South Division:
-The Georgia Force are no more, but this year's south division looks even better and will be a fun race to watch over the course of 19 weeks.
Jacksonville Sharks
-The pride and joy of professional football in Jacksonville, yes I'm a Jags fan so go ahead and laugh all you want. This is only the Sharks' fourth season, but three division titles and an Arena Bowl title in three years has quickly established this franchise as one of the best in arena football. Can they win a fourth straight South Division title?
What I Like
-I like a lot about this team, beware this is a long list.
-The secondary
- Tracy Belton - great addition. Has 27 interceptions in three years and comes from Georgia.
- Bill Alford - returns as the second leading tackler and third interception-leader.
- Micheaux Robinson - Was a part of the Arena Bowl 24 title team, and returned late in 2012 via a trade. Will be a key piece on the defense.
-Rendrick Taylor returns at fullback. One of the more-overlooked players at his position. Put together a very productive 2012 season and should do no-less in 2013.
-Marco Capozzoli. How can you not like this guy!? Made a 51-yard, game-winning kick in the conference semis to send the Sharks to the conference title game. He is a very consistent kicker.
-Aaron Robbins at Mack linebacker, he is the returning sack-leader on the Sharks.
-Jacksonville bosts a solid offensive line that is filled with experience.
-Bernard Morris is the starting quarterback. Morris is a fun player to watch with his rocket-arm and crazy mobility. Morris is a fantastic QB and the situation gets better with RJ Archer as the backup. Archer has done a good service as astarting QB in this league and even spent a little time with the Detriot Lions in 2012.
-The wide receivers
- Jeron Harvey - Stays in Jacksonville after posting 101 receptions, for 970 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012.
- Jeff Hughley - Another piece from the Arena Bowl 24 championship team that returns. Hughley was fantastic in Philadelphia and should provide a big spark to an already-potent Shark offense.
- Markee White - Recently acquired in a trade with Arizona. White is a solid reciever who adds depth to this talent-filled group.
- Terrance Smith - An ironman who returns after a 99 catch and 29 touchdown season. Look to see him make an impact on both sides of the ball.
What I Don't Like
-This team only has three true defensive backs. Terrance Smith is the fourth option, but still a little to short on depth.
-The loss of Scooter Berry on the defensive line. Berry led them in sacks in 2012, but they have done a solid job to fill his void.
-The loss of Jamarko Simmons, but as the same with Berry his void has been nicely filled.
Key Games on the Schedule
-Open @ Tampa Bay
-Division games: Week 1 @ Tampa Bay, Week 4 vs. New Orleans, Week 10 @ Orlando, Week 15 vs. Orlando, Week 18 @ New Orleans, Week 19 vs. Tampa Bay
-Three consecutive home games (Weeks 14-17)
-Start season on the road for the first three games
-Week 16 bye
Tampa Bay Storm
-The winningest franschise in AFL history looks to return to the postseason for the first time since losing Arena Bowl 23 to Spokane.
-Before we get into my likes and dislikes, one serious note i would like to touch on is R.I.P. Chandler Williams.
What I Like
- The signing of Rashad Barksdale. Won't make the stat sheet with many interceptions, but is a great tackler who comes from Kansas City.
-Paul Griffin on the defensive line. He will have his chance to blossom on the D-Line with the free agency departures.
-Juan Bongarra returns as the kicker. Struggled kicking field goals (5/17), but made 85.9% of his extra points. In case you've been thinking I'm crazy saying that making under 99% of extra points is good, trust me a place kicker has a much smaller target to hit in the AFL.
-Shane Boyd and Adrian McPherson at quarterback. Both have AFL experience, but are also unproven starters.
-The receiving core
- Joe Hills - Returns after a solid rookie campaign and looks to have a bigger role in 2013.
- Greg Ellingson - Had a great rookie year with New Orleans; so good that after the first six weeks he was tabbed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but that didn't work out. The Storm hope he can continue the excellance that he showed in his first two months in the league.
- Michael Lindsey - This is his chance to be a stand out at receiver. Lindsey is one of best return man in the the AFL.
-The other three members of the secondary have no more than one year of experience.
-Similar story with the defensive line, the other four members also have no more than one year experience.
-Question marks at both linebacker positions.
-I like, but also dislike Shane Boyd and Adrian McPherson at QB. McPherson hasn't played in the AFL since 2007 and Shayne Boyd comes in with limited experience in Milwaukee on his resume. Both quarterbacks are mobile and make it hard to predict how this Storm offense will function in 2013.
-The loss of Prechae Rodriguez to in-state rival Orlando. He was the team's leading receiver in 2012.
-The lose of all three of their leading tacklers from 2012.
Key Games on the Schedule
-Open vs. Jacksonville
-Division games: Week 1 vs. Jacksonville, Week 5 @ Orlando, Week 7 vs. New Orleans, Week 13 vs. Orlando, Week 14 @ New Orleans, Week 19 @ Jacksonville
-Week 16 bye
Orlando Predators
-Coming off the worst season in team history, the Preds will try and at least acheive their gurantee of ten-plus wins, let alone return to the post season in 2013.
What I Like
-Offered Tim Tebow a contract, it can't hurt.
-The guarantee of a winning season, or a refund to all the fans:
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/012313aab.html
-The additions of Levy Brown and Simeon Castille at defensive back. Both are proven corners that possess great tackling and ball-hawking skills.
-The return of Terrence Carter and Quinn Pitcock who combined for 11 sacks in 2012.
-The verteran kicker Mark Lewis, who has become very reliable.
-A huge upgrade at quarterback with Kyle Rowley. I think Rowley has found a new home and will be welcomed with open arms by the Preds faithful when his championship-pedigree and on-field leadership brings this franchise back into contention.
-This group of receivers.
- Josh Bush - Returns to the Predators after spending 2012 in New Orleans. Bush is classic professional and still brings solid hands to this team.
- Jason Geathers - Another ultimate profesional. Geathers has always been that journey-man who made an impact wherever he has gone, should be the same stroy here.
- T.T. Toliver - A face of the franchise, Toliver stays in Orlando to headline this group of receivers in 2013.
- Marcus Everett - A sneaky-good acquistion by Orlando. Everett is the definition of a modern-day iron man. Has great awareness on both sides of the ball and will play a huge role as a linebacker on defense and a spot-duty offensive weapon.
- Prechae Rodriguez - Was the arch-rival, Tampa Bay's leading receiver in 2012. What a way to add even more heat to an already elite rivalry by swithcing sides!
-The lack of depth on the offensive line.
-A lack of depth in the middle of the defense.
-Long-time Predator, Marlon Moye-Moore has finally retired.
Key Games on the Schedule
-Open @ New Orleans
-Division games: Week 1 @ New Orleans, Week 5 vs. Tampa Bay, Week 10 vs. Jacksonville, Week 12 @ Tampa Bay, Week 15 @ Jacksonville, Week 19 vs. New Orleans
-Four game road trip in the middle of the season (Weeks 6-9)
-Week 4 bye
New Orleans VooDoo
-Their appearance in the 2012 playoffs was a great turn around from having the League's worst record in 2011. The VooDoo will try to make it consecutive playoff appearances in 2013.
What I Like
-The addition of Eddie Moten and the return of Demarcus Robinson in the secondary. Robinson was a solid defender in 2012 and will assume a bigger role with the departures of Alvin ray Jackson and Jeremy Kellem. Eddie Moten can still play at a high level and will bring seven years of experience with him to the Graveyard.
-The defensive line pair of Xavier Brown and Marlon Favorite.
-James Bryant as the mack linebacker.
- The VooDoo's quarterback situation.
- Kurt Rocco - is a young and very talented quarterback. Rocco looks to build on a strong 2012 performance in his second year in New Orleans.
- Zack Eskridge - Flashed ability when he got the chance to start for Kansas City in 2012. Eskridge is a great back-up and can bu used in short-yardage situations.
- Chris Duvalt - Duvalt has shown flashes of talent, but has had trouble staying on the field.
- Donovan Morgan - A huge acquisition from Philadelphia. "Captain Morgan" will be Rocco's top target in 2013 and has been a star wherever he has played.
- Brent Holmes - A nice piece to add to this group. Has never been the top guy, but can contribute and adds depth.
- Quorey Payne - The VooDoo's top returning receiver. Payne and Morgan should make a tough 1-2 combo for opposing defenses to stop.
- Courtney Smith - Had a solid 2012 season and with Rocco should continue to produce this year.
- Derek Lee - A late, but good addition. Derek Lee brings veteran leadership to this team and can also still play. Can be best used inside the five yard-line on jump ball situations.
- The youth on the defensive line.
-The lack of depth on the offensive line.
-The loss of Alvin Ray Jackson and Jeremy Kellem. The 2012 leaders in tackles and interceptions will be missed.
Key Games on the Schedule
-Open vs. Orlando
-Division games: Week 1 vs. Orlando, Week 4 @ Jacksonville, Week 7 @ Tampa Bay, Week 13 vs. Tampa Bay, Week 18 vs. Jacksonville, Week 19 @ Orlando
-Three straight road games in weeks 15-17 and four of the last five games are on the road.
-Week 3 bye
Predicted Order of Finish
- Jacksonville
- Orlando
- New Orleans
- Tampa Bay
-The Predators have made all the right moves to reclaim their place on-top of arena football. With a win or refund guarantee to the fans, the Kyle Rowley-led Predators will be much better in 2013.
-The VooDoo should compete this year in the division and for a playoff spot. Don't count this team out.
-I wouldn't be surprised if the Storm made the playoffs but as you could see from the above preview, this is the team that I dislike the most about. I feel the lack of experience at quarterback and on defense will keep this team from the postseason.
*Don't expect the division winner to have a gaudy record, I division winner will finish with eleven or twelve wins and that three of these teams will win at least nine games.
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