Thursday, March 1, 2018

Week 2 Roundup

Week 2 was a big week for The New Guys. All four first-year owners saw their teams win, some of them surprising rugged opponents.

Les Lynch, DT, Baltimore (96)
Baltimore  DT Les Lynch set a USFL/WFL record with eight sacks as the Stars improved to 2-0 for rookie coach Duval by whipping the Georgia Force, 31-3. Lynch also had seven tackles and four hurries. The former record of six sacks in a game was shared by nine players.

Lynch was Baltimore's first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in 1975. He fell that far in the first round primarily because of 84 volatility, but his future ratings have jumped from 78.86 on draft day to its current 86.13.

His speed is not bad (64), nor is his strength (80), but Lynch also has ratings of 100 for pass rush, 95 for run defense and 94 for tackle ability.

In other games Thursday:
  • The Jacksonville Bulls pulled off a stunner for new coach MasonBronos, surprising the Oakland Invaders, 16-7. RDE Nathan Sherrard and DT Raphael Alvarez combined for five sacks for Jacksonville. Remember Shawn Arzola? He had an interception for Oakland. Arzola was taken by Tampa Bay with the very first pick of the 1974 allocation draft. He is now a 10th-year pro with a 20-percent chance of retiring.
  • The Birmingham Stallions and new coach Kababmaster outscored the San Antonio Gunslingers, 47-30. Birmingham rolled up 626 yards total offense as QB Agustin Crook fired four TD passes.
  • Honolulu DT Richard Worthen and LDE James Tolentino combined for 36 hurries as the Hawaiians terrorized the Denver Gold, 30-2. CB Robert Gutierrez intercepted a pair of passes for Honolulu.
  • New Memphis Showboats coach PrivateSnowflake directed his team to a 36-24 victory over New Orleans. RB Gregory Shea piled up 152 yards rushing for Memphis. The VooDoo, World Bowl entrants last season, fell to 0-2.
  •  Arizona Wranglers CB Robert Welsh picked off three passes in a 40-9 win over the Florida Blazers.
  • Washington QB Joe Richardson threw for 631 yards and five TDs, but the Federals lost to Boston, 51-46, because Breakers QB Eric Pierce threw for 473 yards and five TDs. Richardson's big day ranked No. 5 all-time. Orlando Renegades QB David Judkins holds the single-game passing record with 682 yards.
  • In a battle of 1976 playoff teams, the Tampa Bay Bandits mauled Pittsburgh, 48-7, with a 24-point second quarter that included Ralph Allen's 70-yard TD run.
  • Oklahoma QB Dale Brown accumulated 572 yards passing and five TDs as the Outlaws seized the Southwest Division lead with a 47-32 victory over the Chicago Blitz.
  • Detroit Wheels QB Mario Valencia, who fired a league-record 55 TD passes last season, has eight so far this season after throwing six during a 58-24 win over the Houston Gamblers.

Week 3 Preview

The Portland Storm (2-0) is at the Los Angeles Express (2-0) in a battle of division leaders. Southwest Division leader Oklahoma (2-0) travels to Oakland to face the Invaders (1-1). The Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-0) are at Detroit to face the Wheels (2-0) in a significant Midwest Division game.

Record Book

Detroit Wheels RDE Juan Frigo is the USFL/WFL's career sacks leader with 60. Shreveport Steamer RDE Oscar Rodriguez is second with 53.

Coach's Profile

Two seasons ago, we tried to post coach's profiles as a regular feature on the blog. I always enjoyed that feature, and we have had some turnover, so there are new people to get to know. If I send you a PM for this purpose, please fill out the form and return it.
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