'84 Chronology-Week #6 Preview

Event Date: March 30th, 1984

Event Description: Week #6 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #6 USFL Preview

Saturday, March 31st

(4-1) Pittsburgh Maulers at (2-3) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Maulers -1)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Paul Manfra & Dan Lovett

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

 (4-1) Houston Gamblers at (1-4) Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gamblers -12)

Television: ESPN National: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

Radio: ESPN: Mike Nolan & Ben Martin

(1-4) Michigan Panthers at (1-4) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Invaders -4)

Television: Local

Radio: ESPN: Bob Sherman & Dan Follis

Sunday, April 1st

(1-4) New Jersey Generals at (4-1) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (Showboats -10)

Television Coverage: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ABC Radio: Don Chevrier & Paul Hornung

  (2-3) Jacksonville Bulls at  (2-3) Washington Federals

Latest Line: (Federals -1)

Television Coverage: Local

Radio: ESPN: Larry Munson & Glenn Fisher

       (2-3) Chicago Blitz at (2-3) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Express -5)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional: Jim Lampley & Lee Corso

Radio: ESPN: Duane Dow & Jim Grabowski

(3-2) New Orleans Breakers  at (2-3) Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (Breakers -4)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional: Bill Flemming & Ron Mix

Radio: ESPN Radio: Johnny Holiday & Dan Lovett

Monday, April 2nd

(4-1) Tampa Bay Bandits  at (5-0) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -8)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

'84 Chronology-Pivotal Move

Event Date: March 30th, 1984

Event Description: Ramsey Traded

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Colts Bolt

Event Date: March 30th, 1984

Event Description: Colts Abandon Baltimore

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-USFL Television Rights

Event Date: March 29th, 1984

Event Description: USFL TV Rights

Source: Philadelphia Daily

The U.S. Football League is negotiating for a possible $70 million television contract, the Philadelphia Daily News reported today.

The league signed a two-year, $18 million pact two years ago with ABC, ESPN and Canadian TV and the agreement expires at the end of the current season.The Daily News quoted an unnamed league source as saying officials are hopeful they will get more than four times that much in a new agreement.

“Between network, cable and Canadian rights, we're looking for it to produce somewhere in the neighborhood of $70 million next year,” the source told the Daily News. “It's very gettable. I think we have a real good shot at it.”

The Daily News also reported that NBC, which made an unsuccessful bid for the network rights to the league two years ago, is also interested in obtaining at least a partial USFL contract for next season.

The league's contract with ABC included a two-year option that called for increasing revenue, but the league source told the Daily News the time for exercising that option is past.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Promotional Value

Event Date: March 29th, 1984

Event Description: Ehrhart Promoted

Source: United Press International 

Steven Ehrhart has been named executive director of the United States Football League, it was announced Thursday by Commissioner Chet Simmons.

Ehrhart, 36, joined the USFL in August of 1982 as Director of Administration and Counsel to the Commissioner.

Ehrhart's duties will include administrative responsibility for the Operations, Communications, Finance, Legal and Marketing functions at the League, as well as long range strategic planning.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Cool Reception

Event Date: March 29th, 1984

Event Description: Syracuse Pros?

Source: United Press International

Syracuse University has given a cool reception to a proposal by six New York state businessmen to base a USFL franchise in its 50,000-seat Carrier Dome.

“We wouldn't be interested for a number of reasons,” said Syracuse University Vice Chancellor Clifford Winters. 

“It would overlap with basketball, lacrosse and other activities. Secondly, it would create tax problems for us. And thirdly, it wouldn't be healthy for our intercollegiate football program.”

Long Island construction and hotel magnate Ken Feldman and five other investors have paid a $50,000 deposit to the United States Football League with hopes Syracuse will be awarded an expansion team in 1985.

Feldman admitted the plans are contingent upon the availability of the Carrier Dome, but he said he is confident the university will make the arena available if enough money is offered.

Carrier Dome Managing Director Thomas Benzel said Feldman has not contacted him about using the facility.

The USFL, currently in its second season, has 16 franchises, but wants to expand to 18 teams next season, said a league spokesman, adding that expansion will be discussed at a July meeting of league owners in Tampa.

If Syracuse received a USFL franchise, it would be the smallest market to have a team. The 59th largest Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area in the nation, Syracuse has a population of 170,105, with 642,971 in the metropolitan area, according to the 1980 census.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Ballsy

Event Date: March 28th, 1984

Event Description: Worth Mentioning

Source: United Press International

Accusations have been flying higher than some kickoffs in pro football, with the ball itself at the center of controversy.

Fans of the older National Football League claim the two-season old United States Football League's balls do not approach the standards of the NFL ball, but according to Industry Week magazine and Wilson Sporting Goods Co., who manufactures the ball, both are identical except for color and markings.

Both balls have been produced at Wilson's Ada, Ohio, plant since the early days of the NFL. The company also serves as the major supplier for college teams who prefer the NFL Model to the TD Model because they feel it is easier to pass and handle.

Wilson said its NFL contract calls for 450 balls per season for each of the 28 teams. Both the USFL and NFL each use about 24 balls per game, or six per quarter, and a new ball is put into play after each kick. Balls taken out of play are used for practice, according to John M. Cranor of Wilson.

The pro contracts account for 12,600 of the two million balls produced annually, Cranor added.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Moving On

Event Date: March 27th, 1984

Event Description: Bolts Hire Shively

Source: United Press International

The San Diego Charges Tuesday announced the hiring of former Arizona Wranglers' head cocah Doug Shively as defensive line coach.

Shively, 45, a nine-year veteran of the NFL coaching ranks, coached the Atlanta Falcons linebackers from 1977 to 1982 before jumping to the USFL.

Shively played defensive end for Kentucky and coached for 13 years at the collegiate level at Virginia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and Kentucky.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Week #5 Sunday Roundup

Event Date: March 26th, 1984

Event Description: Weekend Roundup

Source: UPI

Philadelphia 24

Birmingham 10

Kelvin Bryant scored a pair of touchdowns to lead the Stars to their fifth straight win of the season. Bryant rushed for 94 yards on 23 carries leading Philadelphia to a 24-10 decision over Birmingham.

The (2-3) Stallions were led by running back Joe Cribbs who finished with 88 rushing yards with one touchdown.

Game Notes-Cliff Stoudt was out due to injury, and backup Bob Lane was knocked out of the contest in the first quarter, forcing the Stallions to go with Phil Kessel as their emergency quarterback.

Pittsburgh 13

Memphis 24

Mike Kelley made his third consecutive start, leading the Memphis Showboats to a 24-13 win over visiting Pittsburgh. Kelley finished the contest 21-of-27 for 246 yards with three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Derrick Crawford hauled in five receptions for 113 yards to go along with a pair of touchdowns.

The (4-1) Maulers  were led by quarterback Glenn Carano who converted 19-of-37 for 265 yards with two interceptions and four sacks. Mike Rozier was limited to just 58 rushing yards on fourteen carries and one touchdown.

Game Notes-Rookie defensive end Reggie White finished with eight tackles, two sacks and one pass deflection to lead the Memphis defense.

Oakland 14

New Orleans 24

Johnny Walton tossed three touchdowns to three different receivers as New Orleans improved to (3-2) after their 24-14 win over visiting Oakland. Walton completed 23 passes on 45 attempts for 298 yards to go along with three interceptions.

Frank Lockett hauled in asix pases for 135 yards including a 63-yard touchdown reception as the Breakers dominated the first-half and then coasted to victory. 

Fred Besana finished 18 of 38 for 178 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions for the (1-4) Invaders. Gordon Banks finished with five receptuons for 79 yards with one score for the visitors.

Game Notes-David Shaw led the Oakland defense with thirteen tackles and one forced fumble...Oakland punter Stan Talley finished with a team-record 355 yards on nine kicks.

Arizona 17

Houston 38

A pair of special teams plays sparked Houston as the Gamblers downed Arizona by a score of 38-17 on Sunday afternoon. Return specialist Clarence Verdin opened the scoring with an 87-yard kick-off return and then sealed the win with a 91-yard return just before half-time.

Jim Kelly completed 15-of-28 passes for 167 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Kelly also led the team in rushing yards with 62 yards on eight attempts.

Doug Williams completed 34-of-55 passes for 384 yards with a pair of touchdown passes and two interceptions. Alphonso Williams led all receivers with ten catches for 153 yards.

Game Notes-Neither team scored in the second-half as the defenses dominated play...safety Tommy Myers led the Gamblers’ with twelve tackles and one interception.

Denver 24

Chicago 44

A crowd of just over in 6,000 watched the Chicago Blitz improve to (2-3) after a 44-24 routing of the Denver Gold.

Chicago pivot Vince Evans returned to action and led the way offensively with 331 passing yards on 16-of-23 efficiency with a trio of touchdown passes to wideout Larry Willis. 

Willis finished with five receptions for 157 yards. Tim Spencer scored a pair of touchdowns to go along with 72 rushing yards on just 13 attempts.

Craig Penrose threw for 155 yards with three interceptions and five sacks. Backup quarterback Fred Mortensen finished with 54 yards with a pair of touchdowns for the (1-4) Gold.

Game Notes-The teams combined for six turnovers and a dozen penalties...Denver linebacker Putt Choate returned a fumble 23-yards for a score late in the final stanza.

'84 Chronology-New Rules

Event Date: March 24th, 1984

Event Description: NFL Owners Meetings

Source: Ocala Star-Banner

'84 Chronology-Week #5 Preview

Event Date: March 23rd, 1984

Event Description: Week #5 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #5 USFL Preview

Saturday, March 24th

(2-2) Washington Federals at (3-1) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -8)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Paul Manfra & Dan Lovett

Radio: ABC Radio: Gene Deckerhoff & Vic Prinzi

 (1-3) Los Angeles Express at (1-3) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (No Line)

Television: ESPN National: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

Radio: ESPN: Tom Kelly & Kermit Alexander

Sunday, March 25th

   (4-0) Philadelphia Stars at (2-2) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stars -6)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ESPN: Harry Donahue & Vince Papale

(4-0) Pittsburgh Maulers at (3-1) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (Maulers -4)

Radio: ABC Radio: Rick Weaver & Mike Lawhead

 (1-3) Oakland Invaders at (2-2) New Orleans Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -6)

Radio: ESPN: Joe Starkey & Bob Murphy

       (2-2) Arizona Outlaws at (3-1) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -4)

Television Coverage: ABC Regional: Tim Brandt & Lee Grosscup 

Radio: ESPN: John Greer & Bob Fiscella

 (1-3) Denver Gold at (1-3) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (Blitz -4)

Radio: ESPN Radio: Mike Nolan & Ben Martin

Monday, March 26th

 (1-3) New Jersey Generals at (1-3) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Bulls -3)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus