AFL Preseason Coaches' Poll

The AFL announced the 2012 Preseason Coaches' Poll today just days away from the first regular season contest of the league's 25th anniversary season. The league runners-up from last season, the Arizona Rattlers, took the top spot despite having the third most first place votes. Maintaining a roster that helped lead the Rattlers to an AFL best 16-2 mark last season is the main reason for their preseason expectations. They still have last season's MVP in QB Nick Davila, but being that the Soul signed away the Rattlers two best offensive lineman from last year protection may be an issue for a club ranked as one of the best in 2011.

The San Jose SaberCats received the most first place votes with 10 and were placed second on the list due to QB Mark Grieb's record breaking 2011 campaign. He threw for 5,312 yards last season, the most in AFL history, but only produced 7 wins for the SaberCats last season. An improved defense looks to be the ticket to the SaberCats qualifying for postseason play in 2012.

The Philadelphia Soul landed third on the list with 9 first place votes after such an eventful off-season. The additions of QB Dan Raudabaugh, WR Tiger Jones, DB Micheaux Robinson, LB Dusty Bear, OL Devin Clark, OL Brennan Carvalho, WR/KR Jeff Hughley, DB Rayshaun Kizer and countless others have basically insured a vast improvement from last year's 6-12 season. A proven new head coach in Doug Plank along with rejuvenated expectations makes the Soul one of the more interesting teams to watch in 2012.

Here's the entire list:

PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL

RK	Team (1st place votes)	W-L	Pts	Last Season
1	Arizona Rattlers (8)	0-0	142	16-2
2	San Jose SaberCats (10)	0-0	125	7-11
3	Philadelphia Soul (9)	0-0	113	6-12
4	Chicago Rush (6)	0-0	90	13-5
5	Orlando Predators (5)	0-0	66	11-7
6	San Antonio Talons (3)	0-0	66	(8-10)
7	Jacksonville Sharks (7)	0-0	65	14-4
8	Utah Blaze	0-0	51	9-9
9	Spokane Shock	0-0	48	9-9
10	Georgia Force	0-0	45	11-7

Some other notables on the list are 2011's ArenaBowl champion Jacksonville Sharks who landed 7th on the list due to the departure of legendary QB Aaron Garcia to the San Antonio Talons this off-season. Along with other major pieces such as DB Micheaux Robinson and WR/KR Jeff Hughley who both signed with the Soul, the team is missing key components to their championship roster of last year.

The Spokane Shock since debuting in the AF2 in 2006 has never not qualified for postseason play and has won 2 ArenaCups and 1 ArenaBowl in just six seasons of existence. A combined 78-20 record in the regular season, the Shock has also never experienced a losing season after sneaking in the 2011 playoffs with a 9-9 record. That pedigree for winning is something to not overlook as the season gets underway.

The Utah Blaze with MVP candidate QB Toomy Grady is another team that hasn't had much success as an organization such far, but seem to be on the cusp of becoming one of the better teams in the league. The Blaze in their five seasons with the AFL has accumulated three postseason births, but are still searching for the team's first above .500 season in franchise history.