NFL Preview

A look at the AFC before training camp.

AFC North
I start in this division because Im a huge Steeler fan. So that’s where I begin. Realistically the Steelers have good things to look forward to but that’s all overshadowed by Ben’s trouble. First off the Steelers had an usually active off season by signing a number of free agents. What makes it even stranger is that a number of the players have already played with the Steelers. However in this case weird isn’t a bad thing. They welcomed back Larry Foote, due to the age of James Farrior, and the underwhelming play of first round choice Lawrence Timmons, this looks to be a great addition. Foote already knows D-Coordinator Dick Lebeau’s scheme, so he can immediately come in and contribute. Keyarion Fox had a great game against Minnesota last year but this is a big addition, and Foote is welcomed back with open arms. Bryant MCfadden wasn’t a free agent signing, but was basically swapped out for a troubled Santonio Holmes , who was going to request a big contract, this is another victory for the Steelers. McFadden knows the system and can fit in right away, if he is healthy he should start and be better than Willie Gay. Essentially giving the Steelers the same defense it had during the Super Bowl win in 2009. Also they added safety Will Allen to replace back up Tyrone Carter. Carter was not a good player, Allen should be an upgrade here. The drafting of two young outside linebackers provided depth to those positions and an insurance policy should the Steelers not be able to resign Lamarr Woodley, who is a superstar in the making. Expect Woodley and James Harrison to play big this year (really big) I would predict the combo to combine for close to 30+ sacks. Adding Antwan Randle EL takes a little off the sting of losing Holmes. Randle El can play the slot while soon to be sensation Mike Wallace moves into the spot vacated by the departed Holmes. Byron Leftwich will need to play on a high caliber going into the season as the starter, but he does have experience as a starter and played well for the Steelers a couple seasons ago when asked to step in. Pittsburgh will need to have great coaching to make it to the playoffs, and it will not be an easy route however the defense will be the leaders this year again as opposed to the offense which led the team to an early off season last year.
Baltimore on paper should be considered a favorite to win the SuperBowl. The have a gifted superstar QB in Flacco and a durable wrecking ball RB in Ray Rice. Add to that A Great o-line flanked by Michael Oher and the addition of physical WR Anquan Boldin and plain and simple the Ravens offense is stacked. The problem is like the Pittsburgh Steelers last year this franchise is known for being led by its stellar defense. Even with the good draft picks of Sergio Kindle and terrence Cody the defense is old. The age may become an issue to watch out for.
The Bengals haven’t made many moves but have solid offensive unit with Cedric Benson playing like an animal. The usual suspects will return to form including Carson palmer, Chad Ochocinco, and additions like Antonio Bryant and Rookie TE Jermaine Grisham. If the Bengals can get last year’s first round pick LT Andre Smith to play up to potential than the Bengals offense can be great. The defense needs a big year from the linebacker duo of Ray Malaluga and Keith Rivers and need Antoine Odom to return from injury at the same level he was before the injury, that’s a tuff task but the Bengals should be able to avoid being dubbed the Bunguls again this year.
The Cleveland Browns fans can slowly start to be optimistic about the direction of the team with Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini in control. Holmgren has winning history and has begun the process of turning things around. However the process will be a hard one. Don’t expect the Browns to win more than 6-7 games but they have some good RB talent, a franchise Left tackle, and a greatly improved secondaty unit. I don’t think Jake Delhome can offer much at QB that the departed Quinn / Anderson combo couldn’t. But weirder things have happened.

THE AFC EAST
Got to start with the Jets. They have made enough moves to put themselves in discussions as a preseason SB favorite. Experience isn’t on their side so they went out their way to get some on the roster and that should be a big addition think Tomlinson , Holmes and Taylor. They have a ferocious defense with maybe the best defensive player in the league in Darrelle (Pitt Panther ) Revis and a breakout year by Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene could mean sky is the limit for the J.E.T.S.
The New England Patriots have seemed to have hit a wall since the scandal broke over the Tapes. And it’s getting no easier. Yes they have a smart coach but every year it seems like an assistant or exec that was around when they were winning gets plucked away eventually that has to play a factor on things right? New England hasn’t made any splash moves to put themselves in a better position than last year and somehow they have to figure out how to resign Vince Wilfork and Tom Brady. OUCH….karma is a mother isn’t it? And Randy Moss has already gone public and stated money is not something New England is throwing his way. Expect the decline of the Patriots to continue.
And contributing to that decline…aaahhhh no dish is better served cold than revenge. IRONY at its best is the fact that the BIG TUNA is calling shots for the Miami Dolphins. And he’s been masterful in turning this team into what I can call a 2010 Super Bowl sleeper. The offense has been good now for the past few years just not consistent, but with Chad Henne now promoted to full time starter before the season that can change. They still have one of the best backfield duos in the league and arguably one of the best linemen in the league, add to that one of the best wide receivers. The Tuna is doing work. The defense needs some (work) but they added Karlos Dansby and second year corner Vontae Davis is going to be a shut down type of guy. If they can produce a pass rush from somewhere and good d-line play Miami can play with anyone.
The Bills lost Josh Reed and T.O. Marshawn Lynch wants out and the offensive line is …well offensive. They drafted CJ Spiller instead of a tackle which shows me this team is not thinking correctly. No question the Bills finish last in this division and probably last in the entire league. Maybe they can draft a QB in the 2011 draft?

The AFC SOUTH
The Colts are consistent, and they draft well. Hmmm funny how that works. And as long as you have the best Football player on the planet calling snaps …well that always helps more. Again the Colts are a contender and Peyton has a reason to come into this season with a chip on his shoulder after blowing a chance to lead the Colts to another ring. There’s been a lot of talk in the media that Manning isn’t clutch in the playoffs, so this may be time for him to show it.
The Titans have the best running back in the league; they have a QB who played the best college bowl game ever seen and an up and coming receiving corps. Problem is they keep losing good defensive players.(Haynesworth, Bulluck, Vandenbosch) That’s worse when you’re in a division with the Colts, and an up and coming Houston team.
Speaking of Houston …The Texans have a stout young defense with players like Mario Williams and Brian Cushing…yes Mr. Cushing will miss a few games but Houston is on the cusp of being a decent team…the loss of Dunta Robinson will be heavy but if the offense can continue to thrive behind Matt Schaub then that may take the sting out some. The running game on this team needs to improve and the most important thing for this franchises future would be to do the right thing and give Andre Johnson a new contract. This team should be a serious wild-card contender. The key word being should.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have issues and David Gerard is not the answer nor will he be able to figure them out. However Jax is still not a horrible team. They will need to stick to the old school philosophy of playing good defense and running the ball well. They have a talented running back who can provide some of that equation and picked up Aaron Kampmann to go back to his original position where he was once a pro bowler. They are a lot of questions about how this team will look. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say they finish last in the division.
AFC WEST
Well……this is the surprise division of the AFC….yes I said it….The Broncos started out 6-0 last season then they fell apart….they turned problems into promise by shipping out Brandon Marshall and taking a great young receiver and a great young leader in his place I give them an A++ for the deal. The problem is they did little to improve on their defense which played well for the first 7 weeks of the season. They don’t yet have a guaranteed solution at QB but they do have choices. Knowshon Moreno may be ready to break out with a big season behind Denvers talented line, if the defense holds up for 16 games then Denver can compete for the division.
The Raiders will surprise people this year and win baby…Gone is the bomb that was Russell and in is Jason Campbell and before you Raiders fans say it yes Grakowski is still there too. The biggest addition will be Rolondo McClain who may turn into one of the best ILB in the league rapidly. So all around the Raiders have improved, don’t be surprised to see them in games all year. A lot will boil down to how well they can run the ball and if they don’t run it well, and things continue along the pattern started this off season then look for The Raiders to dump their running backs and look to the draft to find their man.
The Chargers won the division last year because of a great passing attack led by the emergence of Philp Rivers and Vincent Jackson…well at this time only half of that tandem is happy with the organization. However san Diego still has a stellar offense. First round pick Ryan Matthews will be an upgrade over an older slower LT, and may make an immediate impact on the team. The defense lost Antonio Cromartie and Jammal Williams and that will have some impact. The Chargers will contend for a playoff spot just don’t expect them to run away with the division this year.
The Chiefs landed the best player in this yars draft and Eric Berry will have an immediate impact on this defense. The Chiefs have good leadership and have drafted well and I do believe those pieces will begin to come together this season. This team will need another 2 years or so before we see the potential of the last few drafts come to fruition and they could use a free agent or two on offense (T.O. anyone?) but this team will be competitive and should win more games than they did last season. Eric Berry will win defensive rookie of year award.