1954 Season Preview

 


 

1 - Chicago Hogs

1953 Record: 8-2 (1st West)

1953 Result: Lost West Division Play-Off


“Win one for Al” is what nearly every Hogs fan is chanting this year, and this could be their best year to compete. QB Alfred Walton wants to win one last title, and he still looks in good condition for 35 years old. RB Billy Gould will be the focal point of the offense for the second year in a row, breaking out last year for ROTY and a rushing title. Behind possibly the best offensive line in the game, he could top last year’s numbers for another phenomenal year. The defense has also stepped up considerably from last year, trading for veteran LB Jerry Flowers and drafting DL Benjamin Walkins, Jr. at 6th overall to be a formidable tandem with DL Eric Forbes. The only problem for the Hogs is that they have to compete with two other West Division teams that also are hungry for a championship, and have to play them in 4 out of their 10 games. If the Hogs continue their dominance from last year, then they should have no problem making the playoffs and getting “One for Al”.

 

2 - Washington Federals

1953 Record: 7-3 (2nd West)

1953 Result: Won Championship


The defending champions may have won a title a few years earlier than expected, but that means they should be competitors for some time now that a majority of their core has reached their prime. QB Johnnie Sellers is looking to repeat his MVP season, and WR’s Joseph Atkins and Darius Sanderson are sure going to help him with that. The defense looks almost as great as last year, with 3rd round pick DB Alan Small looking to plug a massive hole in the secondary. Like with Chicago, Washington has to play both the Hogs and the Rivermen 4 times this year, and the winners of those games will be the ones heading to the playoffs. If the Feds can repeat on their run from last year, then they will be back in the championship with little problem. 


3 - Cincinnati Rivermen

1953 Record: 5-4-1

1953 Result: Missed Playoffs


After seeming like a shoo-in for the playoffs last year, Cincinnati realized their unfortunate fate of having to play in a division with the other 2 best teams in the league. Had they not blown the final game of the year to the Federals, then they would have been back in Chicago for a rematch of the 1951 Championship. Now third-best in a division with the top 3 teams in the league, the Rivermen have a lot to overcome to make another bid for the championship. Their offense is still fundamentally the same, with QB Lester Parker just 1 year removed from winning OPOY ready to strike again with WR Alfred Dunn and RB Perry Ferguson. The defense was a major weakness last year, and their two first round picks in DL J.J Worthington and LB Edgar Abney look to make major improvements to that side. They face the same problem that both Chicago and Washington have to face: they have to play those two teams twice this year. If the Rivs can somehow come out on top of those matchups, then they will get back to the playoffs after a 1 year absence.


4 - Pittsburgh Shamrocks

1953 Record: 7-3

1953 Result: Lost Championship


The Shamrocks came up just short of their first-ever championship, but now face some questions as starting QB Clarence Stanley left the team in favor of the PAFC. The offense is now in a state of flux, as 3rd year QB O.J. DeMille is starting for the first time in his career after showing promise, and veteran RB Marion Waters doesn’t have much gas left in the tank. Their defense is still as stout as ever, and now back at full strength after a majority of their prominent starters were injured last year. The East looks wide open at the moment, and it's the Shamrocks' division to lose. If they want to get their first championship, then they just have to repeat last year’s magic to get right back in it. 


5 - Buffalo Hammers

1953 Record: 5-4-1

1953 Result: Lost East Division Play-Off


Buffalo seems to be in a transition period. QB Brendan Turnbull fell right into their laps, and the team is willing to give it a year or two to decide whether to continue contending for titles or retool the team for the future. While the East may be a mess for the fight for second place, the Hammers’ plan for the future might need to start earlier than later. RB Calvin Townsend is 28 and expected to not produce the same as he had in years past, nearly the entire offensive line is over 30 and showing it age, and the wide receiving core is also fast approaching 30. Turnbull will have some favorable options on offense, but the team will have to start rebuilding the team around him for the future. The defense is supposed to step up after a disastrous campaign last year, proving to be a liability when the offense needed a break. If the defense plays up to their weight and Turnbull turns out to be a great QB, then the Hammers should be an easy slot into the playoffs.


6 - Cleveland Crows

1953 Record: 3-7

1953 Result: Missed Playoffs


Like with Washington the year before, the Crows are a young team with massive untapped potential. QB Denzel Collingsworth should be better in his second season, especially with a new WR tandem of Jerry O’Keefe and 2nd overall pick Joey Stanikovski at his disposal. RB Max Panders is on the verge of breaking out as a top RB in the league, and some are comparing him to Chicago RB Billy Gould in terms of who is better. The Crows’ refresh at coordinators might be enough to improve the team past the .500 mark, and a fairly weak East might make them dark horses for playoff contention. If this team plays up to their potential like the Federals last year, then they could be a surprise pick to make the playoffs. 


7 - Tri-Cities Hawks

1953 Record: 3-6-1

1953 Result: Missed Playoffs


The plight of the Hawks is only getting more miserable as the years pass from their 1950 championship. From losing the last game of the year to miss the championship, to missing out due to injuries, and now poor play have left Tri-Cities out of the playoffs. With most of their future draft picks tied up in a couple of players, the Hawks’ championship window may have slammed shut. They have to play the 3 best teams in the league 6 times this year to even have a chance of getting over .500, and very likely one of those teams (Chicago, Cincinnati, and Washington) will have a better record than them. If they want to win a championship any time soon, then they will have to play insanely well to even have a chance of making the playoffs.


8 - Detroit Knights

1953 Record: 0-9-1

1953 Result: Missed Playoffs


Detroit does not have high expectations for this year. The Knights traded away starting RB Jeffery Spears to the Hogs and are sitting starting QB Roy Woodward in exchange for second-year QB Terry Kadlec (who has yet to take a professional snap) and 1st overall pick RB Jesse Brown. With an entirely new coaching staff, the basement is probably where this team will lie until they somehow figure things out mid-season. If you’re expecting high things from the Knights this season, then look elsewhere for better entertainment.

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