Well, we need a place to start, so here it goes. For the newcomers, I have a hard time placing new teams high on the scale until they prove themselves in the Pros. If you do though, you'll earn the respect most crave, and move up the rankings(Flash sat in the top 4 or 5 most of the season after a few wins) This is also an offseason ranking based mainly off last year, so I expect it to change alot during the season.
Let's have another great season!
Da Champs
1(1) - East St Louis Tire Fires(19-1) - The defending champs, until they are knocked off, they reside atop the mountain.
Contenders for the throne
2(2) - Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates(16-3) - The Alpha runners up, they only had 3 losses last season....but 2 came to the Tar Far. Ahead of the rest, but until they beat there rivals, this is as high as they can climb.
3(3) - Bangkok Seamen(14-4) - The Seamen are one of the top teams in SE Asia Pro still, and only lost out of a conference championship rematch with the Tar Fars by a field goal. With Ricky Watters leading the charge, you know the O will be strong, and the Seamen look to make there 4th trip to the Super Wok this season.
The Playoff teams
4(not ranked) - Manila Hitmen(AAA2 Champs) - While I don't usually rank newcomers above proven teams, Manila is a different animal, and one us in ESL know all too well. This team should have a much easier time adjusting to the Pro game then the other newcomers, and has the talent to snag a home playoff game as well. If they can compete once the real season begins however, is another story.
5(5) - Pennsylvania Silver Knights(11-6) - One and done, but still a good season for PSK. The distractions continue, but this is a team that came alive down the stretch and beat some good teams. Queensland handed them two of there losses, and the others came against powerhouse teams Bangkok, ESL, Bandar and Ho Chi Mean.
6(6) - Phuket All(11-6) - Bangkok has plagued Phuket for a very long time now, and one has to wonder if they will ever be able to beat the Seamen. Phuket fields a very good squad, but showed an inability to defeat the top teams last season. With the bar raised, Phuket needs to pick up there game if they want to be guaranteed a playoff spot.
7(7) - Singapore Marauders(11-6) - This team went from the 2nd seed two seasons ago to 7th and a first round exit at the hands of the Pirates. With Meth Head, there offense can compete with anyone, but they need to improve from last season to remain here. They've beat some top teams(ESL, Queensland) but also failed to even come close to the Pirates in two games last season. Definitely a team to watch this season.
In The Hunt
8(8) - Niagara Jeanhorns(8-9) - Niagara's dream season ended at the hands of ESL, but they were the surpirse team of last year. With so much new talent, they will have needed to continue to improve to reach the playoffs again, but I'm not betting against this team after what they showed last year. They fought to the end and beat a talented Partisans team out for the playoffs. Now the question is, can they take that next step?
9(not ranked) - Mekong Monsoon(AAA2) - Another team i'm familar with from past battles, the Monsoon get the nod over the Katanas for that very reason. Mekong has been a strong team since it's inception, but has always played runner up. Will there boost to the Pro's give them the confidence they need to win the close games?
10(not ranked) - Kamakura Katanas(AAA1) - I don't know much about this team to be honest, but have heard very good things about them. However, with a big loss to the Hustlers in last seasons AAA1 Championship, it's hard to rank this team any higher than this at this point in time. The Pros are a much better league than the AAA's, which all the newcomers will soon find out.
On the bubble
11(11) - Macau Gamblers(6-10) - The Gamblers have the levels on paper to compete, but haven't shown the ability to translate that onto the field. If they want to remain in the Pro's, this is something that will need to change, and immediately.
12(10) - Chaiyaphum Gothic(7-9) - They don't show the talent some of the others do on paper, but managed 7 wins last season including a big victory over the Flash. Depending on there offseason, this team could play this years Niagara
Without major changes, these teams are battling for last
13(9) - Pattaya Partisans(8-8) - I know they are gutted, but I just can't put these guys lower out of respect for the team they had. Very well should be battling for last place.
14(13) - Holbrook Roadrunners(4-12) - The team looks pretty much the same as last season. Getting 4 wins this season would actually be quiet an acomplishment in a much more talented league.
15(14) - Tokyo Whalers(2-14) - How many times will these guys change names this season? If they ever get some stability, maybe they'd have a shot.
16(unranked) - Sumatra Swarm(AAA1) - This team pisses me off. If your going to gut, you should have flagged your team. Now we are stuck with them for a season, here's hoping they don't win a game
EDIT - Fixed
Let's have another great season!
Da Champs
1(1) - East St Louis Tire Fires(19-1) - The defending champs, until they are knocked off, they reside atop the mountain.
Contenders for the throne
2(2) - Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates(16-3) - The Alpha runners up, they only had 3 losses last season....but 2 came to the Tar Far. Ahead of the rest, but until they beat there rivals, this is as high as they can climb.
3(3) - Bangkok Seamen(14-4) - The Seamen are one of the top teams in SE Asia Pro still, and only lost out of a conference championship rematch with the Tar Fars by a field goal. With Ricky Watters leading the charge, you know the O will be strong, and the Seamen look to make there 4th trip to the Super Wok this season.
The Playoff teams
4(not ranked) - Manila Hitmen(AAA2 Champs) - While I don't usually rank newcomers above proven teams, Manila is a different animal, and one us in ESL know all too well. This team should have a much easier time adjusting to the Pro game then the other newcomers, and has the talent to snag a home playoff game as well. If they can compete once the real season begins however, is another story.
5(5) - Pennsylvania Silver Knights(11-6) - One and done, but still a good season for PSK. The distractions continue, but this is a team that came alive down the stretch and beat some good teams. Queensland handed them two of there losses, and the others came against powerhouse teams Bangkok, ESL, Bandar and Ho Chi Mean.
6(6) - Phuket All(11-6) - Bangkok has plagued Phuket for a very long time now, and one has to wonder if they will ever be able to beat the Seamen. Phuket fields a very good squad, but showed an inability to defeat the top teams last season. With the bar raised, Phuket needs to pick up there game if they want to be guaranteed a playoff spot.
7(7) - Singapore Marauders(11-6) - This team went from the 2nd seed two seasons ago to 7th and a first round exit at the hands of the Pirates. With Meth Head, there offense can compete with anyone, but they need to improve from last season to remain here. They've beat some top teams(ESL, Queensland) but also failed to even come close to the Pirates in two games last season. Definitely a team to watch this season.
In The Hunt
8(8) - Niagara Jeanhorns(8-9) - Niagara's dream season ended at the hands of ESL, but they were the surpirse team of last year. With so much new talent, they will have needed to continue to improve to reach the playoffs again, but I'm not betting against this team after what they showed last year. They fought to the end and beat a talented Partisans team out for the playoffs. Now the question is, can they take that next step?
9(not ranked) - Mekong Monsoon(AAA2) - Another team i'm familar with from past battles, the Monsoon get the nod over the Katanas for that very reason. Mekong has been a strong team since it's inception, but has always played runner up. Will there boost to the Pro's give them the confidence they need to win the close games?
10(not ranked) - Kamakura Katanas(AAA1) - I don't know much about this team to be honest, but have heard very good things about them. However, with a big loss to the Hustlers in last seasons AAA1 Championship, it's hard to rank this team any higher than this at this point in time. The Pros are a much better league than the AAA's, which all the newcomers will soon find out.
On the bubble
11(11) - Macau Gamblers(6-10) - The Gamblers have the levels on paper to compete, but haven't shown the ability to translate that onto the field. If they want to remain in the Pro's, this is something that will need to change, and immediately.
12(10) - Chaiyaphum Gothic(7-9) - They don't show the talent some of the others do on paper, but managed 7 wins last season including a big victory over the Flash. Depending on there offseason, this team could play this years Niagara
Without major changes, these teams are battling for last
13(9) - Pattaya Partisans(8-8) - I know they are gutted, but I just can't put these guys lower out of respect for the team they had. Very well should be battling for last place.
14(13) - Holbrook Roadrunners(4-12) - The team looks pretty much the same as last season. Getting 4 wins this season would actually be quiet an acomplishment in a much more talented league.
15(14) - Tokyo Whalers(2-14) - How many times will these guys change names this season? If they ever get some stability, maybe they'd have a shot.
16(unranked) - Sumatra Swarm(AAA1) - This team pisses me off. If your going to gut, you should have flagged your team. Now we are stuck with them for a season, here's hoping they don't win a game
EDIT - Fixed
Last edited Nov 2, 2008 10:43:28
We're gonna throw some McNickles at you!! 
