'88 Chronology-Trial and Error

Event Date: January 12th, 1988

Event Description: Cade Trial Continues

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Camp Competition

Event Date: January 8th, 1988

Event Description: Outlaws Sign Ex-Jayhawk

The Oklahoma Outlaws have signed Kansas City Chiefs' third-string quarterback Frank Seurer to a two-year deal the team announced yesterday. 

The team now has three quarterbacks on their roster, including ex-NFLers Glenn Carano and Rick Neuheisel, as the team prepares for the opening of training camp.

Head coach Woody Widenhofer said Seurer would compete for the starting job alongside Carano and Neuheisel.

“If you can get the rights to a player who has already made an NFL team you have someone of proven quality,”Widenhofer said. “The problem there is that Kansas City has a lot of money invested in Kenney and Blackledge, that’s why Seurer became available.” Widenhofer said.

Seurer, 25, was drafted by the Los Angeles Express in 1984 after starring at Kansas. The five year veteran played for the Express for two seasons before leaving for the National Football League.

'87 Chronology-Homecoming

Event Date: January 8th, 1988

Event Description: Stars Sign Boone

Former Tampa Bay Bandits running back Greg Boone is heading to the Baltimore Stars after spending last season with the Tampa Bay Bucs during the NFL strike games. Boone played in a pair of replacement games.

Boone led the Bandits with 1,070 yards rushing with three touchdowns last season. Boone spent five seasons with Tampa Bay from 1983-87 after starring at Duke University. Boone is a native of Maryland and graduated from Bel Air high school.

In addition the Stars also agreed to terms with veteran kicker Tim Mazzetti, tight end Mark Raugh, lineman Mike Katolin, as well as a slew of defensive players including defensive backs Scott Woerner and Mike Lush.

'88 Chronology-Open Draft

Event Date: January 7th, 1988

Event Description: USFL Open Draft

All-America lineman Chad Hennings of Air Force and all-star defensive backs Eric Allen and Chuck Cecil were among 50 players selected by the twelve United States Football League teams Wednesday in the last five rounds of the college draft.

Eric Allen was selected alongside Hennings, who has a committment to the U.S. Air Force, by the Houston Gamblers in the first two rounds of the open draft and Cecil was in the third round round.

Quarterback Stan Humphries of Northeast Louisiana, who led the team to the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA championship game, was selected by the Birmingham Stallions in the third round.

There were 200 players chosen in the territorial and open phases of the draft. Each USFL team now has 20 players on its drafted list and will begin the difficult task of trying to sign them. For the complete list of those draft players go here.

The USFL opens its regular season on February 25th. 

'88 Chronology-Still the Official Drink of the VUSFL!

 

'88 Chronology-Pivotal Changes

Event Date:January 5th, 1988

Event Description: Luther Traded

Jacksonville coach Mouse Davis reported on Monday that seven players have been cut from the USFL squad and two others, including last years’ starting quarterback Ed Luther has been traded.

Davis said Luther was traded to Oakland in exchange for veteran linebacker Howard Carson. Luther became expendable when the team signed veteran Vince Evans, who is more adept at running the the teams’ Run and Shoot offense.

The Bulls coach said the seven players released were running backs Joe McCall and Cedric Jones, quarterbacks Buck Belue and Ron Sally, tight end Mark Raugh, fullback Mark Schellen, wide receivers Frank Lockett and Dwayne Dixon and linebacker Andy Hendel.

The team also announced the retirements of receiver Tommy Vigorito, tight end Robert Young and linemen Ed Gantner and Jeff Toews.

The Bull's roster stands at 59, with the next cut set for next Monday when each USFL roster must not exceed 55 players.

'88 Chronology-Red Miller

Event Date: January 4th, 1988

Event Description: Miller Honored

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-Tampa Bay Bandits Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1988

Event Description: Tampa Bay Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Orlando Renegades Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1987

Event Description: Orlando Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Oklahoma Outlaws Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1988

Event Description: Oklahoma Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Oakland Invaders Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1987

Event Description: Oakland Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-New Jersey Generals Territorial Draft

 Event Date: January 4th, 1988

Event Description: New Jersey Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Memphis Showboats Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1988

Event Description: Memphis Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Jacksonville Bulls Territorial Draft

Event Date; January 4th, 1988

Event Description: Jacksonville Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Houston Gamblers Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1987

Event Description: Houston Territoria Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Birmingham Stallions Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1987

Event Description: Birmingham Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'88 Chronology-Baltimore Stars Territorial Draft

Event Date: January 4th, 1987

Event Description: Baltimore Territorial Draft

Source: League Office

'87 Chronology- '88 Schedule Released

Event Date: December 26th, 1987

Event Description: USFL Schedule Released

The sixth United States Football League season opens February 25th, when the Oklahoma Outlaws host the Houston Gamblers, the league announced Saturday.

The 10-team, 16-week regular-season schedule includes 80 games and ends Monday, June 12th. The USFL championship game will be played July 2nd in Baltimore, Maryland.

Down from 12 teams in 1987, the USFL will feature two five-team conferences in 1988. The Liberty division includes the Baltimore Stars, New Jersey Generals, Jacksonville Bulls, Orlando Renegades and Tampa Bay Bandits.

The Independence division consists of the Birmingham Stallions, Memphis Showboats, Houston Gamblers, Oakland Invaders and the Oklahoma Outlaws who have re-located from Arizona. Also, the Jacksonville Bulls and Denver Gold merged and the Portland Breakers folded due to financial problems.

New head coaches include Darrel “Mouse” Davis who takes over in Jacksonville replacing Lindy Infante who turned down a front office position with the Bulls to pursue potential NFL options. Long-time NFL assistant Woody Widenhofer is the Outlaws’ new head coach replacing Frank Kush who retired.

On the television front, ABC, ESPN and the RCA Satellite System will carry 16 weeks of USFL games. ABC will televise Sunday afternoons and provide playoff and championship coverage. 

ESPN, which entered into a new three-year agreement with the USFL after the 1985 season, will offer Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday night games. The league champion Showboats open defense of their title against Tampa Bay on Monday, Feb. 29th.

more to come.....

'87 Chronology-Coin Flip

Event Date: December 23rd, 1987

Event Description: Walker Likes Rams

Source: Associated Press