Examining The AFC East: Which Stories Will Dominate This Division in 2008

Each year as football season approaches, writers and columnist alike come out with some sort of annual most hated or wanted list, predictions, etc.  Some of these articles are very informative.  Some of them, not so much.  Well I figured it was time to break down story lines of all the teams in the NFL. Over the next 2 weeks, leading up to training camps, we will look at the story lines influencing each team.  The impact the NFL has on America culture, as well as predictions for each individual team in the upcoming 2008 season.  So forget about the Sporting News, SI, among others.  The Bleacher Report is a site for fans, built by the fans for the fans.  This is where we begin to break down what is going another exciting season of NFL Football.  

We Begin with the AFC East.  

AFC East

Miami:  1-15 in 2007; 4th AFC East
Storyline:  The Parcells Regime has Begun.
    
Not long ago was it that the Miami Dolphins were winning division titles and games for that matter.  Yeah not long in human years,  but in NFL years, its an eternity.  Just ask the Miami fans. With Quarterback issues, and dancing Defensive Ends, Miami is sure to have another up and down season.  After their horrible 1-15 season, Miami ultimately overhauled their coaching staff and roster from top to bottom.  The regime that was "Scam" Cam Cameron was a desperate reach by then owner Wayne Huizenga to add firepower to an offense to go with an aging but solid Defense.  It didn't pan out as Miami went 1-15.  After the season, new owner and lifelong fan Stephen Ross, hired Bill Parcells as Vice President of Football Operations. He gave Miami instant credibility.  He sought out players and coaches alike that fit into the system, not the other way around.  Parcells is the type that has an eye for talent evaluation and isn't afraid to make a change, even if it isn't always the popular one.  He allowed oft-injured but popular player Zach Thomas to sign with Dallas. He does it his way.  His track record for turning franchises around is a proven one having done so with the Jets, the Patriots(pre-spygate), and most recently the Dallas Cowboys.  Only this time, he isn't the coach, but he is buying the groceries.  Miami will still need years of repair from the Wannstedt/Saban/Cameron years, though this year is the start of a new era in Miami.  Miami Fans have something to be excited about again, the Bill Parcells Regime has Officially Begun.

Prediction:  5-11

New England:  18-1* in 2007; 1st AFC East
Storyline: How will New England respond in 2008.

    2007 was a year filled with story lines for the New England Patriots.  From spy-gate, to their incredible 16-0* regular season, New England is sure to have more in the coming football season.  With an aging defense, Scott Pioli and Coach Belichick once again found a way to retool going into the 2008 season.  Not much was changed in the coaching staff, but some of the roster changes could have an impact on the upcoming season.  Gone are Donte Stallworth (Cleveland), Asante Samuel (Philly), Roosevelt Colvin (Houston), and Junior Seau (Free Agent) just to name a few.  Without the presence of Donte Stallworth, how much of an impact will it have on Randy Moss and Wes Welker?  Stallworth may not have put up pro bowl numbers, but secondary's had to respect him on speed alone.  That, I'm sure, benefited Moss and Welker.  The loss of Samuel will hurt, but again Belichick and Pioli have a way of plugging and playing players that fit their system.  After all Belichick is a Parcells Disciple.  But with the loss of Samuel, Seau and others, New England was able to get younger in the draft by adding 6'1" 242 pound speedster out of Tennessee Jarod Mayo.  Mayo along with other draft day pickups Shawn Crable(Michigan) and Bo Ruud(Nebraska), will inject some much needed youth into an aging defense.  Sure after all the controversy that surrounded New England last season, they were still able to make it to the SuperBowl.  Going in 18-0*, they were an 12 point favorite to win against the New York Giants.  Stunningly, although not by my standards, New York shocked the world, proving the almighty Patriots could be beat.  So now, with the 2008 season set to begin, How will New England respond to all that was 2007?

Prediction:  13-3

New York Jets: 4-12 in 2007; 3rd AFC East
Storyline: Does Man-Genius & Co rebound from dismal 2007 campaign.

    In 2006 Eric Mangini takes the NY Jets to a 10-6 record and playoff berth to 4-12 in 2007?  How does this happen with virtually the same cast of characters on the roster?  Well for starters, and I will use that term loosely, the Quarterback position is all but that. The single most position in American sports seemed to be a spinning carousel in NY in 2007.  Chad Pennington or Kellen Clemens.  Having a spinning carousel of QB's doesn't do much for consistency, and we all know the NFL is about consistency.  Former 1st round pick, Pennington, has struggled with the consistency and health through out his career, and Clemens is a fairly young   Adding Pro-bowl Guard Alan Faneca to an already solid offensive line may provide Pennington or Clemens with the protection they need to be efficient.  Faneca could also provide a boost to Thomas Jones and the running game.  But despite the additions on offense, New York concentrated more on the defensive side of the ball.  They solidified their defense in adding 3-time pro-bowler Kris Jenkins, Speedy Defensive End Vernon Gohlston and OLB/DE Calvin Pace.  Jenkins, at 6'4" 360 lbs, has the size New York looks for in the 3-4 scheme that they run.  Pace, a former 1st round pick by the Arizona Cardinals, will add speed and athleticism to the linebacking core.  Along with their secondary, that includes future star Darrelle Revis, New York seems poised to put a stop to the Patriots run in the coming years.  Eric Mangini exploded on the scene in 2006 with a 10-6 record, only to fall to 4-12 the following year.  The Jets made a run at some of this year's bigger free agents in order to get New York back on top.  Does Mangini and company have what it takes to de-throne New England? No.  But the offseason acquisitions should be enough to help this team rebound and possibly make it back to the playoffs.  But with youth comes inexperience.  Playoffs are a year or two away.

Prediction:  7-9

Buffronto Bills:  7-9 in 2007;  2nd AFC East
Storyline:  Can Dick Juron build off of last season's success and keep the team in Buffalo.

    Ahh, the glory years of Trent Edwards, Marshawn Lynch, and Lee Evans?  Wait. I meant Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed.  It seems that Buffronto has a solid nucleus of players.  Much like in the early 90's, Buffronto has a solid group of young offensive players that may possibly become great.  But that is the key word.  Possibly.  It's hard to compare the trio of Edwards, Lynch, and Evans to three hall of famers.  Coming off a 7-9 campaign, Dick Juron has a sold group of young players on both offense and defense and will likely push for a playoff berth in 2008.  Marshawn Lynch's legal battle aside, Buffronto has somewhat of a "soft" schedule with the likes of Miami 1-15 (2x), San Fran 5-11, Oakland 4-12, and St. Louis 3-13 on the upcoming 2008 schedule.  Last season provided Buffronto fans somewhat of a glimpse of the future in terms of players.  This season will ultimately provide a glimpse of what is now.  With the addition of Marcus Stroud, and Kiwaka Mitchell, they add some experience to a youthful defense.  Buffronto's decision to play Miami in Toronto is and indication of the team looking to expand its revenue and a possible move north of the border.  Buffronto has committed to play 8 games over the next 4 season's starting in 2008.  3 preseason, and 5 regular season.  For Dick Juron and company to prevent a move north, they need to field a team capable of winning championships now.  Although that is still a few years off, Buffalo has a team that can make a serious push for a playoff spot, much like Cleveland did last season.  With the aggressive signing of free-agents,  Buffronto is making all the right decisions to put fans in the seats, money in the owners pocket, and building a championship caliber team, to prevent a small market team moving north to a foreign city.

Prediction:  10-6



Bottom Line;  New England is still the team to beat in the AFC East.  They are the cream of the crop of this division and it will take a few years for the NFL to cycle through.  Teams in the AFC East seem to be building up on defense in light of what the New York Giants were able to do in Superbowl 42.  With one of the perennial Superbowl Favorites in the division, it makes sense for this trend to happen.  Miami is still a few years away from contending for the AFC East crown, while teams like Buffalo, and New York are right there.  Just like a puzzle, these teams are trying to find the pieces that fit to contend with the almighty New England Patriots.