California Redwoods

Head Coach: Dennis Green

Familiar Faces: QB Mike McMahon, RB Obafemi Ayanbadejo, WR BJ Sams, LB Donaterrious Thomas, RB John David Washington

Player to keep an eye on: QB Shane Boyd. Boyd is a dual threat Quarterback who brings an element of speed to the position. In year one, with an offensive line that may suffer breakdowns, this versatility could very well make Boyd a premier quarterback for the UFL. Boyd was the leading rusher in NFL Europe and has played well at times for NFL practice squads. He hasn’t been a star, yet, but all of that could change.

Outlook: Cory Ross will bring a “ scat-back” quality to runningback, he is a “ bowling ball” as Boyd decribed him in a recent interview. According to other players and independent observers, Ross has looked like an all star in practice. John David Washington, Denzel Washington’s son, will bring relief with his ability to hit the hole hard. Bobby Sippio, BJ Sams, and recent addition Mark Bradford will bring explosiveness to the wide receiver core.

Linebacker Donaterrious Thomas was a late addition but will bring solid ability to the Redwoods D. Jason Stewart, previously of the Colts and the Los Angeles Avengers, brings a stiff presence along the D-Line. The secondary is Arena League heavy.

The Redwoods have been written off by many but could surprise folks with their youth and athleticism.

Las Vegas Locos

Head Coach: Jim Fassel

Familiar Faces: DT Wendell Bryant, RB De De Dorsey, RB Marcel Shipp, WR David Kircus, QB Tim Rattay, QB JP Losman, S Tony Parrish

Player to keep an eye on: DT Wendell Bryant. Bryant is looking to return to the form that made him a top pick for the Arizona Cardinals. He showed flashes of brilliance in the NFL but a lax work ethic forced him out of the league. People have said that Bryant seems far more focused this time, something a stint out of football can bring to folks.

Outlook: JP Losman brings “ star quality” and a swagger to the Locos offense. He is looking to reinvigorate his career under the tutelage of Jim Fassel. WR Andrae Thurman, Kircus and Tab Perry bring ability and some NFL experience to the WR corps. In addition to Ship and Dorsey, Josh Scobey could bring explosive speed to the return game and to the runningback corps. They seem to have the pieces in place to bring an explosive offense to the field.

Wendell Bryant is looking to blaze a comeback trail with the Locos D. He should anchor a stout defense. Linebackers Teddy Lehman and Brandon Moore offer experienced talent to the LB corps. The secondary lacks experience, minus Tony Parrish. If Parrish has anything left in the tank then the Locos D could support an explosive offense.

The Locos are a favorite to make the UFL title game in their home town.

Florida Tuskers

Head Coach: Jim Haslett

Familiar Faces: QB Brooks Bollinger, RB Tatum Bell, RB Michael Pittman, TE Jermaine Wiggins, TE Keith Heinrich, P Todd Sauerbrun, LB Odell Thurman, WR Doug Gabriel, S Dexter Jackson, CB Fakhir Brown, DT Claude Wroten

Player to keep an eye on: WR Jayson Foster. While Chas Gessner looks like Bollinger’s favorite and Odell Thurman is looking to show why he was one of the top young linebackers in the NFL in the not so distant past – my pick for player to watch is “ Wildcat”. Foster has assumed that nickname for a reason and the former Georgia Southern athletic quarterback will bring a wide range of skills to the playing field beginning October 10th. Foster could be the surprise of the year for a team laden with “name” talent.

Outlook: Brooks Bollinger brings a steady hand to an offense that has some gas in the tank. Tatum Bell, Michael Pittman, and Shaud Williams bring a variety of skills to the runningback position. Bell and Pittman are looking to show why they were some of the top runningbacks in the NFL just a few short years ago. Chas Gessner brings a tall, athletic wide receiver to the team. Foster brings athleticism and Gabriel is talented as well. Jermaine Wiggins brings a steady presence at TE.

Odell Thurman will anchor a strong defense. Thurman looked to be heading to a dominant NFL career before a suspension derailed his career. He will likely be hungry to prove he still belongs. Fakhir Brown does not bring name identification to the team despite his NFL career but he does offer a lot of NFL starting experience and promise.

Claude Wroten will anchor a strong defensive line. Local fans would likely like to see Eric Powell elevated from the practice squad at some point in the season.

The Tuskers are the preseason favorite to win the 2009 title. Although some reports from the scrimmage indicate that their offense did not always deliver as advertised and fans would be wise to be cautious with the preseason hype as similar teams in past startup efforts failed to deliver.

New York Sentinels

Head Coach: Ted Cottrell

Familiar Faces: DE Simeon Rice, QB Quinn Gray, RB Cecil Sapp, RB LaBrandon Toefield, WR Koren Robinson, CB Tra Battle

Player to keep an eye on: RB Chris Barclay could shock a lot of folks on a roster that seems loaded at the running back position. Barclay had a strong career in NFL Europe following his time at Wake Forest where he was three time All ACC and one of the leading rushers in the history of the ACC. Barclay brings speed and shiftiness to the game and could end up being the surprise offensive player of the year in the UFL.

Outlook: Quinn Gray has played extremely well when given the opportunity in the NFL. He could prove to be the best quarterback in the UFL by season end. He will be throwing to Koren Robinson – another former Pro Bowler looking to get his career back on track – and Craphonso Thorpe. Ryan Hoag also offers talent to the WR corps. Sapp, Toefield, Barclay, and Shannon Woods all offer top runningback talent – in fact the Sentinels could end up having the best runningbacks in the league despite the name ID edge offered by the Tuskers.

The defense will be anchored by Simeon Rice but it also offers a lot of lesser known talent. Dan Davis was a dominant DE at UConn and would have made the Colts roster in 2008 had he not been injured in the preseason. Maurice Fountain will look to get his career back on track after the promise he showed at Clemson.

Rian Wallace, at LB, will try to prove he is more than a special teams talent after playing exceptionally well for the Pittsburgh Steelers on special teams for several years. Wallace could be a surprise defensive player of the year candidate if he lives up to his initial promise.

The Sentinels could end up being the surprise team of the UFL, upsetting the Tuskers and Locos party that many have preemptively planned.