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| Jerry Ruiz, QB, Pitt/New Orleans? |
Our resident draftnik, Booger926, has provided his vision of how the 1978 draft will look. We appreciate Booger contributing content to the league blog and welcome any submissions others coaches wish to send along. If you disagree with his synopsis, remember that Booger is not in your war room, nor in your head. This is his best guess. All editorial comments are Booger's and do not reflect the official position of the USFL/WFL.
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1) Philadelphia Bell (1-15)
Overall Offensive Rank - 32nd (31st Pass / 28th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 30th (23rd against the Pass / 32nd against the Run)
Needs: YOUTH!!! OL, LB, CB, WR, TE
With a QB in the top 5 and the worst-ranked offense, this would be a no-brainer. But the Bell have the people in place in QB Roy Rhyne, and an above-average protection line that the offense can get by with right now. Their weakest link on the line is at LG, which can get better than what they currently have with a third-round pick. What they need to address is to get a WR so Rhyne has someone who can catch what he throws to them. But Philly has 22 players with 7 or more years of experience, and their defense was so badly in need of Geritol infusion IVs that I think MLB Miguel Gross – Other will be doing his own version of the Philly Special.
2) New Orleans VooDoo (1-15)
Overall Offensive Rank – 31st (32nd Pass / 9th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 16th ( 12th against the Pass / 22nd against the Run)
Needs: DL, OL, WR
Ok, No-Brainer Choice No. 2. QB Jerry Ruiz – Pittsburgh isn’t dropping any further. NOLA gets its franchise QB and gets back into the playoffs.
3) Washington Federals (2-14)
Overall Offensive Rank – 28th ( 28th Pass / 19th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 31st ( 27th against the Pass / 31st against the Run)
Needs: DL, OL, LB
With a total of 62 sacks allowed, 6th-highest in the league, I think the Federals will address this need instead beefing up the run stoppage and take LT Wesley Griffin – UNLV.
4) Michigan Panthers (6-9-1) VIA Southern California Sun
Overall Offensive Rank – 11th (#3 Pass / 32nd Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 28th ( 29th against the Pass / 23rd against the Run)
Needs: OL, DE, CB
This is the first pick of Michigan's two first-rounders in this year’s draft, the one they got through the trade of WR John Sanders to the Sun. The Panthers have shown drastic improvements during their time in the USFL, and slowly focus on one need at a time. This draft, I know they will be addressing their defense, but I cannot decide if they will pay attention to their pass D or run D. In this pass-happy league, it’s best to defend the pass, so Michigan takes SS Herbert Lynn – Notre Dame
5) Houston Gamblers (4-11)
Overall Offensive Rank – 18th (8th Pass / 27th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 21st (22nd against the Pass / 21st against the Run)
Needs: FS, TE, DE
The Gamblers must finally address the 298-pound Elephant in the Room and ignore the "Want-To” to get the fastest defensive player in the draft so they can bring respect to their running game because the lack of a running game is one of the biggest reasons why Houston consistently underachieves. Screw it. It’s my team, so I am taking CB Albert Arsenault – Kentucky
6) Florida Blazers (4-12)
Overall Offensive Rank – 22nd (24th Pass / 15th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 23rd (20th against the Pass / 28th against the Run)
Needs: TE, OL, RDE, LB, Secondary
The more I look at Florida’s stats and roster, the more I scratch my head wondering what I would do if I were the owner. Their offense is mediocre, strong in one category while weak in another, and the defense is in same boat. So let’s focus on the weakest link on this team at the moment, which is stopping the run and go after RDE Irvin Balzer – Hawaii.
7) Jacksonville Bulls (5-11)
Overall Offensive Rank – 30th (30th Pass / 25th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 11th (11th against the Pass / 19th against the Run)
Needs: WR, CB, OL
The Bulls' defense seems to be going in the right direction, so the obvious choice is to look at the weakest link within the offense, which is WR. But this year’s rookie selection of playmakers is thin and shallow. So, even with that, Jacksonville is going to take the best WR available at the moment, Joseph Garner – Other because the next time they get a chance to improve this position, they will be grasping at straws.
8) Memphis Showboats (5-11)
Overall Offensive Rank – 16th ( 25th Pass / 4th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 24th ( 30th against the Pass / 13th against the Run)
Needs: QB, LB, Any form of Secondary
The Memphis offense is there with its smash-mouth style of play that helps keeps their pass-happy divisional opponents' QBs off the field. But, once again, when they do get on the field, those QBs are able to deliver lightning-quick big gain passes to their receivers simply because of the weakness of the Showboats' secondary. Now is the time to start addressing this and by picking SS Shelby Kemp – Bowling Green and converting him to CB because of being undersized for his natural position is the first step.
9) San Antonio Gunslingers (5-11)
Overall Offensive Rank – 23rd ( 19th Pass / 21st Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 12th ( 6th against the Pass / 26th against the Run)
Needs: DL, LB, End Rusher
As the Gunslingers find it is getting harder and harder to keep the I-10 Traffic Zone Trophy away from their intrastate rivals, the Houston Gamblers, they have neglected to recognize the rise of another division rival, the Oklahoma Outlaws. Are the Gunslingers satisfied at the moment with their defense, 6th against the pass and 26th against the run, or do they address their weakness from the previous season and go with an offensive player. Owner ToroTex is a very smart and competitive player and I think he goes the other way and picks RB Robert Bonfiglio – Washington to help San Antonio get back to being the dominant team in the division.
10) Denver Gold (6-10)
Overall Offensive Rank – 24th ( 13th Pass / 30th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 26th ( 24th against the Pass / 25th against the Run)
Needs: TE, C, End Rusher, WLB, Secondary
This is the first pick of two that the Denver Gold have in the first round of this year’s draft. While the LT is the QB’s best friend, a good TE who is willing to catch those quick passes across the middle during a hot-read ranks right up there. Unfortunately, Denver doesn’t have this ... yet. Do they address this now or wait until later? While they do have three WR with 1,000-plus yards receiving, I believe they need to become multidimensional in their offense and look toward getting an OL who will help their RBs make defenses think twice about their choices. With that, Denver, with its first pick, chooses LT Jeffery Thompson – Illinois and moves him to LG.
11) Boston Breakers (6-10)
Overall Offensive Rank – 21st ( 16th Pass / 26th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 32nd ( 32nd against the Pass / 18th against the Run)
Needs: RB, TE, WR, OL, End Rusher, MLB, Secondary
There are so many holes in this bucket that it is seen instead as a noodle strainer. Any choice made will be a small step toward improvement. With that, Boston takes the best defensive player available that fits its needs, CB Juan Jacobson – Oregon State
12) Charlotte Hornets (6-10)
Overall Offensive Rank – 29th ( 29th Pass / 18th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 13th ( 9th against the Pass / 24th against the Run)
Needs: OL, DL, Outside LB, Safety, A NEW FREAKIN’ LOGO
The Hornets have so many offensive players just sitting on the bench that it is taking away opportunities from those who could really make an impact on the team. Really, … five QBs, seven FBs, and seven WRs? C’mon, that’s 36 percent of your team….and 57 perecent of those are bench warmers. In my opinion, it’s time to cut the losses and focus on making a well-rounded team. That being said, I believe owner UKRAIN will make a wise choice and take MLB Lamar Reynolds – Minnesota and convert him to an outside LB focusing on the run. After that, the Hornets should consult the nearest 5-year-old and ask him to design their new logo, which will be an improvement.
13) Michigan Panthers (6-9-1)
Overall Offensive Rank – 11th (#3 Pass / 32nd Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 28th ( 29th against the Pass / 23rd against the Run)
Needs: OL, DE, CB
This is the second pick that the Panthers have in the first round. Michigan will continue to focus on improving its defense, this time by focusing on their D-line by taking undersized DT Timothy Ballinger – Ohio State and moving him to RDE to utilize his strength and speed.
14) Chicago Blitz (8-8)
Overall Offensive Rank – 8th ( 9th Pass / 16th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 22nd ( 26th against the Pass / 17th against the Run)
Needs: MLB, C, DT
Ok, this one is hard. How do you address a possible world champion, a team that has averaged 12 wins a season, when you have yet to get a total of 20 wins overall? It could be easily just to write me off as a nobody who doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but the truth is Chicago’s defense has been on the decline for some time. And if they want to once again reach the promised land, they must address this. But where do they start? The D-line, the edge, the second tier, or the secondary? All have solid building blocks that can be utilized as a foundation for the future. With that, I think they will address the Gorilla in the Room and go after a LB by choosing WLB August Saari – Wisconsin.
15) San Jose Sabercats (8-8)
Overall Offensive Rank – 14th (10th Pass / 20th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 27th ( 19th against the Pass / 30th against the Run)
Needs: Edge Rusher, LB, CB
The list pf defensive players being picked in the first round will continue as San Jose focuses on improving its run defense by picking homegrown DT Michael Keys – San Jose State . With his ability, he can shore up the middle of the D-line or move outside to cause headaches to opposing OL and QBs.
16) Denver Gold (6-10) via Honolulu Hawaiians
Overall Offensive Rank – 24th ( 13th Pass / 30th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 26th ( 24th against the Pass / 25th against the Run)
Needs: TE, C, End Rusher, WLB, Secondary
This is the second pick that Denver has in the first round of this season’s draft, and which came around when Denver sent two second-round picks from the 1977 draft for a chance in the first. With their first pick, I projected the Gold picking a lineman to assist in opening holes for their RBs or to hold off rushing D-linemen . I also addressed the possibility of them getting a receiving TE. Well, now’s the time to tell TE Curtis Hartig – Wyoming to get ready for some Rocky Mountain High passing yardage.
17) Baltimore Stars (8-8)
Overall Offensive Rank – 27th (21st Pass / 24th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 9th (10th against the Pass / 16th against the Run)
Needs: FB, WR, OL, CB
Baltimore’s run-of-the-mill offense needs improvement, but where? Their most glaring need is at WR2, but this year’s crop of worthy picks is few and between. And while WR Wade Wentz – Oregon State off-field antics have caused him to drop like a lead balloon in this year’s draft, the Stars are willing to take a chance on the originally highest rated WR before the draft started.
18) Orlando Renegades (9-7)
Overall Offensive Rank – 17th (11th Pass / 22nd Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 7th (8th against the Pass / 12th against the Run)
Needs: TE, RG, DL, SLB,
All need to pay attention to what The Mad Scientist of SIM Football will do with his team. While the Renegades averaged 3.7 yards per carry, I think he was not satisfied with those results. The weakest link on his O-line is at RG, and, in my opinion, finding a G who can get to the second layer and open holes for his RB should be the top component on Setherick’s list. With that, RG John Whitney – Washington becomes the newest part of Frankenstein’s Monster.
19) Oklahoma Outlaws (13-6/12-7) via Portland Storm
Overall Offensive Rank – 5th (5th Pass / 17th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 25th (31st against the Pass / 6th against the Run)
Needs: CB, SS, FS, SLB, Special Teams
This is the first pick of two that Oklahoma has in this year’s draft and is the result of the Outlaws shipping DT Theodore Zheng and SS Samuel Dorsey off to Portland. How do you continue to advance in the playoffs, yet along even make them, when you have the second-worst pass defense in this period of arcade-style/pass-happy offense? I am not sure, but it is obvious which way Oklahoma is going to go with their choice and that will be the best of the remaining members of the secondary positions and pick CB Rick Pugliese – North Carolina State and move him to FS.
20) New York Stars (13-4/12-5) via Georgia Force
Overall Offensive Rank – 6th (6th Pass / 14th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 3rd (3rd against the Pass / 2nd against the Run)
Needs: OL, MLB, CB
This is the first pick of two that the NY Stars have in the first round of this year’s draft, the result of New York shipping MLB Neil Choate off to Georgia. I made have made a mistake in letting RG Manuel Weinstein – San Diego State drop this low in the draft, but I believe that defensive players dominate this draft. And having the third-best D in the league means The Commish will forget about the weakness he has at the LB position and will first address his offensive line.
21) Birmingham Stallions (10-6-1)
Overall Offensive Rank – 2nd (#1 Pass / 31st Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 18th (14th against the Pass / 20th against the Run)
Needs: TE, C, LDE, WLB, Sec
The Stallions have once again been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, and once again it was because of their inability to stop the run and the pass. In their playoff game against the Shreveport Steamer, Birmingham allowed 4.68 yards per carry and 13.0 yards per catch. Also, being one-dimensional with a 79-percent passing style so opposing secondaries can drop back and expect a pass every play does not help, hence the 3 INTs from that last game. With All-Pro tackle Ben Arnold retiring, I think it is about time to starting thinking about rebuilding the offensive line by starting at the center position. With that, C Louis Gray – Notre Dame heads to Alabama.
22) Oakland Invaders (11-6)
Overall Offensive Rank – 9th (20th Pass / 3rd Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 20th (25th against the Pass / 5th against the Run)
Needs: DT, SLB, MLB, SS
The 1976 World Bowl champion begins its climb back to the league’s elite by addressing its defense. And they begin addressing their D by focusing on the second tier and take WLB Christopher Turner – Other and moving him to the strong side.
23) Cleveland Thunderbolts (11-6)
Overall Offensive Rank – 12th (23rd Pass / 2nd Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 4th (7th against the Pass / 3rd against the Run)
Needs: RB, TE, LDE
With the best O-line in the league, a proven passer in QB Chester Dougherty, and the second-best running game in the league even though their RBs are average, it’s obvious where Cleveland set its sights. That target is a WR Alejandro Maddy – Bringham Young , a player who will help their passing attack.
24) Houston Gamblers (4-12) via Pittsburgh
This is Houston’s second pick in the first round, the result of the Gamblers sending WR Robert Richards to the Maulers for two future first-round picks. And, true to Houston form, who takes a defensive player with their first pick and an offensive player with their second? The Gamblers will focus on the best O-lineman available, C Patrick Eveland – Tulsa and move him to their weak RG position.
25) New Jersey Generals (11-7)
Overall Offensive Rank 13th (15th Pass / 13th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank 2nd (4th against the Pass / 1st against the Run)
Needs: TE, SS, RB
This is the most underachieving team I have ever seen. From top to bottom, from one side of the ball to the other, the Generals are stacked like a plate of pancakes on free breakfast night and waiting for the buttered maple syrup to be poured. With that, I am going to address their weakness, the passing game. I think New Jersey will start looking at replacements for their veterans and will start looking at QB Elwood Savage – Penn State.
26) Shreveport Steamer (12-6)
Overall Offensive Rank – 20th (27th Pass / 11th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 5th (5th against the Pass / 14th against the Run)
Needs: CB, SS
CB Philip Schurtz — Nebraska is the choice for Shreveport.
27) Oklahoma Outlaws (12-6)
Overall Offensive Rank – 5th (5th
Pass / 17th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 25th (31st
against the Pass / 10th against the Run)
Needs: FB, OL, DL, CB
RT Frank Hostetter
28) Arizona Wranglers (13-5)
Overall Offensive Rank – 4th (14th
Pass / 1st Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 19th (15th
against the Pass / 15th against the Pass)
Needs: QB, C,
FB Charles Pierce
29) New York Stars (12-6)
Overall Offensive Rank – 6th (6th
Pass / 14th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 3rd (3rd
against the Pass / 2nd against the Run)
Needs: OL, MLB, CB
MLB Anthony Baker
30) Los Angeles Express (13-6)
Overall Offensive Rank – 7th (12th
Pass / 6th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 14th (17th
against the Pass / 9th against the Run)
Needs: QB, OL, LB
RDE Otis Bourbeau
31) Tampa Bay Bandits (16-2)
Overall Offensive Rank – 1st (2nd
Pass / 5th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 15th (18th
against the Pass / 11th against the Pass)
Needs: DT, RDE, MLB, FS
RDE Donald Jackson
32) Detroit Wheels (18-0)
Overall Offensive Rank – 3rd (4th
Pass / 8th Run)
Overall Defensive Rank – 10th (16th
against the Pass / 7th against the Run)
Need: TE, #3WR, C, FS
WR Roderick Busch
