 |
| Mark Lambert, RB, Houston Gamblers |
The rich in the USFL/WFL have gotten richer. Way richer.
The defending league champion Houston Gamblers took Pitt RB Mark Lambert with the first overall pick in the 1983 draft.
Lambert has 90 speed, 90 acceleration, and 100s in almost every other non-blocking category. In other words, with good health and a capable offensive line, he could potentially become the greatest RB in league history.
The Gamblers had traded their first-round pick for the Southern California Sun's top pick two seasons ago. SoCal did get a nice RT with the No. 14 overall pick that season, Dennis Lee. He allowed only one sack in 1,055 snaps last season. But the Sun's new management would not have minded having Lambert instead.
Houston had three first-round picks and two in the second round among its 17 picks in this draft.
The San Jose SaberCats also took a RB with the No. 2 pick, West Virginia's Desmond Kirkland, as did the Georgia Force at No. 4 (Clemson's Richard Brown) and San Antonio Gunslingers at No. 7 (Thomas Earl Petty, Florida). Sandwiched in-between all those RBs was Florida Blazers RDE Ramon Carter at No. 3 overall.
The Baltimore Stars had two first-round picks, as did the Denver Gold and Oklahoma Outlaws.
The draft continues through Wednesday, followed by late free agency, training camp, and the preseason.
Retirements
Some of the league's all-time greatest players hung up their spikes after the 1982 season, including the league's top two rushers and No. 2 all-time receiver.RB Cliff Thomas and RB Jason Brooks went directly from the Pittsburgh Maulers and Oakland Invaders, respectively, to the Hall of Fame ballot. San Antonio Gunslingers WR Marshall Gibson ranks No. 2 all-time in receiving yardage.
Orlando Renegades WR Robert Zapata ranks No. 5 in receiving yardage. Boston Breakers LB Roy Edelman ranks No. 3 among all USFL/WFL linebackers in tackles (the two players ahead of him are still active). Georgia Force CB Richard Glasgow intercepted 43 passes, No. 1 among all retired players and No. 8 overall.
Free Agency
The last two league offensive MVPs changed teams during the offseason.
QB Mario Valencia, last season's USFL/WFL offensive MVP with the Houston Gamblers, fielded only two free agent offers and signed a two-year, $7.05-million pact with the Los Angeles Express. Valencia is in his 13th season and has a 30 percent chance of retiring after this season.
WR/RB Quincy White, the 1981 MVP, moved from the Arizona Wranglers to Los Angeles and joined the Express for $52.7 million over four years. White has a 10 percent chance of retiring after this season.
Dusty Heckman's quest for his 100th career TD pass has shifted to the Portland Storm. The sure-fire Hall of Fame WR had three more TD grabs with the San Jose SaberCats last season to go with the 93 he had for the Oklahoma Outlaws from 1974 to 1981. Heckman has a 40-percent chance of retiring after this season.
LDE Oscar Rodriguez, the 1975 league defensive MVP, signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Bulls. Rodriguez recorded 53 sacks during his first three seasons with the Shreveport Steamer, but only nine over the last six seasons.
The most expensive free agent was former Detroit Wheels and Houston Gamblers WR John Risinger, who signed with the Portland Storm for six years, $125.5 million. Portland is on the hook for less than $112,000 in bonus money if Risinger retires, which he has a 30 percent chance of doing. Risinger has 80 TD catches in his career and an average 16.2 yards per catch.
Three-time All-Pro OL Adam Bolding signed a one-year contract with Memphis for his 14th pro season. The Showboats also signed former All-Pro WR Thomas Canale to a one-year deal.
Oklahoma invited disaster upon itself by signing two of the league's most cursed players—DB Juan Bonnett and OL Dave Lapham.
Bonnett has long defined "Draft Day Bust" in the USFL/WFL The ceiling on the fifth overall pick in the 1975 draft, has fallen from 86 to 64—yet, this will be his ninth season on an active roster. Lapham gave up 52 sacks during his first four pro seasons with the New Jersey Generals and New York Stars and 77 in his career—yet, this will be his 10th season on someone's roster. His current rating (my weights) is 49.23.
Free agent deals with total money exceeding $35 million:
- WR John Risinger, Portland (6 years, $125.5 million)
- QB Michael Temples, Detroit (4 years, $56.4 million)
- WR/RB Quincy White, Los Angeles (4 years, $52.7 million)
- MLB Michael McIntire, Michigan (6 years, $45.7 million)
- WR Dusty Heckman, Portland (6 years, $39.2 million)
- QB Chester Dougherty, Chicago (2 years, $35.3 million)
- CB Carlos Turner, Birmingham (4 years, $35.3 million)
