AFC East Season Preview

Lets start out with the mighty New York Jets! I was a fan of the Jets for 30 years and have recently decided to end this abusive relationship... kind-of-like "a dog that's been kicked too much", to quote The Boss. But I still have lots of opinions about this cursed franchise.

***New York Jets***

What I like:

• They have a legitimate starting QB who is both popular with fans and the locker room.
• They have a smart, disciplined Head Coach who is all about accountability.
• Forte and Powell should be an outstanding and dynamic one/ two punch out of the backfield.
• Pryor showed some real progress in his sophomore campaign, and Gilchrest fit in very well last year. This could possibly be the best safety duo in the league in 2016.  The are both very much under the radar.

What I hate:

• The O-line is a mess. Even with Clady healthy for 16 games they are a C+ squad. And I see little to no chance Clady plays even 8 games. Without him they are a D-. No team can win with a D- offensive line.
• The Jets haven't had an elite threat at TE since... well since my whole 30 years as a fan at least. Kellen Davis is currently #1 on the depth chart one week into training camp. Wow, just wow.
• The LB corps. is terrible. Two old man in the middle and a bunch of young nobody's on the outside. Boy did OLB deserve a huge free agent signing or a 1st round pick. Another hole the Jets haven't been able to fill during any of the previous THREE GM's reigns.
• No legitimate #3/ slot receiver. Decker, Marshall... and then nobody. All you need is for one of our two top wideouts to go down and the offense is back to the stone ages.
• Drafting Hackenberg was simply dumb. Petty and Hackenberg are very similar prospects. Combined with Geno and FitzMagic one of them will have to be dumped. We won't have 4 QB's on the final 53. Really confusing move.
• The chances Fitz stays healthy for 16 games and can replicate his performance from last season are both very slim. The Jets did a great job signing him for short money, but I still don't think he can lead a team to the playoffs.

I predict 7-9 and back to the drawing board next offseason for the star crossed Jets.

***New England Patriots***

What I like:

• Free Agent signings of Chris Hogan and Martellus Bennett. Their pass catchers are under the radar right now. As a group, including the WR's, TE's and RB's, they are a bunch of match up nightmares.
• O-line should be much improved this year.
• Chung and McCourty are both game changers.

What I hate:

• Tom Brady's face (LOL)
• Trading Chandler Jones. Just plain stupid. Their pass rush was weak with him in the line up, now it's a joke.
• Not signing a veteran back up QB. If Garoppolo goes down in the pre-season the Pats are 0-4, it's that simple.

I think they miss the playoffs at 8-8

***Buffalo Bills***

What I like:

• Tyrod Taylor is an exciting story. Finally someone let a guy who wasn't a bluechip prospect to ride the bench for a few years, learn and develop, compete in camp, win the job and go out and win games. I am not convinced he can be their savior, but at least he's getting his shot.
• O-line is very solid.
• The offense is overflowing with weapons.
• Their offensive coordinator is the best coach on their staff, and he is allowed to do whatever he wants on that side of the ball.

What I hate:

• Their whole draft.
• Their loser Head Coach.
• Their undisciplined defense, that was terribly exposed last year.

I see them going 9-7 and making the playoffs.

***Miami Dolphins***

What I like:

• Their WR's. 3 exciting guys a top their depth chart. I also like the TE Cameron, but he's always hurt.
• I am the biggest Jay Ajayi fan on the east coast I think. I loved him in the 2015 draft, I think they got an amazing value where they picked him, and I think he can replace Miller no problem.

What I hate:

• Basically their entire off season. I heard a quote "The Dolphins did an outstanding job of getting older and more injury prone this offseason". So accurate.
• Hate the trade for Maxwell and Alonzo.
• Hate the signings of Mario Williams and Arian Foster. The Foster thing will be remembered as essentially a swap of Arian Foster and Lamar Miller between the Phins and Texans. No way Miami comes out looking good with that comparison.
• Their secondary is a joke.
• Their O-line isn't funny, it's just sad.
• Tannehill needs a change of scenery. Four seasons and not even a playoff birth from a 1st round pick?? Not acceptable.  
• Oh, and I hate their choice for Head Coach.

I predict 5-11 and hopefully Tannenbaum is out on his ear.

-Jay Wagner