West Division Fantasy Preview
By Scott Lange
The West Conference of the AFL is loaded with firepower. This could easily be the most exciting fantasy division in the AFL, so let's get right to the preview of the AFL's West Conference for the upcoming 2008 season, fantasy style!
San Jose Sabercats
The 2007 Arena Football champs will return this year with much of what was an explosive roster offensively. The big loss was WR Ben Nelson, who left for Colorado. However, with QB Mark Grieb and WRs James Roe, Rodney Wright, Jason Geathers, and rookie Joshua Richey, this offense is still pretty scary.  Grieb had his first career 100 passing TD season last year, and he's got enough talent around him to do it again this year. Let's start with the 8-year vet James Roe who had a career year in 2007, catching 127 passes for 1562 yards and 40 TDs, all career highs. And that was WITH WR Ben Nelson on the other side. Then there is Rodney Wright, who provided the Sabercats with a solid WR3 by catching 97 passes for 1000+ yards and 10 TDs. With Nelson out of town, it could be time for Wright to show the AFL he has arrived. I feel he's got the talent to replace Ben Nelson, which can only help Grieb and the offense.
There will be a battle between WRs Jason Geathers and Joshua Richey for the WR3 spot for 2008. Whoever wins that battle should be able to put up some nice numbers. The Sabercat running game has RB Brian Johnson for goal line situations. Johnson was able to score nine times last year on the ground.
The Sabercats also have two of the better DBs in the league in Clevan Thomas and Omarr Smith. Clevan led the team last year with nine picks, while Omarr had more tackles and five picks. This is a lethal combo defensively and I don't see them slowing down this year. Clevan should be able to perform as a DS1 for fantasy teams in 2008. And kicker A.J. Haglund led all kickers in points with 158. Haglund should be one of the first kickers off the board and owners should expect much of what they got last year from the former af2 kicker. I see the Sabercats finishing 12-4 and winning the Western Division.
Sleeper: Rodney Wright, WR
Bust: Joshua Richey, WR
Los Angeles Avengers
This is a team only getting better folks, and they will be hard to stop offensively for the 2008 season. The team went from 5-11 in 2006 to 9-7 last year and also won a playoff game. They have a young QB in Sonny Cumbie, who should have a career year in 2008.  I see him as a top 5 QB by the end of the year. This is because the Avengers are loaded with solid WRs in the form of Kevin Ingram, newly acquired Timon Marshall, Rob Turner, and LaShaun Ward. Ingram was enjoying his best year in the AFL last year before getting injured. Marshall was added via free agency and is an immediate upgrade to this receiving core. Ingram and Marshall are locks for 100+ catches, 1100+ yards, and 25+ TDs.
Rob Turner was a great 3rd WR last year, finishing with 105 catches and 24 TDs, and he should be able to come close to matching that again this year. Then the Avengers have a stud RB in Lonnie Ford. Ford scored a career high 19 times last year on the ground. Because the passing attack is so lethal, Ford has a shot to duplicate that number in 2008.
Defense will be the team's weakness in 2008 as there is just not a lot of experience in their secondary. However, they do have DS Damon Wheeler. Wheeler is the Avenger's most experience defensive player and should have a solid season. The Avenger's lost fan favorite kicker Remy Hamilton via free agency. The team brought in af2 Kicker of the Year David Davis, who should be productive putting points on the board with his accurate leg. Overall I see the Avengers finishing 11-5 and making a playoff appearance.
Sleeper: Rob Turner
Bust: LaShaun Ward
Arizona Rattlers
After 14 years of having Sherdrick Bonner under center, the Rattlers will now turn to newcomer Lang Campbell as their QB. Campbell played in Austin last year and did very well in limited time as their QB. Campbell's value comes on the ground, where he crossed paydirt three times last year. He also threw for 2277 yards and 41 TDs. This year, he will get a chance to throw to last year's MVP, Siaha Burley.  Speaking of Burley, he returns to the Rattlers after spending a year with the Utah Blaze. Burley made a star out of QB Joe Germaine, and he could do the same for Campbell if he is given the opportunity. Burley is one of the safest picks on draft day, but will be gone within the first three picks. Consider yourself lucky if you land Burley.
The Rattlers also have receiver Trandon Harvey, who had a break-out season last year catching 100 passes and 29 TDs. He also scored three times on the ground. Harvey will start the year on the Rattler's Reserve list, and that may give newly acquired WR Kevin Nickerson a chance to produce for the Rattlers. The Rattlers don't have RB Bo Kelly anymore, so I don't see them having success running the ball this year.
Defensively, the Rattlers don't have a lot of experience in their secondary, and that could present some problems. The kicker for Arizona is going to be Jason Witczak. Witczak should be able to crack in top 10 for kickers in points by the end of the year. The Rattlers finished 4-12 last year, and my gut says that things won't get much better in 2008. Best case scenario, I see the Rattlers finishing 6-10 and missing the playoffs.
Sleeper: Lang Campbell
Bust: Any Arizona RB
Utah Blaze
The Utah Blaze will return for the 2008 season after an 8-8 season last year behind QB Joe Germaine. The main question for this team will be how they will adapt without last year's MVP, Siaha Burley.  The combination of Germaine to Burley seemed to be unstoppable. This year Germaine will have to throw the ball to players like Aaron Boone, Tom Pace, and J.J. McKelvey. These players are nowhere close to the talent Germaine had in 2007 working with Burley.
The player to watch out of this group is J.J. McKelvey. He's got some talent and just needs an opportunity to produce. I hyped him up last year with Philadelphia, but the Soul never seemed to keep him involved. There are reports that WR Aaron Boone is in a battle for the number three receiving spot within the offense. This is somewhat surprising being that it was assumed he would be their number one option this year without Burley. Receiver Tom Pace may also be more involved this year offensively. Pace had a career high 20 TDs in 2007 and, without Burley, the team may lean on him more in 2008. The Blaze did upgrade at the RB position by signing former Tampa Bay Storm Rodney Filer. Filer started off 2007 on fire for the Storm, but then got hurt and missed the rest of the season with his injury. He could give the Blaze something they did not have last year, and that's a running game. Defensively, Utah has DB Reggie Doster. Doster is a solid defensive player if he can stay healthy. It will be a key for him to stay healthy because the rest of the defensive unit lacks experience. As I said in the beginning, the Blaze offense will struggle, finishing 4-12 in the very competitive West.
Sleeper: J.J. McKelvey
Bust: Aaron Boone
Scott Lange is a founding member of Arena Football Online and has been following Arena Football since 2000. Contact Scott at slange@arenafootballonline.com
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