Introducing the UFL
(October 3, 2009)
Introducing the UFL
(October 3, 2009)
It looks like the United Football League (UFL) will actually play a game. The league has scaled down its plans and a four team league will play a six game schedule in the "Premiere Season."
The UFL had grandeur plans, but considering the past history of upstart football leagues, many are taking a wait and see attitude. The original idea was to start last year with eight teams in markets without NFL teams. For this year, the league settled on the California Redwoods (San Francisco), Florida Tuskers (Orlando), Las Vegas Locomotives and New York Sentinels. The teams will play in eight different cities to increase exposure. Los Angeles and Hartford are expected to join next season and there could be international cities in England, Mexico or Germany.
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| Home Games: AT&T Park (San Francisco) |
| Head Coach: Dennis Green |
| Key Players: Brett Dietz (QB), Larry Brackin (WR), Derrick Frost (P), Obafemi Ayanbadejo (WR) |
| Home Games: Citrus Bowl (Orlando), Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg) |
| Head Coach: Jim Haslett |
| Key Players: Chris Greisen (QB) Craig Nall (QB), Chas Gessner (WR), Frank Murphy (WR), Patrick Chukwurah (DE), Todd Sauerbrun (P), Michael Pittman (RB) |
| Home Games: Sam Boyd Stadium (Las Vegas), Home Depot Stadium (Los Angeles) |
| Head Coach: Jim Fassel |
| Key Players: J. P. Losman (QB), Tim Rattay (QB), Tony Parrish (S) |
| Home Games: Citi Field (Flushing, NY), Rentschler Field (Hartford, CN), Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) |
| Head Coach: Ted Cottrell |
| Key Players: Quinn Gray (QB), Richard Clebert (DT), Simeon Rice (DE) |
The inaugural season will begin on October 8, 2009 and a championship game will be held in Las Vegas on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The UFL will play on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. The Versus cable television network will telecast eight games, including the championship, while HDNet will cover the other five.
Like any other new league there are some rule changes. The UFL will do away with the controversial "tuck rule," allow intentional grounding anywhere behind the line of scrimmage and guarantee each team at least one possession in overtime.
The league has some interesting investors. Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and collegiate roommate of former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, headed a group that came up with $30-million and may have kept things afloat. Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg has chipped in a reported $1-million to get a game played at Tropicana Field.
The four head coaches are very experienced. Dennis Green was head coach with the Minnesota Vikings (1992-2001) and Arizona Cardinals (2004-06). Jim Haslett coached the New Orleans Saints (2000-2005) and Jim Fassel the New York Giants (1997-2003). Ted Cottrell is a long time NFL assistant getting his first head coaching job. Former Storm QB and Orlando head coach Jay Gruden is the offensive coordinator for the Florida team.
There are players we've heard of before. Dexter Jackson was the MVP of Tampa Bay's Super Bowl victory. Brett Dietz was the Tampa Bay Storm quarterback before that league suspended operations. Michael Pittman (RB) was anothr star for he Bucs in the Super Bowl. Chas Gessner (WR) played one game for the Buccaneers in 2007 and later was a star with the Orlando Predators. Frank Murphy (WR) returned the opening kickoff of the first preseason game of the 2002 NFL Season 95 yards for a touchdown, which was the first game for new head coach Jon Gruden. Patrick Chukwurah (DE) played for the Bucs (2007), as did QB Tim Rattay (2005-06). Todd Sauerbrun (P) has almost 900 NFL punts, J. P. Losman started at QB for the Buffalo Bills, Tony Parrish (S) has 30 NFL interceptions and Quinn Gray (QB) was with Jacksonville for six seasons.
Then there is Simeon Rice, who played defensive end for the Buccaneers from 2001 to 2006. He was a great pass rusher, but was slowed by injuries. Rice usually has plenty to say and was always a favorite with the press. Here is some of what Rice said when he signed with the UFL "I can legitimize this league. This would be looked at as an amateur or junior league, but I'm going to make it what it's supposed to be. I'm going to give the rare talent of elite football to the UFL. Someone who has done the things I've done wouldn't normally be in this situation, but I don't mind taking one step back to take ten steps forward. I have unfinished business."
UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue, an NFL executive for 20 years, considers this year a "soft launch" with bigger things to come. Some in the media have speculated that the league's long-term business plan is to be around when the NFL's labor contract expires in 2011. Lockouts, strikes and other unrest could work to the benefit of the UFL.
Lets give credit to the United Football League for actually playing a game (provided it doesn't fold between now and Thursday). We'll see what happens.
