'85 Chronology-Central Division Preview

Event Date: February 18th, 1985

Event Description: USFL Preview: Central Division

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Central Division Preview

Houston Gamblers

1984 Record: 12-6 League Champions

Stadium: Astrodome    

Avg. Attendance: 28,152

Head Coach: Jack Pardee

Key players: QB Jim Kelly, RB Sam Harrell, FB Todd Fowler, WR Richard Johnson, WR Ricky Sanders, WR Gerald McNeil, WR Clarence Verdin, OC Billy Kidd, G Scott Boucher, DL Ross Browner, DE Pete Catan, LB Andy Hawkins, LB Willie Harper, LB Kiki DeAyala, DB Luther Bradley, DB Will Lewis, S Tommy Myers, K Toni Fritsch.

New Additions: OL Chris Riehm (Allocation Draft-Oakland ’84), OG Jeff Kiewel (Outlaws ’84), G-T Rob Taylor (Allocation Draft-Outlaws ’84), DT Wilbur Young Jr. (Outlaws ’84), DB Luther Bradley (Allocation Draft-Outlaws ’84), P/K Frank Corral (Allocation Draft-Outlaws ’84), OT Chris Riehm (Allocation Draft-Invaders ’84), FB Booker Russell (Allocation Draft-Stars ’84), LB Willie Harper (Allocation Draft-Generals ’84), OG Dan Rosado (Free Agent), LB Ladell Wills (’85 college draft pick), DE Tony Holyfield (Free Agent), DB Durwood Roquemore (NFL-Kansas City ’83). 

Outlook: Mouse Davis is gone, but Jim Kelly remains so another championship push is not out of the question.

1985 Prediction: 12-4 1st Place Division Champs

Michigan Panthers

1984 Record: 9-9

Stadium: Pontiac Silver Dome     

Avg. Attendance: 32,458

Head Coach: Jim Stanley

Key players: QB Bobby Hebert, WR Anthony Carter, FB John Williams, TE Mike Cobb, OG Tyrone McGriff, OT Ray Pinney, DT David Tipton, DL John Banaszak, DL Larry Bethea, LB Mel Land, LB Ray Bentley, LB Will Cokeley, DB Clarence Chapman, DB Tom Moriarity, S-P David Greenwood, K Novo Bojovic.

New Additions: QB Phil Kessel (Stallions ’84), RB Ricky Calhoun (’84 Territorial Draft Choice), QB Todd Krueger (Wranglers ’83), RB Tony Ellis (Maulers ’84), TE Milt Carthens (’84 Territorial Draft Choice), OT Duane Wilson (’83 Territorial Draft Choice), Mark Napolitan (’85 Territorial Draft Choice), OL Ken Mackey (Rookie Free Agent-Tulane ’83), P Skip Johnston (Stallions ’84), OT Doug Hoppock (Allocation Draft-Chicago ’84), TE Al Kimichik (Allocation Draft-Pittsburgh ’84), DE Ike Griffin (Allocation Draft-Pittsburgh ’84), OL Mike Weston (Allocation Draft-Chicago ’84), LB Andy Cannavino (Allocation Draft-Chicago ’84).

Outlook: A team looking to rebound after a mediocre ’84 campaign.

1985 Prediction: 9-7 2nd Place Wild Card

New Orleans Breakers

1984 Record: 6-12

Stadium: The Superdome    

Avg. Attendance: 30,557

Head Coach: Dick Coury

Key players: QB Matt Robinson, QB Wayne Peace, RB Marcus Dupree, RB Buford Jordan, WR Frank Lockett, WR Nolan Fransz, TE Dan Ross, OG Gerry Raymond, OL Bill Winters, DE Jerald Baylis, Lb Frank Manumaleuga, LB Ben Needham, LB Marcus Marek, K Tim Mazzetti

New Additions: QB Kevin Starkey (Allocation Draft-Invaders ’84), LB Robert Pennywell (Allocation Draft-Michigan ’84), OL Bill Winters (Allocation Draft-Bandits ’84), OL Randy Van Divier (Allocation Draft-Invaders ’84), OC Roger Levasa (Allocation Draft-Oakland ‘84), LB Frank Manumaleuga (Allocation Draft-Oakland ’84),DT Willie Rosborough (Allocation Draft-Stars ’84), DL Mike McInnis (Allocation Draft-Stars ’84), WR Anthony Allen (Express ’84), WR Lenny Willis (Blitz ’84), FB Vince Williams (NFL-San Francisco ’83), RB Dwight Beverly (Rookie Free Agent), OL Broderick Thompson (Rookie Free Agent),, DE Kenny Neil (NFL-NY Jets ’83), DE Robert Brannon (Territorial Draft pick ’85), DB Scott Byers (NFL-San Diego ’84), DB Henry Williams (NFL-Rams ’83), LB Isaiah West (Outlaws ’84), TE Darryl Goosby (Gold ’83).

Outlook: A good offense combined with a suspect defense.   

1985 Prediction:  7-9 3rd Place

San Antonio Gunslingers

1984 Record: Expansion Team

Stadium: Alamo Stadium

Avg. Attendance: TBD

Head Coach: Jim Bates

Key players: QB Rick Neuheisel, RB James Hadnot, RB Scott Stamper, FB Larry Canada, TE-FB Mark Rush, WR Danny Buggs, OC Greg Davidson, OL Arland Thompson, OL Jim Lohmann, OL Dan Jiggetts, DT Ernie Price, DL Brad Anae, DE Greg “Big Paper” Fields, LB Putt Choate, LB John Barefield, LB Rich D’Amico, DB Vic Minor, PK Nick Mike-Mayer.

Free Agent Additions: PK Nick Mike-Mayer (Federals ’84), RB James Hadnot (NFL-Kansas City ’83), RB Don Roberts (Rookie Free Agent), 

WR’s Mark Tolbert (Outlaws ’84), Jerry Gordon (Breakers ‘84), and WR Kevin Williams (Gold ’84), OG Joe Silipo (Gold ’84), OT Ralph Williams (NFL-Houston camp ’84), OC Pete Speros (Rookie Free Agent), OL Jon Zogg (Rookie Free Agent), OT Dan Jiggetts (Blitz ’84), DE Ken Gillen (Blitz ’84), LB Reggie Mathis (Generals ’84), LB Juan Castillo (Rookie Free Agent), DB Mike Ulmer (CFL-Calgary ‘81), Leon Williams (Showboats ’84), DB Rock Richmond (Maulers ’84), DB Larry James (Rookie Free Agent).

Outlook: Quarterback Rick Neuheisel will lead the offense and Putt Choate will lead the defense. Not much else going on here.

1985 Prediction: 4-12 4th Place