NFL NEWS

AFC East Preview: No surprise, Pats favored

The Sports Xchange

July 22, 2014 at 12:26 pm.

As long as Tom Brady is in New England, the Patriots will be a tough team to beat. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)

As long as Bill Belichick is coaching a healthy quarterback Tom Brady, the New England Patriots will probably be favored to win the AFC East. That is the bold prediction by The Sports Xchange football staff in this training camp preview.

The New York Jets are pegged to move up to No. 2 and Miami is rated last, but perhaps NFL/TV execs may know otherwise: the Dolphins will have five games on prime time, as many as the Patriots.

Well, not counting the postseason.

Here is a closer look at AFC East teams as camps begin (teams listed alphabetically):

CAMP PREVIEW: Buffalo Bills

–TSX Predicts: 3rd in AFC East

–2013: 6-10, 4th in AFC East

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, N.Y., 7/16, 7/19

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .583 (T6/32); non-division .450 (T28/32); overall .500 (14/32).

–Primetime Games: 1 (1 Thursday)

–STRENGTH: Defensive line. The Bills have three Pro Bowl players up front — tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, and end Mario Williams, plus end Jerry Hughes. While setting a team record with 57 sacks in 2013, those four players combined for 41 sacks, including a team-high 13 by Mario Williams. However, Dareus has been challenged by off-field issues this year.

The Bills can also bring in players such as veterans Alan Branch and Manny Lawson, and they also like young players Stefan Charles and Corbin Bryant, both of whom saw playing time at the end of last season. Under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Bills might not blitz as much as they did when Mike Pettine was scheming the defense, but if the front four can continue to generate pressure without help, Schwartz won’t have to send linebackers or safeties.

–WEAKNESS: Quarterback. Buffalo used the 16th pick of the first round in the 2013 draft to select EJ Manuel, and they made him the starter at the beginning of training camp. Once veteran Kevin Kolb was lost for the year due to a concussion, there was never a doubt who the starting quarterback would be on opening day.

But Manuel couldn’t stay healthy and he played only 10 games due to separate knee injuries. So nobody is sure whether he is truly the Bills’ quarterback of the future. And if he gets hurt again, the Bills have one of the worst backup situations in the league — journeyman Thad Lewis, who won two starts last season, is No. 2, and undrafted second-year man Jeff Tuel is battling another journeyman, Dennis Dixon, for third string.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–WR Sammy Watkins (1/4): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–T Cyrus Kouandjio (2/44): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Preston Brown (3/73): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Ross Cockrell (4/109): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–G Cyril Richardson (5/153): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Randell Johnson (7/221): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–T Seantrel Henderson (7/237): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–K Dan Carpenter: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–TE Scott Chandler; UFA; terms unknown.

–P Brian Moorman: Potential UFA; $955,000/1 yr.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–WR Ramses Barden: FA; $1.475M/2 yrs.

–RB Bryce Brown (trade Eagles).

–RB Anthony Dixon: UFA 49ers; $3.5M/3 yrs, $750,000 SB.

–QB Dennis Dixon: FA; $1.475M/2 yrs.

–CB Corey Graham: UFA Ravens; $16M/4 yrs.

–LB Keith Rivers: UFA Giants; $4.05M/2 yrs, $1M SB.

–LB Brandon Spikes: UFA Patriots; $3M/1 yr, $900,000 SB.

–G Chris Williams: UFA Rams; $13.5M/4 yrs, $5.5M guaranteed.

–WR Mike Williams (trade Buccaneers).

PLAYERS LOST

–S Jairus Byrd: UFA Saints; $54M/6 yrs, $11M SB/$27.9M guaranteed.

–DE Alex Carrington: UFA Rams; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–WR Stevie Johnson (traded 49ers).

CAMP PREVIEW: Miami Dolphins

–TSX Predicts: 4th in AFC East

–2013: 8-8, Tied for 2nd in AFC East

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): Doctors Hospital Training Facility, Davie, Fla., 7/24, 7/24

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .542 (T11/32); non-division .488 (T18/32); overall .508 (12/32).

–Primetime Games: 5 (1 Thursday, 3 Sunday night, 1 Monday)

–STRENGTH: Wide receiver. The Dolphins might not send a wide receiver to the Pro Bowl, but they have quality and they’re deep. Among starters Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline and Brandon Gibson they have proven veterans. Behind them are rookie Jarvis Landry and youngsters Rishard Matthews and Armon Binns.

A lot of the wide receivers’ success will depend on quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the offensive line’s ability to protect Tannehill. But as a group, the wide receivers are grown men.

–WEAKNESS: Right tackle. Rookie right tackle Ja’Wuan James gets the nod because his position is so important to a unit that allowed a NFL-worst 58 sacks last season. James, Miami’s first-round pick from Tennessee, was decent during OTAs, but he’s still a rookie playing a pivotal position.

Other positions in the running for weakest were right guard (Dallas Thomas) and left guard (Shelley Smith), both jobs held by players who have never been fulltime starters. But considering James will have to take on a growing number of fierce pass rushers, he’s in the spotlight for now.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–T Ja’Wuan James (1/19): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Jarvis Landry (2/63): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–G Billy Turner (3/67); 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Walt Aikens (4/125); 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–TE Arthur Lynch (5/155): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Jordan Tripp (5/171): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Matt Hazel (6/190): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Terrence Fede (7/234): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–CB Brent Grimes: Potential UFA; $32.025M/4 yrs, $6M SB/$16.95M guaranteed.

–DT Randy Starks: UFA; $10M/2 yrs.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–T Branden Albert: UFA Chiefs; $46M/5 yrs, $8.5M SB/$25M guaranteed.

–G Daryn Colledge: FA Cardinals; terms unknown.

–S Louis Delmas: FA Lions; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–CB Cortland Finnegan: FA Rams; $11M/2 yrs.

CAMP PREVIEW: New England Patriots

–TSX Predicts: 1st in AFC East

–2013: 12-4, 1st in AFC East

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass., 7/20, 7/23

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .583 (T6/32); non-division .450 (T28/32); overall .500 (14/32).

–Primetime Games: 5 (1 Thursday, 3 Sunday night, 1 Monday)

–STRENGTH: Quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick. While it may be overly simplistic and obvious, New England continues to be driven to success by its quarterback and coach. Those are the two most important aspects for an NFL team, and New England still ranks among the elite teams in the league despite the duo’s 14-year run together.

Patriots fans will hope that New England can be a top-five unit on both offense and defense, buoyed by Rob Gronkowski in the passing attack and Darrelle Revis on defense. Maybe, maybe not, but Belichick and Brady have proven together they can lead the way to an AFC East title –five years in a row. The foundation for where the Patriots will go this season remains with the man wearing No. 12 and the man in the gray hoodie directing it all.

–WEAKNESS: Strong safety. While the Patriots have lacked a true strong safety since the departure of Rodney Harrison, there are questions as to whether New England has two starting caliber safeties of any style for 2014. Devin McCourty returns at free safety, while second-year former third-round pick Duron Harmon is penciled in at the other spot.

Harmon started three games as a rookie a year ago filling in for Steve Gregory, who started 23 games in his two years in New England before being cut this spring. Harmon impressed head coach Bill Belichick with his communication skills and football IQ last fall, but if he’s not ready to be a full-time, productive starter there will be a hole in the back end. Patrick Chung returns for depth and special teams and second-year cornerback Logan Ryan may get reps at safety.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–DT Dominique Easley (1/29): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–QB Jimmy Garoppolo (2/62): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–C Bryan Stork (4/105): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–RB James White (4/130): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–T Cameron Fleming (4/140): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–G Jon Halapio (6/179): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Zach Moore (6/198): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Jemea Thomas (6/206): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Jeremy Gallon (7/244): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–WR Julian Edelman: UFA; $17M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.

–TE Michael Hoomanawanui: Potential UFA; 2 yr, terms unknown.

–C Ryan Wendell: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–LB James Anderson: Not tendered as UFA by Bears; terms unknown.

–CB Brandon Browner: UFA Seahawks; $15.15M/3 yrs, $1M guaranteed.

–S Patrick Chung: FA Eagles; terms unknown.

–WR Brandon LaFell: UFA Panthers; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Darrelle Revis: FA Buccaneers; $32M/2 yrs, $10M SB/$12M RB 2015.

–DE Will Smith: FA Saints; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

–RB LeGarrette Blount: UFA Steelers; $3.85M/2 yrs, $950,000 SB.

–NT Isaac Sopoaga (released).

–LB Brandon Spikes: UFA Bills; $3M/1 yr, $900,000 SB.

–CB Aqib Talib: UFA Broncos; $57M/6 yrs, $5M SB/$26M guaranteed.

CAMP PREVIEW: New York Jets

–TSX Predicts: 2nd in AFC East

–2013: 8-8, Tied for 2nd in AFC East

As long as Tom Brady is in New England, the Patriots will be a tough team to beat. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): SUNY Cortland, Cortland, N.Y., 7/22, 7/23

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .583 (T6/32); non-division .450 (T28/32); overall .500 (14/32).

–Primetime Games: 3 (1 Thursday, 2 Monday)

–STRENGTH: Defensive line. Few teams in the league have a 1-2 punch like Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, who can wreak havoc with opposing running backs and quarterbacks. Their dominance creates a trickle down effect for the rest of an otherwise average defense.

–WEAKNESS: Guard. The Jets barely managed last season with workmanlike efforts from rookie left guard Brian Winters and veteran right guard Willie Colon, which was a good thing, since their backups were annual tease Vladimir Ducasse and journeyman Caleb Schlauderaff.

But Colon was absent this spring due to a torn biceps suffered in the season finale and a knee injury during workouts. This magnifies the Jets’ lack of depth at the position. Will Campbell and Oday Aboushi, a pair of 2013 draftees who were inactive for every game last season, are getting extended reps along with fourth-round pick Dakota Dozier.

Winters is also getting time at right guard this spring, which might be an indication of a lack of faith in alternatives and concern about Colon’s ability to be full strength in September.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–S Calvin Pryor (1/18): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–TE Jace Amaro (2/49): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Jalen Saunders (4/104): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Shaquelle Evans (4/115): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–G Dakota Dozier (4/137): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Jeremiah George (5/154): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Brandon Dixon (6/195): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Quincy Enunwa (6/209): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Ikemefuna Enemkpali (6/210): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–QB Tajh Boyd (6/213): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Trevor Reilly (7/233): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–G Willie Colon: UFA; $2M/1 yr.

–TE Jeff Cumberland: Potential UFA; $5.7M/3 yrs, $1M RB 2014.

–K Nick Folk: Franchise FA; $12M/4 yrs, $2.1M RB.

–LB Calvin Pace: UFA; $5M/2 yrs, $1M RB.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–WR Eric Decker: UFA Broncos; $36.25M/5 yrs, $7.5M SB/$15M guaranteed.

–CB Ras-I Dowling: FA; $1.23M/2 yrs.

–WR Jacoby Ford: UFA Raiders; $740,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB.

–T Breno Giacomini: UFA Seahawks; $18M/4 yrs, $2.5M SB/$7M guaranteed.

–RB Chris Johnson: FA Titans; $8M/2 yrs.

–CB Dimitri Patterson: FA Dolphins; $3M/1 yr, $1M SB.

–QB Michael Vick: UFA Eagles; $4M guaranteed/1 yr, $2M SB.
PLAYERS LOST

–CB Aaron Berry: UFA Browns; terms unknown.

–CB Antonio Cromartie (released).

–G Vladimir Ducasse: UFA Vikings; $795,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB.

–WR Santonio Holmes (released).

–T Austin Howard: UFA Raiders; $30M/5 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

–S Ed Reed (not tendered as UFA).

–QB Mark Sanchez (released).

–TE Kellen Winslow (not tendered as UFA).

— TSX’s network of NFL team writers contributed to this report.