The UFL game that was scheduled in Los Angeles tomorrow has been cancelled, according to a report from the LA Daily News. The Las Vegas Something’ruthers were slated to take on the New York Whatchamacalits at the Home Depot Center, a soccer stadium, but that game has since been rescheduled to be played at Sam Boyd Stadium. But when Vegas becomes your safety site, how bad can things be?

[T]he UFL greatly overestimated its usefulness. Initial plans were to get about 20,000 fans a game, but its announced crowd counts are closer to 12,500. Those actually in attendance would guess it’s closer to less than half of that each game. –LA Daily News.

I was actually looking forward to the UFL, but that damn league seems so content with operating a phantom season that I just can’t find any enjoyment in the ordeal. The UFL’s first season will end with its championship game on the day after Thanksgiving. Don’t expect to take home any leftovers.

The upstart United Football League, pro sports’ answer to Ponzi scheming, has released images of the uniforms for three of its four franchises. And honestly, it looks like some league executive handed his 5-year-old kid a box of crayons and said, “We need colors. Go.” They’re not atrocious. They’re too bland to be atrocious. The one positive you could say is that…well, they’re unique. It looks like everyone’s going to be using the same white, UFL helmet. Awesome. Two of the team names–the California Redwoods and the Los Vegas Locomotives–suck. Which means that they should extend the UFL brand very well. Whatever. Just let me know which one Michael Vick’s gonna wear in October…and you have to visit Dave’s new UFL blog, if only for the name

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback and amateur Adam Sandler lookalike JP Losman signed with the UFL today. He’ll be playing (presumably) for the Las Vegas franchise, which still doesn’t have a name, but you wouldn’t name a baby that wasn’t gonna live for more than six months, would you?

“I have followed JP’s career since his early days with Buffalo where he impressed me with his raw talent, passing accuracy and on-field competitiveness,” said Jim Fassel, Head Coach of the Las Vegas franchise. “JP has all the attributes of a great professional quarterback and I am truly looking forward to working with him. I am anxious to start the season with JP at the helm of this Las Vegas franchise and show what we can do on the field.” via.

Losman was the Bills’ No. 1 pick in 2004. A lot of good that did, I’d say. So is the UFL the last stop in Losman’s NFL career? The debate whimpers on, along with one other unsettled paradox. Sure, shampoo goes on first and cleans the hair, but conditioner leaves the hair silky and smooth. Oh really, fool.

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick completes his federal prison term today, where he’s expected to shed the ankle monitor that he’s worn since his home confinement began on May 20th. Vick, having been released by the Falcons last month, still faces the obstacle of reinstatement by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before he can play for another NFL team.

As soon as that ankle bracelet comes off, Vick becomes the black Brett Favre, meaning that the speculation regarding his NFL future will be endless, and pointless, until somebody actually signs him. But instead of the question being “Will he or won’t he,” it’s “Where?” I’ve said before that any on-field benefit an NFL team would enjoy with Vick wouldn’t exceed the potential hailstorm at the box office. Do I want to see Vick back in the league? Hell, yeah. Do I want him on my team? Not a chance.

But any team could lessen that burden by signing Vick during the season, after all the season tickets have been bought and paid for. Some reports indicate that Goodell may not rule until then, anyway. But Vick’s best shot of playing everyday might involve another act of contrition–playing in the UFL. It’s hard to imagine anyone not being remorseful after playing there.

via.

Fanhouse had the poop on the United Football League’s release of their “game enhancements,” or how their rules will differ from those of the NFL. I personally can’t wait for the UFL to start, but then again, I also can’t wait for this Edmonton Eskimos-Montreal Alouettes game tonight. The rest of you need to decide if you’re NFL fans or just football fans. From the UFL release:

The rule enhancements that have been approved for the UFL’s “Premiere” season include:

The deletion of the “Tuck” rule which makes a loose ball a fumble if the passer loses possession of the ball as he is putting it away after completion of the forward pass motion.[...]

The Quarterback can legally ground the football if inside or outside the pocket area while under duress.
Tasteful individual and/or group celebrations are permitted ONLY in end zone and bench area.

Other rule mods include the dissolution of the “tuck rule,” sudden-death OT only after both teams have had at least one possession, and booth review for instant replay. I’m also hoping to see some of these wrinkles added in time for the season: Allowing 14 players on offense, making all face mask grabbing and horse collar tackling legal, and players participating in the stadium’s halftime shows, a la BASEketball. But, you know, without the making out. Yeah, it was that part that ruined the movie for me. Read the rest of this entry »

<!– begin rant –>I’m really sick of people bashing the UFL, and I can’t really explain why. Despite the failings of the XFL, the former World League, and the USFL, all of those organizations implemented innovative changes to the game of football that still exist today. And I still believe there will be no better overtime format than the one first rolled out by the WLAF, where one team has to score six points in the extra period to win. Aw, but it’s gonna suck, why can’t they play in the spring, where are my nachos, duhhhhrrr! Listen, dick. If you don’t want to watch it, DON’T WATCH IT. But don’t act like you’re friggin Nostradamus over there. Everyone knows what an upstart football league is up against, including the people behind the UFL. <!– end rant –>

The UFL had it’s first mass dispersion of players to its four franchises last night, and for the first time, we can finally put some names to these teams. Names on the list that I actually recognize: Redskins free agent bust Adam Archuleta, former Utah quarterback Brian Johnson, LaBrandon Toefield, and former Nebraska quarterback Brooks Ballinger. Wait, Brooks Ballinger is still alive? Didn’t he die in some gyro-copter accident?

Some people criticized the UFL’s process of a secret draft, saying the league passed up a chance to generate buzz. Aside from not caring about hearing the names of players I’ve never heard of, most upstart organizations, including the old ABA, held their player acquisition meetings in secret. Besides, the bulk of these rosters will be filled once NFL teams make cuts in training camp. Even the league’s first draft couldn’t compete with the NFL’s sloppy seconds. To me, that makes the league all the more compelling.