Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Miami Dolphins 10-6
2. New England Patriots 9-7
3. New York Jets 8-8
4. Buffalo Bills 1-15
Miami Dolphins
Pros: I love the Brandon Marshall trade, because this was a solid team without a go to weapon. They have that now in Marshall. They have a good young QB and O-line. Their tight ends, Anthony Fasano and Gonzaga High School's own Joey Haynos, fly under the radar but are solid receivers and blockers.
Questions: Its all about health, especially in the backfield. They were 4th in the league in rushing last year, and if Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams can do that again, then the team will win the AFC East.
New England Patriots
Pros: They still have Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Bill Belichick, Vince Wilfork and Jerod Mayo.
Questions: Is their change from old to young on D finally going to take hold? Is Wes Welker as healthy as he looks? Is their O-Line healthy and happy? Do they have any running game?
New York Jets
Pros: Swagger, thanks to Bart Scott and Rex Ryan. They also are extremely deep at WR.
Questions: Aside from Bart Scott and Mark Sanchez, everyone seems to be angry with the team. They may not play with Revis the entire year. Harris wants to get paid. Mangold wants to get paid. Rex Ryan is now fed up with all four of these guys. I think this cloud hangs over them long enough to effect them negatively. I also think Sanchez has a sophomore slump, and they miss Thomas Jones more than they thought they would.
Buffalo Bills
Pros: Umm... Wait... Well, there is the... no... How about... no... I mean... They have three running backs... I guess that is good, right? And Lee Evans isn't bad... And Roscoe Parrish can still return kicks pretty well... corners aren't bad... Oh, and Brian Moorman is one of the best punters ever... So.. you know... Not everything is bad.
Questions: EVERYTHING IS BAD! No quarterback, no offensive line, no defensive line, quesitonable safeties, no #2 WR. They fired their coach, could have gotten Brian Billick, and instead picked Chan Gailey, who is now installing a new offense and defense without the necessary pieces. No good news in Buffalo. Oh, and they probably won't want to pay Jake Locker or Andrew Luck the money a #1 pick QB gets. Good luck, Western NY. Head to Anchor Bar and drown your sorrows in wing and beer. I hope I am wrong. Really. I know enough Bills fans where I have come to like them. But this does not look good.
New England didn't improve, and the Jets are fighting and will be hurt by Sanchez's maturation process. Buffalo just needs to wait for the Draft and Sabres season. I think the Dolphins are the only team coming out of this division.
Wow,,,,bold predictions! Jets fans are livid about the Revis debacle. Seems like it's mostly agent driven although Jets have shot themselves in the foot a couple of times on this. They should have addressed Revis before giving both Ryan and Tannenbaum extensions,,,bad move. The Leon Washington situation from last year (he holds out, came in to play without extension, gets hurt, gets traded) is probably on Revis' mind. I would take less money for guaranteed years but he wants to be the highest paid at his position (sounds like the agent talking).
ReplyDeleteMangold wants to be paid but he got hurt yesterday.