Prediction/Preview - American Conference, Eastern Division

[Connecticut]

The best division in the league! The top 4 teams in the division were all worthy of playoffs last year, and 3 of them did make it. They beat each other up and only Rochester had enough left in the tank to make it to the Gold Cup. Will we see another team from the East Division representing the American Conference in 2021? I wouldn't bet against it!

Rochester
Last Year: 9-5, lost to Slayers in Gold Cup.
Key Losses:none
Key Additions:DE Wadsworth
Notes:League's top offense - both rushing AND passing - returns with hopes to redeem themselves after a missed 38 yd FG cost them the Cup. Somebody please test their offensive line for PEDs!!! DE Wadsworth will add some speed to a defense that was 2nd-to-last in sacks last year.
Prediction:10-4, playoffs

Connecticut Coyotes
Last Year: 8-6, lost in 1st round of playoffs to Rochester
Key Losses: DT Blazek, retired
Key Additions:1st round selection DT Walter Curry
Notes: QB Franzer and HB Shannon return to keep the old-man team in tact. Big question is whether the Connecticut defense can stop the other team from running so succesfully.
Prediction:8-6, playoffs

Chesapeake Tide
Last Year: 8-6, lost in 1st round of playoffs to Tennessee
Key Losses: G Clelland, CB Moten
Key Additions: T Toledo
Notes: Kingsbury had a disappointing 2020 campaign with a QB rating under 100. HB Moore pretty much carried the team, but can he continue to do that entering his 10th year? The defense is still one of the best in the league, but the aging DEs don't have any depth behind them for a breather - an injury to either of the 8 or 12 yr vets could prove costly.
Prediction: 7-7

Pittsburgh Gladiators
Last Year: 6-7-1
Key Losses: none
Key Additions: DT McKenzie, LB Beau Bell
Notes: Pitt had a rough 2020 season, dead last in passing defense and dead last in rushing defense. They hoped to address that with some early defense picks in the Draft. But with QB Foggie entering his 15 year, the coach may be quick to yank him in favor of the young phenom Graham Harrell, which would be a good thing. Look for the Gladiators to rebound after a shaky start and squeek in to the playoffs behind the arm of Mr. Harrell.
Prediction: 7-7, playoffs

Albany/Dayton/whoever
Last Year: 4-10
Key Losses: handful of old guys that couldn't start for a 4-10 team
Key Additions: LB DiGiorgio, CB Gray, QB Frost
Notes: Luckily the team is under new ownership because last season they were abysmal - near the bottom of just about every statistical category. Unfortunately there will be some growing pains cuz most of the talent is either very young or very old haha. I see a worse year this year unless unproven QB Greisen can manage to stand upright behind a strong-but-slow OL with no depth.
Prediction: 3-11

Good luck!
Rob
Connecticut Coyotes
:)
p.s. Sorry I can't do all divisions, maybe a person from each division can do a writeup?

[TC]

Nice write-up Rob!!!

A fair assessment of each team, although I think the 3rd playoff spot is a tough one to call betwen Chesapeake and Pittsburgh.

-TC

[exit322]

I'd be happy with 3-11, given what we have to do to correct this team going forward. It's going to be a mess for the reasons you outlined.

[Mike]

So, 3 out of 4 playoff spots in the conference are seemingly going to that division. Fort Wayne is counted out with a 2 win season last year. Fine.
TEN is likely to make the playoffs.

But BAT and LEX are out of the playoffs as well? The gauntlet has been thrown!