***USFL 2023***

[theshadow]

Opening weekend -- two games today, two tomorrow.

Biggest change is that instead of all 8 teams playing in Birmingham, there are now 4 "home" sites with 2 teams each.
Detroit (Ford Field): Michigan, Philadelphia
Canton (HOF Stadium): New Jersey, Pittsburgh
Birmingham (Protective Stadium): Birmingham, New Orleans
Memphis (Liberty Bowl): Memphis, Houston

One USFL rule change regarding fumble situations, which has gotten a fair amount of discussion around here during CFB season:
"A ball fumbled forward from the field of play into the end zone and out of bounds will no longer be a touchback, but will be returned to the spot of the fumble with the fumbling team retaining possession."

Home

www.theusfl.com

Former Cyclones currently on USFL rosters, per each team's website:
Marcel Spears (Houston)
E.J. Bibbs (New Orleans)
Greg Eisworth (New Orleans)

 

[theshadow]

Spears has been ruled out (injury) for Houston's opener tomorrow.

 

[ZorkClone]

if this league is planning on always starting in April I think Iowa could be an option for future teams. It’s not too different than October and November temperature wise.

 

[Gunnerclone]

This looks embarrassing.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Not sure how they expect to build a local fan base with the way they are doing this

 

[theshadow]

Spears (27) is active for Houston today after being out with an injury last week.

Eisworth (33) already has 2 tackles today for New Orleans, after having 8 last week.

Bibbs (85) was primarily on special teams last week for NO, and is inactive today.

 

[Die4Cy]

This looks embarrassing.

I only saw two games so far. The XFL is way ahead as a product on the field, but a big chunk of it is the fact that I'm comparing one league in their ninth week against the other in their first.

My early impression is the USFL looks and feels cheap in direct comparison.

 

[theshadow]

Not sure how they expect to build a local fan base with the way they are doing this

I think it's a refreshingly cautious business model.

Year 1: 1 site, 8 teams
Year 2: 4 sites, 2 teams each
Year 3: ?

Gives them time to tweak the product and find/negotiate home sites for each team.

 

[tman24]

I think it's a refreshingly cautious business model.

Year 1: 1 site, 8 teams
Year 2: 4 sites, 2 teams each
Year 3: ?

Gives them time to tweak the product and find/negotiate home sites for each team.

Having a home team crowds would help a lot. Can't think Birmingham is that excited to cheer for 8 different teams.

 

[theshadow]

Having a home team crowds would help a lot. Can't think Birmingham is that excited to cheer for 8 different teams.

Well, that was last year (Year 1).

Birmingham, Memphis, Detroit, and Canton are the 4 sites this year. Canton is the only one without a true home team.

 

[theshadow]

New Orleans (Eisworth, Bibbs) is 3-0. They play New Jersey (2-1) at 2:00 today on NBC.

Eisworth has 24 tackles in the first 3 games.
Bibbs is active today for just the 2nd time.

Houston is 2-2 after winning yesterday, but Marcel Spears has only been active for 1 game so far.

 

[CyNews]

Spears (27) is active for Houston today after being out with an injury last week.

Eisworth (33) already has 2 tackles today for New Orleans, after having 8 last week.

Bibbs (85) was primarily on special teams last week for NO, and is inactive today.

Big fan of Eisworth.

 

[Rabbuk]

Big fan of Eisworth.

Eisworth looked like healthy eisworth looking to punish people in the game I watched

 

[theshadow]

Only 3 tackles today for Eisworth, but NJ is a run-heavy offense. Bibbs had 1 stop on kick coverage, but nothing on offense.

New Orleans remains the only unbeaten (now 4-0).

 

[Thoroughbred]

Only 3 tackles today for Eisworth, but NJ is a run-heavy offense. Bibbs had 1 stop on kick coverage, but nothing on offense.

New Orleans remains the only unbeaten (now 4-0).

Eisworth left on a cart with a head or neck injury. He left sitting on the cart so hopefully not too bad but was down a long time.

 

[CyNews]

Eisworth left on a cart with a head or neck injury. He left sitting on the cart so hopefully not too bad but was down a long time.

Oh no.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Watching the Pitt-Michigan game for my first USFL game of the year... this is just awful compared to the XFL.

 

[theshadow]

Another week on the inactive list for Marcel Spears (Houston).

La'Michael Pettway is listed as TE (#80) for Birmingham, but has lined up in the slot. He signed in Week 2. No stats in Weeks 3 or 4. Two catches for 28 yards today, including a tiptoe TD in the back of the end zone.

Eisworth is out (head) tomorrow, and Bibbs is inactive.

 

[CyNews]

Thanks for info.

 

[theshadow]

Eisworth activated but listed as questionable for this afternoon's New Orleans/Birmingham game. Bibbs inactive for NO; Pettway active for BIRM.