'85 Chronology-Speed Demon

Event Date: August 21st, 1985

Event Description: Collier Busted

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Big Bird

Event Date: August 20th, 1985

Event Description: "Big Bird" Files Suit

Source: UPI

Robert “Big Bird” Smith, who signed a multi-year contract with the Arizona Wranglers in 1984 but never played a down in the USFL, has filed a $3.6 million lawsuit to collect money he says is owed him.

Smith, now with the NFL Minnesota Vikings, claims he was paid only $200,000 of his four-year contract that court records show amounted to $1.4 million.

Under Arizona law, successful litigants are awarded treble amounts.

The defendants are the Wranglers, now known as Sports Liquidators, Inc., and the Arizona Outlaws, as well as unknown corporations, partnerships and owners.

Smith signed with the Wranglers after his college career at Grambling State University, never played a game with the team because of a serious knee suffered during his senior year.

The attorney for Sports Liqiodators, Paul Meyer, was not availble for comment. The corporation's president is Ted Diethrich, who owned the Wranglers. Outlaws President Bill Tatham Jr. said he had other things more pressing that Smith's lawsuit.

“We have nothing to do with it,” Tatham said. “If Big Bird has a big case about his big contract, he should take it to Big Diethrich.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Scouting Service

Event Date: August 20th, 1985

Event Description: Scouting Service Cut

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Hawkish News

Event Date: August 20th, 1985

Event Description: Coach Terminated

Source: Tuscaloosa Times

'85 Chronology-Coming to Terms

Event Date: August 19th, 1985

Event Description: Carter Awaits Release

Source: UPI

Anthony Carter, a former star with the University of Michigan who has played three years in the United States Football League, has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings but now he must wait his release from the USFL.

The wide receiver was at his home in Rochester, Michigan, today conferring with his agent and waiting for word on his release.

Carter flew home Sunday night after meeting with Vikings officials. He said he was pleased with the agreement which provides a reported $400,000 a year in a five-year contract.

Mike Lynn, Vikings general manager, said a verbal agreement was “pretty much” reached Saturday.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Fleet of Foot

Event Date: August 15th, 1985

Event Description:  Carter to Vikings?

Source: UPI

The Miami Dolphins Thursday traded their rights to U.S. Football League wide receiver Anthony Carter to the Minnesota Vikings for outside linebacker Robin Sendlein and a No. 2 draft pick in 1986.

The Dolphins obtained Carter's rights when they drafted him in the 12th round in 1983. The fleet receiver would have been a first-round choice, but had already signed with the USFL's Michigan Panthers after an outstanding collegaite career at Michigan.

The Vikings can fill a huge hole at wide receiver if they can work out a deal -- which would probably necessitate a buyout with the Michigan Panthers - for the 24-year-old Carter. Minnesota reently had success in signing its 1984 No. 1 pick, defensive end Kieth Millard, who had played with the USFL's Jacksonville Bulls.

The Dolphins have made no secret of their desire to improve their linebackers -- a spot exploited in their Super Bowl loss last year to San Francisco. Also, Miami needs help in that area with left outside linebacker Bob Brudzinski holding out in a contract dispute and rookie Alex Moyer sidelined with a thigh injury.

Detroit had shown interest in bringing Carter back to Michigan and the Dolphins desired linebacker Gary Cobb. However, the deal could not be worked out.

Earlier Thursday, Shula said he was pleased with the progress of inside linebackers Jackie Shipp, Jay Brophy and Mark Brown.

'Those three people make us feel a lot better about our inside linebacking than we did after the Super Bowl,' he said.

Also, the Dolphins announced they had released linebacker Ron Hester and that running back David Nelson had voluntarily left camp.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Lock Step

Event Date: August 15th, 1985

Event Description: 'Phins Add Wideout

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Peace Treaty

Event Date: August 14th, 1985

Event Description: Dolphins Sign Peace

Source: UPI

The Miami Dolphins moved to shore up their thin quarterback ranks Wednesday by signing former University of Florida star Wayne Peace to a contract.

Peace, who played for the Tampa Bay Bandits in the 1984 USFL season, practiced with the team Wednesday, but coach Don Shula said he did not know if Peace would play in Saturday's pre-season game against Buffalo.

After the 1984 season, Peace was traded to the New Orleans Breakers, but was unhappy there and sat out the 1985 season and reported this year to Cincinnati, which owned his NFL rights.

Peace was waived by the Bengals Monday.

Because both Marino and third-string quarterback Jim Jensen are out of camp in contract disputes, the Dolphins' only experienced quarterback is Don Strock.

Miami also has free agent quarterbacks Bryan Clark and Lou Pagley, neither of whom have thrown a regular season pass in the NFL.

While Peace has not had much of a chance to prove himself in the pro ranks, he was highly regarded following an outstanding college career. At Florida, Peace became a starter in the fourth game of his freshman year in 1980 and completed 610 of 991 passes for 7,206 yards, 34 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

“He (Peace) had a good rating with our college scouting combines,” said coach Don Shula. “I thought he did well on all the tests -- I wouldn't have minded taking a look at him then.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Pure Parity

Event Date: August 13th, 1985

Event Description: Usher on Economics

Source: Gainesville Sun

'85 Chronology-Childs Play

Event Date: August 9th, 1985

Event Description: 'Boats Pursue Childress

Source: UPI

The Memphis Showboats of the U.S. Football League have acquired the rights to Texas A&M defensive end Ray Childress and plans to talk with the Oilers' unsigned No. 1 draft pick.

“Negotiations with the Oilers are dead,” Childress said. 

“The funeral was Monday. I don't know what it would take to revitalize them. We're going to Memphis and see what they have to say. We'll see how serious they are. It's an interesting change of pace from the little kids' game we've been playing the last few months.”

The Showboats acquired Childress' USFL rights from the Houston Gamblers, who have also broken off talks with Childress.

Childress and agent Joe Courrege met briefly with Oilers general manager Ladd Herzeg Monday, but negotiations broke down for the second time.

Courrege is trying to get Childress $2 million over four years from the Oilers, who are offering $1.7 million, including a $700,000 signing bonus. Courrege also turned down a 2-year contract for $200,000 and $235,000 with the same signing bonus.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Cutt Off Man

Event Date: August 8th, 1985

Event Description: Saints Sign Hebert

Source: UPI

With champagne flowing and a new owner looking on approvingly, the New Orleans Saints Wednesday night signed quarterback Bobby Hebert.

No financial details were released on the contract with the highly regarded U.S. Football League free agent, but it came in the form of five 1-year pacts and was believed to be worth an estimated $750,000 to $800,000 annually.

Hebert, a Louisiana native, signed during a news conference held in a sixth-floor lounge of Neilson Dormitory at Louisiana Tech University, site of the Saints' training camp.

The signing came after a day of negotiations between new Saints' owner Tom Benson and agent Greg Campbell of Madison, Wisconsin.

“It's great to have Bobby Hebert back where he belongs in Louisiana,”

Benson said. “I know all the people in Louisiana are going to enjoy watching him play and cheering him and the Saints on to victories in the future.”

“This is a great day for Louisiana sports fans. We're doing everything necessary to make this team a winner and this is a major step in this direction.”

Hebert, from Cut Off, La., starred at Northwestern Louisiana. He played for three years in the USFL and led the Michigan Panthers to the league championship game this season.

“This is a dream come true for me,” he said. “I grew up watching the Saints play and living and dying with every game they played. I used to go to old Tulane Stadium and help that place rock and roll on a Sunday afternoon.”

“I think it's great to be able to play in Louisiana, which has the greatest fans in the world. When we make it to the playoffs in the Super Bowl -- which we're going to do our best to do -- these fans are really going to go wild.”

Hebert and Campbell, who represents about 60 pro athletes, also had talked contract with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Raiders.

“We're happy to have Bobby Hebert with the Saints,” Coach Bum Phillips said. “If he belongs anywhere with the NFL, it's with the Saints. He's a great competitor, a fine young man and the type of athlete we want with our team.”

Hebert is scheduled to begin working out with the Saints Thursday. The club now has five quarterbacks in camp.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Free Spirit

Event Date: August 6th, 1985

Event Description: Vikings Sign Millard

Source: UPI

It wasn't until 3:05 p.m. CDT that Keith Millard knew he'd be a member of the Minnesota Vikings -- and he wishes the decision would have been made about two hours later.

This way, Millard, the Vikings' No. 1 draft pick in 1984, would have missed a grueling practice. Instead, the defensive end cleared USFL waivers in time Tuesday to work out in 90 degree heat.

Nevertheless, he said he was happy to be in the NFL.

“The whole time I was in the USFL, I felt I should've been in the NFL. I have so many friends in the NFL,” the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end said. “But it was only for one season, I made good money, the Jacksonville fans were good and I didn't have any paychecks bounce.”

The Jacksonville Bulls released Millard on the condition he bypass a $150,000 deferred signing bonus, which he did. 

Nick Kish, vice president and player personnel director for the Bulls, had talked to Millard about switching leagues one week before the USFL regular season ended.

Millard rented a cheap apartment in Pullman, Wash., a town of 5,000, and headed for the weight room at Washington State once the USFL season ended to wait out the negotiations, which ended Sunday.

Although he was six days late in reporting to the Vikings, Millard arrived in time to help fill some gaps on the defensive line. Minnesota All Pro defensive end Doug Martin has been sidelined the last three days with back spasms while end Mark Mullaney has some aches and nose tackle Charlie Johnson is bothered by a sore neck.

Vikings coach Bud Grant would not speculate on how much Millard would play in Saturday's pre-season opener against Miami, weighing his decision on when the ex-Bull would recover from “league lag”. He's had a month off. I think it's like going from New York to Hawaii -- it'll take a while for him to adjust,” Grant said.

Millard appeared fatigued at Tuesday's workout, falling down while trying to jump over tackling dummies and often resting on one knee. Once, Grant came over to tease Millard about looking for four-leaf clovers.

“I asked Mark Mullaney and he said (Grant) was only kidding,” he said.

The Bulls' Kish said Millard “will be a great one if they can control him. He's a free spirit. He needs to be disciplined. He's got a ton of raw talent. He'll be the best defensive end they've got. He'll be one of the best five or 10 in the NFL,” Kish said.

Story-(UPI Abbreviated)

'85 Chronology-The Renegade

Event Date: August 5th, 1985

Event Description: 'Gades Claim Reaves

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-'Bolts Pursue Cade

Event Date: August 5th, 1985

Event Description: Cade Mulling Offer

Source: UPI

Memphis Showboats cornerback Mossy Cade was reportedly mulling over a contract offer from the San Diego Chargers Monday.

Cade was San Diego's top pick in last year's draft but was unhappy with the contract the Chargers offered and opted for the USFL Showboats.

If signed, Cade would become the third player to defect from the USFL to the Chargers. Wide receiver Trumaine Johnson and running back Tim Spencer have already signed and reported to camp. Johnson and Spencer were also drafted by the Chargers.

Assistant General Manager Tank Younger said Cade had indicated he wanted to play in San Diego.

'He has indicated he would like to join us, and now it is just a matter of getting together on the numbers,' Younger said.

Perry Deering, Cade's agent, confirmed the offer had been made, but declined comment.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Under the Gun

Event Date: August 5th, 1985

Event Description: U.S.F.L.P.A. Files Suit

Source: UPI

Attorneys for the U.S. Football League Players Association filed suit Monday against the owners of the San Antonio Gunslingers for the more than $550,000 owed the team's former players for the last four games of this season.

The 46 players were waived July 30th, when South Texas Sports Inc. failed to meet an arbitrator's deadline for making good on the missed payrolls.

The players were waived just hours before they would have automatically become free agents under the grievance procedure.

“He still legally owes them that money. He still has to pay them,” lawyer Art Vega of San Antonio said about Clinton Manges, a South Texas businessman and majority owner of South Texas Sports.

Manges could not be reached for comment Monday, but said shortly after his players were waived that he intended to pay his former players by fall. He claimed he issued promissory notes to that effect.

The lawsuit filed in state district court in San Antonio is seeking enforcement of the arbitration award, as well as interest payments on the owed salaries and attorney's fees and court costs, Vega said.

Vega said the San Antonio franchise had 20 days to respond to the lawsuit. Then a trial date will be sought.

Manges, whose team has continually suffered money woes, has said the Gunslingers would play against next year. 

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Worth the Wait

Event Date: August 5th, 1985

Event Description: Giants Sign Landeta

Source: UPI

The New York Giants Monday announced the long-awaited signing of three-year USFL veteran punter Sean Landeta.

The Giants had been expected to sign Landeta since training camp opened but had to wait until he was officially free from his USFL contract. Landeta averaged 41.8 yards per punt this season with the USFL champion Baltimore Stars. His three-year average with the Stars was 41.5.

Landeta, who reportedly signed for $500,000 over three years, will battle incumbent Dave Jennings and free agent Joe Prokop for the Giants' punting job. Jennings has held the job for 11 years.

Story-(UPI)

'85 Chronology-Sooner or Later

Event Date: August 3rd, 1985

Event Description: Young Exploring Options

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Bayou Bobby

Event Date: August 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Saints Host Hebert

Source: UPI

Quarterback Bobby Hebert would give a strong Louisiana identity to the New Orleans Saints, says Gov. Edwin Edwards who is working to get the free agent from the USFL signed with the Superdome-based team.

“I understand that it's a matter of business negotiations and not a political matter, but he is the premier star of Louisiana and his presence on the team would make the Saints a Louisiana team and it would be more of an opportunity for him,” Edwards said Thursday, about an hour after talking over the deal with Saints owner Tom Benson.

Edwards told UPI he was trying to reach Hebert to get approval to talk with his agent.  

“I don't want him to think I'm pulling an end run,” Edwards said. “I respect his contract and merely want the okay to get in touch with his agent.”

Edwards said it would be unfair to disclose what specifically he wanted to discuss with Hebert's agent.

Asked if he had an offer to transmit, the governor said, “I think a conversation between me and his agent would be fruitful. Let's put it that way.”

Hebert, 24, worked out with the Saints during the weekend at their training camp in Ruston, La. He said he wanted to play for the NFL team in his home state but any deal would be negotiated by his agent, Greg Campbell.

In addition to the Saints, Hebert and Campbell have talked with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Raiders.

Hebert, who led the Michigan Panthers to a league title game against the New Jersey Generals this year, grew up in Cut Off, La., and played for Northwestern State University in Natchitoches where he now has a home.

“Playing in New Orleans would be great,” he said while at the Saints training camp. “I grew up 50 miles from the city, have seen the Saints play a lot of games there while growing up, and have a home in Natchitoches, which isn't far from Ruston. It would be a neat set up to be able to play for them.”

Saints coach Bum Phillips said Hebert would fit well in the club's plans but he was leaving all contract discussions to the team's business staff and the quarterback's agents.

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Late Bloomer

Event Date: August 2nd, 1985

Event Description: Reaves Eyes Free Agency

Source: UPI

'85 Chronology-Market Cap

Event Date: August 2nd, 1985

Event Description: USFL Free Agency

Source: UPI

Under an agreement reached with the USFL Players Association, each franchise not facing the future prospects of a merger had to protect at least 25 players Thursday and increase that total to a minimum of 35 by noon EDT Saturday.

Final rosters were expected to be released by the league Saturday afternoon.

Once the USFL rosters are set, the signing of that league's free agents by NFL teams is expected to escalate. The NFL originally told its teams to wait until Aug. 1st, when standard USFL contracts expire, to sign any USFL free agents. That deadline has been pushed back to after the NFL receives written notification from the USFL that the players in question are free.

“There's quite a market going on out there today,” a league spokesman said in regards to the late evaluation and dealing.

Under an agreement reached with the USFL Players Association, each franchise not facing the future prospects of a merger had to protect at least 25 players Thursday and increase that total to a minimum of 35 by Friday.

Final rosters were expected to be released by the league late Friday afternoon.

The signing of USFL free agents by NFL teams was expected to escalate Thursday. The NFL told its teams to wait until Aug. 1st, when standard USFL contracts expire, to sign any USFL free agents. 

The USFL and USFLPA Thursday also announced they had agreed on a payment procedure for players protected during the offseason, while management has committed to pay players' 1985 playoff shares and insurance policies in full.

The USFL had 16 teams in 1985 but will probably be reduced to 14 or even 12 next year. The San Antonio franchise waived all their players after missing payroll deadlines.

“I compliment the players' union and club owners for successfully addressing some difficult problems in a difficult economic environment,” USFL commissioner Harry Usher said. “The USFL team owners remain determined to meet their obligations to players throughout the off-season.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Pinney Petition

Event Date: August 1st, 1985

Event Description: Pinney Files Petition

Source: Beaver County Times

'85 Chronology-Rumor Mill

Event Date: August 1st, 1985

Event Description: USFL Roundup

Source: Ledger Wire Servies

'85 Chronology-Shapes and Sizes

Event Date: July 31st, 1985

Event Description: USFL Meetings Conclude

Source: Lakeland Ledger

'85 Chronology-Fire Sale

Event Date: July 31st, 1985

Event Description: Scarfone Buys Bandits

Source: UPI

Beating the clock by minutes, a group of investors breathed life into the Tampa Bay Bandits by paying off players and agreeing to buy the franchise and support the team in Tampa for the 1986 USFL season.

Architect Lee Scarfone, a Bandits limited partner for three years, is head of the group that Tuesday deposited between $250,000 and $300,000 in a bank, which insures players will receive back pay for their final game of the recently concluded 1985 season.

General Manager Ralph Campbell said the deposit was made minutes before a 4 p.m. deadline, which is when the players would have become free agents.

Lawyers from Scarfone's group and John Bassett Enterprises had to approve documents before agreement was reached on the 30-day option to purchase the franchise.

“I had hoped to make all of this happen a week ago,” said Scarfone, who bought a portion of Bassett's interest in the team. “But it's like marriage: If you used advisers, you'd never get married.”

Bassett, who was the Bandits' managing general partner for three seasons, is in Toronto for treatment of two brain tumors.

Scarfone is now managing general partner. He said Campbell, other high ranking team executives and the coaching staff will be retained. “I'm really more at their disposal than they are at mine,” Scarfone said.

Campbell said the purchase agreement by Scarfone's group meant the Bandits had “overcome the first hurdle to keep the franchise in Tampa. An option is when you buy the right to buy something,” Campbell said. “The final purchase is not consummated. We will be working on it. We'd like to think we can conclude that by the end of August.”

Story-(UPI Modified)

'85 Chronology-Business Decisions

Event Date: July 31st, 1985

Event Description:  Carter Contract Extended

Source: UPI

The Michigan Panthers exercised their option to keep Anthony Carter Wednesday, but team officials said the wide receiver might not play with the U.S. Football League team next season.

The Panthers had until midnight Thursday pick up the option for the final year of Carter's four-year, $2 million contract. He will receive $500,000 in the last year of the pact.

“Yes, we've exercised our option,” General Manager Vince Lombardi Jr. said. “It was a business decision.”

Lombardi said he talked with Carter and his attorney, Bob Woolf of Boston, about the possibility of Carter buying out his contract. If Carter were to buy out his contract, he would be free to join the Miami Dolphins, who own his NFL rights, and join star receivers Mark Clayton and Mark Duper.

“We decided a long time ago (to exercise the option) depending on how things fell into place,” he said. “There's been speculation we've been talking to the young man and his agent with regard to buying out his contract, and I won't deny those discussions took place. But the bottom line is that we exercised our option.”

When asked if that meant Carter was a member of the Panthers and would be playing for them next year, Lombardi said, “I didn't say that. There's no guarantee that any member of the Panthers will be here next season.”

The Dolphins hoped for a chance to sign the fleet receiver, who played his high school football in Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County. However, as long as he is under contract to the Panthers, Miami owner Joe Robbie has said the team is prohibited from talking to Carter.

Story-(UPI Modified)