2022 New Orleans Breakers season

Last updated
2022 New Orleans Breakers season
General managerLarry Fedora
Head coach Larry Fedora
Home field None
Results
Record6–4
League place2nd in South Division
Playoff finishLost Division Finals (at Stallions) 17–31

The 2022 New Orleans Breakers season was the first season for the New Orleans Breakers as a professional American football franchise. They play as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Breakers technically play as a traveling team (since the entirety of the regular season will be played at Protective Stadium and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama) and are led by head coach Larry Fedora.

Contents

Offseason

Draft

Kyle Sloter was chosen in the first round. He played for 6 NFL teams and was on the official roster for 2. Kyle Sloter.JPG
Kyle Sloter was chosen in the first round. He played for 6 NFL teams and was on the official roster for 2.
Taywan Taylor was selected in the 16th round. Taylor was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans before going to the Browns in 2019. Taywan Taylor 2018 08-09.jpg
Taywan Taylor was selected in the 16th round. Taylor was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans before going to the Browns in 2019.
Chad Williams was selected in the 17th round. Williams was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals before playing for the Colts in 2019. Chad Williams (4880656) (cropped).jpg
Chad Williams was selected in the 17th round. Williams was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals before playing for the Colts in 2019.

The 2022 USFL draft was conducted entirely on social media. Draft selections by the Michigan Panthers were announced on their social media. [1] [2] The Breakers selected NFL journeyman Kyle Sloter in the first round.

New Orleans Breakers
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
18 Kyle Sloter QB Northern Colorado
21 Davin Bellamy DE Georgia
38 Anree Saint-Amour DE Georgia Tech
41 James Folston Jr. DE Pittsburgh
49 Nigel Chavis DE Norfolk State Compensatory pick.
54 Paul Adams OT Missouri
65 Donnell Greene OT Minnesota
74 Marquis Lucas OT West Virginia
85 Adonis Alexander CB Virginia Tech
94 Derrick Jones CB Ole Miss
105 Manny Patterson CB Maine
114 Ja'Len Embry CB Northern Illinois
119 Isiah Brown CB FIU Compensatory selection.
121 Zach Smith QB Tulsa
133 Shawn Poindexter WR Arizona
146 Johnnie Dixon WR Ohio State
153 Jonathan Adams WR Arkansas State
166 Taywan Taylor WR Western Kentucky
173 Chad Williams WR Grambling
186 Dartez Jacobs S Georgia State
207 Jared Thomas C Northwestern
212 Jerod Fernandez ILB North Carolina State
221 Steven Rowzee OG Troy
238 Liam Dobson OG Texas State
239 Jalen Allen OG Charlotte Compensatory selection.
248 Shakir Soto DT Pitt
251 Kamilo Tongamoa DT Iowa State
268 Connor Christian DT Jacksonville State
269 Chris Okoye DT Ferris State Compensatory selection.
275 Larry Rose III RB New Mexico State
284 Jordan Ellis RB Virginia
294 Diondre Wallace OLB Towson State
306 Vontae Diggs OLB UConn
326 Austin MacGinnis K Kentucky
342 Salvatore Cannella TE Auburn

Supplemental draft

2022 New Orleans Breakers Supplemental Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
11 Justin Johnson TE Mississippi State
28 Keith Washington II CB West Virginia
35 Tyrone Logan Jr. RB North Carolina
44 Shareef Miller DE Penn State
56 Aashari Croswell S Arizona State
63 EJ Bibbs TE Iowa State
72 Turner Bernard CB San Diego
87 Jarey Elder WR West Chester
95 Matt White P/K Monmouth
104 Toree Boyd OL Howard

Personnel

Final roster

2022 New Orleans Breakers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

  • 31 Jordan Ellis
  • 21 Ezra Gray
  •  6 Anthony Jones

Wide receivers

Tight ends

  • 80 Sal Cannella
  • 81 Justin Johnson
Offensive linemen
  • 79 Kai Absheer T
  • 77 Paul Adams T
  • 53 Tim Coleman T
  • 69 Jack Kramer G
  • 74 Marquis Lucas T
  • 67 Steven Rowzee G
  • 65 Jared Thomas C

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • -- Donnell Greene T (Did not report)
  • 18 Dartez Jacobs S (IR Tooltip Injured reserve) Injury icon 2.svg
  •  7 Austin MacGinnis K (Did not report)
  • 53 Treyvion Shannon T (Did not report)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
40 active, 5 inactive, 10 practice squad

The Breakers, like all other teams, have a 38-man active roster with a 7-man practice squad. [3]

Staff

Larry Fedora was chosen as the Breakers head coach. As a Southern Miss and North Carolina head coach, he led both teams to conference titles. Larry Fedora.jpg
Larry Fedora was chosen as the Breakers head coach. As a Southern Miss and North Carolina head coach, he led both teams to conference titles.
2022 New Orleans Breakers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks – Noel Mazzone
  • Wide receivers – Pat Washington
  • Tight ends/Special teams coordinator – Matt Butterfield
  • Offensive line – Jim Turner
Defensive coaches



Schedule

Regular season

The Breakers' 2022 schedule was announced on March 7. They opened the season against the Philadelphia Stars. [4]

WeekDateTime (ET)OpponentResultRecordTVRecap
1 April 175:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars*W 23–171–0 USA Recap
2 April 243:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits W 34–32–0 NBC/Peacock Recap
3 April 308:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions*L 13–222–1 Fox Recap
4 May 83:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers*W 23–163–1 NBC/Peacock Recap
5 May 143:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals L 17–273–2 Fox Recap
6 May 2212:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers*W 26–164–2 FS1 Recap
7 May 289:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers W 31–27 (OT)5–2 FS1 Recap
8 June 43:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions L 9–105–3 Fox Recap
9 June 124:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits*W 17–66–3 Fox Recap
10 June 198:30 p.m. Houston Gamblers L 3–206–4 FS1 Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. * mean that they host the game, since all eight teams play at the same stadium

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Stars

Week 1: Philadelphia Stars at New Orleans Breakers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Stars0710017
Breakers728623

at Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Date: April 17
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. (delayed)
  • Referee: Larry Smith
  • TV announcers (USA): Paul Burmeister, Michael Robinson, Lewis Johnson
Game information

The Breakers started their season against the Philadelphia Stars. The Breakers put the first points on the board with a pick-6 by Vontae Diggs, putting the Breakers up 7-0. In the second quarter, the Breakers blocked a punt in the endzone for a safety, putting the Breakers up 9-0. In the waning minutes of the second quarter, the Stars drove 94 yards downfield, where the Breakers defense committed 20 penalty yards, and scored, putting the Breakers at a 9-7 lead.

In the third quarter, a Kyle Sloter pass was intercepted by the Stars, which set them up with a 38 yard field goal to put the Breakers down 9-10. Halfway into the third, the Breakers took the lead again with a 58 yard touchdown drive and a 2 point conversion, putting the Breakers up 17-10. The Stars responded in the fourth with a 2 play 50 yard drive which included a 42 yard rush, to tie it up 17-17. The Breakers responded on their next drive with a 9 play 63 yard drive, putting the Breakers up 23-17, which would be the final score as both teams traded possessions for the rest of the fourth.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Bandits

Week 2: New Orleans Breakers at Tampa Bay Bandits – Game summary
Period1234Total
Breakers14701334
Bandits03003

at Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Date: April 24
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Referee: Alex Moore
  • TV announcers (NBC/Peacock): Jac Collinsworth, Jason Garrett, Lewis Johnson
Game information
First quarter
  • NO – Kyle Sloter 1-yard rush (Austin MacGinnis kick no good), 7:32. Breakers 6–0. 13 plays, 79 yards, 5:44.
  • NO – T. J. Logan 5-yard rush (Kyle Sloter pass good), 0:15. Breakers 14–0. 12 plays, 70 yards, 5:42.

Second quarter

  • TB – Tyler Rausa 21-yard field goal, 5:54. Breakers 14–3. 11 plays, 69 yards, 6:20.
  • NO – Shawn Poindexter 18-yard pass from Kyle Sloter (Austin MacGinnis kick good), 2:28. Breakers 21–3. 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:23.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Austin MacGinnis 22-yard field goal, 14:49. Breakers 24–3. 10 plays, 55 yards, 2:54.
  • NO – Johnnie Dixon 4-yard pass from Kyle Sloter (Austin MacGinnis kick good), 11:33. Breakers 31–3. 5 plays, 31 yards, 1:50.
  • NO – Austin MacGinnis 30-yard field goal, 1:11. Breakers 34–3. 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:44.

The Breakers faced division rival Tampa Bay Bandits. The Breakers struck first on a 79 yard touchdown drive, but the extra point was missed, putting the Breakers at 6-0. After a Bandits punt, the Breakers marched 65 yards downfield to score another touchdown, converting a 2-point conversion to bring the Breakers to 14-0. The Bandits responded in the second quarter with a 69 yard field goal drive capped off by a 21-yard field goal by Tyler Rausa to bring the Breakers at 14-3. The Breakers responded with a 56 yard touchdown drive that included a 29-yard one-handed catch by wide receiver Johnathan Adams, deemed the catch of the season, [5] to put the Breakers up 21-3.

In the second half, the Bandits turned it over on downs while the Breakers were unable to score. In the fourth quarter, the Breakers stretched their lead to 24-3 after a 22 yard field goal. They triumphed more, scoring a touchdown off a Ta'amu interception, putting them at a commanding 31-3 margin. They then made a 30-yard field goal to put them at 34-3 with a little over a minute, which would be the final score.

Week 3: vs. Birmingham Stallions

Week 3: Birmingham Stallions at New Orleans Breakers – Game summary
Period1234Total
Stallions01001222
Breakers067013

at Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

  • Date: April 30
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
  • Referee: Larry Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt, Brock Huard
Game information

The 2-0 Breakers played against division rival, the 2–0 Birmingham Stallions. In what started off as a slow offensive performance for both sides, the Stallions got a 7-0 lead on a J'Mar Smith screen pass to Marlon Williams. Later into the 2nd quarter, the Breakers scored on a 10 yard pass from Kyle Sloter to Johnnie Dixon which made the Stallions lead trim down to 7-6. With 7 seconds left in the half, Brandon Aubrey made a 33-yard field goal to give Birmingham a 10-6 lead at the half.

Coming out of the half, the Breakers conducted an 8:50 17 play drive to regain the lead at 13-10 on an 11 yard pass from Sloter to Dixon. This would be the last time the Breakers would score all game. Birmingham would score 12 points in the final quarter of play. A touchdown from Smith to Victor Bolden Jr, a safety forced by Dondrea Tillman, and a Brandon Aubrey field goal. Birmingham would end up winning 22-13. The loss put the Breakers at 2nd in the South Division.

Standings

South Division
#WLPCTGBDIVPFPASTK
1(y) Birmingham Stallions 91.900-5–1234169W1
2(x) New Orleans Breakers 64.60033–3196164L1
3(e) Tampa Bay Bandits 46.40052–4162195L2
4(e) Houston Gamblers 37.30062–4196208W2
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched division; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Postseason

RoundDateTime (ET)OpponentResultRecordTVRecap
Division FinalsJune 258:00 p.m.at Birmingham Stallions L 17–310–1 NBC/Peacock Recap

Related Research Articles

The Michigan Panthers were a professional American football team based in the Detroit, Michigan area. The Panthers competed in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member of the Western Conference and Central Division. The team played its home games at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

The Birmingham Stallions were a franchise in the United States Football League, an attempt to establish a second professional league of American football in the United States in competition with the National Football League. They played their home games at Birmingham, Alabama's Legion Field. They competed in all three USFL seasons, 1983–1985. During their run, they were one of the USFL's more popular teams, and seemed to have a realistic chance of being a viable venture had the USFL been better run.

The Denver Gold was an American football franchise in the United States Football League (USFL) from 1983 to 1985. The Gold played their home games at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado; and were co-tenants in the spring with the Triple-A Denver Zephyrs baseball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Sloter</span> American football player (born 1994)

Kyle Joseph Sloter is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football at Southern Miss before transferring to Northern Colorado. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) in 2017. He also subsequently has been a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He also played for the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2021 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 127th overall season, 88th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 30th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by 15th-year head coach Nick Saban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Football League (2022–2023)</span> Professional American football league

The United States Football League (USFL) was a professional American football minor league that began play on April 16, 2022. It is now one of the two-component conferences of the United Football League (UFL), along with the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 USFL season</span> Inaugural season of the USFL (2022)

The 2022 USFL season was the inaugural season of the United States Football League, and the first season of a league using that name since 1985. The season began on April 16 and concluded on July 3. The league's eight teams represent various geographical locales and associated team names that were part of the 1984 season of the original USFL. For 2022, all regular-season games were played in Birmingham, Alabama, at Protective Stadium and at Legion Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birmingham Stallions (2022)</span> Football team in Birmingham, Alabama

The Birmingham Stallions are a professional American football team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The Stallions compete in the United Football League (UFL), and were a founding member of the second iteration of the United States Football League (USFL) in 2022. The Stallions are owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation, and play their home games at Protective Stadium. They have won three league championships since their founding, defeating the Philadelphia Stars 33–30 in 2022 and the Pittsburgh Maulers 28–12 in 2023 as part of the USFL, and most recently the San Antonio Brahmas 25–0 in the inaugural UFL Championship Game in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Orleans Breakers (2022)</span> Football team in New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Breakers were a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Breakers competed in the United States Football League (USFL) as a member of the league's South division.

The 2022 Birmingham Stallions season was the first season for the Birmingham Stallions as a professional American football franchise. They play as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Stallions play their home games at Protective Stadium and Legion Field and are led by head coach Skip Holtz.

The 2022 Houston Gamblers season was the first season for the Houston Gamblers as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Gamblers technically played as a traveling team and were led by head coach Kevin Sumlin.

The 2022 Tampa Bay Bandits season was the first and only season for the Tampa Bay Bandits as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Bandits technically played as a traveling team and were led by head coach Todd Haley.

The 2022 season was the Michigan Panthers' first season as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Panthers technically played as a traveling team due to them playing at Protective Stadium and Legion Field. The Panthers were led by head coach Jeff Fisher, who also operated as the de facto general manager.

The 2022 New Jersey Generals season was the first season for the New Jersey Generals as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Generals technically play as a traveling team and were led by head coach Mike Riley.

The 2022 Philadelphia Stars season was the first season for the Philadelphia Stars as a professional American football franchise. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Stars technically played as a traveling team and were led by head coach Bart Andrus.

The 2022 Pittsburgh Maulers season was the first season for the Pittsburgh Maulers as a professional American football franchise, as well as the only one under head coach Kirby Wilson. They played as charter members of the United States Football League, one of eight teams to compete in the league for the 2022 season. The Maulers technically played as a traveling team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 USFL championship game</span> 2022 United States Football League championship game

The 2022 USFL championship game was an American football game which was played on July 3, 2022, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The contest, which determined the champion of the United States Football League (USFL), featured the winners of the playoff semifinal games: the Philadelphia Stars from the North Division and the Birmingham Stallions from the South Division. It was the inaugural USFL championship game and the final game of the 2022 USFL season. The game began at 7:30 p.m. EDT and was broadcast on Fox. Prize money was awarded to players on the winning team in the amount of $10,000 in addition to their salary.

The 2023 season was the Michigan Panthers second season in the United States Football League (USFL), their first playing at Ford Field and their first under head coach/general manager tandem of Mike Nolan and Steve Kazor. They improved upon their 2–8 record from the previous season and reached the playoffs where they lost to the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL North Division Championship Game in overtime.

The 2023 New Orleans Breakers season was the New Orleans Breakers' second season in the United States Football League, their second at Protective Stadium, and their first under the head coach/general manager tandem of John DeFilippo and Ryan Jones. For the 2023 season, they improved upon their 6–4 record from the previous season by going 7–3, and lost to the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL South Division Championship Game for the second straight year. This time with the final score being 47–22 in favor of Birmingham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1983 Michigan Panthers season</span> Defunct football team in the USFL

Michigan held its first training camp at City Island Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida, sifting through over 75 players. On Monday, March 7, 1983; the Panthers opened the season with a 9–7 win over the Birmingham Stallions at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. This was the first professional football game ever broadcast on ESPN. Serbian kicker Novo Bojovic kicked the winning field goal from 48 yards out in the waning moments.

References

  1. "USFL DRAFT DETAILS: TIME, DRAFT ORDER, SELECTION PROCESS". foxsports.com. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  2. "USFL DRAFT 2022: NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS' ROUND-BY-ROUND PICKS". foxsports.com. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  3. "USFL to have a "player selection meeting" on February 22–23". Pro Football Talk. January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  4. "2022 New Orleans Breakers Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  5. Young, RJ (April 25, 2022). "BREAKERS' ROUT OF BANDITS A WARNING SHOT TO REST OF USFL". theusfl.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.