December 16 - The FrontPage writers sat down with Detroit Lion's GM, Claude Boman, this weekend. Mr. Boman is enjoying a fine 2009 season, with his Lions atop the NFC East. Boman joined the USAFL in it's fifth season online, way back in the spring of 1998. He has been in the league every season since. This is the first time he has been interviewed by the league's website.

You are one of honored GMs who have been in the USAFL since the original league. In your opinion, why is the USAFL so successful? 

It's all in the USAFL's unique schedule and Front Office Staff.

Most of us fondly know you as the "silent GM". I believe Chris Kampitsis first started calling you that. You've always steered a course just under the radar and have consistently had playoff contending teams. But sadly, the
elusive trip to the Super Bowl has remained out of your grasp. Why do you think your Lions have annually fallen short of a glorious moment grasping the Sundby Cup?
 
I believe it has been the DEF/OFF plans. I see some changes in the future with the new plans to be implemented in 2010.
 
Your method of building a winning franchise is vastly different than the norm. Most of your team was built either through trades or the free agent market. The Lions have rarely used draft picks to acquire talent. Do you find waiting for young talent to develop to risky?
 
It all started back in the old USAFL, when we were paying 3 million for a first round pick. I would trade my picks and use the money to pick up solid Free Agents. 
 
How did you first come upon the USAFL? Did you find it through a search engine, or were you referred by a friend?
 
I found the USAFL on one of the many Football Pro Websites, back in the day.
 
For those readers who have no idea what the USAFL was like back then, how would you describe that early league? What drew you to join the USAFL?
 
In the USAFL you could build a Super Bowl contending team in just a couple of months. I liked the fact that we played the seasons so fast. It also took no playmaking skills, which I was never good at doing. 

In your opinion, what has been your three greatest moments in the USAFL. To either you personally or to the whole league in general.
 
Quite honestly it has been every time that it was announced that the USAFL was coming back.
 
Name three great players, throughout the entire history of the USAFL, that you had the privilege of having on your Detroit roster. Which of them are you most proud of?

Old league, WR Todd Ratzlaff, second version RB Jamie Thomas, DL George Dudley. I am most proud of the
great WR Todd Ratzlaff. He was a definate All Pro. 
Editors Note - Andrew Lewis drafted Ratzlaff in the 2nd round of the very first USAFL draft. Ratzlaff went on to a hall of fame career, spending his first six years in Tampa Bay, then finishing his career in Seattle.

If you could have ANY GM from the entire history of the USAFL be your AGM, who would that be? And why?

That's easy, Tim Arkwright. He has been one of the most successfull GM's in the league. He knows how to run a team.

Thank you for sitting down with us today during your busy schedule. I know I speak for all of the FrontPage readers when I say, "Good Luck during the rest of you 2009 schedule and we hope to be watching your Lions in the playoffs!"