United Football League

This article courtesy of Sports Haze, which will now be covering the United Football League. Stay tuned for more updates and news.

This was a great opening weekend for the UFL's sophomore season.

First it was a matchup between the recently relocated and renamed Hartford Colonials and the Sacramento Mountain Lions. Later in the day, the Las Vegas Locos played the Florida Tuskers in a rematch of last year's championship occurred.

The UFL promised high-quality football, and while it is not on the NFL's level, it didn't disappoint.

Let's start in Hartford.

Sacramento Mountain Lions (20) at Hartford Colonials (27) 

Both teams were eager to show their new cities what they were made of, but sadly it looks like the Mountain Lions have a long way to go.

The running back corps led Hartford's offense; Andre Dixon ran for 94 yards on 21 attempts while the rest of the team had 86 yards on the ground. Quarterback Josh McCown threw three touchdowns and had 265 passing yards, and wideout Jason Cherry caught two passes for 103 yards receiving and a TD.

It looked like Sacramento head coach Dennis Green didn't know how to stop the Colonials' offense or how to start his, because the Mountain Lions didn't score until the fourth quarter and both their defense and offense seemed lost.

Sacramento QB Daunte Culpepper was largely ineffective, going 21-for-40 and throwing for 174 yards. Right now the Mountain Lions are a mess and they have a much tougher competition ahead of them, so this might be a long season.

Hartford won because of its defense and because they ran the ball until Sacramento left the wideouts open.

I'll post the Las Vegas-Florida game recap later. Stay tuned.

This article courtesy of Sports Haze.

The UFL may not be the most exciting football league to watch, but it has some intrigue.

There are tons of former NFL players, some of them Pro Bowlers, and other former college stars in the UFL.

Former Wisconsin QB Brooks Bollinger was the UFL MVP in 2009 in the league's inaugural season. He plays for the Florida Tuskers.

Also on that team is former 1,000-yard rusher Tatum Bell. Complementing him in the backfield is former Colts RB Dominic Rhodes. Also on the Tuskers roster is former 270-lb. Vikings TE Jermaine Wiggins.

The Tuskers aren't the only team with notable players. The Hartford Colonials have former LSU screwup Ryan Perrilloux at QB.

Former 49ers QB Tim Rattay and former Cardinals RB Marcel Shipp play for the Las Vegas Locomotives.

The Omaha Nighthawks have the biggest names of all of them. Packers all-time leading rusher Ahman Green and former Pro Bowler Jeff Garcia play for the Nighthawks. Former Packers WR Robert Ferguson and former Georgia QB D.J. Shockley also join them.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen"—Daunte Culpepper is the starting QB for the Sacramento Mountain Lions. He is accompanied by former Bengals RB Chris Perry and former Bengals and Packers WR/KR Antonio Chatman.

The UFL also has some big name coaches. 

Dennis Green coaches Sacramento. Jeff Jagodzinski coaches Omaha, and Las Vegas has Jim Fassel.

Although the UFL may not be the most interesting football to watch, it may be cool to tune in and see some of these guys getting a chance to play football.

Building a professional football league from scratch into a sustainable product takes luck, guts, and entrepreneurship. With one season in the books, the United Football League (UFL) hopes to continue developing their on-field product and branding.

As preparations ramp up for the second season of the UFL, commissioner Michael Huyghue says building each team's local infrastructure and marketing activities has been a priority. During last year's "preview season," "there were no dollars budgeted for advertising," stated Huyghue, a veteran sports executive who previously served in management with the National Football League's Jacksonville Jaguars and as a player agent. 

"This season, each franchise has its own marketing/public relations departments, not to mention cheerleaders, and they are actively involved in community activities, either through partnerships, sponsorships, social media, or donations,"  Huyghue pointed out.  "Our teams are an extension of their communities, and we want to connect with our fans through a variety of on-field and off-the field endeavors."

While improved community relations can equate to more fannies in the seats, Huyghue says the on-field play will serve as a "launching point" for increased fan awareness, advertising opportunities, and television ratings.  The league has agreements with HDNet, Versus, and NESN to carry games this year.

The UFL begins its second year with five teams (defending champion Las Vegas, Florida, Sacramento (which relocated from San Francisco) and Hartford (the former New York Sentinels), up one from last year's short-season with the addition of expansion Omaha. Dubbed the Omaha Nighthawks, Huyghue proudly points to "in excess of ten thousand season tickets already being sold," and hopes to replicate that franchise's formula with future new clubs. 

Already, the league has announced the addition of a Virginia team, owned by businessman Jim Speros and featuring former Washington and Tampa Bay quarterback Doug Williams as General Manager. Commissioner Huyghue adds that the franchise "is up and running, selling tickets, and preparing for 2011" while also adding to the league's coffers with its expansion fees.

On the field, players are taking notice as well. The UFL features a mixture of former NFL veterans like Daunte Culpepper, Ahman Green, and Josh McCown, as well as promising young players looking for an opportunity to develop their skills. 

Omaha General Manager Rick Mueller, himself a veteran of the NFL, says playing in the UFL is quite a similar experience. "We travel first class, our practices are run like an NFL team's, the play on the field is close to NFL caliber. Our players know they'll have a chance to get on tape, develop their skills, and migrate to the NFL if that's the direction they want to go."

However,  Mueller, who served as a league-wide personnel director in the inaugural season before shifting to team management this season, adds that a handful of players have turned down NFL opportunities to stay in the UFL, a sure sign of legitimacy for the infant league.  

Both Mueller and Commissioner Huyghue agree that the quality of play was a pleasant surprise, with Mueller pointing out that skill position players such as quarterback Brooks Bollinger, running back Dee Dee Dorsey, and wide receiver Taye Biddle all enjoyed productive seasons.  Mueller, like any good talent evaluator, emphasized the need for the offensive lines around the UFL to show improvement, something he expects with roster continuity and increased practice time.

So, roughly a month before the 2010 kickoff, where does the United Football League go? 

Huyghue's five-year plan envisions an international league with up to 14 franchises (one possibly in Los Angeles, where the commissioner says the league is conducting its due diligence), connected with the NFL in some type of relationship, and appealing to its targeted fan demographics of 15 to 35 year olds with a mix of high quality football, community involvement, and interactive technology.

Having surpassed the longevity of many other upstart leagues and with the strong financial backing of local investors, the UFL's run for acceptance as more than just another developmental league promises to be an interesting journey.

If you haven't heard of it already, the UFL (United Football League) recently finished their inaugural season this past November. The League was a semi success, drawing some attention and reeling in some big name sponsors (headed primarily by Mens Warehouse.) I, personally, love the idea of a supplementary league to the NFL and hope that the UFL is able to hang around for quite some time. Despite posting a $30 million deficit after the first season, the league plans to break even by season number three.

The United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks are now listing quarterback JaMarcus Russell on their roster . Russell was not listed on the Nighthawks roster this morning, but he was on their provisional roster.

Russell's well-documented weight is listed at 260, which is a pipe dream of what it really is. Russell's bio says he brings "quality experience" to the UFL.

There are still questions about the accuracy of the website, but UFL officials are saying the rosters are still a work in progress .

Meanwhile, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post is reporting that Russell is not interested in joining the UFL .

The Nighthawks listed six players on their provisional roster: Jeff Garcia, Brian St. Pierre, D.J. Shockley, Andrew Walter, JaMarcus Russell, and Patrick Ramsey.

All are listed on the Nighthawks roster, except Garcia.

After Shawn Andrews was cut by the Eagles early this offseason, many figured someone would give the incredibly talented lineman a shot to prove that his issues with depression and injuries were behind him and that he could move on with his NFL career.

But to date, that has not happened, and now it looks like Andrews is being presented with another option: the United Football League.

According to the league's Twitter page, the expansion Omaha Nighthawks have drafted Andrews with the first pick in the third round of their 12-round annual draft.

The third round sounds bad for a player like Andrews, who was taken 16th overall in the NFL's draft back in 2004, but with only five teams in the league, Andrews was actually taken 11th overall in a draft that featured plenty of former NFL players.

None, however, were as high-profile as Andrews.

It's a big fall for Andrews, but it could actually become a blessing in disguise. He needs to get his head on straight and work through some of the nagging injuries that have been plaguing him for a couple years, and the UFL could be the perfect place to do it.

Obviously, the talent in the UFL can't compare to the NFL. I think we can all agree on that. So Andrews will be able to come in, shake off the rust of not playing for two years, and be out of his contract in time to potentially sign with an NFL team for the last five or six weeks of the season.

The move really makes sense for the Nighthawks, who are trying to build a team from the ground up, will certainly need an offensive line, and have said they're trying to get guys who played in the surrounding area.

Andrews played his college ball at Arkansas only a couple states away.

For a few seasons, Andrews was arguably the best guard in the entire league. Hopefully playing in the UFL will allow him to regain his confidence, get back to form, and be a successful story of redemption in the NFL.

Other former NFL players taken in the UFL draft

Hollis Thomas (another former Eagle), Devard Darling, Adrien Clarke (former Eagle), Antonio Chatman, Ronald Curry, John Standeford, Chike Okeafor, and DeWayne White, who was the No. 1 overall pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Bucs are an ugly football team right now, and are led by a coach who appears clueless and out of his league. Atlanta is desperately trying to get into the playoffs since their division appears to have been won by New Orleans. The return of star running back Michael Turner for Atlanta gives the team the balance it seeks on the offensive attack.

Falcons 31 Buccaneers 17

Carolina Panthers @ New York Jets

Both teams have just four wins and are seemingly finishing this season for pride and job security right now. Neither team has played as well as they had hoped, so it will be interesting to see if they have given up hope or are angry.

Panthers 27 Jets 24



Seattle Seahawks @ Saint Louis Rams

These are two teams that should play their youngsters and see what positions need help for 2010, because this season is over as far as playoff hopes are concerned. If you watch this game, you may be watching a few players finishing up their careers for the next six weeks. Some of them will be watching with you, because they are on injured reserve.

Seahawks 24 Rams 10



Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills

The Dolphins are clinging to their slight playoff hopes right now, and will be facing a Bills team that is hurting all over. Buffalo will possibly be missing a starters on defense, and appear to not like any of the quarterbacks on their roster to lead the offense. Expect Miami to try to grind them into submission.

Dolphins 26 Bills 16



Washington Redskins @ Philadelphia Eagles

The Redskins wish their season was over about a month ago. The team has been victimized by bad coaching, a bad front office, and a plethora of injuries. The ones that are healthy enough to suit up are playing for their careers now.

Philadelphia has been immensely inconsistent all season, and have also been hit hard by the injury bug. Still, the Eagles are very much in the playoff hunt and really need this win a lot more than Washington does.

Eagles 23 Redskins 17



Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals

Fans of the Browns got very excited last week to see their team score one point less in one game than they had in seven other games total this year. There are three reality checks to damper that happiness.

One is that the Browns lost the game anyways. Another is that they won the only game of their season in one of those seven weeks. The final reality check is that they scored those 37 points against the Detroit Lions. Cincinnati is not Detroit in geography nor on the gridiron.

The Bengals are also mad they lost a winnable game to the unpredictable Raiders last week. Expect them to vent their anger on their in-state rivals.

Bengals 37 Browns 6



Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans

Houston is on the verge of oblivion right now for the 2009 season. They have dropped to third place in their division and see the resurgent Tennessee Titans charging hard behind them.

Pile on the loss to the former Houston Oilers, now the Titans, at home on national television last Monday, and you see a season the Texans were not hoping for. This game is their season most likely, and facing the undefeated Colts is a daunting task with everything on the line.

Texans 34 Colts 30



Kansas City Chiefs @ San Diego Chargers

The Chiefs are playing spoiler right now, ask the Steelers, because there is nothing left for them to play for other than pride and job security. They do present a problem for the suddenly hot Chargers. San Diego is aware what their divisional rivals did last week and should be prepared.

Chargers 31 Chiefs 20

Jacksonville Jaguars @ San Francisco 49ers

Do not look now, but the Jaguars are in second place in their division and very much in the playoff hunt. Jack Del Rio has done a great job keeping his team competitive as he rebuilds the roster. Watching the youngsters step up has inspired Jacksonville two games above .500.

The 49ers still have a glimmer of hope to win the very weak NFC West, but it is faint. This game will be run heavy, so the battle in the trenches is key.

Jaguars 28 49ers 27



Chicago Bears @ Minnesota Vikings

Chicago traded away a lot to get Jay Cutler to quarterback the team. It has not worked out well for them this season, and now all they have left to play for is pride. It may not be enough to defeat a Vikings team that is rolling in every aspect of the game every week thus far.

Vikings 38 Bears 27



Arizona Cardinals @ Tennessee Titans

The Cardinals are riding a three game winning streak and have taken a commanding three-game lead in their division. However, their leader, Kurt Warner, is battling symptoms of a mild concussion and is questionable this week.

It may be smart to sit him this week against a rejuvenated and hungry Tennessee Titans, and go with flop Matt Leinart at quarterback instead. I doubt Warner will sit, so this has the makings of an exciting game. Chris Johnson cannot be stopped, and is a leading candidate on many peoples MVP ballots.

The insertion of Vince Young at quarterback was a brilliant demand by owner Bud Adams that has made him look like Nostradamus almost.

Titans 34 Cardinals 30



Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens

A few weeks ago, this game had a look like it could have a great impact on who sat on top of the AFC North. How can time change things drastically? Well, the Ravens are at .500 and might be a loss away from losing any chance of making the playoffs.

Pittsburgh, the defending champions, are just one game better than Baltimore. Instead of fighting for the division, these teams are fighting to stay alive for the 2009 season. Bruises will be plentiful for each team, because they do not like each other. Baltimore is looking to settle a score with Steelers team that ended their season last year.

Ravens 30 Steelers 28



New England Patriots @ New Orleans Saints

Game Of The Week

This will be an interesting battle, and finally Monday Night Football can claim to have a game worth watching for all football fans this season. New Orleans put their undefeated season up against a Patriots team that still struggles in short yardage situations.

New England should take advantage of a depleted Saints defense that recently rehired the washed up Mike McKenzie to bolster their beat up secondary. Randy Moss should have a few big play opportunities available.

Patriots 37 Saints 27




Last week, including Thanksgiving, I went 14 - 4 . I am now 101 - 45 overall.

NFL Lucubrations


This might be one of the most mediocre seasons the NFL has had in recent memory. After 10 games, there are 14 teams over the .500 mark. Of those teams, four of them have a winning percentage of .600 or less. Most teams have been struggling to stay healthy on the eve of the league thinking of shortening training camps and extending the seasons.

What has been the most obvious flaw in the game the NFL pushes out today is poor fundamentals. Even after the league has revamped their rule books to cater to a group of mostly average quarterbacks and players who rely on kill shots over proper tackling technique, you are left still seeing sloppy football games each week.

Offensive linemen, who hold every play, are now less important to protecting the quarterback than the NFL. The hit zone on the quarterback has now shrunk to the coffee can strike zone of baseball, so that points can be put up on the board with much more ease. Even special teams has been effected by changes from a group of men largely consisting of guys who haven't put on pads since school yard days.

Though it is understandable the NFL is trying to progress with society, the failure to hold onto old school principles has helped the game suffer to the point it now resembles basketball with a helmet. To show further example, many players go out on Sunday without hip or thigh padding, because they rather protect up high where most end up head hunting.

The NFL probably doesn't see this, much like they did not see their game stagnating in the 1960s. This allowed the fourth version of the American Football League to gain a following and then later force a complete alignment between the two leagues. Other previous leagues that competed against the NFL had forced the NFL to emerge some of those defunct leagues into theirs, but not all like the AFL did.

Now, the United Football League has just completed their first season with an overtime championship game. The difference between the UFL and other leagues that competed against the NFL in the past is that the UFL is being almost marketed as a minor leagues for the NFL by some.

The UFL refers to itself as a complementary addition, though they have several rules different. Their overtime rule is like the college rule, where both teams get a chance to play offense.

The UFL might now have a chance to survive with the NFL shortening training camps. There will be even more excellent football players available after the NFL makes cuts faster, many will happen because of the lack of opportunity many will get with less time in camp or exhibition games.

Then there is the chance the NFL players could strike after 2011, much like they did in 1982 and 1987. The NFLPA is advising cut players from going to the UFL, which echoes the same message the league gave to players when they jumped to the AFL in 1960.

If the UFL plays this smart, much like the AFL did in the 1960s, they could offer much needed competition to the perceived fat and lazy NFL. Perhaps the UFL can go a step further and enable the defenses to play less inhibited, unlike the castrated version of defense in the NFL.

If the 2009 season keeps wafting along in a uninspiring waddle for the NFL, fans will begin to look more into the other option. Much like they did for the AFL only 40 years ago. The timing of the AFL anniversary and the UFL inception is no coincidence.

Perhaps some of you readers will find this installment of Lucubration tinged with unrealistic hope for more well played football, and perhaps even a few will nod in agreement on some avenues that were attempted to be taken. The ones that are skeptical need only look at the 12 teams in the NFL that were born in other leagues.

The AFC itself houses only six teams that have just played in their league alone, though the Bengals franchise is still considered an AFL franchise on paper.

Some say more is better, and this can apply to professional football too. The UFL should continuing applying wrinkles to their game to attract fans. One suggested wrinkle is to apply some old school playing that thr NFL once lived and breathed on. It can work, much like how the AFL once showed the NFL that lots of scoring can bring in fans. It did.



NFL Power Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints

2. Indianapolis Colts

3. Minnesota Vikings

4. New England Patriots

5. Cincinnati Bengals

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

7. San Diego Chargers

8. Dallas Cowboys

9. Atlanta Falcons

10. Denver Broncos

11. Philadelphia Eagles

12. Baltimore Ravens

13. Green Bay Packers

14. Arizona Cardinals

15. Jacksonville Jaguars

16. New York Giants

17. Miami Dolphins

18. Houston Texans

19. Tennessee Titans

20. San Francisco 49ers

21. New York Jets

22. Seattle Seahawks

23. Carolina Panthers

24. Chicago Bears

25. Oakland Raiders

26. Kansas City Chiefs

27. Buffalo Bills

28. Detroit Lions

29. Washington Redskins

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

31. Saint Louis Rams

32. Cleveland Browns

The UFL's Premiere season is over and the attendance numbers are in.  I wrote an article on attendance after the Redwood's first home game, suggesting strong promotional efforts were needed.  

With no promotion, things have gotten worse.

Here are the 12 games attendance numbers in order:

Stadium City attendance

Sam Boyd Las Vegas 14,209
Citrus Bowl Orlando 11,203
Sam Boyd Las Vegas 12,160
AT&T Park San Francisco 6341
Citrus Bowl Orlando 12,021
Giants Stadium New Jersey 10,318
Tropicana Field St. Petersburg 11,354
Shuart Stadium Hempstead, NY 4392
Rentschler Field E. Hartford, CT 5201
Spartan Stadium San Jose 4312
AT&T Park San Francisco 6837
Sam Boyd Las Vegas 13,306

Total fans attending UFL games: 111,654

Average attendance per game: 9305

While there is a lot to be said for controlling costs, one has to wonder if the marketing folks who came up with the idea of the "Premiere Season" with its secondary sites were under the impression there would be some promotion attached to sell tickets. 

It would have certainly made some sense to lay the groundwork for expansion teams in these secondary sites.

It would seem like drawing 5201 to see a game in Connecticut would not be a strong positive in terms of securing a future owner for an expansion Connecticut team, but that is just one man's opinion.

What are your thoughts on the UFL's initial season?