The Definitive AFC Preseason Report...in Limericks!

Rory Brown by Senior Analyst Written on August 17, 2009

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PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 13:  Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots directs his offense against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Sure, the NFC may be stealing the headlines these days (Michael Vick's 60 Minutes appearance, Michael Crabtree continuing to avoid playing football, a summer full of Vikings/Brett Favre rumors), but there's plenty going on in the AFC as well this preseason.

And what's the best way to get a quick fix of happenings around the AFC? Goofy limericks, that's what.

That said, here's the official AFC preseason report...in limericks. Just to be clear, these aren't power rankings or predictions of how the conference will shake out—just storylines and trends to watch as the regular season nears.

(As always, comments—in limerick form—are appreciated and encouraged.)

AFC East: Buffalo Bills

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 15:  Trent Edwards #5  of the Buffalo Bills hands off to Fred Jackson #22 against the Chicago Bears on August 15, 2009 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.  (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

T.O. continues to try to steal the show,
Both on VH1 and local TV in Buffalo.
Be sure to watch the Bills' new no-huddle
It left the Bears' preseason defense mighty befuddled
Trent Edwards just needs time to throw.

AFC East: Miami Dolphins

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 4:  Running back Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins plays against the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL Wildcard Playoff Game at Dolphins Stadium on January 4, 2009 in Miami, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Wildcat's a secret no more
So how will this Dolphins team score?
Pat White could play
but at the end of the day,
Ginn Jr. must step up for this team to soar.

AFC East: New England Patriots

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 13:  Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Tom Brady's knee no longer looks like bologna
But Fred Taylor's not exactly a young pony
The receivers will have their fun,
but the Pats need to establish the run.
You best stay healthy Laurence Maroney!

AFC East: New York Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 14:  Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets celebrates a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during their preseason game at Giants Stadium on August 14, 2009  in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Mark Sanchez is getting all the attention
But is this team focused on RB retention?
With three different backs,
will Thomas Jones get the ax?
Or is that just a rumor that creates tension?

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 18:  (L-R) Derrick Mason #85 and Mark Clayton #89 of the Baltimore Ravens stand on the field dejected after their 23-14 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Championship game on January 18, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsb

Don't say Derrick Mason pulled a Favre
Without him, the passing game would surely starve.
Ray Rice leads the RB competition
And Michael Oher is a great addition
Will a spot atop the division be carved?

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 21:  Carson Palmer #9  of the Cincinnati Bengals talks in the huddle as teammates Chad 'Ocho Cinco' Johnson #85 and T.J. Houshmandzadeh #84 listen during the first half of the game against the New York Giants on September 2

The Bengals will rely on Palmer's knees
Although he's not exactly on par with Drew Brees.
Watching the team on Hard Knocks
they need better blocking in the box
Can Cincy be a force? Psssh, child please.

AFC North: Cleveland Browns

CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 21: Braylon Edwards #17 of the Cleveland Browns reaches for a first quarter first down over Jamar Fletcher #25 of the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium December 21, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty

Is it Anderson or will it be Quinn?
Mangini claims it's whoever will help the team win.
If this team's not crappy,
Fans will be very happy
At least, until Braylon's dropped passes begin.

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers

LATROBE, PA - AUGUST 06:  Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers smiles while stretching during training camp at St. Vincent College on August 6, 2009 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Santonio Holmes' speed is still breaking
But more sacks means a QB that will be aching.
But with Mendenhall back
and the team's core still intact
Another great run could be in the making.

AFC South: Houston Texans

HOUSTON - JULY 31:  Wide receiver Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans during the first day of training camp on July 31, 2009 in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This team's putting all its stock in Matt Schaub
(I don't see Rex Grossman getting his job)
There just isn't a good reason
That A. Johnson shouldn't see the postseason
1,300 yards for Steve Slaton? No prob.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 14: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts runs out of the pocket under pressure against the Minnesota Vikings at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 14, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images

With Tony Dungy off advising Michael Vick
I'm curious if this team will still click.
Harrison left town,
but fans love Donald Brown
And Anthony Gonzalez, for the most part, should do the trick.

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, FL - MAY 1:  Running back Maurice Jones-Drew #32  of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs upfield during a team mini-camp on May 1, 2009 on the practice fields at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.  (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/

Last year in Jacksonville, all was not sunny
MJD was great, but Garrard didn't live up to the money.
The Jags added Torry Holt,
who isn't as fast as Usain Bolt
I'm sure there's a Matt Jones joke somewhere here that could be funny.

AFC South: Tennessee Titans

NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 15: Kerry Collins #5 of the Tennessee Titans looks to pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a preseason NFL game at LP Field on August 15, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

Haynesworth is gone, and Collins is 36 years old
Plus Vince Young feels left out in the cold
Sure Johnson and White are overachievers,
but why is no one talking about the lack of receivers?
If you run too much, your offense will fold.

AFC West: Denver Broncos

SAN FRANCISCO - AUGUST 14:  Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos reacts after throwing his third interception of the game against the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason game on August 14, 2009 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Califor

Kyle Orton's three-pick debut wasn't the best start
But he's still clearly atop the depth chart.
The Broncos' 2009 success
hinges on the B. Marshall mess
Why, again, was Cutler allowed to depart?

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 28: Larry Johnson #27 of the Kansas City Chiefscarries the ball as he breaks a tackle during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 28, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

It's hard to tell if this team will be stable
But fans approve of adding Cassel, Mike Brown, and Vrabel
The playbook will be growing,
but will the ground game get going?
If not, a winning season would be a far-fetched fable.

AFC West: Oakland Raiders

ALAMEDA, CA - MAY 08:  Darrius Heyward-Bey #12 of the Oakland Raiders runs drills during the Raiders minicamp at the team's permanent training facility on May 8, 2009 in Alameda, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

In April, Al Davis was slammed for his picks
Doesn't help that his new wideout has hands made of bricks
Will Tom Cable view Jeff Garcia
as this Oakland team's panacea?
With an experienced vet, the Raiders could be in the mix.

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 11:  Darren Sproles #43 of the San Diego Chargers runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Steelers won 35-24.  (Photo by Ch

Tomlinson says he's ready to go
But Sproles could be the main back in this show.
Sorry to not be poetic,
but this division is pathetic.
And I can't stand to watch Philip Rivers throw.

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written on August 17, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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