'85 Chronology-Containment

Event Date: March 18th, 1985

Event Description:  USFL Containment Policy

Source: PFW

“Contain the quarterback” was the theme defensive coaches around the USFL preached last week, and they're disciples listened up.

Scramblers like Doug Flutie, and Walter Lewis had been running defenses ragged but defensive players got revenge Sunday.

At the Silverdome in Pontiac, the Panthers harrassed New Jersey millionaire rookie Flutie into a 14-for-23 outing with one touchdown in the Panther's 37-28 victory. More importantly, Flutie was sacked twice and limited to 27 yards rushing on four carries.

“Michigan did an excellent job of controlling the football and containing me,” Flutie said. “They controlled and rushed me at the same time. And those are two hard things to do against me.”

“We knew he was the key to the offense and we wanted to contain him,” said linebacker Will Cokeley, who ran down Flutie for a ten-yard sack. “He's an elusive little fellow. It was great to get the sack after chasing him around all day.”

At Memphis, the Los Angeles Express apparently learned something watching film of the Memphis Showboats offense, since they sacked Walter Lewis six times Sunday in a 24-10 victory.

“They had an excellent pass rush all day,” Lewis said. “They really got some hosses up there.”

“We set three goals to accomplish before the game -- stop Walter Lewis, make good yardage on first down and keep their return game at a minimum,” Los Angeles head coach John Hadl said afterward.

“I think we accomplished those three goals and the key was to contain Lewis.”

Leading the charge for the Express was lineman Eddie “Meat Clever” Weaver. Weaver had three tackles, including a pair of sacks for minus 24 yards.

“We were concentrating on staying in the gaps and stopping Walter,” Weaver said. “We contained him that way.”

Flutie and Lewis watched more conventional quarterbacks pick their teams apart. Philadelphia's Chuck Fusina completed 25 of 35 passes for 237 yards to help the Stars defeat the previously unbeaten Tampa Bay Bandits

Kelvin Bryant of the Stars gained 98 yards on 13 carries with one touchdown and kicker David Trout connected on four field goals, including the game-winner in overtime.

Steve Calabria completed 16 of 32 passes for 182 yards with a pair of picks and two touchdowns. Calabria came off the bench to replace the injured Jimmy Jordan who was filling in for the injured John Reaves.

In other Sunday games, the Jacksonville Bulls marked the debut of quarterback Ed Luther with a 21-0 shut out win over Oakland and San Antonio won their first game after downing Orlando by a score of 29-24.

Story-(UPI Modified)