Football is back! One of the few things the government hasn’t ruined yet, although Roger Goodell is doing his best impression to do so. The no-fun league is about to start again, and one of the more interesting divisions to watch will be the AFC East. Interesting because of the fact that the three teams not named the New England Patriots, all have a ton of potential heading into this season. They all also have a ton of potential to really suck...again. Regardless, everyone has hope at this point in the season, so what should we be looking for? Let’s take a sneak peek.
New England Patriots vs Washington Redskins
The Patriots come into this season as the favorite to win their division yet again in 2014. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have ruled the AFC East like Fidel Castro has ruled Cuba, with no remorse. There are a couple questions heading into the Pats first game. First off, they drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round. When that happened everyone thought that Ryan Mallett to Houston was a done deal, but now it looks like he’ll finish out the season in New England. Word is that Garappolo has struggled in camp, hence the reasoning of Mallett staying with the organization.
Another intriguing battle to watch in this game is the running backs. Stevan Ridley is the favorite going into preseason, and will probably win the job as long as he stays out of Belichick’s doghouse. Ridley does have fumbling problems, and that is well documented with four last year. But Ridley has the ability to burst through the holes in line, and can hit paydirt. He’s led the Pats in touchdowns the last two years.
Shane Vereen’s ability to catch the ball and split out wide makes him a top option in the running group back on passing downs. Last season he had over 40 rushes and 40 catches, and will surely do so again. Brandon Bolden and James White are fighting for reps in camp as well, and James Devlin is also still on the roster.
The most notable piece on the 2014 Patriots is their secondary. Darrelle Revis comes over from Tampa, and Brandon Browner comes over from the legion of boom. Their first test will be a very talented wide receiver core in Washington, with the likes of DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed.
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons
What a past couple days it has been for Dolphins signal caller Ryan Tannehill, eh? On Monday, Tannehill threw three interceptions. On Tuesday, he did his best Matt Schaub impression, and three three more. On the bright side, atleast Miami’s defense must be looking pretty good.
As for the game on Friday against the Falcons, it’s a very real possibility that Daniel Thomas, Olivier Vernon and Michael Egnew. This being with the team already without Charles Clay and Knowshon Moreno. Miami’s running back committee will also be one to watch, with Thomas and Moreno, along with starter Lamar Miller. Miller had somewhat of a breakout season last year, but Miami is expecting even more from him this year, with new offensive coordinator, Bill Lazor.
Miami’s offense as a whole is really what to watch for, as their defense has been pretty good. With free agent additions Cortland Finnegan, Louis Delmas and re-signing Brent Grimes and Randy Starks, their defense has potential. The only problem is, they need a lead to defend at first. The first game against the Falcons will be a pristine opportunity to work out the kinks.
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers
A couple days after the Hall of Fame Game against the Giants, the Bills are back on the gridiron. The Bills beat the Panthers in week two last season, in one of the most exciting finishes of the year. E.J. Manuel lead the Bills down the field and threw a touchdown with only two seconds left to win the game. After that game, each team’s season went in a different direction. Carolina went to the playoffs, and Buffalo, well..didn’t.
Second season, and another season full of doubt surrounding the second-year quarterback Manuel. The group of running backs seems to be a running theme in the AFC East, and the Bills are no different. Difference-maker C.J. Spiller enters the final year of his contract, and Fred Jackson is going into another year of giving Father Time the finger. Bryce Brown has Bills fans excited since the trade from Philly, and Anthony Dixon has shown he can certainly play.
Buffalo may very well have the deepest backfield in the entire league, but no one is paying attention. They care about the phenom, Sammy Watkins. As a journalist, as a football fan, as a Bills fan, we are all hoping that Sammy plays more than he did on Sunday. The hype surrounding him is crazy, and was heightened even more with his alien-like one handed catch.
Linebackers are another group to watch with the Kiko Alonso injury, but let’s be honest. All we want to see, is Sammy Watkins.
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets
I could bore you once again and talk about running backs, and new Jet Chris Johnson. The same way Sammy is the story is in Buffalo, it’s all about Geno Smith in Cortland at Jets training camp. Geno doesn’t really have any choice but to improve from his rookie year, as he has Michael Vick breathing down his back, dieing for a chance to start again. Vick has actually been very confident in Geno thus far, saying that he will be “Ten Times Better.” Well, if Geno becomes ten times better, what does that make him? League average?
Rex Ryan can get any defense to be top ten, hell, he even got Aaron Maybin to make some plays for him. This season rest on Geno smith and the newest additions to make something of their season. This is the first chance Geno has to prove his haters wrong for this season.