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TUFF S013 Preview
To say that the offseason in TUFF was eventful would be a colossal understatement. Call it a perfect storm or something to that effect. We had
the labor dispute between league ownership and the players’ syndicate, the resignation of commissioner and league patriarch Ben Wagner and then
the rumored shutdown of the entire league. After that, came even more ownership unrest than usual and the revamping of the free agency
process. Once that cleared out, and the labor unrest became grudgingly settled, four teams were contracted and the players dispersed throughout
the league.
Somehow in under a week from today we’ll see the start of the thirteenth season in TUFF, one season that will most definitely be as wild and wide
open as any of those before.
the labor dispute between league ownership and the players’ syndicate, the resignation of commissioner and league patriarch Ben Wagner and then
the rumored shutdown of the entire league. After that, came even more ownership unrest than usual and the revamping of the free agency
process. Once that cleared out, and the labor unrest became grudgingly settled, four teams were contracted and the players dispersed throughout
the league.
Somehow in under a week from today we’ll see the start of the thirteenth season in TUFF, one season that will most definitely be as wild and wide
open as any of those before.
United Atlantic
The Baltimore Battalion came within one point of the perfect season in last season’s TUFF Bowl and fell to the Chicago
Skyline in a classic championship game. And as always the Battalion seem poised to make another strong run at another
conference title and another league title that has eluded their grasp since S005. Since that championship, (Baltimore’s
third) the team has made three TUFF Bowl appearances but has failed to come out on top in each of those. Under the
guidance of QB Ken Esposito the Battalion has dominated the regular season but has been unable to bring home a league
title. With arguably a better roster around Esposito than that of last season’s undefeated team, there should be no
reason the Battalion can’t get things done in S013. RB Kendrick Krowe and newcomer RB Ajani Bombata should
provide a running game that has been missing in recent years. ILB August Matawana shores up an underrated defense
and might deserve Defensive MVP honors in the process. If things continue along the recent TUFF Bowl path, expect
the Maryland natives to finally get restless.
The Baltimore Battalion came within one point of the perfect season in last season’s TUFF Bowl and fell to the Chicago
Skyline in a classic championship game. And as always the Battalion seem poised to make another strong run at another
conference title and another league title that has eluded their grasp since S005. Since that championship, (Baltimore’s
third) the team has made three TUFF Bowl appearances but has failed to come out on top in each of those. Under the
guidance of QB Ken Esposito the Battalion has dominated the regular season but has been unable to bring home a league
title. With arguably a better roster around Esposito than that of last season’s undefeated team, there should be no
reason the Battalion can’t get things done in S013. RB Kendrick Krowe and newcomer RB Ajani Bombata should
provide a running game that has been missing in recent years. ILB August Matawana shores up an underrated defense
and might deserve Defensive MVP honors in the process. If things continue along the recent TUFF Bowl path, expect
the Maryland natives to finally get restless.
The Pitt Bulls will likely finish in a distant second place in the Atlantic and don’t discount one of the more underrated acquisitions of the offseason
when the Bulls picked up TE Jason Zink in the dispersal draft from the Aztecs. QB Joe Monday has a ton of weapons around him that should carry
Pittsburgh into the playoffs.
Playoff teams: Baltimore Battalion, Pittsburgh Bulls
when the Bulls picked up TE Jason Zink in the dispersal draft from the Aztecs. QB Joe Monday has a ton of weapons around him that should carry
Pittsburgh into the playoffs.
Playoff teams: Baltimore Battalion, Pittsburgh Bulls
United Pacific
In S012 the Los Angeles Paladins broke through with their finest season and took another step
closer to the TUFF Bowl. They overtook their nemesis, the San Diego Smoke, who should be
tough once again under new ownership. LA retained QB Ray Booher and brought in help for RB
Ken Simonton this offseason. San Diego will rest their hopes on QB Jonathan Blaze and a stable of
great receivers. Both teams should contend for a playoff berth, but the team to watch in the Pacific
might be the Sacramento Vipers.
The Snakes were one of the more aggressive teams in the offseason, hitting the free agent and the
trade markets hard. Their best move of all though was in the dispersal draft, picking up QB Rodney
White from Mexico City. The quarterback position was the team’s Achilles Heal in S012, but White
makes that into the team’s greatest strength for the upcoming season. With RB Tracy Blass and a
good offensive line in front of him, and a solid defense on the other side, it’s outside the realm of
possibilities for White to carry this team to a division title and beyond in S013.
Playoff teams: Sacramento Vipers, San Diego Smoke
In S012 the Los Angeles Paladins broke through with their finest season and took another step
closer to the TUFF Bowl. They overtook their nemesis, the San Diego Smoke, who should be
tough once again under new ownership. LA retained QB Ray Booher and brought in help for RB
Ken Simonton this offseason. San Diego will rest their hopes on QB Jonathan Blaze and a stable of
great receivers. Both teams should contend for a playoff berth, but the team to watch in the Pacific
might be the Sacramento Vipers.
The Snakes were one of the more aggressive teams in the offseason, hitting the free agent and the
trade markets hard. Their best move of all though was in the dispersal draft, picking up QB Rodney
White from Mexico City. The quarterback position was the team’s Achilles Heal in S012, but White
makes that into the team’s greatest strength for the upcoming season. With RB Tracy Blass and a
good offensive line in front of him, and a solid defense on the other side, it’s outside the realm of
possibilities for White to carry this team to a division title and beyond in S013.
Playoff teams: Sacramento Vipers, San Diego Smoke
Continental Central
The story of last season was the breakthrough of the Chicago Skyline, who carried their momentum all the way to a
TUFF Bowl victory. QB Chad Oxford seemed head and shoulders above the competition, carrying his team to a title with
WRs Devon Holmes and Cal Travers. They will be back for another run in S013, but it won’t be easy with a bullseye
affixed on the Skyline for all to see. They most definitely won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season. The key for this
team will be the defense. There are areas for their opponents to exploit. But they will have to be exploited well to
outscore Chicago’s high flying offense.
The story of last season was the breakthrough of the Chicago Skyline, who carried their momentum all the way to a
TUFF Bowl victory. QB Chad Oxford seemed head and shoulders above the competition, carrying his team to a title with
WRs Devon Holmes and Cal Travers. They will be back for another run in S013, but it won’t be easy with a bullseye
affixed on the Skyline for all to see. They most definitely won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season. The key for this
team will be the defense. There are areas for their opponents to exploit. But they will have to be exploited well to
outscore Chicago’s high flying offense.
If anyone can challenge the Skyline in the Continental, it’s going to be the Memphis Shock. RB Flash Quentin looks like he might be ready for another
huge season, but the offense might look to be much more wide open in the passing game. The Shock have amassed an alarming amount of talent in
the passing game, so expect the Shock to keep their opponents off balance and guessing all season long.
Playoff teams: Memphis Shock, Chicago Skyline
huge season, but the offense might look to be much more wide open in the passing game. The Shock have amassed an alarming amount of talent in
the passing game, so expect the Shock to keep their opponents off balance and guessing all season long.
Playoff teams: Memphis Shock, Chicago Skyline
Continental West
Expect the Islanders to win the West and possibly sneak into the TUFF Bowl. QB Mars Calixtro
might be one of the league’s best offensive weapons, and he might not have to carry the load on
offense all by himself this season. The Islanders drafted RB Larry Anderson who should help
relieve some of the pressure on their quarterback. But the best thing that happened to Honolulu
this offseason was the contraction of their rival, the Mexico City Aztecs. After battling the
Aztecs the past few seasons for supremacy, the path to the division title looks clear for the
Islanders in S013. They may get a push from the Wisconsin Wreckers or maybe even the
defensive minded Las Vegas High Rollers, but the Islanders look like the clear favorites in this
division.
Playoff teams: Honolulu Islanders, Wisconsin Wreckers
Expect the Islanders to win the West and possibly sneak into the TUFF Bowl. QB Mars Calixtro
might be one of the league’s best offensive weapons, and he might not have to carry the load on
offense all by himself this season. The Islanders drafted RB Larry Anderson who should help
relieve some of the pressure on their quarterback. But the best thing that happened to Honolulu
this offseason was the contraction of their rival, the Mexico City Aztecs. After battling the
Aztecs the past few seasons for supremacy, the path to the division title looks clear for the
Islanders in S013. They may get a push from the Wisconsin Wreckers or maybe even the
defensive minded Las Vegas High Rollers, but the Islanders look like the clear favorites in this
division.
Playoff teams: Honolulu Islanders, Wisconsin Wreckers