Post by nickthequik on Dec 8, 2011 20:10:41 GMT -5
UFSL Season 1 Predictions
ESPN Reporter Nigel Thornton
December 8, 2011
ESPN Reporter Nigel Thornton
December 8, 2011
Since the season started, we've seen almost every form of draft rankings, position rankings, and team rankings. But what we haven't been presented with yet is a piece about the future. What USFL teams will make the playoffs? Who will be the best? Who will be the worst? Who will win the most valuable player award? Well, we're going to try to predict all those answers for you in this article: Season One Predictions.
Standings:
1st Place
Seattle Stormtroopers
Record: 7-3
Team's MVP: RB Ikechukwu Osuwah
The Stormtroopers are already showing the signs of a dominating season this year. Their defense alone controls the entire game, lead by middle linebacker Lord Vader. It will be interesting to see which team, if any, can figure out how to move the ball down the field against this powerhouse defense. Along with an elite defensive squad, the Stormtroopers have the most elusive halfback in the league in Ikechukwu Osuwah. Already after just one regular season game, Osuwah has run for over 200 yards while the rest of the league's halfbacks haven't been able to break over 70. Seattle's also still got some promise in their quarterback, Landon Carter. Though Carter has struggled thus far, so has every other quarterback in the UFSL. Landon was the only one to be able to throw a touchdown in the pre-season, and has the least amount of weapons to throw to. Receiver Jordan Oakley has been the Stormtroopers most consistent passing target so far, with Aldous Steele at tight end as the second target. Keon Henderson has yet to show us much outside of his pre-season play, and if he starts to play up to his potential there won't be any weaknesses on the Seattle Stormtroopers.
2nd Place
New York Nightmare
Record: 6-4
Team's MVP: WR Jimmy Graham
Everyone knows Christopher Miller is the best receiver in the league. But Jimmy Graham is going to be the reason this team is going to make the playoffs. With defenses worrying about Miller all game, Graham, who has proven just as much as any other receiver in the league, will run rapid all over the second string defensive backs he is going up against this season. Graham's combination of size and athleticism makes it impossible to stop him, especially if a team's best defender is worrying about Christopher Miller. On the defensive side, the Nightmare have maybe the best pair of cornerbacks in the league in AJ Rockin and Rick Ross. If any teams do find a way to start passing the ball successfully, the Nightmare are going to be the team that quarterbacks will not want to face.
3rd Place
St. Peter Griffins
Record: 4-6
Team's MVP: HB Maple Syrup
The Griffin's have shown already that they won't back down against anyone with their win against the Nightmare in Week 1. Though it was an ugly win, a win is a win in this league and this win's got the Griffin's pumped up for the game against the Stormtroopers. Many people believe that the win against the Nightmare was a fluke, and the Griffins are looking to prove to the league that they are for real with a win over Seattle. Quarterback Lawson Forbes is going to have to step up and be the best in the league for the Griffin's to change my mind and have a winning record.
4th Place
Reno Predators
Record: 3-7
Team's MVP: Rock Afella
Afella went as the Predators first round draft pick, and he needs to play like one all season long if the Predators want any chance at making the playoffs. Reno doesn't have many playmakers on defense, and their going to need to put up a lot of points to win games this season. They have weapons in Devin Street, Staphid Jervis, and Dave Hester all at receivers and having all these guys will help Afella spread the field out and keep defenses on their toes. With unpredictable halfback Elijah McNugget, the team's success really depends all on Rock Afella.
Most Valuable Player of the Year:
RB Ikechukwu Osuwah
Offensive Player of the Year:
QB Rock Afella
Defensive Player of the Year:
MLB Lord Vader
QB of the Year:
Rock Affella
RB of the Year:
Ikechukwu Osuwah
WR of the Year:
Jimmy Graham
Linebacker of the Year:
Lord Vader
Defensive Back of the Year:
Darrell Jones
GM of the Year:
Swoosh
Standings:
1st Place
Seattle Stormtroopers
Record: 7-3
Team's MVP: RB Ikechukwu Osuwah
The Stormtroopers are already showing the signs of a dominating season this year. Their defense alone controls the entire game, lead by middle linebacker Lord Vader. It will be interesting to see which team, if any, can figure out how to move the ball down the field against this powerhouse defense. Along with an elite defensive squad, the Stormtroopers have the most elusive halfback in the league in Ikechukwu Osuwah. Already after just one regular season game, Osuwah has run for over 200 yards while the rest of the league's halfbacks haven't been able to break over 70. Seattle's also still got some promise in their quarterback, Landon Carter. Though Carter has struggled thus far, so has every other quarterback in the UFSL. Landon was the only one to be able to throw a touchdown in the pre-season, and has the least amount of weapons to throw to. Receiver Jordan Oakley has been the Stormtroopers most consistent passing target so far, with Aldous Steele at tight end as the second target. Keon Henderson has yet to show us much outside of his pre-season play, and if he starts to play up to his potential there won't be any weaknesses on the Seattle Stormtroopers.
2nd Place
New York Nightmare
Record: 6-4
Team's MVP: WR Jimmy Graham
Everyone knows Christopher Miller is the best receiver in the league. But Jimmy Graham is going to be the reason this team is going to make the playoffs. With defenses worrying about Miller all game, Graham, who has proven just as much as any other receiver in the league, will run rapid all over the second string defensive backs he is going up against this season. Graham's combination of size and athleticism makes it impossible to stop him, especially if a team's best defender is worrying about Christopher Miller. On the defensive side, the Nightmare have maybe the best pair of cornerbacks in the league in AJ Rockin and Rick Ross. If any teams do find a way to start passing the ball successfully, the Nightmare are going to be the team that quarterbacks will not want to face.
3rd Place
St. Peter Griffins
Record: 4-6
Team's MVP: HB Maple Syrup
The Griffin's have shown already that they won't back down against anyone with their win against the Nightmare in Week 1. Though it was an ugly win, a win is a win in this league and this win's got the Griffin's pumped up for the game against the Stormtroopers. Many people believe that the win against the Nightmare was a fluke, and the Griffins are looking to prove to the league that they are for real with a win over Seattle. Quarterback Lawson Forbes is going to have to step up and be the best in the league for the Griffin's to change my mind and have a winning record.
4th Place
Reno Predators
Record: 3-7
Team's MVP: Rock Afella
Afella went as the Predators first round draft pick, and he needs to play like one all season long if the Predators want any chance at making the playoffs. Reno doesn't have many playmakers on defense, and their going to need to put up a lot of points to win games this season. They have weapons in Devin Street, Staphid Jervis, and Dave Hester all at receivers and having all these guys will help Afella spread the field out and keep defenses on their toes. With unpredictable halfback Elijah McNugget, the team's success really depends all on Rock Afella.
Most Valuable Player of the Year:
RB Ikechukwu Osuwah
Offensive Player of the Year:
QB Rock Afella
Defensive Player of the Year:
MLB Lord Vader
QB of the Year:
Rock Affella
RB of the Year:
Ikechukwu Osuwah
WR of the Year:
Jimmy Graham
Linebacker of the Year:
Lord Vader
Defensive Back of the Year:
Darrell Jones
GM of the Year:
Swoosh
