Week 4

Week 4 in New Jersey

This week we traveled to New Jersey to take on Doug Flutie, Hershel Walker and the Generals. It was a barnburner, which we won 17-14. That takes us to 4-0 and the top of the Independence Division.

We signed my old pal Tim Taylor to kick this week, and his 3 for 3 performance should assure him of the job the rest of the season.

This was fun.... here I am getting my ass handed to me.

Brian had 2 catches for 26 yards. They covered him like a blanket for most of the day, but he made a couple nice grabs between defenders that set us up for scores.

Here Doug Flutie hands off to Hershel Walker. Walker had 138 yards on the day.

Kit Lathrop introduced himself to an unsuspecting Flutie.

A touchdown pass we had called back on a replay.

Here I demonstrate how I like to show perfect quarterback form even while flat on my back..... damnit.

USFL standings after 4 weeks. It's a 10 game regular season so it's still anyone's game.

Before I go, I wanted to show a picture of Tim that shows why there was so much commentary about him on talk radio this week. I don't think i've ever seen a kicker wear a mask this big. When I asked him why he chose it, he said "Because they don't make a bigger one." I think he might be in Witness Protection.

Week 3

On the road in Birmingham...

This week we traveled to Birmingham for ESPN's Saturday night game. We had another great week, beating the Stallions 21-6.

Safety Bruce Laird and the defense had a great night. Laird had an interception, and the defense racked up 3 turnovers. In our 3 games they've given up a league low 24 points. Here Bruce brings down a Stallion receiver.

 

Kit Lathrop got in the backfield so fast he almost took the handoff.... instead he just brought down Birmingham QB Cliff Stoudt before he could give the ball to Joe Cribbs.

  

I finished the day 11-21 with a TD and no interceptions despite our best receiver, my brother Brian, getting hurt early in the 2nd quarter. He'll be back next week.

  

The defense had Cliff Stoudt on the run all day.

  

Here Kit Lathrop breaks through the middle. I love this shot of Stoudt.... the camera caught him at a moment where it looks like he just wants to walk off the field....

  

Speaking of wanting to walk off the field.... I was just happy I was able to walk after this showdown.... I swear, it looked open for a second there. I'm not showing the picture of me after this hit.... that's going up in Brian's locker as a reminder not to get hurt anymore so i don't have to try to make things happen with my feet.

  

Looks like we'll be trying out some kickers this week after ours got hurt..... might have to give my old buddy Tim Taylor a call. He got cut by the Bears last season and is trying catch on somewhere.

See you next week.
Gene Sanny 21

Week 2

Week 2, home opener....
  
   Today I played my 2nd pro game.... home this time against the Tampa Bay Bandits. Coach Kush was on us tough all week trying to get us ready for "BanditBall" and it paid off in spades to the tune of a 15-6 victory. Our defense was incredible again this week, holding John Reeves and Company to only 2 field goals. As for me, I went 16-30 with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions. I really felt like i let the guys down with the turnovers, but our D really bailed me out with a defensive touchdown. Here's a few highlights....

Coach isn't crazy about my side arm delivery, but this one netted us 24 yards.

Kevin Nelson had a nice day. Here he scampers for a first down.

Kit Lathrop and the defense shut down the Bandit rushing attack altogether, which left only the pass, and the guys were ready for it every time.

Time to get some sleep..... practice early tomorrow.

Week 1

March 1986 Opening weekend of the USFL schedule

   My name is Gene Sanny, and I'm the new quarterback of the USFL's Arizona Outlaws. A 2nd round draft selection, I opted for the USFL after being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 8th round of this years NFL draft. I wanted to play right away, and I figured i'd have to wait a couple of years for Dan Fouts to retire... trying to fill a future hall-of-famers shoes didn't sound as attractive as the money the Outlaws were putting up, so here I am.
   The best part is the Outlaws drafted my brother to play wide reciever.... we hadn't played together since high school. I went to Nebraska, and he stayed in our home state of Iowa to play for the Hawkeyes.

   So opening weekend we traveled to Jacksonville to take on the Bulls. The USFL decided to stay in the Spring for this year, so it was beautiful to me for this time of the year. Arizona is awesome too, but remember, where i'm from there's still snow on the ground. I was a bundle of nerves.... it might not be the NFL, but it's still my first pro football. Here I am warming up before the game.

   I chose to wear number 21 because 2 was taken (my college number), and I always thought John Hadl of the Chargers looked cool wearing 21.... the USFL doesn't have restrictions on uniform numbers for quarterbacks, so I'm 21.

   Here's my brother Brian and I getting some last minute instructions from Coach Frank Kush.... notice we both shunned the newer face masks for the old school look.

Brian made a great catch in the 2nd quarter in between 2 Bulls defenders setting up a score.

Here I am throwing my first pro touchdown.

Our defense was incredible this afternoon. They tallied 2 fumble recoveries and an interception. They held my Husker teammate Mike Rozier to under 50 yards and gave QB Brian Sipe fits all day. Here's a great pass break-up.

Here's the defense forcing Brian Sipe to rush his throw, resulting in an interception.

Here's my favorite play. Victory formation, baby!

  I finished 16 of 33 with 1 TD and no INT's. Not too bad, but I gotta work on the completions. Brian had 2 catches for 33 yards and a ton of return yards in a 22-12 win.
   We are tied for first place in the Independence Division with Orlando at 1-0.... next week we face Steve Spurrier and his BanditBall offense at home.... I can't wait to suit up in front of our home fans.

USFL Madden League

   I am starting a Madden league of the USFL, based on the 1986 season. 8 teams remain: Arizona Outlaws, Orlando Renegades, Jacksonville Bulls, Tampa Bay Bandits, New Jersey Generals, Baltimore Stars, Birmingham Stallions, and the Memphis Showboats.
   It will be reported to you from the standpoint of me, quarterback of the Arizona Outlaws. I'm a rookie and this will be my journal.

New Look

   Well, i put up a new look to the Blog, and soon i will get a page started as a gallery for my artwork. I haven't decided if i'm going to put any of my art up for sale yet (i'm running out of wall space in my football room, but it's SO hard to part with my art), but if I get any offers i will entertain them.
   I'm also coming up with my next fantasy league to fill the void left by the NFL. Probably USFL, maybe the 8 team circuit that was supposed to take place in 1986 but never did.

If there's any ideas anyone has for this blog to make it more entertaining for you, kind visitor, feel free to drop me an email.   nfltattoo@gmail.com