OK, everyone is bored with the dragged out post season and then the god awful preseason (including me) so I figured I would take a look at the new look Silver 7 a week early this time around. There have been some major changes since last season, most notably the two toughest mofo's on the block, Andro and Fuzz, are up in Gold which leaves a nice vacancy at the top of each conference. To fill the void, we have some new teams to shake things up and keep this league the strongest of all in Silver but our leauge is EXTREMELY top heavy with very little quality after the top 10 teams or so.
This just means that whoever wins this league has definitely earned their spot in Gold and without further delay, here is one person's take on just how the race for the 1 Gold spot will go this season. I will repost periodically throughout the season and update the list as the season progresses. And if you don't like where I have your team, post up and tell me why! Picking teams this early is largely a function of roster size, number of day 31 players, and reputation from the previous season since that is all I have to go on.
Champion of the league will come from this group:
From the West, I see 3 teams on top similar to how last season there were 3 teams that seperated themselves from the rest of the conference. I expect these teams to win out against every other team in their draw, with the only serious competition and the top 3 seeds being decided by their games against one another.
1. Final Thought.
To say they were a dominant team last year would be an understatement. Overshadowed by Andro, this team has everything in place for a championship and the experience they gained in their losses last year to the Strain (who provided their ONLY losses) will serve them well. They have to be considered the team to beat.
2a. Crib Midgets.
They have lost a little of their swagger from a couple seasons back when they dominated a strong L10 but they recover some key agents this season, and are tired of seeing more and more teams they used to destroy get promoted to Gold. They still have to figure out how to beat FT but this is a team that is building for a deep playoff run.
2b. GLB Headhunters.
It may seem strange to put a Copper non-champion this high but I have come to be somewhat familiar with some of their coaching staff and know these guys will have serious game. They also have fewer agents that Crib or FT so their players will be a very cohesive group.
From the East, there are only 2 teams that look to be capable of dominating the competition. Again, these are the guys that will walk over everyone on the way to their head to head matchup, which will likely be a preview of their conference final.
1. UFC Gladiators.
This is the eastern version of FT; a very strong team that only lost to the 1 team in their conference that was better....and they are now in Gold which leaves the road wide open. I fully expect this to the be the team playing for the trophy based on their performance last year and if they have returned the same agents and staff the rest of the teams in the East better be ready.
2. Georgia Assault.
A Copper champ ready to step it up and prove themselves in Silver. They steamrolled over everyone last season, but it's the roster size, number of day 31's and the result of their scrim against UFC last year that makes me think they will find the transition to Silver much easier than the others. They have to make a big step to come close to duplicating the success they had in Copper, but they should be there to the end.
These teams will make playoffs:
Aside from the elite group above, there are several teams from both conferences that will enjoy some success and have the potential to upset the balance of power. I don't expect any of these teams to finish higher than the early favorites, however they could provide a few upsets in the regular season and sneak into a top spot. Playoffs are another matter and the great teams will win and I don't see many upsets happening this season.
- Eugene Cobras.
What can I say, I like this team. They were my early favorite last season but they stumbled early against some good teams that are no longer around. They played very well down the stretch and proved they can play at a high level when required. This is my one upset special team that could do some damage in the playoffs if any of the above teams overlook them.
- Fat Kids Lag IRL.
The C2 champs stroll into town with a capable group of coaches/ownership (and more than enough GM's) and with a solid boosting and CE strategy they could compete but they should enjoy their current ranking of #1 in the West because it won't be long before they are middle of the pack.
- Harford Shocks.
They almost made the playoffs last year but they will do so this time around. Another team that will benefit greatly from the lack of quality teams in the East. While it is unlikely this team will do anything with that playoff spot it will be a moral victory and perhaps light a spark for them to go for it all next season. One and done in the playoffs.
- Legal "Queen of Chat' Bama.
C14 runner ups will have to fight to match their record of last year as their roster and build quality is questionable. Solid gameplanning will allow them to win more than they lose, but an early exit in the playoffs is what their future holds.
- Irish Wee Lads.
They provided some decent competition last year and showed some good promise but their lack of a full roster will again hurt them from doing anything more than earning a playoff spot. I'd like to see this team really recruit as their gameplanning is good enough to compete in this league.
- Twin Cedars Alligators.
They got the last playoff spot in C12 and then pulled off the major upset in the first round of playoffs and demonstrated some grit. They are a dark horse for sure, and they have a few too many CPU players but the competition is weak and they will get their share of victories.
- Bama Rednecks.
A playoff team a year ago, they will benefit from the loss of EPG and Strain, and I can see them finishing better this season. Like the Lads, they won't do anything in the playoffs unless they get a very favorable matchup with a weaker #4 seed.
- Nakhodka Wolfpack.
A small roster will hamper them but the conference is too weak for them not to win games.
Won't make the playoffs, won't do anything:
These teams either come into this year from Copper with inflated records, fancy trophies, or they are returning teams from S7 who did well but have changed ownership or just given up. Despite any high expectations they will do nothing as they either have no roster, no management, no clue, or some of all three. Basically they have no business in Silver and they will be the door mats of the league. When you face these teams, feel free to experiment with your AI because these are teams that will struggle against CPU teams.
In the West:
- Jersey Jackals, C15 #6 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Four Winds Bar, S7 #6 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Batdambang Mini-Koalas, C12 non playoff team
- Flint Frenzy, S7 non playoff team
- Offtopica Believers, S7 non playoff team
- Texas Road Boars, S7 non playoff team
- Kansas City Bolts, C12 non playoff team
- Golden Hill Mini Bones, S7 non playoff team
In the East:
- Charleston Fireflies, C14 Champs
- Minnesota Lumberjacks, C16 Champs
- New Amsterdam Rookies, C13 #1 seed, lost in quarterfinals
- Real Black Ninjas, C2 #4 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Windthorst Trojans, C9 #5 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Belly Ring Bling, S7 non playoff team
- Kalundborg Crusaders, C3 #6 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Gabon Dragon Whelps, S7 #6 seed, lost in quarterfinals
- Rhode Island Tiny Pirates, S7 non playoff team
- JcJ's Smurfin EQ Fund, C16 non playoff team
- Fairfax Rampage, S7 non playoff team
The astute observer will notice that there are more than 8 teams listed as missing the playoffs in the East. Obviously some of these teams will make playoffs but they will do so by default because they will all be horrible. It's an opportunity for a couple teams to recruit hard, fill their roster, and they could really do some damage in a weak conference. Somehow I don't think that will happen.
This just means that whoever wins this league has definitely earned their spot in Gold and without further delay, here is one person's take on just how the race for the 1 Gold spot will go this season. I will repost periodically throughout the season and update the list as the season progresses. And if you don't like where I have your team, post up and tell me why! Picking teams this early is largely a function of roster size, number of day 31 players, and reputation from the previous season since that is all I have to go on.
Champion of the league will come from this group:
From the West, I see 3 teams on top similar to how last season there were 3 teams that seperated themselves from the rest of the conference. I expect these teams to win out against every other team in their draw, with the only serious competition and the top 3 seeds being decided by their games against one another.
1. Final Thought.
To say they were a dominant team last year would be an understatement. Overshadowed by Andro, this team has everything in place for a championship and the experience they gained in their losses last year to the Strain (who provided their ONLY losses) will serve them well. They have to be considered the team to beat.
2a. Crib Midgets.
They have lost a little of their swagger from a couple seasons back when they dominated a strong L10 but they recover some key agents this season, and are tired of seeing more and more teams they used to destroy get promoted to Gold. They still have to figure out how to beat FT but this is a team that is building for a deep playoff run.
2b. GLB Headhunters.
It may seem strange to put a Copper non-champion this high but I have come to be somewhat familiar with some of their coaching staff and know these guys will have serious game. They also have fewer agents that Crib or FT so their players will be a very cohesive group.
From the East, there are only 2 teams that look to be capable of dominating the competition. Again, these are the guys that will walk over everyone on the way to their head to head matchup, which will likely be a preview of their conference final.
1. UFC Gladiators.
This is the eastern version of FT; a very strong team that only lost to the 1 team in their conference that was better....and they are now in Gold which leaves the road wide open. I fully expect this to the be the team playing for the trophy based on their performance last year and if they have returned the same agents and staff the rest of the teams in the East better be ready.
2. Georgia Assault.
A Copper champ ready to step it up and prove themselves in Silver. They steamrolled over everyone last season, but it's the roster size, number of day 31's and the result of their scrim against UFC last year that makes me think they will find the transition to Silver much easier than the others. They have to make a big step to come close to duplicating the success they had in Copper, but they should be there to the end.
These teams will make playoffs:
Aside from the elite group above, there are several teams from both conferences that will enjoy some success and have the potential to upset the balance of power. I don't expect any of these teams to finish higher than the early favorites, however they could provide a few upsets in the regular season and sneak into a top spot. Playoffs are another matter and the great teams will win and I don't see many upsets happening this season.
- Eugene Cobras.
What can I say, I like this team. They were my early favorite last season but they stumbled early against some good teams that are no longer around. They played very well down the stretch and proved they can play at a high level when required. This is my one upset special team that could do some damage in the playoffs if any of the above teams overlook them.
- Fat Kids Lag IRL.
The C2 champs stroll into town with a capable group of coaches/ownership (and more than enough GM's) and with a solid boosting and CE strategy they could compete but they should enjoy their current ranking of #1 in the West because it won't be long before they are middle of the pack.
- Harford Shocks.
They almost made the playoffs last year but they will do so this time around. Another team that will benefit greatly from the lack of quality teams in the East. While it is unlikely this team will do anything with that playoff spot it will be a moral victory and perhaps light a spark for them to go for it all next season. One and done in the playoffs.
- Legal "Queen of Chat' Bama.
C14 runner ups will have to fight to match their record of last year as their roster and build quality is questionable. Solid gameplanning will allow them to win more than they lose, but an early exit in the playoffs is what their future holds.
- Irish Wee Lads.
They provided some decent competition last year and showed some good promise but their lack of a full roster will again hurt them from doing anything more than earning a playoff spot. I'd like to see this team really recruit as their gameplanning is good enough to compete in this league.
- Twin Cedars Alligators.
They got the last playoff spot in C12 and then pulled off the major upset in the first round of playoffs and demonstrated some grit. They are a dark horse for sure, and they have a few too many CPU players but the competition is weak and they will get their share of victories.
- Bama Rednecks.
A playoff team a year ago, they will benefit from the loss of EPG and Strain, and I can see them finishing better this season. Like the Lads, they won't do anything in the playoffs unless they get a very favorable matchup with a weaker #4 seed.
- Nakhodka Wolfpack.
A small roster will hamper them but the conference is too weak for them not to win games.
Won't make the playoffs, won't do anything:
These teams either come into this year from Copper with inflated records, fancy trophies, or they are returning teams from S7 who did well but have changed ownership or just given up. Despite any high expectations they will do nothing as they either have no roster, no management, no clue, or some of all three. Basically they have no business in Silver and they will be the door mats of the league. When you face these teams, feel free to experiment with your AI because these are teams that will struggle against CPU teams.
In the West:
- Jersey Jackals, C15 #6 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Four Winds Bar, S7 #6 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Batdambang Mini-Koalas, C12 non playoff team
- Flint Frenzy, S7 non playoff team
- Offtopica Believers, S7 non playoff team
- Texas Road Boars, S7 non playoff team
- Kansas City Bolts, C12 non playoff team
- Golden Hill Mini Bones, S7 non playoff team
In the East:
- Charleston Fireflies, C14 Champs
- Minnesota Lumberjacks, C16 Champs
- New Amsterdam Rookies, C13 #1 seed, lost in quarterfinals
- Real Black Ninjas, C2 #4 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Windthorst Trojans, C9 #5 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Belly Ring Bling, S7 non playoff team
- Kalundborg Crusaders, C3 #6 seed, lost in first round of playoffs
- Gabon Dragon Whelps, S7 #6 seed, lost in quarterfinals
- Rhode Island Tiny Pirates, S7 non playoff team
- JcJ's Smurfin EQ Fund, C16 non playoff team
- Fairfax Rampage, S7 non playoff team
The astute observer will notice that there are more than 8 teams listed as missing the playoffs in the East. Obviously some of these teams will make playoffs but they will do so by default because they will all be horrible. It's an opportunity for a couple teams to recruit hard, fill their roster, and they could really do some damage in a weak conference. Somehow I don't think that will happen.
Edited by vrecksler on Oct 1, 2009 15:22:42
Edited by vrecksler on Oct 1, 2009 15:22:17
