WESTERN CONFERENCE1.
Running Gag - The Gag have been up in CP for three years and have a record of 59-1 while winning three league titles. To rub salt in the wound the Gag have won two of three Casual Pro tourney golds as well.
2.
Detroit Muscle - I thought the Muscle was coming on strong at the end of the season until that playoff loss to Gag. Without have to fight early chemistry issues look for Detroit to start strong.
3.
Riverhead Rampage - This team came so close to ending Gag's run but still lost in 2nd round last season (28-24). A strong run should aid them this season and wouldn't surprise me to shoot up a few spots as the season progresses.
4.
DIABLOW CIRCLES - The team needs to win some of the tight ones and until they do they may be fighting for the playoff lives.
5.
Twin Peaks - The Peaks seem to do better when he's around and that's not been the case as of late (new job for ole Rubbie). There are some new personell on the team and we we'll have to wait what Rube has up his sleeve.
6.
Hoodzilla . - The new team so of course I'll pick them last (plus a HOOD affiliate - double trouble if you ask me). They do have some aging dots that may be problematic later in the season.
EASTERN CONFERENCE1.
Bier Markt - King of the Hill in the East the past three seasons but no gold to show for it. Another season and BM should be in the mix yet again. A few changes to the team this off-season can hopefully lead the team to some long awaited gold.
2.
Uh Oh! HOOD gone Casual - It's been 11 long seasons since the HOOD has shown face in the conference championship game and this could be a break through to accomplish that and get to a final. It's been a long time coming for this long time casual team to get to a final but several teams will have something to say before the end of the season.
3.
Her Majesty's Dragons - Have made some additions but are carrying too many 480's to keep them in the number two hole. It won't be felt early but as the playoff start those 23 dots can start to be a problem.
4.
Manhattan Midnight Warriors - Solid 1st season for the Warriors last year but with the new format we'll have to wait and see how they do against the stiffer competition as they're are no more "free" wins.
5.
Chocolate Blaze - The Blaze have just struggled to put up points against the top teams and until that changes they may never hop into the top three. Last season they put up a comined 12 points aginst BM, HOOD, and HDM. THey'll battle MMW for the 4th spot but they may need to get some wins against the big boys.
6.
Sofia Spiders - We'll have to wait and see what Spider's put together for his Sofia return team.
TOP DOTS1.
Eddie Myers™, RB, Uh Oh! HOOD gone Casual. Myers™ returns on the heal of a season where the dot cracked the 6,000 yard barrier while scoring 133 TD's. The dot doesn't have the soft teams to play against but will still be one of the top RB's in the league again.
2.
Running `, QB, Running Gag. Running has been a force behind the Gag's success in winning 59 of 60 games. The dot rushed for 2,689.5 yards but unlike some of the RB's in the league carried the ball less frequently (199 carries) but did average an eye popping 14.3 ypc for 2nd in the league.
3.
Brenden Samuel, DE, Her Majesty's Dragons. Samuel led the league in sacks last season with 56 total. We'll see if the dot is as effective (29 adjusted sacks) playing against stiff competition week in and week out.
4.
Red Monster™, TE, Detroit Muscle. Monster™ nearly hit the 1,000 receiving mark last season getting 957 yards. Red also hauled in 12 TD's on the season and seemed to make big plays when needed for the Muscle offense as the dot had a 15.7 ypc.
5.
Winston Churchill, OT, Bier Markt. Churchill is the top returning pancaker of all the offensive linemen. The dot also only gave up two sacks and four hurries on the season.
All stats will be dropping a bit with the new alignment as I don't see any 255-0 scores (unless you're playing the Circles that is).
WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS Hoodzilla . vs.
DIABLOW CIRCLES - Zilla makes an appearance to the big leagues and bring in the WL champion QB of last season to guide them. It won't be enough in the opening as it may be the D that will let them down in the opener...31-24.
Riverhead Rampage vs.
Twin Peaks - RR ened the season of TP in the 1st round of the playoffs last season with a wild 45-38 win. I expect another high scoring game this go round but this time the tables will turn and the Peaks will get the victory...41-38.
Detroit Muscle vs.
Running Gag - Detroit nearly beat the Gag in the regular season last year before getting routed in the playoffs (56-28). I don't think the Muscle will get destroyed this go around but they will lose as Running will get some big gains on the ground and win going away...38-20.
Bier Markt vs. Sofia Spiders - These two used to have some battles when both played in the West but they key word here is use to. The last time these two met up while in the West was a 23-13 win for Sofia (April 27, 2013). It's 2015 now and BM will get some long awaited revenge...38-6.
Manhattan Midnight Warriors vs.
Uh Oh! HOOD gone Casual - MMW had a strong rookie season making it to the 2nd round of the playoffs but did lose to the HOOD by 20. I don't know that they've made up ground from last season with the same team and expect the HOOD to beat them by 20 again to kick the season off...40-20.
Chocolate Blaze vs.
Her Majesty's Dragons - The Blaze haven't been able to put up the points in recent season's to beat the Dragons and I do not believe that will change this go around. Look for HMD to slow the Blaze O down and win by a few scores...31-10.
