The first USFL season in 37 years kicks off Saturday. Right here’s a team-by-team take a look at the new-look league:
Birmingham Stallions
Coach: Skip Holtz
Gamers of word: WR Victor Bolden (Oregon State), QB Alex McGough (FIU)
What to know: The Stallions are the one group that may get to really play dwelling video games, with your entire league being performed in Birmingham. Bolden, a former game-breaker at Oregon State, is one to look at on this offense, and there are some acquainted names on protection as properly in Scooby Wright, Brian Allen and Josh Shaw.
Houston Gamblers
Coach: Kevin Sumlin
Gamers of word: QB Clayton Thorson, OLB Donald Payne
What to know: The Gamblers haven't one however two loosely native connections at quarterback: Thorson was on the Giants’ follow squad final season and Kenji Bahar, their backup, is a Monmouth product. Sumlin additionally brings a breadth of school expertise, with stints at Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona. Dalyn Dawkins, who performed at Colorado State earlier than a stint with the Titans, is a possible identify at working again.
New Orleans Breakers
Coach: Larry Fedora
Gamers of word: CB Adonis Alexander, DE Davin Bellamy
What to know: The Breakers had been the final group to choose a quarterback, which meant that they had been in a position to give attention to increase their protection. Bellamy, the primary edge-rusher taken, was a key piece of Georgia’s 2017 protection that made the nationwide title recreation. Alexander has some NFL expertise at nook, as does Shareef Miller — a former fourth-round decide — on the sting reverse Bellamy.
Tampa Bay Bandits
Coach: Todd Haley
Gamers of word: QB Jordan Ta’amu, S Obi Melifonwu
What to know: Ta’amu, who competed with Shea Patterson for the beginning job at Ole Miss years in the past, will likely be within the working with him for the league’s greatest quarterback. He additionally may need probably the most harmful weapon in Eli Rogers, who had a profitable stint as a receiver for the Steelers. Melifonwu, a former second-round decide who flamed out with the Raiders, has some pedigree, although he by no means caught on within the NFL.
Michigan Panthers
Coach: Jeff Fisher
Gamers of word: QB Shea Patterson, RB Stevie Scott III
What to know: Fisher has probably the most head teaching expertise of anybody within the league, and the Panthers used the primary decide of the draft on Patterson, who performed his school ball at Ole Miss and Michigan. Nonetheless, former Broncos QB Paxton Lynch will likely be respiration down Patterson’s neck for taking part in time. The Panthers additionally picked most of their protection late, and might want to cope with query marks on that aspect of the ball.
New Jersey Generals
Coach: Mike Riley
Gamers of word: RB Mike Weber, DT Future Vaeao
What to know: The QB state of affairs here's a little bit of a difficulty. The Generals will possible begin both former New York Guardian Luis Perez or De’Andre Johnson, which might put them on the again foot offensively. Don’t be stunned in the event that they lean on Weber, a former 1,000-yard rusher in school.
Philadelphia Stars
Coach: Bart Andrus
Gamers of word: DE Freedom Akinmoladun, TE Bug Howard
What to know: Andrus is wanting so as to add one other accolade to a listing that options the 2020 Spring League title, two NFL Europe titles and an NAIA coach of the 12 months award. He’ll must do it principally behind a protection that options names like Akinmoladun, a former Giants undrafted free agent, and former Michigan cornerback Channing Stribling, the second cornerback off the board within the draft.
Pittsburgh Maulers
Coach: Kirby Wilson
Gamers of word: QB Kyle Lauletta, DT Carlo Kemp
What to know: Lauletta, one other former Large, will likely be trying to show himself enjoying for Wilson, a longtime working backs coach within the NFL who will likely be a head coach for the primary time. They’ve gone heavy on Huge Ten merchandise at talent positions, with Wisconsin’s Garrett Groshek the possible No. 1 working again and Michigan State alum Matt Seybert at tight finish.
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