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New league to consider signing Vick
NEW YORK -- When the United Football League debuts in October, Michael Vick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2549) could be one of its players.
Michael Huyghue, the commissioner of the new four-team league, says the UFL is willing to give Vick a place to play -- provided there are no pending legal issues. His rights belong to the Orlando franchise.
"One of the things that is important in our premiere season is to showcase the quality of talent and the coaches, and to be able to show outstanding players who find themselves in this quagmire the NFL creates," Huyghue said. "Michael Vick might be that kind of player because he is ... a phenomenal talent, but he needs transitionining back into the NFL.
"Also gaining as much widespread exposure for the league as possible might be addressed with Michael Vick."
Huyghue said he will monitor the Vick situation closely and "if he is free and clear of legal issues, we will look at the situation."
Vick already has served an 18-month sentence in federal prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He is under home confinement until July 20, after which the NFL is expected to announce whether the former Atlanta Falcons (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=atl) quarterback will be suspended.
Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, has not played football since the 2006 season.
The UFL will have teams in Orlando, New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco, playing games mostly on Thursday nights in October and November. The championship game will be Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving.
Orlando acquired UFL rights to Vick in an allocation draft of players not under contract in the NFL.
"I don't know if the NFL will suspend Vick," said Dennis Green, coach of the San Francisco team and the chairman of the UFL's competition committee -- a role he also held while coaching in the NFL. "What he did was very wrong, and he paid his debt to society. He was a model inmate, otherwise he never would have made it out from prison early.
"Now he has to show he loves the game and is a responsible citizen. You can't show you love the game if you're not able to play the game. So if Michael Vick were to say, 'I will play for not a lot of money,' well, hello. We're here.
"If he is not allowed back into the NFL and he wants to show he is a model citizen and he loves the game, there is not a better situation for him."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league would have no comment. Joel Segal, Vick's agent, did not immediately respond to a message left by The Associated Press.
SOURCE (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4304800)
Hmmm... UFL, EH?
TheBigCat
07-07-09, 01:44 PM
The XFL, which had the backing of Vince McMahon and his mighty WWE, lasted one season before folding when the economy was good. Something tells me the UFL isn't even going to play a single game.
I'd have a hard time disagreeing with that.
The UFL does has big names involved, though...
So, let's give them a shot.
SpidermanHouston
07-08-09, 01:50 AM
With only 4 teams, do you clinch a playoff spot before the season even begins?
Speaking purely for myself, Vince McMahon was the reason i had zero interest in the XFL. I'll be much more willing to give the UFL a chance, though i realize that my interest will not make the slightest bit of difference. Arena football has two leagues now. The USFL survived a few years. I'm not ready to hang a tag on the UFL's toe just yet, though their eventual demise does appear inevitable.
Does anybody think Vick lands there?
SpidermanHouston
07-08-09, 08:52 PM
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/
The UFL is largely using ex-NFL coaches and ex-NFL players to build their new league.
One way the new league will differentiate is product is by deviating from some of the NFL's rules. Unlike the ill-conceived XFL, most of the ideas aren't stunts or gimmicks. Let's take a peek.
1. The biggest difference will come with overtime rules. Both teams will be allowed to possess the football, with true sudden death starting after one possession each.
In an offensive era, it's hard to argue with that one. It will create a number of new strategy decisions. (Will teams be more likely to play for a touchdown?)
2. The "Tuck Rule" has been buried, like the Oakland Raiders' 2001 championship hopes in the Foxborough snow. (Failing to convert a third-and-one didn't help, but that's another story.)
While the Tuck Rule isn't used that often, the UFL listed it's elimination first in their press release. It's a fun way to needle the NFL because most fans and players fundamentally disagree with the rule.
3. Instant Replay rulings will come from a replay official rather than the on-field referee.
4. A fumble into or out of the end zone will revert to the spot of the fumble when not recovered in the end zone. (That will only encourage DeSean Jackson to do this again.)
[Editor's note: Dennis Green, the Chair of the UFL's Competition Committee, was once burned by the NFL's version of the rule, which gives possession to the opposing team at its own 20, during an epic, back-and-forth 1996 regular-season game against the Packers. The Vikings eventually won the game.]
5. A quarterback can legally ground the ball inside or outside of the pocket when under duress. This could make the league more attractive and less dangerous for quarterbacks . . . like a certain former Falcon who might be barred from the NFL this season.
6. The cherry on the rule-changing Sundae: "Tasteful individual and/or group celebrations are permitted ONLY in end zone and bench area." (It' the "boys just wanna have fun" rule.)
[Editor's note: There's no word on whether the UFL will allow in-game Tweeting. If they allow it, maybe they'll entice Chad Ochocinco to make the leap. And maybe that's a reason not to allow it.]
The UFL also promises increased access for fans through required wired-for-sound coaches and quarterbacks. Fans will only hear quarterback communication on a tape-delayed basis.
Overall, the rule changes aren't revolutionary. But maybe that's the point.
The UFL has tweaked some of the NFL's most unpopular rules, without changing the game.
Love the rule changes! :clap:
Except for maybe #5, they are all great. Group end zone celebrations and no tuck rule! Sweet!
Rule changes are nice, but who cares if the players are minor leaguish.
Should change name to the
A.W.F.L.,
with a silent "u" between F & L
TheBigCat
07-09-09, 04:02 AM
Rule changes = Cheap gimmick
By the way, what's with the name? United Football League. That suggests that two or more extant football leagues merged together to create one united league, does it not?
I will give it a look.
I actually went to an XFL and it was not worth it one bit lol
Love the rule changes! :clap:
Except for maybe #5, they are all great. Group end zone celebrations and no tuck rule! Sweet!
I agree some of these rules should be changed in the NFL as well
#5 is horrible as stated...i hate being able to ground the ball period.
I agree some of these rules should be changed in the NFL as well
What I am hoping is that some of these new rules work out really good... the NFL will see that... and adjust accordingly.
1. The biggest difference will come with overtime rules. Both teams will be allowed to possess the football, with true sudden death starting after one possession each.
In an offensive era, it's hard to argue with that one. It will create a number of new strategy decisions. (Will teams be more likely to play for a touchdown?) I rather like this rule. It combines the best of both worlds from college OT and NFL OT.
2. The "Tuck Rule" has been buried, like the Oakland Raiders' 2001 championship hopes in the Foxborough snow. (Failing to convert a third-and-one didn't help, but that's another story.)
While the Tuck Rule isn't used that often, the UFL listed it's elimination first in their press release. It's a fun way to needle the NFL because most fans and players fundamentally disagree with the rule.This retarded rule single-handedly cost the Raiders a championship that year. That is my opinion and no one can convince me otherwise.
3. Instant Replay rulings will come from a replay official rather than the on-field referee.Hey... whatever makes the replay system work better is fine with me.
4. A fumble into or out of the end zone will revert to the spot of the fumble when not recovered in the end zone. (That will only encourage DeSean Jackson to do this again.)*shrugs*
Whatever...
5. A quarterback can legally ground the ball inside or outside of the pocket when under duress. This could make the league more attractive and less dangerous for quarterbacks . . . like a certain former Falcon who might be barred from the NFL this season. #5 is horrible as stated...i hate being able to ground the ball period.
This is just another rule designed to baby the pansy QBs of today.
Quite frankly, I'm getting sick of how pampered QBs are these days.
6. The cherry on the rule-changing Sundae: "Tasteful individual and/or group celebrations are permitted ONLY in end zone and bench area." (It' the "boys just wanna have fun" rule.)I can't be more happy about this rule. The No Fun League should take notice. It brings more excitement and enthusiasm to the game by having group celebrations.
It's a game... it should be played with fun and joy... not with a stick up your ass.
[Editor's note: There's no word on whether the UFL will allow in-game Tweeting. If they allow it, maybe they'll entice Chad Ochocinco to make the leap. And maybe that's a reason not to allow it.] DOWN WITH TWEETING!
*in Mama Boucher voice*
TWEETING IS THE DEVIL!!!
vincentstuntdbl#23
07-17-09, 05:49 PM
I dunno - if the WWE & NBC backed XFL didn't work.
I dunno how this one will.
Also rule #5 sucks asp!
Losman signs with Las Vegas UFL team
LOS ANGELES -- Forced to choose between being an NFL backup or a starter in a fledgling league, J.P. Losman has taken playing time.
Losman, 28, said Tuesday night he has signed with the Las Vegas entry of the start-up United Football League, where he will be coached by former Giants boss Jim Fassel. He immediately becomes the league's marquee player, a former first round pick who was Buffalo's starting quarterback 33 times over the past four seasons.
An unrestricted free agent, Losman had discussions with Denver and Carolina this past offseason, but the Broncos signed Chris Simms instead, while the Panthers decided to stand pat. With Las Vegas, Losman will be arguably the face of a league.
"I'm trying to get back on the field as soon as possible," Losman said. "I love the game. I want to play this game. I don't want to be [in the NFL] waiting for somebody to get hurt or not play well.
"We're trying to have as much success as possible here, try to create some buzz ... and then go through [NFL free agency] again next year."
Drafted 22nd overall in 2004, Losman threw for 33 touchdowns and 6,211 yards over parts of five seasons but was criticized for locking onto one receiver (mostly Lee Evans), for turning the ball over (34 interceptions) and for holding the ball too long (103 sacks). But he also had four different offensive coordinators -- three of whom had never held the job before (Tom Clements, Steve Fairchild and Turk Schonert).
In Las Vegas, he will be tutored by a veteran coach and coordinator in Fassel, who once reinvigorated the careers of John Elway in Denver, Boomer Esiason in Arizona and Kerry Collins in New York.
"If I had doubt that he should not be a starting winning quarterback, I wouldn't take it on," Fassel said. "But I had the same feeling with Kerry Collins ... J.P.'s got tremendous athletic skills. This guy should be a starter in the NFL. I mean, come on ... But I still understand you can help a guy. Even Tiger Woods needs a swing coach.
"Listen, if he'd have went back to the NFL and sat on the bench this year, then he'd have been no better off next year. Whatever anybody thought about him, they'd still say the same thing. Nothing would've changed. ... Instead, you go in this league and you play. The risk you take is you don't play well. But if you're an aggressive person, you say 'I'm going to play well, people are going to see me, and maybe I can erase some of those negatives that were in the past, and a lot of people will say, wow, look at him play now. He's a new guy.'"
Fassel said he liked Losman coming out of Tulane, because of his mobility and arm strength but wondered if he was bitter from the Buffalo experience. With the Bills, for instance, Losman lost his starting job in 2007 due to a knee injury and was displaced afterward by the steady Trent Edwards. But Fassel was impressed -- in early meetings with Losman -- that the quarterback never ridiculed the Bills organization.
"If all they want to do is blame it on other people or on circumstances or on a coach, I can't do you any good," Fassel said. "You have to say, 'All right, I need to get better, I need help.' J.P. did that."
Said Losman: "I'm looking at my career over the long haul. OK, this is where I'm at in five years. But I look at it like, 'Where do I want to be after a 10-year, 11-year career?' There are some things I feel I want to work on that I need to work on, and this league gives me an opportunity to do that and to work with somebody who's had a lot of success in the NFL."
The United Football League will stage a six-game season, beginning on Oct. 8, with teams based in Las Vegas, New York, Orlando and San Francisco. Las Vegas is scheduled to play four Thursday night games on national television (Versus) and will also play a "home game" at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The UFL season will hold its championship game Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas.
Other head coaches in the league are Jim Haslett (Orlando), Dennis Green (San Francisco) and Ted Cotrell (New York). Rosters will be released at a later date, and each team will be allowed to sign players cut from NFL rosters in August and September.
Losman has signed an undisclosed, one-year contract, prorated over the six games, and, following the UFL title game in November, he will be free to rejoin the NFL immediately.
Losman said: "It's not a slam dunk by any means" that the UFL will revive his career, but his hope is to follow in the footsteps of Steve Young (USFL), Tommy Maddox (XFL) and Kurt Warner (Arena Football League) -- three other signal-callers who took alternative routes to the NFL.
"Quarterbacks, all they need to do is fit in the right circumstance," Fassel said. "I can name a lot of Hall of Fame quarterbacks that at the end of four years, you'd be shocked at their numbers and where they were. You take Steve Young, who was at Tampa. You look at his numbers after four years. You look at Terry Bradshaw's numbers after four years, you look at John Elway's numbers after four years, and you look at Brett Favre's numbers after four years. And if I didn't have a name on those, you might've cut them.
"Now that's after four years ... and my study is based upon having patience and the right circumstances with quarterbacks. And they didn't have great circumstances. Listen, Brett Favre got traded, Steve Young got traded or cut, I'm not sure. Dan Reeves tried to trade John Elway. And Terry Bradshaw was just playing on a frigging great team, OK? Three out of four of those quarterbacks were either traded or tried to get traded. And you know what? They're Hall of Fame guys."
Fassel said his point is that Losman's career isn't a bust yet. "You've got to be blind not to see this guy can play quarterback," the coach said. "And if he does his job this year and everything works out, I'll be the happiest guy in the world if next year, there's 12, 14, 16 teams saying, 'This guy's a quarterback; we all miscalculated this thing. He can play. Let's go get this guy now.' And then he's back where he wants to be. That's fine with me. I have no problem with that.
"In fact, I've thought about it a lot at night. I want that for him, and I feel the accountability. It's my job now to get him going. Because I think he'll make the commitment and I'll make the commitment, too."
SOURCE (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4346612)
TheBigCat
07-22-09, 05:27 AM
Vick should sign with the UFL.
Vick should sign with the UFL.
It would be cool because he would have a real good shot at leading a team. If I were him though I would hope for reinstatement and a backup job in the NFL.
Whats good about the UFL is that the season isn't long so its kinda like a training camp for the pros. So in actuality u could play in both in the same year to my knowledge.
Whats good about the UFL is that the season isn't long so its kinda like a training camp for the pros. So in actuality u could play in both in the same year to my knowledge.
*sighs* Have you been talking to Tater? :D
*sighs* Have you been talking to Tater? :D
Suck it, bitch. :rolleyez:
Love you, soup! :D
Suck it, bitch. :rolleyez:
Love you, soup! :D
Hey, I'm a lover AND a winner. Haven't you seen my new av? :Hippy:
TheBigCat
07-24-09, 05:07 AM
Didn't the Dalai Lama notice the "Made in China" tag inside the hat before he put it on?
Didn't the Dalai Lama notice the "Made in China" tag inside the hat before he put it on?
Good point. Maybe it's actually made somewhere else, like Mexico?
My kids notice it on EVERYTHING!
2fingers
07-24-09, 04:58 PM
Denny Green is in some sort of leader role in this? That is the nail in the coffin right there.
TheBigCat
07-24-09, 09:30 PM
Hmmm....
Denny Green is in some sort of leader role in this? That is the nail in the coffin right there.
strike one!!
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