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| INSIDER
May 9, 2012
11:17:37 AM
Entry #: 3912251
| We are at the mid-way point of the year and the games are starting to have a lot of meaning toward the playoffs and who will play in the big league playoffs and who will play in the pee-wee playoffs. By looking at the schedule a lot of the top teams will be meeting over the next few weeks so alot can change.
1. CHARGERS (5-0) GRADE: A-
They have been the best team in the league so far but have looked far from unbeatable. It seems like they are on cruise control and only turn it on when needed (see Canes game and and of Spartans game). Whats scary is they beat a fully loaded Canes team without a few key players including their QB. The Steelers seem to be the only team that can challenge the Chargers for the crown and i expect to see both teams with full sidelines when these two titans clash. From a personel standpoint they have several of the leagues elite players (CB Rick Kirkland, DE Uyi Osunde, ATH Thomas Newkirk, OL Darius Dale, QB Milli Olawale) but they do have holes that can be exploited. Overall the receiving core is older and slower than most. Osunde is a great TE but only plays their sparingly. They need help at safety and a second CB to compliment Kirkland and showing up with 11-12 guys is going to bite them eventually.
REMAINING GAMES:
Broncos, Hawks, Chiefs, Warriors, Steelers
PREDICTION:
9-1 (#1 Seed)
2. STEELERS (4-0) GRADE: B
The Steelers are somewhat tough to read at this point. They have played the bottom half of the league so far and because of that have played with less than a full squad and seem to be going through the motions. The talent, leadership and pedigree are all in place but I would be concerned with the psyche of this team. Will they be able to "flip the switch" and bring their A game as 4 of their last 5 games are against likely playoff teams. Offensively, Rocket makes the ship go and is a threat to score on every play, he is hands down the most dangerous player in the game. When you add in big Anrae and Tylee along with WR's Ivan Schmidt, Darnell Simpson, Chris Collins and RB Taureen Gaston and you have matchup problems all over the place. Defensively they bring the heat every play, this is a strength but good teams can also make it a weakness. As a unit the secondary is good but not great, get them out of their man defense and you can find holes all day.
REMAINING GAMES:
Spartans, Canes, T.O.B, Warriors, Chargers, Chiefs
PREDICTION:
8-2 (#3 Seed)
3. SOUTHSIDE CANES (4-1) GRADE: B+
The Canes look good, very good. Its been almost a year now with the addition of the former Raiders (Reggie Hunter, Terry Smith, Brian Chounaird) and now with Rodney Davis, Prado and Snacks they have given the Canes a great combination of athleticism, toughness and the attitude to compete versus the top teams. QB Moe Ramos seems to be playing at the highest level of his career and Coach/2 way star Justin Walters has proven to be as good a leader as he is a player. If their O-line can hold up vs the Chargers and Steelers they have a shot to capture the Chip. The schedule is not easy and word that Walters will miss the next few games due to injury will put alot of pressure on Ramos, hopefully they will be fortunate enough to have Will Collins fill in for the captain. Being creative on defense(confuse Moe), and give your QB time and you can get a win here.
REMAINING GAMES:
Steelers, Spartans, Killa Hill, T.O.B, Warriors
PREDICTION
9-1 (#2 Seed)
4. WARRIORS (4-1) GRADE: B
We've heard alot about their college connection and how the return of Tyler Dube and Connor Butkeiwitz along with a few knights players on the roster will push this team into championship contention. Well Dube put on a show in his first game back (3 TD's) and if Connor and the knights mesh well with whats already here than the Warriors could be on their way. At 4-1, they are in position to control their own destiny but a brutal 3 game stretch to end the season versus the Steelers, Chargers and Canes may be to tall of a task. Regardless of who they add for the stretch run, Moose, Tyler Chmaberlain, Savino Melluzzo and the rest of the crew have what it takes to bang with the best of them.
REMAINING GAMES:
Killa Hill, Broncos, Steelers, Chargers, Canes
PREDICTION:
7-3 (#4 Seed)
5. TIG OLE BITTIES (4-2) GRADE: B-
At 4-2 the Bitties have won the games they were supposed to win and lost the games most would agree they were predicted to lose. QB Kerry Palmer looked terrible week 1 but has been on fire ever since, the problem is protecting him. The o-line is below average to say the least, luckily TE Tim Uhl is among the best in the game and that alone helps neutralize the rush. They are another squad that struggles to get a full compliment of players week in and week out but will need to do so as the 2nd half of the season will be a bit more challenging then the first. On defense they are slow and often out of position but again are bailed out by their pass rush led by James Blanchette and Kerzell Barnes. If they plan on going better than 1 and done in the playoffs then they will need to address a few issues in the next 4 weeks
REMAINING GAMES:
Chiefs, Steelers, Canes, Spartans
PREDICTION:
5-5 (#6 Seed)
6. SPARTANS (2-3) GRADE: B
Even though they are a game under .500 the Spartans have been the biggest surprise of the season so far. Their 3 losses have come by a total of 4 points and gave the Chargers and warriors all they can handle. QB and Captain Phil Cushon has not only improved as a QB but out worked everyone in the off season as they now have a dedicated 20 man roster that has talent top to bottom. WR Tommy Miller and TE Kyle Hackney have been Cushons favorite targets and the defense has played as well as anyone so far. DE Adam Tuck has been making noise (or at least his teammates have been for him, lol) and the secondary has been stout. The Spartans have a tough road to make the PRO playoffs and the last game of the year against the Broncos will likely be for the final playoff spot
REMAINING GAMES:
Steelers, Canes, T.O.B, Saints, Broncos
PREDICTION:
5-5 (#5 Seed)
I will do the rest of the teams as soon as i can
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