'83 Chronology-Tour of Duty

Event Date: December 2nd, 1983

Event Description: Simmons Seeks Stability

Source: United Press International

The U.S. Football League won't pirate big-name players from the National Football League in its search for new stars, USFL commissioner Chet Simmons said.

“We're not trying to sign everybody,” Simmons said during a brief promotional visit to New Orleans. 

“People go to see football and they go to see players.” Simmons said the USFL made inroads toward signing and developing stars during its first year, but he steered clear of the NFL “war” issue.

“Somebody said we're in a war with the NFL.” he said. “I think we have good old American competition. For the first time, the NFL player has the possibility of some movement. He now has a choice. If you're going to have a war, you're just going full out to sign everybody. We're not trying to sign everybody. We know we still need skill positions and probably our Achilles heel last year was quarterback.”

Simmons stopped in New Orleans for a press conference attended by staff members of the New Orleans Breakers, the city's USFL team which moved from Boston.

Breakers coach Dick Coury said he has had a long talk with former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, now with Minnesota.

“He's making so much money, he'd be taking about a $600,000-a-year cut to come with us as a player or coach,” Coury said. “Really, we just had a friendly chat.”

The Breakers and many other teams in the league are looking for players with market value for both television and ticket sales. The team already has signed Cincinnati Bengal tight end Dan Ross to a future contract for next season.

Simmons said the league will actively seek other name players among college seniors and NFL free agents.

One player he mentioned was running back Mike Rozier of Nebraska, who is considered a prime favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

Simmons, though, said it was hard to say where the USFL stands with Rozier.

“He comes from New Jersey,” he said. “We'll leave it at that. We'll just have to wait and see.”

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'83 Chronology-Maulers Sign Pivot

Event Date: December 1st, 1983

Event Description: Maulers Sign Carano

Source: United Press International

Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Glenn Carano next week will sign a $250,000-a-year, two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL.

Carano, 28, has seen little action since joining the Cowboys in 1977 as the No. 2 draft choice.

He did not throw a pass in an NFL game until 1980. His career totals are 21 completions in 57 attempts for 304 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown one interception.

Carano, who last month denied he had had any discussions with any USFL club, discussed the contract Wednesday with the Dallas Morning News.

He currently earns $165,000 a year with Dallas behind starter Danny White and No. 2 quarterback Gary Hogeboom.

“I feel great,” Carano said. “I'm finally going to get the opportunity to play. It's great that something is out there for me and I'm looking forward to going to Pittsburgh and playing football.”

Coach Tom Landry said he understood why Carano could not pass up a chance to start after playing backup so long.

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'83 Chronology-Mazzetti Heads South

Event Date: November 28th, 1983

Event Description: Mazzetti Inks Extension

Source: United Press International

Tim Mazzetti, the New Orleans Breakers' top scorer this year, signed a three-year contract with U.S. Football League team. Mazzetti joined the Breakers in 1983 after four years with the Atlanta Falcons. 

During the past season, he kicked 12 field goals in a row and a perfect 31 extra points.

“Signing this contract is very satisfying,” Mazzetti said. “My only regret is that now, playing in the Superdome, I can't blame it on the wind should I miss.”

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'83 Chronology-Seeking Sims

Event Date: November 25th

Event Description:  Sims Seeks New Deal

Source: United Press International

Whether Billy Sims is running to Houston or back to Detroit next season is not known. But one thing is certain, he is running wild on the football field.

Sims ran for 106 yards in 26 carries and scored twice Thanksgiving Day to help Detroit rout the Pittsburgh Stelers 45-3 in the Lions' annual nationally televised holiday game.

Detroit is now 6-2 in its last eight games to overcome a 1-4 start and one of the main reasons for the resurgence has been the running and catching of Sims.

Since missing three games with a broken hand and performing below par in his first game back, Sims has gone crazy on the field.

He has run for 577 yards in five games, four of them victories. And in the game the Lions lost -- the only one Houston has won this season - Sims came within nine yards of the club rushing record.

“I'm not a leader,” said Sims of his on-field athletic feats and his attendant hot-dogging antics designed to fire up the crowd and the team. “I try to boost everybody else's morale. The guys around me are doing well. I wouldn't be going anywhere if it wasn't for my offensive line.”

There are many who say Sims, who did not appear as dazzling in Detroit's first few games, is only showcasing what he can do to lure a multi-million dollar contract from either the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League or the Lions.

His contract expires at the end of this season and so far ths 1978 Heisman Trophy winner has not signed with anybody. And his answers about the future are getting more and more testy.

Detroit has indicated it will not negotiate with Sims until the end of the seson. One of the part owners of the Houston franchise of the USFL is Dr. Jerry Argovitz, who seems to feel he has a lock on Sims' services for next season.

In Sims' opinion, his slow start can be blamed primarily on the fact Detroit didn't use him.

“We added J.J. (rookie fullback James Jones) and I think we were trying to use a two-back offense,” he said. “I didn't want to say anything so I just kept quiet. Now we're back the way it used to be.”

Sims, who now has three straight games of rushing for 100 yards or more, has taken to high-stepping onto the field during pre-game introductions.

After scoring, he has a variety of antics. His latest was the ultimate spike -- throwing a perfect left-handed spiral about 50 rows into the seats after scoring.

That little display carries an automatic fine, reportedly $1,000, but actually the amount is at the discretion of the club.

“That's going to cost him a little for that ball,” Lions coach Monte Clark said after the win. “But he can afford it. And if he wants to do it again, it's OK with me. It doesn't matter,” Sims said, shrugging it off. 

“William Clay Ford (Lions' owner) is going to pay for it.”

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'83 Chronology-Shoot for the Moon

Event Date: November 23rd, 1983

Event Description: Bidding War

Source: United Press International

The New York Jets shocked the professional football world in 1965 by signing a young quarterback out of the University of Alabama named Joe Namath to a contract reportedly worth $425,000.

The signing touched off one of the most heated and competitive bidding wars in the history of sports as the American Football League and the National Football League tried to sway athletes to their respective camps by offering large contracts.

That all ended when the two leagues merged in 1969.

The war was rekindled for a short time in the '70s when the now-defunct World Football League enticed Miami Dolphin stars Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield to leave the Super Bowl champions and join the fledging league for big money contracts.

But then the WFL folded and with it went the reckless big money offers.

On Dec. 1, the war begins anew as Warren Moon -- the quarterback who directed the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League to five Grey Cup titles in his six years with the team -- begins to entertain offers from clubs in the CFL, NFL and USFL.

The former University of Washington star's current contract - reportedly worth $250,000 a year -- does not run out until March but Edmonton owner Norm Kimball has given Moon and his agent, Leigh Steinberg, the go-ahead to start fielding offers three months early.

Steinberg told UPI from his Berkeley, Calif., office that the final offer Moon settles on will likely be "the largest contract ever given to a professional football player."

“We feel that Warren is more valuable than a John Elway or Marc Wilson because of his experience and maturity,” Steinberg said. “And you know the kinds of contracts they supposedly got.”

Wilson's pact reportedly is in the neighborhood of $650,000. Elway's Denver contract is reportedly worth nearly a million dollars a year for five years.

Steinberg's claims are not idle boasts made by an overzealous agent.

Moon possesses everything a professional football team desires in a quarterback. At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he has the size, speed and arm strength that makes professional football coachs' mouths water. He also has that intangible quality of of being a heady leader on the field.

Last season, Moon became the first professional quarterback to throw for 5,000 yards. This season he broke that mark by tossing for 5,638 yards. He is the front-runner for the CFL's MVP award -- the Schenley Award -- which will be named later this week.

Moon's value also has been increased by the fact that this year's crop of college senior quarterbacks is thin.

The 27-year-old QB has one thing else -- he's a pure free agent in the NFL. His USFL rights belong to the Los Angeles Express coached by his former coach at Edmonton, Hugh Campbell.

“We are in a unique situation,” Steinberg said. 'Warren signed a three year plus one option year contract with Edmonton before the NFL draft his senior season. Because of that contract, no NFL team drafted him. So now, there is no team in the NFL that has first refusal rights.'

What that means is the NFL team that signs Moon does not have to compensate any other team with a draft choice, player or money for Moon's rights.

Yet Steinberg says Moon is not interested in entering a bidding war.

“Our view is that this will not be a bidding war,” the agent said. “Warren is not interested in a meat market. He knows the dollars are going to be there where ever he goes.”

Steinberg says the fact that the NFL, with the defection of Chicago Bears quarterback Vin:e Evans to the USFL next season, will be without a black quarterback has no bearing on Moon's negotiations with the league.

“We don't think race is an issue here,” the agent said.

Moon has told reporters that the bottom line for him may well be who his coach would be.

“If the offers I get are approximately equal,” Moon said. “Then the different would be the coach.”

Steinberg says Moon likes Tampa Bay's John McKay -- “because he grew up in the shadows of the Coliseum” -- New Orleans' Bum Phillips, Seattle's Chuck Knox and Philadelphia's Marion Campbell in the NFL. He also likes Al Davis and the Los Angeles Raiders organization because “they know how to win.”

Interestingly enough, nearly all those squads could use a quarterback the caliber of Moon.

Steinberg said there had been no discussions with any of those clubs because Moon's contract has yet to run out and that would constitute tampering.

However, a number of club's have made statements saying they would be interested in Moon.

But Edmonton is not out of the running yet.

On Monday, Moon and Steinberg met with Kimball in Vancouver -- the site of this year's Grey Cup -- and the Edmonton owner made an offer.

“We felt that it was a fair offer,” Steinberg said. “Warren has been happy in Edmonton, has a lot of friends there and has a growing off-field business. Now we will see what everyone else has to offer.”

Moon says he going to take his time and weigh every offer with his wife and family before making his final decision. “I don't wait to rush my decision,” Moon said. “But I really don't want to wait too long to find out where I'll be next year.”

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Stadium Deal

Event Date; November 15th, 1983

Event Description: Maulers Find Home

Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette-UPI

The Pittsburgh Maulers of the United States Football League Thursday said the team would play its home games at Three Rivers Stadium, also home of the NFL Steelers.

The team and city officials made the announcement despite a clause in the city's lease with the Steelers that prohibits other professional football teams from playing there. The Maulers and city officials said they hoped the Steelers would not file a lawsuit to contest the agreement.

Mayor Richard Caliguiri and George Whitmer, chairman of the Stadium Authority, said they were advised that the exclusivity agreement in the lease with the Steelers would not be upheld by federal court. Failing to lease the facility to the Maulers would be in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act, they said.

The agreement with the Maulers, however, will be voided if the courts determine the agreement improperly violated the Steelers' lease with the city.

The Steelers issued a statement Thursday saying they were 'disappointed' the city violated the terms of the lease.

“We consider this a serious breach of our lease agreement with the Stadium Authority,” the Steelers said. “This breach requires that we review all options open to us in this matter.”

Under the agreement, the Maulers will pay the city $235,000 per year or 10 percent of the gate receipts, whichever is higher. The four-year deal also specifies the city and the Maulers will split profits from concessions and parking.

Overall, the city will make more than $500,000 a year on the deal, Caliguiri said.

The team also took the occasion of the lease announcement to unveil its uniforms and logo. The uniforms will be purple, white, red and gray. The team logo depicts a “Mauler” swinging a sledgehammer or “maul” as the long-handled hammers are referred to in the steel, river and railroad industry.

The Maulers will be the only professional team in the city that does not have black and gold as its main colors.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Jumping Ship

Event Date: November 15th, 1983

Event Description: Blitz Sign Bear

Source: The Times-News

'83 Chronology-Slush Fund II

Event Date: November 7th, 1983

Event Description: Generals Sign Barbaro

Source: United Press International

Gary Barbaro, an All-Pro free safety with Kansas City of the NFL, signed a multi-year contract Monday with the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League in a deal he “couldn't turn down.”

“Money is not all of it,” said Barbaro. “I'm comfortable coming here and I wouldn't come if I wasn't convinced the USFL would be around.”

Barbaro said he was surprised Kansas City didn't try to peddle him to another NFL team and gain some kind of compensation.

“I think they wanted to show up the famous Howard Slusher, but I know I won,” he said.

Barbaro, a third-round draft choice by Kansas City in 1976 out of Nicholls State, was a holdout this season and didn't play at all for the Chiefs. He reportedly wanted a $1.2 million deal over three years from the Chiefs, while they countered with a three-year pact at $300,000 per year.

Realtor Donald Trump, the new owner of the Generals, said, “We signed Gary for three years, but he will be a General for much longer than that. Slusher had a list of eight NFL players, but Barbaro is my first choice on that list.”

Slusher said he was continuing to negotiate seriously with USFL clubs concerning at least two players on the list and expected some signings soon.

“We are not using the USFL as a bargaining factor with these players,” said Slusher. “I will do anything I can to help the players. The signing of Barbaro shows that the Generals are maturing. Usually, a new league signs glamour players at running back and quarterback.

Slusher indicated Barbaro's signing was a hallmark step and also revealed the NFL is signing almost all its quarterbacks and glamour running backs to long term contracts.

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'83 Chronology-Pivotal Pursuits

Event Date: November 6th, 1983

Event Description: Generals Pursue Pivot

Source: Daytona Beach Morning Journal

'83 Chronology-Tragedy

Event Date: November 6th, 983

Event Description:  West Virginia Mourns

Source: United Press International

Andre Gist, who played last season with Tampa Bay of the United States Football League, was killed Sunday in a one-car accident on a city street, police said.

Another former WVU player, tight end Mark Raugh, was the driver of the vehicle, police said.

Raugh, who was treated for minor injuries, was charged with disorderly conduct and released after posting $250 bond.

A second passenger, Tina Belt, 20, of Morgantown, was also treated and released.

Gist, 25, a native of Clinton, Md., was a sometimes-starting offensive guard for the Tampa Bay Bandits this year. He played his college ball for West Virginia University and was living in Morgantown.

Raugh, 23, a native of Roaring Springs, Pa., who also was living in Morgantown, had been drafted and was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He has just signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL.

The accident occurred about 3:30 a.m. on University Avenue.

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'83 Chronology-Tryout Camps

Event Date: November 5th, 1983

Event Description: Outlaws Sign Trio

Source: United Press International

The Arizona Outlaws have announced the signings of three players, including two players from free agent tryout camps held since the end of the 1983 season.

Signed to U.S. Football League contracts Friday were defensive back Selwyn Drain, defensive end Randy Phillips and offensive tackle Joe Carnahan.

Drain was a four-year letterman for Ball State University and was a first-team All-Mid America Conference selection in 1982. He was signed by the Chicago Bears, but was released midway through the 1983 preseason.

Phillips was signed out of a free agent camp held in Monroe, La. He was a four-year letterman at Arkansas and served briefly with the NFL Denver Broncos and USFL New Jersey Generals.

Carnahan was a two-year starter at Oregon State University and was signed out of a free agent camp held in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, team officials announced season ticket sales exceeded the 11,000 mark in the five weeks since Dr. Ted Diethrich and William Tatham purchased the franchise. Last year, the team sold just over 16,000 season tickets en route to an average attendance of 25,000.

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'83 Chronology-Befuddled

Event Date: November 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Sipe Rumors

Source: United Press International

The New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League seem to be making inroads into Cleveland's sports teams.

Cleveland Indians officials say that Generals owner Donald F. Trump has expressed an interest in buying the American League baseball team, but denied rumors that a deal has been made.

And the Generals have reportedly made a firm money offer to Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Sipe, who began negotiating a new contract with the Browns Wednesday.

Trump, a real estate developer, said in a statement from his Brooklyn, N.Y., office that he was interested in buying the Indians, and said he would keep the team in Cleveland.

Indians President Gabe Paul reportedly favors Trump as a potential buyer for the team, but said that others were still interested.

“As I've said before, this is not a fire sale,” said Patrick O'Neill, spokesman for the O'Neill foundation which owns 55 percent of the Indians. “We're going to do this right.”

Meanwhile, the Generals have made "a bonafideand strong money offer” for quarterback Sipe, said Ed Keating, the player's agent. The contract is reported to be for more than two years, and completely guaranteed.

“I got the impression it is (principal owner Art Modell's) opinion we already have reached agreement with the USFL,” Keating said. “I told him it's not true, but that we could settle with them very soon.”

“Frankly,” he said, “I am somewhat befuddled by the lack of aggressiveness on the part of the Browns. If they lose Brian to the other league, they will get nothing in compensation.”

Sipe sat out last Sunday's win against the Houston Oilers because of a 'tired arm,' and will be sidelined again Sunday when the Browns face Tampa Bay.

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