The AFC East Division Will Be Up For Grabs.
Make no mistake about it, the AFC East division has been dominated by the New England Patriots for the past decade.
They have continually been crowned division champs while the Miami Dolphins, the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills could only watch their common enemy march to three Super Bowl victories since the new millennium.
However, when quarterback Tom Brady was knocked out of the 2008 season when Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard rolled over into the quarterback's left knee, the mighty had fallen.
This was the first time in seven seasons under head coach Bill Belichick that the Patriots failed to make it into the post-season. The 2009 season was also another disappointment by their standards.
New England will always be top contenders for the AFC East division under their excellent coaching staff and big time players. However, New England is not the same team that has won in the past and other teams in their division have made significant trades and additions this off-season that could result in the champions being dethroned.
The Miami Dolphins did some shopping by picking up Brandon Marshall, an elite receiver destined for great things. He has already proven himself in the league and will be looking to excel in his new home in Miami. The same could not be said for the Buffalo Bills, a team that has done next to nothing to bolster its team performance.
The major changes came from the Big Apple. New York’s coach Rex Ryan lit a flame under the Jets’ engine last year. Although his team had a bumpy landing in Indianapolis and failed to make it to the Super Bowl in a 30-17 loss in the AFC championship game, the team started to believe that they would be destined for something great.
Despite the loss, quarterback Sanchez earned his stripes in his first post-season derby. In order to propel his team to the next level, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum called in reinforcements to the Big Apple.
The NY Jets did not use the off-season to allow players to heal and take time off. The organization used this valuable time to get better by signing players for whom they deemed the risk is worth the price.
The Jets made their first move by signing the 19th pick out of Florida State by the San Diego Chargers in 2006, Antonio Cromartie. In four years, Cromartie has had one incredible season, including 10 interceptions, which earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. Since then, Cromartie has been a marginal starter, with three interceptions in 2009.
Many feel this move is risky, but the Jets are confident that Ryan, the defensive guru that he is, will be able to maximize Cromartie’s performance.
The Jets also added big name players to their roster by bringing in LaDainian Tomlinson, who's coming off his worst season as a pro, and the 2009 Super Bowl MVP, Santonio Holmes.
Holmes received an unexpected phone call from his former team the Pittsburgh Steelers, informing him that he would be shipped to New York for a fifth-round pick in this year's draft.
He joins second-year quarterback Mark Sanchez, wide receivers Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery, tight end Dustin Keller, running backs Shonn Greene and Leon Washington.
The 5"11' Holmes, is eligible to participate in the team's off-season program and in all pre-season practices and games. He will be suspended for an entire season if he violates the league's policy again.
Holmes is coming off his best season, with 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns, but his troubles off the field could explain the relatively low price the Jets paid to get him.
Jets fans are excited to see how this plays out and if the franchise will be successful in trying to build a long-term, Super Bowl contender.
Tags: