If you’re looking for a football adage that possesses both rhyme and reason, here’s one of my faves: “It’s not about the Xs and the Os, but the Jimmys and the Joes.”
It’s often used in the context of college recruiting, but the message goes far beyond that. Ultimately, you can draw up the best plays in the world but if the talent to execute them isn’t there, it won’t make much difference.
Every coach realizes this, and that’s why those in the United States Football League work hand-in-hand with their general managers to sign the best players available.
Take a look at how tight the standings are and you can see that they’ve all done a creditable job. Today’s game between the Birmingham Stallions and Philadelphia Stars (which started with handshakes and hugs before the coin toss and segued to a brief shoving match on the opening kickoff) was a perfect example. It featured a battle of division leaders, yet when Week Seven began last Saturday, Birmingham (6-2) was third in the South.
And before reeling off three consecutive victories, Philly (4-4) was in last place in the North.
“Overall, the talent in the league has really improved, and I say that because when we drafted our rosters last year, everybody drafted 50 players, so that’s 400 players in one year that got put into this league,” Stallions coach Skip Holtz said following practice earlier in the week. “But I think the free agents and players that were available this year are better than the talent in the second half of the draft last year. So, you’ve seen a lot of turnover in some of these teams with the lower part of their rosters, and I think it’s because there’s a lot more talent in this league. I think everybody’s capable of winning each and every week, and every game is gonna be a battle.
“Somebody told me that unlike college, there are no 1-AA (Football Championship Subdivision) opponents in the USFL. Anybody can beat anybody on a given day.”
True enough.
Beyond that, though, a common thread among every single player who suits up for one of the eight teams is their love of the game.
Sure, it’s a business, but you can tell there’s a real joy in what they do.
Holtz certainly sees it.
“You know, you watch them after practice and everybody’s dapping each other up and saying, ‘Nice work today,’ and we’re looking at them all hanging around,” Holtz said. “Practice is over and they’re all just sitting around talking … they enjoy being around each other. They’re a great group of guys with great chemistry and that’s a real testament to the quality and character of the players that we have on this roster that love the game and love to play.
“They want to win – they’re competitive players – but that’s part of what’s made it so much fun to be part of.”
What’s true with the Stallions is true across all eight teams and all four hubs.
“When you look at the number of players in the USFL that got their opportunities in the NFL last year, there were over 50 players,” Holtz said. “And that’s why so many of these guys are here. They want their opportunities, they want to move up, but they want to play some more over here for the love of the game.
“Some are here because they want more film, but the players that are here, they’re appreciative, they’re grateful. They want an opportunity to get on the field.”
It’s a new and different opportunity for coaches, as well. Holtz said when he decided to work in the USFL, it was because he and his wife wanted an “adventure.”
“I had a long conversation with Rick Neuheisel before I accepted this job, and I know he had been in a spring league earlier (head coach of the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football in 2019),” Holtz said. “I called him and asked him about it. He said the biggest thing is to enjoy the relationship with the players, because that’s really what it’s all about.”
As a football fan, I appreciate the entertainment value of the USFL. But I also find myself cheering for various players, regardless of whether they play for the hometown Stallions or not.
“One thing about the USFL is we’re able to give (players) a platform to be viewed in a different light,” league president Daryl Johnston said. “And we try to come at it from a holistic approach … making good young men out of the players in our league, not just good football players.”
While Alex McGough spends a lot of post-practice time trying to make Holtz laugh (and succeeding), there’s nothing funny about his play. The dude is a boss whether loading up and throwing or tucking and running.
Today he threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns, and celebrated by giving Holtz a bear hug after his team’s thrilling 27-24 victory. He engineered a late drive that put the Stallions ahead to stay with 28 seconds remaining.
“I always say pressure is a privilege,” McGough said. “Like, most people don’t get the chance to go in in the fourth quarter and try to win the game. In professional football, this is a privilege. And I think you can either fall under it, or rise to it.”
Stars quarterback Case Cookus was fantastic, also throwing for three touchdowns and amassing 265 yards.
He’s been on five NFL practice squads and one in the Canadian Football League, and continues to show why he deserves more chances.
“This league giving so many guys opportunities has been a blessing,” Cookus said. “I’m so thankful … you can go through the league and like every other guy has that unique, cool story about how they got here and how they love to play football.
“There’s some great people across the field. (Birmingham) is a very good team and they’re a bunch of great guys who are really competitive. I’m having a blast playing but, you know, winning would’ve made it more fun.”
If you don’t like New Jersey Generals running back Darius Victor – the first player in the modern USFL to amass more than 1,000 rushing yards – you don’t like people.
New Orleans Breakers quarterback Mcleod Bethel-Thompson is about as urbane as you can get while still wearing shoulder pads.
And as much fun as it is to watch Pittsburgh Maulers D-lineman Boogie Roberts make a big-man play, seeing him interview teammates on the sidelines is highly entertaining as well.
I could go on and on listing examples from across the league, because you’ll find plenty of guys worthy of rooting for – even if they were completely unfamiliar to you before you saw them play in the USFL.
The vast majority, of course, want an NFL roster spot. Right now, though, they want to grow where they’re planted.
Once you follow a season and learn the players’ personalities (as well as their stories), you find yourself torn. Selfishly, you want to see them back in a familiar uniform when a new season starts.
But if you’re really, truly a fan of theirs, you want them to play at the highest level.
It’s not about the Xs and the Os, but the Jimmys and the Joes – and how far they can go.
You state exactly why we love this league; it’s friendly, it’s fun, and the play is fantastic. What we see is many players who didn’t make it to the NFL, yet they are still star players with real passion for this game. Their own enthusiasm and talent is more than enough to create the atmosphere for competitive play. Sports means much more to me now after watching these teams (unabashedly Stallions fans here) grow and support these splendid athletes. Let’s face it; the NFL is not a league that is fan centered. We could never afford to attend an NFL game. Have you seen the crowds at USFL games? Lots of young kids, families, and couples because the entertainment value is high and the cost is so reasonable. I’m a big fan. Thanks, keep up the good work fellas.