Post by Coach Campbell on May 20, 2007 17:54:30 GMT
USFL: A team-by-team history
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
Stadium: Sun Devil (70,030)
Regular Season Record: 14-22
1983: 4-14 (25,776)
1984: 10-8 (25,568)
Playoff Record: 2-1 Best Players: Alan Risher (QB), Jackie Flowers (WR), Tim Spencer (RB), Trumaine Johnson (WR), Greg Landry (QB)
Coaches: Doug Shively ('83), George Allen ('84)
Worth remembering: The Wranglers were traded after the 1983 season. Dr. Ted Diethrich of Arizona owned the Chicago Blitz and dealt his team to Arizona's owners, who wanted the Chicago market. The team merged with Oklahoma and became the Arizona Outlaws for the 1985 season.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Stadium: Legion Field (75,412)
Regular Season Record: 36-18
1983: 9-9 (22,046)
1984: 14-4 (36,850)
1985: 13-5 (32,065)
Playoff Record: 2-2 Best Players: Cliff Stoudt (QB), Joe Cribbs (RB), Scott Norwood (K)
Coaches: Rollie Dotsch ('83-'85)
Worth remembering: The Stallions were loved and supported in Birmingham, a famous college football city which hungered for the pro game. The product on the field was worth watching -- especially in the final two seasons -- when the Stallions made the playoffs but never did get as far as the USFL finals. They lost to the Stars twice in the Eastern Conference finals.
BOSTON/NEW ORLEANS/PORTLAND BREAKERS
Stadiums: Nickerson Field (20,535) ('83), Superdome (69,658) ('84), Civic Stadium (32,500) ('85)
Regular Season Record: 25-29
1983: 11-7 (12,817)
1984: 8-10 (30,557)
1985: 6-12 (19,919)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: John Walton (QB), Marcus Dupree (RB), Buford Jordan (RB)
Coaches: Dick Coury ('83-'85),
Worth remembering: The nomads of the USFL. The team began in Boston at tiny Nickerson Field, where the team went 11-7. Unable to find a better stadium in the Boston area, the Breakers headed for New Orleans the following year under new owner Joe Canizaro. They won seven of their first nine games, but one just one game the rest of the way and missed the playoffs. When the USFL went to a fall schedule in 1985, the Breakers had to leave again, ending up in Portland, Ore., in another tiny, outdated stadium.
CHICAGO BLITZ
Stadiums: Soldier Field (65,077)
Regular Season Record: 17-19
1983: 1983: 12-6 (18,133)
1984: 5-13 (7,455)
Playoff Record: 0-1 Best Players: Greg Landry (QB), Tim Spencer (RB), Trumaine Johnson (WR), Tim Wrightman (TE), Vince Evans (QB), Vegas Ferguson (RB)
Coaches: George Allen ('83), Marv Levy ('84)
Worth remembering: The Blitz was the preseason favorite to win the first USFL title, but they never got there. George Allen returned after five years out of the game, but Chicago lost the Central Division title on the final day of the season to Michigan, and fell in overtime to Philadelphia in the playoffs. The next year, the team was the former Arizona Wranglers, and never contended.
DENVER GOLD
Stadiums: Mile High Stadium (75,123)
Regular Season Record: 27-27
1983: 1983: 7-11 (41,736)
1984: 9-9 (33,953)
1985: 11-7 (14,446)
Playoff Record: 0-1 Best Players: Harry Sydney (RB), Vince Evans (QB), Bill Johnson (RB), Leonard Harris (WR)
Coaches: Red Miller ('83), Charley Armey ('83), Craig Morton ('83-84), Mouse Davis ('85)
Worth remembering: Denver loved its team during the spring, leading the league in attendance in the inaugural season despite a no-name roster. But attendance fell off dramatically when the league went to a fall schedule. Denver stuck with the original USFL plan of controlling player costs and building slowly, but always remained a competitive franchise.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
Stadiums: Astrodome (50,495)
Regular Season Record: 23-13
1984: 13-5 (28,152)
1985: 10-8 (19,120)
Playoff Record: 0-2 Best Players: Jim Kelly (QB), Richard Johnson (WR), Ricky Sanders (WR), Gerald McNeil (WR)
Coaches: Jack Pardee ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Run-and-Shoot was born here. Houston rolled up 1,162 points in two seasons, and QB Jim Kelly was the main ingredient. He threw for a remarkable 5,219 yards and 44 touchdowns in his rookie season, and followed that up with 4,623 yards and 39 TDs in 1985 despite missing several games with an injury.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Stadiums: Gator Bowl (80,200)
Regular Season Record: 15-21
1984: 6-12 (46,730)
1985: 10-8 (44,325)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Robbie Mahfouz (QB), Gary Clark (WR), Mike Rozier (RB), Vaughan Johnson (LB)
Coaches: Lindy Infante ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Bulls led the league in attendance in their inaugural season and were again one of the leaders in 1985, including 73,227 on March 4, 1984, against the New Jersey Generals (the besti n league history). The team had several bizarre moments, however, including a game delayed an hour by rain with both teams forced to use the same (non-flooded sidelines) and the day owner Fred Bullard went on the field to talk to the referees, leading to a banishment from the sidelines.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
Stadiums: Los Angeles Coliseum (92,516)
Regular Season Record: 21-33
1983: 8-10 (19,002)
1984: 10-8 (15,361)
1985: 10-8 3-15 (8,415)
Playoff Record: 1-1 Best Players: Steve Young (QB), Gary Zimmerman (T/G), Jojo Townsell (WR)
Coaches: Hugh Campbell ('83), John Hadl ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Express never caught on in Los Angeles, despite the presence of Steve Young and a number of former UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans on the roster. In fact, by the end of the 1985 season, it so bad that the Express ended up playing their final home game at Pierce College in the San Fernando Valley. The game drew 8,200.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
Stadiums: Liberty Bowl (50,180)
Regular Season Record: 18-18
1984: 7-11 (27,599)
1985: 11-7 (30,948)
Playoff Record: 1-1 Best Players: Reggie White (DE/DT), Walter Lewis (QB), Tim Spencer (RB),
Coaches: Pepper Rodgers ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Showboats developed a steady and loyal following under fiery coach Pepper Rodgers. Reggie White became a star here before heading onto the NFL -- he had 11½ sacks in his second season, when the Showboats got to the semifinals before falling to Oakland.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
Stadiums: Silverdome (80,638)
Regular Season Record: 22-14
1983: 12-6 (22,250)
1984: 10-8 (32,457)
Playoff Record: 2-1 Best Players: Anthony Carter (WR), Bobby Hebert (QB), John Corker (LB)
Coaches: Jim Stanley ('83-'84)
Worth remembering: The Panthers went 12-6 in their first season and won the first USFL title. They drew 60,237 fans at the Silverdome for a playoff win over Oakland before knocking off Philadelphia Stars 24-22 at Denver's Mile High Stadium for the crown. But by the end of next season, owner A. Alfred Taubman merged his team with the Oakland Invaders.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
Stadiums: Giants Stadium (76,891)
Regular Season Record: 31-23
1983: 6-12 (35,004)
1984: 14-4 (37,716)
1985: 11-7 (41,268)
Playoff Record: 0-2 Best Players: Herschel Walker (RB), Brian Sipe (QB), Maurice Carthon (RB), Jim LeClair (DT), Doug Flutie (QB)
Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks ('83), Walt Michaels ('84-'85)
Worth remembering: Donald Trump was the team's owner and wanted to have the league's premiere franchise. He made a splash with the signing of Herschel Walker, the '82 Heisman Trophy winner, the first underclassman to leave college early to play professionally. The Generals, however, never even made it to the USFL title game.
OAKLAND INVADERS
Stadiums: Oakland Alameda Coliseum
Regular Season Record: 29-24-1
1983: 9-9 (31,211)
1984: 7-11 (23,644)
1985: 13-4-1 (17,509)
Playoff Record: 2-2 Best Players: Anthony Carter (WR), Bobby Hebert (QB), Gary Plummer (LB)
Coaches: John Ralston ('83), Chuck Hutchison ('84), Charlie Sumner ('85)
Worth remembering: With the Raiders' move to Los Angeles prior to the 1982 season, the rabid Oakland fans were left without a team. The Oakland Invaders (rhymes with Raiders) tried to fill the void. The team got as far as the playoffs in its first season and got to the title game in 1985, losing to Baltimore 28-24.
OKLAHOMA/ARIZONA OUTLAWS
Stadiums: 1984 -- Skelly Stadium (40,235), 1985 -- Sun Devil Stadium (70,030)
Regular Season Record: 14-22
1984: 6-12 (21,038)
1985: 8-10 (17,881)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Doug Williams (QB), Mike Rozier (RB), Al Williams (WR)
Coaches: Woody Widenhofer ('84), Frank Kush ('85)
Worth remembering: The Outlaws were one of six expansion teams to take the field in 1984 and went 6-2 early, but lost their last 10 games. The Outlaws' defense allowed 309 points in the losing streak. The team nearly merged with Oakland, but finally joined forced with Arizona (Arizona owner Ted Diethrich sold his share of the team after the merger).
ORLANDO RENEGADES
Stadiums: Citrus Bowl (50,050)
Regular Season Record: 5-13
1985: 5-13 (24,136)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Reggie Collier (QB), Curtis Bledsoe (RB)
Coaches: Lee Corso ('85)
Worth remembering: The former Washington Federals won just five games under Lee Corso, but that was better than the Federals' 7-29 mark the previous two seasons. And after an 0-6 start, the Renegades got hot, but it was too late for a playoff push. The team actually was headed for Miami, but settled in Orlando for a single season.
PHILADELPHIA/BALTIMORE STARS
Stadiums: 1983-84 -- Veterans Stadium (72,204); 1985 -- Byrd Stadium (45,000)
Regular Season Record: 41-12-1
1983: 15-3 (18,650)
1984: 16-2 (28,668)
1985: 10-7-1 (14, 275)
Playoff Record: 7-1 Best Players: Chuck Fusina (QB), Kelvin Bryant (WR), Sam Mills (LB), Bart Oates (C)
Coaches: Jim Mora ('83-'85)
Worth remembering: The USFL's best team, winning two of the three league titles. They lost to Michigan 24-22 in the first USFL title game, preventing a sweep of the league crowns. The Stars had to move to Baltimore, however, so they wouldn't be in direct competition with the Eagles for the '85 season (Baltimore, at the time, had no NFL team).
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
Stadiums: Three Rivers Stadium (60,043)
Regular Season Record: 3-15
1984: 3-15 (22,858)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Mike Rozier (RB), Sam Clancy (DE), Jerry Holmes (CB)
Coach: Joe Pendry ('84), Ellis Rainsberger ('84)
Worth remembering: Ed Debartolo Sr. owned the team (his son owned the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL), which was dreadful in its own season. Two of its wins came over the equally dreadful Washington Federals.
SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
Stadiums: Alamo Stadium (32,000)
Regular Season Record: 12-24
1984: 7-11 (15,444)
1985: 5-13 (11,721)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Rick Neuheisel (QB), Danny Buggs (WR), Nick Mike-Mayer (K),
Coach: Gil Steinke ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Gunslingers were generally inept. Owner Clinton Manges lost a bundle when the oil market crashed and the team even left its office in a double-wide trailer at one point. By the end of the '85 season, paychecks weren't forthcoming the players nearly revolted.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
Stadiums: Tampa Stadium (76,891)
Regular Season Record: 35-19
1983: 11-7 (39,896)
1984: 14-4 (46,158)
1985: 10-8 (45,220)
Playoff Record: 0-2 Best Players: John Reaves (QB), Gary Anderson (RB), Fred Dean (G),
Coach: Steve Spurrier ('83-'85),
Worth remembering: The Tampa Bay Bandits were known as one of the USFL's most entertaining teams -- as would be expected of a team partially owned by Burt Reynolds. Steve Spurrier's Fun-and-Gun offense was perfected here, though it didn't pay off with any titles.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
Stadiums: RFK Stadium (54,794)
Regular Season Record: 7-29
1983: 4-14 (13,850)
1984: 3-15 (7,694)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Craig James (RB), Mike Hohensee (QB), Joey Walters (WR)
Coach: Ray Jauch ('83-'84), Dick Bielski ('84)
Worth remembering: Owner Berl Bernhard was once compared his team to a bunch of trained gerbils by its owner. They won just one of their first 14 games despite drafting Craig James, who had teammed with Eric Dickerson at SMU. After compiling 29 losses and surrendering 944 points in 2 seasons (coincidentally, Super Bowl seasons for the Redskins), the team thought it was headed to Miami but ended up in Orlando.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
Stadium: Sun Devil (70,030)
Regular Season Record: 14-22
1983: 4-14 (25,776)
1984: 10-8 (25,568)
Playoff Record: 2-1 Best Players: Alan Risher (QB), Jackie Flowers (WR), Tim Spencer (RB), Trumaine Johnson (WR), Greg Landry (QB)
Coaches: Doug Shively ('83), George Allen ('84)
Worth remembering: The Wranglers were traded after the 1983 season. Dr. Ted Diethrich of Arizona owned the Chicago Blitz and dealt his team to Arizona's owners, who wanted the Chicago market. The team merged with Oklahoma and became the Arizona Outlaws for the 1985 season.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
Stadium: Legion Field (75,412)
Regular Season Record: 36-18
1983: 9-9 (22,046)
1984: 14-4 (36,850)
1985: 13-5 (32,065)
Playoff Record: 2-2 Best Players: Cliff Stoudt (QB), Joe Cribbs (RB), Scott Norwood (K)
Coaches: Rollie Dotsch ('83-'85)
Worth remembering: The Stallions were loved and supported in Birmingham, a famous college football city which hungered for the pro game. The product on the field was worth watching -- especially in the final two seasons -- when the Stallions made the playoffs but never did get as far as the USFL finals. They lost to the Stars twice in the Eastern Conference finals.
BOSTON/NEW ORLEANS/PORTLAND BREAKERS
Stadiums: Nickerson Field (20,535) ('83), Superdome (69,658) ('84), Civic Stadium (32,500) ('85)
Regular Season Record: 25-29
1983: 11-7 (12,817)
1984: 8-10 (30,557)
1985: 6-12 (19,919)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: John Walton (QB), Marcus Dupree (RB), Buford Jordan (RB)
Coaches: Dick Coury ('83-'85),
Worth remembering: The nomads of the USFL. The team began in Boston at tiny Nickerson Field, where the team went 11-7. Unable to find a better stadium in the Boston area, the Breakers headed for New Orleans the following year under new owner Joe Canizaro. They won seven of their first nine games, but one just one game the rest of the way and missed the playoffs. When the USFL went to a fall schedule in 1985, the Breakers had to leave again, ending up in Portland, Ore., in another tiny, outdated stadium.
CHICAGO BLITZ
Stadiums: Soldier Field (65,077)
Regular Season Record: 17-19
1983: 1983: 12-6 (18,133)
1984: 5-13 (7,455)
Playoff Record: 0-1 Best Players: Greg Landry (QB), Tim Spencer (RB), Trumaine Johnson (WR), Tim Wrightman (TE), Vince Evans (QB), Vegas Ferguson (RB)
Coaches: George Allen ('83), Marv Levy ('84)
Worth remembering: The Blitz was the preseason favorite to win the first USFL title, but they never got there. George Allen returned after five years out of the game, but Chicago lost the Central Division title on the final day of the season to Michigan, and fell in overtime to Philadelphia in the playoffs. The next year, the team was the former Arizona Wranglers, and never contended.
DENVER GOLD
Stadiums: Mile High Stadium (75,123)
Regular Season Record: 27-27
1983: 1983: 7-11 (41,736)
1984: 9-9 (33,953)
1985: 11-7 (14,446)
Playoff Record: 0-1 Best Players: Harry Sydney (RB), Vince Evans (QB), Bill Johnson (RB), Leonard Harris (WR)
Coaches: Red Miller ('83), Charley Armey ('83), Craig Morton ('83-84), Mouse Davis ('85)
Worth remembering: Denver loved its team during the spring, leading the league in attendance in the inaugural season despite a no-name roster. But attendance fell off dramatically when the league went to a fall schedule. Denver stuck with the original USFL plan of controlling player costs and building slowly, but always remained a competitive franchise.
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
Stadiums: Astrodome (50,495)
Regular Season Record: 23-13
1984: 13-5 (28,152)
1985: 10-8 (19,120)
Playoff Record: 0-2 Best Players: Jim Kelly (QB), Richard Johnson (WR), Ricky Sanders (WR), Gerald McNeil (WR)
Coaches: Jack Pardee ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Run-and-Shoot was born here. Houston rolled up 1,162 points in two seasons, and QB Jim Kelly was the main ingredient. He threw for a remarkable 5,219 yards and 44 touchdowns in his rookie season, and followed that up with 4,623 yards and 39 TDs in 1985 despite missing several games with an injury.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Stadiums: Gator Bowl (80,200)
Regular Season Record: 15-21
1984: 6-12 (46,730)
1985: 10-8 (44,325)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Robbie Mahfouz (QB), Gary Clark (WR), Mike Rozier (RB), Vaughan Johnson (LB)
Coaches: Lindy Infante ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Bulls led the league in attendance in their inaugural season and were again one of the leaders in 1985, including 73,227 on March 4, 1984, against the New Jersey Generals (the besti n league history). The team had several bizarre moments, however, including a game delayed an hour by rain with both teams forced to use the same (non-flooded sidelines) and the day owner Fred Bullard went on the field to talk to the referees, leading to a banishment from the sidelines.
LOS ANGELES EXPRESS
Stadiums: Los Angeles Coliseum (92,516)
Regular Season Record: 21-33
1983: 8-10 (19,002)
1984: 10-8 (15,361)
1985: 10-8 3-15 (8,415)
Playoff Record: 1-1 Best Players: Steve Young (QB), Gary Zimmerman (T/G), Jojo Townsell (WR)
Coaches: Hugh Campbell ('83), John Hadl ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Express never caught on in Los Angeles, despite the presence of Steve Young and a number of former UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans on the roster. In fact, by the end of the 1985 season, it so bad that the Express ended up playing their final home game at Pierce College in the San Fernando Valley. The game drew 8,200.
MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS
Stadiums: Liberty Bowl (50,180)
Regular Season Record: 18-18
1984: 7-11 (27,599)
1985: 11-7 (30,948)
Playoff Record: 1-1 Best Players: Reggie White (DE/DT), Walter Lewis (QB), Tim Spencer (RB),
Coaches: Pepper Rodgers ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Showboats developed a steady and loyal following under fiery coach Pepper Rodgers. Reggie White became a star here before heading onto the NFL -- he had 11½ sacks in his second season, when the Showboats got to the semifinals before falling to Oakland.
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
Stadiums: Silverdome (80,638)
Regular Season Record: 22-14
1983: 12-6 (22,250)
1984: 10-8 (32,457)
Playoff Record: 2-1 Best Players: Anthony Carter (WR), Bobby Hebert (QB), John Corker (LB)
Coaches: Jim Stanley ('83-'84)
Worth remembering: The Panthers went 12-6 in their first season and won the first USFL title. They drew 60,237 fans at the Silverdome for a playoff win over Oakland before knocking off Philadelphia Stars 24-22 at Denver's Mile High Stadium for the crown. But by the end of next season, owner A. Alfred Taubman merged his team with the Oakland Invaders.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
Stadiums: Giants Stadium (76,891)
Regular Season Record: 31-23
1983: 6-12 (35,004)
1984: 14-4 (37,716)
1985: 11-7 (41,268)
Playoff Record: 0-2 Best Players: Herschel Walker (RB), Brian Sipe (QB), Maurice Carthon (RB), Jim LeClair (DT), Doug Flutie (QB)
Coaches: Chuck Fairbanks ('83), Walt Michaels ('84-'85)
Worth remembering: Donald Trump was the team's owner and wanted to have the league's premiere franchise. He made a splash with the signing of Herschel Walker, the '82 Heisman Trophy winner, the first underclassman to leave college early to play professionally. The Generals, however, never even made it to the USFL title game.
OAKLAND INVADERS
Stadiums: Oakland Alameda Coliseum
Regular Season Record: 29-24-1
1983: 9-9 (31,211)
1984: 7-11 (23,644)
1985: 13-4-1 (17,509)
Playoff Record: 2-2 Best Players: Anthony Carter (WR), Bobby Hebert (QB), Gary Plummer (LB)
Coaches: John Ralston ('83), Chuck Hutchison ('84), Charlie Sumner ('85)
Worth remembering: With the Raiders' move to Los Angeles prior to the 1982 season, the rabid Oakland fans were left without a team. The Oakland Invaders (rhymes with Raiders) tried to fill the void. The team got as far as the playoffs in its first season and got to the title game in 1985, losing to Baltimore 28-24.
OKLAHOMA/ARIZONA OUTLAWS
Stadiums: 1984 -- Skelly Stadium (40,235), 1985 -- Sun Devil Stadium (70,030)
Regular Season Record: 14-22
1984: 6-12 (21,038)
1985: 8-10 (17,881)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Doug Williams (QB), Mike Rozier (RB), Al Williams (WR)
Coaches: Woody Widenhofer ('84), Frank Kush ('85)
Worth remembering: The Outlaws were one of six expansion teams to take the field in 1984 and went 6-2 early, but lost their last 10 games. The Outlaws' defense allowed 309 points in the losing streak. The team nearly merged with Oakland, but finally joined forced with Arizona (Arizona owner Ted Diethrich sold his share of the team after the merger).
ORLANDO RENEGADES
Stadiums: Citrus Bowl (50,050)
Regular Season Record: 5-13
1985: 5-13 (24,136)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Reggie Collier (QB), Curtis Bledsoe (RB)
Coaches: Lee Corso ('85)
Worth remembering: The former Washington Federals won just five games under Lee Corso, but that was better than the Federals' 7-29 mark the previous two seasons. And after an 0-6 start, the Renegades got hot, but it was too late for a playoff push. The team actually was headed for Miami, but settled in Orlando for a single season.
PHILADELPHIA/BALTIMORE STARS
Stadiums: 1983-84 -- Veterans Stadium (72,204); 1985 -- Byrd Stadium (45,000)
Regular Season Record: 41-12-1
1983: 15-3 (18,650)
1984: 16-2 (28,668)
1985: 10-7-1 (14, 275)
Playoff Record: 7-1 Best Players: Chuck Fusina (QB), Kelvin Bryant (WR), Sam Mills (LB), Bart Oates (C)
Coaches: Jim Mora ('83-'85)
Worth remembering: The USFL's best team, winning two of the three league titles. They lost to Michigan 24-22 in the first USFL title game, preventing a sweep of the league crowns. The Stars had to move to Baltimore, however, so they wouldn't be in direct competition with the Eagles for the '85 season (Baltimore, at the time, had no NFL team).
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
Stadiums: Three Rivers Stadium (60,043)
Regular Season Record: 3-15
1984: 3-15 (22,858)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Mike Rozier (RB), Sam Clancy (DE), Jerry Holmes (CB)
Coach: Joe Pendry ('84), Ellis Rainsberger ('84)
Worth remembering: Ed Debartolo Sr. owned the team (his son owned the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL), which was dreadful in its own season. Two of its wins came over the equally dreadful Washington Federals.
SAN ANTONIO GUNSLINGERS
Stadiums: Alamo Stadium (32,000)
Regular Season Record: 12-24
1984: 7-11 (15,444)
1985: 5-13 (11,721)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Rick Neuheisel (QB), Danny Buggs (WR), Nick Mike-Mayer (K),
Coach: Gil Steinke ('84-'85),
Worth remembering: The Gunslingers were generally inept. Owner Clinton Manges lost a bundle when the oil market crashed and the team even left its office in a double-wide trailer at one point. By the end of the '85 season, paychecks weren't forthcoming the players nearly revolted.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
Stadiums: Tampa Stadium (76,891)
Regular Season Record: 35-19
1983: 11-7 (39,896)
1984: 14-4 (46,158)
1985: 10-8 (45,220)
Playoff Record: 0-2 Best Players: John Reaves (QB), Gary Anderson (RB), Fred Dean (G),
Coach: Steve Spurrier ('83-'85),
Worth remembering: The Tampa Bay Bandits were known as one of the USFL's most entertaining teams -- as would be expected of a team partially owned by Burt Reynolds. Steve Spurrier's Fun-and-Gun offense was perfected here, though it didn't pay off with any titles.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
Stadiums: RFK Stadium (54,794)
Regular Season Record: 7-29
1983: 4-14 (13,850)
1984: 3-15 (7,694)
Playoff Record: 0-0 Best Players: Craig James (RB), Mike Hohensee (QB), Joey Walters (WR)
Coach: Ray Jauch ('83-'84), Dick Bielski ('84)
Worth remembering: Owner Berl Bernhard was once compared his team to a bunch of trained gerbils by its owner. They won just one of their first 14 games despite drafting Craig James, who had teammed with Eric Dickerson at SMU. After compiling 29 losses and surrendering 944 points in 2 seasons (coincidentally, Super Bowl seasons for the Redskins), the team thought it was headed to Miami but ended up in Orlando.
