New USFL starting in April

[Warhawk_46]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, but with the re-boot of the USFL starting this spring what do we think of for our guys? I tell you one player we must have more of us AJ Oulette. He is in the CFL in Toronto and is their best back (when he sees the field) but is wasting away. Maybe he gets a legitimate shot in the USFL?

 

[Bucky]

@Truthteller did a good write up. This League will be right on par with the Caste System as any other. I'll be cheering on AJO nonetheless.

 

[Leonardfan]

Not too optimistic about this. The failed XFL and Alliance of American Football did next to nothing for White athletes. I expect the USFL to do the same.

 

[white is right]

It could help a guy here and there but it won't be an avalanche of White talent in this AAA level league. Also to get an NFL contract or even a tryout a player will have to blow up the league or the NFL will pass on them, especially if they failed to catch on previously.

PS if Oulette has a CFL contract he needs to play that out to play in any other league.

 

[Jerry Reb]

There's no reason for the average white fan to watch a league that's just as dark as the NFL but has less talent. A competitive league would need something to set it apart from the NFL.

 

[Truthteller]

@Truthteller did a good write up. This League will be right on par with the Caste System as any other. I'll be cheering on AJO nonetheless.

Bucky, I was planning to do a longer post trying to preview what might happen in the USFL. In a recent Practice Squad thread I noted the absurd paucity of whites in recent years on NFL Practice Squads, feeling this did not bode well for the USFL, if they were to follow the AAF, XFL 2.0 models. Yesterday I looked at a large group of 17 white quarterbacks drafted between 2018 and 2020 that have washed out of the NFL

However, after getting info from a site that claims to have access to fringe league (XFL,CFL,USFL) insiders, it's appears the USFL might have a totally different business model:


USFL Looking At College Transfer Players, Having A Younger Overall League

“The USFL will grow to become a contender for players who enter the transfer portal and others who are at least three years removed from high school graduation. The USFL will not be the place for six- and seven-year veterans looking to cash a few last checks before cycling out of pro football.“

“I went into the session believing the USFL would just be The Spring League 2.0, a bigger and better version of Brian’s previous project. What I learned was that he has much bigger plans for the league, and while it won’t compete with the NFL, obviously, it will compete with college teams, especially G5 teams.“


Full Link: https://xflnewshub.com/alt-football...sfer-players-having-a-younger-overall-league/

 

[Bucky]

Very interesting @Truthteller ! Looks like they are aiming to be the Bridge League between College and NFL. Be interesting to see how they can compete money wise with some of the NILs Colleges are offering!

When I hear schools like Eastern Michigan are willing to throw around 1million for Caleb Williams! That's some serious money being thrown around, even from small schools.

 

[white is right]

Bucky, I was planning to do a longer post trying to preview what might happen in the USFL. In a recent Practice Squad thread I noted the absurd paucity of whites in recent years on NFL Practice Squads, feeling this did not bode well for the USFL, if they were to follow the AAF, XFL 2.0 models. Yesterday I looked at a large group of 17 white quarterbacks drafted between 2018 and 2020 that have washed out of the NFL

However, after getting info from a site that claims to have access to fringe league (XFL,CFL,USFL) insiders, it's appears the USFL might have a totally different business model:


USFL Looking At College Transfer Players, Having A Younger Overall League

“The USFL will grow to become a contender for players who enter the transfer portal and others who are at least three years removed from high school graduation. The USFL will not be the place for six- and seven-year veterans looking to cash a few last checks before cycling out of pro football.“

“I went into the session believing the USFL would just be The Spring League 2.0, a bigger and better version of Brian’s previous project. What I learned was that he has much bigger plans for the league, and while it won’t compete with the NFL, obviously, it will compete with college teams, especially G5 teams.“


Full Link: https://xflnewshub.com/alt-football...sfer-players-having-a-younger-overall-league/

The CFL did this decades ago, quite a few players that either dropped out for economic reasons or flunked out of school went to Canada and played for a few seasons until their senior year of college eligibility and then left for the NFL.

The last player that I recall that left for the CFL instead of playing out their college eligibility was probably recently busted fraud artist Tamarick Vanover who left Florida St. after he had legal issues. I think the CFL has had less players doing this because schools have either become more corrupt or the pay that the lower professional leagues can pay isn't worth the risk of injury for a player with this dilemma. I recall Vanover signing a fairly big 6 figure contract to play in the CFL in the mid 90's.

Of course all of the CFL and NFL money has been squandered by Vanover or he wouldn't have come up with the brilliant idea of defrauding the NFL's insurance policy for a low six figure claim.

 

[Truthteller]

Good points Bucky and WIR. For a long time these "fringe" leagues have tried to tap into the pool of young, disgruntled college affletes, hoping to become the NFL's unofficial AAA....But, as usual, they fall short, because they simply do not offer enough money to entice the affletes to leave college. Also, I think here are 3 things that will work against the USFL:

1) As much as the league touts it's financial backing from Fox Sports and NBC, all the teams will be playing their games in a single Host City (Birmingham?) for at least one season in order to keep costs down -- stadium rent, road travel expenses. So the USFL is not exactly swimming in cash to counteract the NIL's or illegal payments.

2) Original USFL played 18 games. I believe these teams will only play 10 games. Except for the Ivy League, that's less than colleges play. So why would college players leave the "security" of college to play even less games?

3) Unlike the AAF and XFL 2.0, this league will begin in mid April. So, with a 10 game slate, that means the season should end sometime in July -- then playoffs. That leaves very little recovery time (body healing) for players before they must report for NFL teams. I think this is a huge negative, for anyone hoping to use the USFL as a spring board to an NFL career.

 

[Truthteller]

Wanted to break this (USFL Draft) down a bit more, but have very limited time to post tonight. Also, wanted to respond to the NBA replies (on Steve Nash), but will do that tomorrow.

Here is the early returns from the USFL Draft: https://xflnewshub.com/usfl/recap-day-1-2022-usfl-draft-full-picks-by-each-round/

First round QB's better than I expected. 12th round QB's (#2's) have Paxton Lynch included....DE's seem to be mostly black, as expected. Offense line is about half white? Hard to tell, as I don't recognize most names.

Check the link above Wednesday for more results. Seems like there will be several white slot receivers drafted.

 

[Bucky]

OL is more like 80 percent Black.**** this League. Just more of the same, Whitey still not wanted. Any upsider that can put on pads is put on pedestal. Too many black quarterbacks as well. Edge was the same...

Grade = F-

 

[Phall]

Interesting contrast between #1 overall pick Shea Patterson and 12th round QB Paxton Lynch, picked by the same team. The rounds are dedicated to positions, as I understand it, so the gap there is misleading. But still, Patterson at best was "unfulfilled potential" as he finished his college career at Michigan without major fanfare and went undrafted by the NFL. Lynch was drafted based on potential, but washed out of the NFL fast (perhaps faster than someone like Dwayne Haskins, an arguably bigger bust). I would have thought that Lynch's pedigree would make him the biggest name in this USFL draft, which must at some point prioritize celebrity over talent. Patterson got picked by the Michigan team clearly in part because of his name recognition. I wonder how they'll split the snaps (can't say I'll be glued to my tv to find out).

For "Day Two" picks, I recognize WR Bailey Gaither's name on the Pittsburgh team.

 

[Truthteller]

Bucky, I agree about the OT's. I quickly looked at the first round of OT's and it looked about half white 4-4....but upon closer inspection, the other OT rounds were mostly all black. Guards and centers seem only slightly better, Day 2.

Phall, is correct, they drafted by position, round 1 to 35....another 10 rounds to be held in March. Some speculate bigger names could come at that point, as several ex-NFL players might join then. But who knows? Right now, it's mostly practice squad rejects from recent years or players who couldn't even get a pre-season roster spot.

Not sure I agree with the quarterbacks, Bucky. This link (photos included) shows 7 whites/1 Non-white in round 1: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-every-pick-of-the-draft


Here is Day 2 results: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-follow-live-every-pick-from-day-2

WR's disappointing, so far -- AAF and XFL 2.0 were better. A young white (Pittsburgh) picked in RB round 1 and a token safety from the CFL was picked. AFA and XFL 2.0 had zero white safeties and RB's.

 

[white is right]

Bucky, I agree about the OT's. I quickly looked at the first round of OT's and it looked about half white 4-4....but upon closer inspection, the other OT rounds were mostly all black. Guards and centers seem only slightly better, Day 2.

Phall, is correct, they drafted by position, round 1 to 35....another 10 rounds to be held in March. Some speculate bigger names could come at that point, as several more accomplished ex-NFL players might join then. But who knows? Right now, it's mostly practice squad rejects from recent years.

Not sure I agree with the quarterbacks, Bucky. This link (photos included) shows 7 whites/1 Non-white in round 1: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-every-pick-of-the-draft


Here is Day 2 results: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/usfl/usfl-draft-follow-live-every-pick-from-day-2

WR's disappointing. At least we got a young white (Pittsburgh) picked in RB round 1 and a safety from the CFL. AFA and XFL 2.0 had zero white safeties and RB's.

With the way the NFL has expanded the practice squad roster you really have slim pickings at this point for any position in this league. As far as I can tell it would be 90 man roster rejects, arena league and below guys and CFL free agents.

Does anybody have a clue what this league will pay?

 

[Leonardfan]

With the way the NFL has expanded the practice squad roster you really have slim pickings at this point for any position in this league. As far as I can tell it would be 90 man roster rejects, arena league and below guys and CFL free agents.

Does anybody have a clue what this league will pay?

Not sure what the xfl will pay. My interest is next to zero on it though. Another copycat league to prop up the caste system.

 

[Bucky]

Noticed DB Anthony Cioffi did get drafted by Tampa. Scooby Wright sighting as well.

 

[Don Wassall]

I have no interest, especially after looking at the Pittsburgh Maulers draft -- all blacks on offense and defense except for QB Kyle Lauletta in the first round and QB Josh Love in the final round.

The first incarnation of the Pittsburgh Maulers was most notable for the time when former Steelers QB Cliff Stoudt returned to Pittsburgh as the quarterback of the Birmingham Stallions and was pelted with snowballs the entire game. The hapless Stoudt was a great example of the insatiable hatred Steelers DWFs have for White QBs who aren't all-time greats (and of course even Stoudt's predecessor, Terry Bradshaw, was treated very poorly by Steelers fans). Oh, and the Maulers had Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier at running back, who was a chronic fumbler and a bust.

And Bradshaw remains an all-time great buffoon -- from what I read he couldn't even pronounce Lauletta's name when he announced his selection.

 

[Phall]

I have no interest, especially after looking at the Pittsburgh Maulers draft -- all blacks on offense and defense except for QB Kyle Lauletta in the first round and QB Josh Love in the final round.

The first incarnation of the Pittsburgh Maulers was most notable for the time when former Steelers QB Cliff Stoudt returned to Pittsburgh as the quarterback of the Birmingham Stallions and was pelted with snowballs the entire game. The hapless Stoudt was a great example of the insatiable hatred Steelers DWFs have for White QBs who aren't all-time greats (and of course even Stoudt's predecessor, Terry Bradshaw, was treated very poorly by Steelers fans). Oh, and the Maulers had Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier at running back, who was a chronic fumbler and a bust.

And Bradshaw remains an all-time great buffoon -- from what I read he couldn't even pronounce Lauletta's name when he announced his selection.

I won't protest your lack of interest, but I did notice that Pittsburgh drafted former San Jose State WR Bailey Gaither in the 14th round (which was the second round for selecting receivers). Not to say that his draft position will guarantee him playing time, but he must at least be highly regarded amongst the competition by team scouts. Gaither went undrafted in 2021 and couldn't catch on with the Packers during training camp. Former Wisconsin back Garrett Groshek was their first running back taken (in round 27), which could also bode well for his snap count. Former Michigan State Spartan Matt Seybert was Pittsburgh's only drafted tight end.

No comment on the defense, but a football team with a white QB, RB1, WR2, and TE is a cut above what they usually serve on Sundays (and Saturdays, for that matter).

 

[Don Wassall]

I won't protest your lack of interest, but I did notice that Pittsburgh drafted former San Jose State WR Bailey Gaither in the 14th round (which was the second round for selecting receivers). Not to say that his draft position will guarantee him playing time, but he must at least be highly regarded amongst the competition by team scouts. Gaither went undrafted in 2021 and couldn't catch on with the Packers during training camp. Former Wisconsin back Garrett Groshek was their first running back taken (in round 27), which could also bode well for his snap count. Former Michigan State Spartan Matt Seybert was Pittsburgh's only drafted tight end.

No comment on the defense, but a football team with a white QB, RB1, WR2, and TE is a cut above what they usually serve on Sundays (and Saturdays, for that matter).

The article I was going by only had the first 12 rounds. A few scraps in the form of Gaither, Groshek and Seybert is nice, but I view this incarnation of the USFL like I view all the other new leagues that have started since the original USFL folded -- as unlikely to gain any traction before folding.

The original USFL was colorful and almost had some staying power -- until a young owner named Donald Trump pushed the league to file an anti-trust suit against the NFL, which the USFL won but was awarded just $1 in damages, prompting it to fold before beginning its fourth season in 1986. The USFL helped turned Trump into a nationally known public figure.

 

[Truthteller]

Not sure what the xfl will pay. My interest is next to zero on it though. Another copycat league to prop up the caste system.

Leo and W.I.R, I think USFL players are scheduled to make about $4,500 per game (10 game season, 4 teams make playoffs). Teams also get a bonus for each win and $10,000 extra (per player) for USFL champs -- that's assuming the season comes to a conclusion? Don't forget, AAF and XFL 2.0 had similar bonuses, but both folded/shut down around mid-season.

Reportedly, first round quarterbacks will make NFL practice squad rates. Not sure what that translates to, but here's an excellent link from an XFL fan site, that might explain things better. I didn't realize the NFL was suddenly so generous with practice squad money for Vets? No wonder cash starved ex-superstars like Adrian Peterson are willing to humiliate themselves on practice squads?

Leo, I'd say my USFL interest is like AAF (2019) and XFL 2.0 (2020). I will follow and watch some of the more white friendly teams a bit and I'll track the business aspects of the league (TV ratings, attendance, ect.). The other teams, I'll basically just check boxscores to see how the whites fared. So far, I'd say only Pittsburgh (Groshek and Gaither) and Birmingham have piqued my interest....perhaps Tampa, only team to draft a quota in round one? Again, still another 10 rounds to go in phase 3 of the USFL, draft.

New Orleans Breakers are very Caste, but I look forward to seeing Kyle Slotter get his chance. I think of all the undrafted NFL quarterbacks in recent years, Slotter might've been the best. Just never got a real chance.

 

[Rocky B]

Being a Pittsburgh guy and a Groshek fan, I’ll watch a bit....
If he gets less than five carries a game, I’m out

 

[Bucky]

Being a Pittsburgh guy and a Groshek fan, I’ll watch a bit....
If he gets less than five carries a game, I’m out

If he's used as a Power back, I'd watch it. I suspect he'll be used as a human battering ram..Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Phall]

If he's used as a Power back, I'd watch it. I suspect he'll be used as a human battering ram..Hope I'm wrong.

The draft was weird, done with designated positions for each round, so Groshek's "round 13" draft position is deceiving. There were only two rounds designated for running backs, and Pittsburgh selected him first (ahead of lackluster former Wolverine De'Veon Smith). On paper, it's unreasonable to think Groshek will command anything less than the short half of a 60/40 split in carries, let alone less than 5 per game.

Apparently, the players had to sign contracts with the league before being drafted (every player is on the same pay scale, like NFL practice squads). The USFL took care to avoid leaking its player pool to keep the draft a "surprise." There will probably be a lot of practice squad bodies and alternates, but I am guessing these teams will be smaller than an NFL gameday roster. Only 35 players per team were drafted.

Another interesting tidbit: all games will be played between two sites in Birmingham, Alabama. The city names, for now, are just window-dressing for merchandise and artificial fandom. The USFL could have just assigned each team to a planet in the solar system (although this would unfairly skew merchandise sales for the team from Youranus).

 

[Leonardfan]

Hopefully our guys who were drafted all get a lot of playing time and perform well.

 

[Leonardfan]

USFL kicks off tonight...I'll monitor the box scores but probably won't watch.