Power Rankings
1 - Long Island Raiders
1965 Record: 7-5 (1st East)
1965 Result: Won McCallister Cup
The Raiders had a historically elite defence last season, and that helped them to their second title in the NAAF. This season, that defence returns. The only starter the team lost was DL Blaine Caswell, who they replaced with an upgrade in DL Dexter Barbarcos. That change only makes the defence even stronger. The one concern for the team will be if QB Stanley Troyer can step up a little more in the passing game which was a rough patch for the team last season. Most other teams will likely be aiming to force the team to move the ball through the air rather than on the ground with RB Dareion Fields.
Captains:
C - DL Vernon Spears
A - RB Dareion Fields
A - OL Elliot Winterbottom
2 - Buffalo Blue Wings
1965 Record: 7-5 (5th West)
1965 Result: Missed Playoffs
Missing the playoffs was a head-scratcher for the Blue Wings. To be fair, the team’s record should have been enough to make the playoffs, and frankly, they likely would have had a real good shot at the title if they did get in. This season, the team returns with the steller D-line headlined by Lonnie Vincent and William Sanderson, and the strong QB-RB combo of Charles Lemieux and Jimmy Golden. The Blue Wings have the most skilled team in the league and should be one of the biggest contenders this season.
Captains:
C - QB Charles Lemieux
A - DL Lonnie Vincent
A - OL Georgio Stephan
3 - Boston Independents
1965 Record: 6-6
1965 Result: Lost East Division Final
The Independents did lose some key pieces on defence with LB Brent Harper calling it a career, and DL Robin Hill moving onto Montreal. The defence as a whole will be younger and could be weaker than in the past, but the hope is new head coach, Johnathan Fox, will help to lessen the blow of those losses with his defensive mind. However, with QB Nathaniel Braddock leading the way on offence, you can never count Boston out of the race. There is even more excitement as the team could have the best WR core since Braddock started his career with WR Felix Fontaine being added to WR Evan Clanton and WR Alexei Dubois. If things work out, the team could be right back at the top of the league.
Captains:
C - QB Nathaniel Braddock*
A - OL Graham Chambers
A - K Johnnie Berg*
4 - Toronto Steelheads
1965 Record: 9-3 (1st West)
1965 Result: Lost West Division Final
It's the last shot for the current core of the Steelheads. Several veterans, namely LB Rusty McVee, LB Daniel Carpenter, and DL Chester Avery, all decided to return for one last shot at a NAAF title with the game being played in Toronto. The Steelheads as a whole are not the most skilled team in the league, but you can't completely count them out as they showed that they were able to overcome that last season. They hope the team can find some more magic to take a shot at the title.
Captains:
C - QB Todd Baker
A - LB Daniel Carpenter
A - S Daniel Perry
5 - Halifax Mariners
1965 Record: 5-7 (5th East)
1965 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Mariners are looking to finally make the jump into being a contender this season. With the acquisition of QB Lyle Painter and the mountain of young players coming into their own, they look like a team that could be very scary for many others across the league. Painter is going to have some strong weapons offensively with WR Shane Steadman, WR Jav Kerrigan, and RB Ronald O’Sullivan, and then the defence is going to be a tough one to play with DL Wayne Baxton, DL Pat Butler, and DB Joe Robinson ready to tear up offences. There is an obvious concern with the lack of experience and have not proven if they can be a team to beat, which does hold them lower in the rankings.
Captains:
C - OL Ward Briscoe
A - DB Joe Robinson
A - DL Pat Butler*
6 - Louisville Thunder
1965 Record: 8-4 (2nd West)
1965 Result: Lost McCallister Cup
The Thunder had a great turnaround after a tough start last season going on to an 8-4 season with a 6-game win streak to close it out. However, there are still lots of concerns for the team after they lost LB Scotty Williams to retirement and have a significantly weaker front 7. However, they still have arguably the league’s best secondary and a young WR core that could start to provide QB Leonidas Dumont with more options on offence. HC Emil Riddle also knows how to get the most out of his teams so you can’t count the Thunder out completely.
Captains:
C - QB Leonidas Dumont
A - S Johnny Berger
A - DB Jayden Mills*
7 - London Tigers
1965 Record: 7-5 (4th West)
1965 Result: Lost East Division Semi-Final
Much like the Steelheads, the Tigers could be on their last ride. They have many ageing veterans on the team especially on the defence with DL Olympus Heights and DB Richardo Salvador. They do have some youth hoping to make a mark, notably RB Austin Andrews who will look to improve on his first season as the starter, but they are running out of time with this core. They should still be in the fight this season with a great coaching staff and still one of the best QBs in the league in Riley Kiernan.
Captains:
C - QB Riley Kiernan
A - DB Jackson Miles
A - OL Emil Jennings*
8 - Montreal Rouge
1965 Record: 5-7 (3rd East)
1965 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Rouge enter this season with one big question. Will QB Gene Bishop be able to recover to his usual form? Bishop suffered a major season-ending injury last year. Over the offseason, the QB suffered a couple of setbacks that could impact his play this season. They will hope he can get back to form as they are still a very talented team that should be contending for the Cup. They did add some help with DL Robin Hill on defence and OL Elliot Barett on offence to help support the QB. However, the play of Bishop is still likely the most important factor in Montreal’s season which leaves them this far down the list.
Captains:
C - DB Quentin Xavier
A - LB Sam Fitzroy
A - RB Scott Mallard-White
9 - Indiana Victors
1965 Record: 7-5 (3rd West)
1965 Result: Lost West Division Semi-Final
The Victors had their best season last year, however, they had QB Lyle Painter leading the way. This season, they are going to have to rely on the young hands of QB Tom Applewhite. It certainly does not mean the Victors won’t find success this season, but it does not inspire confidence when you lose your MVP-winning QB. Indiana still was able to add DB Cameron Taylor and plenty of youth which certainly should make the team into a strong foe this season regardless. It will ultimately come down to the play of their young QB to see if the team can take the step into some consistent success this season.
Captains:
C - DB Kelly Kirkland
A - TE Emmanual Hines
A - LB Terrence Patton
10 - Providence Gold Stars
1965 Record: 4-8 (6th East)
1965 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Gold Stars had a horrid season last year, however, they were certainly not the least skilled team. This offseason the new regime made some strong moves that could lead to a bounce-back year for the team. However, with the new coaching staff and still some uncertainty with 3 rookie-starters on the defence with DL Bartolo Cruz, LB Kurt Warlock, and DB Perry Ferris. Providence is the biggest wildcard this season which could be both good and bad for the team.
Captains:
C - QB Connor O’Rourke
A - DL Calias McDonough
A - DB Neville Falkner
11 - Ottawa Royals
1965 Record: 5-7 (4th East)
1965 Result: Missed Playoffs
This season is still a building one for the Royals. They are likely going to give QB Landon Ross a shot this season as the starter and see what he can do. That certainly could lead to some growing pains for the purple and gold. They do have some interesting young players in WR Colby Bancana, LB Sam Wheeler, and DB Sergio Alvarez which should bring some excitement for the fans. Overall, you can’t count Ottawa out as long as HC Joseph Curry and OC Jean Matieau continue to do what they do best.
Captains:
C - S Randall Green*
A - WR Marshall Leonard
A - LB Douglas MacDougall*
12 - Pittsburgh Blacksmiths
1965 Record: 2-10 (6th West)
1965 Result: Missed Playoffs
The Blacksmiths are still the weakest team in terms of pure skill, however, it doesn’t mean they won’t show improvement from last season. They will have a question at QB this season. QB Louis Vaughn was taken with the 1st pick in the draft, but it is unlikely that he starts right away. QB Buck Murphy started most of last season and should be the starter for week one, but it is also likely the team could deploy QB Magnus Torrensen at some point as well after he showed some promise at the end of last season. Regardless of who is under centre, they will have a strong group of guys to support them in the backfield with veteran RBs Stavros Black and Cody Barnes, and youngster RB Carter Roy. Overall, Pittsburgh may not be amazing, but they will be exciting to watch.
Captains:
C - RB Stravros Black
A - DL Sammy Pickett
A - OL Wally McRose
1966 Predictions
Based on last season being a crazy one, I think we could see more craziness this season. I think a team or two could definitely fall further down the standing than they hope, and a few may find their way into a playoff spot when they didn’t expect it. I also think Buffalo and Long Island are going to be really tough to beat, so they likely could be a level above the rest.
WEST
BUF 9-3 -y
LDN 7-5 -x
IND 6-6 -x
LOU 6-6
TOR 5-7
PIT 2-10
EAST
LI 9-3 -y
HFX 7-5 -x
BOS 7-5 -x
MTL 6-6
PRO 5-7
OTT 3-9
DSF
HFX over BOS
LDN over IND
DF
LI over HFX
BUF over BOS
48th MCC
BUF over LI
No comments:
Post a Comment