OAKLAND -- Outside of their blue, gold and white uniforms, there is a strong Raiders look to the Oakland Invaders of the new United States Football League.
Not only will the Invaders play in the Raiders' old home park -- the Oakland Coliseum -- but they also have taken over the Raiders' former offices and their practice field.
In addition, of the 79 players coach-general manager John Ralston will take to training camp in Arizona Monday, there are seven players with former Raider experience, foremost among them linebacker Raymond Chester, running back Clarence Hawkins and defensive end Cedrick Hardman.
Obviously, local identification will be important for the new USFL teams. That's why each club was allowed to make territorial picks before the regular draft. Currently on the Oakland roster are 21 players from California, Stanford, San Jose State, Hayward State and San Francisco State.
In that grouping, all with some pro experience in the National Football League, are tackles Leo Biedermann (Cal) and Andre Hines (Stanford), safeties Eric Hurt (San Jose) and Mike O'Brien (Cal), cornerback Martin Derrick (San Jose), linebacker David Morze (Stanford) and quarterback Fred Besana (Cal).
'We're extremely happy with the players we will be taking to camp,' said Ralston, 'but obviously, we will have to sign some of our draft picks in order to have a representative team. On that front, we are hopeful.'
The Invaders believe they have a solid chance at their top pick - linebacker Billy Ray Smith of Arkansas -- and quarterback Ken O'Brien of UC Davis. Also, there is a good chance they may land San Jose quarterback Steve Clarkson from among the territorial picks. O'Brien and Clarkson both are excellent passers and thus would fit in perfectly in Ralston's planned offense.
Other NFL seasoned players on the Invaders roster are running backs Bubba Bean (Atlanta Falcons) and Delvin Williams (San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins).
The Invaders, like all the other USFL teams, will not play any exhibition games but they will hold scrimmages against the other teams training in Arizona -- the Arizona Wranglers, Denver Gold and Chicago Blitz. They may also work in a scrimmage against the Los Angeles Express, which will train in Southern California.
The Invaders open their first season on the road against the Wranglers in Phoenix on March 6. Their first home game is scheduled the following Sunday against Birmingham.
'We have a lot of work ahead of us,' said Ralston as he prepared to leave for Arizona. 'Starting a team from scratch will not be easy, either on the players or the coaching staff. With so many players of equal talent to pick from we will have to be certain we do not make a mistake on a single man.
'Of course, all the teams face the same decisions. All in all, I'm enthusiastic about our club. Having been in the NFL for so many years I know there are a number of players among those we drafted who will not make it in the NFL. I think that some of them may realize that in the next few days and decide to play for us. They have nothing to lose with us but if they wait for the NFL draft, they may be sorry.'
