The second full season of the USFL/WFL will commence next Tuesday. Other than congratulating each other on preseason game results (and irritating Hellbriner), there isn't much going on around here for the next few days. So, I thought I would drop an abbreviated preview into the blog.
Last year's lame prediction, as you may recall, was the Boston Breakers beating the Detroit Wheels in World Bowl I. While both teams did make the playoffs, it was the Florida Blazers beating the Chicago Blitz for the big trophy.
When I look at the impending season, one of the most interesting unknowns is how the newer coaches will fare. In every case, when those new coaches took over the teams last season, significant improvement took place almost immediately. Now, can those coaches build on that partial-season success?
What follows is one observer's view of how 1975 might shake out.
Pacific Division
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| Christopher Gray, SaberCats |
The
San Jose SaberCats (12-4) are the defending division champs and might have gone farther in the playoffs but for an injury to star RB Christopher Gray, who was averaging 7.5 yards per carry. First-round draft pick QB David Schmitt will pick the brain of 10th-year pro Antonio Wilson for a while, but might be under center by the time the 1975 playoffs roll around. The SaberCats better keep an eye in their rear-view mirror for the
Los Angeles Express (9-6-1), however. Los Angeles was 5-1 in the six games after coltsfan75 took over as head coach, including a win over playoff-bound Pittsburgh and a 22-19 loss to Chicago. The
Southern California Sun (5-11) made a lot of offseason moves and have superstar WR/KR Thomas Dayton, perhaps enough to overtake the
Honolulu Hawaiians (7-8-1) for third place.
West Division
 |
| Edward Alston, Invaders |
Talk about the wild, wild west. All four teams, with a bit of good fortune, could win the West Division. The
Portland Storm (12-4) is the defending champion, and retains a tough defensive line, but was noticeably inactive during the offseason. The
Denver Gold (11-5) traded away QB Agustin Cook, last season's USFL/WFL offensive co-MVP. Dustin Nichols, who attempted only one pass last season, steps into Cook's role. Wolveraider took over as head coach of the
Oakland Invaders (6-10) for the final two games—and beat playoff-bound San Antonio and Denver. The Invaders drafted DB Victor Benedict in the first round, then pulled off a megatrade with Tampa Bay that brought them superstud DB Shawn Arzola. And they already had all-pro DB Edward Alston. The
Arizona Wranglers (6-10) were 4-2 when RB Curtis Scott, on his way to an MVP-type season, went down with a serious knee injury. The Wranglers turned to QB Ralph Trowbridge, who threw 19 interceptions and was sacked 112 times.
Southwest Division
 |
| Tony Smith, Gunslingers |
The
San Antonio Gunslingers (12-4) won their six division games by an average margin of 21.3 points and averaged a league-high 32.4 points as QB Tony Smith found WR Donnie Baker 105 times for nearly 2,000 yards. MGRIFFIN1 is the new coach for the
Memphis Showboats (9-7). He has waved goodbye to QB Brandon Rocha, who threw for 5,254 yards, in favor of Joseph Cantwell, obtained in a trade with Birmingham. The
Houston Gamblers (4-12) ended the season on a six-game losing streak. But, the Gamblers have the best coaching staff in the league, so they've got to be better. The
Oklahoma Outlaws (5-11) appeared to be on the right track early in the season, then lost five in a row and never really recovered.They do have all-pro DB Allen Herrera.
Midwest Division
 |
| Bruce Fine, Blitz |
The
Chicago Blitz (14-2) and
Detroit Wheels (14-2) played king-of-the-hill during the regular season, splitting their two meetings before Chicago caught fire in the playoffs. The Blitz bring back QB Daniel McKee, the league's offensive co-MVP, as well as all-pro RB Bruce Fine and a defense that helped the Blitz to a league-best plus-27 turnover ratio.
Detroit RB Robert Costello threatened the 2,000-yard barrier, finishing with 1,941, and the Wheels allowed just 68.6 rushing yards per game, second in the league to Florida. The
Michigan Panthers (4-12) became noticeably more competitive after Hellbriner took over as head coach, but must shore up the league's worst pass defense (333 yards per game allowed). The
Cleveland Thunderbolts (6-10) stayed out of the basement by beating Michigan twice, but will need to overcome salary cap woes to threaten Detroit and Chicago.
Southeast Division
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| Bernard Washington, LB, Blazers (84) |
The
Florida Blazers (15-1), last season's World Bowl champions, are under new management. Shiftywxm will try to establish a Blazers dynasty using a roster full of veterans and a defense that allowed a league-low 10.5 points per game. The
Tampa Bay Bandits won three of their last four, and almost knocked off the Blazers, under new coach Mcarovil. Can they thrive without Arzola? The
Jacksonville Bulls (9-6-1) won six of their last seven and made the playoffs. Jacksonville decided to stand pat, making no significant player acquisitions in the offseason. The Bulls were dead last in the league in passing yardage (159.9 per game), The
Orlando Renegades (5-10-1) and new head coach taylorman88ca have the bad luck to be stuck in what is now a loaded division. The Renegades were No. 5 in the league in pass defense last season (230.8 yards per game).
South Division
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| Thomas Canale, VooDoo (8) |
The
New Orleans VooDoo (11-5) scored the second-most points in the league (32.3 points per game) behind a prolific passing attack featuring all-pro WR Thomas Canale and all-pro TE Kenneth Boyd before falling to Florida in the playoffs. New Orleans will be an overwhelming favorite to win this division again. The
Shreveport Steamer (8-8) would have been in the playoffs but for a shocking loss to Washington on the final day of the regular season. Shreveport brings back MLB John Cintron the league's defensive MVP, and a secondary that allowed only 201 yards passing per game, lowest in the league. The
Birmingham Stallions (4-12) were the league's most active team in the offseason, trading for six new players, including QB Agustin Cook, the league's offensive co-MVP last year with Denver. Cook will be happy to see two all-pro offensive linemen in front of him. The
Georgia Force (5-11) will begin the long climb under new head coach tribewriter.
Atlantic Division
 |
| Victor Gorman, Stars |
The
Pittsburgh Maulers (11-5) used an unstoppable ground game (243 yards per game) behind all-pro RB Cliff Thomas and solid defense to win the division last year and will be the favorites this time around. The
Baltimore Stars (9-7) made the playoffs behind the league's third-best rushing defense and thanks to QB Victor Gorman, who played every offensive snap of every game -- because there is no backup QB! The
Charlotte Hornets (1-15) made enough personnel tweaks over the offseason to climb out of the basement and looked much-improved during the preseason. The
Washington Federals (4-11-1) hope to avoid taking over that basement apartment. The Federals do have all-pro LB Travis Curcio.
East Division
 |
| Jose Medina, Bell (20) |
The
Boston Breakers (12-3-1) will certainly be operating with a sense of urgency after their veteran-laden squad fell just short of the ultimate goal. Boston has 21 players on its preseason roster with 10 or more years of pro experience. The
New Jersey Generals (8-8) are going to pass the Breakers soon ... if not this season, soon. New Jersey nearly made the playoffs with the league's youngest team in 1974. The
Philadelphia Bell (6-10) won their last two games to carry some confidence into this season. Philadelphia was No. 7 in the league in rushing a season ago, thanks to RB Jose Medina (1,526 yards). The
New York Stars (3-13) didn't do a lot to improve and are probably going to be looking up at the rest of the division again.
Fearless Predictions
Division winners: San Jose, Denver, San Antonio, Chicago, Florida, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Boston.
Wild-card playoff teams: Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay, New Jersey.
World Bowl II: Chicago Blitz 27, Boston Breakers 20
