From the ashes of 2018

[Guest]

like the mythical bird Phoenix looks to rise from the ashes of their worst season in 9 years, they will be moving into their new stadium in 2021 and hope to return to the playoffs after winning the division in 2017.

that will be a tall order as the Grizzlies came out of nowhere to win the division and will only get better and Utah seems to be Denver's only real competition and seem to have Phoenix's number as the Bees have won 5 of the last 8. Los Alamos is an xfactor so the Riders could very well be a cellar dweller again in 2019.

[Aston]

man, how long are you gonna take to rise out of those ashes? ;-)

just kidding. 5 of the last 8 is just one over half. good luck to you this year! i am the farthest out from winning the division, apart from Los Alamos, but they've been on CPU until recently.

[Guest]

i am the farthest out from winning the division, apart from Los Alamos, but they've been on CPU until recently.

I really feel like I should own that category. I still cannot figure out how we did it last season. The fast start was really the only reason. 4-0 after the first four games, 4-8 after.

And you know, the only reason we won anything was the defense. This season it will be all rookies on the defense and nothing new on offense. So it is shaping up to be a very tough one...

[nelmsm]

Well I figure to own the basement this year so I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing. You guys can fight over my carcass most of the season I'm sure.

[Guest]

well its gonna be a while with the retirement or Otis Fedolfi it could impact my running game substantially looking back since 2014 when Will Shumway goes for over 100 yards we are 14-6 along with Carl Resse crossing the border to Utah we lost 2 starters altho Resse was set to go anyway.

on defense all 11 starters are back however with the age in my secondary Cris Lowe, Mo Lyon and Tony Xmas should bring some life to a porous pass defense the trade with Port City paid off even tho Will Ross was a bum Leonard Strickland was a good anchor up front

all in all it looks to be a better season, cant be much worse altho last in the division is a real possibility i think 2nd is very realistic and ill need some luck to win my 2nd west crown in 2 years. if Denver can go worst to first so can we

[Aston]

Yea, so can anyone. AC West has been very even (mediocre) for years .. makes for exciting divisional races! And LA, at least y'all have a carcass. Strick here is apparently still in ashes mode...;)

[Guest]

Strick, there are certainly possibilities... After looking at all the teams it seems everything is up for grabs. Personally, though, I think it is really tough to have success without a legitimate starting QB and RB. You will have to pull what I did last season and have one of the top 10 defenses in the league just to go 8-8.

And while you certainly have players on defense (especially after this draft), it is a bit of a mish-mashed group. I like the depth in the secondary, especially at the corner position. Although I personally think that SS is an important position in FOF and Lyon is going to give you fits until he develops.

You can get a nice pass rush with Andrews but your DTs leave much to be desired... And your LB corps is probably the big weakness on your defense. I think teams will probably be able to run against you. Not sure, though.

Unlike last season, we are not going to be able to roll over you.

[Guest]

Yep. Los Alamos is going to be a lot better with the addition of Cucumber. He gives them a legitimate threat on offense and makes up for the lack of a solid QB or WRs.

They will still have to win games with their defense which is their achilles heel. The team has a really solid defensive line but after that... A pretty weak LB corps for a 3-4 style team. They tried to address some needs there in the draft with Leckey, McCammon and Warkentien but I'm not sure they found what they need. There are some ok players in the secondary but I don't think any of them have the skill to shut you down.

Definitely I expect more from this team but not sure how much more.

[nelmsm]

Yep. Los Alamos is going to be a lot better with the addition of Cucumber. He gives them a legitimate threat on offense and makes up for the lack of a solid QB or WRs.

They will still have to win games with their defense which is their achilles heel. The team has a really solid defensive line but after that... A pretty weak LB corps for a 3-4 style team. They tried to address some needs there in the draft with Leckey, McCammon and Warkentien but I'm not sure they found what they need. There are some ok players in the secondary but I don't think any of them have the skill to shut you down.

Definitely I expect more from this team but not sure how much more.

Definitely feel like I'm in the rebuilding mode. McCumber was a hit but getting the O-line in place to block for him is going to take some work and then it will be time to work on the receivers and QB. Didn't find what I needed in the draft for my LB corps so I'm afraid we are going to be scored upon but I don't think we are going to out score anyone. If I can do as well as last year's record I'll be satisfied, anything better and I'll be happy.

[Guest]

Finally, there is my arch-nemesis Utah. We went right to the wall last season against them to win the division. They had a good draft as usual - their most impressive pick was Norbert Slaten - who has pro-bowler written all over him.

On offense, I'm not sure if Nutah finally goes with the QB Boone. If he wants to win the division, he might wait another season on him. But without knowing Boone's ceiling, it is a tough call. I personally think Utah has more parts on offense than any other team in the division... Although that's a tough call given Cucumber in LA.

They also have a good d-line and a solid LB corps with the addition of Slaten. The secondary looks like a very weak point for them, though (although they do have one or two guys who can play coverage). 4th round pick CB Horton might also help.

So, yep. That sums it up. This division is just about anyone's to win.

[Guest]

You can get a nice pass rush with Andrews but your DTs leave much to be desired... And your LB corps is probably the big weakness on your defense. I think teams will probably be able to run against you. Not sure, though.

Unlike last season, we are not going to be able to roll over you.

funny you mention my run d, last year when i went 4-12 i was in the top 10 against the run (dead last against the pass) but when i won in the division i was middle of the pack against both and oddly enough last season a gave up fewer points

sadly tho you probably will still be able to roll over me just probably still thru the air until Lowe grows up

[Guest]

funny you mention my run d, last year when i went 4-12 i was in the top 10 against the run (dead last against the pass)

That might have had something to do with your competition... In particular you had two games against my team. ;-)

sadly tho you probably will still be able to roll over me just probably still thru the air until Lowe grows up

I don't think we will roll over anyone through the air until we at least get a decent QB. Although we will try... ;-)