Author: Marc Lawrence - Monday, July 16, 2007

July 16 - One new head coach (Cam Cameron), a recycled veteran (Dick Jauron) and a young pup (Eric Mangini) go head-to-head against the winningest coach in NFL history (Bill Belichick) in one of the NFL's toughest divisions. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the AFC East Division, home of the preseason 2007 Super Bowl favorite (Patriots). Here is my take of teams in the AFC East Division for 2007. Be sure to check out the rest of my 2007 NFL Previews updated throughout the summer. Enjoy!

Buffalo:

A tip of the hat for a nice job by Dick Jauron last season. He took over a bunch of underachievers and paid the bills (10-6 ATS), lending promise to the 2007 season. Two huge off-season defections (RB Willis McGahee and LB London Fletcher) were addressed in the first two rounds of the draft when Buffalo secured RB Marshawn Lynch (California) and LB Paul Posluszny (Penn State). Both figure to contribute immediately. Additionally, the selection of QB Trent Edwards (Stanford) looks to be a third round coup. They will be battle-tested right out of the gate this season as their first eight games are against .500 or better opposition. On the flip side, the Bills close out the campaign against only two winning teams in the second half of the season. That's when we'll likely strike.

Play on Buffalo at home vs. Miami.

Miami:

You did not want to be at a Miami sports bar this off-season when the announcement came. No, we're not talking about Nick Saban quitting on his team, or the fact that it's been six years since the Dolphins last made the playoffs. Instead, you?d have thought they had traded the ghost of Dan Marino, for crying out loud, when they passed on QB Brady Quinn in favor of WR/KR Tedd Ginn Jr. (Ohio State) with their first selection in this year's draft. After all, Quinn was going to be the next Marino (in their eyes, anyway). To soften the blow, new head coach Cam Cameron acquired QB John Beck (BYU) in the second round, but unless they find a capable starting quarterback, the quality of Miami's 2007 draft is going to be dictated largely by the success or failure of the Mighty Quinn.

Play against Miami as a home favorite vs. NY Jets.

New England:

If we didn't know better, we'd swear Bill was buried in a bunker preparing for the world to end. So it seemed this off-season when he stocked up on all the free agent talent he could muster. That's probably because Super Bowl Bill was only five points, or one good wide receiver, away from his fourth Super Bowl appearance in six years last season. He proceeded to add WR's Randy Moss (Raiders), Donte Stallworth (Eagles), Wes Welker (Dolphins) and Kelley Washington (Bengals) to the mix. In addition, TE Kyle Brady (Jaguars) and RB Sammy Morris (Dolphins) have befriended Tom Brady this season. Not to ignore the defense, Belichick chose S Brandon Merriweather (Miami) in the first round of the draft and resigned future Hall of Fame LB Junior Seau. It looks like he's planning a major attack.

Play on New England at Buffalo.

NY Jets:

The Jets rolled the dice in this year's draft when they traded up to get the two players they coveted. It was a costly move. They exited the draft with only four picks, but they believe that quality not quantity will better serve their needs. First round selection Darrelle Revis (CB - Pittsburgh) and second round choice David Harris (LB - Michigan) will likely become starters at need positions. They had better because the Jets were forced to surrender second and third round picks in order to corner them. Head coach Eric Mangini made quite a splash in his rookie debut last year when he led the Flyboys to the post-season after taking over a 4-12 squad. Mangini realizes he needs to improve a weak pass rush in order to remain a playoff contender. We're betting on the come line.

Play on NY Jets at Miami.

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