We have now reached the middle of the 2004 season and that means it's time for Taco's Team Rankings! If you missed the previous rankings then here they are:
2003 - after week 4
2003 - after week 11
2004 - before regular season
Note: PTR = Previous Taco Ranking
[bef2925c]1. Charleston Sixpacks[/bef2925c] (8-0) Owner: sovereignstar PTR: 12
When you've got Timothy Gordon as your quarterback and an outstanding defense you aren't going to lose many, if any, games. Apparently no one has told Gordon that he is old and he is now on pace for over 500 rushing yards this season. Gordon is a true leader and will do whatever it takes for his team to win. On defense the Sixpacks are allowing a league-low 10.8 points per game.
[bef2925c]2. Denver Dynomite[/bef2925c] (6-1) Owner: varacel PTR: 24
Denver has quietly racked up 6 wins with their only loss coming against Santa Cruz in week 5. They should be able to "cruz" to a division title as they already have a 3 1/2 game lead over second place Fargo. Both the Dynomite offense and defense are hot right now. The offense leads the league in points per game with 25.2 while the defense is second in turnovers with 18.
[bef2925c]3. Tampa Bay Torpedos[/bef2925c] (6-2) Owner: wademoore PTR: 15
Tampa Bay almost defeated #1 Charleston in week 6 but ended up losing the game of the week 10-9. They get a rematch at home in the final week of the regular season. That rematch could have serious playoff implications. The Torpedos are led by workhorse running back Elias Alvey who leads the CFL in rushing attempts (224), rushing yards (866), and rushing TDs (8). Tampa fans hope that Alvey doesn't wear down from the huge pounding that he has taken this year. Last year he only carried the ball 275 times while this year he is on pace to carry the ball 448 times!
[bef2925c]4. Detroit Vampires[/bef2925c] (7-1) Owner: fantastic flying froggies PTR: 31
Detroit's 7-1 record is easily the surprise of the year. No one expected this team to rebound this quickly from their 1-15 season a year ago. The defense has played outstanding each week and has already posted 2 shutouts. They also lead the league in causing turnovers (19) and opponents 3rd down converstion percentage (29.3%). Free safety Milton Ly started off the season with 5 interceptions in the first 3 games. Last week he got his 6th pick and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown against Cleveland. The Vampires are for real. No one should take this team lightly any longer.
[bef2925c]5. Sacramento Dragons[/bef2925c] (7-1) Owner: Thul PTR: 17
The Dragons have had the easiest schedule in the league up to this point, but you can't argue with their 7 wins. Their only loss came against #2 Denver in week 4. Quarterback Seymour Barre leads the CFL in passer rating (102.1), TD passes (14), and yards per attempt (8.97). His first option is usually WR Brian Lore, who is only 26 years old and hasn't reached his full potential yet. Lore has 6 TD catches this season which leads the league.
[bef2925c]6. Albany Engineers[/bef2925c] (5-2) Owner: Gallifrey PTR: 8
Albany's success depends on their quarterback, Rocky McFarland. McFarland set a CFL record with 5 TD passes in week 1 against Cleveland. In the six games since then he has thrown a total of 4 TD passes. He was also recently diagnosed with severe depression, and it will now be extra hard for him to continue to lead this offense. So far the offense has protected the ball very well and has only committed 3 turnovers all year. Albany faces division rival Detroit (#4) in weeks 11 and 15 and those two games will determine the division winner.
[bef2925c]7. Oregon Ice[/bef2925c] (5-3) Owner: Grid Iron PTR: 1
The defending champions have been a slight disappointment so far this year, but they are still the most talented team in the league. They have found that it is tough when everyone is out to get you. Punter Jay Shehee, drafted in the 2nd round by the Ice, is averaging 42.9 yards per punt (5th highest in the league). Oregon's defense took a major hit when safety Alphonso Twombly ruptured his adductor muscle in week 7. Twombly had 6 INTs in the first 7 games of the season but is now out for the year.
[bef2925c]8. Honolulu Blue Pacific[/bef2925c] (5-3) Owner: MrBug708 PTR: 5
Honolulu finally beat a team with a winning record in week 7 when they topped Tucson, but then it all came crashing down in week 8 when they were stunned by Arizona. The Blue Pacific offense could only manage 3 field goals and lost 15-9. Rookie defensive end Randy Irwin (2nd round draft pick) has played well and leads all rookies in sacks with 6.
[bef2925c]9. Santa Cruz Privateers[/bef2925c] (5-2) Owner: Joe PTR: 7
As expected the Privateers have improved from last season when they finished 4-12. Santa Cruz's pass rush has been exceptional. Big Ralph Crank, a 300 lb. defensive end, has led the way with 6 sacks and 11 hurries. On the other side is Conrad Pellegrini who has added 5 sacks and 7 hurries. These two guys are the main reason why opponents have had a hard time throwing the ball.
[bef2925c]10. Memphis Express[/bef2925c] (4-3) Owner: GoldenEagle PTR: 6
Memphis has found all kinds of ways to win games this year. They beat Shreveport by forcing 5 turnovers. They beat Tampa Bay by controlling the clock with the running game. They beat Durham with field goals when kicker Tobias Paschal set a CFL record with 6 FGs in one game for a 18-15 victory. But their most exciting victory came against Baltimore when WR John Parsley took the opening kickoff in overtime 100 yards for a touchdown. Another interesting stat is that the Memphis defense has allowed touchdowns in all 11 opponents trips into the red zone.
Check back soon for #11 - #32...