1.)
AEthernauts
-Preseason #1 for the second year running, the explorers return high flying WR1 Calvin Johnson, anchoring a powerful attack. If McCoy and Turner are both legit this year, and Andre Johnson returns as a WR1 of 2010 they've got the most powerful core-four in the game. Durability questions surrounding Michael Vick shouldn't overshadow the fact that he's the cheapest potential QB1 in the game. We expect to see a couple good multi game streaks from the Ballooon crewe again this year.
2.)
SanFranciscoFerries
-The Ferries return top scorers Newton and Cruz. They'll feature an interesting running attack with explosive RB1 Charles returning from an ACL and un-sexy Greene, a plodder in a a conservative Jets scheme. Stevie Johnson is a high-risk, high reward RB2, and Martin is an unknown with a starting job at flex. If Torey Smith's learned to run routes he could very well move off the bench into a feature position for this club. Staying consistent may depend on how Cam rates with fewer designed runs at the goal line.
3.)
BldgDW3LL1NGTh1nk1ng
- the Heidigerrians switched up their strategy this year (Cowboys??) picking up two consensus top 3 picks, both bell-cow RB1s in Rice (returning) and Foster. Returnee Fred Jackson rounds out a powerful ground attack. All that talent on the ground leads to an aerial game with limited upside. If the year of the QB becomes an era, BDT could be hobbled in the long term, But they picked up plenty of youth on the bench - and you can bet that at least one of them is a bona fide threat by year's end.
4.)
TakingTigerMountain
-After
last year's championship run the commish failed to secure either of his
high scoring Saints combo. The resulting strategy leaves him with a
plus QB2 in Stafford, a couple of gamble RB1s Peterson (injury) and Drew
(hold-out), and mid-range WRs in Thomas, Maclin & Brown. Don't
expect Stafford-Pettigrew to replace Brees-Graham, but it extends
Stafford's value a little. There are big names across the board on IDP
but those don't always translate year to year. A couple of handcuffs
and futures QB Luck could make for an interesting trade relationship if
TTM starts to sputter early on. If Drew's holdout continues into the season expect a drastic downgrade coming for the Mountain.
5.)
ThePelicanBrief
- the Grisham-ites paid a premium for the return of QB-god Rodgers and sometime OS WELKR. Perenial injury-case Darren McFadden rounds out PB's top flight. They'll look to Steve Smith to step up and Evan Royster to catch some of the Shanahan revolving door. PB has a couple of intriguing bench pieces including potential trade-bait RGIII and mid-season returnee Best. If their core can stay healthy and they can keep the rest of their offense respectable through the wire, they should be contenders this year.
6.)
Pr1m0rdi4lLyfestylz®
- the Primordial Ones will run a powerful double titration with Brady and Gronkowski at the center of their attack. Murray looked posed to be a serious RB1 before injury last year, we'll see if the Cowboys' line can give him any help at all. Julio Jones could likewise be poised to enter elite WR1 status, if the Falcons can get something going. A couple of nifty handcuffs in Jennings and Tate give them some depth at RB. This sleeping giant looks poised to storm around the league like days of yore.
7.)
HomeSpunNeckBloodz
-last year's consolation winners and perennial quagmire, the Bloodz went up in and picked up two feature backs in Forte and Johnson. As a result they'll hang their QB1 rating on however many games Peyton Manning can make it through. With nobody backing up that threat of injury will likely be revisited each week. Still, there's a lot to like about the Bloodz strategy with Harvin and Marshall in WR and Hernandez as a TE2 with good upside, their scoring wont evaporate if they have to go to the wire for a desperation QB. With nice RB depth in Hightower and Ingram, they could be poised for a good playoff run if they can maintain focus through December.
8.)
GrossmanSachs
-After last season's collapse the Sachs were bailed out by the reset, allowing them to reload along new lines. They'll feature three high-upside WR1s in White, Austin and Fitzgerald. There's always the chance that this is the season that Romo gets it together and joins the QB1 club, but his double-titration-potential with Austin make him a worthy even at QB2 status. That said, they took a ground gamble picking oft injured Beanie Wells and aging Frank Gore to anchor their ground attack. Still with McGehee and Hillis on the bench, they have some depth to work with if injury should strike. If wildcard TE Fred Davis can keep his place as RG3's top target this team could be headed for blue chip status overnight.
9.)
Phat Girlz
-After a disappointing season last year the Girlz largely stayed out of the early super-bidding in this year's draft. They'll feature a few below the radar bargains in un-loved winner Eli Manning, aging small-market superstar S-Jax, and injured Ryan Matthews. If those pan out they have have enough firepower in Colston, Wallace and Graham to be serious contenders. We'll see if they can put in the work and eek out a few wins before Matthews' return.
10.)
Cincinnati Dangles
-Last year's ROY, made a splash by bidding up QB1 Brees and winning. His aerial attack also features potential elite pieces in Green and Jennings. As a result there are question marks in ground production with Richardson and Green-Ellis both starting the season with injuries. Cobb could be a real sleeper on the bench, but this team likely needs upgrades on D/ST and IDP to compete deep into the season.
11.)
Tusken Raiders
-Draft absentees, the Star Wars franchise will have their work cut out for them to contend this year. Still there are the bones of a team here. 2 QB2s in Rivers and Ryan. A couple of risky WRs with upside (Bowe, Lloyd). And RB2 running fodder in Bradshaw and Bush. There's something for the Raiders to work with here, but they'll need some un-expected greatness to return to top-flight scoring potential week-to-week.
12.)
Trichotillomaniacs
-the autodraft did the Far East no favors this year and sees them sporting an underachieving lot. Led by slab of beef R-burger at QB the Easterners will contend with a mess of late round Yahoo-favored problem children like Shanahan-cursed Helu and dinged up Kenny Britt. There's legitimate upside here with Jordy Nelson and Dez Bryant, and Jonathan Stewart (if Newton's emergence means more goal-line work), but the Hair-Pullers will need to win several coups on the waiver wire to field a playoff team this year.
Where we left them - Sleeping through the majority of the year the Dawgs dropped the last six of the regular season. Only to win 3 to pick up the consolation victory. After having essentially the same ark last season, the rest of the league is lucky their 2nd half titrations were so bad, or they may well have repeated as champions.
Where we left them? - The expansion/transfer franchise was one of the more dangerous in the league, to nearly everyone's surprise. They scored enough to be a playoff team, but fell on the wrong end of a few lopsided Sundays.
Where we left them - maddeningly inconsistent, the Trichs couldn't get a good high-end going all season.
Where we left them - a good first half turned into a run on the bank as the Wall Street gang foundered, sold-short and took an executive parachute to the consolation games.
Where we left them - starting the season as the Dethroned King. They suffered some crushing injuries in the first few weeks, seemingly abandoned the year, then returned with T3b0w at the helm for a dramatic if unlikely second half run at the playoffs.
AEthernauts -
Where we left them: the Star Wars franchise was more prequel than O.G. down the stretch last year.
Where we left them: Another early exit from the playoffs - another year of talent wasted.
