USFL Dynasty Report: Season Preview

[beeznik]

AC NORTH

1. Denver: The Death did most of their work in the off-season with the acquisition of standout QB Byron Leftwich. They have dominated the USFL over the past four years, winning two Walker Trophies and appearing in all of the Walker Bowls during that span, and that doesn't figure to change this year.

2. Champaign: Champaign made some nice additions in the off-season, including the addition of QB Brian Griese via free agency. Griese figures to take the heat while 2nd round pick Derek Sparks learns from the sidelines. With a shortage of targets for Griese to throw to, we expect the Thunder to put the offensive load on the shoulders of runningback Byron Villarreal, Champaign's first round pick. In the end, though, this team does not have enough talent to measure up to Denver, let alone the other AC powerhouses.

3. Minnesota: The Golden Hawks had a better year last year than most people expected. Finishing .500 was definitely a move in the right direction for this once proud franchise. You would figure the addition of 1st overall pick Steve Becker would make them a playoff contender, but we don't think they will be sneaking up on anyone this year.

4.Fargo: The Freeze are banking on 1st round pick Steve Lincoln becoming their QB of the future. And the future is all this team really has to look forward to right now. A lot of work needs to be done in Fargo if they are to become a contender. It will be exciting to watch how Lincoln develops as opposed to fellow 1st round QB Cromwell.



AC SOUTH

1.Charlotte: The Fight'n Squirrels should have little trouble finishing atop the AC South for the third straight year. Wichita has been Charlotte's main competition in years past, but the aging Delta Force shouldn't cause the Squirrels too much trouble this year. Charlotte has been one of the top teams in the AC for years, but we wonder how long they can continue to compete with a below average defense and an aging offense.

2.Richmond: It's a toss up at this point between the rest of the teams in this division. There is a lot of rebuilding going on in the South, and we think the best of the rest in this division is Richmond. The reason you ask? RB Jumbo Snyder had a monster year for the Generals last season, carrying the Richmond offense on his back while rushing for 1729 yards. BJ Marsh needs some more weapons to throw to, but we think he will do well enough to finish 2nd in the division. Don't expect to see the Generals in the playoffs, however.

3.Wichita: Wichita's rebuilding process begins now, but they still have enough strength on the defensive side of the ball to finish ahead of Jacksonville. The Delta Force seem to feel their major weakness is their defensive line, drafting an astonishing 4 defensive tackles in this years draft. We felt they could have used some more help on the offensive side of the ball, because Vick doesn't have the weapons needed to carry this team to the playoffs. Wichita had a nice run last season, but fans should be ready for a long and grueling rebuilding period.

4.Jacksonville: The Jacksonville Edge made good use of the plethora of picks they had in this years draft. They say football games are won in the trenches, and Jacksonville played to that theory by selecting three offensive lineman in the first round. Even so, we would have liked to see the Edge get a playmaker in this draft, and they had the chance to do it by sitting at #4 and taking one of the stud running backs available. Instead they traded down and ended up with a revamped o-line. We'll see how this works out for them, but either way, Jacksonville will finish last in the South this year while letting their draft picks develop.


AC EAST

1.Columbus: The War Dogs have been among the leagues elite in talent level for the last few years, but they haven't been able to live up to those expectations. If they can play with some consistency, they can compete with the best. If not, they will be fighting for their playoff lives like they were last year.

2.New York: New York was one of those teams that you just couldn't figure out last season. They have enough talent to make the playoffs year in and year out, yet they finished with a disappointing 3-13 record last year. But, with Earl Greer's second year with the team should come more success. And with their 1st round pick Bryce Brunson locking down their D-line, the Blizzard will be a difficult team to run against this year.

3.Norfolk: This team depends largely on who starts at QB for the Destroyers. While we think Shane Kelly has a great future, we think he would hurt the Destroyers as a starter this year. Norfolk has little choice but to start Kelly this year as his development has been going at a snails pace. With that said, teams may attempt to make Norfolk one dimensional on the offensive side of the ball. While Bennie Jamison had a great year last season, we think it's a lot to ask a second year player to carry the load.

4.Newark: The Red Dogs had a break down last year, one year after winning the division title, playing the teams first playoff game ever, and winning a playoff game. The team didn't take long to unload a few key players, and they are once again looking at the cellar of the AC East. They have some good looking rookies, but they likely won't make much of a difference this year.


AC WEST

1.Boise: Boise has been a dominant force in the AC West since the leagues inception, winning the division every year except for three years. The other division winner has been Las Vegas, who is beginning a grueling rebuilding process. Boise figures to be the team with the best shot of beating Denver in the AC, but they have been owned by the Death so far, especially in the playoffs. Expect Boise to continue their dominance of the AC West this year, and don't expect much competition from any of their division foes.

2.San Diego: The Sea Wolves had an excellent draft this year, getting two top notch defensive players. They also have some young studs on the offensive side of the ball that, if they start stepping up, could make this team a contender for a playoff spot. Brett Sanders was a nice addition and should improve the QB position, and Northcutt is a top notch runningback. We still feel they will fall short of a playoff spot this year, but they could sneak in if they're lucky.

3.Los Angeles: The Riots have been lacking a dominating offensive weapon for the last couple of years, and they didn't do anything to change that this year. They have had some talent on the defensive side of the ball, but haven't been able to stop anybody when it counts. If their defense can step it up and they can improve their running game, they could surprise some people.

4.Las Vegas: The Nemesis finally got their new city, but they have to wait five years until they can move into their new home. Until then, they will be working on reconstructing their team. They unloaded a large majority of their talent over the last couple of years, and the rebuilding will take time. Vegas is ecstatic about rookie runningback Marc Washington, and feel he will be the new face of the franchise. Brandon Cromwell figures to be there QB of the future, although some feel he won't be as good as advertised. Expect the team to let Marc Washington shoulder the load on offense this year, but also expect it to be a while before they compete in the West again.



NC East

1. Eerie: The Invaders will win this division. They are much stronger than any other team in this division. Cutting down the turnovers by both quarterback Drew Brees and running back Ralph Martinez are the keys to how good this team will be the playoffs.

2. Boston: The Killer Bees finish second in a weak division. The additions of quarter back Lincoln Lofton and tight end Dana Palelei will help the offense. The lack of an offensive line and a defense will keep them out of a wildcard playoff spot.

3. Baltimore: The Burn come off one of the worst seasons in league history. They will have a hard time scoring points this season as they work on the development of rookie quarterback Mike Kirk. Their defense will keep them one spot ahead of Hartford.

4. Hartford: This team will not improve on their 5-11 record this year and may even get worse. The only good offseason move this team made was to get head coach Ernie Dargan from Iowa. This team will likely start three rookies on offense and at least one on defense, so the future may be bright in Hartford.

NC West

1. Seattle: The Stingrays have arguably the best draft class this year. How well that draft class plays this season will tell if this team will win this division. Quarterback Mike Kurko should enjoy throwing the ball downfield to first round pick wide receiver David Mueller and second round pick tight end Don Knight. The defense also has a couple of young stars in 2nd year middle line backer Rico Drisbach and Seattle’s other first round draft pick in 2010, outside linebacker Leslie Compton.

2. Sacramento: The Floyd Sinclair era is in full swing this year in Sacramento. Sinclair will enjoy chucking the ball downfield to wide receiver Clay Chapman. The defense is the Achilles heel of this team but isn’t bad enough to keep them out of the playoffs. They will take one of the wildcard playoff spots.

3. Portland: The Dragons had one of the bigger free agent pickups with wide receiver Todd Pinkston. In his 10th season Joey Harrington is still going strong. The improvement of the defensive front will hinge on how well long time Boise defensive end Chris Kelsey comes off of his injury.

4. Arizona: The Knights may have found the man to carry the ball for years to come with first round pick Jumbo Samuelson. The stars for Arizona are on defense. 2010 first team all leaguer defensive tackle Jeff Houston and corner Jimmy Dimitrenko lead this unit.

NC North

1. Iowa: The Bulls should overtake Chicago this year and win their first division title. They finished strong last season after Luke “Skywalker” Bruce took over the quarterback duties. The defense should be better with the addition of two first round picks, but who knows what this team will look like come week 1.

2. Detroit: Can you say triplets? Quarterback Brad Harvey, running back Ryan Reilly, and wide receiver Sedrick Boyer may be worthy of this moniker if they continue to improve. Bradie James, a first team all-league outside linebacker leads a good defense. The improvement of Detroit’s 2010 first round draft pick Mack Lincoln will decide just how good the secondary will be. If the secondary hangs together then this team will make the playoffs.

3. Chicago: Last years Walker Bowl Champions will not win their own division this year and will most likely not make the playoffs. Donovan McNabb is back but is beginning to show his age. The defensive will be good once again but not enough to put them over the top.

4. Milwaukee: The Marauders begins life without Lincoln Lofton leading this team from the quarterback position. Sammy Gray, in his third year from Portland, will take over. Gray will have help. Ed Hruby, Milwaukee’s all time leading rusher and a good defense featuring Moe Irwin will ease the transition, but it won't be enough.

NC South

1. Florida: The Hurricanes will win this but won’t go very far in the playoffs. David Carr will once more carry this team, but how much longer can he do it? Up and coming talent outside linebacker Jorge Jefferson will help Florida move on up to the division title.

2. Atlanta: This team needs an infusion of new blood. Kyle Boller’s stats have gone down for the past three seasons and most of it has to due with the age of the offense. The Arsenal’s front seven on defense suffer the same age problem. This team is good enough to take second place in this division.

3.Austin: Will Peyton Manning be able to play the whole season? If he does and he hooks up with first round pick Will Fritz enough Austin will improve on last season’s disastrous 5-11 record.

4. Louisiana: Pirate fans will be in for a long season. Safety Donnie Whalen's chase of the defensive rookie of the year award will be the highlight of their season.

[beeznik]

This preview is for the 2011 season. It was put together by myself and GM Diesel.

[Flasch186]

Thanks guys!! I look forward to having a living history over here at the place that started it all and hopefully it will not only reduce turnover but minimize the time between the churn. I also hope people enjoy watching this and if they would like to join the forum please send me an email at Flasch186 AT yahoo.com so I can activate your account. We have it restricted due to the number of 'bots that sign up.

It looks great!!!

[ShaneTheMaster]

Looks good guys! I'm looking forward to the next edition that expresses how good the Austin Rage are doing!

[beeznik]

Originally Posted by ShaneTheMaster

Looks good guys! I'm looking forward to the next edition that expresses how good the Austin Rage are doing!

Actually, we talked about it and we decided that the next edition will be strictly Austin Rage.

[Kozure]

Good to finally have the Denver Death get its FOF recognition. The team is a monster. Big things are coming for the Death again this year. Big things.