In 1985 the USFL dropped 4 teams to create a 14 team league. The 4 teams removed, had their players dispersed among the remaining 14.  The league was much stronger than the previous two seasons.  In 1986 the USFL wanted to confront the NFL in the fall.  The Philadelphia Stars folded and move to Baltimore in 1985 because Philly would not allow the Stars to play in the stadium that was tied up by the Eagles. This is one of the reasons that the USFL filed a anti-trust lawsuit.  The lawsuit was won by the USFL.  The jury however was instructed that a minimum amount of $1 could be awarded (which meant in an anti-trust suit the sum is tripled to $3).  The jury felt that is what they should award and that the USFL could get millions of dollars later. This  misunderstanding led to the $3 reward and the end of the USFL.

The Baltimore Stars in Philadelphia finished 15-3 and lost the title game to the Michigan Panthers in 1983 and won the USFL title in 1984 against the Arizona Wranglers.  In 1984 the Stars were very dominating, going 16-2.  1985 saw an injured Stars team struggle with a 0 wins, 2 loss and 1 tie in OT first three game start.  The Stars with the injury bug over won the last 9 of 10 games to finish 4th in the Eastern Conference and a wild card berth with a 10-7-1 record. The Stars showed their metal with an opening 20-17 win over the NJ Generals (led by Herschel Walkers all time pro record of 2,411 yards rushing with 21 TDs and a 5.5 average.). Next the Stars downed the Eastern Conference champions Birmingham Stallions (13-5-0) 28-14 and won the USFL title beating the Western Conference champion Oakland Invaders (13-4-1) 28-24.

The starting lineups with some partial play numbers

Chuck Fusina QB(4) 6-1-197-PENN STATE  61.1% COMPLETE, 20 TD, 14 INT. and rushing for a 4.0 average.  Numbers-one-2, two-5s, three-6s and three 7s.

Allen Harvin FB(3) 5-9-200-CINCINNATI 549 yards rushing, 4.0 avg. with 38 receptions for 279 yards. Numbers-one-2, two-15s, three-16s and three-17s.

Kelvin Bryant HB(4) 6-2-195-NORTH CAROLINA rushing for 1,207 yards, 5.1 avg. and receiving 40 receptions for 407 yards and 4 TDs. Numbers-one K, two-15s, six-16s and seven-18s.

Scott Fitzkee WR(3) 6-0-187-PENN STATE 73 receptions for 882 yards.

Willie Collier WR(3) 5-10-175-PITTSBURGH 35 receptions for 473 yards master 2/3

Ken Dunek TE(3) 6-6-235-PADUCAH JC; MEMPHIS 44 receptions for 508 yards

Bart Oates C(4) 6-3-265-BRIGHAM YOUNG   master 4/3

Chuck Commiskey OG(4) 6-4-290-MISSISSIPPI

George Gilbert OG(3) 6-3-265-TULSA

Joe Conwell OT(2) 6-5-280-NORTH CAROLINA

Irv Eatman OT(4) 6-7-296-UCLA master 3/5

Defense

Mike Lush FS(5) 6-2-195-EAST STROUDSBURG 10 Int., 1 Sack

Scott Woerner SS(4) 6-0-195-GEORGIA 1 Int. 2 Sacks

Jonathan Sutton CB(5) 6-1-195-NEW MEXICO 5 Int. master 5/4

Garcia Lane CB(4) 5-9-180-OHIO STATE 3 Int. master 4/3

Sam Mills MLB(5) 5-9 227-MONTCLAIR STATE 2 Int. 5.5 Sacks

Mike Johnson OLB(4) 6-1-228-VIRGINIA TECH 2 Int. 3.5 Sacks

George Cooper OLB(3) 6-2-225-MICHIGAN STATE 2 Int.

Dave Opfar DT(3) 6-4-270-PENN STATE 3 Sacks master 3/4

John Walker DT(4) 6-6-270-NEBRASKA-OMAHA  10 Sacks master 4/3

William Fuller DE(4) 6-3-274-NORTH CAROLINA 1 Int. 8.5 Sacks

Don Fielder DE(4) 6-3-240-GOLD WEST JC, KENTUCKY  9 Sacks master 5/4

All the teams that I write about and over 300 more have been made by myself and are printed with printed card backs, cut, corners rounded and printed envelopes. This a fun project for me.

The pro football world in it’s history has never seen a team like the 1937 LA Bulldogs.  The Bulldogs were pure excitement.  The team had a 16-0-0 season, going undefeated in the regular AFL season (8-0-0) and in exhibition games against other tough pro teams and two all-star teams.  It’s history is one that includes victories over NFL teams.

On the Bulldogs, 18 past and future NFL players were part of their roster.  Many experts at the time said that this team would easily beat any NFL team.  The team ran an offense that was part T-formation and part single wing.  The two wide receivers were flanked to the sidelines on each side of the field, the other 9 players were in the usual formation.

Here is how the LA Times and several New York newspapers described the team: “Using razzle-dazzle the team would use lateral plays, double lateral plays, reverses, spinner plays-they had them all”.  On kickoffs the team would use: ” befuddle huddle, Howard the main star would return the kickoff to the 15 yard line, where all of the Bulldogs would converge, where each player would bend over so that anyone could have the ball, then all players would brake out and run down the field.”

Here is the starting offense and defense of the team of 26 players.

BILL HOWARD QB-(5) HB-(5), CB-(5), SAFETY-(5).  6-0-185 lb.-Compton CC, Southern Cal. Stats and partial card numbers: Passing 55.6%, 8 TDs and 4 INT. Rushed for 571 yards for a 6.8 Avg. scoring 5 TDs and kicking 7 XP,  Rush 3 K’s, 5-15’s. Pass-two-1s, one-2, three-3’s. Kickoff return 28.7 avg., punt return avg. 12.2.

GORDON GORE FB-(4) HB-(4) MLB-(4) CB-(4). 6-0-215 lb.-Southwestern Oklahoma State.  Stats and partial card numbers: Rushing 361 yards for a 6.0 Avg. scoring 1 TD and kicking 4 XP and the only 2 FGs. two-K’s seven-4s

ANDY NICHELINI HB-(5) CB-(4). 6-0-207 lb.-St. Mary’s California. Stats and partial numbers: Rushing 324 yards, 5.8 avg.  Passing 58.3% for 1 TD and 0 Int. Kickoff returns 30.1 avg. and punt returns 16.2 avg.  3-Ks, three 15s.

ED STARK HB-(4) QB(4) FB (4). SAFETY(4) LB(4) MLB (4) 5-11-165 lb. Pasadena CC, Oklahoma Baptist. Stats and partial numbers: Rushing 256 yards, 5.7 avg.  Passing 50% with 1 TD and 1 Int.  One-K, five-15s. for rushing.

BILL MOORE-WR-(4) SAFETY-(4) 6-1-200 lb. North Carolina. Stats 20 Rec. for 412 yards and 5 TDs

JERRY DONNELL-WR-(3) G(3) LB(3)CB(3) 5-11-203 lb. Oregon. Stats 18 Rec. for 288 yards 3 TDs and 2 XP.

BERNIE HUGHES-C-(4) G-4 LB-(4)-6-1-190 lbs. 6-1-190 Oregon.

RAY CLEMENS-G-(4) DE(4)-6-0-215-Central Oklahoma.

PETE MEHRINGER-G-(4) DE(4)-6-1-206 lbs.-Kansas

HARRY FIELD-OT-(4) DT(4)-6-1-230-Hawaii-Oregon State

STEVE SINKO-OT-(4) DT(3)-6-3-220 Duquesne

When using this team for an APBA football game, here are the playing rules.

RAZZLE-DAZZLE option

1. Throw two dice after runner gains yards.  If the result is 2-5 then razzle-dazzle takes place. If the total is 6-12 then it is a regular running play.
2. Pick runner to receive razzle-dazzle.
3. Throw the regular APBA dice and find out the final rushing yards by the razzle-dazzle runner receiving the ball.  Special note:  if the print number is a 23, 43, or 63 the then a fumble has happened with 0 yards gained, throw two dice and add. If the numbers are 1-4 the offense recovers, if 5-11 defense recovers, if 12 defense recovers and can advance ball the regular fumble recovery way.

The 1948 Cleveland Browns were the first team to go undefeated and win a championship game.  The Browns had a 14-0 regular season record, scoring 389 points and giving up 190 and won the title game over the Buffalo Bills by a 49-7 blowout. The Browns were led by Hall of Famers Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Frank Gatski, Dante Lavelli, Lou Groza and Bill Willis.  Bill Willis was the first black player in Pro Football since the early 1920s and Horace Gillom was the first black punter in football history.

During an 8 day time period the Browns won three games going from one coast to another with an injured Otto Graham playing.  In that 8 day stretch the Browns beat NY 34-21, Los Angeles 31-14 and San Francisc0 (finished 12-2, losing only to the Browns) 31-28 after being down.

The Browns after entering the NFL in 1950 won 6 straight conference titles and 3 NFL titles.

The players for the Browns were: with partial play result numbers.

QB-OTTO GRAHAM (5) with 52% complete for 25 TDs, 15 Int. and rushing for a 6.3 avg. Otto at time played safety with 1 Interception.  6-1-190 lb. Passing with one 2, three 3s, two 4s. one 5 and one 6.

FB-MARION MOTLEY (5) with a league leading 964 yards on a 6.1 avg. with 13 catches.  At times played LB and Middleguard 6-1-220 lb. Three Ks, five 15s and three 16s.

HB-EDGAR JONES (3) rushed for 400 yards and a 4.0 avg. with 14 receptions. 5-10-195 lb. Three 15s, three 16s and four 17s.

HB-BILL BOEDECKER (3) rushed for 254 yards and a 3.3 avg. with 13 receptions. Also played safety and defensive halfback (CB) 5-11-190 lb. One 3, two 15s, one 16 and four 17s.

WR/TE-MAC SPEEDIE (5) caught 58 passes for 816 yards. 6-3-200 lb. A receiver.

WR-DANTE LAVELLI (4) caught 25 passes for 463 yards and missed half the season with an injury, otherwise a sure 5 rating. 6-0-190.  B receiver.

C-FRANK GATSKI (4) also played MG at times. 6-3-220 lb.

G-ANGELO GAUDIO (3) also played LB at times. 5-10-215 lb.

G-ED ULINSKI (4) played LB at times 5-11-200 lb.

T-LOU GROZA (3) played DT at times.  kicked 51 XP and 8 FG. 6-3-215.

T-LOU RYMKUS (4)also played DT (4) 6-4-230

The league leading defense had:

FS-TOM COLELLA (4) with 2 Int. Also played HB on offense (3) rushing for 60 yards. 6-0-187

SS-CLIFF LEWIS (5) with 9 Int. also playing backup QB. 5-11-165.

CBs-TOMMY JAMES (5) with 4 Int. 5-10-180 and ARA PARSEGHIAN (3) also HB on offense with 135 yards rushing and a 4.2 avg. (later a Notre Dame coach) 5-10-195

MG-Bill Willis (5) great speed and quickness. 6-2-210

LBs-LOU SABAN (5) very fast with 5 Int., was so good on AAFC all pro team was given the center slot even though he never played the position.  6-0-198. WELDON HUMBLE (4) had 1 interception and was at times used as a guard for the messenger to  Otto Graham. 6-1-215.

DTs-CHUBBY GRIGG (4) received in a trade and was a mountain to move and very quicj for his size. 6-2-280.  CHET ADAMS (4) was another tough player to move out. 6-3-230.

DEs-JOHN YONAKOR (4) had 1 Int., caught 5 passes and used his tallness to stop passes.  6-5-218.  GEORGE YOUNG (4) tough as nails 6-3-210.

Over the years I have made all sorts of teams and leagues, one of which was the CFL.   The Montreal Alouettes, and are considered one of the CFL’s greatest.  Montreal finished the regular season with a15-3 record and won the Gray Cup-CFL Title. The team scored 600 points, (1st in the League) and gave up 324 points (1st in defense) in the League. The Alouettes was lead by Anthony Calvillo the greatest QB in Pro Football CFL and history and one of the best  in any Pro Football league.  Calvillo lifetime had 9.437 attempts, 5,892 completions for a 62.4% Pct. with a world record of 79,816 yards which included 455 TD passes.  Rushing wise (in the CFL the QB is considered as one of the runners), Calvillo had 3.658 yards rushing for a 5.4 Avg., 34 TDs and a long run of 53 yards.

In 2009 Anthony Calvillo (5)  completed 72.0% for 4639 yards, 26 TDs, 6 Int. while rushing for 198 yards anda 6.2 average.

His partial passing numbers for the 6-1, 197 lb. graduate of Utah State USA was one 2, two 3’s, one 5 and two 6’s. with 15.5 other completions. Running numbers were: six 15s and one 2.

Aaron Cobourne (4) had 1214 yards rushing for a 5.4 average with 56 receptions for 458 yards.  five 15’s, 2 K’s and four 16’s.  He is 5-8, 209 lb. and played at West Virginia in college.

Brian Bratton (2) received 58 passes for 613 yards is 5-10, 186 lbs and played college at Furman.

Ben Cahoon (5) wide receiver had 89 receptions for 1031 yards.  Ben is 5-9 and weighed 179 lbs. playing college ball for BYU.

Kerry Watkins (4) wide receiver was 4/3 master game caught 81 passes for 1242 yards and weighed  in at 189 at 5-11 and played college ball at Georgia Tech.

Jamel Richardson Tight End (4) caught 85 passes for 1055 yards and weighed 215 lbs at 6-3 and played college ball for Victor Valley College.

WHEN playing CFL teams a 12th man must be used on offense and defense- Larry Taylor was that man with 7 receptions, but also was the return man for punts and kickoffs.  Punts has to be returned in CFL, no fair catch.  Taylor is 5-6, 177 lbs. and played for Connecticut University in college.

Offensive line had Bryan Chiu (C-4) 6-2, 287, Washington State, Scott Flory (G-5) 6-4, 290, Saskatchewan UIniversity, Paul Lambert (G-2) (V:3/2) 6-4, 295, Western Michigan, Josh Bourke (T-4) 6-7, 315, Grand Valley State and Jeff Perrett (T-2) 6-7, 320, Tulsa.

Defense: Matt Proulx SS(4) 6-0, 202, Laval; Jerald Brown FS(3) 5-11, 185, Glennville State (WV); Mark Estelle (CB-4) 5-9, 180, Utah State; Davis Sanchez (CB-3) 5-10, 190 Oregon, WHEN playing in CFL a 12th defender must be used-Billy Parker FS(3) 6-0, 195, William & Mary, Shea Emry (MLB-3) 6-1, 235, UBC, Chip Cox ( OLB-4) 5-9, 194, Ohio, Diamond Ferri (OLB-3) 5-10, 223, UBC, Eric Wilson (T-3) 6-4, 290, Michigan, Kenon Williams (T-4) 6-1, 265, Massachusetts, John Bowman (E-4) 6-3, 255, Wingate and  Anwar Stewart (E-5) 6-3, 245, Kentucky.

The CFL has some amazing rules, a kickoff for a TB is a point for the kicking team, each team has 3 downs to get a first down, the football field is 110 yards long.

In the past when USA pro team would play the CFL, each half would follow the  rules of the other league.

A number of years ago I created Coaching cards for the legends of College and Pro football.

The card basically looks like this:

BUD                                                                                                                                                  WILKINSON

OFFENSE +3

DEFENSE +3

For every game this coach plays, the general manager (human coach)  may increase  either the team’s offense by the number on the card or the defense number for a single quarter in the game only. Example: the offense Total of 1956 Oklahoma is 48 and the defense total of 2015 Ohio State is 43, meaning a B index for 1956 Oklahoma.  However the human coach decides to use the Wilkinson coaching card offense in the 3rd quarter making it Oklahoma 51 Index giving the  team an A index in the 3rd quarter. The card can’t be used anymore for offense or defense.  If the human coach used the defense rating on the card, in this case a +3 for example in the fourth quarter, then 1956 Oklahoma defense goes to 51 and puts the Ohio State offense of 41 into a C index in the fourth quarter.  The card is used for offense or defense only and for one quarter, you can’t use the card for offense and defense in the same game.

For example other ratings: Knute Rockne +3 Off, +3 Def; Red Blaik +3/+3; John McKay +2/+2; Frank Leahy +3/+3; Tom Osborne Off +3/+2; Woody Hayes +2/+2; Paul Bryant +3/+3; Lou Saban +3/+3.

For Pro Teams for example: Vince Lombardi +3/+3; George Halas +3/+3 and Bill Belichick +3/+3.

Here is a college FB powerhouse that I created and see how they matchup with today’s modern teams.

1995 Nebraska is my and many others choice as the greatest college football team ever.

Nebraska Cornhuskers finished the season with a 12-0 record outscoring opponents by a 638 to 174 points. This team beat undefeated Florida for the national title by a 62-24 score.  The closet anyone got to be Nebraska was Washington, Nebraska won 35-21.

Stars of Nebraska offense were: (using highlight passing and running numbers ,not all the numbers).

QB-Tommie Frazier (5) 6-2/205/SR completing 56.4% with 1362 yards and 17 TD and just 4 intercepted.

Passing numbers were: one-1, two 2’s, two-5’s, one-6, two 7’s , two 8’s, two 9’s, 3-10’s and 1-12.  Rushing numbers for the 6.1 yard avg. were 3-Ks, 9-15s, 2-16s, 4-17s and 6-18s.

Runners like

Jeff Makovicka FB (4) V:4/5 5-10/215/SR running numbers of 1-K, 7-4s, 2-6s, 2-8s and 2-10s.

Ahman Green HB (5) V:4/5 6-1/210/FR running numbers of 3-Ks, 9-15s, 1-16, 5-17s.

Clester Johnson receiver (3) was a B-4  5-11/210/SR

Reggie Baul receiver (3) was a C-3 5-8/170/SR

Mark Gilman tight end (5) was a C-3 6-3/240/SR

Aaron Graham Center (5) 6-4/285/SR

Aaron Taylor Guard (5) 6-1/295/SO

Steve Ott Guard (3) 6-4/275/SR

Chris Dishman OT (5) 6-2/300/JR

Eric Anderson OT (5) 6-4/290/SO

Offense rating: Basic 48, Master 47 Pass, 49 run.

Defense:

Free Safety Tony Veland (5) 6-2/205/SR w-2; Mike Minter Strong Safety (4) 5-10/180/JR w-4, Mike Booker CB (4) 6-2/190/JR w-4; Tyrone Williams CB (5) FS (5) 6-0/180/SR w-2 with int return numbers of 6-2s etc.; Doug Coleman MLB (4) (OLB (4) 6-3/240/SR w-2; Jay Foreman OLB (3) 6-2/200/SO; Terrell Farley OLB (5) MLB (5) W-4 6-1/205/JR; Christian Peter DT (5); 6-2.290,SR; Jason Peter DT (3) V:3/4 6-4/280/SO; Jared Tomich DE (5) 6-2/250/SR and Grant Wistrom DE (5) (OLB (5) 6-5/235/SO

Defense Rating: Basic 48, Master 48 Pass, 49 run.

Some offense second stringers; Lawrence Phillips HB (4) FB (4) 6-0/215/JR with running numbers  of 3-Ks , 9-15s 1-16, 4-17s etc.  Clinton Childs HB (4) 6-0/215/SR with running numbers of 3-Ks, 8-15s, 2-16s, 4-17s etc.

A powerful football team and winners of two of my tournaments of great college FB teams.

1. 1995 Neb

Each category of football contains certain criteria to create cards and teams for APBA Football.

High School:

There are over 15,000 high school football teams in the United States and this offers a great latitude of ratings.  When rating a team, one must look at the level of play each team has, such as State Division 1 (Best), 2, 3,4 or 5 ( worst), some states reverse the order making it 5 to 1 or more.  How a school is ranked by the media in the state and nationally.  The schedule the team plays.  and finally the scoring difference in the victories.  Going undefeated is a big plus.  Currently I have made 34 high school teams.  The best total offense and defense is 104 points and the worst is 16.  The best offense goes to 2013 Aledo Bearcats of Texas with 53 points and the best defense goes to 2016 IMG Academy Ascenders of Florida with a 53. All state teams and conference teams also are used.  Marist Royal Knights of NJ has an 8 offense and an 8 defense, some players were rated (0). I played 2014 Bishop Gorman Gaels the national champions against Marist.  Bishop Gorman won 109-0 holding Marist to 10 yards and BG gaining almost 600 yards.

I have researched over 100 teams of the past and present.

College:

College has great leeway in ratings with Division Bowl, Championship, Two, Three and the lower levels. The best defense is a 49 by a number of teams and the best offense was a 49 by the 2005 Southern Cal Trojans.  Ratings for cards come from All Conference teams, All American, etc.  Rankings by BCS and the media is part of the equation.  For example the basic rating for undefeated 2004 Harvard is a 24 offense and a 22 defense. 1987 Oklahoma had a 46 offense and a 48 defense.  I have made over an estimate of 100 great college teams including some conferences.

Pro:

The leeway is tighter because you are dealing with 32 teams, so the difference between the top and lowest teams are not as great as College or High School.  The last two years saw APBA low ball the ratings, I am not sure if this is the new trend by the company.  2017 will determine new trend or temporary change.  The CFL, WFL, USFL and some of the 1930’s AFL teams are handled similar to the present NFL.  I have made over an estimate 100 of the Pro teams.