Why do this here? Because I am trying to lay low in the A League, I have some time, and I love this stuff!
So without further ado, this is all my own opinion. I may do an eastern conference version tomorrow.
1. Albuquerque Mustangs
- Best team from last year. That defense is fierce. If their QB can play within himself and avoid mistakes, the running game can carry them all the way. They are very deep on defense, except at Safety. The question is can anyone take advantage?
2. Omaha Dogs
- Second best Defense in the conference from last season is locked and loaded. If that running game gets rolling they will be hard to stop. Very similar team to Alby, Steve Hare needs to make the step up to elite QB this season. If he does this offense will roll. On defense, very tough up front, but the Backfield looks a little vulnerable.
3. Reno 911
- This team's offense looks scary. They have 2 RBs capable of putting up 1200+ yards, They are DEEP at WR and Rip Van Wrinkle is one of the better QBs in the conference. Is there enough balls to go around? On defense they look pretty solid, although maybe a little soft up the middle. Stopping the run will be a priority for this team.
4. Rocky Mountain Rampage
- I almost put these guys 3rd. It is a close call here. On offense it is all about whether Joe Star can cut down on his ints. If he can keep them down in single digits the offense will do well. Their receiving corps thins out after the top 3, but the run game looks raring to go. On defense they look solid if not spectacular. Fact is this is just an all around solid team. If they can get an elite performance out of a couple of players this year they can contend.
5. Orly Owls
- There is a bit of a drop off between the top 4 teams and number 5. But Orly ( former the Divine Msgrs ) has a lock here. Mathew Shanahan should see a return to dominance this year as the running game should be the driving factor for this team. But they have to be careful not to let people stack the line. QB Steven Duffy needs to step up this year. A repeat of his 25 int performance from last year will doom this team. Fortunately the receiving corps is very talented. The o-line is also talented at the top, but not very deep. On defense, this looks to also be the story as they have some talented starters surrounded by younger players. The offense is likely going to have to control the ball in order to prevent the defense from getting tired. If they can add some quality depth this team can compete with the top 4.
These next 3 team are in a virtual tie. I place where I do for my own reasons, but the difference in these teams is small.
6. Houston Apollos
- I like the way this team is developing. Right now they have some talent on both sides of the ball. But they lack depth in some key areas. Right now I think their LB core and secondary is the strength of the team, as it has the most depth and is very balanced. Another season and some depth and the Apollos will be competing for a ring.
7. Oakyville Nungas
- The unluckiest team in the conference a year ago, nothing seamed to go right for this team. They should compete for a playoff spot this year. The Nungas come into this season with a solid core of talent across the board, but I am very concerned with their depth. With the exception of SS and OT, there isn't any. I hope these guys are doing lots of running in training camp because they will be gassed in the fourth quarter. If this team could add some more depth at just about every position, it would be competing for a home game in the playoffs.
8. San Fransisco Wildcats
- This is another team that is developing nicely. 2 season ago they were a bit of a conference doormat. Well you better watch where you step now! This team has good depth at most positions, most notably on defense. They are stacked at LB and could be running the 3-4 with this talent. Which they might consider as they are thin at DE. The other area of concern is o-line. Another guard or tackle would do a lot to solidify this group. QB Brian Brenner does not lack for targets, but will any of them have a break out year? This team will be in the hunt for a playoff spot, and just might surprise some folks.
9. Kalamazoo Wolverines
- I recall the Wolverines as a powerhouse in season 2, with Magneto Rex tearing up defenses. How the mighty have fallen. Rex had a sub par season last year, with 18 ints. Thgis was not all his fault though, as he was sacked 13 times. With this in mind I expected the wolverines to add more depth at 0-line and get Rex some more targets. Instead his best WR left for another league, and the guard position is still thin. Barry Sanders is going to have to carry the load this year on Offense. On defense the depth is even worse. There is some quality talent here, but they need more support. If the Wolverines can just get some warm bodies they will improve a lot. Until then they will need some luck to crack the playoffs.
10. Chattanooga Quarantine
- Here is another team that has some quality players but needs some depth. Palmer can be an elite quarterback, but he lacks targets. The defense is thin and could be prone to wearing down. Just not enough play makers on this team. Looks like a rebuilding year is ahead. However, this team has the potential to sneak up on someone.
11. Wyoming Express
- This team looks to be building for the long term. They have good depth just about everywhere ( guard being a glaring exception ). They are a young team and this year will be for seasoning. Look for the Express to Impress next year.
12. Carolina Bar Stars
- Happiest team in the conference. Very similar to Wyoming these party animals just need another season under their belts. Unlike Wyoming they could use another warm body at almost every position. Depth depth depth.
13. Ambridge Brigade
- Cellar no more! Ambridge is young and thin at every position. There is a core here to build on, but as they are, they are still at least 2 seasons away from serious playoff contention. One solid recruitment class could propel them up to compete for a play off spot.
14. California Destroyers
- A lot of CPU players here adding depth, this owner was hosed by the former owner of this franchise and is working hard to rebuild this team.
15. Warriors
- Another rebuilding effort here. They have just a bit more talent then Corvalis.
16. Furburgers
- The owner looks to be taking a long view in his rebuilding effort. These players are going to take a beating this year. And likely the next without a solid recruiting class. But if they can survive this team should be back in 2 seasons ready to compete. Good Luck with the project!
So without further ado, this is all my own opinion. I may do an eastern conference version tomorrow.
1. Albuquerque Mustangs
- Best team from last year. That defense is fierce. If their QB can play within himself and avoid mistakes, the running game can carry them all the way. They are very deep on defense, except at Safety. The question is can anyone take advantage?
2. Omaha Dogs
- Second best Defense in the conference from last season is locked and loaded. If that running game gets rolling they will be hard to stop. Very similar team to Alby, Steve Hare needs to make the step up to elite QB this season. If he does this offense will roll. On defense, very tough up front, but the Backfield looks a little vulnerable.
3. Reno 911
- This team's offense looks scary. They have 2 RBs capable of putting up 1200+ yards, They are DEEP at WR and Rip Van Wrinkle is one of the better QBs in the conference. Is there enough balls to go around? On defense they look pretty solid, although maybe a little soft up the middle. Stopping the run will be a priority for this team.
4. Rocky Mountain Rampage
- I almost put these guys 3rd. It is a close call here. On offense it is all about whether Joe Star can cut down on his ints. If he can keep them down in single digits the offense will do well. Their receiving corps thins out after the top 3, but the run game looks raring to go. On defense they look solid if not spectacular. Fact is this is just an all around solid team. If they can get an elite performance out of a couple of players this year they can contend.
5. Orly Owls
- There is a bit of a drop off between the top 4 teams and number 5. But Orly ( former the Divine Msgrs ) has a lock here. Mathew Shanahan should see a return to dominance this year as the running game should be the driving factor for this team. But they have to be careful not to let people stack the line. QB Steven Duffy needs to step up this year. A repeat of his 25 int performance from last year will doom this team. Fortunately the receiving corps is very talented. The o-line is also talented at the top, but not very deep. On defense, this looks to also be the story as they have some talented starters surrounded by younger players. The offense is likely going to have to control the ball in order to prevent the defense from getting tired. If they can add some quality depth this team can compete with the top 4.
These next 3 team are in a virtual tie. I place where I do for my own reasons, but the difference in these teams is small.
6. Houston Apollos
- I like the way this team is developing. Right now they have some talent on both sides of the ball. But they lack depth in some key areas. Right now I think their LB core and secondary is the strength of the team, as it has the most depth and is very balanced. Another season and some depth and the Apollos will be competing for a ring.
7. Oakyville Nungas
- The unluckiest team in the conference a year ago, nothing seamed to go right for this team. They should compete for a playoff spot this year. The Nungas come into this season with a solid core of talent across the board, but I am very concerned with their depth. With the exception of SS and OT, there isn't any. I hope these guys are doing lots of running in training camp because they will be gassed in the fourth quarter. If this team could add some more depth at just about every position, it would be competing for a home game in the playoffs.
8. San Fransisco Wildcats
- This is another team that is developing nicely. 2 season ago they were a bit of a conference doormat. Well you better watch where you step now! This team has good depth at most positions, most notably on defense. They are stacked at LB and could be running the 3-4 with this talent. Which they might consider as they are thin at DE. The other area of concern is o-line. Another guard or tackle would do a lot to solidify this group. QB Brian Brenner does not lack for targets, but will any of them have a break out year? This team will be in the hunt for a playoff spot, and just might surprise some folks.
9. Kalamazoo Wolverines
- I recall the Wolverines as a powerhouse in season 2, with Magneto Rex tearing up defenses. How the mighty have fallen. Rex had a sub par season last year, with 18 ints. Thgis was not all his fault though, as he was sacked 13 times. With this in mind I expected the wolverines to add more depth at 0-line and get Rex some more targets. Instead his best WR left for another league, and the guard position is still thin. Barry Sanders is going to have to carry the load this year on Offense. On defense the depth is even worse. There is some quality talent here, but they need more support. If the Wolverines can just get some warm bodies they will improve a lot. Until then they will need some luck to crack the playoffs.
10. Chattanooga Quarantine
- Here is another team that has some quality players but needs some depth. Palmer can be an elite quarterback, but he lacks targets. The defense is thin and could be prone to wearing down. Just not enough play makers on this team. Looks like a rebuilding year is ahead. However, this team has the potential to sneak up on someone.
11. Wyoming Express
- This team looks to be building for the long term. They have good depth just about everywhere ( guard being a glaring exception ). They are a young team and this year will be for seasoning. Look for the Express to Impress next year.
12. Carolina Bar Stars
- Happiest team in the conference. Very similar to Wyoming these party animals just need another season under their belts. Unlike Wyoming they could use another warm body at almost every position. Depth depth depth.
13. Ambridge Brigade
- Cellar no more! Ambridge is young and thin at every position. There is a core here to build on, but as they are, they are still at least 2 seasons away from serious playoff contention. One solid recruitment class could propel them up to compete for a play off spot.
14. California Destroyers
- A lot of CPU players here adding depth, this owner was hosed by the former owner of this franchise and is working hard to rebuild this team.
15. Warriors
- Another rebuilding effort here. They have just a bit more talent then Corvalis.
16. Furburgers
- The owner looks to be taking a long view in his rebuilding effort. These players are going to take a beating this year. And likely the next without a solid recruiting class. But if they can survive this team should be back in 2 seasons ready to compete. Good Luck with the project!
Last edited Jul 30, 2008 14:03:27
