Overlooked by the NFL, former Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell gets his chance to be head coach in the UFL.

Rick Mueller, vice president and general manager of all four UFL franchises, brings years of NFL experience to the table as the UFL opens its inaugural season on Oct. 8. He spent eight years with the New Orleans Saints, with whom he was the vice president of player personnel.

Tonight at the Citrus Bowl in downtown Orlando, fans had a chance to get their first glimpse of the United Football League.  The teams still have a ways to go before the season begins in two weeks, but tonight was proof that the UFL is much more than critics expected.  The Tuskers and the Sentinels played hard-hitting, quality football, giving the small crowd plenty to cheer about.

The night started with the punt teams taking turns.  Todd Sauerbrun and the Tuskers punted first.  Sauerbrun still has the strong leg that made him a three-time Pro Bowl punter.  The Sentinels punter didn't have as much leg or accuracy.  Because this was a controlled scrimmage, not most of the punts were not returned.  If the punt was returned, the coverage team usually stopped after first contact.  The kickoff teams used the same set-up.
 

Dexter Jackson — Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson from the Bucs' 2002 championship season — is walking through a no-frills locker room at the Florida Citrus Bowl, sweat soaking his aqua jersey from a brutal morning workout.

He sits on a bench before hitting the showers and reflects on his new digs in the fledgling United Football League.

Just two days into his job with the Florida Tuskers, Brooks Bollinger may already be working his way into the starting lineup.

"I think he made some ground today," Tuskers Coach Jim Haslett said. "If you just watch his demeanor alone you can tell he's a heck of a football player."