West Division
- Without a doubt, the best division in 2012 and looks to be the best division in arena football again in 2013.
Arizona Rattlers
- The defending Arena Bowl champs look poised for a repeat in 2013. Have loads of talent on both sides of the ball and have plenty of championship experience on the roster.
What I Like -Nick Davila, Qb. One of the League's best quarterbacks, enough said.
-The Wide Receiver core:
- Maurice Purify - one of the top receivers in arena football, team's leading receiver from 2012.
- Jared Perry - One of the best pickup of the offseason, ranked in the top group receivers as a rookie with Chicago in 2012.
- Tysson Poots - Another fantastic offseason acquisition. Comes over from division-rival Utah after a breakout season with the Blaze.
- Kerry Reed - Veteran receiver, returning from 2012 champion team.
- Rod Windsor - Was the top receiver in arena football before spending a good part of the last two seasons with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. Returns to Arizona to open arms and aonly makes this already elite group even more potent.
-The defensive line of Marcus Pittman, Anttaj Hawthorne, and Cliff Dukes. Dukes and Hawthorne had their way with opposing offensive lines in 2012, this duo returns looking to do even more damage in 2013.
-The defensive backs: Virgil Gray, Marquis Floyd, Arkeith Brown. This will be the second consecutive year these three will patrol the the defensive backfield and cause havoc for opposing QB's. All three of these guys could easily be the top man on any other squad, but have developed a priceless chemistry in Arizona that looks to be elite.
What I don't Like
- Spoiler alert, I like pretty much everything about this team.
-Garrett Lindholm is the only real question i have towwards this team. He last played in the League in 2011 with Milwaukee, but performed well making 62.5% of field goals and 83.7% of his extra points.
-The strength of west division, reason why the saying goes "West is best".
Key Notes of the Schedule
-Open vs. Philadelphia in a rematch of Arena Bowl 25, also the first game on CBS Sports Network.
-Three straight divisional games in weeks 2-4, with two of them on the road.
-Division games; Week 2 @ Utah in, Week 3 vs. San Jose, Week 4 @ Spokane, Week 8 vs.Utah, Week 13 vs. Spokane, Week 14 @ San Jose.
-Week 15 bye.
San Jose Sabercats
- Poised at another playoff run this year's Sabercats team is reaquipped for success. Mark Grieb finally called it quits leaving a vacancy at quarterback for the first time in well over a decade, so what did the 'Cats do to fill it; signed future hall-of-famer Aaron Garcia to lead the troops.
What I Like - The defensive backs:
- Mervin Brookins - Has iron-man capabilities and is becoming one of the best defensive backs in arena football.
- Andre Freeman - Rookie out of Slippery Rock University, where he earned all-conference honors.
- JC Neal - Was the staple of Kansas City's defense for years, great veteran addition.
- Clevan Thomas - The old Sabercat returns in 2013, will bring years of experince to this team.
-Bringing Aaron Garcia in to be the new quarterback. It's simple, any time you can add one of the all-time greats to your team, you win.
-Just like Arizona, this is a very talented and deep group of wide receivers:
- Samora Goodson - Has a chance to be the top reciever on this team, been very productive in his first two years.
- Jamarko Simmons - A sneaky good acquisition for the Sabercats. The Garcia-Simmons connection is reunited and looks to stay strong in 2013.
- Huey Whittaker - Quietly has become a pretty good iron-man, love his game and his heart even more.
- Jason Willis - Another smart transaction, jsut like Garcia came over from San Antonio
- Fred Williams - Another reciever who has quietly put up solid numbers for the 'Cats the last two years.
What I Don't Like
-Four rookies on the offensive line, Aaron Garcia isn't getting any younger so it's crucial to keep this future hall-of-famer upright.
-The lose of Gabe Nyenhuis on the defensive line leaves a huge hole to fill.
-The strength of the west division, this will be also be seen on Utah's and Spokane's write-up.
Key Games on Schedule
-Open season at San Antonio
-Division games: Week 3 @ Arizona, Week 5 vs. Spokane, Week 10 vs. Utah, Week 11 @ Spokane, Week 14 vs. Arizona, Week 15 @ Utah.
-Two sets of back-to-back divisional games.
-Week 4 bye.
Spokane Shock
- Despite winning ten games, the Shock were kept out of the postseason and look ready to make a run at it this year.
What I Like
- The defensive back tandem of Terrance Sanders and Paul Stephens. Sanders has become one of most feared return men in the League, but also is on the way to becoming one of the top defensive backs. Stephens is also no slouch, he can hold his on against any receiver.
- James Ruffin, the returningsack leader, headlines an average defensive line.
-Kenny Spencer returns as kicker. Spencer was very reliable in 2012, I expect to see the same in 2013.
-Beau Bell as mac linebacker, which is the centerpeice of an AFL defense. Bell has shown great instincts and is a solid man at this position.
-Erik Meyer returns and will be the starting quarterback without having to look over his shoulder. Meyer has good decision making ability and is very mobile. Meyer can be a dark-horse for breakout player of the year.
-The wide receiver core:
- Steven Black - Had a very nice 2012 season, was overshadowed by his teammate Adron Tennell.
- Kamar Jorden - A rookie out of Bowling Green, Jordan was a big part of the Falcons success during his college days and his versatility should translate nicely to the AFL.
- Jeffrey Soloman - Had a solid rookie season for the Shock in 2012 and with a year under his belt should play a bigger role in the offense this season.
- Adron Tennell - One of the elite receivers in arena ball stays in Spokane. He is coming of a year where he caught 157 passes for 1,810 yards and had 40 touchdowns. At the beginning of March Tennell has made it his goal to become the AFL's best, any man on a mission is a dangerous thing which is great news for the Shock. http://kndu.membercenter.worldnow.com/story/21545983/tennell-wants-to-be-afls-top-receiver
-The Shock have finally gotten rid of Kyle Rowley. Even though I like Meyer at QB, Rowley ahs done soo much for this franchise which is why I can't understand the reason he is out of town.
-One glaring weakness is the lack of depth on the defensive line. Other than Ruffin, who will step up as a pass rusher.
-The strength of the wild, wild west division.
Key Games on Schedule
-Open the season at Cleveland
-Three straight road games to start season
-Division gaems: Week 4 vs. Arizona, Week 5 @ San Jose, Week 7 @ Utah, Week 11 vs. San Jose, Week 13 @ Arizona, Week 14 vs. Utah.
-All the division games come in a three-game in four-week stretch.
-Week 15 bye.
Utah Blaze
- The Blaze are coming off a appearance in the National Conference title game in 2012. The Blaze ended the year as one of the hottest teams and highlighted it with a upset of top-seeded San Antonio in the conference semifinals. The defending offensive player of the year Tommy Grady returns to quarterback the Blaze, but do they have enough to make a title run in 2013.
What I Like
- Ben stallings returns at fullback. Stallings may be the best pass-catching fullback in the game and is another weapon at Grady's disposal.
- Tommy Grady at quarterback. He is the reigning offensive player of the year and there's nothing to not like about his game
-The receiving core:
- L.J. Castille - A great acquistion as he comes from New Orleans. Castille posses great hands and size, making him a favorite target of Grady's.
- Aaron Lesue - One of my favorite receivers, who is also one of the best. Is Grady's top target.
- Brandon Thompkins - Comes from division-foe Spokane where he was a solid third option. Should be the third option in Utah, but is a good one.
-This team lacks experience at defensive back.
-There is also no standout on the defensive line
- The Blaze have a rookie kicker, could be good but kicking in arena football is majorly different from football.
-This is a useful offensive line, Grady needs to be protected.
-The fact that Tysoon Poots is now a Rattler.
-The strength of the west division.
Key Games on schedule
-Open at Pittsburgh
-Division games: Week 2 vs. Arizona, Week 7 vs. Spokane, Week 8 @Arizona, Week 10 @San Jose, Week 14 @ Spokane, Week 15 vs. San Jose.
-Two back-back sets of divisional games and a stretch where they will play three division games in a four week span.
-Week 4 bye.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Arizona
- San Jose
- Spokane
- Utah
- I can see San Jose winning this division in 2013, if we are lucky we will see a Sabercat-Rattler meeting in the again in this year's playoffs.
-Spokane should challenge for the fourth and final playoff spot this year and could be a dark horse in this division.
-I think Utah can win nine to elevan games, but to me they are the weakest team in the wild west, which will keep them from a return to the postseason.
your only question about Arizona Rattlers is Garrett Lindholm, who has played on 3 NFL teams? he made 10 out of 10 kicks in first game on saturday.... just sayin
ReplyDeleteMy favorite arena football team is the Arizona Rattlers. I was so happy that they won the championship last season. I hope they can do a repeat and bring back the title again.
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