FAT DADDY CA$H’S CORNER
Season 7 Preview
Season 7 brings 7 new teams to WEPL and 7 new potential champions. Laugh if you will, but after the Ballers rolled through WEPL they gave hope and inspiration to every rookie team that they too could do the same.
Despite the trend Berlin started last season, they were the exception that disproves the rule. Berlin showed not only WEPL but also GLB that they were one of the best teams in the game. While there is plenty of talent amongst the 7 new teams, it’s unlikely that any of them will experience as smooth a transition as the Ballers did.
Of the four new teams in Alpha, the Paris Dream Bolts and Dresden Dragons seem to be a notch above Toulouse and the Graz Grizzlies. However both Paris and Dresden failed to win a pre-season game against a veteran WEPL club casting some doubts as to whether they have the chops to make a serious run at a title in their first year.
The three new teams in Zeta faired slightly better. While the Grass Root Divots got stomped by perennial Alpha big dogs the Monarchs and the Wujax, The London Rippers forced a Tie with Black Watch (an impressive feat). The Edinburgh Knights on the other hand split their pre-season games but failed to beat the only veteran club they faced.
It would be foolish to dismiss any new club simply because they are new – however it seems less than likely that any of the new 7 will be able to follow in Berlin’s footsteps. At least not in as impressive of a fashion.
With the new kids on the block finding their footing, Berlin looks to be the clear pre-season favorite to defend their crown. While there was FA activity in Zeta, most teams remained largely in tact. The biggest change perhaps was within the Pimp’s ownership structure and the departure of HB Lee Suggs. Add it all up and Berlin still comes out on top. With their top notch game planning and fierce pass rush, it’s going to be interesting to see how the powers that be in Zeta mount a challenge to dethrone the champs.
In Alpha the Warriors took a big hit in Free Agency but most other teams followed the “less is more” policy. Changes were made to nearly every team, but they were minor in comparison to the mass changes which took place last season when the Trolls, HEAT and Stampede players migrated to new homes. With the Minotaurs leaving Alpha, the Monarchs and Black Watch seem to be in great shape to repeat their run of Season 6. The Wujax will be looking to reclaim their former glory while Aberdeen looks to rebound from their less than stellar performance in Season 6. This means that Alpha is wide open in many respects, but at the end of the day we should see some familiar faces in the top 4 seeds.
The Corner won’t have Power Rankings this week as I think they would mainly be pointless guesses. But the Rankings will come back after tomorrow’s games and we see how some of the new teams mesh.
So let’s get to the picks!
Week 1 Previews and Predictions:
Lyon Dynasty at Lake Charles Who Dats:
Lake Charles underwent some massive rebuilding, particularly on the defensive side of the ball in order to improve upon their unimpressive Season 6 record. The Dynasty did similar rebuilding despite being a playoff team in Zeta last year. While both teams are suffering from a chemistry hit, the Dynasty appear to have been more successful in their rebuilding efforts. While Lake Charles was one of the most unpredictable teams last season, this game shouldn’t be so unpredictable.
Lyon wins 33-20.
Multiple Scorgasms at Fightin’ Texas Aggies:
Multiple is a team teetering on the brink of relegation at the moment as their off season rebuilding plans seem to have gone awry. Facing a huge chemistry hit and a roster that now has 10 CPU players (including 1 starter), this perennial championship contender seems to be in a major transition stage. The Aggies on the other hand stood pat this off season and will look to build on their 3 game winning streak they used to close out Season 6 and earn a surprise playoff birth. The Aggies have the edge on paper in this one and I expect them to take advantage of Multiple’s rebuilding plans.
Aggies win 43-18.
Wembley Warriors at Korb Destroyers:
Wembley had perhaps the toughest off-season as they were forced to replace a number of starters. But give the front office credit – they got the job done. While the influx of new players has had a negative effect on their team chemistry, the Warriors should be a team that gets stronger as the year wears on. Unfortunately they are forced to open their season against one of WEPL’s best team, the Korb Destroyers. Korb, who lost to Berlin in the Zeta Championship game, returns their roster entirely in tact and is once again poised to be a powerhouse in WEPL. With their great defense and dynamic rushing attack, Korb should be able to exploit the Warriors’ defense and grind out the win.
Korb wins 38-3.
Berlin Ballers at Aberdeen Wrecking Crew:
The defending WEPL Champions only made one major move in this off-season, and that was to bring in new starting QB Dimitri Marakov to run the show on offense. Marakov is a QB who limits his mistakes and should be able to take advantage of having one of the league’s best HBs behind him in Heather Marie. Aberdeen, on the other hand, is looking to improve their own Season 6 record. After a disappointing finish, the Wrecking Crew come into Season 7 with high hopes and their chemistry problems behind them. While I expect the Wrecking Crew to make a serious playoff run this year, asking them to knock off Berlin out of the gate is asking for too much.
Berlin wins 44-20.
PPP Longnecks at E-City Mercenaries:
After a terrific regular season, the Longnecks got steamrolled by Korb in the second round of the playoffs, leaving a bitter taste in their beers. The aggressive front office went out and had themselves another fine off-season, adding some key pieces to their already formidable team without totally disrupting their team chemistry. The Mercenaries on the other hand had a highly disappointing Season 6 and are determined to get back into the playoffs once again. Rather than solve their problems by bringing in new players, the front office has focused instead on improving their tactics. This should be a great benchmark for the Mercs to see how far they’ve come and how much further they’ve yet to go as the Longnecks are still one of Zeta’s elites. In the end I think the Mercs will have a better year, but the Longnecks are too good to be upset here.
Longnecks win 27-20.
Antwerp Annihilators at Stuttgart Nighthawks:
The Annihilators brought in QB Matt Fisher to right the ship that ran aground so unceremoniously last season. Fisher will be tasked with fixing the offense that too often found themselves in large holes in Season 6. First up on the docket are the Nighthawks who did make the playoffs last year and opted to overhaul their roster to make an even stronger push this season. This is a great match up as both teams have something to prove in Season 7. Look for the Nighthawks power rushing attack to poke holes in the Antwerp defense while the Annihilators look to Fisher’s arm to rack up the points.
Nighthawks win a tight one 27-25.
Rotterdam Roughnecks at Woodridge Lumberjacks:
Both teams underperformed expectations in Season 6 but neither Rotterdam or Woodridge made many personnel changes. In fact, the biggest change on either side of the field will be the new Roughneck uniforms they’ll be sporting. Truth be told, neither team really needed a massive personnel overhaul, instead they just need more focus from the coaches. This is a marquee match up and was close to being my pick for game of the week. While both teams are known for getting off to slow starts, I think this is the year Rotterdam starts hot.
Rotterdam pulls the upset 33-28.
Stockholm Meatballs at Dinas Red Bandits:
The Red Bandits had a horrific collapse at the end of Season 6 which cost them a playoff birth. They’ll start the season by facing off against one of Zeta’s elites in Stockholm who got blown out in the second round of the playoffs to the Ballers. Both teams will be looking to erase the failures of the previous season by starting Season 7 off with a big win. Both teams didn’t make any huge moves in Free Agency and are banking on improved play from their already talented rosters to carry the day. Stockholm has to be the favorite in this one as they are still one of the top Zeta clubs while Dinas has yet to beat a top team in either conference.
Stockholm wins 35-17
Berlin Blitz at Edinburgh Black Knights:
Berlin got off to a slow start last season but had a fantastic second half of the season, launching them into the playoffs where they were narrowly beaten by Woodridge. The Blitz shouldn’t have any trouble getting off to a fast start this season as they draw the rookie Black Nights in Week 1. While the Black Nights have a highflying offense, they’ll find it hard to move the ball against the fast charging Berlin defense. Expect Berlin to roll out the welcome wagon as they take it to the Knights.
Berlin wins 32-19
London Rippers at Graz Grizzlies:
Two rookie WEPL teams square off in this one as the Grizzlies look to put their plodding pre-season behind them. The Grizzlies went 0-2 in the pre season as they lost to Zeta powerhouses Korb and Stockholm, causing many to speculate how they will stack up to the elites in Alpha as the season wears on. The Rippers had a more successful pre season and will be looking to get off to a hot start as they take up the mantle of the rookie team most likely to make the playoffs in Zeta. A big win against the Grizzlies will go a long ways to starting the season off on the right foot.
The Rippers win 34-10.
Toulouse Aviators at A Team of Ice & Fire:
Toulouse didn’t look impressive in the pre season on either side of the ball as the Ballers and Black Nights rolled up 86 points combined. The Aviators will need to be much better against the often over-looked Ice & Fire who are some of the best game planners in WEPL. With a year under their belt, Ice & Fire will be looking to take the next step this season and vie for a playoff spot. In order to have a shot at that goal, they will have to beat the teams they should beat, like the Aviators.
Ice & Fire wins a close one 23-19
Paris Dream Bolts at Sevilla Naranjas:
The Naranjas took a lot of people by surprise in Season 6 as they made the playoffs despite being heavy underdogs to do so. As great of an opening season this was for Sevilla, they can’t help but shake their heads at how their year ended. They rode a 7 game losing streak into the playoffs where they were dispatched by the Ballers in the first round. The Naranjas are desperate to get back on the winning track – a job that may be tougher than expected against the Paris Dream Bolts. The Dream Bolts are one of the rookie favorites to make noise in Alpha and would love to start the year fast with a win over a playoff team. This is a great match up, and a tough one to call. But that’s why they pay me the big bucks.
Paris pulls the upset, 31-28.
Paris Philharmonic at Black Forest Mercenaries:
BFM was one of the more disappointing teams in Zeta in Season 6 but they did manage to turn things around towards the end of the season. With an overhauled coaching staff, the Mercs started putting up the points and shutting down the opposition. The Mercs didn’t stop there this off-season as they overhauled their roster, especially on the defensive side. The fruits of this labor will be tested as the Mercs open up against the former WEPL Champion Philharmonics. Paris did not do much tinkering with their roster, but when you’re one of the elite teams in GLB you don’t need to. This should be a game that tests the Merc’s new toys while allowing Paris the opportunity to start Season 7 fast.
Paris wins 30-17.
Black Watch at Grass Root Divots:
Black Watch enters Season 7 with unfinished business on their minds. After an impressive regular season which left many proclaiming Black Watch as the team to beat in WEPL, the Black Watch fell short in the playoffs losing a 2-point heart breaker to the Monarchs in the second round. This isn’t good news for the underachieving Grass Roots as Black Watch will be looking to start hot. The Grass Roots have looked woeful in the pre-season being outscored 81 to 44. Divot fans had better hope the powers that be in the front office were just hung over from the New Years, otherwise it’s going to be a long game.
Black Watch gets the win 44=10.
Dresden Dragons at Paris Musketeers:
The Musketeers really turned the corner towards the end of Season 6, a trend they hope will continue in Season 7 as they face off against the rookie Dragons in Week 1. With the roster in tact from last season, Paris should be able to rely on their stout defense and power running game to take it to the Dragons. The key word is “should” … the Dragons have showed some teeth in the pre season with narrow losses to the Longnecks and the Rippers. If the offense can keep putting up the points, Paris could have their hands full.
Dragons pull off the upset 28-19.
Game of the Week:
London Monarchs at Rivals Mainboard Pimps
The best news of the off-season was that the Pimps were not sent to the scrap heap. With Kalk stepping aside as the owner, Joebarber stepped into the top role and WEPL avoided losing one of their premier teams. The new look Pimps did more than change owners however, as they overhauled their roster, adding more speed to an already fast roster. The new look Pimps will be tested right off the bat in this terrific match up. The Monarchs, last season’s Alpha Champs, stood pat this off-season rather than tweak their roster. With a high powered offense and a defense that came into its own during their great playoff run, the Monarchs are poised to make a serious run at the trophy that barely alluded them a season ago. This game will come down to the Pimps’ new pieces and how quickly they gel with the rest of the team. While I think the Pimps will once again be a deep playoff team, I think it might take them a bit of time to find their footing.
Monarchs take this one 44-35.
** Apologize for the lateness! The regular features will be back next week!!! **
Season 7 Preview
Season 7 brings 7 new teams to WEPL and 7 new potential champions. Laugh if you will, but after the Ballers rolled through WEPL they gave hope and inspiration to every rookie team that they too could do the same.
Despite the trend Berlin started last season, they were the exception that disproves the rule. Berlin showed not only WEPL but also GLB that they were one of the best teams in the game. While there is plenty of talent amongst the 7 new teams, it’s unlikely that any of them will experience as smooth a transition as the Ballers did.
Of the four new teams in Alpha, the Paris Dream Bolts and Dresden Dragons seem to be a notch above Toulouse and the Graz Grizzlies. However both Paris and Dresden failed to win a pre-season game against a veteran WEPL club casting some doubts as to whether they have the chops to make a serious run at a title in their first year.
The three new teams in Zeta faired slightly better. While the Grass Root Divots got stomped by perennial Alpha big dogs the Monarchs and the Wujax, The London Rippers forced a Tie with Black Watch (an impressive feat). The Edinburgh Knights on the other hand split their pre-season games but failed to beat the only veteran club they faced.
It would be foolish to dismiss any new club simply because they are new – however it seems less than likely that any of the new 7 will be able to follow in Berlin’s footsteps. At least not in as impressive of a fashion.
With the new kids on the block finding their footing, Berlin looks to be the clear pre-season favorite to defend their crown. While there was FA activity in Zeta, most teams remained largely in tact. The biggest change perhaps was within the Pimp’s ownership structure and the departure of HB Lee Suggs. Add it all up and Berlin still comes out on top. With their top notch game planning and fierce pass rush, it’s going to be interesting to see how the powers that be in Zeta mount a challenge to dethrone the champs.
In Alpha the Warriors took a big hit in Free Agency but most other teams followed the “less is more” policy. Changes were made to nearly every team, but they were minor in comparison to the mass changes which took place last season when the Trolls, HEAT and Stampede players migrated to new homes. With the Minotaurs leaving Alpha, the Monarchs and Black Watch seem to be in great shape to repeat their run of Season 6. The Wujax will be looking to reclaim their former glory while Aberdeen looks to rebound from their less than stellar performance in Season 6. This means that Alpha is wide open in many respects, but at the end of the day we should see some familiar faces in the top 4 seeds.
The Corner won’t have Power Rankings this week as I think they would mainly be pointless guesses. But the Rankings will come back after tomorrow’s games and we see how some of the new teams mesh.
So let’s get to the picks!
Week 1 Previews and Predictions:
Lyon Dynasty at Lake Charles Who Dats:
Lake Charles underwent some massive rebuilding, particularly on the defensive side of the ball in order to improve upon their unimpressive Season 6 record. The Dynasty did similar rebuilding despite being a playoff team in Zeta last year. While both teams are suffering from a chemistry hit, the Dynasty appear to have been more successful in their rebuilding efforts. While Lake Charles was one of the most unpredictable teams last season, this game shouldn’t be so unpredictable.
Lyon wins 33-20.
Multiple Scorgasms at Fightin’ Texas Aggies:
Multiple is a team teetering on the brink of relegation at the moment as their off season rebuilding plans seem to have gone awry. Facing a huge chemistry hit and a roster that now has 10 CPU players (including 1 starter), this perennial championship contender seems to be in a major transition stage. The Aggies on the other hand stood pat this off season and will look to build on their 3 game winning streak they used to close out Season 6 and earn a surprise playoff birth. The Aggies have the edge on paper in this one and I expect them to take advantage of Multiple’s rebuilding plans.
Aggies win 43-18.
Wembley Warriors at Korb Destroyers:
Wembley had perhaps the toughest off-season as they were forced to replace a number of starters. But give the front office credit – they got the job done. While the influx of new players has had a negative effect on their team chemistry, the Warriors should be a team that gets stronger as the year wears on. Unfortunately they are forced to open their season against one of WEPL’s best team, the Korb Destroyers. Korb, who lost to Berlin in the Zeta Championship game, returns their roster entirely in tact and is once again poised to be a powerhouse in WEPL. With their great defense and dynamic rushing attack, Korb should be able to exploit the Warriors’ defense and grind out the win.
Korb wins 38-3.
Berlin Ballers at Aberdeen Wrecking Crew:
The defending WEPL Champions only made one major move in this off-season, and that was to bring in new starting QB Dimitri Marakov to run the show on offense. Marakov is a QB who limits his mistakes and should be able to take advantage of having one of the league’s best HBs behind him in Heather Marie. Aberdeen, on the other hand, is looking to improve their own Season 6 record. After a disappointing finish, the Wrecking Crew come into Season 7 with high hopes and their chemistry problems behind them. While I expect the Wrecking Crew to make a serious playoff run this year, asking them to knock off Berlin out of the gate is asking for too much.
Berlin wins 44-20.
PPP Longnecks at E-City Mercenaries:
After a terrific regular season, the Longnecks got steamrolled by Korb in the second round of the playoffs, leaving a bitter taste in their beers. The aggressive front office went out and had themselves another fine off-season, adding some key pieces to their already formidable team without totally disrupting their team chemistry. The Mercenaries on the other hand had a highly disappointing Season 6 and are determined to get back into the playoffs once again. Rather than solve their problems by bringing in new players, the front office has focused instead on improving their tactics. This should be a great benchmark for the Mercs to see how far they’ve come and how much further they’ve yet to go as the Longnecks are still one of Zeta’s elites. In the end I think the Mercs will have a better year, but the Longnecks are too good to be upset here.
Longnecks win 27-20.
Antwerp Annihilators at Stuttgart Nighthawks:
The Annihilators brought in QB Matt Fisher to right the ship that ran aground so unceremoniously last season. Fisher will be tasked with fixing the offense that too often found themselves in large holes in Season 6. First up on the docket are the Nighthawks who did make the playoffs last year and opted to overhaul their roster to make an even stronger push this season. This is a great match up as both teams have something to prove in Season 7. Look for the Nighthawks power rushing attack to poke holes in the Antwerp defense while the Annihilators look to Fisher’s arm to rack up the points.
Nighthawks win a tight one 27-25.
Rotterdam Roughnecks at Woodridge Lumberjacks:
Both teams underperformed expectations in Season 6 but neither Rotterdam or Woodridge made many personnel changes. In fact, the biggest change on either side of the field will be the new Roughneck uniforms they’ll be sporting. Truth be told, neither team really needed a massive personnel overhaul, instead they just need more focus from the coaches. This is a marquee match up and was close to being my pick for game of the week. While both teams are known for getting off to slow starts, I think this is the year Rotterdam starts hot.
Rotterdam pulls the upset 33-28.
Stockholm Meatballs at Dinas Red Bandits:
The Red Bandits had a horrific collapse at the end of Season 6 which cost them a playoff birth. They’ll start the season by facing off against one of Zeta’s elites in Stockholm who got blown out in the second round of the playoffs to the Ballers. Both teams will be looking to erase the failures of the previous season by starting Season 7 off with a big win. Both teams didn’t make any huge moves in Free Agency and are banking on improved play from their already talented rosters to carry the day. Stockholm has to be the favorite in this one as they are still one of the top Zeta clubs while Dinas has yet to beat a top team in either conference.
Stockholm wins 35-17
Berlin Blitz at Edinburgh Black Knights:
Berlin got off to a slow start last season but had a fantastic second half of the season, launching them into the playoffs where they were narrowly beaten by Woodridge. The Blitz shouldn’t have any trouble getting off to a fast start this season as they draw the rookie Black Nights in Week 1. While the Black Nights have a highflying offense, they’ll find it hard to move the ball against the fast charging Berlin defense. Expect Berlin to roll out the welcome wagon as they take it to the Knights.
Berlin wins 32-19
London Rippers at Graz Grizzlies:
Two rookie WEPL teams square off in this one as the Grizzlies look to put their plodding pre-season behind them. The Grizzlies went 0-2 in the pre season as they lost to Zeta powerhouses Korb and Stockholm, causing many to speculate how they will stack up to the elites in Alpha as the season wears on. The Rippers had a more successful pre season and will be looking to get off to a hot start as they take up the mantle of the rookie team most likely to make the playoffs in Zeta. A big win against the Grizzlies will go a long ways to starting the season off on the right foot.
The Rippers win 34-10.
Toulouse Aviators at A Team of Ice & Fire:
Toulouse didn’t look impressive in the pre season on either side of the ball as the Ballers and Black Nights rolled up 86 points combined. The Aviators will need to be much better against the often over-looked Ice & Fire who are some of the best game planners in WEPL. With a year under their belt, Ice & Fire will be looking to take the next step this season and vie for a playoff spot. In order to have a shot at that goal, they will have to beat the teams they should beat, like the Aviators.
Ice & Fire wins a close one 23-19
Paris Dream Bolts at Sevilla Naranjas:
The Naranjas took a lot of people by surprise in Season 6 as they made the playoffs despite being heavy underdogs to do so. As great of an opening season this was for Sevilla, they can’t help but shake their heads at how their year ended. They rode a 7 game losing streak into the playoffs where they were dispatched by the Ballers in the first round. The Naranjas are desperate to get back on the winning track – a job that may be tougher than expected against the Paris Dream Bolts. The Dream Bolts are one of the rookie favorites to make noise in Alpha and would love to start the year fast with a win over a playoff team. This is a great match up, and a tough one to call. But that’s why they pay me the big bucks.
Paris pulls the upset, 31-28.
Paris Philharmonic at Black Forest Mercenaries:
BFM was one of the more disappointing teams in Zeta in Season 6 but they did manage to turn things around towards the end of the season. With an overhauled coaching staff, the Mercs started putting up the points and shutting down the opposition. The Mercs didn’t stop there this off-season as they overhauled their roster, especially on the defensive side. The fruits of this labor will be tested as the Mercs open up against the former WEPL Champion Philharmonics. Paris did not do much tinkering with their roster, but when you’re one of the elite teams in GLB you don’t need to. This should be a game that tests the Merc’s new toys while allowing Paris the opportunity to start Season 7 fast.
Paris wins 30-17.
Black Watch at Grass Root Divots:
Black Watch enters Season 7 with unfinished business on their minds. After an impressive regular season which left many proclaiming Black Watch as the team to beat in WEPL, the Black Watch fell short in the playoffs losing a 2-point heart breaker to the Monarchs in the second round. This isn’t good news for the underachieving Grass Roots as Black Watch will be looking to start hot. The Grass Roots have looked woeful in the pre-season being outscored 81 to 44. Divot fans had better hope the powers that be in the front office were just hung over from the New Years, otherwise it’s going to be a long game.
Black Watch gets the win 44=10.
Dresden Dragons at Paris Musketeers:
The Musketeers really turned the corner towards the end of Season 6, a trend they hope will continue in Season 7 as they face off against the rookie Dragons in Week 1. With the roster in tact from last season, Paris should be able to rely on their stout defense and power running game to take it to the Dragons. The key word is “should” … the Dragons have showed some teeth in the pre season with narrow losses to the Longnecks and the Rippers. If the offense can keep putting up the points, Paris could have their hands full.
Dragons pull off the upset 28-19.
Game of the Week:
London Monarchs at Rivals Mainboard Pimps
The best news of the off-season was that the Pimps were not sent to the scrap heap. With Kalk stepping aside as the owner, Joebarber stepped into the top role and WEPL avoided losing one of their premier teams. The new look Pimps did more than change owners however, as they overhauled their roster, adding more speed to an already fast roster. The new look Pimps will be tested right off the bat in this terrific match up. The Monarchs, last season’s Alpha Champs, stood pat this off-season rather than tweak their roster. With a high powered offense and a defense that came into its own during their great playoff run, the Monarchs are poised to make a serious run at the trophy that barely alluded them a season ago. This game will come down to the Pimps’ new pieces and how quickly they gel with the rest of the team. While I think the Pimps will once again be a deep playoff team, I think it might take them a bit of time to find their footing.
Monarchs take this one 44-35.
** Apologize for the lateness! The regular features will be back next week!!! **
I did them all early so our chem doesnt look bad now.
