[Tim Delles]

aaa, but comes the argument of which is better offense or defense?

Well when i'm thinking of alliance this year you can look at it 2 ways.

1 - 3 great shooting robots. for example match up FRC2001, FRC2002 and FRC2003 (I'm just picking these teams because they were the first shooters that came to mind) They all have good drive trains, and great shooting ability. Now you have only 2 robots that are playing defense of these guys, so thier should be one that is left open to do as they please with the center goal. And then on defense since thier drive trains are all good they can cleanly play defense. Now a quick break down from what I have seen.

FRC2001 - Human Player Loaded. Good solid shooter.
FRC2002 - Ground Loaded. Good solid shooter.
FRC2003 - Ground Loaded. - Good solid shooter.

2 - 2 great shooting robots and a great defensive bot. Once again take FRC2001, FRC2002 and FRC2004 (Yeah they play offense but they are still a great defensive team in my book no matter what). Now since only 2 robots can play defense you have FRC2004 (the defensive bot in this case) play defense on your opponents best defensive bot (making it so that 1 robot is still free to shoot).

FRC2001 - Human Player Loaded. Good solid shooter.
FRC2002 - Ground Loaded. Good solid shooter.
FRC2004 - Great Defensive Robot.

Now I only listed what these teams are good at. Some teams may be able to play defense and offense really well, but in my opinion one of those 2 setups are what you are going to see win all the divisions in Atlanta, because as much as defense is great, I don't see it winning by itself like it could in previous years.