Originally posted by TBRaiders
1) Bangkok Seamen - Last years Champs only added more depth
2) Ho Chi Mean Hot Mamas - Zeta Champs and still top team in that conference
3) Phuket All - Gunning for the Seamen
4) Krakatoan Red Warriors - Will battle the Hot Mamas for the Zeta championship
5) Pattaya Partisans - still one of the best teams in the league
6) East St Louis Tire Fires - AAA#2 champs will take the pros by storm
7) Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates - AAA#1 Alpha conference champs lost a tough championship game, ready for the pros
8) Hong Kong Highlanders - AAA#2 Zeta Champs will challenge Mamas and Warriors
9) Singapore Marauders - will be a play-off team in a tough Alpha conference
10) Guangzhou Ducks - will be a play-off team in an improved Zeta conference
Honorable mentions:
Kentucky Colonels - neck and neck with the Ducks for 4th best Zeta team
Bangkok Tweetys - slipped a little last year, but will be in the playoffs again
Macau Gamblers - solid team that will be in the alpha playoffs again
Peking Stampede - won't have as many wins this year, but lock for playoffs
Niagara Jeanhorns - good team will be fighting for playoff spot
Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon - 15 game winning streak and AAA#1 champs but will face some tougher competition this season and will battle the Port Moresby Titans for that 8th play-off spot.
Just want to say an early goodbye to these teams:
- Taiwan Royals: I can only imagine what alpha would be like this upcoming season had your owner stayed active and kept you guys competitive. (Flash back to last season and imagine a tough Hitmen still in Zeta as well)
- Vietnam Vigilantes: I don't think a change of name is going to help.
- Shanghai Shaolin Monks: Unless you can pull off a win against the Saigon Knights and maybe another upset...
- Big Dick Rutkowski and the Penetrators/Holbrook Roadrunners/Chaiyaphum Gothic: One of you three will be heading out with the Royals and I think it is tough to call right now. Each team looks improved, but how much is the real question. I recommend some solid game planning against the two others because your stay in the pros will boil down to those head to head games.
That was my preseason post from this thread:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=622269&page=last#5611796
Seamen and Hot Mamas are the favorites to reach the championship game, but Mauraders, Pirates, and winner of Phuket All/Partisans game all looking to pull out the upset. In Zeta, the Warriors will be looking to find a way to get past the Hot Mamas, while the Cannon has already proven to be a tough playoff team from last season. You can't count out the winner of the Tweetys/Ducks game either. Both conferences go 6 deep for serious contenders with the Tire Fires and Highlanders both very capable of first round upsets.
The 7 and 8 seed are longshots to advance against the top two teams from either conference. The Gamblers week 12 win over the Marauders enabled the Seamen to win the #1 seed in Alpha. If they weren't playing against us, I'd certainly be rooting for them in the playoffs, but I think they've proven they do have upset ability. While the Jeanhorns got hot at the right time of year, it was against inferior competition. You can only sim against your schedule though, so good job finishing out the season with a winning record. The Colonels lost four of their last six games and IIRC lost their owner mid season and seem to be missing some previous depth. The Heroes locked up 8th place with a final victory in week 16. The bad news is that they lost to every Zeta playoff team this year, but they get a thumbs up from me for battling it out and making it into the top 8.
Other teams I missed on in my preseason picks:
1) Peking Stampede - While I knew they weren't as good as their record indicated last season, I did think they were at least in the top 7 teams in Zeta. Two close losses to the Metro Heroes and Johor Bahru Beach Bums in weeks 13 and 14 sealed their fate. I suppose had they just won their H2H with the Heroes they would have earned the 8th seed.
2) Chaiyaphum Gothic - Hands down the most improved team in the league this year. They did finish the season with a rough 6 game stretch losing to 6 playoff teams enroute to finishing 7-9, but they played the Seamen and Pirates tough and beat some decent teams this season.
3) Port Moresby Titans - Name change didn't help this once play-off team. I really thought they would battle for the playoffs and instead they became very average.
4) Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon - I knew they were a good team and expected to see them battle for the playoffs but I have to give credit where it is due. Even though I expected more from the Stampede, Colonels, and Titans this year, the NACJAC earned their #3 seed. Nobody in Zeta will be taking their playoff match-up with them lightly.
As far as the teams being relegated:
The Royals seem to have won a tiebreaker and will be sticking around. I truly hope they can make some aggressive offseason moves and get back into the thick of things.
Big Dick Rutkowski and the Penetrators AKA Miami Dol-Phins - They came in to the season bad, lost their owner and stayed bad. Best of luck to the new ownership in rebuilding in AAA.
Aggieland Fightin' Farmers - I didn't have you on my radar as one of the leagues worst. We already talked about the improved Gothic and how the Royals survived so my next bet would have been the Roadrunners. It will be a challenge for the Roadrunners and Royals next season without a big splash during the offseason.
Vietnam Vigilantes - This is no surprise and it's a team that will struggle in AAA next season.
Osan, South Korea Saints AKA Saigon Knights - I have to admit it was a coin flip trying to pick between you and the Monks to be relegated during preseason. the Monks went on to win 5 games (thumbs up for them) while the Saints sole victory came against the Vigilantes. Best of luck in AAA next season.
Final thoughts:
The 4077th is in big trouble next season but so are a few other teams. With two more top teams coming in next season, the victories will continue to get tougher. Even the top teams will have to continue to improve while the teams near the bottom will have to improve to survive. The Beach Bums and Robins are better teams than their records indicate, but the league will only get tougher. The Wolverines owner posted he won't be returning next year and it looks like that team will be gutted and provide all Alpha teams with a bye week next season.
I think we've seen a power balance in the league. From top to bottom Zeta will be a bit closer on talent, while Alpha will have more "bad teams" next season. Zeta still needs to win their first championship before Alpha stops talking smack, but their top teams are legit. I'd like to see us challenge another pro league for a tournament at the end of the season. Our #1-8 playoff teams in each conference vs their #1-8. it would be fun and a chance for us to show that SEA does indeed kick butt.
1) Bangkok Seamen - Last years Champs only added more depth
2) Ho Chi Mean Hot Mamas - Zeta Champs and still top team in that conference
3) Phuket All - Gunning for the Seamen
4) Krakatoan Red Warriors - Will battle the Hot Mamas for the Zeta championship
5) Pattaya Partisans - still one of the best teams in the league
6) East St Louis Tire Fires - AAA#2 champs will take the pros by storm
7) Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates - AAA#1 Alpha conference champs lost a tough championship game, ready for the pros
8) Hong Kong Highlanders - AAA#2 Zeta Champs will challenge Mamas and Warriors
9) Singapore Marauders - will be a play-off team in a tough Alpha conference
10) Guangzhou Ducks - will be a play-off team in an improved Zeta conference
Honorable mentions:
Kentucky Colonels - neck and neck with the Ducks for 4th best Zeta team
Bangkok Tweetys - slipped a little last year, but will be in the playoffs again
Macau Gamblers - solid team that will be in the alpha playoffs again
Peking Stampede - won't have as many wins this year, but lock for playoffs
Niagara Jeanhorns - good team will be fighting for playoff spot
Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon - 15 game winning streak and AAA#1 champs but will face some tougher competition this season and will battle the Port Moresby Titans for that 8th play-off spot.
Just want to say an early goodbye to these teams:
- Taiwan Royals: I can only imagine what alpha would be like this upcoming season had your owner stayed active and kept you guys competitive. (Flash back to last season and imagine a tough Hitmen still in Zeta as well)
- Vietnam Vigilantes: I don't think a change of name is going to help.
- Shanghai Shaolin Monks: Unless you can pull off a win against the Saigon Knights and maybe another upset...
- Big Dick Rutkowski and the Penetrators/Holbrook Roadrunners/Chaiyaphum Gothic: One of you three will be heading out with the Royals and I think it is tough to call right now. Each team looks improved, but how much is the real question. I recommend some solid game planning against the two others because your stay in the pros will boil down to those head to head games.
That was my preseason post from this thread:
http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=622269&page=last#5611796
Seamen and Hot Mamas are the favorites to reach the championship game, but Mauraders, Pirates, and winner of Phuket All/Partisans game all looking to pull out the upset. In Zeta, the Warriors will be looking to find a way to get past the Hot Mamas, while the Cannon has already proven to be a tough playoff team from last season. You can't count out the winner of the Tweetys/Ducks game either. Both conferences go 6 deep for serious contenders with the Tire Fires and Highlanders both very capable of first round upsets.
The 7 and 8 seed are longshots to advance against the top two teams from either conference. The Gamblers week 12 win over the Marauders enabled the Seamen to win the #1 seed in Alpha. If they weren't playing against us, I'd certainly be rooting for them in the playoffs, but I think they've proven they do have upset ability. While the Jeanhorns got hot at the right time of year, it was against inferior competition. You can only sim against your schedule though, so good job finishing out the season with a winning record. The Colonels lost four of their last six games and IIRC lost their owner mid season and seem to be missing some previous depth. The Heroes locked up 8th place with a final victory in week 16. The bad news is that they lost to every Zeta playoff team this year, but they get a thumbs up from me for battling it out and making it into the top 8.
Other teams I missed on in my preseason picks:
1) Peking Stampede - While I knew they weren't as good as their record indicated last season, I did think they were at least in the top 7 teams in Zeta. Two close losses to the Metro Heroes and Johor Bahru Beach Bums in weeks 13 and 14 sealed their fate. I suppose had they just won their H2H with the Heroes they would have earned the 8th seed.
2) Chaiyaphum Gothic - Hands down the most improved team in the league this year. They did finish the season with a rough 6 game stretch losing to 6 playoff teams enroute to finishing 7-9, but they played the Seamen and Pirates tough and beat some decent teams this season.
3) Port Moresby Titans - Name change didn't help this once play-off team. I really thought they would battle for the playoffs and instead they became very average.
4) Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon - I knew they were a good team and expected to see them battle for the playoffs but I have to give credit where it is due. Even though I expected more from the Stampede, Colonels, and Titans this year, the NACJAC earned their #3 seed. Nobody in Zeta will be taking their playoff match-up with them lightly.
As far as the teams being relegated:
The Royals seem to have won a tiebreaker and will be sticking around. I truly hope they can make some aggressive offseason moves and get back into the thick of things.
Big Dick Rutkowski and the Penetrators AKA Miami Dol-Phins - They came in to the season bad, lost their owner and stayed bad. Best of luck to the new ownership in rebuilding in AAA.
Aggieland Fightin' Farmers - I didn't have you on my radar as one of the leagues worst. We already talked about the improved Gothic and how the Royals survived so my next bet would have been the Roadrunners. It will be a challenge for the Roadrunners and Royals next season without a big splash during the offseason.
Vietnam Vigilantes - This is no surprise and it's a team that will struggle in AAA next season.
Osan, South Korea Saints AKA Saigon Knights - I have to admit it was a coin flip trying to pick between you and the Monks to be relegated during preseason. the Monks went on to win 5 games (thumbs up for them) while the Saints sole victory came against the Vigilantes. Best of luck in AAA next season.
Final thoughts:
The 4077th is in big trouble next season but so are a few other teams. With two more top teams coming in next season, the victories will continue to get tougher. Even the top teams will have to continue to improve while the teams near the bottom will have to improve to survive. The Beach Bums and Robins are better teams than their records indicate, but the league will only get tougher. The Wolverines owner posted he won't be returning next year and it looks like that team will be gutted and provide all Alpha teams with a bye week next season.
I think we've seen a power balance in the league. From top to bottom Zeta will be a bit closer on talent, while Alpha will have more "bad teams" next season. Zeta still needs to win their first championship before Alpha stops talking smack, but their top teams are legit. I'd like to see us challenge another pro league for a tournament at the end of the season. Our #1-8 playoff teams in each conference vs their #1-8. it would be fun and a chance for us to show that SEA does indeed kick butt.
Last edited Sep 4, 2008 01:00:22
