'88 Chronology-Jacksonville Bulls Preview

Event Date: February 18th, 1988 

Event Description: USFL Preview-Liberty Division

Source: Sports Scene

Jacksonville Bulls

1987 Record: 7-9 6th Place

Stadium: Gator Bowl    

Avg. Attendance: 42,543

Head Coach: Mouse Davis

Owner: Fred Bullard

Key players: QB Vince Evans, QB Bob Gagliano, RB-WR Vincent White, FB-TE Todd Gerhart, WR Alton Alexis, WR Spencer Jackson, OC Tom Davis, OT Roy Simmons, NG Ron Simmons, DE Bruce Thornton, DE George Achica, LB Howard Carson, LB Ed Smith, LB John Nevens, DB Donald Dykes, DB Chester Gee, DB Don Bessillieu.

New Arrivals: P Larry Swider (USFL-Orlando ’87), PK Jeff Brockhaus (NFL-San Fran ’87), QB Vince Evans (NFL-LA Raiders ’87), QB Bob Gagliano (NFL-San Fran. ’87), QB Ken Hobart (CFL-Hamilton ’87), RB Bobby Howard (NFL-Tampa Bay ’87), RB Sam Harrell (NFL-Minnesota ’87), RB Robert Lavette (NFL-Philadelphia ’87), OG Rick Kehr (NFL-Washington ’87), OG Frank Frazier (NFL-Washington ’87), OL Steve Rogers (NFL-Kansas City ’87), OC Mike Weaver (’85 draft pick), DL Walter Carter (NFL-Tampa Bay ’87), DT Brad Smith (’85 draft pick), LB Ed Smith (USFL-Memphis ’87), LB Phil Forney (NFL-St. Louis ’87), DB Johnny Hill (’85 draft pick).

Sport Scene's Outlook: The merger with Denver has led to a complete makeover in Jacksonville. 

Look for the Bulls’ offense to continue to excel with Vince Evans and Bob Gagliano having replaced last years’ starter Ed Luther who was traded to Oakland.

If the defense improves over last years’ squad, Jacksonville should challenge for the division crown.

1988 Prediction: 10-6 1st place

'88 Chronology-Journeyman

Event Date: February 11th, 1988

Event Description: Bandits Sign Kelley

The Tampa Bay Bandits have signed veteran quarterback Mike Kelley and waived counterpart Nathaniel Koonce.

Kelley, 29, spent last season with the Memphis Showboats before moving on to the San Diego Chargers during the NFL strike games. Kelley started his career with the Bandits back in 1983 after geing drafted out of Geogia Tech.

Last season, Kelley passed for 987 yards with eight touchdowns and four picks while a backup to Walter Lewis. Kelley now joins Ben Bennett and Jimmy Jordan on the Bandits' roster.

After the season, he joined the Chargers where he passed for 305 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Kelley started one of the NFL strike games before being supplanted by Rick Neuheisel.

A sixth-round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in 1982, he has also played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, along with his USFL stints which include stops in Tampa, Memphis and Oakland.

Koonce who has been with the Bandits on and off since he was drafted by the Bandits out of Florida A&M in 1983 has said that he will most likely retire after his most recent demotion.

'88 Chronology-Job Security

Event Date: February 10th, 1988

Event Description: Williams Confident

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Pivotal Position

Event Date: February 6th, 1988

Event Description: Stars Sign Pivot

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Scott Campbell, signed with the USFL Baltimore Stars, less than a week after his NFL contract expired.

Campbell, a 6-foot-0, 195-pounder, started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1984, before moving on to the Falcons. He was a fourth round draft selection by the Stars in the 1984 USFL draft. Campbell, who signed a two-year contract, will report to the Stars for practice Monday.

“We're very happy to have Scott Campbell join our team,”said Carl Peterson, the Stars president and director of football operations. “Adding Scott to our team will provide additional competiton at the quarterback position.”

The Stars are led by veteran pivot Chuck Fusina, but he has been out with an injured foot during most of the early season workouts. The team also has veteran Tom Rozantz and newcomer Scott Stankavage on their pre-season roster.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-Offensive Minded

Event Date: February 5th, 1988

Event Description: Packers Hire Infante

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Packer Pursuits

Event Date: February 3rd, 1988

Event Description: Infante Front Runner

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'88 Chronology-MVP

'88 Chronology-Super!

Event Date: February 1st, 1988

Event Description: Williams Wins SB MVP

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Award Winner

Event Date: January 27th, 1988

Event Description: Mora Wins Award

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Bonus Money

Event Date: January 26, 1988

Event Description: Walker Highest Paid

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'88 Chronology-The Crusader

Event Date: January  23rd, 1988

Event Description: Generals Ink Lockbaum

The USFL's New Jersey Generals signed former Holy Cross all-purpose player Gordie Lockbaum on Friday.

Lockbaum was a four-year starter for the Crusaders who played his first two seasons at defensive back, before becoming a two-way player in 1986.

In 1986, Lockbaum rushed for 827 yards on 144 carries, hauled in 57 passes for 860 yards and scored 22 touchdowns total. On the defensive side of things he had 46 tackles, one interception, a pair of fumble recoveries, and on special teams he finished with 452 yards on 21 kick returns.

During his senior season, he rushed for 403 yards on 85 totes, caught 77 passes for 1152 yards and piled up 2,041 total all-purpose yards.

Lockbaum finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, and was selected to play in three college all-star games.

“Gordie is a special athlete who can really help usin a variety of ways and in every facet of the game”, said Generals President Jason Seltzer. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but it is believed to be a two-year deal with a third-year option. New Jersey will be forced to cut one player to make room for Lockbaum on the 70-player roster.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-Fans For Football

Event Date: January 21st, 1988

Event Description: Meeting in St. Louis

Source: Associated Press

'88 Chronology-Bulls Sign Trio

Event Date: January 17th, 1988

Event Description: Bulls Sign Trio

The Jacksonville Bulls of the U.S. Football League announced the signings of three offensive players Monday, including former NFL halfback Bobby Howard.

Howard, 24, spent the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Bucs where he was used in spot duty and on special teams. He was originally a late round draft choice by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1986 before moving on to Tampa as a free agent.

The Bulls also signed former Gamblers’ running back Sam Harrell and Idaho's all-time passer and ex-CFL pivot Ken Hobart.

Harrell, 31, was selected in the 1980 draft by the Minnesota Vikings. After leading the Houston Gamblers in rushing last season with 1,264 yards, he was picked up by the Vikings during the NFL strike. 

Hobart, 27, owns all of Idaho's career passing records and was the starting quarterback in the 1985 Grey Cup for the Hamilton Tiger Cats. Hobart began his pro career with the Bulls back in 1984, moved on to the Denver Gold in 1985, before jumping the CFL where he has played over the course of the past three seasons.

more to come......

'88 Chronology-Migration

Event Date: January 16th, 1988

Event Description: Cards Head West

Source: Lakeland Ledger