'85 Chronology-Week #12-MNF: Los Angeles at New Orleans

'85 Chronology-Bull Rush

Event Date: May 13th, 1985

Event Description: Week #12 Roundup

Source: PFW

Philadelphia Stars running back Kelvin Bryant outdueled his Jacksonville counterpart Mike Rozier to help the Stars to a 28-20 win over Jacksonville.

Bryant, who carried the ball 21 times for 156 yards Sunday, got the Stars' first touchdown, sweeping around left end for eight yards. He also capped a pair of fourth-quarter drives. 

The 28-20 win boosts Philadelphia's record to (9-3). Jacksonville drops to (5-7) but remain in the hunt for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Mike Rozier carried the Bulls offense as he rushed for 137 yards on 22 carries with a pair of touchdowns. 

Quarterback Ed Luther was knocked out of the game in the third quarter after piling up 239 passing yards on 20-of-30 efficiency. 

The Stars made the most of five Jacksonville turnovers, scoring touchdowns on two and using the third to kill a drive that had reached Philadelphia's 26-yard line early in the final frame.

“It was a hard game to describe,” said Stars coach Jim Mora. “We sputtered at times but played enough defense to keep them out of the end zone in the fourth quarter.”

Elsewhere Sunday, Tampa Bay edged New Jersey 21-19, who were without the services of running back Herschel Walker who was a late scratch due to a shoulder injury.

On Saturday, Jim Kelly threw for three touchdowns and a strong Gamblers defense shut down hapless Oakland for their eleventh victory of the season. The Oakland offense could only manage a pair of field goals in the 27-6 loss.

In Memphis, running back Ricky Porter rushed for 101 yards and Walter Lewis rushed for a pair of touchdowns and passed for two more to lead the Boats to a 31-17 victory over Pittsburgh. Memphis improved its record to (6-6). Pittsburgh fell to (2-9-1).  Also on Sunday, Arizona downed San Antonio 21-7 in a battle of league doormats.

'85 Chronology-Week #12 Preview

Event Date: May 10th , 1985

Event Description: Week #12 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #12 USFL Preview

Friday, May 10th

(8-3) Denver Gold at (10-1) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -10)

Television: ESPN Regional: Roger Twibell & Mike Haffner

ESPN Radio: Mike Nolan & Irv Brown

Saturday, May 11th

(2-9) Oakland Invaders at (10-1) Houston Gamblers

Latest Line: (Gamblers -17)

Television: ESPN Regional: Tim Brando & Marv Levy

ESPN Radio: John Greer & Ed Biles

(3-8) Arizona Outlaws at (3-8) San Antonio Gunslingers

Latest Line: (Gunslingers -3)   

Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Gary Bender & John Moynihan

(2-8-1) Pittsburgh Maulers at (5-6) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (Showboats -8)

 Television: Local

ESPN Radio: John Sanders & Steve Talbot

Sunday, May 12th

(5-6) Jacksonville Bulls at (8-3) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -6)   

Television: ABC Regional: Jim Lamphley & Lee Corso

ESPN Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

(7-4) Tampa Bay Bandits at (7-4) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -4)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

Monday, May 13th

(3-8) Orlando Renegades at (2-8-1) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -1)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: David Steele & Sam Behr

(6-5) Los Angeles Express (6-5) New Orleans Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -6)

Television: ESPN National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

'85 Chronology-Brotherly Love

Event Date: May 8th, 1985

Event Description: Arizona Additions

Source: UPI

The Arizona Outlaws of the USFL Monday acquired defensive end Ken Gillen from the San Antonio Gunslingers for two 1986 draft choices.

Gillen, who openly criticized San Antonio owner Clinton Manges following Saturday's game against Memphis, is the brother of Arizona linebacker John Gillen.

A third-year pro from Illinois, Gillen played for the Chicago Blitz before joining San Antonio.

In addition, the Outlaws have offered three-day tryouts to defensive tackle Rush Brown and wide receiver William Davis.

Brown played four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals after being drafted on the 10th round in 1980. He played 11 games with the Jacksonville Bulls last season but was released in October.

Davis played one game with the Outlaws earlier this year, catching one pass, and was waived after five weeks of the season.

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'85 Chronology-Dysfunctional II

Event Date: May 8th, 1985

Event Description: 'Slingers Financial Woes

Source: Daily News

'85 Chronology-Dysfunctional

Event Date: May 7th, 1985

Event Description: Ex-Federals Franchise Sued

Source: Washington Post

Three investors in the defunct Washington Federals are accusing the football team's founder of bilking the squad's 45 limited partners of $3 million after the Federals were sold and moved to Florida.

In a class action suit filed in District of Columbia Superior Court, the three demand $100,000 in compensatory damages and $6 million in punitive damages from lawyer Berl Bernhard, who owned the United States Football League team during its two years in the nation's capital.The complaint could be joined by all the limited partners.

Robert Understein, Robert Manfuso and John Kirlin charge Bernhard with 'unlawfully demanding and obtaining' the limited partners' payment of 'additional capital contributions' following the team's sale to Donald Dizney and move to Orlando, Fla. in September 1984.

The suit, filed Wednesday, says Bernhard used the funds 'to pay pre-existing debts' the Federals had run up, primarily the approximately $4 million in loans from the National Bank of Washington.

Bernhard was not available for comment Thursday.

Understein, Manfuso and Kirlin held one-half unit of the team's limited partnership. This means they invested $50,000 in cash and another $100,000 in promissory notes.

The suit claims that Berhard, instead of calling the notes while the team was still operating in Washington, waited until after he sold the team. The suit says Bernhard 'did not have the legal right or power' to make such a move.

The team attracted an average of 13,850 fans during its first season in RFK Stadium and only 7,694 during its second, including one crowd of 4,432. The franchise is now playing as the Orlando Renegades.

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'85 Chronology-Top Flight

Event Date: May 6th, 1985

Event Description: Sunday Wrap

Source: PFW

Jim Kelly threw three touchdown passes and Calvin Eason returned an interception 47 yards for another to lead the Houston Gamblers to a 34-3 rout of the Tampa Bay Bandits.

Kelly passed for 231 yards on 25-of-31 efficiency with no interceptions. Richard Johnson led all receivers with 83 yards on seven receptions with three scores and Todd Fowler piled up 92 yards rushing on 25 totes.

Tampa head coach Steve Spurrier tried two quarterbacks, starter Jimmy Jordan and Ron Salley, but both were unimpressive, completing only 23-of-46 passes for 1 yards with three interceptions between them.

Houston, 10-1, is in first place in the Central division, tied with the Michigan Panthers for the league's best record.

The Bandits, 7-4, are in first place in the Southern division ahead of both Memphis and Jacksonville who stand at 5-6.

In the other Sunday contest, the Philadelphia Stars’ defense shut down one of the leagues’ most explosive offenses as the Stars downed Denver by a score of 17-7. 

Kelvin Bryant scored a pair of touchdowns and the Stars defense sacked Denver pivot Vince Evans seven times enroute to their eight win of the season, while the Gold stand at (8-3) as well.

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'85 Chronology-Machine Gun Kelly

'85 Chronology-Backup Roles

Event Date: May 5th, 1985

Event Description: Backup Plans

Source: PFW

Mike Kelley passed for two touchdowns and Harry Sydney ran for two more to lead the Memphis Showboats to a 31-7 rout of the San Antonio Gunslingers.

It was the Showboats' first victory against San Antonio, now 3-8, and it boosted Memphis to 5-6.

The Boats got off to a quick start, moving 77 yards in five plays and grabbed an early 7-0 lead when Kelley tossed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Greg Moser.

Early in the second period, the Showboats moved 66 yards and Harry Sydney put Memphis ahead 14-0 with a seven-yard touchdown run.

The Boats went up 21-0 on a second touchdown run from Sydney, this time from five-yards out, which capped a 13-play, 71-yard drive.

Another Mike Kelley touchdown pass with just 51 seconds remaining in the half put the game out of reach as Memphis led 28-0 at the intermission.

Rick Neuheisel threw his first touchdown pass early in the fourth period when he found Sammy Greene from eleven yards out.

Neuheisel finished the with just 54 yards on 8-of-16 passing with two interceptions. Kelley finished at 18-of-25 for 284 yards with no interceptions and two sacks.

The other Saturday game saw Los Angeles down Orlando by a score of 44-28 as Frank Seurer passed for 276 yards with a pair of scores as he filled in for starter Steve Young.

'85 Chronology-Week #11 Preview

Event Date: May 3rd, 1985

Event Description: Week #11 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #11 USFL Preview

Friday, May 3rd

(5-5) Jacksonville Bulls at (9-1) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Panthers -13)

Television: ESPN Regional: Roger Twibell & Mike Haffner

ESPN Radio: Larry Munson & Mel Arthur

(2-7-1) Pittsburgh Maulers at (2-8) Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (No Line)

Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Gary Bender & John Moynihan

Saturday, May 4th

(4-6) Memphis Showboats at (3-7) San Antonio Gunslingers

Latest Line: (Gunslingers -4)   

Television: Local

ESPN Radio: John Ward & Paul Hartiage

(3-7) Orlando Renegades at (5-5) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Renegades -1)

 Television: Local

ESPN Radio: Tom Kelly & Rich Marotta

Sunday, May 5th

(7-3) Philadelphia Stars at (8-2) Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gold -4)   

Television: ABC Regional: Tim Brandt & Lee Grosscup 

ESPN Radio:  Mike Nolan & Irv Brown

(9-1) Houston Gamblers at (7-3) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Gamblers -1)

Television: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

Monday, May 6th

(5-5) New Orleans Breakers at (2-7-1) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Breakers -5)   

Television: ESPN Regional: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

ESPN Radio: Jim Fyffe & Dick James

(6-4) New Jersey Generals (2-8) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Generals -6)

Television: ESPN National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ESPN Radio: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

'85 Chronology-Hail Flutie

Event Date: May 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Rams Draft Flutie

Source: UPI

Wedged among the obscure and unknown of the NFL's 11th round is a strikingly famous name: Doug Flutie.

The 1984 Heisman Trophy winner was the 285th player picked in Tuesday's draft. Currently the New Jersey Generals quarterback of the financially troubled USFL, Flutie was bypassed until the Los Angeles Rams made him the No. 5 choice of the draft's next-to-last round.

Dick Steinberg, New England Patriots director of player development, had watched Flutie many times during his record-setting career at Boston College, less than 40 miles from the Patriots stadium.

“I was surprised he went so late,” Steinberg said. “We talked a long time about it, but we have total confidence in our quarterbacks (Tony Eason and Steve Grogan.) Also, we think our eighth-round pick, Milford Hodge (a defensive tackle from Washington State) can play and help us. And we didn't have any picks in the fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth or 10th rounds.”

Steinberg said that some NFL teams do not think the 5-foot-9 3/4 Flutie can play in the league, “but we are not one of those, we think he will be able to play well. Also, Flutie doesn't fit some teams offensive systems, like San Diego, for example. And, I think teams just kept finding players they thought would help them and it wasn't until the 11th that the right combination fell, and someone took him.”

The Patriots picked former Boston College receiver Gerard Phelan in the fourth round. Phelan was the recipient of the celebrated “Hail Flutie” pass in Miami.

Steinberg said that Flutie's personal-services contract with Generals owner Donald Trump might also have caused teams to back off.

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'85 Chronology-Even Money

Event Date: May 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Oilers Eye Rozier

Source: UPI

After concentrating on their defense during the college draft, the Houston Oilers' next goal is to beef up the offense by resigning running back Larry Moriarty and acquiring Mike Rozier.

Oilers general manager Ladd Herzeg said the NFL club will start negotiations with Moriarty's agent, Howard Slusher, and resume talks with Art Wilkinson, who represents Rozier.

“I'm trying to call Howard to set up an appointment,” Herzeg said. “I also think we'll be talking to Rozier's agent and trying to sign Mike.”

The Oilers paid little attention to offense in Tuesday's draft because they believe they can sign Moriarty and Rozier, the second-leading rusher in the USFL, Herzeg said. But he placed the odds at 50-50 both players would be in training camp on time.

Moriarty, the Oilers' leading rusher last season, is in the option year of his contract and could become a lengthy holdout.

Rozier, who signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Bulls, has carried 209 times for 805 yards and five touchdowns. He was the Oilers' first pick in the special supplemental draft of USFL players last season.

Wilkinson and Herzeg had worked out a four-year, $3 million contract before last season, but the deal fell through while Rozier tried to get out of his contract at Pittsburgh.

The NFL Players Association is trying to have that supplemental draft declared illegal since it was not collectively bargained. If that occurs, the players selected will become free agents.

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'85 Chronology-Long Shot?

Event Date: May 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Cowboys Draft Walker

Source: UPI

When it came time for the 114th player to be selected in the NFL draft Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys player personnel director Gil Brandt looked at coach Tom Landry and said:

“What do you think?”

“Let's go ahead,” Landry replied.

Moments later it was announced in New York that the Cowboys had selected Herschel Walker.

Dallas may not be the team it once was on the field, but it still has a flair for public relations.

A year ago the Cowboys drafted sprinter-long jumper Carl Lewis with their last-round pick, entertaining no thought at all that the Olympic hero would ever become a member of the team.

With Walker, however, it is a different story.

“He may never play for the Dallas Cowboys,” said Brandt. “But it is exciting to think that he may.”

Walker won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore running back at the University of Georgia and then put the collegiate football world into an uproar by leaving the school to sign with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.

Because Walker's college class will graduate this spring, he was eligible for this year's NFL draft.

“I guess this surprised some people,” said Landry. “It is a long shot and it depends on if the USFL succeeds. But funny things happen in this world.”

Walker is under a personal services contract with Generals owner Donald Trump through 1989 and is in the midst of an excellent season - having gained 1,529 yards in 10 games.

Moments after Walker was drafted, both Brandt and Dallas president and general manager Tex Schramm reached him by phone.

“He said he was honored to be drafted by the Cowboys,” Brandt said. “He seemed as excited as we were.”

Walker may have been excited, but he gave no hint he was anxious to leave the Generals.

“I'm very flattered and very honored at the opportunity to be picked by the Dallas Cowboys,” Walker said in a statement released by the Generals.

“By the same aspect, my focus is on the New Jersey Generals and winning a championship for the Generals in the United States Football League.”

More than 20 years ago the Cowboys used a draft pick to select Navy quarterback Roger Staubach even though they knew he had to serve a four-year stint in the military.

Staubach eventually led Dallas to two Super Bowl titles and those thoughts were very much in Landry's mind Tuesday.

“The thing that has always impressed me,” said Landry, “is the sight of Walker running the 60-yard dash. He has those big legs and he can run so fast. He is starting to do the things that people said he could do. He can be a dominant player.”

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'85 Chronology-Eye on the Future

Event Date: May 1st, 1985

Event Description: Lockett Traded

Source: UPI

Veteran wide receiver Frank Lockett, the Breakers' top receiver in 1984, was traded Wednesday by the club to San Antonio for two of the Gunslingers' 1986 draft choices. 

The Breakers also signed WR Mike Smith who last played for the Arizona Wranglers during the 1983 season.

Lockett, 27, has had 30 catches for 537 yards through 10 games this season.

He was a 1979 draft pick of the Green Bay Packers but released before the start of the season. He also had tryouts with San Francisco in 1980 and the Miami Dolphins in 1982.

“This is mainly a move for the future,” Breakers coach Dick Coury said. “Frank has been a good player for us, but we're looking at the long-term plans and feel this is a solid trade.”

Story-(UPI)