AFC East

Gisele’s Husband has Sexy Hair

By Adam Barone

Quarterbacks lead to success in the NFL.
Mark Sanchez, Chad Henne, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Tom Brady: which of these is not like the others?

New England Patriots (14-2): The Pats lost to the division rival Jets in the playoffs last season, which clearly irritated head coach Bill Belichick.

The Pats added nine players through the draft, including running backs Shane Vereen from California and Stevan Ridley from LSU. Chad Ochocinco was also acquired from the Bengals and running back Clinton Portis was signed after being cut by the Redskins. All will make the league’s highest scoring offense even more dangerous.
New England’s defense allowed the eighth fewest points per game last season, though it was third worst against the pass. Tackle Albert Haynesworth and ends Andre Carter and Shaun Ellis were brought in to improve the pass rush.
The Patriots figure to dominate as usual. Getting over the playoff hump will be the test.

New York Jets (11-5): The Jets have lost the AFC title game two years in a row, but don’t seem ready to throw in the towel yet.
Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason were signed to replace Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery, though versatile weapon Brad Smith was also lost to the open market. Tackle Damien Woody retired as well, adding further questions to the league’s 22nd ranked passing offense.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez, now in his third season, must improve on his 54.8% completions and 17 touchdowns. That will take pressure off of Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and the running game as well as the defense.
The defense, not surprisingly, was dominant in 2010, ranking sixth in scoring, third against ground games and sixth versus the pass. Rookies Muhammad Wilkerson from Temple and Kenrick Ellis from Hampton, a pair of 300-plus lb linemen, will reinforce the front seven.
Sanchez’s leadership could be the key to the Jets’ season.

Miami Dolphins (5-11): The Dolphins offense finished ahead of only the Browns and Panthers in scoring in ‘10, and reacted by turning over the core of their skill position players.

Running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams were allowed to leave via free agency and were replaced by second round pick Daniel Thomas from Kansas State and former Saint Reggie Bush. Center Mike Pouncey out of Florida figures to contribute right away as well.
Quarterback Chad Henne will need to improve upon his 15/19 touchdown-to-interception ratio from ‘10 for Miami to have any shot at the playoffs. He’ll be protected by a top-ten offensive line.
The Dolphins’ defense finished seventh against the run and eighth versus the pass, while allowing only 18 red zone touchdowns (4th best).
Miami will go as far as Chad Henne can take them. That doesn’t figure to be especially far.

Buffalo Bills (4-12): Someone by the name of Steve Johnson swooped in last season and rescued the Bills from national ridicule. They’ll need another hero in ‘11.

Monstrous former Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus could be just the hero they’re looking for, though at 319 lbs, no one wants to see him in tights. Dareus will be charged with solidifying the league’s worst ’10 run defense, though he’ll need help. The Bills let star linebacker Paul Posluszny go to Jacksonville as a free agent though—a clear step backward.
Overachieving career backup Ryan Fitzpatrick is still the starting quarterback. His 3,000 yard season will be hard to duplicate after veteran receiver Lee Evans was dealt to Baltimore. The Bills ranked 28th in scoring last season, so expect big play threat C.J. Spiller to see considerably more than the 74 rushes and 24 catches he recorded last season here.
This team is terrible, as you already knew.  It will continue to be terrible this season.