Wildflecken Wolverines (69 overall)
Great bars, depth and no significant decline issues, the Wolverines look to be a championship contender - even a favorite - on paper ... but what happened last season in AAA? As strong as this team looks, how could there have been no competitive games? I'll give them the benefit of assuming AAA was just that good for now and put them in the top spot.
Flin Flon Black Bears (69 overall)
Significant roster upheaval has left them with low chemistry and the strongest matchup bars in the conference. The trouble is they'll be fighting 1.5-2 seasons of decline at several key positions, with RB and DT most concerning as both positions have only one player not subject to decline. CB depth may be troubling come playoff time as they have two young guys to start, but their other 4 CBs are either long-term inactives or 2 season decliners.
Sparta Titans (66 overall)
The Titans are in good shape with respect to decline. They've got a few older players, but depth at those positions is well established. The passing offense may be a concern as they're facing a big level deficit against the other title contenders. On the other hand, a deep and strong defense is usually the most important consideration for the championship and the Titans are good to go in that arena.
Sparta Baby Chickens (66 overall)
The Baby Chickens have a strong defense that will begin to feel the touch of decline this season. However, they have a young offense, particularly along the OL. In fact, the interior OL may be a little too young.
Vestfold Vikings (63 overall)
Good level distribution - not a whiff of decline, but not too young. However, defensive depth is a serious problem. The only D position where they have enough players is safety, and that's also their youngest position. Could make a move with just a little recruiting work.
Hungary Cannibals (63 overall)
Solid roster if they get their inactives back. However, decline at QB and DE will be an issue. QB because his attributes aren't that high to begin with [close your build] and the backup's under-leveled with respect to the league [close your build, too]. DE because they have only 3 players and one of them's on the wrong side of 500 days old.
Dallas Chiefs (63 overall)
It's hard to rank this team. They're flirting with a lack of depth, even if all their inactives come back. Also, they have to address their DL situation before the season starts, or they're going to get run over. However, it has been a long offseason, and they should get most or all of those inactives back. Another big positive is they have the defensive talent to put the hurt on the younger teams, though decline will start to be an issue come playoffs. They may be in for a rude surprise as their single-attribute HB [close your build] loses a chunk of points off his speed due to decline this season, though he'll still be fast enough to cause trouble for teams without a lot of speed on D.
Eden Serpents (66 overall)
Very young team. Lack of veteran points will be a competitive weakness, especially against the top 3-4. Strong defensive and blocking matchup bars suggest solid fundamentals, but relatively weak skill bars may hold the team back.
Eastern Empire Pirates (63 overall)
The team has an odd mix of very old players at some positions with young players at others. Their starting HB may be the oldest player in the league and his backup is a fake-break dependent speed back [close your build]. With both youth and lack of depth at the interior OL positions, that could really put the hurt on the run game. The eight other open builds on this team suggest management might have an activity concern as well.
Jacksonville Jr. Jackalopes (63 overall)
And I though my team was young. With the whole team level 40 or less, there will be a substantial veteran point disadvantage. Depth is fine, though and a very solid previous year record suggests gameplanning ability.
The other six teams are non-competitives absent massive change.
Great bars, depth and no significant decline issues, the Wolverines look to be a championship contender - even a favorite - on paper ... but what happened last season in AAA? As strong as this team looks, how could there have been no competitive games? I'll give them the benefit of assuming AAA was just that good for now and put them in the top spot.
Flin Flon Black Bears (69 overall)
Significant roster upheaval has left them with low chemistry and the strongest matchup bars in the conference. The trouble is they'll be fighting 1.5-2 seasons of decline at several key positions, with RB and DT most concerning as both positions have only one player not subject to decline. CB depth may be troubling come playoff time as they have two young guys to start, but their other 4 CBs are either long-term inactives or 2 season decliners.
Sparta Titans (66 overall)
The Titans are in good shape with respect to decline. They've got a few older players, but depth at those positions is well established. The passing offense may be a concern as they're facing a big level deficit against the other title contenders. On the other hand, a deep and strong defense is usually the most important consideration for the championship and the Titans are good to go in that arena.
Sparta Baby Chickens (66 overall)
The Baby Chickens have a strong defense that will begin to feel the touch of decline this season. However, they have a young offense, particularly along the OL. In fact, the interior OL may be a little too young.
Vestfold Vikings (63 overall)
Good level distribution - not a whiff of decline, but not too young. However, defensive depth is a serious problem. The only D position where they have enough players is safety, and that's also their youngest position. Could make a move with just a little recruiting work.
Hungary Cannibals (63 overall)
Solid roster if they get their inactives back. However, decline at QB and DE will be an issue. QB because his attributes aren't that high to begin with [close your build] and the backup's under-leveled with respect to the league [close your build, too]. DE because they have only 3 players and one of them's on the wrong side of 500 days old.
Dallas Chiefs (63 overall)
It's hard to rank this team. They're flirting with a lack of depth, even if all their inactives come back. Also, they have to address their DL situation before the season starts, or they're going to get run over. However, it has been a long offseason, and they should get most or all of those inactives back. Another big positive is they have the defensive talent to put the hurt on the younger teams, though decline will start to be an issue come playoffs. They may be in for a rude surprise as their single-attribute HB [close your build] loses a chunk of points off his speed due to decline this season, though he'll still be fast enough to cause trouble for teams without a lot of speed on D.
Eden Serpents (66 overall)
Very young team. Lack of veteran points will be a competitive weakness, especially against the top 3-4. Strong defensive and blocking matchup bars suggest solid fundamentals, but relatively weak skill bars may hold the team back.
Eastern Empire Pirates (63 overall)
The team has an odd mix of very old players at some positions with young players at others. Their starting HB may be the oldest player in the league and his backup is a fake-break dependent speed back [close your build]. With both youth and lack of depth at the interior OL positions, that could really put the hurt on the run game. The eight other open builds on this team suggest management might have an activity concern as well.
Jacksonville Jr. Jackalopes (63 overall)
And I though my team was young. With the whole team level 40 or less, there will be a substantial veteran point disadvantage. Depth is fine, though and a very solid previous year record suggests gameplanning ability.
The other six teams are non-competitives absent massive change.
