This year’s most exciting division in the AFC will be the AFC East. <o:p></o:p>
Miami Dolphins was overhauled in the off-season and new VP of Personnel Bill Parcells has the history and the proven track record to bring the Dolphins back to the playoffs that have not happened since Dan Marino retired in 2000. The number #1 pick Michigan OT Jake Long will give the dreadful OL that the Dolphins once had a new burst of energy and 2005 RB Ronnie Brown coming back from injury will have something to run through. The potential pick of DE Chris Long and or DT Glenn Dorsey would have made a lot of sense but the strategy to implement either or was not in the cards with the confiscating of Cowboys Defense and available coaches to the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins will go to a 3-4 Defense that is the calling card of Parcells and with the 2nd Round pick of Phillip Merling the potential replacement for this off seasons trade block Jason Taylor that will probably play his last season with the Dolphins before retirement. The QB situation is good in many ways, it will allow their current QB John Beck 2007 2nd rd pick and 2008 2nd rd pick QB Chad Henne compete for the starting role. This will enable the Dolphins to have invested QBs that can grow with the new found philosophy and if necessary be a future draft trade pick for another team if necessary. The 2008-09 projection (7-9) 4<sup>th</sup> in the AFC East<o:p></o:p>
New York Jets is a team on the rise but may be a year or two from making it to the play-offs. QB Chad Pennington has showed age and inconsistency that looks to be a new Sheriff in town with Kellen Clemons 2 yrs QB out of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oregon</st1:place></st1:state> primed to start. Training camp for the Jets will be interesting since the addition of two new rookies Brett Ratliff and Erik Ainge are waiting in the wings for a potential QB controversy. The RB corps that shows little signs of progress will see the return of Thomas Jones that will be tested highly to see who in the stable is willing to carry the rock for years to come. The OL is anchored by OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold and OG Alan Faneca that without a doubt will be primed to make a statement, as long those behind are able to break free from the oncoming rush. The Jets defense was not the calling card of the organization last year but have made improvements to get better, JETS fans are only hoping that the glory of in stadium hosts New York Giants and last years Super Bowl champs can pick up some of their luck and get out of the pigeon hole that they have dug themselves into. 2008-09 projection (8-8) 3rd in the AFC East<o:p></o:p>
New England Patriots last years AFC Champions and the only team in modern history to go 16-0 was highly disappointed with the defeat from the New York Giants that seemed to have wasted the whole season of hard work. Tom Brady and Randy Moss set NFL records with Passing (50) and Receiving (23) TDs that will have to rely highly on the past accomplishments and next years statistical easiest NFL schedule to make an attempt to return to the Super Bowl that has not been see since the 1992 Buffalo Bills did it and the only team in NFL history to return 4 straight season an loose everyone. NFL analysis agree that after a loose in the Super Bowl the average time to return to the Super Bowl is roughly 3-5 years but after a devastating loose that the Patriots endured after going 16-0 and not winning it has a length of 8-10 years that may mean that the current Patriots team and Coaching staff will have completely turn over when that happens. The FA period for the Patriots was not kind with the departure of the most of the secondary and those left on the defense will be older than most of the players in the NFL. The new rookies that have been drafted will be welcomed and will have a long way to meet the expectations from years past performances and 3 Super Bowl titles. 2008-09 projection (9-7) 2nd in the AFC East<o:p></o:p>
Buffalo Bills are this year’s sleeper pick for the playoffs and have the tools and acquisitions to do it. QB J.P Losman, RB Marshawn Lynch and WR Lee Evans will have an uphill battle but have the experience and foresight to make the necessary changes to get to the playoffs. Rookie James Hardy the newest addition to the Bills will add the #2 WR that will be needed to keep opposing defenses from 8 in the box and allow the passing and running game to take new flight. There chances of making the playoffs are slim but this author feels have the best chances to get ahead of the competition. The Bills defense will be anchored by FA acquisition Marcus Stroud from the Jacksonville Jaguars and the rest of the defensive players are all within their prime or below to keep the spirits alive of doing great things in the AFC East for years to come. 2008-09 projection (11-5) 1st in the AFC East and the #3 seed in the playoffs that will be projected to play #6 seed Houston Texans<o:p></o:p>
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