USFL GDT: New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions

[CGI_Ram]

New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions Prediction and Preview (USFL Football)

Our USFL experts predict, pick and preview the New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions game with kickoff time, TV channel and spread.

athlonsports.com

New Jersey Generals vs. Birmingham Stallions​

On Saturday night, the latest rendition of the USFL will return to action after a 37-year absence in front of a national television audience. The New Jersey Generals will battle it out against the hometown Birmingham Stallions at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama. The USFL will play all its games in Birmingham as the league looks to establish itself financially with the backing of FOX, which has put up $200 million to jump-start the league.

New Jersey looks to be a bubble playoff team under the direction of head coach Mike Riley, who last served as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Dragons in the short-lived XFL. Luis Perez is the Generals' starting quarterback and will be looking to build upon his experience in the AAF and XFL and attempt to provide stability at quarterback. De'Andre Johnson is a potential starter this week at quarterback and, if he plays, will provide a quality dual-threat option for this offense. Mike Weber is the primary running back, and he will have something to prove in his quest to find a way back to the NFL after earning a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs in 2020. So, look for an emphasis on offense right out of the gate with the Generals.

Skip Holtz is the head coach for Birmingham, and he is a veteran of the college football coaching scene, with his last stop coming as head coach at Louisiana Tech (2013-21). Holtz will lean on Alex McGough as his starting quarterback to jump-start the Stallions' offense and ignite the home crowd. McGough has spent time on some NFL rosters with teams like the Seattle Seahawks but is still looking to break through in a big way. Scooby Wright is the headline player on defense at linebacker who won several national awards during his 2014 junior year at Arizona. Wright spent some time in the NFL but was never able to replicate the success that he had in Tucson.

New Jersey at Birmingham

Kickoff: Sat, Apr. 16 at 7:30 pm ET
Where: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Ala.)
TV: FOX/NBC/Peacock
Spread: Stallions -1.5

Three Things to Watch

1. New Jersey offense

Consistency will be a key to victory for the Generals' offense, as this unit needs to stay on schedule and avoid negative plays. When Riley's teams have had success at any level, it's been a combination of running the football and sound decision-making by the quarterback. The offensive line and its ability to control the line of scrimmage will be key as it will take pressure off Perez when he drops back. Also, look for Weber to get around 20 carries, and if he can grind out close to 100 yards, that would be a plus for the offense. Perez needs to take care of the football and find his open receivers to keep the chains moving on offense. Another thing to watch is how often they utilize the two forward passes behind the line of scrimmage on offense that are allowed under USFL's unique rule changes. That is one way that Riley can draw something creative up to get the ball to former TCU wide receiver Kavontae Turpin, who could be electric in open space.

2. Birmingham offense

It will be fun to watch Holtz make the transition to the new league/rules because he also will handle the duties of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for his Stallions. Holtz does have a potentially explosive weapon in wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr., so look for the head coach to let McGough air it out early to get Bolden involved immediately. Bolden spent two years in the NFL as a returner for three teams after starring at Oregon State. Third down is another key to success on offense for the Stallions this week, where the running game could be called on to help keep the offense on the field.

3. New Jersey defense

Chris Orr comes into the USFL as one of the better linebackers in the league after starting for three years at Wisconsin and earning second-team All-Big Ten recognition as a senior in 2019. However, the best player on this defense should be De'Vante Bausby, who played for Riley with the AAF's San Antonio Commodes. Bausby has a knack for causing problems for opposing quarterbacks as evidenced by his four interceptions during the AAF's one, brief season. Winning the turnover battle would really put the Generals in a good position to start their season off on the right foot.

Final Analysis

There will be a feeling-out process for both teams early on. The big key is to survive these issues and get the game into the second half with a chance to win. Look for this contest to hang in the balance heading into the fourth quarter, but in the end, the combination of timely passing from McGough and the home crowd ends up propelling Birmingham to victory as the USFL gets its season started.

Prediction: Stallions 26, Generals 17

 

[CGI_Ram]

USFL: What You Need to Know About the New Professional Football League

This is what you need to know about the new United States Football League (USFL).

athlonsports.com

USFL: What You Need to Know About the New Professional Football League​

Following in the footsteps of the short-lived Alliance of American Football (AAF) and, more recently, the relaunched XFL, the United States Football League (USFL) is set to become the latest professional football league to try and fill the NFL-sized hole for fans when it begins play this spring.

While neither the AAF nor XFL even made it through a full season, the USFL is hoping a dose of nostalgia combined with solid financial banking and solid broadcast partners will produce different results when the league opens its season in mid-April. Here is everything you need to know about the new iteration of the USFL.

This is not the first edition of the USFL​

The original USFL lasted three seasons (1983-85), and it did not lack for talent. Three consecutive Heisman Trophy winners signed with the league directly out of college — Herschel Walker, Mike Rozier, and Doug Flutie. In addition, several future Pro Football Hall of Famers got their starts in the USFL, including Reggie White, Steve Young, and Jim Kelly. Hall of Fame coaches Marv Levy and George Allen are part of the league's history, as is executive Bill Polian.

While the league shares its name, there is no legal connection between the original and this new entity. The new USFL has acquired most of the original league's trademarks, so the team names will look very familiar to those who remember it.

What happened to the original USFL?​

Originally a spring/summer league, the USFL planned to directly compete with the NFL for its 1986 season by moving games to the fall, a strategy that was championed by a group of owners led by future President Donald Trump, then the owner of the New Jersey Generals. However, that never came to fruition as the majority of the existing franchises ceased operations for financial or other reasons following the 1985 season and the league shut its doors completely in August 1986.

The USFL also took the NFL to court, filing a landmark antitrust lawsuit against the league with the main claim being the NFL had established a monopoly with respect to television broadcasting rights. The case went to trial in April 1986 and was highly publicized. The six-person jury eventually handed down a verdict that handed the USFL a win but ultimately spelled its doom.

The jury declared the NFL a "duly adjudicated illegal monopoly" but rejected the USFL's other claims, including that the older, more established league did not attempt to prevent its competitor from securing television rights. In essence, the jury said that while the USFL was harmed by the NFL's illegal monopoly on professional football, the league's issues were more a result of its own mismanagement. The USFL was awarded damages that eventually totaled $3.76. After staking its future on the outcome of the lawsuit, hoping to secure a sizeable settlement that would finance the league's operations moving forward, the owners voted on Aug. 4, 1986 — four days after the verdict was announced — to suspend the 1986 season. Even though the league intended to return the following year, it suffered more financial and court-related losses and never resumed operations, officially dissolving in 1990.

Who is in charge of the new USFL?​

FOX Sports, one of the league's broadcast partners, owns the league, along with co-founder Brian Woods. FOX Sports also has reportedly committed $150-$200 million over three years to help finance the USFL's operations.

Woods is no stranger to football leagues. He initially launched the Fall Experimental Football League, a minor league that was focused on development that played two seasons (2004, '05). After that, he started The Spring League, a developmental and scouting event for aspiring professional players that began play in 2017. He served as the league's CEO until 2021. FOX Sports also owns an equity stake in as well as the broadcasting rights to The Spring League.

Woods is the new USFL's President of Football Operations with Daryl Johnston, former Dallas Cowboys fullback, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and longtime color commentator, as the executive vice president. Longtime NFL referee and current FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira is the head of officiating, and Edward Hartman is EVP of business operations. Hartman also will continue to serve as SVP of digital partnerships and wagering at FOX Sports.

How many teams are in the new USFL?​

Eight teams split up into two divisions will make up the new USFL. All the teams carry the same name as those from the original USFL. Here's how the league looks

North Division
Michigan Panthers
New Jersey Generals
Philadelphia Stars
Pittsburgh Maulers

South Division
Birmingham Stallions
Houston Gamblers
New Orleans Breakers
Tampa Bay Bandits

While all the teams will be based in the city/state that their name comes from, one of the unique aspects of the new USFL is that the entire season will be played in Birmingham, Alabama with the recently opened Protective Stadium (seats 47,100) and historic Legion Field (71, 574) serving as the venues. The league is hopeful that teams will play in their own markets starting next year.

Who are the head coaches?​

Many of the eight head coaches should be familiar to NFL and college football fans. The head coaches are Bart Andrus (Philadelphia Stars), Larry Fedora (New Orleans Breakers), Jeff Fisher (Michigan Panthers), Todd Haley (Tampa Bay Bandits), Skip Holtz (Birmingham Stallions), Mike Riley (New Jersey Generals), Kevin Sumlin (Houston Gamblers), and Kirby Wilson (Pittsburgh Maulers).

Related: Meet the USFL's Head Coaches

What about the players?​

Each team will be made up of a 38-man active roster with a seven-man practice squad. The inaugural draft was held Feb. 22-23 with camps set to open on March 21. The draft was unique in that it lasted 35 rounds across two days (280 players total) and was broken down by positions.

Quarterbacks went in Round 1, followed by edge rushers and defensive ends in Rounds 2-4, offensive tackles in Rounds 5-7, cornerbacks in Rounds 8-11, and back to quarterbacks in Round 12. Day 2 started with wide receivers in Rounds 13-17, safeties in Rounds 18-19, center in Round 20, inside linebacker in Round 21, and guards in Rounds 22-23. Rounds 24-26 focused on defensive tackles and nose tackles, with running backs and fullbacks in Rounds 27-28, outside linebackers in Rounds 29-31, kickers in Round 32, punters in Round 33, tight ends and H-backs in Round 34, and long-snappers in Round 35. Teams were required to draft at least one player from each position group. USFL teams drafted from a pool of 450-500 players that had already signed contracts to play in the league.

There also was a 10-round supplemental draft held that was held on March 10 where an additional 80 players were selected. While complete details regarding salaries have not been disclosed, the players will receive base compensation and be eligible for victory bonuses, according to the USFL's Web site.

Additionally, players and team staff members will be offered access to a college degree program that is both tuition-free and debt-free through a partnership with Strategic Education’s Capella University and Strayer University. The program will offer participants the chance to take classes online or in person.

Are there any different rules?​

Similar to the AAF and XFL, the USFL has introduced several rule changes in an effort to increase scoring opportunities and the entertainment value of the on-field product. Full details can be found here, but the biggest rule changes involve extra points, onside kicks, how overtime works, and the allowance of two forward passes.

Related: USFL's New Rules Introduce Three-Point Conversions, Overtime Shootouts, Two Forward Passes, and More

While most of the rules are designed to bolster the offense, they also are designed to improve game flow, enhance player safety, and make it easier to get penalty calls correct.

How does the league schedule its games?​

The schedule was unveiled on March 7 but after Week 1 it was only opponents with dates and times yet to be finalized. The first game will be between the New Jersey Generals and Birmingham Stallions at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 16. It will be played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, and be aired on both FOX and NBC, making it the first scheduled sporting event to air on competing broadcast networks since Super Bowl I in 1967, which was shown on both CBS and NBC.

The regular season will last 10 weeks with two playoff rounds to follow. Teams in the same division will play each other twice and teams in the other division once. The season is currently set to end on July 3. The majority of the games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays with some special broadcasts on Fridays and Mondays. All games will be played in Birmingham, with the majority taking place at Protective Stadium and some being played at historic Legion Field.

How can I watch USFL games?​

The USFL's broadcast partners are FOX, NBC, USA Network, and FS1. With FOX Sports and NBC Sports as the official broadcast partners, all 43 games of the inaugural season are set to be televised. FOX Sports will carry 22 of the games, split between FOX (12) and FS1 (10). NBC Sports will share its 21 games between NBC (8), USA Network (9), and its streaming service Peacock (4).

 

[CGI_Ram]

USFL: New Rules Introduce Three-Point Conversions, Overtime Shootouts, Two Forward Passes, and More

The reimagined USFL will feature several rules changes as the latest professional football league seeks to add more offense and entertainment value.

athlonsports.com

USFL: New Rules Introduce Three-Point Conversions, Overtime Shootouts, Two Forward Passes, and More​

The reinvented USFL, which is set to begin play in mid-April, will feature some modified rules in an effort to increase scoring opportunities and entertainment value as it looks to attract an audience to the latest professional football league that's giving it a go during the spring.

Related: What You Need to Know About the New USFL

The league unveiled the rules on March 23, less than a month before the inaugural kickoff game on April 16 between New Jersey Generals and Birmingham Stallions, two of the eight teams. While most of the rules are designed to bolster the offense, they also are designed to improve game flow, enhance player safety, and make it easier to get penalty calls correct.

The biggest rule changes involve extra points, onside kicks, how overtime works, and the allowance of two forward passes. Here’s what you need to know.

Extra points​

In the USFL, after teams score a touchdown, they'll have the option to attempt a one-, two-, or three-point conversion. Teams will receive:

• One point for a kick made with the ball snapped from the 15-yard line
• Two points for a scrimmage play from the 2-yard line that successfully crosses the goal line
• Three points for a scrimmage play from the 10-yard line that successfully crosses the goal line

This means that in the USFL a "one-score" game can be tied with a touchdown and successful three-point conversion while an 18-point lead can be erased with two touchdowns (and subsequent three-point conversions).

Onside kicks​

After scoring, teams will have two options to retain possession. The first is a traditional onside kick attempt from the 25-yard line, The second will be running a 4th-and-12 play from their own 33-yard line. A first down means they will keep the ball from that spot. But if the play fails, the other team gets the ball wherever it was downed.

Overtime​

Instead of the NFL's first-team-that-gets-the-ball-can-win-with-a-touchdown approach, the USFL has turned overtime into a back-and-forth affair. Each team's offense will alternate plays against the other's defense from the 2-yard line. Each offense will run a total of three plays with each successful scoring attempt resulting in two points. The team with the most points after each has run three plays wins the game. If the score remains tied, it becomes a sudden-death situation with the subsequent attempts until a winner is declared.

Two forward passes​

Another rule change allows offenses the ability to throw two forward passes behind the line of scrimmage. This twist will expand teams' playbooks while also adding the potential for even more trick plays.

Defensive pass interference​

The penalty for defensive pass interference (DPI) will mirror college football, but with exceptions. DPI will be a spot foul if it occurs less than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage but it's only a 15-yard penalty even if the spot of the infraction is beyond 15 yards. This change is meant to decrease the severity of certain DPI penalties. However, if a defender intentionally tackles a receiver 15 yards past the line of scrimmage that infraction remains a spot foul.

Offensive pass interference​

If a pass attempt does not cross the line of scrimmage, there can be no penalty for offensive pass interference (OPI) or ineligible player downfield. This rule change should help the offense without undermining the defense.

Instant replay​

Each coach will be allowed one replay challenge. All replay decisions will be handled by Replay Command, which will be based at FOX Sports Control Center in Los Angeles. One replay crew will make all the decisions to ensure accuracy, consistent and faster rulings. Longtime NFL referee and current FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira is the USFL's Head of Officiating.

USFL Replay Command will have the authority to overrule incorrect personal foul calls, including roughing the passer, hits on defenseless players, face-mask penalties, horse-collars, and more. USFL Replay Command also will be responsible for determining whether a pass interference infraction is obviously intentional when it occurs 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

Timing​

The clock will stop for first downs inside two minutes of both the second and fourth quarters. This will create more offensive plays during the final minutes of each half.

Kickoffs and punts​

All kickoffs will be from the 25-yard line. No member of the kicking team may line up any further back than one yard while the receiving team must have a minimum of eight players in the set-up zone between their 35- and 45-yard lines.

After a kickoff travels 20 yards, the first touch must be the receiving team. If an untouched kick becomes dead, the ball belongs to the receiving team at that spot.

On punts, gunners may not line up outside the numbers and they cannot be double-teamed blocked until the ball is kicked.

 

[Q729]

LFG!! Some info on the broadcast side of things.

Fox and NBC’s experimental USFL broadcast will literally take you inside the huddle

The reimagined USFL is hoping to provide a broadcasting experience like you’ve never seen or heard before. The revamped league will be launching on Saturday with a simulcast on Fox and NBC pr…

nypost.com

Fox and NBC's experimental USFL broadcast will literally take you inside the huddle​

Ryan Glasspiegel
4-5 minutes

The reimagined USFL is hoping to provide a broadcasting experience like you’ve never seen or heard before. The revamped league will be launching on Saturday with a simulcast on Fox and NBC providing a plethora of enhancements to the viewing experience.

Among the bells and whistles that the production teams plan to roll out are live play-by-play drone coverage, four helmet cams and a double sky cam — which has been used before, but never included one flying behind the defense.

“You can’t do that in college football or the NFL,” Chuck McDonald, who is producing USFL games for Fox, told The Post. McDonald is also Fox’s producer on “Big Noon Kickoff,” the package for the network’s marquee college football games on Saturdays.

Why wouldn’t the NFL and college football allow this?

“It’s like everything, it took awhile for them to get the trust for us to get the sky cam allowed in the NFL in the first place,” McDonald said. “There’s some concern about where the wires are. They’re now in front of the play. Are we able to get them out of the way of getting hit by a punt or a pass? We aren’t sure we can; it takes awhile, and in a lot of ways this will be a proof of concept for the NFL and college football to look at.

“That’s the beauty in this league — we can do things that an established league isn’t ready to let you try.”

The cameras will be in the huddle. They’ll be there for the snap. Graphically, first downs will be judged optically — as opposed to being ascertained by referees trotting out sticks and chains. The only constraint for the production teams is player safety.

Fox Sports and NBC Sports, in somewhat of a rarity in the industry, have been highly collaborative on ideas.

“It has been great to be part of the collaborative process between the two companies,” NBC Sports’ USFL coordinating producer Matt Marvin — who also produces the network’s NASCAR coverage — told The Post.

“There has been incredible cooperation and an abundance of ideas exchanged between everyone involved. We’re excited to see how the First Person View drones will enhance coverage and take fans inside the action in ways they’ve never been before.”

The sound will even be different. McDonald said 32 players will be mic’ed up, as well as coaches and officials.

“We’ll be able to eavesdrop on coach-to-player and player-to-player communication on a much larger scale than what fans are accustomed to,” said Marvin.

As far as announcers, Fox is rolling with experienced crews. Its top crew will be Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt, with Brock Huard on sidelines; its secondary crew will be Kevin Kugler and Mark Sanchez.

NBC will have Jac Collinsworth and Paul Burmeister on play-by-play, with Jason Garrett, former NFL fullback Michael Robinson and former NFL defensive end Cameron Jordan as color commentators, and Zora Stephenson and Corey Robinson as sideline reporters. Sara Perlman will host studio coverage.

Among a team of sports media veterans, Garrett was the name that popped out as a new broadcaster.

“I think his passion and relatability came across during rehearsals. Jason has been a quarterback, head coach, coordinator and a position coach in the NFL, so his football knowledge is unparalleled, but he displayed the ability to put things in terms that we could all understand,” Marvin said. “He also has a tremendous energy that you can really pick up on. Football has been such a big part of his life and that is reflected in the way he calls the game.”

The USFL’s 43 games this season will be distributed across Fox, FS1, NBC, USA Network and Peacock.

 

[FaulkYou]

Anybody have streaming links or recommnedations? I'm not in the US

 

[Loyal]

The first drive look good.

 

[RamFanWA]

LFG!! Some info on the broadcast side of things.

Fox and NBC’s experimental USFL broadcast will literally take you inside the huddle

The reimagined USFL is hoping to provide a broadcasting experience like you’ve never seen or heard before. The revamped league will be launching on Saturday with a simulcast on Fox and NBC pr…

nypost.com

Fox and NBC's experimental USFL broadcast will literally take you inside the huddle​

Ryan Glasspiegel
4-5 minutes

The reimagined USFL is hoping to provide a broadcasting experience like you’ve never seen or heard before. The revamped league will be launching on Saturday with a simulcast on Fox and NBC providing a plethora of enhancements to the viewing experience.

Among the bells and whistles that the production teams plan to roll out are live play-by-play drone coverage, four helmet cams and a double sky cam — which has been used before, but never included one flying behind the defense.

“You can’t do that in college football or the NFL,” Chuck McDonald, who is producing USFL games for Fox, told The Post. McDonald is also Fox’s producer on “Big Noon Kickoff,” the package for the network’s marquee college football games on Saturdays.

Why wouldn’t the NFL and college football allow this?

“It’s like everything, it took awhile for them to get the trust for us to get the sky cam allowed in the NFL in the first place,” McDonald said. “There’s some concern about where the wires are. They’re now in front of the play. Are we able to get them out of the way of getting hit by a punt or a pass? We aren’t sure we can; it takes awhile, and in a lot of ways this will be a proof of concept for the NFL and college football to look at.

“That’s the beauty in this league — we can do things that an established league isn’t ready to let you try.”

The cameras will be in the huddle. They’ll be there for the snap. Graphically, first downs will be judged optically — as opposed to being ascertained by referees trotting out sticks and chains. The only constraint for the production teams is player safety.

Fox Sports and NBC Sports, in somewhat of a rarity in the industry, have been highly collaborative on ideas.

“It has been great to be part of the collaborative process between the two companies,” NBC Sports’ USFL coordinating producer Matt Marvin — who also produces the network’s NASCAR coverage — told The Post.

“There has been incredible cooperation and an abundance of ideas exchanged between everyone involved. We’re excited to see how the First Person View drones will enhance coverage and take fans inside the action in ways they’ve never been before.”

The sound will even be different. McDonald said 32 players will be mic’ed up, as well as coaches and officials.

“We’ll be able to eavesdrop on coach-to-player and player-to-player communication on a much larger scale than what fans are accustomed to,” said Marvin.

As far as announcers, Fox is rolling with experienced crews. Its top crew will be Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt, with Brock Huard on sidelines; its secondary crew will be Kevin Kugler and Mark Sanchez.

NBC will have Jac Collinsworth and Paul Burmeister on play-by-play, with Jason Garrett, former NFL fullback Michael Robinson and former NFL defensive end Cameron Jordan as color commentators, and Zora Stephenson and Corey Robinson as sideline reporters. Sara Perlman will host studio coverage.

Among a team of sports media veterans, Garrett was the name that popped out as a new broadcaster.

“I think his passion and relatability came across during rehearsals. Jason has been a quarterback, head coach, coordinator and a position coach in the NFL, so his football knowledge is unparalleled, but he displayed the ability to put things in terms that we could all understand,” Marvin said. “He also has a tremendous energy that you can really pick up on. Football has been such a big part of his life and that is reflected in the way he calls the game.”

The USFL’s 43 games this season will be distributed across Fox, FS1, NBC, USA Network and Peacock.

>> NBC will have Jac Collinsworth and
Ya mean, he spawned another broadcaster??????

 

[Loyal]

Defnse Is for NFL wimps! Two drives and two long pass TD’s.

 

[JustMe]

is the sound shitty for anyone else?

 

[Q729]

>> NBC will have Jac Collinsworth and
Ya mean, he spawned another broadcaster??????

Lol yeah and sounds just like him.

is the sound shitty for anyone else?

NBC seems out of sync a bit. And the mic'd up players are all over the place.

Oh and those drone cam shots are gonna make me puke lol.

 

[Karate61]

is the sound shitty for anyone else?

Yes. Sound is out of sync. Very weak being NBC!

 

[Angry Ram]

It's not...that...bad?

I'm so confused.

 

[Q729]

It's not...that...bad?

I'm so confused.

Sound? Presentation? Play?

 

[Loyal]

Bowman just got a nice TD., after a big catch earlier in the drive. I remember before McVay, there would probably by be three threads started about the Rams signing Bowman off the Generals! Man, we were pathetic! Lol.

 

[Angry Ram]

Sound? Presentation? Play?

The game itself. I was expecting trash football. But at worst it looks like a Big 10 game.

 

[Loyal]

It’s distracting that we are hearing the QB’s snap count every play, along with announcers speaking over that.

 

[Q729]

Bowman just got a nice TD., after a big catch earlier in the drive. I remember before McVay, there would probably by be three threads started about the Rams signing Bowman off the Generals! Man, we were pathetic! Lol.

Still can't believe we just won the Super Bowl!!

 

[Loyal]

The game itself. I was expecting trash football. But at worst it looks like a Big 10 game.

The kids are trying pretty hard, so that’s nice….

 

[Q729]

The game itself. I was expecting trash football. But at worst it looks like a Big 10 game.

I mean I saw some good things with both AAF and XFL, so I wasn't expecting that much trash lol.

 

[IowaRam]

every single game is played in Birmingham ?