USFL 2011 mid-season

[rollaway]

Contenders & Pretenders Edition



AC CONTENDERS
1.Denver(8-0): The Death are by far the best team in the entire league, and some have been shooting the idea out there that they may end the season undefeated. This is a very real possibility, as their remaining schedule is remarkably easy, with only two teams boasting .500 or better records. Denver's offense has a very balanced attack, with Portis coming on strong in the last few weeks. Leftwich has been everything Denver hoped he would be.
2.Boise(6-1): The Rough Riders have had a very solid season so far, playing the most difficult schedule in the league. They get the nod as the 2nd best team in the conference right now, although a tough Columbus team is right on their heels. The bad news, Denver has had and still has Boise's number. Boise's pass happy offense doesn't match up well against Denver's defense. The Riders need to find a way to get passed the Death or hope another team upsets them if they are going to take it to the next level. Tom Brady and the passing offense are once again having a monster year, and the rushing game has been there when needed. Their defense, however, needs to improve. The defense is ranked #19 overall and they are not forcing enough turnovers. Unless they improve in the turnover department, they could be subject to an early upset in the playoffs.
3.Columbus(6-1): The War Dogs may pose the biggest problem for the Death in the AC. Their offense consists of a very balanced attack, ranking in the top 10 in both rushing offense and passing offense. They are also in the top 10 in rushing defense and passing defense. If they can keep it together and avoid injuries, they might just knock Denver out of the playoffs. Before they worry about that they need to keep their eye on Newark who is only one game back from them in the division. They haven't played Newark yet, so those games could prove vital to Columbus securing the division as well as a first round bye.

AC PRETENDERS
1.Minnesota(6-2): Minnesota has made their living this year by living off of the bottom feeders of the USFL. They have yet to beat a team with a winning record, and the teams they have beaten combine for a paltry 12-35 record. Minnesota's defense has been great this year, ranking in the top 5 in both rushing defense and pass defense. But you have to wonder if that has to do with the level of competition that their schedule has granted them. The two teams that beat them, Columbus and Denver, seemed to have their way with the Golden Hawks D. Minnesota's running game has been solid this year, and the front office must be pleased with the development of Steve Becker, who as of right now is 2nd in the league in rushing yards. This team is good and has a bright future, but they need to prove their meddle by beating some of the better teams in the league.
2.Newark(5-2): The Red Dogs offense has been all about one player, Burt Floyd. The guy has simply been everything to this team. He leads the league in rushing and has been great catching the ball out of the backfield. Floyd has not been held under 100 yards rushing yet this year, but you have to think that he will slow down as the season wears on. The ball control offense has allowed the Red Dogs to dramatically improve their defense from a year ago. They had also been great in the turnover department, until recently. In the last two games, Brock Franz has thrown 6 interceptions. He better not make it a habit either, as Riddick Reynolds in waiting in the wings. Newark is on the way up and could find themselves in the playoffs this year, but they aren't up to par with the better teams in the AC just yet, and they will find that out when they face Columbus twice in the 2nd half of the year.
3.San Diego(4-3): The Sea Wolves, much like Minnesota and Newark, have been thriving in the running game. They started off the season very strong, but hit a stumbling block during the last two weeks, losing to Newark and Columbus. This team has a nice future, but they still need some time to let their youngsters develop. Their defense has been creating a lot of turnovers and they have the #1 statistical defense in the league. They have been helped by Grant Northcutt, who is on pace to have a career year. San Diego will more than likely miss the playoffs this year, but they will be a team to watch out for in the next few years.

AC TEAM TO WATCH OUT FOR
New York(4-3): New York is a team that we felt good about in the beginning of the season. They have had their growing pains, but seem to be getting stronger as the season goes on. Since starting of 2-3, they have blown out their last two opponents. The Blizzard have a very talented team, and I don't think it would surprise anyone if they make a run for it and sneak into the playoffs at the expense of Newark or Minnesota. Heck, this is a team that could even come back to take the division from Columbus.[/quote]



NC CONTENDERS
1.Sacramento Quake (6-1): The Quake get the top spot because they hold the home field advantage over the Chicago Crusaders if the season ended today. The Quake beat Chicago in Sacramento in week two. The second half of the season will be difficult for the Quake. Five of their last nine games are on the road. Four of their last games are played against playoff contenders. The addition of quarterback Floyd Sinclair has been the key to this team’s success. The deep passing threat of Sinclair has opened things up for Drew Scutaro who looks like he is going to have a better season than last year. The defense has played good this season. They are currently 4th in scoring defense and 7th in total yards allowed. If this team has a weakness it is with turnovers. The Quake have fumbled the ball 20 times already and their defense has only taken the ball away 10 times.

2.Chicago Crusaders (6-1): The defending Walker Bowl Champions look like they will have a good shot at going to the big game again this season. They would be the favorites this season if it wasn’t for their loss to Sacramento and a key injury to weak side linebacker Morris Nickel. Nickel is the team leader in sacks and is 4th on the team in tackles. Nickel has a mysterious impairment to his vision and the team has no idea when he will be back. Donovan McNabb leads a balanced offense. Running back Brandon Cash is making the Crusader fans almost forget about last season’s offensive rookie of the year Jimmie Rayburn.

3.Iowa Bulls (5-2): The Bulls looked like the were in the tank early but have gone on a 5 game winning streak. Kurt Warner has taken over for an ineffective Luke Bruce at quarterback after week 3. The Bulls do play 5 of their last 9 games at home but in 6 of those 9 games they must face teams with winning records. The team has a lot to do with the improved running of Leo Litz who has averaged 100 yards per game during the teams winning streak. It will be hard for this team to go to the Walker Bowl this year. They will most likely get into the playoffs as a wildcard team unless they can climb over Chicago to win the NC North division. Key injuries in their secondary and offensive line make this unlikely.
NC PRETENDERS
1.Florida Hurricanes (5-3): The Hurricanes started off strong but they have showed in the last two weeks that they can not win against good competition. This wins with an offense that thrives on a deep passing game. They are 4th in the league in points scored. They turn over the ball to often to make them a serious contender. Their defense is also not strong enough to them through the playoffs. They are 27th in scoring defense.
2.Milwaukee Marauders(4-3): The Marauders have played well enough defensively to be considered a contender but their offense has not. They are 3rd in the league in scoring defense. The Marauders have only scored 27 points in their three losses. Their second half will be rough. They only have three home games remaining and 5 of their remaining games will be played against teams with winning records.
3.Hartford Diesel (5-2): The Diesel’s playoff hopes may have vanished in week 8 when quarterback Junior Skipper was injured for the rest of the season. This team has quite a few other key injuries as well. They have lost their top 2 centers, their right tackle, and a starting wide receiver. They don’t have the depth or the defense to make up for these losses.
NC TEAM TO WATCH OUT FOR
Erie Invaders (4-4): Erie get’s the nod as the team to watch because with Hartford soon to fall this team looks like the team to beat in the East. The Invaders defense has to improve if they are going to make a move. They are 24th in points allowed. The other thing that’s hard is they have only 3 home games left this season. All 5 Erie away games will be played against teams with winning records.

[Flasch186]

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