Season Preview

Northeast Division

*Canadian Cripplers*
Al Says:
The cripplers are short on talent and will have a long season unless
something changes drastically.

Jeff Says:
Canada has built a fast team that fits what the coach would like to do.

However, the payoff was slight last season. I think the Cripplers pick up

several wins over last year if the coaching staff focuses in.

Al Says:
The invaders made the most of their 1st round picks and brought in some
solid talent to an already talented team. A league title is not out of
the equation for this team, but they'll have to up the coaching to get
it done.

Jeff Says:
Al is right on. This team goes as far as its coach takes them. Will Coach

Shade put together the kind of season it takes to win a title? That's

doubtful. Will he put together a playoff-worthy season? Most likely.

Al Says:
Mini al got a division title, and a double digit win season from his
boys. The future looks bright and this team should be poised for a
repeat performance this season.

Jeff Says:
The Raiders sure looked focused in the preseason. This team should be in the

Al Says:
Congratulations to the Rampage for a successful championship run, now
can they maintain their perch on top?

Jeff Says:
Reno's got the title and they get the props. Despite anything Oakland, Mars,

and Canada may tell you, there's no reason why the Rampage shouldn't make a

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Al Says:
Aliens continue to rebuild in the offseason, and look they should be
back to their dominating ways.

Jeff Says:
Back to their dominating ways? They've scarcely been away! Area 51 continues

to be one of the league's premier franchises. To the Aliens' credit, as

styles have changed across the league they've answered each challenge. This

season will be no different. This is another team in the title hunt.

Al Says:
Looks like The Pirates have gone for a complete overhaul of the team,
who will lead this team this season is a big question mark?

Jeff Says:
Every time I doubt that Chris Stewart has the horses to compete, he comes up

big. Quite simply, Carolina nearly always seems to have what it needs to play

its style of football. If this roster doesn't seem to be among the best in

the league, past experience says that the Pirates will be in the playoff

Al Says:
The speed took a year off fishing, hiking, and visiting old retirees. This
team is much younger than former Indianapolis teams, and has the
coaching to get back to post season.

Jeff Says:
I expect Indy to bounce back after what is for this franchise a subpar

Al Says:
I thought last year the Monsters were the team to beat in the east, and
I think doubly so this season.

Jeff Says:
Loch Ness was outstanding last season but didn't dominate in the playoffs,

and that's often cause for a hangover the next season. There's no question

the Monsters have the talent to make another similar run. It's all about the

coaching. So long as the staff is motivated, the team can dream its title

Al Says:
As usual the Lions begin out the season looking for a new coach and a
new Identity.

Jeff Says:
This is probably the NPL franchise that's had it the roughest over the long

haul, but it's not a team without talent. Prospects are dim without coaching,

but a decent coach could instantly make this team competitive.

*Division Finish*
Al Says:
Loch Ness, Area 51, Indianapolis, Carolina, Prague

Jeff Says:
Area 51, Indianapolis, Carolina, Loch Ness, Prague
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Al Says:
The Nor'easters no longer have to worry about the cavaliers, it's the
Maiden that have unseated them from the playoffs 2 seasons in a row.

Jeff Says:
I think Al is putting the cart before the horse if he thinks Bangor should be

worried about Taiwan. First it has to deal with upstart Charlotte, which was

arguably the best team in the Northwest at the end of last season.

Nevertheless, the Nor'easters are always in the playoff mix, and they have

Al Says:
Got to like how competitive 1st year coach McCants was, now he has a
season under his best and should be tougher.

Jeff Says:
It's all about the fast start for the Tigers. This team started slow and made

great leaps last season to finish up highly competitive. Now it would be

helpful for them to start off strong this season to help build on the gains

they made last season. There's little reason this shouldn't be a playoff team

Al Says:
Never expected to see Jersey fall so far last year, my bet is it won't
happen twice.

Jeff Says:
If New Jersey is to stage a resurgence, it's going to find the road tougher

this year. The division looks stronger as a whole. But the Hitmen have the

talent to compete and a quality coach. If the motivation and time are there,

this team could make life very hard for Bangor and Charlotte.

*Pittsburgh Ravens*
Al Says:
The Ravens have really improved their roster the last few seasons a .500
season is not out of the question this year.

Jeff Says:
Small steps could pay off big for Pittsburgh. I agree with Al that the roster

is looking stronger than it has in ages. I don't see the divisional road

getting any easier, but if the Ravens want to be in the mix badly enough,

Al Says:
Bangor, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, New Jersey

Jeff Says:
Charlotte, Bangor, New Jersey, Pittsburgh

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*Camelot Knights*
Al Says:
Walter had a nice run in the NPL, but now the team is on their own.
That doesn't bode well for a team with too few playmakers.

*Chicago Blitz*
Al Says:
Dj will be back again at some point, but when may decide how competitive
this team is.

Jeff Says:
I'm betting that Chicago will find a way into the playoffs. The talent is

there, and so long as DJ is able to be around to coach, the leadership is

Al Says:
The Cavaliers went out and grabbed a DE of the future and a Starting LB
to help bring the defense back to dominance. But can they regain
control of the division?

Jeff Says:
Not much has changed for Hong Kong. Taiwan squeaked past them in the

playoffs, but the Cavaliers still appear to be in control of the division.

Al Says:
How can any team be so stocked with talent and can't find a coach? If
they ahd a ood coach they'd be competing for championships.

Jeff Says:
They're not Russia, they're California, right? Without a coach it doesn't

matter who they are. They'll duke it out with Camelot for the division

Al Says:
Coach Hoover fell just short of his championship title asperations, and
will be fired up to repeat.

Jeff Says:
Losing in the title game is always the ultimate test of a coach's will. I

think that Taiwan is likely to come back strong this season, and their talent

level indicates that they should. But I would have said the same thing about

Indianapolis last season, and history paints a dim picture for the title game

Al Says:
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia, Chicago, Camelot

Jeff Says:
Hong Kong, Chicago, Taiwan, California, Camelot

2013 Season Preview