Buffalo Bills Still Chasing the Rest of the AFC East

(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Buffalo Bills played six games against the AFC East in 2008. The Bills lost all six games against the AFC East.

No where to go but up? Sure, but it won’t be that easy.

In six games against the AFC East in 2008, the Bills held leads in three of them. Their opponents held the ball longer in all but two of them and were out-gained yardage-wise in all but one of them. In fact, the AFC East averaged 320.5 net yards-per-game against Buffalo to 257.3.

The Patriots will welcome the return of Tom Brady; the Dolphins return the “Wildcat” and the Jets debut Mark Sanchez. And while the Bills added T.O. and the Jets sent Brett Favre packing, New York also adds veterans like Bart Scott and Lito Sheppard.

Meanwhile the Pats look like they could regenerate their offense to be even better than their 2007 version.

But given an early glance, it still looks as though the Bills will be chasing the rest of their division rivals.

Here’s a capsule look at the updated AFC East, and how each team’s moves impacts the Bills going forward into the 2009 season;

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Key Additions:Jason Taylor (DE/OLB), Gibril Wilson (FS), Vontae Davis (CB), Pat White (WR/QB)

Key Deletions:Vonnie Holiday (DE), John Beck (QB), Tony McDaniel (DT)

Last year’s Dolphins went from the 1-15 outhouse in 2007 to the 11-5 penthouse winning the AFC East crown. Coach Tony Sparano oversaw the rejuvenation of quarterback Chad Pennington while installing the “Wildcat” offense.

Meanwhile Chad Henne is waiting in the wings for his shot while the ‘Fins took West Virginia QB Pat White who should be a perfect fit for the Wildcat, though RB Ronnie Brown (916 yards) was still under center in the Wildcat during the first day of OTAs.

Miami solidified its defensive backfield by selecting Vontae Davis and Sean Smith while re-signing Will Allen to a two-year extension. Gibril Wilson adds a solid physical presence and 13 career picks to the group.

Impact on the Bills:

Clearly the Dolphins felt as though they needed to reinforce their defensive backs in a division that now not only features the likes of Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, but Randy Moss, Joey Galloway and Jericho Cotchery.

Jason Taylor returns to augment a unit that had 40 quarterback sacks last year—and that means more pressure on the Bills’ young, developing O-line. On offense, the “Wildcat” offense helped the ‘Fins rack up 730-net yards in two games against the Bills.

The pressure will be on defensive coordinator Perry Fewell to best utilize inside backers Paul Pozluszny and Kawika Mitchell to cage the “Wildcat”.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Key Additions:

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?