Headed into the 7th week of the inaugural USFL season the Philadelphia Stars look to strengthen their roster. After they added DL Ralph Holley last week, they released DL Jerome Johnson this week. Johnson had only seen limited action this season and wasn’t a major contributor to the Stars defensive efforts. Adding 11 total tackles (7 solo, 4 asst) and 0.5 sack this may be a case of addition through subtraction.
Former UAB standout offensive lineman Colby Ragland was signed off the street and will continue his career in Birmingham via Philadelphia. Ragland was a star for the Blazers. He started 3 years and received all conference honors during his tenure. This signing should instantly create a more solidified pocket for Case Cookus as well as create space in the run game.
The Stars added more help on the defensive side of the ball with two more free agent signings. LB Avery Roberts and DT Tony Fair join a group that is slowly but steadily getting better each week. The lack of consistency in the pass rush has allowed Stars opponents to score far to easily. Philly may have the best CB duo in Channing Stribling and Amani Dennis. It hasn’t been enough though to slow opposing QBs down however.
Roberts played his college ball at Oregon State University. He stands 6’1″, weighing 234 lbs. He was undrafted out of college and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2021 he led the PAC-12 with 128 tackles on the season as a redshirt junior. His speed and size make him ideal for covering TEs and will be a much needed presence in the middle of the field.
Adding size to the middle of the defensive line is always a good idea. Tony Fair is a whopping 330 lbs at 6’1. A grad-transfer from UAB, Fair played a limited role for the Auburn Tigers. Only totaling 9 tackles, he was used mainly as a rotational player. His career with the UAB Blazers was much more outstanding as was his time at Pima(Arizona) Community College. The Stars hope he can contribute in that same manner for them as we get closer to the end of the regular season.
