'84 Chronology-USFL Annual Draft

Event Date: December 27th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Draft Set

Source: UPI

The U.S. Football League will conduct its third annual draft Jan. 3rd, it was announced Thursday.

The draft will begin at 10 a.m. EST at the Grand Hyatt hotel.The 1983 and 1984 Heisman Trophy winners, Herschel Walker and Mike Rosier, were drafted and signed by USFL clubs, the Pittsburgh Maulers and New Jersey Generals.

The league signed 40 percent of its picks in the 1983 and 1984 drafts, and 52 percent of those signed are still on USFL rosters.

Thirteen players signed with USFL teams after being drafted by NFL clubs in 1984, including three first-round choices.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Right on Schedule

Event Date: December 22nd, 1984

Event Description: USFL Releases Schedule

Source: United Press International

The third United States Football League season opens Feb. 23 when the Tampa Bay Bandits host the Orlando Renegades, the USFL announced Saturday.

The 16-team, 16-week regular-season schedule includes 128 games and ends Saturday, June 8th. The USFL championship game will be played June 29th at a site to be announced.

Two new teams have joined the league this season. The San Antonio Gunslingers have replaced the defunct Chicago franchise and the Washington Federals have moved to Orlando.

The Eastern Conference will again consist of the Atlantic and Southern divisions, while the Western Conference features the Central and Pacific divisions.

The Atlantic division includes the Philadelphia Stars, New Jersey Generals, Pittsburgh Maulers and Orlando Renegades.

The Southern division will again be the home to the Birmingham Stallions, Jacksonville Bulls, Memphis Showboats, and Tampa Bay Bandits. 

The Pacific division consists of the Arizona Outlaws, Denver Gold, Los Angeles Express, and Oakland Invaders.

The Central will house the Houston Gamblers, Michigan Panthers, New Orleans Breakers and San Antonio Gunslingers.

For the third year, ABC and ESPN will carry 16 weeks of USFL games. ABC will televise Sunday afternoons and provide playoff and championship coverage. 

ESPN, which entered into a new three-year agreement with the USFL after the 1984 season, will offer Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday night games.

The Gamblers, who defeated Birmingham 35-26 for the 1984 championship, open defense of their title in Los Angeles against Steve Young and the Express on Sunday, Feb. 24th. Orlando and Tampa Bay play the only game Feb. 23rd, opening the season with an 8 p.m. EST kickoff.

Five head coaches are scheduled to make their USFL debuts. Frank Kush, who departed the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL, will succeed George Allen in Arizona; Darrel “Mouse” Davis left his assistant position with the Gamblers to take over Denver; long-time NFL assistant Charlie Sumner is the new Oakland coach; former college coach Lee Corso will pilot the Renegades; and former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Jim Bates will be the head coach in San Antonio.

The USFL playoffs begin June 29. Eight teams qualify -- the top two finishers in each conference and four wild cards selected by record regardless of conference.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'84 CHronology-Safe Haven

Event Date: December 22nd, 1984

Event Description: Stars To Meet 'Boats

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Worth the Wait?

Event Date: December 18th, 1984

Event Description: Bandits Await Wideout

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Flutie Factor

Event Date: December 16th, 1984

Event Description: Trump Card

Source: Lakeland Ledger

 

'84 Chronology-Peace Train

Event Date: December 16th, 1984

Event Description: Peace Eyes Starting Job

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Five and Dime

Event Date: December 15th, 1984

Event Description: Bandits Mini Camp

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Kush Jumps II

Event Date: December 14th, 1984

Event Description: Kush Accepts Offer

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Kush Jumps

Event Date: December 14th, 1984

Event Description: Kush Joins Outlaws

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Back to the Future

Event Date: December 13th, 1984

Event Description: Kush to Arizona

Source: The Evening Independent

'84 Chronology-Stadium Proposals

Event Date: December 13th, 1984

Event Description: Trump Touts Stadium Idea

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Acquisition & Retention

Event Date: December 12th, 1984

Event Description: Players Sue USFL

Source: Montreal Gazette

'84 Chronology-Bills Eye Flutie

Event Date: December 12th, 1984

Event Description: Flutie Earns Award

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Verbal Agreement

Event Date: December 12th, 1984

Event Description: 'Boats Set Camp Dates

Source: Ocala Star-Banner

'84 Chronology-Swap Meet

Event Date: December 11th, 1984

Event Description: Ticket Swap

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Agreement in Principle

Event Date: December 9th, 1984

Event Description: Kush to USFL

Source: Ocala Star-Banner

'84 Chronology-Allocation Draft

Event Date: December 8th, 1984

Event Description: Outlaws Shed Salaries

Source: UPI

The Arizona Outlaws unloaded two high-priced players Thursday and capitalized on the dispersal draft to strengthen their defensive line that led the United States Football League in sacks in 1984.

Tim Spencer was taken in the first round by Memphis, while guard David Huffman was traded to Memphis before the draft, according to Outlaw assistant general manager Bruce Kebric.

“We would have liked to keep them, but their salaries were so enormous,” Kebric said. “If you knew what Tim Spencer was being paid, you'd make the same decision.” Kebric added that “if you saw Huffman's salary, you'd be in shock.”

Coming to the Outlaws in the draft was defensive tackle Dave Tipton, who was a second-team all-USFL selection with the Michigan Panthers in 1983. He is projected to start at left tackle.

Veteran Joe Ehrmann, who started at left tackle most of last season, was left unprotected by the Outlaws and claimed by Orlando.

In addition, the Outlaws selected defensive end Junior Ah-You and and RB Reggie Brown.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'84 Chronology-Bully Beef

Event Date: December 8th, 1984

Event Description: Generals Add Beef

Source: UPI

The New Jersey Generals, in an attempt to beef up their offensive line, selected four linemen Friday in the USFL player allocation draft.

Russ Compton and Russell Mitchell of Birmingham, Greg Roberts of Memphis, and Vince Stroth of Chicago were among the ten players taken by New Jersey in the draft.

“We concentrated on upgrading the offensive line and defensive secondary positions and with these acquisitions we anticipate a very competitive training camp,” said vice president and general manager Jim Valek.

Other players picked by New Jersey included punter Rick Partridge of Memphis, DT Mike Rustmeyer from Pittsburgh, defensive backs Donnell Daniel of Chicago and Frank Duncan of Oakland, quarterback Ron Reeves and wide out Marcus Anderson of Chicago.

The allocation pool consisted of players from the now defunct Chicago Blitz as well as unprotected free agents from across the league. For complete results go here for details.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'84 Chronology-Satisfaction Guaranteed

Event Date: December 7th, 1984

Event Description: Satisfied Stallion

Source: Times Daily

'84 Chronology-Great Scott!

Event Date: December 7th, 1984

Event Description: Bandits Add Depth

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Veteran Signs

Event Date: December 6th, 1984

Event Description: Bears Sign Landry

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Good Look

Event Date: December 5th, 1984

Event Description: Falcons Like Flutie

Source: Times Daily

'84 Chronology-Gold Rush

Event Date: December 5th, 1984

Event Description: Evans Inks New Pact

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Stock Rising

Event Date: December 5th, 1984

Event Description: 'Cordes Want Flutie

Source: Montreal Gazette

'84 Chronology-Rumor Mill

Event Date: December 4th, 1984

Event Description: Kush to Depart?

Source: Times Daily

'84 Chronology-Top Priority

Event Date: December 4th, 1984

Event Description: Gold To Sign Evans

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Verbal Agreement

Event Date: December 3rd, 1984

Event Description: Gold Grab

Source: United Press International

The Denver Gold has reached a verbal agreement to acquire 29-year-old quarterback Vince Evans, the team said today.

The Gold, of the United States Football League, is having to negotiate a settlement of Evans' long-term contract with his last team, the Chicago Blitz.”I'm very confident we'll sign Vince,” said Gold general manager Rich Nathan.

The Gold wants the mobile Evans to direct first-year coach Mouse Davis' run-and-shoot offense.

Evans reportedly will sign a three-year contract and be paid a portion of his existing contract with the Blitz, which has suspended operations for the coming season. Evans formerly played with the Chicago Bears.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Corso Confident

Event Date: December 4th, 1984

Event Description: 'Gades Woo Fans

Source: Ocala Star-Banner

'84 Chronology-Sad News

Event Date: December 4th, 1984

Event Description: Bell Passing

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Contract Talks

Event Date: November 20th, 1984

Event Description: Football Roundup

Source: Eugene Register Guard

'84 Chronology-On the Move?

Event Date: November 20th, 1984

Event Description: Carter Eyes Change

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'84 Chronology-Mundane Matters

Event Date: November 20th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Draft Plans

Source: Montreal Gazette