SAN LEANDRO, Calif. -- The Oakland Invaders, desperately in need of a pass-catching tight end, signed former UCLA standout Paul Bergmann Thursday to a two-year contact, a team spokesman said.
The Invaders, 1-1-1 this season, lost starting tight end Lewis Gilbert to a knee injury two weeks ago.
This forced Oakland to go with Brian Williams and Doug Cozen. Williams has dropped several passes in the last two games and has just two catches for 10 yards on the year. Cozen has one reception since turning pro.
Bergmann was the third-round pick of the Jacksonville Bulls in the 1984 USFL draft. He was named the Bulls offensive MVP last year as he caught 48 passes for 647 yards and three touchdowns.
However, Bergmann became a victim of the unsteady nature of the USFL this season. The Bulls got former Arizona Wrangler tight end Mark Keel in the dispersal draft and waived Bergmann.
Bergmann had talked to the NFL Indianapolis Colts also before accepting the Oakland offer.
