USFL '86: Arizona, or, By the Time I Get to Phoenix

Arizona found themselves trapped: Dickerson's and Lott's big contracts, the raid on the draft, and Fouts return on a 3-year, $7 million deal led to a 9-9 record and a 46-16 humiliation in the Conference semi-final. Dietrich considered nuking ahead of '86, but he'd be trading for pennies. Napoleon complex, tv revenue, and gate money--they sold out seven of nine home games--meant the Spruce Moose skimmed the water another year. There had to be some change, however. 

The Doc axed George Allen in such a cruel manner that even the old General admitted he had some admiration: when George secured veterans Al Harris, Jim Kovac, Art Still, and Odis McKinney--and paraded them around the Hilton in a press conference--coach returned to his office to find the lock to his office changed. Dietrich would then hire Dick Vermeil, the affable former coach of the Eagles, someone who could plug himself into what was already there. The club was largely silent through the fall, outside of a trade for Eric Truvillion. Corrall would leave to join George in Washington, leading to Max Zendejas; AU Wildcat Phil Freeman was the only rookie signing of note. The team was largely there, figured Doc, they just needed a little shuffle. They had to be there. They had the highest payroll in all of professional football.