With NFL training camps just a few weeks away, and the start of the regular season two months away, it’s time to begin previewing the NFL season. I’ll start with the AFC East.With NFL training camps just a few weeks away, and the start of the regular season two months away, it’s time to begin previewing the NFL season. I’ll start with the AFC East.
The New England Patriots come into training camp as the two time defending Super Bowl champions, but also have as many questions as a team that is rebuilding. The biggest of which is how much impact will the loss of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel have on this team. Rumor is that head coach Bill Belichick will have some say with the offense. While it’s known that Belichick is a brilliant defensive mind, it’s also true that in order to be a good defensive strategist you have to understand offense. Belichick is as capable of this task as anyone. Whoever takes over the defensive strategy will have big shoes to fill as well. Maybe Belichick will have his hands in both.
Another big loss to the defense is losing linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the Super Bowl. There’s still enough talent on the defense to carry the Patriots, though, and with Tom Brady leading the offense, the Patriots could be the first team to three peat.
Should the Patriots falter, the next in line should be the New York Jets. The Jets had a healthy Chad Pennington all year and finished 10-6, good enough for a wild card spot. Pennington will have to stay healthy, and all you have to do is remember two seasons ago to remember what happened after the Jets lost Pennington’s services due to injury. Curtis Martin will also be back to run with the ball. If the Jets can’t pass the Patriots, it will be another wild card year.
The Buffalo Bills will be in their second year in head coach Mike Mullarkey’s system, and there should be some improvement. Willis McGahee showed he belonged in the league after missing what should have been his rookie year with a knee injury suffered in his final college game. Whether the Bills will have enough to contend is anybody guess, but they will definetely make a difference.
The Dolphins big off season moves were hiring Nick Saban from LSU as head coach and re-signing pot smoking Ricky Williams. Williams will be a distraction and Saban’s coaching genius won’t be enough to offset the quarterbacking of A.J. Feeley. The Dolphins will again bring up the rear in the NFL’s toughest division.
3 replies on “NFL Preview 2005 – AFC East”
Tedy Bruschi Just an FYI Tedy Bruschi doesn’t have cancer, he had a stroke and still may play as he is in training camp
Just a few things Pennington was not healthy all of last year, he missed 3 games with a torn rotator cuff.
More importantly it could have been longer. Go more into the Pats. Like the loss of Ty Law, 2 wide receivers, and OL Joe Andruzzi. Go into the what exactly will make the Bills better, because although McGahee carried the offense, defense outscored the offense I think 3 games in a row last year.
Could have been better. but i agree with how you think the AFC East will end up.
OK read While I disagree with some of your takes and information, the substance of the article is not bad. The order of finish is reasonable, but you left out a lot of information (like Buffalo going with a 2nd year quarterback, probably making them finish last) and some of your information was inaccurate (like Ricky Williams resinging with the Dolphins. He restructured his deal).