Wednesday, August 20, 2008

NFL Preview Part 1: AFC East

This is a bit of an undertaking....but here we are.... a full-scale NFL Preview by team....
  1. New England Patriots (13-3) - What can you say about the Pats? Totally loaded on offense....loaded (if not old) on defense....there really are no flaws to speak of....I don't exactly foresee 16-0 again because that's really not their goal and there are some scheduling landmines such as @SD, @Indy and @Seattle for Brady and the boys to wade through...Brady will once again go ballistic and with Moss and Welker back, the offense should be back up to their record setting self....I'd say their biggest need area is definitely secondary play with the loss of Asante Samuel...but the scheme really covers up the corners for the most part....Watch out for two young guys...Rookie Jerrod Mayo at LB and #3 WR Chad Jackson....if it's any indication....Donte Stallworth had a fairly good year as the #3 WR in this wide-open system last year.....
  2. New York Jets (9-7) - The Brett Favre road show will certainly generate some buzz...and they'll be much improved...but I don't see them challenging the Pats...The O-Line will take 2 huge steps forward with the acquisitions of Pro Bowlers Alan Faneca and Damien Woody...This team is very solid along the line of scrimmage on both sides as the front 7 on defense includes many top-flight players such as David Harris, Calvin Pace, and possibly rookie Vernon Gholston....If Favre can get on the same page with his go-to guys Coles and Cotchery, their could be a little firepower.....Thomas Jones is the X-Factor for me...coming off a big free-agent deal and a subpar season last year...he has some pressure on him without question....
  3. Buffalo Bills (7-9) - For me, the Bills season comes down to QB play...Trent Edwards is the guy for the full year and he's the clear X-Factor....Marshawn Lynch was very consistent last year (even moreso that rookie counterpart Adrian Peterson)...Marcus Stroud is a huge addition to the D-Line and rookie Paul Posluszny is back to anchor the linebacking corps.... The real downfall for me with this team is youth....just youth everywhere...relying heavily on rookies like James Hardy at WR and various young guys in the secondary makes me wary on this team's ceiling....
  4. Miami Dolphins (5-11) - The Dolphins are an interesting team to follow...on paper, they look much better with the acquisitions of Chad Pennington, a healthy Ronnie Brown, and some increased experience.....but I think Pennington's signing has its downfalls...namely with former #1 Ted Ginn...Ginn has one real skill...he's a downfield threat....Chad Pennington has one GLARING weakness...the inability to throw the ball....down the field....see what I'm getting at? That said, I like what they've done overall....Ricky Williams is back to somehow compete (?) with Ronnie Brown and take some carries (for all you fantasy guys)....that's a storyline to follow....I see a marked improvement here but not enough to challenge for relevance in the division....

1 comment:

Ryan said...

I think the glaring weakness of NE is their secondary...safeties and corners...