'87 Chronology-Geoeconomics

 Event Date: January 12th, 1987

Event Description: NFL Owners Meetings

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Outlaws Pursued

Event Date: January 8th, 1987

Event Description: Tatham Troubles

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-College Draft

Event Date: January 7th, 1987

Event Description: USFL College Draft

Source: PFW

The U.S. Football League completed its draft of players Tuesday and now must turn its attention to signing them for the upcoming season.

The Oakland Invaders started the first of 84 picks in the open draft by picking Asuza-Pacific running back Christian Okoye. Over the weekend, the twelve USFL teams held their territorial draft and secured the rights to 16 players each.

After the Invaders took Okoye, the Arizona Outlaws selected Texas A&M hybrid back Rod Bernstine, who can play a variety of positions out of the backside.

The Outlaws have been aggressive in years’ past with regard to signing free agents and draft picks and have said that an offer to Bernstine will be forthcoming.

Defending league champion Houston completed the first round by selecting Oklahoma defensive end Steve Bryan. For a complete list of the draft go here.

'87 Chronology-Second Thoughts

Event Date: January 3rd, 1987

Event Description: USFL Arbitration

Source: Associated Press

'87 Chronology-Abrogation Station

Event Date: January 2nd, 1987

Event Description: USFL vs. ABC

Source: Milwaukee Sentinel

'86 Chronology-Workout Warrior

Event Date: December 20th, 1986

Event Description: Sims Works Out

Source: UPI

Former All-Pro running back Billy Sims has taken his first step toward a comeback with a workout for Houston Gamblers general manager Gene Burrough and head coach Jack Pardee at the Astrodome.

Sims, 31, who finished his five-year career with the Detroit Lions, says its the first time he has done any kind of sprint work or hard cuts since he seriously injured his knee during the 1984 season.

Sims initiated the workout to see if there is any point in pursuing a comeback with the Gamblers or another pro team.

“The main concern is whether or not I can play again. After today's workout, I feel like I can,” Sims said after the workout.

Sims played five seasons with Detroit and became the team's all-time leading rusher with just over 5,106 yards. He signed a futures contract with the Gamblers in the summer of 1983 but that contract was ultimately voided after he signed a second contract with the Lions that same year.

Burrough and Pardee were pleased with the workout and Sim's rehabilitated knee. He underwent major major surgery after the injury which prompted his retirement. If the Gamblers have no interest in Sims, another pro team will probably at least look at him, Burrough said.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Shock Value

Event Date: December 18th, 1986

Event Description: Dupree Set

Source: UPI

Running back Marcus Dupree, the Portland Breakers' youngest and most expensive player, flew to Portland Wednesday and ended speculation he would play for another team.

Dupree said he will be on the field when the United States Football League team makes its Civic Stadium debut this spring.

Rumors had circulated since the team's move from New Orleans was announced that Dupree did not want to move, but he told newsmen in Portland he always intended to make the move.

“I was coming to Portland all the time. I did have a little doubt about it at first. People were telling me it was real cold here, that it rains all the time -- and you never see a leading rusher who plays in the rain,” he said.

“At first it was a shock. I had to get adjusted to it, as a business. I had a job to go to. Well, I'm staying here to play.”

Dupree started as a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, then transferred to Southern Mississippi before dropping out of school.

He signed a five-year contract for approximately $6 million with the Breakers in 1984.

Breakers' Coach Dick Coury said Dupree, in the next few years, “will be one of the top running backs in all of football.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-Comeback Trail

Event Date: December 8th, 1986

Event Description: Peace Returns

Source: Football News

The Orlando Renegades moved to shore up their quarterback ranks by signing former University of Florida star Wayne Peace to a two-year contract.

Peace, had considered retirement before being convinced to return to pro football by Orlando head coach Lee Corso. 

The Renegades currently have veteran John Reaves and former Louisville pivot Dean May under contract.

In the USFL, Peace completed 18 of 43 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions with the Tampa Bay Bandits in 1984.

After the 1984 season, Peace was traded to the New Orleans Breakers, but was unhappy there and sat out the 1985 season. Peace has been to three NFL camps with Cincinnati, Miami and most recently the San Diego Chargers.

While Peace has not had much of a chance to prove himself in the pro ranks, he was highly regarded following an outstanding college career.  At Florida, Peace became a starter in the fourth game of his freshman year in 1980 and completed 610 of 991 passes for 7,206 yards, 34 touchdowns and 40 interceptions. 

In other USFL news, the Birmingham Stallions have signed backup quarterback Robbie Mahfouz and punter Case deBruijn.

more to come......

'86 Chronology-Dispersal Draft

Event Date: December 7th, 1986

Event Description: Dispersal Draft

Source: League Office

The United States Football League held their Open Dispersal Draft of players from the former Los Angeles Express and Michigan Panthers franchises on Saturday.

The Portland Breakers led the way drafting nine players including all-star linebacker Marcus Marek who spent the 1986 season with Michigan.

Others drafted included quarterbacks Rick Neuheisel by Arizona and Bob Gagliano returning to Denver where he spent the 1985 season. Running back Kevin Nelson was also drafted by Arizona, as was defensive tackle Ivan Lesnik.

In all 21 former express players were selected alongside eight players from the Michigan Panthers who merged during the off-season with the Oakland club.

For a complete list of players drafted go here.

more to come......

'86 Chronology-Open Ended

Event Date: December 3rd, 1986

Event Description: Draft Prep

Source: UPI

Portland Breakers' football Coach Dick Coury said Tuesday he and his staff were busy preparing for the upcoming United States Football League pool draft.

Coury said that on December 6th, the twelve USFL teams will draft players from a pool of about 30-40 players formed by the Oakland-Michigan merger and the folding of the Los Angeles franchise.

By December 10th, Coury said, the Breakers must give the league a list of 25 “territorial” players with whom the club will have USFL negotiating rights.

The USFL's “open” college draft will be held Jan. 3-4. The Breakers plan a free-agent tryout camp in Portland shortly after the open draft.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'86 Chronology-'87 USFL Schedule Released

Event Date: December 2nd, 1986

Event Description: '87 USFL Schedule

Source: PFW

Jim Simpson and Paul Maguire will be joined by five commentators for ESPN's coverage of the U.S. Football League's 1987 schedule, it was announced Tuesday.

In addition to Simpson, Roger Twibell, Steve Talbot, John Sanders, of ESPN and Fred Manfra, who has worked the past four USFL seasons for ABC radio, will call play-by-play. 

Joining Maguire as analysts will be Mike Adamle who has covered pro football for both ABC and NBC; and Ed Biles, former Houston Oilers head coach.

ESPN will televise an average of three games per week, with coverage on Thursday, Saturday and Monday nights under the direction of Bill Fitts.

more to come......

'86 Chronology-English Leather