These do not take into account any kind of trades, signings, trees falling on star WRs or anything else but past performance and general observation and opinion. These are intended to bring about discussion, arguments, agreements and stuff to do during the post-season for those of you who haven't gotten into the typical off-season GM hobby of pulling your hair out.
1. New Brunswick Scarlet Knights.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. I come not to bury Caesar, but to praise him.
So the start of this may sound a little harsh, but its intended as sincerely as I possible. I'm not sure any other victory could have meant as much to us as finally overcoming one of the season 2 (our first) powers. Especially NBSK who have been the class of the league since there was a league. They're a worthy opponent, great game managers, and an amazing team put together by a very active and dedicated owner. They're also going to kick pretty much everyone's asses. Count on it. I expect them to stop their curse one stop short of Buffalo and move on to cause a bunch of cursing among some team in the West.
2. Rapid City:
Rapid City is a class act who has had a little trouble playing/game-planning when there's positional mismatches, but otherwise are about as strong as it gets in every department. Here's the good news - I don't think anyone can really be said to outlevel or overpower them in any significant way other than /maybe/ NBSK. Currently my pick to advance.
3. Caprica:
Came just a field goal short of advancing this season, and with the strides they've made when they were already a tough team week in and week out, a field goal or so is about all that separated them from the #2 spot. I still give a slight edge to Rapic City, but I expect Caprica to try and prove me wrong, just to be contrary.
4. DVDTalk:
They don't surprise anyone anymore. Everyone knows what a powerhouse this team has become. Capable of beating anyone in the league in any particular game. If someone wanted to swap 3 and 4 they wouldn't get much argument from me.
5. Miami Hammerheads:
A couple huge efforts kept them in the 2 spot in the East for me, along with knowing the effort their owner puts forth every season. Continuing struggles with a couple teams in the East will probably still haunt them, and lead to people who think they should move down a bit and make some room - but as an overall ranking, I think their run to the finish line earned them a spot here.
6. Salem:
They didn't take a home playoff game for nothing. After all the grief I got for not including them here last season, this time around i think they earned it. This continues to be the most stellar turnaround I've seen, and I expect them to host at least a round again this season.
7. Anchorage:
They made a pretty strong case for inclusion in the top few spots for most of the season, then faded down the stretch. Nonetheless, they've definitely moved into contender consideration. The difference this time around between #7 and #4 is about a hair's breadth.
8. Gulf State:
The other team who were pretty sure, last season, that they deserved to be in the top 10. One of the most solid lineups top to bottom in the East.
9. Sioux Falls:
I think they still have to prove they belong with the top few teams in the division, but I also think they could quite conceivably prove exactly that. Not a team to overlook, no matter who you are.
10. USMC/Miami Makos:
I just couldn't decide here, so they get a tie, just like last season. When the Makos are on they're pretty damned close to unbeatable. A late fade, similar to the one that cursed Salem last season took them from near the top to here, but their continuing dominance over the other Miami team, combined with the fact that they're just too good to not right their ship keeps them on the list.
Meanwhile I think USMC earned the 'most improved' title last season, and hung with almost everyone. The question is if they can stop hanging and actually win one of the big games when its on the line? They're surging the right direction, in any case, and thus manage to hang on over some other very deserving teams, albeit hanging by their fingernails.
1. New Brunswick Scarlet Knights.
Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. I come not to bury Caesar, but to praise him.
So the start of this may sound a little harsh, but its intended as sincerely as I possible. I'm not sure any other victory could have meant as much to us as finally overcoming one of the season 2 (our first) powers. Especially NBSK who have been the class of the league since there was a league. They're a worthy opponent, great game managers, and an amazing team put together by a very active and dedicated owner. They're also going to kick pretty much everyone's asses. Count on it. I expect them to stop their curse one stop short of Buffalo and move on to cause a bunch of cursing among some team in the West.
2. Rapid City:
Rapid City is a class act who has had a little trouble playing/game-planning when there's positional mismatches, but otherwise are about as strong as it gets in every department. Here's the good news - I don't think anyone can really be said to outlevel or overpower them in any significant way other than /maybe/ NBSK. Currently my pick to advance.
3. Caprica:
Came just a field goal short of advancing this season, and with the strides they've made when they were already a tough team week in and week out, a field goal or so is about all that separated them from the #2 spot. I still give a slight edge to Rapic City, but I expect Caprica to try and prove me wrong, just to be contrary.
4. DVDTalk:
They don't surprise anyone anymore. Everyone knows what a powerhouse this team has become. Capable of beating anyone in the league in any particular game. If someone wanted to swap 3 and 4 they wouldn't get much argument from me.
5. Miami Hammerheads:
A couple huge efforts kept them in the 2 spot in the East for me, along with knowing the effort their owner puts forth every season. Continuing struggles with a couple teams in the East will probably still haunt them, and lead to people who think they should move down a bit and make some room - but as an overall ranking, I think their run to the finish line earned them a spot here.
6. Salem:
They didn't take a home playoff game for nothing. After all the grief I got for not including them here last season, this time around i think they earned it. This continues to be the most stellar turnaround I've seen, and I expect them to host at least a round again this season.
7. Anchorage:
They made a pretty strong case for inclusion in the top few spots for most of the season, then faded down the stretch. Nonetheless, they've definitely moved into contender consideration. The difference this time around between #7 and #4 is about a hair's breadth.
8. Gulf State:
The other team who were pretty sure, last season, that they deserved to be in the top 10. One of the most solid lineups top to bottom in the East.
9. Sioux Falls:
I think they still have to prove they belong with the top few teams in the division, but I also think they could quite conceivably prove exactly that. Not a team to overlook, no matter who you are.
10. USMC/Miami Makos:
I just couldn't decide here, so they get a tie, just like last season. When the Makos are on they're pretty damned close to unbeatable. A late fade, similar to the one that cursed Salem last season took them from near the top to here, but their continuing dominance over the other Miami team, combined with the fact that they're just too good to not right their ship keeps them on the list.
Meanwhile I think USMC earned the 'most improved' title last season, and hung with almost everyone. The question is if they can stop hanging and actually win one of the big games when its on the line? They're surging the right direction, in any case, and thus manage to hang on over some other very deserving teams, albeit hanging by their fingernails.
