All,
Here are my takes on the power rankings for the Zeta Conference:
1. Brown Bay Packers
---Brown Bay starts the season at the top of the Zeta Power Rankings. They had a very strong season in season 4 and look to continue their winning ways. They appear to be poised to fight for home field advantage in the playoffs.
2. Spanish Inquisition
---The Inquisition appear to have lost a few ranks against some of the competition in the Zeta squad, but as the first team to knock off the Hungary Hippos who were eventually promoted to 'AA' it really is hard to drop them very far. They could change this very quickly, but I still believe they are an elite squad.
3. Belgrade Bears
---Right here at the 3 and 4 spot I was originally planning on switching the Bears with the Gods, however, this being preseason the Belgrade Bears appear to have made some improvements and look to continue their winning ways that they found last season. They are currently rated higher than Athens which led to the ultimate decision to give them the nod at #3.
4. Athens Gods
---The Athens Gods love being the under dog. They won many games that most thought they would lose last year, however, towards the end of last season just like people started expecting the Inquisition, they are starting to expect the Gods. They kept most of their team from season 4 intact and did not make any significant upgrades to their roster from what I can see. Will they be able to keep up? They no longer have the element of surprise.
5. Barcelona Chupacabras
---Nobody benefited from the Hippos moving up to 'AA' as much as the next two teams. The Chupacabras have made upgrades at each position and look poised to make a fight from the get go. Can they recover if their early season struggles from Season 4 hit again this year?
6. Warsaw Sabotage
---The Sabotage started making a real push last year and just like Barcelona made the playoffs. They struggled at the beginning of the year just like the Chupacabras did. However, with their push forward and the push forward of the Chupacabras the two teams knocked a higher rated Targoviste out of the playoffs. The Sabotage have made significant improvements in the off season and if they can start out of the gates fast, then they might be making a push for a home playoff game this year.
7. Boston Piggers
---The Piggers have improved over last season and after the way they looked last preseason I was shocked that they weren't in the playoffs. The only question for this year is can they take advantage of their improvements? If they can do that, this year they'll be in.
8. River City Ransom
---The River City Ransom may have slid back a few spots in the rankings, but I really think that this team is a little bit better than how they look on paper. They did very well this season, but I was kind of surprised that they did not make any push for significant improvements or upgrades at certain positions. If they start off slow, then they may find themselves on the outside looking in.
9. Targoviste Impalers
---Targoviste was one of my disappointments last season. They started off the season very hot and looked poised to make some noise in the playoffs. However, a late season loss to Barcelona, then Warsaw and they quickly found themselves on the outside looking in. I think, on paper, they may be a little bit better than River City, however, a late season collapse has them below them in the opening rankings.
10. Odessa Pipers
---The Odessa squad has made some improvements on offense and defense, however, I really think they need to start making some great, great game plans in order to be a contender this season.
11. Rammstein Rampage
---I'm going to be giving the Rampage my 'most improved' of the off season award. They were originally known as the 'New Orleans Jazz' and were a gimme game for all who played them. The new owner took over mid season and immediately made them better. The simple fact that they are now out of the cellar and almost cracking the top ten shows how much work he has put into the team.
12. Everett Wildcats
---Not much is known about these Everett Wildcats. I am not sure if they have a new owner or if there is just a new name. However, they look to be behind the top 10 in ranks and need some help to make a playoff push.
13. Bergen Storm
---I like the Storm. Good group of guys. However, they are falling a bit behind and believe they will be battling to stay out of the cellar.
14. Crete Minotaurs
---Crete didn't really improve much this season and I think they are going to be fighting to stay out of the cellar as well.
15. Justice League
---I don't know anything about the Justice League as they came down from 'AA.' They appear to be cellar dwellers.
16. Macedonian Phalanx
---What happened to Macedonian? They were probably a group of players away from being a contender and now appear to be a gutted team.
========================================
There you are. I'm sure everyone will be fighting over the rankings.
Here are my takes on the power rankings for the Zeta Conference:
1. Brown Bay Packers
---Brown Bay starts the season at the top of the Zeta Power Rankings. They had a very strong season in season 4 and look to continue their winning ways. They appear to be poised to fight for home field advantage in the playoffs.
2. Spanish Inquisition
---The Inquisition appear to have lost a few ranks against some of the competition in the Zeta squad, but as the first team to knock off the Hungary Hippos who were eventually promoted to 'AA' it really is hard to drop them very far. They could change this very quickly, but I still believe they are an elite squad.
3. Belgrade Bears
---Right here at the 3 and 4 spot I was originally planning on switching the Bears with the Gods, however, this being preseason the Belgrade Bears appear to have made some improvements and look to continue their winning ways that they found last season. They are currently rated higher than Athens which led to the ultimate decision to give them the nod at #3.
4. Athens Gods
---The Athens Gods love being the under dog. They won many games that most thought they would lose last year, however, towards the end of last season just like people started expecting the Inquisition, they are starting to expect the Gods. They kept most of their team from season 4 intact and did not make any significant upgrades to their roster from what I can see. Will they be able to keep up? They no longer have the element of surprise.
5. Barcelona Chupacabras
---Nobody benefited from the Hippos moving up to 'AA' as much as the next two teams. The Chupacabras have made upgrades at each position and look poised to make a fight from the get go. Can they recover if their early season struggles from Season 4 hit again this year?
6. Warsaw Sabotage
---The Sabotage started making a real push last year and just like Barcelona made the playoffs. They struggled at the beginning of the year just like the Chupacabras did. However, with their push forward and the push forward of the Chupacabras the two teams knocked a higher rated Targoviste out of the playoffs. The Sabotage have made significant improvements in the off season and if they can start out of the gates fast, then they might be making a push for a home playoff game this year.
7. Boston Piggers
---The Piggers have improved over last season and after the way they looked last preseason I was shocked that they weren't in the playoffs. The only question for this year is can they take advantage of their improvements? If they can do that, this year they'll be in.
8. River City Ransom
---The River City Ransom may have slid back a few spots in the rankings, but I really think that this team is a little bit better than how they look on paper. They did very well this season, but I was kind of surprised that they did not make any push for significant improvements or upgrades at certain positions. If they start off slow, then they may find themselves on the outside looking in.
9. Targoviste Impalers
---Targoviste was one of my disappointments last season. They started off the season very hot and looked poised to make some noise in the playoffs. However, a late season loss to Barcelona, then Warsaw and they quickly found themselves on the outside looking in. I think, on paper, they may be a little bit better than River City, however, a late season collapse has them below them in the opening rankings.
10. Odessa Pipers
---The Odessa squad has made some improvements on offense and defense, however, I really think they need to start making some great, great game plans in order to be a contender this season.
11. Rammstein Rampage
---I'm going to be giving the Rampage my 'most improved' of the off season award. They were originally known as the 'New Orleans Jazz' and were a gimme game for all who played them. The new owner took over mid season and immediately made them better. The simple fact that they are now out of the cellar and almost cracking the top ten shows how much work he has put into the team.
12. Everett Wildcats
---Not much is known about these Everett Wildcats. I am not sure if they have a new owner or if there is just a new name. However, they look to be behind the top 10 in ranks and need some help to make a playoff push.
13. Bergen Storm
---I like the Storm. Good group of guys. However, they are falling a bit behind and believe they will be battling to stay out of the cellar.
14. Crete Minotaurs
---Crete didn't really improve much this season and I think they are going to be fighting to stay out of the cellar as well.
15. Justice League
---I don't know anything about the Justice League as they came down from 'AA.' They appear to be cellar dwellers.
16. Macedonian Phalanx
---What happened to Macedonian? They were probably a group of players away from being a contender and now appear to be a gutted team.
========================================
There you are. I'm sure everyone will be fighting over the rankings.
Woo Hoo!
