This Is The USFL - Design Notes for the 1983 USFL (Revised for SOM FB V13)

"The Panthers Strike Gold"
Note that these teams are fully revised, no prior copy is now valid.

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1983 USFL Season for Strat-O-Matic Football
Original Publication Date: July 30, 2004
Revised Publication Date: April 4, 2012

(Note that these teams are fully revised, bringing everything I know about card making to bear on this season. The results are striking, Scott would concur, and I encourage people to try this team set, my eighth such effort. If you want to understand expansion football, this is the place to explore.) 

This is the USFL

The USFL was founded by David Dixon, a New Orleans antique dealer who had been instrumental in bringing the New Orleans Saints to town. In 1965, he envisioned football as a spring and summer sport. Dixon (and future USFL owners) believed that public demand for football was not satisfied by the NFL's and the colleges' fall seasons; that cable television - which could not televise NFL games under the existing NFL-network contracts - would offer unique opportunities for television revenues and exposure; that a spring football league would face limited competition; that there was a sufficient supply of football players for two leagues; and that a spring league could draft college players and put them on the field even before the NFL draft.

In 1980, a study commissioned by Dixon found promising results for a spring and summer football league. In November of 1980, Dixon circulated a prospectus to advertising agencies and prospective owners laying out his idea for a spring football league. Dixon also formed a blueprint for the prospective league's operations, which included early television exposure, heavy promotion in home markets, and owners willing to absorb years of losses - which he felt would be inevitable until the league found its feet. He also assembled a list of possible franchises located in markets attractive to a potential television partner. 

After almost two years of preparation, the USFL announced its formation on May 11, 1982, at the 21 Club in New York City. Judge Peter Spivak, part owner of the Detroit team, was announced as the president of the league, an interim position until a commissioner could be found. The league announced that it would be made up of 12 teams in major markets across the country. Franchises would play in New York (the Meadowlands, NJ), Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Tampa, Oakland, Denver, Washington, Philadelphia, Birmingham and San Diego (eventually switched to Phoenix). On June 14, Chet Simmons - the former ABC executive and broadcasting executive with ESPN - was named the league's first commissioner. In part because of the location of its teams in major television markets, the USFL quickly reached an over-the-air television deal with ABC Sports and a cable deal with then-fledgling ESPN. 

The USFL's founders did not seek to obtain a television contract for fall play. Before fielding a team, however, the USFL received bids for a spring television contract from ABC and NBC and from two cable networks, ESPN and the Turner Broadcasting System. The league entered a four-year contract with ABC, and a two-year contract with ESPN. The ABC agreement provided for ABC to pay the USFL $18 million for the 1983 and 1984 seasons, with options exercisable by ABC at $14 million for 1985 and at $18 million for 1986. ESPN contracted to televise USFL games for two years at rights fees of $4 million for 1983 and $7 million for 1984.

The USFL's founders placed a high priority on the fans' perception of the quality of play. They intended to use major stadiums and to hire well-known coaches. The USFL would have slightly different rules than the NFL, many of which would later be adopted by the NFL, most notably: the two-point conversion (adopted by the NFL in 1994); the college rule of stopping the clock after first downs was used only for the final two minutes of each half; a method of challenging officials' rulings on the field via instant replay (using a system that is almost identical to that used by the NFL today); and a salary cap of $1.8 million to reduce inevitable losses and spread talent throughout the league (later abandoned by league owners). Most importantly, the USFL founders wanted the league to control costs. For its first season, therefore, the USFL established budget guidelines for player salaries of between $1.3 and $1.5 million per team.

The USFL's first year of play, 1983, was a mixed success. Although play was often uneven during the inaugural year, most teams showed steady improvement. The league averaged more than 24,000 fans per game, which was very close to what Dixon originally forecast. The Nielsen television rating for the first week of games was 14.2, a figure comparable to NFL ratings. As the season went on, however, the USFL's television ratings declined; average television ratings for the year were 6.23 on ABC and 3.28 on ESPN. Overall, both ABC and ESPN were very pleased with the ratings, as these average figures were consistent with the league’s and networks’ pre-season projections. The league also received extensive media exposure when it signed Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker to a three-year, $5 million contract. Walker signed with the New Jersey Generals in February of 1983 after his junior season at the University of Georgia. 

Small Potatoes

On the financial side, the picture was not as bright. The USFL lost a total of almost $40 million in its first year of operation, or an average of $3.3 million per team. The league had projected losses of only about $2 million per year for each team over the first three years. Only the Denver Gold, who topped the league in attendance, and the Tampa Bay Bandits managed to escape large financial losses. The unanticipated financial losses were chiefly the result of the failure to stay within the original salary guidelines. Indeed, in a November 1983 letter to other owners, Tad Taube of the Oakland team warned that: "If we are not successful in establishing player [salary] caps I can guarantee you that there will not be a USFL within three years, irrespective of improved revenue [from] television . . . . We have sighted the enemy and they are us!" 

Overlooked in the usual discussion of Trump and the league’s next chapter is the fact that there was a very strong division between the successful franchises in Tampa and Denver and the rest of the USFL. Independent of their competition for players with the USFL, salaries of NFL teams had begun rising as early as 1982 when the league signed a new collective bargaining agreement. Between 1982 and 1987, the average NFL player’s salary rose from $90,000 to $230,000. Gains secured by the NFL Players Association in the areas of free agency, salaries, severance, and pre-season pay further increased the market rates at which USFL owners would have to compete in order to attract top NFL talent. This drove a wedge between the few franchises that could continue to operate organically, such as the Gold and the Bandits, and the rest of the struggling USFL, which required a different path to remain viable.  

1983 USFL TEAM NOTES  

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Philadelphia Stars:  
Total offense: 8th/12 teams overall, 2nd rushing, 11th passing. Total Defense: 4th, 1st rushing, 8th passing

Going into the season without any name players on offense or defense, the Stars were lightly held, but once they took the field, the story was different. They became the USFL's dominant team, and they missed out on a clean sweep of league championships by only a two-point loss to the Michigan Panthers in the 1983 title game. Coach Jim Mora guided the Stars to wins in more than three-fourths of their games and seven out of eight postseason tilts. The Stars finished with a USFL – best 15-3 in the 1983 regular season.  

Former Tar Heel running back Kelvin Bryant was the focal point of the Stars’ offense. He gained an incredible 4,055 yards rushing in his three USFL seasons, and he won league MVP in 1983 with 1442 yards and 16 touchdowns. At quarterback, Chuck Fusina wasn't spectacular but he was always solid, and he could be great when he had to be. In Philadelphia's come-from-behind playoff win over the Chicago Blitz, the Stars trailed 38-17 with 12 minutes left in the game. Fusina caught fire, tossing three TD passes (to Scott Fitzkee, Jeff Rodenberger and Tom Donovan) down the stretch to knot the score. In overtime, Bryant leapt over the goal line from the one to cap the Stars’ startling 44-38 win.

When the Stars couldn't put the ball in the endzone, David Trout was a very accurate kicker and Sean Landeta was one of the circuit's best punters. But the heart and soul of the Stars was their Doghouse Defense. Led by (Slammin') Sam Mills, who would later earn several Pro Bowl berths in the NFL, the defense made sure the Stars were always in the game, allowing the league’s fewest points while forcing the most turnovers (62 in 18 games, +35 differential). Defensive backs Mike Lush and Scott Woerner, and defensive end John Walker also shone on the defensive side of the ball. The defense led the Stars to the Atlantic Division title and into the first USFL championship game.

Boston Breakers:  
Total offense: 4th overall, 10th rushing, 2nd passing. Total Defense: 9th, 8th rushing, 7th passing

Playing in Boston at tiny Nickerson Field, Coach of the Year Dick Coury molded a tough, competitive club. Veteran NFL quarterback John Walton's 3,772 yards and 20 touchdowns led the third best offense in the league to within a game of the playoffs. Halfback Richard Crump ran for 990 yards, Flanker Nolan Franz gathered in 62 passes for 848 yards, and Split End Charlie Smith caught 54 balls for 1,009 yards. Linebacker Marcus Marek headed up an opportunistic defense that finished third in the USFL in turnover differential at +11.  

Home attendance was weak early in the year, but one game changed all of that. In mid- season, the Philadelphia Stars came to Boston with an eight-game winning streak and held a 17-13 lead late in the game thanks to two Chuck Fusina to Willie Collier TD passes. Breakers' QB John Walton also had two scoring tosses and needed one more on the final play of the game from the Stars' 14-yard line. Walton zipped a pass to tight end Charlie Smith, but the ball bounced off him, tumbled into the air and finally settled into the hands of wide receiver Frank Lockett for the winning score, touching off a wild celebration at Nickerson Field.

New Jersey Generals:  
Total offense: 6th overall, 3rd rushing, 9th passing. Total Defense: 11th, 11th rushing, 12th passing

As the league's cornerstone franchise, the New Jersey Generals did little on the field in their first year to deserve the mountain of attention given to them, finishing 6-12 in 1983. Off the field, things were eventful, however. The Generals began with the February 23 signing of underclassman RB Herschel Walker, the Heisman Trophy winner in 1982, to a whopping contract. Inking a college player with remaining eligibility was then forbidden and caused the USFL some scouting problems when several universities closed their doors to their scouts. The Generals argued that had Walker pursued the matter in court, he would have won anyway. Whatever the case, the USFL had signed its first huge name.

As would become his trademark with New Jersey, Walker started slowly but bounced back to lead the league with 1,812 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. He also led the team with 53 catches for 489 yards. Other than Walker, coach Chuck Fairbanks' Generals were terrible. Their defense gave up more points (437) than any other team besides Washington and Arizona (442 each), and their quarterbacks tossed 29 interceptions to just 12 touchdown passes. Rod Shoate starred on defense, and the offense featured future NFL players RB Maurice Carthon and C Kent Hull clearing holes for the tireless Walker.

Washington Federals:  
Total offense: 7th overall, 8th rushing, 5th passing. Total Defense: 10th, 10th rushing, 11th passing

A team that was once compared to “a bunch of trained gerbils” by its owner has to count as one of the most interesting teams in the history of professional football if nothing else. Such was the case of the Washington Federals, a team which won just one of it's first 14 games. Each week it seemed as if the Feds had figured out a new way to blow a football game. The Federals lost on last-second field goals of 50 and 52 yards, a 98-yard TD pass, a missed chip-shot field goal, and a quarterback sneak that came up one foot short. And that was in their first season alone.  

In every cloud, and the Federals were a pretty big one, there exists a silver lining. Washington did have some talent on the roster. Future NFL runner Craig James topped the team with 823 yards on the ground in 1983 despite missing several games with injuries. Running back Billy Taylor added 757 rushing yards and 523 yards on 64 pass receptions. The team actually beat both the Michigan Panthers and the Philadelphia Stars during the season – and almost beat the Panthers again at the Silverdome. But the story of the Federals is not one of success, as Washington quarterbacks tossed 33 interceptions compared with 21 touchdowns.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Michigan Panthers:  
Total offense: 1st overall, 5th rushing, 3rd passing. Total Defense: 8th, 3rd rushing, 9th passing

The Panthers, behind the passing combination of quarterback Bobby Hebert and wide receiver Anthony Carter, became the USFL’s first champions, beating the Philadelphia Stars 24-22 in the title game in Denver on July 17, 1983 in front of nearly 51,000. This was the second largest crowd in league history, with the Panther’s win over Oakland the week before in the Silverdome tops at 60,237.  

But the Panthers didn’t look much like a championship team when the season began. They lost four of their first five games and their offensive line was porous. Coach Stanley got reinforcements. He raided the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster and brought in guard Tyrone McGriff and tackle Ray Pinney, and he signed ex-Steeler guard Thom Dornbrook. With a powerful line, the Panthers won 11 of their next 13 and nosed out the Blitz for the Division title. After a slow start, Hebert shot to the top of the USFL’s quarterback ratings, throwing 27 TDs and completing 57 percent of his passes. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the USFL championship game after completing 20 of 39 passes for 314 yards and 3 TD passes.  

But he had talent around him. The USFL had a protected territorial draft for each team, assigning local schools to each franchise to give them a regional flavor. Michigan was lucky to get all of the top Michigan schools, and they had all-stars from each of them – LB Ray Bentley and kicker Novo Bjovic of Central Michigan, CB Clarence Chapman of Eastern Michigan, TE Mike Cobb of Michigan State, and the University of Michigan’s All-American wideout, Anthony Carter. Alongside these men, FB Ken Lacy quietly finished 3rd in the USFL in rushing, amassing 1180 yards.

Chicago Blitz:  
Total offense: 3rd overall, 4th rushing, 7th passing. Total Defense: 1st, 2nd rushing, 1st passing

True to form, George Allen’s first move as head coach of the Chicago Blitz immediately caused controversy. In his first move against the NFL, Allen signed UCLA All-American tight end Tim Wrightman away from the Chicago Bears who had originally selected him in the third round of the NFL draft. Despite the Bears loud protests, Wrightman became the first player signed in the USFL as he agreed to a 2-year $400,000 contract. Allen also caused ripples among the USFL brass. Despite a consensus among league owners that teams would set a spending limit of $1.8 million for 38 players on their 40-man roster (allowing exceptions for 2 star players), Allen exceeded this agreement as he signed high profile players such as Greg Landry, a 14-year NFL veteran with the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Colts, and running backs Tim Spencer and Kevin Long. Allen defended his spending by concluding that he was responsible for building a competitive team in the third largest city in the country. 

Despite many owners concerns about the Blitz dominating the league, the team struggled out of the gate at 1-2 following consecutive last-second losses to Arizona and Denver. The Blitz quickly recovered by winning 6 of their next 7 games, which included a 42-3 win in Tampa Bay against the division-leading and previously unbeaten Bandits. Wide receiver Trumaine Johnson was the spark for the Blitz offense as he led all USFL receivers in 1983 with 1,322 yards and 10 touchdown receptions. Tim Spencer and Kevin Long were the leaders in the ground game, with both players collecting 1,000-yard seasons and combining for 18 touchdowns. The Blitz defense allowed the least total yards and forced the second best turnover ratio (+26). 

By week 17 the Blitz were in control of their own destiny in the Central Division, and prepared for a showdown with the surging Michigan Panthers who entered the contest a game back in the standings. But Panther quarterback Bobby Hebert tossed 5 touchdown passes in a 34-19 Michigan rout. The Chicago loss was their second on the season to the Panthers, and it gave Michigan the division crown. Chicago would enter the playoffs as a wild card, and their first round playoff loss to Philadelphia would go down as one of the most memorable games in USFL history. 

Tampa Bay Bandits:  
Total offense: 2nd overall, 7th rushing, 1st passing. Total Defense: 2nd, 6th rushing, 2nd passing

There had been a promise of greatness from Bandits' owner John Bassett to Coach Steve Spurrier: The Bandits, said their leaders, would be just as exciting and they hope to lead to the culmination of which would be a date in the USFL championship game. This promise was to be tested by uncertainty at the quarterback position throughout the season. The Bandits slumped after a good start and finished 11-7 and out of the playoffs. 

Spurrier had to prove himself a master motivator, as injuries caused him to start four different quarterbacks, three of whom performed capably after John Reaves went down with an injury. In spite of the injuries, the Bandits led the league in passing proficiency. Reaves, the former No. 1 draft choice of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, suffered a broken right wrist in the seventh game, but recovered to start the season finale. For the year, Reaves completed 139 of 259 passes for 1,726 yards, nine touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Jordan, bothered by a recurring shoulder ailment, was the league's fourth-ranked passer, hitting on 145 of 238 for 1,831 yards, 14 TDs and 14 interceptions.

The backfield got a big boost when Bassett acquired Gary Anderson, one of the San Diego Chargers' first round draft choices. In only eight games, Anderson ran for 516 yards, including a 74-yard run and scored four TDs. He also caught 29 passes for 347 yards. The top rusher was fullback Greg Boone, who had played at Duke for Spurrier. Boone averaged 4.0 yards per carry and crossed the goal line five times. Danny Buggs, who had played for George Allen with the Washington Redskins, was the USFL's No. 2 receiver with 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and five scores. Eric Truvillion, who got a brief trial with the New York Jets, signed as a free agent with the Bandits, and was chosen to the All-USFL team. "ET," as he was nicknamed, caught 66 passes for 1,080 yards and a league leading 15 touchdowns.
The defense was second overall in efficiency, and nose guard Fred Nordgren and cornerback Jeff George represented the Bandits on the All-USFL Team. 

Birmingham Stallions:  
Total offense: 5th overall, 1st rushing, 10th passing. Total Defense: 6th, 7th rushing, 5th passing

“We are committed to bringing championship football to the Football Capital of the South, and I am convinced that Birmingham will support it” were the words of determination from the founding owner of the Birmingham Stallions, Marvin Warner. He realized that the support of his franchise hinged on fielding nothing less than a championship caliber team. He hired Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Rollie Dotsch to lead the Stallions. In Pittsburgh, Dotsch had gained a reputation for being one of the game’s greatest teachers, and extremely sound on fundamentals and technique.

Promising to run the ball with authority, Dotsch assembled a solid offensive line for the 1983 season, and chose former New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs running back Ken Talton to lead the running game. Earl Gant and Cornelius Quarles shared duty at the fullback position. Bob Lane, who was drafted and then cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was signed to play quarterback. Talton would have a successful season in Birmingham as he would collect 907 yards rushing on 228 carries, and the Stallions would lead the entire USFL in rushing in 1983. A total of 5 Stallions players carried the ball for 250 yards or more on the season, and 7 players combined to score 22 rushing touchdowns. Lane and the passing game did not enjoy the same level of success as he would throw for just 2,264 yards on the season and complete only 50% of his passes. 

The lack of balance on offense was reflected in the team’s inconsistent play week by week. The Stallions lost 5 of their first 7 games with 2 losses coming without the opponent scoring in double digits. Despite the slow start, the Stallions eventually found their offense and reeled off 5 consecutive wins, including handing the Michigan Panthers their only loss during an 8-game stretch with a 23-20 overtime win at the Silverdome. But playing in the league’s toughest division would eventually prove to be too much for the Stallions to overcome. The Stallions brought up the rear of the Central Division with a 9-9 record at season’s end. 

PACIFIC DIVISION

Oakland Invaders:  
Total offense: 9th overall, 11th rushing, 6th passing. Total Defense: 3rd, 5th rushing, 3rd passing

Plenty of major league sports owners would gladly have settled for the Oakland Invaders' inaugural season results. In their first year of existence, Coach John Ralston’s Invaders drew a season - ticket base of 24,600 fans and captured the Pacific Division title. But they backed into that title, taking the division with a 9-9 record and then falling 37-21 to the Michigan Panthers in the playoffs. 
Oakland had an excellent cache of talent from territorial schools like California, San Jose State and Stanford. But it was veteran local talent that provided the key to their early success. TE Raymond Chester and HB Arthur Whittington, two former Raiders with NFL experience and local name identification, enjoyed productive seasons in the new league. Chester was the most valuable player on the team in terms of contributions on and off the field. The 36-year-old Chester finished as the league's fourth leading receiver with 68 catches and 951 yards, and was named as the USFL’s All-League tight end, and "Man of the Year". Whittington, another Raider veteran, had an up-and-down as a hernia hampered him for much of the season, but he finished as the league's fifth leading rusher with 1,043 yards. Whittington was the league’s top rushing / receiving threat, also catching 66 passes for 584 yards, sixth among league receivers. Gordon Banks, a former sprinter-receiver at Stanford, finished with 855 yards on 61 receptions.  

At quarterback Fred Besana was one of the league's biggest surprises. Coach Ralston rediscovered the 29-year-old quarterback in Yuba City, California, where Besana was running a beer distributorship and playing for the Twin Cities Cougars of the California Football League. But the NFL was calling Besana by the end of the season, one in which he completed 345 of 550 attempts for 3,980 yards and 21 touchdowns. Besana led the league in completion percentage, yardage, and completions. 
The defense was led by the play of inside linebackers Frank Manumaleuga and Gary Plummer. Manumaleuga and Plummer were at the heart of Oakland’s 3-4 system and the two led the team in tackles. Manumaleuga lead by example and he was perhaps the most valuable member of the defensive unit. Plummer, a rookie, was another surprise as he made a quick transition to linebacker and led the team in tackles.

Los Angeles Express:  
Total offense: 10th overall, 12th rushing, 4th passing. Total Defense: 5th, 9th rushing, 4th passing

The Express’ offensive strengths were at receiver and quarterback. LA had two excellent wide receivers in Anthony Allen and Jojo Townsell. Both were late-season acquisitions during the year that came in and contributed immediately. Allen caught five passes for 110 yards in his debut against Birmingham after signing with the Express earlier that same week. In eight games, he finished with 37 catches for 613 yards and three touchdowns. Townsell's impact was even more immediate and dramatic. He signed on Friday, June 3, 1983 and caught the winning touchdown, thrown by former UCLA teammate Tom Ramsey, two days later against Arizona. Townsell finished the season with 21 catches for 326 yards and three touchdowns. 

Throughout his coaching career, Hugh Campbell had been an advocate of the two-quarterback system. He even platooned the great Warren Moon as his coach in Edmonton. He repeated the pattern in Los Angeles. The Express signed local star Ramsey, the All-American UCLA signal caller who led the Bruins to a Rose Bowl win as a senior, and led the country in passing efficiency. But Ramsey didn't even start the first game. Campbell had said all along Ramsey was the quarterback of the future, not the present. 
The Express went instead to journeyman Mike Rae, a 31-year-old former USC star who had spent time in the NFL with Tampa Bay and Oakland. Rae started the first nine games, but didn't get the chance to finish many. Ramsey usually replaced Rae in the second half, no matter how good or bad Rae's stats in the first half were, a situation that pleased neither man. Against Oakland late in the season, Rae was pulled after completing 18 of 22 passes in the first half. Ramsey finally was named the starter in the 10th game and both quarterbacks finished the '83 season with respectable stats. Near the end of the season, it became clear that Ramsey was being groomed for the position. At times, Ramsey looked terrific, especially when he teamed with Townsell. Tight end Ricky Ellis wasn't even the Express' starter for their opener, but he ended up third in the USFL in receptions 69 catches for 716 yards and made the ALL-USFL team.

When you consider that the Express lost two starting defensive backs, Scott Byers and Alvin Burleson, to season-ending knee injuries, the LA defense, led by All-USFL defensive tackle Eddie “Meat Cleaver” Weaver, wasn't all that bad as they finished fifth in the league in total defense.

Denver Gold:  
Total offense: 12th overall, 6th rushing, 12th passing. Total Defense: 7th, 4th rushing, 6th passing

The Gold topped the league in attendance in 1983 even though their roster was devoid of any big name players. Denver, in fact, kept closer to the original USFL plan of controlling player costs and building slowly than any other team, and it cost them on the field and in the clubhouse, as they finished 7-11 and in turmoil.

The 1983 season opened with a crowd of over 41,000 watching the Stars beat Denver 13-7. It was not a good sign for coach Red Miller. Owner Ron Blanding had done his best too keep costs down, but he knew the fans would not support a loser for long. He demanded a better showing, and when Miller was unable to produce, he was fired - the first USFL coach to get the ax.
Blanding knew that Miller was popular, and his permanent replacement would have to be equally popular. So Ron Blanding turned to another Denver legend, and hired Craig Morton as coach. Morton had quarterbacked the Denver Broncos into Super Bowl XXII, and he was still very popular. The Gold went 3-3 under Morton, winning all three games at home. However, the Gold still finished the year a paltry 7-11. 

The offense ran well, featuring runners Larry Canada and Harry Sydney in the backfield and the mobile Ken Johnson at quarterback. But Johnson was one of four unsuccessful Gold signal callers, none of whom could master the passing game. The Gold finished last in yards gained through the air. In an attempt to fill their gaping holes on offense, the Gold moved personnel as much as anyone in the league. The defense held firm, with DE Calvin Turner and CB David Martin making the All-USFL team.
Banding had been faithful to the ideals of the league and was the one owner who showed an initial profit. But to do it, Blanding and Miller had put together a team made mostly of players who would never be NFL stars. Blanding kept the costs down, and the team performed as predicted. However, with the other teams in the USFL on a spending spree for talent, Blanding saw the writing on the wall. Unable to compete financially, in the latter part of the 1983 season, Blanding announced he would be willing to sell the team.


Arizona Wranglers:  
Total offense: 11th overall, 9th rushing, 8th passing. Total Defense: 12th, 12th rushing, 10th passing

The story surrounding the history of the Arizona Wranglers is without question one of change. In fact, there was originally no plan whatsoever by the USFL to station a team in Phoenix. After all, who would really want to play football in the Sonoran Desert during the summer ?  

Originally a San Francisco real-estate investor, Jim Joseph was a partner of Tad Taube in the Bay Area franchise. The Los Angeles market was vacant, and so Taube and Joseph flipped a coin to see who would remain in the Bay Area. Joseph actually won the toss, but elected to try to stake a franchise in Los Angeles. It would be a decision that he would come to regret. Cable executives Bill Daniels and Alan Harmon actually owned the rights to Southern California, and the City of San Diego sued them to prevent them from establishing their franchise there. With the 1983 season kicking off in less than eight months, Daniels and Harmon opted to move their team to Los Angeles. Joseph was forced to abandon LA and to opt for Phoenix, Arizona.

Once the season finally got underway, the Wranglers managed to stay fairly competitive over the first half of the season. Despite an embarrassing 24-0 shutout loss in the season opener against Oakland, the Wranglers managed an impressive comeback win in week 2 against the Chicago Blitz. Trailing by 17 points with just over 11 minutes remaining in the game, quarterback Alan Risher tossed touchdown passes on 3 consecutive drives, and kicker Jim Asmus kicked a 34-yeard field goal as time expired to give Arizona an amazing 30-29 victory. 

Risher was steady all year, as he would complete 56% of his passes and throw for 2,672 yards and 20 touchdowns. Jackie Flowers and Mark Keel were the main targets in the passing game, but the running game never got off the ground. Despite being in a 4-way tie for first place in the Pacific Division at the end of week 9, the Wranglers continuously struggled to get in the end zone and were simultaneously unable to prevent their opponents from scoring. Their defensive woes would lead to a 10-game losing streak and a final 4-14 record. Displeased about the team and his surroundings, Jim Joseph walked away from the USFL after its inaugural season, paving the way for new ownership and a new Wranglers team in 1984.

- From ThisistheUSFL.com ; RemembertheUSFL.com; and The Sporting News 1984 USFL Guide and Register.
- Boris Kogan, USFL v. NFL, The Challenge Beyond The Courtroom 
- Many thanks to Strat Fans from the Forum who provided roster info, stats, stories, and support. You are all very much appreciated.

Fred J. Bobberts, Clearwater, FL
Original date of Publication: July 30, 2004 
Revised date of Publication April 4, 2012
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