1990 AFL CFC Season Preview

Author: Ken Hasselbeck, ESPN AFL Analyst
Date: June 30, 1990

Listen. You hear that?

It's the buzz surrounding the inaugural season of the American Football League, and if you've been paying any attention to the sporting world over the past year or more, you can't help but have heard it. The AFL will showcase the best talent of the country's various football leagues, pooled together in the very first super-league.

The very first kickoff is just weeks away, and with that in mind, here's what you need to know about the Continental Football Conference, one of the AFL's two conferences - so strap yourself into your seat and listen up.

CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE - COLONIAL DIVISION

Boston Minutemen: You want smash-mouth football? New England's the place to get it. The Minutemen attack will be led by superstar RB Brian Barrett, the former Heisman Trophy winner from that legendary 1985 Washington Huskies team. Barrett is the best back in the CFC, and he'll have an admirable supporting cast as well, with an emphasis on the running game. Powerful FB Trumaine Ogden will blast into the holes created by star C Ray Knafelc, clearing the way for Barrett. The focus will be on the run game, but Boston can put it in the air when necessary, with savvy veteran QB Russell Stock and wideout Dave Allen. The defense is strong up the middle, with young DT Tommy Dale plugging the middle for ILB "Nasty" Butch Nasta to make plays. The secondary is serviceable, with FS Curtis Blakley having the potential to develop into a star. K Filip Williams is one of the best in the league.
Outlook: One of the best teams in the league - a legitimate shot at the conference championship.

New York Empire: The key player for the Empire offense is WR Roy Scott, a playmaking machine. Another important cog in the machine is FB Jake Brown, arguably the best in the league - but when your FB is the second player mentioned on your offense, that doesn't bode well. Journeyman Michael McAfee and rookie Woody Garcia will fight it out for the QB spot, but neither will make much of an impact. For New York, the weapons just aren't there on offense. The picture is a bit brighter on D, where shutdown corner Mike Romanik can stop any WR dead in his tracks, and his fellow CB Marc Bates isn't much behind him. The Empire will struggle up front, however, with none of their defensive linemen commanding much respect. Their special teams are unremarkable.
Outlook: Not especially good. They just don't have the playmakers to hang with the top teams.

Philadelphia Shamrocks: The word in Philadelphia is "balance". Philadelphia won't have to rely on any one player to carry them, as they've got talent all over the field. Michael Armstead is a very good quarterback who's entering his prime, and big back Dan Moss has the potential to develop into a star. Veteran WR Jerome Raymer may have lost a step from his prime, but the former Indiana Hoosier just knows how to get it done on the field. Gene Tilley gives the 'Rocks an extra dimension a lot of teams are lacking - a playmaking tight end. The big question in Philly is the offensive line, which features 35-year-old OT Gale Hudson and not much else. No matter how many playmakers you have, a weak line can kill you. The main man on defense is SS Jack McCoy, a headhunting linebacker playing safety. You think anybody will go over the middle on Philly? Not likely. McCoy is backed up by talented secondary mates CB Matt Adams, FS Jim Behrman, and CB Charles Sciullo. The linemen and linebackers are flawed but can get the job done. Stud K Ashley McGlockton is nicknamed "The Glock", because everything that comes off his foot is a bullet. Otis Pace, another player off of those legendary mid-80's Huskies, is the best return man in the league, giving the Shamrocks a real weapon.
Outlook: If the O-line can hold up, the Shamrocks have a good shot at securing a playoff bid.

Washington Braves: The strength of the Braves resides on their offensive line, a massive mass of humanity led by tackles Charles Haygood (at 312, the runt of the line) and Gerry Marion (at 351, the biggest), guards Antonio Drayton (326) and Chance Gurode (327), and C Dick Steussie (336). Offensive lines don't come much larger than this, and the holes they open for RB Buddy Humphrey should be prodigious. QB Justin Nowland won't put up big numbers, but working behind these mountains, he should have plenty of time to work. WR Jake Williams is a total package. On defense, DE Luther Roundtree is a force to be reckoned with, and OLB Jeremy Naumoff has all the tools. The secondary isn't anything to write home about. K Dave Gilmore gives the Braves a reliable, accurate kicker.
Outlook: Solid. They should battle it out for the Shamrocks for second place and have a shot at a wild-card berth.

CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE - MIDWAY DIVISION

Chicago Fire: The Fire have surrounded veteran QB Noland Maynard with a good group of weapons - led by TE Clayton Daufeldt, a game-changer who's just as comfortable hauling in a 40-yard touchdown as he is blasting a defensive end off the line. Big WR Asante Owen and solid all-around RB Dennis Zimmerman give the Fire two more talented players on offense, and the line is solid, led by top guard Zachary Warner. The defense is led by OLB Steve Vigorito, one of the best linebackers in the league, who is equally adept at stuffing the run, rushing the passer, or dropping back to defend. His fellow backer Dick Edwards will be the focus inside for the Fire's 3-4 attack, and could develop into a superstar. 6-7, 311-pound Steve Studwell is a perfect nose tackle, and Eddie Warner and Ryan Boerigter, at 286 and 290, are big enough to fulfill their jobs occupying blockers. The secondary is solid, led by FS Jason Davis. P Jerry Boso will help dictate the field-position battle.
Outlook: They're a clear step ahead of everybody else in the division, and should have a respectable showing in the playoffs.

Iowa Barnstormers: The good news on offense: Flipper Biletnikoff is the best WR in the AFL, combining the size of a small TE with the speed of a fast sprinter, the savvy of a 10-year veteran, and the hands of a Hall of Famer - and he's only 24. The bad news on offense: everything else. QB Vince Kingsriter is not the star he was years ago after leaving a professional baseball career to improbably become a pro QB. RB Tony Gay is unremarkable, and the line is mediocre at best. On defense, OLB Thomas Hollister is a force against the run, but one has to wonder if his defensive end size (275 pounds) might wear on him as the season continues. Like Chicago, Iowa runs a 3-4, and 309-pound Bob Mitchell is solid in the middle. The ends, however, could use improvement and, in Lionel Bradley's case, a few more pounds. Frank Bishop will be a good presence at ILB. The cornerbacks, led by Duane Casey, are solid, but the safeties would have to improve to be average. The less said about the special teams, the better.
Outlook: The Iowa fans better enjoy watching Biletnikoff's greatness, because they won't have much else to enjoy.

Michigan Panthers: Michigan's offense starts with FB Omar Volk, a local hero who can run, block, and catch, and all exceptionally well. Working behind Heath Tolbert and big Ray Becht, who could develop into a top run blocker, Volk and young RB Gene Boselli could put up some nice numbers this season. Joe Brown is a veteran QB who won't win the game for you, but won't lose it either. WR Dante Davis is one of the better receivers in the league, and knows how to use his height to his advantage. On defense, DT Vince Beasley is a star. He can rush the passer and stuff the run. Beasley is surrounded by a competent but not spectacular group of interchangeable parts on D, led by OLB Jay Jeter, a run-stuffing machine.
Outlook: Unremarkable. They should hover around .500 and finish in third place.

Minnesota Maulers: Like division rival Michigan, Minnesota boasts a top FB in Micah Tottsta. Unlike Michigan, however, Minnesota's offense isn't built around their fullback. WR MacArthur Pass is already one of the best in the league, and could develop into one of the best ever. The Minnesota OL, led by OT Tre Davis, OG Charles Carlson, and C Rex Starring, is one of the better units in the league, and also boasts OT Ed Jensen, who has a lot of upside. Like Jensen, QB Lance Reynolds has potential, but Reynolds has yet to tap it in 4 frustrating seasons. The Maulers are hoping that the light comes on for him - and if it does, he and Pass will make life difficult for the Midway division. The defensive leaders are a pair of Darrells, veteran CB Miller and OLB Bacon. They'll both have to make plays, as the Maulers' defensive line is one of the weakest in the league.
Outlook: If Reynolds can improve, they have the offense to make some noise. The defense will be their undoing when it counts, though.

CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE - GRID DIVISION

Dallas Outlaws: Rookie RB Horace Armstrong will be expected to carry the load in Dallas, but fortunately for the Outlaws, the players around him are solid enough that it won't be too much to ask from the youngster. Dallas boasts a very good offensive line, anchored by OT Bob Scott and massive (6-8, 359) OG Frank Cooper. Butch Brown is a top blocking TE. Jason Owens is their top wideout and has the potential to develop into a nice player, but would be better served as a #2 at this point in his young career. QB Jermane Dunn is not a starting-caliber QB, and if he struggles too much, it could be Dallas' undoing. The strength of the Outlaws is their defense. They boast the top ILB in the league in ML Donald, an absolute monster who forces teams to adjust their gameplans to stop him. That'll be hard to do, with Emile Zimmerman and Deon Mays manning the ends of the line, as both are forces in their own right. CB Tripp Welbourne is about the definition of a shutdown corner.
Outlook: Dunn might struggle, but Dallas' defense is going to be strong enough to make up for any mistakes the youngster makes. Pencil them in for a good playoff showing.

Houston Oilers: QB Steve Banks has still got the ability that'll send him into the Hall of Fame one day, but for how long? He's 38 years old, and time is ticking. If he suffers an injury, the Oilers are done. Banks has a few weapons in a top TE, FB Carroll Stamper, and a pair of big wideouts in Joe Freeman and Jerry Favors. The line is good but not great, with the exception of C Randall Stanciel, who could develop into a star. DT Guy Davis provides the Oilers with a good anchor inside for their 3-4 defense, but his linemates, whoever they will be, don't have what it takes to start in this league, and are small for 3-4 ends. Between that and the average-ness of their linebackers, one has to wonder why the Oilers plan to run a 3-4 to begin with. All is not doom and gloom on the Oilers' D - they have two top corners in Tommy Wand and Robert Bryant.
Outlook: It's on Steve Banks in Houston. The legend has been known to carry teams to the promised land on his back in the past, but at 38, that back has to be just about broken. As Banks goes, so goes Houston - assuming their defense doesn't derail them.

Kansas City Gamblers: Marc Hamdan has all the ability in the world, but at 28, it's time for him to harness it or be resigned to a role as a good but not great QB. RB Ike Pierce can get the job done, and FB Bobby Morris has the ability to develop into one of the best in the league. WR Jamie Sanders and TE Brent Cerqua provide a solid pair of targets, and Cerqua is a top blocker as well. The line is a mish-mash of journeymen and youngsters with loads of potential but no production to back it up. Jason Claybrooks and Ron Sands could be the best guard duo in the league - in two or three years. The KC defense is anchored by their middle linebacker. He should be able to make a lot of players with big Tim Reger and Joe Bannister taking up space in the middle of the line. KaRon Crummey is a good cornerback, and, like Claybrooks and Sands, CB Travis Barnett could eventually become a superstar. KC has some of the best special teamers in the league in K Earl Wozniak and P Walt Cappelletti.
Outlook: They'll be great - a few years from now. Right now, they're too long on potential and too short on production to be a threat.

St. Louis Pioneers: The Pioneers offense starts with their line, led by Dennis Ruegamer, once the best tackle in football and still talented. Monstrous OG Jerametrius Eason (6-8, 359) will team with top rookie Mike McAlister and fellow big man C Kevin Bishop (6-7, 337) to open big holes in the middle for RB Jay Vanden Bosch, who could put up big numbers this year and will only get better. The WR duo of James Gardner and George Barber is solid. QB James Scott is serviceable, and might give way to young Jimmy Craver. On D, the Pioneers' top player is FS Rory O'Connell, a very talented young player. St. Louis has a solid line led by DE Chris Olds and DT Tyrone Gordon. The rest of the defense is mediocre, however, save for solid CB Carroll Solt. The special teams will struggle, but P Booker Biscaha has one of the best names in the league, so he's got that going for him.
Outlook: The offense will be fun to watch, the defense will be fun to play against. Their struggles on defense will hold them back all year long.

CONTINENTAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE - FRONTIER DIVISION

Oakland Immortals: Oakland's offensive attack will be led by RB Johnny Plunkett, a top all-around back who can do it all. They also boast a good pair of receivers in Earnest Pass and Doug Johnson. Byron Forester is a good solid OT, though the rest of the line could have some problems. QB Todd Irons' role will mostly be to hand off to Plunkett, which he will be quite good at. Defense is where the Immortals will make their money. 338-pound DT Derrick Strey is the ultimate 3-4 nose tackle, and vet DE Jerome Nelms has a lot of experience in the scheme. Their other end position will probably be manned by 281-pound Steve Lougheed, who's tough but not especially talented. The linebackers, however, make up for any deficits on the ends. In ILBs Kenny Stradford and John Mrosko, and OLB mega-star Steve Adamle, the Immortals have a killer LB crew. The corners, Ronnie Hankton and "Big" Dave Weiner, can hang with anybody.
Outlook: It's unfortunate for the Immortals that they reside in the AFL's toughest division, because they'd run away with the Grid and Midway divisions. As it is, their suffocating D will lead them to a top wild-card spot.

Portland Breakers: Portland's top player is WR Flash Gordon, a huge fellow who can out-run, out-jump, and out-muscle almost any CB he goes up against. RB Max Lewis gives the Breakers a very good back, who should take full advantage of the holes opened by OG Tank Brookshier. The rest of the line is unremarkable, however, and the Breakers could have a real problem at QB, where their #1 option is former Nebraska star Don Bierria. That's right... a former Nebraska QB. If only the Breakers could run the option. Like Oakland, the strength of the Breakers is on defense, where they're led by freakish DE Kamil Jones, a 310-pound mammoth who is in the backfield on every play and was rated by at least one organization as the #3 player available in the entire opening draft. His former WSU teammate Mike Kosier gives the Breakers a top OLB, OLB Jerry Sidney is solid, and ILB Kenny Gagnon is a top young backer. CB Kevin Crumpler is one of the best younger corners in the league. Portland's special teams aren't remarkable, but Cleveland Diggs has a great porn star name.
Outlook: Another team that wishes they could change divisions. They'll be very good, and should fight with Philadelphia for a wild-card spot - which they could take, if their defense can carry their O.

San Francisco Generals: The Generals offensive star is OG Buzz Little, who should open gigantic holes for RB Hugh Hunter. QB Herkie Martini has a great name and a good amount of potential, but needs to turn the corner in his development or risk becoming a career backup. The rest of the offense is completely unremarkable. The Generals' secondary is the strength of the team, with two spectacular corners in Tavares Cook and Ted Chapman, and a superstar FS in John White. It's going to be flat-out impossible to throw against SF. ILB Lovett James will add some solid run support. The weakness of the defense is the line, with four average players manning it. The Generals could be poorly constructed for success in the Frontier division, considering all three of their rivals excel at running the ball.
Outlook: They'll put up some tough fights and should have success out of the division, but their divisional games will be a huge stumbling block.

Seattle Tritons: The Tritons were thrilled when young QB Monte Meier fell to them with the #4 pick. Meier is a prototypical west coast offense QB, extremely accurate and great with the short pass. Not only that, he's incredibly mobile, and is a true leader. He's special. The young QB will be extremely well-protected by the best line in the AFL, featuring superstars OT Mike Bean and OG James LeFear, as well as two well-above-average players in OT Kailee Cromartie and C Don Little. RB Quincy Jones should have a field day running through the holes they create. Big WR Rich Griffing and savvy veteran WR Deron White will give Meier a very good pair of targets to throw to. The Tritons will also feature a unique two-TE look, as both Perry Hart and Bo Young excel at catching the football, with Young being a top blocker as well. The defense is led by unblockable DE John Croom and do-all young superstar OLB Dwight Rowe. Keith Mitchell could lead all DTs in sacks, and along with DE Marco Erwin, the Tritons' line could produce 40 or more sacks. ILB Darrick Haggan is a solid veteran. In the backfield, CBs Ifeanyi McCord and Dhani Whittle excel at creating turnovers. FS Chad Bickett and SS Eugene Kleinsasser are both solid. All of the Tritons' defenders excel at the zone defense, which is a huge positive in coordinator Lawyer Emtman's Cover 2/zone blitz scheme. David Cromartie will be one of the top kickers in the league.
Outlook: The Tritons seem to be the preliminary favorite in the CFC, and I don't see anything to change that perception. This is an extremely balanced team with great line play and players that fit perfectly into their schemes.

PREDICTIONS

COLONIAL
1. Boston Minutemen
2. Philadelphia Shamrocks
3. Washington Braves
4. New York Empire

MIDWAY
1. Chicago Fire
2. Minnesota Maulers
3. Michigan Panthers
4. Iowa Barnstormers

GRID
1. Dallas Outlaws
2. St. Louis Pioneers
3. Houston Oilers
4. Kansas City Gamblers

FRONTIER
1. Seattle Tritons
2. Oakland Immortals
3. Portland Breakers
4. San Francisco Generals

PLAYOFFS
CHICAGO over Philadelphia
Oakland over DALLAS

BOSTON over Chicago
SEATTLE over Oakland

SEATTLE over Boston

Coming soon - the Heritage Football Conference preview.