Zeta Pre-season Power Rankings
Well, after a very long and memorable (in many ways) off-season, GLB is heading into season 8 and Western Europe A#5 is looking for a new team to take over the Chuck's throne.
This time the league has been crowded with a bunch of teams from the BBB leagues but despite what could it seems, they are highly competitive teams that will be tough to beat and that will fight till the end to demonstrate that they belong to this level.
Now let's see how the teams have done on the off-season and who will be the candidates on the new and exciting season 8.
- Top 3 (for now) -
1.Iberian Bocs (13-3)
The Bocs finished 3rd last season just after the unbeatable Chuck & Manlets. With both teams promoted to the AA#3 league, this season is probably the best chance they will have to get a championship title. However, some off-season moves have left them with a weaker roster on the secondary than they had last year. We will see how they adjust to the recent changes in the sim and the new faces on the bench but they should be fighting for the top position until the end.
First three: London Royals, Milano Mamertini, Motown Legends
2.Vatican City Apocalypse (13-3)
The Vatican had an incredible performance last year on his first season in the league, finishing 4th and securing homefield advantage over The Hague Pirates, which took a bit of revenge on the post-season game sent the guys from they Holly city home and with their face-2-face balance on 1-1. They are a powerhouse on the ground and a team that can kill you through the air, good and solid defense completes on of the best rosters in the league. They are one of those teams that you need to beat if you want to get some recognition on this league.
First three: Manchester Mud Dogs, Dublin Dragons, The Hague Pirates
3.The Hague Pirates (11-5)
The Pirates step down last season to the 5th place after loosing 3 straight games against VCA, Manlets and the Bocs, however, they came back big on the post-season with a great win against the VCA, putting their playoff hopes to rest until next season and showed everyone that they are one of the top teams in the league and definitely one to count for in the championship battle this year. They have a tought early schedule after week1 and their last game is against the Bocs on a matchup that could decide the top spot on the conference.
First three: Copenhaguen Drakkar, Bastogne Nuts, Vatican City Apocalypse
- Will fight for a post-season game at home -
4.Milano Mamertini (11-5)
They had quite an incredible run on the second half of the season last year, just to finish tied on the 5th with the Pirates and only being left 6th due to the personal tiebreakers. They have one of the most talented guys on the league on Welcome to the show (if you don't know him, trust me, you will) and they have upgraded their roster with some good players trying to make that step forward that could make them a title contender team. They have a tough early schedule as well facing Bocs and VCA on weeks 2 and 4, good time to show how much they have improved since last season.
First three: Manchester Chiefs, Iberian Bocs, Bastogne Nuts.
5.Blackpool Scourge (15-1)
Last season they took all the way on BBB#10 to get the title and arrive on A# level almost unbeaten. They have some good players and I'm sure they can perform well since day 1, however, it's still to be seen if they can have the same sort of success as VCA had last year, as they have to prove themselves against higher level teams. Their first game will be a good quality test in order to see what can we expect from this team. If the upset one of the good teams from Alpha, they will for sure get some respect on the league.
First three: Lyon Lightning, Bologna Nips, Dallas Warlords
6.Bastogne Nuts (16-0)
They had a superb season as well on BBB just to fall on the title game against the Scourge. They have been one of the teams to make more noise on the boards during the offseason announcing their arrival on the league and now it's time to see if they can keep up with their words when the season begins, they will have a tough welcome-to-the-league game against one of the Alpha favorites, the Baton Rouge Tigers, followed by another 2 teams from the top part of the table. If they can come with a win from this three they will be really lucky.
First three: Baton Rouge Tigers, The Hague Pirates, Milano Mamertini.
- In the fight for the playoffs -
7.London Crimsom Storm (15-1)
They are one the top teams coming from BBB, they lost only 1 regular season game before falling to the Motown Legends 20-37 on the Playoffs. This time they will sure look for revenge while trying to buy his post-season ticket.
First three: Stockholm Matadors, Sorrento Stallions, Dublin Dragons.
8.Motown Legends (12-4)
Another new team on the league, coming from the BBB#9 League as the Championship winner, however, they were not as impressive as their fellow mates from the #10 as they lost 4 regular season games before getting the trophy. If they adjust quickly to the A# level they can put some upsets on any team, however, it's still to be seen how they perform against higher ranked teams.
First three: Stockholm Syndrome, Tilburg Snakes, Iberian Bocs
9.Pamplona Bulls (8-8)
This team has been improving season after season and I think they could well have reach the point in which they have to make that step forward and become one of the power forces on the league or the highly competitive new teams will take their place without mercy. They have a solid team, however, they have a lot of inactives at the moment and in a pretty competitive league like this one, that could be the difference between getting a post-season trip or watch the games on TV.
First three: Dundee Destroyers, Constantinople Knights, Tilburg Snakes
10.Dublin Dragons (8-8)
The ex-Manheim Towers, have made a heck of job bringing quality players to their roster and they will be a very dangerous team on the offensive side. However, their lack of depth on the D-line as well as the secondary, might hurt them against powerfull teams. Watch out as a team that can put an upset at any time against any team, but on the long run they will feel the competitiveness of the league.
First three: Mighty Wingmen, Vatican City Apocalypse, London Crimson Storm
- A bit short for playoff competition -
11.Bologna Nips (5-11)
Last season they fail to get into the playoffs as they lost 4 of their 5 games. They have a solid team with an average like the top class teams, but that's all, because on their bench there is nothing.... If they can bring some depth to their roster they would be a tough contender, however for now they would be lucky if they can fight for the playoffs with such a short roster.
First three: Loch Ness Nessies, Blackpool Scourge, Constantinople Knights.
12. Dallas Warlords (13-3)
Dallas is another new team comming from the BBB, they had a nice regular season just to fall in the playoffs against Stockholm Syndrome. They have a well-rounded team, but a bit short of level to compete against the top teams. However, I like their roster, good depth on almost every position and quite compensated between starters and reserve. If they make an effort boosting their players they could be a potential playoff contender and could definitely put more than one upset during the season.
First three: Parts Unknown, Glasgow Manglers, Blackpool Scourge
13.Glasgow Manglers (3-13)
Is a good example of how can a team suffer when coming from a lower league. They got promoted on Season 6 and it has taken two season for them to realise how tough is to compete at this level. They have a nice offensive roster, with some high level players but their lack of depth on the Defensive side will cost them a bunch of losses, unless they make some moves on the market and bring quality people on those positions.
First three: Thessaloniki Macedonians, Dallas Warlords, Sorrento Stallions.
14.Tilburg Snakes (10-6)
The last team coming from the BBB leagues will have a tought time competing on this level. It's the joke of getting promoted so early when your team is still developing. They have a large roster but with a lot of low level players that won't be of any help on this league. At least, they could avoid relegation if they beat the Knights and the Stallions.
First three: The Speyside Whiskys, Motown Legends, Pamplona Bulls
15.Constantinople Knights (5-11)
The Knights took advantage last season from an easy early schedule to put some wins that, at mid season, allowed them to even seem like a playoff contender, however, they lost 6 in a row on the last six weeks to finish just a bit ahead of relegation. They are a team under reconstruction, they have a lot of low level players and they will have a tough time this season to keep them on the A# level. I can only say to them good luck, because it's not easy when week after week you get more than 100 against you.
First three: Reichenberg Red Knights, Pamplona Bulls, Bologna Nips
16.Sorrento Stallions (4-12)
If there is a team in a worse situation than the Knights it's for sure the Stallions. Last season they were able to put just 4 wins on the table, just enough to avoid relegation, but this season they will have a tought time to build up the team. At the moment they only have 9 human players and the season kicks-off in less than a week, so they need to make moves fast if they want to have a chance on keeping their names on A#5
First three: ATX Longhorns, London Crimson Storm, Glasgow Manglers.
NOTE ON THE PREDICTIONS: I do not use any of the league projectors, so this is my prediction based purely on observation.
Of course, this is only a pre-season preview. I have not deep knowledge on the new teams and I could have made some mistakes, but as season goes on we will have a more accurate eye on each team.
Good luck to you all and let's show those crappy Alpha teams who will rule this year
(j/k)
Well, after a very long and memorable (in many ways) off-season, GLB is heading into season 8 and Western Europe A#5 is looking for a new team to take over the Chuck's throne.
This time the league has been crowded with a bunch of teams from the BBB leagues but despite what could it seems, they are highly competitive teams that will be tough to beat and that will fight till the end to demonstrate that they belong to this level.
Now let's see how the teams have done on the off-season and who will be the candidates on the new and exciting season 8.
- Top 3 (for now) -
1.Iberian Bocs (13-3)
The Bocs finished 3rd last season just after the unbeatable Chuck & Manlets. With both teams promoted to the AA#3 league, this season is probably the best chance they will have to get a championship title. However, some off-season moves have left them with a weaker roster on the secondary than they had last year. We will see how they adjust to the recent changes in the sim and the new faces on the bench but they should be fighting for the top position until the end.
First three: London Royals, Milano Mamertini, Motown Legends
2.Vatican City Apocalypse (13-3)
The Vatican had an incredible performance last year on his first season in the league, finishing 4th and securing homefield advantage over The Hague Pirates, which took a bit of revenge on the post-season game sent the guys from they Holly city home and with their face-2-face balance on 1-1. They are a powerhouse on the ground and a team that can kill you through the air, good and solid defense completes on of the best rosters in the league. They are one of those teams that you need to beat if you want to get some recognition on this league.
First three: Manchester Mud Dogs, Dublin Dragons, The Hague Pirates
3.The Hague Pirates (11-5)
The Pirates step down last season to the 5th place after loosing 3 straight games against VCA, Manlets and the Bocs, however, they came back big on the post-season with a great win against the VCA, putting their playoff hopes to rest until next season and showed everyone that they are one of the top teams in the league and definitely one to count for in the championship battle this year. They have a tought early schedule after week1 and their last game is against the Bocs on a matchup that could decide the top spot on the conference.
First three: Copenhaguen Drakkar, Bastogne Nuts, Vatican City Apocalypse
- Will fight for a post-season game at home -
4.Milano Mamertini (11-5)
They had quite an incredible run on the second half of the season last year, just to finish tied on the 5th with the Pirates and only being left 6th due to the personal tiebreakers. They have one of the most talented guys on the league on Welcome to the show (if you don't know him, trust me, you will) and they have upgraded their roster with some good players trying to make that step forward that could make them a title contender team. They have a tough early schedule as well facing Bocs and VCA on weeks 2 and 4, good time to show how much they have improved since last season.
First three: Manchester Chiefs, Iberian Bocs, Bastogne Nuts.
5.Blackpool Scourge (15-1)
Last season they took all the way on BBB#10 to get the title and arrive on A# level almost unbeaten. They have some good players and I'm sure they can perform well since day 1, however, it's still to be seen if they can have the same sort of success as VCA had last year, as they have to prove themselves against higher level teams. Their first game will be a good quality test in order to see what can we expect from this team. If the upset one of the good teams from Alpha, they will for sure get some respect on the league.
First three: Lyon Lightning, Bologna Nips, Dallas Warlords
6.Bastogne Nuts (16-0)
They had a superb season as well on BBB just to fall on the title game against the Scourge. They have been one of the teams to make more noise on the boards during the offseason announcing their arrival on the league and now it's time to see if they can keep up with their words when the season begins, they will have a tough welcome-to-the-league game against one of the Alpha favorites, the Baton Rouge Tigers, followed by another 2 teams from the top part of the table. If they can come with a win from this three they will be really lucky.
First three: Baton Rouge Tigers, The Hague Pirates, Milano Mamertini.
- In the fight for the playoffs -
7.London Crimsom Storm (15-1)
They are one the top teams coming from BBB, they lost only 1 regular season game before falling to the Motown Legends 20-37 on the Playoffs. This time they will sure look for revenge while trying to buy his post-season ticket.
First three: Stockholm Matadors, Sorrento Stallions, Dublin Dragons.
8.Motown Legends (12-4)
Another new team on the league, coming from the BBB#9 League as the Championship winner, however, they were not as impressive as their fellow mates from the #10 as they lost 4 regular season games before getting the trophy. If they adjust quickly to the A# level they can put some upsets on any team, however, it's still to be seen how they perform against higher ranked teams.
First three: Stockholm Syndrome, Tilburg Snakes, Iberian Bocs
9.Pamplona Bulls (8-8)
This team has been improving season after season and I think they could well have reach the point in which they have to make that step forward and become one of the power forces on the league or the highly competitive new teams will take their place without mercy. They have a solid team, however, they have a lot of inactives at the moment and in a pretty competitive league like this one, that could be the difference between getting a post-season trip or watch the games on TV.
First three: Dundee Destroyers, Constantinople Knights, Tilburg Snakes
10.Dublin Dragons (8-8)
The ex-Manheim Towers, have made a heck of job bringing quality players to their roster and they will be a very dangerous team on the offensive side. However, their lack of depth on the D-line as well as the secondary, might hurt them against powerfull teams. Watch out as a team that can put an upset at any time against any team, but on the long run they will feel the competitiveness of the league.
First three: Mighty Wingmen, Vatican City Apocalypse, London Crimson Storm
- A bit short for playoff competition -
11.Bologna Nips (5-11)
Last season they fail to get into the playoffs as they lost 4 of their 5 games. They have a solid team with an average like the top class teams, but that's all, because on their bench there is nothing.... If they can bring some depth to their roster they would be a tough contender, however for now they would be lucky if they can fight for the playoffs with such a short roster.
First three: Loch Ness Nessies, Blackpool Scourge, Constantinople Knights.
12. Dallas Warlords (13-3)
Dallas is another new team comming from the BBB, they had a nice regular season just to fall in the playoffs against Stockholm Syndrome. They have a well-rounded team, but a bit short of level to compete against the top teams. However, I like their roster, good depth on almost every position and quite compensated between starters and reserve. If they make an effort boosting their players they could be a potential playoff contender and could definitely put more than one upset during the season.
First three: Parts Unknown, Glasgow Manglers, Blackpool Scourge
13.Glasgow Manglers (3-13)
Is a good example of how can a team suffer when coming from a lower league. They got promoted on Season 6 and it has taken two season for them to realise how tough is to compete at this level. They have a nice offensive roster, with some high level players but their lack of depth on the Defensive side will cost them a bunch of losses, unless they make some moves on the market and bring quality people on those positions.
First three: Thessaloniki Macedonians, Dallas Warlords, Sorrento Stallions.
14.Tilburg Snakes (10-6)
The last team coming from the BBB leagues will have a tought time competing on this level. It's the joke of getting promoted so early when your team is still developing. They have a large roster but with a lot of low level players that won't be of any help on this league. At least, they could avoid relegation if they beat the Knights and the Stallions.
First three: The Speyside Whiskys, Motown Legends, Pamplona Bulls
15.Constantinople Knights (5-11)
The Knights took advantage last season from an easy early schedule to put some wins that, at mid season, allowed them to even seem like a playoff contender, however, they lost 6 in a row on the last six weeks to finish just a bit ahead of relegation. They are a team under reconstruction, they have a lot of low level players and they will have a tough time this season to keep them on the A# level. I can only say to them good luck, because it's not easy when week after week you get more than 100 against you.
First three: Reichenberg Red Knights, Pamplona Bulls, Bologna Nips
16.Sorrento Stallions (4-12)
If there is a team in a worse situation than the Knights it's for sure the Stallions. Last season they were able to put just 4 wins on the table, just enough to avoid relegation, but this season they will have a tought time to build up the team. At the moment they only have 9 human players and the season kicks-off in less than a week, so they need to make moves fast if they want to have a chance on keeping their names on A#5
First three: ATX Longhorns, London Crimson Storm, Glasgow Manglers.
NOTE ON THE PREDICTIONS: I do not use any of the league projectors, so this is my prediction based purely on observation.
Of course, this is only a pre-season preview. I have not deep knowledge on the new teams and I could have made some mistakes, but as season goes on we will have a more accurate eye on each team.
Good luck to you all and let's show those crappy Alpha teams who will rule this year
(j/k)Last edited Feb 21, 2009 09:15:59
