Ok, so some people are still making moves, so things may change. I also could be dead wrong in spots, and fully expect people to point out where they want to argue - the main point, really, is to drum up interest and discussion, and give people something positive to chat about.
I will not be including the N.H. Hustlers due to personal biases and all, but people are free to decide where we fit in on things themselves.
1. New Brunswick Scarlet Knights:
When the BBB 15 started, the East had 4 clearly dominant teams. There was really never a question who would be taking the top spots. Of the 'big 4', there is now one left - the one who has fallen just short of advancing twice after being the favorite twice.
So is this their season? Personally, I tend to think so. They've had amazing retention, and most of their games last season weren't even close. They game plan well, and they stick together.
That said, people have caught up a lot on their level advantage, and there's a few teams who look pretty close in first-line vs. first line. There's likely to be a few less blowouts this season. I also don't think they're likely to be able to hold off on boosting and still go undefeated.
Even so, starting levels aren't really what makes them the class of the East - in addition to the aforementioned game planning and unity, their backups are just as good as their starters, which gives them a huge leg up in quality depth on anyone and everyone on this side of the division.
I suspect we'll see them at the top again.
2. Miami Makos:
The big fish here get a bump from playing NY awfully close, right before the Strikers went on to advance. They emerged from the middle of the division - (which is more than half the division) to clinch a home game early. They've also put together a dominating passing game to balance their run-focused offense of the first season, so there's no easy way to plan for them.
Their defense has its holes, but for every hole, it also has a standout player or two.
They painted a big target on themselves last season, and everyone will be planning and playing them tough this season - which they'll have to, because this might just be the toughest team in the division to find a working game plan against.
3. Miami Hammerheads:
The Hammerheads credit chemistry for some of the tough, tight losses last season when they went from being on the verge of the playoffs to the best team in the division to come nowhere close to them last season - and they may just be right.
They have one of the hardest working owners in the division, or even the game, they have some dedicated and loyal players, and their line-up is showing the effects of the hard work. They've put together strength at almost every position, and their starters, pound for pound, might be the division's best this side of New Brunswick.
Their depth is occasionally suspect, but that's hard to target or plan for. If they suffer anything like last season's numbers, which I doubt, it will be because teams stage big comebacks on them.
4. Atlanta Wolves:
Lots of people say offense starts with the o-line, and I'm certainly not going to argue. The Wolves just might have the best o-line in the East, period. Some of their other offensive options may end up being only around division average in terms of overall weapons - but they have lots of time and room to make the very best use of them. More efficient than explosive.
Their CB corps is still looking a little short, but quality. If they're going to struggle, it might be in stopping the longer passes - which ought to be the only place, because their linebacking corps have the depth and quality to make up for an awful lot.
Their offense may occasionally need to pick up their defense this season - though its far from a glaring weakness. Besides, their offense is well capable of doing so.
5. Vice City Mambas:
With the Strikers leaving, Vice City has every chance of being THE premier passing team in the division. Their interior line is solid, and gives them time to use the plethora of weapons available to them, while their tackles are solid enough to pass protect. Their running game isn't the biggest threat in the world - though you can't discount it - Ankle Breaker still has the potential to break big runs if you overlook it - but they've made no secret of where they'll kill you - 'we're going to pass the ball, dare you to try and stop us'.
Their defense occasionally needs the pick-me-up from that potent offense, but it has enough star power and cohesion to make the stops when they have to. I don't think anyone is going to call them a defensive powerhouse any more than in the past - but they don't have to be. They just need to hold you to a few less than they're going to score - because the Mambas are better suited than anyone except New Brunswick to target a defensive weakness anywhere on the field, which twice killed Akron's weak-side D when few others were able to expose it.
6. Akron Browns:
Speaking of Akron, they rolled to the 4th spot last season for good reason. A couple outstanding weapons combined with general competence at almost every position on top of a lot of skill at covering up their few weaknesses. They can score on almost anyone, and while their defense isn't the most dominant in the division, once again, they don't have to be. They can run, they can pass, they have pretty good strong side blocking for that running game, and their defense, especially in pass coverage and the strong side are good enough to be a tough nut to crack for just about everyone other than Vice City and New Brunswick.
It speaks volumes about the depth of quality in the East that even coming in at #6, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Browns challenging for another home game.
7. Detroit Outlaws:
Picking the 7-9 teams is bound to get lots of arguements - good! The Outlaws come in with the longest winning streak in the conference, have dedicated ownership, and it looks like pretty near perfect retention of a team that finished awfully strong last season. When other teams in this area are fighting for recruits, consistency and chemistry are nice things to have.
That said, I don't think they have the weapons to end up with a top spot this season - but welcome them to prove me wrong. On the other hand, I fully expect to see them fighting tooth and nail for the playoff spot they narrowly missed last season - and have every reason to think that they'd earned being in.
I suspect they will have some big wins, a couple close losses, win some close ones on a difference in chemistry, and make life just as interesting for some people as last season - but I don't think they're out of the 'muddled middle' quite yet - but may well be on their way if they can keep sticking together.
8. Salem Cyberhawks:
The former Jersey Boyz had a breakout season, and probably give the ultimate hope to a lot of our lower tier teams - it really is possible. They suffered the heartbreak of having 3 chances to clinch a home game, and losing them all after having some big wins earlier that only a few people saw coming.
If they're going to repeat, a lot will be on the strength of their skill position players - who are outstanding by almost any standards, combined with a pretty solid line. Their defense is good, with some weapons and some moments of greatness, but as a total unit, isn't the scariest in the division, which, like last season, will probably mean that when they win, it will often be a close game - but they have the weapons to pull out some of those close ones.
9. The Demons have done a nice job filling some holes that opened up last season. They also come in with a lot of deserved confidence after making the playoffs with a strong finish. They have every reason to believe they can carry some of that momentum over into this season, and anyone overlooking them because they're holding down the 9 spot here is in for a rude surprise.
An extremely strong interior defense really helps cover what holes there are in their defense, and lets them dictate what they'll let other teams do to try and beat them. Their front 7, in general, are some of the best in the division.
They have to be, because while their offense certainly isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, they can also struggle to score at times, and don't get a ton of obvious mismatches against most division rivals.
The Demons have every chance of making the playoffs again, no question - but they're going to have to fight for it again.
10. Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers:
Scranton plays to their strengths better than almost any team in the division, making the most out of what they have. Where their overall line might not be the highest level, their interior line strength gives Maz and their general power rushing game a lot of options.
They also seem to have found the QB to answer some of the questions.
They still need to find some options on the d-line - they already have one of the very, very best pass coverage units in the division, and their linebackers are solid, but they need some depth at the point of attack if they're going to live up to their potential - and defensive linemen are hard to come by. Otherwise, they're going to need some big plays, and some people playing over their heads a little to make another run at the playoffs.
Right now, I suspect they will either barely make it or barely miss it.
11. Memphis Showboats:
This is going to be the second biggest step up this season, right after the Hammerheads returning to contention. I think the Showboats now have the offensive basis to put a game plan together, and the days of triple digits against are done with. They have quality at several positions, and have made obvious strides.
Despite which, I don't think their WR corps are deep enough to have an offense that can consistently cover for their defense - but the levels they catch up this season should put them awfully close.
Meanwhile, their defense is improved, but not there yet. They have some playmakers and some excellent options. It may well be good enough to play spoiler this season - which I think is their role for the playoffs this season.
There's just too many great, deep teams for this unit to quite contend this season - but I suspect they should sweep the rest of the non-contenders, and there'll be a couple games this season that leave the other team scratching their head and wondering what happened.
The level advantage some of their deeper roster gains this season should help. I think this is a team on its way, but not /quite/ there yet. You can't look past them anymore though.
12. Las Vegas High Rollers:
Las Vegas has also been quietly making some moves. Their offense, in particular, will probably surprise some people this off-season. Similar to the Showboats, they may also have a chance to play spoiler for someone who expected a lot more of the same-old Rollers. In particular, their interior line has the potential to make some matchups and plays interesting - and they've found some stars on the defense who could turn some big plays into opportunities.
I once again won't go so far as to say they're there yet, but they seem to have started paving the road to there.
Like the Showboats, their offense seems to be finding its way faster than the defense.
13. Houghton Gremlins:
The Gremlins went a long way towards catching up last season - but this season will be more of the same. They've kept much the same roster, which shows an admirable amount of dedication and patience on the part of their players, and eventually it'll be rewarded.
Eventually isn't this season, though.
14. South Texas Skullcrushers:
Short staffed all over the place, with some potential stars amidst a lot of cpu players. Not sure if anyone is trying to change anything up or recruit for the team, which is a shame - they have some weapons here, but they're not going to get much of a chance to shine without some serious help, which does not appear to be on its way.
15. Michigan Rage:
A shadow of its former self, and down to those with longer contracts - almost all inactive. An infusion of cpu players isn't going to help any, really.
I will not be including the N.H. Hustlers due to personal biases and all, but people are free to decide where we fit in on things themselves.
1. New Brunswick Scarlet Knights:
When the BBB 15 started, the East had 4 clearly dominant teams. There was really never a question who would be taking the top spots. Of the 'big 4', there is now one left - the one who has fallen just short of advancing twice after being the favorite twice.
So is this their season? Personally, I tend to think so. They've had amazing retention, and most of their games last season weren't even close. They game plan well, and they stick together.
That said, people have caught up a lot on their level advantage, and there's a few teams who look pretty close in first-line vs. first line. There's likely to be a few less blowouts this season. I also don't think they're likely to be able to hold off on boosting and still go undefeated.
Even so, starting levels aren't really what makes them the class of the East - in addition to the aforementioned game planning and unity, their backups are just as good as their starters, which gives them a huge leg up in quality depth on anyone and everyone on this side of the division.
I suspect we'll see them at the top again.
2. Miami Makos:
The big fish here get a bump from playing NY awfully close, right before the Strikers went on to advance. They emerged from the middle of the division - (which is more than half the division) to clinch a home game early. They've also put together a dominating passing game to balance their run-focused offense of the first season, so there's no easy way to plan for them.
Their defense has its holes, but for every hole, it also has a standout player or two.
They painted a big target on themselves last season, and everyone will be planning and playing them tough this season - which they'll have to, because this might just be the toughest team in the division to find a working game plan against.
3. Miami Hammerheads:
The Hammerheads credit chemistry for some of the tough, tight losses last season when they went from being on the verge of the playoffs to the best team in the division to come nowhere close to them last season - and they may just be right.
They have one of the hardest working owners in the division, or even the game, they have some dedicated and loyal players, and their line-up is showing the effects of the hard work. They've put together strength at almost every position, and their starters, pound for pound, might be the division's best this side of New Brunswick.
Their depth is occasionally suspect, but that's hard to target or plan for. If they suffer anything like last season's numbers, which I doubt, it will be because teams stage big comebacks on them.
4. Atlanta Wolves:
Lots of people say offense starts with the o-line, and I'm certainly not going to argue. The Wolves just might have the best o-line in the East, period. Some of their other offensive options may end up being only around division average in terms of overall weapons - but they have lots of time and room to make the very best use of them. More efficient than explosive.
Their CB corps is still looking a little short, but quality. If they're going to struggle, it might be in stopping the longer passes - which ought to be the only place, because their linebacking corps have the depth and quality to make up for an awful lot.
Their offense may occasionally need to pick up their defense this season - though its far from a glaring weakness. Besides, their offense is well capable of doing so.
5. Vice City Mambas:
With the Strikers leaving, Vice City has every chance of being THE premier passing team in the division. Their interior line is solid, and gives them time to use the plethora of weapons available to them, while their tackles are solid enough to pass protect. Their running game isn't the biggest threat in the world - though you can't discount it - Ankle Breaker still has the potential to break big runs if you overlook it - but they've made no secret of where they'll kill you - 'we're going to pass the ball, dare you to try and stop us'.
Their defense occasionally needs the pick-me-up from that potent offense, but it has enough star power and cohesion to make the stops when they have to. I don't think anyone is going to call them a defensive powerhouse any more than in the past - but they don't have to be. They just need to hold you to a few less than they're going to score - because the Mambas are better suited than anyone except New Brunswick to target a defensive weakness anywhere on the field, which twice killed Akron's weak-side D when few others were able to expose it.
6. Akron Browns:
Speaking of Akron, they rolled to the 4th spot last season for good reason. A couple outstanding weapons combined with general competence at almost every position on top of a lot of skill at covering up their few weaknesses. They can score on almost anyone, and while their defense isn't the most dominant in the division, once again, they don't have to be. They can run, they can pass, they have pretty good strong side blocking for that running game, and their defense, especially in pass coverage and the strong side are good enough to be a tough nut to crack for just about everyone other than Vice City and New Brunswick.
It speaks volumes about the depth of quality in the East that even coming in at #6, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Browns challenging for another home game.
7. Detroit Outlaws:
Picking the 7-9 teams is bound to get lots of arguements - good! The Outlaws come in with the longest winning streak in the conference, have dedicated ownership, and it looks like pretty near perfect retention of a team that finished awfully strong last season. When other teams in this area are fighting for recruits, consistency and chemistry are nice things to have.
That said, I don't think they have the weapons to end up with a top spot this season - but welcome them to prove me wrong. On the other hand, I fully expect to see them fighting tooth and nail for the playoff spot they narrowly missed last season - and have every reason to think that they'd earned being in.
I suspect they will have some big wins, a couple close losses, win some close ones on a difference in chemistry, and make life just as interesting for some people as last season - but I don't think they're out of the 'muddled middle' quite yet - but may well be on their way if they can keep sticking together.
8. Salem Cyberhawks:
The former Jersey Boyz had a breakout season, and probably give the ultimate hope to a lot of our lower tier teams - it really is possible. They suffered the heartbreak of having 3 chances to clinch a home game, and losing them all after having some big wins earlier that only a few people saw coming.
If they're going to repeat, a lot will be on the strength of their skill position players - who are outstanding by almost any standards, combined with a pretty solid line. Their defense is good, with some weapons and some moments of greatness, but as a total unit, isn't the scariest in the division, which, like last season, will probably mean that when they win, it will often be a close game - but they have the weapons to pull out some of those close ones.
9. The Demons have done a nice job filling some holes that opened up last season. They also come in with a lot of deserved confidence after making the playoffs with a strong finish. They have every reason to believe they can carry some of that momentum over into this season, and anyone overlooking them because they're holding down the 9 spot here is in for a rude surprise.
An extremely strong interior defense really helps cover what holes there are in their defense, and lets them dictate what they'll let other teams do to try and beat them. Their front 7, in general, are some of the best in the division.
They have to be, because while their offense certainly isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, they can also struggle to score at times, and don't get a ton of obvious mismatches against most division rivals.
The Demons have every chance of making the playoffs again, no question - but they're going to have to fight for it again.
10. Scranton Wilkes-Barre Menzingers:
Scranton plays to their strengths better than almost any team in the division, making the most out of what they have. Where their overall line might not be the highest level, their interior line strength gives Maz and their general power rushing game a lot of options.
They also seem to have found the QB to answer some of the questions.
They still need to find some options on the d-line - they already have one of the very, very best pass coverage units in the division, and their linebackers are solid, but they need some depth at the point of attack if they're going to live up to their potential - and defensive linemen are hard to come by. Otherwise, they're going to need some big plays, and some people playing over their heads a little to make another run at the playoffs.
Right now, I suspect they will either barely make it or barely miss it.
11. Memphis Showboats:
This is going to be the second biggest step up this season, right after the Hammerheads returning to contention. I think the Showboats now have the offensive basis to put a game plan together, and the days of triple digits against are done with. They have quality at several positions, and have made obvious strides.
Despite which, I don't think their WR corps are deep enough to have an offense that can consistently cover for their defense - but the levels they catch up this season should put them awfully close.
Meanwhile, their defense is improved, but not there yet. They have some playmakers and some excellent options. It may well be good enough to play spoiler this season - which I think is their role for the playoffs this season.
There's just too many great, deep teams for this unit to quite contend this season - but I suspect they should sweep the rest of the non-contenders, and there'll be a couple games this season that leave the other team scratching their head and wondering what happened.
The level advantage some of their deeper roster gains this season should help. I think this is a team on its way, but not /quite/ there yet. You can't look past them anymore though.
12. Las Vegas High Rollers:
Las Vegas has also been quietly making some moves. Their offense, in particular, will probably surprise some people this off-season. Similar to the Showboats, they may also have a chance to play spoiler for someone who expected a lot more of the same-old Rollers. In particular, their interior line has the potential to make some matchups and plays interesting - and they've found some stars on the defense who could turn some big plays into opportunities.
I once again won't go so far as to say they're there yet, but they seem to have started paving the road to there.
Like the Showboats, their offense seems to be finding its way faster than the defense.
13. Houghton Gremlins:
The Gremlins went a long way towards catching up last season - but this season will be more of the same. They've kept much the same roster, which shows an admirable amount of dedication and patience on the part of their players, and eventually it'll be rewarded.
Eventually isn't this season, though.
14. South Texas Skullcrushers:
Short staffed all over the place, with some potential stars amidst a lot of cpu players. Not sure if anyone is trying to change anything up or recruit for the team, which is a shame - they have some weapons here, but they're not going to get much of a chance to shine without some serious help, which does not appear to be on its way.
15. Michigan Rage:
A shadow of its former self, and down to those with longer contracts - almost all inactive. An infusion of cpu players isn't going to help any, really.
