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| Kelly Acosta, CB, Birmingham Stallions |
Not all busts are created equal.
Birmingham CB Kelly Acosta intercepted three passes as the Stallions romped past the Georgia Force, 26-3. Birmingham pulled into a first-place tie with the New Orleans VooDoo atop the South Division after New Orleans fell to the Florida Blazers, 13-7.
Acosta is an interesting character. He was a draft-day bust for the Houston Gamblers, his potential dropping from 92.68 to 85.56 (my weights) during training camp. Acosta was the fifth overall pick (78 vol) in the 1980 draft. His potential has continued to fall (80.11), yet Acosta intercepted 10 passes last season and has four pickoffs already in 1983.
Gene Nowlin, Birmingham's 15th-year QB, was 35-for-42 passing against Georgia and RB Mark Peterson caught 11 passes for 69 yards and rushed for 71 yards.
In other Week 3 games:
- Jacksonville QB Charles Evans threw for 429 yards and three TDs as the Bulls romped past the Tampa Bay Bandits, 36-13, to remain undefeated and tied with the Florida Blazers atop the Southeast Division.
- Florida WLB Thomas Esparza has a 41 overall rating (54 by my weights), but it was Esparza whose interception with 1:15 to go set up the clinching field goal during the Blazers' 13-7 win over New Orleans. Florida is off to a 4-0 start after finishing 2-14 in 1982.
- The Portland Storm recovered from a 16-3 fourth-quarter deficit to edge the Michigan Panthers, 19-16, in OT. Michigan TE James Harris fumbled in OT and Portland MLB Matthew Snow recovered, setting up Donald Dosch's 42-yard game-ending field goal.
- Baltimore CB Whiskey Water's interception in OT set up Ronald Hensley's game-ending field goal as the Stars outscored the Washington Federals, 6-3, to take over first place in the Atlantic Division (2-2).
- In a potential American Conference playoff preview, the Detroit Wheels topped the Memphis Showboats, 22-14, behind Enrique Pacheco's two TD receptions.
- The San Jose SaberCats (4-0) continue to play like their hair is on fire, torching the Honolulu Hawaiians, 37-14. The SaberCats picked off three passes, one of which was returned 27 yards for a TD by WLB William McMartin.
- Southern California FS Norman Brown made seven tackles, forced a fumble, intercepted one pass and knocked down three others as the Sun earned their first win by topping the Oakland Invaders, 21-16.
- New Jersey's Lucio Grant kicked six field goals during a 25-0 shutout of the Boston Breakers. Boston CB Charles Bowles was credited with 15 tackles and intercepted a pass. The USFL/WFL record for field goals in a game is eight, set by New Jersey's Dustin Henry and Shreveport's James Hooper, both in 1980.
Week 4 Preview
The Florida Citrus Bowl is expected to be packed with fans when the Jacksonville Bulls (4-0) and Florida Blazers (4-0) attempt to break their first-place tie in the Southeast Division. The Detroit Wheels (4-0) and Michigan Panthers (2-2) renew their backyard rivalry at Ypsilanti while the Chicago Blitz (2-2) and Cleveland Thunderbolts (2-2) battle for second place in the Midwest Division behind Detroit.Coach Profile
vcr5150, Arizona Wranglers
Hometown (town, state): Central Nebraska
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| vcr5150, Arizona Wranglers (right) |
Day job: Travel agent
Favorite teams (all sports): Huskers & K.C. Chiefs
A real-life sports experience: Played high school sports
A fantasy sports experience: Longtime fantasy FB from the mid-1980s until about 2004
Coach's Corner: (tip for a new MFN coach): Jump in, the best way to learn is to do — take a couple or three teams and experiment. After a couple seasons worth, you will start to develop your own strategies and philosophies. Don't trade for players who are old and have a retirement percentage listed.
