best of 2013 As we await the USFL Honors in Denver the Thursday of Summer Bowl Week, we thought it was a good time to issue our own very unofficial awards.  In a season that had a lot of highlights, we wanted to point out some of the best performances, whether in one game or the whole season. So, here, with no ado at all, we offer our Best of 2013 Awards. Best Game by a QB: Daunte Culpepper (TBY)-Week 11 @ Jacksonville.  In what would be a 52-28 thrashing of their in-state rival, Daunte Culpepper put up big play after big play.  He only completed 15 passes, but 5 of those were for touchdowns, including an 82-yard TD to Vincent Jackson and a 60-yarder to Santonio Holmes.  Culpepper went 15 of 19, averaging nearly 23 yards per completion and coming out of the game with a 158.3 QB Rating. A master class in how to play “big play” offense. Best Game by a HB: DeMarco Murray (DEN)—Week 13 v. Houston.  It was a statement game if ever there was one.  Murray averaged 6.9 yards per carry and with 21 carries that got him 144 rushing yards.  Oh, and lest we forget, 4 rushing touchdowns against division rival Houston. Best Game by a Receiver: Vincent Jackson (TBY)—Week 11 v. Jacksonville.  Yup, the same game as Culpepper’s big day.  We have to recognize Jackson as well.  Only 5 receptions, but in those 5 receptions he scored 3 touchdowns, including the 82-yarder, and racked up 124 yards.  Jackson was simply uncoverable on the day. Best Game by a Defense: Chicago—Week 15 v. New Jersey. Even without Brian Urlacher, the Chicago defense put on a show against a feeble New Jersey offense.  The 33-0 victory was the only shut out of the year for any of the top defenses, and it was accompanied by yardage numbers you just don’t see very often:  165 total yards of offense by the Generals, and only 46 yards rushing.  Chicago did not allow New Jersey to cross the 50 the entire game in a dominant performance. Best Special Teams Game: Brandon Coutu (CHA)—Week 11 @ Atlanta. In a division game that the Monarchs needed to have, it was Coutu’s foot that got them the win. Coutu connected on 4 of 4 field goal tries and a PAT to put up 13 of the Monarch’s 19 points in their 19-14 victory over the Fire. Best Game by a Rookie: LeVeon Bell (MGN)—Week 14 v. Ohio.  In a tight game, it was Bell’s run game that helped Michigan pull out the 30-25 victory.  Bell rushed 20 times for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He also had 2 catches for 30 yards, giving him 189 on the day. Breakout Star of 2013: Doug Martin (CHI)—from 90 carries and 347 yards as a rookie to 373 carries and exactly 1,500 yards in his sophomore season, Martin proved the Chicago brass knew their stuff when they traded away Michael Turner and put their trust in the young back.  Throw in 12 touchdowns, and you have a new superstar in Chicago. Comeback Player of 2013: Chris Weinke (OHI)—After 2 consecutive seasons, one in Seattle, and one in Texas, where he did not get a single snap and spent the entire season on the bench, Weinke not only competed for the starting job in Ohio but won it outright on the back of a season that saw him earn a 94.0 QB Rating, 10 points higher than his career best.  Weinke earned the starting job in preseason and held it all year long thanks to nearly 3,500 yards passing and 26 touchdowns.  His best season by a longshot, Weinke proved that he could be a legitimate starter in this league. Unsung Hero of 2013: Chase Blackburn (NJ)—An NFL import this past offseason, Blackburn was a bright spot on a pretty gloom & doom New Jersey squad. The former Giant led the club with 124 tackles on a defense that at times looked like it could not tackle anyone.  He was among the best linebackers in the league, but will he earn a spot on the All-USFL team?  It seems unlikely for this unsung hero of a pretty shaky 4-12 team. Best Coaching Job of 2013: Andy Reid (LA)—Yes, we all expect Jim Tomsula to get the COTY award, but we should not overlook the job that Reid did in rebuilding the LA Express in the first year of what many saw as a 3-year project.  From 6-10 in 2012 Reid infused a winning attitude, and that attitude has produced a club that not only qualified for the playoffs, but won their Wild Card game on the road.  Along the way, he helped Mark Sanchez have a solid 3,200-yard season and built a defense that finished 9th in the league in scoring and produced 34 takeaways. Jacksonville Leaning Towards Quick Hire Having spent the Wild Card weekend speaking with both Arizona DC Vic Fangio and Philadelphia OC Greg Roman.  It is expected that they will want to interview Washington’s Rex Ryan, but that may be the full pool as the Bulls are eager to get a new HC in place as soon as possible.  With the firing of GM Andy Dengler along with Coach Leslie Frazier, the Bulls need to get some semblance of a new team in place before free agency opens in August.  They have expressed a desire for a GM-HC combo that will work together to strategize about all offseason moves, and the club is likely to have many in mind.  C. J. Spiller is a free agent, and, quite frankly, has underwhelmed in Jacksonville, so expect the Bulls to look a different direction to boost their run game. The club could also lose 3 of their top 5 wideouts, all free agents, and are eager to resign DT Marcus Stroud, one of the better players on a pretty shaky defense. The big question is what can be done about Tim Tebow.  He is still a favorite among fans, more on his personality and lifestyle than on his gameday performance.  He certainly can make exciting plays, both with his arm and his feet, but his accuracy is marginal at best, and he has been among the worst QBs in the league in ball protection over the past 3 years, thowing 54 picks over that time and giving him a pretty horrific 50:54 TD:INT ratio over that span. His lifetime QB Rating is only 76.6, which, as USFL fans of all stripes will tell you, is not going to get it done in a league that regularly has 5 or more passers topping 100 in the ratings each season.  Will the new head coach try to build around Tebow?  Bring in a legit run game to take pressure off?  Or will the team try to offload the player ahead of his final year of the rookie deal and bring in a more traditional pocket passer?  Big questions for whomever takes the helm in Jacksonville, and good reason why the Bulls want those key positions filled as soon as possible. Who is the Best Option for New Jersey? That is the question all of Sports Radio in the Tri-State Area has been buzzing with over the past week.  There are some who feel that Coach Edwards was cut loose too quickly, especially considering the Generals had a 12-win season as recently as 2012, but for those who were calling for Edwards to go during the abysmal 4-win 2013 season, the big question now is what kind of coach is needed.  Some want a defensive taskmaster along the lines of Tom Coughlin or Vince Tobin.  Others want someone who can maximize the team’s offensive talent, a Bill Musgrave or Greg Roman.  But mostly what fans seem to want is someone who is a proven winner.  New Jersey has had success in the past, most notably during a 3-year run from 2004-2006 that saw them win two John Bassett Trophies with Tom Brady at QB and NY football legend Bill Parcells in the big office.  Since those halcyon days, results in New Jersey have not been as sunny.  Since 2007, when Parcells stepped away from the game, the Generals had a short-stint for Romeo Crennell and then 5 years with Edwards, which seemed headed in the right direction, particularly with that 12-win 2012 season, but with Edwards gone, the question is now squarely put to the Generals’ ownership.  Where do we go from here? Non-Playoff Teams Release Free Agent Lists Sixteen clubs did not reach the postseason, which means players on 16 teams are now free agents.  Yes, it is a bit of a technicality because for the next 3 weeks they can only negotiate with their current teams, and we expect some will resign before the full free agency period begins following the Summer Bowl, but history tells us that players who have resisted contract deals all season long may well be hoping to test the market rather than signing now.  So just who is out there?  Here is our top 1-2 names on each of the non-playoff teams. BALTIMORE:  The big name is HB Ron Dayne, who the Blitz are still hoping to resign, but in doing so they may lose another important member of the squad, LB Angelo Crowell. DALLAS: One name stands out, and it is a player the Roughnecks really don’t want to lose, OT Marco Colombo. HOUSTON: While QB Tim Rattay would be a nice player to bring back, the focus has to be on resigning center Ryan Pontbriand if they can. JACKSONVILLE: We are expecting that HB C. J. Spiller is going to be allowed to test the waters.  He came out of Clemson with the promise of a transformative player, but has yet to deliver on that promise.  The player the Bulls may expend more energy to retain is guard Damien Woody. LAS VEGAS:  The Thunder have some cap issues, but they should do what they can to protect FB Manuel White, one of the league’s best.  Signing White could mean the departures of both TE Ben Watson and WR Marty Booker. MEMPHIS: Guard Luis Vasquez is the biggest name on the free agent pool for a Memphis squad that will have spending money this offseason. MICHIGAN:  With both CB Deltha O’Neal and SS Tyrone Carter at the end of their contracts and both contemplating retirement, how much will Michigan invest in these two vets? NASHVILLE: TE Delanie Walker still has a lot of potential, but may not fit the Knights plans.  We won’t know until we know their new coach and his philosophy. NEW JERSEY:  The Generals don’t want to lose either DE Shaun Ellis or OG Tuten Reyes, but they don’t have the funds to sign both, not with so much work to be done on this roster. OHIO: Slot receiver Javon Walker could be the victim of cap calculations as Ohio ponders just how to add more defenders and how to strengthen their O-line. ORLANDO: LB Paul Posluszny has been largely quiet with the press, but all we hear is that he is eager to leave the Renegades and get a shot with a contender. PITTSBURGH: The Maulers want to retain both Ronnie Brown and Kenny Watson, but Watson wants a shot to be a bell cow back, and Brown is winning that battle in Pittsburgh. PORTLAND: If it is between guard Mitch Petrus and WR Roddy White, we go with Petrus. With a young QB like McGloin under center, protection is key to his success. SEATTLE: Neither OT Joseph Bragg or WR Chris Chambers are irreplaceable pieces for Coach Mitchell.  We could see both leave and Seattle can find other options. TAMPA BAY: As much as the retirement of Willis McGahee will hurt the offense, a possible departure for CB Patrick Robinson could be as big a blow for a defense that is already considered a real problem for the Bandits and Coach Mike Shula. Divisional week means 4 pretty tough games.  What makes this year’s 2nd round so much more dramatic is that three of the four matchups feature divisional rivals facing off.  We kick off with the lone game between teams from different divisions, then finish with 3 straight brawls between foes who know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.  Could be a very dynamic weekend indeed. CHARLOTTE MONARCHS (8-7-1)  @ NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS (9-6-1) Saturday, July 13 @ 4pm ET Super Dome, New Orleans, LA Breakers -4 We expect this one to be a pretty even matchup, after all, the two did play to the season’s only tie game just 3 weeks ago.  While the advantage in the passing game goes to Drew Brees and the Breakers, the clear advantage for Charlotte is their run game.  Fred Jackson could be the key to success for the Monarchs as they hope to break down a pretty solid Breaker defense. As in the 2012 playoffs, the goal is to limit what is asked of Brandon Wheedon and use the run game to wear down the defense.  New Orleans will likely try to establish the run as well, but will be quicker to turn to Brees and the passing game. Our Pick:  We think the Breakers’ D is underrated and that having a veteran leader at QB is always a plus, so we are going with the home team and slight favorite here.  Breakers 23-20. LOS ANGELES EXPRESS (9-7) @ OAKLAND INVADERS (13-3) Saturday, July 13 @ 8pm ET Oakland-Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, CA Invaders -6 Both teams won their home games in the regular season series, but while LA has been inconsistent al season, Oakland has only grown in their confidence and cohesion as the season has progressed.  The Invaders can beat you in a variety of ways, with a very solid defense (2nd against the run and 3rd leaguewide in points allowed).   Los Angeles is mercurial.  At times they look very dangerous, but at others they cannot seem to get out of their own way.  They have some solid weapons on offense, and their defense has played some very good games, but consistency has been an issue all season long. Our Pick:  We have to go with the Invaders here. They are just a better team on paper and on the field each week.  You don’t get to 13-3 by letting a game slip by.  We choose Oakland, 28-20. WASHINGTON FEDERALS (10-6) @ PHILADELPHIA STARS (12-4) Sunday, July 14 @ 1pm ET Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA Stars -5 The Stars won both regular season meetings and will have a raucous home crowd on their side as they face the Feds. But Washington has some elements that can be tough even for a good Stars defense to handle.  Deuce McCallister is always a problem, and QB Joe Webb has been very solid all year long.  The Stars, however, will have Steve Slaton back after over a month being sidelined. He was not on the field for the slim 16-15 Philly victory in Week 15, and we think he could push the Stars ove the top in this one. Our Pick:  We think Slaton’s return will provide better balance for Jim Harbaugh’s offense, and that the defense will be energized by the rowdy Philly crowd.  We are going with the Stars to win, 24-20. TEXAS OUTLAWS (10-6) @ ARIZONA WRANGLERS (15-1) Sunday, July 14 @ 5pm ET University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ Wranglers -8 We like this Texas team, and certainly Joe Flacco knows how to pull out tough games, but Arizona has felt very much like a team of destiny and that defense is so disciplined, we just don’t see Flacco and the Outlaw receivers able to make the big plays needed to break down the Wrangler D.  The best shot is if the Outlaw defense can step up.  They will need to bottle up Frank Gore. That is definitely job one, and then hopefully force some poor throws and possible turnovers from the Wrangler offense.  If they can do that, then they may have a chance, but we still think it is a longshot. Our pick:  We have to go with the Wranglers.  They do not always produce dominating scores, but they are often well in control of their games despite the scoreboard.  That defense is something special and we expect it to be both ready and fully able to contain the Outlaws.  Our pick is Arizona 20-13.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Frank Gore made a run at the USFL Rushing Title and earned it with 131 yards on the final week of the season. In a game where Texas knew the Wranglers were going to run, having left David Carr on the bench, they still could not stop Gore as he won the game and the title of the league's most prolific rusher in Week 16. PLAYOFF PICTURE: The last of the playoff spots were claimed in Week 16, with Denver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Birmingham locking up the final 4 Wild Card berths. Here are your seedings for the 2013 Playoffs: EAST: 1-PHI 2-NOR 3-CHA 4-WSH 5-ATL 6-BIR WEST: 1-ARZ 2-OAK 3-CHI 4-TEX 5-DEN 6-LA

We have our 2013 playoff field after an exciting week of play-in games has led to three of four Wild Card positioned teams retaining their spot, while the Baltimore Blitz slide out with a tough loss, creating space for Cam Newton and the Birmingham Stallions to snag the final spot.  Baltimore was in a win & in situation, but were sideswiped by a Michigan Panthers team that had nothing to play for.  Meanwhile, the Stallions won their rivalry matchup with Memphis, finished the year at 8-8 and jumped over fellow 8-8 squads Baltimore and Orlando thanks to their 8-4 conference record.  It was a weird week that saw a lot of backups on the field and which saw 6 of the 12 playoff teams finish the year with a loss.  We will run it down, look ahead to Wild Card Weekend, review the heavy toll of Black Monday, and more as we wrap up the 2016 regular season and prepare for the USFL playoffs. ST. LOUIS SKYHAWKS 13     DENVER GOLD 20 There was one and only one game this week where both teams were on the edge of the playoff field and needed a win to lock up a spot.  That game was the Skyhawks at the Gold.  If Denver won, they were the 5 seed and St. Louis would be out, unable to attempt a title repeat.  If St. Louis won, then they would be alive, and would need only an LA loss to make the dance.  So a lot on the line as the two squared off at Invesco Field on a balmy midsummer afternoon in Denver. It would be a game that was defined by 30 minutes of domination by the Gold.  Trailing 3-0 after the first quarter, Denver stepped up on both offense and defense.  Between the start of the 2nd quarter and the conclusion of the 3rd, St. louis would manage only 5 first downs, and would never threaten the Denver red zone.  On the other hand, the Denver offense scored on 4 of 5 possessions as Matt Leinart found success throwing the ball despite losing Golden Tate early in the 2nd quarter.  Leinart would focus his attention on Peerless Price, TE Daniel Graham, and receiving tailback LeMichael James. Denver’s run to the playoffs began early in the 2nd, when an 11-play drive finished with a flourish as Matt Leinart shook off a potential sack and found Price crossing from right to left in the endzone.  He put the ball out in front of the veteran receiver and Price tipped it to himself, securing the ball as he fell out of bounds.  The review showed that he had dragged both feet, and Denver took their initial lead at 7-3.  The next two Denver drives would also prove fruitful as Greg Zeurlein connected from 30 and 49 yards to give the Gold a 13-3 lead at the half. While St. Louis was known for offense in last year’s title run, the points have been harder to come by in 2013, and in the game against Denver, even first downs proved difficult.  Eddie Lacy was getting yards on first down, and would finish the game with 114 yards rushing, but Josh Freeman was struggling on third downs.  The Skyhawks would convert only 2 all day, and in the 2 central periods of the game (2nd and 3rd quarter) they would go only 1 for 6.  Skyhawk fans hoped they would come out of the half with a newfound strategy for penetrating Denver’s defense, but their first drive was snuffed out by a Ryan Denney sack on 3rd and 4.  Denver would expand their lead on the next possession. Up by 10, Denver relied on LeMichael James both as a receiver and a rusher.  With DeMarco Murray unable to go, it was on the 2nd year back to carry the load.  James finished the game with an impressive 5.1 yards per carry, and he would gain 30 of his 92 yards on the drive that put Denver up by 17.  On the 14th play of the drive, after having killed off nearly 7 minutes of clock, Leinart again found Peerless Price in the endzone and Denver was fully in control, or so it appeared. Desperation, and perhaps a bit of overconfidence by the Gold, helped St. Louis get back in the game in the 4th quarter.  It began innocently enough, with a herky jerky drive by the Skyhawks fizzling out at the 22.  Rob Bironas would put another 3 on the board, but the Skyhawks still trailed by 14.  They would need the ball back fast, and would need to score just as quickly. A nice play on a third and 3 helped St. Louis get the ball back with only 1:42 off the clock, and they did a solid job of moving the ball quickly, but it still took nearly 5 minutes before fullback Jerome Felton took a short swing pass in for 6.  Bironas hit the PAT, and with 5:21 still on the clock, St. Louis was now down only by 7.  They would eschew the onside kick and kick the ball away to Denver, hoping to get a short field after a defensive stop. But that stop did not come. Denver put together a drive that included conversions on back to back second downs, and cost the Skyhawks over 3 minutes before a failed third down throw forced Denver to send out Zeurlein for a relatively easy 38-yarder.  Call it pressure, or overconfidence, but Zeurlein’s relatively short kick hooked right.  St.  Louis would get the ball on their own 38, with just over 2 minutes to go.  They had the opportunity to tie the game, perhaps even to win it. Denver was now well aware that their lead had faded and that a stop was needed.  On consecutive plays they sent blitzers at Freeman. On 2nd down and 7 they did not reach him, but affected his throw, causing an incompletion.  On 3rd and 7 they did get him, with LB Will Overstreet dragging Freeman down 5 yards behind the line.  That left St.  Louis with a very tough 4th and 12 to keep their drive alive.  On 4th down, Denver opted not to blitz, and instead dropped 7 into coverage.  Freeman scoured the field looking for an open receiver, but there were none.  When the pressure came he had no choice but to scramble.  He would be dragged down after gaining only 5 of the 12 yards he needed.  The drive, and for St. Louis, the season, was over.  Denver would be headed to San Antonio to play a Wild Card game, while the defending champs would return home, finishing the season a very disappointing 8-8 and out of playoff position. PITTSBURGH 27   NEW JERSEY 24 In what would be the final game for both head coaches, the Maulers got 106 yards from Ronnie Brown and a Victor Cruz touchdown to highlight some of the bright spots on their roster.  New Jersey got a solid outing from Maurice Jones-Drew, who has been rumored to be on the trading block.  Pittsburgh finishes at 7-9, better than predicted but still not good enough for ownership, while New Jersey finishes 4-12, a huge disappointment which has cost Herm Edwards his position. MEMPHIS 13   BIRMINGHAM 23 The Stallions needed a win and a loss by either Atlanta or Baltimore to get in.  They did their part with Randy Moss catching 7 of 13 targets for 115 yards and a touchdown.  The defense performed well, limiting the Memphis run game to only 53 yards and holding Eli Manning to only 15 of 32 passing.  After the win, the Stallions would have to wait to see what happened with the Fire and the Blitz to see if they could snag a Wild Card at 8-8. ORLANDO 19   WASHINGTON 14 Orlando also had a shot at a Wild Card, not knowing the Stallion score, and faced off against a Washington team that had a lot of backups in the game.  Deuce McCallister played only a few series, rushing for 39 yards and a score before taking a spot on the bench.  For Orlando, Russell Wilson went 23 of 34 for 209 yards and a TD to DeShaun Jackson.  The Renegade win would prove not to be enough thanks to Birmingham’s victory, but an 8-8 final record was a step in the right direction. NASHVILLE 10   NEW ORLEANS 20 New Orleans new a win was needed if they wanted a shot at the 2nd seed, so their starters stayed in against the Cody Pickett led Knights.  Brees was not sharp, throwing 2 picks, but the Breakers got TDs from both Matt Forte and Mike Tolbert on their way to a 10-point win.  Now, if Charlotte lost, the 2 seed and the bye week would be theirs. PHILADELPHIA 34   DALLAS 36 A really entertaining game between the Dallas starters and a backup-laden Philadelphia squad.  Matt Moore threw for 285 and 4 touchdowns for the Stars, while Jake Locker tried to prove he could be the starter in 2014 with 328 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Star B-squad defense.  Rashard Mendenhall also feasted on the backups, with 133 yards on 20 carries.  Does it mean much?  Not likely, but it left the Dallas fans with a nice memory as they head into the offseason. ATLANTA 28   TAMPA BAY 36 Atlanta came in with something to play for, Tampa did not, but  you could not tell it from the performances. The Bandits ripped through the Fire defense, with Daunte Culpepper throwing for 328 and 4 touchdowns as Tampa Bay put Atlanta’s playoff spot at risk.  Vincent Jackson put in his bid for OPOTY with another multiple TD day, three on 8 catches and 107 yards as the Bandits add some tension to the week for Fire fans. CHARLOTTE 10   LOS ANGELES 20 Two teams that needed a win, Charlotte for a bye week, LA to make the postseason, but it was the Express who had more motivation and who came out on top as a 13-10 game was turned into a 20-10 victory thanks to a pick-six from the LA defense.  Late in the 4th, with Charlotte driving to tie or take the lead, Brandon Wheedon made a poor throw and rookie Jamar Taylor made the play of his season, stepping in front of the ball and returning it 67-yards for the score.  With the win, the Express locked up the 3rd and final Wild Card in the west and will head to Chicago for playoff football. MICHIGAN 20   BALTIMORE 13 The scenario was as straightforward as could be.  With Birmingham’s earlier win, Baltimore was in the playoffs with a win and out with a loss. So what happened?  Well, a turned ankle took out Big Ben in the first quarter and that was all she wrote as Kyle Kolb simply could not muster enough offense for the Blitz.  Kirk Cousins threw for 306 yards and LeVeon Bell got the key TD to give Michigan the upset win in Baltimore and knock the Blitz out of the postseason. HOUSTON 23   JACKSONVILLE 34 The Bulls showed up for interim head coach Jimmie Johnson, with Tim Tebow avoiding the picks and throwing for 3 touchdowns.  The defense, which has been just awful all year, gave up yardage (421 total) but did enough to hold Houston at arm’s length. They picked off Matt Hasselbeck twice as Houston withered to a final 7-9 record.  The win put Jacksonville in a tie with New Jersey for the worst record in the league at 4-12. CHICAGO 9   OHIO 26 Brady Quinn and Doug Martin were pulled at the half as Chicago rested several starters against the Glory.  Tony Pike got the start for Ohio, and fared pretty well against a Chicago defense that is getting a little thin.  Two Isaiah Pead TDs in the 2nd quarter were enough to put Ohio ahead to stay in a game that got them to 8-8, but not into the playoff hunt. ARIZONA 19   TEXAS 14 Both clubs rested some starters, but Frank Gore used the game as his shot at a rushing title, and with Doug Martin resting in his game, Gore went nuts with 27 carries for 131 yards to snatch the title and very possibly earn himself the league’s MVP title as well.  Nick Foles attempted only 17 passes, completing 7 for 101 yards and a score as both teams played a pretty vanilla game plan, seeking to avoid injury and to minimize creating tape that playoff opponents could use against them. SEATTLE 17   LAS VEGAS 10 A sad end to what had been a very promising season for the Thunder, an end that would lead to a change a the top as the 6-2 start morphed into a miserable 1-7 finish for Las Vegas.  Cadillac Williams scored twice and led all rushers with 80 yards as Seattle improved to 6-10 on the year, but this game was all about Las Vegas’s collapse in the season’s second half. PORTLAND 20   OAKLAND 24 Pat White got the start, as did Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis, and yet Oakland still managed to win their 10th in a row and go into the postseason as the league’s hottest club.  White would finish with 321 yards through the air, with Pierre Garçon racking up 8 catches for 122 and a score. Portland got a good game from Jonathan Stewart with 121 yards on 17 carries, but it was just a little too little as the Invaders get win number 13 and now rest easy during their bye. How the Final Week Shaped the Playoffs It came down to 7 teams fighting for 4 spots, that was the scenario as of this week.  In only one case did we have two of the 7 facing off against each other (St. Louis @ Denver), while the rest of the teams did a lot of scoreboard watching.  Going into the weekend 4 clubs were in “win & in” situations, including Denver, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Baltimore.  While both of the Western clubs won their games, thus locking into the 5th and 6th seeds, things were a little dicier in the East, where both the Fire and the Blitz lost their final games. Those losses created space for either Birmingham or Orlando to step in and swap spaces with one of the two.  Baltimore was the lower seed, so they were most at risk, and when Birmingham defeated their rival, Memphis, the Blitz knew that a loss would cost them a trip to the postseason.  Despite that motivation, the Blitz suffered a big blow when Ben Roethlisberger went out of the game with an ankle injury after throwing only 2 passes.  That loss led to the greater loss, as the Blitz fell to the Michigan Panthers, which dropped them to 7th and gave Birmingham the edge.  Orlando needed Birmingham to lose in order to jump all the way into the 6th slot, but with the Stallion victory, Orlando’s win in the final week was not able to yield a playoff spot for the 8-8 Renegades. In the end can we say that the best 2 teams of the four 8-8 squads made the cut?  That is impossible to say.  We will see how Atlanta fairs in Washington and how Birmingham handles a trip to Charlotte this week in the Wild Card round.  For Baltimore and Orlando, losses by either Wild Card club will make their close-but-no-cigar season sting even a bit more. Black Monday Takes Heavy Toll We had a feeling that this would be a busy Black Monday around the USFL.  The term, of course, refers to the day after the last games of the season when many teams relieve underperforming coaches from their duties.  It is a day dreaded by every coach whose 3-5 year plan has not panned out, and even by veteran coaches with long tenures whose teams have started to slip into mediocrity or worse. That was certainly the case this year as two of the coaches let go on Monday had tenures of over 10 years with their teams.  Following the release of Leslie Frazier by the Jacksonville Bulls in Week 15, this week’s season finales produced 4 more coaching changes, including two longstanding coaches who will now seek to find a new home. Jim Johnson (Nashville): Johnson, who had coached the Knights since before they left St. Louis for Nashville, was released from his duties on Monday after 19 seasons with the team.  While Johnson was never able to win a title with the Knights, year after year he produced solid teams, often grounded in a top 5 defense, that contended for division and league titles.  His clubs made the postseason 12 times in his 19 seasons, appearing in the Summer Bowl in 1998, but in recent years, the success has been harder to come by. After 2 consecutive 8-8 seasons, Nashville slipped to 5-11 this year, and that fact, the sense that Johnson was unable to produce a winner despite the arrival of NFL legend Peyton Manning, and a lifetime playoff record of 5-12 spelled trouble for the respected coach.   Nashville will move into a rebuilding phase this offseason, with Manning’s situation uncertain and a new identity needed.  Johnson is expected to be a contender for several positions, either as a defensive coordinator or once again as a head coach. Dick LeBeau (Michigan): After 10 seasons in Michigan, another defensive-minded coach was let go after a disappointing season.  LeBeau has been the main man for the Panthers since 2004, leading Michigan to the postseason 5 times and winning a league title in 2008.  But, since that title year the Panthers have slipped from regular contention to mediocrity, dropping from 11-5 to 8-8, then 6-10 last year, and again 6-10 this season.  LeBeau has struggled to put together a defense that could fully execute his concepts, and Michigan hemorrhaged defensive players each offseason, leading to a team that had trouble on that side of the ball far more than with their offense led by a rookie HB and a 2nd year QB.  Will LeBeau get another head coaching gig right out of the gate? He does have a league title under his belt.  If not, we certainly think a DC position will be available somewhere across the two major pro leagues. Herm Edwards (New Jersey): 2012 was so promising for Edwards. His Generals jumped from 6-10 the year before to 12-4, won a Wild Card game, and seemed poised for a strong season in 2013.  But those expectations have come back to bite Edwards.  With the loss of QB Sam Bradford to injury in the second week of the season, expectations for the Generals were lowered, but even with an uncertain QB position, the team was expected to finish no worse than 4th in the NE Division, and certainly to be hovering around .500 just on the strength of their roster.  What fans got instead was a team that could barely reach 14 points a game, failing to surpass 10 points in 6 games, and which finished dead last in scoring and yardage.  What was worse, a pretty solid 2012 defense seemed to fall apart in 2013, finishing 27th out of 28 teams in yardage allowed, and giving up nearly 24 points per game.  The utter collapse of the team this year was too much for ownership to handle, and Edwards was removed as head coach one day after the team suffered their 12th and final defeat of the season, though many argue that Edwards’s position was truly lost in Week 15, when the Generals absolutely failed to show up in an ugly 33-0 defeat in Chicago. June Jones (Las Vegas): Another story of high expectations crashing down and taking the head coach with them. Las Vegas began the year 6-2, then lost 7 of 8 in the second half, their offense also failing to provide adequate support to an overtaxed defense.  The Thunder dropped the last 6 games of the season, falling from 7-3 to 7-9 along the way and from first place to 4th in the Pacific Division.  Some expected the team to release the two coordinators and allow Jones a chance to build again, after all, we are dealing with an interim leadership team on a club that is being run by the league until a buyer can be vetted.  But, it appears that the collapse of the Thunder over the season’s second half, and the belief that any new ownership would want to start fresh, was enough for the current management team to release Jones and seek out a new direction. Playoff Coordinators Top List of Coaching Candidates With five coaching spots open, there will certainly be a scramble for top talent to take the helm in Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Michigan, Nashville, and New Jersey.  Among the top candidates for positions on these five teams will be several coordinators who are at the helms of playoff squads.  In most cases, it is impossible to meet with these coordinators until their team’s playoff runs are over, but there is an exception for the 4 teams that have byes this week.  So, who might be doing some phone and on-site interviews this week? Top of the list has to be Arizona’s Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio.  Yes, Jim Tomsula is also a defensive mind, and he crafted the Wrangler’s league best defense alongside Fangio, but as anyone knows, it is the coordinator who is there with the players every practice, every rep, and also the man who makes the gameday play calls. Fangio has excelled with the Wranglers this year, and is getting a lot of the credit for Arizona’s success.  As the Wranglers take some well-earned down time, we can expect Fangio to get some visits, especially from teams that see a need for a more coordinated and more effective defense, teams like New Jersey, Jacksonville, or Michigan. Another hot name among playoff coordinators is Oakland offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. The former USFL and NFL quarterback has helped Joey Harrington have one of his best seasons ever, and has also developed Ryan Williams into a legitimate offensive weapon.  Musgrave is perhaps best at creating uncomfortable matchups for the defense, putting his players into mismatches through alignments and shifts pre-snap.  Those are skill sets that can help even mid-tier players have upper tier success.  This could make Musgrave very popular with teams that have some offensive talent but have been unable to put the pieces together, teams like the Bulls, Thunder, and Knights. The other OC who is getting a lot of praise across the league is Philadelphia’s Greg Roman. Roman helped turn Matt Gutierrez from a benchwarmer into an MVP candidate in 2012 and this season, he has helped keep Philadelphia atop the conference despite the injury to HB Steve Slaton.  Roman is considered a master of innovative playcalling, confusing defenses with odd formations and using players in innovative ways.  We know that Nashville is interested in him, but we expect he will also get some calls from other squads as well. The last of the coordinators who is on everyone’s lips will not be available to interview this week.  That is Washington DC Rex Ryan.  Ryan, the sun of former USFL coach Buddy Ryan, had a short stint as Head Coach of the Ravens, but in recent years has found success as a DC in Philadelphia.  Known for his aggressive front seven play, and in many ways the same fiery disposition as his father, Ryan is deep in playoff prep right now, but would be available once Washington’s playoff run is over. Outside of current USFL coordinators, there are a couple of names that have been floated around. Both are former NFL head coaches who were relieved of duty after the 2012 season and have not yet latched on to another NFL team.  We are speaking of former Outlaws Head Coach and more recently the HC in San Diego, Norv Turner, and former Chicago Bears’ Head Coach Lovie Smith.  Both have been seen as victims of circumstance and are still very much respected around both leagues.  Finally, we should mention that both Jim Johnson and Dick LeBeau, who both had great success earlier in their USFL careers with Michigan and Nashville, could well be quickly snatched up by teams that would be happy to reach the playoffs as frequently as these two teams had under Johnson and LeBeau. It took until the final week of the season, but we finally have all 12 playoff spots accounted for. Baltimore was the only team in playoff position after Week 15 to slide out, and that benefited Birmingham, who snagged the 6th seed in the East.  All 11 other teams held their ground.  So, what do we have? We have Philadelphia and New Orleans as the 1 and 2 seeds in the East, both earning byes this week.  Arizona and Oakland had already locked up 1 and 2 in the West, and they too will gladly accept a week of rest.  The other 8 teams will be in action this week, with Wild Card games taking place in Charlotte, Washington, Chicago, and Texas.  The Monarchs will host the Stallions in a 3 v. 6 matchup. Washington, as the 4-seed and best Wild Card club, will host Atlanta in the other Eastern matchup.  In the West, it will be the 3-seed Chicago Machine hosting the 6-seed LA Express while the 4 and 5 seeds, Texas and Denver, face off in San Antonio. As we head into the Wild Card round, we will look game by game at each team and how injuries might impact their playoff run. BIRMINGHAM @ CHARLOTTE BIR:  WR Julian Edelmann (QUE), LB Nico Johnson (PRO), C Matt Tenant (PRO), CB Antonio Cromartie (PRO) CHA: FS Chris Crocker (OUT), QB Jake Delhomme (OUT) We are unsure if Julian Edelmann will be active for the game. His absence will impact the offensive schemes Birmingham would implement, likely pushing them to more “standard” sets with 2 wideouts, a tight end and a fullback.  As for Charlotte, they have dealt with Jake Delhomme’s absence all season, but losing Chris Crocker could impact both the run defense and the team’s zone schemes.  It may also create some opportunities for Cam Newton to have success with his scrambles and called running plays. DENVER @ TEXAS DEN: WR Golden Tate (OUT), DT Sione Pouha (OUT), G Matt Slauson (PRO) TEX: WR Brandon Marshall (OUT), FS Dennis Linkous (OUT) Golden Tate being out for Denver is a big deal.  His pairing with Peerless Price works well because the two complement each other. Now Texas will be able to shift coverage towards Price.  Both Texas injuries have been in place for over a month, so the team has already made the adaptations necessary. ATLANTA @ WASHINGTON ATL:  C Robbie Tobeck (QUE), CB Ricky Manning (PRO), LB Dannell Ellerbe (PRO) WSH: DE Chris Long (OUT), OT Vernon Carey (OUT), QB David Garrard (OUT), DT Corey Liuget (PRO) Washington is looking a little thin on both lines, especially the D-line if Corey Liuget is not able to suit up.  We expect both Manning and Ellerbe to suit up for the Fire, but we are not sure if they will have the same play count as they might ordinarily take on. LOS ANGELES @ CHICAGO LA:  DE Keneche Udeze (OUT), HB LeRon McClain (OUT), C Alex Mack (OUT) CHI: DT Ellis Wyms (OUT), LB Brian Urlacher (OUT), OT Ryan Clady (OUT) Chicago’s woes with Wyms and Urlacher out are well-documented, and now they will also be without their right tackle, which impacts the run game quite a bit.  Will this make life tougher for Doug Martin?  As for LA, the biggest hit was the loss of Udeze a few weeks back. The pass rush is struggling without him there, but Chicago is unlikely to be a pass-happy offense this week, so perhaps the damage is minimal. Rating the Playoff Contenders’ Chances Twelve teams, but only one can be the USFL Champion.  Will it be a return to glory for Philadelphia or Washington, a repeat trip for Charlotte, a long-awaited 2nd title for Oakland, or a first time to pour the champagne for the 31-year-old Arizona Wranglers? As anyone who follows the USFL knows, all playoff teams are not the same, we have a 15-1 club that toyed with an unbeaten season for most of the year, and we have a couple of 8-8 clubs who just barely held their heads above water.  So who do we think will take the title and who may be happy just to be here?  Here is our rundown of the 12 USFL playoff clubs and what we think their chances are. CONGRATULATIONS, BUT DON’T UNPACK YOUR BAGS We are going to put two teams in this category, Birmingham and Atlanta.  Both hobbled into the postseason on 8-8 records and tiebreakers.  Neither has been impressive down the stretch, and both would face a very tough uphill battle.  Atlanta starts with the best of the Wild Card teams, the 10-6 Washington Federals.  Beating them at RFK would be a major upset.  Birmingham has a slightly better task, going to Charlotte to face the 8-7-1 Monarchs, but we saw what Charlotte did last year, so we are not so sure Birmingham will be feeling good about their matchup. WE CAN SEE A WIN IN ROUND 1 BUT THEN WHAT? Here we are placing Charlotte and Los Angeles.  LA starts on the road at Chicago, and the Machine are vulnerable, so a win could be in the cards, but then they would head off to Arizona, and we think the party would end there.  Charlotte is home to Birmingham, which is not an easy matchup, but it is winnable.  They then would likely head to New Orleans, again, potentially winnable, but we saw the two battle to a tie only 2 weeks ago, so it is by no means an easy task. COULD SURPRISE SOME FOLKS I have three teams in this category, the Breakers, Gold, and Outlaws.  As we all focused on Arizona and Philly, these three teams put together pretty solid seasons and have reliable veteran leadership.  Drew Brees is benefitting from one of the better defenses he has had in his time with the Breakers.  Denver is just not a team that makes a lot of mistakes, forcing you to outplay them rather than counting on them to get in their own way, and Texas has the offensive firepower to take on even top teams like Arizona and Oakland. If any of these three get hot they could not only make it to the Conference Title Game, they could sneak a win in and find themselves at Summer Bowl 2013. STRONG CONTENDERS Here we are placing the Oakland Invaders, Chicago Machine, and the Washington Federals.   Admitedly we are not feeling Chicago as much as we were a month ago. The defense needs to find a way to compensate for the loss of Brian Urlacher and Ellis Wyms, but this is a very solid team, and if they ended up in a defensive slugfest with either the Invaders or Wranglers, they could surprise us.  As for Oakland and the Federals, they are both complete teams, capable of putting points on the board or of holding their opposition down.  They both have strong run games, capable quarterbacks, and some pretty solid defensive talent.  Would any of us be surprised if one of these two made the Summer Bowl?  No.  Not really. THE FAVORITES Not hard to figure out who this is.  Arizona sits at 15-1, the best record in the USFL in over 10 years (not since the 2002 unbeaten Ohio Glory), while Philadelphia, at 12-4, could easily be right there with them.  Both clubs have put on displays that have impressed and intimidated.  Oddly, neither of these teams tends to blow out their opponents, but that does not mean that they cannot be dominant, especially on defense.  Both our bullpen and the Las Vegas book has these two clubs as 1 and 2 in the odds to win it all, with Philadelphia actually favored slightly simply due to experience and a somewhat easier path to the title game. First 16 Draft Spots Set Along with the playoff field finally settled, the last week of the season also brings the first look at the draft order for the USFL College Draft.  With three teams finishing at 4-12, there is a bit of a muddle at the start of the draft, but conference record settles the tie and so we are ready to reveal the first 16 draft picks, with the remaining 12 decided by the playoff results. 1.      Dallas Roughnecks (4-12) 2.      New Jersey Generals (4-12) 3.      Jacksonville Bulls (4-12) 4.      Nashville Knights (5-11) 5.      Memphis Showboats (5-11) 6.      Michigan Panthers (6-10) 7.      Seattle Dragons (6-10) 8.      Houston Gamblers (7-9) 9.      Las Vegas Thunder (7-9) 10.  Tampa Bay Bandits (7-9) 11.  Portland Stags (7-9) 12.  Pittsburgh Maulers (7-9) 13.  Baltimore Blitz (8-8) 14.  St. Louis Skyhawks (8-8) 15.  Orlando Renegades (8-8) 16.  Ohio Glory (8-8) So it is Dallas on the clock and the big question for Coach Sherman and the Roughnecks is whether or not they trust in Jake Locker to be their QB.  He has played 3 years and the results have not been great.  If they feel it is time to move on, and if they are not locked into Landry Jones as the solution, they may well be open to trading their 1st overall pick because there are several top QB prospects sitting in the protected pools of several USFL clubs, and swapping an Open Draft pick for the shot to draft one a QB like Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel (TDraft to Houston), Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater (TDraft to Baltimore) or UCF’s Blake Bortles (TDraft to Orlando) could be the move needed to bring a franchise QB to the newly relocated franchise. As for New Jersey and Jacksonville, neither seems to have QB as the main issue, assuming Sam Bradford can come back and Bulls ownership is still happy to rake in the Tim Tebow merchandise money, so the demand will be elsewhere.  Other teams possibly on the hunt for a QB include Nashville (Depending on Manning’s situation), Seattle (if Leftwich’s injury leads to an early retirement) and Las Vegas (if Plummer opts to retire).  The other player being viewed as a possible top flight early pick is South Caroline DE Jadaveon Clowney.  His rights would be controlled by Orlando, who could try to pair him with Calais Campbell, but that pairing may be too expensive for the Renegades to pull off within the cap space they have, so we might see that T-Draft spot also traded away. Yes, we are just about 5 months away from the draft, but for fans of these 16 non-playoff teams, the offseason does start right now. Birmingham Stallions (8-8) @ Charlotte Monarchs (8-7-1) Saturday, July 6 @ 3pm ET Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC Charlotte -4 We are just not sure about this game.  Both clubs can be very inconsistent.  Both offenses can come out firing or come out misfiring, so it is nearly impossible to know what we are going to get. Charlotte has won 1 game since Week 11, and the offense has been iffy for most of these late season games.  Birmingham has lost 5 of their last 7 and only snuck into the playoffs because they beat a 5-win Memphis squad while Baltimore messed up against Michigan. If we get early season Cam Newton, throwing the ball to Moss and Owens and scrambling like a stampeding bison, well, then Birmingham can take this.   But if Charlotte’s defense steps up, the more consistent offense of Fred Jackson running the ball and Brandon Wheedon using play action could be enough to edge the Stallions. Our hearts want to see Birmingham explode like they did early in the year, but our heads say that a Charlotte win is more likely simply because they are a less hit or miss team.  Our pick is Charlotte to edge this one 18-16. Denver Gold (10-6) @ Texas Outlaws (10-6) Saturday, July 6 @ 7pm ET The Alamodome, San Antonio, TX Texas -2 You have to love a divisional matchup in the playoffs.  Denver and Texas are longtime rivals, and this season got the better of the Gold twice in their two matchups, but you know what they say about beating the same team 3 times.  The key to this game may well be the running game.  Both Arian Foster and DeMarco  Murray are capable of big games.  The one who busts out in this one could lead his team to a victory in a matchup that the Las Vegas oddsmakers are very indecisive about. Our pick is Texas for one main reason, we just trust Joe Flacco more than we trust Matt Leinart.  It is just that simple.  Outlaws take this one 24-21. Atlanta Fire (8-8) @ Washington Federals (10-6) Sunday, July 7 @ 1pm ET RFK Stadium, Washington, DC Washington -7 The book in Las Vegas has Washington up by a touchdown, but we think it may not be that close.  This is a very good Federals team, likely the 2nd best team in the conference, and they are going up against a Fire squad that backed into the playoffs with 2 straight losses. The Fire had a hot streak of 5 wins at midseason, but outside of that, they have not been impressive.  They will need a very strong game from Kyle Orton and Steven Jackson to have a shot at an upset here.  Meanwhile, Washington can beat you with defense, with their run game, or with Joe Webb putting the ball up for Deion Branch and Bryant Johnson. We see Washington winning this one big, our guess is 27-14. Los Angeles Express (9-7) @ Chicago Machine (10-6) Sunday, July 7 @ 5pm ET Soldier Field, Chicago, IL Chicago -4 Of all the Wild Card games, this one could well be the most likely to produce an upset.  Chicago has not been the same team without Urlacher and Wyms in the middle of the defense.  Down the stretch they have gone 1-3, which does not inspire confidence.  They have decent offensive weapons, especially if they can get Doug Martin rolling, but they are not a prohibitive home favorite by any means. If there is one word to describe LA it is “inconsistent”.  They have good games and bad games, and it is nearly impossible to know which is coming.  They did finish the year 3-1, but two of those wins were against Seattle and Dallas, so take that with a grain of salt.  Against teams that finished the year with a winning record LA is only 2-3, so we just don’t know what we will get from the Express in this one. That said, our pick is the upset.  We think Chicago’s defense is just not the same and LA has enough weapons to cause some issues for the Machine.  We pick LA to win 21-17.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ben Roethlisberger and the Baltimore offense has been flying under the radar for the past couple of months, but there was nothing "under the radar" about Big Ben's performance this week, throwing for 378 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Blitz come one step closer to a playoff spot at 8-7. PLAYOFF PICTURE: The results of Week 15's action added 2 playoff teams to the mix, as the tie between Charlotte and New Orleans locked both into postseason berths, with New Orleans locking up the South and Charlotte clinching no worse than a Wild Card. The week also clinched the NE Division and the East's top seed for Philadelphia, while Oakland locked in the number two seed in the West. There remain 7 teams alive for 4 playoff spots, with Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, and LA all holding their future in their hands. Birmingham, Orlando, and St. Louis need help if they are going to jump into the mix.

A wild week that saw one of the week’s most important games for playoff position end in a tie, a tie that actually helped both teams qualify for the postseason.  We also saw a huge win for the Stars as they held off Washington to claim not only the NE Division, but the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  By the week’s end we still had 4 playoff slots, all Wild Cards, still available, and 7 teams in competition for them.  We also had our first coaching casualty of the season as, in a move that surprised no one, Jacksonville released Leslie Frazier from his duties with one game left.  We will break down all the games, starting with a bizarre finish in Charlotte, and then take a look at what is at stake in a final week that may see a lot of backups getting action on the field. The benefit of a tie was not known ahead of time, because for both the Breakers and the Monarchs, the result would only be helpful if Birmingham and Atlanta fell this week.  For Charlotte, the concern was that Arizona, the hosts for Atlanta this week, would take the week off in preparation for the playoffs as the locked-in first seed.  For New Orleans, the expectation was that Birmingham would easily defeat the Seattle Dragons, a 4-win club.  So, both teams entered this game convinced that a win would be essential if they would hold onto their slim leads in their respective positions, and for 4 quarters the two clubs fought like teams on the fringe of playoff contention, insecure in their positions. NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS 24   CHARLOTTE MONARCHS 24   OVERTIME They say it is like kissing your sister, a tie that is.  Well, this one might have been a bit racier than that, maybe a distant cousin, because the 24-24 tie between the Breakers and the Monarchs left both teams happier than a tie normally should.  Why?  Because both teams benefited from the tie to the tune of a playoff berth. For New Orleans the result, combined with a bad outing by Birmingham, clinched the Southern Division for the Breakers.  For Charlotte, no worse than a Wild Card, but still in control for a possible Southeastern Division Title as they sit one half game ahead of Atlanta with 1 game to play. For two teams who often rely on their defenses, both offensive squads fared well in the game.  New Orleans put up 380 yards of offense, with 320 coming off the arm of Drew Brees, who would go 32 of 45 on the day.  Charlotte fared even better, putting up 425 yards, with Fred Jackson and Shonn Greene combining for 169 rushing yards.  And yet, despite all the offensive gains, this did come down to the defenses at the end, two tired but determined defenses holding the other team scoreless in the extra overtime period. The game did not always look like it would end in a tie, certainly not when Charlotte took a 14-point lead with only 2:47 left to play, but New Orleans pulled off a miraculous comeback in the final 3 minutes to send the game to extra time and then held on as both clubs dealt with the heat and the exhaustion of a game played at full tilt. It would take Charlotte nearly the full game to put together their 14-point lead, and less than 3 minutes to lose it.  It began with a slow, tentative first quarter, one that saw only 1 scoring play, a 42-yard field goal by 2013 All-USFL kicker Brandon Coutu.  Coutu would add a second kick, this time a chip shot 24-yarder early in the second and Charlotte had a tentative 6-point lead.  That lead was cut in half when New Orleans put together their first scoring drive, capped by a 36-yard kick by rookie Caleb Sturgis. At the half, 6-3 was the score, and it seemed that the offenses were not finding any traction, but that quickly turned around in the second half.  New Orleans took the kickoff and put together their first truly solid drive of the game. After being bottled up in the first half (6 carries for only 13 yards), Forte found some room at the start of the second half, rushing for 22 yards on just this one drive.  New Orleans also found room in the air, with Brees connecting with Early Doucet for 11 and then TE Coby Fleener for 18.  The drive got a boost when DT Ryan Sims got called for unnecessary roughness on a failed 3rd and goal throw, after falling on top of Drew Brees.  The penalty gave New Orleans a first and goal on the 1, and Mike Tolbert took it in to give the Breakers their first lead of the day at 10-6. Charlotte responded with a drive of their own, but once again was slowed down by the Breakers’ red zone defense, forcing them to kick for a third time. The third quarter came to a close with the Breakers holding on to a slim 10-9 lead.  With only 1 TD in the first three quarters, no one could have anticipated the explosion of offense in the final period. Charlotte got the break they wanted early in the 4th, when a Brees pass was tipped at the line and picked off by CB Carlos Rogers.  That play gave Charlotte a short field, and they took advantage of it when Brandon Wheedon hit scatback Taiwan Jones on a swing route.  With the TE out in front, Jones juked and wove his way 20 yards for the score and suddenly Charlotte was back on top.  After converting the 2-point PAT, the lead was 7, Charlotte on top 17-10. The Breakers would drive the ball into Charlotte territory on the next possession, but a fourth and 2 produced a stellar defensive stop by the Monarchs and Charlotte took over at their own 36.  The tackle for loss by Jerod Mayo stunned the Breakers and their pain was about to get worse as Charlotte held onto the ball for nearly 7 minutes before Shonn Greene finally dove over the goal line, giving the Monarchs a seemingly unchallengeable 14-point lead.  Unfortunately for Charlotte, no one told Drew Brees it was too much to make up. With Charlotte scoring at the 2:47 mark, New Orleans would need 2 touchdowns to tie the game and send it to overtime.  Drew Brees took to the field with little expectation of success, but in only 5 plays and 90 seconds he had the Breakers in the endzone. Hitting receivers on the edges of the field, he was able to preserve 2 of the Breakers’ three timeouts.  His TD pass to Brandon LaFell stopped the clock at 1:16, now with New Orleans down only 7. The Breakers would need the onside kick and Sturgis, the rookie from Florida, would provide a perfect kick.  It bounced twice, then took a huge hop, over the blockers and short of TE Luke Wilson, another rookie, set up as the short return man.  The hop gave time for Donnie Avery to break off his block and scoop up the ball before Wilson could fall on it.  New Orleans was in business with 1:10 left to play, 58 yards from tying the game. Brees again went into action.  He hit Coby Fleener over the middle for 18 on the first play from scrimmage, used a time out, and came back with a quick route to Santana Moss.  Three plays later, and with only seconds left on the clock, he rewarded the man who had recovered the onside kick, Donnie Avery, by hitting the diminutive receiver with a perfect slant route.  Breaking between the safeties and diving into the endzone, Avery gave New Orleans the score they needed.  A stunned Charlotte crowd watched as Sturgis capped off the drive with the PAT that sent the game to overtime. There would be no touchdowns in overtime, not even a field goal attempt, as once again the defenses, tired but determined, stifled every attempt by either team to get past midfield.  The game ended with a deep bomb by Wheedon, picked off in the endzone as time ran out.  Both teams left the field unsure what the tie meant. Birmingham would not play until the 4pm slot, so New Orleans did not know if they were Division Champ or only a half-game up on the Stallions.  Atlanta would not play until the next day, so Charlotte fans did not know if they were a Wild Card team or still in the lead in the division with a week left to play.  The tie was not the worst possible result for either team, but it certainly was not the best possible end either.  Kissing your sister, or cousin, or maybe the neighbor’s daughter, we are not sure. OAKLAND 49   LAS VEGAS 14 No mercy shown by the Pacific Champs as they demolish Las Vegas and eliminated the once 6-2 club from playoff contention.  Everything was working for the Invaders, who will likely rest some starters next week despite their bye.  Ryan Williams was the OPOTG with 89 yards rushing, 64 yards receiving and a touchdown. DE Cliff Avril also had a big game, moving into 2nd place in the league sack race with 2 on the day along with a forced fumble. Jake Plummer again started, and this time he made it 3 quarters, but again had to leave early. BALTIMORE 41   PITTSBURGH 24 The Blitz left no doubt that if any team from the Northeast was going to earn a 3rd playoff spot for the division, it was going to be them.  Ben Roethlisberger threw for 377 and 4 touchdowns as Baltimore torched the Mauler secondary all game.  Brian Hartline was the big target on the day as the slot receiver caught 3 of 5 targets for 125 yards and 2 scores.  The Blitz now control their own destiny, with a Week 16 win getting them a Wild Card berth. BIRMINGHAM 8   SEATTLE 26 Despite putting up a nothingburger in Seattle, Birmingham can still get a playoff spot, with a little help.  Seattle manhandled the Stallions, with Cam Newton held to only 160 yards passing and -8 on the ground.  Seattle got TDs from C. J. Anderson and Dennis Pitta as they held Birmingham in check all game, a huge letdown for the Stallions, who were 6-point favorites on the road. MICHIGAN 10   ST. LOUIS 17 The Skyhawks remain alive, and with a huge game in Week 16, they could eke their way back into the postseason.  The offense was not as dynamic as Skyhawk fans would like, but with 2 scores from Eddie Lacy, St. Louis had just enough to take the game at home and keep their postseason dream of a repeat alive. TAMPA BAY 17   ORLANDO 23 With six sacks of Daunte Culpepper, the Renegades made a statement and retained their playoff eligibility, though they will need a lot of help to make an unexpected postseason appearance.  Russell Wilson had a good day against Tampa’s sup-par defense, throwing for 3 scores and 275 yards.  Culpepper connected 5 times for 110 yards with Vincent Jackson but could not produce enough offense to avoid playoff elimination. TEXAS 35   HOUSTON 26 The Outlaws may have clinched a playoff spot last week, but they were not ready to let off on the gas this week against their rival. The Outlaws not only got the win, but the double satisfaction of knocking Houston from playoff contention just one week after the Gamblers broke Arizona’s unbeaten streak.  Joe Flacco threw for 3 scores and Arian Foster added a fourth as the Outlaws showed a great deal of offensive versatility, with Flacco connecting with 8 different receivers. NASHVILLE 10   MEMPHIS 34 The Showboats have something to build on in 2014 as the second half of the season they have repeatedly shown some offensive firepower.  Eli Manning toyed with 400 yards and threw 3 touchdowns as the Showboats manhandled their in-state rival. PORTLAND 27   OHIO 38 Despite the fact that other results removed Ohio from the playoff hunt, they still came out on fire and proved fatal to Portland’s late playoff interests as well.  Chris Weinke threw for 4 touchdowns and Isaiah Pead added 84 yards and a score on the ground as the Glory gave their fans a great sendoff and hopes for a better 2014. NEW JERSEY 0   CHICAGO 33 Just an atrocious game for the Generals as Bobby Hoying completed only 14 of 45 passes and the General defense simply had no energy.  Doug Martin rushed for 3 scores and Chicago turned a 16-0 halftime lead to a 33-0 victory with almost no opposition.  This game was bad enough that even with last year’s playoff run, New Jersey could be looking to divest from Herm Edwards, because the club is clearly not playing hard for him. ATLANTA 10   ARIZONA 23 To Atlanta’s dismay, Arizona came out angry and looking to get back on track after their Week 14 loss.  They gave up more yards than they would like (342) to Atlanta but held the Fire to 10 points as they slowly built up a lead that the Fire could not match.  Antonio Bryant had 99 yards receiving and Gronk added another 95 as the Wranglers tuned up for the playoffs.  Atlanta can still get in with a win next week, and with some help, could even lock up the Southeast Division title. DALLAS 21   LOS ANGELES 24 We will give this to Coach Sherman’s Roughnecks, they do not give up.  Dallas again was a tough out, but again fell as LA got the win they needed to remain in position for a Wild Card.  Touchdowns from Reggie Bush and rookie Robert Woods helped LA build a 24-14 lead and they held on in the 4th despite an 83-yard TD from Jake Locker to TE Robert Royal. JACKSONVILLE 3   DENVER 31 The Gold left no doubt that they wanted to be a Wild Card club, and while they still have been unable to clinch the playoff spot, this impressive win over Jacksonville means that all they need is a win over St. Louis, or an LA loss next week, and they are in the postseason once again.  Matt Leinart threw for 240 yards and 2 scores, while Lionel James and DeMarco Murray combined for 124 yards.  As for Jacksonville, this season cannot end soon enough for the Bulls. WASHINGTON 15   PHILADELPHIA 16 It was exactly the defensive slugfest we expected as these two battled it out for a full 60 minutes.  Stevie Johnson returned to action for Philadelphia, catching 7 balls for 111 and a score, while Washington got 82 yards and a score from Deuce McCallister.  Up by 3 late, Philadelphia gambled and got caught for a safety, turning the game into a 1-point affair, but in the end, the Stars defense held, and Washington was not able to get into position for a late field goal.  Both clubs will be headed to the dance, with Washington hosting a Wild Card game as the number four seed, while Philadelphia locked up the one seed, a bye week, and home field throughout the playoffs with this divisional win. Early Season Successes Collapse in  Heat of Summer It must seem like a different age, back in the early weeks of the season when both the Ohio Glory and the Las Vegas Thunder were the talk of the league.  Ohio began the season 4-1 and looked like a real threat to take the Central Division.  Las Vegas’s hot streak was even longer, a 6-2 start that had them atop the Pacific.  Both clubs were feeling strong and garnering some big-time praise from us all, but then it all started falling apart.  Las Vegas’s offense sputtered and the defense started getting tired.  Ohio’s explosive start to the year started to fade as teams took Chris Weinke more seriously and defenses adapted to the Glory gameplan. Welcome to Week 15, where both the Glory and the Thunder have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.  Ohio has lost 7 of their last 9 games.  They can finish the year at 8-8, which is better than had been predicted, but not where they expected it to be after their fast start.  Las Vegas, after their 6-2 start, have lost 6 of their last 7.  Even with the return of Jake Plummer they fell again this week.  They too have a shot at finishing 8-8 with a win against Seattle in Week 16, but that is a huge letdown from the early success and the expectations for this team.  So, what happened? In Ohio’s case we can simply point to the rest of the league figuring them out.  They shocked some folks early, and to be frank, their early schedule was pretty easy when you look back at it. Their 4 wins were against LA, Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Michigan.  Of that group, only the Express are in playoff contention. The Glory were on fire offensively in the first 6 weeks of the season, but after averaging nearly 33 points a game over that span, the defenses started figuring out that the passing game was all about Steve Smith.  He still had an impressive, possibly an MVP candidate year, but once teams started to isolate him, the rest of the passing game fell pretty short.  The offense could not keep up the pace, scoring only 14 against New Jersey and Chicago, and not topping 30 points the rest of the year. For Las Vegas, it was a lack of offense all the way through the season’s second half, partially but not entirely because of issues with Jake Plummer’s health, but also because Marshawn Lynch never got on stride. He is well outside the leaders for the rushing title and that lack of run threat made the Thunder easy to handle.  Lynch missed only 2 games this season but still is likely to fall somewhere short of 800 yards on the year, and that, coupled with inefficiency in the pass game, despite a very solid WR duo  of Chad Johnson and T. J. Houshmandzadeh, led to Las Vegas averaging only 19.4 points per game, and only 11 points per game in their 6 losses over the season’s second half.  The lack of offensive consistency also meant that the defense was on the field a lot, and as the summer got hotter (both in Las Vegas and elsewhere) the defense simply tired out. Las Vegas finishes the season at home against the Seattle Dragons, Ohio hosts the division champion Chicago Machine, both now hoping to make lemonade out of a season that has gone from sweet to sour lemons over the second half.  An 8-8 season is not the worst fate to befall a football club, but for two teams that started the season by building up hopes, it will certainly feel like a missed opportunity. Jacksonville Fires Frazier In a season that could see a very busy Black Monday, with several coaches on the hotseat, Jacksonville got a head start on the crowd, announcing this week that Leslie Frazier has been relieved of duties. After improving from 3-12-1 in 2011 to 6-10 last season, the expectation had been that Frazier had the Bulls headed in the right direction and ready to be a factor in the Southeastern Division.  Now sitting at 3-12 with one game left and ranked near the bottom of the league in both yards for and yards against, with perhaps the league’s worst run game, the Bulls are wrapping up a season of disappointments, and ownership decided to drive that message home by releasing the head coach with 1 game left in the year. Frazier had come to Jacksonville with a reputation as a defensive strategist, but the Bulls have been anything but stalwart on that side of the ball in his 4 years, averaging nearly 23 points per game allowed and well over 300 yards per game allowed since 2010.  This year’s average of 347.8 yards allowed per game is the worst of the 4-year tenure and when paired with an offense that barely averages 2 touchdowns per game, it has produced a season of bad losses.  This week’s 31-3 debacle in Denver was apparently the last straw for Fred Bullard and the ownership group.  Frazier was relieved of duties on Monday and the Bulls will finish the year with OC Jimmie Johnson, a former TE in the league, will take over for what could be the shortest coaching stint in the USFL, a 1 game outing. We don’t expect Frazier to be the lone casualty as the season wraps up, with a lot of teams questioning their coaches.  Rumors are swirling that New Jersey is ready to cut Herm Edwards loose, that Jim Johnson’s long tenure with the Knights could be over, and that Dick LeBeau could also be out in Michigan.  Add to that rough second half collapses in Las Vegas and Ohio, and frustration with Ron Rivera’s rollercoaster run in Pittsburgh, and this could be a very messy Black Monday indeed. Arizona to Rest Starters Against Texas With the top spot in the Southwest and the top seed in the West all wrapped up, the matchup between Arizona and Texas this week could be a bit more one-sided than if it had occurred a couple of weeks earlier.  The Outlaws are still fighting to ensure that Denver does not overtake them and that they hold on to the 4 seed and a home playoff game, but Arizona has no reason to put their best squad out there and Coach Tomsula has already admitted that there will be a lot of players either held out or on limited snaps in the season finale. Expect to see Nick Foles get the start at QB as David Carr gets a week to rest and recover from a long season.  Larry Fitzgerald will also likely sit out, giving Kassim Osgood a rare opportunity to work with the first team.  We are not sure if Gronkowski or RG Montrae Holland will play either.  One player we know will be there on offense is Frank Gore. The workhorse back trails Doug Martin for the rushing title by fewer than 60 yards and has every intention of making a run at the title, potentially helped if Martin’s carries are limited in a meaningless game for Chicago in Week 16. On Defense, we know Coach Tomsula does not want his squad to get rusty, but don’t be surprised if players like Kevin Hardy, Troy Polamalu, Lance Briggs, and Larry English don’t get a much lower snap count than usual, with rare appearances from players like Kapron Lewis-Moore (DE), Nathan Stupar (LB) and Matt Giordano (SS) getting some playing time as the game wraps up. Arizona will certainly not be the only team resting players.  We expect similar strategies from Philadelphia, Oakland, Chicago, and Washington, all teams whose playoff positions are locked in. Not so for others like New Orleans, Charlotte, or any of the clubs fighting for a Wild Card spot.  They have reasons to want a Week 16 win, either to obtain more home field opportunities or to simply lock up a playoff spot, so still plenty of important games, but for the teams who have already taken care of business and locked themselves into a good position, a week to avoid injuries and give some young players a shot at regular season action. One week left and  here is what we know:  There are 8 playoff spots locked up, or at least booked, and 4 Wild Cards yet to decide.  We have 5 teams whose position in the postseason is also guaranteed, with no chance of rising or dropping in the seedings, but a lot of frantic tiebreakers and win/lose scenarios to contemplate among the others. Here is our breakdown of where things stand with one week of action left in the regular season. Locked In: Five teams have their playoff positions locked in.  In the West, Arizona is the 1 seed, Oakland the 2, and Chicago the 3.  In the East, Philadelphia’s win over Washington gives them the division and the 1 seed.  Washington is guaranteed the 4 seed as the best Wild Card team.   So, those 5 teams can let up on the gas this week without any fear of shifting positions. Playing for a Bye: The two other division leaders, New Orleans and Charlotte, still have something to play for. The Monarchs have only a ½ game lead over Atlanta, so they need a win to lock up the division.  Winning this week would also guarantee them the 2 seed and a bye, thanks to a tiebreaker (conference record) over New Orleans.  The Breakers have locked up the Southern Division, but they need a win and a Charlotte loss to leapfrog the Monarchs and claim the coveted 2 seed bye week. Control Their Destiny: With 4 Wild Card spots still out there and 7 teams trying to lock them up, there are 5 teams currently in a position to control their own destiny.  Texas already has a playoff berth in hand but need a win (or some help) to lock up the 4 seed and get a home playoff game.  For Atlanta, Baltimore, Denver, and LA, the situation is even more black and white, win and you are in the playoffs, lose and, well, maybe not so fast.  Each can punch their ticket with a win this week, or, with a loss could see themselves fall all the way out of the playoff picture as others step up. Need Help: Three more clubs could, with a win and some help, jump into the postseason.  In the West, St. Louis needs to beat Denver and get help from Charlotte.  A win by the Monarchs in LA, and a win by the Skyhawks vs. Denver and St. Louis leaps into the Wild Card spot.  For Birmingham and Orlando, their hopes lie with losses from either Atlanta or Baltimore, paired, of course with final week victories.  Birmingham faces off against Memphis in their annual rivalry game, but they are at home, so a good chance to step up.  Orlando is in a much tougher situation, having to travel to Washington to finish the year.  Of course, the Federals could rest several starters, so even Orlando’s situation is not untenable.  But they also need help from two unlikely sources.  The Blitz are at home against Michigan, and the Fire are in Tampa Bay, so in both cases the two teams who currently hold playoff spots would need to lose to underdogs with losing records in order for Orlando or Birmingham to have a shot.  With 4 teams in the mix, the tiebreakers can get pretty heady as every possible combination of 8-8 teams produces different results, but for now, let’s just say that wins by the ‘Gades and Stallions and losses by the Fire and/or Blitz and the final playoff spots could change hands over the course of the weekend. Several injuries this week, but only a few with real playoff implications.  Charlotte is in the postseason but may be without free safety Chris Crocker for the entire postseason run, after the safety suffered a fracture in his upper arm this week.  For Washington, the concern is OT Vernon Carey, who would likely miss the first round Wild Card game but could come back if Washington advances to the Divisionals. Similarly, Denver’s Sione Pouha will miss this week’s game, and could be out of the Wild Card matchup as well.  All of the other injuries are looking like 1-week affairs and should not impact the postseason, a good thing to say after seeing teams lose a key player just before the playoffs in past years. OUT QB         Peyton Manning              NSH                      Concussion FS           Chris Crocker                   CHA                      Arm (2-4 Weeks) OT          Vernon Carey                   WSH                     Hip (1-2 Weeks) DT          Sione Pouha                    DEN                      Wrist (1-2 Weeks) G            Derrick Dockery              LV                           Abdomen DOUBTFUL DE          Justin Smith                      OAK                      Shoulder HB         Robert Turbin                   SEA                        Concussion FB          Zach Line                     MEM                     Concussion HB         DeMarco Murray             DEN                      Knee QUESTIONABLE LB           Jonathan Goff                   TBY                        Neck LB           Jarret Johnson                  JAX                         Pinched nerve OG         Matt Slauson                  DEN                      Knee Reviewing the Rookie Class of 2013 We are 15 weeks into the 16-week rookie season for many players around the league, a good time, before the playoff focus becomes all-consuming, for us to review just how the first year has gone for the top rookies around the league.  We will look position by position at the players who were expected to make an impact and see just how their first year of pro ball has gone. Quarterback The Class of 2013 was not viewed as a big impact QB class, and that has largely panned out.  Only 3 rookies have had the chance to start a single game, and only 1 seems to have captured the starting job. Portland’s Matt McGloin has stepped in ahead of Ryan Fitzpatrick and appears to have done enough to go into the offseason as the presumptive starter for the Stags.  In 6 starts he has thrown for 1,282 yards, 5 TDs and 7 picks, not a surprising ratio for a rookie signal caller.  His 74.7 QB rating is nothing to write home about, but again, his poise, and the fact that he has helped lead a late season rally for the once moribund Stags has impressed. Landry Jones got a short run as the starter in Dallas, but with only 493 yards in 3 games and a QB Rating of 47.4, Coach Sherman turned back to Jake Locker.  We expect Jones to have a chance to compete in 2014, but we would also not be surprised if Dallas tried to find a more certain answer at the position.  The third rookie with a QB Start was Jeff Tuel, who was never expected to see the field.  The Charlotte QB only saw action because starter Jake Delhomme was lost for the season and backup Brandon Wheedon had to miss one game with a minor injury.  In his one start Tuel fared pretty well, throwing for 254 yards and avoiding any turnovers.  He is clearly set up as a backup to either Delhomme or Wheedon, but his spot on the roster seems secure. Halfback Here is where we expected some breakout performers and we have gotten them.  Two backs from the Class of 2013 were well positioned as starters and both have come through.  Eddie Lacy has stepped into Antowain Smith’s shoes and has acquitted himself very well, sitting among the Top 5 backs in the league with 1,175 yards in 15 games.  Not far behind at all is Michigan’s LeVeon Bell, whose 1,166 yards has been a bright spot in a long season of growth and missteps in Detroit.  Both look to have established themselves as bell cow backs for their teams and should continue to impress in their sophomore year. Other backs who have gotten significant snaps and opportunities to make contributions include Atlanta’s Marcus Lattimore, who started the season on the field before NFL import Steven Jackson took over as the primary back.  Despite somewhat spotty snap counts, Lattimore has racked up a solid 467 yards from scrimmage and proven he can be an asset in the passing game as well.  In Philadelphia, injury to Steve Slaton gave Zac Stacy a chance to see more action, and while his 2.8 YPC average is not what we want to see, his 325 yards over his short starting gig were enough to keep Philly atop the NE Division.  Finally, Knile Davis saw 6 starts, mostly in passing downs and saw action late in games to spell Darren McFadden, and showed he can be a solid weapon.  He has scored 5 TDs over the first 15 weeks and racked up 468 rushing yards as well as being a solid option as a receiver. Tight End The crop of tight ends in the 2013 draft was seen as one of its strengths and so far, after only 1 season, that seems to be the case, as 4 rookies have seen a lot of action and a lot of targets.  Leading the group, we find Nashville’s Tyler Eifert who started 14 of 15 games so far and has had a very productive year, catching 65 passes for 720 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Peyton Manning used Eifert not only as a safety valve, but as a weapon to open up the middle of the field.  In Philadelphia, the arrival of Travis Kelce meant that Matt Gutierrez could use more 2-TE sets and that helped the run game considerably. Kelce also proved to be a very valuable receiver, snatching 64 passes for 603 yards and 3 scores in his first 11 starts.  The other two rookie tight ends wh have seen solid action are Zack Ertz in Oakland (36 receptions for 257 yards) and Luke Wilson in Charlotte (33 receptions for 352 yards).  All in all a very good year for the often undervalued position. Wide Out While the 2013 WR class was a deep one, two players stood out in their first year of pro ball. Aaron Dobson became an immediate starter in Chicago, and that has paid off to the tune of 934 yards on 82 receptions. His 4 TDs are not exactly eye-popping, but his reliability as a possession receiver has been duly noted.  On the West Coast, perhaps garnering a bit more press, Keenan Allen was so good so early that Oakland felt comfortable trading away veteran starter Greg Jennings mid-season.  Allen is currently third among the rookie receivers with 73 receptions and 899 yards, but he has added 7 touchdowns to a very solid Oakland offense.  Perhaps the biggest surprise of the rookie class of receivers is in Pittsburgh, where Tavon Austin was the big name signing, but it was little-known Adam Thielen who has had the biggest impact.  While Austin has only 23 receptions, Thielen has racked up 66 for 965 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Austin has 6 scores, which is impressive for his limited reception count, but Thielen has proven to be a dynamic player for the Maulers and is now the regular starter outside. The rest of the class of 2013 is a bit of a work in progress, including Austin, but also Texas speedster Marquise Goodwin (14 receptions for 238 yards and 3 TDs, Dallas’s Tim Wright (32 receptions, 457 yards and 3 TDs) and LA’s Robert Woods (only 6 receptions for 65 yards).    But we all know that very often a receiver may need 2-3 years before they break out so let’s not judge too soon. Offensive Line A good year for linemen as well, with tackle Eric Fisher and guard Chance Warmack leading the way.  Among the rookie class we have 4 players who have started at least 10 games, including Warmack (ARZ) and Fisher (SEA) along with D. J. Fluker in Oakland and Kyle Long in Texas. All have played well, but Warmack is seen as the breakout player, leading the way for Frank Gore and helping Arizona become a juggernaut this year.  Warmack leads all linemen, not just the rookies, with 94 pancake blocks this year, a nasty, nasty total.  Fluker and Fisher also look good in this stat with 69 and 59 apiece, though Fisher has allowed 8 sacks (Warmack has allowed none), but a lot of that is on his QB Matt Flynn, who just holds the ball way too long.  Other contributors this year include OT Lane Johnson in New Orleans and OG Jonathan Cooper in Charlotte. Defensive End Jacksonville does not have a lot to celebrate this year, but rookie Barkevious Mingo is certainly a bright spot.  The LSU product is second among all rookie defenders with 9 sacks on the year, and that includes his first pro safety.  So, who is first?  No surprise, it is Dion Jordan.  The Oregon product has racked up 10 sacks and 30 tackles with Portland, with a late run that has coincided with Portland’s playoff push.  The third of the big-name rookie edge rushers, Datone Jones in Ohio, has been a significant disappointment, with no starts this year and only spot duty.  He has only 2 tackles in that spot duty and has yet to record a sack. Defensive Tackle Discussion of the DT position in the class of 2013 begins, and basically ends, with Star Lotuleilei.   The Utah product began the year as the Rookie of the Week with a huge game one. And while Dallas’s fortunes have not been great all season long, Lotuleilei has certainly been a bright spot.  With one more game on the schedule, Star has 81 tackles already, proving to be the run-stuffer that everyone expected.  The only other DT to make significant starts this year was Kawaan Short in Tampa Bay.  The Bandits’ defense struggled for continuity all season long, and that is reflected in Short’s numbers, with only 23 tackles on the year. Linebacker Plenty of rotational spots for rookie linebackers this year, but a couple were able to do a bit more.  Alec Ogletree worked his way into a pretty good LB group with 13 starts this year. He has 48 tackles and 2 sacks to his name with one week left in the regular season.  In Chicago, Notre Dame product Manti Te’o has shrugged off his off-field embarrassment and has earned a starting job with the Machine’s solid defense.  In 9 starts and some spot duty he has 69 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble. Others who have had some opportunities include Nico Johnson in Birmingham (20 tackles), Jonathan Bostic in Las Vegas (32 tackles) and Kiko Alonso in Portland (13 tackles). Cornerback A pretty solid group of corners in this past year’s draft, with 4 earning significant starts and several others seeing duty in nickel and dime formations.  The four that have seen the most action include Orlando’s Dee Milliner, LA’s Jamar Taylor, Seattle’s Desmond Truffant, and Atlanta’s Darius Slay.  Milliner, the Alabama product, has started all but 1 game this year and has contributed 49 tackles and 2 picks for the Renegades.  Slay is next up with 9 starts to date, and though he has yet to make his first pick, he has contributed 33 tackles.  Truffant has started 7 games, mostly in the season’s second half as he earned more and more snaps.  He has 24 tackles and a sack but is still without an interception.  Jamar Taylor in LA has started 6 games, and has proven to be an effective blitzer off the edge, with 2 sacks on the year. He also has 19 tackles. Safety At safety we have three players who started from day one, and while one of them, Houston’s highly touted Kenny Vacarro, has seen most of his season scuttled with injuries, the other two have shown some real promise.  Chicago’s Shawn Williams has 51 tackles and 2 sacks in his 15 games, and was a solid player on a solid defense, one who will need to do more now that the Machine are without Brian Urlacher to help in the middle.  New Jersey’s defense has not lived up to the hype this year, and while rookie Johnathan Cyprien has played consistently (53 tackles, 2 sacks), he has also made some pretty big mistakes, often leading to big plays for the opposing offense. Kicker We had three rookies win the job as their team’s kicker this year, Brett Maher in Nashville, Jason Myers in Chicago, and Caleb Sturgis in New Orleans.  Of the three, Maher has struggled the most, missing on 10 of his 27 field goal attempts.  He has been good from close range (34 of 35 on PATs) but has struggled at distance.  Distance has not been a problem for Jason Myers, who hit a 57-yarder for Chicago and who is 4 of 7 from beyond 45.  He has also been perfect on PAT’s hitting all 41 attempts.   Caleb Sturgess has the highest points total of the three, having hit all 30 field goals and connecting on 25 of 30 field goals.  With both Chicago and New Orleans headed to the playoffs, we will almost certainly see how Myers and Sturgis hold up with pressure kicks. Several Coaches Anxiously Awaiting Black Monday It is a nervous time around the league, particularly in the coaches’ suites of teams sitting well below expectations.  We have already seen the first casualty of a subpar season, with Leslie Frazier being relieved of duties this week, but we do not anticipate he will be alone in that situation.  Whether it is falling short of expectations, a slow decline from past heights, or a lack of growth in a team’s year to year performance, coaches tend to get the blame and often pay the price.  As we look across the USFL, we see no fewer than 8 coaches who could be in big trouble this year.  Here is our quick rundown of the teams where we could see a change at the top. JACKSONVILLE:  A no brainer, the change has already begun with the firing of Leslie Frazier and the appointment of a 1-game head coach.  Guess they wanted a 1-2 week head start on the field. NEW JERSEY:  Yes, the Generals looked like a playoff contender after a strong 2012 campaign, and yes, they did lose Sam Bradford to injury in Week 2, but we still expected a lot more out of this team. Their inability to compensate for Bradford’s absence, and what could be a season that ends with either the number 1 or number 2 draft pick could very well be enough to show that Herm Edwards is not the reason the team made the playoffs last year. MICHIGAN: Dick LeBeau has done a lot for the Panthers over his long tenure, but in a league that is all about “What have you done for me lately? another losing season and a rough start to Kirk Cousins as the starter could be enough to turn the tide against LeBeau in Michigan. PITTSBURGH: IT seems like we say the same thing about the Maulers every year, that they are better than their record, that they play hard, but they just don’t seem to be able to get over the hump, and after 8 seasons of saying the same thing, can we really feel confident that management will give Ron Rivera a 9th chance to prove he can put it all together? MEMPHIS: Brad Childress is only in his 2nd year with the Showboats, and they have shown some signs of offensive capability with Eli Manning in the fold. Is that enough to give Childress a third year?  A lot could depend on whether or not the players support their coach and whether they stand united in defending him to ownership. NASHVILLE:  Look, you don’t stay in the same position with the same team for as long as Jim Johnson has been with the Knights without a lot of good, but at the end of the day, this is a club that has not won a title under Johnson, and they appear to be flailing right now.  Even bringing in Peyton Manning has not helped.  Nashville could finish last in the division, something that seemed unthinkable only a couple of seasons ago.  If they do, we expect Johnson to either step down or be told to step away. LAS VEGAS:  You cannot drop from 6-2 to a possible 7-9 final record (or 8-8 even) without taking a lot of heat.  June Jones is taking a lot of heat right now.  He is supposed to be an offensive guru, but the offense has been much worse than expected, and without Plummer, it has been a disaster.  Marshawn Lynch is not being used properly.  They have two outstanding receivers but are not getting them the ball.  It’s a mess, and with the collapse they have had, whoever ends up buying into the Thunder will almost certainly want to go a new direction. PORTLAND: We may be stretching on this one. The Stags had a good run over the season’s second half, and fans seem to like what they are seeing from Matt McGloin, so there is some optimism that Marty Mornhinweg is getting somewhere with this team.  Honestly, he is likely safe, but perhaps the GM is the man who gets the most criticism, because Portland is developing a reputation as a team with a weak roster that tries really hard.  Imagine if they had a top 10 roster?  So, maybe Mornhinweg gets the chance, with a new man at the helm of the personnel acquisition side of the house. Just Who is the MVP This Year? Honestly, your guess is as good as ours.  Practically every year this comes down to a battle of the top QBs in the league, but this year the teams with the best records, Arizona and Philadelphia, don’t have gaudy numbers out of their QB positions.  Sure, David Carr is third in QB rating, but he is not even close to the leaders in yardage or touchdowns, so the MVP numbers are just not there.  Gutierrez has played well, but his numbers don’t even place him in the top 5 in most categories, and his completion rate has taken a serious dip this year.  The problem here is that the QB who is leading the league in both yardage and TDs is on a losing team, Tampa’s Daunte Culpepper.  Yes, the blame for that is squarely on the Bandit defense, which is atrocious, but we just don’t see how you can give the MVP to a QB who has not led his team to the playoffs. So, who is left?  Early in the season we pointed at WR Steve Smith, and his numbers have certainly held up over the full year.  He is on pace for a 1,500 yard, 120 catch season, both of which are outstanding numbers, the kind of numbers that  are likely to garner him the Offensive Player of the Year title, but again, Ohio is not going to the postseason, and despite Smith’s numbers, he has not led the team to victories, not enough of them anyway. The frontrunner may well be Arizona HB Frank Gore.  Gore currently trails Doug Martin for the rushing title, and could cross 1,500 yards on the season.  He is beloved by league officials and fans across the country for his work ethic and lunchpail attitude.  He is unselfish and willing to do everything from ugly inside runs to pass blocking. Oh, and he plays for a team that may finish the year with only 1 loss and is the prohibitive favorite to represent the West in the Summer Bowl.  Those are going to be tough numbers and facts to ignore.  In a year where the best team and the best QB don’t align, we could very well see some love for the run game, and for one running back in particular. As for the other awards, we believe Jim Tomsula has Coach of the  Year all wrapped up.  Offensive Player of the Year is going to be between Smith and Gore, maybe Martin if Gore wins MVP.  Defensive player of the year is a tougher call, since the sack leader (Campbell) and the tackle leader (Vrabel) are both on teams that are not among the elite.  We could see it go to James Farrior (currently third in tackles) just as a form of lifetime achievement award.  As for Rookie of the Year, early on it seemed like Keenan Allen would have it, but as the season has progressed, we have been more and more impressed by Eddie Lacy in St. Louis and WR Adam Thielen in Pittsburgh. Could be a close vote. No need to gild the lily on this one.  There are some games that have a lot of meaning in the season’s final week and some that have very little (outside of some contract incentives and players trying to impress before free agency).  While the league has moved to a Saturday/Sunday schedule as they always do, to try to avoid teams scoreboard watching and altering their play based on earlier results, but the fact is that there are a handful of games we are keeping our eyes on, and quite a few where only diehard fans will be focused.  Here is the breakdown of the 2-day schedule, with the playoff-impacting potential of each cited. Saturday @ 12pm Pittsburgh (6-9) @ New Jersey (4-11)                     ABC Regional No playoff scenarios.  No Sam Bradford.  Just a chance for Adam Thielen to make his case for ROTY against a pretty shaky defense. Memphis (5-10) @ Birmingham (7-8)                    ABC Regional Birmingham needs to win and have either Atlanta or Baltimore to lose.  Not out of the realm of the possible at all.  Besides it’s a nasty rivalry game so it will be fun to watch and Memphis will be motivated to go out with a win over the hated Stallions. Orlando (7-8) @ Washington (10-5)                       NBC Orlando needs to win and have 2 of 3 (Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham) lose.  That may be a lot to ask, especially playing the Federals in RFK, but we do expect Washington to rest several players.  Deuce McCallister is unlikely to sit this out simply because he still sees a path to the rushing title.  Will Coach Peyton let him run? Nashville (5-10) @ New Orleans (8-6-1)               FOX If New Orleans wins and Charlotte loses, the Breakers get the 2 seed and the bye.  While it is nice to have a Manning return to New Orleans, we expect a very focused Breaker squad to make it a bittersweet return for Archie’s son. Saturday @ 4pm Philadelphia (12-3) @ Dallas (3-12)                        FOX No playoff scenarios.  Philadelphia will rest many starters, so Dallas, who has been playing hard in defeat after defeat may well get the W here.  The only drama is if Dallas fans will hate on Philadelphia just out of habit from the NFL rivalry. Atlanta (8-7) @ Tampa Bay (6-9)                              ABC Atlanta is in the playoffs with a win.  Wins the Southeast if Charlotte also loses.  A lot to play for if you are the Fire.  Not much to motivate Tampa Bay.  We are not even sure if Daunte Culpepper will suit up for this one, so we foresee a Fire win. Charlotte (8-6-1) @ Los Angeles (8-7)                   ESPN/EFN Los Angeles is in with a win or a loss by St. Louis.  Charlotte wins division and 2nd seed with bye if they win.  A loss and an Atlanta win makes Charlotte a wild Card.   This is what we want to see in Week 16, two teams with playoff hopes on the line facing off. Real consequences for each in this game, even if Charlotte is already in and LA does have a path to get in even with a loss.  Both will be feeling pressure to pull this one out, which is what we love. Sunday @ 12pm Michigan (5-10) @ Baltimore (8-7)                          FOX Regional Baltimore is in the playoffs as a Wild Card with a win.  The Blitz control their own destiny. Win and they are in. That seems like it should motivate them into a good game against a Michigan team that is only playing for pride. Houston (7-8) @ Jacksonville (3-12)                      FOX Regional No playoff scenarios.  The Gamblers were deflated by their elimination last week, after knocking off Arizona, they had a shot, but could not get the W they needed against Texas.  Expect both teams to essentially play it safe, avoid injuries and take a look at some younger backups. Chicago (10-5) @ Ohio (7-8)                                      ABC No playoff scenarios.  We don’t think we will see much of Brady Quinn, though with the rushing title on the line, the Machine do want to help Doug Martin have a good game.  Expect the defense to rest several starters as well, with a Wild Card game in Chicago next week already locked in, this will be a game where injury is the true opponent. Sunday @ 4pm Arizona (14-1) @ Texas (10-5)                                    ABC Texas is the 4 seed with a win and will host a Wild Card game.  Arizona is going to rest many of their best defenders, so don’t overreact if the Outlaws take the W.  They will not see an Arizona team at its best, though we do expect Frank Gore to give it his all to win the rushing title and maybe MVP at the same time. St. Louis (8-7) @ Denver (9-6)                                   ESPN/EFN St. Louis needs to win and have LA lose to earn a Wild Card slot.  Denver locks up a Wild Card with a win or an LA loss.  Hard to believe that the Skyhawks could be out of the playoffs, but Denver is not going to rest in this one. Both teams’ best chance at making the postseason requires a win. Seattle (5-10) @ Las Vegas (7-8)                              FOX No playoff scenarios.  How hard will the Thunder play to reach .500 and if they flop again, will that be the end for Head Coach June Jones? Portland (7-8) @ Oakland (12-3)                              NBC No playoff scenarios.  Oakland will rest Harrington, Williams, and many other veteran starters.  Portland was hoping they would be in the mix this week, but their conference record disqualified them after Week 15, so they are likely only looking to give McGloin more snaps as they prepare for 2014.