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1985 Los Angeles Express Season Preview

By Bob Henderson, Los Angeles Sports Chronicle

Another year, another shot at glory for the Los Angeles Express. As we wade into the 1985 season, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of hope, even for an old cynic like me. Steve Young, our wunderkind quarterback, gave us a taste of what this team could achieve last year. But before we start planning the victory parade, let’s take a sober look at what’s ahead.

Quarterbacks

Steve Young returns, and if last year was any indication, this kid has something special. He threw for over 3,000 yards, completed nearly 62% of his passes, and scrambled for 285 yards to boot. But let’s not get carried away. One good season does not a legend make. Young needs to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder. Behind him, we’ve got Frank Seurer and Ron Jensen. Solid backups, but let’s hope we don’t see them too often.

Running Backs

Kevin Nelson led the charge last year with over 1,000 yards. His 3.8 yards per carry isn’t setting the world on fire, but he’s reliable. Mel Gray and Tony Mack add depth and versatility to the backfield. Mack’s 5.3 yards per carry was a nice surprise. If they can stay healthy and keep the ball moving, they’ll be a headache for defenses.

Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Jojo Townsell was Young’s go-to guy, racking up nearly 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns. Reliable hands and quick feet – he’s got it all. Freddie Scott and Vince Moore will need to step up their game. Our tight ends, Gordon Ellis and Jamie Sherrod, need to be more than just big bodies on the field. Ellis showed some promise, but we need consistency.

Offensive Line

Chris Zimmerman anchors this group. He’s a rock. The rest of the line, from Kent Reuther to Ralph Adickes, has to protect Young and open lanes for the running game. They did a decent job last year, but they’ll need to be better. One or two injuries, and this line could collapse faster than a house of cards.

Defense

Our defense was a mixed bag last year. Howard Carson and Lonnie Williams led a unit that could dominate one week and disappear the next. Carson is a beast, no question. We need more from Eddie Weaver and Ben Achia up front. The secondary, led by Wyman Henderson and Jonathan Sutton, has to create more turnovers. They had 35 picks last year, but can they repeat that? I’m not holding my breath.

Special Teams

Tony Zendejas was money last year, nailing 100% of his extra points and nearly 70% of his field goals. In tight games, he’s a weapon. Jeff Partridge as a punter? Solid, but unspectacular. Our return game needs to be better. Average yards per return need to climb if we want better field position.

The Intangibles

John Hadl returns as head coach. He did a fine job last season, navigating through injuries and inconsistency. Can he keep the momentum going? The fans are hopeful, but we’ve seen this story before. A promising season followed by a collapse. Call it the curse of the Express, if you will.

The Verdict

So, as we stand on the precipice of another season, I find myself cautiously optimistic. This team has the talent to compete, but the USFL is no cakewalk. Every game is a battle. If Steve Young can avoid a sophomore slump, if the defense can tighten up, and if the injury bug stays away, we might just have something to cheer about.

But I’ve been burned too many times to get caught up in the hype. Let’s see how they perform when the pressure’s on. If they can replicate last year’s success, maybe, just maybe, I’ll start believing. Until then, I’ll be watching with a skeptical eye, waiting for this team to show me they’re the real deal.

Here’s to hoping they prove me wrong.

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1984

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1983 Los Angeles Express Stats and Recap

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