For a review of the 1986-87 season go here......
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
'86 USFL: Week #1 Point Spreads
Event Date: November 12th, 1986
Event Description: USFL Odds
Source: USA Today
Monday, February 10, 2025
Saturday, February 8, 2025
'86 USFL: Independence Division Preview
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......
Thursday, February 6, 2025
'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......
Monday, February 3, 2025
'86 USFL: Eternal Optimism
Event Date: November 5th, 1986
Event Description: Corporate Grid League
Source: USA Today
Sunday, February 2, 2025
'86 USFL: The Replacements
Event Date: November 5th, 1986
Event Description: Levy v. Bullough
Source: USA Today
Saturday, February 1, 2025
'86 USFL: Buffalo Bound
Event Date: November 4th, 1986
Event Description: Bills Hire Levy
Source: Daily Advertiser
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