[Ben E Lou]

2012 AOC SOUTHEAST PREVIEW

Conyers. Georgia. Orlando. Tucker. They are four strong teams, all with young stars just hitting their strides as league superstars. Only one can emerge as the AOC Southeast Division champions this year. Now that Cris Richardson is gone back to North Plainfield, will the “other” Chris, QB Chris Donaldson, finally assert that this is HIS team and step up to get it done? Can Randy Reagor repeat his incredible 2011 numbers for the Gridlock? Can Pretty Boy Ted Wolf and Company generate enough offense to outscore people and offset the Knights’ suspect defense? Will Shaun Duncan silence his many critics once and for all and prove that he is The Solution and lead the Tigers to the postseason for the first time in seven years? As the 2012 IHOF season unfolds, all of these questions and more will be answered. For now, though, we’ll compare the four teams in five key categories, and see how they stack up on paper.

PASSING OFFENSE

	Grade	Comments
	B-	QB Chris Donaldson has all the tools, but receiving corps is a question mark with lingering uncertainty about how well Damon Evans will perform when he returns. If he's up to snuff, look for this to be around a B+.
	B+	With one of the better running games around, the Gridlock don't have to pass as much as other teams, but when they do, QB Nate Sutter has lethal weapons at his disposal in Fernando Weaver and Danny Hayes, with RB Randy Reagor catching it out of the backfield.
	B	Orlando has a talented QB in Ted Wolf, and fine receivers in FL Darius Logan, SE Reggie Norris and young TE Norman McLover. RB Juan Davis is as good as anybody when it comes to catching it out of the backfield and doing something with it.
	B+	Insert QB Shaun ”The Solution” Duncan, FL Tyrus Shaye, SE Harris Douglas, TE Frank Pruett, and RB R.J. Ellard into the appropriate places in Georgia and Orlando's scouting reports. Tucker has more depth than the others, though, with Forrest Truett and Darron Doyle as third and fourth wide receivers, respectively.

RUSHING OFFENSE

	Grade	Comments
	B+	Kurt Basso ran for over 1,600 yards and 12 TD's, but his yards per carry could be better. Still, he's got his entire offensive line returning. There's no reason to believe he won't have another good year.
	A+	Randy Reagor had a record-setting season last year. He's back, as is his entire starting offensive line. 'Nuff said.
	B+	Juan Davis and Donnell Marchelewski give the Kinghts a 1-2 punch and depth. They combined for over 1,400 yards, and they have an upgraded offensive line to work behind this year.
	B+	R.J. Ellard averaged 5.19 yards per carry last year, and has an offensive line that looks a little better than last year's.

DEFENSIVE FRONT

	Grade	Comments
	B-	Cris Richardson is gone to North Plainfield, and Duane Gibbons looks like he won't be signed. Still, the Condors should be ok up front, but not great.
	B+	The Gridlock defensive line doesn't look too imposing apart from LDT Cole Alexander. However, the LB's more than make up for that supposed deficiency. Look for natural OLB's to put a hand down once again to help make this a strong unit.
	C+	RDT Ivan Sparks anchors the defensive line, and MLB Johnnie Gora the 'backers. Apart from them, this unit consists mainly of unproven or somewhat-over-the-hill guys.
	B-	Tucker's defense improved as last season went along. They only gave up more than 20 points once in the entire second half of the season. Their young players at DT and OLB look to be starting to put it together.

SECONDARY

	Grade	Comments
	A-	Opponents only completed 52.9% of their passes against the Condors last year, and they return the five guys who got the most playing time last year.
	B+	This is a DEEP secondary that specializes in zone coverage. They've got 8 guys back there rated VG or better at zone defense.
	D	The Knights have solid safeties, but suspect corners. They were second-to-last in passing yards allowed last year, and there's not much reason to believe they'll improve at the corners.
	C+	The Tigers were in the middle of the pack in passing yards allowed, but only came up with 5 interceptions all year long. They'll improve on that number just by sheer luck alone. They've got some pretty good talent back there that specializes in bump and run coverage.

SPECIAL TEAMS

	Grade	Comments
	B	K Ethan Kelly was erratic last year, but they brought in P Charles Cutright, who has been quite solid for San Luis Obispo. Michael Spann is a threat to bust one at any time as a KR. The return of Damon Evans to full speed as a PR would push this grade to an A-.
	B+	P Vince Hammett is one of the best around, but K Renaldo Sorota is merely average. Fernando Weaver and Danny Hayes are quite dangerous returning kickoffs and punts, respectively.
	A-	P Michael Helgeson, brought in from Rochester, has thunder in his ankles. He did drop off a bit last year, though. K Mickey Worlow had an off year as well. Look for him to rebound. Darius Logan is one of the best kickoff return men around year in and year out.
	B-	Keith Horne will handle both the punting and the placekicking duties for the Tigers. They brought in Louis Farr to return punts, but will be no more than adequate at returning kicks with Dusty Witkop handling most of that duty.

OVERALL PREDICTIONS

	Predicted Record	Comments
	13-3	On paper, this team has no weaknesses whatsoever. Anything less than their first-ever IHOF Bowl appearance would be considered a disappointment.
	11-5	The years of the Tigers being a punch line appear to be over. This looks like a playoff team, and anything less would have to be considered underachieving.
	10-6	Orlandoshould be able to light up the scoreboard this year, but that defense, especially against the other three offenses in their division, will hold them back from seriously competing for the Southeast title.
	8-8	In any other division, I'd have the Condors listed as a contender for the division title, and a near shoe-in for the playoffs, but with 6 games against Georgia-Orlando-Tucker, and three more against Syracuse, Vicksburg and Fairbanks, they’ll be lucky to finish above .500.