Dallas Desperados (15-1 in 2007, lost in 2nd round to Columbus)
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Odds to win ArenaBowl XXII: +400

For the second straight season, the Dallas Desperados were the best team in the AFL in the regular season. For the second straight season, they were double-digit favorites in their final playoff game. For the second straight season, they failed to advance to the ArenaBowl. Perhaps the third time’s a charm for Dallas, who returns in 2008 with an incredibly stacked lineup with hopes of making a run at ArenaBowl XXII.

2007 Highlight: The 2007 campaign began with the Desperados trampling the New York Dragons 60-7, proving to the rest of the league that they were back in full force. New York didn’t score until 11:38 left in the game, the closest a team has come to a shutout in the AFL in over a decade. QB Clint Dolezel tossed seven TDs, which began a season for him where he threw a career high 107 scores.

2007 Lowlight: It was simply called “Boing! Boing! Choke!” by the Dallas fans in attendance. With the Desperados leading their 2nd round playoff contest with the 6th seeded Columbus Destroyers 38-24 at halftime, the route appeared to be on. Peter Martinez second half kick-off was recovered by the Destroyers for a net recovery TD. The ensuing kickoff was also recovered by Columbus, which they promptly scored on to tie the game. Dallas never recovered mentally from the two bad bounces, and shockingly crashed out of the playoffs 66-59.

Key acquisition: K Remy Hamilton (16/30 FGs, 101/114 PAT’s in 2007 with Los Angeles). I guess when you’re the best team in the AFL, you may as well have one of the best kickers in AFL history on your team. Hamilton should resolve the revolving door of kickers the Desperados have had over the past few seasons.

Key loss: OL Devin Wyman (1 TD catch in 2007). Stats are hard to come by for offensive linemen, but Wyman’s effect on Dallas is huge. He was a first team All-Arena offensive lineman, and was the best protector Dolezel had last year. The line has been suspect in preseason scrimmages, and may be the biggest problem facing the Desperados.

2008 Preview: The mass majority of the best offense in AFL history is back for another attempt at glory. Dallas posted an obscene 63.5 PPG last season to go with the 2nd best defense in the conference (50.4 PPG allowed). Similar numbers should be expected from this bunch if everyone stays healthy.

2008 will be a success if… Dallas loosens up the chokehold come playoff time. We know that this team is going to be in the post-season barring a collapse of catastrophic proportions, but it’s time for Dolezel to lift his team to the ArenaBowl.

Dallas was unlucky against Columbus, but the best teams find ways to persevere in tough times. The game was still a tied with Columbus after disaster struck last year, but they simply lost their cool and suffered one of the biggest upsets in AFL history because of it. Last year Dolezel said that his team could go 16-0, and I think he might have been a year off with that prediction

Prediction: 16-0 1st place Eastern Division

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