AFC East Predictions

So here is the deal folks, it’s that time of year when football season is slow. The draft is over, training camps haven’t started, free agency is over, and rookies haven’t held out for more money yet. So to kill some time I’m going to do an overview of each division, they big moves, big losses, and how I think they are going to do this year. I, by no means, consider myself a football know it all, but I love the game and follow it as much as I can. So here we go!!!

AFC East

New York Jets

It seems like no team was more active this offseason that the Jets. They made two trades for immediate starters and practically gave up nothing, picking up Antonio Cromartie for a 3^rd rounder and Santonio Holmes for a 5^th rounder. The new additions didn’t stop there though, picking up free agent running back Ladanian Tomlinson, outside linebacker Jason Taylor were some other big additions, and if picking up Cromartie wasn’t enough they went out and drafted Kyle Wilson out of Boise St. to go along with Revis and Cromartie. The Jets however did lose some key players on both sides of the ball. Starting guard Alan Faneca was cut lose, back-up running back Leon Washington was traded away to Seattle, starting safety Kerry Rhodes was traded to Arizona, and their workhorse during the season, Thomas Jones was released and later picked up by Kansas City. They obviously felt Jones was expendable after seeing the way Shawn Greene ate up defenses in the playoffs. The Jets had a decent draft filling positions of need, other than Wilson, picking up guard Vlad Ducasse to replace Faneca on the line, and Joe McKnight out of USC to continue their running back by committee backfield. In my opinion their last pick was their best, picking up John Conner, yes that John Conner, the one that fights Synet from destroying all of humanity — wait, what!? My bad guys, he’s actually a fullback from Kentucky. The Jets team is going to use the same formula as last year to win games; run, run, run, run, play action, run, run, they run some more. They’re not going to put the Sanchize in a position to lose games for them, they’re going to run the ball and play stellar defense.

New England Patriots

The biggest moves the Pats made this offseason were made re-signings. The mammoth known as Vince Wilfork was the biggest of them all. The 3-4 nose tackle is one of the most, if not the most important position in a 3-4 defense, Belicheck knew his importance and made sure Wilfork was signed long term. They also resigned corner Leigh Bodden, guard Stephen Neal, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, and versatile running back Kevin Faulk. The two losses the team suffered were tight end Benjamin Watson and defensive end Jarvis Green. Watson looks to be replaced by committee, with the Pats drafting Aaron Hernandez out of Florida and Rob Gronkowski from Arizona, they also picked up Alge Crumpler via free agency. The Pats also gave Tom Brady another option with the signing of free agent wide receiver Torry Holt. The Pats had an interesting draft picking up corner Devin McCourty in the 1^st round to replace Shawn Springs whom they cut this offseason. This should be an interesting team to watch this year. There is going to be a lot of questions, will Welker be healthy? Will Moss give 100%? What about that weak D? By the end of the season we will have some answers, but the one thing we must realize is that at the end of the day Tom Brady still has Giselle Bundchen to go home to win or lose, I think that makes him a winner.

Miami Dolphins

The Phins, as some call them, were a surprise team a few years back with an amazing 11-5 record no one saw coming. This past year people didn’t take the Phins lightly. Finishing at a lowly 7-9, they failed to reach the playoffs and finished 3^rd in the division. The big offseason acquisition was that of Brandon Marshall. Hopefully the change of scenery can help this guy get on track, or will he be a cancer just like T.O.? Who knows, and more importantly who cares? I think this has the possibility of being a big year for Chad Henne. He has the running game and now he has a legit target out on the field, its up to him to now make the most of the opportunity. Speaking of the running game, I hope to see Ronnie Brown come back at full strength after suffering the season ending foot injury. On the defensive side of the ball Miami let go of their starting outside linebackers Jason Taylor, and Joey Porter. This tandem accounted for 16 of the teams 44 sacks, but apparently feel like Cameron Wake is ready to step up as well as 2^nd round pick Koa Misi. We can’t forget about 1^st round pick Jared Odrick, Miami picked him up as another big body to help out the 3-4 line, which is going to need help especially after players like Philip Merling are being charged with assaulting pregnant women (can’t believe 2Ton likes this team – I kid, I kid). The Dolphins are a well coached team and look like contenders for the division title.

Buffalo Bills

I don’t even know where to start. Why draft C.J. Spiller when you have 2 backs capable of rushing for 1,000 yards? Terrell Owens is gone – a bad one year experiment. They have done nothing to better themselves. I’m would like to send out a heart felt apology to any and all Bills fans. If it wasn’t bad enough your team went to 4 straight Super Bowls and didn’t win one, you now have to deal with this. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see the Bills winning 6 games like they did last year, and if I’m right they are fortunate enough to be in the Jake Locker running!

My prediction:

New York Jets

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

Buffalo Bills

Written by Sir Edward Bananas