'86 Chronology-Bandit Bullets

Event Date: February 2nd, 1986

Event Description: Bandits Eye Pivots

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-New York Minute

Event Date: February 1st, 1986

Event Description: Raiders Eye Kelly

Source: Buffalo News

'86 Chronology-General Litigation

Event Date: January 30th, 1986

Event Description: Harris Sues Generals

Source: UPI

A defensive end released by the New Jersey Generals after one season has filed a federal lawsuit, claiming he is entitled to $450,000 in unpaid salary and $3 million in damages.

Marshall Harris, who played for the Generals during the U.S. Football League's 1984 season, claims his contracts included a provision guaranteeing he would be paid even if he was released from the team.

Harris was released at the beginning of the 1985 season, although the three one-year contracts he signed ran through the 1986 season.

In addition to the unpaid salary, a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court this week seeks $1 million in damages to compensate him for mental anguish and $2 million in punitive damages.

A spokesman for the Generals, Larry Sherman, said he could not comment on why Harris was released. He also said he could not comment on the lawsuit or provide the name of the team's lawyer.

“Counsel for the team -- that's privileged information,” Sherman said. “We don't give that out.”

The lawsuit by Marshall, of Berea, Ohio, also charges the USFL and the league players' association failed to help him enforce his contracts.

The legal papers filed on behalf of Harris charge an illegal conspiracy was involved in the failure by the players' association to pursue his contract grievance and the failure of the USFL to resolve the grievance.

Harris played college football at Texas Christian University. He signed contracts that called for him to be paid $100,000 for the 1984 season, $125,000 for the 1985 season and $150,000 for the 1986 season.

The contracts also called for the payment of a salary for a fourth, or option year, Harris claimed.

Story-(UPI)

'86 Chronology-Earnest Interest

Event Date: January 29th, 1986

Event Description: Givins Workout

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Bay Area Bound

Event Date: January 29th, 1986

Event Description: Invaders Sign Zorn

Source: Football News

Quarterback Jim Zorn, a ten-year NFL veteran, practiced with the Oakland Invaders Tuesday and is expected to sign a contract with the U.S. Football League team.

The Invaders lost quarterback Fred Besana to the Tampa Bay Bandits during the off-season.

Zorn spent nine years with the Seattle Seahawks before being released. The left-hander played 13 games with the Green Bay Packers during the 1985 season but was released on December 3rd.

'86 Chronology-Camps Open

Event Date: January 26th, 1986

Event Description: USFL Camps Open

Source: Pro Football News

Training camps officially opened Friday for the United States Football League’s 14 teams, who have just one month to prepare for the 16-week, regular-season which is slated to start on February 20th.

Similar to pro baseball, northern teams will head south and west to get away from winter weather. Eight teams will set up camp in Florida, and six in Arizona.

Training camp sites: 

Arizona Outlaws, Los Angeles Express, and Denver Gold, Casa Grande, Arizona.

Houston Gamblers, Oakland Invaders and Michigan Panthers, Glendale Arizona .

Birmingham Stallions, Memphis Showboats, and New Orleans Breakers, Daytona Beach, Florida.

Jacksonville Bulls, New Jersey Generals, and Orlando Renegades, Orlando, Florida.

Baltimore Stars, and Tampa Bay Bandits , Tampa, Florida.

'86 Chronology-Stump Speech

Event Date: January 26th, 1986

Event Description: Bulls Pursue Stump

Source: Gainesville Sun

'86 Chronology-New Head Honcho

Event Date: January 25th, 1986

Event Description: Stars Hire Marchibroda

Source: Football News

Ted Marchibroda is back in professional football.

Sunday, it was announced Marchibroda had been named head coach of the Baltimore Stars.

Terms of his agreement were not disclosed except that he had signed a two-year contract. The league starts its fourth season next month.

“I'm happy to be back in pro football,” Marchibroda said at the news conference announcing his signing.

Marchibroda grew up in Franklin, Pennsylvania, played pro football for the Pittsburgh Steelers and served as head coach for the Baltimore Colts from 1975 to 1979. Most recently he was the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Marchibroda replaces Jim Mora who was recently hired to become the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

'86 Chronology-Bo Knows Birmingham

Event Date: January 24th, 1986

Event Description: Stallions Pursue Bo

Source: Associated Press

'86 Chronology-Shooting Blanks

Event Date: January 22nd, 1986

Event Description: Bandits Mini-Camp

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Lease Agreement

Event Date: January 22nd, 1986

Event Description: Stars Sign Lease

Source: UPI

The U.S. Football League-champion Baltimore Stars, still without a coach a month before training camp, signed a lease Tuesday to play their home games at Memorial Stadium, city and team officials said.

The four-year lease also allows the USFL team to use the former Baltimore Colts' training facility in Owings Mills, said Jim Hart, president of the city parks board.

A provision in the lease allows the city to cancel the lease if it gets a National Football League franchise, Mayor William Schaefer said.

The agreement must be approved by the city Board of Estimates and the parks board.

The city will receive $400,000 from the Stars in each of the first three years of the agreement, Hart said. In the last year of the lease, the city would receive $400,000 and 1 percent of gross ticket sales over $8 million, he added.

City officials said the lease payments will cover the cost of operating the stadium during the exhibition and regular seasons.

Stars general manager Carl Peterson said he hopes the signing of a lease will solidify support for the team.

Peterson said the team hopes to increase the number of season ticket-holders because of the lease signing. The team lists 8,000 people who have paid a 50-percent deposit on season tickets.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Close to Home

Event Date: January 22nd, 1986

Event Description: Schlichter Visits Bengals

Source: Associated Press

'86 Chronology-Slush Fund

Event Date: January 22nd, 1986

Event Description: Woodley Exploring Options

Source: Gainesville Sun

'86 Chronology-Danielson Down

Event Date: January 21st, 1986

Event Description: Danielson Undergoes Surgery

Source: Cleveland Star Banner

'86 Chronology-Rewarding Experience

Event Date: January 18th, 1986

Event Description: 'Gades Reward Sportmanship

Source: UPI

The owner of a U.S. Football League team was so impressed by the apologetic actions of a college player who accidently knocked down his son on a sideline that he drafted him, the player's coach said.

Pat Franklin, a 6-foot, 225-pound running back at Southwest Texas State in San Marcos, was picked this week in the second round of the USFL draft by the Orlando Renegades, owned by Donald Dizney.

Southwest Texas State coach John O'Hara said Wednesday Dizney told of his admiration for the player in a letter about an incident during a Southwest Texas State-Central Florida game in Orlando, Fla.

Dizney and his son were watching the game from the sidelines, O'Hara said.

“Pat had the ball and was running on our sideline and got run out of bounds. He hit the man's son and knocked him on the ground. He picked the young boy up and helped dust him off and apologized to him -- just really went out of his way to make up for hitting the young man,” O'Hara said.

“The owner was so impressed with Pat's gesture he came up and said, “That's the best display of sportsmanship I've seen in a long time, and I would love to have that young man play football for us,” O'Hara said.

O'Hara said he received the letter from Dizney a few days later, again expressing his pleasure with Franklin's actions.

“He said, “That's the kind of person we want to play for us. We're going to draft him,” O'Hara said.

“They had to be impressed with his ability, too, or they wouldn't have picked him in the second (round),” O'Hara said.

Franklin had been picked in the 7th round last week by the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals.

“It looks good for Pat right now,” his coach said.

'86 Chronology-Impact Players

Event Date: January 18th, 1986

Event Description: Bandits Draft Dudek

Source: Gainesville Sun

'86 Chronology-Trivial Pursuit?

Event Date: January 16th, 1986

Event Description: USFL Completes Draft

Source: UPI

The U.S. Football League completed its draft of players Tuesday and now must turn its attention to convincing the available pool of athletes that they should consider signing with the spring circuit.

The Orlando Renegades started the first of 163 picks in the open draft by picking Iowa tackle Mike Haight. Two weeks ago, the teams held their territorial draft and secured the rights to 20 players each.

After the Renegades took Haight, Arizona selected Oklahoma nose tackle Tony Casillas second -- the same spot he went to Atlanta in the NFL draft.

The Outlaws brought Casillas and his agent, John Maloney, to Arizona for the draft and submitted an offer Tuesday. No specific figure was given, but Outlaws president Bill Tatham Jr. said the contract was for “at least” $1 million guaranteed over two years.

“We came with an offer comparable to that of other first, second, and third picks (in the draft), based on length of contract,” Tatham said. “He could have taken the money this morning, and it was substantial. It was substantial enough that we thought he may take it.”

Maloney said: “Until we came here, I didn't know whether (the Outlaws) were serious. I think it's legitimate and we will pursue it further.”

New Jersey brought territorial pick Tim Green, also a first-round pick by Atlanta, to its offices Tuesday.

Haight, selected first by the Jets at last week's NFL draft, was one of four opening-round NFL picks who were taken in the early rounds of the USFL draft.

Following the opening round, the only other NFL No. 1 choice taken was Chuck Long by Baltimore in the 9th round. The majority of the picks were either grabbed in the latter half of the NFL draft or not at all.

“I think teams decided to go with the players they had seen,” Houston coach Jack Pardee said. “Most teams had only one scout so they narrowed their choices down. Most teams didn't use borrowed information or care where the NFL picked a guy.”

This is the first time the USFL and NFL held their college drafts in January. The NFL moved its draft so as to be able to have a competitive advantage when it comes to signing college players.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Haight of Popularity

Event Date: January 15th, 1986

Event Description: Haight Drafted First Overall

Source: UPI

Mike Haight, a surprise first-round pick in last week's NFL draft, Tuesday was the top selection overall by the Orlando Renegades in the USFL's open draft.

Haight, a 6-foot-3 , 275-pound offensive tackle out of Iowa, was the 19th pick by the New York Jets in last Tuesday's NFL draft. He had expected to go in the second or third round of the NFL draft.

“This has been a real big surprise,” Haight said today from Iowa City, Iowa. “I never knew I was wanted that bad.”

The selection of Haight opened a 12-round draft by the league's fourteen teams. One week ago, each team secured the rights of 20 players from their group of territorial schools. Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson of Auburn, the top pick by Tampa Bay in the NFL draft, was selected by Birmingham in the USFL territorial draft.

After Haight, Arizona repeated the NFL's No. 2 overall choice by selecting Oklahoma All-America nose tackle Tony Casillas. Casillas was taken second overall by the Atlanta Falcons last week. He had said then that Atlanta was the only place he wanted to play.

“At the time I said that, the USFL wasn't an option,” Casillas said. “I am very interested in Atlanta, but things have changed since I said that just from the financial end of it.”

Birmingham, picking third, selected SW Oklahoma State running back Lonnie May. New Orleans followed with Arkanas RB-WR Bobby Joe Edmonds. Orlando used its own selection on RB Patrick Franklin from SW Texas State.

Jacksonville then grabbed Youngstown State WR Robert Thompson. The Los Angeles Express drafted BYU QB Robbie Bosco with the idea that he may be able to replace Steve Young who has since moved on to the NFL.

Two second-round NFL choices were then taken with picks eight and nine. Tampa Bay drafted Louisville wide receiver Ernest Givins and Baltimore selected Washington State defensive tackle Erik Howard. 

The Denver Gold then moved on BYU lineman Dave Wright, while the Memphis Showboats selected Purdue pivot Jim Everett.

Round one ended with the Houston Gamblers drafting Texas A&M RB Anthony Toney, the Michigan Panthers taking Pittsburgh center Barry Pettyjohn and the New Jersey Generals selecting Fullerton wideout James Pruitt.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Landeta Cleared

Event Date: January 13th, 1986

Event Description: Landeta Cleared

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Deal Makers

Event Date: January 13th, 1986

Event Description: USFL Draft Preparations

Source: UPI

When the U.S. Football League holds its annual college draft Tuesday, its becoming apparent that the National Football League will be paying little attention.

“I've felt no tremors like in years past,” said Charlie Dayton of the Atlanta Falcons. “The previous three years, the USFL had already signed the Heisman Trophy winner before we even drafted. That hasn't happened this time with Bo Jackson.”

That's not to say the NFL can ignore the USFL altogether.

The Birmingham Stallions, despite financial problems that became so pressing they had to ask the city to bail them out, claim they'll battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Jackson.

And the Arizona Outlaws say they'll go head-to-head against the Falcons for the services of nose guard Tony Casillas of Oklahoma.

“We have a chance to sign any player we draft,” said Houston Gamblers President Jerry Argovitz. “However, we plan on being competitive, not ridiculous, in signing players to help our team. You're bidding against yourself right now. Unless you get ridiculous, any player will wait until he gets an offer from the NFL.”

The USFL, after mergers and franchise foldings, has been reduced from 16 to 14 teams. The San Antonio Gunslingers have been put on permanent hiatus and the Pittsburgh Maulers merged with the now Baltimore Stars during the off-season. 

The USFL tried to get the jump on its rival by holding its annual territorial draft a week ahead of the NFL draft and selecting 280 college players, with each team picking 20 players from the seven major college football schools it was assigned.

The Stallions included Jackson, of nearby Auburn, as one of their territorial picks and Birmingham president Jerry Sklar said the two-time All-America running back and his attorney, Thomas Zieman, had agreed to visit with the Stallions “for a get-acquainted session.”

Since Jackson says he still hasn't ruled out a professional baseball career, it's possible neither the NFL or USFL will get him.

“The USFL has stated it will pool its resources to bid on Bo Jackson, setting up a potential three-way bidding war,” said agent Leigh Steinberg. “I feel Bo will sign the largest football contract ever, setting the market value of other first round choices.”

As for Casillas, Outlaws president Bill Tatham Jr., said it would be to the Outland Trophy winner's advantage to wait until after both leagues have made their offers before making a choice.

“It's OK to be wanted by one team,” said Tatham. “But if you're wanted by two teams, you can really make a deal for yourself.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Inflated Expectations?

Event Date: January 12th, 1986

Event Description: USFL Draft Preview

Story: UPI

The U.S. Football League holds its open draft Tuesday with the proceedings diminished by its territorial draft, and the NFL draft which was moved back into January so as to compete with the junior circuit.

The draft begins at 9 a.m. EDT with the Orlando Renegades making the first of 168 picks over 12 rounds.

On January 6th, the USFL held its territorial draft with fourteen teams selecting 20 players each from regionally assigned schools.

Most of the top college players went in that phase, including Auburn's Heisman Trophy-winning running back Bo Jackson -- the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft by Tampa Bay -- to the Birmingham Stallions.

The NFL and major-league baseball are interested in Jackson, who has said he will listen to all offers.

The USFL also will have to deal with the 57 players -- some of whom were likely taken in the territorial phase -- who tested positive for drugs at the scouting combine in January. Many teams indicate they will look at each individual case. Jerry Sklar, president-general manager of the Stallions, is an exception.

“We will not draft any players who came up positive at the combine,” he said. “Our policy is we are not interested in more problems.”

The No. 2 NFL selection, Oklahoma nose tackle Tony Casillas who was picked by the Atlanta Falcons, will be made the second pick of the USFL draft by the Arizona Outlaws.

“Yes, we are definitely, with all intents and purposes, going to make him the second pick,” said Tim Mills, the Outlaws' director of operations. “We had talks with his agent, John Maloney. We've made arrangements with Orlando that give us permission to talk with Tony.”

Maloney was in Arizona Monday to talk with the Outlaws. 

However, after being drafted by the Falcons last Tuesday, Casillas said he was interested in playing only with Atlanta.

The Renegades are interested in offensive lineman and will look at Iowa tackle Mike Haight, Queens guard Mike Schad, West Virginia tackle Brian Jozwiak, Utah State tackle Tom Ruiz and Pittsburgh center Barry Pettyjohn. Jozwiak was the seventh pick in the NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Some USFL teams have said they may avoid top players, pursuing others they believe they can sign. But the Renegades say they will chose a premier player.

“In our case, we're going to go after, at least with out number one pick, a player you won't have to ask what school or what position does that guy play,” said Fred Doremus, the Renegades' director of public relations.

The USFL hopes that with the NFL moving its draft from the spring to January will help draw players disappointed by the NFL.

“This year the players know where they have been drafted,” Sklar said. “In the past, the NFL inflated expectations and led players to believe they would be drafted higher than they were.”

Story-(UPI Modified for Simulation)

'86 Chronology-Peace Plan?

Event Date: January 9th, 1985

Event Description: Peace in Limbo

Source: Gainesville Sun

'86 Chronology-Usher Moves Meetings

Event Date: January 8th, 1986

Event Description: Usher Postpones Meetings

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-A New Direction

Event Date: January 8th, 1986

Event Description: Saints Hire Mora

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Territorial Draft '86

Event Date: January 7th, 1986

Event Description: Stallions Draft Bo

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'86 Chronology-Ushering A New Season

Event Date: January 2nd, 1986

Event Description: Usher Readies For New Season

Source: Football News-UPI

NEW YORK -- The U.S. Football League Wednesday reaffirmed its plans to play a spring schedule this year and announced ownership changes for its Houston, Baltimore, Birmingham and Los Angeles, franchises.

“We have gone through our transition period,” USFL Commissioner Harry Usher said at an owners meeting in New York. “Now we are moving forward to the 1986 season.”

Former Houston owner Jay Roulier will become a partner in Los Angeles with a consortium led by actor Lee Majors.

“This should signal to everybody that we are here to stay,” Usher said. “Keeping a team in Los Angeles was something that we had to do to maintain our television contracts.”

Houston owner Jerry Argovitz has partnered with New York developer Steven Ross's, who will now control a one-half interest in the Gamblers.

In Baltimore, Myles Tanenbaum will maintain majority control of the Baltimore Stars, after the Stars merged with the Maulers during the off-season. Although Usher insisted it was a 50-50 partnership,  Tanenbaum's financial responsibility will be greater. 

In addition, the Birmingham Stallions will have a new owner in Harold Ripps who has promised to continue to work with the Birmingham city council which helped to bail out the team last year.

Television

The USFL, which extended its contract with ABC for the next two seasons, with an option for 1988, also has a deal with the ESPN cable network and a combination deal with a syndicate of satellite providers.

“We can move closer to prosperity with our current network television contract, but we also needed to expand our coverage to reach a broader audience.” Usher said. 

Trump Unsure

Donald Trump said he was not sure whether his team would remain in New Jersey or move to New York.

He is currently working on a plan to build a domed stadium in Queens, near Shea Stadium. The Generals share Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., with the NFL's New York Giants and Jets.

“New York City wants us to come to New York City and New Jersey wants to keep us,” said Trump, whose Generals averaged 41,268 in attendance last year.

Trump was rebuked in his efforts to move the league to the fall after a group of owners led by John Bassett pushed back against the move.

Schedule

The USFL's 16-game regular season will begin on February 22nd and end July 6th with the championship game in Jacksonville.

Two division winners and four wild card teams will make the playoffs. Each division winner will receive a first-round bye.

The USFL will play Thursday, some Friday, Saturday and Monday night games for ESPN broadcasts. ABC games will again be played Sunday afternoons.

USFL Draft

The USFL territorial and open drafts are scheduled for January 6th and 8th. Each team will select 20 players via the Territorial Draft with the open draft slated for 13 rounds.

Merger Strategy

Usher would not comment on reports that the younger league is hoping to merge with the NFL at some point in the future. 

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle has rejected the idea out of hand, but the USFL has filed a pair of anti-trust suits on behalf of the Oakland Invaders and the ex-Philadelphia, now Baltimore Stars, claiming that the elder league has worked with city councils and other officials to damage those teams. A perceived victory in court could prompt the two leagues to consider merger talks. 

The NFL has also come under fire by some members in Congress regarding the leagues’ reluctance to expand to cities in the so-called “Sun-Belt” such as Memphis, Birmingham and Phoenix.

Story-(UPI Modified For Simulation)