As another year is about to kick off, it would be a bigger travesty than the murder of Santa Claus if there wasn't a Preseason Power Poll.
In prior years, the preseason rankings were arbitrarily chosen by myself, off my own astute observations and gut feeling. This year however, we're going to try something different. Using the projections at What If Sports (www.whatifsports.com) what I've done is simply added up the projected points for each team's key starters (1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE,) leaving out kickers and defenses since they're interchangeable and rarely does anyone end the season with the same kicker and defense they drafted.
While What If Sports' scoring system is different than ours, it is uniform, so each player is being evaluated evenly, even if the points may not necessarily be possible in the LFFL. In circumstances where there is no clear #1 or #2, I simply have gone with the week one starters, since you'd assume that you'd have all your top players going on week one of the season, baring injury, suspension or insanity. I say insanity because Fred, for example, has Tim Hightower starting over Chris Johnson. In Fred's case, I'm doing the numbers under the assumption his team would be run by someone with half a brain, but that's a pretty big leap of faith on my part.
Enough talk, let's see what the Power Poll has to say!
Prospect Pioneers (1129.6) Prospect finds itself atop the preseason power poll even though their two quarterbacks combined for only 64.29 points last year. Despite the quarterback questions, this ranking is due to an incredibly strong wide receiver corps. The good news for the Pioneers is that if just one of their two quarterbacks is in the running for comeback player of the year, it could propel Prospect to their first Leight Cup.
Allentown Iron Men (1127.5) Allentown seeks its fourth championship this year from a team made up of proven veterans and possible young diamonds in the rough. What If Sports wasn't as high on the Iron Men's number two skill position players, Anthony Gonzalez and Marion Barber, but they should prove serviceable enough to play second fiddle players of the caliber of Reggie Wayne and Adrian “Vikings” Peterson. As long as quarterback Donovan McNabb plays consistent football, this team will be in it to win it.
Pottstown Yuengling (1122.5) Assuming rookie owner Joe Clasman actually drafted his team, congratulations are in order on putting together a solid freshman team. This team's biggest question mark is quarterback. While Romo typically starts strong, he has a habit of vanishing come playoff time. That was in prior years when he had actual weapons such as Terrell Owens and Jessica Simpson. How he'll respond without them may seal the fate of the Yuengling season.
Youngstown Zoes (1113.1) This team, on paper, is downright scary. There's no reason to expect less from quarterback Kurt Warner this year, and a Moss-Owens receiving tandem is the stuff of dreams. While running back is a little murky after Jones-Drew, assuming Marshawn Lynch doesn't self implode, he should carry the rock the rest of the way after his three week suspension. This team will need to start strong though, lest they fall behind early in the season.
Beechview Bukkake (1103.3) Anchored by Peyton Manning, the Bukkake feature solid, if not flashy, players who should hit for average over a season's work. At running back, the question is, has LT hit the wall, or was last year just a nightmare we'll all forget someday? If LT returns to his former greatness and Steve Slayton doesn't see all his goal line carries vultured away, then this team should do well.
Indiana Ignition (1097.7) Looking at the roster, you'd think the defending champs would be sitting higher than sixth. Providing Michael Tuner doesn't suffer from the curse of 370 (which is very real) this team can certainly contend. The trio of Brandon Marshall, Hines Ward and Dwayne Bowe suggest that the Ignition will be ok with whatever WR pair they choose to start weekly.
Akron Assault (1093.3) Each starter on this team is in a better position this year than last, and that leads to a lot of potential. However, until they strap it on and get it on, that's all it is, potential. You could argue that Matt Forte could have been a number one pick, when you factor in his receiving and improved QB, and how could having Brett Favre as your quarterback hurt Bernard Berrian? These two points, along with the evolution of Aaron Rodgers, lead to this team hanging around come playoff race time.
Chewton Champs (1084.2) Will Tom Brady make up for Jeremy Shockey? If so, this team might be ok. Yes, Eddie Royal caught over 90 balls last year, but who will throw to him this year? Brian Westbrook has durability concerns and Steve “Panthers” Smith likes to punch people in the face. There are a lot of questions for this team, and a lot of things have to fall into place for this team to be a winner. However, they've certainly got a chance. A snowball's chance.
Laurel Skullets (1052.4) Drew Brees is a great quarterback. There. There's my compliment about this team. Now for the truthbomb. Is there an app for drafting shitty running backs? It certainly looks like it after taking a quick glance at the Skullets roster. Addai and Johnson are on the verge of being replaced, and Fred Jackson and Le'Ron “Leroy” McClain are backups at best. This team could grab a couple Ws to start the season, and yes, Fitzgerald and Welker are outstanding receivers, but could they possibly make up for the lack of production at running back for an entire year? Odds are, probably not.
Ellwood Dishsoaps (1034) What is there to say? Fred, you've done it again. Here's three things wrong with your roster. 1) Michael Vick 2) Michael Vick 3) Michael Vick. Yes, he's a gimmick Yes, he's on suspension until week three. Yes, he's also a backup. He's also a wasted draft pick. Speaking of wasted draft picks, why draft Miami's defense when you already have Pittsburgh's and they aren't off until week 8? Congrats though on Boldin, Colston and Gore. You almost had something there. Seriously though, assuming Fred decides to actually start Chris Johnson, he may have enough production from the top four skill positions to make up for the fact that his quarterbacks are subpar. Only time will tell.
That's it, that's the Preseason Power Poll. Now, let's play some football and settle this on the field.
