The Tampa Bay Bandits are one of those squads and they potentially have the most star power of any of the eight squads that were relaunched last year. [3][4][5][6] Reynolds was prominently involved in the Bandits' early marketing campaigns, and the cover of the team's first media guide featured a photo of the actor wearing a Bandits jacket and trucker hat. The Bandits were led on the ground by Ta'amu and B.J. March 09, 2022, 9:00 am ET. Equipment Manager Andrew Skwara (Birmingham Stallions), Interview with New Orleans Breakers QB Aqeel Glass, Talking with Tony Paul (The Detroit News) | USFL Podcast Interview. This came with the announcement of the creation of the Memphis Showboats. Former UCF defensive back Rashard Causey was selected by the Tampa Bay Bandits during Tuesday night's new United States Football League draft. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. The team is led by head coach longtime NFL assistant coach Todd Haley. [5], Also building interest was the hiring of Steve Spurrier as head coach and offensive coordinator in November 1982. Market data provided by Factset. He would lead the USFL in passing yards at 2,014 and touchdowns with 14. Jonathan Adams #9 of New Orleans Breakers misses the ball as Christian Campbell #7 of Tampa Bay Bandits defends in the second quarter of the game at Protective Stadium on April 24, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. He died in May 1986. The Tampa Bay Bandits were the Tampa franchise of the USFL. The eight USFL teams will be split into two divisions. Though technically an amateur team (wink, wink), were including the Bombers on this list because for decades they were the areas marquee sports entity. A fan-friendly atmosphere (including a theme song, "Bandit Ball", penned and sung by Reynolds' friend Jerry Reed[10]) was one factor, and the Bucs' futility during the period (they went 1038 from 1983 to 1985the start of a 12-year stretch of 10-loss seasons) also helped the Bandits' success. Call 1-800-GAMBLER (PA/OH) or 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Theres a former Netflix star on the roster for Tampa Bay. Quarterback John Reaves (Bandits '83-'85) died on August 1, 2017. Ta'amu has been a member of several National Football League (NFL) teams and has started for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL and Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League (USFL). The original Bandits played from 1983 to 1985 and often drew crowds that would rival the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were then entering a multi-year streak of double-digit losing seasons. 3:58 p.m. Kyle Sloter #10 of New Orleans Breakers looks to pass the ball in the third quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Bandits at Protective Stadium on April 24, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. Quarterback Kyle Sloter ran the ball into the end zone for a 1-yard score to cap off an impressive 13-play, 77-yard drive. Subscribe to our XFL News Hub YouTube Channel. While Tampa Bay failed to score a touchdown, they finally got on the board with a 22-yard field goal by kicker Tyler Rausa. The USFL also is using the same red, white and blue stars-and-stripes logo it did from 1983-85. Tampa Bay's special teams brought the Bandits within two points when Rashard Davis returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-12 with 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Ta'amu was selected with the second pick of the 2022 USFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Bandits. ET. Could the Tampa Bay Bandits, whose popularity in the 1980s rivaled that of the Bucs, be among them? The USFL is a new, independent league controlled by FOX Sports through NSFL HoldCo, LLC, a new business entity. 39 and 61. . The Bandits were a charter member of the USFL and was the only franchise to have the same principal owner (John F. Bassett), head coach (Steve Spurrier), and home field (Tampa Stadium) during the league's three seasons of play (19831985). He was out of football entirely for two seasons before stepping in as a high school coach in 2020 in the Tampa area before being named the Bandits coach. The Bandits stormed back to take a 2518 lead. . The Bulls came back to tie the game, but the Bandits won when Zenon Andrusyshyn kicked a field goal to give Tampa Bay a 2825 lead. Each USFL team will carry a 38-man active roster plus a seven-man practice squad, and players will receive base compensation . Pete Times Forum/Tampa Bay Times Forum/Amalie Arena (1997-2017). Tampa Bay Bandits. Banditball was a true reflection of coach Steve Spurrier and maverick owner John Bassett. The Bandits were one of the most successful teams in the short-lived spring football league both on the field and at the ticket booth. The Tampa Bay Bandits are back. [1], On January 6, 2022, it was announced on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was named the head coach and general manager for the Bandits. [21] He was released on October 27. Can feather the ball over the top, as well as hang it on a line, demonstrating the pure passing talent needed to make every throw in the playbook. They were a charter member of the USFL and folded along with the league after the 1985 season. MOST RECENT. Ta'amu played at the New Mexico Military Institute for two seasons, passing for 3,014 yards and 32 touchdowns as a sophomore. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Gary Anderson, a star in any league, rushed for four touchdowns Saturday night to help the Tampa Bay Bandits open the United States Football League's third season with a 35-7 rout of the Orlando Renegades. The Bandits scored 363 points, but the defense conceded 378. The Tampa Bay Bandits of the United States Football League is currently playing the 2022 season with a record of 4 wins and 6 losses, placing them third in the USFL's South Division. Below is a full list of player picks and selections by team as each USFL franchise builds out its roster. Tampa Bay Bandits ; Memphis Showboats (2023-present) Roster status: Active: Career highlights and awards William V. Campbell Trophy (2020) Second-team All-AAC (2019) . He played college football for Ole Miss. The Tampa Bay Bandits' majority owner were Canadian businessman John Bassett (who was still in litigation against the NFL over his previous Memphis . Monarchs on Mon 27/02, 2023 . Jordan Ta'amu #10 of Tampa Bay Bandits looks to pass the ball in the third quarter of the game against the New Orleans Breakers at Protective Stadium on April 24, 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Jamie Squire/USFL/Getty Images). Use of this website (including any and all parts and components) constitutes your acceptance of these Terms of Use and . Note: You are reading this message either because you do not have a standards-compliant browser, or because you can not see our css files. [30][31] Before his death, he unsuccessfully tried to merge the Bandits organization with the Orlando Renegades (whose owner Donald Dizney had previously held a stake in the Bandits, but rejected the merger out of loyalty to Orlando) and Jacksonville Bulls (whose owner Fred Bullard expressed interest, but only if the Bandits owners stayed on as investors in the merged team). However, the franchise folded along with the rest of the USFL when the league suspended play after the 1985 season. In the inaugural draft's unique format, each round is dedicated . Injuries pounded Tampa Bay's roster in 1985, but Spurrier's team continued to fight, this time for a championship for . The team played their 2022 home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, which also hosts the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers. . After an extra point by MacGinnis, the Breakers led 31-3. Letsgetstarted. Note: The Finish, Wins, Losses, and Ties columns list regular season results and exclude any postseason play. Jacksonville was 1-1, after soundly defeating the Washington Federals and nearly beating the New Jersey Generals. On the field, the Bandits went 11-7, 14-4, and 10-8. He was one of 16 nominees for the U.S. Army National Player of . Spurrier's aggressive offense was usually one of the best in the league; Bandits players are among the USFL career leaders in touchdown passes (John Reaves, 4th), touchdown receptions (Eric Truvillion, 2nd), and rushing touchdowns (Gary Anderson, 3rd). February 26, 2023 8:35 pm NBC ProFootballTalk. Showboats games will be played at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (formerly known as the Liberty Bowl). [28] The team began signing mediocre players, most infamously defensive back Bret Clark, to large contracts, and plans for a new spring football league were abandoned. NFL. David Aaro is a Reporter at Fox News Digital. ('92), bullpen coach for the Tampa Bay Rays (2003-05) and catching/bullpen coach for the Philadelphia Phillies (2016-17). Taamus flashy play in St. Louis earned him another shot in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs adding him to their roster in April 2020. Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Kyle Lowry headline NBA injury report for Wednesday, March 1, Senators acquire D Jakob Chychrun from Coyotes, The Jake Paul boxing experiment is not dead (yet), How to bet on Kevin Durants player props for Suns debut Wednesday vs. Hornets. During this time the starting quarterback for Washington was Taylor Heinicke, who was Taamus back up in the XFL. Round 1 (quarterbacks), Pick 2: Jordan Ta'amu, Ole Miss. The Philadelphia Phillies are in the World Series for the first time since 2009. The old Sombrero also hosted the league championship between the Philadelphia Stars and the Arizona Wranglers in 1984. Nine of the players are questionable due to illness, including starting quarterback J'Mar Smith. All rights reserved. Home venue: Houlihans Stadium (1996-98), Raymond James Stadium (1999-2001). Hes bounced around the NFL, switching between WR and DB and recently earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021. The league plans to hold games in Birmingham and Memphis next spring, with a third market possible. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Tampa Bay Bandits coach Steve Spurrier, pictured here with quarterback (and Robinson High alumnus) John Reaves, led the team during its three seasons (1983-85) in the original United States . Problem was, the team (owned by the league) never could secure local ownership and hemorrhaged money. + Details. 7566. or redistributed. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. When the Pittsburgh Gladiators (one of Arena Football Leagues four original franchises) relocated to Tampa at the dawn of the 1990s, a diminutive dynasty was born. Jordan Taalolo Ta'amu-Perifanos (born December 10, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the DC Defenders of the XFL. From a skill position standpoint, Tampa Bay's backfield is made up of Juwan Washington (2,699 rushing yards, 25 TDs with San Diego State from 2016-19) and BJ Emmons (564 yards from scrimmage with . DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Linebacker Terrill Hanks is questionable with a hamstring . The USFL has returned to the hearts and eyes of the American people after disappearing in 1985. The Bandits arguably have the best quarterback-head coach duo in Jordan Ta'amu and Todd Haley. The Bandits began play in 1983 in Tampa Stadium, and were immediately more successful than the area's NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with whom they shared a home field (though the Bucs played in the fall and early winter while the Bandits played in the spring and early summer). John Reaves triggered the . Tampa Bay Bandits Mekhi . 1983 Tampa Bay Bandits Roster. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. TAMPA (WFLA) - The Tampa Bay Bandits, one of eight franchises in a rebirth of the United States Football League, have begun to assemble their roster and much like the USFL teams of the early . This list excludes our mainstream, major-sports franchises (Bucs, Lightning, Rays) as well the Rowdies (who still exist and have survived several incarnations). Todd Haley, who led the Bandits to a 4-6 record last spring, will coach Memphis. Roster Download Roster (PDF) . Buoyed by that revolutionary offense, an A-list minority owner (Burt Reynolds) and an ensemble of NFL-caliber talent (John Reaves, Gary Anderson, Nate Newton), the Bandits routinely drew crowds of more than 40,000. From Bombers to Bandits, Renegades to Rollin Thunder, weve seen a smorgasbord of pro teams try to make their mark with varying degrees of success. 1) De'Andre Johnson, New Jersey Generals 2) Brady White, Tampa Bay Bandits 3) J'Mar Davis-Smith, Birmingham Stallions All rights reserved. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/USFL/Getty Images). Void in ONT. [33] On August 4, a federal judge placed a lien on the franchise and ordered that the franchise's remaining assets - including everything from weight-lifting equipment to office furniture to memorabilia from the team store - be confiscated to pay off the debt, all but ending any realistic chance of the Bandits returning to the field. The Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars and . Tampa Bay will open the season Sunday, April 17 against the Pittsburgh Maulers. 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[DAVID KADLUBOWSKI | Tampa Bay Times], Selection to Lightning Hall of Fames inaugural class very, very special for Phil Esposito, Lightning assistant GM Jamie Pushor found his post-playing passion in scouting, Book Talk: Dominique Richardson, Sorboni Banerjee speak at Oxford Exchange, In Daniel Robertsons return to Rays, a clear mind is what matters, Sabres leave Lightning stunned in overtime, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning shut down Red Wings, This Lightning trade is not just a risk, its a full-blown battle cry, Bucs players give team low marks for travel, treatment of families, Bucs raise ticket prices by 7.5 percent on new season-pass members, Bucs are wild for Kyle Trask at quarterback (for now), Tampa Bay Strikers, fielding both mens and womens teams, 49ers Brock Purdy has torn ligament in right elbow: Associated Press. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. [29][34], Rushing Yards: 1206 (1985), Gary Anderson, Receiving Yards: 1146 (1983), Danny Buggs, This article is about the first edition of the USFL. The Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Maulers will form the North Division. Eligibility restrictions apply. Doug Flutie, quarterback of the New Jersey Generals, is seen during a game against the Tampa Bay Bandits in 1985. Stallions odds with USFL picks, predictions and bets.. Five, in our opinion, have especially flourished. Subscribe to our free Bucs RedZone newsletter. Share. Dia reuni dengan quarterback- nya saat masih di New England Patriots, Tom Brady. In the inaugural draft's unique format, each round is dedicated solely to one position group, and the first round featured only quarterbacks. [19] On October 3, 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 reserve list. With the second pick of the 2022 USFL Draft on Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Bandits selected quarterback Jordan Taamu from Mississippi. Bandits players and coaches from last season now will represent the Memphis Showboats, a franchise in the original USFL (in existence from 1983-1985) that is re-joining the league for 2023. The Bandits are coming off a come-from-behind 27-26 win over the Houston Gamblers in Week 3. Published: May. Here's a look at Ta'amu's background and a detailed scouting report from FOX Sports Draft Analyst Rob Rang: Background: Following two flashy seasons at Ole Miss, in which he completed 64.5% of his passes for 5,600 yards and an impressive 30 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions (with another 507 yards and 10 scores as a rusher), Taamu signed with the Houston Texans in 2019. Stormed back to take a 2518 lead the short-lived spring football league both the. 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