NFL – 2010 Preview AFC East
AFC East
New York
Kris Jenkins is back
The Jets look to go even deeper in the playoffs and have added some big names to their roster. On defense Miami end Jason Taylor and Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie add depth and veterans LaDanian Tomlinson and Santonio Holmes bring some punch to the offense.
Over 40 years removed from their lone Super Bowl win, it won’t be a surprise if Coach Rex Ryan’s squad puts it all together this season.
Mark Sanchez had a better than expected rookie year and thus will likely have a freer reign this season leading the offense and tossing to Braylon Edward, Dustin Keller and Holmes. Behind him the management made some unexpected changes. It’s not often that the No. 1 rushing team dumps two key backs, but the Jets did that with Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. Shonn Greene with 540 yards on 108 carries for a 5.0-yard average is the new main man, with LT spelling him.
In front of them, despite losing nine-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca the fine offensive line really is a good combination of dependable veterans (right guard Brandon Moore and right tackle Damien Woody) and rising young players (center Nick Mangold and left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson).
Though at 31 and coming back from knee surgery, the Jets D will be anchored by Kris Jenkins at tackle but for how long? He is a game-changer still, but the Jets drop off big time if he goes out to injury. A bit older (36) but still an asset is the arrival of pass-rushing specialist, Jason Taylor from Miami. That should help. Solidifying the inside backers are Bart Scott and David Harris, with Darrelle Revis stopping things in the back.
If Sanchez takes the next step in his development to becoming a top flight quarterback, the Jets could very well be playing in Dallas next February.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Mon, Sep 13 Baltimore 7:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 New England 4:15 PM
3 Sun, Sep 26 at Miami 8:20 PM
4 Sun, Oct 3 at Buffalo 1:00 PM
5 Mon, Oct 11 Minnesota 8:30 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 at Denver 4:05 PM
7 BYE
8 Sun, Oct 31 Green Bay 1:00 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 at Detroit 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 at Cleveland 1:00 PM
11 Sun, Nov 21 Houston 1:00 PM
12 Thu, Nov 25 Cincinnati 8:20 PM
13 Mon, Dec 6 at New England 8:30 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 Miami 4:15 PM
15 Sun, Dec 19 at Pittsburgh 4:15 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 at Chicago 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 Buffalo 1:00 PM
Miami Dolphins
Chad Henne's development is the key to Maimi's progress
Despite the likelihood that brilliant receiver Brandon Marshal, acquired from the Broncos will make Davone Bess and Brian Hartline better, don’t think the Dolphins will change from their run-first philosophy remember Bill Parcells is a key executive here.
The combination of Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and Patrick Cobb, with fullback Lousaka Polite will be the primary movers. Still quarterback Chad Henne who performed well taking over for Chad Pennington under the tutelage of coaches Dan Henning and David Lee, has the physical traits but must develop better touch and pocket awareness to add to the Dolphins offensive punch.
The defense is capable, with no glaring weakness, but no great strengths either and should keep their team in games.
Miami’s fortunes hinge on the time it takes for their quarterback to develop.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 12 at Buffalo 1:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
3 Sun, Sep 26 NY Jets 8:20 PM
4 Mon, Oct 4 New England 8:30 PM
6 Sun, Oct 17 at Green Bay 1:00 PM
7 Sun, Oct 24 Pittsburgh 1:00 PM
8 Sun, Oct 31 at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 at Baltimore 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 Tennessee 1:00 PM
11 Thu, Nov 18 Chicago 8:20 PM
12 Sun, Nov 28 at Oakland 4:05 PM
13 Sun, Dec 5 Cleveland 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 at NY Jets 4:15 PM
15 Sun, Dec 19 Buffalo 1:00 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 Detroit 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 at New England 1:00 PM
New England Patriots
Coach Belichick
Coach Bill Belichcik, a man who made his name on defense, will play a more active role on that side of the ball. Perhaps his first order of business is firing out how to plug the hole in the pass rush when Richard Seymour went to Oakland.
Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork are good, but the talent alignment on defense may require a change to more 4-3 play. The hope is linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, can improve on his team leading 10 sacks last year.
Offensively, will Tom Brady return to his league-elite levels from knee surgery? Having receiver Wes Welker, who tore his left ACL and MCL in the regular-season finale, out likely until November won’t help.
If not, New England could be headed for its worst season since Belichick’s first team went 5–11 in 2000.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 12 Cincinnati 1:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 at NY Jets 4:15 PM
3 Sun, Sep 26 Buffalo 1:00 PM
4 Mon, Oct 4 at Miami 8:30 PM
5 BYE
6 Sun, Oct 17 Baltimore 1:00 PM
7 Sun, Oct 24 at San Diego 4:15 PM
8 Sun, Oct 31 Minnesota 4:15 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 at Cleveland 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 at Pittsburgh 8:20 PM
11 Sun, Nov 21 Indianapolis 4:15 PM
12 Thu, Nov 25 at Detroit 12:30 PM
13 Mon, Dec 6 NY Jets 8:30 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 at Chicago 1:00 PM
15 Sun, Dec 19 Green Bay 8:20 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 at Buffalo 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 Miami 1:00 PM
Buffalo
kicker Rian Lindell is Buffalo's steady rolliin' man
Boring, without much offensive punch, and after missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season, the longest postseason drought in the franchise’s 50 years, the Bills cleaned house starting at the top. A half-dozen times since 2000 the franchise has changed coach/general managers. Enter Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey. After being part of 11 playoff teams and coaching in four Super Bowls, Gailey’s strength is offense. Something really needed here as Buffalo was 28th in scoring last season.
The new coach announced he will do it with the same trio competing for the starting job – Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm. Last year they combined to complete 58 percent of its passes with 19 interceptions and 46 sacks. Not encouraging.
Defensively Buffalo’s best is located in the backfield. Jairus Byrd and Donte Whitner, Leodis McKelvin and Terrence McGee are a pretty formidable quartet.
With the spare offensive output, it should come as no surprise that Buffalo’s kicking game is a true asset. Kicker Rian Lindell and punter Brian Moorman annually rank among the NFL’s best. Lindell owns the league’s best field goal percentage inside 40 yards (98.6 percent) since 2006, and Moorman’s 46.6-yard average last season broke his own team record, that is saying something with old Paul McGuire part of that franchise.
On a side note, Ed Wang has a chance to win the starting left tackle job. He is the first player of direct Chinese descent to play in the NFL.
WEEK DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET)
1 Sun, Sep 12 Miami 1:00 PM
2 Sun, Sep 19 at Green Bay 1:00 PM
3 Sun, Sep 26 at New England 1:00 PM
4 Sun, Oct 3 NY Jets 1:00 PM
5 Sun, Oct 10 Jacksonville 1:00 PM
6 BYE
7 Sun, Oct 24 at Baltimore 1:00 PM
8 Sun, Oct 31 at Kansas City 1:00 PM
9 Sun, Nov 7 Chicago 1:00 PM
10 Sun, Nov 14 Detroit 1:00 PM
11 Sun, Nov 21 at Cincinnati 1:00 PM
12 Sun, Nov 28 Pittsburgh 1:00 PM
13 Sun, Dec 5 at Minnesota 1:00 PM
14 Sun, Dec 12 Cleveland 1:00 PM
15 Sun, Dec 19 at Miami 1:00 PM
16 Sun, Dec 26 New England 1:00 PM
17 Sun, Jan 2 at NY Jets 1:00 PM
