It's Football Season (AFC Analysis)

I will now begin my analysis of the upcoming football season one division at a time:
AFC East

Buffalo Bills :
The Bills are short on talent, and after a rough 2005 I don't see any end to their suffering. After scoring a total of 15 points last year they drafted mainly defensive players that's brilliant.

Miami Dolphins:
9-7 last year and definite contenders this year if everyone gets on the same page. Ronnie Brown is a stud, Daunte Culpepper is as well. Joey Harrington will finally get the chance to hang out a bit, but watch for him to learn from and push Culpepper. This is the opportunity Joey needed for his NFL career to not be a train wreck. David Carr is dreaming of something similar I am sure.


New England Patriots:
Always dangerous with Brady at the helm watch for this re-tooled team to get right back where they left off two years ago. The defense is back, and hopefully stays healthy, and they picked up Reche Caldwell who could make up for lost time on the offense. I don't know how this team wins but they should never be counted out.

New York Jets:
Pennington is "looking sharp" in camp. Well no crap, he is a great QB and no he isn't fragile. He has a mechanics problem that has not been addressed by his coaches. Pennington has what I call a wide profile when he releases the ball. The ball should be tight to your ear and he releases it about 14 - 18 inches away. When you do that you risk the defender hitting your hand and causing the very injury he sustained. All that said, they still don't have all the tools needed to back up Pennington, they desperately need a good runner to complete the package and some younger receivers.

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens:
Snatched Steve McNair and Mike Anderson in the offseason. This is Steve's last shot and he is not very durable now. Their defense is prime and they have three outstanding halfbacks. They could put it all together and make a run, but only if the QB and the 1 and 2 receivers stay healthy all year, which is doubtful.


Cincinnati Bengals:
They have everything they had last year, but displayed that they are nothing without their QB. Additionally, you never know how a player will come back from those nasty knee injuries. I think Palmer is a tough kid and they will do well as long as he is under center.

Cleveland Browns:
Not good, three QBs who have never really played and a linebacker as the best player on the team. This worked for Baltimore one year, but this defense is not that good. Look for the Browns to possibly try playing in the NCAA this year for a few wins.

Pittsburgh Steelers:
SuperBowl Champs! I am concerned about Big Ben's durability based on his style of play, he takes a beating. This guy may only be in the NFL 5 or 6 years if those lineman don't start protecting him. Willie Parker will also find the going more difficult without Bettis to spell him, Duce Staley is not capable of filling the bus's shoes in this capacity. I am looking for Verron Haynes to take over as number 2 though he is a bit undersized for the pounding. I would base their season on How Ben plays after his injuries/accident and how fast Santonio Holmes develops since Hines Ward cannot carry the receiving load forever ( See Rod Smith Denver).

AFC South

Houston Texans:
Good news: New Head Coach Bad News: Probably doesn't matter. Their GM picked Mario Williams at number one then quit his position to go work for another team one day later. Someone please throw the BS flag. Mario is a stud no doubt, but don't pick a defensive player for a team that can't score (see Buffalo). David Carr would be great if he were ever allowed to throw the ball, FYI it's very hard to throw when you fear for your life every play. Reggie Bush was there, and would have been a difference maker.

Indianapolis Colts:
The Edge is gone and this could be the undoing of a great offense. The receiving corps is still sound, but aging. The line is not getting younger and Peyton DOES NOT like to get hit. This team may have waited too long to try and develop Rhodes into a starter. He could have been a stud no doubt, it may have have killed his ambition watching Edgerrin for so many years. Their season will be based on the success, or lack of success, of Dominic Rhodes.

Jacksonville Jaguars:
this team has everything it needs to be successful, unfortunately some of the players are not utilized correctly. They have the biggest receiver in the NFL, and he is probably the third or fourth fastest man in the NFL, in Matt Jones. This guy is phenomenally athletic let him run and move Greg Jones to the starting HB. Those two things would ignite this team. Fred Taylor cannot be tackled more than twice per game, it's time to hang it up man. If the Jags let Leftwich and Jones hook up watch out. If they try to pound the ball with Fred Taylor, good luck selling your season tickets on eBay.

Tennessee Titans:
Vying for stupidest offseason moves (see Houston Texans) they let their Starting QB go. Is Billy Volek a stud as a backup, yes. Is Billy Volek a starter, NO. Vince Young is not ready, He must learn to stand taller and release the ball much higher than he did in college. LenDale White's success will be based on his fat factor, trim him down and he's good to go. WHEN Young and White get dialed in this team may be unstoppable, provided Young does not try to stiff arm NFL linebackers like he did with the college boys. Look for Young to take over the first poor Billy throws more than one pick in a game and let's hope that his support cast doesn't allow him to suffer like Harrington and Carr.

AFC West

Denver Broncos:
Jake took a lot of heat for the playoff loss, but only one of those picks was his fault. Look for him to step it up with Cutler on board. Jay cutler is a stud and has a great system and great mentor to learn from. Look for Ron Dayne to light it up with Tatum doing the same as they deliver the Bronco's famed insert any back here running game. The receiving corps is pretty suspect; if Lelie would be a man and compete they would be great, but Rod Smith cannot continue to carry the load ( see Hines Ward) and Javon Walker is unproven as the sole go to guy. Denver can win it all if the passing game is sound. Defense is great, as is the running game.

Kansas City Chiefs:
Wille Roaf quit or did he? If he is gone their season goes with him. He is the line for KC and Larry Johnson will learn that quickly without him. Trent Green and the receivers cannot be successful without LJ and I do not think he can do what he did last year without Willie. This team is "on the bubble" watch for their fate to follow their left tackle. On the plus side they picked up Brodie Croyle, I am a huge fan and hope he learns quickly since Trent Green seems to get the hook when it looks like the guy behind him has any skill.

Oakland Raiders:
Someone please check Mr. Davis's medication. The Raiders have officially signed every NFL has been and never will be. It might actually pan out if Brooks gets the protection he has never had and can hook up with Moss. Jerry Porter also has flashes of brilliance but I would have ditched one good receiver for a better running back. If they can't get the running game going look for Brooks to continue his struggles on this team ( not his fault).

San Diego Chargers:
This team has it all. Big names in all the right places, and several proven performers in most skill positions. The only problem; can Phillip Rivers deliver? My opinion is that Drew Brees was a product of his environment and not the core of this team. I think Rivers will be dialed in by game number three and this team is a legitimate threat as long as LaDanian Tomlinson is behind Rivers.

NFC next week.