It seems Florida Tuskers Head Coach Jay Gruden is very serious about having the best offense in the United Football League again. Today it was announced that the team has signed former Super Bowl hero RB Dominic Rhodes. Rhodes did not play in 2009, after failing to make it into the crowded back field of the Buffalo Bills. He is best remembered as the backup RB who led the Indianapolis Colts in rushing yards during the post season in their run towards a win in Super Bowl 41. He scored a Touch Down in that game to secure the win for the Colts. His NFL career was partially derailed by a DUI conviction in 2007.
Rhodes will most likely be a back up since Tatum Bell figures to return as the starter, and it looks like right now that Michael Pittman will not return to the Tuskers. He currently is not on their provisional roster. Pittman ran for 210 yards and three TD’s for the Tuskers in 2009, and it seems that is the role Rhodes will step into. The other backs on the provisional Tuskers roster for 2010 include Aveion Cason and Maurice Hicks.
Landing Rhodes is a big step for this league. The UFL is setting itself up to be a place for undrafted players, and players who need to work their way back up to NFL. It is a developmental league, if not an official minor league to the NFL. It seems at some point the NFL will have to embrace this league as a place for teams to develop talent much like the NFL Europa league of the past.
As things stand right now, the Tuskers have yet to lose a regular season UFL game, and they seem to be emerging as the favorite to win the second UFL championship.
Related Links:
• The Business of the UFL •UFL news and notes reservationforsix.com • Florida Tuskers news and notes •MTR Football.com
