1 - Bandar Lampung Pigskin Pirates - It's been a long time coming, but the Super Wok trophy finally resides in Bandar. The Pirates come back for one last Pro season before starting the rebuilding process, and they will enter as the favorites to win it all again. I pose to them the same question I do every offseason - can you beat ESL in the playoffs? That is all that has stopped them from going to 5 straight Super Woks.
2 - Singapore Marauders - The Marauders choked, plain and simple. They can not beat Bandar, for whatever reason. They do look to have ESL and CMM's numbers though, and as you will soon see, that will be huge come playoff time season 10. This teams offense is simply a juggernaught.
3 - East St Louis Tire Fires - Terrible playoffs for the Tar Fars. First they nearly throw away there game against the Buddhists, and then get bitch slapped by the Marauders. This team is starting to look a bit different with some new additions to both the offense and defense. The biggest story is the retirement of long time starting CB Nate the Interceptor, who is being replaced by former Pelican Mike "Predator" McKenzie. This team looks to have been rejuvenated after two embarrassing losses at the hands of Singapore.
4 - Pa Dong Dragons - The Dragons have skill on both sides of the ball. They have the levels to compete with anyone, and game breaking players like Rawr Rawr. Is this the season? Or will the playoff bug bite them once more?
5 - Cambodia Mountain Men - This is a strong team with a good running game and defense. Strong Pimp Hand was arguably the best defensive player in the league last season, and there 2 back approach brought them to the playoffs in there first Pro season. Of worry is the late season collapse and raises concerns on how they will do without the element of surprise. The talent is there though, and the Mountain Men should be fighting for a home playoff game.
6 - Okinawa Leathernecks - The Leathernecks bounced back in there second Pro season going 11-5 and making the playoffs. Lead by star HB LaMichael James, they feature a balanced attack and field a talented defense. I'm expecting the Leathernecks to return to the playoffs again in season 10.
7 - Duluth Bulldogs - Alex Favre is one of the best QB's in the league, and Cole Weathers is a top notch wideout. They have a solid roster and can compete with any of the teams in the league, but haven't shown that extra something the elite teams have yet. This could be the season they take the next step and make a deep playoff run.
8 - Krungthep Garudas - 8-8 is not what the Garudas expected. They should rebound though as they are a very well coached squad. I would be shocked to not see them in the playoffs next season.
9 - Singapore Buddhist - Argue all you want, but the proof is in the tape. A loss to the Bulldogs the last week of the season was huge, as a win could have gotten them as high as the 6th seed. Instead, they lucked out that the Lights lost or they would have watched the playoffs from home. They had an ESL team give them every chance to win and they couldn't seal the deal. They still need to prove themselves imo
10 - Anchorage Northern Lights - 8-8 first season was better than most do, but the way it ended can not be sitting well. With a win needed for a playoff berth....the Lights lost. If they can learn from the experiences of last season, and make the necessary changes, they should be on the right track to getting a playoff spot.
11 - Vanuatu Headhunters - Solid but not spectacular roster, a season 9 championship and a season 8 championship game appearance are all in there favor. I think the Headhunters have the best chance of competing in Naga this upcoming season. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the newcomer that makes the playoffs.
12 - Rangoon Flying Tigers - With one Pro season under there belts, the Tigers are looking to make some noise in season 10. They are going to need to show they can compete with, let alone beat the upper tier teams first before they can begin thinking playoffs however.
13 - Surabaya Poison Dart Frogs - Some holes on the roster that raise some red flags about how they will transition to the Pro's. A championship last season is a good sign, but they will have there work cut out for them.
14 - Quahog Drunken Clams - Rough couple seasons for the Clams, but this is a new season and they look to rebound. They have some weapons, they just need to add the rest of the pieces. With all the new teams, its put up or shut up time for the Clams, as they got 3 of there 4 wins vs CPU teams last season.
15 - Tongduchon Cowboys - Long time coming for the Cowboys, but the lack of championships raises questions of game planning ability. Solid but not impressive levels. They have there work cut out for them.
16 - Winona Warriors - Lower levels and no trophies to prove they belong. Anytime you see a team without prior championships it makes you question there gameplanning. Looks to be a rough, and possibly only, Pro season for the Warriors.
2 - Singapore Marauders - The Marauders choked, plain and simple. They can not beat Bandar, for whatever reason. They do look to have ESL and CMM's numbers though, and as you will soon see, that will be huge come playoff time season 10. This teams offense is simply a juggernaught.
3 - East St Louis Tire Fires - Terrible playoffs for the Tar Fars. First they nearly throw away there game against the Buddhists, and then get bitch slapped by the Marauders. This team is starting to look a bit different with some new additions to both the offense and defense. The biggest story is the retirement of long time starting CB Nate the Interceptor, who is being replaced by former Pelican Mike "Predator" McKenzie. This team looks to have been rejuvenated after two embarrassing losses at the hands of Singapore.
4 - Pa Dong Dragons - The Dragons have skill on both sides of the ball. They have the levels to compete with anyone, and game breaking players like Rawr Rawr. Is this the season? Or will the playoff bug bite them once more?
5 - Cambodia Mountain Men - This is a strong team with a good running game and defense. Strong Pimp Hand was arguably the best defensive player in the league last season, and there 2 back approach brought them to the playoffs in there first Pro season. Of worry is the late season collapse and raises concerns on how they will do without the element of surprise. The talent is there though, and the Mountain Men should be fighting for a home playoff game.
6 - Okinawa Leathernecks - The Leathernecks bounced back in there second Pro season going 11-5 and making the playoffs. Lead by star HB LaMichael James, they feature a balanced attack and field a talented defense. I'm expecting the Leathernecks to return to the playoffs again in season 10.
7 - Duluth Bulldogs - Alex Favre is one of the best QB's in the league, and Cole Weathers is a top notch wideout. They have a solid roster and can compete with any of the teams in the league, but haven't shown that extra something the elite teams have yet. This could be the season they take the next step and make a deep playoff run.
8 - Krungthep Garudas - 8-8 is not what the Garudas expected. They should rebound though as they are a very well coached squad. I would be shocked to not see them in the playoffs next season.
9 - Singapore Buddhist - Argue all you want, but the proof is in the tape. A loss to the Bulldogs the last week of the season was huge, as a win could have gotten them as high as the 6th seed. Instead, they lucked out that the Lights lost or they would have watched the playoffs from home. They had an ESL team give them every chance to win and they couldn't seal the deal. They still need to prove themselves imo
10 - Anchorage Northern Lights - 8-8 first season was better than most do, but the way it ended can not be sitting well. With a win needed for a playoff berth....the Lights lost. If they can learn from the experiences of last season, and make the necessary changes, they should be on the right track to getting a playoff spot.
11 - Vanuatu Headhunters - Solid but not spectacular roster, a season 9 championship and a season 8 championship game appearance are all in there favor. I think the Headhunters have the best chance of competing in Naga this upcoming season. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the newcomer that makes the playoffs.
12 - Rangoon Flying Tigers - With one Pro season under there belts, the Tigers are looking to make some noise in season 10. They are going to need to show they can compete with, let alone beat the upper tier teams first before they can begin thinking playoffs however.
13 - Surabaya Poison Dart Frogs - Some holes on the roster that raise some red flags about how they will transition to the Pro's. A championship last season is a good sign, but they will have there work cut out for them.
14 - Quahog Drunken Clams - Rough couple seasons for the Clams, but this is a new season and they look to rebound. They have some weapons, they just need to add the rest of the pieces. With all the new teams, its put up or shut up time for the Clams, as they got 3 of there 4 wins vs CPU teams last season.
15 - Tongduchon Cowboys - Long time coming for the Cowboys, but the lack of championships raises questions of game planning ability. Solid but not impressive levels. They have there work cut out for them.
16 - Winona Warriors - Lower levels and no trophies to prove they belong. Anytime you see a team without prior championships it makes you question there gameplanning. Looks to be a rough, and possibly only, Pro season for the Warriors.
