Fantasy World League Forum

AFC East

Birmingham

The Fire just missed out on a playoff berth last year, the offense was great last year but the defense ranked low, if the Fire can improve their defense they should bounce back to the playoffs.  QB Seth Burford had a good season and the Birmingham defense were one of the best at
getting to the QB.  If they can improve the defense they should be back.

New York

The Knights bounced back after a tough start but disappeared down the stretch and lost their last two games to lose out on homefield advantage.  The defense slipped to 15th and the rushing attack also looked poor.  QB Phil Stambaugh returned at QB and played well but despite a number of talented d-linemen the pass rush generated only 40 sacks.  Most years NY were in the top 5 in sacks, they hope veteran DeAngelo Lloyd who had a huge year last season will spark the defense and the huge trade for LB Fred Barr from Austria was costly but a good move.  If Lloyd can fit in and play as good as he has the last two seasons and Barr becomes a playmaker the Knights will be set on defense.


Ohio

Ohio get a new GM in rookie coach Gary Schofield, Schofield has a lot of work to do.  The defense is dire and the passing game lacked any spark last season.  He needs to fix the offensive line which alllowed a huge 76 sacks, HB Jarrett Payton is the star but he needs an improved o-line and cant do it all himself.  He also needs to decide on a starter at QB, Mike Pawlawski took Ohio to the FWL Bowl just two season ago but now has a fight on his hands with Kurt Kittner who showed promise.

Orlando

Volker Sorge wants to improve this team this year or he may quit.  Sorge has been frustrated with his team which has the 5th ranked offense, 10th ranked defense yet finished 4-10.  QB Tony Romo has developed into a great QB but the team lack a decent running back and need to draft or trade for one.  Defensively the team managed only 39 sacks a terrible number and this has to improve , not one player had double digit sacks for the Thunder.

AFC West

Montreal

Every year people predict the end of Montreal, last year despite a 3-4 start the team won 7 straight games to win the AFC #1 seed and went to FWL Bowl 16 only to lose to Scotland.  Look at the stats last year and their offense ranked only 11th and their defense 16th, its incredible they finished 10-4.  Due to injuries the rushing game was poor last year but Danny Wuerffel at QB had his usual error free season (until the FWL Bowl).  Montreal have a lot of talent but age is creeping up in some areas, despite the great season Wuerffel might have a challenge for the starting job in the very near future.

Mexico

Many predicted last year the Aztecs would finally make the playoffs but despite a 6-4 start the team lost their last 4 games, the defense was awesome ranked 3rd overall and the offense ranked 8th yet yet the team finished 6-8 ??  QB JT O'Sullivan had a great year and the job is firmly his, Mexico could be a sleeping giant as they have a lot of talent, if they can get a few extra players to push them over that step then the Aztecs could finally win a lot of games this year.

Raleigh-Durham

The Skyhawks finally have a team to be proud of, they had the 3rd ranked offense, 4th ranked defense and finished 9-5 their best ever season and only winning season ever in the FWL.  They have talent all round on offense, their only weakness are the WR's as they dont seem to have a single explosive playmaker.  On defense they played very well despite some injuries and the unit should be stronger this year.  At QB they have superstar Aaron Rodgers and HB Curtis Alexander made a huge difference this year after a full training camp with them.  Could be one of the favourites in the AFC IF they get a superstar 90+ catch WR.

San Antonio

The Riders who were AFC Champs squeaked into the playoffs but fell at the first hurdle to arch enemies Montreal.  The young defense was great last year but surprisingly the passing attack was the main weakness as they finished with the 15th ranked passing attack.  QB Michael Bishop had a decent year but wasnt as explosive as past seasons, they need another WR opposite Dane Looker as the next ranked WR averaged just 10.5 yards a catch.  The team have a lot of talent on the defensive line but their main problem is that they play in one of the toughest divisions in football.

Sacramento

The Surge also suffer from playing in the hardest division in football, they do have talent but playing against all these AFC West teams really can hurt you.  Sacramento were dealt a devastating blow in Week 1 when new young QB Rob Adamson was injured and gone for the year in the first game.  Jake Delhomme started the rest of the way but his starting years may be up, he wasnt impressive and the Surge finished with the next to last passing attack in the league.  HB BJ Askew finally had a great year, he started off very well until a silent spell at the end of the season though.  Star WR Travis Anglin with his 97 catches was traded to London so the Surge need a new big name WR.  With the 16th ranked offense and 9th ranked defense you can see where the problem is, Sacramento have to upgrade their o-line to help their rushing and passing attack.  On defense they are fine specially with DT Jerome Davis who had an incredible 20 sacks last year