By: Tyler Ward and Stephen Patterson
1. New York Jets (Head Coach: Rex Ryan)
Key arrivals: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Santonio Holmes, LB Jason Taylor, CB Antonio Cromartie, WR Laveranues Coles, S Brodney Pool, CB Kyle Wilson (draft), RB Joe McKnight (draft)
Key Departures: S Kerry Rhodes, RB Leon Washington, RB Thomas Jones, G Alan Faneca, CB Lito Sheppard
TW: The Jets had the best offseason, in my opinion. They have one of the best aerial attacks now with the additions of Santonio Holmes and Laveranues Coles. Not to mention, they already have Braylon Edwards, Jerricho Cothcery, and tight end Dustin Keller. Hell, with those receivers, Mark Sanchez could have a 4,000 yard season (not a prediction or anything). The arrival LaDainian Tomlinson also gives the Jets a solid ground game with the budding star, Shonn Greene, possibly having a pretty good season. With perhaps the best defense in the league, the Jets could possibly appear in the Super Bowl this season (or Tomlinson could continue to have poor playoff luck, as he did with San Diego).
- TW's Prediction: 12-4
SP: New York has an excellent chance of winning this division after a very busy offseason, including mostly improvements. Shonn Greene is one of the best young backs in the NFL and will likely have a fairly decent season. I would say he has a great chance to hit 1,000 yards rushing, but with new acquisition LaDainian Tomlinson joining the team, he will likely be sharing the workload. If Mark Sanchez can avoid a sophomore slump, which many quarterbacks that are successful in their rookie season endure, the Jets will have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL this season if his star cast of receivers can deliver on their end. New York also has one of the best defenses in the league, but Darrelle Revis is one of the keys that D, and without him the team might suffer. Rex Ryan isn't too worried, and while he would love to have him in camp and with the team, he has said he is preparing the team to play without him. The Jets are among the favorites to make the Super Bowl this season, but in my opinion they will fall just a little bit short due to injuries and distractions amongst the team.
- SP's Prediction: 13-3
2. Miami Dolphins (Head Coach: Tony Sparano)
Key arrivals: DE Charles Grant, DE Marques Douglas, WR Brandon Marshall, LB Karlos Dansby, DL Jared Odrick (draft), LB Koa Misi (draft)
Key departures: S Gibril Wilson, LB Joey Porter, WR Ted Ginn Jr., LB Akin Ayodele, G Justin Smiley, DT Jason Ferguson, LB Jason Taylor
TW: I personally like what the Dolphins have done this year in the offseason. The Brandon Marshall signing could be the biggest signing of the offseason. Chad Henne is a budding star in the league and could be in for a pretty good season. I also like what they did on defense, signing Karlos Dansby, Charles Grant, and Marques Douglas. Drafting Jared Odrick was also a good fit with the departure of Jason Ferguson. Miami could very well challenge the Jets for the division crown if all the pieces fall just right. I also see them as a possible darkhorse to make a playoff run and make the Super Bowl. But, who knows - only time will tell.- TW's Prediction: 10-6
SP: While I admit I am a little biased towards Miami considering they are my favorite team, I am also relatively realistic with my predictions for them as well. The addition of Brandon Marshall, who is coming three straight 100+ reception seasons, will definitely help the Dolphin's in the passing game. I believe Henne will be one of the most improved QBs in the NFL this season with Marshall's addition. As long as Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams can stay healthy for the entire season, expect them to have a very dangerous run game as well. The Dolphins have had very impressive offensive packages over the past few seasons, including the Wildcat, and I expect they will get even more creative with Marshall now in the mix with the superstar rushing duo. Adding Karlos Dansby, Charles Grant, and Jared Odrick to the defense were all solid moves that will definitely pay off this season. Dansby was one of the best defensive players in the NFC while he was with the Cardinals, and he just now reaching his prime. Health is the only thing I can see keeping Miami from making the postseason with one of the Wild Card berths.
- SP's Prediction: 11-5
3. New England Patriots (Head Coach: Bill Belichick)
Key arrivals: WR Torry Holt, TE Alge Crumpler, DT Gerard Warren, CB Devin McCourty (draft), TE Aaron Hernandez (draft), LB Brandon Spikes (draft), TE Rob Gronkowski (draft)
Key departures: CB Shawn Springs, LB Adalius Thomas, TE Ben Watson, DE Jarvis Green
TW: Well, I can't say anything bad about New England, as they filled their need....a lot. And that was Tight End. After trading Ben Watson, they added Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski through the draft, and got Alge Crumpler as a solid blocking tight end for Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk. They added Torry Holt to a steady receiving core, but it was announced Monday that Holt has been placed on IR, so he will not be used at all this season. They also lost defensive end Ty Warren for the season and it is unknown when Wes Welker will return..this could be an injury-plagued season for the Patriots. But, like always, the Patriots will have a good linebacking core with Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes, who they added in the draft. Tom Brady will probably be...well, Tom Brady. He's a perennial 4,000 yard passer and one of the best quarterbacks in the league, so with him on the field, the Patriots have a chance week-to-week.
- TW's Prediction: 10-6
SP: New England is a tough team for me to evaluate because there are several wild-cards on their team. Tom Brady has been an amazing QB since taking over the job for the Patriots, with the exception of the entire 2008 season he missed after injuring his knee against the Kansas City Chiefs in the season opener, but this may be the season his numbers begin the decline a little. With Wes Welker coming back from a torn ACL at the end of last season and age becoming a factor for Randy Moss, expect their numbers to be slightly down compared to recent years. Julian Edelman will likely have a good season, and could potentially be the teams top receiver this season. The Patriot's defense will need to continue to grow and improve, as they will need to be in the top half of the league for them to have a real chance at securing a playoff spot. They are pretty much dead even with the Dolphins, in my opinion, with the only exception being the Patriots have won a lot more recently. Sadly, New England, it's Miami's year.
- SP's Prediction: 11-5* (Would lose tie-breaker with Miami if they end with identical records, in my opinion)
4. Buffalo Bills (Head Coach: Chan Gailey)
Key arrivals: LB Andra Davis, RB C.J. Spiller (draft)
Key departures: WR Terrell Owens, DE/LB Aaron Schobel, LB Chris Draft, WR Josh Reed
TW: The Bills, in my opinion, are going to be the worst team in the league this year. They have no quarterback and their receivers are nothing more than unsteady. Trent Edwards has shown that he is not the "quarterback of the future" and Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't starting material. Their running game is what will save them, with a core of Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, and rookie C.J. Spiller. Buffalo's receiving game hasn't been all that great since the Eric Moulds era and with the departures of Terrell Owens and Josh Reed, it looks like it's going to be worse. They also got a new coach, Chan Gailey, who is unproven and has already had an unsuccessful stint in the NFL. It looks like the Bills are in for a tumultuous season. -TW's Prediction: 2-14
SP: After seeing Buffalo's first preseason game against the Washington Redskins, I'm not liking the outlook for this team. Chan Gailey may have walked into an impossible situation when he became head coach. With the exception of rookie C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, there really aren't too many bright spots on this team on either side of the football. With Jackson injured and out an undisclosed amount of time, Spiller will have a lot on his shoulders in his first year in the NFL. While they definitely could have used a quarterback or wide receiver in the draft, adding Spiller will help them all over the field offensively. He truly is an all-purpose player that can run, catch, and probably play the return game as well if needed. The loss of T.O. is definitely going to hurt to receiving game, as it would take a massive season from Lee Evans for this team to have a chance at a respectable record. Trent Edwards has already proven he is one of the worst QBs in the league over the past few seasons, and he will be at the head of this train wreck too.
-SP's Prediction: 3-13
