East Division:
-The Milwaukee Mustangs are still apart of Arena Football but have chosen to sit out this 2013 season, leaving this a three-team division.
Cleveland Gladiators
-Cleveland has been a successful franchise and has become accustomed to postseason success. This year looks like it might be a long one for the Gladiators, who have a lot of youth on the roster.
What I Like
-Derik Steiner returns at fullback. Underrated at his position, he has become a touchdown machine in short yardage situations.
-Brian Zbydniewski as the starting quarterback. Some of you arena football fans may not know Zbydniewski that well, but he was a servicable back-up with Tampa Bay for the last couple years. I'm glad he finally gets a solid chance to be a starter in this League, his performance as a starter is to be tested.
-Wide Receivers Dominick Goodman and Thyron Lewis both return. Goodman had a breakout 2012, catching 170 passes for 1,782 yards and 34 touchdowns. In 2013 Goodman has his sights set for a 2,000 yard season. The Loss of Robert Redd will free open more balls to be thrown Lewis's and Goodman's way in 2013, which make for one of the better tandems in the AFL.
What I Don't Like
-Losing Robert Redd, Levy Brown, and Joe Phinisee. Redd was a familiar face to the Cleveland fans, but his time in red and black has finally come to an end. Brown and Phinisee made one of the top secondary tandems, but with both men gone Cleveland has to rely on inexperience to guard their end zone.
-A starting trend for the Glads, their center is a rookie.
-As mentioned, a young secondary with no one having more than two years of AFL experience.
-A young defensive line that contains two rookies and one second-year player
-The kicker is a rookie
-Three of the four linebackers are rookies
-Overall, 10 of the 11 players on defense are either rookies or in their 2nd season
-Having Philadelphia in the division isn't something to throw a party over.
Key games on the Schedule
-Open vs. Spokane
-Division games: Week 5 @ Philadelphia, Week 10 @ Pittsburgh, Week 15 vs. Philadelphia, Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh
-Week 4 bye
Philadelphia Soul
-The defending American Conference champs look poised for a second straight division title and another trip to the Arena Bowl in 2013. The Soul didn't loose much and made it for their losses with some solid offseason acquistions.
What I Like
-Rayshaun Kizer and LaRico Stevenson in the secondary. Kizer is an elite corner and is coming of an eleven-interception season. Stevenson was added late in 2012, but is a very talented player who needs to keep his head on straight.
-The defensive line keeps Dustin Barno and Bryan Robinson. These two combined for 15 sacks in 2012, ten of them belonging to Robinson.
-Derrick Ross. The best fullback in arena football. Set rushing records in 2012 with 645 yards and 32 touchdowns. Love his "Push-mower" dance and watching him go on screen passes is one of the best things on TV.
-The linebacking core of Joe Goosby as the Jack and Brandon Perkins at the Mack. Two of the top tacklers will start in the heart of the team's defense. Goosby had four interceptions in 2012, while Perkins recorded four sacks in 2012.
-The kicker, Carlos Martinez who is a proven veteran entering his ninth season. 88.9% on extra points and 13/23 field goals with Georgia in 2012.
-Dan Raudabaugh. Arguably the top QB in the AFL, love his game and leadership.
-The Soul receivers
- Larry Brackins - as traditional of a goal-line target as they come. Has great hands to go with his strong six-foot, five-inch frame. Unstoppable inside the five yardline.
- Tiger Jones - Returns after setting franchise records with a 2,000-yard season. We get to see year three of the Raudabaugh-Jones connection.
- Alvance Robinson - A great pick-up from Utah. Going from one top passer in Tommy Grady to another in Dan Raudabaugh is never a bad thing.
- Andrae Thurman - Comes from the now-dormit Milwaukee. Thurman will be a nice third/fourth option to this team.
-The loss of long-time fan favorite Donovan Morgan to New Orleans.
Key Games on the Schedule
-Open @ Arizona
-Division games: Week 5 vs. Cleveland, Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh, Week 13 @ Pittsburgh, Week 15 @ Cleveland
-First three games of the season are on the road.
-Week 2 bye
Pittsburgh Power
-2013 will be the third year of operation for the Power, and hopefully will also be the first winning season in team history. The Power look forward to better things in 2013, after a frustrating 5-13 campaign.
What I Like
-Beau Elliott stays put as center. Couldn't ask for much better to anchor the offensive line, can also be a solid contributer on the D-Line.
-The much-improved secondary
- Sergio Gilliam - Comes from San Antonio. Gilliam will bring a much needed upgrade to the Power defensive backs, along with playoff experience.
- Christian Wise - Played on both sides on the ball in 2012. This year he will be asked to start at defensive back. A young player who, in my book has a lot of upside.
- Chris LeFlore - Lead the team in interceptions in 2012 to cement his break out season. It's key that he keeps up his production in 2013 for the Power to make any push towards the postseason.
-Tyre Young returns to the team in 2013. Not the greatest fullback, but is versatile which allows him to shift to play a little nose tackle if needed.
-The best signing of the offseason, Alvin Ray Jackson as the jack linebacker. The second year in a row that the Power have lured a top player from New Orleans to come to Pittsburgh. ARJ is the man needed to lead this defense.
-The receiving core
- Mike Washington - The only leading receiver Pittsburgh has known. One of my favorite players in the AFL who has one of the best nicknames, the "Joystick".
- PJ Berry - Returns for his second season with the Power. An elite receiver/playmaker in his own right. Feared returnman and also holds a sweet nickname, "Superman".
- Shamar Graves - A great addition from Jacksonville. Graves is a versatile receiver who can also return kicks and help out in the secondary.
- Perry Baker - A tall lenghty receiver who returns to keep this group of receivers in-tact. Soild player who is a tall target in the red-zone.
-The lack of depth lack of depth on the offesnive line. Beau Elliott's prescence and Jordan Jefferson's (QB) mobility could be a great neutralizer.
-A lack of true linebackers to go along side with Alvin Ray Jackson.
-Both quarterbacks are rookies. Jordan Jefferson, yes the former-LSU Tiger, is the starter. The length of the learning curve for Jefferson could very well decide whether the Power will be playing August-football.
-Staring at the in-state rival, Philadelphia a-top the division.
Key Games on the Schedule
-Open vs. Utah
-Division games: Week 8 @ Philadelphia, Week 10 vs. Cleveland, Week 13 vs. Philadelphia, Week 16 @ Cleveland
-Have three sets of back-to-back road games
-Week 3 bye, Why so early after the first two games are at home!?!?!?!?
Predicited Order of Finish
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Cleveland
-The Power will be better this year and I believe will challenge for a their first playoff birth in team history.
-I think this will be a rough season for the Gladiators. Too much inexperience and youth on this team to compete every week this season.
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