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This is a combination of past performance and expected performance in the coming year. All opinions are my own, and are open to debate.
QB
1. Harold Lozier is the best QB in the league right now and has an IFL Championship Ring to prove it. He is also the best QB in the AC East hands down.
2. Jim Hickman is the surprise #2 QB on this list. He surpasses both Mulcahy and Sante. Unlike Hickman is a bit more consistent than Sante, and does not take as many sacks. He has also scored some TDs with his feet with two in the past year. Many of the TDs this past year was due to more of the offense leaning on him, and not having the top flight receivers that could get open consistently. The result was more INTs.
3. Reuben Sante is the #3 QB in the AC East. He has the tools, but is this the year he puts it all together? He has had quality targets in his WRs, but he has been unable to get the job done. This year he should take another stride forward, if he doesn't it will be a long year in Boston.
4. Jared Mulcahy brings up the end of the list. He will never be confused with the "Colonel," but he is a heady QB who will not lose many games for you. Unfortunately, he does not have the same tools that he had in Columbia so do not be surprised if there is a drop in his QB rating this year.
RB
1. Quick, name which RB ran for the most yards in the AC East last year! If you said Stanley Jamison, you're correct! He's back, and he has a revamped OL in front of him. Expect big things from Stanley this year. Over the last six games of last season, Jamison rushed for 649 yards on 147 carries, good for a 4.41 YPA, and 6 TDs. With defenses expected to respect Hartford's WRs, Jamison should find new lanes to run in.
2. Norfolk's William Brown is the next guy on the list. He slipped a bit in 2006, finishing just shy of 1000 yards. However, don't be fooled, he is still one of the primary cogs in the Norfolk attack as he added 431 yards receiving to his rushing totals. He is the complete package and if you decide to stop the "Finger," you'll get the shaft as Brown shoves it down your throat.
3. Boston's two headed beast could be the next coming of the Byner and Mack attack, or it could be a disaster. However, there is talent here with Tory Wigfall as the battering ram and Tony Moriarty picking his holes behind his OL. The downfall of this attack is going to be the offensive line. Although Boston has two bookends, they have nowhere to run inside.
4. With the departure of Abraham Spangler, West Virginia lost the franchise's leading rusher. Nicky Kersey appears to be primed to step into the starter's role, but yards will be hard to come by. Expect opponent's to stack the line and dare Mulcahy to beat them.
OL
1. This may be a bit of a surprise. Hartford's OL gets the nod here as the best line in the East, narrowly beating out the Vipers' line. First, the line gave up 13 fewer sacks than the Vipers' line did. Additionally, the line opened up more holes in the running game than Norfolk's did. It might be comraderie that has put the Grizzlies line over the top, the guys genuinely like each other, and if one player gives up a play, they feel like they all did.
2. On paper, Norfolk has the best line in the division. However, the results have not been up to what you would expect. Still, if this line can put everything together, it can be the dominant line in the division.
3. Boston's line is nothing to sneeze at, but it is also nothing to fear either. However, they do seem to get more out of their abilities than Norfolk's line, but you get the feeling watching these guys that they are playing as well as they can. Some parts of the line are aging and one has to wonder when their performance will begin tailing off.
4. West Virginia's line is not the proud unit of year's past that formed the battle line that the "Colonel" orchestrated his gridiron magic behind. However, they are attempting to infuse youth into the aging unit by drafting several young interior linemen. This may help this unit out in the long run, but this will be a long year for them.
TE
1. Jerald Harden is easily the best TE in the division. The guy can do everything. However, though he is a capable blocker, given that Brown likes to pound it between the tackles, he does nto get the opportunities to help out in the running game as Lee does for the Beasts. He has led the Vipers in receiving each of the last two years.
2. "Lighthorse" Henry Lee has been one of the best dual threats at the position since the league was founded. He has sure hands, but can also open holes in the running game.
3. Closely behind Lee in terms of performance is Fletcher Sala. Sala has led the Grizzlies in receiving each of the past two years. He is also a capable blocker when Jamison goes to the outside.
4. Weldon Brownell is a capable player, but Sante rarely looks for him. He only caught 24 passes last year. However, he is a capable blocker in the running game.
WR
1. We're going with the proven unit here. Norfolk's WR corps has accomplished more than the more talented Boston crew the past few years. However, they do not have the best talent in the division. If Sante gets his act together, Boston's receivers might take the top spot.
2. Hartford made some major moves in the off-season. Gary Ferreira caught 51 passes last year for the Matadors, as their third option. Ed Gaylor has caught 153 passes the last two seasons, and immediately moves into the #2 WR position. Provided Hickman can get the ball to these guys, they will make plays. Hartford also has the best depth in the division as they go five deep.
3. Boston has the best top 3 WRs on paper, but it they need to turn their potential into production. However, the bigger culprits in their lack of productivity is the OL and Sante. If they can turn those positions around, expect these guys to shine.
4. Weaver and Simpson might be a dynamic duo in years to come, don't expect it this year. Simpson is still at the top of his game, but will the ball get in range for him to do something with it?
Defensive Line
1. If the rumors out of camp are to be believed, Boston's line is going to be tops in the division. With the acquisition of Raymond Webb, the line was immediately improved. When Fritz Gaddas was picked up, he was expected to play in limited duty. However, the news out of camp is that he has been the best player on the defensive side of the ball. For someone to steal headlines from Ames, he must be special.
2. West Virginia returns a very unheralded, but very effective line. They return 3 players to the front line that had at least 40 tackles and 3 sacks. Very efficient and productive if you ask us.
3. Hartford's Bryce Tan might get all the headlines, but this line gets production across the board. Andy Rick had 40 tackles last year, and just keeps getting the job done. Randall Williamson turned in 22 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season in splitting time with Rufus Swett.
4. There is talent here for Norfolk, but not when compared to the rest of the division. Robbie Devore is on the downside of his career, but Karl Austin appears primed to take his place late this year, or early next season.
LB
1. In what was the toughest position to rate, Boston's LB corps takes first, edging out Norfolk's unit. They got 211 tackles out of their ILBs , and their OLBs posted respectable stats as well.
2. Norfolk's LBs take second in a close race. Their production out of their ILBs is nothing less than extraordinary. They got 194 tackles out of the ILBs last year, and they weren't too shabby against the pass either.
3. Hartford's unit goes 6 deep, and those players posted 320 tackles. As this unit improves, expect them to inch up this list, but the productivity of their defensive line hurts their numbers a bit.
4. West Virginia lacks the depth of the top three teams in the division. However, Noah is still one of the top ILBs in the league.
DBs
1. Based on past performance West Virginia's secondary appears to be the best in the division, however this appears to be by default.
2. Boston has the potential to be the best in the division, but they have a hole at the second safety position. If Quinn Surdyk is ready to step into the role, this team could easily have the best unit in the division.
3. Norfolk's unit is respectable, but they lack complementary skills across the board. They are susceptable to the big play as seen in last year's IFL Bowl.
4. Hartford retooled the secondary in the off-season. Seifert is a good cover man, but the #2 CB position still needs to be filled. Roy Brown seems to be slipping, but Steve Frauso fills the #2 safety position, and should move into Brown's SS position next season.
QB
1. Harold Lozier is the best QB in the league right now and has an IFL Championship Ring to prove it. He is also the best QB in the AC East hands down.
2. Jim Hickman is the surprise #2 QB on this list. He surpasses both Mulcahy and Sante. Unlike Hickman is a bit more consistent than Sante, and does not take as many sacks. He has also scored some TDs with his feet with two in the past year. Many of the TDs this past year was due to more of the offense leaning on him, and not having the top flight receivers that could get open consistently. The result was more INTs.
3. Reuben Sante is the #3 QB in the AC East. He has the tools, but is this the year he puts it all together? He has had quality targets in his WRs, but he has been unable to get the job done. This year he should take another stride forward, if he doesn't it will be a long year in Boston.
4. Jared Mulcahy brings up the end of the list. He will never be confused with the "Colonel," but he is a heady QB who will not lose many games for you. Unfortunately, he does not have the same tools that he had in Columbia so do not be surprised if there is a drop in his QB rating this year.
RB
1. Quick, name which RB ran for the most yards in the AC East last year! If you said Stanley Jamison, you're correct! He's back, and he has a revamped OL in front of him. Expect big things from Stanley this year. Over the last six games of last season, Jamison rushed for 649 yards on 147 carries, good for a 4.41 YPA, and 6 TDs. With defenses expected to respect Hartford's WRs, Jamison should find new lanes to run in.
2. Norfolk's William Brown is the next guy on the list. He slipped a bit in 2006, finishing just shy of 1000 yards. However, don't be fooled, he is still one of the primary cogs in the Norfolk attack as he added 431 yards receiving to his rushing totals. He is the complete package and if you decide to stop the "Finger," you'll get the shaft as Brown shoves it down your throat.
3. Boston's two headed beast could be the next coming of the Byner and Mack attack, or it could be a disaster. However, there is talent here with Tory Wigfall as the battering ram and Tony Moriarty picking his holes behind his OL. The downfall of this attack is going to be the offensive line. Although Boston has two bookends, they have nowhere to run inside.
4. With the departure of Abraham Spangler, West Virginia lost the franchise's leading rusher. Nicky Kersey appears to be primed to step into the starter's role, but yards will be hard to come by. Expect opponent's to stack the line and dare Mulcahy to beat them.
OL
1. This may be a bit of a surprise. Hartford's OL gets the nod here as the best line in the East, narrowly beating out the Vipers' line. First, the line gave up 13 fewer sacks than the Vipers' line did. Additionally, the line opened up more holes in the running game than Norfolk's did. It might be comraderie that has put the Grizzlies line over the top, the guys genuinely like each other, and if one player gives up a play, they feel like they all did.
2. On paper, Norfolk has the best line in the division. However, the results have not been up to what you would expect. Still, if this line can put everything together, it can be the dominant line in the division.
3. Boston's line is nothing to sneeze at, but it is also nothing to fear either. However, they do seem to get more out of their abilities than Norfolk's line, but you get the feeling watching these guys that they are playing as well as they can. Some parts of the line are aging and one has to wonder when their performance will begin tailing off.
4. West Virginia's line is not the proud unit of year's past that formed the battle line that the "Colonel" orchestrated his gridiron magic behind. However, they are attempting to infuse youth into the aging unit by drafting several young interior linemen. This may help this unit out in the long run, but this will be a long year for them.
TE
1. Jerald Harden is easily the best TE in the division. The guy can do everything. However, though he is a capable blocker, given that Brown likes to pound it between the tackles, he does nto get the opportunities to help out in the running game as Lee does for the Beasts. He has led the Vipers in receiving each of the last two years.
2. "Lighthorse" Henry Lee has been one of the best dual threats at the position since the league was founded. He has sure hands, but can also open holes in the running game.
3. Closely behind Lee in terms of performance is Fletcher Sala. Sala has led the Grizzlies in receiving each of the past two years. He is also a capable blocker when Jamison goes to the outside.
4. Weldon Brownell is a capable player, but Sante rarely looks for him. He only caught 24 passes last year. However, he is a capable blocker in the running game.
WR
1. We're going with the proven unit here. Norfolk's WR corps has accomplished more than the more talented Boston crew the past few years. However, they do not have the best talent in the division. If Sante gets his act together, Boston's receivers might take the top spot.
2. Hartford made some major moves in the off-season. Gary Ferreira caught 51 passes last year for the Matadors, as their third option. Ed Gaylor has caught 153 passes the last two seasons, and immediately moves into the #2 WR position. Provided Hickman can get the ball to these guys, they will make plays. Hartford also has the best depth in the division as they go five deep.
3. Boston has the best top 3 WRs on paper, but it they need to turn their potential into production. However, the bigger culprits in their lack of productivity is the OL and Sante. If they can turn those positions around, expect these guys to shine.
4. Weaver and Simpson might be a dynamic duo in years to come, don't expect it this year. Simpson is still at the top of his game, but will the ball get in range for him to do something with it?
Defensive Line
1. If the rumors out of camp are to be believed, Boston's line is going to be tops in the division. With the acquisition of Raymond Webb, the line was immediately improved. When Fritz Gaddas was picked up, he was expected to play in limited duty. However, the news out of camp is that he has been the best player on the defensive side of the ball. For someone to steal headlines from Ames, he must be special.
2. West Virginia returns a very unheralded, but very effective line. They return 3 players to the front line that had at least 40 tackles and 3 sacks. Very efficient and productive if you ask us.
3. Hartford's Bryce Tan might get all the headlines, but this line gets production across the board. Andy Rick had 40 tackles last year, and just keeps getting the job done. Randall Williamson turned in 22 tackles and 6.5 sacks last season in splitting time with Rufus Swett.
4. There is talent here for Norfolk, but not when compared to the rest of the division. Robbie Devore is on the downside of his career, but Karl Austin appears primed to take his place late this year, or early next season.
LB
1. In what was the toughest position to rate, Boston's LB corps takes first, edging out Norfolk's unit. They got 211 tackles out of their ILBs , and their OLBs posted respectable stats as well.
2. Norfolk's LBs take second in a close race. Their production out of their ILBs is nothing less than extraordinary. They got 194 tackles out of the ILBs last year, and they weren't too shabby against the pass either.
3. Hartford's unit goes 6 deep, and those players posted 320 tackles. As this unit improves, expect them to inch up this list, but the productivity of their defensive line hurts their numbers a bit.
4. West Virginia lacks the depth of the top three teams in the division. However, Noah is still one of the top ILBs in the league.
DBs
1. Based on past performance West Virginia's secondary appears to be the best in the division, however this appears to be by default.
2. Boston has the potential to be the best in the division, but they have a hole at the second safety position. If Quinn Surdyk is ready to step into the role, this team could easily have the best unit in the division.
3. Norfolk's unit is respectable, but they lack complementary skills across the board. They are susceptable to the big play as seen in last year's IFL Bowl.
4. Hartford retooled the secondary in the off-season. Seifert is a good cover man, but the #2 CB position still needs to be filled. Roy Brown seems to be slipping, but Steve Frauso fills the #2 safety position, and should move into Brown's SS position next season.
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