As the off-season hype of the draft and free agency comes to an end, speculation and evaluation soon begins to set upon the the many who's seasons never end. 

Football has officially entered the "dead season" (time between the draft/free agency and summer camps). For many, this is the time of the year that seems to never end, as if Fall is never getting closer. The appetite of tackling and touchdowns is substituted with fastballs and home runs. 

For those who are not ready to begin their fastening of football, this writer is here to help satisfy your hunger.

Here are the unofficial preseason rankings in the AFC.

1. New England Patriots.

• Though many are upset to hear this, you can't deny that the Patriots are a spectacular team. To make things more convenient for Tom and friends, the Patriots were given the easiest rated schedule for the upcoming season. The biggest question remaining for the Patriots is who will step up to replace Asante Samuel.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers.

• The Steelers are going to be a very tough, fast, and an all around athletic team. Wille Parker and Rashard Mendenhall will be an instant tandem to be feared. Big Ben is healthy and the WR's are plentiful with Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Limas Sweed. Defense is still very versatile and will get the job done. Only problem: the Steelers have the toughest schedule to deal with in the entire NFL. The Cowboys, Patriots, Giants, and Chargers are just a few obstacles for the Steelers to hurdle.

• Until I see Jacksonville actually overcome the Colts, this team remains to be my favorite from the AFC South. With one of the best offenses, the defense only needs to be satisfactory for this team to be able to get to the World Series. The largest problems for this team has inconsistency though, and a brutal schedule doesn't benefit that type of problem. If the defense can play at a high level for the majority of the season, expect the Colts to remain your AFC South Champs.

4. San Diego Chargers.

• This team remains to be one of the most talented overall group of players individually, but in the past they haven't done a great job of putting all the pieces together. Philip Rivers is becoming more and more experienced, and LT surely isn't getting worse. A somewhat average schedule should help the Chargers, but they once again seem to be the victims of constant travel.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars.

•  As I said, Indianapolis deserves the top AFC South spot until proven otherwise. David Garrard should benefit from getting a year of starting experience under his belt. Best of all for the Jags, Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew became a ferocious double-team for opponents to contain. The defense should be aided by Darrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, who were both selected in the recent draft.

6. Cleveland Browns.

• The Browns could either rise or fall, it just depends on if they execute on offense and if their defense can step up. On paper, the Browns have one of the best offensive teams in the NFL, but Jamal Lewis is getting older and older and pressure will be aimed towards the WR's. Expect a big year once again from Kellen Winslow along with Braylon Edwards. Shawn Rogers should help contribute to the defensive line.

7. Tennessee Titans.

• I really don't know exactly how to explain positives for the Titans, except for the fact they just win. As long as they get the W, it frankly doesn't matter to me how they do it. Besides that, playing the Colts and the Jags twice each year requires more than just talent that barely gets you by.

8. Denver Broncos.

• Really, this team has a pretty good future ahead of them. Jay Cutler has matured well for only being in the league for two years. The criticism he gets seems a little harsh for someone who hasn't had much time to settle down. Ryan Clady should help protect Cutler and open up some more holes for the RB's. The defense should be able to hold their own.

9. Houston Texans.

• I'm glad to see this team finally getting off the ground. Mario Williams has proven to be worthy of being taken as first in his draft over Reggie Bush, and ending the David Carr era seems to have been the smart choice. Duane Brown should give extra support for Matt Schaub in the pocket, and I predict Xavier Adibi to be a great sleeper pick at linebacker.  

10. Buffalo Bills.

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