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Memphis- The Admirals have the Triplets (QB Cowell, RB Heflin and WR Ingram). They have a conference championship appearance. They also have one of the most dominant DE in Brian Roset. The Admirals also have one of the youngest cores in the OSFL; most of their star players signed and should be competitive for the next five years. Is there anything that could prevent them from making a return to the AC Championship game or perhaps the OSFL Bowl? Looking at the roster, it appears only injuries could keep this team from reaching their goals. The Admirals big FA signing was FB Brett Leckey from Morgantown. He is a tremendous run blocker and will help Heflin on his quest for 2,000 yards. 1st round pick CB Dusty Dinh will help solidify the secondary but even with all his talent expect teams to test the rookie.
Waco- I hate to say it but the AC South could be called “Memphis and those other three teams.” The Warhawks are the only team in the South that could threaten the Admirals. The main reason behind that is RB Skip Alig. Skip was one of the few elite backs to improve his total rushing yards and yards per carry in 2007. He also became a passing game threat catching 58 balls last year. There is a big question concerning the QB position. New signing Herman Alabaso had a great year last year with Portland (16 TDs, 3 INT, 95.2 rating) but sources say the Waco front office is pushing for 1st round pick Dixon Arsenault to start Week 1. Neither QB stood out during the first 3 weeks of preseason so the job is still up for grabs.
New Orleans- Everybody knew MLB Tyrus McWilliams would be good but did anyone think he would be this good so soon? The 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year has been a dominant player since he first stepped on the field. McWilliams tallied 111 tackles and 3 sacks in his first year and the team believes he can improve on those numbers in 2008. In the offensive front, Stingrays fans were relieved to see the coaching staff quash any rumors of a QB controversy by stating that Ellis Wynn was their QB of the present and future. Matching Wynn with star SE Christian Brown and TE Grady Kitchen expect the Stingrays passing game to excel. The offseason was a bust for the Stingrays with no big FA signings and a 1st round pick (RT Eugene Ellison) who may be too green to handle the starting RT position. The team also has no cap room and has two TE making almost 10 million combined. That money could go to other places specifically to improve the secondary (Signing CB Marco Barlow was a nice but they need more help and depth.) or offensive line.
Port City- Another case of a team going from First to Worst. 2007 was a case of the three other teams in the division improving while the Steam stayed the same. There are a number of issues with this team. First, they are old. Starting QB Roy Kitchen is entering his 15th year and the average year of experience on the defense is 8 years. Second, the defensive line should be called “Darren Blair and the Blairettes.” Blair is a great DE but he has no support on the line, saw more double teams in 2007 and that is the reason his sack output fell to 9.5 from 14. All of the blame shouldn’t fall on the Steam’s front office. They were very active in the FA market but were unable to close the deal with players like DT Hugh Adams and LG Macey Forbes. Finally, while RG Ralph Strikwerda is going to be a good player you have to wonder if the Steam would have been better served signing someone who can help immediately like DT Tito Roby or DE Mike Haggulund. It appears that 2008 will be another tough season for the Steam.
Predictions:
1. Memphis
2. Waco
3. New Orleans
4. Port City
Waco- I hate to say it but the AC South could be called “Memphis and those other three teams.” The Warhawks are the only team in the South that could threaten the Admirals. The main reason behind that is RB Skip Alig. Skip was one of the few elite backs to improve his total rushing yards and yards per carry in 2007. He also became a passing game threat catching 58 balls last year. There is a big question concerning the QB position. New signing Herman Alabaso had a great year last year with Portland (16 TDs, 3 INT, 95.2 rating) but sources say the Waco front office is pushing for 1st round pick Dixon Arsenault to start Week 1. Neither QB stood out during the first 3 weeks of preseason so the job is still up for grabs.
New Orleans- Everybody knew MLB Tyrus McWilliams would be good but did anyone think he would be this good so soon? The 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year has been a dominant player since he first stepped on the field. McWilliams tallied 111 tackles and 3 sacks in his first year and the team believes he can improve on those numbers in 2008. In the offensive front, Stingrays fans were relieved to see the coaching staff quash any rumors of a QB controversy by stating that Ellis Wynn was their QB of the present and future. Matching Wynn with star SE Christian Brown and TE Grady Kitchen expect the Stingrays passing game to excel. The offseason was a bust for the Stingrays with no big FA signings and a 1st round pick (RT Eugene Ellison) who may be too green to handle the starting RT position. The team also has no cap room and has two TE making almost 10 million combined. That money could go to other places specifically to improve the secondary (Signing CB Marco Barlow was a nice but they need more help and depth.) or offensive line.
Port City- Another case of a team going from First to Worst. 2007 was a case of the three other teams in the division improving while the Steam stayed the same. There are a number of issues with this team. First, they are old. Starting QB Roy Kitchen is entering his 15th year and the average year of experience on the defense is 8 years. Second, the defensive line should be called “Darren Blair and the Blairettes.” Blair is a great DE but he has no support on the line, saw more double teams in 2007 and that is the reason his sack output fell to 9.5 from 14. All of the blame shouldn’t fall on the Steam’s front office. They were very active in the FA market but were unable to close the deal with players like DT Hugh Adams and LG Macey Forbes. Finally, while RG Ralph Strikwerda is going to be a good player you have to wonder if the Steam would have been better served signing someone who can help immediately like DT Tito Roby or DE Mike Haggulund. It appears that 2008 will be another tough season for the Steam.
Predictions:
1. Memphis
2. Waco
3. New Orleans
4. Port City
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