'85 Chronology-Small Ball

Event Date: January 26th, 1985

Event Description: Flutie Heads to USFL

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Trump Card

Event Date: January 26th, 1985

Event Description: Flutie Joins Generals

Source: Eugene Register Guard

'85 Chronology-A.W.O.L.

Event Date: January 25th, 1985

Event Description: Johnson Leaves Camp

Source: United Press International

Trumaine Johnson, an all-USFL wide receiver the last two seasons, has walked out of the Arizona Outlaws' training camp.

Johnson, the second-highest-paid player on the team, attended Wednesday morning's workout, but was absent for the afternoon practice.

“Trumaine did not show up for this afternoon's practice,” said Arizona Coach Frank Kush in a statement. “Based on that, it is our understanding that he has departed camp.” Repeated attempts by club officials to call Johnson at his hotel room were unsuccessful.

The Arizona Republic reported Wednesday that Johnson left because the team refused to pay a $280,000 advance on his contract. Johnson's agent, Andre Jackson, had met with Bill Tatham Jr., club president and general manager until about noon.

The Outlaws are not obligated to pay Johnson's salary because he left camp, the newspaper reported. His base salary is believed to be $280,000, second on the team to quarterback Doug Williams. The team had just made a $28,000 payment on Johnson's contract Tuesday night, the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

Jackson came to Arizona, the newspaper quoted another source as saying, to make sure the Outlaws funded Johnson's $1 million annuity that had been negotiated last year with former general manager Bruce Allen.

Tatham said the funding took place last Friday. The newspaper reported that the annuity will cost the Outlaws about $100,000 and on maturity should pay Johnson $200,000 a year from 2005 to 2009.

Johnson's contract with the Outlaws runs through 1994, and at least next year is guaranteed.

Johnson had reported to camp on time. He took a physical on Sunday and participated in workouts on Monday and Tuesday.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-The Final Cut

Event Date: January 25th, 1985

Event Description: Bandits Scrimmage

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Option Year

Event Date: January 25th, 1985

Event Description: Outlaws Sign Zendejas

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Coming to Terms

Event Date: January 25th, 1985

Event Description: Reaves Returns

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Match Game '85

Event Date: January 24th, 1985

Event Description: Bills Will Match Offer

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-The Comeback

Event Date: January 24th, 1985

Event Description: Huff Suiting Up

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-The Departed

Event Date: January 24th, 1985

Event Description: Short Passes

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Waiting Game

Event Date: January 24th, 1985

Event Description: Bassett Waits

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Boddie Returns

Event Date: January 23rd, 1985

Event Description: Boddie Back

Source: United Press International

Running back Tony Boddie, who was waived by the Los Angeles Express last month, has re-signed with the USFL club, the team said Wednesday.

In other moves, the Express signed Iowa State running back Jason Jacobs and announced the retirement of free safety Aaron Mitchell. Boddie, the No. 3 receiver and No. 5 rusher in Express history, gained 31 yards on 16 carries and caught 20 passes for 170 yards last season as a reserve running back and special teamplayer.

Jacobs led Iowa State in rushing in 1983 with 490 yards. He was originally drafted by the Michigan Panthers. Mitchell, the club's third-leading tackler with 97 last year, retired after five years of pro football. Mitchell was a member of the 1979 NFL All-Rookie team with the Dallas Cowboys.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Delaying Tactics

Event Date: January 23rd, 1985

Event Description: Buffalo Delays Decision

Source: Daily News

'85 Chronology-Cold Comfort

Event Date: January 23rd, 1985

Event Description: Bandits Camp

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Showboating

Event Date: January 22nd, 1985

Event Description:  Bearden Questioned

Source: United Press International

Memphis Showboats linebacker Steve Bearden says he used steroids before his senior season at Vanderbilt, but adds he didn't get them from an assistant coach accused of distributing the drugs.

Bearden, who is in Melbourne, Florida, for training camp with the USFL team, told the Memphis Commercial Appeal some Showboats players used steroids, but refused to name them.

“Yeah some do,” he was quoted, but he said he is “certain that none of the Showboat coaches or trainers are aware of anybody using them.”

Bearden said steroids 'were readily available' while he was in college. “And I had been aware that players were using them. But, let me tell you this up front: “Doc” Kreis didn't give 'em to me.”

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking into claims that E.J. “Doc” Kreis, an assistant coach at Vanderbilt, distributed steroids and other drugs to players. Kreis has been granted a leave of absence.

Bearden, who said he took the drugs just before his 1983 senior year, said Vanderbilt athletic director Roy Kramer questioned him about two weeks ago.

“Mr. Kramer asked me two questions: Did Doc give me any steroids, and the answer to that was, no. The second question was: Did he try to influence you into taking them, and the answer to that was, no.”

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Generals Open Camp

Event Date: January 22nd, 1985

Event Description: Generals Add Ex-Giants

Source: United Press International

Two former New York Giants -- center Ernie Hughes and wide receiver Floyd Eddings -- were among seven players signed to contracts Tuesday by the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.

Others signed were linebackers Guy Ruff and J.D. Gross, defensive end Greg Boyd, wide receiver Mardye McDole and placekicker Eric Schubert.The Generals also announced the release of tackles Todd Hallstrom and John Tautolo, defensive back Jo Jo Heath and running back Melvin Jenkins. Defensive back Dan Short announced his retirement.

Hughes played with the Giants from 1981 until he was released by the club at the 1984 training camp.

Eddings caught 14 passes in each of the 1982 and 1983 seasons with the gants for a total of 506 yards.

Boyd played with New England, Denver and Green Bay, while McDole saw limited action over three seasons with MInnesota. Ruff was on injured reserve with Pittsburgh, Gross had training camp experience with Washington and Schubert played with the Pittsburgh Maulers in 1984.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-SoCal Camp News

Event Date: January 22nd, 1985

Event Description:  Express Open Camp

Source: United Press International

The Los Angeles Express of the USFL signed five players, including defensive back Jay Lawson, a third-round draft choice from UC Davis, the team announced Monday.

Others signed were offensive tackle Chuck Page, punter Jeff Carter and linebacker Kevin Junior -- all draft picks from Cal State Long Beach - and defensive back John Warren of Virginia Union, a seventh-round selection in the open-school draft.The Express also announced it has come to terms with three-year NFL veteran running back Robert Alexander, a free agent who played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1982-83 and the San Diego Chargers last year.

Lawson, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound cornerback, was a two-time All-Northern California Athletic Conference choice and was the defending NCAC intermediate hurdles champion. He was the 45th overall pick of the 1985 USFL open-school draft.

The Express completed its first full day of training camp Monday and must trim its current 84-man roster to 70 players by Monday.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Disturbing Situation

Event Date: January 22nd, 1985

Event Description: Reaves Staying?

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-General Indifference

Event Date: January 22nd, 1985

Event Description: Generals Pursue Pair

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Bulls Eye

Event Date: January 22nd, 1985

Event Description: Montana Show

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Lunch Date

Event Date: January 21st, 1985

Event Description: Trump Meets Flutie

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Starting Over

Event Date: January 19th, 1985

Event Description: 'Gades-Federals Redux

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Lofty Goals

Event Date: January 19th, 1985

Event Description: Reaves Nears Deal

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-San Antonio Gunslingers Theme Song

'85 Chronology-Commercial Appearance

Event Date: January 19th, 1985

Event Description: General Meeting

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Roster Reductions

Event Date: January 19th, 1985

Event Description: Corso Reduces Roster

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Widening Gap

Event Date: January 18th, 1985

Event Description: Bassett vs. Reaves

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Upsetting News

Event Date: January 17th, 1985

Event Description: Williams Upset

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Lowballing

Event Date: January, 17th, 1985

Event Description: Reaves Contract Impasse

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Banking On It

Event Date: January 17th, 1985

Event Description: Banks Retires

Source: United Press International

Center Tom Banks, the first player signed by the Birmingham Stallions, has announced his retirement as a player, but will remain with the USFL team as offensive line coach.

Banks, whose retirement ends a 13-year playing career, will replace Rich McGeorge, who resigned to become offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Bandits.

Banks, 36, was an All-America at Auburn and played 11 years with the St. Louis Cardinals in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors four times and making eight appearances in the Pro Bowl.

He retired from football prior to the 1981 season, but became the first player to sign with the Stallions in November 1982. He started every game in the club's two-year history, earning second-team all-league honors in 1983 and being selected team captain last season.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Conditional Interest

Event Date: January 17th, 1985

Event Description: Browns Want Flutie

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Eager Beaver

Event Date: January 16th, 1985

Event Description: Flutie Waits

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Waiting Game

Event Date: January 13th, 1985

Event Description: Flutie Ponders Offer

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Son of a Gun

Event Date: January 13th, 1985

Event Description: Signings & Staffing

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Fillie Fanatics

Event Date: January 13th, 1985

Event Description: Football Roundup

Source: The Tuscaloosa News

'85 Chronology-Mind Bending

Event Date: January 12th, 1985

Event Description: Woolf Likes Offer

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Buyout Clause

Event Date: January 9th, 1985

Event Description: Rozier Pursues Free Agency

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Painful Decision

Event Date: January 8th, 1985

Event Description: Rozier Moving On?

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Premier Players

Event Date: January 8th, 1985

Event Description: Generals Closing In

Source: The Evening Independent

'85 Chronology-Sheep's Clothing

Event Date: January 6th, 1985

Event Description: Flutie Picks Woolf

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-World Beater

Event Date: January 4th, 1985

Event Description: Stallions Select Rice

Source: The Tuscaloosa News