Five of the seven NFL teams still jockeying for a playoff place will be influenced by UFL alumni, which include two head coaches from the 2010 season.
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator JAY GRUDEN, who was the head coach of the 2010 Florida Tuskers and the team's offensive coordinator in 2009, will find himself in the playoffs if the Bengals win or tie at home to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. A loss or tie by both the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders or a Jets loss or tie coupled with a Denver Broncos loss or tie will also suffice.
Aiming to make the playoffs at Gruden's expense will be former Tuskers linebacker DARRYL BLACKSTOCK, who recorded a special teams tackle in the Raiders' Week 16 win over Kansas City and now faces divisional foe San Diego on Sunday knowing a win along with a Broncos loss or tie will capture the AFC West title. In a complicated AFC scenario, Blackstock's Raiders can also make the playoffs if results involving Cincinnati, Tennessee and the New York Jets go their way.
The Jets, whose cornerback ISAIAH TRUFANT was the 2010 UFL Defensive Player of the Year and won the 2010 championship with the Las Vegas Locos, need to win at Miami and hope Cincinnati, Tennessee, Oakland and Denver are all unable to secure victories. Trufant claimed a special teams tackle last week as the Jets lost 29-14 to the New York Giants.
Completing the complicated AFC playoff picture from a UFL perspective, 2010 Hartford Colonials head coach and current Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator CHRIS PALMER needs a win for his team at Houston along with a combination of scenarios that includes the Bengals, Jets, Raiders and Broncos. Titans defensive tackle SHAUN SMITH (Las Vegas 2009) made 2 tackles in 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.
The picture is much clearer in the NFC East where the winner of the clash between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys will earn the final playoff berth, or even a tie will see the Giants through. Former Las Vegas Locos offensive tackle TONY UGOH started at tight end last week in a 29-14 win over the New York Jets.
Already assured of NFC postseason play is Atlanta Falcons kicker MATT BRYANT (Florida 2009), who made field goals of 51, 34 and 30 yards in a 45-16 loss to the New Orleans Saints last week.
Heading to the AFC playoffs are three safeties in EMANUEL COOK (Hartford 2010) who made 2 special teams tackles in the Baltimore Ravens' 20-14 win over the Cleveland Browns last week, QUINTIN DEMPS (Hartford 2010) who posted a tackle and a special teams stop in a 19-16 Houston Texans loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and DA'MON CROMATIE-SMITH (Sacramento 2010), who made a special teams tackles as the Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-0 against the St Louis Rams.
Former Hartford Colonials quarterback JOSH McCOWN started under center at Lambeau Field as the Chicago Bears lost 35-21 to the Green Bay Packers.
McCown, who led the UFL in passer rating (79.3) and yards per attempt (7.24) and was tied for first in touchdown passes (10) in the UFL in 2010, completed 19 of 28 pass attempts for 242 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. He also rushed 8 times for 38 yards and threw a two-point conversion pass.
"The performance that Josh put in was impressive," said Bears head coach Lovie Smith on Monday. "We want to see him have an opportunity to play again. You normally can find a spot for a player who played the way he played last night."
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher added: "He played hard. He moved us down the field. I was impressed with the way he did. It's a tough situation to be in with our defense playing the way we played, getting behind like that. He just kept battling."
In other Week 16 performances by former UFL players, running back LORENZO BOOKER, (Hartford 2010) had two carries for one yard and a special teams tackle in a 33-26 Minnesota Vikings win over the Washington Redskins, while teammate ANDREW SENDEJO (Sacramento 2010) posted a special teams tackle.
Defensive end DARRION SCOTT (Florida 2010) made a tackle for the Redskins, whose long snapper NICK SUNDBERG was a member of the 2009 California Redwoods. ERIK PEARS (Omaha 2010) started at tackle in a 40-14 Buffalo Bills win over the Denver Broncos, while COLIN BROWN (Hartford 2010) saw action at tackle. Fullback TYLER CLUTTS (Sacramento 2010) started and caught a pass for two yards in the Bears' loss in Green Bay.
Former UFL kickers in action included GRAHAM GANO (Las Vegas 2009) who split the uprights from 53, 47, 26 and 25 yards and on 2/2 extra points for the Redskins, STEVEN HAUSHKA (Las Vegas 2010), who made a 19-yard field goal and 2/2 extra points as the Seattle Seahawks lost 19-17 loss to San Francisco, and NICK NOVAK (pictured, Florida 2010) whose San Diego Chargers lost 38-10 to Detroit as he made a PAT and a 22-yard field goal.
About The United Football League: The UFL provides high-quality professional football during a traditional fall season while embracing innovation and fan interaction. The UFL serves its local communities with pride and dedication, and aims to provide every fan with an exciting and memorable game experience. The inaugural 2009 champion Las Vegas Locos won a second championship in 2010, lifting the William Hambrecht Trophy with a second win over the Florida Tuskers. The 2011 season champion Virginia Destroyers defeated the Locos in the Championship Game. The four-team competition featured the Locos, Destroyers, Omaha Nighthawks and Sacramento Mountain Lions. The UFL is led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue and is funded by a consortium of private investors. For season tickets, more information and to interact with passionate football fans, please visit UFL-Football.com.
