NFL preview part 1

It’s back! The greatest show on turf is with us once again and I can’t wait. For 4 months my world becomes NFL – a game of chess with giant men. And the coverage and analysis is so good that we, the punter, can enjoy the athletic spectacle and a plethora of stats and advice to help us make big decisions.

The cheerleaders aren’t bad either!

AFC CONFERENCE EAST

Pre-season Standings

Miami Dolphins 3 – 1
New York Jets 3 – 1
Buffalo Bills 2 – 2
New England Patriots 0 – 4

Pre-season can be misleading and I think this table proves it. The Patriots have been the best side in the NFL in the last 5 – 8 years and that is not shown by their failure to win a single pre-season game. They have been without their main man – QB Tom Brady – and as is their wont have been experimenting with match-ups, a rookie QB and generally keeping their hand unseen before the main stuff starts. And would you believe Brady is meant to be fit for the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

New England Patriots needed some better defense as injuries depleted them last year and last week signed 2 time Pro-Bowler corner back Deltha O’Neal from the Bengals ( he was cut???).

Strengths – Brady; offense; more receivers than a SKY addicted council estate.

Weaknesses – only 4 cornerbacks and two of those are rookies; secondary defense can be picked apart; loss of Asante Samuel.

They also have an easy schedule bar one long trip where they spend the best part of a month on the road. If Brady stays fit then they can still be right up their in the play-offs scaring the other teams. However, they are aging a bit and teams will have learned how to blitz through to the QB as the New York Giants did 5 times in last years Superbowl.

Let’s have a look at the other teams in the division;

Miami Dolphins – Bill Parcells has cleaned out the whole squad and brought in 22 rookies and starters. This is a work in progress but for next year and beyond – not this one.

New York Jets – Brett Favre as QB so games will be won but still too many problems around the park.

Buffalo Bills – a great surprise package as their defense is mean and got better over the off-season. However not enough points scored meaning they have to win lots of tight games. Trent Edwards needs to fire at QB in his second season and if he does then RB Marshawn Lynch should improve towards 1300 yards and some TD’s.