Offseason Reviews

-West-

Gold - B
The Gold lost Angelo over the offseason to retirement. He was the face of the team since its beginning. They had a big void to fill, but the problem was the Combine wasn't too promising even with their 3 draft picks. So they found a way to save one of those draft picks for next year by trading with the Interceptors for Dale. The team still is very old and is prone to fall on its face when the retirement rate picks up, but for now they are ranked #1 despite losing a big part of their team.

Diamonds - B+
Everyone knew of the Diamonds predicament they faced at the onset of offseason. Keep Sean, or keep Rob. The Pharoahs looked like a great suitor for Rob. The Diamonds didn't let him go easily but he left and a void needed to be filled. The draft pick they got wasn't going to cut it, so they searched and found Miller, drafted to the Reapers, in a money struggle, so they scooped him up and gave up one of their draft picks next year. The off-season workouts went well as the rookie Miller went to a 4.

Silverbacks - A
The team knew this was Orvis and Robby's last year to try to win the Championship. So they decided to lay it all on the line to get the best people they could. They traded a younger Erik for a better (but older) Geo. Then in the draft they picked up Kenneth. Both of these acquisitions improved during workouts and they find them selves deep in the ranking as opposed to all last season. This last ditch effort for a trophy might just work.

Pharoahs - B
After 3 of their players walked away disappointed last year, they were left with a big whole to fill. The first objective was nailing down a hot young player to build around for years to come. Rob was that perfect man. They gave up a draft pick next year and have to pay some of Sean's salary for a while, but it may pan out for the best for this team. They also angled in Forrest to everyone's surprise after he had his falling out with the Gremlins. The rookie Lyons has done well for them so far, kept his 3 ranking during wrokouts and helped the Pharoahs beat the Gold during the Pre-season Tournament.

-South-

Skylarks - B
They were bound to lose someone this offseason, either Kesar or Felix, eventually Kesar retired. They were down to 2 power players, while trying to keep up with the Dragonfish. They were able to lure Rosly away from the Toros and he panned out well, turning inot a 5 after workouts. But the bad part about this team is that they ocntinue to neglect 2,3,4 years down the road, they are not preparing for the future, I guess they really want to win one this year.

Dragonfish - B
They suffered the blow of losing Milfred. But they do secure Jacoby and Aleksandr for another 3 years. They could be dynasty status right now. With Francis here for one more year, they are looking as a strong contender for a repeat title.

St.Cat's - A
The Cat's turn many heads with their preseason rank of 6th. They are trying to prove that they can hang with the big dogs.They got Zach from the draft and he proved to be a 4, but Kirit dropped down and joined him at 4 status. The good part is Dotson and Jared both improved to 5's. Jared is the youngest 5 in the league. The Cat's have gotten pretty good results from their last 3 drafts. They may be preparing for an era of success in the near future.

Toros - B
They cut the cancer that was Carlos after a one year stint, hoping to forget that great flop forever.They replaced him with the winner of the Combine: Semere. He has kept his 3 rating and looks promising. They were not able to nail down a deal with Rosly and lost him to division team Skylarks. But they bought Matt from free agency and he improved to a 4, pretty much replacing Roz. And Darren steps up as a 5 this year ready to lead this team through a tough, tough South-West.

-North-

Empire - A
The Empire have become well known for making sweeping changes during the offseason, and this year was no different. Out the door was Pathos due to retirement. This was the final year of their no draft pick-ness, so they were planning free agency for a while. They angled for Williame, taking advantage of the Seadogs strife. Also, they traded Floyd and Suron to the Reapers to bag Aracell. They decided also to give the flamboyant Nadashess a try seeing how he was so fruitful for the Seadogs. Even though this team is still old, they did a good job acquiring talent. They all of a sudden find themselves looking toward the Championship game, and the only thing that can stop them is themselves.

Seadogs - D
The much documented disintegration of this team was a riveting story during this offseason. It all started when Deutch retired after only 8 seasons. This was a blow, but they should have been good still. But Williame wanted to see his options, and the Seadogs decided not to do everything they could to keep him. Then they scrambled to find somebody to replace him. They nabbed Petr from the Interdceptors while he was in a financial struggle with the team. He didn't pan out as expected, rather, the rookie Corey they picked up from free agency did better than him over the offseason. Even though the offseason was pretty miserable, they still have a chance in this wide open conference.

Margays - C
The Margays had a nice draft pick but it didn't turn out well, as Pete from Ireland remained a 2 after workouts. The team did gel well during the preseason tournament however. Michael degraded to a 3, he is supposed to be the future of this team, hopefully he'll get his game together or this team is screwed for the future. Spike should be able to lead this team to a couple victories, but Michael was supposed to be with him this year as a tandem, with a hot rookie as support. They traded with the Silverbacks for Erik, maybe he will provide nice support.

Dizzy Devils - B-
The Dizzy Devils didn't have much to do for the offseason, they needed to fill the hole that was Reno. They did give Russell a nice fat 4 year contract to ensure a nice base for a while. Alexi is still there for support too. Smith improved to a 3. The draft pick they got to replace Reno isn't looking to hot as a 1 right now, but this team is as in the hunt as everyone else right now.

-Midwest-

Interceptors - B
Some might think this team had a down offseason. But this team was trying a nice fresh start and they seem to be buying into the vision. They cut ties with Mr.Drama aka Dale, getting another draft pick from the Gold. They weren't able to keep Petr, but he did bad in workouts anyway. Paolo and Grover were picked in the draft. Grover is looking very promising. Andrew Andres was picked up from free agency and he will provide added support. Salem improved to a 3 in his sophomore year. Everyone knows Travis will be the heart of this team judging from the successful preseason tournament.

Gremlins - C+
The Gremlins were dealt a bad hand. They lost Theo AND Lance to retirement this season. They were down to Mr.Chicago in the power player department. But I guess he got tired of Chicago and wanted to see how the other half lives. He was taken by the Pharoahs and the Gremlins decided not to try and keep him looking toward the future and get young guys. Without a draft pick, they got Konsta, Casey and Silvio from free agency. Silvio was the hottest one in there he improved to a 5 in workouts. He will instantly be the leader of this team until Donte or Konsta step their game up.

Reapers - B-
The Reapers did not improve at all this offseason. They finally cut a dismal Biagio, only to replace him with a dilapidated Floyd. They weren't able to negotiate with Miller to keep him, but did get a draft pick next year to help after 4 players on the team retire this year. They still look good in the conference with Carson and Roy being 5's, but little support around it.

Scarlet Ember - B
The Scarlet Ember were the only team not to make any changes this year. They start out with the highest ranked team in the conference even with Hobbs and Maurice going down in rank. They were confident in their squad and they stand as one of the good teams in this wide open conference. It should be a good season for this team.

Greetings from St. Petersburg

The 2nd annual preseason tournament took off this past weekend in the freezing but exciting Federation Square. This tournament showed how deeply the Russian people follow their countrymen. Every game with a Russian playing in it had a marked increase in fan turnout. Overall, it was a big success and fans braved the cold to watch their favorite team throw-down.

This tournament may be hinting at what is upcoming this year. EVERY game in the North-Midwest was won by the underdog in the first round. This means the Empire, Reapers and Scarlet Ember, all teams expected to be up there in the ranks, lost to lowly divisional opponents. These surprises weren't just relegated to one conference, the Pharoahs surprised everyone when they took down the #1 Gold in the first round. Lyons and Rob look like a good fit for this team on the mend. These upsets show the line between good teams and bad teams has been significantly blurred compared to last season, should make for exciting games.

The Diamonds seem to have this tournament thing nailed. They won their second straight preseason tournament against the Interceptors of all teams. Sean was playing very well, everyone else was being solid in supporting roles, even the hot rookie Miller. The Interceptors weren't looking bad going into the final game, but everyone could see their glaring flaw: Travis single-handedly won every game for them, they have no support. In a league where the Silverbacks couldn't win with 2 stars and no support, I think the Interceptors will find much difficulty even in the weaker conference that they are in. Even with the title under their belts, everyone including the Diamonds is saying the same refrain: its just preseason. I don't think the title got to their heads last year, and I think it'll get to their heads less this year. They have a rough and tough division so they gotta stay focused.

All in all, it was a good vacanza to Russia and a team-building experience for many teams that made a lot of moves over the offseason, a chance to get to see how the team works before official play. This tournament just creates that much more excitement for opening day!

Things Fall Apart: London Edition

In this novel, it was the British who lost everything. It all started last season. Deutch and Williame were going to be at the end of their contract at the end of the year, the Seadogs had only enough money to keep one. The Seadogs made it clear to Deutch he was going to be let go at the end of the season.

"They told me they came to a decision and they would try to get me traded to a good team, all this while we were still playing in the Conference fianls last year... so unprofessional" Deutch recounts.

In regular circumstances, this would be an easy decision, just go with the younger guy for a promise of good years to come. But Deutch wasn't a regular circumstance. This man was the heart and soul of this team and its fans. He was the only original Seadog still on the team from their inception in season 2. He watched all the ups and downs and was the driving force behind the great wins. But, the decision was made - Williame would stay. Normally Deutch is a cool guy, but he does value himself pretty highly. After he received the news, he decided he wasn't going to play him hardest for the rest of the playoffs. Yes everyone, this means the championship.

"I wouldn't say that I threw the championship. I am only one man, and I did try, but I will admit I had much less of a voice in the huddle and felt dejected at times. " Deutch admits.

It was apparent to the fans and the opposing team that Deutch seemed off his game.

"We were expecting Deutch to be the toughest man to get out, but it was definitely Williame" Jacoby of the Dragonfish remembers.

Williame had his coming out party during the Championship. Seemed as if he was the only one out there, Lewis and Deutch were just supporting cast. He was the one to lead them through the sets and get them their 1 victory. Williame stayed rather quiet about the whole situation during the season. But afterwards he shocked everyone when he declared he wanted to see his options before resigning with the Seadogs.

"I said look, if your going to do someone dirty like that after all their years of service, then I'm not sure I want to be the face of this club for the future." Williame explains.

The Seadogs were scrambling to see what they could do, maybe cut their nice rookie James, renegotiate other players contracts. But what they decided shocked everyone in London and abroad.

"We didn't need that attitude around here" Ian McInnis - Owner of the Seadogs.

They did try to sign him with the same offer the rival Empire were giving, pretty much giving him a black and white choice, resign or join the dark side, the evil Empire. Williame took the offer to go to NYC to play ball. London collectively held its head in its arms as it watched its 2 stars leave the team after a championship run.

The solution: bring in young talent. The Seadogs proceeded to rip Petr away from the Interceptors as he was in the same resigning situation as Williame. They then signed Corey a rookie from free agency. Petr, well, petered out and didnt perform so well in the offseason workouts, but Corey did show substantial improvment from the Combine. Now the Seadogs, who finished the season ranked #1, are looking at #10 to start, and a hill to climb as this season kicks off.