ESPN AFL

The Central Division should be dominated by Chicago, with Colorado and Kansas City fighting for a playoff spot, and Grand Rapids not quite ready to contend in 2008. The Rush are loaded after adding QB Sherdrick Bonner (from Arizona) and WR Damian Harrell (from Colorado), and should be a dynamic scoring team. Their defense will be tough and aggressive, led by their secondary and linebackers. Colorado will miss Harrell, but when QB John Dutton is hot, the Crush can be very competitive. Still, you don't know what you are going to get from the Crush on a weekly basis. Kansas City shocked everybody last year with a 10-6 record, but that was with Raymond Philyaw at QB. He now is gone to Cleveland, and the Brigade don't seem to have enough firepower, so expect them to fall back to the pack. Grand Rapids has questions at QB and lacks difference makers, especially on offense, but the Rampage have a promising new coach in Steve Thonn. Chicago has the look of a potential championship team and will cruise through the division, but the Rush will have their work cut out for them in the playoffs.

Projected Standings

1. Chicago Rush -- 12-4
2. Colorado Crush -- 8-8
3. Kansas City Brigade -- 8-8
4. Grand Rapids Rampage -- 4-12

Team previews

• Chicago Rush
• Colorado Crush
• Grand Rapids Rampage
• Kansas City Brigade

Projected 2008 Central Division award winners

Coach of the Year -- Mike Hohensee, Chicago
Organization of Year -- Chicago
MVP -- QB Sherdrick Bonner, Chicago
Rookie of the Year -- LB John Mohring, Grand Rapids
Newcomer of the Year -- DL Rahim Abdullah, Grand Rapids
Offensive Lineman of the Year -- Kyle Moore-Brown, Colorado
Quarterback of the Year -- Sherdrick Bonner, Chicago
Receiver of the Year -- Damian Harrell, Chicago
"Tough Guy" of the Year -- FB Dan Alexander, Chicago
Defensive Back of the Year -- Rashad Floyd, Colorado
Defensive Lineman of the Year -- John Moyer, Chicago
Linebacker of the Year -- DeJuan Alfonzo, Chicago
Assistant Coach of the Year -- Walt Housman, Chicago defensive coordinator
Kicker of the Year -- Dan Frantz, Chicago
Return Specialist of the Year -- Jonathan Ordway, Chicago

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