Jeff Says:
Canada has some nice top talent, but not that much depth overall. This is a
team that will have to stay healthy. If their starters are available, the
Cripplers have a solid track record of hanging in there against most
opponents.
Mars Invaders
Al Says:
The invaders biggest off season impact was signing DT Canning and adding him
to an already impressive Defensive Front. this team has the talent to not
only win a division but to win a title, especially if they can get over the
Hollowell experiment.
Jeff Says:
Mars should be competing for a league title. If I had to pick one team from
this division that is most likely to be in the playoffs, this would be it.
Oakland Raiders
Al Says:
The Raidas went out and stole DB Standout Zack Zorich in free agency, perhaps
with his Championship experience the Raiders can overcome their normal slow
starts. This team had a very strong finish to the 2nd half of 2011 if they
can carry it over, they have the potential to go far.
Jeff Says:
Al hit on the key: a fast start. It's no secret in the NPL. While I'm not
crazy about the Raider secondary, I think this is a team that has the overall
talent to compete against all comers.
Reno Rampage
Al Says:
The Rampage picked up some much needed talent with the draft, however QB is a
question mark for a team that relies on their passing game, Can Drucknmiller
still get it done, or might perhaps they made a mistake in not selecting a QB
in the first round?
Jeff Says:
It's all about desire in the front office. This team has done a nice job of
managing personnel, and that improved talent has paid off in wins over the
past couple seasons. I like Marlus Ford just fine at QB, and I think that if
the desire is there this will be a playoff team.
Division Finish
AL Says: Oakland, Mars, Reno,
Canada
Jeff Says: I see this as a division
where every team has a shot. In that spirit, I'm taking the reverse order of
what Al predicted. Canada, Reno, Mars, Oakland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
Southeast Division
Area 51 Aliens
Al Says:
No team has made more changes in the off season than this years version of the
Aliens. By my count the Aliens have added 8 new starters to their team 4 on
Offense and 4 on Defense, though none bigger than WR Vaughn. Thi s team
appears to have the talent and coaching to repeat this season, though they
could use more speed in the defensive backfield.
Jeff Says:
This team could have been in the playoffs last season, and they've made vast
improvements for this season. Look out for the Aliens. They are the conference
favorite once again.
Carolina Pirates
Al Says: Welcome back Chris, I hope this stay is longer than the last one.
Carolina has improved but appears to be in a bit of a rebuilding period in my
eyes, still with strong coaching the pirates could make a run at post season
glory again. The addition of CB McCants helps improve the teams biggest
weakness in the defensive backfield.
Jeff Says:
I like the Pirates' coaching about as well as I like any team's coaching.
However, I wonder if the right personnel is in place for Carolina to really
get the most out of its attack-oriented schemes.
Indianapolis Speed
Al Says:
While there are still some oldsters running around, Indy is starting to
transition to a younger more vibrant team, and it looks like this years rookie
crop has gone a long way to improving them. The question mark for this team
is can their wide receivers take pressure off of the running game and help
would be starter Hartfield.
Jeff Says:
Even without getting a freebie extra camp, Indy looks like a strong team. I
felt this was a team that could have ended Hong Kong's title run last season.
Since they failed to do that the question is whether they will redouble their
efforts this year.
Loch Ness Monsters
Al Says:
The Monsters are deep and talented with no recognizable weaknesses, their
toughest decision this season might be who to cut. This team looks poised to
challenge for a division and beyond.
Jeff Says:
This team is a title contender. Anything less than an appearance in the
conference championship game would be a disappointment.
Prague Lions
Al Says:
There's a new sheriff in town and he inherits a team that is coming off a
strong draft. It could take time to adjust to life in the NPL, but this team
can no longer be considered at the bottom of the barrel in talent.
Jeff Says:
Hopefully this franchise likes a challenge, as it competes in a very demanding
division. There's enough talent on this roster to surprise and challenge for a
playoff bid, but not so much that missing the playoffs would be a lost
opportunity.
Division Finish
Al Says: Loch Ness, Area 51, Indianapolis, Carolina, Prague
Jeff Says: Area 51, Loch Ness,
Indianapolis, Carolina, Prague
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest
Bangor Nor'easters
Al Says:
No team has been more active in the off season than the Nor'easters. The last
time their GM was this active they won their only title, could history repeat
itself? Bangor had a strong draft which should help their future but for now
their eyes seem firmly planted on usurping HKC as the favorites.
Jeff Says:
This team has made some distinct improvements this offseason. Now the coach
needs to follow up with an improved effort. After all, time is running out on
offensive keys Minifield and Thomas.
Charlotte Tigers
Al Says:
The Tigers were very competitive last season without a coach. Factor in a
strong draft and this team just needs a coach to be ready to take off.
Jeff Says:
Ditto to what Al said. Charlotte would be a playoff contender with a coach who
payed even minimal attention.
New Jersey Hitmen
Al Says:
Jersey fell just short of a division title last season, but did manage to end
the southeast string of sending 3 teams to the playoffs. The additions of
rb's Neal and Stephenson in the draft should add talent to his team for a long
time coming. look for the Hitmen to make a run at the division this season.
Jeff Says:
New Jersey seems to turn on the afterburners every season a few weeks in. Much
like Oakland, this team should be a playoff contender, but they may need a
faster start than usual.
Pittsburgh Ravens
Al Says:
The Ravens had perhaps one of the better drafts of this season, and possibly
the best draft in their history. Over the past several years the once
depleted roster has begun putting on some talent, and this team seems ready to
compete in this division again.
Jeff Says:
Pittsburgh looks to be on track for a better than average season on the basis
of talent alone. If this team turns on the coaching afterburners, a playoff
run could be in the Ravens' future.
Division Finish
Al Says: Wow this could be a tough
division this year, with any of the big three able to claim it with a little
luck. Bangor, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Charlotte
Jeff Says: New Jersey, Bangor, Pittsburgh, Charlotte
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
Southwest
Camelot Knights
Al Says:
No team ahs been harder hit in free agency the last few seasons than the
Camelot Knights, yet still their veteran coach has found ways to keep this
team competitive. This looks to be somewhat of a rebuilding period for this
franchise, but I never count this team out.
Jeff Says:
Camelot is going to find itself challenged again this season to make the
playoffs. Luckily, as Al said, coaching usually keeps this team in the hunt.
Chicago Blitz
Al Says: Welcome back DJ
DJ comes back at the right time as the Blitz seem to be more talented this
season then they have been in awhile. But they do have a few holes to fill
especially at WR. Look for this team to stay competitive as long as their
coach stays around.
Jeff Says:
I have always believed that if Chicago put a full season together it could be
in the title hunt. The Blitz has lots of talent on the defensive side of the
ball and probably enough offensive playmakers to make do on that side of the
ball.
Hong Kong Cavaliers
Al Says:
What type of message did the Cavaliers send to their star QB when they drafted
a QB in the first round, and traded his favorite target in the passing game.
Should the starting QB of back to back titles be looking over his shoulder?
Jeff Says:
The Cavalier juggernaut rolls on. Though this team did itself no favors by
drafting a QB in the first round, one can see why they did not let Hodge fall
further. Sometimes getting a quality player is better than simply filling a
need.
Russian Kodiak
Al Says:
This team is so talented hat not even Jeff's drafting of pathetic defensive
lineman can slow them down. Easily one of the most talented teams in the
league. Now all they need is a coach willing to come into the brutal
southwest to coach them.
Jeff Says:
How has this team not attracted a coach? I suspect Russia will take a few wins
from coached teams this year, but a last-place finish is all but assured. This
team needed a high first round pick, didn't it?
Taiwan Maiden
Al Says:
In only his third year in the league, coach Hoover has posted back to back 11
win seasons, going from 2 - 14 his first season to a wild card playoff berth,
and expanding one step further next season making it to the conference
finals. contrary to their coaches crying towel renditions this team seems
poised for a title run.
Jeff Says:
Taiwan is always more talented than the coaching staff will admit, even though
it is not yet elite. This is a team that has a shot to compete for a title,
and no such shot should go wasted.
Division Finish
Al Says:
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Chicago, Camelot, Russia
Jeff Says:
Hong Kong, Chicago, Taiwan, Camelot, Russia