This is the second of eight NFL previews. This is another tough division to call because we have two team that will be significantly better, in Miami and New York. Another question is whether the Patriots will even be close to what they were a year ago. It should be a very interesting season in the AFC East.
1. New England Patriots. Last Season: 16-0. Offseason Grade: B- Predicted Record: 14-2.
This is a tough team to predict. I think that they will, again, be a force in the AFC and will run away with the division. They lost Asante Samuel, but they took Terrance Wheatley in the second round. Wheatley will be good, but he isn't Asante Samuel. At WR, they will be amazing again this season.
The linebackers they brought in should be very successful. They took Jerod Mayo with the 10th overall pick and brought in former Jet, Victor Hobson. Mayo is a beast and should prove it to the country very quickly. Hobson is not a bad signing either. They get depth, and possibly a starter with Hobson. He was part of Eric Mangini's similar defense in New York and has displayed leadership in the offseason mini camps.
The team is still great, but I could never predict a 16-0 season. They play the Colts, which will be another classic and could go either way. Best case, they go 16-0. Worst case, they lose three games. Easy division winners.
2. Buffalo Bills. Last Season: 7-9. Offseason Grade: D. Predicted Record: 5-11.
The Bills got Leodis McKelvin, a good player from Troy, but other than that, the team made no big moves. They didn't lose any significant players and the only player that they brought in was Kawika Mitchell. Mitchell should be a good player in their defense, but not enough to make them competitive.
They have yet again failed to make themselves significantly better. I can’t say too much about their offseason because they really didn't give me too much to write about. The team has to be doing something that is not being reported. They are likely just developing young players. In a few years they may be tough, but I just can't see it right now.
3. New York Jets. Last Season: 4-12. Offseason Grade: A. Predicted Record: 8-8.
I love what the Jets did this offseason. They got rid of players who weren't getting the job done (Justin McCareins, Erik Coleman, etc.) and acquired a great deal of good players via free agency and the draft.
On draft day, they got Vernon Gholston, Dwight Lowery, Erik Ainge, and Marcus Henry. Gholston should be an immediate impact player. The rest will make decent backups.
In free agency, they acquired G Alan Faneca, TE Bubba Franks, LB Calvin Pace, FB Tony Richardson, and G Damien Woody. They picked up two starters on the offensive line, a good blocking offensive player, in Franks and Richardson, and a good linebacker in Pace.
They shored up many of their weak points and may be semi competitive this season. I don't think that they are good enough to be in the playoffs yet, but they certainly took some big steps.
4. Miami Dolphins. Last Season: 1-15. Offseason Grade: B. Predicted Record: 4-12.
This project will take at least three years for Bill Parcells to make successful. That Parcells fella isn't a bad drafter though. Jake Long and Phillip Merling are sure locks to be very good players. I also like the picks of Henne and Langford a lot too.
Langford is the player that I think will be a steal in this draft. He's not an amazing pass rusher, but he will make a very good 3-4 defensive end because of his strength and ability to tackle the running back. He is relentless and should prove to be a good pick.
They didn't add any great players through free agency, but Parcells has a plan and a few tricks up his sleeve. This year they won't be very good because they lack experience. Look for this team to be competitive in the coming seasons.
This division will not produce three playoff teams anytime soon. But it has got a lot better this offseason. It should be fun to watch.
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