NFL '04-'05 Predictions (AFC East)

New England Patriots - The big question is can they do it again? The answer is simple, but I'll give my reasons for my answer before actually giving the answer. When the Patriots won the Super Bowl against the Rams four years back, they had several players on their team who had been to the Super Bowl five years earlier under Bill Parcells. That was having Super Bowl experience. Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, Drew Bledsoe, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson, etc. Of those names that I just threw out, none of them (except one) are on the team anymore. Law will probably end up in Kansas City, and he went down with an injury against Pittsburgh early last season and was replaced by younger CB's by committee. Milloy got sh*tted on the season after they won the first Super Bowl, and was replaced with Rodney Harrison. Bledsoe was replaced by everybody's "golden boy" Tom Brady. McGinest is still there, and Ted Johnson was there for the second time around, but eventually ended up being replaced by Teddy Bruschi.
So the question now becomes, can't they just keep replacing people since it seems like it always still works out for them? And the answer to that and the previous question is a resounding NO!! I'd be surprised if the Pats even make the playoffs. Charlie Weiss was the mastermind behind Brady's success. The game against Miami on Monday night football this year was a taste of what you'll see with Weiss gone. It seems like he allowed Brady to call that game on his own, because he'd just been hired as the Notre Dame come a week before. Also gone is Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crenell (the human embodiment of Teddy Rupskin. He looks like a big black dude with a deep voice, but just listen to him talk. He smiles all the time, talks with a lisp, and really puts you in the mind of every 80's child's favorite friend, Teddy Rupskin). Romeo had 3 guys on the field that he trusted with his schemes. McGinest on the D-Line (he's getting old), Teddy Bruschi in the LB corp (his career is quite possibly over. He suffered a stroke this winter that left his hospitalized for weeks), and Rodney Harrison with the DB's. They've lost too much, and they won't win the Super Bowl again...any time soon.
Record: 9-7

Buffalo Bills
This team is funny. They haven't played up to their potential since a 31-0 drubbing of the Patriots the first game of the season two years ago. Every year they go out and draft the same kind of receiver. A short speedy slot-type receiver. Two years ago, it was Josh Reed from LSU. Last year, it was Lee Evans from Wisconsin. This year, Roscoe Parrish from Miami. All of these receivers are 5'10" or shorter, and all weigh under 200 lbs. One staple the whole time though, has been Eric Moulds. He's been carrying the offensive load for some time. Last year, though, he got some help from Willis McGahee. If Buffalo resolves to hand the ball off 20-30 times a game, they WILL make the playoffs this year. Not only will McGahee's success help the team, but it will help the confidence of first year starter JP Losman who was drafted last year to replace Drew Bledsoe, but suffered a broken leg in the preseason.
The defense is there, always has been. With Takeo Spikes achoring them, they will be solid once again.
Record: 9-7 if they're smart. 5-11 if they're not.

New York Jets
One can't say enough about Herman Edwards. He is the type of coach I would love to play for. Chad Pennington is a good quarterback who could be on the brink of greatness. Brady had to win 3 before they "all but PUT" him down as a first ballot hall of famer, but the brutal reality of the situation is that all Pennington has to win is ONE before they make him the second coming of Joe Namath, simply because he's in NY. Those chances just got better this year with the return of Laverneous Cole. They have a great chemistry and are good friends off the field (that's often under rated). As a huge Curtis Martin fan, I hope he still has enough in the tank to have a season like he had last year. He put up HUGE numbers, but he lost his backup in Lamont Jordan, who bolted for Oakland for guaranteed playing time. The Jets organization helped him out though, when they drafted Cedric Houston from Tennessee. Being in Alabama, I got to see a lot of Cedric, and he's a carbon copy of Curtis. So if he comes in and is able to give Curtis some relief, the Jets will be okay.
Their defense will be SOLID for years to come. Jonathan Vilma is a GROWN ASS MAN over there at the Middle Linebacker spot. And as far as special teams are concerned, there's no more uncertainty at the kicker spot. They went out and drafted Mike Nugent from Ohio State. He was as close as you can be to perfect during his career at OSU.
Record: 11-5

Miami Dolphins
This season will be a surprise to a lot of people for the Dolphins. They are going to win more games than they are "supposed" to. Nick Saban isn't a stupid coach. He knows where his strengths are. Ronnie Brown will be a front runner for Rookie of the Year through week 8, but at that time, the rest of the league will realize that the Dolphins don't have a QB, and they'll stack 8 in the box to stop the run. At THAT point, AJ Feely? Gus Frerotte? Sage Rosenfeels? Get the f*ck outta here!!!
The defense with Jason Taylor, Junior Seau, and Zach Thomas and the offensive bulk that Ronnie Brown will carry will only take them so far. The absence at QB will be the killer. The truly sad part about it is that the Dolphins have some SERIOUS weapons at receiver. Chris Chambers is a poor man's Randy Moss. Marty Booker is good for 8 catches a game, and Randy McMichael is a wide receiver trapped in a Tight End's body (i.e. Ozzie Newsome).
So Coach Saban, whenever you get a QB, we'll be picking you to win Super Bowls. But until then...
Record: 9-7 if they get a lucky bounce or two ; 8-8 if not.

So that's the AFC East. The Jets will win the division and the Pats will fall from grace. Miami will start making their way back up to the top, and there's a huge question mark hanging over Buffalo.
Tomorrow, the hardest division in the NFL to pick, the AFC North: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.