If the offense can protect sack prone QB Tony Romo and exploit the backfield tandem of Beanie Wells and Ricky Williams, they might have a chance of going .500 in the KRFL's weakest division. With a thin WR core, an aging TE in Vernon Davis, and a porous offensive line it is unlikely that they'll improve on last year's record. The Bensalem defense has a possible future star in DL Calais Campbell and a decent pass defense anchored by CB Cortland Finnegan and S Tyron Branch but the rest of the defense is mediocre at best so the punting skills of Thomas Morstead who has a 44 yd net will likely be the team's best asset. KEY LOSSES: WR Davone Bess, DT Casey Hampton, T Marcus McNeil, LB Paul Posluszny KEY ACQUISITIONS: LB D'Qwell Jackson PREDICTION - 5-11
LAKELAND (last year's record 9-7)
QB Matt Ryan just doesn't have enough targets at the wideout positions to make the Lakeland passing game much of a threat. That leaves an offense dependent upon RB Michael Turner running behind FB Delone Carter as their core offensive weapons. Fortunately they have OT Joe Thomas and OG Jake Scott to block a pathway to a 1200 yd. season for Turner but they will stll lack the offensive firepower to overcome a weak and injury prone defense. Expect a few 50 yd. + field goals from the big leg of PK Sebastian Janikowski that might let them steal an undeserved win or two. KEY LOSSES: WR Chad Ochocinco, WR, CB Nate Clements KEY ACQUISITIONS: TE Aaron Hernandez PREDICTION - 6-10
CAROLINA (last year's record 9-7)
Last year, Carolina engineered one of the greatest turn arounds in KRFL history by taking an 0-16 team to the playoffs. Despite that achievement, Carolina will have a hard time improving on their past year but should be considered the favorite to win the divison. The defensive front seven is formidable with sack-meister Jason Babins, the oldie but still goodie Julius Peppers, and the psycopathic Ndamakung Suh fronting Ray Lewis, Sean Witherspoon, and Takeo Spikes. If a team can limit the inevitable sacks, they can take advantage of a weak secondary. QB Mark Sanchez will have the advantage of throwing to WRs Dwayne and Bowe Hakeem Nicks while trying to squeeze some kind of running game out of the pre-arrest Marshawn Lynch. KEY LOSSES: RB Peyton Hillis, RB Brandon Jacobs, DE Justin Tuck KEY ACQUISITIONS: RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Dwayne Bowe, TE Owen Daniels, DE Jason Babins, DE Julius Peppers, LB Ray Lewis PREDICTION - 10-6
WARRINGTON (last year's record 5-11)
The fortunes of this team hinge upon the chemistry between QB Joe Flacco and RB Fred Jackson and the solid group of RBs backing him up. The running game will be emphasized behind the strong offensive line that includes Logan Mankins, Eric Winston, and Todd McClure. They'll need it because the Eagle's receiving corp is non-descript outside Laurent Robinson so they'll face a high percentage of eight men in the box run defenses. Warrington's defensive front seven scores a consistent ho-hum 6 rating across the board backed by a solid backfield as long as CB DeAngelo Hall stays healthy. KEY LOSSES: WR Donald Driver, DE Trent Cole KEY ACQUISITIONS: RB Fred Jackson, RB Brandon Jacobs, PREDICTION - 7-9
