Around the USFL

by Fran Stuchbury
May 18, 2022 - United States Football League (USFL)

The United States Football League has reached the halfway point of its inaugural season, and with eight teams eyeing four playoff spots, now is the time dole out mid-season grades.

South Division

Birmingham Stallions 5-0

Grade: A-

Being the host city in the hub has given the Stallions a small advantage with local fans cheering them on each week. Where some USFL teams have struggled on offense, Skip Holtz signed a quarterback he coached when both were at Louisiana Tech, and J'Mar Smith has been able to consistently move the Stallions down the field. On defense, the Stallions have plenty of playmakers such as linebackers Scobby Wright and DeMarquis Gates who have helped the team stifle opponents. Victor Bolden Jr. leads the USFL with 832 all-purpose yards.

Going forward the Stallions appear headed to play at Canton, Ohio, in the USFL playoffs. We will find out if playing games outside of Birmingham has an impact on their performance.

New Orleans Breakers 3-2

Grade: B

QB Kyle Sloter leads the USFL in passing yardage with 1,226 yards and has thrown seven touchdown passes but has countered with seven interceptions and some costly fumbles. Sloter does a good job spreading the football around to all his receivers and tight ends. Defensive end Davin Bellamy leads the defense with 4.5 sacks.

If the Breakers want to make it to the USFL playoffs, Sloter has to cut back on turnovers. Over the past two games he has thrown five interceptions.

Tampa Bay Bandits 3-2

Grade: B-

Going into the USFL season Jordan Ta'amu had a shot to be the best quarterback in the league considering the success he had playing for the XFL's St. Louis BattleHawks in 2020. Instead, he has only passed for 834 yards, five touchdowns, four interceptions and added 143 rushing yards. Tight end C.J. O'Grady has been his favorite target. The Bandits defense has intercepted just two balls so far.

The offense has to be more creative if the Bandits are to make the playoffs. Todd Haley is an offensive-minded coach, and last week finally saw a flea-flicker touchdown from Tampa Bay.

Houston Gamblers 1-4

Grade: D+

The Gamblers have a talented team with playmakers on both sides of the the ball, but they simply can't finish games. Four losses have come by a combined 14 points. Losing to the winless Pittsburgh Maulers on the final play last week made playoff hopes a long shot. Clayton Thorson is tied for first in the USFL with seven passing touchdowns, and Mark Thompson leads the USFL in rushing with 400 yards. Kicker Nick Vogel tops all kickers with 39 points. Chris Odom's 5.5 sacks are the most in the USFL, and Donald Payne leads all defenders with 58 total tackles.

The Gamblers have to find ways to win late or avoid tight games.

North Division

New Jersey Generals 4-1

Grade: A-

After some kicking trouble cost them in week one, the Generals have improved every week. The two-quarterback rotation with De'Andre Johnson and Luis Perez has been effective, especially with Johnson's mobility, but the key to the Generals is their smash-mouth, rushing attack which averages 180.2 yards per game. They will keep running the football until USFL defenses are able to stop them. Darius Victor's five rushing touchdowns pace all league runners. On defense Shalom Lunai has collected three interceptions.

New Jersey has a good chance to make it to the USFL post-season. Last week Johnson played the entire game behind center, and they still have the experienced Perez who can step in when necessary.

Philadelphia Star 2-3

Grade: C

Losing quarterback Bryan Scott to a knee injury has hurt the Stars. Case Cookus has had some success, but Scott had been on a roll before his injury. Running back Paul Terry leads the teams with 18 receptions, underscoring the conservative approach to the passing game. The Stars sit dead last in the USFL with 64.8 rushing yards per game. Defensive back Channing Stribling leads the USFL with four interceptions.

Philadelphia has to be more productive on offense, particularly on the ground. Victories against the Pittsburgh Maulers and Michigan Panthers could be enough seal a postseason berth.

Michigan Panthers 1-4

Grade: D+

Coach Jeff Fisher's decision to have punter Michael Carrizosa also handle kicking duties for four games proved disastrous. Michigan lost three games by a total of 10 points, while missed kicks cost the Panthers 11 points over that stretch. Shea Patterson, the first pick in the 2022 USFL Draft has been inconsistent with only 735 yards passing, three touchdowns and four interceptions. The Panthers sit last in the USFL with 143 passing yards per game. Reggie Corbin leads Michigan with 336 yards on the ground. The Panthers defense has given up the fewest points in the USFL, just 14.4 per game.

Michigan showed some creativity with a double pass for a touchdown last week by Joe Walker, and even used a fake punt pass for a first down by new punter/kicker Cole Murphy. If Michigan has any chance for a playoff spot, quarterback play must improve, and they have to ensure their defense doesn't tire as it appeared to last week.

Pittsburgh Maulers 1-4

Grade: D

The Maulers saved their season with a last second 21-20 victory over the Houston Gamblers in week five, becoming the last team to earn a win. Still, they sit just one game out of second place in the North. New quarterback Vad Lee made an immediate impact with decisive, accurate throws. Tre Walker leads the USFL with 287 receiving yards, while wideout Bailey Gaither is another good weapon.

The Maulers look to build on the momentum of their first victory and hope that Vad Lee will get more comfortable running the offense. A win over the New Orleans Breakers this week could make everyone forget Pittsburgh's dismal 0-4 start.

USFL Offensive MVP

New Jersey Generals quarterback De'Andre Johnson

Johnson's running ability and penchant for making plays has made him the USFL's most dangerous player in the first half of the season. He has 549 yards passing and has added 269 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. His ability to scramble out of trouble has opposing defenses guessing if he will run the football or throw it. He's been a vital cog in the Generals' 4-1 start.

USFL Defensive MVP

Birmingham Stallions linebacker Scobby Wright

Through four games with the Stallions the experienced Wright has racked up 32 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He's a vocal leader, ensuring the defense is constantly prepared. Out with a calf injury last week, he could be seen on the sidelines exhorting his teammates.

Special Teams MVP

Birmingham Stallions kicker Brandon Aubrey

Aubrey, a professional soccer player, was selected in the first round, 21st overall, by Toronto FC in the 2017 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. In 2017 he played with Toronto FC II and the United Soccer League's Bethlehem Steel. He decided to switch to football and was selected by the Stallions in the 2022 USFL Draft. That decision paid off for Birmingham as he has hit eight of 10 field goal attempts and 13 of 14 extra points.

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Ratings

Friday 8 pm est. on USA - Michigan Panthers - Tampa Bay Bandits had 250,000 viewers.

Saturday 3 pm est. on FOX - New Orleans Breakers vs. New Jersey Generals had 734,000 viewers.

Sunday noon est. on NBC - Birmingham Stallions vs. Philadelphia Stars had 905,000 viewers.

Sunday 4 pm est. on FOX - Pittsburgh Maulers vs. Houston Gamblers had 692,000 viewers, up against stiff competition from NBA and NHL game seven playoff contests.

WEEK SIX SCHEDULE

Saturday 1 pm est. on NBC - Tampa Bay Bandits vs. Philadelphia Stars

Saturday 7:30 pm est. on NBC - Michigan Panthers vs. Birmingham Stallions

Sunday noon est. on FS1 - Pittsburgh Maulers vs. New Orleans Breakers

Sunday 4 pm est. on FOX - Houston Gamblers vs. New Jersey Generals

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