Story of the USFL

Below is a loose (very loose) chronology of the headline stories from the USFL: Herschel Walker signs on When football was F-U-N Young signs with Express The Class of '84 Marcus Dupree: The phenom Blitz 'em in Chi ... uh, Buffalo Only the sky was their limit The cradle of NFL coaching? Perpetual motion (The pursuit of) USFL trivia The Donald (Trump, of course) The $3.76 lawsuit Stick with the plan Landeta and Flutie -- Greg Garber

The Chicago Blitz were the favorites to win the first USFL championship in 1983. Their head coach was George Allen, who in 12 NFL seasons never, ever had a losing season. The quarterback was Greg Landry, who had played 15 NFL seasons. His weapons included wide receiver Trumaine Johnson who led the USFL with 81 catches, and running back Tim Spencer (1,157 yards).

The Blitz went 12-6 over the regular season, losing the Central Division to the Michigan Panthers in the final contest. In the playoffs, Chicago lost to the Philadelphia Stars 44-38 in overtime, after leading by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Panthers ultimately prevailed over the Stars in that first title game.

The Blitz never recovered, going 5-13 in 1984. After two seasons, they folded.

It was in the NFL that Chicago's braintrust left a lasting legacy.

Bill Polian was the Blitz's first personnel director. Marv Levy followed Allen as head coach. John Butler was the director of college scouting. Reunited with the Buffalo Bills, they would reach four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990-93. Former USFL players Jim Kelly, Kent Hull and Scott Norwood helped them get there.

"Our experiences in the USFL helped us enormously," said Polian, today the Indianapolis Colts president. "I remember discussing Hull with (owner Ralph) Wilson. The price was really high, a second-rounder. He wanted to know if the guy was as good as a second-rounder. I gulped and said, 'Yes, Mr. Wilson.' He was the best second-rounder we ever signed. In my opinion, he's a Hall of Famer."

Next: Only the sky was their limit

Greg Garber is a senior writer at ESPN.com.