NFL Trimester Report: AFC East "Contender or Pretender"

I like to jokingly refer to this as the "Hollywood" division, thanks to HBO's popular "Hard Knocks" series that featured Rex Ryan and the Jets (sounds like a 70's cover band, but that's just me. Moving along...) Throw in Tom Brady and his Justin Beiber haircut, Brandon Marshall and his inability to get in the end zone and the NFL floor mat that is currently the Buffalo Bills and voila, you have the 2010 AFC East. So without any further delay let's get into it, shall we?

New York Jets (5-1)
Going into the season many people were on the fence about the Jets Super Bowl potential, and rightfully so. They brought in a slew of new veteran faces and QB Mark Sanchez was coming off a sub par rookie season, though he did flash signs in the playoffs. But so far, the Jets have validated head coach Rex Ryan's confidence. Sanchez has limited turnovers and gotten the offense in the end zone, RB Ladanian Tomlinson looks rejuvenated, and the defense has looked almost as good as advertised (with or without Darrelle Revis and his shaky hamstring). The Jets are 3-0 on the road, and their only loss so far was by 1 point to Baltimore in the opener. Looks like Rex knew was he was talking about. And Antonio Cromartie still has a LOT of  kids. Contender

New England (4-1)
This '10 version of the Patriots is a far cry from the '07 version that was lighting up the scoreboard like a game of Madden, but they are still competitive. Yes, they traded Randy Moss to the Vikings for a 3rd round pick and a box of pop tarts, but he only had 9 receptions and a few touchdowns at the time. Still, there is no substitute for that kind of talent. They replaced him by trading the pop tarts to the Seahawks and reuniting Brady with Deion Branch who in one game already has as many receptions as Moss had with the Pats. While the move was a but of a downgrade talent-wise, you can bet that the Pats will get max value out of Branch. They feature a running back by committee format that has actually been productive. Rookie hybrid TE/WR Aaron Hernandez has been surprisingly effective and Wes Welker is back and healthy. The Patriots biggest issue is they have no pass rush and they give up almost 275 passing yards a game, and even let the Bills hang 30 on them. That ain't gonna cut it. Pretender

Miami (3-2)
So far, the Dolphins look like the definition of an "average" team. Chad Henne is your average NFL starting quarterback. Not really good or bad, just average. Big off season acquisition Brandon Marshall only has one touchdown reception so far and how are the rest of the receivers? Average. Their running game with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams? Average. Defensively they rank in the middle of the pack. What's that spell boys and girls? Gold star for you if you guessed average. Know what average gets you at the end of the season? 8-8 if you're lucky. Pretender

Buffalo (0-5)
The season for the Bills resembles something like a car accident, just not the kind you have any interest in watching. They are not very good at all and there really isn't anything for fans to look forward to. Maybe the development of rookie speedster RB C.J. Spiller with bring a glimmer of hope now that Marshawn Lynch has been shipped off to be be Pete Carroll's headache in Seattle. But that is doubtful. Remember when the Bills went to four straight (and lost all four) Super Bowls? Yeah, neither do the fans. Move along people, there isn't much to see here. Pretender

-ALR

2010 Preview Buffalo Bills

Los Sigh is all that comes to mind when I think of the Buffalo Bills. When Jim Kelly (yes that is him in the pic) was running the show this franchise was a perennial football powerhouse. Four straight Super Bowls appearances, all losses but still, they were playoff shoe-ins and contenders. A decade later the mighty have fallen, dare I even say Los The Fallen. They have one winning record in the past decade, really enough said. So let's dive into the team who hasn't made any significant improvements, shall we...

Offense

C.J Spiller is an unsigned draft pick, that will provide a good multi-faceted threat out of the backfield. He has the big play threat ability the Bills need, and from what I've read, he has the intangibles a RB needs to be successful. Fred Jackson had a 1000yd season and a league leading 2 tds (sorry couldn't resist), kind of an easy task in a 17 game season, but he did it, look for more of the same from him. Marshawn Lynch is a hell of a back, but who knows if his off the field issues will be a problem, certainly hope not.

At WR, the Terrell Owens project wasn't the answer last year, but I don't think it was his fault. With the speedy Lee Evans on the other side, Buffalo had good opportunity to spread the field, it just didn't materialize. So now with the departure of Owens, Evans has to find a compliment which will more than likely come from... Uh, your guess is as good as mine. Roscoe Parrish comes to mind, but we just have to wait and see. The problem with this roster of Bills isn't necessarily at the RB and WR skill positions, it comes at O-line and QB.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Trent Edwards and Brian Brohm make up the QB trio in Buffalo. They all have the ability to complete an NFL pass, but it's kind of tough when you are on the turf or running for your life most of the afternoon. I just knew the franchise would address these issues in the draft, maybe Colt McCoy, a QB that can run for his life and still pass. Maybe one of the talented lineman that were available at the 9th pick... WRONG... Not that CJ Spiller isn't good, I think he will make plays, I just don't think he was a 9th pick need for the Bills. They did draft Edward Wang out of Virginia Tech, who may turn out to be a steal, I hope so for QB sake, anyway, I wish those 3 luck, cause they will need it.

Defense

The loan standout on defense pulled a Favre. Pro Bowler Aaron Schobel threatened retirement so he could get released. Smart move for him, bad sign for a defense that doesn't have that big name draw that puts some kind of doubt in an opposing offense. Statistically, they were bottom half of the NFL and with no significant improvements, I don't see much of a change. Los Sigh...

Prediction

Last year Bills circled the wagon at 6-10, but with an AFC East that is kind of loaded now, I like for them to be a -2 in that win column. New coach Chan Gailey has is work cut out for him, but he is the man for the job. Good luck rebuilding Buffalo Bills