I always wanted to do a rankings for the East, but being involved with our team prevented me from doing that. Knowing we probably didn't have the best dots in the world, the last thing I wanted to do was paint a bulls eye on our back. Now that we officially rage quit, I can say whatever I want. 
I guess the bigger issue will be if I want to keep doing this through out the season. I will also add that I was the DC for HKH, so my reviews will be more about teams offenses than their counterpart. If you have a great unknown defense, well too bad.
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Departed playoff teams:
Humboldt Killer Hornets (2nd)
Chico High Panthers (4th)
Mendoza Marios (6th)
Note: The Hound Pound finished 8th, but I guess either Bort screwed up, these guys like to drag their feet on bringing in their new guys, or don't really care about the integrity of the league. Most likely won't be in the playoffs next season.
That opens up four new spots for S21 playoff bound teams.
Pittsburgh Steel Curtain and Eastwood .44 Magnums were also in playoff contention late last season and pulled the rip cord in the off season.
The East looks to have quite a few new playoff teams battling it out for World League admittance.
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1.) NY-CA Ground Pounders - I put these guys at the top simply because they are the highest ranking returner from last season and out of my top four their chemistry shouldn't hurt them too much. That could change depending on their schedule. I also believe they have a very active defensive coordinator(s) who will help them win games that maybe they shouldn't have won.
Strengths - Great Defense. Had the best TE last season in Franz Hammer and he looks to be back. One of the few teams who had good success on the ground. They looked to have kept their two speedsters in the backfield plus they added a new HB back Sputnik Doomsday. One of their weaknesses last season was their inability to run the ball from the FB position. That may change with the addition of Aston Martin.
Weaknesses - Passing game wasn't so hot in games that mattered. 49% completion rate in their two regular season losses won't get it done in the World League. I also remember that their play calling was very uninventive. Part of that was a dependable ground game, but when a defense takes that away, can they find other ways to move the ball. Their favorite two passing plays last season were the TE and WR screen. Can they depend on those two plays to be their bread and butter again this season? They have to find ways to move the ball through the air or getting to the prestigious league will be out of their grasp again. Especially when most of the teams they will be battling it out against come playoff time will have repaired their chemistry by then....but for now, they get the top spot.
2.) Detroit Reservoir Dogs - A team looking for respect a couple of seasons ago will finally get it. I think these guys will have to work hard to keep themselves in this spot though. Great teams coming up, so could the Dog's days maybe behind them. We will see, but I will allow them to prove me right first.
Strengths - Offensively are somewhat similar to NY-CA. Great TE alongside a MVP candidate in Adrian "Going All Day" Peterson. We played them so early in the season last year, I cannot recall much about my game planning for them. I just know that really want their respect....now they got it, don't let me look bad.
Weaknesses - Were rolled by teams that should have beaten them last season. They need to rectify that this season if that want to move up. With chemistry taking a minor hit, that tells me they are going to use the same dots they had last season (unless the few new dots they brought in are superfied beyond belief). I only see a new HB as a new contributor for the glamor positions. That means it will come down to some major game planning by their coordinators. Do they have the intestinal fortitude to do that? We will see.
3.) Nashville Hounds - If I were allowed to make odds in Vegas on what team will be headed to the World League at the end of this season, this team would have the best odds. The issue is their low chemistry and what tough teams they could get early in the season.
Strengths - These guys always support a stout defense and being able to take the best dots from their two teams should make them even tougher. Screens anybody? Yes they love them, and what makes them so unorthadox is they don't beat you because the plays are 'borted,' it's because they have WR's they break a ton of tackles. When you have HB's playing as WR's, defensive backs typically find themselves with tire tracks on their faces.
Weaknesses Chemistry chemistry chemistry!!! Could this be their only hang up? Can NY-CA, Detroit, Penn State, South Otto, and Texas A&M take advantage of this? Can they get a tough draw from the other side?
4.) Happy Valley Whiteout - I am sure we all remembered this thread last season: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=4478246 . To their credit, they did make the playoffs and were rewarded with a beat down in their first playoff game .
Strengths - Between the top two teams, they probably did the best in recruiting better play makers. Will those guys upgrade an average offense though? Otis "Loco" Anderson or Wesley Walls # 80 might have to be the teams Offensive MVP if they want to take that next step.
Weaknesses - They like to pass and they were only able to complete 60% of their passes last season. Either they need to jump start their running attack somehow or fire their QB coach from last season. It was interesting to go back and see that the top 3 QB's, who completed 150 passes last season, had the highest completion percentages came from HKH and AtKM (which were 71% and higher). If you plan on throwing the ball around, you will need to figure out how to complete 50-60 more passes this season.
5.) Wala Wala Drunken Shriners - I know these guys have been around for a long time, but I do not think any of my teams have ever faced them. I simply do not know a lot about them.
Strengths - They must have a tight knit group because they have perfect chemistry. They have a scrambling QB, and their offense 'looks' to revolve around this concept. Having a scrambling QB myself, I know how fun and difficult it can be to use them at this level. This could be the only playoff team with a running QB, so this could trip up a few unsuspecting defensive coordinators.
Weaknesses - I don't know if Rick Fuller is a ball hog or the rest of their offense is just very average. I don't see any special numbers from the rest of the offense. I think most of us agree that you need 3 HB's at this level and they all need to play offense. They have three, but one looks like a return man primarily.
6.) South Otto Fragile Porcelain Mice - Oh how the mighty have fallen. Started off last season in the World League like a Cinderella team only to lose 9 straight at one point (and I believe knocked out my good buddy jebby69 from the Survivor Contest).
Strengths - Lies in the leadership. I think this will be enough to keep them playoff bound. A mix of decline guys and new guys makes it tough to really judge them at this point.
Weaknesses - They look like they are a team in a state of flux and probably won't be a threat until next season. Until they can weed out their old dots for their new dots, they could be a sleeper or holding on for the USA Pro lives.
7.) Oakland Suppressors - Looks like a solid team that leans on running the ball. They could be the last dark horse left from USA Pro. Sorry I am being short on my analysis, but I don't know anything about your team.
8.) College Station Aggies - I don't know a lot about these guys obviously, but I know we have faced them deep in the past. They are still around and are seasoned group. I am going to keep them here until I see a little bit more.
Strengths - Either you played in one of the saddest leagues of all time or you guys are for real. You annihilated your competition last season with those low level dots, so I don't know what to think, but you guys might be a force to reckon with next season. Perfect chemistry means no transition and low level dots is very impressive to say the least.
Weaknesses - The low levels could be what kills them this season. I just don't see you winning a playoff game until you get your training/experience on par with the top teams this season.
9.) Minnesota Eagles - Could be a good team once they find some WR's. Otherwise they could be outside of the playoff hunt right now. College Station didn't fall ass backwards into a 20-0 record with those low level dots, so they must be doing something right which maybe enough to keep the Eagles out of the playoffs.
10.) The CAVE - This could be it. Looks like a bunch of really good teams will be making some noise next season. With the East being pretty weak last season and you still didn't make the playoffs means you have a lot of work ahead of you. I hope you can prove me wrong and earn a playoff spot this season. Otherwise your window will slam shut.
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The only real question I have is how the heck did Bort keep the San Diego Lightning out of USA Pro. I thought their was some system in place that kept teams rivalries alive. Being a long time USA Pro team really makes me wonder what the heck is going on. This is probably the biggest travesty in the league right now and we should start a petition to get them back over here.
Enjoy!
I guess the bigger issue will be if I want to keep doing this through out the season. I will also add that I was the DC for HKH, so my reviews will be more about teams offenses than their counterpart. If you have a great unknown defense, well too bad.-----
Departed playoff teams:
Humboldt Killer Hornets (2nd)
Chico High Panthers (4th)
Mendoza Marios (6th)
Note: The Hound Pound finished 8th, but I guess either Bort screwed up, these guys like to drag their feet on bringing in their new guys, or don't really care about the integrity of the league. Most likely won't be in the playoffs next season.
That opens up four new spots for S21 playoff bound teams.
Pittsburgh Steel Curtain and Eastwood .44 Magnums were also in playoff contention late last season and pulled the rip cord in the off season.
The East looks to have quite a few new playoff teams battling it out for World League admittance.
-----
1.) NY-CA Ground Pounders - I put these guys at the top simply because they are the highest ranking returner from last season and out of my top four their chemistry shouldn't hurt them too much. That could change depending on their schedule. I also believe they have a very active defensive coordinator(s) who will help them win games that maybe they shouldn't have won.
Strengths - Great Defense. Had the best TE last season in Franz Hammer and he looks to be back. One of the few teams who had good success on the ground. They looked to have kept their two speedsters in the backfield plus they added a new HB back Sputnik Doomsday. One of their weaknesses last season was their inability to run the ball from the FB position. That may change with the addition of Aston Martin.
Weaknesses - Passing game wasn't so hot in games that mattered. 49% completion rate in their two regular season losses won't get it done in the World League. I also remember that their play calling was very uninventive. Part of that was a dependable ground game, but when a defense takes that away, can they find other ways to move the ball. Their favorite two passing plays last season were the TE and WR screen. Can they depend on those two plays to be their bread and butter again this season? They have to find ways to move the ball through the air or getting to the prestigious league will be out of their grasp again. Especially when most of the teams they will be battling it out against come playoff time will have repaired their chemistry by then....but for now, they get the top spot.
2.) Detroit Reservoir Dogs - A team looking for respect a couple of seasons ago will finally get it. I think these guys will have to work hard to keep themselves in this spot though. Great teams coming up, so could the Dog's days maybe behind them. We will see, but I will allow them to prove me right first.
Strengths - Offensively are somewhat similar to NY-CA. Great TE alongside a MVP candidate in Adrian "Going All Day" Peterson. We played them so early in the season last year, I cannot recall much about my game planning for them. I just know that really want their respect....now they got it, don't let me look bad.
Weaknesses - Were rolled by teams that should have beaten them last season. They need to rectify that this season if that want to move up. With chemistry taking a minor hit, that tells me they are going to use the same dots they had last season (unless the few new dots they brought in are superfied beyond belief). I only see a new HB as a new contributor for the glamor positions. That means it will come down to some major game planning by their coordinators. Do they have the intestinal fortitude to do that? We will see.
3.) Nashville Hounds - If I were allowed to make odds in Vegas on what team will be headed to the World League at the end of this season, this team would have the best odds. The issue is their low chemistry and what tough teams they could get early in the season.
Strengths - These guys always support a stout defense and being able to take the best dots from their two teams should make them even tougher. Screens anybody? Yes they love them, and what makes them so unorthadox is they don't beat you because the plays are 'borted,' it's because they have WR's they break a ton of tackles. When you have HB's playing as WR's, defensive backs typically find themselves with tire tracks on their faces.
Weaknesses Chemistry chemistry chemistry!!! Could this be their only hang up? Can NY-CA, Detroit, Penn State, South Otto, and Texas A&M take advantage of this? Can they get a tough draw from the other side?
4.) Happy Valley Whiteout - I am sure we all remembered this thread last season: http://goallineblitz.com/game/forum_thread.pl?thread_id=4478246 . To their credit, they did make the playoffs and were rewarded with a beat down in their first playoff game
.Strengths - Between the top two teams, they probably did the best in recruiting better play makers. Will those guys upgrade an average offense though? Otis "Loco" Anderson or Wesley Walls # 80 might have to be the teams Offensive MVP if they want to take that next step.
Weaknesses - They like to pass and they were only able to complete 60% of their passes last season. Either they need to jump start their running attack somehow or fire their QB coach from last season. It was interesting to go back and see that the top 3 QB's, who completed 150 passes last season, had the highest completion percentages came from HKH and AtKM (which were 71% and higher). If you plan on throwing the ball around, you will need to figure out how to complete 50-60 more passes this season.
5.) Wala Wala Drunken Shriners - I know these guys have been around for a long time, but I do not think any of my teams have ever faced them. I simply do not know a lot about them.
Strengths - They must have a tight knit group because they have perfect chemistry. They have a scrambling QB, and their offense 'looks' to revolve around this concept. Having a scrambling QB myself, I know how fun and difficult it can be to use them at this level. This could be the only playoff team with a running QB, so this could trip up a few unsuspecting defensive coordinators.
Weaknesses - I don't know if Rick Fuller is a ball hog or the rest of their offense is just very average. I don't see any special numbers from the rest of the offense. I think most of us agree that you need 3 HB's at this level and they all need to play offense. They have three, but one looks like a return man primarily.
6.) South Otto Fragile Porcelain Mice - Oh how the mighty have fallen. Started off last season in the World League like a Cinderella team only to lose 9 straight at one point (and I believe knocked out my good buddy jebby69 from the Survivor Contest).
Strengths - Lies in the leadership. I think this will be enough to keep them playoff bound. A mix of decline guys and new guys makes it tough to really judge them at this point.
Weaknesses - They look like they are a team in a state of flux and probably won't be a threat until next season. Until they can weed out their old dots for their new dots, they could be a sleeper or holding on for the USA Pro lives.
7.) Oakland Suppressors - Looks like a solid team that leans on running the ball. They could be the last dark horse left from USA Pro. Sorry I am being short on my analysis, but I don't know anything about your team.
8.) College Station Aggies - I don't know a lot about these guys obviously, but I know we have faced them deep in the past. They are still around and are seasoned group. I am going to keep them here until I see a little bit more.
Strengths - Either you played in one of the saddest leagues of all time or you guys are for real. You annihilated your competition last season with those low level dots, so I don't know what to think, but you guys might be a force to reckon with next season. Perfect chemistry means no transition and low level dots is very impressive to say the least.
Weaknesses - The low levels could be what kills them this season. I just don't see you winning a playoff game until you get your training/experience on par with the top teams this season.
9.) Minnesota Eagles - Could be a good team once they find some WR's. Otherwise they could be outside of the playoff hunt right now. College Station didn't fall ass backwards into a 20-0 record with those low level dots, so they must be doing something right which maybe enough to keep the Eagles out of the playoffs.
10.) The CAVE - This could be it. Looks like a bunch of really good teams will be making some noise next season. With the East being pretty weak last season and you still didn't make the playoffs means you have a lot of work ahead of you. I hope you can prove me wrong and earn a playoff spot this season. Otherwise your window will slam shut.
-----
The only real question I have is how the heck did Bort keep the San Diego Lightning out of USA Pro. I thought their was some system in place that kept teams rivalries alive. Being a long time USA Pro team really makes me wonder what the heck is going on. This is probably the biggest travesty in the league right now and we should start a petition to get them back over here.
Enjoy!
Edited by Night Dragon on Mar 7, 2011 17:58:38
Edited by Night Dragon on Mar 7, 2011 17:56:15
Edited by Night Dragon on Mar 7, 2011 17:50:14
