1. Tuscaloosa Tornadoes
Any rankings that does not have TT at #1 wouldn't be worth the paper it was written on. Any team with the best QB, and the best RB, as well as two other top 12 RBs is a lock for #1. TT took a chance and drafted the Ravens Def in the 1st round, but was a logical move as he was strong everywhere else.
Free agency proved just as good for TT, picking up two young WRs with the potential to brwak out big time this season in Bryant and Parker. A solid team that got even stronger. Everyone else is playing for second at this point.
2. Deerfield Dragons
The big 2 again this season are the father/son combo. DD has a deadly trifecta of RBs, but even Thomas Jones is looking like a potential starter now. DD also traded Jordan to imporve his WR position, and between gaining Wayne and drafting Ward and Williamson, he is looking alot better at WR.
Of course, DDs major problem will be QB, with Bulger moving on after week 8. There are a few QBs in that draft, and a few teams with QBs to move, so an experienced trader like Richard should get a QB nice and cheap by week 8. LJ Smith was a great addition!
3. Brisbane Bears
I hate ranking myself so high, and two other teams are close in lite, but with the weaker schedule, and a more complete lineup I will slide myself in at 3, behind the big 2. BB has no stud RB, but makes up for it with quite possibly the deepest selections of RBs in the league (even with a horrid trade of Foster), but still has 2 clear starters.
BBs WRs are near the leagues best, headlined by the consistent Holt, and re-juvenated Coles. Shockey at TE, and a QB with major upside in Collins has the Bears looking for a turnaround season in 05.
4. Smashmouth Sausages
There are 3 top line teams in lite this season, and Smashmouth is a close second, but any of those 3 could emerge. SS has an amazing backfield of KJones and McAllister, as well as an amazing recieiving corp, headlined by Walker and Roy Williams.
His TE and QBs will never set the world on fire, but are solid enough to hang with the big boys. Pats def is icing on the cake.
5. Montreal Madness
I can hear Nick already, me 5th, no way, you crazy! But the truth is thier in his lineup.
Farve and an above average recieving group are combined with what can be described as a Running back platoon. None of these guys are sure fire starters, but you can bet your ass Nick will have no problem in choosing 2 each week to go into battle, and they might change every week!
6. Del Bend Destroyers
I hate putting this team so low, as it will be 1 of the top 3 in lite this season. So, why 6th then? Well, the number 1 reason is of course losing Barber mid-season, that will hurt the team the final 5 games, unless Henry is a starter by then.
Other then that, great all round team with one of the best groups of QBs you can get, Palmer will emerge.
7. Bama Warriors
The Kings, err, Warriors have a strong starting lineup, but not much underneath. However, some of those backups may surprise, esp Droughns. Vick will assume the QB mantle from Green in week 9, and is good enough to carry this team to a possible playoff berth.
WRs are young and deep, and Witten could well be the #1 TE when its all said and done.
8. South Dakota Rushmores
Do I like putting Tyler this low, no not really, why, because he always finds a way! That being said, SDR have no RB2, and lose thier 2nd biggest start after week 8 in Owens.
Culpepper will put them in contention, but a RB2 is needed. There were a few names being throw out in the draft, shoklcingly SDR didnt snap one up nice and cheap.
9. Parramatta Eels
This team really deserves to be higher, and could shoot up the rankings if a QB is moved for another WR or a top line TE. McNabb, Alexander and Foster are a great starting 3. Smith will anchor an ok group of WRs, but the loss of Bruce will be devastating, but Eels may pick up something better in the draft (Owens?).
10. Valhalla PDK
This team finished last season on fire, but may fizzle out a little in year 2. RB situation is iffy at best, with Benson sitting and Staley already hurt, Dillon is in desperate need of a companion.
WRs are all young with plenty of upside, but not a whole heap of experience, but Gonzo makes a great 4th WR in any league. VPDK could suprise, but will find it hard in a stacked conferance.
11. Minnesota Purple Penguins
This is a team that barely missed the playoffs last season, but is also the team that lost a staggering 6 players from last season, leaving them with Gates and not much esle. Enter Cadillac and Pennington from the draft, and a few nice waiver pick ups, and MPP is looking well rounded, and up for a good season....in 2006 ;-)
12. Boise Gladiators
This team and MPP are pretty interchangeable at 11/12, but I will put the experienced Steve one slot higher, as he is a proven commodity. Boise address its RB need in the draft, and then some, taking 3/3. JJ and Dunn, great picks, but Bettis was overkill and too old to help a team in desperate need of an overhaul.
Any given Sunday, BG could pull out a win, but I think those Sundays will be few and far between in '05, and potentially '06 unless JJ Arrington becomes a star player