ESPN's 30 In 30: "Small Potatoes: Who Killed The USFL?"

On Tuesday night, ESPN premiered the latest short film in their "30 In 30" series profiling prominent sports' stories during the network's 30 years of existence. This hour-long film was about the USFL, a spring time pro football league that lasted just three seasons from 1983-1985.

Many notable players that would later go on to the NFL got their start in pro football in the USFL, including Hall of Famers Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Reggie White and Gary Zimmerman. Three consecutive Heisman Trophy winners, 1982-Hershel Walker, 1983-Mike Rozier and 1984-Doug Flutie, signed their first pro contracts with the USFL. Other prominent players that played in the USFL include Brian Sipe, Doug Williams, Bobby Hebert, Anthony Carter, Nate Newton and Sam Mills. There were many others that played in the NFL prior to or after their stint in the USFL.

Other prominent names that were part of the USFL are current South Carolina and former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier, current ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso, former New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts' head coach Jim Mora, Sr., broadcaster Charlie Steiner, current UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel and former Kansas City Chiefs executive Carl Peterson, among others.

But the prominent personality that is largely blamed for the league's demise is Donald Trump. Trump bought a franchise in the USFL, the New York/New Jersey Generals, and was driven to move the league's schedule to the fall so they could compete with the NFL. Even in the mid-1980's, this was not a plan that seemed destined to work.

Trump sued the NFL essentially saying they had a monopoly, at least in part because they had tv deals with all three major networks. While he was right, and the court ultimately ruled in the USFL's favor, the damages awarded were not substantial-$3. To say nothing of the fact that the court proceedings started when the USFL should have been playing, which they obviously were not. Many USFL owners were struggling financially, and the league ultimately folded.

The USFL also brought some innovations that are being used currently in the NFL, like the two-point conversion and a challenge-driven instant replay system.

A "New USFL" is rumored to be coming in 2010, with many of the original franchise names. Check out the website, http://www.newusfl.com/.

Benchwarmer Baseball Experts League-Regular Season Final Result

In the fantasy baseball expert's league I'm in on Benchwarmer Baseball (http://www.benchwarmerbaseball.net) we have now completed our 150-game regular season.

In the "Blogs Division" my team, the MVN.com Fantasy Outsiders, finished three games back in second place with a 86-64 record (.573 winning percentage). We played a head-to-head format, obviously.

I will return to this league in 2010, so look for updates on how I'm doing in it again next year.

Benchwarmer Baseball Experts League-Standings Update

In the fantasy baseball Expert's League I'm in on Benchwarmer Baseball (http://www.benchwarmerbaseball.net) is nearing the end of it's season, as is real baseball.

Through 138 games of our 150 game season, I have a record of 79-59 and am in second place (three games out of first) in the "Blogs Division".

I will give another standing's update when the regular season is over.

Fantasy Football Draft Results

I had a fantasy football draft last night, in a fairly competitive league that I won last year, and here's how I came out round-by-round.

1st Round, #7 overall-Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
2nd Round, #18 overall-Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans
3rd Round, #31 overall-Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
4th Round, #42 overall-Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
5th Round, #55 overall-Chris Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals
6th Round, #66 overall-Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
7th Round, #79 overall-Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
8th Round, #90 overall-Leon Washington, RB, New York Jets
9th Round, #103 overall-Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
10th Round, #114 overall-Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals
11th Round, #127 overall-Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
12th Round, #138 overall-Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago Bears
13th Round, #151 overall-Rob Bironas, K, Tennessee Titans
14th Round, #162 overall-Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants

I like my depth at RB and to a lesser extent I like my WR depth. Palmer's status is in doubt for Week 1 due to an ankle issue, but 10th round felt like a value if he is healthy. Jackson is dealing with a wrist issue, but is expected to be ready for Week 1 (I hope) and will start the first three games of the season in place of the suspended Marshawn Lynch.

All in all, I think I did ok. Chris Johnson in the first round is a boom-or-bust pick in my opinion.

Please post any feedback in the comments, I look forward to hearing how other people think I did.

Benchwarmer Baseball Experts League-Standings Update

I haven't done this for awhile, but I will give a standings' update for the fantasy baseball expert's league I'm in on Benchwarmer Baseball (http://www.benchwarmerbaseball.net/)

We have completed 111 games of our head-to-head format 150-game season. I currently have a 64-47 record, good for second place (three games out of first) in the "Blogs" Division. That mark is also good enough to be part of a three-way tie for the fourth best record in the league.

Leading my team to success on the offensive side this season are San Diego Padres 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Toronto Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill, Colorado Rockies OF Brad Hawpe, New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez and Washington Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman.

Leading my pitching staff is Derek Lowe of the Atlanta Braves, Brian Fuentes and John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim along with Joe Blanton of the Philadelphia Phillies and Fernando Rodney of the Detroit Tigers.

Check Out Pro Fantasy Sports.com!

I am now contributing NFL updates (with a fantasy football angle) to a website called Pro Fantasy Sports (http://www.profantasysports.com/). The site covers all sports, so do take a look at it.

Notes: My updates on Pro Fantasy Sports also appear on Sports Buff (http://www.sportsbuff.com)

Follow Me On Twitter!

Follow me on Twitter @bradberreman24. I try to update it often with sports-related stuff, mostly my "quick take" on newsworthy items.