By Adam Kiefaber
2006 Standings
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: 12-4 (won division title)
NEW YORK JETS: 10-6 (made playoffs)
BUFFALO BILLS: 7-9
MIAMI: 6-10
2007 prediction: NFLonlinewagering.com
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: 12-4 (will win division) 
- QB Tom Brady finally has some wide receivers, the team signed Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Wes Walker in the offseason. Also, the team got the best linebacker on the market in Adalius Thomas. Currently, New England is odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl at 5/1.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: 7-9
- Miami continues to try to find the next Dan Marino. Dante Culpepper out, Trent Green in. I think that the Dolphins are one of the few times in the AFC that is hard to predict. They have an easier schedule than everyone in their division and have the best defense. The team added LB Joey Porter to go along with stars LB Zach Thomas and DE Jason Taylor.
NEW YORK JETS: 7-9
- The Jets had a very easy schedule in ’06 and made the playoffs with a 10-6 record. Other previews have the Jets improving, but I just don’t see it. The team added RB Thomas Jones, which is a huge upgrade and they didn’t lose that much talent in the offseason. The schedule will challenge the Jets and we shall see how good this team really is.
BUFFALO BILLS: 5-11
-Poor Buffalo, I believe that this team is getting better, but it will have a worst record this season. They lost a bunch of talent this offseason in CB Nate Clements, LB London Fletcher, RB Willis McGahee and LB Takeo Spikes. However, the Bills upgraded their offensive line and that should improve the good young core this team already has.
2007 predictions: Sporting News
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: 14-2 (publication has team winning the Super Bowl)
NEW YORK JETS: 9-7 (publication has team just missing the playoffs)
BUFFALO BILLS: 5-11
MIAMI DOLPHINS: 5-11
Athlon Sports
1- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (publication has team winning the Super BowL)
2- NEW YORK JETS (publication has team making the playoffs)
3- MIAMI DOLPHINS
4- BUFFALO BILLS
(Click on AFC EAST or Team’s City under Categories on right side of screen to see team-by-team breakdowns from nflonlinewagering.com)
July 19th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC EAST |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC EAST PREVIEW
The Questionable
MIAMI DOLPHINS
2006 Record: 6-10
Last Year Summary: Last offseason, the Dolphins traded for QB Dante Culpepper. In ’04, Culpepper had one of the greatest seasons a QB has ever had- throwing for 4,717 yards with 39 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions (he completed 69.2% of his passes). Culpepper injured his knee in ’05 and struggled into the ’06 season with Miami. 
Culpepper started the first four games and led Miami to a 1-3 record including a disappointing 16-6 loss at home against Buffalo and a 17-15 loss on the road to the Houston Texans. QBs Joey Harrington and Cleo Lemon filled in and didn’t do much better. RB Ronnie Brown had another solid season rushing for 1,008 yards and five touchdowns in his second NFL season. Due to the QB problems, WR Chris Chambers had a down year with 59 catches for 677 yards and four touchdowns (compared to 82 catches for 1,118 yards and 11 touchdowns in ’05). The Dolphins defense was strong last year allowing the fourth least amount of yards in the NFL. LB Zach Thomas finished with an NFL-leading 165 total tackles and three sacks while Pro-Bowl DE Jason Taylor had 13.5 sacks.
Additions: LB Joey Porter (Pittsburgh), QB Trent Green (Kansas City), DE Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (San Diego), FS Cameron Worrell (Chicago), OT Mike Rosenthal (Minnesota), FB Cory Schleslinger (Detroit), TE David Martin (Green Bay) and K Jay Feely (NYG).
Subtractions: QB Dante Culpepper, OL Bennie Anderson, RB Darian Barnes (to NYJ), DE David Bowens (to NYJ), DE Kevin Carter (to TB), OG Toniu Fonoti (to ATL), QB Joey Harrington (to ATL), OG Jeno James, WR Eric Kimble, K Olindo Mare (to NO), OT Damion McIntosh (to KC), OL Seth McKinney (to CLE), TE Randy McMichael (to STL), RB Travis Minor (to STL), RB Sammy Morris (to NE), WR Wes Welker (to NE), DT Jeff Zgonina (to HOU) and P Donnie Jones (to STL).
2007 Season Prediction: This year Miami is losing a bunch of players that shouldn’t hurt them that much. The biggest losses include, WR Wes Welker, TE Randy McMichael and a lot on the offensive line. The Dolphins could either be very good or terrible. The team did acquire two key players this offseason. LB Joey Porter should help out what already is a good defense. Most of Miami’s success depends on the play of QB Trent Green. Last year, Green wasn’t himself after being knocked out by Bengals DE Robert Geathers in Week One. However from ’02 through the ’05 season, Green has been spectacular. Dolphin fans wanted their team to pick Brady Quinn with the ninth overall pick in ’07 NFL Draft, but Miami went with WR Ted Ginn Jr. Miami did draft QB John Beck from BYU with the 40th overall pick and will be groomed as the QB of the future. The tougher road games this season include Philadelphia (Nov. 18), Pittsburgh (Nov. 26) and New England (Dec. 23). The tougher homes games will be Dallas (Sept. 16), New England (Oct. 21), Baltimore (Dec. 16) and Cincinnati (Dec. 30).
Best Rookie: RB Lorenzo Booker- Ronnie Brown figures to the starter, but Booker feels like he has a lot to prove after dropping all the way down to the third round of the ’07 NFL Draft. Personally, I don’t think Ted Ginn Jr. is ready to have a breakout season as a rookie (good returner- but not as a WR). And second-rounder John Beck will ride the bench this season. Booker will be able to step in right away and be a solid third-down back.
Big Games of the Year: vs. NY Giants (Oct. 28- 1:00pm in London), at Pittsburgh (Nov. 26- 8:30pm-Monday), at New England (Dec. 23- 1:00pm) and vs. Cincinnati (Dec. 30- 1:00pm)
Projected Record: 7-9
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Dolphins to win the AFC East is 12/1. The win total betting is set at seven games. Currently, the Bills odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 75/1.
July 16th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC EAST, Miami |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC EAST PREVIEW
The Rebuilding Project
BUFFALO BILLS
2006 Record: 7-9
Last Year Summary: Head Coach Dick Jauron did a solid job in his first year with the Bills. Buffalo improved their record to 7-9 from 5-11 in 2005. In ’06, J.P. Losman was the full-time starting quarterback for the first time and performed better than I expected. Losman finished the year with 3,051 yards and with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 19-14 (also, completed 62.5% of his passes). WR Lee Evans became his favorite target (82 catches for 1,292 yards and 8 touchdowns). Evans’ previous high for yards and receptions was in ’04 (with 48 for 843 yards). Last year, RB Willis McGahee had his worst season as a Bill and rushed for 990 yards and six touchdowns. Rookie safety Donte Whitner performed well finishing the season with 105 tackles. 
The Bills exceeded expectations with wins over Miami (twice), NY Jets, Green Bay Packers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bills fans should be happy with the direction of this team.
Additions: OG Derrick Dockery (Washington), DT Darwin Walker (Philadelphia), OT Langston Walker (Oakland), OL Jason Whittle (Minnesota) and RB Josh Scobey (Seattle).
Subtractions: CB Nate Clements (to SF), London Fletcher (to WAS), Willis McGahee (to BAL), Takeo Spikes (to PHI), WR Andre Davis (to BUF), OG Mike Gandy (to ARI), QB Kelly Holcomb (to PHI), OG Chris Villarrial, OG Tutan Reyes, S Matt Bowen, and Daimon Shelton.
2007 Season Prediction: The Bills are losing a lot of their talent that was acquired during the Gregg Williams and Mike Mularkey tenures. Clements, Fletcher, McGahee and Spikes are proven stars. However, the team is younger and those players had to be eventually let go. Buffalo had an interesting draft where they got RB Marshawn Lynch, LB Paul Posluszny, QB Trent Edwards and RB Dwayne Wright in their first-four draft choices. Also, the Bills added one of the top free-agent offensive guards in Derrick Dockery, who signed a seven-year contract. “I think we’re better on offense and defense,” said Jauron. “We’re better athletically. I think we’re faster. We’re bigger and better up front on the offensive side. I believe we have improved ourselves there. That should help us both running and passing and should give J.P. a chance to keep improving.” I think the Bills are improving their team for the long run, but it is hard to imagine them being able to complete in a tough AFC East this season. Add to that, the Bills have an extremely hard schedule this year. Challenging road games include Pittsburgh (Sept. 16), New England (Sept. 23), Jacksonville (Nov. 25) and Philadelphia (Dec. 30). Some highlighted home games include Denver (Sept. 9), Dallas (Oct. 8), Baltimore (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 4), New England (Nov. 18) and NY Giants (Dec. 23).
Best Rookie: RB Marshawn Lynch- In the spring, Lynch has been taking the bulk of the reps with first-team offense. Lynch left the Cal Golden Bears after his junior season. He needed only 167 more yards to break the school’s rushing record. He should split carries with Anthony Thomas this season, but figures to be a front-runner for the AFC rookie of the year. Keep an eye on fourth-round pick RB Dwayne Wright out of Fresno State. Wright has been impressive this spring and could end up being a great running back.
Big Games of the Year: vs. Denver (Sept. 9- 1:00pm- opener), vs. NY Jets (Sept. 30- 1:00pm), vs. Dallas (Oct. 8- 8:30pm- Monday) at NY Jets (Oct. 28- 4:05pm) vs. NY Giants (Dec. 23- 1:00pm)
Projected Record: 5-11
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Bills to win the AFC East is 15/1. The win total betting is set at six games. Currently, the Bills odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 75/1.
July 16th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC EAST, Buffalo |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC EAST PREVIEW
The Mangini Surprise
NEW YORK JETS
2006 Record: 10-6
Last Year Summary: First-year Head Coach Eric Mangini turned around a 6-10 ’05 Jets team to a 10-6 playoff team. Mangini used to be part of the Bill Belichick coaching staff, but unlike Romeo Crennel (HC of CLE) and Charlie Weis 
(HC at Notre Dame), Belichick didn’t think Mangini was ready to be a head coach. Mangini proved him wrong by beating the Patroits 17-14 on the road, earning him the nickname ‘Mangenius’. That win began a streak where the Jets won six of eight to end the season, which allowed the young team to clinch a playoff berth. However in the playoffs, New England got their revenge by crashing the Jets 37-16.
Additions: RB Thomas Jones (Chicago), DE Kenyon Coleman (Dallas), DE David Bowens (Miami), DE Andre Wadsworth (comeback), QB Marques Tuiasosopo (Oakland), RB Darian Barnes (Miami), and DE Michael Haynes.
Subtractions: QB Patrick Ramsey (to DEN), RB Kevin Barlow (to PIT), DE Dave Ball (to CAR), FB B.J. Askew (to TB), RB Derrick Blaylock and OT Trey Teague.
2007 Season Prediction: The best part about going 6-10 in ’05, is that your schedule will be much easier the following season. Some argued that the main reason for the Jets success last year was the easy schedule. Well, we will find out this year- tough road games include Baltimore (Sept. 16), Cincinnati (Oct. 21), Dallas (Nov. 22), New England (Dec. 16) and Tennessee (Dec 23). Tough home games include New England (Sept. 9), Philadelphia (Oct 14), Pittsburgh (Nov. 18) and Kansas City (Dec. 30). The Jets biggest weakness last year was not having a go-to running back. Welcome Thomas Jones from Chicago. Jones rushed for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns last year for the Bears. Also, he had 36 receptions out of the backfield. I expect the Jets to struggle against a very tough schedule. However, they have a good young team and could compete for one of the last wild-card spots.
Best Rookie: CB Darrelle Revis- The Jets traded up to get the DB from Pittssburgh. The debate going into the draft was- Who is the best cornerback available, Revis or Leon Hall? Revis has already impressed his HC- “I like the way Darrelle jams the line of scrimmage,” Mangini said. “He’s a very physical player. I like his competitiveness. He’s consistently working toward the ball. He’s trying to work with the older guys to understand some of the things they’ve learned through time. You like to see that proactive approach that he has.”
Big Games of the Year: vs. New England (Sept. 9- 1:00pm-opener), at NY Giants (Sept. 30- 1:00pm), at New England (Dec. 16- 1:00pm) and vs. Kansas City (Dec. 30- 8:15pm- last game of regular season)
Projected Record: 7-9
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Jets to win the AFC East is 4/1. I would consider that a bad bet because you have to figure the Pats will win the East. If you like the Jets, you might as well bet them to win the Super Bowl (odds @ 25/1) Also, the win total betting is set at 8.5 games.
July 13th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC EAST, New York Jets |
no comments
By Adam Kiefaber
AFC EAST PREVIEW
The Favorite
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2006 Record: 12-4 (AFC East Champions)
Last Year Summary: The Pats entered the playoffs with a rematch against divisional foe New York. The Pats won the first meeting in NY 24-17, but lost the second matchup at home 17-14. As expected, New England took care of business in the postseason by crashing the Jets 37-16. In the divisional playoff game at San Diego, the Pats won a nail biter 24-21. Then NE blew a giant lead to the Indianapolis Colts in what turned out to be one of the better AFC Championships of all time. 
Five minutes into the second quarter, CB Asante Samuel intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and ran it back 39 yards for the touchdown, making the score 21-3. However the Colts came back and won the game 38-34 on their way to a Super Bowl title.
Additions: WR Randy Moss (Oakland), LB Adalius Thomas (Baltimore), WR Donte Stallworth (Philadelphia), WR Kelley Washington (Cincinnati), TE Kyle Brady (Jacksonville), CB Tory James (Cincinnati), RB Sammy Morris (Miami), CB Eddie Jackson (Miami) and WR Wes Walker (Miami).
Subtractions: LB Tully Banta-Cain (to SF), Corey Dillon (retired?), TE Daniel Graham (to DEN), DE Marquise Hill (deceased), LB Don Davis (retired) and P Todd Sauerbrun (to DEN).
2007 Season Prediction: The past six seasons, the Pats have been the best team in the NFL compiling a record of 70-26 and winning three Super Bowls. They are the favorite to win it all because of how close they came in ’06 and because of the offseason additions of WR Randy Moss and LB Adalius Thomas. The Pats biggest need last year was the WR position and they added four new wide outs for QB Tom Brady. The Pats have tough road games against Cincinnati (Oct. 1), Dallas (Oct. 7), Indianapolis (Nov. 4) and Baltimore (Dec. 3). The Pats toughest home games include San Diego (Sept. 16), Philadelphia (Nov. 25) and Pittsburgh (Dec. 9). However, I feel the Pats should be able roll into the playoffs with a bye.
Best Rookie: S Brandon Meriweather- He could have been the best defensive back available in the NFL Draft. However, he slipped to New England with the 24th pick overall in the first round because of character issues. Last year, he served a one-game suspension for that ugly fight in October against Duke. Last summer, his Miami teammate Willie Cooper was shot in the butt. In response, Meriweather pulled out a gun and fired three times at the butt attacker. Nonetheless, Meriweather has been compared to Ed Reed over and over again. And if you don’t know, he is good.
Big Games of the Year: vs. San Diego (Sept. 16- 8:15pm), at Cincinnati (Sept. 23- 8:30pm), at Indianapolis (Nov. 4- 4:15pm)
Projected Record: 12-4 or 13-3
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Patriots to win the AFC East is 1/6. That doesn’t pay much, but it is close to what gamblers call a lock. However, one would have to bet $1,000 to earn any thing back. Also, the win total betting is set at 11 games. Currently, the Patroits are favored to win the Super Bowl (odds @ 5/1).
July 13th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
New England, AFC EAST |
no comments
