Aside from the weekend of the draft, the NFL offseason usually filled with emptiness with the realization that football won't be around until the summer. This year is different though, as the United States Football League's inaugural reboot season officially got underway this weekend. The USFL is hoping to be an outlet for NFL fans to get through the offseason and maybe even eventually compete with the NFL for ratings at some point in the distant future.
For the players, it is a way to get additional reps and film to their name that NFL scouts and general managers can use to see if they want to give these players shots in future training camps.
All eight teams played this weekend, and seven of those teams have former Eagles on them. Ironically, the only USFL team without a former Eagle is the Philadelphia Stars. A total of 14 players in the league have spent at least some time on the Eagles 53-man roster or training camp roster. Here's a look at the former Eagles who appeared in this weekend's boxscores:
New Jersey Generals
QB Luis Perez: 13/18, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns
DT Destiny Vaeao: 1 tackle
CB De'Vante Bausby: 1 tackle, 1 pass defended
S Trae Elston: 1 tackle
Michigan Panthers
DB Jameson Houston: 4 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
DT JaQuan Bailey: N/A
Birmingham Stallions
WR Manasseh Bailey: N/A
TE Cary Angeline: 6 targets, 2 receptions, 35 yards, 1 touchdown
Pittsburgh Maulers
QB Kyle Lauletta: 2/10, 8 yards
CB Ajene Harris: 1 tackle
Houston Gamblers
QB Clayton Thorson: 9/17, 73 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
New Orleans Breakers
DE Shareef Miller: 5 tackles (one for loss), 0.5 sacks
Tampa Bay Bandits
S Obi Melifonwu: 1 tackle
WR Rashard Davis: 4 targets, 1 catch, 13 yards; 5 punt returns, 16 return yards
Philadelphia Stars
The Stars hung tough with a New Orleans team that's expected to be towards the top of the standings come season's end. In a 23-17 defeat, the Stars had a few mishaps that cost them the game (2 missed FGs, blocked punt that resulted in safety, and a Turnover on Downs inside the 5-yard line).
We'll track these former Eagles along with the Philadelphia Stars throughout their seasons to see if any play well enough to earn another chance in the NFL, and possibly another chance in Philadelphia.
