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By Mike Rose
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
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Arena Football PowerPoll (Mike Rose)
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Rank
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Last Week
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Team
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Record
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Power Ratings
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Comments
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1
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1
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Dallas Desperados |
14-1
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Week four was the last time we saw this Dallas club dish out a woodshed beating, but last weeks thrashing of NY was one for the ages as the Desperados set the Arena Football League record for regular season victories and kept a one-game lead over Georgia for home-field advantage in the process. The score was 9-0 after the first three plays of the game after Colston Weatherington recorded a defensive safety and Willis Marshall returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD. This was probably the Desperados most complete effort of the season as they simply bombarded a NY team fighting for its playoff lives in every direction en route to the commanding 67-13 home victory. They’ll look to tally up another road win in Colorado to close out their regular season campaign, and improve upon the best road record in the league. This club is one of the odds on favorites to hoist the AB Trophy this se ason. |
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2
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2
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San Jose Sabercats |
12-3
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The Sabercats took one giant step closer to securing home-field advantage throughout the post-season with the 66-26 drubbing of the long time rival Arizona Rattlers last Saturday night. The win improved their home mark to 8-0 this season, and nobody will want to pay a visit to "The Tank" come post-season play with the way the Sabercats have treated their guests this year. Arizona couldn’t do anything against San Jose’s stop unit as it forced three INT’s and held the Rattlers to a measly six points in the second half. This club is well coached and loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. They’re no doubt an ArenaBowl contender, and they have to be the odds on favorite to reach the grand finale out of the American Conference if indeed they win their road finale at Las Vegas this Monday afternoon. |
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3
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3
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Georgia Force |
13-2
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It’s scary how good this Force club really is. Ever since their bye in Week 11, this club has looked completely different. They scored 60+ points without breaking a sweat in eight of their first nine games this year, but their defense was giving up an alarming amount of points as well. Since their Week 12 loss at LA, Georgia has scored 52, 54, 81, and 55 points. That might look like a huge drop-off in terms of offensive PPG, but the play of their defense has been superb. The 45 PPG they’ve allowed the last four weeks is nine points lower than their seasonal average, and it makes this team that much more of a monster with balanced attacks on both sides of the ball. Offensively, this team can’t be stopped. I’m yet to see it occur, and I doubt it will be done. Especially with it all on the line in the post-season. Look for them to finish off an unblemished mark at home this Sunday w hen they welcome in the NO Voodoo in their final game of the regular season, and keep the pressure on Dallas for home field advantage. |
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4
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4
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Chicago Rush |
11-4
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The Rush put forth their most complete game in weeks against a capable opponent as they swept the season series from Colorado with the 66-57 win in front of a tape delayed audience on ESPN2. How this game wasn’t broadcasted live is a complete and utter disgrace, and something I hope the AFL will look into as to avoid anything like this down the road. That being said, the Rush guaranteed themselves a home playoff game by playing some outstanding defense and capitalizing off the breaks the Crush handed them. OS Bobbi Sippio was candid yet masterful, and Head Coach Mike Hohensee and his staff drew up an excellent gameplan to knock off the Crush for the third time in a row. However, a huge game still lies ahead as the Rush welcome in the KC Brigade who handed them an opening day loss. This games for all the Central Division marbles. The victor grabs the #2 slot and a first round bye, while the loser gets to host a first found game. The All State Arena is sure to be rocking come Saturday night, and I’ll be there to soak it all in. Hopefully, my party and I leave happy campers. |
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5
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5
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Kansas City Brigade |
10-5
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The Brigade took to the field on Saturday night in search of avenging their earlier season loss to Nashville and picking up their 10th win of the season. They did both after picking up the 66-63 home victory, and the Central Division battle for the whole enchilada is now set to kick-off at 8:00 ET this Saturday night when the Brigade visits the Windy City to take on the Chicago Rush. Regardless of what happens, the Brigade’s got to be tickled pink for what they’ve accomplished as a franchise this year. Nobody, and I repeat nobody would have figured this year’s version of the Brigade to be double-digit winners; especially not after their 3-13 mark in their inaugural campaign. However, a healthy QB Raymond Philyaw, a huge O-Line, a stout defense, and some game breakers have allowed them to pull off such an enormous turnaround in such a short amount of time. Regardless of what happe ns this Saturday night, the Brigade have a lot to be ecstatic about, and a bright outlook is certainly within the Brigades playoff cards. |
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6
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7
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Tampa Bay Storm |
8-7
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In one of the ugliest games in AFL history, the Storm benefited from seven Rampage turnovers and rolled in the fourth quarter to pick up the 69-40 road victory. The win completed the ultimate comeback the league saw this year as the Storm now get to host a first round playoff game after getting off to a woeful 0-5 start. By winning seven of their last eight overall, Tampa Bay is a club that nobody wants to see in the second season. Their defense has been above average all season long, and now their offense seems to have found its rhythm after putting up 60+ the last three weeks. Look for them to knock off the Wranglers in the franchises last official AFL game, and jump into the playoffs with a head of steam looking to pick up a post-season victory for the first time since 2003. |
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7
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8
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Los Angeles Avengers |
9-6
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A close game in the second quarter was blown wide open as the Avengers smothered the Gladiators with their defense, and put up 30 unanswered points on the board to roll to their ninth victory of the season. With Colorado losing on Monday night, the Avengers were handed a first round home playoff game and Head Coach Ed Hodgkiss and his men look to make the most of it. This club is currently playing some of the best ball its played all season long, and they certainly will be a headache for whomever they lock horns with in the playoffs. I like the offensive potential of this team, and the defense has really turned it up of late. They have absolutely nothing to gain from going all out against Utah this week; so don’t expect them to put forth a maximum effort. However, once the post-season starts, it’s a whole different story. |
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8
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6
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Orlando Predators |
8-7
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Heading into their game with the Force last week, I felt the Predators were capable of pulling off the upset in "The Jungle" with the home crowd cheering on every move they made. That just wasn’t the case though as the Preds looked to be outclassed on both sides of the ball, and another crucial injury reared its ugly head, as WR Ron Johnson might be lost for the season with an injured hand. The loss sets up a do or die game for the Preds for the rights of hosting a home game in the first round of the playoffs. Philly’s a tough place to go into and win, but this club is still capable of pulling it off with the squad they have assembled right now. Anything further along the road is anyone’s guess, but the Preds will no doubt give it their best effort like they do with just about every passing week. |
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9
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12
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Philadelphia Soul |
7-8
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The Soul picked up a huge come from behind win last weekend over Columbus, and in the process, qualified for the post-season for the second season in a row. The regular season campaign for the ’07 Soul is one Philly fans would much rather forget, but with the new season right around the corner, it’s exciting to be a fan of the black and teal. After getting off to a commanding 4-0 start, it looked like it was going to be a fantastic fifth campaign for the Philly franchise. However, an injury to QB Tony Graziani saw this club drop six in a row, and pretty much fall off the AFL map. With the field general back in the starting line-up, the Soul’s gone 3-2 and has high hopes for their chances in the second season. That being said, they’re going to have to shore up their deficiencies on defense if they’re to stand any chance of getting out of the National Conference. There’s something wrong on that side of the ball!!! They just gave up 53 points to a Columbus team that hadn’t reached the 50-point plateau in their previous four games. Hopefully it’s able to bounce back this week against another weak offensive unit in Orlando, and lockdown a home playoff game. |
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10
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9
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Colorado Crush |
8-7
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I was expecting more from the Crush in their Monday night affair with division rival Chicago, but expecting to see improvement and actually seeing it on the field are two completely different variables. Colorado finds itself in the 10th position this week only because the last two spots are yet to be secured in the post-season. This club has done absolutely nothing over the last month of play to make me believe they’re serious ArenaBowl contenders, but maybe playing under the playoff lights are exactly what this team needs to display their true skills. Still, I find that very hard to believe even though this club boasts some fantastic playmakers on both sides of the ball. With Dallas knowing they’ll more than likely have to win this game to secure home field advantage throughout the post-season, it’s a solid bet to believe that Colorado will have their hands full in their home fi nale. |
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11
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11
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Utah Blaze |
7-8
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12
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14
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Columbus Destroyers |
6-9
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13
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10
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Nashville Kats |
6-9
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14
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17
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New Orleans VooDoo |
5-10
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15
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13
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New York Dragons |
5-10
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16
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15
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Austin Wranglers |
4-11
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17
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16
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Arizona Rattlers |
4-11
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18
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18
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Grand Rapids Rampage |
4-11
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19
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19
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Las Vegas Gladiators |
2-13
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