Posted:
#1
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A like a few games today..
PHILLY -6
UTAH -5.5
TAMPA -2 & UNDER
DALLAS & UNDER
Good luck guys||an_cheers.gif' border=0>
A few picks for today
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Posted:
#2
Tampa Bay (0-0) at Kansas City (0-0)
The Storm hope to start 2008 like they played in the second half of the 2007 season, when they won eight of their last nine games, before losing in the playoffs. They may be the deepest team in the league and they have competition at every position. QB Brett Dietz looks like the real deal and he has a lot of weapons at wide receiver. Defensively, they will be solid and stingy. Offensively, they will be a lot more explosive than they were a year ago. Kansas City had an unexpected positive turnaround in 2007, going 10-6 after finishing 3-13 in 2006. However, the Brigade had a lot of turnover on their roster and only 14 players remain from a year ago. Their biggest loss was QB Raymond Philyaw (Cleveland) who is being replaced by a rusty John Fitzgerald. They will be a solid defensive team, which could keep them close in some games, but versus Tampa Bay they don’t have enough guys to matchup to the depth of the Storm’s passing game. Plus, the Brigade will not be able to score a lot of points versus a Tampa Bay defense that doesn’t dazzle you statistically, but plays smart. The Storm doesn’t lose games like this.
Orlando (0-0) at Philadelphia (0-0)
These are two proud franchises and they know each other well, but they may be going in slightly opposite directions. Orlando is not a real high-scoring team and it usually relies on its defense to keep the game close. The Predators have brought in several veteran players with good AFL production, but it remains to be seen they can gel for one more run. They need a bigger year out of QB Shane Stafford and he must get better pass protection. Plus, the Predators must figure out a way to replace Greg White’s (NFL) 15 sacks and protect a new secondary. Philadelphia appears to be loaded and it now has a go-to WR, Chris Jackson that the Soul have been looking for. Offensively, they have the best OL in the AFL and they will protect Tony Graziani versus the Predators’ pass rush allowing him to pick apart a secondary that’s still in a period of adjustment. Look for Philadelphia to come out of the gates fast and make a statement versus an Orlando team that will get better, but the Predators won’t be good enough in Week 1 and this one may not be close.
Arizona (0-0) at Utah (0-0)
This is always a competitive game within the division, but there are additional storylines in this one. The best player in the league a year ago, Utah WR Siaha Burley, is now playing in Arizona, so he gets to face his old team in Week 1. The problem for Burley is figuring out who will throw him the ball. Jeff Smoker and Lang Campbell are competent QBs, but asking them to replace Sherdick Bonner’s production is unrealistic. With questions at QB and in both lines plus a lot of roster turnover, this looks like a team in a rebuilding mode. Utah has worked hard to upgrade in the trenches and especially on defense, where it couldn’t stop anybody a year ago. The Blaze needs to play better defense in 2008 because without Burley they no longer look like an offense that can win by outscoring their opponents. Arizona is too young and too inexperienced to be real competitive early, and while Utah is not great, QB Joe Germaine will be able to attack the Rattlers’ defense and make enough big plays to secure a home win, while Burley may wonder why he left Utah.
Posted:
#3
DALLAS--GEORGIA
Prediction
A year ago this game would have been advertised as an offensive shootout between two great QBs and innovative passing games. That billing still holds true for Dallas, as it looks like it has another complete and deep offense. But Georgia lost two of its best three receivers in the offseason and its offensive coordinator. That translates into less high-scoring games and it puts pressure on the defense and Greisen to almost be perfect every week.
Dallas will try to take Bergeron out of the game and force Greisen to throw to his complimentary receivers. Offensively, the Desperados will come out of the gates fast with early scoring, which will put pressure on Georgia's offense to match them score for score. A year ago that was likely, but in 2008 it isn't. Dallas will make a statement in this opener. The Desperados are still the team to beat in the AFL.
Posted:
#11
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3-0 TO START....DALLAS & UNDER...
LAST NIGHT LA....
HOPE EVERYONE'S HAVING A GOOD DAY..GREEN
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Posted:
#20
Posted: 2/29/2008 12:31:48 PM Friday
Monday
New York (0-0) at Cleveland (0-0)
The AFL makes its debut in Cleveland and there is a lot of excitement about this Gladiators team that was awful when they played in Las Vegas a year ago. They made a great offseason move when they acquired veteran QB Raymond Philyaw from Kansas City and he gives them instant credibility and a good chance for early success. The Gladiators don’t have a lot of overall depth, especially on offense, and their offensive line must improve. Plus, the chemistry of their passing game may take some time to establish, but they should be pretty good on defense with a decent pass rush and an underrated secondary. New York struggled in 2007 and the Dragons were without their best player, QB Aaron Garcia, for 10 games. He is back in 2008, but he doesn’t have a lot of help on either side of the ball, but they have a trio of receivers who have a chance to be pretty good. However, they also have an offensive line that gave up 21 sacks a year ago. In this opener look for Philyaw to exploit the Dragons’ secondary with some big plays while Cleveland’s pass rush will harness Garcia. The Gladiators will win their opener and surprise a lot of people.
Posted:
#22
Posted: 2/29/2008 12:42:43 PM
Prediction
This is a classic AFL matchup between two heavyweights and it is a great Week 1 test for both teams. Chicago and San Jose mirror each other in a lot of ways. Both have good veteran QBs with potentially-explosive passing games, both have solid offensive lines, both have good defenses, especially in the secondary, both are well-coached and they don't beat themselves.
A key in this game will be how quickly Bonner and Harrell gel and become the dynamic duo everybody expects. This game will likely go down to the wire and the outcome could be determined by a big defensive play or turnover. Chicago led the AFL in turnover ratio in 2007. However, Alexander will be the difference maker in this game. His skill in the red zone turns FGs into TDs and that gives Chicago a slight edge in a great opening matchup.
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