[b3100563]Boise City Stampede[/b3100563], Owner: [i3100563]timmynausea[/i3100563]
2005 results:
- 12-4 regular season
- Bye in wild card round
- Won divisional game against Tucson, 20-17
- Lost Western Conference finals vs. Honolulu, 6-31

[i3100563]Offense:[/i3100563] Boise's pair of talented WRs (Terrance Ryan and Abe Muncy) are back for another season, and the team added more depth at the position in the draft with Vinny Sims (1.29) and Cybersleuth Pritchett (4.26). Add in receivers leader Clement Pelfrey and you've got the most talented set of WRs in the league. [b3100563]Grade: B+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Defense:[/i3100563] The Stampede added two impact players to an already solid defense when they signed free agent DE Brian O'Connell ($8M signing bonus) and when they traded for CB Craig Jiles (all-league 1st team). Also, SS Edgar Raymond (the team's 1st round pick in 2005) was voted defensive rookie of the year with 5 INTs and 2 TDs in 2005. [b3100563]Grade: A-[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Special Teams:[/i3100563] Rookie kicker Conrad Fisher made 18 out of his last 19 field goals last season. WR Terrance Ryan returned a punt for a TD last year against Baltimore in a 20-17 victory. [b3100563]Grade: B+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Overall season outlook:[/i3100563] [b3100563]11-5[/b3100563], This team definitely has the talent to be a contender for the CFL title this year. Last year they won their first playoff game in franchise history but the following week had their worst half of the year in the Western Conference Championships when they fell behind 24-0 to Honolulu.


[b3100563]Anchorage Renegades[/b3100563], Owner: [i3100563]vexroid[/i3100563]
2005 results:
- 11-5 regular season
- Won wild card game against Santa Cruz, 16-13
- Lost divisional game to Honolulu, 9-20

[i3100563]Offense:[/i3100563] 32 year old QB Guy Dendy is the starter even though he has only thrown 3 passes in his career. Anchorage likes his athletic ability and his ability to throw on the run. This team an interesting set of skills, and they might use more double TE sets this year to take advantage of Andrew Bidwell and James Robertson. [b3100563]Grade: B-[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Defense:[/i3100563] The Renegades traded for LB Johnie Nobles from Boise for a pair of draft picks but has been unable to sign him to a long term deal. He joins a strong defensive front led by superstar DE Casey Bousquet, a 3-time all-league selection with 38.5 career sacks. The biggest hole in this defense is at the cornerback position. [b3100563]Grade: B[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Special Teams:[/i3100563] Punter Billy Wentland (5th round draft pick) is still unsigned and may be losing his chance to make a CFL roster. [b3100563]Grade: C+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Overall season outlook:[/i3100563] [b3100563]7-9[/b3100563], The loss of QB Rodney Darr to Long Beach hurt, but if Dendy steps up then this team could sneak into the playoffs.


[b3100563]Oregon Ice[/b3100563], Owner: [i3100563]Grid Iron[/i3100563]
2005 results: 9-7 regular season

[i3100563]Offense:[/i3100563] Oregon fans had to say bye to the backfield that won the 2003 CFL championship. QB Landon Hurst was traded to Charleston and RB Roger Rubenstein was designated the franchise player, released, and finally signed with Boston. The new backfield consists of QB Maurice Brown and RB Teddy Woodard who are not the same caliber players as Hurst and Rubenstein. [b3100563]Grade: C[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Defense:[/i3100563] Once again Oregon selected a bust with their first round pick. This year it was CB Austin Mallard who has a long way to go before he gets playing time, if he ever does. The team also drafted 3 DEs to plan for the future since their two starters are 33 and 34. [b3100563]Grade: C+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Special Teams:[/i3100563] The Ice have drafted special teamers well, as punter Jay Shehee and kicker Craig Schanding are among the best in the league. [b3100563]Grade: B+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Overall season outlook:[/i3100563] [b3100563]5-11[/b3100563], The mighty have fallen and it is now time to rebuild in Oregon.


[b3100563]Seattle Thunderbirds[/b3100563], Owner: [i3100563]Aylmar[/i3100563]
2005 results: 2-14 regular season

[i3100563]Offense:[/i3100563] Charles Dever had a great first game back from his season ending injury last year: 12-15 for 160 yards and 1 TD. This year he'll have a running back behind him named The Polish Express. Burt Liszkiewicz was drafted 1st overall out of UNLV and is the complete package of speed, power, intelligence, hands, and he can return kicks too. [b3100563]Grade: B[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Defense:[/i3100563] The Thunderbirds' defense has a few quality players, but not much depth at all. An injury to this unit could really cause problems. Last year's 1st round pick, FS Ernest Cobb, is a big hitter in the secondary who forced 2 fumbles and intercepted 5 passes in his rookie season. [b3100563]Grade: D+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Special Teams:[/i3100563] Liszkiewicz has the talent to be the most dangerous kick returner in the league. Punter Calvin El Nino improved his average up to a respectable 41.3 yards/punt last season. [b3100563]Grade: B+[/b3100563]

[i3100563]Overall season outlook:[/i3100563] [b3100563]5-11[/b3100563], Seattle is headed in the right direction. A few more playmakers on defense and this team will be able to climb the rankings.

I would be suprised if Seattle lets Liszkiewicz return punts or kicks- Liszakfjal;jsdf is trying to be the next Butch Fulton! I think Seattle might have a chance of winning the division- if they can remain healthy.

Boise- They should have no problem winning atleast 9 games, it will be interesting to see what they do with their WR situation for this year and next. They have 3 solid vets in Muncy, Ryan and Pelfray- but they also have 2 solid rookies in Simms and the coolest name in this CFL draft Cybersleuth Pritchett.

Anchorage- my old QB Durant looked to be the QB of the future in Anchorage, now it appears Gabe England will be that player. If Anrchorage lines up with 2 TEs and just runs the ball all the time with Forsberg and Franze they should have a good season- I think this team is just 1 more year away from a very good season.

Oregon- I think this is going to be a long season in Portland, if Woodard can carry the load they should be ok, but I just dont htink that will happen.

My prediction for the division:

1. Boise
2. Seattle
3. Anchorage
4. Oregon

_________________


Home of Marvin "Muddy Waters" Raffo

Great stuff, Taco. I think you're pretty spot-on in your assessment of the T-Birds. Depth is my biggest issue right now...that and a few more massive contracts that need another season before they can be effectively reworked.

At any rate, we're paper thin on defense and that troubles me, but there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room right now. I need a couple more defensive players and another offensive lineman or two before I can make a serious run. Would be nice to win some games this season, though. Five or six wins would be a decent step in the right direction.

Doug - Appreciate the kind words. I think we're making progress. With a little luck and some good health, we may suprise some people...