**Disclaimer** Remember guys this my team's first season in this league so I am not completely familiar with all of your teams. Also if teams boost or sign players after this write up is published those changes will not be reflected here. If you feel you were unfairly ranked it was NOT anything personal and the best thing to do is go out and just win baby!!
------------------------------------------------------------------
ALPHA CONFERENCE RANKINGS - Preseason
*Top Dogs*
1) Shetland Marauders (51)
~The Marauders have to start at the top of the rankings as they defeated every other top team currently in the Alpha conference that played here last season. They lost in the playoffs to the eventual league Champion and were just dominating during the regular season. They have an explosive offense with a 2,000+ yard HB returning and perhaps the best WR in the league in Francisco Russell. They average level 36+ on both sides of the ball and there really appears to be on weak spots on this team. Can they go undefeated? Maybe. Will they make the playoffs and contend for the Championship? You better believe it!
2) Cologne Drenched Playboys (51)
~Yes they have the best cheerleaders in the league but that is not why they are ranked #2 to start the season. These guys are the real deal on the field as they went 12-4 last year and have only improved since then. Their offense is led by HB Johnny Thunder "Bolts" who ran for over 2,600 yard last season!! Oh and he had a mere 42 TDs in the process! And don't sleep on their defense as Leviathan Jones went for 31 sacks and ended the careers of at least 3 players after hitting them so hard they thought they were back home with their mama! Jones don't play around and neither do the Playboys...well maybe off the field they play around but you better watch out for their juggernaut on the field!
Playoff Bound
3) Baton Rouge Tigers (54)
~Although the Tigers got knocked out of the playoffs early last season, they start toward the top of the Alpha Rankings this season. This team has great balance and plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Their average player level on offense is over 36 and on defense they are at almost 35. There are teams in the league that do not even have one player at those levels, let alone average that for the team. Look for this team to contend for the Regular Season title and be a major factor in the playoffs.
4) Dundee Destroyers (51)
~Dundee has a very solid team led by their team defense. They defeated several quality teams last season and are rated very high this year but their are some questions. Will all of their current players be back at full power? Will they fill a few holes at positions like WR? This team should be a lock for the playoffs but could finish anywhere from the 3rd slot to the 8th slot...lots of questions still need to be answered here.
5) London Royals (51)
~Is anyone on this team's offense currently active? With 11 inactive tags on their roster at the time of this write up you have to wonder what is going on over there. This team has all of the talent on paper but they still have plenty to prove on the field. They should have enough to make the playoffs but if they stumble one of the new comers to the league will be right there to take their spot.
Playoff Contenders or In Over Their Head?
6) Lyon Lightning (45)
~20 game winning streak, Western Europe BBB #10 Championship, and average starting levels in the mid/upper 20s...what more could you ask for out of a team that is one season old and comes from a level 13 capped league? I believe the Lightning are the real deal and while that winning streak WILL be coming to an end, I expect these guys to be right there for one of the eight playoff spots. There owner has been around the block GMing for many top teams so it should be assumed that game planning will be locked in for every game. Watch out for the Lightning...or you might get lit up!
7) Stockholm Matadors (45)
~These guys were the class of their league last year and lost in the Championship game to another great team. Their owner is one of the absolute best in all of GLB and they have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. The Matadors will probably suffer a few more defeats this year than they did last year but keeping them out of the playoffs is going to be tough. Look for them to steal one of the final playoff spots and maybe even pull an upset or two over some of the higher ranked teams as these guys are legendary for their game planning abilities.
8) Copenhagen Drakkar
~Another stud team from West Euro #9 looking to make a statement. These guys have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and are coming over from a tough league where they were just dominating. The only real question here is can they step up their game to handle the level of competition they are about to face? All evidence would suggest they can BUT you still need to prove it on the field. They should be in a battle for one of the final playoff spots for the entire season and it just might come down to how they play against some of their former rivals from Western Europe #9.
9) Parts Unknown (45)
~Once you get to the 8,9, 10 spots all of the teams start looking very even and it is hard to say who is better than who. Parts does not have the depth that the top teams do but they have made some huge off season signings and have some very talented starters capable of starting on almost any team in the league. Of course with all of those signings you have to give up a little team chemistry so it may take a few weeks for this team to gel. If they get off to a slow start there may not be enough time to get back in the playoff hunt so keep an eye on these guys early as their season could be determined pretty early in the year.
10) Mighty Wingmen (48)
~Yet another good team that got promoted into this league. I love the balance on this team and they clearly have the talent to hang with almost anyone in the league. This team is tough to game plan as they can do so many different things on the field. I would watch out for this team and there is no question they have plenty of talent and the ability to grab one of those playoff slots.
Probably not...but MAYBE!
11) Celtic Raiders (42)
~Don't let their team logo fool you, these guys are no plain Jane and they do bring some talent to the field. They finished 14-2 last season and made a nice run in the playoffs. They have a very nice offense but ultimately their lack of talent on defense may be their undoing. Of course a few big signings and a weakness can quickly become a strength so be careful when you play this team!
12) Hull City Tigers (42)
~Coming off a 13-3 season is nothing to laugh at and anyone who thinks playing the Tigers is going to be a cake walk is dead wrong. Do they have the talent to make the playoffs...probably not BUT games are decided on the field, not on paper so beware of the Tigers!
Hey at least we aren't the Detroit Lions!
13) ATX Longhorns (38)
~Clearly the best of the worst but averaging level 18 across the board just isn't going to get it done in this league. But they still have something to play for and that is to avoid getting demoted. The Longhorns might have a little magic in there somewhere and we will have to see what kind of damage they can do. Maybe some individual honors, especially on the defensive side of the ball could be a possibility for their players this season.
14) Lincoln Saints (18)
~They went 0-16 last season...maybe they are the Detroit Lions!
15) Norway Vikings (18)
~Seriously? Has anyone seen this roster?
16) Manchester Chiefs (15)
~Gutted team.
Jim Force
offline Dec 28, 2008 12:59:17Quote
**Disclaimer** Remember guys this my team's first season in this league so I am not completely familiar with all of your teams. Also if teams boost or sign players after this write up is published those changes will not be reflected here. If you feel you were unfairly ranked it was NOT anything personal and the best thing to do is go out and just win baby!!
------------------------------------------------------------------
ZETA CONFERENCE RANKINGS - Preseason
Kings of Zeta
1) Chuck Norris Roundhouse Kicks to the Face (54)
~Their team name says it all...you got a problem with these guys being #1 then talk to Chuck Norris about it! Seriously, these guys AVERAGE level 40 on both sides of the ball and went 15-1 last season. Their QB threw for OVER 7,000 yards last year which is an obscenity and did I mention their HB had over 2,700 yards rushing with 66 TDs??? What is this...Tecmo Bowl or GLB? We don't even need to talk about their defense when they can score 100 on anybody in the league. Can they lose a game? Sure anything is possible but I will have to see it to believe it. This team is truly deserving of their name.
2) Iberian Bocs (51)
~So what stands out about these guys? Well for one they BEAT the Chuck Norris team last year so that gets them big points in my book because if a team can do it once then you would think they could do it again. Besides that they have one of the highest player level averages in either league and a great HB in Enric Castillo who ran for the 2nd most yards in the league last season. They do have 10 inactive tags as of this write up but assuming those guys are all on board they should have great balance on both sides of the ball. While this team is not going undefeated, I see them getting a high seed for the playoffs and being a major factor every week.
3) Misc Manlets (54)
~Some people might be surprised to see this team listed in the top 3 but they won their last 12 out of 13 games (counting scrimmage and playoffs) which tells me they really have found a system that works for them. They also average almost level 36 across the board with their starters which means they have a ton of talent. On the flip side they seem to have a lot of players on their roster in some positions but then a lack of players in others. 5 DEs? 6 LBs? 5 Safeties? 2 OTs? 2 Gs? Seems like a bit unusual when compared to the standard GLB roster but maybe their owner is a mad scienceist who is just ahead of the curve! Bottom line is that these guys are playoff bound but it could be a crazy ride. Maybe they win another 10 in a row and their week 3 game against Chuck Norris should give us a great idea what they are all about.
4) The Hague Pirates (51)
~Call this team the Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the league. They dominated the league last year but then got blown out by Chuck Norris and the Hollywood Knights (another top team last year). So are they contenders or pretenders? One thing that they are for sure, is a playoff team but exactly what kind of playoff team is to be decided. They appear to have solid depth, a good player level average, and all the things you expect from great teams but I believe they also have something to prove. It is time for the Pirates to step up against the top teams or walk the plank! Ahoy Matie!
New Kids on the Block
5) Vatican City Apocalypse (51)
~The "Bad Boys" of Western Euro BBB #9 bring in a league championship and an undefeated season to their new league. As far as VCA is concerned it is just going to be business as usual...which means another Championship! But I think this season is going to prove to be a greater challenge for VCA as the overall talent is clearly a step above what they faces last season. However, VCA is loaded with talent and their leader, HB Thunder Roller, will be bringing the pain again this year as they look to continue their GLB dominance. I think VCA is a lock for the playoffs but whether they can secure home field advantage is another question all together. Can they make a big playoff run on the road or will playing away from home be too much to overcome? They have a fairly easy opening schedule so we may have to wait until week 6 until we find out what this champion is made of. Until then enjoy the trash talk!
6) Copenhagen Preachers (51)
~This team was 14-2 last season and was knocked out of the playoffs by VCA. These guys might not talk as much trash but they are a very dangerous team. Look for these guys to uphold the legacy of Western Euro BBB #9 with a very good season. I like their balanced team and solid defense to put these guys in the playoff hunt. Their opening schedule is no joke as they face both the Pirates and Chuck Norris early on but those games should show us whether or not the Preachers can step up to this new level of talent they are about to face.
Playoff Contenders
7) Pamplona Bulls (48)
~These guys could be playoff monsters or a big bust. Right now they have 12 inactive tags on their roster but they also average level 32 amongst their starters so if everyone shows up they could be good. Last year was very up and down for them as they would put together a streak of wins only to then be hit with a streak of defeats. The key is going to be consistency...they need to find an identity and stick with it. On paper you would think that their QB Tossda Ball has the talent to guide this team through the season and if he can avoid turnovers while making big plays when it counts then the sky is the limit. They are going to need the same kind of leadership on defense from their DE Bull Sack who really underachieved last year. If those guys can stand up and the other players are willing to follow them then greatness should be in the cards for the Bulls...otherwise the playoffs could be out of their reach.
8) Athens Minotaurs (48)
~A team that did not even make the playoffs last season might be an odd choice to be ranked in the top 8 BUT these guys do have a chance. They out level many of the new teams that have joined the league and if they can build on their experience from last season then the chance to make the playoffs is within their grasp. While I am not 100% sold on these guys, I think they have enough talent to at least stay in the hunt for a playoff berth and their final games of the season will likely be make or break for the Minotaurs. Of course if it comes down to needing a win in their last game of the season against Chuck Norris then it will be game over.
****MORE TO COME____WILL FINISH TOMORROW****
Last edited Dec 28, 2008 16:36:38
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ALPHA CONFERENCE RANKINGS - Preseason
*Top Dogs*
1) Shetland Marauders (51)
~The Marauders have to start at the top of the rankings as they defeated every other top team currently in the Alpha conference that played here last season. They lost in the playoffs to the eventual league Champion and were just dominating during the regular season. They have an explosive offense with a 2,000+ yard HB returning and perhaps the best WR in the league in Francisco Russell. They average level 36+ on both sides of the ball and there really appears to be on weak spots on this team. Can they go undefeated? Maybe. Will they make the playoffs and contend for the Championship? You better believe it!
2) Cologne Drenched Playboys (51)
~Yes they have the best cheerleaders in the league but that is not why they are ranked #2 to start the season. These guys are the real deal on the field as they went 12-4 last year and have only improved since then. Their offense is led by HB Johnny Thunder "Bolts" who ran for over 2,600 yard last season!! Oh and he had a mere 42 TDs in the process! And don't sleep on their defense as Leviathan Jones went for 31 sacks and ended the careers of at least 3 players after hitting them so hard they thought they were back home with their mama! Jones don't play around and neither do the Playboys...well maybe off the field they play around but you better watch out for their juggernaut on the field!
Playoff Bound
3) Baton Rouge Tigers (54)
~Although the Tigers got knocked out of the playoffs early last season, they start toward the top of the Alpha Rankings this season. This team has great balance and plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. Their average player level on offense is over 36 and on defense they are at almost 35. There are teams in the league that do not even have one player at those levels, let alone average that for the team. Look for this team to contend for the Regular Season title and be a major factor in the playoffs.
4) Dundee Destroyers (51)
~Dundee has a very solid team led by their team defense. They defeated several quality teams last season and are rated very high this year but their are some questions. Will all of their current players be back at full power? Will they fill a few holes at positions like WR? This team should be a lock for the playoffs but could finish anywhere from the 3rd slot to the 8th slot...lots of questions still need to be answered here.
5) London Royals (51)
~Is anyone on this team's offense currently active? With 11 inactive tags on their roster at the time of this write up you have to wonder what is going on over there. This team has all of the talent on paper but they still have plenty to prove on the field. They should have enough to make the playoffs but if they stumble one of the new comers to the league will be right there to take their spot.
Playoff Contenders or In Over Their Head?
6) Lyon Lightning (45)
~20 game winning streak, Western Europe BBB #10 Championship, and average starting levels in the mid/upper 20s...what more could you ask for out of a team that is one season old and comes from a level 13 capped league? I believe the Lightning are the real deal and while that winning streak WILL be coming to an end, I expect these guys to be right there for one of the eight playoff spots. There owner has been around the block GMing for many top teams so it should be assumed that game planning will be locked in for every game. Watch out for the Lightning...or you might get lit up!
7) Stockholm Matadors (45)
~These guys were the class of their league last year and lost in the Championship game to another great team. Their owner is one of the absolute best in all of GLB and they have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. The Matadors will probably suffer a few more defeats this year than they did last year but keeping them out of the playoffs is going to be tough. Look for them to steal one of the final playoff spots and maybe even pull an upset or two over some of the higher ranked teams as these guys are legendary for their game planning abilities.
8) Copenhagen Drakkar
~Another stud team from West Euro #9 looking to make a statement. These guys have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and are coming over from a tough league where they were just dominating. The only real question here is can they step up their game to handle the level of competition they are about to face? All evidence would suggest they can BUT you still need to prove it on the field. They should be in a battle for one of the final playoff spots for the entire season and it just might come down to how they play against some of their former rivals from Western Europe #9.
9) Parts Unknown (45)
~Once you get to the 8,9, 10 spots all of the teams start looking very even and it is hard to say who is better than who. Parts does not have the depth that the top teams do but they have made some huge off season signings and have some very talented starters capable of starting on almost any team in the league. Of course with all of those signings you have to give up a little team chemistry so it may take a few weeks for this team to gel. If they get off to a slow start there may not be enough time to get back in the playoff hunt so keep an eye on these guys early as their season could be determined pretty early in the year.
10) Mighty Wingmen (48)
~Yet another good team that got promoted into this league. I love the balance on this team and they clearly have the talent to hang with almost anyone in the league. This team is tough to game plan as they can do so many different things on the field. I would watch out for this team and there is no question they have plenty of talent and the ability to grab one of those playoff slots.
Probably not...but MAYBE!
11) Celtic Raiders (42)
~Don't let their team logo fool you, these guys are no plain Jane and they do bring some talent to the field. They finished 14-2 last season and made a nice run in the playoffs. They have a very nice offense but ultimately their lack of talent on defense may be their undoing. Of course a few big signings and a weakness can quickly become a strength so be careful when you play this team!
12) Hull City Tigers (42)
~Coming off a 13-3 season is nothing to laugh at and anyone who thinks playing the Tigers is going to be a cake walk is dead wrong. Do they have the talent to make the playoffs...probably not BUT games are decided on the field, not on paper so beware of the Tigers!
Hey at least we aren't the Detroit Lions!
13) ATX Longhorns (38)
~Clearly the best of the worst but averaging level 18 across the board just isn't going to get it done in this league. But they still have something to play for and that is to avoid getting demoted. The Longhorns might have a little magic in there somewhere and we will have to see what kind of damage they can do. Maybe some individual honors, especially on the defensive side of the ball could be a possibility for their players this season.
14) Lincoln Saints (18)
~They went 0-16 last season...maybe they are the Detroit Lions!
15) Norway Vikings (18)
~Seriously? Has anyone seen this roster?
16) Manchester Chiefs (15)
~Gutted team.
Jim Force
offline Dec 28, 2008 12:59:17Quote
**Disclaimer** Remember guys this my team's first season in this league so I am not completely familiar with all of your teams. Also if teams boost or sign players after this write up is published those changes will not be reflected here. If you feel you were unfairly ranked it was NOT anything personal and the best thing to do is go out and just win baby!!
------------------------------------------------------------------
ZETA CONFERENCE RANKINGS - Preseason
Kings of Zeta
1) Chuck Norris Roundhouse Kicks to the Face (54)
~Their team name says it all...you got a problem with these guys being #1 then talk to Chuck Norris about it! Seriously, these guys AVERAGE level 40 on both sides of the ball and went 15-1 last season. Their QB threw for OVER 7,000 yards last year which is an obscenity and did I mention their HB had over 2,700 yards rushing with 66 TDs??? What is this...Tecmo Bowl or GLB? We don't even need to talk about their defense when they can score 100 on anybody in the league. Can they lose a game? Sure anything is possible but I will have to see it to believe it. This team is truly deserving of their name.
2) Iberian Bocs (51)
~So what stands out about these guys? Well for one they BEAT the Chuck Norris team last year so that gets them big points in my book because if a team can do it once then you would think they could do it again. Besides that they have one of the highest player level averages in either league and a great HB in Enric Castillo who ran for the 2nd most yards in the league last season. They do have 10 inactive tags as of this write up but assuming those guys are all on board they should have great balance on both sides of the ball. While this team is not going undefeated, I see them getting a high seed for the playoffs and being a major factor every week.
3) Misc Manlets (54)
~Some people might be surprised to see this team listed in the top 3 but they won their last 12 out of 13 games (counting scrimmage and playoffs) which tells me they really have found a system that works for them. They also average almost level 36 across the board with their starters which means they have a ton of talent. On the flip side they seem to have a lot of players on their roster in some positions but then a lack of players in others. 5 DEs? 6 LBs? 5 Safeties? 2 OTs? 2 Gs? Seems like a bit unusual when compared to the standard GLB roster but maybe their owner is a mad scienceist who is just ahead of the curve! Bottom line is that these guys are playoff bound but it could be a crazy ride. Maybe they win another 10 in a row and their week 3 game against Chuck Norris should give us a great idea what they are all about.
4) The Hague Pirates (51)
~Call this team the Doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the league. They dominated the league last year but then got blown out by Chuck Norris and the Hollywood Knights (another top team last year). So are they contenders or pretenders? One thing that they are for sure, is a playoff team but exactly what kind of playoff team is to be decided. They appear to have solid depth, a good player level average, and all the things you expect from great teams but I believe they also have something to prove. It is time for the Pirates to step up against the top teams or walk the plank! Ahoy Matie!
New Kids on the Block
5) Vatican City Apocalypse (51)
~The "Bad Boys" of Western Euro BBB #9 bring in a league championship and an undefeated season to their new league. As far as VCA is concerned it is just going to be business as usual...which means another Championship! But I think this season is going to prove to be a greater challenge for VCA as the overall talent is clearly a step above what they faces last season. However, VCA is loaded with talent and their leader, HB Thunder Roller, will be bringing the pain again this year as they look to continue their GLB dominance. I think VCA is a lock for the playoffs but whether they can secure home field advantage is another question all together. Can they make a big playoff run on the road or will playing away from home be too much to overcome? They have a fairly easy opening schedule so we may have to wait until week 6 until we find out what this champion is made of. Until then enjoy the trash talk!
6) Copenhagen Preachers (51)
~This team was 14-2 last season and was knocked out of the playoffs by VCA. These guys might not talk as much trash but they are a very dangerous team. Look for these guys to uphold the legacy of Western Euro BBB #9 with a very good season. I like their balanced team and solid defense to put these guys in the playoff hunt. Their opening schedule is no joke as they face both the Pirates and Chuck Norris early on but those games should show us whether or not the Preachers can step up to this new level of talent they are about to face.
Playoff Contenders
7) Pamplona Bulls (48)
~These guys could be playoff monsters or a big bust. Right now they have 12 inactive tags on their roster but they also average level 32 amongst their starters so if everyone shows up they could be good. Last year was very up and down for them as they would put together a streak of wins only to then be hit with a streak of defeats. The key is going to be consistency...they need to find an identity and stick with it. On paper you would think that their QB Tossda Ball has the talent to guide this team through the season and if he can avoid turnovers while making big plays when it counts then the sky is the limit. They are going to need the same kind of leadership on defense from their DE Bull Sack who really underachieved last year. If those guys can stand up and the other players are willing to follow them then greatness should be in the cards for the Bulls...otherwise the playoffs could be out of their reach.
8) Athens Minotaurs (48)
~A team that did not even make the playoffs last season might be an odd choice to be ranked in the top 8 BUT these guys do have a chance. They out level many of the new teams that have joined the league and if they can build on their experience from last season then the chance to make the playoffs is within their grasp. While I am not 100% sold on these guys, I think they have enough talent to at least stay in the hunt for a playoff berth and their final games of the season will likely be make or break for the Minotaurs. Of course if it comes down to needing a win in their last game of the season against Chuck Norris then it will be game over.
****MORE TO COME____WILL FINISH TOMORROW****
Last edited Dec 28, 2008 16:36:38
