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Detroit Vampires, Owner: fantastic flying froggies
2005 results:
- 11-5 regular season
- Bye in wild card round
- Won divisional game vs. Hartford, 29-23
- Won Eastern Conference finals vs. Memphis, 28-27
- Lost CFL Bowl III vs. Honolulu, 14-19

Offense: QB Freddie Mathias has come a long way from his 33 interception season of 2003. Since then he has a 23-13 record as a starter, including the playoffs. Losing WR John Gunter in free agency will hurt, but what this offense really needs is a running game to take the pressure off of Mathias and the passing game. Grade: B

Defense: The defense has good depth, but no true superstars. The closest thing to a superstar is FS Michael Dustin who tied the team record with 6 INTs last season. Grade: B+

Special Teams: WR Harold Infante is a dangerous kick returner, returning one for a TD in the regular season against Honolulu, but coming up empty in the CFL Bowl. Grade: B

Overall season outlook: 11-5, Detroit will once again be one of the league's top teams.


Albany Crows, Owner: thater
2005 results: 7-9 regular season

Offense: It will be up to a pair of rookies, WR Cary Wheeler (1.26) and RB Rob West (2.10) to carry this offense. The sooner they learn the system the better. Grade: B-

Defense: CB Sedrick Boyd has matured into a solid starter after being a 3rd round pick two years ago, but Boyd doesn't have an adequate counterpart on the other side of the field. NT Kendrick Gunn, last year's #1 pick, is still improving and could be a name we hear a lot about this season. Grade: C+

Special Teams: Last year the punting average was only 36.5, the field goal percentage was only 75%. Hopefully rookie WR Wheeler will bring some explosiveness to the return game. Grade: D+

Overall season outlook: 5-11, Albany is a young team (14 rookies and 10 2nd year players signed to their roster) who is a few years away from being competitive again.


Chicago Hitmen, Owner: dberner30
2005 results: 7-9 regular season

Offense: No team has a better offensive line than the Hitmen, especially at the center and guard positions. That line was the reason why RB Arthur Brady was the league MVP last year with 1888 rushing yards. Grade: A

Defense: Chicago made a good move when they traded with Tulsa to pick up CB Graig Beaton (14 INTs in 3 seasons). Even with Beaton wearing a Chicago uniform this season, they still have a lack of depth there which will hurt them. Grade: B-

Special Teams: This is an average unit. Punter Nolan Grooms is very dependable and was a good pickup last year from Honolulu. Grade: B-

Overall season outlook: 10-6, Now that this is QB Sanford Hardesty's 2nd year in the offense this team can really take off.


Cleveland Flats, Owner: TheLionKing
2005 results: 7-9 regular season

Offense: Toothpick Lang, 2005 offensive rookie of the year, will be the main ball carrier behind a good offensive line. The big problem is that Cleveland does not have a QB. Wesley Jones and Norm Rayburn split the duties last season, but neither is a long term solution. Grade: C

Defense: The unit's only standout is SS Elijah Roy (all-league 1st team in 2005). However, the team would be better off if Roy didn't have to make so many tackles. Grade: D

Special Teams: Nothing too exciting here - just an ok punter and kicker along with no proven names in the return game. Grade: C-

Overall season outlook: 3-13, The Flats are in salary cap trouble which prevented them from doing anything to help the team this offseason. Historically this team has won more games than expected, so it will be interesting to see if that pattern holds true again this season.