Tom Brady is still a stud. Rex Ryan is still his optimistic self. Ricky Williams is still on pot. And Marshawn Lynch still shares with Ricky. Not much has changed in the AFC East, has it?
The Answer: A Lot has changed. Here's an overview of what's happened this year in the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills:
First of all, the Bills lost Terrell Owens to the Bengals. I would argue that it wasn't too big of a loss for New York's "other team." TO only managed 55 catches for the Bills in '09, his lowest over a 16-game span since 1996, his rookie season. In an attempt to fill the void in 2010, the Bills did...well.. nothing. The only wideout the Bills picked up would be Marcus Easley in the fourth round of April's draft. But one thing is for sure. The Bills did not waste their first round pick. Buffalo picked up Clemson back CJ Spiller. Spiller ran a 4.37 forty-yard dash, making him a top-5 running back in that category. Spiller gives the Bills the speed they don't quite get from Marshawn Lynch. The Bills do have an up and coming Quarterback in Trent Edwards, and speedy wideout in Lee Evans, but I simply don't think the Bills have enough offensive firepower to contend with the rest of the East. When it comes to this season, I don't see significant improvement from '09. The Bills simply did not make enough offseason moves to make them a serious contender.
Miami Dolphins:
It's official. This writer's favorite receiver in the NFL, Brandon Marshall is a Miami Dolphin. Josh McDaniels continued his dismantling of the Denver Broncos is trading Marshall, and not to mention- made the Dolphins a serious contender. Sure, Chad Henne isn't the quarterback that Marshall had in Jay Cutler. However, Marshall did succeed with Kyle Orton in 2009. The Dolphins introduced the original "Wildcat" in '08, which continues to be a staple in their offense. With Marshall, Miami now has the speed and strength to incorporate a WR "reverse" into their offensive scheme. And let's not forget the other singing the Fins made this summer. Linebacker Karlos Dansby, a force in the middle, and the leader of the defense for Arizona the last few years. Dansby brings leadership and strength to a what many consider to be a mediocre defense. With Miami's offseason moves, I see significant improvement from the 2009 season, in which the Dolphins won 7 games. Consider the Dolphins a serious AFC East contender.
New England Patriots:
2004. The last time Tom Brady lifted up the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy. It's been a 6-season drought for the Pats, and critics wonder if they have done enough this offseason to improve. Let me start by telling you this, I am one of those critics. The Brady Bunch made no major offseason additions. While the Pats were a playoff team last year, I still believe that this aging team is past their prime. New England has always struggled at running back. Although Lawrence Maroney seemed like a possible star at the beginning of his career, injuries have set him back. Their offense is much too one dimensional. While their defense was rated 8th in the NFL last season. Another question lingering among Pats faithful is how the battered Wes Welker will return. Welker tore his ACL late last season. Although Welker is one of the best slot receivers in the history of the game, a knee injury for a wideout can seriously alter a career. I look forward to seeing how Wes will come back this season. Overall, consider the Pats a threat to win the east, but don't expect a super bowl win.
New York Jets:
I'll start this post out with a math equation. Darelle Revis+Antonio Cromartie= Best Secondary in the NFL. And another. Rex Ryan + Jets Offense= Consistently one of the best. In simple terms, The New York Jets are going to be good, real good. Let's start with New York's offseason moves. LaDanian Tomlinson. Antonio Cromartie, and Santonio Holmes. Three stars in their previous homes, these three have a shot to make a significant impact for the Jets. The AFC may experience a fly-by when the Jets come to town.
To me, the AFC East has a chance to be an elite division this year. I can see three teams playing come playoff time. Let's take a second to look at my predicted standings in the AFC East.
1) New York- 11-5
2) New England- 10-6
3) Miami- 10-6
4) Buffalo- 7-9
Next up: NFC East
