Can this finally be the Admirals year? Bart Andrus is certainly under pressure to break a string of five consecutive 4-6 seasons.
 Quarterback looks like a deep position. Gibran Hamdan was as impressive as any QB on show at Tampa but ex-Claymore starter Clint Stoerner did little wrong in the scrimmages and will see the field as well.
 Travis Stephens's injury means Jason Anderson and Chris Downs will be the main guys carrying the load.
 Chris Horn is a little bit reminiscent of Joe Douglass at WR and will make plays at receiver and and as a returner too. Look out for speedy Antoine Burns too.
 TE's Tony Donald and Kane Anderson had a field day against the Claymores in the scrimmages, and Bart Andrus tends to features his TE's so both will be contributors during the season.
 Defensively, team appears to have a decent pass rush led by Clint Mitchell. However the team got gouged in the running game frequently during camp. Other players to catch the eye include ex Dragon LB Kenny Jackson and S Jason Perry.
 Admirals will have 2 solid NFLE veterans at CB in Derek Combs and Todd Howard.
 Good to see NFLE stalwart Jeff Reinebold back in the league coaching special teams again after a one year hiatus. Not sure Jeff will ever be able to make Silvio Diliberto consistent though.

 New coach Rick Lantz leads a team with a distinctive Scottish feel to it - both his coordinators (Don Eck and Jim Tomsula) coached for the Claymores last year.
 Rohan Davey has an awkward throwing motion but can really gun it. He's also a load to bring down in the open field. Thunder fans will forget Henry Burris in a hurry.
 Marc Dunn probably outplayed David Rivers for the #2 spot.
 They have a good 1-2 RB punch in Ray Jackson and Eric McCoo.
 Chas Gesner may be the tallest WR in the league this year at 6-5. Fellow WR Richard Alston catches the eye with his orange shoes. It's no surprise he's allocated from the Browns.
 Although TE Bryan Fletcher (4 TD's in 2003) is back, TE Mike Pinkard looks like a better receiving option, and had the speed to get downfield.
 Berlin DT Tank Reese is a human bowling ball at 5-11 and 294lbs. He's also a top candidate to be wired for sound with this constant and quite amusing yapping throughout the scrimmages.
 Reese is built not unlike position coach ex-Rams Pro Bowler D'Marco Farr who makes his coaching debut in 2004. Farr is working with ex Claymores DeVonte Peterson and TJ Bingham on the line who are of course reunited with Jim Tomsula, now the defensive coordinator.
 The Dragons top sacker in 2003, DL Kevin DeRonde will play outside LB for the Thunder in 2004.
 Danish K Heinz Quast replaces the retired Axel Kruse.

 Pete Vaas took over the 'expansion' Thunder in their 2nd year and had them in the World Bowl a year later. Can he work his magic again with the new Centurions?
 With Todd Husak recalled by the Browns, it appears Vaas will open with Ryan Van Dyke as his passer of choice. Van Dyke had his up and downs in the scrimmages, and if he falters Vaas will turn to Rob Adamson who much like the Claymores Curt Anes was a small college phenom - never losing a game at Jim Ballard's alma matter (Mount Union).
 In Berlin, Vaas's leading RB gained more yards each season and that may continue in Cologne thanks to Avon Cobourne. He's only 5-8 but is deceptively strong at 205lbs. If he gets the bulk of the carries he could lead the league in rushing. Ohio's Chad Brinker will provide a more bruising change of pace.
 At wideout Ben Nelson and Reggie Newhouse made the most plays in the scrimmages, but a guy to keep an eye on is Harvard's Carl Morris who has the size (6-3 214lbs) scouts love.
 Tight end Werner Hippler gets to play in for his home town team in 2004 after several years with the Galaxy and will share time with Mark Inkrott.
 After giving up a record 318 points last year Vaas's defense can only get better. It will be boosted by the likes of NFL veteran DE Demetric Evans, highly touted LB LeMarcus McDonald and a hitter at safety Jetron Evans.
 Ola Kimrin is back in the league in 2004 and will be Cologne's national kicker.

 Mike Jones takes over the departed Doug Graber and will try to repeat last season's championship run.
 One area the Galaxy are probably stronger in 2004 is QB. J.T. O'Sullivan had a good camp, and will likely be one of the league's top passers this year. Kirk Farmer will back him up.
 Skip Hicks brings a ton of NFL experience with him at running back. (We saw him play for the Redskins in 98 and Titans in 2001). He certainly still looked the part in the scrimmages and there's no reason to believe he won't be a force during the season. Leonard Henry will back him up.
 Frankfurt are one of the few teams that will employ a fullback and FB Corey McIntyre who just loves contact is as solid as it gets at this position.
 At wideout fellow New Orlean Saint Derrick Lewis could form a useful partnership with O'Sullivan. Wilson Thomas looked like a giant threat as well, but he starts the year on IR so Drew Haddad and Donovan Morgan will pick up the slack.
 Tight end Leonard Stephens finally makes Europe, after having been in camp with the Claymores in 2001 but not making the roster.
 Defensively Galaxy might not be as strong as they were in 2003. The defensive line however appeared a strength in camp headed by ex 49er DE Bobby Setzer. CB Lynaris Elpheage is a guy to watch in the secondary as well.
 Ralf Kleinmann still has a booming leg, but looks as inconsistent as ever.

 Coach Pete Kuharchek will look to go one better in 2004, as his side has been runners up in the World Bowl the last 2 seasons. His team probably looked as game ready as any in Tampa.
 Chad Hutchinson starts at QB with much fanfare, and was solid if unspectacular n Tampa, hitting a variety of short throws in the scrimmages. Greg Zolman will more than likely be his #2.
 Once again the Fire look like they'll have one of the top running games in the league. Their offensive line was creating good holes for Walter Williams and Joffrey Reynolds in the scrimmages. While Williams has been getting more of the press, keep an eye on Reynolds.
 Shockmain Davis looks like the main threat at receiver, with Willie Quinnie and Nate Jackson likely to make their share of big plays too.
 At tight end Daniel Wilcox was used quite a bit in some of the scrimmages. Dwayne Blakely is also back from 2003.
 On the other side of ball Fire welcome back LB Maugaula Tuitele who was All-NFLE in 2002. With solid DT's David Thompson and Cedric Killings in front of him he could easily repeat his success in the middle in 2004.
 Secondary returns Tony Lukins, Earthwind Moreland and Abdual Howard as well as national Richard Yancy. With newcomer Hakim Akbar in the mix this could the strongest secondary in the league.
 Ingo Anderbrugge is back for a 2nd season as the national kicker.

Preston's fearless forecasts

 World Bowl: Rhein vs Frankfurt
 Top QB: O'Sullivan (Fra)
 Top RB: Cobourne (Col)
 Top WR: Davis (Fire)