A group of investors have decided that where other leagues in the past have failed, they can succeed. Michael Huyghue will be the Commissioner of the United Football League, or UFL, which will start things off slowly. The season will start in October and end on Thanksgiving weekend.

They will only start with four teams, and the cities are not final. Of the four teams, only one cite is final, and that is Orlando. The other three teams will try two different cities each to see which works better. Those three pairs will be San Francisco/Sacramento, Las Vegas/Los Angeles, and New York/Hartford. If the past tells us anything of minor league sports, I would expect the major cities to fall off. If there is already a pro team there, or multiple pro teams, then it is very unlikely the new team will garner any attention. Trying out the cities could be a nice idea, but it could also cause both cities to lack support.

The four teams will each start with rights to specific divisions in the NFL, to pick up the players that are cut from those respective teams. That is how year 1 will start. They will then try to resign players and build those teams, while adding more teams as the league, hopefully, garners more attention and more players.

After building up more teams, the league hopes to take each team public, and offer IPOs. This is not a new idea, but would be the first to try. It is very interesting because it could bring a lot more money into the league if people get behind teams. I think a lot of people would love to be partial owners (similar to Green Bay) and have a vested interest in their team. Most of us could never even dream of owning a professional sports team, but would love to be a part of it.

In the end, the league is going to have to have a relationship with the NFL to ever survive, and in order to get to that point, they will have to keep afloat on their own for a few years. That is going to take a ton of money, and most importantly, ESPN. If the league goes with a small network like Versus, there is no way people will pay attention. The NHL has already proven that, and they are a major league. The UFL will need ESPN to cover on their website, their magazine, live games, and sportscenter, and that is the only way the general public will ever pay attention. They are the rulers of sports, and a league will not prosper without their support.

I think they are going about things well, by starting out slowly. Not buring all the cash right away with lots of teams, but easing their way in. If they can get some attention at the start, and the growth plan works, then it could be possible. If they manage to get 10-12 teams and take them public, the league could grow based on investment opportunities, and the thrill of being a partial owner of a sports franchise. The timing could be poor, starting at the same time as the NFL and the MLB playoffs, but the season will be short and sweet. I don't think anything works without the support of the NFL, but the possibility of more football is always exciting.

Here is an article from ESPN on the new league and a link to the United Football League website.

The Chargers went into this draft with a very talented team that has a few holes and a couple shallow positions. That is a great way to go into a draft because it gives you the option to pick the best players avaialable. I was hoping they would come away with a couple offensive lineman (to me the biggest need on the team), and big tackle that could backup Jamal Williams and eventually take over. We have learned over the last few years, that as Jamal Williams goes, so goes the Chargers defense. Without him clogging up the middle and taking on two linemen every play, he gives the ends and linebackers a chance to find a hole or beat their single man. It makes me nervous that he is so huge and so important. If he gets hurt the defense is not the same.

They got who they thought was the best fit for the team in the first round and then filled all their needs throughout the draft. It seemed like a solid draft based on positional needs, but only time will tell. AJ Smith has been very good at drafting the right guys, so I have faith that he knows what he is doing.

Here is the Chargers 2009 Draft:

1. Larry English, DE, LSU: He was projected to be a first rounder, but not this high. He is quick and seems to be very mature. This isn't exactly a need, but he will have great training from a very good core and a very good coach.

He came on 1090 this morning with Scott and BR, and seems to be very grounded. He commented that he was happy about the money, but he wanted to come in and learn as much as possible and play the game.

3) 79th pick, Louis Vasquez, OG, Texas Tech: The Chargers filled their biggest need as soon as they could. They only had one pick on the first day, and they started out the second day with the hole in their O-line. He is a big aggresive guy that needs some work with his feet and staying low, but sounds like a good fit.

4) 113th pick, Vaugn Martin, DT, WOU: He is the third player ever to be drafted from Western Ontario, and is the first CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) underclassmen ever drafted. He apears to be a beast, and dominated the competition in Canada. A lot of "experts" are unhappy with this pick, because it is high for a guy that has never really played in elite competition. Personally, I am a fan of the out of the box picks. The guy is huge and "vicious" and seems like a good place to start in developing our next Jamal Williams. He has a great teacher and has time to learn before he is needed.

4) 133rd pick, Tyronne Green, OG, Auburn: Another guard to bolster the lines, and actually a higher ranked one at that. Green was Scouts, Incs 3rd ranked OG, so this was a great spot for a guy that seems pretty polished and has great potential to start right away.

4) 134th pick, Gartrell Johnson, RB, Colorado State: Gartrell is the back that will pick up the tough yards so LT can explode. He isn't the fastest guy, but he is big and strong and should be a great compliment to the speed and explosiveness that LT and Sproles both provide.

5) 148th pick, Brandon Hughes, CB, Oregon State: Sounds like a great coverage guy, but needs to bulk up to support the run defense. I never expect a corner to come in and make an impact right away, and Hughes should be in a position to have time to learn and develop (and bulk up) before the Chargers will really need him.

6) 189th pick, Kevin Ellison, S, USC: The Safety is sort of the opposite of Hughes, delivering the big hit, but not considered great in coverage. He is going to have a good head for football coming out of USC, and will likely be a contributer on special teams right away, and maybe fit into some packages against the run.

7) 224th pick, Demetrius Byrd, WR, LSU: Byrd seems like a bit of a work in progress. He is fast (4.3 40) and has the ability to create seperation. He is a little raw, but sounds like he has great potential. He was in critical condition from a car accident last week, but appears to be in good condition now. It is a risky pick considering the accident, but probably also provides value as he likely would have gone higher were it not for the accident.

With the 16th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers drafted Larry English previously of the Northern Illinois Huskies. He goes down in history as the highest draft pick in the history of NIU football. He was a defensive end for the Huskies, but it appears he will be used as an outside linebacker type in the Chargers 3-4 defense.

I am not going to lie here, I just stole all the data from ESPN's Scouts Inc., but seriously, its not like I know anything about these guys so you go to the experts.

He is 6'2", 255 pounds.

Overall Football Traits
Production	1	2004: English appears in the first game of the season but sustains a season-ending injury and takes a medical red shirt. (See durability) 2005: English starts nine of the 11 games he appears in finishing with 57 total tackles, 21 unassisted tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, two sacks and one fumble recovery. 2006: English starts all 13 games finishing with 51 total tackles, 32 unassisted tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. 2007: English starts all 12 games finishing with 67 total tackles, 29 unassisted tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss, 10.5 sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. 2008: English starts in all 13 games finishing with 37 tackles including 16 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks. He also finishes the year with one pass breakup, a fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.
Height-Weight-Speed	3	Good bulk and adequate height but lacks ideal top-end speed for 3-4 outside linebacker. Above-average top-end speed and adequate height but lacks ideal bulk for a 4-3 defensive end.
Durability	4	2004: Sustains a season-ending injury in the season opener. 2006: Sustains a serious knee injury during the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl.
Character	1	Uncle Charles Richardson played fullback at Wisconsin during the 1970's. There have been no off-the-field issues to our knowledge. Earned the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award (league MVP) in 2007 and 2008. Earned a 3.0 GPA during the 2007 spring semester.

Defensive End specific Traits
Agility/Quickness	2	Has an explosive first step and excels at disrupting plays in the backfield. Shows above-average lateral mobility and can redirect inside after starting outside but hasn't shown great hip fluidity during cover drills and going to have some limitations in coverage if moved to 3-4 outside linebacker as expected. .
Strength/Toughness	2	Above-average upper body strength and plays with an edge. Aggressive and can deliver big hits. Fights to hold ground and shows adequate but not elite lower body strength on film.
Instincts	2	Locates the ball quickly and generally gets in good position to make a play. Recognizes bootlegs and does a good job of staying home.
Pass Rusher	1	Relentless and does an excellent job of looking to knock the ball loose when closing from the quarterback's blindside. Shows an effective rip move and does a good job of working half the man effectively making it difficult for offensive tackles to lock onto his frame. Gets under blockers' pads and flashes the ability to drive offensive tackles into the lap of the quarterback when they try to take away the edge by backpedaling. Lacks elite timed-speed but much quicker than fast, excels at bending inside (see 2008 Tennessee game) and should have some success turning the corner at the NFL level as a result.
Run Stopper	3	Can get engulfed by tackles and would struggle to hold ground if asked to line up at end in the NFL but big enough to hold his own working against tight ends. Active hands and flashes the ability to shed blockers in time to make a play on the ball. May not be a sideline-to-sideline player in the NFL but works from the snap until the whistle, takes adequate angles to the ball and can make plays in pursuit.

With the Chargers 3rd round pick of the 2009 NFL draft, they filled another need, with an Offensive Guard. Louis Vasquez is a 6'5", 333 pound guard, so he is a beast, and hopefully will fill the hole in their line.

Overall Football Traits
Production	2	Vasquez appears in five games as a true freshman during the 2005 season. He makes 23 consecutive starts during the 2006 and 2007 season. Vasquez appears and starts in 10 out 12 games during his senior campaign in 2008. Earns All-Big 12 honorable mention during the 2006 season. Vasquez earns a first team All-Big 12 selection during his junior season and second team All-Big 12 honors this past fall.
Height-Weight-Speed	3	Possesses good height and excellent bulk for the position but marginal top-end speed.
Durability	3	Slight durability concern after missing the Nevada and UMass contests this past fall due to a sprained left ankle.
Character	2	Majoring in general studies. Also no off-the-field issues we are currently aware of.

Offensive Guard specific Traits
Strength/Toughness	1	Mean and relentless. Outstanding upper body strength and flashes the ability to knock defenders off balance with punch.
Agility	3	Doesn't show great body control, appears stiff and takes too long to change directions when gets into space. Adequate lateral mobility.
Awareness	2	Keeps head up and does a good job of recognizing blitzes. Flashes good patience when no one comes to him and difficult to beat when doesn't over commit with first step. Vocal at the line and appears to communicate with tackle and center well.
Pass Protection	2	Gets excellent hand placement and rarely loses a battle once locked on. Plays with a wide base and though could sink hips a little more rarely gives ground to bull rushers. Makes up for lack of ideal foot speed with balance and sound footwork. Ducks head on occasion (see first quarter of the 208 Oklahoma State game) and vulnerable to push/pull moves when does.
Run Blocking	3	Gets into sound position and flashes the ability to drive defenders but primarily lined up in two-point stance at Texas Tech and tends to stand up coming out of stance when puts hand on the ground. (see first quarter of 2008 Oklahoma State game) Though lacks elite range and going to have problems getting around the corner if asked to pull does a good job of opening hips and quick enough to get around center when asked to trap. Takes adequate angles to downfield blocks and can cut off linebackers but has problems adjusting to moving targets in space.

With their first of four picks in the 4th round, the San Diego Chargers drafted Vaugn Martin formerly of Western Ontario University. He is the third player ever to be drafted from Western Ontario, and is the first CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) underclassmen ever drafted. He is 6'4", 300 pounds, born in Jamaica.

Unfortunately, Scouts Inc does not have any data on Vaugn, so I guess this was a bit of a stretch. Here is what the Western Ontario Athletics Department had to say.

With their second pick in the 4th round, the San Diego Chargers selected Offensive Guard Tyronne Green out of Auburn University. He is 6'1", 309 pounds.

Again, here is what Scouts, Inc had to say:

Overall Football Traits
Production	2	Signs with Auburn as a defensive tackle in 2004 and redshirts that season. 2005-'08: Plays in 42 games, including 25 consecutive starts to finish his career.
Height-Weight-Speed	4	Is shorter than ideal with a squatty build but has long arms for his frame. Displays adequate-to-good straight-line speed.
Durability	2	Played in just five games as a high school senior due to injury. Has been durable throughout his career at Auburn, though.
Character	2	College coaches speak highly of him. A consistent player who continues to improve with more experience. No off-the-field issues to our knowledge.

Offensive Guard specific Traits
Strength/Toughness	3	Displays adequate lower-body strength abut lacks jarring upper-body power. Flashes occasional mean streak, but more of a technician than a mauler.
Agility	2	Shows good speed to the second-level as a run blocker and is capable of staying balanced and hitting the moving target in space. Light on his feet. Doesn't always look very pretty but he covers a lot of ground and has very good natural feet. Appears to wear down at times and will get a bit sloppy when he does, so conditioning will be an important area of emphasis for him in the NFL.
Awareness	2	Displays above-average awareness. Picks up the blitz and stunt consistently. Keeps head on a swivel. Has a good natural feel for defenders' coming and going.
Pass Protection	2	Shows quick set in pass pro and is light on his feet. Possesses long arms (33 ¾') and big hands (10 ¼') for his shorter frame, which he effectively uses to maintain separation. He's a natural knee bender. Stays balanced and does a solid job with his hand placement.
Run Blocking	2	Not a massive mauler in the running game. Rarely jars defenders with his punch. Lacks explosive initial power. However, he generally takes good angles and is in position as a run blocker. He also displays adequate leg strength to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage once locked on.

With their third pick in the fourth round, the San Diego Chargers selected Running Back Gartrell Johnson. He looks to have done most of his work in his senior year and stands 5'10", 119 pounds. The Bleacher report has a nice write up on the pick.

Overall Football Traits
Production	1	2004: Johnson sustains season-ending injury in season opener against Minnesota and he receives a medical red shirt. He rushes for a total of 12 yards on two carries and catches one pass for a loss of two yards. 2005: Johnson appears in three games rushing for a 26 yards on 11 carries. 2006: Johnson starts seven of the 12 games he appears in rushing for a total of 305 yards and six touchdowns on 109 carries. He catches five passes for a total of 51 yards. 2007: Johnson starts seven of the 12 games he appears in rushing for a total of 957 yards and six touchdowns on 181 carries. He catches 12 passes for a total of 103 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson primarily lines up at fullback during first five games of season. 2008: Johnson starts all 13 games rushing for a total of 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns on 278 carries. He catches 32 passes for a total of 295 yards.
Height-Weight-Speed	4	Adequate height and prototypical bulk but top-end speed is marginal at best.
Durability	4	2007: Leaves Wyoming game with ankle injury in the third quarter and doesn't return. 2004: Sustains season-ending injury in the season opener.
Character	2	Team leader.

Running Back specific Traits
Competitiveness	2	Downhill runner that keeps churning legs on contact and almost always falls forward. Runs hard but doesn't always get knees up and has some problems stepping out of shoestring tackles. Appears to take pride in blocking and doesn't shy away form contact.
Vision	3	Does an adequate job of using lead blocker and reading the flow of linebackers when runs inside but frequently takes too long to locate a seam and turn upfield when running outside.
Explosiveness	3	Can hit second level going full speed when runs inside but lacks ideal initial quickness and going to have a harder time turning the corner at the NFL level. Lacks breakaway speed and isn't much of a homerun threat.
Balance/Change-of-Directions	3	Makes crisp first cut and can cutback but lacks ideal elusiveness and isn't going to make many defenders miss in the open field.
Passing Game	3	Willing pass blocker who can step up and stop blitzing linebackers/safeties in their tracks but doesn't always get into sound position. Isn't fast enough to run by NFL linebackers on wheel routes. Looks ball in but traps it against frame a little too much and prone to dropping passes should catch.