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| Shawn Arzola, CB, Oakland Invaders |
Arzola, 33, became the first player in league history assigned to a team when he was taken by Tampa Bay after finishing his All-America career at Clemson. He was a 100 overall and 11 of his 12 ratings were at 100 on draft day.
But, during the draft one year later, the Bandits dealt Arzola to Oakland. He intercepted eight passes during the 1977 season and was credited with 417 tackles in five years. Arzola also has a nice big ring on his finger, thanks to Oakland's World Bowl II victory.
In other interesting player moves:
- Two-time All-Pro offensive lineman Charles Bukowski has retired. Bukowski was All-Pro for Boston in 1975 and 1976, but the Breakers allowed him to sign with Arizona as a free agent before the 1977 season. The Wranglers gave Bukowski $94.5 million over six seasons, which means Arizona will take on a ton of dead cap over the four remaining seasons of his deal.
- Record-setting kick return man Dean Williamson of the Georgia Force has retired. Williamson tied a league record with a 110-yard return and his career average of 34 yards per return is second only to Gregory Shea of Memphis (36.0) among players with 100 or more career returns. His nine career return TDs are tied for second all-time with Curtis Scott of Arizona, behind Shea's 11.
- Tight end Scott Maddux, two-time honorable-mention All-Pro with Shreveport, has retired. Maddux averaged 62 receptions and 704 receiving yards during his five seasons with the Steamer.
- The Curse of Juan Bonnett is now on the Denver Gold. One of the most spectacular draft busts in USFL/WFL history signed with the Gold after three seasons in Honolulu. Bonnett was taken by Houston with the No. 5 overall pick in the 1975 draft, then shipped to the Hawaiians one season later for a late third-rounder. His rating has fallen from 83.79 to its current 64.62.
- Joseph (Can't Run) Cantwell was released by the Washington Federals. The QB/statue was sacked 78 times while with Birmingham in 1974 and 55 times with Memphis in 1976.
- Former Federals RDE Matthew McGinley fielded 12 contract offers before signing with the Shreveport Steamer for six years and $67.7 million. Pretty good dough for a guy who has never had more than 50 tackles or nine sacks in any of his four pro seasons. The Steamer also spent $47 million over five years for LDE Matthew Snow, formerly of Baltimore.
- Center Donald Lopez will begin his 17th pro season after signing a one-year, $15.3-million contract with the Denver Gold. Lopez previously spent three seasons in Boston and two in Portland.
Draft Preview
The 1979 USFL Draft begins Wednesday. The Georgia Force are scheduled to pick first, at 8:22 a.m. Five teams will have two picks apiece on the first day — Washington Federals (4 and 9), New York Stars (5 and 16), Denver Gold (6 and 12), Chicago Blitz (7 and 21), San Jose SaberCats (10 and 22), and Houston Gamblers (13 and 25).
The Philadelphia Bell took SS Herbert Lynn with the first overall pick last season. Other first picks were Michigan RDE Alton Pastor (1977), New York Stars CB Rodney Preston (1976) and Charlotte Hornets MLB Fernando Stone (1975).
