http://www.pbdojo.com/home.aspx?n=2565&p=2565just look at it.
its pretty amazing
(thats my russians) :ph43r:
PBDojo’s Top 10's: 2006
1. Russian Legion: (Previously 1)
Nothing new here, still the dedicated, organized, and dominating UN super power they have been all season with no signs of slowing down. They are beatable, but you better work for it... Hard. I have never seen a team sweet spot like the Russians did this year at world cup. If other American teams want to compete next year they better change they way they practice. Russians are the first foreign team in history to win an American series, World Cup, or even a pro event for that matter.
Constantine Federov:
Hands down, no contest, the most dominant force to grace an Xball field. Sweet spotting, speed, superior gun fighting, and aggressive lane control scores Federov the Russian top spot... Constantine is one of the most entertaining players in the league to watch as well as one of the most talented.
2. XSV/NRG: (Previously 2)
XSV's camp is taking hits left and right and it had appeared that hull was cracking quickly. They have lost 5 starters in the past 3 months and were down 2 more due to injuries at World Cup, but some how, they have been able to remain competitive to this point. I was more then impressed with XSV in Orlando this year… To almost completely change your starting line up and then walk into the biggest tournament of the year and still come out in 3rd place is truly impressive. Roster BS aside a 2nd place series finish in the NPPL and 7th NXL is a pretty solid year over all. It will be interesting to see what happens to XSV over the off season, the rumors surrounding the team are flying… Stay tuned.
Sean McDonald:
Until World Cup I had decided to pick Neil from XSV as the top dog holding the team down but then I found out the team had picked up Sean “Crunchy Black” McDonald... I thought it was a joke at first and was convinced he would never see a single point of field time. I was stunned when I witnessed the midget playing on the A squad, and sometimes back to back in almost every point played. He didn’t JUST play a lot, the little guy was mashing… I have never seen a first event NXL rookie play the way Sean did at cup and for that he deserves a little recognition.
3. San Diego Dynasty: (Up from 5)
The come back kids are making it happen in the second half of 2006. The season was off to a rocky start for the boys in blue but they seem to be back on the grind. They won the 7 man World Series for the third time in a row and the Commanders Cup was the nail in the coffin proving once again they still deserve to be on top. Clearly they still need to make changes to the way they play Xball in order to become dominant in the NXL but the potential is there.
Ryan Greenspan:
Ryan G. stepped it up big time this season and has more then filled Oliver’s shoes. If you watched Ryan play 7 man at all this season then there is nothing left for me to say, proofs in the puddin. I dare to say he maybe even better then the former Dynasty superstar...
4. Los Angeles Ironmen: (Down from 3)
The Ironmen have been really hot and cold this season. Some times unstoppable, others they struggle to keep it together, but they are never a push over. Los Angeles has no where to go but up next season... They have tons of industrial pull, money, power, and a high profile. Along with that comes the ability to recruit superstars. On the down side, some of LA's veterans are starting to show their age. While they are the true backbones of the team, they maybe slowing the young Men down some. They remain competitive for now, but who knows how much longer they can hold on. It’s time to bring in some new blood if the team wants to create longevity.
Obviously Oliver the $100,000 man:
There is a reason for why he gets paid what he does. He opens and closes games, he motivates, he calls plays, and he communicates blah blah blah... You have heard it all before and the name speaks for it self. What more can I say? I once said, one player can't change a team. I stand corrected.
5. Miami Raiders: (Down from 4)
Until World Cup Miami was one of only 2 teams in the world to have played on Sunday at every tournament attended in 2006 and winning the last two 7 man events in a row meant big things for their future. These results secured them the Commanders Cup, the Semi Pro series title, and a pro spot for 2007. They also, remained competitive in the NXL holding the 4th place slot until the falter at world cup which brought them down to 6th place overall. Being top four going into the last event earned Miami a spot in the Intercontinental Cup for world wide bragging rights in Orlando before the start of the NXL World Cup. Here the Raiders placed 3rd, losing only to the Boston Red Legion. Overall the Raiders had a good year in 06 but we will see how they fair in 07 this time grinding it out on a much more competitive 7 man circuit.
Dan Holliday:
o Dan is one of the NXL’s top 5 snake players. He is fast, aggressive, and thinks on his feet... In short, he gets the killing done. Perhaps even more important then great overall skills; he is a level headed competitor and an all around team player. If Holliday can keep that bitchass gimp of a shoulder intact for longer then 5 minutes, we should see a great season of play out of him this year.
6. Baltimore Trauma: (Up from 7)
Trauma is developing a pattern of being one of those "World Cup teams". They have a pretty decent year showing up here and there and then BAM… Turn it up a few hundred degrees in Orlando. Baltimore came out swinging at the Intercontinental Cup winning a tight and hard fought final game against Boston Red Legion. Now with some momentum, Trauma came rolling through the preliminary division sending the Ironmen home after a 14 to 4 beat down. It’s been a while since I have seen LA get shut out like that. In the end, Trauma wound up playing XSV for 3rd and 4th in a nail biter resulting in XSV hanging the game winning flag with only two seconds left on the clock. When all was said and done, Trauma had a respectable year in Xball yet struggled some at 7 man. However, I am confident that Trauma will be the new team to beat in the NPPL Semi Pro division for 2007 and you can bet your ass we will be seeing them playing pro 7 man in 08.
Dave Fason:
Dave is probably Trauma's smartest and most consistent player, incorporating a great gun game, years of experience, and excellent field awareness into his arsenal. Fason is a solid anchor that Trauma can always rely on to stay alive, shoot people off the break, and close out tight points.
7. Naughty Dogs: (Previously Unlisted)
Naughty Dogs had trouble getting the xball rolling at the beginning of the season but seem to be picking up some steam as the events went by. They finally showed up on the radar after a surprise first place finish at the SP World Paintball Championships infront of the cameras, then backed it up with a 2nd place finish at NPPL Boston and number two again at NXL World Cup.
Hector Cardona:
Cardona is probably the Naughty Dogs most well rounded and talented player overall... His combination of years of experience and exemplary gun skills turn this old school rage veteran into a new school predator on the field . My hat comes of to players like Hector. Traveling out of country for each practice and tournament takes a lot of time, dedication, and love for the sport. Hector better stay up on his game though, there are a few young bucks on the Dogs that look to be dead set on stripping him of this title in 07.
8. Rage: (Up from 9)
Rage is one of those teams that no one ever wants to draw... You never know what to expect from them when you walk onto the field , unpredictability is one of MIA's many unique attributes. These kids also have a lot of technical skill and work really well together as a team. The other Rage advantage comes from an overwhelming desire to win, this is a team that will do whatever it takes to hang the flag, so never underestimate. Finally, Rage has a great balance of youth and experience... With that said, I had this team pegged 5 to 1 odds on winning D1 World Cup, especially with Joys help but who knows what happened, maybe they just need more xball practice...
Travis Day:
Travis was my pick from last year and will probably remain my top pick from the 305 for next year aswell. Travis is good at what he does, really good.
9. Philly Americans: (Down from 6)
All signs point to Philly being in trouble... They were almost delegated out of the NPPL Pro division due to for lack of a better term, “embarrassing” 7 man play. Yet, they still manage to make all but one Sunday cut in the NXL. Eric is now injured for who knows how long and there are lots of other starters entertaining offers to every other team under the sun. Smart Parts better start wheeling and dealing, or it won’t be looking good for Philly come 2007. Turmoil aside, Philly has a talent packed squad with all of the tools and potential necessary to blow any team out there off of the field. It seems like sometimes they just can’t put it all together.
Tim Montressor:
Probably the NXL's most talented snake player yet lately we’ve seen him in the corner and up on his feet more a lot more then I would have expected. Philly’s coaches obviously would rather have him shooting his gun off the top and making the snake alive. Either way you slice it, Tim is a very entertaining player to watch… and while you’re watching maybe you should be taking notes at the same time.
10. Bob Long’s Ironmen aka Legacy: (Previously 8)
Well once again these guys screw themselves over at world cup. This season may not have been as strong for them as the last few years before but they really started to make some progress in Chicago and San Bernidino. Then they flushed it all away at world cup. Lots of penalties and point chasing proved a bitter years end for Legacy. However, they beat some really good teams this year when no one really thought they would. Bob's guys continue to struggle in 7 man and have been going to a lot of internal conflict. If something big doesn't happen for Bobby here soon in the off season, I'm afraid they may disappear from the top 10 for a little while. But folks, its BOB LONG... One way or another he will have a competitive team, even if it means cutting every player and starting from scratch with professional horse jockeys.
Chris Dazi:
Chris Dazi has become Bob's go to guy for the technical stunts this year. When he needs a job done right, Dazi is the guy playing the spot. He is well rounded and has been a Bob Long edition killing robot for years now. This year especially Dazi has separated from the pack and raised to the top. Dazi has one characteristic you rarely find in any pro player these days... Loyalty. Good players are a dime a dozen these days but ones that will stick by you are hard to find and Chris has done just that. Through the good and the bad Chris Dazi is a Legacy Ironman.
Honorable Mention:
Joy Division: Like I said in the 2006 awards, Joy Division is my NPPL team of the year. They have made some major improvements and are hard set on ascending the ranks next year. The only reason they ARNT on the list this year is there late coming success. If they start 2007 like they ended 2006 they will be a top contender for the next top 10. I believe they are good team but do they have what it takes to stay on top? It would be pretty damn entertaining to see Joy drop the dough to play NXL in 07, hopefully they make the move.
New England Hurricanes/New York Xtreme: NEH/NYX is probably the most improved team overall from the beginning of the year to the end. They came from being a joke, to grinding it out with the best, consistently taking teams like Dynasty to overtime. A feet that would have been laughable only a year ago. Both teams have a lot of young talent from the North East whom all look hungry to earn themselves some respect and a new name. I believe they are going to take some respect from the teams don't give it up next year. If you underestimate this team now, you will lose. They aren't Jerry's old boys anymore... NYX is new blood making a new name."