Sudden Impact: People Who Will Impact Their Teams In The AFC East

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

As we’re approaching the so-called “dead zone” of the NFL, June through Early August, it seems a good time to look at those people in the AFC East who need to have a solid impact on their teams in the 2009 season.  These are people who will be called upon in a multitude of ways to help push their teams in ways that they didn’t or couldn’t in 2008, whether because of injury, being with a different team, etc.

I’m listing them in two ways – Impact Person, and The Other Guy(s).  Regardless, they’ll all need to do well in order for their team to continue last year’s success, or to improve upon last year’s disappointments.

Teams are listed in reverse order from how they finished the 2008 season.

Buffalo Bills

Impact Person: Terrell Owens (WR).  The Other Guys – Trent Edwards (QB), Dick Jauron (Head Coach).

Some people view the signing of Owens to be a coup for Buffalo, a huge step in a positive direction.  Those who approve say bringing Owens on board is a demonstration of management’s renewed commitment to put a winner on the field.  They point to Owens’ stats, shake their heads at the stats of Bills’ receivers, and believe that Buffalo might well contend for the division title for the first time since 1995; at the very least, make the playoffs for the first time this decade.

Those who disagree with the signing say it is merely putting a whiner on the field, not a winner, and point to Owens’ behavior for each of his past three teams.  They say he is divisive, and tends to throw his quarterback, coaches, and other teammates under the bus when things don’t go his way. 

Regardless of which side is correct, Owens must play well in order for the Bills to contend.  It isn’t necessarily the number of receptions or yards or touchdowns he is able to attain.  It is more important that he is on the same page with his coaches and teammates, and plays team ball.  If he creates more opportunities for other receivers such as Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish, all the better for the Bills.  The good news for the Bills is that TO tends to play well in his first year.

The Other Guys in Buffalo are Trent Edwards and Dick Jauron.  Edwards put himself out there early in this, putting his full support behind the TO signing.  Shortly after hearing that Dallas had released Owens, he sent a text to Bills GM Russ Brandon, suggesting that the team consider bringing the mercurial receiver on board.  Now that he’ll be playing the role of “that’s MY quarterback” for TO, he must keep strong, or Terrell will push him aside. 

Likewise, Jauron must now prove he can coach well in order to keep his job.  He must manage the egos, the expectations, and keep the defense solid.  If Jauron can’t manage the team and/or TO, both the player and the coach could be looking for a new team come January.

New York Jets

Impact Person: Rex Ryan (Head Coach).  The Other Guy – Mark Sanchez (QB).

Rex Ryan was signed, and some in New York were cheering as though they’d won the Superbowl.  What followed was an influx of new players into the team as Rex Ryan put his stamp on Gang Green.  Credit must be given, he quickly acted to make this team his own, and left no question as to who was in charge.

He brought in Bart Scott and Jim Leonard, players with whom he was familiar.  He traded for disgruntled Eagles

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