LFL Season Preview

The Cellar Dwellers

Here is the first Big LFL 07 Season preview. I hope to finish before the season begins in September. I have chosen different Steeler teams to help describe each category.

The 1969 Pittsburgh team was the worst Steelers team of the modern era. After beating the Lions to start the season they rolled off 13 straight losses to finish 1-13. They scored 218 (13 of 14) points while giving up 404 (14 of 14). Teams in this category resemble the 1969 team. They may have a few pro bowlers like Joe Green at DT and Joe Jefferson at WR. But unfortunately for these teams their rosters are filled with guys like RB Dick Hoak (531 yards, 3.5 avg and 2 tds) and QB Dick Shiner (46.4 pct 1422 yards 6.8 avg 7 tds 10 ints). The only hope is that they can luck out, like the Steelers, and land a future Hall of Famer like Terry Bradshaw in the draft.

14. The Giants:

The Giants have been in free fall since Tiki Barber announced his retirement and decided he wanted to be Bryant Gumbel. It is hard to believe that this franchise was in the Chuck Noll Bowl only two years ago. The Lamont Jordan debacle didn’t help and his cast of keepers would have trouble making the Ti-Cat roster. With some luck he may end up out of the basement but like Dwayne said “It is going to be a long season!”

QB: The Giants reluctantly brought back Eli Manning to pilot the ship. He has the potential to do much better but may struggle without Barber. Even though he would never admit it. It should be noted that he was selected after JaMarcus Russell, the unsigned backup QB of the terrible Raiders. I am not sure why Russell was picked as he will surely be available in the 11th-12th round in the 2008 draft.

RB: The Giants RB situation looked ghastly but some decent drafting improved the situation. Norwood and Droughns put the fear into no one. I would be higher on Norwood if Dunne was gone from Atlanta but he should put up decent numbers on a terrible team. Brandon Jackson and Tatum Bell are the keys for the Giants. Jackson the 2nd round pick out of Nebraska should play a lot and post good numbers. He could be the steal of the draft (Maroney) or a dud (Arrington). Tatum Bell has never really lived up to his potential but seems to be in a better situation in Detroit. Rob catches crabs better than he does balls so it remains to be seen how he fits into the Martz plan in Detroit. Ladell Betts should also do well once Clinton Portis gets hurts but another 1000 yard season may be a reach.

WR: The Giants are thin at WR. Colston will need to have another huge year in 2007 and will be the target of every teams shut down corner. Cotchery had a good year in 2006 and Randy McMichael will finally need to reach his potential.

D: The Ginats defense should be decent. He will need Kampmann to post 15 sacks again. Which may be difficult considering he only had 14 career sacks before his big year last year. He may end up like the old GB d lineman KGB on the missing person’s list. Karlos Dansby, Walt Harris and Terrel Suggs are all solid picks.