Offseason Review 2011

-West-

The West is looking its weakest in a long while. 2 years ago they started out the season with 1,2 and 3 rated teams. This year, the Silverbacks are the only team ranked, coming out as #8. There was a shake-up of Centers as all but 1 teams Centers wanted their options opened. It is a wide open division, each team has its own legit reasoning for thinking they can win this division.

Gold - C+
The Gold weren't their usual selves this offseason. They let Nathan slip away. They didn't switch-up any draft picks or use their salary cap. They were able to resign Desmond and Peletierre however. Willis kept his 3 rating, trying to replace Nathans hole. They couldn't lure in any hot free agents and settled for Petr. Peletierre did improve to a 5, so the Gold are working with 2 power players.

Diamonds - B-
It would seem the Diamonds had a pretty good offseason, dealing Miller to get the awaited phenom Sebastian. But they gave up too much in that trade. If they were able to nail a deal with Miller down, they could have gotten a 3 out of the draft instead of getting a 1 in Izett from free agency. Sean performed well in the preseason tourney like alway, so if him and Sebastian can develop a chemistry, this team should be explosive. 

Silverbacks - B
The Silverbacks had a ho hum, but solid offseason. Resigned Sanchito for 3 years, Ethos improved to a 3 and the Rookie Zeno improved to a 4. This team is looking to become more than Kenneth this year, with an acutal supporting cast that can be consistent compared to last year. They are in the hunt with everyone for this West title.

Pharoahs - B
They played it pretty lowkey this offseason. They were too busy trying to find a suitor for Rob and then trying to get Rob to sign to have their fingers in other places. They signed a great rookie in Walter, so things are looking to slowly get better for this team on the verge.

-South-

The South is the juggernaut division of this Conference  as the North is of theirs. The Dragonfish took everyone by surprise. The Toros had to improve to be at their level. The Cat's and Skylarks would be tops in other divisions so this division is going to be rocking and rolling with many upsets this year.

Skylarks - B+
The Skylarks are building something. This is a chemistry oriented organization and it seems to be slowly coming together. They preemptively resigned Keith for $3mil/4yrs which is great for them now that he improved to a 5. Maurice also improved to a 5, so they have themselves a young duo now. Potts went down to a 3 unfortunately, but the young and hip culture of this team will have great chemistry in the future. Its just sad to see them in this crazy division.

Dragonfish -A+
Everyone expected this team to keep going into a deeper and deeper decline as their stars aged. They made waves when they swapped their draft pick for Paolo of the Interceptors. But it was really the offseason regiment the team had that turned heads. Nobody got worse, and 4 players improved. They have no weak-links and 3 power players. They capped it off by singing all the way to become the Tourney Champions and be #1 ranked coming into the season.

St.Cat's - B+
The Cat's keep having good to great offseasons. It is coming together slowly for them. They angled in Joseph as a replacement for the legendary Kirit. And they got Arthur out of the draft. Ausonio improved to a 5 to give the Cats a power-player duo. They are in the race for the South, but they are gonna need Arthur and Joseph to step up immediately.

Toros - A-
Coming into the offseason from their 2nd straight title, they didn't have much to change. They were young and very very talented. The only problem was money for the future and keeping their stars aligned. They preemptively signed Semere and Rayquan to good money. They traded for a good pick in Martin to keep the rookie phenom train going, but he went down to a 2. Good news is they have three, count 'em, three 6's as Semere and Rayquan improved. No other team has two 6's. Everyone thought they were gonna walk away with it again this year, but they may not even win the division.

-North-

The North is the other super duper division in the league this year. With 3,4 and 6 rated teams coming into the season. Nobody really lost ground in this division. It is going to be a battle all year.

Empire - A-
Another successful offseason for the Empire. They got rid of Bruce to clear up some money issues that are going to be inevitable later on. They got a draft pick in return; Thompson. He improved to a 4 along with Garcia. Lawrence improved to a 5 to join Williame in the power players ranks. This team really never loses a step.

Seadogs - A
They didn't get involved in all the crazy deals, but they still pulled together a solid offseason. The big thing was keeping James. He was all in and signed a nice contract. They also nailed down Corey for 3 years. They drafted Ronnie, but he went down to a 2. However, 3 players improved including Corey and Wayne improving to 5's. One of 3 teams to have 3 power players.

Margays -C
They didn't do anything to step out of the misery. And with this division, its looking to be a long year, sorry to say.They couldn't go into the free agent sweepstakes because of a tight cap. And that folks, is the reason its dangerous to sign a fat fat contract to one player, especially when the talent level keeps rising in subsequent years.

Dizzy Devils -A+
If there was ever a turnaround this has to be it. After last season this team was looking at a grim situation, nobody thought that they could rebound after losing Alexi and not having much to bargain with other teams with. But they had some deeeeep pockets. They made a wise trade with Toros for Thomas a 4. Only giving up a draft pick and having to pay their rookie signee. They won the Nathan sweepstakes and were rewarded for paying him 7mil by him improving to a 5. Three players improved, even their rookie J.Jordan who was a 2, and none waned as they went to the Tourney Championship. Now they come in a #3 ready to roll woth the likes of the Seadogs and Empire. 

-Midwest-

The Midwest took a hit from retirement harder than anyone over the past couple of years. This year it made the Scarlet Ember a weak team. Overall more was to be desired out of the offseasons in this division.

Interceptors - A-
The first order was to resign Salem, and he agreed to a great deal for 3 years easily. So, they had time to focus on more endeavors. Paolo wasn't so agreeable however,  but they traded him for a 3 rookie. So they picked up Kyle and Roman from the draft, both 3's. Dian improved to a power player and Ricky improved to a 4. This team is looking like the clear favorite in the Midwest.

Gremlins - C
This team had some awful luck. They made their intentions clear for Nathan by drafting a Wing. But they lost out on both accounts. Their rookie Melisizwe turned out to be a bust, and they only could pick up Michael. Three people went down in rank including Donte who is a 5 now. They are the only team in the league with 3 weak links.

Reapers - B+
They had a really solid offseason, which is going to pay dividends for years to come. They traded their coveted 1st round pick, for Miller who they courted as a rookie years back, but now they can pay for him. Their draft pick panned out in Reid, he improved to a 4. Jason also improved to a 4. So in coming years they will be up there. They do have a chance for a playoff run this year too.

Scarlet Ember - B+
They actually did a good job for what they had to work with. They had to fill 2 retirement spots. So they couldn't cut their weak link remaining players and had to build around Jack. They took a nice trade for Bruce. And then got Matt from free agency. Jack improved to a 5 so he will head up this strikingly old team.