Event Date: November 6th, 1986
Event Description: USFL Preview: Independence
Source: PFW
Independence Division Preview
Team: Arizona Outlaws
1985 record: 8-10
Coach: Frank Kush
Key losses: TE Ron Wheeler (Free Agent), QB Rick Johnson (CFL-Calgary), FB Kevin Long (Retired).
Key additions: QB Rick Neuheisel (Gunslingers), QB Rich Campbell (NFL-LA Raiders), RB Mel Gray (Express), RB Shawn Faulkner (Invaders), WR Eric Truvillion (Bandits), WR Derek Holloway (Invaders), TE Mark Keel (Bulls), TE darryl Mason (Stallions), C-G Wayne Jones (Express), OL Dan Rosado (Gamblers), DE Monte Bennett (Invaders), LB Kiki DeAyala (Gamblers), LB Howard Carson (Express), DB Troy West (Express), and DB Warren Hanna (Bandits).
Outlook: The Outlaws will have a potent offense combined with a stout defense in 1986. The team went all out in the free agency market this past off-season and were the clear beneficiaries of the demise of the Los Angeles and Oakland franchises as they scooped a number of prominent free agents.
Prediction: 12-6 1st Place
Team: Jacksonville Bulls
1985 record: 9-9
Coach: Mouse Davis
Top returners: QB Ed Luther (2792 yds, 15 tds), WR Alton Alexis (83 receptions), WRAubrey Matthews (5 tds), OG J.T. Turner, G-T Kenny Howell, LB Vaughn Johnson (3 sacks), DB Chester Gee (4 INT).
Key losses: RB Mike Rozier (NFL-Houston), QB Brian Sipe (Retired), P Larry Swider (Bandits), WR Perry Kemp (Showboats), DE Joe Costello (NFL-Atlanta), LB Thomas Dinkel (NFL-Cincinnati), T Bob Gruber (Memphis), CB Mark Harper (NFL-Cleveland), S Van Jakes (NFL-New Orleans), TE Mark Keel (Arizona), WR Perry Kemp (Memphis), RB Larry Mason (CFL-Calgary), DE Keith Millard (NFL-Minnesota).
Key additions: RB Todd Gerhart (Gold), WR Leonard Harris (Gold), RB-WR Vincent White (Gold), OC Tom Davis (Gold), T Greg Feasel (Denver), DE Rayford Cooks (Gamblers), DT Dave Tipton (Outlaws), DT Tim Moore (Invaders), DT Doug Mikolas (Gold), DT Pat Ogrin (Gold), LB Mike McKibben (Gold), LB Earnest Adams (Breakers), LB John Nevens (Gold), DBMark McCants (Stars), CB Nate Miller (Gold).
Outlook: The Bulls are clearly a team in transition as they will have a complete make over after their merger with the Denver Gold. New head coach Mouse Davis takes over for Lindy Infante who has moved on to the NFL.
Quarterback Ed Luther will now be piloting the Run and Shoot offense and the team should benefit from an influx of new receivers and slot backs. Fullback Todd Gerhart will be expected to replace ex-Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier. Rumors of an off-season trade regarding QB Doug Flutie never materialized.
On the defensive side of the ball the team should be solid with the addition of veteran lineman from Denver, Thornton and Turner and via free agency in Dave Tipton.
Prediction: 10-8 2nd Place
Team: Tampa Bay Bandits
1985 record: 10-8
Coach: Steve Spurrier
Top returners: QB Jimmy Jordan, FB Greg Boone (559 yds, 3 tds), TE Marvin Harvey (723 yds), WR Larry Brodsky (1071 yds, 7tds), WR Willie Gillespie, OG Nate Newton, G-C Chuck Pitcock, OL Jerrell Franklin, NT Fred Nordgren (10 sacks), LB Alonzo Johnson, DB Marcus Quinn (7 Ints), DB Alvin Bailey, DB Bobby Futrell, DB Doug Beaudoin.
Key additions: QB Fred Besana (Invaders), P Larry Swider (Bulls), RB Kirby Warren (Express), WR Gill Stegall (Gold), LB Putt Choate (Gunslingers), DE Cleveland Crosby (Gamblers), DT Dave Opfar (Stars), LB Gary Plummer (Invaders), S Calvin Eason (Gamblers).
Outlook: Quarterback Fred Besana comes over from Oakland to share the starting duties with ex-FSU pivot Jimmy Jordan. Look for the Bandits to continue to have offensive success as head coach Steve Spurrier will again put together a creative offense under the heading of “Bandit Ball!”.
Prediction: 8-10 3rd Place
Team: Orlando Renegades
1985 record: 5-13
Coach: Lee Corso
Top returners: WR Joey Walters (58 receptions), WR Jeff Smith (42 receptions), FB Ricky Claitt, TE Don Echols, OC Brian Musselman, OT Joel Patten, OL Thom Dornbrook, OG James Farr, DE Scott Hutchinson (5 sacks), LB Fred McAllister, DB Victor Jackson (8 INT), DB Jeff George (8 INT), DB Lupe Sanchez.
Key losses: QB Reggie Collier (NFL-Dallas), RB Curtis Bledsoe (Stars), DT Joe Ehrmann (Free agent), DB Mike Guess (Free agent), TE Bob Niziolek (Free agent).
Outlook: The Renegades will turn to vetern pivot John Reaves who comes over from Tampa Bay to replace the departed Reggie Collier. The rushing attack could suffer with the loss of Curtis Bledoe who moves to Baltimore. The defense features a solid secondary but are thin in the front seven.
Prediction: 6-12 4th Place
more to come......
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