New England Patriots should be one big time money burner this year. There talent levels just isn't what it use to be in past years, and Randy Moss will cause just as many if not more headaches for this team than T.O. will for the Cowboys.

2007 AFC East Preview

07/06/2007 07:34 AM
By: Marc Lawrence

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots enter the 2007 season as the Super Bowl favorites. But they'll have to fight off the New York Jets and rest of the AFC East before they get that far.

One new head coach (Cam Cameron), a recycled veteran (Dick Jauron) and a young pup (Eric Mangini) go head-to-head against the longest tenured active coach in the NFL (Bill Belichick) in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the AFC East Division, home of the preseason 2007 Super Bowl favorite (Patriots).
2007 AFC East Preview

Here is my take of teams in the AFC East for 2007. Enjoy!

BUFFALO BILLS
Team Theme: Before and After

A tip of the hat for a nice job by Dick Jauron last season. He took over a bunch of underachievers and paid the bills (10-6 ATS), lending promise to the 2007 season. Two huge off-season defections (RB Willis McGahee and LB London Fletcher) were addressed in the first two rounds of the draft when Buffalo secured RB Marshawn Lynch (California) and LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State). Both figure to contribute immediately.

Additionally, the selection of QB Trent Edwards (Stanford) looks to be a 3rd round coup. They will be battle-tested right out of the gate this season as their first eight games are against .500 or better opposition. On the flip side, the Bills close out the campaign against only two winning teams in the second half of the season. That’s likely when we’ll strike.

PLAY ON: home vs. Miami (12/9)


MIAMI DOLPHINS
Team Theme: No Eskimos Allowed

You did not want to be at a Miami sports bar this offseason when the announcement came. No, we’re not talking about Nick Saban quitting on his team, or the fact that it’s been six years since the Dolphins last made the playoffs. Instead, you’d have thought they had traded the ghost of Dan Marino, for crying out loud, when they passed on QB Brady Quinn in favor of WR/KR Tedd Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) with their first selection in this year’s draft. After all, Quinn was going to be the next Marino (in their eyes, anyway).

To soften the blow, new head coach Cam Cameron acquired QB John Beck (BYU) in the second round, but unless they find a capable starting quarterback, the quality of Miami’s 2007 draft is going to be dictated largely by the success or failure of the Mighty Quinn.

PLAY AGAINST: As home favorites vs. NY Jets (12/2)


NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Team Theme: Bombs Away

If we didn’t know better, we’d swear Bill Belichick was buried in a bunker preparing for the world to end. So it seemed this offseason when he stocked up on all the free agent talent he could muster. That’s probably because Super Bowl Bill was only five points, or one good wide receiver, away from his fourth Super Bowl appearance in six years last season.

He proceeded to add wide receivers Randy Moss (Raiders), Donte’ Stallworth (Eagles), Wes Welker (Dolphins) and Kelley Washington (Bengals) to the mix. In addition, tight end Kyle Brady (Jaguars) and running back Sammy Morris (Dolphins) have befriended Tom Brady this season.

Not to ignore the defense, Belichick chose safety Brandon Merriweather (Miami) in the first round of the draft and re-signed future Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau. It looks like he’s planning a major attack.

PLAY ON: at Buffalo (11/18)


NEW YORK JETS
Team Theme: 10 The Hard Way

The Jets rolled the dice in this year’s draft when they traded up to get the two players they coveted. It was a costly move as they exited the draft with only four picks. But they believe that quality not quantity will better serve their needs. First round selection Darrelle Revis (CB, Pittsburgh) and second round choice David Harris (LB, Michigan) will likely become starters at need positions. They had better because the Jets were forced to surrender second and third round picks in order to corner them.

Head coach Eric Mangini made quite a splash in his rookie debut last year when he led the Flyboys to the postseason after taking over a 4-12 squad. Mangini realizes he needs to improve a weak pass rush in order to remain a playoff contender. We’re betting on the come line.

PLAY ON: at Miami (12/2)