2008 NFL Preview: AFC East- Patriots Still Team To Beat

NFL Nation is still reeling over the loss of Tom Brady, field general for the New England Patriots. To be sure, there’s no replacing “Tom Terrific.” Matt Cassel has had limited opportunities since high school to show the world what he can do leading a team to the hizzee, and this was a team potentially on a bit of a downhill slide anyway, considering the Pats aging defense and shaky offensive line. It’d be easy to forecast their demise, but I ask you…

…in this division, who will knock them off?

The New York Bretts? While the arrival of the legend adds a spark, I’m not completely sold on New York. To be sure, the passing game is upgraded, Brian Schottenheimer is a heck of a coordinator, and Jerrico Cotchery looks better and better with each passing game. The running game is still problematic. I just don’t think Thomas Jones is the guy.

The Jets “D” isn’t bad at all. You’ve gotta like what Vernon Gholston brings to the party, Kris Jenkins can still play, Shaun Ellis is an old pro, and the DB’s are solid. It will all be a matter of how well they mesh.

I just don’t think the Jets have quite enough this year.

Same story for the Buffalo Bills. Dick Jauron has the best he’s put on the field since he got here. Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans can make plays, but there’s not much else around them, though James Hardy presents matchup problems with his size. Trent Edwards gun may be more of a .22 than an AK-47, but he’s smart and accurate. On defense, Buffalo has a strong front, and solid linebackers. Injuries muddled the picture in the backfield. It’s not completely crazy to think the Bills could vault past their counterparts, especially if Marcus Stroud, Kawika Mitchell, and Spencer Johnson provide the lift the team is looking for. Still, there’s too many questions here to get too excited about this being any better than a .500 team.

As for the Miami Dophins, it’s hard not to improve on 1-15, but I wouldn’t expect much in 2008. Rookie tackle Jake Long is a nice foundation for the “O” line, Chad Pennington is not a game breaker, but he’s a huge improvement over John Beck. Aside from that, the receivers aren’t that good and the fact that Ricky Williams is still around tells you a lot about the running game- and it ain’t good. Ronnie Brown’s knee provides a question mark, and I wasn’t big on him before the ACL.

Given all of that- Bill Belichick still has the team to top on the Right Coast of the AFC. The Randy Moss factor becomes HUGE and he’ll deliver. Lawrence Maroney is a stud, plus Wes Welkeris a threat across the middle and don’t forget about Kevin Faulk in the short game. all Matt Cassel has to do is get them the ball.

Defensively, New England is long in the tooth, but they’ve not proven their ready for the rocking chair yet. Jerod Mayo and Shawn Crable might just be the injection of youth the Patriots need. Best of all (if you’re a Pats fan), the unit is very well-coached and throws a lot of looks with a lot of mix-and-match parts to be a real headache foropposing teams.

What will happen with New England is they won’t go to the Super Bowl. Other than that, there’s nobody really poised in this division to knock them off the top.

Predicted order of finish:

1) New Engaland Patriots
2) Buffalo Bills
3) New York Jets
4) Miami Dolphins