Brett the Jet, the Brady Bunch, and many more: An AFC East Preview for the Ages

• Defense/Special Teams- I had a few big questions about the New England Patriot defense this offseason.  Their linebacking crew was getting geriatric and on top of that Junior Seau was released, Asante Samuels left and is now the most overpaid player defensive player in the NFL (it's ok Joey Porter, you've been replaced) and so did corner Randall Gay.  What was this dynasty going to do? But in typical Belichick fashion they signed two under the radar free agents in Jason Webster from Buffalo and Fernando Bryant from Detroit. They also signed a pretty decent safety in Tank Williams from Minnesota and drafted safety Brandon Meriweather from Miami and cornerback Terrence Wheatley from Colorado in the second round.  With Dom Capers in to perfect the 3-4, this could mean trouble for opposing offenses.  I don't know if a lot of NFL fans knew about these signings, but I feel as if it is actually an upgrade from last year. Even though Bryant only had 2 INT's compared to Samuel's 6 INT's, I feel like he is a better tackling corner who doesn't always go for the big play.  I like the combo of Bryant and returning starter Ellis Hobbs, but I think that Terrence Wheatley may see more playing time than Hobbs.  They return all starters on a D-line that is at times immovable and gets after the quarterback with Richard Seymour's apprentice Ty Warren giving opposing quarterbacks nightmares.  The aging linebackers got a boost when Jerod Mayo, and interior linebacker from Tennessee and a physical freak was also drafted.  Stephen Gostkowski was 21-24 kicking last year and I expect the same kind of consistency again this year from him.  The only question is who's going to return kicks, but I think the edge goes to Ellis Hobbs; it's too risky to throw Welker out there. 

• Prediction-No perfect season this year either Bill, sorry about your luck.  Even though they have a Krispy Kreme soft schedule against the NFC and AFC West, I look for San Diego to knock them off in week 6 and Pittsburgh to take them down in week 13.  They will go 14-2, clinch the AFC East, avenge their loss to the Steelers in the Divisional Round, take down the Chargers in the AFC Championship, and finally they will get their date with the Cowboys in Super Bowl XLIII and hoist the Lombardi in Raymond James Stadium. Damn you and your cut off sweatshirts Belichick. 

• Very Voyeuristic Award- I'm secretly hoping that Dom Capers recognizes the gifted athlete that he has in Brandon Meriweather and allows him to get a lot of playing time.  He has a great teacher in Rodney Harrison and he is athletically gifted enough to play corner or safety for this football team. Put him in as the nickelback and watch him shine baby.

• Big Bad Bold Prediction- Tom Brady goes down with a freak elbow injury in Week 12 of the season and backup Matt Cassel finally gets his time to shine.  In a crazy flashback moment that reminds us all of the Patriots first Superbowl under Tom Brady in XXXVI, Matt Cassel leads the Patriots to another Lombardi and in Brady fashion, promptly shouts "We F***** Did IT!" Tom Brady is never heard from again and goes out in regular Drew Bledsoe fashion. 

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