2007 NFA Preseason League News Update

The NFA recently concluded the 2007 preseason after a long hiatus. Below are the preseason records for each team. My commentary for each division is listed under the division and the records for each team..

NFC North
Dakota Vipers 2-2
Madison Timberwolves 2-2
Edmonton Beavers 0-4
Springfield Knights 4-0

Vipers and Timberwolves 2-2? What's the NFC North going to look like this year? We've had previous years where the Knights, Timberwolves, and Vipers have all been vying for playoff positions. Do the Knights finally have the division secured with their stout defense? I doubt it, this is just preseason. I expect the usual fierce playoff competition from those three teams.

NFC West
Boise Bison 4-0
Wyoming Wildcats 1-3
Santa Fe Bandits 1-3
Tucson Kings 0-4

NFC West looks pretty usual. Although it isn't really a strong division usually, Boise looks like they're really starting to put things together. The Kings and Bandits are clearly still rebuilding and it seems the Wildcats are no longer serious contenders for the playoffs with a likelihood of dropping under .500 this year.

NFC East
Dover Deer 3-1
Kentucky Stallions 4-0
Iowa Rangers 0-4
Boston Liberty 3-1

This might be the first year where we see some great competition in the NFC East. Traditionally this division has been dominated by the powerful Boston Liberty, but Dover and Kentucky have proven good teams, with Kentucky making it to the Super Bowl last year. I'm hoping to see some good competition here, but the cynic in me says Liberty are going to win the division yet again.

NFC South
Jackson Dragons 4-0
Tiburon Sharks 0-4
Topeka Oilers 2-2
Mexico Bulls 2-2

The NFC South looks like a fairly weak division this year, although going by the records here there's a good chance Jackson will continue to surprise with a good record. They're definitely starting to put together a more balanced team, I do expect them to win the division, but I don't think they'll get far come postseason. Who knows though, the Oilers and Bulls have been full of surprises the last few years.

AFC North
Bar Harbor Captains 2-2
Yukon Yeti 4-0
Lincoln Tribe 2-2
Montana Grizzlies 1-3

AFC North... Yeti looking very good once again while Bar Harbor starts to really fall behind. I don't expect this division to change much from the way it's been the last few years. You never know with Bar Harbor though, especially with the young QBs, the strong running game, and the coaches willingness to experiment with the playbook. This could be the last year Yukon can keep their superstar caliber team together due to contract and financial obligations, so now would be the time for Bar Harbor to rise. I really don't see the Tribe or Grizzlies going anywhere this year.

AFC West
Carson City Comets 2-2
Portland Flyers 1-3
Spokane Ospreys 2-2
Little Rock Crocs 1-3

AFC West and AFC East... probably the most surprising results I've seen in a very long time. These usually strong divisions can't even boast of a team with 3 wins in the preseason. I'm predicting the AFC West will eventually straighten out with Carson City coming out on top as usual, although Spokane has potential as well. I'll be a little surprised if the Flyers or Crocs make it to the playoffs this year, but this preseason record shows that this can be anyone's division.

AFC East
Atlantic Tide 2-2
Hartford Lightning 1-3
Concord Hawks 2-2
West Virginia Wizards 2-2

The once mighty Atlantic Tide have fallen to 2-2 in the preseason in a division where they are usually very dominant. This has probably been the single most surprising division in the preseason. It really is anyone's division. The Tide still have some steam, but the Wizards have proven themselves a good team in the past. The Hawks look like they're still an offensive powerhouse, but if they can put their defense together they're definitely in the running. The Lightning I'm not so optimistic about, but they could put something together. The bottom line is, the AFC East looks more even than it ever has before and I'll be keeping a close eye on this division as the season progresses.

AFC South
Hawaii Warriors 2-2
Oklahoma Twisters 3-1
Salt Lake Scorpions 1-3
Puerto Rico Piranhas 4-0

The AFC South looks fairly usual this year. The Piranhas seem to be steadily overtaking the Twisters in control of the division, although I still expect it to be an interesting contest for the playoffs. I don't really expect much for Salt Lake or Hawaii, but the Warriros have surprised me in the past.

Overall:
Definitely excited for this year in the NFA. We're definitely starting to see some old powerhouses overtaken by up and coming teams that are starting to put it together.