WI the 1982 NFL strike leads to the cancellation of the 1982 season?
Effects on the 1983 draft, the USFL, et. al., anyone?
There could have been some big butterflies:
1. Coaches: Since there is no 1982 season, guys like Leeman Bennett in Atlanta and Marv Levy in KC aren't unfairly canned, and they get another shot in 1983. Also, Chuck Knox probably stays in Buffalo for one more year (at least), Ray Malavasi isn't fired for John Robinson with the Rams, Jack Patera stays with Seattle for another season, & Walt Michaels stays with the Jets.
As for Ray Perkins and Dick Vermeil, I still think they end up leaving even if there is no season. Vermeil enjoyed the time off from football with his family, and he was approaching burnout. And, Perkins wanted the Alabama job, so the Giants still end up promoting Parcells to HC.
2. Steelers: With no 1982 season, Terry Bradshaw doesn't hurt his elbow, and he comes back rejuvenated and ready to go. It's also possible that Lynn Swann and Jack Ham come back for one more year instead of retiring. I can really see them giving the Raiders a run for their money.
3. NFL Draft: With no 1982 season, they probably go back to the 1982 draft order. In 1982, the Pats had the #1 pick, and they had their 1983 first-rounder. They benefit greatly from the lack of a 1982 season because they are able to draft Elway.
As for picks 2-10, here's the order and the picks:
2. Colts: Dan Marino, QB, Pitt
* 3. Seahawks: (from Packers through Saints in Bruce Clark trade on 6-10-1982): Curt Warner, RB, Penn St.
4. Bills (from Browns in Tom Cousineau trade on 4-24-1982): Jim Kelly, QB, Miami
5. Rams (originally had the fifth pick in 82 before trading it to Baltimore for Bert Jones): Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU
6. Bears: Jimbo Covert, OT, Pitt
7. Packers (from Seahawks): Tim Lewis, CB, Pitt
8. Vikings: Bruce Matthews, OL, USC
9. Oilers: Chris Hinton, OL, Northwestern
10. Falcons: Billy Ray Smith, OLB, Arkansas
* The Saints originally had the third pick in the 1982 draft, but they used it on Dave Wilson in the 1981 Supp draft. I have the Packers trading down with Seattle because they wanted defense, and the Seahawks wanted Curt Warner.