Sportz 2005 AFC East and North Preview

                    

AFC EAST CHAMP-NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

KEY ADDITION: Chad Brown. With Ted Johnson retiring and Tedy Bruschi's health issues going on, Brown must be able to step in and perform despite his own injury issues.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Ty Law. Law was one of the best CBs in the NFL over the past few seasons...but now he's a Jet. They have replaced him on the field with Duane Starks...but it will be tough to replace him off the field. Now he's still in the division, playing for the team that is probably the second best team in the division.

KEY PLAYER: Corey Dillon. He has his ring...so will he stay hungry? Most likely, since he did squelch any fears of any attitude issues last year with the team-first Pats. He had a tremendous season...but he turns the dreaded 31 in October. With some receiver changes, the Pats may need to lean on Corey a tad bit more.

OUTLOOK: Man, these Patriots are great. Three rings in four years mark it dynasty...but this is a big transitional year. Not only did they lose Joe Andruzzi, Ty Law, David Patten, Ted Johnson, Tedy Bruschi and Roman Phifer....they also lost offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crannel. Getting past all of this is a challenge...but this franchise is built on it's ability to interchange parts. Basically, if Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are still around....they won't suck. They win the division and go deep in the playoffs. They WILL be in the Super Bowl if they gain home field in the AFC.

2-NEW YORK JETS

KEY ADDITION: Laveraneus Coles. After a brief stay in Washington, Coles is back in Jets' green. And that should make Chad Pennington quite happy. Both players made their names together in 2002 as the Pennington-to-Coles combo looked to be a popular one. Maybe the sequel will live up.

KEY SUBTRACTION: LaMont Jordan. Sure, New York replaced Jordan with Derrick Blaylock...but that is apples and oranges. Jordan kept punishing defenses while Blaylock is more of a finesse runner. Jordan was counted on in short yardage situations and as a reliable option to give Curtis Martin a breather. Now Martin may have to run more than ever.

KEY PLAYER: Chad Pennington. How quickly he comes back to form after offseason shoulder surgery could make the difference in making the playoffs or just watching them.

OUTLOOK: I am a Herm Edwards fan. He seems to have his teams playing so well at the end of the season [they usually stink at first]. Same should be true this year. They had a ton of free agency defections...an older Curtis Martin...and Pennington recovering from surgery. I do think they can slide into the playoffs.

3-BUFFALO BILLS

KEY ADDITION: Roscoe Parrish. His own numbers may not reflect it...but Parrish could make a big impact on the Bills offense. His speed and toughness could open things up for Eric Moulds and Lee Evans to make big plays.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Pat Williams. Williams anchored the defensive line and allowed guys like Sam Adams to have Pro Bowl seasons. The team has decided to let youth [Tim Anderson] try to replace Williams instead of getting a proven player.

KEY PLAYER: Willis McGahee. This is his team now...as Travis Henry was sent packing to Nashville. The "big risk draft pick" is now the "big risk franchise player". JP Losman will rely heavily on him this season. If he gets hurt again...the season will be over for Buffalo.

OUTLOOK: The Bills will take a step back from last year's rabid run to end the season. However, it may pay off in the long run. Getting McGahee the touches he needs and JP Losman the reps he needs will mold the nucleus that could vault this team into the playoffs in future seasons. That inexperience coupled with some defensive losses will keep this team on the outside looking in.

4-MIAMI DOLPHINS

KEY ADDITION:Kevin Carter. He and Vonny Holiday will be the cornerstones of a revamped defensive line. If they can hold up...it makes everyone behind them that much better.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Patrick Surtain. Carter and Holiday will be needed to put the heat on QBs since Surtain is no longer patroling the secondary....a secondary that has only one starter [Sam Madison] from 2004. Surtain is a Pro Bowler that wanted his cheese but the Phins couldn't afford to give it to him.

KEY PLAYER: Ricky Williams. With Ronnie Brown holding out, Williams suddenly becomes a viable option to start. He seems to be genuine in his dedication....but he will be under a huge microscope all year long. All it takes is one screw up...and he's back in a tent in India.

OUTLOOK: Don't let the last place vote fool you....Miami isn't as bad as last year. Heck, Miami really wasn't THAT bad last year either. Their offense was in shambles...but Brown and Williams bring back the running attack, Gus Frerrote may take over the QB slot and Saban has brought a commitment to get the offense moving. I do not think they are a playoff team....but they could get to 7-9.

                        

AFC NORTH CHAMP-BALTIMORE RAVENS

KEY ADDITION: Derrick Mason. Wow...he can really open this offense up. With the focus of defenses on Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor...Mason may get some great matchups to make big plays. Especially if Mark Clayton can come in as a rookie and do some damage. This, in turn, opens things up for Lewis.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Peter Boulware. He was a Pro Bowler that was cut. That sends a strong message to the LBs that they need to perform. Well, that, and the fact they are switching to a 4-3 defense this year that will free up the backers. Adalius Thomas and Tommy Polley have got to able to fill Big Pete's shoes.

KEY PLAYER: Kyle Boller. Alright. You've sucked. But that is fine since you had no one to throw it too. Now you have Mason, Clayton, Todd Heap and Jamal Lewis behind you. Don't screw it up.

OUTLOOK: The defense will keep the score close enough that Boller doesn't have to win games on his arm. They'll still be able to run the ball and maybe wear teams down. I don't see Baltimore winning the Super Bowl...but I do see them winning this division.

2-PITTSBURGH STEELERS

KEY ADDITION: Cedrick Wilson. Well, he really is the only guy they picked up...if you don't count Heath Miller. Wilson has the speed to beat CBs deep...but not the ideal size that Pittsburgh likes in their receivers.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Plaxico Burress. Wilson will try to fill his shoes...but Burress made a killing going long and catching Big Ben's pressured heaves. He's in the NFC now...and the Steelers must find someone [ahem, Wilson] to make the big plays for them.

KEY PLAYER: Duce Staley. It already doesn't look good. Staley missed time last year which forced Jerome Bettis into a starting role. Bettis is at his wall now...and Staley has already had knee surgery. If he can't go, then the Steelers are forced to go with the Ancient Bettis or the young Willie Parker. And that won't be a picnic for Big Ben, either.

OUTLOOK: Injuries and holdouts have really killed the chemistry of this team. Opponents learned that if you don't pressure Big Ben, he will make mistakes by trying to make plays. His quick reads under pressure allowed him to exploit blitzes [a rookie QB staple]...so teams are backing off. They have no Plaxico to stretch defenses...so this team won't score as much as they did last year. They have talent to get into the playoffs...I think they just miss out.

3-CINCINNATI BENGALS

KEY ADDITION: Odell Thurman. David Pollack was their top pick...but Thurman fills a need. He is a run stopping LB and Cincy could really use one to help shore up an iffy run defense. If he can do that...it frees up a safety to stay back and stop those really big runs or deep passes.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Kevin Hardy. The Bengals did draft two LBs....so Hardy was expendable. His veteran leadership will be missed on that young defense.

KEY PLAYER: Levi Jones. He already does his job well...so what I'm saying isn't something difficult. But the success Carson Palmer has this year will rely on how "protected" he feels. If Jones keeps Palmer's jersey clean...then this offense could become explosive.

OUTLOOK: Cincy has the talent to win the division. But do they have the know-how? In the last few years...the Bengals have some impressive wins to build on. But then they also have poor showings and let downs. Remember, this team is still pretty young. Carson Palmer is really only in his 2nd year [now teams have tape to break him down] and their entire defense is filled with youth. One more year. I do think they are still one year away from the postseason.

4-CLEVELAND BROWNS

KEY ADDITION: Braylon Edwards. That is if he ever gets to camp.

KEY SUBTRACTION: Kellen Winslow. Just another reminder of the hard times the team has faced. In an offseason where Cleveland waved bye to another #1 overall pick [Courtney Brown joins Tim Couch in that regard]...they watched their 2004 top pick wrap his moped into a tree. Seems like eternity since they last were in the playoffs.

KEY PLAYER: Lee Suggs. With Reuben Droughns and Willie Green on the payroll....Suggs needs to keep churning. If he can build on the good late season run from 2004...he gives his offense a chance.

OUTLOOK: Not much of a surprise...but the Browns are the worst team in this division. By far. The franchise is in shambles and even the Dawg Pound ain't wagging their tails. Bad drafts, bad free agents and bad luck. The trick will be to put a carrot of hope out there that the players will try to use this season as a building block to something special. They are the worst team in the AFC.