[-Mojo Jojo-]

Copied from a post I made on the DHMFL forum


I'll be going through and previewing each division in the next week or two. Today we'll get things kicked off with the AFC East.. (KPWOYC = Key Players With One Year remaining on Contract)

Buffalo Bills
GM: AI
Cap Space: $13.8m
KPWOYC: FB Sam Gash, CB Antoine Winfield
Review:
Drew Bledsoe is a solid, if unspectacular, veteran QB. Travis Henry is a good young back, quick, has breakaway speed, and decent receiver out of the backfied. They have strong blockers at TE and FB. Fair receivers. The offensive line, led by tackle Mike Williams is young and has loads of potential. This offense isn't going to bowl anyone over, but if the linemen develop quickly the skill players are good enough to do some damage. They've got a great rookie at defensive end in Chris Kelsay, and Pat Williams and Sam Adams are very talented defensive tackles. The linebackers are the strength of the team. MLB London Fletcher and WLB Takeo Spikes are very good players, and SLB Jeff Posey is pretty decent as well. Nate Clements is young, but could become a shut-down cover corner. Lawyer Milloy is one of the league's best at strong safety, and they have two good free safeties, one of whom will likely be the nickel back. The defense is solid, and the offense has some potential. If the ball bounces right they could may a run at the playoffs. They have very few free agents to worry about for next year and are in good shape cap-wise.
Projected Record: 8-8


Miami Dolphins
GM: Nwobhm
Cap Space: $9.9m
KPWOYC: DE Rob Burnett, G Jamie Nails
Review:
Jay Fiedler has the potential to be a pretty good QB, but surprisingly, given his experience, is still a bit green. Ricky Williams is a pimp at RB, one of the top two or three halfbacks in the league. Rob Conrad and Randy McMichael give the Dolphins a lot of talent at FB and TE. Both are effecive blockers and good with the ball. The WR position is solid, led by Chris Chambers. They have two decent starters on the OL, C Tim Ruddy and G Jamie Nails, but are raw at the other positions. Jason Taylor is a phenomenal DE, and Rob Burnett can hold down the other end of the line. They've got one good DT in Tim Bowens. Zach Thomas is a very talented run stopping MLB. Junior Seau still has a good year or two left in him, and Miami has a couple of young prospects at OLB, although neither looks outstanding. The Dolphins have probably the secondary in the league with fantastic corners (Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison) and two very good safeties (Sammy Knight and Brock Marion). This is another defense-oriented team. They are solid against the run and will be very difficult to pass against with that secondary. The questions will come on offense. Can Ricky Williams be effective behind that line? Will Jay Fiedler grow into a dangerous QB? With their defense it may not matter. The Dolphins are clearly the favorite in this division. They don't have many good FA's to worry about next year, but the cap will be a problem for them. They've already spend $85m of next year's cap.
Projected Record: 11-5


New England Patriots
GM: Vinatieri for Prez
Cap Space: $6.1m
KPWOYC: G Mike Compton, DE Anthony Pleasant, DE Bobby Hamilton, DT Ted Washington
Review:
At QB, Tom Brady is very green, with moderate potential. The Pats don't have a premier HB, but Antowain Smith should get the job done. Fred McCrary is a pretty good FB, and Christian Fauria is adequate at TE. The starting receivers, led by David Patten, are decent, and there are a couple of good prospects working up behind them. The offensive line features a number of talented young players who are not yet ready for prime-time. G Mike Compton is the only good OL at this point. The Pats are loaded with four good defensive ends, led by outstanding first round pick Ty Warren. Their 3-4 defense will be anchored by Ted Washington, who is still decent but looks to be on his way downhill. The linebackers, led by inside backer Roman Phifer are very talented, and New England has great depth here. The secondary features two good players in CB Ty Law and SS Rodney Harrison, but there's not much behind them. 2nd round pick FS Eugene Wilson will be very good once he matures. All in all it's a pretty decent defense. But the offense will definitely struggle. They are lacking a game breaker in the skill positions and the OL doesn't look like it has horsepower for a grind-it-out running game. This team doesn't have a whole lot of cap space, and has a fair number of guys whose contracts come up next year. It's hard to tell if they're coming or going, as they've got a lot of young talent and a lot of older starters. It will be interesting to see which direction they go next season.
Projected Record: 6-10



New Jersey Jets
GM: Archer
Cap Space: $5.0m
KPWOYC: OT Kareem McKenzie
Review:
The offense is directed by Chad Pennington, who is inexperienced but has the potential to be a tremendous QB before he's done. Curtis Martin has seen his better days, but will be adequate at RB. FB Jerald Sowell is a decent run blocker. TE Anthony Becht is a better receiver than blocker. Curtis Conway, Wayne Chrebet, and Santana Moss make a decent trio of receivers. The offensive line, led by outstanding center Kevin Mawae, isn't bad, although they've got a big hole at RG. The defense ends, Shawn Ellis and John Abraham, are pretty good and will only get better. The likely starting DT's are both very young, but will be decent this year, and have a lot of potential. The linebackers, Marvin Jones, Mo Lewis, and Sam Coward, are outstanding veterans. The secondary is pretty mediocre, although Tyrone Carter and Derek Pagel are good prospects at safety. This team fits the theme in the division. The offense lacks a star-power and is led by an inexperienced QB. Their OL is a better than Buffalo or New England. The defense is pretty decent led by a strong linebacking corp, but the DL needs seasoning and the secondary isn't great. Like the Bills, the could make a run at a wild-card if things fall into place.
Projected Record: 7-9