'83 Chronology-Spending Spree II

Event Date: December 18th, 1983

Event Description: NFL versus USFL

Source: United Press International

Billy Sims admitted Sunday he has signed two five-year contracts -- one on July 1 with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL and a second on Friday with the NFL Detroit Lions.

But he also admitted he signed the Detroit contract against the advice of Lions' attorney's.

“The Lions' lawyers tried to advise (general manager) Russ (Thomas) not to sign me,” Sims said. “But he wanted to do it anyway.”

“We feel we have a binding contract with Billy,” Detroit owner William Clay Ford said. “I guess it (the two contracts) means a problem for somebody.

'I guess this matter is just going to have to be resolved in court. We never saw the contract but our lawyers said go ahead and have Billy sign it.”

Dr. Jerry Argovitz, the one-time dentist who used to represent Sims but now is a part-owner in the Houston USFL franchise, came to Detroit's game against Tampa Bay and said the star running back signed a contract with the Gamblers on July 1.

“And we gave Billy Sims a substantial amount of money as part of that contract,” Argovitz said. “I am appalled at what Bill Ford and Russ Thomas have done to Billy Sims. On Friday they told Billy, 'You just sign this contract -- we'll take care of the rest and get you out of the Houston contract.''

Sims admitted the Lions gave him a $1 million bonus to sign a five-year contract which he said started at $600,000 a year and went up to $800,000.

He said this was more than what Houston offered for the five years and although the Gamblers were to give him a $1 million bonus, they had only given him part of it last July.

“I signed both of them, to tell you the truth,” Sims said. “But my heart is right here. I was going to contact Jerry before this came out but I never got the chance. 'I feel I was misled on a few things,” Sims said. “Jerry feels that I wasn't. I guess it's going to come down to the USFL versus the NFL.”

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Starting Over

Event Date: December 18th, 1983

Event Description: United Press International

Source: United Press International

Veteran guard Bob Simmons of the Kansas City Chiefs said Sunday he has signed a three-year guaranteed contract to play for the Chicago Blitz of the U.S. Football League beginning with the 1984 season.

Simmons, a former All-America at the University of Texas and a veteran of seven NFL seasons, will be reunited in Chicago with Marv Levy, who was the coach of the Chiefs from 1978-82 and will be in his first season as coach of the Blitz.Simmons will report to training camp with the Blitz Jan. 18 in Scottsdale, Arizona, but said he'll be in Chicago for a news conference Tuesday. 

Simmons played center, guard and tackle during his seven NFL years and started much of the 1983 season for the Chiefs at guard because of injuries to regulars Tom Condon and Brad Budde.

"I wouldn't mind having a little longer break in between the two seasons (NFL and USFL)," Simmons said. "But that's the way it is. It'll be fun; it'll be like starting all over again."

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-Spending Spree I

Event Date: December 16th, 1983

Event Description: Lapham Switches Leagues

Source: United Press International

Cincinnati Bengals offensive guard Dave Lapham plans to sign a contract with the New Jersey Generals of the U.S. Football League, his wife says.

Lynne Lapham has confirmed that the 10-year veteran has reached agreement with the USFL team and will sign the Generals' contract when it arrives in the mail. Lapham could not be reached for comment, but he told reporters last week that his negotiations with the Generals were going well and that he probably would leave the Bengals.

Lapham's salary with the Bengals was in the $150,000 range. Reports have said the Generals have offered him a salary starting at $250,000.

Earlier Friday, it was reported the Generals had contacted Washington quarterback Joe Theismann.

Lapham, a former Syracuse player, was a third-round pick by the Bengals in 1974. He generally is considered a team leader and was voted 'Man of the Year' by Cincinnati fans in 1980.

Lapham is one of several Cincinnati players expected to jump to the USFL next year, including tight end Dan Ross and linebacker Glenn Cameron.

Story: (UPI)

'83 Chronology-Coming to Terms

Event Date: December 16th, 1983

Event Description: Generals Hire Michaels

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Christmas List

Event Date: December 15th, 1983

Event Description: Outlaws Eye Rookies

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Like a Hurricane?

Event Date: December 14th, 1983

Event Description: Howard Talks

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-On Schedule

Event Date: December 14th, 1983

Event Description: Breakers Schedule

Source: United Press International

The New Orleans Breakers will be at home for their first two games when they open their 1984 season against the Memphis Showboats, it was reported today.

The Breakers will kick off the season Feb. 26 with the Showboats and play the Birmingham Stallions a week later in the Superdome, the Times-Picayune reported.

“We do have a tentative schedule, but it hasn't been totally confirmed yet,” Breakers' president Randy Vataha said. “It does show two games at home right now, but I don't want to say anything until it's official.”

An announcement on the USFL schedule has been delayed because the league has expanded from 12 to 16 teams and some teams have had difficulties determining playing sites -- New Orleans and Houston among them.

The Breakers say a lease has been nailed down but not signed with the Superdome, and Houston officials say they are close to finishing their lease deal with the Astrodome.

“Everything has been worked out with the Dome,” Vataha said. “All it needs is the final review by the commission and we'd be all set.”

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-December Owners Meetings

Event Date: December 11th-14th, 1983

Internal Memo: United States Football League Owners Meeting

Re: Expansion, Ownership, Relocation and Scheduling

The owners agreed to the following;

The owners approved the final sale of the Chicago franchise to Dr. James Hoffman.

The owners approved the final sale of the Arizona Wranglers franchise to Dr. Ted Dietrich and the George Allen Group.

The owners approved the transfer of 25% of the Oakland Invaders franchise to Jim Joseph.

The owners approved and finalized the partial merger of the Chicago and Arizona franchises. 

The owners approved the final sale of the remnants of the Arizona Wranglers franchise to J. Walter Duncan. 

The owners approved the sale of the New Jersey Generals to Donal Trump and Madison Square Garden.

The owners gave final approval to the majority sale of the Los Angeles Express franchise to William Oldenburg.

The owners gave final approval to move the Boston franchise to New Orleans for the 1984 season.

The owners gave the Expansion Committee the power to analyze and consider future expansion to Oklahoma City under the guidance of J.Walter Duncan.

The owners rejected a proposal to approve an expansion franchise to San Antonio under the guidance of Clinton Manges.

The owners approved a tentative schedule for the 1984 season, pending final approval by the Commissioner.

The owners agreed to meet again in January.

'83 Chronology-Express Lane

Event Date: December 13th, 1983

Event Description: Express Sold

Source: United Press International

The owners of the United States Football League's Los Angeles franchise have won permission from league owners to sell the team to a San Francisco businessman for an estimated $6 to $7 million.

A USFL spokesman said Bill Daniels and Alan Harmon, owners of the Express, got the necessary majority approval of the league's 18 owners in a vote Monday.

Only minor details reportedly remain to be worked out for the purchase by businessman Bill Oldenburg, who runs a San Francisco-based mortgage banking company.

A news conference has been scheduled by the team's public relations firm for Wednesday and a spokesman for the firm said the purpose is to announce the sale of the Express. Oldenburg was unavailable Tuesday for comment.

The estimated selling price would yield a profit of approximately $2 million for Daniels and Harmon, who have estimated team losses last season at about $2.5 million.

Harmon declined to comment on the negotiations, saying in a prepared statement released Monday, “The fact that the owners have voted and approved a possible transfer of the club is standard procedure. Their vote simply clears the way for more serious negotiations. But at this time, no deal has been made.”

The team is expected to remain in Los Angeles and continue to play in the Coliseum. The Express, who ran up an 7-11 record in the USFL's first season, averaged 19,000 fans per home game.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'83 Chronology-Fist of Five

Event Date: December 12th, 1983

Event Description: Schnellenberger Going Pro?

Source: Beaver County News

'83 Chronology-Unlucky 13

Event Date: December 10th, 1983

Event Description: Bulls and Bandits

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-Falling Star

Event Date: December 8th, 1983

Event Description: Dupree Ruled Ineligible

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-No Comment

Event Date: December 8th, 1983

Event Description: Sipe Talks Continue

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'83 Chronology-TNT

Event Date: December 7th, 1983

Event Description: Oakland Acquisitions

Source: United Press International

Toussaint Tyler, the big back the Oakland Invaders have been looking for ever since they started up in the USFL a year ago, has signed a contract with the club, the Invaders announced Wednesday.

Tyler, who played two seasons with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL after being picked in the 1981 draft out of Washington, stands 6-2 and weighs 230 pounds.

Guard Randy Divier, another former Huskie, also was signed by the Invaders as were offensive tackle Greg Sykes of Washington State and Anyika Kamalu of San Jose State. There seems to be some question about Kamalu, listed as a 6-5, 265-pound defensive end.

Kamalu, according to the Invaders, played the 1980 season at San Jose State under the name of Henry Scarborough, but he is not listed in that year's Spartan press guide. He also, according to the Invaders, had a tryout with the Los Angeles Raiders this year.

Divier and Sykes are big men, too, Divier standing 6-5 and weighing 265 pounds and Sykes 6-4 and 262. Divier was a third round pick of the Baltimore Colts in 1981 while Sykes has had tryouts with three NFL clubs plus the USFL Arizona Wranglers.

Story-(UPI)

'83 Chronology-General Considerations

Event Date: December 3rd, 1983

Event Description: Generals Eye Michaels

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'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.”

Story-(UPI)

'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.

Story-(UPI)

'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.”

Story-(UPI)

'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.”

Story-(UPI)