'85 Chronology-1986 USFL Schedule

1986 United States Football League Schedule

Week #1 (Feb. 20th-24th)

Memphis at Baltimore (ESPN/RCA)

Michigan at Denver (ESPN/RCA)

Houston at Los Angeles (ESPN)

New Orleans at Arizona (RCA)

Tampa Bay at New Jersey (ABC)

Orlando at Jacksonville (ESPN Regional)

Birmingham at Oakland (ESPN Regional)

Week #2 (March 1st-3rd)

Birmingham at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)

Jacksonville at Memphis (ESPN Regional/RCA)

New Jersey at Baltimore (ABC)

Houston at Michigan (ABC Regional)
Orlando at Arizona (RCA)
Denver at Oakland (RCA)

Los Angeles at New Orleans (ESPN)

Week #3 (March 6th-10th)

Memphis at New Jersey (ESPN/RCA)

Tampa Bay at Orlando (ESPN/RCA)
Jacksonville at New Orleans (ESPN Regional)

Baltimore at Birmingham (ABC)

Oakland at Houston (ABC Regional)

Michigan at Los Angeles (RCA)

Arizona at Denver (ESPN/RCA)

Week #4 (March 13th-17th)

New Jersey at Jacksonville (ESPN)

Denver at Houston (ESPN/RCA)
Memphis vs Los Angeles (at San Diego) (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Baltimore at Tampa Bay (ABC/RCA)
Birmingham at Orlando (ABC National/RCA)

Arizona at Oakland (RCA)

New Orleans at Michigan (ESPN/RCA)

Week #5 (March 20th-24th)

Los Angeles at Denver (ESPN/RCA)

*Orlando at New Jersey (ESPN National)

Tampa Bay at Memphis (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Jacksonville at Birmingham (ESPN)

Baltimore at Houston (ABC National)

Oakland at New Orleans (ABC Regional/RCA)

Michigan at Arizona (ESPN/RCA)

Week #6 (March 27th-31st)

Orlando at Memphis (ESPN/RCA)

*Jacksonville at Baltimore (ESPN National/RCA)

*Oakland at Michigan (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Houston at New Orleans (ESPN/RCA)

New Jersey at Birmingham (ABC National)

Tampa Bay at Denver (ESPN/RCA)
Arizona at Los Angeles (RCA)

Week #7 (April 3rd-7th)

Baltimore at Orlando (ESPN/RCA)

Jacksonville at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)

Denver at New Orleans (ESPN Regional/RCA)

New Jersey at Michigan (ABC National)

Arizona at Houston (ABC National)

Memphis at Birmingham (ESPN)

Los Angeles at Oakland (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Week #8 (April 10th-14th)

Memphis at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)

Orlando at Birmingham (ESPN/RCA)

Jacksonville at New Jersey (ABC National)
Los Angeles at Baltimore (ABC Regional/RCA)

New Orleans at Houston (ABC Regional/RCA)

Denver at Arizona (ESPN/RCA)

Michigan at Oakland (ESPN/RCA)

Week #9 (April 17th-21st)

New Orleans at Los Angeles (ESPN/RCA)

New Jersey at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)
Oakland at Denver (RCA)

Birmingham at Baltimore (ABC National)

Michigan at Jacksonville (ABC Regional)

Memphis at Orlando (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Houston at Arizona (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Week #10 (April 24th-28th)

New Orleans at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)

Birmingham at Memphis (ESPN/RCA)

Baltimore at New Jersey (ABC National)
Jacksonville at Orlando (ABC Regional)

Houston at Oakland (ESPN)

Denver at Michigan (ESPN/RCA)
Los Angeles at Arizona (ESPN/RCA)

Week #11 (May 1st-5th)

Birmingham at Jacksonville (ESPN/RCA)

Tampa Bay at Baltimore (ESPN/RCA)
Denver at Orlando (RCA)

New Jersey at Memphis (ABC Regional)

Michigan at Houston (ABC National)

Arizona at New Orleans (RCA)
Oakland vs Los Angeles at San Diego (ESPN/RCA)

Week #12 (May 8th-12th)

Orlando at Baltimore (ESPN/RCA)

*Memphis at Jacksonville (ESPN/RCA)

Tampa Bay at Birmingham (ESPN)

Los Angeles at Michigan (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Houston at Denver (ABC National)

Arizona at New Jersey (ESPN)
New Orleans at Oakland (ESPN)

Week #13 (May 15th-19th)

Michigan at New Orleans (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Baltimore at Memphis (ESPN Regional/RCA)

*New Jersey at Orlando (ESPN/RCA)

Houston at Birmingham (ABC National)

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville (ABC National)
Oakland at Arizona (ABC Regional)

Denver at Los Angeles (ESPN/RCA)

Week #14 (May 22nd-26th)

Orlando at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)

Oakland at Memphis (RCA)

Baltimore at Jacksonville (ESPN/RCA)

Birmingham at New Jersey (ABC National)
Los Angeles at Houston (ABC Regional/RCA)

Arizona at Michigan (ABC Regional/RCA)

New Orleans at Denver (ESPN/RCA)

Week #15 (May 29th-June 2nd)

Houston at Memphis (ESPN/RCA)

Michigan at Orlando (RCA)
Los Angeles at Jacksonville (RCA)

*Oakland at New Jersey (ESPN)

Arizona at Tampa Bay (ESPN/RCA)

New Orleans at Baltimore (ABC National)

Denver at Birmingham (ESPN/RCA)

Week #16 (June 7th)

Memphis at Michigan (RCA)

Baltimore at Denver (RCA)
Orlando at New Orleans (RCA)
Jacksonville at Oakland (RCA)

New Jersey at Houston (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles (ESPN Regional/RCA)

Birmingham at Arizona (ABC National)

Regular Season Ends

Week #17 (June 14th-15th)

Wild Card Playoffs

Week #18 (June 22nd-23rd)

Semi-Final Playoffs

Week #18 (June 29th)

Conference Championships

Week #20 (July 5th)

USFL Championship at Jacksonville, Florida (ABC/ESPN/RCA)

*Friday Game

'85 Chronology-League Calendar '86

USFL Calendar

The following are dates for key USFL events scheduled from 

August 1st, 1985 through March 1st, 1986. 

August 1st-USFL Contracts Expire 

October 4th-7th—First Fall Owners Meeting, New York City, New York.

October 23rd-Teams may begin signing street free agents 

October 24th— Trading period for 1986 begins at 4:00 p.m.

November 4th-5th—Second Fall Owners Meeting, New York City, New York.

November 4th-Free agency period begins at 4:00 p.m. e.s.t.. 

November 12th-13th — Street Free Agent Combine to be held in New York, Tampa, Houston, Denver and Los Angeles.

November 25th — Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become NFL or CFL Free Agents upon the expiration of their current contracts. However, a contract cannot be signed and completed with a USFL club until 4:00 p.m. e.s.t. on January 1st, 1985.

December 1st — The 1986 league year begins; clubs must submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 1985 contracts and who have fewer than three accrued years of free agency credit (USFL, NFL or CFL).

January 6th— 1986 USFL Territorial Draft (Team Headquarters).

January 8th-10th— Annual Owners Meeting, Orlando, Florida.

January 9th— USFL Spring Coaches Meeting, New York City, New York 

January 14th— 1986 USFL Collegiate Draft, New York City, New York.

January 21st-22nd—USFL Rookie Symposium, Memphis, Tennessee.

January 26th— USFL training camps open in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Houston and Arizona.

January 31st— USFL Inter-squad Scrimmages begin.

February 3rd — USFL Supplemental Draft (if necessary by teleconference).

February 3rd— Deadline for any club to sign players under contract to a multi-year contract extension.

February 22nd— USFL Regular Season begins (16 game season).

'85 Chronology-Pittsburgh Maulers Merger Allocation Draft

Pittsburgh Maulers Merger Allocation Draft 

Arizona Outlaws

OG Donnie Hickman

DB Billy Yancy

Birmingham Stallions

WR Greg Anderson

DB Mickey Sutton

QB Tom Rozantz

Denver Gold

OG Ron Hausauer

NT Laval Short

LB Mike McKibben

LB Bob Knapton

DB Jeff Delaney

DB Jesse Johnson

WR Lonell Phea

Houston Gamblers

WR Shawn Potts

Jacksonville Bulls:

P Larry Swider

DB Mark Harper

Los Angeles Express:

G-T Joe Lukens

PK Efren Herrera

DT Rich Dimler

Memphis Showboats: 

DE Sam Clancy

TE Mark Raugh

Michigan Panthers:

DL Ira Albright

DB Sam Sopp

New Jersey Generals

T-G Don Maggs

DB Jerry Holmes

New Orleans Breakers

LB Howard McAdoo

LB Earnest Adams

Oakland Invaders

OC Jeff Harper

DL Doug Hollie

Orlando Renegades

DB William Cesare

Philadelphia Stars

RB Walter Holman

TE Mike Shaw

OC Chuck Correal

OC Mark Udinski

OT Dave Pacella

OL Scott Burris

LB Ron Crosby

Tampa Bay Bandits

RB William Miller

'85 Chronology-Transactions #26

August 30th:

Arizona Outlaws-Relinquished rights to WR Eric Truvillion.

New Orleans Breakers-Named John Galmiche team president.

Tampa Bay Bucs (NFL)-Agreed to terms with S-P David Greenwood (Panthers '85).

August 28th:

Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)-Signed DL Ross Browner (Gamblers '85).

August 27th:

Philadelphia Stars-Waived OC Bart Oates for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

August 24th:

Arizona Outlaws-Claimed WR Eric Truvillion off of waivers from Tampa Bay.

August 23rd:

Tampa Bay Bandits-Waived WR Eric Truvillion.

August 22nd:

Arizona Outlaws-Signed WR Al Williams to a three-year contract extension.

August 14th:

Miami Dolphins (NFL)-Signed QB Wayne Peace (Breakers '85*) and WR Frank Lockett (Breakers '85).

Michigan Panthers-Traded LB Ray Bentley to the Arizona Outlaws for cash considerations.

August 9th:

Chicago Bears (NFL)-Signed LB Marcus Marek (Breakers '85).

Cincinnati Bengals (NFL)-Signed RB Bill Johnson (Gold '85).

Memphis Showboats-Acquired rights to DE Ray Childress from the Houston Gamblers for an undisclosed draft choice in 1986.

August 8th:

Arizona Outlaws-Acquired LB Ray Bentley from the Michigan Panthers for cash considerations.

New Orleans Saints (NFL)-Signed QB Bobby Hebert (Panthers '85).

Orlando Renegades-Claimed LB Kyle Borland off of waivers from Michigan.

August 7th:

Kansas City Chiefs (NFL)-Signed DB Garcia Lane (Stars '85).

Michigan Panthers-Waived LB Kyle Borland.

Minnesota Vikings (NFL)-Signed DE Keith Millard (Bulls '85).

San Francisco 49ers (NFL)-Signed DB Wymon Henderson (Express '85).

August 6th:

Orlando Renegades-Claimed QB John Reaves off of waivers from Tampa Bay and agreed to terms on a two-year contract.

August 5th:

Jacksonville Bulls-Waived DE Keith Millard.

N.Y. Giants (NFL)-Signed P Sean Landeta (Stars '85).

N.Y. Jets (NFL)-Signed WR Jo Jo Townsell (Express '85) and DL Ben Rudolph(Express '85).

Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)-Signed WR Herbert Harris(Stars '85).

Tampa Bay Bucs (NFL)-Signed DE Robert Brannon (Breakers '85). 

August 4th:

Indianapolis Colts-Signed DL George Achica (Express '85).

San Diego Chargers-Signed RB Tim Spencer (Showboats '85) and WR Trumaine Johnson (Outlaws* '85).

August 3rd:

Tampa Bay Bandits-Relinquished rights to QB John Reaves making him an unrestricted free agent.

August 1st:

N.F.L. League Office-released a team-by-team list of rights held to players under contract to the United States Football League.

July 30th:

San Antonio Gunslingers-Released the following players; PK Nick Mike-Mayer, QB's Whit Taylor and Fred Mortensen, RB's James Hadnot, Scott Stamper, Don Roberts, Mike Hagan, Gary Worthy, Larry Canada, FB-TE Mark Rush, WR's Danny Buggs, Kevin Williams, Sammy Greene, Ricky Coffman, Jerry Gordon, TE Joey Hackett, OC Greg Davidson, OC Pete Speros, OG Rich Garza, OL Arland Thompson, Rod Walters, Carl Roberts, Jon Zogg, Kurt Jonker, Ralph Williams, Joe Silipo, Mark Jenkins, DT's Ernie Price, Paul Hanna, and Tom Tabor, DL Ken Gillen, Brad Anae, Bennie Smith, Ivan Lesnik, DE Greg Fields, Jeff Chaffin, LB's John Barefield, Jeff Gaylord, Reggie Mathis, Putt Choate, Rich D'Amico, Jeff Keiding, Reggie Oliver, and Juan Castillo, DB's Mike Ulmer, Rock Richmond, Leon Williams, Peter Raeford, Vic Minor, Charles Armstead and Larry James.

July 18th:

San Antonio Gunslingers-Released QB Rick Neuheisel.

Tampa Bay Bandits-Released DE Mike Butler.

July 12th:

Jacksonville Bulls-Released QB Robbie Mahfouz.

July 3rd:

Washington Redskins-Signed L.A. Express PK Tony Zendejas to a series of one-year contracts.

'85 Chronology-N.F.L. Player Rights

A team-by-team list of rights held by National Football League teams to players under contract to the United States Football League:

Atlanta -- Joey Jones, WR, Birmingham; Mike McInnis, DE, New Orleans; Dennis Woodberry, DB, Birmingham.

Buffalo -- Don Corbin, T, Birmingham; Joe Cribbs, RB, Birmingham; Dwight Drane, S, Los Angeles; Daryl Hart, DB, Oakland; Jim Kelly, QB, Houston.

Chicago -- Vince Evans, QB, Denver; Tom Thayer, C, Arizona.

Cincinnati -- Barney Bussey, S, Memphis; Oliver Davis, S.

Oakland; Kiki DeAyala, LB, Houston; Tom Dinkel, LB, Jacksonville; Bill Johnson, RB, Denver; Tom Kilkenny, LB.

Denver; Dave Lapham, G, New Jersey; Dan Ross, TE, New Orleans.

Cleveland -- Jeff Gossett, P, New Orleans; Mike Johnson, LB, Philadelphia; Gerald McNeil, WR, Houston; Tommy Robison, T, Houston; Brian Sipe, QB, Jacksonville; Doug West, LB, Jacksonville.

Dallas -- Reggie Collier, QB, Orlando; Joe Levelis, G, Arizona; Jeff Spek, TE, New Jersey; Herschel Walker, RB, New Jersey.

Denver -- Freddie Gilbert, DE, New Jersey; Reggie Smith, T, Tampa Bay.

Detroit -- Ernest Anderson, RB, Arizona; Joe Ehrmann, DT, Orlando; James Harrell, LB, Tampa Bay; Doug Hollie, DE, Oakland; George Jamison, LB, Philadelphia; Tom Turnure, C, Oakland; Al Williams, WR, Arizona.

Green Bay -- Mike Butler, DE, Tampa Bay; Chuck Clanton, DB, Birmingham; Buford Jordan, RB, New Orleans; John Sullivan, DB, Oakland.

Houston -- Lynn Madsen, DT, New Jersey; Don Maggs, T, New Jersey; Doug Smith, DE, Birmingham; Malcolm Taylor, DE, Birmingham.

Indianapolis -- George Achica, DT, Los Angeles; Albert Bentley, RB, Oakland; Paul Bergmann, TE, Oakland; Leonard Coleman, CB, Memphis; Jeff Hart, T, Los Angeles; Steve Wright, T, Oakland.

Kansas City -- Mark Adickes, T, Los Angeles; Trent Bryant, CB, Arizona; Irv Eatman, T, Philadelphia; Bob Gagliano, QB, Denver, Garcia Lane, DB, Philadelphia; Lupe Sanchez, CB, Orlando.

L.A. Raiders -- Bret Clark, S, Tampa Bay; James Farr, G, Orlando.

L.A. Rams -- Russ Bolinger, G, Memphis; Jim Byrne, NT, New Jersey; Howard Carson, LB, Los Angeles; Doug Flutie, QB, New Jersey; William Fuller, DE, Philadelphia; Rick Johnson, QB, Arizona.

Miami -- Anthony Carter, WR, Michigan; Danny Knight, WR, New Jersey.

Minnesota -- David Howard, LB, Los Angeles; Dave Huffman, G, Memphis; Mike Jones, RB, Oakland; Loyd Lewis, G, Houston; Keith Millard, DE, Jacksonville, Allanda Smith, CB, Los Angeles.

New England -- Dave Browning, DE, Oakland; Eric Jordan, RB, Oakland; Mark Keel, TE, Jacksonville; Walter Lewis, QB, Memphis; Ricky Sanders, WR, Houston.

New Orleans -- Steve Bearden, LB, Memphis; Mel Gray, RB, Los Angeles; David Greenwood, S, Michigan; Vaughan Johnson, LB, Jacksonville.

N.Y. Giants -- Chris Foote, C, Tampa Bay; James Robinson, DT, Los Angeles; Kirby Warren, RB, Los Angeles; Gary Zimmerman, T, Los Angeles.

N.Y. Jets -- Ron Crosby, LB, Baltimore; Jerry Holmes, CB, New Jersey; Ben Rudolph, DE, Los Angeles; Jo Jo Townsell, WR, Los Angeles; Vincent White, RB, Denver.

Philadelphia -- Thomas Carter, LB, Arizona; Daryl Goodlow, LB, Memphis; Reggie White, DE, Memphis.

Pittsburgh -- Duane Gunn, WR, Los Angeles; Van Hughes, DT, Houston; Tyrone McGriff, G, Memphis; Ray Pinney, T, Michigan; Jim Smith, WR, Birmingham; Cliff Stoudt, QB, Birmingham.

St. Louis -- Carl Allen, CB, Arizona; Derek Kennard, T, Los Angeles; Tim Lucas, LB, Oakland; Tim Riordan, QB, Philadelphia; Mike Ruether, C, Los Angeles; Luis Sharpe, T, Memphis.

San Diego -- Gary Anderson, RB, Tampa Bay; Mossy Cade, CB, Memphis; Clarence Collins, WR, New Jersey; Scott Fitzkee, WR, Philadelphia; Bruce Laird, S, Arizona; Ed Luther, QB, Jacksonville; Tim Spencer, RB, Memphis; Eric Williams, LB, Arizona.

San Francisco -- Joe Conwell, T, Philadelphia; Derrick Crawford, WR, Memphis; Pete Kugler, NT, Philadelphia.

Seattle -- Sam Clancy, DE, Memphis; Gordon Hudson, TE, Los Angeles; Greggory Johnson, DB, New Jersey; Kerry Justin, CB, New Jersey; Alvin Powell, G, Arizona; Frank Seurer, QB, Los Angeles.

Tampa Bay -- Alex Clark, DB, Portland; Andy Hawkins, LB, Houston; Jim Leonard, C, Oakland; Kevin Nelson, RB, Los Angeles; Doug Williams, QB, Arizona; George Yarno, G, Denver; Steve Young, QB, Los Angeles;

Washington -- Kelvin Bryant, RB, Philadelphia; Fred Dean, G, Tampa Bay; Clarence Verdin, WR, Houston; Tony Zendejas, K, Los Angeles.

(All USFL players not mentioned above can negotiate as free agents in the NFL.)