AFC EAST

The NFL is set to open training camps around the league soon. Lets take a look at the divisions starting with the AFC East.

1. New England Patriots - (12 - 4) Missing the playoffs last year is going to give that chip on the shoulder they love to have. Not to mention Tom Brady is back behind center and ready to go. The schedule isn't to scary. On the road in Indy is always tough. A late game in Miami is usually a tough one to win also. Playing in London really shouldn't hurt them. It's no worse than playing on the west coast and they have a bye week after. The running backs are old but it's a deep unit. If Fred Taylor can stay healthy he could rush for a 1,000 yards. Sammy Morris is always a tough runner. Kevin Faulk maybe the most underrated player In the National football league. He was so clutch last year and carried the offense at time with huge runs and catches out of the backfield. Laurence Moroney is in a make or break season. He has broken every year and this could be his last training camp in Foxboro. Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis stepped in and filled a tough role when called apon as an undrafted rookie in 2008. He's is not a game breaker but will add depth. The receiving core is great. Moss, Welker and Galloway will be tough to stop. Brandan Tate is a rookie out of UNC will have time to learn the offense and get his surgically repaired knee back into shape. He could help out as a kick returner. The offensive line is solid. The Pats added 3 rookies in the draft. Second rounder Sebastian Vollmer could get a look as the right tackle depending on how he progresses in the preseason. The defensive line is still very good with the same old faces. Ron Brace was taken in the second round the this Aprils draft. Brace is a massive tackle who will spell Vince Wilfork at nose and come in on goal line situation. He could be the nose of the future because Wilfork's contract is up after this season. Ty Warren and Richard Seymore are back at end. Last years defensive rookie of the year is back in the middle. He has lived at Gillette this off season. He will be a pro bowler soon. If not this year than next. Adalius Thomas hasn't been the guy they thought he was when they signed him. But he is still solid. This will be his third year in the system and hopefully he can stay healthy. A guy i loved from the first day of training camp a year ago is Gary Guyton. Guyton is entering his second season and could start to be a player you notice. Shawn Crable is back from injury. I think if he stays healthy we should expect some good things from him on the outside. Outside linebacker is definitely the biggest question mark on the team. The defensive backfield could be a very underrated unit. Brandon Merriweather has progressed nicely. Patrick Chung the Patriots top draft pick will get the chance to play. The oft injured Tank Williams will make a push for playing time also. Leigh Bodden has been one of the top corners in the league. He has stumbled the past few seasons. Hopefully going from Detroit to New England will give him the drive to succeed again. Darius Butler is another second round pick. He is excellent in run support and is solid in defending the pass as well. He will battle Jonathon Wilhite, Terrence Wheatley and veteran Shawn Springs for the other starting spot. The kicking game looks good again with Stephan Gostkowski back for his fourth season. Chris Hanson did an excellent job punting last season which was nice after winning so many games despite Ken Walter. Patriots will be a Superbowl contender again.

2. Miami Dolphins - ( 9 - 7 ) The Cinderella story of last season is back to prove they are not a one year wonder. I think they have retooled to stay a competitive team. The addition of rookie Pat White will be key to the wildcat offense. White can run and was a stand out throwing the ball at the senior bowl and combine this winter. He will be all over the field making plays for them. Chad Pennington found a home in Miami at quarterback. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams did well splitting carries. Greg Camarillo stepped up to be a tough physical playmaker at wide reciever in the slot. They upgraded the line by bringing in vetran center Jake grove. Ted Ginn has been getting better but is not a true number one receiver. Anthony Fasano and David Martin were huge at tight end last year. The Defense is good. The line is above average. The two young ends Merling and Langford played better than expected. But Jason Taylor is back. If he can stay healty he will be another boost. He could see time at outside linebacker too. If Joey Porter can keep his mouth shut and play, the linebacking core is very good. Porter was dominent at times but coaches became very annoyed with his act. Channing Crowder had a career high 114 tackles in the middle. Matt Roth made a very smooth transition to outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. The defensive backs are good also. Will Allen had a career year. Sean Smith and Vontae Davis will compete for the other spot. Both are rookies with great athleticism. Yeremiah Bell led the team with 120 tackles at strong safety. Gibril Wilson was brought in from Oakland. He had a down year after signing a big deal with Oakland. But who doesn't have a down year when they play for the Raiders? Wilson is a talent. Miami has a tough start to the season. At Atlanta, Monday night against Indy and at San Diego. They will make a playoff push.

3. New York jets - ( 8 - 8 ) The Jets had an opportunity to come up big last year when the Patriots missed the playoffs. They blew it. But the high maintenance Brett Favre is gone. Kellen Clemens and rookie Marc Sanchez will battle for the QB spot. I think you will see Sanchez get the nod. He has been tirelessly watching film and working out. Kellen Clemens has never showed any signs of being the guy who can lead your team to the promise land. The Jets do not have a questionable offensive line however. They boast one of the better o-lines in football. Runningbacks Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have ran well behind it. Rookie Shonn Green had a great junior year at Iowa. But i really don't see him making the transition to a top NFL back. He isn't Fast or agile enough. Dustin Keller had a fine rookie season at tight end. Jerrico Cotchery is a decent wide receiver but may need another talented receiver on the other side to succeed. Chansi stuckey played well last season. But he is best fit in the slot. The defense is solid but there are some holes. Lito Shepard will pair up with lock down corner Darrelle Revis. Shepard has never been great and there is no depth behind him. Kerry Rhodes is a great safety and should blitz more this season. Bart Scott was brought in by new coach Rex Ryan. He played for Ryan in Baltimore. How will he do with out Ray Lewis beside him is the big question. Kris Jenkins is a dominant force at nose. The two ends are questionable and getting older. This team will need an efficient quarterback and luck with injuries on defense to be a playoff contender. I don't see them making it.

4. Buffalo Bills - ( 6 - 10 ) T.O. in Buffalo. I predict a disaster of epic proportions. Trent Edwards is not the guy Owens needs at quarterback. Owens needs a Brady, Brees or Romo type. Someone who can air it out. I see Terrell freaking out around week 6 or 7. They may get out to a fast start and then fade from there. Marshawn Lynch is out for the first four games due to a suspension. That will hurt too. Fred Jackson played well when spelling him last season. Lee Evans could thrive with the presence of Owens. Evans will draw less double teams. The team traded the best lineman on the team Jason Peters to the Eagles for financial reasons.. That will be a major loss. The defense couldn't get any pressure on the quarterback a year ago. They added rookie Aaron Maybin hoping he can help but i don't see him being a dominant force ever in his career. He had a down senior year at Penn St. They need Aaron Schobel back at full strength. Marcus Stroud is A big physical presence in the middle at nose. Kawika Mitchell is the most talented player for Buffalo in the linebacker corp. The defensive backs are a solid point on the defense. Donte Whitner is a very good safety. Young Leodis McKelvin has the athletic ability to start. Terrence McGee is a good player at the other corner. It could be a tough year in Buffalo. But i bet they get alot of media attention for some reason. I give in 8 weeks before Terrell Owens crys on camera.