AFC East
1. New England Patriots
There is no reason to suspect that the Patriots won't repeat as East champions. Tom Brady and Brian Belichik return as a tandam duo, and will again reign champion. Not only that, but Lawrence Maroney returns strong from knee surgury, and Rodney Harrison is back patroling the field as their starting saftey. He is a powerful force still, even though at his age he has lost a step. Quarterbacks must still respect him on the field, and recievers will need to be careful coming across the middle. While Asante Samuel sitting out is a problem that will be dealt with, (think Deon Branch) Randall Gay is filling in nicely, and Brandon Meriwhether will help out as well. Their recievers from last year were not great, so this off-season they brought in Randy Moss, who still has a few years left, and Donte Stallworth, who is a great deep threat reciever who can get open and will help keep Moss from being double covered. Adalius Thomas in the middle linebacker spot will shore up an aging defense.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Bills drafted great help to aid a young J.P. Losman in Marshawn Lynch. Lynch provides a running game that takes a lot of pressure off of Losman. Losman had a great year last year, at least for a young QB, with 19 TDs and INT's. He was sacked a lot last year, but the offensive line returns with a year experience and will hopefully not let their young QB be sacked 47 times again. Paul Posluszny in the middle, will get playing time, and eventually, will help Pro Bowl Defensive End Aaron Schobel get to the quarterback, and will shore up the secondary. Terrence Mcgee at cornerback is almost a top of the line shutdown CB, and will stay strong shutting down most recievers.
3. New York Jets
The Jets are getting good, but are in a tough division. Pennington needs a great year to help the Jets compete, and with D' Brickashaw Ferguson at left tackle, he should be getting plenty of time to make plays. Coles and Cotchery make a decent tandem of recievers, but he has to be able to get them the ball without defenses double teaming both of them. In comes Thomas Jones at running back. Jones isn't a big back, but his speed and experience, coming from a Super Bowl run with the Chicago Bears will give the Jets help in the backfield. The coach, Eric Mangini, was a Belichick product, and is doing a great job bringing this team back to a fighting force. They're a few years away though.
4. Miami Dolphins
They've got a 37 year old quarterback who isn't hitting his targets. They had an off-season distraction with Dante Culpepper. They lost Wes Walker to the Patriots, but Booker and Chambers will still cause problems for some teams. This team could finish higher, perhaps upsetting both the Bills and the Jets if their defense plays as well as they can. Think a few years ago to the Bears, even last year to the Bears. This defense could help the Dolphins finish stronger than fourth, but without a doubt they are in trouble.
