Tombor
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USFL '89-'94
These are part of my series of hypothetical hacks; as I worked through them and made narrative notes, I struggled with organization.
Where I am fascinated by the turbulent '80s, I don't have much interest in league of my teenage years partly because of Cleveland's move to Baltimore. That aside, I got a little too deep and scattershot in the narrative aspect of this project--most of my ideas for '89-'94 are interesting to me but just scraps. I hope to organize twitter notes and place them here in a bit for the sake of posterity. I have started a sort of "reset" of the project. I apologize for the barrage of polls on my Twitter. It's helped me in rethinking and working on a new project.
I do want to list a few things here for clarity of the rosters:
-Joe Robbie's death and Don Shula's impatience leads Pittsburgh Maulers owner Ed DeBartolo Sr. to swoop in and sign Dan Marino to a 7-year, $35 million contract; a Robbie's family heir--a third cousin way deep in the tree--agrees to release the QB to spring for $15 million. It is a whirlwind off-season for the near-miss Maulers, who also sign Major Harris, top WR prospect Reggie Rembert, and old-hand Matt Millen. The '90 Maulers finished 12-5-1, taking the league title in a 31-28 shootout against Jim Kelly and the Houston Gamblers. A New Dawn has arrived.
-After a string of bad seasons and weak ownership, both the New Orleans Breakers and the New England Patriots reach sort of twilights in Sin City and Puritanville. In a rare flex of state power, out-going Gov. Mike Dukakis seizes Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro and approaches the USFL about placing a team there. League Commissioner Grover Debs--never a fan of the original move from Boston in '83--arranges a purchase of the Breakers with a prominent New Hampshire family; the league eats some $22 million in debts. A Dresden-based architecture firm of the "Memphis" style--already working on the Memorial Stadium project in Baltimore and Canadian Tire Park in downtown Halifax--commits to providing a future redesign. The '91 USFL offseason contracts a fever pitch as the revived "Boston Breakers" sign Doug Flutie and a myriad of free agents; New Jersey inks jettisoned Jim Kelly, after George Bush Jr. and his Saudi and Yemeni backers gave Heisman winner Andre Ware a 5-year, $5.2 million deal back in '90. The New England Patriots would limp through '91 and '92 as a tenant before Paul Tagliabue gives in to the senior circuit's first franchise merger in over 40 years, the Pats will be picked over by the St. Louis Football Cardinals, themselves in a sort of limbo post-Bill Bidwell and mismanagement by a Busch scion. The NFL announces plans to sell the logo and franchise rights to former Pats minority owner Robert Kraft, who promises revenge.
-Cuban-cultivated "biomechanic" techniques revive the careers of Neil Lomax (Denver) and Bert Jones (Stars).
-In a messy '92, Merlin Olson wins a four-way race with George Bush, Jerry Brown, and Ross Perot on The Rainbow Bridge Party ticket a loose confederation of orthodox Marxists, dejected trade unionists, and small holders dependant on gutted midwest industrial economies (Olson swept the center of the country). Olson's running mate is long time progressive Paul Wellstone. Olson wins on vague promises to "renew the New Deal" and rapproachment with the Soviet Union, who exiled Gorbachev and are undergoing a process of "Reconstruction." Olson reportedly accepted the nomination after a nasty contract fight with NBC. Bush Sr. becomes an executive with the Houston Gamblers. Houston Oilers owner Bud Adams disappears, putting that franchise in crisis.
-Tagliabue rushes to announce NFL expansion, the goal being 30 teams by the turn-of-the century. The announced clubs are the Carolina Panthers ('94), a revived Patriots franchise (TBD), and the Montreal Machine, who will join the league in '95 and play at Stade Olympique, itself undergoing renovations thanks to a Czechoslovakian-Libyan developed process based on Roman concrete processes.
-ABC re-ups with the USFL for $600 million over three years. CBS bulks.
-The '93 USFL Season sees Ted Marchibroda lead the 6-12 Baltimore Stars on a miracle run to the USFL title. The team is led by Tracy Ham, a training camp holdout in Jacksonville, acquired for a 6th round pick.
-"Bad boy" Jeff George arrives in Chicago for the '94 season. Michigan Panther's franchise exec Anhel Cabrini signs Division I-AA standout Kurt Warner based on a series of "visions" of a "Giant Marksman with raven hair, flinging fire." The eccentric Cabrini--head of the Union who prevented the AMC-Chrysler merger--insisted Warner throw both footballs and Charmin rolls at his workout after hearing stories Kurt chucked them as a Hy-Vee stock boy. He receives a 10-year, $20 million deal, a move criticized by even Al Davis.
These hacks contain all previous edits (7 minute quarters, juice meter, etc.).
Thank you, as always, for your support.
119 downloads
Updated
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NFL Hinge Points: 80's What-Ifs
By Tombor in NFL By Year
I've been working on this USFL project for a while and in my "research"--looking through NFL transactions lists, finding stories on guys–I've also encountered a lot of intriguing "what-if" deals and signings. I thought I'd play around with these and share them here.
All of these hacks are discreet: there is no linked narrative between them.
All of these hacks are juiced, though I give a bit of slack in the early weeks–I used Buck's data, but cranked receptions up in the first 4-5 weeks.
I didn't play around with sim stats too much, but I did modify defense and offense settings and "zeroed" out receivers on rushing tendencies; I tried to tweak with playbooks and color unis. I also tried to stick as close to possible to starting rosters, but in a few cases I shifted guys around based on their final outputs for that season (e.g., Dana Brinson had more receiving yards than Joe Caravello, even though he had started more games for the '87 Chargers). I also tried to adjust KR and PRs.
Quarters are 7 minutes long.
The Hacks:
NFL '81: Dean of Pain, or Bruise Brothers 2000: Frugal conman Gene Klein finally sees the long-tail and doesn't trade Fred Dean, though they deal John Jefferson.
NFL '83: Charm City Offensive: Of all the Elway trades, the one that always got me was Dan Fouts and the Chargers 1st rounders to the Colts. All of San Diego's 1st round picks are in Baltimore except for Gary Anderson, who was USFL bound. Bill Ray Smith is an ILB; Gill Byrd is a corner. Chris Hinton protects Steve DeBerg's blindside in Denver. Elway is a scrambler in a 3 receiver setup in San Diego.
Joe Delaney also returns for the Chiefs after saving three children over the summer.
NFL '84: Goodnight Moon: Seattle matches Houston's offer and lands Warren Moon. Dave Kreig is QB2. Oliver Luck is the Oilers' QB1 with John Ransom QB2.
As this is the beginning of '84, Billy Sims is still a Lion and stacked; Curt Warner gives Moon some help, replacing Eric Lane. Miami turns a blind eye to Chuck Muncie's drug test and officially acquires him. He joins a backfield that includes David Overstreet, who survived a car wreck unscathed.
NFL ‘85: USeFL: Three USFL what-ifs: Miami manages to sign Anthony Carter instead of trading him to the Vikings; I set up the ‘85 Fish with a three receiver format, pairing the all-star with the Marks Brothers.
Ex-Breaker Buford Jordan is in Green Bay; the Pack selected him in the 3rd round of the NFL Supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players in '84. He sits ahead of Craig Ellis.
The last one is a longshot: James Lockette was a USFL all-star with the Generals in '85 and–according to contemporary reports–seemed to be the presumptive starter at right end before he suffered a knee injury. He sits on the right side of the line along with fellow ex-USFL alum Lee Williams, replacing Earl Wilson.
DA Bears Caveat: This one has hold-outs Al Harris (replacing the Fridge) and Todd Bell (replacing Dave Duerson) if you really want to get into the weeds. Contains all other edits; Bears are still strong but I dialed back their team sim data (they won the NFC Central everytime I ran sims, mostly finishing 10-6 or 11-5).
NFL '86: BO-a Constrictor: The great what-if trade of '86 with Bo Jackson to San Francisco for Wendell Tyler and Ronnie Lott. Joe Cribbs is also with the Bills, as his actual trade to the Niners occurred at the end of training camp (presumably to make up for the failure to land Bo).
As this is the beginning of the '86 season, Hugh Green of the Dolphins–who went down in week 2–is restored as a starter and Ottis Anderson is still with Big Red, and Tim Lewis is starting corner in Green Bay. Another minor USFL what-if involves New England signing Ricky Sanders as opposed to trading him; Derek Holloway takes his slot in Washington.
NFL '87: Perestrokin': The Browns, Colts, and Rams all swallow their prides and give into the demands of Chip Banks, Cornelius Bennett, and Eric Dickerson; the Raiders successfully trade for Doug Williams and Brian Bosworth's rights, giving up two picks in '88. The hand of providence leads Raymond Berry to understand Rich Gannon and his happy feet, setting him as QB1. Seahawks sign Jaws, whom they talked to in March '87.
These moves cascade through the first 17ish picks; I use Dr. Z and his '87 mock draft projections for SI as a baseline. The Browns take Rod Bernstine to backup Ozzie Newsome, San Diego takes Brent Fullwood, Green Bay selects Reggie Rogers, Jerome Brown goes to Detroit, Shawn Knight to Philly, DJ Dozier to Pittsburgh, Roger Vick to Minnesota, John Bosa to the Jets, Danny Noonan to Miami, John Clay to Dallas, and Mike Junkin to the Raiders; Big Red lands Rod Woodson, Harris Barton protects Bobby Hebert in New Orleans.
Bosa, Junkin, and Knight won't appear in this hack.
I have also purged the scabs, with the exception of Brian McClure, who remains the Bills backup and Rick Massie in Denver, who stuck on the roster for nine games; Reich didn't play at all in '87. Scabs are replaced by players who were on the final roster even though many recorded few stats at all.
NFL '89: The Art of the Modell: The Browns offer to Dallas for Herschel Walker inspired the Vikings deal; this hack restores the opening day Cowboys and Vikings rosters and places Hersch on the Browns; in a recent interview, Jimmy Johnson claimed he was offered a Cleveland player but wouldn't reveal a name, so I placed Eric Metcalf, which seems to make sense. I have also included another proposed trade: Darrell Green to the Broncos for picks and Orson Mobely; Mobely was one of three mentioned in a WaPo article from the time and seemed the likely candidate as he held out of Denver training camp.
In Darrin Nelson's slot, I brought back Husker and future World League champ Dana Brinson. His stats are a little inflates, but they still aren't very good.
NFL '90: Oh Danny Boy: The Marino trade to the Raiders with a stacked club. I couldn't find any info on the nature of the Shula-Davis talks, but it likely included first round draft picks, etc. Scott Seclues and Scott Mitchell are the Miami quarterbacks. Mitchell–praised by Shula for his size–is QB1.
Also included is a three-way deal the Oilers proposed that saw Alonzo Highsmith to the Cowboys, Jesse Solomon to the Giants, and Lawrence Taylor to the Oilers.
These two deals created a cascading effect through other rosters; I used Dr. Z's mock draft for the roster shifts. I gave Miami an extra '90 pick, which they used to select Renaldo Turnbull. Doc had the Saints taking Rodney Hampton, who comes to town. One Taylor-to-Houston scenario included two first rounders; instead of Hampton, the Giants take Eric Green (they would pick ahead of Pittsburgh) and the Steelers take Greg McMurtry. Cedric Jones is in WR3 with New England. Hampton is RB3–replacing Rueben Mays–and Lewis Tillman is RB4 on Broadway.
Alternate '90, A Cajun Cannon in the Hollywood Hills: I encountered another story about Bobby Hebert's contract fight with the Saints and according to his agent, the Raiders offered Marcus Allen and a draft pick. Allen is RB1; back in LA, Bo is RB1, Steve Smith RB2, Vance Mueller, RB4. Steve Walsh is the Saints' QB1 partly because I thought they'd probably still deal for him anyway. This hack also features many of the above trades with the exception of Ronaldo Turnbull.
As Don Majkowski's injury doesn't occur until week 10, the Majik is still here in both versions.
511 downloads
Updated
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USFL '88 Black Swan
A continuation of the series.
There are two roms--one with original logos and one with "What-If" modifications.
Follow the season at @tombor13 on Twitter (X?)
Trades
-Baltimore sends '89 11th round Open Draft pick to Washington to avoid arbitration after signing Mark Duda.
-Chicago trades 2nd round Open Draft pick, rights to Quinn Early to Michigan for Doug DuBose and 3rd round Open Draft pick.
-Houston trades two 1st round Open Draft pick, three territorial selections to Oklahoma for rights to Thurman Thomas.
-Jacksonville trades rights to Kerwin Bell to Tampa Bay for 5th and 7th round Open Draft picks and two territorial list selections in '89.
-Los Angeles trades 2nd round Open Draft pick to New Jersey for Lionel Manuel.
-Memphis trades '89 3rd round Open Draft pick to New Jersey for Ed Rubbert.
-San Antonio trades '89 1st round Open Draft pick to Chicago for Irving Fryar
-San Antonio trades '89 4th round Open Draft pick to New Jersey for Herman Fontenot.
-New Orleans trades Kyle Mackey to Washington for '89 6th round Open Draft pick.
-Washington trades '89 6th round Open Draft pick to Baltimore for rights to Mike Hinnant.
Arbitrator Rulings:
-Chicago sends '89 9th round Open Draft pick to Oakland per arbitrator ruling after signing Greg Little.
-Chicago sends '89 7th round Open Draft pick to Baltimore per arbitrator ruling after signing Jeff Smith.
-San Antonio sends '89 2nd round Open Draft pick to Oakland per arbitrator ruling after signing Reggie Camp.
-Tampa Bay sends '89 20th round Open Draft pick to Houston per arbitrator ruling after signing Mike Clendenen.
-Washington sends '89 4th round Open Draft pick to Tampa Bay per arbitrator ruling after signing Willie Lee Broughton.
-Arbitrator rules Oklahoma can trade rights to Paul Jetton--a territorial pick acquired in trade with Houston for Thurman Thomas--to San Antonio for cash. Gamblers are not compensated.
Arizona
Eric Allen
Sam Bowers (FA)
Chuck Cecil*
Darren Comeaux
Michael Haynes
George Hinkle*
Goran Lingmerth ('87 territorial pick)
Randall McDaniel
Carry over: Dan Saleaumuna
Baltimore
Azizduddin Abdur-Ra.oof
O'Brien Alston
Carlton Bailey*
Mark Duda ('83 territorial pick by Washington, rights trade for an 11th round pickin '89 Open Draft)
Ferrell Edmunds
Ralph Jarvis*
Carry over: Archie Harris
Birmingham
Scott Bolton
Aundray Bruce
Garry Frank (6th round Open Draft)
Jeff Herrod*
Nate Hill
Houston Hoover
Donny Humphrey ('84 territorial pick)
Jeff Jackson (‘84 territorial pick)
Lionel James ('84 territorial pick)
Shawn Lee*
Tony Nathan (FA)
Linnie Patrick (FA)
Ron Shegog (4th round '86 Open Draft Pick)
Zefross Moss
Danta Whitaker
Carry over: Henry Ballard
Chicago
Chris Dishman*
Doug DuBose (trade w/Michigan, '89 2nd round Open Draft pick)
Cedric Figaro
African Grant*
Jason Johnson
Joe Johnson (FA)
George Little ('85 5th round Open Draft Oakland, rights trade for 9th round pick '89)
Rod Lossow*
Tom Rehder
Jeff Smith (FA, rights trade w/Baltimore)
Chris Spielman (1st round Open Draft)
Tom Tupa (3rd round Open Draft)
Denver
Gerald Abraham*
David Archer (9th round Open Draft '84)
J.J Birden*
Brett Farynairz (9th round Open Draft)
Bobby Micho (trade w/Houston, 6th round Open Draft pick)
Tony Sargent*
David Tate*
Brian Washington (1st round Open Draft)
Carry over: Steve Bartalo, Pete Najaran
Houston
George LaFrance (FA)
Avon Riley
Thurman Thomas (rights trade w/Oklahoma)
Randy Thornton
Dwight Walker (FA)
LA
Marcus Cotton
Greg Coauette
Dave DesRouchers
Vince Evans (FA)
Mel Farr Jr.
Kani Kauahi
Lionel Manuel (trade w/New Jersey)
Al Noga (1st round Open Draft)
Ken Norton Jr.
Jacksonville
John Brantley*
Wes Chandler
Bernard Ford (rights trade w/Tampa Bay)
Jimmie Giles
Freddie Gilbert (‘84 territorial selection)
Tony Jones* (4th round Open Draft)
Nat Moore
Lars Tate
Carry over: Tracy Ham, Greg Lloyd
Michigan
Bubba Baker (FA)
Quinn Early (rights trade w/Chicago, future considerations)
Jumbo Elliott
Rickey Foggie (4th round Open Draft)
Aatron Kenney(18th round Open Draft)
Todd Krum
Jamie Morris
Rich Strenger (‘83 territorial pick)
Eric Truvillion (FA)
Memphis
Brad Beckman (4th round Open Draft)
Jeff Cross (1st round Open Draft)
Chris Gaines
Harry Galbreath
Thane Gash*
William Howard
Anthony Miller
Randall Morris (‘84 territorial selection)
Carl Parker*
Ed Rubbert (rights trade w/New Jersey for '89 3rd round Open Draft pick)
Vinson Smith (5th round Open Draft)
New Jersey
Vince Courville (FA)
Pat Davis
Paul Frase*
Darren Flutie
Ted Gregory
Gordie Lockbaum
Joe Klecko (FA)
Don McPherson
Eric Naposki
Bill Romanowski
Bernie Ruoff
Danny Walters (FA, '84 territorial selection)
Carry over: Scott Merserau
New Orleans
Eric Andolesk
Kevin Guidry
Ezra Johnson
Sammy Martin
Stacey Mobley ('87 territorial pick)
Rufus Porter*
Stan Humphries*
Bennie Thompson ('86 territorial draft)
Deatrich Wise*
Oakland
Sherman Cocroft ('84 territorial pick)
Vincent Gamanche (FA)
Ken Henry* (11th round Open Draft)
Tony Hill #47
John Robert Holland
David Lewis (‘84 territorial selection) #86
Keith McCoy* #40
Sean McNanie (‘84 territorial selection)
Mike Oliphant #7 (1st round Open Draft)
Yepi Pau'u
Mike Perez
Sean Raquet (‘84 territorial selection)
James Saxon #20
Chris Verhulst
Mike Withycombe*
Oklahoma
Lydell Carr
Donnie Dee
Erik McMillian (1st round Open Draft, via Houston)
Mike Norseth ('86 territorial pick)
Jon Phillips
Darrell Reed
Caesar Rentie
Clayton Weishuhn (FA)
Ronnie Williams
Pittsburgh
Mike Alexander
Teryl Austin* CB
Stan Clayton*
Danny Copeland (3rd round Open Draft)
Cecil Fletcher
Craig Hayward
Mike Merriweather (contract jump)
Gary Mullen ('85 territorial pick)
Brent Novolesky* (21st round Open Draft)
John Shannon (5th round Open Draft)
John Talley
San Antonio
Chet Brooks
Reggie Camp ('83 Oakland territorial pick, rights trade)
Louis Cheek
Herman Fontenot (trade w/New Jersey)
Irving Fryar (trade w/Chicago)
James Jefferson (FA, '86 territorial pick)
Paul Jetton (rights trade w/Oklahoma via Houston)
Mack Moore
Joel Porter
Ed Williams ('84 territorial pick)
Carry over: Larry Kelm, Kevin Murray
Tampa Bay
Kerwin Bell* (rights trade w/Jacksonville)
Mike Clendenen (rights trade w/Houston)
Danny McManus
Brian Blades
Mel Bratton
Corris Ervin
Jeff Feagles
John Ionata (‘86 territorial pick)
George Mira Jr.
Dave Puzzoli ('83 8th round Open Draft)
Alfredo Roberts
Danny Stubbs
Washington
Michael Brim
Greg Davis (‘87 territorial pick)
Dwayne Harper
Willie Lee Broughton (rights trade w/Tampa Bay, future considerations)
Kenny Gamble (3rd round Open Draft)
Roy Hart
Mike Hinnant (preseason trade w/Baltimore for a 6th round pick in '89)
Kyle Mackey (trade w/New Orleans)
Victor Jones
Mark Royals (FA)
*Will appear in a future hack
221 downloads
Updated
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USFL '87: The Ballad of Brian Bosworth
A continuation of my hypothetical USFL series. Narrative up soon and in pieces.
Player placement is based on collegiate territory research, polling, and some hypotheticals. Number re-arrangements for NFL vets based as closely as possible on that player's number in college. Veterans also based on researching preseason NFL transactions and contemporary trade/cut/signing rumors for a little what-if stuff.
This hack uses Buck's "Juice Helper" so it is challenging, though I also modified offensive stats--high pass control, receptions--to keep the frenzied "USFL" feel.
If you wish to vote on future player placements, follow me on Twitter (@Tombor13).
I apologize for the delay.
Enjoy.
Features:
-7 minute quarters
-Stats after every quarter
-Wedge Returns
-Directional Punting
-Graphic Tweaks, including funky end zones
-Stat Tweaks
-Sim Data Tweaks
-Offensive Formation Tweaks
-3 team, 3 Division Structure
-12 teams make playoffs (as opposed to original 8 teams)
-18 game, locked, custom schedule
-All Pro: '87 All-NFL Vs. '87 All-USFL (I had to make modifications: if an All-Pro is in the USFL, they were replaced by an all-conference or Pro Bowler)
Transactions/Roster Edits:
*New Jersey trades rights to Kelvin Martin (NFL), Scott Schwedes (signed), Steve Trapilo (signed), and '87 and '88 Open Draft 1st round picks to Oklahoma for rights to Brian Bosworth (10 years, $15 million). The '87 pick is via Chicago, completing compensation for Keith Byars signing in '86.
*Pittsburgh trades their 9th round selection to New Jersey per arbitrator ruling after the Maulers signed Joe Shield.
*Memphis trades rights to Walter Lewis and Dwight Stone to Birmingham for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks in the '88 Open Draft; one territorial selection.
*Oklahoma trades an 11th round Open Draft pick to Memphis for rights to Clyde Duncan per arbitrator ruling.
*Denver trades 16th and 18th round Open Draft picks to Houston for rights to Rick McIvor. Deal completed to avoid arbitration.
*San Antonio trades James Hadnot (cut in training camp), 5th, 8th, and 12th round picks to Washington for rights to Ethan Horton per arbitrator decision; Washington request for a 2nd round pick denied.
*Houston trades 4th round open draft pick to Washington for rights to Calvin Daniels per arbitrator decision; Washington request for a 1st round pick denied.
*Denver trades Stan Blinka to Oklahoma for a 6th round Open Draft pick in '88.
*Los Angeles trades Darrell Patillo to Baltimore for a 5th round Open Draft pick in '88.
*San Antonio trades 13th round '88 Open Draft pick to Los Angeles for rights to Gary Moten.
Roster Additions:
Arizona
David Adams*
Jon Horton
Danny Lockett
Dan Saleaumuna*
Jeff Van Raaphorst
Darren Willis
Baltimore
Alvin Blount
Michael Clemons (2nd round Open Draft)
Chuck Faucette
Rich Gannon
Birmingham
Tommie Agee
Howard Ballard*
Cornelius Bennett
Lewis Colbert
Keith McKeller
Freddie Robinson #10
Mike Shula*
Dwight Stone (4th round Open Draft)
Chicago
John Carney
Curtis Duncan
Les Miller* (3rd round Open Draft)
Todd Peat*
Ray Wallace
Frank Winters
Denver
Steve Alvord
Steve Bartalo*
Tyrone Braxton
Jeff Criswell (17th round Open Draft)
Jon Embree
Merrill Hoge
Lakei Heimuli
Frankie Neal (1st round Open Draft)
Pete Najarian* (11th round Open Draft)
Ed Simmons (2nd round Open Draft)
Al Smith
Kevin Willhite (19th round Open Draft)
Houston
Jerry Ball
Ray Berry
Thomas Everett
Donald Narcisse
Derrick Macadoo
Matt Stevens (9th round Open Draft)
Jacksonville
Tracy Ham*
Kirby Jackson (2nd round Open Draft)
Greg Lloyd*
Ricky Nattiel
Jesse Tuggle
LA
Rick Finney (5th round Open Draft)
Charles Lockett
Tim McDonald
Christian Okoye
Memphis
Tony Burse
Jimmy Clinkscales
Enis Jackson*
Wayne Haddix* (17th round Open Draft)
Tony Robinson
Elbert Shelley*
Daryle Smtih*
Theo Young*
Michigan
Doug DuBose (22nd round Open Draft)
New Jersey
Walter Briggs*
Brian Bosworth (rights trade w/Oklahoma)
Cris Carter
Scott Merserau*
Ed Rubbert* (8th round Open Draft)
Tyronne Stowe*
Harry Swayne
New Orleans
Milton Barney
Joe Caravello
Mark Carrier
Willie Fears
Patrick Scott*
Ronald Scott
Henry Thomas
Oakland
Toi Cook
David Diaz-Infante
Kevin Gogan
Lorenzo Lynch*
Hardy Nickerson
Gene Taylor
Oklahoma
John Clay (1st round Open Draft via NJ) ('87 Raiders)
Tim Gordon*
Andrew Jackson (15th round Open Draft)
Robert Mimbs*
Scott Schwedes (New Jersey rights, Boz trade)
Derrick Shepard
Steve Trapilo (New Jersey rights, Boz trade)
Pittsburgh
Tom Brown
Cornell Burbage (3rd round Open Draft)
Mitch Frerotte
Ray Isom
Mancia Massimo
John Settle (2nd round Open Draft)
San Antonio
Ron Bernstine
David Caldwell (rights trade w/Houston, future considerations)
Sammy Garza
Larry Kelm*
Kevin Murray* (signed post NFL Draft)
Eugene Seale
Tampa Bay
Eddie Hunter (10th round Open Draft pick)
Dan Sileo
Jeff Zimmerman (rights trade w/Jacksonville, future considerations)
Washington
James Brim
Robert Clark*
Kenny Flowers
Don Majkowski
Mike Junkin
USFL Transactions Free Agency/Trades/Listing Acquisition
Arizona
Kim Bokemper
Trent Bryant
Earl Cooper
John Harris
Howard Richards
Baltimore
Stefon Adams ('85 territorial pick)
Tyrone Anthony ('84 territorial pick)
Marvin Harvey
David Martin
Mike McCloskey (‘83 territorial pick)
Darrell Pattillo (trade w/LA for 5th round '88 Open Draft pick)
Birmingham
John Fourcade
Walter Lewis (trade w/Memphis for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round '88 Open Draft picks)
Junior Miller
Virgil Seay
Ken Woodard
Chicago
Owen Gill ('85 territorial pick)
Gary Ellerson ('86 territorial pick)
Mel Jenkins
Denver
Rick McIvor
Houston
Rodney Bellinger
George Cumby
Calvin Daniels
Marvin Powell
Al Richardson
Adam Schriber (‘84 territorial pick)
Jason Stauvosky (rights swap w/Oklahoma, future considerations)
Jacksonville
Charles Alexander #4 ('83 Bengals)
Bobby Duckworth
Mike Rozier
Turk Schonert
LA
Keith Browner ('84 territorial pick)
Steve Busick
Craig Ellis
Paul McDonald #16
Timmie Ware #19 ('85 territorial pick)
Memphis
Jimmy Colquitt
Allama Matthews
Calvin Muhammad
Brad White
Van Williams
Michigan
Doug Marsh
Eugene Marve
Rick Massie
Joe Morris
Butch Wolfork
New Jersey
Paul Coffman
Joe Dufek
Garcia Lane
Jeff Rohrer
Mike Siano (‘86 territorial pick)
New Orleans
Jerry Gordon
Kyle Mackey
Oakland
Clyde Glover ('84 territorial pick)
Alvin Hall
Earnest Jackson ('83 9th round Open Draft pick)
Clint Sampson
Byron Smith ('84 territorial pick)
Ted Watts
Jim Zorn
Oklahoma
Stan Blinka
Gordon Brown ('86 territorial pick)
Clyde Duncan
Pittsburgh
Dennis Fowlkes
Ralph Giacomarro
Bernard Henry
Joe Shield
Larry Station (rights trade w/Chicago, future considerations)
San Antonio
Paul Allegre
Keith Baldwin
Pat Franklin (‘86 territorial pick)
Ethan Horton
Lam Jones
Gary Moten
James Noble ('86 territorial pick)
Buzz Sawyer ('85 territorial pick)
Tampa Bay
Greg Allen ('85 territorial pick)
Chip Banks
Harvey Clayton ('83 territorial pick)
Jackie Flowers
Kevin Ingram
Florian Kempf
Dexter Manley
Jim Miller
Bob Niziolinek
Joel Williams
Washington
Charles Bowser
Lynn Dickey
Jeff Hayes
Dan Banish (‘83 territorial pick)
Reggie Pleasant ('85 territorial pick)
*USFL '88 or future hack
244 downloads
Submitted
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USFL '86: Shadow Market
A continuation of my hypothetical USFL series. Narrative up soon.
Features:
-7 minute quarters
-Stats after every quarter
-Wedge Returns
-Directional Punting
-Graphic Tweaks, including funky end zones
-Stat Tweaks
-Sim Data Tweaks
-Offensive Formation Tweaks
-3 team, 3 Division Structure
-12 teams make playoffs (as opposed to original 8 teams)
-18 game, locked, custom schedule
-All Pro: '86 All-NFL Vs. '86 All-USFL (I had to make modifications: Dennis Gentry, Bobby Joe Edmonds, and Tim McGee all made ALL-NFL as Special Teams Players; some other modifications based on ALL-AFC or ALL-NFC)
Player allocation was based on a mix of the 1986 territorial and Open Drafts, narrative flourishes, and '85 NFL final cuts. In terms of NFL player cuts: I placed players based on their USFL draft status or regional proximity of their college or through research.
'86 territorial rights/Open Draft
Arizona
Phil Freeman
Greg Baty (rights trade w/Oakland)
Paul Godbey*
Max Zandejas
Baltimore
Rich Badanjack
Todd Bowles
Tim Cofield
Stan Gelbaugh
J.D. Maarveld
John Taylor
Birmingham
Jesse Bendross (‘84 territorial pick)
Carl Byrum
Harold Hallman
Willie Totten
Chicago
Cap Boso
Keith Byars
Jim Everett
Bobby Howard
Devon Mitchell*
Denver
Mike Busch
Rick Donnelly
Dwayne Jiles
Glen Kozlowski
Vai Sikahema
Eric Yarber
Houston
Floyd Dixon
Rory Graves (rights acquired in Weddington "liquidation" trade w/New Jersey)
Brett Maxie*
John Teltshick
Reyna Thompson
Jacksonville
Eddie Anderson*
Kent Austin (rights trade w/Birmingham, future considerations)
Ray Criswell
Alonzo Johnson (rights trade w/Tampa Bay for Alonzo Mitz)
Pat Swilling ('86 or '87 Saints)
LA
Joe Cormier
John Lee
Erik Howard (completes '85 trade w/Oakland for rights to Damon Allen)
Robert Jenkins*
Allen Pitts
James Pruitt
Memphis
Tony Baker
Brian Blankenship ('86 open draft pick)
Ravin Caldwell
Don Griffin*
Enis Jackson*
Tim Harris
Michigan
Brad Cochran
John Offerdahl
Butch Rolle
John Wojciechowski
New Jersey
Gill Fenerty (3rd round open draft selection, pick acquired in Sam Bowers trade)
Tim Green
Mark Jackson (2nd round open draft pick)
John Tagliaferri
New Orleans
Willie Gillus (15th round open draft pick)
Dalton Hilliard
Tank Landry
Ronald Scott*
Jackie Walker
Oakland
Joe Kelly
Rueben Mayes
Junior Tautalatasi
Oklahoma
Tony Casillas
Charles Crawford
Rusty Hilger
Kevin Murphy
Willie Pless
Pittsburgh
Chuck Banks
Doug Marrone (4th round open draft pick)
Mike Zordich*
San Antonio
Domingo Bryant
Matt Darwin
Seth Joyner
Larry Linne*
Walter Murray (2nd round Open Draft)
Anthony Toney
Tampa Bay
Jamie Dukes*
Joe Dudek
Hassan Jones
Alonzo Mitz (Jacksonville territorial pick, signed after cut)
Orson Mobely
Ricky Moore (rights acquired in trade w/Birmingham)
Jesse Solomon
Washington
Dino Hackett
Mike Haight (1st round Open Draft)
Napoleon McCallum (rights acquired in trade w/Baltimore for Curtis Bledsoe)
Henry Walls*
*Will appear in future USFL Hack
Transactions
Arizona
Andre Francis (‘83 territorial pick)
Al Harris ('84 Bears)
Jim Kovach ('83 or '84 Saints)
Odis McKinney (‘81 Raiders)
Art Still ('86 Chiefs)
Eric Truvillion ('87 Lions)
Baltimore
Curtis Bledsoe (trade w/Washington for rights to Mark Kelso and Napoleon McCallum)
James Burroughs
Clarence Collins
Dave Dreschler ('83 territorial pick)
Major Everett
Cornell Gowdy
Birmingham
Robert Brazile
Jeremiah Castille ('83 territorial pick)
Bob Harris (‘83 territorial pick)
Mike Landrum ('84 Falcons)
Malcolm Scott ('83 Giants or '87 Saints)
Chicago
Tron Armstrong ('84 3rd round open draft selection)
Todd Bell
Tom Cousineau
Ted Petersen
Gerald Small
Bob Thomas
Denver
Hasson Arbubakrr
Wendell Cason ('85 22nd round open draft pick via Jacksonville, acquired in Hemphill/Turner trade)
Chris Kołodziejski (‘84 territorial pick)
Larry Mason (trade w/Jacksonville for Daryl Hemphill, Calvin Turner, incul. cash, draft picks)
Todd Shell
Byron Williams
Houston
Danny Knight
Bobby Micho ('84 territorial pick)
Allen Rice ('84 territorial pick)
Jimmy Teal ('85 territorial pick)
Mike Weddington (trade w/New Jersey for Kiki DeAyala, Ricky Sanders, and Hosea Taylor)
Mike Whitwell
Jacksonville
Carl Aikens (part of Evans trade)
Vince Evans (trade w/Chicago for '88 and '89 1st round open draft picks and Carl Aikens)
Daryl Hemphill (trade w/Denver for Larry Mason, 2nd and 14th open round picks)
Ken Jenkins ('85 Skins, check '82 Lions)
Frank Middleton ('83 territorial pick by Tampa Bay, rights acquired in trade)
Mike Pruitt
Larry Swider
Calvin Turner (part of Hemphill trade)
LA
Mark Bortz ('83 6th round open draft pick)
Michael Harper ('84 territorial pick)
John Hendy ('85 territorial pick)
Bernard Quarles ('83 22nd round open draft pick)
Kelly Thomas (‘83 territorial pick)
Memphis
Sam Bowers (trade w/New Jersey for '86 3rd round open pick (Gill Fenerty), '87 5th round open pick)
Earnest Gray
Eddie Hill
Gary Hogeboom
Michigan
Ross Browner
Bill Elko (rights acquired in trade w/Tampa Bay)
Ron Springs
Lawrence Ricks ('83 Territorial pick)
New Jersey
Kiki DeAyala
Chas Fox ('85 6th round open draft pick)
Russell Erxleben
Kris Haines
Beasley Reece
Tommy Robison
Jay Saldi
Ricky Sanders
Hosea Taylor (trade w/Houston for Mike Weddington, Danny Knight, rights to Rory Graves, and '87 territorial pick)
Richard Todd
Reggie Wilkes
New Orleans
Perry Brooks
Hokie Gajan
Gary Kowalski
Todd Leibenstein
Herkie Walls
Oakland
Cliff Benson ('85 1st round open draft pick)
Greg Braclin
Henry Ellard
Neil Elshire
Emilie Harry ('85 territorial pick)
Jackie Flowers
Mike Lush (trade w/Baltimore for 2nd and 3rd round open draft picks '87)
Mike Moroski
Vince Newsome
Dwaine Wilson
Oklahoma
Theotis Brown
Duane Galloway
Louis Oubre
Stump Mitchell
Drew Pearson
Willie Tullis
Uwe Von Schumann
Pittsburgh
Less Browne
Julius Dawkins
Scott Fitzkee
Guy Fraizer
Tom Orosz
Don Smith
Leo Wisniewski
Dirt Winston
San Antonio
Greg Bingham
Bruce Davis ('85 territorial pick)
Doug Dawson ('84 territorial pick)
George Farmer
Paul Johns
Ronnie Paggett (trade w/Birmingham for 9th and 14th round '87 open picks)
Tampa Bay
Ray Alexander
Warren Bryant
Alphonso Carraker ("trade" w/Green Bay for Mike Butler)
Putt Choate
Speedy Neal
Marcus Quinn (trade w/Oakland)
Washington
K.D. Dunn ('85 territorial pick)
Kelvin Edwards*
Bubba Green
Homer Jordan ('83 territorial pick)
Mark Kelso ('85 6th round open pick by Baltimore, rights trade as part of Bledsoe deal)
William Perry ('85 territorial pick)
R.C. Thielemann
Tommy Vigorito
308 downloads
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USFL '85: Nasty War
'USFL '85: Nasty War
A continuation of my USFL Project, this is a "hypothetical" season that features all 18 clubs from '84, with some modifications to rosters.
Features:
-7 minute quarters
-Stats after every quarter
-Wedge Returns
-Directional Punting
-Formation Experimentations
-Graphic Tweaks, including funky end zones (watching USFL games I came to admire how bad the end zones often looked)
-Stat Tweaks
-Sim Data Tweaks
-Offensive Formation Tweaks
-3 team, 3 Division Structure
-12 teams make playoffs (as opposed to original 8 teams)
-18 game, locked, '85 schedule
-All Pro: '85 All-NFL Vs. '85 All-USFL in Vanilla (Gerald Riggs replaces Eric Dickerson on NFL All-Pros)
Notes:
-As the four clubs that folded/merged are returning, '85 territorial lists returned to their general '84 designations, and new players were redistributed. The imagined '85 rosters of the Blitz, Maulers, Outlaws, and Panthers generally resemble their '84 assemblies, though I did take liberties and retained players. This meant the surviving clubs had to be reworked. I tried to keep these "realistic" by filling gaps with actual territorial selections or by doing research into near-miss signings. Dickerson, for instance, did consider an offer from the Wranglers in '83 and used the league as leverage for negotiations in '85.
-These rosters are continued from my reimagined '84 roster. If you want accuracy, an NFL and USFL '85 hack by Buck on TBorg has real-life rosters and some cool graphics.
The schedule is an adaptation of the original '84--I flipped interdivisional and conference hosts, but they are the same "pattern"; I did shuffle the weeks around to avoid the same schedule. If I can get to an '86, maybe I can make one that swaps inter-conference and inter-divisional matchups.
Territorial and Open Draft Picks
*Year denotes their territorial selection; unmarked players were territorial or Open Draft selections in ‘85 unless noted.
Arizona
Ron Brown ('84)
Randall Cunningham
Rickey Hunley ('84)
Vernon Maxwell ('83)
Rick Mallory ('84)
Pete Mandley (‘84)
Rich Moran
Vance Johnson
Lionel Vital
Baltimore
Troy Benson ('85 Maulers territorial pick, traded for Mike Johnson, imagined)
Birmingham
Al Del Greco
Kevin Greene
Paul Ott Carruth
Emmanuel King
Freddie Joe Nunn
Jerry Rice
Chicago
Carl Aikens ('84)
Dwight Beverly ('84)
Bobby Bell Jr. ('84)
Mitchell Brookins ('84)
Mike Burgereau (‘84)
Jeff Dellenbach
Babe Laufenberg ('83)
Alex Moyer
Ken Stills
Stacey Toran ('84)
Al Toon
Dan Turk
Denver
Joe Walter
Rich Miano
Jacksonville
Frank Bush
Damian Johnson*
Robert Lavette
A.V. Richards*
Gary Wilkins
Houston
Ray Childress
Jeff Fuller (‘84)
Raphel Cherry
Los Angeles
Duane Bickett
Memphis
Tiger Greene
Herman Hunter
Fuad Reviz
Chris Scott ('84)
Gizmo Williams
Carl Zander
Michigan
Carl Banks ('84)
Mike Green ('83)
Ali Haji-Sheikh (‘83)
Paul Skansi ('83)
Steve Smith ('84)
Daryl Turner ('84)
Lonnie Young
New Jersey
Steve DeOssie
Lionel Emmanuel ('84 LA territorial pick, imagined trade w/LA)
Herman Fontenot
Doug Flutie
Eugene Robinson
New Orleans
Bud Brown
Dino Hall
Calvin Magee*
Eric Martin
Lance Smith
Elton Veals ('84)
Oakland
Damon Allen (imagined rights trade w/LA)
Bo Eason ('84)
Damone Johnson
Reggie Langhorne
Tom Neville
Ron Rivera (‘84)
Tom Toth
Dokie Williams (‘83)
Oklahoma
Tom Benson ('84)
Scott Case ('84)
John Goode ('84)
Jamie Harris
Rodney Harding
Shawn Jones
Kevin Murphy
Terry Orr (imagined rights trade w/San Antonio)
Pittsburgh
Dwight Collins ('84)
Chris Doleman
Willie Drewery
Tom Flynn ('84)
Bill Fralic
John Frank ('84)
Mike Johnson ('84 territorial pick, signed w/Baltimore, imagined trade w/Baltimore for rights to Troy Benson)
Tony Paige ('84)
Doug Strang
Ron Wolfley
San Antonio
Danny Bradley (imagined rights trade w/Oklahoma for Terry Orr, though an actual territorial selection in ‘85)
Alan Veingrad
Tampa Bay
Eddie Brown
Steve Calabria (NJ territorial pick, imagined traded to Bandits though Jim Bassett claimed to sign him in '85)
Washington
George Adams
Louis Cooper
Mike Golic
Willie Joyner ('84)
Lester Lyles
Bob Olderman
Andre Reed
Chris Washington ('84)
Free Agency/Veteran Transactions/Returning from ‘84 What-If Hack
Arizona
Eric Dickerson
Ronnie Lott (1-year deal offered during hold-out)
Chicago
Irving Fryar
Walter Payton
Denver
John Grimsley
Prince McJunkins
Houston
Billy Sims
Jacksonville
Deron Cherry (imagined)
Brian Sipe (trade w/New Jersey for draft pick)
LA
Reggie Brown (played '83, appeared in one game in '84, stays w/LA for '85, imagined)
Michigan
Anthony Allen (trade w/LA before club folded)
New Jersey
Mark May (imagined but offered)
Randy White (imagined but offered)
New Orleans
EJ Junior
Johnny Meads
Alan Risher (trade w/Arizona, imagined)
Oklahoma
Greg Kragen
Darrol Ray (nearly signed for '85 back in '83)
J.C. Watts (expressed interest, rights held by NJ)
Pittsburgh
Jeff Hostetler (offered in '84)
Russ Grimm (offered in '84)
San Antonio
Earl Campbell (offered in '83)
Tampa Bay
Cris Collinsworth (signed to start playing in '85)
Wilber Marshall
Washington
Boomer Esaison
*Will appear in a future USFL Hack
372 downloads
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USFL '84: Kings of Spring
USFL '84: Kings of Spring
Features:
-7 minute quarters
-Stats after every quarter
-Wedge Returns
-Directional Punting
-Run and Shoot formation for Houston
-What If Players
-'84 Rosters as close as possible (there were a lot of midseason trades, so I tried to place players on rosters where they made more appearances)
-New Orleans Breakers
-Graphic Tweaks, including funky end zones (watching USFL games I came to admire how bad the end zones often looked)
-Stat Tweaks
-3 team, 3 Division Structure
-12 teams make playoffs (as opposed to original 8 teams)
-18 game, locked, '84 schedule
-All Pro: '84 All-NFL Vs. '84 All-USFL in Vanilla (slightly modified in What If--All-AFC Freeman McNeil replaces Payton)
Built off the legendary USFL-WLAF hack by jstout and Denny, this rom features the '84 USFL teams, schedule, and rosters, along with a few wrinkles.
This rom was tricky as I am still new to this. I looked to TheRaja's TFO rom for some structure. Clubs are split into three, 3-team divisions. The schedule is '84's, so clubs still have the same division matchups. I tried to order games as close as possible to their original times and distributions, as USFL clubs played Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday every week. This still got a little murky in the middle, but all schedules are as accurate as possible.
This rom maintains TSB's playoff structure as well--six get in from each conference as opposed to the original 4, but, honestly, I wondered why the league didn't go with 6 just from a marketing standpoint. You got a new league with new teams, why not show them all off, a la the NHL? Once I get better at this stuff, I will edit down to a 4 team playoff.
Jstout's and Denny's hack was invaluable--they did the art and logos. I did make some light edits to the helmets and logos--several clubs had "triple stripe" helmets, so I shifted them to the "40" code designation, with the exception of the Maulers, whose logo is placed in the Rams making that too difficult. I changed the Feds' big helmet to reflect the switch to silver in '84 and I edited the Blitz's and Star's logos just a little bit. I also took a crack at the midfield and end zone graphics.
Special thanks to USFLFan (@VUSFL2018 on Twitter) for providing invaluable knowledge on the what-if roster changes. Reading about some of the league's near-miss signings inspired me to take this on; @VUSFL2018's Virtual USFL project provided a great guide and framework.
There are two versions of this rom:
Vanilla--the more I experimented with rosters, the more I realized I needed some balance. Vanilla has more accurate rosters.
What If Edit--this is the counterfactual version, a little harder (not super juiced, but all clubs start 2-0 in terms of difficulty). This includes the "What If" Rosters.
Note non-TSB players: as this is an edit, and if you are playing TSB for the first time, this rom lacks the 2-point conversion implemented in USFL. Also, no touchbacks on kick-offs.
The Read Me includes a partial narrative and explains roster placements.
968 downloads
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Tecmo Grey Cup 2020: Lost Season
By Tombor in NFL By Year
I updated the 2020 rosters as best as possible back in the fall, in order to play the 2020 CFL season even though we lost it. Updated rosters as best I could, changed the Esks name to "Empire."
283 downloads
Submitted
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The Age of Vinny and the End of History: NFL '88, HOT WAR
By Tombor in NFL By Year
'88, Hot War
A continuation of the Age of Vinny narrative and hacks. The Narrative is available in the read-me.
Labor issues have been resolved partially through a "Plan B" system in the face of pressure from a reconstituted USFL and, potentially, a new league in the Soviet Union as their "reconstruction" barrels down on U.S. Hegemony. The Cardinals have survived a relocation bid to Phoenix, after St. Louis' revolutionary council exerts control, making the club a public utility, possibly tying them to the plastic and concrete surface of Busch Stadium forever. Dan Fouts and Walter Payton, through new medical techniques, come out of brief retirements to chase that ring with San Fran and Chicago. Can the Browns three-peat? Can Vinny and Eric Dickerson breakthrough? Can Doug Williams deliver for the Raiders? Neil Lomax for Big Red?
Hacks are built on roms in 1970-1994 pack and USFL-WAFL hack.
Features:
*7 minute quarters
*Wedge Formation on Kick Returns
*Locked schedule
*Stats after every quarter
*2nd uniform edits
*More USFL Players
*1988 Re-draft
*Fouts signs with 49ers; Payton signs with Saints, other additions, both imagined and "what if?" (check out the narrative)
*Back in the league: Gabriel Rivera
*Back from the dead: Joe Delaney, David Overstreet
*Saved States for .fcs based on narrative season
*Results from narrative season (file is huge! watch out)
1988 NFL Draft
-Raiders get Rams and Niners picks (3)
-Rams get Colts pick
-Buffalo and Seattle will select in first round
-Bears get Washington pick (2)
Detroit (1-15) Neil Smith
Cincinnati (3-13) Thurman Thomas
Buffalo (3-12-1) Ken Norton Jr.
Atlanta (4-12) Randall McDaniel
Kansas City (4-12) Bennie Blades
Giants (6-10) John Gruber
New England (6-10) Craig Hayward
Pittsburgh (6-10) Aundray Bruce
Dallas (6-10) Brian Blades
Green Bay (6-10) Sterling Sharpe
San Diego (7-9) Anthony Miller
Washington (7-9) (Wilber Marshall) → Chicago Tim Brown
Rams (7-9) (Everett trade in '85, Sean Jones to Houston) → Raiders --> Michael Irvin
Chicago (7-9) John Stephenson
Philadelphia (9-7) Keith Jackson
Jets (9-7) Ken Harvey
Denver (9-7) Chuck Cecil
San Francisco (9-7) → Raiders --> Terry McDaniel (Dokie Williams, bunch of picks)
Seattle (10-6) Rufus Porter
Houston (10-6) Jeff Cross
Indianapolis (10-5-1) → Rams Eric Allen
Miami (10-6) Trade → Detroit --> Ricky Dixon (Eric Williams and 3rd Rounder in '88, 7th and 9th rounder '89)
Minnesota (11-5) Jumbo Elliot
New Orleans (11-5) John Hasty
Tampa Bay (12-4) Dermonti Dawson
Cleveland (13-3) Bill Romanowski
Raiders (13-3) Scott Davis
St. Louis (14-2) Chris Spielman
2nd rounders of note (Running Back roulette)
Tampa -- Pierce Holt
Houston -- Icky Woods
Buffalo -- Lorenzo White
Kansas City -- Brad Muster
Giants -- Gaston Green
Seattle -- Wendall Davis
Pittsburgh -- Jarvis Williams
3rd round
Giants -- Eric Moore
Cleveland -- William Dean Perry
Miami -- Eric Kumerow (from Lions)
4th round
Cincinnati -- Tom Tupa
5th round
Houston -- Chris Dishman
Rams -- Lars Tate
New England -- Chris Chandler
7th round
Rams -- Aaron Cox (never signs, USFL)
(Some draft picks may not be in this particular hack)
I have a blog with narrative chunks up (http://ageofvinny.blogspot.com), though it has been very difficult finding time to throw narrative pieces up. They are all here, though, in the read.me. Twitter: @Tombor13 to follow along for week by week results.
302 downloads
Submitted
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Tombor's Tecmo Theatre: '87, The Age of Vinny and the End of History
By Tombor in NFL By Year
Continuing from '86, this '87 rom hack is more robust and establishes a larger project narrative, an alternate history I hope to continue.
'87 Redraft:*
Colts (2-14) Vinny Testaverde Oilers (2-14) Cornelius Bennett Cowboys (3-13) Brian Bosworth Packers (4-12) Alonzo Highsmith Eagles (5-11) Jerome Brown Niners from (Chiefs (5-11) Christian Okoye Patriots (6-10) Bruce Armstrong Bucs (6-10) Greg Lloyd Bills (7-9) Shane Conlan Raiders (7-9) Hardy Nickerson Saints (7-9) Shane Knight Vikings (8-8) Brent Fullwood Seahawks (8-8) Tyrone Braxton Lions (8-8) Jerry Ball Broncos (8-8) Ricky Nattiel Bears (8-8) Steve Beuerlein Chiefs (5-11 from Niners (8-7-1) + Joe Cribbs) Harris Barton Browns (15-1) Rod Woodson Steelers (10-6) Jason Bosa Falcons (10-6) Jim Harbaugh Giants (10-6) Mark Ingram Bengals (10-6) Danny Noonan Oilers (from Rams (10-6) dating back to ’85 Jim Everett trade) Haywood Jeffries Jets (11-5) DJ Dozier Redskins (11-5) Tony Woods Dolphins (12-4) Thomas Everett Cardinals (12-3-1) Tim McDonald Chargers (10-6) Ed Simmons (from Browns + Chip Banks)
Features:
-Based on 1987 full season hack
-Custom edits following progression of NFL’ 86: Lost USFLers rom season, including hypothetical trades (some based on real “what if?” moves*, others based on experiment),
-1st round redraft based on narrative and other sources (see read me)
-Inclusion of notably absent rookies (Cris Carter, Alonzo Highsmith, Greg Lloyd, Hardy Nickerson, Jim Harbaugh, Haywood Jeffries, Tommie Agee, Jessie Tuggle, and more)
-Restored players cut in favor of replacement players from ‘87 in some cases.
-added more exceptional USFL players (Ernest Anderson, Putt Choate, Chuck Clanton, John Corker, Kiki DeAyala, Greg Fields, Jackie Flowers, Pat Phenix, Mark Keel, Ken Lacy, Bruce Thornton, Marcus Marek, and others) often replacing scabs not on final ‘87 rosters or filling in gaps from first round redraft.
-Back from the dead: Joe Delaney and David Overstreet return to the league after sojourns in the USFL and CFL
-7 minute quarters
-Stats after every quarter
-Wedge formation on kickoffs
-2nd Uniform edits (feel free to provide suggestions):
1. Orange jersey blue helmets and pants for Bears (sort of look like Broncos but a darker shade)
2. gold jersey/red pants for Chiefs
3. Chargers get yellow helmet and gold pants
4. Yellow helmet and pants, red jerseys for Washington
5. Carolina blue-ish for Cardinals
6. Red helmets and black jerseys for Falcons (resembles ‘66 uniforms)
7. Second uni double-greens, double-purples, and double-blues for Jets, Vikings, and Giants (experiment)
8. Silver pants/helmets and green jerseys for Eagles (closer approximation to the uni from this era—the pants were the thing).
9. Light Red/pink helmet and pants, blue jersey 1st for Bills
Included in this file:
-’87 Age of Vinny Rom
-Save State for up to Week 15 of ’86 (Rom available on Tecmobowl.org)
-Save State for up to end of regular season of ‘86 (.fcs)
-Save State for very end of '86 season (.fcs)
-Save State for ’87 with “locked”-in schedule (schedule shouldn’t randomize) (.fcs)
*Agee and Lloyd both missed their rookie seasons due to injury, but not in this timeline--they are a little beefed up as their stats are based on '89 and '90, but that should even out in further rom edits (the computer rarely plays Agee anyway, unless Warner gets injured--he's good, but not great either so I have not seen any game imbalance). Collins, Knight, Woods, McDonald, and Braxton do not appear in this rom (Braxton and will appear in '88, filling in for the retired Kenny Easley, McDonald will in for Leonard Smith, and Woods will fill in for Butz, who has been "retired" from this rom in favor of Matt Millen; for details, check out the read me).
**Doug Williams to the Raiders in '87 nearly happened, but Gibbs kiboshed because he felt he needed a veteran back-up for Schroeder; the Dickerson trade happens but under different contexts.
222 downloads
Submitted
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Tombor's Tecmo Theatre: '86, Lost USFLers
By Tombor in NFL By Year
This rom is a mild edit of the already fantastic 1986 season already available in the 1970-1994 pack. The '86 season is often forgotten for seeing another influx of standout USFL quarterbacks and stars into the league. This rom hopes to do two things: rectify the loss of a few standout USFL players due to TSB's technical limitations, while also providing a sort of "what if?" if these players saw more action.
Best to play this rom thinking the Dolphins win Super Bowl XX in this timeline (a 34-24 win against the Bears), and that a young, charismatic minor Communist Party official named Vasiliy Morenov has successfully emerged as General Secretary after a power struggle between the old Stalinists still hanging on and more scattershot liberalizers like Gorbachev, who was last seen organizing the new embassy in Benin.
Player stats were sourced from the excellent USFL-WLAF Rom and USFL-NFL Rom. Flutie's stats come from the 1988 season rom. All edits made in TSBTool (.091)
Player additions/changes (realistic)
Doug Flutie is the starting qb for the Bears--The Rams held Flutie's NFL rights but the Bears would trade for Flutie in October 86 after Jim McMahon's injury. Flutie started four games. He replaces Mike Tomzack here; this rom hypothesizes how would it play out if he was on the team the whole season (I am playing through 86 and they are 5-7).
Chuck Fusina is a backup qb for the Packers--The two USFL champion quarterback was a third-stringer for Packers in 86, making a few appearances. He is a solid quarterback and had a little left in the tank. Vince Ferragamo, after riding on the NFL hog for one good season, has retired to make his sickly sweet white wines.
Reggie Collier is a backup qb for the Cowboys--Collier was one of a few USFL quarterbacks (Walter Lewis, who is included in this rom as well) who displayed the archetypal qualities of recent qbs--he was mobile with a good arm. The Cowboys had selected him in 83 and signed him after the USFL folded with the idea of developing him into a project qb. He made just 4 appearances, including one start. It could be really fun grouping Collier with Walker and Dorsett. Steve Pelluer is erased from history; Collier is a backup to Danny White, who got the Cowboys off to a 6-2 start before suffering a season ending injury. Collier throws like Steve Young.
Marcus Dupree is the #4 back for the Rams--The Rams held Dupree's rights in 1986, even after his devastating knee injury in week 1 of the 85 USFL season. Dupree here is more in his prime, and is slotted into the #4 slot. He is a really good kick returner and makes a formidable backfield with Dickerson.
Player Changes/Edits (Speculative)
Walter Lewis is the backup qb for the Falcons--Walter Lewis never played in the NFL after his USFL career with the Showboats (he spent '86 as a backup with Montreal of the CFL), but he was a more successful Collier in the Small Potato league and pretty fun. He is also wreckless--in a game against the Niners, I threw for 278 yards, 3 tds, but I also was intercepted by Ronnie Lott 5 times. He kind of plays like Steve Young but he seems faster than either of them. I put him on the Falcons due to geographic proximity (he played at Alabama in college) and their three receiver setup. Gerald Riggs was also a great multi-tooled running back that could gel with him. Backs up David Archer.
Brian Sipe is the backup qb for the Raiders--Frustrated by Marc Wilson's erratic play, and with Plunket injured in a week 4 loss to the Chargers, Davis brings in the 37 year old former NFL MVP and Generals and Bulls star; Sipe never suffers the career-ending injury that knocked him out of the 85 USFL season. The Raiders sort of meander through 86, with Davis eyeing a possible move up the draft to get Vinny Testeverde. That he passed on Marino in 83 still haunts him.
One non-USFL themed edit:
Hugh Green is on the active roster of the 86 Dolphins--The Dolphin's best Linebracker through the late 80s and early 90s suffered a knee injury in week 2 of the 86 season (a 51-45 OT loss to the Jets). Because of his early move to the IR, the original 86 season rom does not include him. Green is restored with his excellent 85 stats. Got to defend that ring.
ROM Edits:
I have added two edits via the Forum and TSBTool here:
*7 minute quarters. This seems to alleviate, at least a little, the ramped-up difficulty that occurs late in the season and into the playoffs.
*Stat Screen after every quarter.
As a life-long Cleveland Browns fan, 86 is a bittersweet season as well; I was 5 when it happened, so I don't have a great memory of it, but I have been constantly reminded of The Drive. I highly recommend watching the Divisional Playoff against the Jets. It is on YouTube and it is fun as hell.
[The creative elements in here--the Dolphins winning the SB in 85--are based on my play through of the 85 season with the two Rom Edits. I have lost the file, but if I recover it I will try to include it in an update. Some interesting details from memory that informed this hack:
-The Bears finish 14-2, with both losses by a total margin of 2 points--a 20-19 loss to the Lions in Week 10 and a 22-21 loss to the Falcons in Week 13.
-The Falcons and Jets both miss the playoffs due to massive late season meltdowns. Both clubs are 9-5 headed into Week 15, and both clubs would lose their final two games. The Jets are hammered by the two best defenses in the league: the lost to the Bears 19-7 in Week 15 and the Browns 34-14.
The Falcons losses are more painful as both come in overtime: 30-27 to the Vikings in Week 15, 27-24 to the 2-14 Saints in Week 16.
-The Chargers, Patriots, and Vikings all win their final 4 games to clinch spots on Week 16, each finishing 9-7, 9-7, and 10-6 respectively.
-The Niners have the worse season ever for a reigning champ, going 5-10-1.
-The Chargers score 513 points, the most ever for an NFL team up to this period.
-Gerald Riggs breaks Eric Dickerson's rushing record, finishing with 2,325 yds and 26 TDs.
-Riggs also sets the single game rushing yard record, with 24 carries for 318 yds against the Niners.
-Mike Quick becomes the first 2,000 yd receiver in NFL history with 2,042. He also catches 18 touchdowns.
-Miami's Marks Brothers combine for over 3,000 yds receiving. Duper finishes with 1,519 yds; Clayton 1,483
-Dan Fouts breaks Marino's record for most TD passes in a season with 52.
-Brian Brennan, in Week 12 against the Bengals, becomes the first player in NFL history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a game. They are the only touchdowns Cleveland scores in a 19-17 win. This victory captures the division.
-Division winner records:
Miami (AFC East) 11-5
Cleveland (AFC Central) 14-2
Seattle (AFC West) 12-4
Wild Card: Chargers (9-7), Patriots (9-7)
St. Louis (NFC East, I have an affinity) 12-4
Chicago (NFC Central) 14-2
Los Angeles (NFC West) 10-6
Wild Card: Minnesota (10-6), New York (9-7)
Wild Card games: San Diego 42, New England 21
New York 20, Minnesota 0
Divisional Playoff: Miami 51, Seattle 41 (with Curt Warner out, Randall Morris rushes for 293 yds and 3 tds in the loss)
Cleveland 28, San Diego 26
St. Louis 27, Los Angeles 23 (Dickerson rushes for 252 yds and 2 tds, this game is called "The Fumble," as Dickerson fumbled the go ahead TD on the 2 yard line)
Chicago 30, New York 24 OT (Bears lose Payton for the season early; Phil Simms is stripped in OT by Dan Hampton, Richard Dent recovers and returns fumble for winner)
Championship Games: Miami 31, Cleveland 21 (Browns turnover ball 5 times, Kosar throws 4 picks)
Chicago 35, St. Louis 24
Super Bowl XX: Miami 34, Chicago 24
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