UFL Preview

By: Matt

Florida Tuskers

The UFL franchise in Orlando features, on paper, the best defense in the upstart league. Head Coach Jim Haslett has experience both as an NFL head coach and defensive coordinator. In New Orleans Haslett was able to win football games with a less-than-ideal offensive situation, Aaron Brooks was his starting QB. Haslett’s Tuskers defense features two former teammates, linebackers Odell Thurman and Anthony Schlegel, and a former Super Bowl MVP in Dexter Jackson. Thurman was once seen as a rising star in the NFL but was sidetracked by off-the-field issues and criminal problems. The UFL is seen as an opportunity for players, young and old, to prepare for a return to the NFL and Odell Thurman has the talent that, if he can prove his ability to keep clean and play hard, an opportunity could come quickly. The Tuskers defense has depth behind the linebackers as well, both cornerbacks, Jackson and Fakhir Brown, are longtime NFL veterans who understand the basics of cornerback play and DeJuan Tribble is a young player who contributes a level of athleticism to the Tuskers’ secondary. The Tuskers’ offense features a 1-2 running tandem of Tatum Bell and Michael Pittman that should be able to provide enough of an offensive threat for the Tuskers defense to win games. Bell was once an NFL starter and his quickness should allow him to be successful against the lesser talent of the UFL. Pittman is a very young runner whose power should help balance the speed of Bell and help the Tuskers in goal line and short yardage situations. Quarterback Brooks Bollinger has NFL experience and could serve as a caretaker quarterback for a team with a theoretically strong defensive and running game. The Tuskers also have former Pro-Bowl punter Todd Sauerbrun is the best special team player in the UFL and if he demonstrates the ability to punt as he did in his NFL career he could help an already talented defense by extending the field.

California Redwoods

Head Coach Dennis Green has control of the UFL’s Los Angeles franchise. In the NFL Green has lead some of the most potent offenses of all time, his Vikings team in the late 90’s set the league scoring record and he assembled the pieces for last years Cardinals Super Bowl team. Despite his offensive background, Green’s UFL team lacks any name-power. Quarterbacks Mike McMahon and Shane Boyd both have little success or recognition as NFL players. Wide Receiver BJ Sams has great speed and was a successful professional return specialist. Green has a stellar track record as a receivers coach and under his tutelage Sams could emerge as one of the UFL’s most dangerous receiving threats, however, with such little talent at quarterback one must wonder if anyone will be able to get the ball to Sams downfield. Linebacker Dontarrious Thomas and defensive back Marviel Underwood are the most recognizable defenders on the Redwoods, however, Dennis Green has never had any level of success as a defensive coach and, if history is any measure, this team will need to score touchdowns to win games. Punter Derrick Frost had limited success with the Redskins and if he is able to pin back returners he could help the Redwoods defense by extending the field.

New York Sentinels

The New York franchise of the UFL is lead by Head Coach Ted Cottrell, a longtime NFL defensive coordinator with no professional head coaching experience. The Sentinels defense features Simeon Rice, easily the best and most recognizable player in the UFL. Rice, 33, is a former Super Bowl champion and a 3 time Pro-Bowler who started beside Warren Sapp on the Buccaneers defense that dominated during the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Despite the presence of Rice, the Sentinels defense lacks any other playmakers or NFL veterans. On offense the Sentinels best player is Wide Receiver Koren Robinson, a two-time NFL veteran who has great ability as a playmaker but, much like Odell Thurman, has suffered from off-the-field problems. Fullback Cecil Sapp is an NFL veteran and will provide a triple threat as a runner, blocker, and receiver out of the backfield. The Sentinels lack any talent at Quarterback, Ingle Martin and Quinn Gray are best known for their strange first names and NCAA accomplishments. Neither quarterback is particularly young or old, but if the Sentinels hope to win one of these veterans will have to step up and find Koren Robinson multiple times per game.

Las Vegas Locomotives

One of the first professional sports teams to grace Las Vegas, the Locomotives feature one of the UFL’s most talented rosters and the Head Coach with the most successful past. At the beginning of the decade Jim Fassel was the Head Coach of the NFC Champion New York Giants. Fassel has had great success both on offense and defense, and has a reputation as a great teacher of football. Quarterback JP Losman is the best-known offensive player in the UFL. The 27-year-old signal caller was a starter in the NFL just two years ago and could easily earn another starting job in his future. Losman is mobile and can make plays with his arm. IF JP can stay healthy he could easily become the most feared weapon in the UFL and is arguably the league’s marquis player. Losman has a number of talented receiving targets. Veteran receiver Az Hakim made a game winning catch in the NFL Championship in 1999 and is a smart veteran who will be able to exploit the younger, less experienced cornerbacks of the UFL. Tab Perry is a speedy ex-Bengal whose athletic ability will shine against UFL secondaries and fellow speedster David Kircus had limited success as a return man and is easily the best #3 receiver in the league. In addition to the three wide receivers, pass-catching tight end John Madsen is a large target – 6’5” 240lbs – and has experience as the Oakland Raiders tight end. Madsen may be the only player paired with a better quarterback now than in his last NFL job and his size alone makes him a scary end zone weapon. On defense the Loco’s have veteran linebackers in Ezra Butler and Tedy Lehman, and cornerback Isaiah Trufant is the younger brother of successful Seahawks’ DB Marcus Trufant. Ultimately, the Locomotives appear capable of scoring a lot of points and if this offense plays up to its apparent ability, this team seems likely to be playing in the Thanksgiving championship game.