[Taco]

Durham Bulldogs, Owner: Taco
2005 results:
- 12-4 regular season
- Bye in wild card round
- Lost divisional game to Memphis, 14-17

Offense: Last year the Bulldogs ran the ball heavily, with 1159 rushing yards from Stephen Metz (Jeeber, remember him?) and 490 rushing yards from QB Edward Kimber. The passing game may receive a spark from 1st round pick, WR Michael Browning, who is a superb athlete but may not have the size (5'8") to make it in the CFL. Grade: B

Defense: This unit was remarkable last season, only allowing 13 points per game which was the lowest in the league. However, both starting safeties were allowed to leave during free agency (SS Matthew Clarkson to Oregon and FS Don Grider to Las Vegas) and will be replaced by Tony Cook and Melvin Newson. Grade: B-

Special Teams: Durham drafted punter Scott Owens from Colorado to challenge 16th year punter Grady Strawser. Kicker John Snell is one of the best at putting kickoffs in the endzone. Grade: B

Overall season outlook: 8-8, Durham didn't make any significant moves during the offseason and their performance could regress this season.


Charleston Monitors, Owner: JJ Smitty
2005 results: 8-8 regular season

Offense: Soon after QB Timothy Gordon retired as a true legend of the game, the Monitors traded for QB Landon Hurst who won the league championship MVP in 2003. Joining him as a new name in the backfield will be RB Joseph Beavers, a 2-time 1000-yard rusher. Grade: A-

Defense: SS Chris Haugh was signed away from division rival Tampa Bay, and he just adds one more big name to the defense that was the league's toughest in 2004. Injured LB Charles Crowder will make $750,000 this season while he rehabs his knee, but could be a factor next year. Grade: A-

Special Teams: The only punter on the roster is an undrafted rookie, while the kicker has only attempted 6 field goals in his career (and made 4 of them). Grade: D

Overall season outlook: 10-6, The city of Charleston is expecting a return to greatness after last year's disappointing season.


Baltimore Bombers, Owner: 3ric
2005 results: 8-8 regular season

Offense: Baltimore's biggest offseason move was signing RB Jonathan Sill (FA from Albany) who has 2800+ yards rushing over past 2 seasons. He will run behind a very good offensive line who got even better when the Bombers selected RT Horace Poston out of Syracuse with their 1st round draft pick. Grade: B+

Defense: The Bombers have an average defense combined with 2 superstars: DT David Specht and SS Earnest Pettiford. CB Rico Turnbull started 15 games in his rookie season last year and looks like a great value for a late 2nd round draft pick. Grade: B-

Special Teams: Baltimore upgraded their kicker when they dumped Louis Tubbs for Jared Lackey, the kicker for New York for the past 3 seasons. Grade: C+

Overall season outlook: 9-7, The Bombers need to get off to a fast start to erase the memories of their 4-game losing streak that took them from 8-4 to 8-8 last season.


Tampa Bay Torpedoes, Owner: wademoore
2005 results: 6-10 regular season

Offense: The offense received most of the blame for last year's disappointing season. Tampa Bay addressed this issue by signing two veteran tackles, LT Paul Emery and RT Joel Cheeks, paying out over $16M in signing bonuses and salary this season. Grade: C+

Defense: This group has so many big names that you don't even know where to begin. Should you talk about the defensive line and guys like Bob McCalla and Albert Poole? Or should you talk about the linebackers and guys like Scott Greico and Larry Williams? Or should you talk about the secondary and guys like Adolph Means and Benjamin Montalvo. Suffice it to say that they are all good. Grade: A

Special Teams: Kicker Felton Cooper had a solid season despite one streak where he only made 2 of 7 field goals. Grade: B+

Overall season outlook: 10-6, Tampa Bay won 4 out of its last 5 last year, including wins against Detroit, Charleston, and Baltimore. This year they are due to flip their record around.