Arena Football: Week 1 Power Poll Rankings Part 2

Here is part 2 of the rankings

9) Columbus Destroyers (2007: 7-9)

The Destroyers made a remarkable postseason trip to ArenaBowl XXI, led by QB Matt Nagy. The Destroyers made a significant number of changes this past offseason. Nagy will have a former receiver to throw to this year in the addition of Derek Lee, who was a teammate with Nagy at Georgia. (Week 1 game, March 2nd @ Colorado, 4pm EST)

10) Utah Blaze (2007: 8-8, 2008: 0-1)

QB Joe Germaine will be leading the offense without WR's Siaha Burley (Arizona), Orshawante Bryant (injured in camp) and Ryan Dennard (Chicago). WR Tom Pace will need to step up to help the Blaze contend in the Western Division. The Blaze added DL Dwayne Missouri and DL E.J. Burt in the offseason to help make the defense better. (Week 1 game, March 1st vs. Arizona, 9pm EST) Lost 62-63

11) Orlando Predators (2007: 8-8, 2008:0-1)

This is QB Shane Stafford's second year with the Predators. The Predators are ready to make some noise this year in the Southern Division. But the loss already of WR's Jimmy Fryzel and Jaravus Dudley being released, won't help. The team is going to have to make sure that everyone else is healthy to be able to compete. (Week 1 game, March 1st @ Philadelphia, 7pm EST). Lost 56-77

12) Kansas City Brigade (2007: 10-6, 2008: 0-1) 

The Brigade are going to have trouble following up last year's 10-6 campaign, the big reason is the question surrounding QB John Fitzgerald. If Fitzgerald does not perform well, then the Brigade won't have a chance at making the playoffs in 2008. The Brigade did povide him with WR Mike Horacek to go along with WR Charles Frederick (2007 Co-Rookie of the Year). The also added former Defensive Player of the Year DB Jeraid Brown. (Week 1 game, March 1st vs Tampa Bay, 6pm EST) Lost 49 - 51

13) Grand Rapids Rampage (2007: 4-12, 2008: 0-0)

The Rampage did not have a great 2007, but they hope that with all the offseason moves that they did will help. The biggest move that they made was acquiring DB Ahmad Hawkins in the Dispersal Draft. The Rampage has two games in a span of five days against San Jose and Chicago, which could set the tone for them in 2008. If the Rampage can have a good showing against the two teams, it could lead QB Adrian McPherson and the Rampage to the playoffs in 2008. (Week 1 BYE)

14) Cleveland Gladiators (2007: 2-14) 

The Gladiators have retooled their roster with the move to Cleveland. They had a really poor showing in their last year in Las Vegas. Look for some powerful play on the offense led by QB Raymond Philyaw and on the Defense they will be led by DL Silas Demary. (Week 1 game, March 3rd vs. New York, 6pm EST)

15) Arizona Rattlers (2007: 4-12, 2008: 1-0) 

The Rattlers have made the promise of making the playoffs in 2008. But Rattlers Head Coach decided to go with QB Lang Campbell over QB Jeff Smoker. Whomever the quarterback is for the Rattlers, having WR Siaha Burley should help make the offense better. The fate of the team will be decided right away with three straight games to open the 2008 season against division teams. (Week 1 game, March 1st @ Utah, 9pm EST) Won 63-62

16) New Orleans VooDoo (2007: 5-11, 2008: 0-1) 

The VooDoo had some high hopes with the addition of WR Derrick Lewis, but his untimely injury will cause problems for the VooDoo. QB Steve Bellisari will be leading the VooDoo to start the season. But with quite of few gaps on the team, that will be a big problem for Head Coach Mike Neu and the VooDoo this year.  (Week 1 game, February 29th @ Los Angeles, 10:30pm EST) Lost 42-59

17) New York Dragons (2007: 5-11)

The Dragons have QB Aaron Garcia healthy, but that won’t matter much as they are in the difficult Eastern Division. The Dragons will most likely finish last in the Eastern Division and in the AFL in 2008. The loss of WR Mike Horacek to Kansas City will hurt Garcia and the Dragons the most. They will have to hope that Wide receivers Kevin Swayne, Damien Groce and Chris Anthony can fill the gap.

Preseason Predictions for 2008:

ArenaBowl XXII Championship- Chicago Rush over Philadelphia Soul

American Conference Championship- Chicago over San Jose

National Conference Championship- Philadelphia over Dallas

Coming on Monday: My Game Day Preview of the San Jose SaberCats / Chicago Rush game at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL