#Leroy Mccants

[altusfl]

77. The 1990 season --- Team rosters

Team by team breakdown of more noted players in the 1990 season.

Atlanta - QB Steve Bartkowski,QB Walter Lewis, RB Cleveland Gary, RB Vagus Ferguson, FB Ken Talton, WR Marcus Anderson, WR/KR Cormac Carney,TE Ken Wisenhunt, DE Curtis Anderson, DL Kevin Middleton  OLB Cornelius Bennett, OLB Aundrey Bruce ILB John Brantley, ILB Larry Kolic, FS Riccardo Ingram SS Bubba McDowell P Jim Grupp K Efren Herrera 

Arizona- QB Alan Risher, QB Todd Santos RB Kevin Nelson, RB Randy Johnson RB John Barnett,FB Mack Boatner, WR Jim Sandusky, WR Jackie Flowers,  TE Mark Keel, G Randall McDaniel G Carl Roberts G Frank Kalil, C Mike Katolin OL Jeff Kiewel RG Alvin Powell, DE Skip McLendon, DE Mike Mraz DT Stan Mataele NT Dan Saleamua NT Dave Futrell OLB Ben Apuna, OLB Scott Stephen MLB Byron Evans  CB Anthony Parker DB Lance Shields DB Eddie Brown  DB Gordon Bunch,FS Allen Durden SS/OLB David Fulcher SS Chuck Cecil SS Don Schwartz P/K Frank Corral 

Baltimore- QB Rick Neuheisel, WR Joey Walters, TE victor Hicks, RB Chris Warren, RB Harry Sydney, DE Mike Fox, DE Willie Broughton, DT Bob Nelson DT Wally Klein,

Birmingham- QB Kerwin Bell, QB Reggie Slack, QB Peter Tom Willis RB Brent Fullwood, RB Jerry Mays, RB Scott Stamper FB Tommie Agee  WR Wendell Davis, WR Joey Jones, WR Ron Fredrick,  WR Greg Richardson TE Darryl Mason TE Allama Matthews T Pat Phenix, T Robert Woods G Pat Saindon, G Buddy Aydelette, C Tom Banks G Dave Drechsler DE Jon Hand DE Tracy Rocker,DE/DT Ronnie Paggett, DT Doug Smith, NT Benji Roland  DE/DT Jackie Cline DE/DT Jimmy Walker  OLB Herb Spencer,LB Dallas Hickman, LB Thomas Boyd ILB Keith McCants ILB Kurt Crain CB Ricky Ray CB Dennis Woodberry CB Frank Reed SS Billy Cesare FS Mike Thomas SS Chuck Clanton P Danny Miller K Scott Norwood 

Boston - QB Doug Flutie, QB Mike Buck, QB Shawn Halloran, RB Jaime Morris,RB Troy Stradford, WR Kelvin Martin,  WR Tom Waddle, WR Darren Flutie, TE Mike Bitterman,  T Dave Widell T Scott Hough, T Pat Staub G Joe Wolf G Steve Trapillo G Mike Brennan G Dean Brown G John Schmeding  C Mike McLaughlin DE John Bosa,DE Kenny Neil DE Robert Banks DL Justin Strzelcyzk,  NT Mike Ruth OLB Ben Needham OLB Bill Romanowski,ILB Marcus Marek ILB Ned Bolcar CB Gordie Lockbaum CB Woorow Wilson S Joe Restic S Pat Eilers S Stan Smagala DB D'Jaun Francisco P Bucky Scribner K John Carney

Carolina - QB Mike Hohenesee,QB Chris Chandler,QB Ben Bennett WR Clarkston Hines, WR Sterling Sharpe,  WR Naz Worthen, WR Perry Tuttle,WR Robert Clark TE Shannon Sharp, RB Kevin Mack,RB Derrick Fenner,  G John Schmeding G Gerry Raymond DE Ray Agnew, DE Malcolm Taylor, DT Micheal Dean Perry, NT Roy Hart,OLB Vinson Smith,  CB Donnell Woolford,CB Wayne Haddix,  S Brad Edwards,K Steve Christie

Chicago-QB Jack Trudeau, QB Chuck Hartlieb, RB Bo Jackson, RB Thomas Rooks, FB Keith Byars, WR David Williams,WR/KR Tim Brown,  WR Doug Donely, TE Cap Boso, TE Jerry Reese LT Mark Dennis, LT Lee Spivey,LT Duane Wilson,G Jim Juriga,RG Arland Thompson, C Bill Winters DE Tyrone Keys, DE Scott Davis, DT Don Thorp,  NT Paul Hanna DT Tony Suber ILB Pepper Johnson ILB Jeff Leiding LB Byron Lee LB Scott Leach LB Larry Kolic CB Rod Hill, CB Vince Buck, CB Kerry Glenn, FS Craig Swoope S Sonny Gordon P Jim Miller K Max Zendejas

Denver- QB Todd Dillon QB Scott Mitchell QB Bob Gagliano RB Bill Johnson, RB Steve Bartalo WR Leonard Harris, WR/KR Marc Lewis, WR Vincent White,WR Frank Lockett, WR Aaron Cox, WR Terrence Mathis LT Steve Rogers, C Tim Grunhard, C Tom Davis OL Sid Abramowitz  DE Calvin Turner, DL Chad Hennings,NT Tim Moore OLB Marcus Cotton, OLB Galand Thaxton ILB John Nevens,MLB Terry Maki, LB Greg Gerken CB/PR David Martin, CB David Dumars CB Nate Miller, CB Tom Rotello CB Victor Scott FS Scott Thomas,SS Mickey Pruitt, P Jack Weil K/P Jim Asmus

Hawaii - QB Jack Thompson, QB Robbie Bosco,QB Garrett Gabriel, QB/RB/WR Raphel Cherry, WR Walter Murray, WR Mark Bellini , WR Glen Kozlowski, RB/PR/KR Gary Allen, RB Del Rodgers, RB Anthony Edgar RB/PR/KR Vai Sikahema,  FB Lakei Heimuli, FB Tom Tuipulotu, TE Trevor Molini, TE David Mills, RT Jim Mills LT Darryl Haley, LT Dean Miraldi T Vince Stroth, T Nick Eyre, T Wayne Faalafua G Joe Onosai G Louis Wong G Bernard Carvalho, C Kani Kauahi, C Ed Riewerts C Robert Anae DE Al Noga  DE Jason Buck DE Jim Herrmann DE Brandon Flint DE Brad Anae, DE Junior Filiaga,  DT Kit Lathrop DT Tom Tuinei DT Colin Scotts, DT Brad Smith, OLB Kyle Whittigham, OLB Leon White, LB Cary Whittingham, MLB Kurt Gouveia,MLB Marv Allen CB Dana McLemore CB Jeff Griffin  CB Manny Hendrix, CB Rodney Thomas, DB Rodney Rice, DB Kent Kafentzis, FS Blaine Gaison FS Jeff Wilcox FS Rich Miano SS Mark Kafentzis SS Kyle Morrell SS Jeff Sprowls, S Verlon Redd S Troy Long P/TE Clay Brown K Paul Woodside

Houston- QB Jim Kelly, WR Richard Johnson, WR Ricky Sanders, WR/PR Gerald McNeil, WR/KR Clarence Verdin, RB Ickey Woods, RB Todd Fowler, RB Darryl Clark, LT Bryan Dausin RT Tommy Robinson T Ernie Rogers, T Denver Johnson RG Billy Kidd, LG Scott Boucher, C Frank Kalil, DE Pete Catan, DE Cleveland Crosby DE Charles Benson DT Craig Veasey, DT Tony Fitzpatrick DT Hosea Taylor  OLB Andy Hawkins, OLB Mike Hawkins, MLB Kiki DeAyala, LB Lamar Lathon, CB Audrey McMillan,  CB Will Lewis CB Mike Mitchell FS Luther Bradley FS Hollis Hall SS Steve Atwater SS Calvin Eason,S Tommy Myers P Dale Walters K Toni Fritsch,

Jacksonville- QB Ed Luther, QB Robbie Mahfouz WR Alton Alexis, WR Perry Kemp, WR Wyatt Henderson  RB Gaston Green KR/RB Tony Boddie, FB Larry Mason FB Melvin Bratton, T Bob Gruber G George Collins C Jay Pennison T Roy simmons C Mike Reuther,RT Ralph Williams, LG Rich garza,DE Anthony Smith, DE Alphonso Carreker, DE Keith Millard, DE Phil Dokes OLB tom dinkle OLB Joe Castillo, MLB Bernard Clark, CB Terry McDaniel, CB Van Jakes S Don Bessillieu S Chester Gee CB Mark Harper DB Bobby Hosea, P/K Brian Franco

Los Angeles- QB Marc Wilson, QB Rodney Peete, QB Doug Gaynor, RB Christian Okoye, RB Reggie Brown   RB/KR Jarvis Redwine, WR Mike Sherrad,  WR Reggie Rembert, WR Willie “Flipper” Anderson, WR Duane Gunn WR John Jefferson TE Tim Wrightman OL Rod Walters, Vince Stroh, Bob Simmons, Doug Hoppock, Perry Harnett, &  Jerry Doerger,  C Mike Katolin & G Alvin Powell, C Mike Schad, DE Gary Jeter,DE Lee Williams, DT George Achica, DE Fletcher Jenkins, DE Ben Rudolph DT Eddie Weaver,DE Dennis Edwards, DE Ray Cattage, DE Rich Dimler OLB Ken Norton Jr., OLB Eric Scoggins, MLB Howard Carson,MLB Marvcus Patton LB Danny Rich  LB Sam Norris CB Darryl Henley CB Wymon Henderson, CB John Hendy CB Tyrone Justin FS/CB Mike Fox SS Tim McDonald P Jeff Partridge K Tony Zendejas,

Memphis- QB Warren Moon, QB Jeff Francis, WR Derek Holloway  WR/KR Derrick Crawford, WR Greg Moser, WR Alexander Wright,  WR Sam Graddy, WR Ted Wilson, WR Gizmo Williams  RB John Stephens  FB Cornelius Quarles, TE Keli McGregor T Richard Cooper, RG Myke Horton G Bill Mayo  DE Anthony Pleasant, DE Calvin Clark DT Reggie White, OLB Kenny Tippins  LB Rod Shoate, LB Mike Brewington MLB Chris Gaines CB Mossy Cade CB Leonard Coleman CB mike thomas DB Terry Love FS Vic Minor SS Barney Bussey P Jimmy Colquitt K Alan Duncan

Miami – QB Vinny Tesreverde, RB Rodney Hampton, RB/PR/KR Eric Robinson  FB Dwayne Crutchfield, WR Michael Irvin, WR Eddie Brown, WR/KR Mike Harris WR Greg Taylor, WR Ricky Simmons WR Elmer Bailey TE Willie Smith TE Bob Niziolek LT Joel Patten RT Jeff Seevy RT/RG Dave Pacella RG Ed Fulton C/G Brian Musselman C Tony Loia  Vaughn Harman DE Ken Fagan DE Danny Stubbs ,DT Jerome Brown, DT Dan Sileo, LDT Bennie Smith  OLB Winston Moss LB Jon McVeigh  MLB George Mira MLB Mike Muller  CB Jeff Brown CB Reggie Sutton  FS Bennie Blades SS Mike Guess   P Jeff Feagles  K Jeff Brockhaus

Michigan – QB Jim Harbaugh, QB Jim Karasatos, RB Lorenzo White, FB Albert Bentley,WR Andre Rison, WR Chris Carter, WR Anthony Allen, TE Eric Kattus TE Mike Cobb,TE Donnie Echols  T Chris Godfrey, T Ken Dallafior,G Tyrone McGriff, C Wayne Radloff,C/G George Lilja, DE Al ‘Bubba’ Baker,DE Mark Messner, DE Matt Vanderbeek  DT/NT David Tipton DT Mike Hammerstein DT/DE Allen Hughes MLB Percy Snow, LB Mike Mallory, OLB Bobby Abrams, DE/OLB John Corker,  CB Clarence Chapman,CB Brad Cochran CB Vito McKeever CB Oliver Davis CB Ron Osborne FS Garland Rivers S Harlon Barnett P Jeff Gossett K Novo Bojovich

Milwaukee - QB John Friesz, QB Bob Lane, RB Anthony Thompson WR/KR Mike Bellamy,  WR Jaime Holland G Kirk Scrafford DT Greg Feilds &  DT  Paul Hanna OLB Angelo Snipes OLB Kyle Borland ILB Ray Bentley, ILB Robert Pennywell CB Mike McGruder, S Tim Hauk S Pat Eilers,DB Sonny Gordon, SS David Greenwood

New Jersey - QB Don McPherson, QB Whit Taylor, QB Jason Garrett, RB Barry Sanders, RB Kirby Warren, RB Judd Garrett,  WR Brett Perriman, WR Bernard Ford, WR Tommy Kane, T Jumbo Elliot, T Paul Gruber, DE Rob Burnett,  LB Terry Wooden, FS Marcus Paul

New Orleans- QB Reggie Collier, QB David Woodley, QB Tommy Hodson,QB Clemente Gordon, QB Matt Stevens, RB Buford Jordan, RB Marcus DuPree, RB Anthony Steels, WR Trumaine Johnson, WR Jerry Gordon, WR Ron Johnson WR Mardye Mcdole TE Sam Bowers  T Broderick Thompson T Randy Theiss G Louis Oubre G Terry Crouch DT Jerald Bayless, DT Henry Thomas DT Jeff Gaylord, DT Larry McClain, DE Darryl Wilkerson DE Larry White NT Jerry Ball NT Oudious Lee  OLB Micheal Brooks OLB Erick Krumerow KB ray phillips CB Otis Smith CB Lyndell Jones FS Greg Jackson SS Leroy Butler S Charles Harbison S Tim Smith P Dario Casarino, K Tim Mazzetti

New York - QB Steve Young, QB Mike Shula,QB Tom Ehrhardt, RB Robert Drummond, RB Dwight Sullivan RB Kelvin Farmer, FB Maurice Carthon,WR Rob Carpenter,  WR Scott Schwedes,WR John Garrett,  WR Clarence Collins WR Walter Broughton WR Tom McConnaughey WR Charlie Smith, TE Gordon Hudson, TE Brian Forster G Billy Ard, C Kent Hull, DE James Lockette, DE Ray Seals, DE Ricky Williamson, DE Freddie Gilbert  DT Tom Woodland, NT Ted Gregory LB Jim LeClair, LB Mike Weddington CB Kerry Justin,CB Mike Williams CB Terry Daniels S Gregg Johnson DB Tony Thurman P Rick Partridge K Roger Ruzek

Oakland- QB Mike Perez, QB John Paye, QB Troy Taylor  RB Eric Jordan,RB Tim Spencer, RB/KR Elmer James FB Brad Muster WR Gordon Banks, WR Ken Margerum, WR Lew Barnes WR Kevin Williams, TE Eric Green, TE Brian Williams, LT Gary Zimmerman, RT Mark Treynowicz T Ricky Siglar, G Gerry Raymond,G Mickey Marvin G Tracy Franz, G Jim Leonard C Roger Levasa DE Bruce Thornton, WDE Dave Browning, SDE Greg Feilds,DE Brad Anae, DT Monte Bennett,DE/DT Bruce Thornton,DE/NT Mark Buben  DT Brad Smith, OLB Dave Wyman, OLB David Shaw OLB Tim Lucas, ILB Gary Plummer LB Tony Caldwell OLB Mark Stewart RCB Deion Sanders LCB Mark Collins,CB Derrick Martin,FS Tommy Wilcox FS Frank Duncan, SS Marcus Quinn, P Stan Talley, K Sandro Vitiello

Oklahoma – QB Doug Williams, QB Mike Gundy, RB Thurman Thomas, RB Allen Pinkett, RB Spencer Tillman,  FB Ken Lacy, FB Ted Sample, FB Jim Stone, WR Al Williams, WR Kris Haines, WR Lonnie Turner,WR Derrick Sheppard, TE Keith Jackson,  TE Ron Wheeler, LT Joe Levellis T Mike Perino, RT Jim Bob Lamb,G David Huffman, G Tom Thayer, C Brian Williams C Mark Fischer,  DE Leslie O'Neal DE Bob Clasby, NT Tony Casillas, OLB Kevin Murphy ILB Britt Hager ILB Dante Jones ILB Terry Beeson, LB Vic Koenning, LB Tony Furjanic CB Peter Raeford,CB Rock Richmond, CB Barry Copeland, CB Roney McMillan CB Lee Wilson DB Rod Brown SS Herb Williams, S/PR Tim Gordon P Case DeBrujin, K Luis Zendejas

Orlando - QB Steve Walsh, QB Kerwin Bell, QB Roy Dewalt RB Emmitt Smith, RB Buford McGee, RB Scott Stamper, RB Earl Gant, RB Nuu Faaola, FB Cedric Smith, FB LaRue Harrington FB Leon Perry TE Mike Mularky,WR Ricky Simmons WR Elmer Bailey T Ed Muransky, G Vernice Smith, DE Bill Hawkins, DE Willis Peguese, DE Bob Cobb DE/NT Richard Tharpe DT Jimmie Jones, DT Kevin Kellin DT Gurnest Brown LOLB Darnell Dailey ROLB Joe Hines MLB Paul McGowan,LB Ken Kelley CB Trent Bryant CB Willie Holley FS Victor Jackson SS Jarvis Williams  P Rick Tuten & The Frozen Fifteen.

Philadelphia- QB Todd Blackledge, QB Jim Crocicchia, HB Paul Palmer, RB Allen Harvin, RB Kelvin Bryant, FB David Riley WR Hart Lee Dykes WR Scott Fitzkee, WR Willie Collier WR Tom Donovan TE Ken Dunek TE Steve Folsom RT Irv Eatman, RG Chuck Commiskey, C Bart Oates, LG George Gilbert LT Mike McClearn D Bill Dugan NT Pete Kugler, DE William Fuller, DE John Walker, DE/DT Willie Rosborough ILB Shane Conlan, ILB Glenn Howard, OLB John Bunting OLB George Cooper LB John Brooks CB Garcia Lane,CB Ben Smith, CB John Sutton CB/S Roger Jackson FS Mike Lush, S Scott Woerner, SS Antonio Gibson  P Sean Landeta, K David Trout

Pittsburgh- QB Vince Evans, QB Major Harris, HB Mike Rozier, HB Walter Holman,HB Reggie Taylor, RB/KR/PR Mel Grey FB Amos Lawrence WR Greg Anderson, WR Julius Dawkins, TE Joey Hackett LT Don Maggs RT Tom Ricketts LG Corbin C Correal RG Lukens RT Feilds OL Emil Boures LDE Sam Clancy DE Marc Spindler,RDE Tony Woods DE Doug Hollie DT Tony Siragusa DT Ken Times, DT Mike Morgan, DT Dennis Puha, LDT David Graham RDT Dombrowski DE Ike Griffin NT Laval Short LOLB Rich D'Amico ROLB Ezekial Gadsen LB Mike McKibben MLB Brian Bosworth, MLB Jerry Olsavsky, MLB Jethro Franklin LB Craig Walls CB Jerry Holmes,CB Gary Richard, DB Duffy Cobbs  P Larry Swider K Tony Lee 

Portland- QB Gary Hogeboom,QB Steve Beurlein,RB Derrick Loville, RB Curtis Bledsoe,  RB Otis Brown, WR Erick Affholteras,WR/KR Cornell Burbage,C Bair Bush, DE Dennis Brown, DL Robert Banks,DE Brad Anae, DE Junior Filiaga, LB Junior Seau, LB Filipo Mokofisi, DB Ben Jessie P Bryan Barker

Sacramento- QB David Archer,QB Tom Ramsey,RB Mike Pringle, FB Derek Hughes,WR Neil Balholm,WR Kelvin Edwards,TE Thornton Chandler DE Dan Owens, DE Simon Fletcher, LB Ken Rose,OLB Ron Burton, OLB Gary Cobb,  CB Lorenzo Lynch,CB Lemuel Stinson DB Billy Owens DB Gordon Bunch,

San Antonio - QB Craig Penrose, QB Billy Joe Tolliver,QB Kevin Sweeney, RB James Gray, RB/SB/KR/PR Eric Metcalf, RB Heath Sherman,  RB/SB/KR/PR Johnny Bailey, FB Timmy Newsome, RB/SB Andrew Lazarus, FB Timmy Newsome FB/RB Bill Jones WR Anthony Carter, WR Ray Alexander, WR James Maness WR Tyrone Thurman, WR Rod Barksdale, TE Dan Sharp TE Doug Cosbie  LT Daryle Smith T Newt Harrell,  C Paul Jetton, SDE Kevin Brooks DE Ken Gillen, NT Artis Jackson, DT John Randle,  MLB Chris Speilman, DLB James Francis LB Tracy Simien, LB Jeff Rorher LB John Barefeild, CB Everson Walls CB John Booty CB Eric Everrett CB Ron Fellows CB A.J. Johnson, and FS Michael Downs, FS John Hagy, P Lee Williams K Jeff Ward

Tampa Bay – QB Chuck Long QB Jimmy Jordan, QB Chip Ferguson RB Dexter Carter, RB Greg Allen FB Craig Heyward FB Greg Boone,WR Larry Brodsky, WR Eric Truvillion WR Willie Gillespie WR Chris Castor TE Marvin Harvey, LT Dan Fike, RT Reggie Smith LG Chuck Pitcock RG Nate Newton C Chris Foote DE Mike Butler DE Don Feilder DE Walter Carter, NT Fred Nordgren, DT Mike Clark DE Jim Ramey ROLB Alonzo Johnson LOLB James Harrell, MLB Kelley Kirchbaum MLB Fred McAllister CB Jeff George,CB Warren Hanna, FS Zac Henderson SS Louis Oliver SS Blaine Anderson DB Alvin Bailey DB Doug Beaudoin P/K Zenon Andrusyshyn

[altusfl]

75. The 1989 off season --- The 1990 USFL draft.

A new draft order, a new draft…

The new USFL leadership would decide that the draft order should be based on a different metric than the NFL draft.  

They decided that the two teams in the championship game should have the last ordered slot. Just ahead of them, the division champions should chose.  Before them, the wild card teams, and before them, the teams that missed the playoffs.  They argued the case to the owners and the owners agreed.

The league again agreed to a pre-draft “shadow draft” where teams would be free to negotiate with players to check to see how viable drafting them would be. This time each USFL team would have half the business day to contact player agents and test the water before the next team. 

Several agents got wise to the USFL’s tactics and suggested their players would be very receptive to signing early with the upshot league. What became apparent to USFL teams is that players they ranked as end of the first round picks were anticipating USFL signing of higher ranked players to push them 10-15 spots higher in the NFL draft to a position where the NFL was paying them at dramatically higher rates than they had 3 years prior.

1. Portland Junior Seau LB USC 2. Milwaukee Cortez Kennedy DT Miami 3. Baltimore Blaire Thomas RB Penn State 4. Sacramento Mark Carrier S USC 5. Pittsburgh Maulers Jeff George QB Illinois 6. Birmingham Stallions Keith McCants LB Alabama 7. Michigan Panthers Percy Snow MLB Michigan State 8. Carolina Skyhawks Ray Agnew DE N. Carolina 9. Orlando Thunder Emmitt Smith RB Florida 10. Atlanta Tribe Richmond Webb T Texas A&M 11. Jacksonville Bulls Anthony Smith DE Arizona 12. San Antonio Gunslingers James Francis LB Baylor 13. The Hawaiians James Williams CB Fresno State 14. Arizona Wranglers Chris Singleton LB Arizona 15. x-New York Generals (from Philadelphia Stars) Rob Carpenter WR Syracuse 16. Houston Gamblers (from Denver Gold) Lamar Lathon, LB Houston 17. Tampa Bay Bandits Dexter Carter, RB Florida State 18. Houston Gamblers Robert Blackmon S Baylor 19. Denver Gold (from x-Boston Breakers) Tim Grunhard C Notre Dame 20. x-Oakland Invaders Eric Green, TE Liberty 21. Philadelphia Stars (from x-New York Generals) Ben Smith CB Georgia 22. x-Chicago Blitz Vince Buck CB Central State (OH) 23. y-New Orleans Jazz LeRoy Butler SS Florida State 24. y-Spirits of Miami Rodney Hampton RB Georgia 25. y-Memphis Showboats Alexander Wright WB Auburn 26. y-Los Angeles Express Reggie Rembert WR West Virginia 27. z-New Jersey Knights Terry Wooden OLB Syracuse 28. z-Oklahoma Outlaws Darrell Thompson RB Minnesota 29. Sacramento Dan Owens DE USC 30. Baltimore Mike Fox DE West Virginia 31. Milwaukee Anthony Thompson, RB Indiana 32. Portland Dennis Brown DE Washington

With the #1 pick, Portland would have a choice between 5 similarly talented players. Ultimately two factors would lead to the selection of Seau — 1) his 19 sacks the year prior and 2) the team felt he would be the most likely of the five to sign with a USFL expansion team.  They were right. Seau’s agent advised Seau that he was likely to be the 5th-7th pick in the NFL draft and at that point either offer would be comparable.  Portland would view him as the USFL’s version of Lawrence Taylor...A player who might be as dominant a rusher as John Corker was in the USFL’s first season.  The charismatic Seau would become one of the most popular players in the league.  His perceived “humble honesty” would lead him would develop a “Jordan-esque” lucrative second career as a pitchman for products.

Milwaukee considered making a bid for the draft’s only first round QB prospect, Jeff George, but realized it was a bad idea as Indianapolis had the second pick overall in the NFL draft.  (George was from Indianapolis.)  It was OK as Milwaukee thought Cortez Kennedy was the best talent in the draft and might become the best player in the draft.  Owner Herb Kohl didn’t believe Jimmy Johnson would draft a defensive tackle #1 overall.  Kohl threw ridiculous money (“for a defensive tackle”) at Kennedy, but was unable to sign him.  Kennedy wanted to wait for the draft.  He would be justified in waiting as Jimmy Johnson would make him the #1 player selected in the 1990 draft.

Baltimore badly misjudged the situation with Thomas.  They were unable to sign him and found no takers for his rights.  The other USFL teams were convinced Thomas would wait for NFL money…And they were right.

Sacramento reached down slightly on their draft boards to draft Mark Carrrier.  They assumed Carrier might be willing to talk to them.  He was, but he advised them he intended to wait for the NFL draft.

Pittsburgh drafted Jeff George in order to show a commitment to their fans. They would make several sizeable offers to George, but they knew they would be token ones, knowing the Colts were going to open the bank for George. Pittsburgh’s biggest weakness was clearly at QB and they knew their long-suffering fans would revolt if they didn’t make an offer to George. 

Birmingham drafted All-American LB Keith McCants.  They knew McCants was prepared to wait for the NFL draft, but McCants was more then willing to sign a matching offer with Birmingham if the “wrong” NFL team drafted him….(ie. Tampa Bay).  Birmingham was more than willing to wait.  Unlike most teams who viewed McCants as a pass rushing outside linebacker strictly due to his speed and strength, Birmingham didn’t see that skill set.  Rather, they looked at how involved McCants was in the running game and they dreamed of using the Alabama tackling machine at MLB.  With his 4.51 speed, they envisioned a MLB who could flow from sideline to sideline and either cover RBs or Tight ends or be deadly coming unblocked on delayed blitzes on 3rd downs.

Michigan reached down to pick MLB Percy Snow.  Snow, the beating heart of the hardest hitting defense in all of college football, was projected to go in the teens in the NFL draft, so Michigan’s financial offer was in line with what he would get in the NFL.  Snow would become the heart of a resurgent Panther defense.

Carolina would also reach down a bit to draft DE Ray Agnew out of North Carolina.

Orlando would draft Florida RB Emmitt Smith.  Don Mathews had his eye on Smith for several years.  He liked how Smith helped his blockers by setting up the defenders and running properly off his blocks.  He also liked how smith consistently fell forward, finishing off his runs for extra yards.  This was a back who would excel at moving the chains.  Smith’s slow 40 times would have the NFL thinking Smith would slide in their draft.  Matthews knew if he drafted Smith this early it would further depress his value in the NFL draft making the Thunder’s offer look even better.  He was able to convince Smith’s agent to sign when the Thunder offered a rich offer for that draft slot.

Atlanta would draft the draft’s highest rated offensive lineman by a great margin in Webb. They felt they were on borrowed time with Steve Bartkowski and thought Webb would be an elite left tackle. They tried over and over to sign Webb prior to the season, but Webb wouldn’t budge….he insisted on waiting for the draft in case he slid up dramatically on draft day.  Once the third game occurred, the Tribe lost interest in signing Webb.  Webb would have a lenghty holdout when his NFL offer was jarringly low, but with no competition for his services, Webb would have to sign with the NFL.

Jacksonville would try again for a first round talent at DE and this time they would succeed in landing one in Anthony Smith.  They would pay a premium.

San Antonio’s front office would be high fiving in the war room.  No draft boards had changed!  Their new defense would require a pair of linebackers with great instincts and sideline to sideline speed. The team had a young linebacker with great instincts in Chris Speilman, but Tom Landry and DC Jim Bates wanted a playmaker with range. Francis had blocked an NCAA record 8 kicks the previous season. They viewed James Francis as a dominant all-around linebacker on the level of Keith McCants, but a lot more natural in coverage.  Francis could do everything they envisioned a LB doing in their 4-X flex.

The Hawaiians would be very concerned about the draft.  There would be almost no one in their top 60 who the team found was likely to sign with them.  There was one player with a first round grade who they thought they might sign.  Fresno State’s James Williams did actually sign with the Hawaiians as being a smaller school star he was concerned about when the NFL would draft him.

Arizona would be very happy to find Chris Singleton had fallen to them.  They would be immensely disappointed when Singleton would chose to wait for the NFL draft.

New York would trade up with Philadelphia in order to draft Syracuse WR Rob Carpenter ahead of Denver. This would trigger an avalanche of trades. Carpenter would sign with the Generals.

With Denver shocked by the turn of events, they would be open to a trade.  They would trade their first round pick to Houston for Houston’s first and another pick. Houston would draft Cougar LB Lathon ahead of Tampa Bay.  It would be a bit high for Lathon, but the Gamblers’ staff  would be enthralled with the player’s raw physical talent. 

Tampa Bay would not be in as precarious of a situation as Denver.  They would have spoken to several players as trades were clearly seen as a possibility.  They would merely move on to their next target, the fleet-footed Carter would be seen as a great replacement for the retired RB Gary Anderson.

Denver would draft Robert Blackmon and trade his rights to San Antonio for a first in 1991 or 1992.  Blackmon would be viewed as a second round prospect in the NFL draft, but San Antonio would love the instincts they saw from him in the Baylor defense and would rightly assume that the SWC players were being underrated due to the struggles of the conference. They would have previously negotiated a a reasonable price for Blackmon if they could acquire a second first round pick. Both Baylor players would be taken by the billboards the Gunslingers placed in Waco following the season.  The first would read “America’s NEW Team, a new era of the San Antonio Gunglingers starts this spring with America’s Coach, Tom Landry.” The second, put up right after San Antonio offered both players contracts, would read, “America’s NEW team needs Bear Power! San Antonio’s Gunslingers draft Baylor stars Robert Blackmon and James Francis!”  

Denver would draft and sign a second round grade talent in Notre Dame Center Tim Grunhard with their pick from Boston. Grunhard would agree to very reasonable terms.  Denver was one of many teams who had reached the conclusion that it was better to draft talents perceived to be “lesser talents” that were of a reasonable costs that you could sign rather than whiff on bigger name talents.

George and Bruce Allen would be thrilled when Liberty’s TE Eric Green fell to them.  Green was a small school player, but Allen viewed him as a reliable short yardage option in the passing game.  Allen thought Green might be uncoverable in a league that favored lighter faster defenses. Uncertain where he would be drafted in the NFL draft, Green would sign with the Invaders.

The Stars would draft the player they wanted in CB Ben Smith out of Georgia. They would pocket a future second round pick for agreeing to the trade with New Jersey.

The Chicago Blitz would draft Buck to fill a corner spot.

New Orleans would be another team in love with a player with a second round grade.  LeRoy Butler, a safety with coverage ability, would be an ideal fit on New Orlean’s defense.  He would sign with the Jazz.

The Spirits would love the idea of Georgia star Hampton as their feature back.  Hampton would be taken with the quality of the Spirit’s roster and would quickly sign.

Memphis would quickly snap up Alexander Wright, a deep burner with elite speed.  Thought a likely second round pick in the NFL draft, he would also quickly sign.

Don Coryell would select chippy WR Reggie Rembert from West Virginia as a replacement for the retired JoJo Townsell. Rembert was seen as challenging by the NFL, but his college films and stats were top shelf.  The 6′5″ 200 lb WR was also rumored to have run a 4.3 40 in college. 

New Jersey drafted LB Terry Wooden out of Syracuse.  Wooden quickly signed so he could continue playing with college friends from Syracuse.

Oklahoma drafted RB Darrell Thompson out of Minnesota to fix their on and off running game.  Counter to talks between Thompson and the team prior to draft day, Thompson would chose to wait on the NFL draft.

Sacramento would draft DE Owens in part to grease the skids with Carrier.  Owens would quickly sign, but there would be a perception that he carried no influence with Carrier.

Baltimore would draft and sign West Virginia DE Mike Fox, a second round NFL prospect. 

Milwaukee would more than make up on their early whiff with the selection of Indiana RB Anthony Thompson.  Dinged for being something of a “straightline runner” by NFL scouts, Thompson would show a very impressive breakaway gear in the USFL. Thompson would tear up the league for the first ten games of the season, running for 1400 yards before being in and out of the lineup with various injuries.

Portland’s Dennis Brown would carry an NFL second round grade into the draft, but would emerge as the best defensive end taken and signed in the USFL’s first round. 

Eight of the first nine prospects of the NFL draft would not sign with the USFL prior to the NFL’s draft day. The USFL would do better in the next 10, signing 7 of the next 10.

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