Ron Bodine’s Midseason Report Card

Florida Tuskers – A

You really can not give Florida anything less than an “A.” Jim Haslett has put together a team that has a great deal of depth at virtually all positions on both offense and defense. The undefeated Florida franchise is the clear leader among UFL teams with 125 points scored against its opponents and giving up only 59 points to its opponents in four games played. The Tuskers offense leads the UFL in most major categories with 1170 total yards (842 passing, 874 receiving, and 328 rushing) and 8 average yards per passing play. The Tuskers lead in less statistical categories on defense because the team’s defense has spent far less time on the field.

Las Vegas Locomotives (a.k.a., “the Locos”) – B

Las Vegas gets a “B” for its performance, which is second only to Florida, but head coach Jim Fassel gets an “A” for passion. Jim Fassel has done a phenomenal job rallying a team mixed with seasoned veterans (e.g., J.P. Losman) as well as “break-out” players who have had fewer opportunities over the years (e.g., DeDe Dorsey). Las Vegas is the clear front-runner to face Florida in the UFL’s inaugural championship game and proved last Friday night that this team has a chance at upsetting the UFL favorites.

California Redwoods (a.k.a., “Caliwood”) – C

Dennis Green has done a formidable job coaching the least experienced team in the United Football League. After a brief quarterback controversy, Shane Boyd has reestablished himself as the most adept athlete at the quarterback position for the Redwoods. In addition, Cory Ross has proven to be a solid running back averaging 3.9 yards per carry. However, California will remain an overall less capable team than Florida or Las Vegas for the remainder of the season (baring too many detrimental injuries to either squad).

New York Sentinels (a.k.a., “the Sents”) – D

New York has a marquee player in Simeon Rice as well as some other veterans who have bounced around the NFL over the years, but the Sentinels have not been able to come together as a team. The offense remains out-of-sync and the defense has spent too much time on the field. Ted Cottrell had very big expectations for his team, which has not won a single game in the UFL. However, this is Ted Cottrells “first rodeo” as a head coach and a learning curve should have been expected. Ted Cottrell should consider hiring a better offensive coordinator for the 2010 season.

Dusty Sloan’s Report Card

We are just past the halfway point of the first United Football League season, and some things have gone according to form (Florida Tuskers at 4-0), and some have not (New York Sentinels are 0-3).

The one thing people, UFL supporters and haters alike, can’t deny is the league has improved in a month – from the play on the field to the work behind the scenes.

But where does each team stand with either two or three games left in the regular season? Well…

CALIFORNIA REDWOODS – C+

Before the season, it was debatable whether the Redwoods would win a game. But, due to head coach Dennis Green and his staff coaching up his team – not to mention a dozen new players added since the opening-day players were announced – California has itself in championship game contention. The key game for the Redwoods’ title game aspirations will be Nov. 14 against Las Vegas in San Jose.

Running back Cory Ross has been California’s top offensive weapon to date, leading the team in rushing yards and tied for the team lead in catches. Former NFL linebacker Dontarrious Thomas is the leading tackler, and ex-NFL defensive lineman Chris Cooper is the sack leader. The Redwoods need to keep quarterback Shane Boyd at the same level he was in the last game against New York, along with improved return production from NFL vet B.J. Sams. California is minus-1 in turnovers for the season, but plus-3 against teams not named “Florida Tuskers.”

FLORIDA TUSKERS – A

It’s hard to argue with anything the Tuskers have done so far this season. The last game against Las Vegas did reveal some chinks in Florida’s armor, but 4-0 is 4-0, and the Tuskers clearly are the class of the league.

Quarterback Brooks Bollinger is the MVP at this point in the season. Florida’s running game has been average, but with Bollinger and wide receivers like Taye Biddle, Jayson Foster and Marcus Maxwell, the running game hasn’t yet been needed. Defensively, the linebacker tandem of Odell Thurman and Tim McGarigle is the best in the UFL, and safety Jerome Carter has been a more-than-capable replacement for the injured Dexter Jackson. The key word for the Tuskers is “balance,” since they can come at you from any direction offensively, defensively and on special teams.

LAS VEGAS LOCOS – C-

The only team in the UFL to have the same roster in Week 4 as it did in Week 1 is in third place in the league, but they have time and opportunity to make a second-half run. Two games with New York and the key game Nov. 14 at the Redwoods will determine whether Las Vegas joins Florida in the championship game.

Quarterback J.P. Losman has good numbers, and that should only increase with the Sentinels twice and Redwoods once on the horizon. Running backs DeDe Dorsey and Marcel Shipp are the best 1-2 punch in the league, and Dorsey also is the Locos’ leading receiver. No one has been a standout on defense to date, but the Locos have been strong on special teams in terms of returns, and both kicker Graham Gano and punter Danny Baugher.

NEW YORK SENTINELS -F

It looked as if the Sentinels were going to be more than competitive when they went ahead of Florida 10-0 in their first-ever game, but it has been downhill from there. Since that point, New York has been outscored 79-23.

Quarterback Quinn Gray’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but he hasn’t had much a running game to help him, either, and Gray’s best game was his last one against California. Craphonso Thorpe easily has been New York’s top receiver, and the Sentinels need another target or two to emerge. The New York defense has left a lot to be desired, too, but a couple of finds have been cornerback Paul Pratt and linebacker Leon Williams. Perhaps the best sight for New York has been veteran punter Scott Player and his one-bar facemask.

Nation Hahn’s Report Card

Florida Tuskers – A

I have foolishly picked against them twice and both times I have been proven wrong.

Brooks Bollinger has been, for the most part, superb and is currently leading the league in passing. He lost WR Chas Gessner to injury but the Tuskers turned around and added former USC standout Keary Colbert before their last game against the Locos. His WR corps has been solid with WR Taye Biddle leading the league in receiving, Jayson Foster of Georgia Southern has shown flashes of brilliance and raw ability.

Their running game has been present when needed, thanks to Tatum Bell, Michael Pittman, and Shaud Williams. Bell has been clearly better than Pittman and the New York Sentinels could use Shaud Williams who has looked great in limited time.

Tim McCarigle, Odell Thurman, Claude Wroten, Fakhir Brown, Ricky Manning, Jr. and others have led a star studded Tuskers D which has dominated most games. The Locos did expose some holes in the defense last Friday, otherwise they have rolled.

California Redwoods – B-

The Redwoods have been better than many suggested before the season and they currently control their own destiny when it comes to the Championship Game. They have benefited from playing New York twice and they are unlikely to beat the Tuskers in their second game – making their match up with Las Vegas the key to which of the two goes to the Championship Game.

Shane Boyd should be the man at QB the rest of the way, minus one bad throw against New York he looked like a better QB than Mike McMahon last Thursday. Doug Gabriel has been a nice addition at WR, with Joe West and others providing a nice, if unheralded, WR corps.

Cory Ross has been the little engine that could at RB, leading the league in rushing to date.

Their defense has been strong, headlined by Dontarrious Thomas, Prince Kwateng, and Chris Cooper. Their secondary needs improvement but their front seven is as good as any in the league.

Las Vegas Locos – B-

Most honest observers would put the Locos as the second best team in the league, despite their current third place standing.

JP Losman looked much better against the Tuskers than he had the previous time and as long as the offensive line gives him time he will be strong over the Locos next three games. He showed off his arm strength last Friday during a trick play, 60 yard touchdown bomb. DeDe Dorsey has helped Losman out by being, perhaps, the most electric player in the UFL to date. Marcel Shipp has provided a nice boost in the running game as well. Andrae Thurman, Adam Bergen and others have proven to be serviceable pass catchers for the Locos offense. The key for them moving forward is for the offensive line continuing to improve.

The Locos D has looked better of late, although their secondary still needs work. Their front seven shut down the Tuskers rushing attack on Friday night and got a lot of pressure on Bollinger. They have a good enough defense to win the Championship Game

New York Sentinels – D

I am giving the Sentinels a D rather than an F because they have shown a “never say die” attitude even in the face of a miserable season. While this year has not gone the way that Ted Cottrell would like, I’m quite sure, he should be proud that this team has not quit on him or his coaching staff. It bodes well for the future.

Quinn Gray improved last game over his previous performances and if he can play the way he did against the Redwoods he could lead an upset against Las Vegas or against Florida if they decide to rest players rather than go for a 6-0 regular season. The suspension of Koren Robinson will not help the offense, however, and Craphonso Thorpe will need to step up further.

One mystery to me so far is their tendency to get away from the rushing game too quickly. Odd for a team with talented backs like LaBrandon Toefield, Cecil Sapp, and Chris Barclay.

The Sentinels defense, led by Simeon Rice, has been stout all year and has been the bright spot on the team bar none.

UFLAccess.com contributor Fran Stuchbury will share his report card on the Inside the UFL Radio Show tomorrow night at 9 PM with special guest UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue. The show is available for a listen here: BlogTalkRadio + Inside the UFL Radio