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AFC
EAST |
| Jim's
Outlook |
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Cyd's
Outlook |
BUFFALO
BILLS
Outlook: Drew Bledsoe has a new team
and a new 32-acre farm in the Buffalo area, complete with a pond.
If Bledsoe can deliver as the Bills' quarterback, the city would
throw in Lake Erie for nothing. Buffalo will be this year's
surprise team. They have weapons in Bledsoe, receivers Eric
Moulds, Josh Reed, Jay Riemersma and fullback Larry Centers. They
play hard and are well-coached. What's missing is strength on the
defensive line.
Forecast: The Bills shuffle off to a division title. |
1 |
NEW
YORK JETS
Outlook: The Jets went about building a defense in
the offseason that should be one of the best in the
League. With Herman Edwards at the helm, and acquisitions
of Donnie Abraham, Aaron Beasley, Sam Cowart, Sam Garnes and rookie
Bryan Thomas, they will give their division rivals fits.
Offensively, they're also solid. While they have one of
the best backs in the League in Curtis Martin, they've got a
couple potential break-out wide receivers (Coles and Moss).
Forecast: 9-7. Could make a serious
run in the playoffs if Vinny can find the magic. |
NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Outlook: Richard Seymour, the Pats' top draft choice in
2001 decided to watch his finances more closely after a group of
vets made the rookies take them to dinner. Seymour's share:
$15,000, according to the New York Times. Seymour made that back
and more as the Patriots shocked the world by winning the Super
Bowl. I'm not one of those who
expect the Pats to fall rapidly from their Super Bowl perch. This
is a solid team with the best coach in football, the mad genius
Bill Belichick. His schemes so frustrate teams that Colts
quarterback Peyton Manning says you swear their playing with 15 on
defense, not 11. Super Bowl hero Tom Brady, he of the dimples and
cleft chin, has been compared to ex-Giants great Phil Simms: not
flashy and sometimes ugly but ultimately a winner.
Forecast: The Pats make it as a wild card but don't repeat. |
2 |
BUFFALO
BILLS
Outlook: Has any team helped themselves in the
offseason more than the Bills? The axing of Rob Johnson is
worth three more wins, right off the top. The additions of
Drew Bledsoe, London Fletcher, and rookie Mike Williams should
all have instant impact. With the team they already had in
place (namely their receiving corps), the Bills should be one of
the most fun teams in the League to watch this year.
Forecast: 9-7. The Bills will sneak in
as a wild card. |
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Outlook: I can't
stand the Dolphins and here's why: 38-10, 62-7, 27-0 and 20-3.
These are the scores of Dolphin playoff exits the past four years
(147-20). Miami is a classic playoff fraud--lucky enough to get
there but not good enough to do anything. Well, we won't have
Miami to stink up the playoffs this year. They've added Ricky
Williams at running back (a plus) but still have the mediocre Jay
Fiedler at quarterback. In addition, both lines look weaker than a
year ago.
Forecast: The Fish fall to .500. |
3 |
MIAMI
DOLPHINS
Outlook: My opinion of this team goes up and down,
and up and down, and up and down. My brother, who lives in
Miami, tells me there is no way in hell they will make the
playoffs. But, how can they not? They have a good
defense, a very good receiving corps and a very good running
back. Is Jay Fiedler that bad? Well, kind of.
The wild card with the Dolphins this year is Ray Lucas, their
backup quarterback (right now). Lucas could be the key
that makes this team click. But, will Dave Wannstedt take
too long to give him the chance? Yes.
Forecast: 8-8. Bill Parcells' name
surfaces once again as the Dolphins start searching for a new
coach. |
NEW
YORK JETS
Outlook: Quarterback Vinny
Testaverde is 38. In football terms, that's ancient (think Dick
Cheney with a healthy heart). Hard to see Vinny able to prosper in
a 16-week season. The defense has undergone a major overhaul, but
is well-coached by Herman Edwards. Stud wide receiver Wayne
Chrebet is peeved that he might not be getting as many passes as
the Jets look to the quick Santana Moss. If so, that means plenty
of sideline shots of Wayne, sans helmet.
Forecast: The Jets join the Dolphins in the .500 Club. |
4 |
NEW
ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Outlook: Some people think that teams will be
looking past the Patriots. Like hell. No one looks
past a Super Bowl champion, whatever their personnel. The
Pats have a tough schedule, including two rematches from last
year's playoffs (Pittsburgh and Oakland). Plus, Tom Brady
isn't that good! His Super Bowl MVP Award was a
joke. The letting go of two players will haunt them:
1) despite their addition of two good tight ends, their release
of TE Jermaine Wiggins (who was possibly the most important
offensive player in the Pats' playoff run); 2)
Drew Bledsoe, who gave a lot of heart to that team.
Forecast: 7-9. Patriots fans will
still be celebrating their Super Bowl win from last year when
their team is knocked out of playoff contention in December. |
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