USA A7 Eastern Conference Pre-Season Power Rankings
Last season was very competitive for the East, half the time. The conference was very top heavy last season, and it looks as if it will remain the same for season 3. It has been tough for teams to make improvements to their roster this off-season, it is like finding a needle in a hay stack. This will affect teams in a major way, considering just about everyone has lost a few players via FA. There are about 5-6 teams that realistically have a chance to win the conference and possible the league.
#1 Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Knights made themselves the team to be reckoned with in the playoffs last season. They have not lost very many players via FA either. They need to replace some depth, but besides that the Knights will start where they left off. They shutdown opponents running games last season, but they need to figure out how to run the ball a little more consistently against the top ranked teams. Their passing game is efficient enough to win them important games, not a luxury that most teams have.
#2 North Side Dream Killers
The Dream Killers have to rebound after the round two loss in the playoffs in season two. They found a way to win most of their close games last season, and the improvements to their kicking and punting should keep them winning the close games. They also improved their depth on defense, which seemed to be a problem with them last season. The top two are so close in talent and coaching, but hey, I didn’t want the curse.
#3 New Hampshire Dragons
The Dragons had a very successful season. It took a few games to put together their team, but they finished the last 12 games of the regular season with only 1 loss. Their ability to pass efficiently against the good defenses and to shut down many great offenses gave them the edge over many opponents in many games. They should be the same team this season, but if teams increase good depth at their DB position, they may not finish season 3 as well as 2.
#4 Chicago Pterodactyls
Chicago won their games last season with good coaching and good depth. They will also do well this season, but a few upgrades may take them to the top. They will not be as successful if some of the other top teams upgrade their depth. Their Defense won games for them last season, expect the same for season 3. The combination of their defense and running game will give their kicker the chance to win the close ones again.
#5 The Naked Mole Rats
The Mole Rats won their BBB League last season. They lack the high level players that some other teams in the league have, but their depth and coaching will have them battling it out with the rest of the top tier teams. They are solid defensively, but their QB will need to control games more efficiently and have a better TD/INT ratio to be a true threat for the conference title.
#6 Waco Green Puffers
Waco was rated very high at the beginning of season two, but the lack of ability to beat the other top teams hurt them in the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if Waco ended up in the top 4, but they need to find a way to get it done against equal talent. The positives, they don’t give the ball up, their QB was very efficient, and their running backs held onto the ball. That is why they didn’t even come close to losing a game to a less talented team.
#7 Carolina Cardiac Cats
This is a team that nobody wanted to play this season. They found a way to consistently keep games close against the top tier of teams. Then they started boosting at the very end of the season, tricky cats. Carolina simply outcoached teams. Even when they lost against good teams, they still outcoached them most of the time. They managed to upset some teams and they consistently threw things at opposing teams that were unexpected. Watch out top teams, on any given every other day.
#8 Harrisburg Hawks
Unless the Hawks make changes quickly, they will be in the same boat as they were last year, pass, pass, pass. They put most games on their QBs shoulders, and it worked at times. Their inability to run and stop the run may leave them out of the playoffs this season.
#9 Carolina Kardiac Kids
Grand Haven didn’t know what hit them. The boost at the end of the regular season caught everyone off guard. Carolina struggled last season because of the low level of their players, but they might make a playoff push with their depth, this of course depends on whether they boost early season or not. Either way, they are not a threat to the league champions, but they might have an upset or two up their sleeves
#10 Lone Star Bats
The Bats played great through the playoffs to make it to the super bowl. They have depth in number and their depth is equal to their starters, but…..they simply don’t match up against the top tier teams in our conference. Coaching may get them the 8th spot by the end of the season, but not much more. I could also see them at 10 though. Our conference was notorious for shutting down running teams last season, so the Bats will struggle. It doesn’t help that their QB’s TD/INT ratio is not very good, we do have some high level CBs, if nobody noticed.
#11 Jacksonville Stars
The stars won 4 of their last 5. That is a good sign of things to come. Don’t be surprised if they make some close games as underdogs. I don’t see them losing to many teams on their level or lower this season. They might even make a playoff push, but the lack of “stars” on defense may keep them here at 10. They need a few more playmakers on offense to be a real threat though.
#12 Orlando Ninjas
They really should be higher then this, but until they can prove themselves, here they are. Until they can figure out how to threaten teams with the pass, their rushing will keep getting punished. They don’t need much from the QB, they just need to not turn it over as much.
#13 Atchafalaya Swamp Weretigers
The Weretigers simply couldn’t beat an average team, plus they lost to some below average teams. With the players currently on roster, they simply can’t compete. They need to make some improvements, other wise they may be looking at moving down in a couple of seasons. Their passing game was not good, it allowed good teams to key in on the run and shut them down.
#14 Miami RoadFrogs
I would like to say that they will have a better season, but they will probably end up somewhere between 13-14. There seems to be a trend in the bottom tier teams, they cant pass the ball without throwing 3 times as many INTs to TDs. This just allows teams to key in on the run and bulldoze them.
#15 Washington Poison
I hate to put them in this spot, because the 13, 14, and 15 all are fairly even. They have made improvements to their team, but there are just to man holes. After being the worst running team in the conference last season, they should be improved. Realistically, the Poison could end up #13, but no better then that.
#16 Carolina Wolf Pack
You have to feel sorry for any player stuck on this team. They are destined to finish last and drop down to the BBB. They just simply don’t have the players to even win a game. I am pretty sure they are on the ugly side of a farm team gone bad. Their 24 game losing streak will probably be a 40 game losing streak by the playoffs.
Last season was very competitive for the East, half the time. The conference was very top heavy last season, and it looks as if it will remain the same for season 3. It has been tough for teams to make improvements to their roster this off-season, it is like finding a needle in a hay stack. This will affect teams in a major way, considering just about everyone has lost a few players via FA. There are about 5-6 teams that realistically have a chance to win the conference and possible the league.
#1 Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Knights made themselves the team to be reckoned with in the playoffs last season. They have not lost very many players via FA either. They need to replace some depth, but besides that the Knights will start where they left off. They shutdown opponents running games last season, but they need to figure out how to run the ball a little more consistently against the top ranked teams. Their passing game is efficient enough to win them important games, not a luxury that most teams have.
#2 North Side Dream Killers
The Dream Killers have to rebound after the round two loss in the playoffs in season two. They found a way to win most of their close games last season, and the improvements to their kicking and punting should keep them winning the close games. They also improved their depth on defense, which seemed to be a problem with them last season. The top two are so close in talent and coaching, but hey, I didn’t want the curse.
#3 New Hampshire Dragons
The Dragons had a very successful season. It took a few games to put together their team, but they finished the last 12 games of the regular season with only 1 loss. Their ability to pass efficiently against the good defenses and to shut down many great offenses gave them the edge over many opponents in many games. They should be the same team this season, but if teams increase good depth at their DB position, they may not finish season 3 as well as 2.
#4 Chicago Pterodactyls
Chicago won their games last season with good coaching and good depth. They will also do well this season, but a few upgrades may take them to the top. They will not be as successful if some of the other top teams upgrade their depth. Their Defense won games for them last season, expect the same for season 3. The combination of their defense and running game will give their kicker the chance to win the close ones again.
#5 The Naked Mole Rats
The Mole Rats won their BBB League last season. They lack the high level players that some other teams in the league have, but their depth and coaching will have them battling it out with the rest of the top tier teams. They are solid defensively, but their QB will need to control games more efficiently and have a better TD/INT ratio to be a true threat for the conference title.
#6 Waco Green Puffers
Waco was rated very high at the beginning of season two, but the lack of ability to beat the other top teams hurt them in the end. I wouldn’t be surprised if Waco ended up in the top 4, but they need to find a way to get it done against equal talent. The positives, they don’t give the ball up, their QB was very efficient, and their running backs held onto the ball. That is why they didn’t even come close to losing a game to a less talented team.
#7 Carolina Cardiac Cats
This is a team that nobody wanted to play this season. They found a way to consistently keep games close against the top tier of teams. Then they started boosting at the very end of the season, tricky cats. Carolina simply outcoached teams. Even when they lost against good teams, they still outcoached them most of the time. They managed to upset some teams and they consistently threw things at opposing teams that were unexpected. Watch out top teams, on any given every other day.
#8 Harrisburg Hawks
Unless the Hawks make changes quickly, they will be in the same boat as they were last year, pass, pass, pass. They put most games on their QBs shoulders, and it worked at times. Their inability to run and stop the run may leave them out of the playoffs this season.
#9 Carolina Kardiac Kids
Grand Haven didn’t know what hit them. The boost at the end of the regular season caught everyone off guard. Carolina struggled last season because of the low level of their players, but they might make a playoff push with their depth, this of course depends on whether they boost early season or not. Either way, they are not a threat to the league champions, but they might have an upset or two up their sleeves
#10 Lone Star Bats
The Bats played great through the playoffs to make it to the super bowl. They have depth in number and their depth is equal to their starters, but…..they simply don’t match up against the top tier teams in our conference. Coaching may get them the 8th spot by the end of the season, but not much more. I could also see them at 10 though. Our conference was notorious for shutting down running teams last season, so the Bats will struggle. It doesn’t help that their QB’s TD/INT ratio is not very good, we do have some high level CBs, if nobody noticed.
#11 Jacksonville Stars
The stars won 4 of their last 5. That is a good sign of things to come. Don’t be surprised if they make some close games as underdogs. I don’t see them losing to many teams on their level or lower this season. They might even make a playoff push, but the lack of “stars” on defense may keep them here at 10. They need a few more playmakers on offense to be a real threat though.
#12 Orlando Ninjas
They really should be higher then this, but until they can prove themselves, here they are. Until they can figure out how to threaten teams with the pass, their rushing will keep getting punished. They don’t need much from the QB, they just need to not turn it over as much.
#13 Atchafalaya Swamp Weretigers
The Weretigers simply couldn’t beat an average team, plus they lost to some below average teams. With the players currently on roster, they simply can’t compete. They need to make some improvements, other wise they may be looking at moving down in a couple of seasons. Their passing game was not good, it allowed good teams to key in on the run and shut them down.
#14 Miami RoadFrogs
I would like to say that they will have a better season, but they will probably end up somewhere between 13-14. There seems to be a trend in the bottom tier teams, they cant pass the ball without throwing 3 times as many INTs to TDs. This just allows teams to key in on the run and bulldoze them.
#15 Washington Poison
I hate to put them in this spot, because the 13, 14, and 15 all are fairly even. They have made improvements to their team, but there are just to man holes. After being the worst running team in the conference last season, they should be improved. Realistically, the Poison could end up #13, but no better then that.
#16 Carolina Wolf Pack
You have to feel sorry for any player stuck on this team. They are destined to finish last and drop down to the BBB. They just simply don’t have the players to even win a game. I am pretty sure they are on the ugly side of a farm team gone bad. Their 24 game losing streak will probably be a 40 game losing streak by the playoffs.
Last edited Jun 8, 2008 00:24:11
