'84 Chronology-Snake Oil

Event Date: May 13th, 1984

Event Description: Snake Signs

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Week #12 Preview

Event Date: May 11th, 1984

Event Description: Week #12 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #12 USFL Preview

Saturday, May 12th

(6-5) Houston Gamblers at (4-7) Washington Federals

Latest Line: (Gamblers -4)   

Television Coverage: Local Television

Radio: ESPN: John Greer & Ed Biles

(4-7) Chicago Blitz at (6-5) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -7)

Television Coverage: ESPN National: Jim Simpson & Paul McGuire

Radio: ESPN: Charley Steiner & Bob Casciola

 (7-4) Memphis Showboats at (5-6) Los Angeles Express

Latest Line: (Express -3)

ESPN Regional: John Sanders & Steve Talbot

Radio: ESPN: Tom Kelly & Kermit Alexander

Sunday, May 13th 

    (5-6) New Orleans Breakers at (10-1) Philadelphia Stars

Latest Line: (Stars -15)

Television Coverage:: ABC Regional: Jim Lampley & Lee Corso

Radio: ESPN: Harry Donahue & Vince Papale

(5-6) Michigan Panthers at (6-5) Pittsburgh Maulers

Latest Line: (Maulers -2)

Television: ESPN Regional: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

Radio: ESPN Radio: Sam Nover & Jack Ham

Monday, May 14th

(3-8) Jacksonville Bulls at (4-7) Denver Gold

Latest Line: (Gold -5)

Television Coverage: Local

Radio: ESPN Radio: Mike Nolan & Ben Martin

 (6-5) Tampa Bay Bandits at (7-4) Arizona Outlaws

Latest Line: (Outlaws -5)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Paul Hornung

(7-4) Birmingham Stallions at  (3-8) Oakland Invaders

Latest Line: (Stallions -5)

Television Coverage: Local

Radio: ABC Radio: Don Chevrier & Dick Butkus

'84 Chronology-Unpaid Bills

Event Date: May 10th, 1984

Event Description: USFL Owners Meetings

Source: United Press International

The proposed sale of the Chicago Blitz to White Sox owners Eddie Einhorn and Jerry Reinsdorf is expected to be discussed when U.S. Football League team owners meet at 5 p.m. EDT today in New York, a USFL source said.

Einhorn and Reinsdorf confirmed last week they were interested in purchasing the financially ailing Blitz, whose operation was turned over to the USFL when owner Dr. James Hoffman gave up the team.

But previous Blitz owner Dr. Ted Dietrich is expected to try and block the proposed sale until he is assured the new owners will pay all the team's bills, the USFL source said.

Dietrich, the chief creditor of the Blitz, is owed $6.7 million from a deal he organized last September when he traded franchises with Hoffman. 

Dietrich took the 1983 Chicago Blitz to Phoenix and gave Hoffman the 1983 Arizona Wranglers.

Dietrich asked his attorneys to contact the Blitz' other creditors Tuesday and inform them the team would declare "involuntary bankruptcy" after the Einhorn-Reinsdorf purchase.

Unpaid Blitz bills are estimated at $2 million to $3 million, but the team has reportedly asked its creditors to accept partial payment.

The USFL is apparently so anxious to have the White Sox owners purchase the team that they will be allowed to settle for less than the full amount the league paid to keep the franchise afloat, the Chicago Tribune said.

One reason the USFL is anxious to have the Blitz remain on the league's roster is a recently renewed contract between the ABC television network and the USFL requires the league to have franchises in Chicago, New York and Los Angels -- the nation's three top TV markets.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Leaving the Crib

Event Date: May 10th, 1984

Event Description: Cribbs Abandons Stallions

Source: United Press International

Birmingham Stallions running back Joe Cribbs, who was obtained in a court battle with the Buffalo Bills, has walked out on his five-year contract demanding more money, team officials said today.

Jerry Sklar, Stallions' president, released a statement saying the Stallions had filed suit in Jefferson County Circuit Court to have the $2.35 million, five-year contract with Cribbs enforced.

Sklar said Cribbs wants to more than double the contract, apparently seeking to become the highest paid player in the league.

Herschel Walker of the New Jersey Generals is considered the top paid player in the USFL at $6 million over four years.

“The Birmingham Stallions feel that it is extremely unfair to the Birmingham Stallion franchise, its coaches, its players and most of all its fans, for Joe to make these demands and to leave the team at this crucial point in the season,” Sklar said.

“Joe is one of the highest-paid players in professional football, and we feel his demands are unwarranted and unjustified.”

Cribbs signed with the Stallions two weeks before the Bills' 1983 camp was to open. The NFL team challenged the contract in court, but a federal judge ruled in February that Cribbs' contract with the Stallions was valid.

“We stood 100 percent behind Joe during his lawsuit against Buffalo in the months prior to the USFL season and helped him defeat Buffalo's efforts to make his stay in Buffalo,” Sklar said.

“Three weeks after the 1984 season started, Joe Cribbs demanded that we renegotiate his contract and he threatened to walk out on his contract if his demands were not met to more than double his already substantianl compensation. We told Joe that we already have a valid and enforceable contract with him and that there is no basis for demanding a renegotiation. Joe has now seen fit to withhold his services from the team.

Cribbs also left the Bills in a dispute in 1982, missing training camp and the first two games of the strike-shortened season in an unsuccessful attempt to have his contract renegotiated.

Stallions quarterback Cliff Stoudt said the disappearance of Cribbs was a mystery to the team and his loss would be a severe blow.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Stalling for Time

Event Date: May 10th, 1984

Event Description: Stalls Leaves Gold

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Bombs Away

Event Date: May 10th, 1984

Event Description: Bombers Sign Pivot

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-The Eleventh Hour

Event Date: May 7th, 1984

Event Description: Week #11 Roundup

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Los Angeles 21

New Jersey 26

The New Jersey Generals posted their third straight victory as Herschel Walker and Maurice Carthon combined for 253 rushng yards to go along with a trio of touchdowns as New Jersey outlasted Houston by a score of 24-21

Brian Sipe completed 16-of-27 passes for 206 yards as New Jersey improved to (6-5).

Jim Kelly completed 15-of-23 passes for 267 yards with a pair of touchdown passes and one interception for the Gamblers who have now fallen to (6-5). 

Game Notes-Clarence Collins led all receivers with six receptions for 92 yards...Kiki DeAyala led the Houston defense with a dozen tackles.

Philadelphia 51

Michigan 28

Chuck Fusina tossed four touchdown passes, leading the Stars to a dominating 51-28 decision over the Michigan Panthers.

Fusina completed 17 of 24 passes for a season high 345 yards and Kelvin Bryant added 104 rushing yards on 20 attempts for the league leading Stars (10-1).

Bobby Hebert finished with 199 passing yards on just 11 of 28 efficiency with a pair of touchdowns and one interception for the (5-6) Panthers.

Game Notes-Scott Fitzkee and Scott Folsom both registered over 100 yards receiving with Fitzkee also tallying three scores...Garcia Lane led the Philadelphia defense with eleven tackles and one pass deflection....the teams combined for over 900 yards of total offense.

Pittsburgh 13

Chicago 34

Chicago pivot Vince Evans returned to action leading the Blitz to a 34-13 win over Pittsburgh. 

Evans finished the contest 10-of-16 for 209 yards with a pair of touchdown passes with one pick, while tight end Gary Lewis hauled in four passes for 88 yards with one score for (4-7) Chicago.

The (5-6) Maulers  were led by Mike Rozier who piled up 88 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Quarterback Glenn Carano converted on 16-of-28 for 128 yards with one touchdown, three sacks and a pair of interceptions. 

Game Notes-The Maulers were penalized ten times for a total of 128 yards.

Arizona 49

Jacksonville 27

A smallish crowd of over in 36,00 filled the Gator Bowl as Jacksonville fans watched the Arizona Outlaws coast to a 49-27 win over the struggling Bulls.

Doug Williams threw for 217 yards with three touchdown passes as the Outlaws led the entire contest. Williams completed 18-of-25 passes with no interceptions or sacks. Williams connected with Al Williams for a pair of scores, while also finding Trumaine Johnson. Johnson for a touchdown just before halftime. Newcomer Tim Spencer led all rushers with 101 yards on 19 carries with three touchdown runs.

Bulls quarterback Matt Robinson finished with 332 yards passing on 23-of-37 efficiency with a trio of touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Game Notes-The Outlaws rushed for 217 yards on 42 attempts, while limiting the Bulls to just 83 rushing yards.

'84 Chronology-Baltimore Blues

Event Date: May 7th, 1984

Event Description: Colts Court Fight Continues

Source: Ocala Star Banner

'84 Chronology-Bandit Booster

Event Date: May 7th, 1984

Event Description: Bandits Buy Tix

Source: Ocala Star-Banner

'84 Chronology-Duke Blue

Event Date: May 5th, 194

Event Description: Bulls Sign Bennett

Source: United Press International

Former Duke quarterback Ben Bennett, the NCAA's all-time leading passer, signed Saturday night with the USFL Jacksonville Bulls, less than a week after being drafted in the sixth round by the NFL Atlanta Falcons.

Bennett, a 6-foot-1, 190-pounder, smashed six NCAA records and 13 Atlantic Coast Conference marks during his career at Duke.

He was a territorial draft selection by the Bulls in the January USFL draft.

Bennett, who signed a four-year contract, will report to the Bulls for practice Monday.

“We're very happy to have Ben Bennett join our team,” said Nick Kish, the Bulls vice president and director of football operations. “This is a big signing for Jacksonville and the USFL. Adding Ben to our team will provide additional competition at the quarterback position.”

Bennett finished at Duke with NCAA career records for most passes attempted (1,375), completed (820), and yards passing (9,614). He completed 62.6 percent of his passes in his final two seasons for 6,119 yards.

Last season, he completed 300 of 469 passes for 3,086 yards and 17 touchdowns, including four against Clemson and three against both Virginia and North Carolina State.

Story-(UPI)

'84 Chronology-Week #11 Preview

Event Date: May 4th, 1984

Event Description: Week #11 Preview

Source: Pro Football Weekly

Week #11 USFL Preview

Saturday, May 5th

(4-6) Denver Gold at (6-4) Memphis Showboats

Latest Line: (Showboats -6)   

Television: ESPN Regional: John Sanders & Steve Talbot

Radio: ESPN: Mike Nolan & Ben Martin

 (5-5) Los Angeles Express at (6-4) Birmingham Stallions

Latest Line: (Stallions -6)

Television: ESPN Regional: Tom Kelly & Don Heinrich

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus

Sunday, May 6th 

  (6-4) Houston Gamblers at (5-5) New Jersey Generals

Latest Line: (Generals -1)

Television Coverage: ABC National: Keith Jackson & Lynn Swann

Radio: ESPN: Charley Steiner & Dave Herman

    (9-1) Philadelphia Stars at (5-5) Michigan Panthers

Latest Line: (Stars -5)

Television Coverage:: ABC Regional: Jim Lampley & Lee Corso

Radio: ESPN: Harry Donahue & Vince Papale

         (6-4) Pittsburgh Maulers at (3-7) Chicago Blitz

Latest Line: (No Line)

Television Coverage: Local

Radio: ESPN: Sam Nover & Jack Ham

(6-4) Arizona Outlaws at (3-7) Jacksonville Bulls

Latest Line: (Outlaws -3)

Television Coverage: Local

Radio: ESPN Radio: Larry Munson & Glenn Fisher

Monday, May 7th

(4-6) Washington Federals at (4-6) New Orleans Breakers

Latest Line: (Breakers -4)

Television Coverage: Local

Radio: ABC Radio: Don Chevrier & Dan Lovett

(2-8) Oakland Invaders at (6-4) Tampa Bay Bandits

Latest Line: (Bandits -9)

Television Coverage: ESPN-National: Jim Simpson & Paul Maguire

Radio: ABC Radio: Bob Buck & Dick Butkus