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Week One Picks
Columbus Destroyers @ Nashville Kats
Game Time: March 1 / 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Matt Nagy (COL), WR Tony Locke (COL), QB Clint Stoerner (NAS), DB Jerald Brown (COL), WR Jason Shelley (NAS)
Pick Em' Prediction: Columbus Destroyers
Columbus finished with an 8-8 record in head coach Doug Kay's first season in 2006, and will open the 2007 season with a revamped offense. Matt Nagy, acquired in a trade from Georgia, replaces John Kaleo at quarterback. AFL Defensive Player of the Year DB Jerald Brown returns to anchor the defense. Meanwhile, Nashville has lost key offensive options in WR T.T. Toliver and WR Cory Fleming, and QB Clint Stoerner will have to learn a different offensive playbook with new coordinator Lary Kuharich. Nashville's defense remains strong at every position, but their offensive ineptitude might be their undoing again this season and I expect Columbus to come out on top in the season opener.
Orlando Predators @ Tampa Bay Storm
Game Time: March 2 / 7:30 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Shane Stafford (ORL), WR Jimmy Fryzel (ORL), DB Khalil Carter (ORL), QB John Kaleo (TB), WR/DB Terrill Shaw (TB), WR T.T. Toliver (TB)
Pick Em' Prediction: Orlando Predators
Head coach Jay Gruden will guide his Orlando Predators into Tampa for what should be quite a defensive test in their opener. The Predators will come out hungry for a win since the memory of their defeat in ArenaBowl XX remains fresh. QB Shane Stafford was a very big offseason acquisition and even though they lost their top pass rusher in OL/DL Henry Taylor, the rest of their defensive core is intact. Tampa Bay will get to showcase its flurry of new acquisitions for the first time, a list that includes new QB John Kaleo, and a tandem of play-making receivers in Terrill Shaw and T.T. Toliver. The overall experience and talent of the Storm team is high, but so is their age (Kaleo is 35 years old), and I doubt their offensive line will be able to hold off Orlando's defense.
Georgia Force @ Arizona Rattlers
Game Time: March 3 / 9:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: WR Chris Jackson (GEO), WR Derek Lee (GEO), QB Sherdrick Bonner (ARI), WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)
Pick Em' Prediction: Georgia Force
The Georgia Force has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but they will be led by an inexperienced QB in Chris Griesen, who was a backup in Dallas in 2006. Head coach Doug Plank will look to Griesen to solidify his spot as a starter and connect with touchdown-machine WR Chris Jackson, who had 36 TDs in 2006 good enough for a top-five finish in the category. The Force have added a few imposing players on the defensive line this season with the acquisitions of Ernest Allen and Mike Sutton. Meanwhile, Arizona is an aging team that hasn't changed much. They've lost WR Damien Groce and it will be all up to QB Sherdrick Bonner and WR/DB Randy Gatewood to shoulder the load once again; the pair connected on 35 scores in 2006. Head coach Gene Nudo is going to need surprise help from his rookies for Arizona to score alongside Georgia, and I don't see that happening just yet.
New Orleans VooDoo @ Utah Blaze
Game Time: March 3 / 9:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Andy Kelly (NO), OL/DL Henry Taylor (NO), QB Joe Germaine (UTA), Siaha Burley (UTA)
Pick Em' Prediction: Utah Blaze
Mike Neu and the New Orleans VooDoo return to the AFL after spending the 2006 season displaced. The VooDoo recorded a 9-7 record in their last full AFL season in 2005, but this team has undergone changes and will be working with some fresh players. One familiar face is veteran QB Andy Kelly, who is the AFL's all-time leading passer with 767 career touchdowns. Kelly will have a new go-to receiver in WR/LB Anthony Hines, who had a career-year with 25 TDs playing for Grand Rapids last season. OL/DL Henry Taylor, acquired from Orlando, led the AFL with 8.5 sacks in 2006. Utah will be entering their second season in the AFL after going 7-9 in their inaugural year. QB Joe Germaine is healthy again and WR Siaha Burley is one of the top-five receivers in the league. Burley caught 136 balls for 1,934 yards and 44 TDs in 2006, and he will have a solid counterpart in WR/DB Aaron Boone, who caught 748 yards and 19 TDs in just nine games in 2006 for Kansas City. Overall, while I do think New Orleans will float around .500 this season, Utah gets the edge due to their experience, and the rapport between Germaine and Burley.
Dallas Desperados @ New York Dragons
Game Time: March 4 / 12:30 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Clint Dolezel (DAL), WR Marcus Nash (DAL), WR/DB Will Pettis (DAL), OL Lincoln Kennedy (DAL), QB Aaron Garcia (NY), OS Mike Horacek (NY)
Pick Em' Prediction: Dallas Desperados
The Desperados finished 2006 with a 13-3 record, tops in the AFL, but they had a disappointing playoff showing. This season, Will McClay's team is a favorite to make the jump and win it all. They'll have to do it without WR Terrill Shaw, who left as a free agent, but they did sign the best wide receiver available in Marcus Nash. Returning QB Clint Dolezel has already established a solid connection with Nash when he played with him in Las Vegas in 2005. Dolezel set an AFL record by passing for 105 TDs last season. WR/DB Will Pettis also returns and expect him to get off to a great start with the addition of Nash. Eleven-year NFL veteran offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy joins Dallas for his first season in the AFL to provide additional protection, and he's someone that will really benefit from the new substitution rule changes. The Dragons need to keep QB Aaron Garcia from getting sacked repeatedly this season, but without any key additions on the offensive line in the offseason, it might be another injury-filled year for the team's signal caller. He's one of the absolute best when he's healthy though, and Kevin Swayne and Mike Horacek both return as his familiar receivers. This should be a high-scoring affair where both quarterbacks put on a show and I expect Dallas to come out on top.
Chicago Rush @ Kansas City Brigade
Game Time: March 4 / 12:30 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Matt D'Orazio (CHI), WR Bobby Sippio (CHI), OL/DL E.J. Burt (CHI)
Pick Em' Prediction: Chicago Rush
This game should be your lock of the week, as the defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush take on a Kansas City team that went 3-13 in their inaugural season. Chicago has all their key components returning on both offense and defense, which includes rising QB Matt D'Orazio, who just inked a contract extension through 2009. Standout WR Bobby Sippio was huge in the four playoff games for Chicago last season, catching 33 balls for 452 yards and 10 TDs over that span. DB Jeremy Unertl, who had 77 tackles and 8 INTs last season, is also back. And they've added OL/DL E.J. Burt to pad a line corps which is already very good. Kansas City's head coach Kevin Porter revamped his roster in the offseason and there isn't even a sure bet who their quarterback will be at this point. Michael Bishop, Raymond Philyaw, and former NFL backup Jonathan Quinn will have to duke it out for the starting job. Chicago should easily trump K.C. due to the vast differences in team solidarity and experience.
Grand Rapids Rampage @ Colorado Crush
Game Time: March 4 / 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: WR Troy Edwards (GRA), QB Chad Salisbury (GRA), QB John Dutton (COL), WR Damian Harrell (COL), Rashad Floyd (COL)
Pick Em' Prediction: Colorado Crush
Grand Rapids head coach Sparky McEwen will have his work cut out for him as the Rampage travel to Colorado. Grand Rapids has a QB Chad Salisbury that is already on the hot seat in the opener and they have lost WR Anthony Hines, their best playmaker last season. Instead of Hines, they'll turn to NFL veteran WR Troy Edwards to learn the AFL game quickly and step into the starting lineup. Colorado is coming off an 11-5 season and is returning with pretty much the same roster it had in 2006. Head coach Mike Dailey will turn to QB John Dutton and WR Damian Harrell to connect early and often and get the team off to a good start. Harrell has 183 TDs over his past four seasons and hasn't show any signs of slowing up. DB Rashad Floyd is coming off a stellar season on defense with 136.5 tackles and 10 interceptions. Expect the Crush to cruise in their home opener against the quiet Rampage.
Las Vegas Gladiators @ Austin Wranglers
Game Time: March 4/ 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Adrian McPherson (AUS), WR Derrick Lewis (AUS), DB Damon Mason (AUS), QB Shaun King (AUS), WR Peter Warrick (AUS)
Pick Em' Prediction: Austin Wranglers
The Wranglers are coming off a 10-6 season, which concluded with a poor playoff showing. They will have a new head coach this season in Brian Partlow, who was previously the offensive coordinator of the Colorado Crush, and a new QB in Adrian McPherson. Expect Partlow's offensive system to greatly benefit McPherson this season. He is a great mobile quarterback who should show off his dual-threat talents and connect with returning WR Derrick Lewis. Austin's defense is one of the stingiest in the league and that shouldn't change much, as DB Damon Mason (eight INTs in 2006) is back and DB Nate Coggins was signed as well. For Las Vegas, all eyes will be on a pair of former NFL players who are playing their first seasons in the league, WR Peter Warrick and QB Shaun King. First-year Gladiators head coach Danton Barto will be relying on a roster full of inexperienced AFL players to improve upon 2006's a 5-11 record. I'm intrigued how both Warrick and King will adapt to the frantic AFL style of play, but I'm sure they'll improve as the season goes along. For now though, look for the experienced defense to make some plays and Partlow to get his first win as a head coach of the Wranglers.
San Jose SaberCats @ Los Angeles Avengers
Game Time: March 4 / 10:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Mark Grieb (SJ), WR James Roe (SJ), WR Ben Nelson (SJ), QB Sonny Cumbie (LA), WR Kevin Ingram (LA)
Pick Em' Prediction: San Jose SaberCats, Points Tiebreaker: 65-56 San Jose
The SabreCats as a whole are a very young team, however, the team's talented offensive unit of a year ago remains fully intact, which has the team poised to repeat last year's 10-6 record. QB Mark Grieb returns to lead an offensive unit that was first in the league in yards per game at 316.6 and second in total touchdowns with 127 scores. Grieb's two main receivers James Roe and Ben Nelson also return this season. Roe caught 31 TDs last season and Nelson finished with 26 TDs and Rookie of the Year honors. The Avengers suffered through a dismal season in 2006 ,finishing with a 5-11 record, and haven't made many changes to improve on their roster. They did add OL Greg Krause to bolster a poor offensive line, but I'm skeptical that will be enough to stop the sack barrage. QB Sonny Cumbie played well when he was pressed into action last season and WR Kevin Ingram (32 TD, 5 INT in 2006) is still one of the best two-way players in the game. Expect this to be a game centered on offense as neither defense is particularly outstanding, and the SaberCats will have more firepower to rely on.
Week One Picks
Columbus Destroyers @ Nashville Kats
Game Time: March 1 / 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Matt Nagy (COL), WR Tony Locke (COL), QB Clint Stoerner (NAS), DB Jerald Brown (COL), WR Jason Shelley (NAS)
Pick Em' Prediction: Columbus Destroyers
Columbus finished with an 8-8 record in head coach Doug Kay's first season in 2006, and will open the 2007 season with a revamped offense. Matt Nagy, acquired in a trade from Georgia, replaces John Kaleo at quarterback. AFL Defensive Player of the Year DB Jerald Brown returns to anchor the defense. Meanwhile, Nashville has lost key offensive options in WR T.T. Toliver and WR Cory Fleming, and QB Clint Stoerner will have to learn a different offensive playbook with new coordinator Lary Kuharich. Nashville's defense remains strong at every position, but their offensive ineptitude might be their undoing again this season and I expect Columbus to come out on top in the season opener.
Orlando Predators @ Tampa Bay Storm
Game Time: March 2 / 7:30 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Shane Stafford (ORL), WR Jimmy Fryzel (ORL), DB Khalil Carter (ORL), QB John Kaleo (TB), WR/DB Terrill Shaw (TB), WR T.T. Toliver (TB)
Pick Em' Prediction: Orlando Predators
Head coach Jay Gruden will guide his Orlando Predators into Tampa for what should be quite a defensive test in their opener. The Predators will come out hungry for a win since the memory of their defeat in ArenaBowl XX remains fresh. QB Shane Stafford was a very big offseason acquisition and even though they lost their top pass rusher in OL/DL Henry Taylor, the rest of their defensive core is intact. Tampa Bay will get to showcase its flurry of new acquisitions for the first time, a list that includes new QB John Kaleo, and a tandem of play-making receivers in Terrill Shaw and T.T. Toliver. The overall experience and talent of the Storm team is high, but so is their age (Kaleo is 35 years old), and I doubt their offensive line will be able to hold off Orlando's defense.
Georgia Force @ Arizona Rattlers
Game Time: March 3 / 9:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: WR Chris Jackson (GEO), WR Derek Lee (GEO), QB Sherdrick Bonner (ARI), WR/DB Randy Gatewood (ARI)
Pick Em' Prediction: Georgia Force
The Georgia Force has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but they will be led by an inexperienced QB in Chris Griesen, who was a backup in Dallas in 2006. Head coach Doug Plank will look to Griesen to solidify his spot as a starter and connect with touchdown-machine WR Chris Jackson, who had 36 TDs in 2006 good enough for a top-five finish in the category. The Force have added a few imposing players on the defensive line this season with the acquisitions of Ernest Allen and Mike Sutton. Meanwhile, Arizona is an aging team that hasn't changed much. They've lost WR Damien Groce and it will be all up to QB Sherdrick Bonner and WR/DB Randy Gatewood to shoulder the load once again; the pair connected on 35 scores in 2006. Head coach Gene Nudo is going to need surprise help from his rookies for Arizona to score alongside Georgia, and I don't see that happening just yet.
New Orleans VooDoo @ Utah Blaze
Game Time: March 3 / 9:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Andy Kelly (NO), OL/DL Henry Taylor (NO), QB Joe Germaine (UTA), Siaha Burley (UTA)
Pick Em' Prediction: Utah Blaze
Mike Neu and the New Orleans VooDoo return to the AFL after spending the 2006 season displaced. The VooDoo recorded a 9-7 record in their last full AFL season in 2005, but this team has undergone changes and will be working with some fresh players. One familiar face is veteran QB Andy Kelly, who is the AFL's all-time leading passer with 767 career touchdowns. Kelly will have a new go-to receiver in WR/LB Anthony Hines, who had a career-year with 25 TDs playing for Grand Rapids last season. OL/DL Henry Taylor, acquired from Orlando, led the AFL with 8.5 sacks in 2006. Utah will be entering their second season in the AFL after going 7-9 in their inaugural year. QB Joe Germaine is healthy again and WR Siaha Burley is one of the top-five receivers in the league. Burley caught 136 balls for 1,934 yards and 44 TDs in 2006, and he will have a solid counterpart in WR/DB Aaron Boone, who caught 748 yards and 19 TDs in just nine games in 2006 for Kansas City. Overall, while I do think New Orleans will float around .500 this season, Utah gets the edge due to their experience, and the rapport between Germaine and Burley.
Dallas Desperados @ New York Dragons
Game Time: March 4 / 12:30 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Clint Dolezel (DAL), WR Marcus Nash (DAL), WR/DB Will Pettis (DAL), OL Lincoln Kennedy (DAL), QB Aaron Garcia (NY), OS Mike Horacek (NY)
Pick Em' Prediction: Dallas Desperados
The Desperados finished 2006 with a 13-3 record, tops in the AFL, but they had a disappointing playoff showing. This season, Will McClay's team is a favorite to make the jump and win it all. They'll have to do it without WR Terrill Shaw, who left as a free agent, but they did sign the best wide receiver available in Marcus Nash. Returning QB Clint Dolezel has already established a solid connection with Nash when he played with him in Las Vegas in 2005. Dolezel set an AFL record by passing for 105 TDs last season. WR/DB Will Pettis also returns and expect him to get off to a great start with the addition of Nash. Eleven-year NFL veteran offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy joins Dallas for his first season in the AFL to provide additional protection, and he's someone that will really benefit from the new substitution rule changes. The Dragons need to keep QB Aaron Garcia from getting sacked repeatedly this season, but without any key additions on the offensive line in the offseason, it might be another injury-filled year for the team's signal caller. He's one of the absolute best when he's healthy though, and Kevin Swayne and Mike Horacek both return as his familiar receivers. This should be a high-scoring affair where both quarterbacks put on a show and I expect Dallas to come out on top.
Chicago Rush @ Kansas City Brigade
Game Time: March 4 / 12:30 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Matt D'Orazio (CHI), WR Bobby Sippio (CHI), OL/DL E.J. Burt (CHI)
Pick Em' Prediction: Chicago Rush
This game should be your lock of the week, as the defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush take on a Kansas City team that went 3-13 in their inaugural season. Chicago has all their key components returning on both offense and defense, which includes rising QB Matt D'Orazio, who just inked a contract extension through 2009. Standout WR Bobby Sippio was huge in the four playoff games for Chicago last season, catching 33 balls for 452 yards and 10 TDs over that span. DB Jeremy Unertl, who had 77 tackles and 8 INTs last season, is also back. And they've added OL/DL E.J. Burt to pad a line corps which is already very good. Kansas City's head coach Kevin Porter revamped his roster in the offseason and there isn't even a sure bet who their quarterback will be at this point. Michael Bishop, Raymond Philyaw, and former NFL backup Jonathan Quinn will have to duke it out for the starting job. Chicago should easily trump K.C. due to the vast differences in team solidarity and experience.
Grand Rapids Rampage @ Colorado Crush
Game Time: March 4 / 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: WR Troy Edwards (GRA), QB Chad Salisbury (GRA), QB John Dutton (COL), WR Damian Harrell (COL), Rashad Floyd (COL)
Pick Em' Prediction: Colorado Crush
Grand Rapids head coach Sparky McEwen will have his work cut out for him as the Rampage travel to Colorado. Grand Rapids has a QB Chad Salisbury that is already on the hot seat in the opener and they have lost WR Anthony Hines, their best playmaker last season. Instead of Hines, they'll turn to NFL veteran WR Troy Edwards to learn the AFL game quickly and step into the starting lineup. Colorado is coming off an 11-5 season and is returning with pretty much the same roster it had in 2006. Head coach Mike Dailey will turn to QB John Dutton and WR Damian Harrell to connect early and often and get the team off to a good start. Harrell has 183 TDs over his past four seasons and hasn't show any signs of slowing up. DB Rashad Floyd is coming off a stellar season on defense with 136.5 tackles and 10 interceptions. Expect the Crush to cruise in their home opener against the quiet Rampage.
Las Vegas Gladiators @ Austin Wranglers
Game Time: March 4/ 4:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Adrian McPherson (AUS), WR Derrick Lewis (AUS), DB Damon Mason (AUS), QB Shaun King (AUS), WR Peter Warrick (AUS)
Pick Em' Prediction: Austin Wranglers
The Wranglers are coming off a 10-6 season, which concluded with a poor playoff showing. They will have a new head coach this season in Brian Partlow, who was previously the offensive coordinator of the Colorado Crush, and a new QB in Adrian McPherson. Expect Partlow's offensive system to greatly benefit McPherson this season. He is a great mobile quarterback who should show off his dual-threat talents and connect with returning WR Derrick Lewis. Austin's defense is one of the stingiest in the league and that shouldn't change much, as DB Damon Mason (eight INTs in 2006) is back and DB Nate Coggins was signed as well. For Las Vegas, all eyes will be on a pair of former NFL players who are playing their first seasons in the league, WR Peter Warrick and QB Shaun King. First-year Gladiators head coach Danton Barto will be relying on a roster full of inexperienced AFL players to improve upon 2006's a 5-11 record. I'm intrigued how both Warrick and King will adapt to the frantic AFL style of play, but I'm sure they'll improve as the season goes along. For now though, look for the experienced defense to make some plays and Partlow to get his first win as a head coach of the Wranglers.
San Jose SaberCats @ Los Angeles Avengers
Game Time: March 4 / 10:00 p.m. Eastern
Key Players: QB Mark Grieb (SJ), WR James Roe (SJ), WR Ben Nelson (SJ), QB Sonny Cumbie (LA), WR Kevin Ingram (LA)
Pick Em' Prediction: San Jose SaberCats, Points Tiebreaker: 65-56 San Jose
The SabreCats as a whole are a very young team, however, the team's talented offensive unit of a year ago remains fully intact, which has the team poised to repeat last year's 10-6 record. QB Mark Grieb returns to lead an offensive unit that was first in the league in yards per game at 316.6 and second in total touchdowns with 127 scores. Grieb's two main receivers James Roe and Ben Nelson also return this season. Roe caught 31 TDs last season and Nelson finished with 26 TDs and Rookie of the Year honors. The Avengers suffered through a dismal season in 2006 ,finishing with a 5-11 record, and haven't made many changes to improve on their roster. They did add OL Greg Krause to bolster a poor offensive line, but I'm skeptical that will be enough to stop the sack barrage. QB Sonny Cumbie played well when he was pressed into action last season and WR Kevin Ingram (32 TD, 5 INT in 2006) is still one of the best two-way players in the game. Expect this to be a game centered on offense as neither defense is particularly outstanding, and the SaberCats will have more firepower to rely on.
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