Over the course of the season, I'll be ranking the top 5 teams in the East and West in my Hazy Power 10. Being a newcomer to the league, I have to go with pure numbers to do the pre-season though. As is usually the case with this type of ranking, there will be mistakes made because well builds > levels and some people are great game planners while others just suck. I basically evaluated roster strength from levels/scouting reports(not just starters), and previous seasons success or lack thereof (with a slight adjustment downward if it was at AAA, but not enough that it would cripple a AAA team).
More so than the West, the East will be a dog fight as there are legitimately 7 teams who could win the conference. One team has a slight edge on all of them, however, and this is how the East shapes up:
The Title Contenders
1. Detroit Demon Lions - probably no one was happier to see Boston disband then the DDL. They are the clear favorites now with Boston gone and have the roster and talent to get it done, but can they get it done on the field?
2. Cincinnati Shockers - the Shockers made it all the way to the CCG last season and will be in much the same position this season. They could finish 1st or could finish 7th, that's how closely bunched the top of the East is.
3. Green Bay Maulers - Green Bay brought in some major talent last season and should better their record from last season. If they can get sledge and tricon to teach them all their tricks, watch out.
4. ***Official*** Footballguys - the OFG's have as much talent as anyone in the league and their AAA#2 Eastern Conference title, including impressive wins over the Washington Wolfpack and Gamblers prove they can play with anyone.
5. Philadelphia Pushovers - the Pushovers have always been one of the top teams in USA Pro and this season should be no different as they contend for a home playoff game. If they add a few pieces on defense, this team could really make a run.
6. Las Vegas Gamblers - for the first time in a long time, the Gamblers will be outleveled. They did bring in 11 new players including 7 that are level 40+, but it's going to take some work if they are going to host a home playoff game for the 6th season in a row.
7. Las Vegas Flyin' Elvis - the Flyin' Elvis made it all the way to the AAA1 title game last year, losing in a hard fought battle to Parma. AAA1 was tough but the Elvis are going to have their work cut out for them this year. Like the other 6 teams here though, there is the possibility of finishing as high as 1st.
Fighting for the last playoff spot
8. Washington Bullets - the Bullets are just a cusp below the other teams and it's mainly because of their surprising lack of depth on offense. Loaded defense but if they fall behind, they are going to have problems coming back.
9. Rhode Island Red Wolves - Rhode Island has the potential to break through and finish in the upper group but they have yet to prove that they can do anything other than be a middle of the pack team.
10. Orlando Pirates - see Rhode Island.
11. Kalamazoo Coyotes - as loaded an offense as any team in the league. As thin a defense as any team in the league. Seriously, if the Coyotes add some defensive depth, watch out, they'll be up with the top seven easily. Until they do though, they'll be fighting to make the playoffs.
12. Philadelphia Continentals - improved for sure, but still a long ways off.
Lucky as hell that Boston and Doomsday gutted after relegations were done
13. Gridiron Rage - if Boston and Doomsday hadn't timed their departures the way they did, Gridiron would be facing relegation. They have one season to fix a massive amount of problems.
14. Kentucky Madcats - see Gridiron and multiply it by two.
The Bye Week teams
15. Doomsday Sin
16. Arizona Termites
More so than the West, the East will be a dog fight as there are legitimately 7 teams who could win the conference. One team has a slight edge on all of them, however, and this is how the East shapes up:
The Title Contenders
1. Detroit Demon Lions - probably no one was happier to see Boston disband then the DDL. They are the clear favorites now with Boston gone and have the roster and talent to get it done, but can they get it done on the field?
2. Cincinnati Shockers - the Shockers made it all the way to the CCG last season and will be in much the same position this season. They could finish 1st or could finish 7th, that's how closely bunched the top of the East is.
3. Green Bay Maulers - Green Bay brought in some major talent last season and should better their record from last season. If they can get sledge and tricon to teach them all their tricks, watch out.
4. ***Official*** Footballguys - the OFG's have as much talent as anyone in the league and their AAA#2 Eastern Conference title, including impressive wins over the Washington Wolfpack and Gamblers prove they can play with anyone.
5. Philadelphia Pushovers - the Pushovers have always been one of the top teams in USA Pro and this season should be no different as they contend for a home playoff game. If they add a few pieces on defense, this team could really make a run.
6. Las Vegas Gamblers - for the first time in a long time, the Gamblers will be outleveled. They did bring in 11 new players including 7 that are level 40+, but it's going to take some work if they are going to host a home playoff game for the 6th season in a row.
7. Las Vegas Flyin' Elvis - the Flyin' Elvis made it all the way to the AAA1 title game last year, losing in a hard fought battle to Parma. AAA1 was tough but the Elvis are going to have their work cut out for them this year. Like the other 6 teams here though, there is the possibility of finishing as high as 1st.
Fighting for the last playoff spot
8. Washington Bullets - the Bullets are just a cusp below the other teams and it's mainly because of their surprising lack of depth on offense. Loaded defense but if they fall behind, they are going to have problems coming back.
9. Rhode Island Red Wolves - Rhode Island has the potential to break through and finish in the upper group but they have yet to prove that they can do anything other than be a middle of the pack team.
10. Orlando Pirates - see Rhode Island.
11. Kalamazoo Coyotes - as loaded an offense as any team in the league. As thin a defense as any team in the league. Seriously, if the Coyotes add some defensive depth, watch out, they'll be up with the top seven easily. Until they do though, they'll be fighting to make the playoffs.
12. Philadelphia Continentals - improved for sure, but still a long ways off.
Lucky as hell that Boston and Doomsday gutted after relegations were done
13. Gridiron Rage - if Boston and Doomsday hadn't timed their departures the way they did, Gridiron would be facing relegation. They have one season to fix a massive amount of problems.
14. Kentucky Madcats - see Gridiron and multiply it by two.
The Bye Week teams
15. Doomsday Sin
16. Arizona Termites
Last edited Dec 27, 2008 13:14:12
