'86 USFL: Liberty Division Preview

Event Date: November 6th, 1986

Event Description: USFL Preview: Liberty

Source: PFW

The “new” United States Football League kicks off on Thursday, November 13th on Mizlou Television. The league received an infusion of capital from Wall Street tycoon Carl Icahn who has his sights set on the ’86 season and beyond.

The scaled down league is down to eight markets with a season stretching from November to March after the adoption of the “Tatham Plan” which pushed the start of the fall season back.

The games will be televised by ESPN on Sundays nights, the Mizlou Network on Thursday nights as well as syndicated regional and local coverage across the nation.

League commissioner Harry Usher continues to lead the legal battles against the rival NFL while Eddie Einhorn pursues a network television deal for the 1987 season. Einhorn and Invaders owner Tad Taube have plans to resume play in Chicago and Oakland in 1987.

Liberty Division Preview

Team: New Jersey Generals

1985 record: 11-7 

Coach: Jack Pardee 

Top returners: RB Herschel Walker (2411 yds, 21 tds), QB Doug Flutie (19 total tds), DB Jerry Holmes (3 INT), OC Kent Hull, DE James Lockette, LB Bobby Leopold.

Key losses: FB Maurice Carthon (NFL-NY Giants), TE Sam Bowers (Memphis), WR Clarence Collins (Baltimore), WR Walter Broughton (NFL-Buffalo), DB Kerry Justin (NFL-Seattle), PK Roger Ruzek (Memphis).  

Key additions: QB Jim Kelly (Gamblers-4623 yds, 39 tds), WR Richard Johnson (Gamblers-103 receptions, 14 tds), WR Clarence Verdin (Gamblers-1004 yds, 9 tds), WR Gerald McNeil, Gamblers (Gamblers) WR Ricky Sanders (Gamblers), OC Billy Kidd (Gamblers), DE Pete Catan (Gamblers).

Outlook: The merger of Houston and New Jersey has led to the formation of the USFL’s “super team”. Look for the Run and Shoot to prosper in New York under the leadership of head coach Jack Pardee and quarterback Jim Kelly. Clearly this team is the favorite to win the league championship. The status of quarterback Doug Flutie remains a question mark as the team could trade him or try and release him from his personal services contract.

Prediction: 13-5 1st Place

Team: Baltimore Stars

1985 record: 10-7-1 (League Champions)

Coach: Ted Marchibroda

Top returners: RB Kelvin Bryant (1207 yds, 12 tds), QB Chuck Fusina (3496 yds, 20 tds), WR Scott Fitzkee (73 receptions, 882 yds), TE Ken Dunek, OT Irv Eatman, OG Chuck Commiskey, NT Pete Kugler, DE William Fuller (8.5 sacks),  DT John Walker, LB Sam Mills (5.5 sacks, 3 INT), DB Antonio Gibson, DB Mike Lush (10 INT).

Key losses: Head coach Jim Mora (NFL-New Orleans), DB-PR Garcia Lane (NFL-Kansas City), DB Mark McCants,  P Sean Landeta (NFL-N.Y. Giants).

Key additions: Head coach Ted Marchibroda, RB Curtis Bledsoe (Renegades), WR Clarence Collins (Generals), P Bob Grupp (Showboats), 

Outlook: The defending league champions will have their hands full in ’86 as they will have to deal with an improved New Jersey team as well as the solid competition from Memphis. 

Prediction: 9-9 2nd Place

Team: Memphis Showboats

1985 record: 11-7

Coach: Pepper Rodgers

Top returners: QB Walter Lewis (20 total tds), QB Mike Kelley (2186 passing yds), WR Derrick Crawford (1057 yds, 9 tds), WR Greg Moser (1145 yds, 6 tds), OG Tyrone McGriff, OT Larry Pfohl, DL Calvin Clark. 

Key losses: DE Reggie White (NFL-Philadelphia), RB Tim Spencer (NFL-San Diego), DL Sam Clancy (NFL-Cleveland), LB John Corker (NFL-Miami).

Key additions: PK Roger Ruzek (Generals), WR Perry Kemp (Bulls), TE Sam Bowers (Generals), TE Tom Mulladay (NFL-N.Y. Giants ’84), OT Dale Markham (Invaders), OT Bob Gruber (Bulls), NG Ron Simmons (Bandits), DL Jearld Baylis (Breakers), LB Ray Bentley (Invaders), DB Vito McKeever (Invaders).

Outlook: The Showboats lost some key players on both sides of the ball in Reggie White and RB Tim Spencer. However, they did add some quality depth via USFL free agents such as WR Perry Kemp, TE Sam Bowers, LB Ray Bentley and DB Vito McKeever.

Prediction: 8-10 3rd Place

Team: Birmingham Stallions

1985 record: 13-5

Coach: Rollie Dotsch

Top returners: QB Cliff Stoudt (3358 yds, 34 td passes), RB Joel Coles (406 yds), FB Paul Ott Carruth, WR Joey Jones (751 yds, 7 tds), OT Buddy Aydelette, OT Pat Phenix, LB Herbie Spencer (6.5 sacks), DL Ronnie Paggett, DL Malcolm Taylor. 

Key losses: RB Joe Cribbs (NFL-Buffalo), WR Jim Smith (NFL-L.A. Raiders), TE Darryl Mason (Outlaws), LB Bill Roe (Showboats).

Key additions: NT Bennie Smith (Gunslingers), LB Stan Blinka (Gold), DB Peter Raeford (Gunslingers), RB Tony Truelove (Livingston).

Outlook: The Stallions have had some key losses and were very quiet during the off-season. Cliff Stoudt will again run the offense but will be without star running back Joe Cribbs and veteran wideout Jim Smith. The defensive side of the ball features a solid secondary with Chuck Clanton, Dennis Woodberry and Pete Raeford coming over from San Antonio.

Prediction: 6-12 4th Place

Up next: The Independence division......