Columbus Destroyers (7-9 in 2007, lost in ArenaBowl XXI to San Jose)
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The Columbus Destroyers came one step short of completing the most unlikely run to a championship in the history of the AFL in 2007. The Destroyers were the last team to qualify for the postseason, and disposed of the 1, 2, and 3 seeds in the National Conference before falling victim to San Jose in the ArenaBowl. QB Matt Nagy is back for his 2nd season with the Destroyers, who hope that this season can be the year they complete their championship dreams.

2007 Highlight: Though beating Dallas the week before was a complete shock, the most important game of the season for the Destroyers was Nagy’s vindication, preventing the Georgia Force, a team that unceremoniously dumped him the year before, from reaching their 2nd ArenaBowl in three years. Chris Jackson’s final game as a member of the Force was memorable, recording 6 TDs and 174 yards. However, the man who spent most of the day chasing him, Jerald Brown, got the last laugh, as he recorded two interceptions, one which was returned for a TD in the Destroyers conference-clinching 66-56 win in Georgia.

2007 Lowlight: A game at the 1-6 Tampa Bay Storm seemed to be an easy task for a hopeful playoff team like Columbus. When Storm QB John Kaleo was knocked out of the game in the 2nd quarter, unknown Brett Dietz had to step into his first AFL game. Despite holding the Storm to 34 points, the Destroyers came up a 2-pt conversion short of tying the game with 0:27 left, giving the Storm a 34-32 victory.

Key acquisition: WR Derek Lee (83 receptions, 886 yards, and 20 TDs with Georgia in 2007). Though the Destroyers added Lee in the off-season, he needs to replace the leading nine receivers, all of which have moved on via free agency. Lee was one of Nagy’s favorite targets with the Force in 2005 and 2006, and must built a bond with him quickly if the Destroyers offense is to have any success in ’08.

Key loss: DL Ken Jones (29 tackles, 10 sacks in 2007). Though replacing DB Jerald Brown will also be difficult, Jones wrecked havoc on opposing QBs all season. His 10 sacks could have just as easily been 20, and many of the errant throws that turned into interceptions were forced by Jones’ presence in the opposition’s backfield.

2008 Preview: For a team that won the National Conference last year, the Destroyers made a ton of changes to their roster. The entire offense, save Nagy, have all left, and the defense is a shell of its former self. There are no easy games in this division this season, and the schedule will probably prove to be more than the Destroyers can handle.

2008 will be a success if… someone can replace Jones on the defensive front. The best pass rusher left on this team is Kelvin Kinney, but now 35 years old, there’s almost no way that he can produce like Jones did for the defense.

It will be a very difficult task for the Destroyers just to reach the postseason, but as they proved last season, once you’re there, anything can happen.

Prediction: 6-10, 4th place Eastern Division

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