Ranking the Returning Talent

This off season the Roosters conducted a review of all CFFL teams returning players and ranked the teams accordingly.  The scoring system: each player was assigned a value 0 - 5, with 0 being useless, 3 being completely average and 5 elite.  The teams were then ranked by their point total.  Then a complex formula was applied to ensure that a team full of twos and threes was not ranked higher than a team that only returned a few players that were all ranked 4 or higher.

10.  The Frase:  17.5 points - The Frase have always drafted the best available player regardless of class and built a core around experienced Vanderbilt players, so it comes as no surprise that they return the least amount of talent.

Players of note:  The Frase return a trio of mediocre QBs, one WR with some upside and two beefy TEs, so nothing of note.  I do expect either Cody Green (3.5) or Garrett Gilbert (3.5) to have a breakout season.  Keep an eye on Gilbert especially as SMU has brought in CFFL favorite Hal Mumme to work with the offense.

Overall:  Though the current talent is thin, the Frase are always a 7th round RB Vandy away from contending.

9.  D'Inc:  19.5 points - The D'Inc were hit hard by a couple of underclassmen defections and crappy drafting that forced two non-retainable add/drop, leaving a bare cupboard going into the draft.

Players of note:  Assuming all off season legal issues are cleared up the D'Inc will return the #1 ranked TE in Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (5.0).  Coming back for his fourth season with the D'Inc is the lovably inconsistent Taylor Martinez (3.5) and Titus Davis (3.0) is a nice 3rd WR with some upside.  The rest of the roster is composed of shit bums that deserve to be free agents by August 1st.

Overall:  Having the top TE is always a plus, but having to spend a first rounder on Dixon and a 2nd on Storm Woods has to sting.

8.  The Big Green: 20.5 points - It seems like Chief has long employed a draft strategy of taking young unproven RBs in the early rounds.  Sadly Robbie Rouse has finally moved on and Savon Huggins is not around to step into his shoes.

Players of note:  The Green will be looking forward to conference play as Jahwan Edwards (4.5)  promises to be one of the best backs in the MAC and Derek Carr (4.0) will once again be a top pocket passer, but make no mistake - the Green's "lofty" ranking of 8 has more to do with the complete lack of talent on the Frase and D'Inc than the presence of desirable players on the Green's roster.

Overall:  Edwards is championship caliber RB, but the Green are going to need a strong draft to get out of the I-Play cellar.

7.  Rats:  23.5 points - It is surprising to see Rats ranked so low as they usually have a roster stacked with Big 10 RBs and C-USA WRs.  The good news is that Dean Hubby will not lose sleep this summer worrying about his RBs being jumped.

Players of note:  Should Tyler Tettleton (4.0) revert to his 2011 form the Rats will be set at QB once MAC conf play begins, Marcus Mariotta (4.0) should be able to handle the September schedule.  Adam Muema (4.0) is a productive RB that will provide some quality starts.

Overall:  The Rats always draft well and will be expected to come out of the 2013 draft with another contending team.

6.  JuCo:  28.0 points - Closing out the bottom half of the rankings is the JuCo Express who return some interesting names that all contain question marks.

Players of note:  Marquise Lee is the only WR receiving a 5, but after the USC bowl game there are concerns about the USC QB position and Lane Kiffins ability to coach.  Lee is joined at WR by Kasen Williams (3.5) who can be an impact player if Keith Price (3.5, Cowboys) puts a weak 2012 behind him.
     David Oku (3.5) is a nice Sun Belt back who lost his 2012 HC, the ever fantasy friendly Gus Malzahn.  Closing out the JuCo players of note is Aaron Murray (3.5), a very good, if not elite QB leading a team that is going to score a ton of points but also have some very strong options on the ground (Georgia, not the JuCo).

Overall:  With the death of the WAC and the AAC pillaging C-USA, the JuCo scouting machine has to be in disarray.  Look for them to go long on the Sun Belt to take advantage of a conference schedule now featuring Georgia State, South Alabama and Texas St.

5.  Shamrocks:  21 points - My first controversial ranking, the Shamrocks are not returning a lot of points, but have some top shelf options that place them ahead of some higher scoring teams on this list.

Players of note:  Jordan Lynch (5.0) is elite, Braxton Miller (4.5) is not far behind and provides a nice small/big school balance at QB.  Lache Seastrunk (4.5) and Colt Lyerla (4.5) a top 3 TE round out the Shamrock core.

Overall:  Another year of Lynch spells trouble for the Tecmo division if Oman can find some more talent to pair with him and Seastrunk.

4. Cowboys: 42.5 points - The Cowboys' 42.5 represents the highest returning point total in the legal, but there are too many Lyle McCombs (2.5) and not enough Johnny Footballs (5.0) for the Cowboys to be ranked higher.


Players of note: Noel Grigsby (4.0) is a great WR option, and at RB Melvin Gordon (4.0) is unproven but could get the starting nod, the question is will RB Wisc carry the same fantasy weight now that Bielema is gone. Tulane is looking like a darkhorse offense this year and the Cowboys may finally get some value out of Orleans Darkwa (3.5). With the aforementioned Johnny Football there is some cause for concern after an off season ripped from the Jimmy C biography his play could drop.  Not to mention Fossella's record with Heisman trophy winning SEC QBs is spotty at best (see Tim Tebow).

Overall:  Once some of the deadwood is cut from the roster the Cowboys score will be somewhere around 30 which reflects the real talent on this team.

3.  Roosters:  32.5 points - The only surprise here is that the Roosters are not rated higher.

Players of note:  The Roosters return an embarrassment of riches at QB including Blake "the 2nd coming of Collin Klein" Bell (3.5 downgraded only due to lack of track record), Cody "don't call me Kaepernick" Fjardo (4.0) and 2013 Heisman winner Tajh Boyd (4.5). 
     Running back is not quite as deep but still solid, lead by De'Anthony Thomas (4.5) and David Fluellen (4.0).  Charles Sims' (3.0) move to WV downgrades his value.  At WR Sammy Watkins (3.5) need to return to his 2011 form for the Roosters to have a shot at the Brass Spittoon.

Overall:  The pieces are in place for the Roosters to return to the Tecmo.

2.  Ales:  33.0 points - The Ales return several key cogs from the 2012 JCG winning team and could be even stronger in 2013.

Players of note:  Ka'deem Carey's (5.0)  baby-momma wised up clearing any doubts about his 2013 status.  TJ Yeldon (4.5) and a healthy Brandon Oliver (4.0) round out the deepest returning backfield.  Bernard Reedy (4.0) and Justin Hardy (4.0) comprise a solid WR duo.  At QB the Ales have to figure out that it is no longer 2011 and move on from David Piland (2.0) and the Houston offense.  There is some reason for hope in year 2 of Mike Leach Connor Holiday (3.5) puts up the #s we expect from Leach QBs.

Overall:  At first glance this team looks like a serious contender, but a lot rides on Carey who I expect to see more brushes with the law.

1.  Gauchos:  28.5 - Quality over quantity for the Gauchos as the 7 returning players all look to be major contributors in 2013.  It is shaping up to be another slugfest for I-Play supremacy in the upcoming season.

Players of note:  Brett Smith (4.5) should be even better in his 3rd season starting, Michael Brewer (4.0) should put up very respectable #s but is probably a year way from Kingsbury-esque play.  James White (4.0) should step into Montee Ball's starting role and while I don't see 30+ TDs he should be a solid starter.  Jeremy Smith (4.0) is not getting the preseason love he deserves as the next in line OK State RB.  Eric Ward (4.5), Tevin Reese (4.0) and Josh Stewart (3.5) make up the strongest returning WR corps in the CFFL.

Overall:  If the Gauchos can find more depth at RB in the draft they will be in the thick of it again.