1) Chewton Champs- What a difference a year makes. Over the summer Chewton Champs owner Tony Pica stepped up his game and dedicated himself to not allowing the Champs to once again become the LFFL’s perennial losers. This year it could be argue that Chewton had the strongest draft, and enters the season as the early favourite. This team is strong just about everywhere, and has few, if any flaws. At quarterback the Champs boast two proven fantasy players, Trent Green and Marc Bulger. This provides depth, security and tempting trade bait. At running back the Champs are also strong with Edgerrin James and Tiki Barber. These are two starters that can break games open. While Barber has had off and on years, with a QB such as the young Eli Manning taking snaps in New York, they’ll want to hand off the ball to Barber early and often. Also, James should have higher TD totals this year as Manning cannot be expected to throw 49 again this year, James is due to run a few more in. Also, Brian Westbrook makes for a good bye week reliever and Marshall Faulk and Michael Pittman could prove to be useful should their starters go down. While wide receiver may be this team’s weak link, it is still not a bad link. Darrell Jackson, Anquan Boldin are sure starters (even if Jackson likes to drop balls) but the #3 slot is a crapshoot between Keyshawn Johnson, Donte Stallworth and Santana Moss. At tight end Todd Heap can be a force if he can stay healthy, and there is no finer kicker than Adam Vinatieri. The Baltimore defense also is on board the Champ’s roster. All in all, a very well balanced team that may not have the best players at each position, but does have the ability to take Chewton to the next level.
2) Indiana Ignition- This team is built for power, nothing more, nothing less. A very close runner up for 1st place in the preseason power poll, Ryan Alexander’s Indiana Ignition will be a force to be reckoned with this season. At quarterback is the Jake and Jake connection, Plummer and Delhomme. Either would make a solid #1, which makes this position deep. Plummer can be explosive if he can keep the interceptions down, and Delhomme is solid and should keep finding the end zone. At running back we find what could be one of the best backfields in the LFFL. Priest Holmes and Julius Jones are automatic starters, but Warrick Dunn, Travis Henry and the surprising Mike Anderson make excellent backup and provide depth and insurance. This team will run the ball every week, and will do so in such a way that any other shortcoming on this team will be hardly noticeable. At wide receiver Indiana steps up with Marvin Harrison, Michael Clayton as the go to guys, and rounds it out with Plaxico Burress, Chris Chambers, and Muhsin Muhammad in supporting roles. While Chambers and Muhammad will suffer from poor quarterback play, Burress may do well in New York, or at least well enough for a #3 wide receiver. Tight ends Jason Witten and Bubba Franks could each be starters, but Whitten will take the lead and be closely followed by Franks, who only catches touchdowns. Sebastian Janikowski will get plenty of 4 and 5 point field goals, and the Atlanta defense was last year’s best kept secret. This team, like Chewton, is well balanced and will be chased by the rest of the LFFL this season.
3) Koppel Koonhunters- The Koonies are where they find themselves almost every in the LFFL, toward to top. Owner and CEO Kurt Presnar has put together another solid team this year, and deserves mention in the top third of the power poll. At quarterback Koppel will lead by Donovan McNabb, who as long as T.O. stays quiet and in town, should do great things again this year. Eli Manning makes for a capable, but unproven backup. At running back however is Koppel’s strength and pride. The Koonies have the best stable of RB’s in the LFFL, and will ride them far this year. Deuce McAllister and Willis McGahee lead the way, but are quickly followed by Curtis Martin and backups Derrick Blaylock and TJ Duckett. This impressive group of running backs came at a price though, as Koppel couldn’t land a marquee wide receiver. Settling on Roy Williams, Donald Driver and Laveranues Coles as starters and having Amani Toomer, Troy Williamson and Ronald Curry as backups makes this team questionable at the position. Also, the consensus believes that picking L.J. Smith for Tight End in the 8th round when so many other quality tight ends were available was a bit of a reach. Kicker Nate Kaeding makes for the obligatory San Diego pick and is a solid one, and the Carolina/Washington defense combo should allow for some favorable matchups. So, while the backfield is set with a good quarterback and excellent running backs, it is the receivers who are this team’s question marks, and may stop them from moving up from a good team to a dominating team.
3) Latrobe Brewers- This is a good team. In fact, perhaps a better team than last year’s squad, which took the LFFL by storm in its first year. Owner Lisa Andrews is out to prove that last year was not a fluke, and her first step is building a successful team out of the draft. At quarterback Kerry Collins may now finally have the tools to put up Culpepper type numbers now that he has two big targets and a solid run game. Also, Brian Griese makes a solid backup and possible midseason trade material should his stock rise. At running back you cant say much other than one name, LaDainian Tomlinson. The first overall pick is joined by Ahmad Green, Thomas Jones, Stephen Davis and Larry Johnson. This is a powerhouse of a backfield, considering Davis looks to regain his old form, Jones may play more due to the holdout in Chicago, and Larry Johnson puts up Holmes like numbers when given the chance. Also, WR is solid with Terrell Owens leading the way, and Ashley Lelie, Jerry Porter filling out the other starting slots. Charles Rogers is a good sleeper should he not break his collar bone, and Brandon Stokley, Keenan McCardell, and David Patten can fill in on off weeks. At tight end Alge Crumpler holds down the fort, with Eric Johnson waiting in the wings, and Matt Stover is a solid kicker. The Tampa Bay defense is a good choice year in and year out. This team has the potential to ruin a lot of Sundays for other organizations this year, and the Brewers won’t rest until they win the Championship they were denied last year by archrival Koppel.
5. Prospect Pioneers- The Pioneers are looking to claim their first LFFL Championship this year, and they took their first step after a successful draft by Owner Dan Coulter. Infamously known as the league’s most active Director of Football Operations, Coulter has at press time already made 5 moves to strengthen his already stout team. At QB there is the trio of Matt Hasselbeck, Kurt Warner and Steve McNair. While Hasselbeck is the early season starter, Warner and McNair make nice alternatives should there be an issue. At running back Prospect has Coulter’s main man Clinton Portis carrying the load, along with Dominick Davis starting. Behind him are Duce Staley, Willie Parker, DeShaun Foster and Tatum Bell. While Foster and Bell look to be backups, that may all change, putting the Pioneers in a very strong position. At wide receiver Prospect is also doing well with a mix of youth and experience. You know what you’re getting with Steve Smith and Joe Horn, and Nate Burleson should improve upon the excellent year he had last year in Randy Moss’ shadow. Eric Moulds is a solid bye week starter, and Travis Taylor is a good plan C. At tight end Jeremy Shockey can strike if he’s healthy, and Doug Jolley is a fine prospect for the Pioneers. Kicker Mike Nugent is a bit of a question mark as he is a rookie, but usually kicker of his caliber can transfer their game from college to pros without any trouble. The Pittsburgh defense rounds out the roster and should pick up where it left off last year. All things considered this is a solid and deep team. However, it has some quarterback concerns which prevent it from cracking the top three. If Hasselbeck can perform to the level he’s capable, then Prospect should recapture the magic it had in 2003.
6) Allentown Iron Men- The Iron Men aren’t in fifth place overall because they lack talent, far from it, they are a talented team. However, there are so many solid teams this year in the LFFL, that there are just a couple better ones out there. At quarterback Allentown landed Tom Brady as their starter, after getting poor production from Aaron Brooks last year. Brooks rejoins the Iron Men this year, but now finds himself in a backup role. At running back Allentown has a mixed bunch of youth, experience and question marks. Shaun Alexander is as solid as a running back can be and was taken second overall in the draft. Behind him are two first year starters, rookie Cadillac Williams and Oakland’s free agent purchase, former backup Lamont Jordan. While these two have not seen full seasons for obvious reasons (having been in college and behind Curtis Martin last year) they could prove to have breakout years. Fred Taylor and Michael Bennett are question marks, as they could be the starters for their teams, but injuries have slowed them before. They could either be blazing successes or dismal failures. At wide receiver Chad Johnson takes the lead and is followed by a group of aged vets who can produce, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Eddie Kennison, Justin McCareins. Also in the mix is young gun TJ Houshmandzadeh. Allentown does boast the best pair of tight ends with Tony Gonzalez and Randy McMichael, and the Iron Men hope that they can get wide receiver type production from their tight end. This year, Allentown turns to Ryan Longwell for the kicking duties, and the combo of Jacksonville and Dallas to run defense. While this team may turn out to be very good, at this early point there are still many questions which need answered before Allentown can return to glory.
7) Edinburg Epidemic- The Epidemic exited this year’s draft looking better than they have ever looked. Period. Easily the youngest team in the LFFL, the Epidemic is built for speed. Quarterback Brett Favre is this team’s only proven veteran, but is himself still a solid player. Behind him is Carson Palmer, who may raise eyebrows this year, as he looks to step up his game. Running back shows this team’s youth, with Kevin Jones, Steven Jackson, Cedric Benson, Mewelde Moore, and Brandon Jacobs. Edinburg is also young at wide receiver, Javon Walker, Drew Bennett, Lee Evans, Keary Colbert and Lee Evans. Jeb Putzier should really step it up this year at Tight End, and Mike Vanderjagt will consistently hit 4 point field goals. The Philadelphia defense is also good, as is the back up D, Chicago. If this team of youngsters break out then Edinburg has the potential to rocket to the top of the LFFL.
8) Akron Assault- Once again this year Akron and Owner Ryan Alessio went with a quarterback in the first round, however this year they decided to draft a good one, Peyton Manning, rather than a bad one like last year, Michael Vick. Manning is backed up by Drew Brees, who could easily start elsewhere. However, while quarterback may be sure thing with Manning, running back is at best a question mark. Chris Brown had a good season last year, but was injury prone. He’s got competition now and may lose his job at some point. J.J. Arrington has great potential, but at the end of the day, he’s still a rookie. Also, Ruben Droughns has to prove he’s the real deal, and not just another recipient of Denver’s rushing machine. Also, Chester Taylor, while an excellent backup is still just that, a backup. At wide receiver things are a little better off as the receivers are anchored by Randy Moss. However, after Moss, the talent after him drops off significantly. Derrick Mason, Tyrone Calico, Braylon Edwards, Brandon Lloyd, Terry Glenn and Antonio Bryant are all at best marginal receivers, with no clear cut #2 and #3. This team may find some trouble here, deciding who to start each week. Tight End Antonio Gates will provide receiver like production, for the rest of the season starting with week 2 after his suspension, and Marcus Pollard is a good backup. Jason Elam also is a good investment as he will hit the long field goals. The Buffalo defense is also an improvement over Alessio’s first choice, Cleveland’s defense. While the presence of Manning and Moss may make one question why Akron finds itself at number 8 in the poll, it should be noted that Moss and Manning alone do not equal success. Last year Manning was paired up with other breakout players on Latrobe’s squad, including McGahee, Muhammad, and Walker. This year however it appears that Manning is not surrounded by such a strong supporting cast. However, should there be another breakout player or three on the same team as Manning, the Assault may finally get out of the basement and earn the respectability they have long pined for.
9) Farrell Mooncrickets- This team has one problem- it doesn’t have a quarterback. Yes, it does have Ron Mexico, er… I mean Michael Vick, but he’s not a quarterback, he’s a running back who takes snaps and sometimes throws the ball, often times to receivers. That is this team’s major flaw though, and what may keep it from contention. Ben Roethlisberger is the backup, and while he put up good numbers last year as a rookie (he threw for more yards than Vick) he doesn’t put up fantasy numbers. At running back though Farrell shines, with Corey Dillon and Jamal Lewis starting and carrying this team. They are backed up by Lee Suggs, Kevin Barlow, and Frank Gore. While Gore is a stretch, Suggs and Barlow are capable of carrying the rock in spot duty. The wide receivers are ok with Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson and Issac Bruce. Kevin Curtis and David Givens are also good backups. At tight end the Mooncrickets have Jermaine Wiggins and Chris Cooley, either one will probably provide the same average performance you’d expect. David Akers and Jeff Wilkins are solid kickers and New England is the best defense still. Farrell on paper is a good team, and would be ranked much higher if it weren’t for the weakness of the most visible position, quarterback. However, if Mexico finally takes that step we’ve been promised for years now and becomes an actual passer then maybe Farrell can elevate their game to the top tier of the LFFL.
10) Greenville Trojans- While it is early in the season to say this team has problems, the fact remains that it has problems. While on paper it may at first glance look ok, if you take a serious look, this is a team that has running back problems, and everyone knows that this game starts at the running back position. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper is clearly this team’s strong point, and Chad Pennington is a solid backup and insurance policy. However, running back is thin because of low numbers and a key injury. Rudi Johnson is an excellent back and will perform, but after him the trouble begins. Jerome Bettis is sidelined with a calf injury already and will lose carries to Staley once he returns in Pittsburgh, and Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams both play for Miami. William Green is always one drug possession or stabbing away from jail or injured reserve. Not what you’d call the squad you’d want to build your championship hopes around. Wide receiver is a little brighter with Tory Holt, Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald. Backups include Antwaan Randle El, Deon Branch, and possibly the best rookie WR, Mark Clayton. However, at tight end the unproven Heath Miller starts, which could spell trouble as the Steelers are not know for throwing the tight end the ball. Not since Eric Green has there been a fantasy caliber tight end in the ‘burgh, and its unlikely that Miller will become one within the first few weeks of his rookie season. Jeff Reed continues the Steeler tradition at kicker, and the Cincy and Indy defenses should serve the Trojans well. Basically the performance of this Greenville squad will come down to the performance of the Pittsburgh Steelers, if Bettis can return to his youth form, and the ball gets in the hands of Ward, Randle El, and Miller, and Reed splits the uprights deep, then this team has a chance. However, should the Steelers struggle, then the Trojans will likewise.
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