With the season less than 48 hours away, the LFFL Power Poll would be remiss if it did not issue its annual preseason edition. Taking a look at how the teams are made up right now, it is obvious that there are contenders and pretenders in the LFFL.
The Power Poll will return with updated editions once the season starts and the games begin to separate the men from the boys. With that said, here we go…
1) Prospect Pioneers- It’s hard not to construct an outstanding team when you have the number one overall pick to build around. With that first pick in the draft, the Pioneers, led by veteran owner Dan Coulter, drafted Shaun Alexander. That is about all that needs to be said. Also in the backfield are running backs Warrick Dunn and DeShaun Foster. Wide receiver is also solid with Anquan Boldin leading the way, and the two Reggies (Brown and Wayne) also on board. In addition, Prospect can count on WR like numbers from tight end Antonio Gates. Quarterback is really the only iffy area, with Kurt Warner, but even then the Pioneers have Leinart and Brunell riding the bench. Top to bottom, this team is locked and loaded. The only question is not ‘will Prospect win?’ but rather, “how could they not?’
2) Akron Assault- In each year of existence the Akron Assault have finished in 7th place in the LFFL. This however, is a new year. Other than Duce Staley, there’s little to not like about this team. In fact, the only thing that keeps Akron and Prospect separated is the first string running back. In Alexander Prospect has a proven, reliable runner behind a solid line. With Larry Johnson, Akron has the most dominate player of last season, but with the smallest of questions marks with an offensive line in transition and a new coaching staff. That said, Akron is still an offensive juggernaut. Quarterback Donovan McNabb looks good, and the receiving corps led by TO should be solid as well. Kellen Winslow may be a stretch at tight end, but should he go over the handlebars again the Assault can always trade up. Though not as deep as Prospect, their starters have the potential to put up many, many points, and that should go far in ensuring a winning season for Akron and owner Ryan Alessio.
3) Wampum Wizards- First time LFFL owner Bill Orock has put together a very powerful football team. There is a mix of youth and veteran leadership that should elevate the Wizards to the top half of the league. Palmer, Moss and Tomlinson combine for a potentially devastating front three, and Reggie Bush has been touted as Jesus carrying the football. While Derrick Mason may be old, and Muhammad may play for Chicago, they are consistent, and Reuben Droughns will make for a solid fill in starter or flex position man. The Chicago defense is supposed to be the best in the game, and Neil Rackers has a laser cannon for a leg, meaning this team will be competitive at every position. Clearly, Orock knew what he was doing on draft day, and the Wizards of Wampum should be dealing damage all year long.
4) Indiana Ignition- Fact: Eli Manning passed for more yards last year than did brother Peyton. One person who knew this was Indiana Ignition owner Ryan Alexander. Eli will be QBing this year’s Ignition squad, and is joined by a Faulk-less Steven Jackson running the ball, and a dynamic duo of Hines Ward and Larry Fitzgerald catching the pigskin. Kevin Jones has the potential to become Jackson’s twin in Detriot, and Alexander hopes that he’ll be punching it in from the goal line all year long. This team is classic Alexander: solid everywhere.
5) Zelienople Zipperheads- For a team that didn’t put too much work into their draft prep, and had to make outside phone calls for help, this team isn’t all that bad. Yes, Zipperheads owner Tim Fleske is a first time LFFL owner, and yes, he drafted Fragile Fred Taylor, but really, they’re not that bad. Quarterback Peyton Manning will keep this team in the game and he looks to return to 04 form, and wide receivers Darrel Jackson and Plaxico Burress are solid fantasy players. At running back there are concerns about the productivity of a transplanted Edgerrin James running behind a swiss cheese line, and Julius Jones getting the yank in Big D, not to mention the very presence of Fred Taylor. However, those aren’t big enough problems yet to warrant panic, and on the surface this is an alright team that should keep it close every week.
6) Farrell Mooncrickets- This team probably should be at least a slot higher. The more you look at this roster, you can convince yourself that it is actually really good. Yes, there are question marks. Will Culpepper rebound? How long can Dillon stay on the first team? Is Wali Lundy the man? However, if the answers to those questions are “Yes,” “All year,” and “Most definitely,” then Farrell should rise from their historic home at the bottom of the standings. You’ve got to love Holt and Chambers at wide receiver, and Tony Gonzalez has too much talent to put forth another piss-poor season. Yes, these Mooncrickets may finally see the light of day.
7) Allentown Iron Men- The defending champion Allentown Iron Men are not a bad team. They’re not. They are however, the team with the most potential in all the league. That statement is a double edged sword, in that it could refer to potential to dominate, or potential to fall to Earth silently. Quarterback Marc Bulger has the potential to return to his old top five QB status, or the potential to become a middle of the pack signal caller. Tiki Barber has the potential to run for 2000 yards and 20 TDs, or the potential to be called to the sidelines at the goal line. Ronnie Brown has the potential to be the man in Miami finally, or the potential that the team will air it out non-stop. Brian Westbrook may catch and run for 1500 yards, or the Eagles will just throw for three downs straight as usual. Roy Williams may become the next Tory Holt under Mike Martz, or he could be the next first round pick cut from the team. With this team…it really could go either way. If everything lines up for Allentown, they’ll be bumping shoulders with Prospect and Akron. If too many potential pluses turn into negatives, they’ll be watching someone else hoist high the Leight Cup in December.
8) Chewton Champs- Not a bad team, but not a great team either. The Pica strategy of drafting drunk may not have paid off for the Champs. Quarterback Delhomme is a gun slinger, and may toss enough interceptions to negate his surplus of TDs over other quarterbacks, and no one really knows what to expect from Javon Walker and Donte Stallworth in their new homes. They may prove to be great successes, or marginal starters. Running back is a problem, as it will be nearly impossible for first round pick LaMont Jordan to duplicate last season’s success catching and running with the ball. Portis also remains an injury concern. The bench also is a problem, as it is not very deep. Hank Baskett and Sam Gado don’t exactly make you feel secure in Chewton’s chances this season.
9) Ellwood Dishsoaps- Odds are, the Dishsoaps won’t spend much time at the bottom of the Power Poll. Brady, Steve Smith, Marvin Harrison, these are all pluses…big pluses. However, this team lacks a legitimate first string running back. With taking QBs back to back and defenses back to back, the Dishsoaps passed up on two chances to take top running backs. Obviously, they plan on trading their surplus QB (Hasselbeck) and defense (Pittsburgh) for running backs, but that has yet to happen. Until they pull the trigger on a trade to gain a couple running backs, they will sit on the bottom of the poll.
10) Greenville Trojans- If the LFFL was a keeper league, you could argue that the Greenville Trojans are on the cusp of becoming a the most dominate team for the next four to five years. However, the LFFL isn’t a keeper league, and to win, you need players who are playing today. That is something the Trojans lack. Yes, Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh are as good a one-two punch you’ll find. However, there are some areas of serious concern. Drew Bledsoe and his cement shoes could be yanked at any moment for Tony Romo, and the rest of the roster sports 4 rookies, 1 first year starter, and 1 wide receiver in the midst of a holdout. The starting lineup can put up points, but there is little room for error, as the bench looks more like a nursery than a locker room.
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