Frank Gore was a solid running back in the NFL over a career that lasted 16 seasons. In the NFL, a running back’s shelf life is not very long. To last 16 years you need to be in ship shape and some luck is needed as well. Gore was drafted by the 49ers where he played in San Francisco for ten seasons. In 2019, Gore played one season in Buffalo during which he was very productive for guy late in his 30’s. Gore would hang up the spikes after the 2020 season where he suited up for the Jets in his final year in the NFL. Running backs are a dime a dozen these days. If they are broken, they are replaced like the norm in today’s society. You can find a quality back in late rounds of the draft or even sometimes picking up a undrafted free agent and that’s where the Bills come in with the son of the Gore. Frank Gore Jr. is coming to Buffalo and senior thinks the Bills got themselves a junk yard dog that can be unleashed as an asset any time this season.

The bloodline in the Gore family is definitely thoroughbred pedigree. Frank Gore Jr. played his college ball at Southern Mississippi. In 2022 Gore Jr. averaged 6.1 yards per carry for the Golden Eagles. Gore is a smaller back height wise standing at 5’8″ but carries a 200 lbs frame that can run people over with a higher gear that can speed right pass you when he gets into open space. In 2022, he earned first team All Sun Belt honors. His numbers were off the chart like Tecmo Bowl video game numbers. He tallied up 1,382 yards on the ground and scored 9 rushing touchdowns. Last season he came back down to Earth but still averaged 4.9 yards per game. He tallied up 1,131 yards on the ground and had ten rushing touchdowns. He added 3 touchdown receptions. He was named the offense MVP of the East West Shrine Bowl that is played in February.

The original Frank Gore was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2005 NFL draft. Senior went to a bigger university than his son as he was Hurricane from University of Miami. Senior Gore stood at 5’9″ as he weight 212 lbs. If the Bills get a better version of daddy Gore, they will get a stud back that played in 241 NFL games as he had 3,735 rushed for 16,000 yards with 81 rushing touchdowns. Senior Gore averaged 4.3 yards per carry. When he played with Buffalo he signed on for the back up role but started 8 games and he played in all 16 regular season games. He had 166 rushed for 599 yards with two rushing touchdowns. That’s 3.6 yards a carry but for a running back in his late 30’s that is nothing to snipe at. Gore Sr, was a 5X Pro-Bowler and was listed on the HOF All-2010’s team for his play during that decade. Gore would play for 5 teams which also includes 3 seasons with the Colts and he did play 1 season with the Dolphins. Only the Patriots in the AFC East he did not suit up for. It’s funny that a long time ago the Colts were in the Bills division with the Jets, Dolphins, and Patriots.

“We’re going to Buffalo man to do our thing. Tell them they better be ready. folks slept on my son; they slept on me too, they’ll see. My blood line is for real,” said Frank Gore Senior.

Every football player seems to play the game with a chip on his shoulder. Not being drafted could be the right chip for Junior to use. He could also want the desire to live up to his daddy legendary status. Could this signing by the Bills be one of the best sleeper picks? The Bills starting running back is James Cook who had his coming out party last year & showed he can be the feature back that has the moves as a lightning style runner. Frank Gore Jr. could be a nice bruising style back the Bills like to get the short yardage plays to convert for first downs. Gore Jr. could be a guy that can play all downs. He’s athletic enough to catch some passes out of the back field. He showed he can throw the ball at the college level as he threw two touchdown passes on trick gadget style plays. The Bills running back list features Cook and third down specialist, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans, and they drafted Ray Davis recently. You never know. Running backs get hurt all the time. If this kid is the real deal, he’ll get his chance to carry the rock. Not every son can be like their father. Jarrett Payton made the NFL but never came close to his father who was one of the best running backs of all-time, Walter. I feel Marvin Harrison Jr. will be close or better than his father was when he played for the Colts. Senior Harrison was one of the best receivers in the league when he played. You have to like the longevity of Gore Sr as this could work well with Jr. This kid I imagine eats & sleeps football 24/7. Many NFL offenses have more than one back they use in a game. With Josh Allen being the quarterback and Joe Brady’s offense that likes to run the ball, Gore Sr. may have the last laugh on all the teams that passed on his son. Cal Ripken Jr. along with Ken Griffy Jr were better than their dads. The Bills are hoping Frank Gore Jr could be the Ken or Cal junior of the NFL for years to come. The Bills could have the steal of the undrafted free agent crop.

We have hit the half way point of the first ever UFL season. Not much rotation in this week’s edition of the power rankings. The Renegades can’t buy a win. Birmingham’s streak continues. While the Beer Snake winning streak has come to an end at home for the Defenders. The power rankings look like the tale of two cities with 8 teams. Two really great teams. Two solid squads. Then the 4 bottom feeders are lumped together. We see if we can sort out for you. Week 6 power rankings are rolling in like a tumble weed that shows up at some of these home stadiums in the UFL.

#1.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (5-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Can the Stallions run the table like the 1972 Miami Dolphins? We are at the half way point of the season and the Stallions already have won half of their game. They have won 12 straight games dating back to last year. I really think they found their quarterback in Adrian Martinez rather than trot out Matt Corral. The Stallions’ try out behind center should be done as Skip Holtz has been rotating Corrall and Martinez. The first few games he played both in the same game. The Stallions offense is so much better with Martinez who is a duel threat guy. He set a new league high in rushing with 138 yards last week versus the Roughnecks. He also had 155 passing yards.

The 1972 Dolphins full back was Larry Csonka. The Stallions have their own version of Larry at running back. Larry Rountree III emerges out of the back field for the Stallions on his first run of the year, he at 30 yards. He had 50 yards on the ground with one rushing touchdown at the end of the day versus the Roughnecks. The Stallions are deep in the food pantry with running backs. The Stallions defense are the number one unit. They lead the league in sacks with 18. They held Mark Thompson in the second game of the season for the Roughnecks to 11 yards on the ground. Thompson was the offensive player of the year last year in the USFL.

#2. ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (4-1) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The BattleHawks put a kaboom to the Defenders and their beer snake last weekend. The Defenders have not lost a game at Beer Snake Headquarters as they were a perfect 10-0 at Audi Field. The BattleHawks slayed their dragon, the Defenders, who are an arch rival and a team St. Louis lost twice to which basically kept them out of post-season. AJ McCarron and company put 45 points on the board and made a statement in the XFL conference and the entire UFL. Hakeem Butler had another monster game with 6 catches for 147 yards while hauling in two touchdowns.

The BattleHawks defense picked off Jordan Ta’amu three times as the Defenders racked up only 12 points. Mike Rose on that BattleHawks defense had one of those interceptions with 11 tackles, 5 of them solo, and had a sack. The BattleHawks have some guys that can definitely get it done on the defensive side. St. Louis has won 4 straight.

#3. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (4-1) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Brahmas have to be thankful for their running back, John Lovett, not John Lovitz. The Brahmas running back averaged 7.3 yards per carry to help avoid catastrophic lost to a winnless Renegades team.

John Lovett had two rushing touchdowns, one of them the game clincher, as he racked up 95 yards on the ground. How long can the Brahmas keep winning with Dormady Quinten? He had three interceptions on the day as he finished 19-30 with 164 passing yards and a touchdown pass. Quinten can be good, bad, and gives your team lots of ugly as the former Orlando Guardians quarterback last year. The Brahmas running game and defense strong were enough to overcome their quarterback’s bad decisions. If I was a Brahmas fan, you better pray Chase Garbers returns for the playoffs.

#4. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers make a change at the quarterback position in week 5 and use their team’s strengths to rout the Showboats on the road. The Panthers used their strong running game and solid defense to move one game over the 500 mark at the half way point of the season as they scored 35 points. The Panthers benched EJ Perry and elected to go with Danny Ethling, who made his first start of the season. Ethling’s numbers were not off the charts as he completed 14-21 for 175 yards and chipped in with a rushing touchdown. The two-headed monster at running back the Panthers have rushed for 4 touchdowns. Wes Hills had three rushing touchdowns against his former coach John DeFilipo, now the Showboats head coach. Last year Hills and DeFilipo were in the USFL with the New Orleans Breakers. Hills also took a direct snap on a fake punt and converted on 4th and 12. The Panthers successfully ran and converted the same play in the last two weeks. Matt Colburn II had a rushing touchdown. The Panthers defense led by Breeland Speaks made Troy Williams’ first start for the Showboats miserable.

Speaks had it easy with an early strip sack on Williams very early that made his presence known. The Panthers held the Showboats under 20 points.

#5. DC DEFENDERS (2-3) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Defenders have lost some of their top playmakers to the NFL from last season. They are not the same team from last year. I waffled if I should even have DC in the number 5 spot because they may be a team headed for the bottom of the UFL. I thought Jordan Ta’amu was one of the better quarterbacks in the UFL as he’s been a starter in multiple spring fling football leagues for the last few years. Ta’amu threw three interceptions last week versus the BattleHawks who gave them a beat down. Ta’amu is a guy only completing 50% of his throws this season. When he runs, he does not run with urgency. He does a quarterback slide right before the first down marker. He will come up short even diving for the first down marker. I’m surprised they have two wins after 5 games. One of them came in the UFL cheap rule of the on side play converting 4th and 12 versus the Renegades. Ta’amu’s day ended with him completing 12-23 for 101 yards with one touchdown and three picks.

Wasted effort by the Defenders’ Malik Fisher who had three sacks last week versus the BattleHawks. The Defenders lost their first home game ever in DC. I see this Defenders team sliding down at the wrong end of the beer snake.

#6. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-4) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats are another team that could be at the bottom of the power rankings or the standings by the time the season ends. The Showboats have lost 4 straight and have really nothing going right. The Showboats fell for a fake punt last week by the Panthers. The same fake punt the Panthers did the week before. What happened to the coaching? I had thought it was better than last year’s dead beat Todd Haley.

You know Todd Haley probably personally built his own statue to show how he thinks he’s the sharpest head coach in Memphis history or the other 100 stops he made in his football career. The Showboats came into this season with two starters from the USFL last year. Case Cookus is banged up right now but has not been that good so far in a new uniform. Troy Williams, X-Pittsburgh Mauler, got his first start this year and he threw 3 touchdown passes but had two interceptions. The Showboats turned over the ball 4 times as a team. Carnell Lake’s defense has gone MIA since week 2. The running game is still on the bus from pre-season.

Bright spot for the Showboats is wide receiver Davis Daewood who hauled in an 82 yard strike off Williams for touchdown. Daewood dropped an easy catch in this game as well. The Showboats on paper should be a top notch team. The offensive line may be their biggest issue. Bad running game. The passing game could be better.

#7. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-4) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Any good grace the Roughnecks got last week after getting their first victory is out the window. The Birmingham Stallions will do that to you.

The head coach of the Roughnecks Curtis Johnson who were the Gamblers last year in the USFL went 1-1 versus Birmingham in two meetings. The Roughnecks only mustered up 9 points as they handed the ball off to the hero from last week, Mark Thompson, 4 times. The other back, CJ Pledger, had 6 carries. A guy like Reid Sinnett throwing the ball 38 times is not going to win many games for you. The offense needs to give the ball to Thompson more than 4 times a game. Sinnett did have a touchdown pass to his tight end, Braedon Bowman. Nolan Henderson got some work behind center and he threw an interception like Sinnett did. Turnovers can turn the offense one-dimensional where they abandon the run which takes out your best weapon, Thompson. The Roughnecks could easily find themselves at the bottom of these power rankings very soon.

#8. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (0-5) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Renegades can’t buy a win even if they had a suitcase full of money.

What do Bob Stoops and company have to do to get a win if cash is not the answer? The Renegades had three interceptions off Brahmas quarterback Dormady Quinten last week and lost another close game. Luis Perez is the first quarterback to tally up 1,000 passing yards for the season as now he has 1,151 yards through the air in 5 weeks. Perez completed 70% of his passes as he went 26-26 for 270 yards. The Renegades only scored 15 points and still have not won a game. Now that’s mean.

Renegades wide receiver JP Payton had a nice game with 7 catches, 119 yards, and hauled in the Perez touchdown pass. The Renegades I feel are not the bottom dweller they think they are. I feel like the Defenders, Roughnecks, and Showboats can make a better replacement for the dweller spots in weeks to come.

In the first 4 weeks of the UFL, I notice the league is loaded with excellent field goal kickers. When Jake Bates is not wearing khakis selling insurance he’s the face of the Panthers franchise in the UFL. The new kicker for the Stallions went 4-4 in his first game of the season. Above, I have my best kickers of all-time on the big screen. Gus, the kicking mule. Nigel Gruff in the movie The Replacements. Then the Goddess Kathy Ireland in the movie Unnecessary Roughness. We may be the first ever football power rankings to adore and highlight the kicking position. It’s spring football & everything is on the table. Week 5 we have a new dumpster fire team at the bottom of the power rankings. ENJOY!!!

#1.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (4-0) SAME SPOT ALWAYS

The Defenders invaded Birmingham and gave the Stallions a battle in week 4. The Stallions put away the visiting DC team with a walk off field goal by their new kicker, Ahmed Ramiz.

Ramiz, former Mauler of the USFL, kicked 4 field goals for the Stallions in his first game with his new team including the 46 yard game winner. Ramiz replaced Chris Blewitt who went on the injury list. The Stallions lead the league in passing after 4 weeks using two quarterbacks. Last week Adrian Martinez had a big game as he passed for 300 yards. Matt Corral got the start and did pretty well going 19-29 for 240 passing yards with a 50 yard strike to Amari Rodgers for touchdown.

Rodgers had a nice week with 4 catches for 82 yards and had the Stallions’ only touchdown. Head Coach Skip Holtz saw the first two weeks both of his QB’s seen action. The last two weeks both started a game and played the entire game. Week 5 will the start go to Martinez or will Skip go with dueling quarterbacks once again like he did in week 1 and 2?

#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (3-1) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

You can say the BattleHawks have the best quarterback in the UFL with AJ McCarron. St. Louis easily has the number one fan base in the league. Now they have the number one running back in Jacob Sayors. Sayors leads the UFL with 172 rushing yards during which he averages 6.1 yards a carry. He now has the longest run as a back with 55 scamper last week versus the ShowBoats. He is also the second running back in the UFL to rush for over a 100 yards in a single game. Sayors teammate Mataeo Durant was the very first back to do that in the UFL. The BattleHawks welcomed Jahcour Pearson the former Sea Dragon from Seattle last year in the XFL. It was Pearson’s first game as he led the XFL last year in catches and he did not disappoint scoring his first touchdown in the BattleHawks uniform. The BattleHawks dispatched Memphis in the 4th quarter scoring 12 points to put them away as they tallied 32 total points and now have won three straight since suffering a loss in the first week. McCarron had another brilliant day as he completed 35-45 for 222 yards with 3 touchdown passes.

#3. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (3-1) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

For some reason, I thought the Brahmas were doomed losing Chase Garbers with an injury. His replacement Quentin Dormady of his days last season in the XFL with the Orlando Guardians was going to be a knife in head coach Wade Phillips’ season and that offense.

Wade Phillips’ teams always have a defense. They sacked the Panthers quarterbacks six times last week after EJ Perry coming off a solid week. Jordan Williams had a strip sack on Perry and the Brahmas Lamas ate the Panthers up like some nature special on the public broadcasting channel. Dormady had a good day behind center completing 23-37 passes for 269 yards. The Brahmas are now the first team in the UFL to have a pair of 100 yard receivers in one game. Jontre Kirklin and Justin Smith are the names to that trivia question. Dormady needs to limit the turnovers and the Brahmas can stay in the thick of the race.

#4. DC DEFENDERS (2-2) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Even with the Defenders taking the loss last week versus the Stallions, they went on the road and gave Birmingham a game. The Defenders stole a game from the Renegades not too long ago and kicked a winning field goal to complete the last two minute comeback. The Defenders last week lost to the Stallions on a game winning field goal. The Defenders scored two touchdowns as Jordan Ta’amu hit Kelvin Harmon for a 45 yard touchdown strike.

Harmon had a good day with 5 catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Chris Rowland had a receiving touchdown from Ta’amu. The Defenders quarterback only completed 12-22 passes for 160 yards. The Defenders only went 4-11 on third down. The Defenders running game got a tad better this week. The Defenders are in every game but have not shown me their killer instinct they had last year beating teams with a solid performance on all sides of the ball. The Defenders defense did get better holding the Stallions to mostly field goals for the night. The schedule continues to get difficult playing the BattleHawks this weekend. The Defenders have not lost a home game yet. Plus, the Defenders have done well versus their arch rivals the BattleHawks. Last year’s Defenders had more energy as this year’s squad is walking in their sleep for most parts of the games.

#5.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-2) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers leave Ford Field for the first road game of the season in San Antonio. It looked like the team forgot how to play quarterback. EJ Perry played well in week 3 with 2 touch down tosses and a rushing touch down. Perry has now been sacked 13 times this season so far. The Panthers quarterbacks in general versus the Brahmas were sacked 6 times last week. Perry went 7-13 for 77 yards but used his legs for 49 yards on the ground. Danny Ethling came in & went 11-14 behind center for only 105 yards and had a touchdown pass but threw an interception. The Panthers ground assault had 117 rushing yards but scored only 9 points of which six points came on touchdown. Jake Bates drilled another long distance field goal as his first points on the road.

Bates remains perfect on the year with six field goals in 4 games. Bates and the Panthers defense have been bright spots for Michigan this entire season so far. The quarterback play has to get better.

#6. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Any team in the UFL would have a rough time trying to win a game in St. Louis. The Showboats last week in St. Louis could not handle the crowd noise especially on offense. Especially in the second half as the Showboats were shut out by the BattleHawks. Costly penalties from the noise killed drives. The Showboats have not played a complete game yet this season as they disappear for chunks of each game. In the first half, the Showboats hung with the BattleHawks and scored 17 points. Running back Darius Victor found the end zone. Then Vinny Papale hauled in another touchdown catch.

The Showboats have two starting quarterbacks on their roster from the USFL last season. This is the second week that Showboats have used dueling quarterbacks because Case Cookus is struggling. Cookus went 8-12 for 55 yards. The back up former Pittsburgh Mauler man behind center did not do well as he was 4-9 for 37 passing yards. The quarterback play has to get better. The defense has disappeared after week two.

#7. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-3) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Suddenly Mark Thompson is back in action and the Roughnecks put a W in the win column. It was not your typical Friday Night Lights game but it was a Texas match up between Houston and Arlington. Both teams were looking for their first win of the season.

Thompson immediately brings this Houston team energy. Thompson was the USFL offensive player of the year last year. He immediately paid dividends scoring his first touchdown of the year. The Roughnecks running game has been one of the worst in the league. Now those numbers will improve. Reid Sinnett improved behind center. He completed 18-28 passes for 191 passing yards. The Roughnecks defense held the Renegades to 9 points. It was the first time Arlington was held this season to single digits in points.

#8. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (0-4) DROPPED ONE SPOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL

The Renegades have stooped to the lowest level in the UFL after losing the Texas Toilet Bowl game versus Houston last weekend. The battle between two teams without a win. What about Bob Stoops? Stoops’ team was held to their lowest points of the season with 9. It’s been the Renegades defense this entire year that’s been the team’s problem. Luis Perez and the Renegades offense went dormant and this is a team that won the XFL last year. Stoops’ teams are never the worst in the league. We are coming up on the halfway point of the season, so look for Stoops to shake things up to find a way to string a few wins together. The hardest part is getting that first one. Everyone thought it was going to happen against the Roughnecks. Renegades and Bob will be doing some soul searching to figure this entire Renegades saga out. Stay tuned.

Whatever pack of friends you travel with, the Chicago Bears new quarterback Caleb Williams’ painted finger nails may be the topic of your conversation at some point. The Bears selected Williams number one in the NFL draft Thursday. Williams is a former Heisman trophy winner in 2022 out of USC University Southern California who is 22 years old and may be such a sure thing even the Bears could not screw this up. All experts have Williams as the cream of the crop at the quarterback position. This is supposedly the guy that will take any team to the Superbowl and beyond. This move by the Bears could finally solve the problem this franchise has had lingering since Sid Luckman was behind center during the 1940’s. A franchise quarterback. Say it ain’t so. First the 88 year drought of the White Sox was broken in 2005. Then the Cubs slaying their past demons of the curse of the billy goat. Let’s not forget when the Blackhawks decided to televise home games. Now a quarterback. Only if the Bulls can win something after the Michael Jordan era, the Chicago sports landscape will sort of be complete. Williams is flamboyant as he played ball in California, was born in Washington DC, is very cocky, and paints his finger nails. Legendary Bear greats like Dick Butkus may be turning over in their grave if he heard the Bears starting QB paints his finger nails.

Caleb Williams stands at 6’1″ tall and is a mobile quarterback that likes to pass the ball first, ask questions later. Williams could scramble and use his legs for chunks of yardage, but he’d rather make the passing play on the run. Last year Williams tallied up 3,633 passing yards leading the Trojans to a 7-5 record. Williams threw 30 touchdown passes and had 5 interceptions. Williams’ numbers were slightly down form his Heisman winning year of 2022 where he threw 42 touchdown passes and only 5 interceptions. He had 500 passing attempts and tallied up 4,537 yards. Williams started his Collegiate career with the University of Oklahoma in 2021 and he showed he had a ton of potential to be something special on the football field. He transferred to USC and showed off his aerial attack. Lucky for him, USC had a bad defense so he was able to throw the ball around the field more than your average quarterback. In three seasons on the College football gridiron, he has 100 touchdown passes, 10,000 yards, and only committed 19 turnovers. Only 87 others have done that in history of the NCAA Football history.

Ryan Poles took over the General Manager duties for the Chicago Bears in 2022 as he inherited Justin Fields who was picked in the first round by the old regime. Poles traded the one dimensional quarterback Fields to the Steelers for pretty much a bag of footballs. Unlike other years, the Bears failed at surrounding guys like Jay Cutler when he first was traded to the Bears from Denver with protection and play makers. The team had the same problems with Fields and Mitch Trubisky before him. Poles, who traded the Bears number one pick to the Panthers from last season, landed a stud wide receiver DJ Moore and this season Carolina’s number one pick for this draft. Carolina was the worst team in the NFL last season & gave the Bears their quarterback of the future, now in Caleb Williams. The Bears with their number 9th overall pick on Thursday landed one of the top receivers in college last year. Out of the University of Washington, it is Rome Odunze who caught 92 balls for 1,640 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. The Bears also traded the salary cap hell Chargers team for their number one wide receiver in Keenan Allen. This will be the first time in NFL history a rookie quarterback will have a pair of 1,200 yard receivers from the previous season to throw to in Allen and Moore. The Bears reinforced the offensive lines. They added a stud running back in D’Andre Swift in free agency. Then another veteran tight end in Gerald Everett in free agency. They already had a pretty good tight end in Cole Kmet. The Bears even gutted out Matt Eberflus’ coaching staff and brought in some pretty solid football minds that can coach. All’s they need is Williams to drive the car with his fancy finger nails glistening on turf of Solider Field.

The million dollar question is: Did the Bears make the right pick at quarterback by drafting Caleb Williams? Let’s take the hot tub time machine back into the past as we remember the Bears selecting Mitch Trubisky as the first quarterback picked in that draft. The Browns picked Myles Garrett number one overall. The Bears were fleeced by the 49ers, moved one spot up and chose Trubisky out North Carolina. The sure thing in 2017 was Deshaun Watson. Patrick Mahomes became the gem of that draft as the Chiefs already have been to three Superbowls. Mahomes was the third quarterback picked in that draft after Bears picked Trubisky and then after the Texans who picked Watson. Later on Watson would become the scum bag rapist showing off and trying to inject his junk in every massage therapists in the Houston tri-state area. This year’s draft the Bears could have repeated themselves and picked Drake Maye out of North Carolina who wore the same number as Trubisky. They could have taken Jayden Daniels who many might say is similar to Justin Fields. This year’s draft was loaded with superior quarterback talent. Last year the Carolina Panthers picked Bryce Young number 1 overall. It turn out Houston had the best choice with CJ Stroud after one season. Chicago is where quarterbacks and receivers go to die. Could one of the other quarterbacks in this draft be the next Mahomes? It’s easy to say that Williams could instantly be jinxed and be the next Bears booby prize. Williams is confident he wants to beat Tom Brady’s 7 Supwerbowl titles. Is that confident or just cocky? Does Williams swagger, confidence, or his trash talking already irk players from other teams? Most Bears fans right now don’t see the nail polish and don’t care about the talk. They only want to see what a real quarterback looks like for their team in their own lifetime. The pressure will be on this kid because of being number 1 selection overall. Because the team built the most superior offense around him ever in the history of this Bears franchise. The Bears are known for defense and running the football. Williams could elevate this Bears franchise into a dynasty. It could be the pick that ends up shooting them in the paw. The football gods may not be ready to see Chicago actually have a franchise quarterback that is talented. We went through Tom Brady, and now it’s Patrick Mahomes. A Michael Jordan type only comes around once in a lifetime in one city it seems. Not sure it will be the guy wearing press-on nails.

In week 4, I have my two UFL preseason championship picks number 1 & 2 in the power rankings for the first time this season. The Brahmas suffer a big injury behind center. The Showboats are sinking in the power rankings. The Panthers are on the move. Houston are still the players under the stairs in the basement. I will sort it all out as I launch my UFL power rankings for week 4.

#1.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-0) SAME SPOT AS LAST WEEK

The Stallions home opener was a big time success. Stallions head coach Skip Holtz found his starting quarterback for the season after using dueling QB’s in the first two weeks of the season. The Stallions beat up on the Showboats in a lopsided affair, 33-14.

Adrian Martinez can run and pass like last year’s MVP Alex McGough who was on hand for the pregame ceremonies honoring the Stallions second championship in the USFL from last year.

Martinez had his coming out party last weekend as he threw two touchdown passes for 334 yards. Deon Cain, one of the top play makers in the UFL, racked up 144 receiving yards as he had another big week. The Stallions defense looked SICK!!! They racked up 8 sacks & held the Showboats to a measly 14 points. I really don’t think this league has a team that can go toe to toe with the Stallions the way they’ve been playing.

#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (2-1) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The BattleHawks now have won two straight games after losing on the opening weekend of the UFL. St. Louis earns their first road victory of the season knocking off undefeated San Antonio Brahmas 31-24. AJ McCarron is the best quarterback in the UFL & had his first rushing touchdown of the season. New offensive weapons emerge for the BattleHawks in week 3. Another running back showed his shifty moves on the field with a 19 yard rushing touchdown. Jacob Sayors racked up 62 yards on the ground on 7 carries.

Someone woke up the big fellow Hakeem Butler who led the XFL last season with 8 receiving touchdowns. Butler, a big tall target for McCarron, had his first receiving touchdown of the year while racking up 87 receiving yards on 6 catches. Callahan O’Reilly is not talked about enough on the BattleHawks defense.

O’Reilly had 12 tackles for the BattleHawks last week which six of them were solo. His play wrecking havoc on the Brahmas offense helped St. Louis avoid a last minute comeback by San Antonio.

#3.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (2-1) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Panthers have one of the best defenses in the league. The Panthers head coach Mike Nolan has the usual suspects but has others on that defense that are making waves. Guys like Kai Nacua who had 8 tackles and defended two passes last weekend versus the Roughnecks. Bryce Torneden chipped in with 8 tackles while Noah Dawkins had a respectable 7 tackles. Panthers defense is right behind the Stallions’ number 1 defense in the entire UFL. Then the quarterback position is blossoming for the Panthers. Since EJ Perry took over late last year for this Panthers team they know how to win games. Perry took this Panther team to the USFL playoffs last year. He looked awesome versus the Roughnecks last weekend going 16-19 for 268 yards with 3 touchdown strikes.

Perry hit Marcus Simms for one of the touchdown passes last week. Simms collected 84 receiving yards for the day. Perry can use his legs as he’s a very mobile quarterback. He’s not making mistakes. He has some nice running backs behind him. The Panthers only lost so far the Stallions which are above the rest it seems in this league. Perry keeps improving with that solid Panthers defense means this team should be in the thick of things.

#4.SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (2-1) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

Last week the Brahmas suffered their first loss of the season. As well as losing their quarterback for the season. Chase Garbers is out with a wrist injury he suffered in last weekend’s game versus the Battle Hawks. Garbers did not leave the game last week as this news came out during the week. This is a big blow to this Brahmas offense as Garbers was one of the best quarterbacks in the league these first three weeks of the season. He could be lost for the season.

Wade Phillips and company will have to rely on back up quarterback Quinten Dormady, from the former Orlando Guardians of the XFL. The good thing is Dormady has experience in the spring football leagues. The Guardians were a terrible team last year. Dormady had some good moments as the offense was rolling. Dormady can make costly mistakes with the football. The bright spot is this Brahmas roster is much better than Orlando’s mess of a roster they had last season.

#5.DC DEFENDERS (2-1) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Defenders get revenge on the Renegades after losing to Arlington in the XFL Championship last year which looked like it was going to be a slam dunk for DC. This Defenders team was better than last years squad. The Defenders scored 11 points in the final two minutes of the game to wipe out the Renegades on a walk off field goal by Matthew McCrane and escape with a one point victory. The Defenders offense has been up and down all season. The Defenders looked like they were going to lose last week & then the offense came alive at the end. The Defenders converted on the onside play of 12 yards and held on to the football to eventually set up the game winning field goal.

The Defenders defense is a shell of their former selves from last year. The Defenders defensive coordinator Greg Williams may have to bring back bounty gates from his days in New Orleans. The Defenders defense allowed 419 total yards versus Luis Perez and that Renegades squad.

#6.MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-2) DROPPED TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats should be 2-1 right now as they are beaten up last week by the Stallions. Is the season sinking for the Showboats? In week two, they were dominating that game versus the Brahmas. Then the team lost control and San Antonio scored over 10 points in the last minute of the game to beat them. Since that last minute, the Showboats defense has been out for lunch. The offensive line has caved in as Case Cookus was sacked 8 times last week by the Stallions defense. The Showboats offense has become one dimensional as the running game has averaged 55.3 yards per game so far in the first three weeks of the season. This season could get away from Memphis very quickly if they don’t turn things around.

#7.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (0-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Renegades were a victim of the onside 12 yard play that replaces the onside kick. If I was betting on the UFL, I would be pissed off losing that way. The Showboats lost to the Brahmas that way in week two. The rule was used in the XFL. The XFL you had to convert a 15 yard play which makes it a tad harder than the 12 yard play in the UFL. The Defenders then drove down the field and ice the game with a game winning field goal. As the Renegades have dug themselves into a gigantic sink hole starting the season off 0-3.

The Renegades looked sharp on offense. They even had QB 2 executing the wild cat offense. Lindsey Scott Jr. had a rushing touchdown for the Renegades. Luis Perez had another big day in the air. The Renegade defense caved in at the very end and gave the Defenders life to pull the wool over the eyes of Bob Stoops and company.

#8.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (0-3) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

Houston is in such bad shape this season they had a guy retire on them after three weeks into the season.

Carlo Kemp racked up 8 tackles so far this season. One of those tackles was for a loss of yards. The Roughnecks defense was the staple of the team coming in. Last week, Houston surrendered the most points in one game to the Panthers who tallied 34 points on the score board. On offense, the Roughnecks running game is not happening. At the quarterback position, Reid Sinnett had some moments but he’s not a guy that you have a ton of confidence in winning 3 games in a row. Sinnett had 197 passing yards, a touchdown pass, and an interception last week versus the Panthers. The good news is the Roughnecks play the other winnless team this weekend. The bad news is Houston may be the last team without a W in the win column by next week.

Where were you June 17th, 1994? Like 9/11 when the towers came crashing down, you recall what you were doing at that time. On June 17th, OJ Simpson tried to flee LA where he was a person of interest after murdering his X-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman. The former NFL running back and Hollywood actor had 95 million people watching from home as he and former NFL player Al Cowlings led Police on a low speed chase on a freeway in LA. Regular programming was interrupted being the NBA finals, to show the guilty as sin aka the Juice trying to make a run for it in his white Bronco. Simpson would have his day in the court room with his dream team of lawyers led by the great Johnnie Cochran who got him acquitted on all charges. Simpson had his freedom but paid out of pocket in the civil trial that followed the criminal case. At the age of 61, Simpson would see the inside of a cage for 9 years for armed robbery charges in Nevada. In the end, the Grim Reaper used cancer to invade his prostate & end the Juice at the age of 76.

OJ Simpson, who is Orenthal James and nicknamed The Juice, was one of the best running backs on the gridiron of all-time. Simpson’s college days on the west coast he played for USC during the late 1960’s, and he won a Heisman trophy. He then was picked number one overall in the 1969 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. During the 1970’s playing in the frozen tundra of Buffalo, Simpson was that team for that decade. He was the face of the Buffalo organization that did not really have any good teams for Simpson’s work on the ground carving opposing defenses every week with his rushing skills. Simpson would be the first running back to rush for 2,000 yards in one season, which he did that in 1973. Back in the 1970’s, the NFL only played a 14 game schedule so it makes that accomplishment even more special. Simpson was awarded the MVP in that 1973 season. He played 11 seasons in the NFL, 9 with the Bills and two back home on the west coast with the 49ers. Simpson was a 6X pro-bowler. After his career, he was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame. Simpson, like Bill Cosby, had that personality that everyone liked. Simpson would be the pitchman for Hertz Car Rental with commercials that went nationwide. He took on the role of football commentator for Monday Night Football for the NFL after he hung up the spikes. He then dabbled in Hollywood taking on a nice part on the big screen in the Naked Gun series.

On television, Bill Cosby and OJ Simpson were reliable, but off the cameras they were real life monsters.

The murders of OJ Simpson’s X-wife Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman were brutal knife stabbings. Someone with pimped up hostile feelings built up until they exploded. The Simpson trial was an absolute circus from the television cameras to the country divided on racial colors. It was the trial of the century that had all the hot points like race, gender, domestic abuse, money talks with celebrity justice, and then the Police conduct and mishandling of evidence.

Then the prosecution led by Marcia Clark making OJ try on the gloves. Which Johnnie Cochan turned into one of the top lines in this entire saga: “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”

The gloves ended not fitting as it was one of the multiple victories portrayed by Simpson’s dream team defense. All the evidence was there for Simpson to be put in jail for life. The 911 tapes of his X-wife Nicole Brown calling the Police on him multiple times did not play a factor. The prosecution dropped the ball. Then we are left with Simpson going free on October 3rd of 1995. Months and months we had to stomach the Kardashian family and his pool boy out of work actor, Kato Kaelin.

The best thing against rich people is to bleed them dry. What comes around goes around is the mentality that plays a factor in this botched trial. OJ Simpson probably had to pay big money at Menards for his dream team of lawyers. He also had to pay through the nose with the lawyers who took the civil trial. Simpson would end up losing 33.5 million that he had to pay the Brown and Goldman family. This is the best revenge you can get for these celebrities who think they are untouchable. Why did Simpson serve 9 years in a Nevada prison? Trying to get his own sports memorabilia back from a collector as Simpson and others came in guns blazing in hotel room to get his stuff back. What kind of element do you find that would really help him out with such a crazy plot. Simpson probably sold the the memorabilia in the first place. Simpson being jailed. Simpson losing money will not bring two of his kids’ mother back. It will not bring Ron back to the Goldman family. It shows the past can catch up to even one of the best running backs in football.

The news learning that OJ Simpson has died trumped this circus once again for the world to talk about. Some people still say he did not do it. Why did he flee in the Bronco? Some say he hired the mob to take care of his X-wife. I’m sure a mobster is thinking bullet in the head, game over… I’m in and out. Nobody for hire is going to stab their case file multiple times like some slasher movie. If he did hire the mob, then he’s still guilty. Then in 2007, the book If I Did It: Confessions about the Simpson Case and OJ’s interview with him admitting it in a way he would not get prosecuted. Why drudge up old stuff like that and infuriate the Brown and Goldman families. Simpson is not a good dude. He just played a good dude when the camera was rolling. I mention Bill Cosby because he was also a guy when the camera was rolling he was your father or your uncle. Then an obsessed sexual predator when the camera was turned off. This also goes to white, yellow, and brown celebrities are people we should not be the face of any discussion when it comes to peace or wrongful justice in any race or creed or gender. I’m sure most athletes, Hollywood acting guild members, and politicians are horrible people. Many people idolize them and that is the problem when we discuss hatred. I never want to see cancer thrive and kill anyone. Some things in life are more powerful than people like OJ Simpson. Simpson could run, but it ended up he couldn’t hide. His football stories will not be talked about. It’s what he did off the field being a human being that will be talked about in his memory.

The chase is on for the best quarterback after two weeks in the UFL. The Stallions are still galloping on top of the power rankings while Houston has a problem at the bottom end. We had some rearranging of the furniture in the middle pack of the power rankings. Let’s iron it all out for you as we launch week three of the UFL Power rankings. Are you ready?

#1.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (2-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Stallions still remain number one as they won their first two games on the road of this first UFL season. The Stallions will get a little home cooking in Birmingham as they welcome the Showboats in their home opener. Last year’s MVP, Alex McGough, will be on hand. Now a quarterback with the Packers will join his old team for the festivities celebrating their second straight championship winning back to back USFL titles.

The Stallions new addition on defense, former NFL Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton, makes his presence with two sacks versus the Panthers. The Stallions looked like they were having an ordinary practice versus the Panthers. Skip Holtz continued with his dueling quarterbacks as the Stallions muster up 20 points and held Panthers to 13 for the win. Matt Corral in two games so far behind center has completed 17-33 for 254 passing yards with 1 touchdown pass and two interceptions. Corral had a nice run to set up points for the Stallions. He also threw a costly interception in the red zone. Then Adrian Martinez has completed 10-21 passes for 114 total passing yards with 1 interception. Martinez has gained chunks of yardage with his legs in the first two weeks of the UFL season. Combined behind center for the Stallions, 1 touchdown pass to 3 interceptions. The results: the team is 2-0.

#2. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (2-0) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The football world will have to wait on YouTube star Deestroying getting his first field goal attempt in the UFL. Donald De La Haye, nicknamed Deestroying, fractured his neck trying to make a tackle on a kick off. De La Haye chose his YouTube viewers over kicking for his college University UCF. He makes big money off his videos which is a no-no in college football with scholarships and all the little details that prevents the NCAA getting their piece of the pie. The Brahmas lost their center Alex Mollette to an injury last week as he was the one that had the touchdown in week one on the fake punt play a 40 yard TD reception. The Brahmas were dormant until the 4th quarter last week on the road in Memphis. The Brahmas quarterback Chase Garbers had a big game as he completed 19-29 for 248 yards and two touchdown passes. The Brahmas were shutout at halftime 13-0. At the end of the third quarter, they were down 16-0. Garbers threw both touchdown passes in the 4th quarter. The Brahmas scored 11 points in the final minute of the game to shock the Showboats. The Brahmas did the onside play by completing a 4th and 12 play to retain the ball and helped them win the game. Garbers early on looking like one of the best quarterbacks in the UFL.

#3.ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (1-1) MOVED UP TWO SPOTS FROM LAST WEEK

The St. Louis Battlehawks fans continue to out-do themselves.

The St. Louis fans broke their old record of spring football attendance which they set last year in the XFL with 38,310 fans in one game. Last week Arch-town was ready for some football as they had over 40,000 fans walk through the gates and tallied 40,317 people on hand to see their team win their first game of the year. In week one of the UFL the total attendance of all 4 games was 45,153. The Battlehawks won it in a thriller fashion as BattleHawks kicker had chip shot 22 yard field goal as time expired to end the Renegades. The fans watched Battlehawks running back Mateo Durant, a former Duke star, become the first player to rush for over 100 yards in the new UFL league.

Durant had 104 yards on the ground. After two weeks, Marcell Ateman leads all receivers in the UFL with 174 receiving yards as he has hauled in three touchdown catches. Ateman has played with his quarterback back AJ McCarron back in their Oakland Raiders days. Nice familiarity these two have could be the deadliest combo all season long when they hook up.

#4. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-1) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Showboats should be 2-0 right now after two games. Memphis home opener did not look good at the gates at Liberty stadium. The Showboats have dominated the first half of the first two games of the seasons. Memphis dominated the entire game it seemed until the very end. The Showboats running back Darius Victor was looking better from his first week with his new team. The former Generals running back was one of the best backs in the USFL the last two seasons. The bowling ball had 54 yards on the ground in this one. The Showboats led the Brahmas at half, 13-0. They led at the end of the third quarter 16-0. San Antonio in the final minute scored 11 unanswered points to ruin the Showboats home opener. The ghost of Elvis was not in good spirits. The Showboats quarterback fumbled three times & lost one of them. The Showboats offense in the second half went dormant. The staple of the Showboats, the defense, did not have the killer instinct to put this one away. I know it’s early, but games like this linger and can haunt this team later in the season.

#5. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1-1) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

When the kicker gets the most pub on the team, you may want to pick things up at the ole drawing board. The Panthers did hang with the Stallions in week two. The Stallions seem like they were trying some things with their dueling quarterbacks. The Panthers offense was nothing special as they scored 13 points, 6 off the foot of Jake Bates. If Bates could not kick from downtown, the Panthers would only have 7 points. Bates booted another 60 yarder that went 62. I’m surprised the UFL does not have a different point system for field goal distances. A 60 yard field goal could be 5 points. A 50 yard field goal could be 4. Maybe they are kicking around the idea as we speak. Bates then hit a 52 yard field goal. The vultures of the NFL are already surrounding this kid. Bates should be NFL bound after this season. Not too shabby making 3 long field goals in professional ball and his last time doing this was in high school.

I have to talk about linebacker Frank Ginda. He had 14 tackles last week which gives him 19 for the season as he tied for number 1 in the UFL after two weeks. Ginda led the USFL in tackles last year. Ginda gives the Panthers defense teeth it needs to bite down on opposing offenses, as now he has hit the 200 mark in spring tackles.

#6. DC DEFENDERS (1-1) MOVED UP ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

DC is home of crooked politicians and most importantly home of the BEER SNAKE. The Defenders needed some home brewing after losing in week one. The Defenders had to scratch & claw their way to a victory over the Roughnecks last weekend as it did not look pretty. It was Deandre Barker forcing a fumble that saved the day for the Defenders. The Roughnecks receiver Kirk Merritt hauled in a catch for 56 yards and was about to hit pay dirt when the ball came lose. The Defenders defense thrived last year on finding ways to get the turn over at key points of the game. The Defenders offense has been dormant. The Defenders running game was held as a group to 3.2 yards per carry versus the Roughnecks. Jordan Ta’ame usually one of best QB’s in spring football only completed 50% of his passes but had two touchdown passes and an interception. After two weeks, the Defenders have not impressed me like they did last year. At home, chalk it up to the beer snake because they have won 10 straight home games dating back a few seasons now. DC fans had a very nice showing in the first week of the UFL. For your personal sporting bucket lists, going to a Defenders game and taking part in the beer snake festivities is one that should be crossed off the list in a good way.

#7.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (0-2) DROPPED ONE SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The schedule has not been kind to the Renegades in these first two weeks. The first week playing the best team in the league, the Stallions in the first game, and then going on the road to play in front 40,000 fans in St. Louis. The Renegades offense in week one scored 11 points and then in week two doubled the amount from the 1st week with 24 points. Luis Perez is completing 70% of his passes so far after the first two weeks. The problem is Donald Payne and that Renegade defense are not getting the job done.

The Renegades have surrendered the most points per game in the first two weeks of the season with 27. They have not gotten off the field on 3rd downs as opposing offenses are converting 50% of the time. This Renegade team could awaken with a home meeting with the Defenders in a rematch of last year’s XFL championship game.

#8. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (0-2) SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK

The Roughnecks have been in both games to start this new merger league, the UFL. They are playing without one of the best running backs in the USFL the last two, Mark Thompson. Thompson is dealing with a injury and still waiting to get clearance to play his fist game in the UFL. Thompson will add instant offense which the Roughnecks need. The Roughnecks quarterback situation perhaps got better with their starter, Jarrett Guarontano, and his injury. Guarontano left the game with a chest injury as he hobbled to the locker room and it did not look good for him. It opened the door for Reid Sinnett behind center who went 19-30 in passing attempts tallying up 221 yards with one touchdown pass. Sinnett may have beaten the Defenders if his wide receiver Kirk Merritt did not fumble trying to get to the end zone on a 56 yard catch. Sinnett had a nice 8 yard passing strike to his other wide out, Keke Chism. Better news is the Roughnecks are bring back their old starting quarterback who they cut this spring. This is Kenji Bahar who has started games for the Gamblers the last two seasons in the USFL. Roughnecks have a solid defense to keep them in games. They need to get better play behind center and mistake-free football. The return of Thompson would be a huge lift to this Roughnecks team.

The XFL and USFL transformed into the mighty UFL, the United Football League. The first week debuted last weekend over Easter weekend. The words of The Rock were, “Let’s ball out baby,” as he was the face of the XFL. The XFL trophy was on hand in Arlington and that could have used a face lift and hopefully not be part of the merger deal. The first game featured the two champions from the two spring leagues of last season. The UFL has two conferences named after the two former spring leagues. In week one, USFL teams beat up the XFL teams on the scoreboard and in the standings. The UFL has taken the rules of both former leagues and applied them to this new spring league. The games were sloppy. Knocking off the rust. I feel as the season goes on, the play on the field will get better. With only 8 teams in the UFL, each team has a solid roster and we are going to rank each squad every week in the UFL power rankings. We did not do a week one which is like throwing bologna at some gal’s ass on the Howard Stern show. We roll in starting our power rankings after week 1. Hope you enjoy the debut of the UFL power rankings as we know we will not teach you anything worthy. But we will ball out baby!!! Not a big fan of the Rock’s Ball Out Baby slogan. Maybe he will do better as all the teams are expected to do so.

#1. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (1-0)

If Stallions head coach Skip Holtz was not a football coach, he’d be playing dueling pianos in Music City. Holtz may be one of the best at playing dueling quarterbacks. He has done this with J’Mar Smith and Alex McGough until he found his guy. Each of them have won a USFL championship behind center for Holtz. Now this season he got production out of two of his quarterbacks. Matt Coral will be QB 1 but Adrian Martinez used his legs to rush for 52 yards. Both quarterbacks have different skill sets and Holtz played them like a fiddle against the Renegades as it was a battle of last year’s champions from the two different spring leagues. Matt Coral used the usual Stallion suspects on offense delivering his first touchdown pass to you know who, Deon Cain. He finished with 3 catches, 66 yards and hauled in a nice 39 yard pass from Coral. CJ Marble did his thing leading all rushers in the game with 67 yards on the ground. The Stallions defense did their part holding Arlington to 11 points.

Former Maulers corner back Mark Gilbert now with the Stallions had a huge interception off Luis Perez to basically seal the deal. Stallions scored the most points in week one tied with the Brahmas for 27. Their defense was stingy. This is an easy pick for number 1 in the power rankings.

#2. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-0)

The DC Defenders will not want to remember the Alamo. In their case, the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, as the Brahmas made lunch meat out of the beer snake team. This is not the same Brahmas team from last season. With the merger, Wade Phillips took over the head coach duties for the Brahmas and brought his old team the Houston Roughnecks with him to San Antonio. The Roughnecks name was adopted by the Houston Gamblers of the USFL. The Gamblers core are now wearing the oil rig on their helmets. This is good news for San Antonio fans because they have a punter with an arm who threw a bomb for touchdown.

The Brahmas punter Brad Wing, a former Pittsburgh Steeler, hits center Alex Mollette on a 40 yard pass play who was an eligible receiver on a trick play fake punt that was executed to perfection. The Brahmas look like they have a quarterback as Chase Garbers was 19-25 for 164 yards with two touchdown passes and also rushed for TD. Jontre Kirklin was Garbers’ main target in the week had 8 catches for 61 yards as he hauled in a touchdown. Brahmas held the Defenders to 12 points and their defense beat up Jordan Ta’amu all afternoon. Brahma fans were ecstatic!!!

#3. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-0)

The Showboats no longer have Todd Haley as their head coach which is a good thing. The Showboats head coach is John DeFilippo who was head coach of the New Orleans Breakers last season as they made the playoffs in the USFL. The Showboats team has their core from last year with lots of X-Breakers sprinkled in on the roster. DeFilippo helped Nick Foles become a better quarterback. The Showboats now actually have a stud quarterback unlike last season in Case Cookus who played the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL. Cookus had 201 passing yards in his first start in a Showboats uniform as he hit wide receiver Vinny Papale for his only touchdown pass of the day. The weapons Cookus has this year may be the best he has ever had as Jonathan Adams was one of the best wide receivers in the USFL last year. The former Breaker had 4 catches for 49 yards. It was the Showboats defense that should get the curtain call in week one holding the Houston Roughnecks to a total of 174 yards in offense.

Greg Reaves, Showboats line backer, had two sacks and a fumble recovery. The Showboats sacked Houston’s quarterback 4 times and held them to 12 points. Haley left, but defensive coordinator Carnell Lake stayed another X-Pittsburgh Steeler great. Showboats have the boats.

#4.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1-0)

The Michigan Panthers knocked off the St.Louis BattleHawks 18-16 with a walk off 64 yard field goal with two seconds left in the contest. It was the first field goal attempt by Jake Bates since high school. Bates played soccer in college. Bates was in preseason camp with the Houston Texans and made two extra points. Justin Tucker of the Ravens has a 64 yarder in the NFL as he did that at Ford Field like Bates did. The BattleHawks iced Bates with time out and Jake kicked the ball anyways and made it. Then after the time out he nailed it again and the Panthers win their home opener versus a good team as many experts have the BattleHawks getting to the playoffs. The Panthers have always been known for their defense and a solid running game. The Panthers new running back Wes Hills, former Breaker of the USFL, led week one with 85 rushing yards. The Panthers seem to have found their quarterback as well. Last year EJ Perry stepped behind center late in the season and led the Panthers to the playoffs. Perry completed 12-24 passes for 176 yards versus the BattleHawks. He also rushed for two touchdowns and set up Bates at the end of the game for his shining moment on Easter weekend.

#5. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (0-1)

In the first half, AJ McCarron quarterback for the BattleHawks, was knocking off the rust. Then in the second half he was dialed in. McCaron had two touchdown passes as he completed 64% of his passes for 216 passing yards. McCarron hit Marcell Ateman for a touchdown with 49 seconds left in the game on the road versus the Panthers.

Then McCarron converted a 2 point pass to another receiver Jake Sutherland as St. Louis looked like they escape Michigan with a win. I’m not concerned as the BattleHawks will rebound from their week one loss. Sutherland had 3 catches on the day for 45 yards with a touchdown and two point conversion. While Ateman had 6 catches for 60 yards and the touchdown. The BattleHawks are waiting for Jahcour Pearson to return from injury. Pearson was a big signing for St. Louis in the off-season. Pearson led the XFL in receptions last year playing for the Seattle Sea Dragons.

Pearson had 60 receptions for 670 yards with 4 touchdowns. When he suits up for his first game with St. Louis, McCarron will have a security blanket over the middle of the football field with great hands.

#6.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (0-1)

Big Game Bob Stoops and his quarterback Luis Perez started off well versus the Birmingham Stallions. The Renegades had an 11-3 lead at one point in the very first quarter. The Renegades finished with 14 points. Perez was hot out of the gates as he connected on a 51 yard pass to Isaiah Winstead for touchdown strike. Perez’s numbers were pretty good as he completed 19-28 for 214 yards with a touchdown pass and had an interception. The Renegades were the champions of the XFL last year and were manhandled by the champions of the USFL, the Stallions. The Renegades hover around 500 last year and got hot at the very end and took into the playoffs. I expect the Renegades this season lose one win one. Lose two win two. Then wait to see what Stoops has up his sleeves when the big games at the end are a must win.

#7. DC DEFENDERS (0-1)

This is not the same Defenders team that went 9-1 in regular season last year in the XFL and made it all the way to the championship. The Defenders lost some key play makers on offense to the dreaded NFL. The Defenders lost their star running back Abraham Smith to a season ending injury as he did not even play one game. The Brahmas attacked Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu as he was hit and hit hard all afternoon. At one point in the game, Ta’amu hit his receiver Keke Coutee on an 8 yard strike to cap off a nice drive and get the Defenders back in the game. Jean Delance, offensive lineman of the Defenders, get ejected from the game for spitting on Brahmas defender Delontae Scott. To make matters worse, Wade Phillips challenged the play, the touchdown that could have made the game 20-18. Phillips thought, Delance moved early before the snap on the offensive line. The Brahmas and Head coach Phillips would win the challenge and that erased the touchdown as Delance was moving and would be penalized. Delance was the spitter like the former MLB pitcher for the Mets in the Seinfeld episode, Roger McDowell.

Delance had 4 bad penalties in the game. Delance was cut by the Defenders during the week. Bravo!!!

#8.HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (0-1)

The Roughnecks are the Gamblers from last year. Houston will have a great defense this year with the addition of Reuben Foster.

Foster former number 1 pick by the 49ers in the NFL. Last year he made his comeback with the Maulers of the USFL. His debut with the Roughnecks, he had an interception and a fumble recovery. Foster did leave the game late in the 4th. The Roughnecks have a beast in the middle of their defensive line in Toby Johnson. The Roughnecks remind me of the Pittsburgh Maulers who had talent on the defensive side, but the offense was out to lunch.

I don’t understand why Houston cut Kenji Bahar as he was one of the better quarterbacks in the USFL last season and getting better. The Roughnecks starter behind center, Jarrett Guarantano, was sacked 4 times and did not play well in the first half. The Roughnecks tried their second string quarterback Reid Sinnett, but he was no good. Guarantano played better in the second half as he had a rushing touchdown late in the game. He finished with 157 passing yards. I’d rather have Bahar as my QB 1 than this kid Guarantano. It may be a long year for Houston Roughnecks football.

Stefon Diggs plays for the name on the back of the jersey more than the team name on the front. It’s all about making Diggs happy. If not, he will bring nothing but drama to your team’s locker room. The Bills front office finally said enough is enough and once again, Diggs has worn out his welcome like he did before Buffalo in Minnesota, as he was traded to the Houston Texans. It’s a blockbuster deal favoring the Texans as they also receive two draft picks – a 2024 6th rounder and 2025 5th rounder. The Bills are left 31 million in dead cap space for 2024. The Bills do get a second round pick in 2025. The Texans will take on the 30 year old playmaker’s final 4 years of the contract at 75 million total. It’s a trade where the Bills basically paid Diggs to get out of town.

In 2020, the Bills traded their number one draft pick that year to land Stefon Diggs who wanted out of Minnesota. The Vikings would use that pick to draft their star wide receiver Justin Jefferson who is turning out to be one of the best playmakers in the NFL. The Bills needed a number one receiver at the time as Josh Allen was on the verge of being star quarterback. The Bills at the time struck gold with Diggs in that first season, as he caught 127 passes for 1,535 yards. It was a career high for the X-Vikings receiver. In the last 4 seasons, Diggs has caught over 100 passes with Allen as his quarterback. He has made 4 straight pro-bowls. He has tallied 4 straight seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards. The last 4 seasons he has led the league in receptions with 445 of them. Over that span, Davonte Adams is second with 441 receptions, and Tyreek Hill comes in third with 436. In 4 seasons in Buffalo, Diggs has played in 66 games, has 445 receptions for 5,372 passing yards, and 37 touchdown catches. How do you replace that kind of production if you are Buffalo? What went wrong with this lethal combination of Allen and Diggs?

Things went sour when the Bills were so close to making it to the Superbowl in 2021. The loss to the Chiefs in overtime was 42-36 in one of the best games of all-time. This was the first of these heart breaker losses the Bills have gone through over the last few seasons. The Bills let the Chiefs tie the game with 13 ticks on the clock to send that one into OT. Then in the 2022 post-season, the Bengals lost in the snow in Buffalo which was the beginning to the ending of this Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs relationship. The Bills were at home in the divisional round versus the Bengals, and Cincinnati gave Buffalo a beat down. The Bills offense was out of sync. Diggs would have words with Allen on the sideline. After the loss, Diggs would leave the locker room without a word. The following season Diggs would miss the first day of mandatory mini camp in June. Diggs was unhappy with his role in the offense. Some how the Bills and Diggs put a temporary band aid on their strained relationship. The 2023 regular season started off with a bang as Diggs and Allen were connecting and the team got off to a good start. The wheels fell off the bus and the Bills found themselves 5-5 with talk of missing the playoffs. The Bills made a move and fired their offensive coordinator, Ken Dorsey. The next man up was Joe Brady, the Bills offense started scoring points again, and the team most importantly was winning games. The Bills finished with 11-6 record and won the AFC East once again. During the last 7 games, Diggs did not score a single touchdown as he had one in every game the first ten games of the season. Diggs did not post one 100 yard receiving game when Brady took over the play calling on offense. Diggs averaged 41 yards per game in those 7 games. The Bills once again would manage to get to the divisional round and at the same time host a playoff game against the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. The Bills seem to have dominated most of the game until late in the 4th quarter. The Bills were driving and looking for the lead as they gave that up late in the game. The Bills drive halted and they were trying to settle for a field goal to tie the game. The kick sailed wide right and those words reopened the nightmare of a 1990 Superbowl kick went wide right. The Bills would lose once again to the Chiefs, who would go on to the AFC championship game and end up winning the Superbowl. Diggs’ words about his future with the team were grim. The Bills this off-season had to make several cuts to veteran players to get under the cap. The General Manager Billy Beane seemed to have steer the ship into retaining some of the free agents the Bills had on the open market. Then adding some pieces to replace guys they cut. The final straw for Diggs was more grim words on social media basically telling the world he made Allen who he is. Some insiders have said that Diggs and his agent may have requested a trade. He got his wish heading to Houston.

Billy Beane helps a team in his own conference become one of the power houses of the AFC conference. Last year the Texans selected CJ Stroud with the second overall pick, and Houston struck gold. Stroud led the Texans to a division title as they won the AFC South. The Texans beat up on the Browns in the first round of the post-season. In the divisional round, the Texans were eliminated by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Last year, Stroud worked well with his receivers. Nico Collins ranked 8th in the league in receiving yards along with 8 touchdown catches. Rookie wide out Tank Dell was on pace for 1,200 receiving yards, but in week 13 suffered a season ending injury as he finished with 709 receiving yards with 7 touchdown catches. The Texans re-signed their tight end Dalton Schultz who may be a top ten guy at his position. The former Cowboy had a nice year with Stroud his first season in Houston. Then the Texans upgraded their running back position as they acquired Joe Mixon from the Bengals. The Texans tried to land Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, but the Bears ended up getting him in a trade. Adding Stefon Diggs gives the Texans a three headed monster at the wide receiver positions. You even have to say the Texans may be one of the top offenses in the league next season now with Diggs aboard the mother ship. The Texans are in the second year of Stroud’s current rookie contract which makes it easy to afford Diggs for the next few seasons. Which makes this deal so good for Houston and they got two additional draft picks as well.

Where does this leave the Bills? The Bills have lost Gabe Davis in free agency as he landed on his feet in Jacksonville. With Stefon Diggs gone, that leaves Khali Shakir as the only wide receiver from last season. Shakir is a guy with potential as he caught 39 balls for 611 yards last season and had two touchdown catches. The Bills have signed a pair of wide receivers in free agency, Mack Hollins, former Falcon, and Curtis Samuel, former Panther. Samuel also played with the Commanders the last few seasons. How do you replace the production from a guy like Diggs? Even though Diggs was not a vital part of the passing game in the last seven weeks of the regular season last year, he still demanded attention from opposing defenses. The Bills sit at 28th in the draft and it is loaded with wide receiver talent. I can see Billy Beane moving up to perhaps net one of the bigger names. If the Bills want another dog they could throw some money at Odell Beckham Jr. who is still out there as a free agent. Could the Bills land other receivers that are currently on the trading block like the Bengals’ Tee Higgens? The Bengals want to keep him but need the money to lock up Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Burrow’s number one guy. The 49ers don’t have enough money to get a long term deal with Brando Aiyuk. The Bills could make a move and still be okay after this trade.

Stefon Diggs is definitely a fiery competitor who hates to lose. If he feels like he’s not involved in the offense for whatever reason, he feels slighted. You want your play makers to want the ball. Sometimes being a decoy works for the team. Sometimes taking on double the coverage with defenders helps because someone else is open. Diggs has a track record established as we’ve seen the fall out in Minnesota & now Buffalo. The Texans better hope that CJ Stroud does not have a sophomore slump. With Joe Mixon and Diggs, these personalities and egos can clash at any time and turn the Texan locker room into a place unbearable for the young talent they have in place. For the Bills, let’s remember Davonte Adams has never won a Superbowl. Tyreek Hill has not won a ring after being traded away from Kansas City. The Chiefs have won back to back titles without Hill. The Chiefs had their worst receiving core in Patrick Mahomes’ career and still won it all last year. Josh Allen is capable of winning without Diggs. The Bills offensive scheme with Joe Brady as the Offensive coordinator is heavy on running the ball and throwing to the open receivers. Allen will not have to worry about forcing the ball into Diggs’ hands. You can win the big game without these big time play making receivers that cost more than most of the starting quarterbacks in the league. I hate getting the return that Buffalo got on Diggs. I feel like they can still address that vacant position without taking a big step backwards. In years to come like next season, not having Diggs on the payroll and the salary cap may increase which could pay dividends for the Bills. I suspect the Diggs’ move will not give the Texans their first ever Superbowl trophy. I feel like they will be in for a rude awakening in years to come. It’s all about the Diggies when it comes to Stefon, and not what you think and his team’s Superbowl aspirations. That is unless he is the queen of the prom.

This weekend the UFL (United Football League) will kick off. Two spring leagues of the past, USFL and the XFL, united into one football league. Two leagues that had 8 teams each. If you do the math, that comes out to 16 teams. The new spring league took 4 teams from the old leagues to form 8 teams. The old argument over which league was better is over. All the best players are now fully loaded 8 rosters which could mean anyone can beat anyone on any given Saturday or Sunday. Since we could not figure out which teams will rise to the top in this league, we outsourced the problem and went with a local Gypsy.

USFL CONFERENCE

I like the Birmingham Stallions winning the USFL conference division because they are the team that has the most players that have experience in the NFL. Skip Holtz returns to coach the Stallions, and he has done very well winning back to back championships in the last two seasons in the USFL. Holtz will try for the three-peat with his third different quarterback. Matt Coral, who was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 3rd round of the NFL draft in 2022, gets the nod at starter. Holtz still has his QB1 from 2022, J’Mar Smith, who led the Stallions all the way that first season of the USFL. Holtz gets the best out of his quarterbacks as Alex McGough was the MVP of the USFL last year. McGough found a new job backing up Jordan Love in Green Bay. The Stallions did not have many weaknesses the last two seasons. They did address their defense by drafting some talented guys off teams that folded. They still have the main core the last two seasons. Birmingham had the biggest fan bases in the USFL which will help them during their home games as always.

The Memphis Showboats I like grabbing the number two playoff seed in the USFL conference. First thing is the Showboats no longer have Todd Haley as their head coach. Haley is pond scum. They hired the former New Orleans Breakers head coach John DeFilippo who will bring a solid offensive scheme to the Showboats. The Showboats also improved their quarterback position drafting Cookus Case, the former Philadelphia Stars man behind center. Cookus was one of the best quarterbacks in the USFL the last two seasons. This time he will be protected with an offensive line, not the broken down turnstyle he had with the Stars. The Showboats defense jelled after a rocky start in the first two weeks. The Showboats still have Carnell Lake as their defensive coordinator. The Showboats still have their core guys from last year. Head Coach DeFilippo drafted some of his former Breakers players which include outside linebacker Vontae Diggs, who will be a force with his new team. You know Coach Lake is licking his chops with Diggs. The Showboats have play makers& with Cookus behind center could be a top 4 team easily.

HOW THE USFL SHAKES OUT IN THE STANDINGS

TEAMS	WINS	LOSSES
Birmingham Stallions	8	2
Memphis Showboats	6	4
Michigan Panthers	4	6
Houston Roughnecks	3	7

XFL CONFERENCE

XFL CONFERENCE WINNER: ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS

I like the St.Louis BattleHawks winning the XFL conference division because they have the best quarterback in the UFL, AJ McCarron. McCarron works well with the BattleHawks head coach, Anthony Becht. Reminds me of Drew Brees and Sean Payton’s relationship back in the days when New Orleans Saints were winning lots of games each season, The UFL championship game will be hosted in St. Louis which will give this BattleHawks team extra motivation to get there. The fan base of St.Louis by far the biggest in the UFL from past years. Nobody wants to play the BattleHawks in St.Louis.

Second seed in the XFL Conference: DC Defenders

I like St.Louis arch rival DC Defenders taking the second playoff seed in the XFL conference. The Defenders beat the BattleHawks twice last year. The Defenders will have back their starting quarterback from last season in Jordan Ta’amu. They also have the XFL head coach of the year in Reggie Barlow. Barlow uses a power run game with his duel threat quarterbacks. He also has an optimistic defense that can take advantage of mistakes from opposing offenses and cash in. The defense will still be run by Greg Williams, the director of the old New Orleans Saints bounty gate scandal. The Defenders had the best record in regular season last year. They made it all the way to the championship to lose to the Renegades of Arlington in the first XFL title game since 2001. The Defenders have a solid fan base in Washington, a drunken crowd out having fun as they invented the beer snake. A large snake made out of beer cups.

HOW THE XFL CONFERENCE SHAKES OUT IN THE STANDINGS

TEAMS	WINS	LOSSES
St. Louis BattleHawks	7	3
DC Defenders	6	4
Arlington Renegades	5	5
San Antonio Brahmas	2	8

I like the two top dogs meeting in the first UFL championship game.

St.Louis BattleHawks versus Birmingham Stallions in the first ever UFL Championship. I have AJ McCarron doing his Tom Brady impression winning a championship in his own stadium like he did when he played for the Buccaneers. Unless the Stallions have a three-peat on their minds. I like the idea of the Stallions on the road in the hostile environment. If you remember, the Stallions were the hub city in the first ever USFL reboot season. They were the only team that built up a fan base that season. They were a hub team again last year with other teams getting their status as well. The Stallions did win their championships in Canton, Ohio on neutral ground.

I like the USFL conference making the history in the first season of the UFL. Birmingham wins their third championship in a row. This as they complete the three-peat with three different quarterbacks as well.