The AFC East was a strange division last year, with things taking twist and turn through the course of the season and ending with the Dolphins on top, and the Patriots missing out. Are we up for a repeat of an unusual final positions and playoff contributions, or will things settle down to the more familiar feel they’ve had of late?


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February 5, 2009. That was the day the Patriots told us that Brady would be back and ready to go for the start of the 2009 season, as they tagged Matt Cassel. He was traded later that month after a flurry of deals were offered.
The Pats were seriously unlucky to miss out on the post-season last year, missing tie-breakers twice by one game (Dolphins and Ravens). This year, you can expect Belicheck to put his marker down early and hard. This is a team that wants, even needs, the post-season. If Brady is healthy, then he’ll be hungry too.
They’ve made the usual steady free-agent and draft signings. Shawn Springs, in particular, will get two more games to keep Terrell Owens in his pocket… something he had considerable success with when they were both in the NFC East. (Caution, Redskins’ bias evident)

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The Dolphins had a fantastic year last year. Not just with the Wild Cat, but their overall improvements all across the park. Pennington came to town with a lot to prove, and just all over the place they improved their game from the dismal 1-15 season before. This season, despite Pennington’s good showing last, it looks like the other Chad (Henne) will be starting behind centre. Henne has a good college record, but apparently scored just 21 on the Wonderlic. I don’t know much else about him, but will have to find out.
As division winners they have a tough schedule this year, and I can’t see them going into the post-season this season. One advantage is closing the season at home with what might be two of the easier games this season: The Texans and the Steelers in week 17.
(Graham is free to respond to this as he sees fit, of course!)

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The Bills had a great start, but tailed off quite horribly. It’s a shame as they played some great football at times. Their big signing this year is T.O. Lining up with Lee Evans, they are going to be a real threat. They have let JP Losman go, which doesn’t seem like a great loss at this time but he did have some moments where he connected well with Lee Evans. I think most of us would agree that Trent Edwards, when fit, is a better player.
The Bills close the season playing the Pats, the Falcons and the Colts… 0-3 there will put an end to any post-season hopes they’ve got. Seriously though, who’d call anything other than 7-9 for the Bills again this year?

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The Jets‘ gamble with Brett Favre didn’t pay off in the end as he, and they, simply ran out of steam last season. This year sees a new coach who has already boosted some players from the Ravens. Lito Shepperd has also come in, in an expensive move. Coles has left, and I think it was time for him to go (incidentally, Santana Moss for Coles a few years back looks like a great deal for the Redskins today).
QB for the Jets will be between Kellen Clemens and Mark Sanchez. Sanchez sure has style and charisma, but as with all rookies it’s an unknown how quickly he’ll become an NFL-calibre player. That same question could be put to Clemens too, as his 3-5 records is currently unremarkable though he’s shown promise in key situations. Still… too much of an unknown at this point.

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