How The UFL Will Impact The NFL Playoffs

Former United Football League players and coaches will aim to help their teams secure postseason berths as the 2011 NFL regular season comes to an end this weekend.

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.

Ring In The New Year With OKC Barons Hockey

OKLAHOMA CITY – Ring in the New Year tomorrow night with the Oklahoma City Barons as the host they San Antonio Rampage at 7pm at the Cox Convention Center.  Doors open at 6pm.



In addition to the festivities surrounding the Opening Night celebration downtown, the Barons will have their own festivities indoors to start the night off.  That includes beads do adorn your clothing for the remainder of the night, an indoor fire/ice show and beer sampling courtesy of Boulevard Brewery.

Barons fans 21-and-older may enjoy samples of four different Boulevard beers including:  Boulevard Wheat, Boulevard IPA, Boulevard Amber and Boulevard Pale Ale.  After sampling the beer, fans can purchase 12 oz. bottles of Boulevard product for $5.

Faceoff for the Barons New Year’s Eve contest is 7pm.  Tickets start as low as $10 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets including the Cox Convention Center box office. 



In team news, Barons forward Triston Grant is listed as day-to-day after suffering an upper body injury while blocking a shot in the second period of the Barons game Wednesday night against Rochester.

Skate With OKC Barons Hockey Thursday For Free

OKLAHOMA CITY – With warmer than average temperatures expected for later this week, the Oklahoma City Barons, in conjunction with the Devon Ice Rink and Downtown in December, are offering an alternative outdoor activity on Thursday.

The Barons coaches and players will be available to skate with fans from 11:30am to 12:30pm.  Admission and skate rental is free for fans that attend and wish to skate with the Barons during that time.

"As a group, we want our fans to interact with our players and still preserve the ice surface at the Devon Ice Rink for the rest of the holiday season," said Barons Vice President of Sales and Marketing John Allgood.  "We look forward to everyone joining our players for a skate on a beautiful, winter afternoon."



The man-made, outdoor rink is set up in an area on the east side of the Myriad Botanical Gardens near Robinson Ave. across from the Cox Convention Center.  The 60-foot by 100-foot rink is open from noon to midnight daily, including holidays.  



In its 10^th year, Downtown in December transforms downtown Oklahoma City into a winter wonderland with the Devon Ice Rink, Chesapeake Snow Tubing at RedHawks Field at Bricktown, the SandRidge Christmas tree and so much more. For more information about Downtown in December, visit DowntownInDecember.com.

In team news, the Edmonton Oilers recalled defenseman Colten Teubert from the Oklahoma City Barons, Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini announced Wednesday. 

Teubert, a 6-4, 210-pounder from White Rock, B.C. has played in 10 games with the Oilers this season, registering one assist and serving eight penalty minutes.  With Oklahoma City, he has played 17 games, recording six points (2-4-6) and serving 33 penalty minutes.

Tickets for Barons games start at $10 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Cox Convention Center box office.

Holiday Bowl Game: Planning Your Parking

With 14,000 spaces for 66,000 seats at Snapdragon by Qualcomm Stadium, the parking lot is expected to be full one to two hours before Wednesday’s Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl. Fans planning to drive to the game are urged to carpool and arrive at least two hours before the 5pm kickoff. The parking lot opens at 8am. 

The 34^th annual game features the California Golden Bears and Texas Longhorns.  Bowl officials expect a crowd of about 60,000. 

The following areas also can be used for event parking, and will serve as overflow lots in the event the Snapdragon Stadium lot fills up:

San Diego State University: From I-8, exit College Avenue and go south. Paid visitor parking is available in designated campus lots. Parking rates vary by location. Take the San Diego Trolley from the SDSU Transit Center to access the Stadium.

Mission City Corporate Center (2365 Northside Drive, adjacent to the stadium): Take Friars Road west to Northside Drive. Parking is $30.

Marriott Mission Valley: Take Friars Road and exit Qualcomm Way to Rio San Diego Drive. Parking is $15. Take the San Diego Trolley to access the Stadium from the Rio Vista Station.

Town and Country Hotel: Continue on Friars Road West past Fashion Valley Mall and exit Fashion Valley Road. Parking is $15. Take the San Diego Trolley from the Fashion Valley Station to access the Stadium.

Fans are also asked to consider taking the San Diego Trolley to the game. 

The San Diego Trolley's Green and Special Event Lines, with connections to Mission Valley, downtown and East County stops just steps away from the entry gates at Snapdragon Stadium and is a great alternative to driving to the game. 

For general information, mapping trips and schedules, or to order special Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl Commemorative Day Tripper passes (good for unlimited rides on trolley or bus) visit SDMTS.com.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or by visiting Ticketmaster.com.

OKC Barons Host Amerks Tuesday And Wednesday

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Edmonton Oilers recalled defenseman Alex Plante from the Oklahoma City Barons Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini announced Monday.

This marks the fourth time this season Plante has been recalled by Edmonton. In his three call-ups this season, he has played in two games, registering one assist and serving two penalty minutes. In total, he's played in nine NHL games, registering one assist and serving 15 penalty minutes.

Plante, a 6-4, 230-pounder from Brandon, Manitoba has played in 28 games with the Barons, scoring 11 points (1-10-11) and serving 63 penalty minutes. Plante is expected to join the Oilers in advance of their game tonight against the Vancouver Canucks at 9pm (CT).

Edmonton has assigned center Milan Kytnar to the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL.

The 21-year-old forward from Topolcany, Slovakia has appeared in seven games for the Barons, recording one assist and 14 shots on goal. Prior to his stint with OKC, Kytnar played in nine games for Stockton, scoring three goals and adding two assists.

The Barons return to action Tuesday night when they host the Rochester Americans at the Cox Convention Center at 7pm. Barons fans 21-and-older may enjoy 16 oz. draws of Bud and Bud Light for just $2. Wednesday evening, the Barons tangle with Rochester again at 7pm.

Tickets for Barons games start at $10 and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Cox Convention Center box office.