Scott Adamson, Author at Adamsonmedia.com

NFL, UFL working well together

**Panthers kicker Jake Bates parlayed a great 2024 UFL season into an NFL job.**
Luke Hales/UFL/Getty Images

The NFL and United Football League seem to be getting awfully chummy these days. And why not?

Now that Triple-A spring football seems to have found its footing with the merger of the USFL and XFL, the big league has a new – and steady – source of ready-to-play talent.

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“The UFL has demonstrated to be a proven and effective product,” NFL executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent, said in a statement on Wednesday. “It provides an opportunity to develop, showcase and evolve the talent and quality of players, coaches, administrators, trainers and officials at the highest level of professional football.”

Whether the NFL and UFL develop an official working relationship remains to be seen, but it would make sense if they did.

The UFL announced this week that 21 players from its 2024 season are currently active in the NFL. Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates (Detroit Lions) and Arlington Renegades defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (Minnesota Vikings) earned 53-man roster spots leading up to the NFL’s 2024 season launch, and former DC Defenders wide receiver Chris Blair (Atlanta Falcons) was recently promoted to the active roster from the practice squad.

Entering the season’s second Sunday, 14 other spring veterans are signed to practice squads, while three have been placed on injured reserve.

“We knew that merging the two leagues would create more talented rosters, which in turn would create a more entertaining product on the field,” UFL executive vice president Daryl Johnston said. “This would provide our players the competitive platform needed to be seen by NFL teams. The number of workouts and signings we saw during NFL training camps speaks to the product we put on the field and the opportunity we created for our players as a league. This is what spring football represents, providing a non-traditional path to help players make it to football’s grandest stage.”

Johnston, of course, has been pushing for a pro pathway since before the UFL existed. He worked for the ill-fated Alliance of American Football in 2019, and before the USFL and XFL merged to form the current circuit earlier this year, he was president of football operations with the USFL. In July, 2023, he was talking up the benefits of a spring pipeline.

“When I was in the Alliance of American Football (as general manager of the San Antonio Commanders), Philadelphia was one of my teams,” Johnston, who was also director of player personnel for the XFL Dallas Renegades in 2020, said then. “Jeff Stoutland is the offensive line coach for the Eagles. I asked him, ‘Wouldn’t it be great for (tackle) Jordan Mailata to come to our league and actually play the game? He said, ‘Absolutely … but as soon as I let him go do that, I have to get into a bidding war with the other 31 teams to get him to come back, because everybody’s gonna see how talented he is. And we’ve got time and money invested in him right now and I don’t want to get into a competition for services by letting him go to that league.’ So, there are some things that we are hoping to start conversations with the NFL and allowing some free flow, and some different things that gives access but returns that player back to that team.”

Considering Johnston’s strong NFL ties (he was a three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys, and has served as an analyst on NFL telecasts for 24 seasons), one would have to assume those conversations continue as the eight-team UFL prepares for another season playing out of its Arlington, Texas, hub in 2025.

According to a UFL release, more than 250 of the 400 players (60 percent) who appeared in games for the UFL were called to the NFL for workouts, with 78 signing contracts to attend 30 NFL team training camps. Overall, 87 deals were struck with UFL players, including eight signing twice with the same team and one signing three times with different teams.

Among “legacy” USFL (2022-23) and XFL (2023) classes, 41 players were called up by the UFL for the 2024. Cowboys standout and former Birmingham Stallions kicker Brandon Aubrey – one of the NFL’s top players at that position – and teammate Kevontae Turpin (wide receiver for the USFL New Jersey Generals in 2022) are two of the 11 on 53-man rosters. Twenty-seven others have practice squad spots and three are on injured reserve.

Yet, while many are getting opportunities, only a handful are getting actual playing time in the fall. The UFL rectifies that problem, and it would be even better if the NFL could call players up and send others down (to get work) thanks to a streamlined partnership.

“The UFL has been an excellent tool for us as we build the roster,” Cowboys vice president of player personnel, Will McClay, said. “In the age of salary cap, player acquisition has become a year-round job. The UFL gives us an opportunity to evaluate players in a professional setting at crucial times when teams need to fill roster holes that may not have been addressed in the draft and free agency. The access that the UFL gives us to the players and process makes it a league that we will continue to scout and look for players to add to our roster. The bottom line is that football is a “rep” game and we feel like the more quality reps a player can get, the more they can improve their skill set and Football intelligence enough to compete for an NFL roster spot.”

Not trying to read too much into it, but the fact that the league sent out a press release with three NFL officials commenting on the UFL (Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also weighed in by saying, “Growth opportunities afforded players by the UFL can absolutely lead to better competition on NFL rosters”) suggests a more formal connection between the two would be a logical step.

“The NFL scouts agree that the UFL is a great proving ground for players to get more film and playing time to improve their game,” San Antonio Brahmas general manager Marc Lillibridge said. “When they’re not playing, it’s hard to see their development. When they’re in the UFL, they can see them developing under high level coaching and the results and growth in games.”

Short of an in-season farm system, an NFL/UFL alliance is the next best thing. And if the UFL can survive – and steady television ratings are encouraging – such a team-up would benefit both parties.

It’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

G.I.N.A.

The G.I.N.A. (General Intelligence Nurturing Automaton) model had been around for decades, although their numbers had dwindled thanks to the production of newer, more lifelike robot companions.

G.I.N.A. looked very much like a standard feminine mannequin once found in 20^th century department stores – slight smile, arching brows, slender fingers and thin build. The skin tone and hair were about the only custom features requested by buyers, although they came from the factory translucent gray in color and topped with jet black hair, styled to look like a 1970s wedge.

**Scott Adamson writes stuff. Follow him on Threads @sladamson1960 and Adamsonmedia on Facebook.**

The male version – G.R.E.G. (General Reasoning Empathy Golem) – was a bit bulkier, but also rolled off the assembly line gray and with a brunette bowl cut.

Paulie Statin had selected a generic floor model decades before, in the hopes that his G.I.N.A. would provide a bit of companionship and some help around the house.

He had never married or had children, and his friends were better defined as acquaintances – fellow workers who he engaged in friendly conversation but didn’t socialize with after hours. Once he retired, even that was gone.

But G.I.N.A. – he never bothered to personalize the robot so he just removed the periods and called it “Gina” – had been a part of his life for so long it seemed almost real.

All the general models had artificial intelligence that evolved over time, and Gina had learned to do things like play checkers and chess, follow plot lines in movies and television programs, and even “enjoy” music.

Paulie loved to garden but had been dealing with painful back issues since he was in his 30s, so Gina was a huge help when it came to planting and harvesting. In addition, robotic strength made it very handy with household repairs – a talent its owner sorely lacked.

Conversations between Paulie and Gina were never particularly deep, but always pleasant … Gina had acquired the ability to smile and laugh. Perhaps it wasn’t human, but he didn’t really care. Frankly – after all this time – it just didn’t seem to matter anymore. Paulie had a companion, and one he could always count on day in and day out.

But Gina had developed a habit of looping sentences, sometimes to the point where Paulie had to remove the battery from its back and reinsert it. Lately, though, not even that was rectifying the problem.

So, he guided Gina into his station wagon, and it was off the Midland Robotic Showroom and Repair Shop. There, he hoped he could find a relatively inexpensive fix to the problem.

“Yes,” Paulie said, walking into the service entrance of MRS&RS with Gina at his side. “I was wondering if I could talk to someone about a repair for my G.I.N.A.”

“Certainly,” replied a woman in a forest green, reflective jumpsuit and clear goggles. “I’m Technician Farah 27, the lead maintenance specialist. What seems to be the problem?”

Paulie turned to Gina and asked what the weather forecast was for the rest of the evening.

“Partly cloudy skies, low of 67, light winds from the east, air quality fair,” it said in a rattling monotone. “Partly cloudy skies, low of 67, light winds from the east, air quality fair. Partly cloudy skies, low of 67, light winds from the east, air quality fair. Partly cloudy skies, low of 67, light winds from the east, air quality fair …”

“She’ll go on like this for a while,” Paulie said. “Not sure what it is, but I figured someone here would certainly know.”

Farah 27 nodded, walked behind Gina, popped out its battery and shined a green, glowing light inside.

“Well,” she said. “I’ve got some great news and some bad news. The bad news is, its AI app is starting to wear out, so this sentence looping is only gonna get worse. At some point it won’t be able to walk, and after that you’ll be left with an inoperative G.I.N.A. You might still be able to communicate with it in a very rudimentary way, but even that’s doubtful. Here’s the great news, though; we’re coming out with Next Generation G.I.N.A. and G.R.E.G. products starting in 2133, so if you donate yours to us, we can make you part of our pilot program that starts in three months. That means you can get a G.I.N.A. 2 or G.R.E.G. 2 at factory cost, which will be about 6,000 less corporate credits than the general public will have to pay. So, turns out, this is your lucky day.”

Farah 27 looked at the battery and began to head back to her work station.

“Wait a minute,” Paulie said. “What are you doing with the battery?”

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I figured you didn’t need it anymore. I assumed you were going to leave your old G.I.N.A. here with us. Then I was gonna sign you up for the program.”

“No, I don’t think I want to do that right now,” Paulie said, holding out his hand. “Just give me back the battery, please.”

Farah 27 was puzzled.

“Well, I mean, sure, it’s yours … but this offer won’t last long. If you come back next week, I can’t guarantee you a Next Gen model. And as I said, I can’t really fix it.”

“That’s OK,” Paulie said.

He thanked the technician for her time and walked Gina back to his car, where he opened the passenger door and watched it get inside. After he cranked the car and pulled out into the street, Gina looked at him.

“The Midland Robotic Showroom and Repair Shop technician said I cannot be repaired,” it said. “The Midland Robotic Showroom and Repair Shop technician said I cannot be repaired. The Midland Robotic Showroom and Repair Shop technician said I cannot be repaired. The Midland Robotic Showroom and Repair Shop technician said I cannot be repaired.”

Paulie reached out with his right hand and gently rubbed Gina’s cheek.

“That’s all right, Gina,” he said. “You’ve taken care of me for so many years, the least I can do is take care of you now.”

Breaking up the band

Fifty years ago today, the National Football League wrapped up its exhibition slate in preparation for a September 15 start to the 1974 season.

On the plus side, it had survived a strike that lasted from July 1 to August 10, losing only the College All-Star Game to the work stoppage. However, the labor dispute opened the door for the fledgling World Football League, which began its inaugural season on July 10.

And while the WFL was starting to look shaky by September, it had already shaken up the senior circuit by signing Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick to 1975 contracts.

That trio helped the Miami Dolphins log a perfect season in 1972, and win a second consecutive Super Bowl in 1973. But they’d be lame ducks as Miami tried for a three-peat, lured away to the Memphis Southmen for 1975.

Actually, they were signed by the Toronto Northmen on March 31, 1974. The franchise, owned by Canadian businessman John Bassett, moved to Tennessee just over a month later. Bassett received pushback from some of that country’s government offcials – who wanted to protect the Canadian Football League – and opted to take his team south of the border.

The three-year, $3.86-million deal (Csonka got $1.4 million) was far and away the WFL’s biggest splash.

“I’m not a kid coming out of college anymore,” Csonka told the Tampa Bay Times for a September 8, 1974 story. “I’m not leaving a million dollars on the table. My dad didn’t raise any stupid kids.”

The contracts, as you might expect, were a hot topic of conversation among the Dolphins as they entered their final season before the band broke up.

“We are professionals,” Csonka said. “We will play like professionals no matter what city we’re in. We’re extremely anxious to leave the Dolphins and NFL winners.”

Csonka, at 28, was the NFL’s top fullback and coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. He was named MVP of Super Bowl VIII, scoring two touchdowns and racking up 145 yards in Miami’s 24-7 victory over Minnesota.

Warfield wasn’t targeted a lot due to the Dolphins’ run-heavy attack in 1973, but he made his catches count. He closed the year with 29 receptions for 514 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Kiick was entering his sixth season with Don Shula’s juggernaut, and had added incentive to jump leagues after playing behind Mercury Morris for much of 1973. The result was a career-low 257 yards on 76 carries and no regular season touchdowns.

Yet, a sampling of other Dolphins suggested there were no hard feelings.

“There isn’t a player in professional football who wouldn’t jump to the new league for the kind of money they got,” safety Dick Anderson told the Times. “I can’t blame them. You can only play this game so long. And if you take a beating like Csonka does every game, you’d understand.”

Added guard Larry Little, “I’m glad for them. It’s an opportunity. I’m just sorry I’m not going up there with them.”

Shula, for his part, seemed unconcerned about any short-timers attitude, especially from his workhorse.

“I had a long talk with Larry after he got back from Toronto and he said he was going to give it everything he had to win a third Super Bowl,” he said.

While it had to be tough for Miami faithful to know the three would be gone once the season ended, they obviously gave their best to their future former team.

Csonka played in 12 games with 11 starts in 1974, picking up 749 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. Those stats are even more impressive considering he had to deal with shoulder and foot injuries.

Warfield, meanwhile, earned Pro Bowl honors, snagging 27 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns.

Kiick finished with 274 ground yards and scored once, bettering his numbers from the previous campaign.

In their final game before becoming Bassett’s employees – a 28-26 loss to the homestanding Oakland Raiders in the AFC playoffs – Csonka rumbled for 114 yards, while Warfield had three catches for 47 yards and a TD.

“Until I get back to Miami, I’m still very much a Dolphin,” Csonka told the Miami Herald after the game. “I think we had the best football dynasty ever and they’ll be chasing that one for a long time. See this ring on my finger? Nobody can take that from me.

“But football is a ‘now’ game. The past means a lot to individuals, but to the fans it’s next week that’s important. The Miami fans are a great group … I sure hate to leave them.”

Alas, there would be no repeat in the Dolphins’ swan song.

In fact, the franchise hasn’t won a Super Bowl since.

As for Csonka, Warfield and Kiick’s WFL days, they were short (the league folded after 12 games) and hardly dazzling from a statistical standpoint.

Kiick was the second leading rusher on the Southmen with 462 yards on 121 carries and nine touchdowns; Csonka was third with 421 yards on 99 totes and one score; and Warfield had 25 catches for 422 yards and three TDs.

Csonka played four more NFL seasons in his Hall of Fame career, three with the New York Giants (1976-78) and a last hurrah with Miami.

Warfield – also a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee – suited up for Cleveland in 1976 and 1977, finishing his playing days in the place he started before joining Miami in 1970.

Kiick spent the 1976 season with Denver and played four games with the Broncos in 1977 before being traded to Washington where he appeared in just one game and then retired.

Starting every game with the Dolphins in 1979, Csonka had 837 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns.

In 2017, Csonka wrote this on his larrycsonka.com blog:

“I do not regret my decision to jump to the WFL. It was a business decision. We all had families and the money offered would help secure our futures after football. None of us wanted to leave Miami but there was too big a gap in salary and (Miami owner Joe) Robbie wouldn’t even consider discussing our current contracts. I am happy Coach Shula and I were able to come to terms in 1979 and I was able to end my career with him and the Miami fans.”