SFC Season Preview

1. Team Canuckistan

Last year: (9-5), Career: (19-9)

Key Players: Calvin Johnson and Frank Gore

Analysis: Last year’s SNFL champion comes back looking as strong as last year, receiving the first place vote in the SNFL preseason poll. Overall, this team is very balanced with Calvin Johnson and Mike Williams as their starting WRs, along with Mario Manningham; as well as having a strong core of RBs: Frank Gore, LeGarrette Blount, and Ryan Matthews. The one weakness of this team would be their depth. If Tony Romo goes down again this season, Team Canukistan will have to rely on their WRs and RBs to stay healthy, or face a turbulent regular season. However, expect this team to continue its dominate reign of consistency.   

2.  Eleven’sElevenElevolutionaries

Last year: 6-8, Career: (6-8)

Key Players: Chris Johnson and Roddy White

Analysis: Man do I hope this team wins/loses 11 games!! I digress… A stunning participant in last year’s playoffs, Eleven comes into this season with absolutely no QB trouble (which plagued them last year). Turns out they have a minor RB problem. After holding out the entire preseason, Chris Johnson is back however the possibility of injury has to concern Eleven. After Johnson there is almost no depth at that position. It’ll be up to a strong WR core and Roethlisberger to get Eleven into the playoffs. It looks like another close finish for Eleven’sElevenElevolutionaries this year.

3. Can’t Spell Elite Without Eli

Last year: 6-8, Career: (6-8)

Key Player: Greg Jennings, Vincent Jackson, and Ray Rice

Analysis: It seemed dark for ‘Eli during their SNFL record six game lose streak. However, like Eleven’sElevenElevolutionaries, they came back and made it into the playoffs (ironically because of Vincent Jackson). Last year’s first place preseason team stands out at the WR position with Jennings, Jackson, and Britt. Going along with my pick for this year’s Fantasy MVP Ray Rice, ‘Eli could steamroll opponents with their starting lineup. Yet, ‘Eli’s strength could turn out to be a weakness as this team is going to need their WRs to be that dominate force. The bad news… as far as the bench goes, this team won’t scare anyone… the good news, if ‘Eli’s starters are healthy and productive, they won’t need a bench.   

4. The Lance Armstrongs

Last year: DNP

Key Players: Drew Brees and Mike Wallace

Analysis: Impressive that a newbie was ranked ahead of two seasoned owners. The Lance Armstrongs will need this kind of self-confident swagger in the tightly contested SFC. Their draft was met with, to start off, admiration and, at other times, rookie miscues. Overall, they drafted a competitive team, and perhaps got one of the steals of the draft in Brandon Marshall. Surprisingly, The Lance Armstrongs went with the decision to carry three QBs, which could hurt their depth if a starter goes down to injury. In that case, they’ll need to learn quickly how to work the waiver wire, or they could fall down the standings in a hurry.

5.  Las Tortugas Negras

Last year: (6-8), Career: (13-15)

Key Players: Rashard Mendenhall and Baltimore Ravens Defense

Analysis: The Black Turtles could never find solid footing last year; at one point looking like the worst team in the league, to being a solid playoff pick, then back to mediocrity. This year the team didn’t find any love in the preseason polls, getting ranked eleventh out of twelve teams. This team has solid RBs in Mendenhall and Benson, but their tough AFC North opponents could spell trouble for the Turtles. DeSean Jackson and Wes Welker will give the Turtles the confidence to face any opponent this year. Yet, it is obvious that Las Tortugas Negras will need to be scouting the waiver wire for some late season gems to overcome the big guns in the SFC.

6.  Q

Last year: (6-8), Career: (6-8)

Key Players: Aaron Rodgers, Darren McFadden, and Jason Witten

Analysis: In a shocker, Q (thank you for such an easy team name) was ranked as the worst team in the SNFL! Perhaps, it is due to their late season collapse that resulted in them falling completely out of the playoffs after being the only team to start the season 3-0. Whatever is the case; this team has reloaded and come into the season with a fire in their hearts to prove all the doubters wrong. If McFadden can stay healthy, Q will have to rely on preseason standout Tim Hightower to give him a worthy one-two punch. Receiving wise, they have enough depth to stay in the hunt for that missed playoff spot that still haunts them till this day. Watch for this team to be surprise team of 2011.  

-Taylor