2011 AFC East Preview

4. Miami Dolphins

2010 Record = 7-9 (3^rd in Division)

Key Additions = RB Reggie Bush, LB Kevin Burnett, LB Jason Taylor
Key Losses = RB Ronnie Brown, RB Ricky Williams

Schedule = Patriots, Texans, @ Browns, @ Chargers, BYE, @ Jets, Broncos, @ Giants, @ Chiefs, Redskins, Bills, @ Cowboys, Raiders, Eagles, @ Bills, @ Patriots, Jets

Real-Life Outlook = Miami’s defense is one of the most underrated units in the league (throw out two lopsided games against New England, and you have a defense that only gave up more than 18 points once), but offensive ineptitude rules the day. There’s about a 15% chance Chad Henne figures it all out and becomes a reliable NFL starter. He’s going to need to be, as the Dolphins runningback situation is the sketchiest in the league. Reggie Bush will look great in spurts, but is not effective enough between the tackles to be a reliable every-down back. Second round draft pick Daniel Thomas was a popular fantasy sleeper, but has done nothing to generate optimism during the pre-season. Expect the futility of the Dolphins’ backfield to undermine the efforts of the defense and top flight wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

Ceiling = 8-8

Floor = 3-13
No Credentials Prediction = 5-11

3. Buffalo Bills

2010 Record = 4-12 (4^th in Division)

Key Additions = LB Nick Barnett, LB Kirk Morrison
Key Losses = LB Paul Posluszny, S Donte Whitner, LB Aaron Maybin

Schedule = @ Chiefs, Raiders, Patriots, @ Bengals, Eagles, @ Giants, BYE, Redskins, Jets, @ Cowboys, @ Dolphins, @ Jets, Titans, @ Chargers, Dolphins, Broncos, @ Patriots

Real-Life Outlook = One of the friskiest 4-12 teams in NFL history, the 2010 Bills were a treat to watch. Expect more of the same this season, as Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter from week 1 (fantasy folks, you could do much worse if you are in need of a bye-week fill-in than Fitzpatrick, depending on the match-up). Stevie Johnson could be in for the best season from a Bills wide out since Eric Moulds in 2002. Buffalo will be behind plenty again (in case you were wondering, the defense is still horrendous), so expect plenty of balls to be flying Johnson’s way.   

Ceiling = 8-8

Floor = 2-14
No Credentials Prediction = 6-10

2. New York Jets

2010 Record = 11-5 (2^nd in Division, Lost AFC Championship Game @ Steelers)

Key Additions = WR Plaxico Burress, LB Aaron Maybin
Key Losses = WR Braylon Edwards, DE Shaun Ellis, DT Kris Jenkins, LB Jason Taylor

Schedule = Cowboys, Jaguars, @ Raiders, @ Ravens, @ Patriots, Dolphins, Chargers, BYE, @ Bills, Patriots, @ Broncos, Bills, @ Redskins, Chiefs, @ Eagles, Giants, @ Dolphins

Real-Life Outlook = So let me get this straight. A team that starts a quarterback that is barely able to complete half of his passes, that downgraded at wide receiver (believe it or not, Braylon Edwards is better than Plaxico), and lost three solid defensive starters is supposed to be a Super Bowl favorite? Unless Mark Sanchez turns into the 1998 version of Vinny Testaverde, this team is destined for another uneven 10-6 season (which most fan bases wouldn’t complain about, but obnoxious Jets fans won’t be satisfied).

Ceiling = 13-3

Floor = 8-8
No Credentials Prediction = 10-6

1. New England Patriots

2010 Record = 14-2 (1^st in Division, Lost Divisional Round Game vs. Jets)

Key Additions = G Brian Waters, WR Chad Ochocinco, DT Albert Haynesworth, DE Shaun Ellis
Key Losses = DE Ty Warren, S Brandon Meriweather

Schedule = @ Dolphins, Chargers, @ Bills, @ Raiders, Jets, Cowboys, BYE, @ Steelers, Giants, @ Jets, Chiefs, @ Eagles, Colts, @ Redskins, @ Broncos, Dolphins, Bills

Real-Life Outlook = Only surpassed by Philadelphia in terms of the most high profile off season moves, New England appears poised to win another AFC East title. Signing perennial Pro Bowler Brian Waters will do wonders for the offensive line (expect a big season from Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis, aka “The Firm”), and the Patriots young defense can only get better. Barring injury, New England will win the division.

Ceiling = 13-3
Floor = 9-7
No Credentials Prediction = 12-4

10 Awesome Things That Happened This Past Weekend (5/13-5/15)

10. ESPN’s Matthew Barnaby Arrested During a Domestic Dispute

            Barnaby was a fringe contender to make the 10 worst ESPN employees list, but no one in America cares about hockey, which doesn’t really make him relevant. I don’t want to make to much light of this situation (according to police there was no reports of violence), but when did ESPN begin to have more legal issues than the Cincinnati Bengals?

9. Carl Edwards Dodges Scary Crash in Nationwide Race at Dover

            Edwards was so concerned that he caused this last lap crash that he skipped his usual back flip after winning the race.

8. Matt Kenseth Steals Win

            A very boring race was given a bit of a jolt by an odd caution with 38 laps to go. Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, and Clint Bowyer were the three fastest cars on the track, but they took four tires on the final pit stop (to put it simply for non gear heads, that was the wrong decision). Matt Kenseth elected to take two tires (again for non gear heads, that was the right decision). Kenseth cruised passed old-timer Mark Martin to take his second victory of the season.

7. Troy Polamalu Graduates From USC

            I’m not sure what Polamalu plans to do with a degree in history after his playing career, but good for him.

6. Chad Ochocinco Rides a Bull

            Of all of Chad’s antics over the past 10 years, this one is my favorite. It’s one thing to propose to a cheerleader, or Velcro a fake name to your jersey, or even legally change your last name. Riding a bull though is pretty serious business.

5. Lightning Smoke Bruins in Game 1

            Tampa scored three goals in 85 seconds of this one and never looked back. Boston looked very old trying to chase down Tampa’s top-3 lines (you’ll recall they had a similar issue against Montreal in Round 1).

4. Jose Bautista Hits Three Home Runs in One Game

            I’m not sure who is responsible for turning Bautista into the 1996 version of Mark McGwire (more than likely a rogue Canadian scientist), but it’s awesome. He smacked five dingers in the three game series at Minnesota, which isn’t the easiest place to hit a home run.

3. Thunder Finally Knock Off Grizzlies

            It’s strange to say it, but I’m going to miss the Memphis Grizzlies. They gave us an epic upset of the veteran San Antonio Spurs. They pushed a much more talented Oklahoma City team to a 7^th game, despite losing the epic triple overtime game 4. They didn’t put out their best effort Sunday, but what are you going to do when Kevin Durant drops 39 and Russell Westbrook gets a triple-double? Look out for Memphis next year when a healthy Rudy Gay returns.

2. Jorge Posada Refuses to Hit 9^th in Yankees Lineup

            What do you get when you mix a washed up player with an oversized ego that’s upset about his spot in the batting order? This story.

            I was planning on talking about how this is only the beginning of issues that New York Yankees will have with aging players, but ESPN’s Wallace Matthews (who actually gets paid to write) beat me to it here.    

1. Chicago Hammers the Heat

            This was a tie game at halftime, but the depth of the Bulls overwhelmed Miami in the 2^nd half. Unlike Boston, Chicago has plenty of big bodies to clean up the boards and shut down the boards. The only thing that held them back in the first half was some sloppy play by Derrick Rose. Miami is in big trouble if they can’t keep Chicago off of the offensive glass (the Bulls had 19 offensive rebounds).