The Afc East has been dominated by the Patriots over the last few years, it seems every other year the division does send two teams to the playoffs. The Jets off season consisted of some very expensive garbage buying in my opinion and I believe the team that may sneak into the wild card mix is the Bills. The Dolphins are a few years away at this point my aiming point would be contenders in three years if were formulating a plan and hope to over succeed in year two.
Patriots- Last years regular season record 16-0 notable records Tom Brady 50 touchdown passes for a new Nfl record, Randy Moss 23 receiving touchdowns for new nfl record. Nfl in season 18 game winning streak, most touchdown's scored in a year by different players, most points as an offense.
Last year was an quite a run for the Patriots no team has ever finished the regular season and Conference playoffs undefeated since the advent of the 16 game regular season. I am a fan and lets face it despite a historic run, the season was tough to bear being so close to being undefeated. Key loss Asante Samuel, Eugene Wilson, Randall Gay and Donte Stallworth and possibly Junior Seau.
Additions Fernando Bryant, Terrence Wheatley, Jerod Mayo, Shawn Crable, Gary Guyton, Vince Redd, Jonathan Wilhite, Tank Williams. Sam Aiken, Victor Hobson
Obviously the issue here was youth and speed most notably at the linebacker position Mayo projects at the minimum as a situational player in the passing game. Crable is a pure pass rusher as Vince Redd could be the most intriguing of all at 6'6" and 260 the former Liberty-Virginia player boasts intriguing speed and size. Some say Crable was under coached at Michigan and is strong despite his slight frame. Fernando Bryant should team with the much maligned Ellis Hobbs who despite his poor reputation is actually a better then average player. Rodney Harrison returns to be the force and Tank Williams could be a huge addition expect Brandon Meriweather to challenge incumbent starter James Sanders for the free safety role. Wheatley I believe will be a solid player in Dan Peas and special helper Dom Capers defense. An important note is Richard Seymour is healthy for the first time in several years and when healthy is quite possibly the most well rounded 3-4 end in the league. Vince Wilfork will continue to eat space and Adalius Thomas will move back to his more natural outside linebacker role. A thought loss during the Giants historic upset of the Patriots last year was Thomas play in the game could have earned him mvp honors if the Patriots had held on. Samuel won't hurt as much as the critics believed an early report in Eagles camp is he is having trouble in press technique, not suprising to fans of the Patriots, he is a very good gambler that plays off coverage better then man. Regardless a the additon of Capers and Mayo rate this out very good, hidden gems like Tank Williams, Victor Hobson, special teams ace Sam Aiken and my suprise rookie player in Redd.
OUTLOOK 2008
Very good the offense remains intact questions surround the right side of the line, does Steve Neal get healthy if not does Nick Kaczur slide over and Ryan O'Callaghan take over a right tackle. We know that barring injury Matt Light, Logan Mankins, and Dan Koppen are very good. Tight end has a question of depth Ben Watson needs to attack the middle of the field his 5 touchdown season was a tease, Dave Thomas if healthy can only help in the passing game but this unit is missing a mauler in the run game.
Quarterbacks Tom Brady is one of the best the business of football has ever seen Matt Cassell is unproven and Matt Guiterez could challenge him for the back up job the loser likely to be cut for newly drafted project Kevin O'Connell. Behind Brady is shaky but given the offense I would be willing to bet most people could succeed these days.
Running backs Laurence Maroney finished the year strong he's now healthy for an off season I would look for a breakout season. Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk return Morris fits well and attacks the hole a suprise named SEC back might take a job from either Heath Evans or Kyle Eckel the oddly named Benjarvus Green-Hill. outlook excellent.
Recievers Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Kelley Washington, Chad Jackson, Jabar Gaffney, suprise could come in the form of physical freak and former second round pick Chad Jackson, extremely young while drafted in the second round he physically compares to Colts reciever Reggie Wayne. Possible 600-800 yards and 5 td's to replace Stallworth while Gaffney waits again. Welker is great at working the middle which is often open because of attention to the games best reciever Randy Moss, I don't expect the 20 touchdowns again but who knows the Jets just signed Cameron Worrell and we saw what Moss did to him when he played for the Dolphins. This unit is probably top five in the game as I really like Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals. Big things could happen again for this unit giving the scheduling
Season projection: with a couple of back to back west coast trips expect the Patriots to stay out west
|
