Divisional Analysis: AFC East

I’m excited. Let me say that again, I’M EXCITED. This morning I turned on my T.V. and you know what I saw? Footage of Tom Brady throwing a football. And this was no Super Bowl replay my friends, it was a live look-in at the Patriot’s training camp, which started today. On top of that, they are practicing in the rain, which obviously means that it will rain during at least five games this season and New England will be the only team prepared for it. And the Patriots aren’t the only team starting training camp, practice jerseys are popping up all over the league. Football is nigh, people. Nigh! (A word which in this case means right around the corner).

You’ve probably forgotten, but there are actually three other teams in the AFC East besides the Patriots. I know, it’s hard to tell. However, this season those other teams might make you take notice, and the squad with the best chance of that is the Miami Dolphins. Miami wasted no time during free agency signing Danell Ellerbe, Mike Wallace, and Brent Grimes, among others. Second-year QB Ryan Tannehill, who was respectable as a rookie, and with an upgraded receiving corps, should only improve. Personally, I was shocked when the Dolphins decided to release RB Reggie Bush, who was coming off of two solid seasons, but apparently sophomore Lamar Miller is THAT good. There are plenty of training camp storylines here as well. With Jake Long now gone, someone will have to seal the left side and protect Tannehill. It also stands to be seen how so many free agents on defense will mesh. I don’t see Miami unseating New England, but they might be able to snag a wild card spot.

Here’s a name you might remember: Rex Ryan. The somehow-still head coach of the Jets has made headlines in the past for making bold, Joe Namath-esque claims (without the payout). In 2013, Ryan has slimmed down and shut his mouth. His team also began training camp today in New Jersey, and the battle to watch there couldn’t be more obvious. New Jersey drafted quarterback Geno Smith in the second round, and he is determined to earn the starting job. Meanwhile, that Sanchez guy still wants to be the starter. Outside of the quarterback competition, there are at least 13 wide-open starting positions. This team is so up in the air, I doubt I could name more than five of their players. But hey, the Jets re-signed Braylon Edwards, so….yeah. If they’re lucky, the Jets might pull off a 6-10 season.

Did you know that Buffalo has a professional football team? No, really, they do! They were even really good inthe 90’s! Unfortunately, the Buffalo Bills have been bottom-feeding in the AFC East for quite some time now. However, they have taken steps toward improvement. Buffalo recently ousted the Coach-Quarterback duo of Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will never be remembered for anything besides perpetuating mediocrity. Buffalo made E.J. Manuel the only first-round quarterback in the 2013 draft, and hired former Syracuse coach Doug Marrone. A rookie quarterback and rookie coach usually spell rebuilding for a team, and the Bills certainly have time to wait. It remains to be seen if Manuel will beat out Kevin Kolb to start in training camp, and keep your eye on RB C.J. Spiller. There’s no competition for his job, he’s just really exciting to watch. Buffalo will probably end up last in this division again, but things are looking up for the long-term.

My absolutely unbiased intuition says that New England is still tops in this division, but the Bills, Dolphins, and Jets may be able to avoid getting swept for a second year in a row. And seriously, don’t count out Miami; they could really make some noise this season. That noise might be booing, but it’s noise either way. As always, the comments section welcomes you with open arms.