'84 Chronology-Sport Scene's Atlantic Division Preview

Event Date: February 18th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Preview-Atlantic Division

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Atlantic Division Preview

Philadelphia Stars

1983 Record: 17-1

Stadium: Veterans Stadium   

Avg. Attendance: 19,284

Head Coach: Jim Mora

Owner: Myles Tanenbaum

Key players: QB Chuck Fusina, RB Kelvin Bryant, WR Scott Fitzkee, OC Bart Oates, OL Irv Eatman, T Brad Oates, DE William Fuller, NT Pete Kugler, LB Sam Mills, LB John Bunting, DB Antonio Gibson, DB Garcia Lane, P sean Landeta.

Sport Scene's Outlook: The Stars loom as the team to beat in the Atlantic Division, although the way fellow division rival New Jersey is stockpiling talent to go along with Herschel walker, the Generals figure to surely make things hot for Coach Jim Mora's club.

1984 Prediction: 13-5 1st place

New Jersey Generals

1983 Record: 3-15

Stadium: Giants Stadium     

Avg. Attendance: 33,822

Head Coach: Walt Michaels

Owner: Donald J. Trump

Key players: QB Brian Sipe, RB Herschel Walker, FB Maurice Carthon, TE Sam Bowers, OC Kent Hull, G Dave Lapham, LB Jim LeClair, LB Bobby Leopold, DB Kerry Justin, S Gary Barbaro, K Roger Ruzek

Sport Scene's Outlook: Donald J. Trump is working very hard and sparing no expense to make the Generals THE football team in the Metropolitan area. The success or failure of this franchise in the media center of the world could have a great deal to do with the eventual success or failure of the entire USFL.

1984 Prediction: 10-8 2nd place  

Washington Federals

1983 Record: 9-9

Stadium: RFK Stadium    

Avg. Attendance: 13,848

Head Coach: Ray Jauch

Owner: Berl Bernhard

Key players: QB Reggie Collier, QB Mike Hohensee, RB Craig James, RB Billy Taylor, WR Joey Walters, TE Mark Keel, OC Brian Musselman, DE Bennie Smith, LB Ben Apuna, DB Mike Guess, K Jeff Brockhaus.

Sport Scene's Outlook: A spoiler's role, at best, is what is seen for the 1984 Federals in the Atlantic Division race.

1984 Prediction: 7-11 3rd place  

Pittsburgh Maulers

1983 Record: Expansion Team 

Stadium: Three Rivers Stadium    

Avg. Attendance: TBD

Head Coach: Joe Pendry

Owner: Edward J. DeBartolo

Key players: QB Glenn Carano, RB Mike Rozier, RB Amos Lawrence, WR Jackie Flowers, G-T Don Maggs, DT Ira Albright, LB Bruce Huther, DB Jerry Holmes, P Larry Swider.

Sport Scene's Outlook: Like any first year team, the Maulers have more than a few unanswered questions and their destiny seems to be a last place finish in the Atlantic.

1984 Prediction: 6-12 4th place   

Source: 1984 SPORTSCENE's Winning Football

'84 Chronology-Head Coaches Poll

Who is the best head coach in the USFL?

George Allen

Rollie Dorsch

Marv Levy

Craig Morton

Jack Pardee

Lindy Infante

John Had

Pepper Rodgers

Jim Stanley

Walt Michaels

Dick Coury

John Ralston

Jim Mora

Joe Pendry

Steve Spurrier

Ray Jauch

Created with PollMaker

'84 Chronology-USFL Coaches '84

Event Date: February 18th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Coaches

Source: United Press International

Profiles of the United States Football League head coaches as the league prepares to launch its second season:

George Allen, Arizona Outlaws -- 61 years old. Attended Michigan. Former head coach of Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams. NFL Coach of the Year. Led Redskins to Super Bowl VII. Assistant coach with for Chicago Bears for eight years, the last three as defensive coordinator. Head coach at Whittier College for six years and Morningside (Iowa) for three years. Led the Chicago Blitz to the 1983 league championship. Helped forged a soft merger between the Chicago and Arizona franchises after the 1983 season.

Rollie Dotsch, Birmingham Stallions -- 50 years old. Attended Michigan State. First pro head coaching job. Comes to USFL after serving four years as offensive line coach of Pittsburgh Steelers. Also was an assistant with Detroit, New England and Green Bay. Former head coach and director of athletics at Northern Michigan. Also served as assistant at Missouri and Colorado. Led the Stallions to a 13-5 record last season.

Marv Levy, Chicago Blitz -- 59 years old. Attended Coe College. served as assistant coach with Coe College, New Mexico, the University of California, and William and Mary. Assistant coach in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, and later joined George Allen as an assistant in Los Angeles and Washington. Coached the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL to three Grey Cup appearances and two league championships from 1973 until 1977. Head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 1978 until 1982. Analyst for ESPN covering the USFL in 1983.

Craig Morton, Denver Gold -- 41 years old. Attended the University of California. Played for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Denver Broncos. NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1977. Signed with the WFL in 1975 but never played for the now defunct Houston Texans.

Jack Pardee, Houston Gamblers -- 48 years old. Attended Texas A&M. 

Played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins. Named head coach of the Florida Blazers in the now defunct World Football League in 1974. Became head coach of the Chicago Bears in 1975 and held that position until 1977. Led the Bears to the playoffs in 1977. Head coach of the Washington Redskins from 1978 until 1980. Also served as assistant coach with the San Diego Chargers in 1981.

Lindy Infante, Jacksonville Bulls -- 44 years old. Attended Florida University where he played halfback. Played in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1963. First head coaching job. Served as assistant coach with the University of Florida, Memphis State, and Tulane University. Served as an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets of the WFL as well as in the NFL with the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals.

John Hadl, Los Angeles Express -- 44 years old. Attended Kansas Universiy. Played professionally in the American Football League with the San Diego Chargers, later joined the Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers. Finished his playing career in 1977 with the Houston Oilers.

Served as an assistant coach with Kansas University from 1978 until 1981 and later served as an offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos. Named head coach of the Los Angeles Express after the departure of Hugh Campbell.

Pepper Rodgers, Memphis Showboats -- 53 years old. Attended Georgia Tech. First head coaching job came in 1967 when he was hired by Kansas University. Later became head coach of the UCLA Bruins and at Georgia Tech. Also served as assistant coach with the Air Force Academy, and at Florida University. Played quarterback and kicker for Georgia Tech from 1951-53.

Jim Stanley, Michigan Panthers -- 45 years old. Attended Texas A&M. First pro head coaching job. Defensive line coach of Atlanta Falcons for past three years after a year with New York Giants. Former head coach at Oklahoma State for six years after a year as assistant. Spent a year as assistant with Winnipeg of Canadian League and served as college assistant at Navy, Texas El Paso and Southern Methodist. Led the Panthers to a playoff berth last season.

Walt Michaels, New Jersey Generals -- 55 years old. Attended Washington and Lee College. Played in the pro ranks from 1951 until 1961 with the Green Bay Packers, and Cleveland Browns. Named defensive coordinator for the New York Jets in 1963 and held that position until 1972. Moved on to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973, but returned to the Jets as defensive coordinator in 1976. Was head coach of the New York Jets for six years from 1977 until 1982. Led the Jets to the playoffs in 1980 and 1981 and to the AFC Championship game in 1982.

Dick Coury, New Orleans Breakers -- 55 years old. Attended Notre Dame. Former head coach of World Football League Portland Storm in 1974. Spent last six years as assistant offensive coach of Philadelphia Eagles. Also served as assistant in pros at San Diego and Denver. Served as head coach at Cal-Fullerton for three years and was defensive coordinator at Southern California for three years. Second season in the USFL.

John Ralston, Oakland Invaders -- 56 years old. Attended Calfornia. Former head coach of Denver Broncos for six years. AFC Coach of the Year in 1973. Served as administrator for San Francisco 49ers from 1979-81 after two years as an assistant at Philadelphia. Head coach at Stanford for 10 years and Utah State for five years.

Jim Mora, Philadelphia Stars -- 48 years old. Attended Occidental. First pro head coaching job. Was defensive coordinator of New England Patriots for last two years after four years as defensive line coach of Seattle Seahawks. Head coach at Occidental in 1964 and later served as college assistant at Stanford, Colordo, UCLA and Washington. Led the Stars to a the 1983 USFL Championship game.

Joe Pendry, Pittsburgh Maulers--37 years old. Attended West Virginia University. First head coaching job. Served as offensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Stars in 1983. Assistant coach in the collegiate ranks with West Virgina, Kansas State, Pittsburgh and Michigan State.

Steve Spurrier, Tampa Bay Bandits -- 38 years old. Attended Florida. First head coaching job. Former quarterback won Heisman Trophy in 1966 and spent 11 years in NFL, nine with San Francisco and two with Tampa Bay. Served as assistant coach at Florida and Georgia Tech before spending last three years as offensive coordinator at Duke. Second season with the Bandits.

Ray Jauch, Washington Federals -- 45 years old. Attended Iowa. Spent last 16 years coaching in Canadian League after two years as an assistant at Iowa. Head coach at Edmonton for seven years and director of operations for the Eskimos for one year before moving on to Winnipeg, where he spent five years.

Story-(UPI-Modified)

'84 Chronology-Spelling Disaster

Event Date: February 18th, 1984

Event Description: Panthers Down Blitz

Source: Chicago Tribune

'84 Chronology-Preseason Scrums

Event Date: February 17th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Preseason

Source: Pro Football Weekly

The USFL continues pre-season play this weekend to prepare for the Feb. 26 regular season openers.

There will be preseason scrimmages among the league's 16 teams from Feb. 17-19 at training camp sites in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas.

There are nine games this weekend. Today, Arizona takes on Denver at Tempe Arizona and the two teams square off again on Sunday.

Also on Saturday, its Chicago vs. Michigan at Casa Grande, Arizona; Birmingham vs. New Orleans at Birmingham, Alabama; Los Angeles vs. Pittsburgh at Mesa, Arizona; Houston vs. Jacksonville at Jacksonville; Memphis vs. Tampa Bay at Tampa; New Jersey vs. Philadelphia at Deland, Florida.; and Oakland vs. Washington at Melbourne, Florida.

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'84 Chronology-Strictly Business

Event Date: February 17th, 1984

Event Description: Blitz GM Relieved

Source: United Press International

The Chicago Blitz Friday relieved general manager Ron Potocnik of his duties in what the team's owner described as “strictly a business decision.”

Potocnik, a former vice president of the First National Bank of Chicago, will be replaced temporarily by Carl Marasco, the USFL's director of player personnel, said Blitz owner Dr. James F. Hoffman.

“This is strictly a business decision I made after a lengthy consulations with (USFL officials) and with the approval of the USFL office,” Hoffman said. “(Coach) Marv Levy has my full support.”

The Blitz will conduct interviews in the near future in an attempt to name a permanent replacement to Potocnik, Hoffman said.

The Blitz, who open their season Feb. 27 against the Michigan Panthers at the Pontiac Silverdome, also announced Friday that the team has waived running back Roger Wiley, who was acquired from the Memphis Showboats two weeks ago.

Photo-Carl Marasco

'84 Chronology-Back in the Swing

Event Date: February 13th, 1984

Event Description: Hebert Ends Holdout

Source: The Argus-Press

'84 Chronology-Express Opportunity

Event Date: February 13th, 1984

Event Description:  Express Sign Draft Picks

Source: United Press International

The Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League Monday signed three rookie offensive linemen labeled “three of the top 20 collegiate football players in America,” by a league official and also signed veteran NFL offensive lineman Jeff Hart.

“In all my days in professional football, I've never had an opportunity to announce the acquisition of four players of this ability at one time,” said club president Don Klosterman, who has 24 years of experience as a pro football executive.

Rookies signed by the Express were tackle Mark Adickes of Baylor, guard Gary Zimmerman of Oregon and Texas center Mike Ruether. Adickes was generally regarded as the premier offensive lineman in the Southwest Conference his senior seasson and he was the SWC's leading weightlifter with a bench press of 565 pounds.

Zimmerman was the winner of the 1983 Morris Trophy as the Pac-10's outstanding offensive lineman and Ruether was the Longhorns' starting center for the past two seasons.

“These are three of the top 20 collegiate football players in America,” said USFL Director of Opeartions Peter Hadhazy. “All three were generally regarded to be certain first-round NFL picks.”

Hart has played for San Francisco, New Orleans and Baltimore of the NFL and spent two seasons with Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League.

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'84 Chronology-Dupree Discussions

Event Date: February 10th, 1984

Event Description: Dupree Status

Source: United Press International

Running back Marcus Dupree met Friday with New Orleans Breakers owner Joseph C. Canizaro and President Randy Vataha to discuss his student status and his future goals.

A statement released by the U.S. Football League team said Dupree, who recently left the University of Southern Mississippi, requested the appointment to determine whether he could consider joining a USFL team.

Kenneth Fairley, who accompanied Dupree at the meeting as an advisor, said Dupree also has held discussions with the NFL.

Vataha said the meeting adhered to league guidelines that prohibit negotiations with underclassmen -- an eligibility rule currently under litigation.

“We had to set the meeting with Dupree and felt it necessary to clear the air; to determine if Marcus had indeed withdrawn from the NCAA athletic program,” Vataha said.

“That decision has not been made, and in any event, we have no interest to negotiate with him until there's a definite decision on the league's eligibility question.”

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'84 Chronology-Bob Boris

Event Date: February 8th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Awaits Decision

Source: United Press International

The USFL will wait for a judge's ruling before courting dropout running back back Marcus Dupree, league Commissioner Chet Simmons said Wednesday.

“Our clubs have been told and will be told again that they can't talk to underclassmen,” Simmons said.

“No club has been given permission to talk to Marcus DuPree -- or any other underclassman.”

The USFL is a defendant in a suit filed by college punter Bob Boris of Arizona, who is challenging the league's rule against signing underclassmen. A decision is expected shortly.

Simmons said he heard indications the federal judge hearing the Boris case had ruled against the USFL but “we want to see his written decision and read it. Then we'll have an idea of the next step.”

“There's another case involving a kid from Illinois that's in the deposition stage,' Simmons said. “He's challenging both the USFL and the NFL rule.”

Simmons said even if the courts rule the NFL and USFL can sign students still eligible for college play, 'we don't it to be open season (on underclassmen.)'

He said his league had turned down “50 to 100” contracts involving players who still had college eligibility remaining.

But Simmons told the Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association players who wish to turn pro should be able to.

Players foregoing their senior years to sign pro contracts has not hurt college basketball, he said, noting only six players entered the NBA via that route this season.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Home Sweet Home

Event Date: February 6th, 1984

Event Description:  'Boats Ink Pivot

Source: United Press International

Home sweet home had a lot to do with former Alabama quarterback Walter Lewis' decision to sign a $1 million deal with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL.

Lewis, a 6-1, 209-pound record-breaking quarterback, reports to practice today after announcing Sunday he had signed a three-year contract with the USFL expansion club.He said he chose Memphis because it allows him to be closer to his Brewton, Ala., home and because he can be a starting quarterback in his first year of professional football. That may not have been possible if he had signed with an NFL club.

“It's a pleasure and an honor to be somewhere where you know they want you to be,” Lewis said during a press conference at the Peabody Hotel. 

“Hopefully I can do the best I can and we can bring home a lot of victories.”

Showboats' Coach Pepper Rodgers said signing Lewis was an event everyone was happy about.

“He played in a great football program under a great coach,” said Rodgers, referring to the late Alabama Coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant. “I don't think anybody has had better football training than Walter.”

Lewis, 21, broke or set seven school records for the Crimson Tide. He rushed for 1,433 yards and passed for 4,257 yards in his collegiate career. He set a record for total yards in a season with 2,329 in 1983 and the most touchdown passes in a season with 14 the same year.

In four years, Lewis scored 42 touchdowns and led Alabama to a 35-12-1 record. His victories included Bryant's last game as head coach, the 1982 Liberty Bowl between Alabama and Illinois.

“I think our signing Walter is evidence once again of our complete commitment of bringing the best possible talent to the Showboats,” said franchise owner Logan Young Jr., who earlier signed Tennessee All-America defensive end Reggie White to a $4 million, five-year agreement.

“Walter was one of the most exciting players in the country last year and we've very proud he's going to be part of the Showboats.”

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