Mattie T’s 2009 NFL Season Preview: AFC East

The Miami Dolphins wowed everyone last season with an 11-5 record & an AFC East division crown, which was done just ONE year after going 1-15. Can they repeat as back-to-back division champs for the first time since the Dan Marino era in 1984 & 85?

(Teams are listed based on last season’s division standings)

1.Miami Dolphins (11-5 last season, lost to Baltimore in Wild Card round)

Head Coach: Tony Sparano (2nd year with team)

Mattie T’s Analysis: The burning question everyone wants to know is, can Miami repeat their magical ’08 season & return to the playoffs?

On paper, the Dolphins have the toughest schedule in the entire league. However, so did Pittsburgh just a year ago and you saw what it resulted in.

Chad Pennington had one of his better seasons in 2008, as he registered career-highs in pass completions (321), passing yardage (3,653) & yards per game (228.3)

He also has the always dangerous Ronnie Brown in the backfield, who scored a career-high 10 touchdowns last season despite averaging a career-low 57.3 yards per game.

Miami welcomes the return of defensive end Jason Taylor, who is back in town after spending an injury-plagued 2008 season with Washington.

Taylor remains as one of the franchise’s all-time greats, while he has always been recognized for his charity work in South Florida off the field.

It will be interesting to see how rookie Pat White is used in the Dolphins’ wildcat formation, as they now have another exciting young playmaker to go along with Ted Ginn Jr.

Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 5-11

2. New England Patriots (11-5 last season, missed playoffs)

Head Coach: Bill Belichick (10th year with team)

Mattie T’s Analysis: 16 offfensive plays is all it took last season for Tom Brady to suffer a season-ending knee injury.

Now it’s 2009, and the 4-time Pro Bowl quarterback is out to show everyone that he can still play at the same level at which he did just 2 years ago, which is when Brady set an NFL record with 50 passing touchdowns.

He will have his familiar receiving weapons back, as Randy Moss (69 receptions for 1,008 yards last season with 11 touchdowns) & Wes Welker (has caught 100 or more receptions in back to back seasons for 1st time in career) will lead the way.

Joey Galloway will also join the Patriots’ offense after spending an injury-filled 2008 season with Tampa Bay. Prior to his injury, Galloway had three consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more yards receiving.

New England has a logjam at running back that needs to be figured out soon, as Sammy Morris & Kevin Faulk currently rank #1 & #2 among the depth chart.

However, the team also has newly acquired Fred Taylor to go along with Benjarvus Green-Ellis & former draft pick Laurence Maroney in the backfield as well, so we will see how Belichick plans to use his five-headed monster.

Defensively, New England will have a bit of a newer look following the retirements of Rodney Harrison & Tedy Bruschi, plus today’s trade of Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders for a 2011 first-round draft pick.

The team will have a pair of new cornerbacks to start the season, as Shawn Springs & Leigh Bodden come over after spending 2008 with the Washington Redskins & Detroit Lions respectively.

Keep an eye out on Reigining Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo, who should take on even more of a leadership role with the retirement of Bruschi.

Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 11-5

3. New York Jets (9-7 last season, missed playoffs)

Head Coach: Rex Ryan (1st year with team)

Mattie T’s Analysis: In just a span of one year, the New York Jets have gone from a future Hall of Fame quarterback to a rookie who has yet to attempt an NFL pass.

All eyes are on Mark Sanchez, who won the Jets’ starting  job from Kellen Clemens during the preseason & will try to emulate last season’s success of Matt Ryan & Joe Flacco, who both enjoyed promising rookie seasons & led their teams to the playoffs.

The heavily rumored talk of acquiring Brandon Marshall from Denver seems to be dead, as the Jets will have to go with Jerrico Cotchery (led team with 71 receptions for 858 yards last season) as their top wide receiver.

Thomas Jones & Leon Washington look like they will both start the season without receiving new deals, as Jones has racked up four straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons while Washington should be used more within the offense this season, including some possible time at QB in their Wildcat formation.

The Jets welcomed a huge addition to their defense over the offseason, as they signed Bart Scott away from the Baltimore Ravens.

Lito Sheppard comes over after spending the previous 7 seasons with Philadelphia & will be the opening-day starter at right cornerback alongsive the impressive 3rd year man Darelle Revis.

Jim Leonhard also comes over from Baltimore with Scott, as he’ll start at strong safety alongside the hard-hitting Kerry Rhodes.

Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 8-8

4. Buffalo Bills (7-9 last season, missed playoffs)

Head Coach: Dick Jauron (4th year with team)

Mattie T’s Analysis: Can new addition Terrell Owens really spice up a team that has missed the playoffs for 8 consecutive seasons?

It’s going to be very slim that he does following the firing of Turk Schonert at offensive coordinator, as Alex Van Pelt will now take over the play-calling duties.

Owens is also hoping for improved play out of Trent Edwards, who has thrown exactly 18 touchdowns & 18 interceptions in his 2 seasons at quarterback for Buffalo.

The team will have to play without running back Marshawn Lynch for the first 3 weeks of the season, as he was suspended in April after violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Fred Jackson will take Lynch’s place for the time being, as he did rush for a career-high 136 yards on 27 carries during the Bills’ season-ending 13-0 loss to New England on December 28th, 2008.

Defensively, Buffalo is led by 3rd year linebacker Paul Posluszny, who made a team-high 110 tackles last season.

Mattie T’s 2009 Prediction: 4-12

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