Tag: USFL

Dec 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) hands the ball to Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins (41) against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Former NFL RB Alex Collins dies at 28

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins died on Monday. He was 28.

Information regarding the cause of Collins’ death was not released.

“With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of Alex Collins,” the Ravens said in a statement on social media. “Always quick to greet everyone with a smile, he was a genuinely kind person who carried a special joy and passion wherever he went. May Alex always be remembered for the light and love he brought to so many people in his life.”

The Seahawks also posted on social media, offering their condolences to Collins’ family.

Collins began his NFL career with Seattle in 2016 as a fifth-round draft pick before spending two seasons with Baltimore. He then went back to the Seahawks for the final two years of his five-year career.

In 50 career games (29 starts), Collins rushed for 1,997 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also had 59 receptions for 467 yards and a score.

A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Collins most recently played for the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League, signing with them this past January.

–Field Level Media

Fans greet Michigan Panthers Jamal Milan (94), Frank Ginda (5) and their teammates as they walk into the field before the start of their game against the Birmingham Stallions at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Report: Falcons to sign Frank Ginda, USFL Defensive Player of Year

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlanta Falcons reportedly have turned to the USFL in a bid to bolster their defense.

NFL Network reported Sunday that the Falcons are signing Michigan Panthers linebacker Frank Ginda, who is the USFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

Ginda, 26, has served as a team captain of the Panthers for the past two seasons. He totaled a USFL-best 104 tackles and had three interceptions and a sack last season.

Ginda has yet to play in an NFL game despite spending time with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and New Orleans Saints. He also competed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football and the New York Guardians of the XFL.

–Field Level Media

Apr 15, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham Stallions kicker Brandon Aubrey (10) kicks a long field goal against the New Jersey Generals during the second half of a USFL football game at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys sign USFL K Brandon Aubrey

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USFL kicker Brandon Aubrey signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

He’ll attempt to make the jump from the Birmingham Stallions to the NFL, vying for the job with Tristan Vizcaino in what appears to be a wide-open competition during training camp in Oxnard, Calif., later this month.

Last season ended with the Cowboys and Brett Maher at odds over five missed extra points in the playoffs, and he didn’t return.

Vizcaino played collegiately at Washington and has played in 10 career games for four NFL teams since 2020 with 11 made field goals in 12 attempts.

Aubrey, 28, made 14 of 15 field goal attempts and all 35 extra points for the Stallions in the USFL last season, one season after being named All-USFL at the position.

A soccer player at Notre Dame who earned first-team All-ACC honors as a defender, he was the 21st overall pick in the MLS draft by Toronto FC in 2017. Toronto released him following the 2017 season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots helmet during the game against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots sign USFL defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms Jr.

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots looked to the USFL for their latest offseason addition, signing defensive lineman Jeremiah Pharms Jr. on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pharms, 25, played for the Pittsburgh Maulers in the revived USFL’s first season, which concluded earlier this month. He made two sacks and 32 tackles for the Maulers.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, Pharms has never played in either the NFL or FBS-level college football. He began his collegiate career at Sacramento State before transferring to Friends University, an NAIA school in Wichita, Kan.

Pharms racked up 14 1/2 sacks in his senior campaign at Friends.

The Patriots open training camp July 27.

–Field Level Media

Mar 17, 2022; Ashburn, VA, USA; The helmet of Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz sits on display for his introductory press conference at Inova Sports Performance Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: John McCreary-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders agree to terms with USFL DB DeJuan Neal

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The Washington Commanders agreed to terms with defensive back DeJuan Neal, who recently played in the USFL.

Agent Sean Stellato told reporters Thursday that Neal will be joining the Commanders after spending this past season playing for the New Jersey Generals.

Neal, 25, will become the second player who competed in the 2022 USFL season to sign with an NFL club. Linebacker Christian Sam signed with the Dallas Cowboys last week.

Neal played in the XFL in 2020 after competing collegiately for Division II Shepherd University.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys helmets are heated on the benches against the New York Giants in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys sign USFL LB Christian Sam

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The Dallas Cowboys have signed USFL linebacker Christian Sam.

The 26-year-old Texas native was a sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2018 out of Arizona State.

Sam also spent time on the practice squads of the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions but has never appeared in an NFL game.

He played for the New Orleans Breakers during the recently completed USFL campaign.

Also on Friday, the Cowboys signed Canadian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu and placed linebacker Devante Bond (knee) on injured reserve.

–Field Level

Aug 30, 2018; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley looks up from the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Todd Haley among four new USFL coaches

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Former NFL head coach Todd Haley is among a group of four coaches announced Thursday to head teams for the 2022 USFL season.

Haley is the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Bandits, joining former Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin (Houston Gamblers), former NFL head coach Mike Riley (New Jersey Generals) and longtime CFL and NFL Europe head coach Bart Andrus (Philadelphia Stars).

The announcement came on the 100th day until kickoff of the season. The first games will be played on April 16. Every game in the inaugural season will be played in one centralized location, to be announced.

The four remaining coaches will be revealed at a later date. The other teams are the New Orleans Breakers, Birmingham Stallions, Michigan Panthers and Pittsburgh Maulers.

The USFL’s return comes after the league originally played three seasons starting in 1982 and included players like Jim Kelly, Steve Young, Reggie White, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Mike Rozier. While the new league obtained original USFL trademarks, including logos and team names, it is not associated with the previous entity.

Haley was the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs for parts of three seasons from 2009-11. He went 19-26. He was also a longtime offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.

Riley was head coach of the then-San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001. He went 14-34. He also coached Oregon State – twice – and Nebraska, racking up a 112-99 record.

Sumlin went 95-63 in the college ranks, most notably at Texas A&M for six seasons. He also coached at Houston and Arizona.

Andrus has head coaching experience with the Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europe), Toronto Argonauts (CFL) and Omaha Nighthawks (UFL).

Games will be played both Saturday and Sunday, with special broadcasts on specific Fridays and Mondays.

–Field Level Media

USFL

NBC announced as broadcast partner for USFL revival

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The return of the USFL in 2022 will be televised, with NBC announcing Wednesday it will pick up 21 of the league’s 43 games to be broadcast on multiple platforms, including its main network, along with USA Network and the streaming service Peacock.

The spring professional football league is owned by Fox Sports, with the other 22 games televised on Fox Sports platforms.

The USFL originally played six seasons starting in 1982 and included players like Jim Kelly, Steve Young, Reggie White, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Mike Rozier. While the new league obtained original USFL trademarks, including logos and team names, it is not associated with the previous entity.

The new USFL will begin play next year with eight teams, all with names of teams from the past: Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers and Tampa Bay Bandits.

Although teams will have cities attached, all games are expected to be played next year in two Birmingham, Ala., locations.

–Field Level Media

USFL

USFL announces 8 teams ahead of 2022 launch

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The new United States Football League announced the eight teams that will take the field in April for the FOX Sports-owned league.

Playing in the north division will be Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Maulers. The Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers and Tampa Bay Bandits make up the south division.

The teams were announced Monday on Colin Cowherd’s show on FS1, “The Herd.”

In 2022, all the teams will play at one location, but the plan calls for the teams to play in their home markets in subsequent years.

Each team will play 10 games — two games apiece against teams in their division and one against each opposite-division foe. Games are scheduled to run from mid-April through mid-June, followed by playoffs. While the schedule largely calls for games on the weekends, there will be some contests on Fridays and Mondays.

Brian Woods, the founder of The Spring League, which ran from 2017-21, is the league’s president of football operations. Former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston is the executive vice president of football operations.

The new USFL has no connection to the original USFL, which was in existence from 1983 through 1985, despite having several team names in common.

The short-lived league featured some players who went on to NFL stardom. Running back Herschel Walker played for the New Jersey Generals, and Hall of Fame quarterbacks Steve Young (Los Angeles Express) and Jim Kelly (Houston Gamblers) were on USFL rosters.

Two recent upstart football leagues — the Alliance of American Football and the XFL — failed to last a season. The AAF went bankrupt in the midst of the 2019 season, and the coronavirus pandemic forced the XFL to stop play in 2020. The league then folded.

–Field Level Media