USFL '86: The Season That Never Was

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

'83 Chronology-Final Touches

Event Date: March 3rd, 1983

Event Description:  Panthers Finalize Roster

Source: United Press International

The Michigan Panthers, who open their USFL season Monday, are putting the final touches on the team.

The Panthers Thursday acquired offensive lineman Steve Cox of Tulsa when New Jersey waived him and added defensive lineman Ken Hughes of Western Michigan, cut by Chicago. In addition, the Panthers completed their 10-player developmental squad by shifting five players from the active roster.

Wide receiver Ken Jackson of Tulsa also was released to enable the Panthers to activate newly signed Anthony Carter, who will start Monday night in Birmingham, Ala.

The Panthers also switched their only experienced quarterback, Mark Miller of Bowling Green, to the developmental squad. Miller had three seasons of training camp tryouts with NFL teams.

The move left Michigan with two rookies -- Bobby Hebert of Northwest Louisiana State and Whit Taylor of Vanderbilt -- as the only two active quarterbacks. Hebert, the Panthers' No. 3 draft choice, will start.

Miller will travel with the team and is still available for duty under a league rule permitting only quarterbacks among those on the developmental squad to be eligible to play.

“We can take all of them to games,” said assistant general manager Mike Keller, “but the quarterback is the only one able to play. He can go in if the other two quarterbacks get hurt.”


In addition to placing Cox and Hughes on the developmental squad, the Panthers also shifted defensive end Curtis Anderson of Central State (Ohio), safety Marion Body of Michigan, linebacker Kyle Borland of Wisconsin and defensive end Tony Osbun of Michigan from the active roster. They joined nose guard Ira Albright, Miller, injured rookie running back Ken Lacy of Tulsa and safety Tom Moriarity of Bowling Green.

Story-(UPI)

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