The 2011 UFL Season

With the NFL in constant limbo, there are two football seasons that seem to be set in stone to play this coming fall.  NCAA football as always will dominate Saturdays, but if you still haven't heard, the United Football League (UFL) plays under it's lights primarily on Thursday nights during the fall season.  Created two years ago in 2009, the UFL has been a haven for castaway NFL'ers looking for a second chance, and those not-so-marquee name players from the college ranks looking to continue their playing careers and move a step closer to the big time Sundays of the NFL.  The UFL this year has a golden opportunity with the chance of an NFL lockout, to be the primary supplier of professional football, and could make an entry into the fantasy sports market as well.


The past two seasons, the UFL has done it's best to attract bigger name players onto their rosters, and this year, two players in particular caught our eye.  You may remember quarterbacks Colt Brennan and Pat White from their days at Hawaii and West Virginia, respectively, but we can almost guarantee you don't remember them for their playing days with the Redskins and the Dolphins.  Both Brennan and White have been listed on the 10 man reserve list for the Hartford Colonials (Brennan) and the Virginia Destroyers (White), the UFL's newest franchise.  Brennan's place on the Colonials has an added bonus for the quarterback, a chance to be reunited with Jerry Glanville; the two were together at Hawaii when Brennan set the NCAA record for touchdowns in a season.

 TPD predicts a breakout season for the young Brennan, who despite limited playing time in the NFL, has always possessed the skills to be an effective passer when placed in the correct system.  We predict Pat White to be competitive as well.  Last season, Daunte Culpepper joined the UFL with the Sacramento Mountain Lions, and had the most rushing yards amongst quarterbacks in 2010 with 94.  Pat White, if given an opportunity, could smash that number and bring some of the flare seen in the NFL to the UFL if Virginia chooses to operate out of a Wildcat package now and then.  Both quarterbacks are in positions to compete for the starting jobs, Brennan competing with Josh McCown, and White's field being wide open on the brand new Destroyers.

Some other names perk our interest quite a bit as well.  Former Cal running back J.J. Arrington joins the Las Vegas Locomotives, and the Omaha Nighthawks welcome back Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett.  Arrington joins the two time defending UFL champion Locomotives, who were led on the ground by back DeDe Dorsey, who was second in the league in rushing behind Florida's Dominic Rhodes (547) with 439 rushing yards.  Arrington has a chance to join a platoon of RB's that were both equally effective last year, as fellow Locomotive back Marcel Shipp gained 318 yards on the season.  Maurice Clarett accumulated 154 yards on the ground running as the primary backup to former Green Bay star Ahman Green (253).  However, we see Clarett's role increasing and expect him to have a standout season as well.

Stay tuned to TPD as we'll continue to provide coverage of the UFL and breakdowns at each position.  Despite the low key nature of the league, TPD sees the UFL as a great league to follow and watch, especially if you're looking to follow some players from your alma mater that may have made rosters.  It's also a great opportunity for a nice little fantasy league as well, and there are enough players with names that are recognizable to football fans that you don't have to be a diehard to be competitive.