Year II was a bit of a runaway in the Northish Division, with eventual Whirled Bowl runner-up New York finishing with a 14-3 record, leading the division by 3 games. Behind that, there was a bit of a race, but honestly London (11-6) and Dublin (10-7) were really the class of the division.
Behind them, both San Francisco and Berlin made late season charges, and Amsterdam hovered on the verge of the playoffs throughout the year. So call those 3 the middle of the pack club, with Rome and Boston–who finished with a WFL-worst record of 3-14–at the bottom of the table.
So, what to expect in Year III? Let’s take a look at some important pieces of the puzzle.
#The New QB Question
Both Amsterdam and Rome have change QBs in the off-season, with Otto Graham coming in at Amsterdam as part of a total offensive overhaul and Rome turning to home-grown product Boomer Esiason.
Graham could make quite an impact, especially if the Lions can get a full season out of both Calvin Johnson and Herman Moore. Esiason’s future is shakier: not only is he unproven, but it’s not clear that Josh Gordon is an improvement over the departed A.J. Green, and both Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne have struggled to be more than “decent” in the WFL.
#How High Can You Jump?
Boston was miserable last year.
The Bulldogs look significantly better heading into Year III, with Jamaal Charles offering a long sought after solution at RB, and the massive trade with Istanbul netting them Elvis Dumervil to help on defense. Add in the continued steadiness of Tom Brady, and if Rob Gronkowski and Don Maynard can stay healthy, it feels like Boston could bounce all the way back to their Year I level, when they made the playoffs. But that’s a lot of teams to climb over.
#Repeats Are Hard
How did New York succeed in Year II?
A career year from Eli Manning combined with a preternatural connection between him and Victor Cruz, plus a very solid defense. But there’s a lot that can go wrong: the odds of Chris Snee, Jason Pierre-Paul, Michael Strahan, Lawrence Taylor, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie all performing at that level again are slim.
But betting against the Royal Giants was a mistake in Year II. And the top end talent–especially in Pierre-Paul and Taylor–is undeniable.
Projections
Playoff Teams
Amsterdam, Dublin, and San Francisco.
I like the Graham led offense for the Lions. San Francisco has great talent on both sides of the ball–they just need to avoid the kind of mediocre start that plagued them in Year II. Dublin is among the most consistent teams in the league (although an injury to Jim Taylor would devastate them).
Eighth Place
Rome.
It would not surprise if by the end of the year Esiason is on the bench and Rome is looking longingly to Peyton Manning, who has moved on to Beijing and is even-money to replace Ben Roethlisberger by the end of the season there.
Player Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Walter Payton (BER)
Defensive Player of the Year: Lawrence Taylor (NYG)
Best Newcomers: Jamaal Charles (BOS), Elvis Dumervil (BOS), Otto Graham (AMS).
Best Rookies: Carl Banks (NYG), Ed Healey (BER), Quenton Nelson (ROM).