Sports Advice

The AFC East has been the domain of the New England Patriots for quite some time now. As it stands, you still have to call them the favorites to win the division in 2006, but there could be a serious challenger in the division ready to take the crown in the Miami Dolphins. The experts seem to think that the Jets and Bills will be also-rans this year, but this is the NFL, and there are always surprises.

Buffalo Bills

Offseason Additions:

The Bills added players all over their depth chart this offseason, including QB Craig Nall, S Matt Bowen, WR Andre’ Davis, TE Robert Royal, DT Larry Tripplett, C Melvin Fowler, DB James Bethea, T Aaron Gibson, WR Peerless Price and DB Kiwaukee Thomas. The Bills had a somewhat controversial draft as well, adding DB Donte Whitner and DT John McCargo in the first round.

Outlook:

The Bills look to be rebuilding this season, but this is a team that has been close to the playoffs in recent years. If it all comes together, they could be a surprise team.

Miami Dolphins

Offseason Additions:

Year two of the Nick Saban era could be a big one, and the Dolphins got right to work after finishing 2005 on a high note. They traded for QB’s Daunte Culpepper and Joey Harrington and added many others through free agency and trades, including TE Justin Peelle, DB Renaldo Hill, CB Will Allen, DB Andre’ Goodman, LB Sedrick Hodge, OL L.J. Shelton, FB Fred Beasley, WR Kelly Campbell, S Deke Cooper, OL Mike Pearson, WR Frank Murphy, TE Keith Heinrich, DB Michael Lehan and LB Keith Newman. The Dolphins also drafted DB Jason Allen from Tennessee in the first round.

Outlook:

The Dolphins loaded up in recent months, and they’re looking to knock off the Patriots. If Culpepper stays healthy, that could just happen.

New England Patriots

Offseason Additions:

The Patriots were very quiet this offseason, and they lost many more players than they gained. They brought in three free agents: K Martin Gramatica, WR Reche Caldwell and S Tebucky Jones. In the draft, the Patriots bolstered their running game with TB Lawrence Maroney from Minnesota.

Outlook:

This team is getting older, but they still have dominant players in QB Tom Brady and DL Richard Seymour. If Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison can return to form, they’re still the Patriots, and still the team to beat in the division.

New York Jets

Offseason Additions:

The Jets had a terrible 2005, and were understandably busy under new coach Eric Mangini. The Jets, through free agency and trades, added DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, LB Matt Chatham, WR Tim Dwight, DB Andre Dyson and QB Patrick Ramsey, among many other lower-tier signings. In the draft, the Jets began to build their OL with the additions of D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold.

Outlook:

The Jets have a long way to go, and are correctly starting from scratch. The season outlook doesn’t look bright, but if QB Chad Pennington returns to form, the Jets will not be pushovers.

About the Author:

By Jay Nault sponsored by http://www.stubhub.com/ . StubHub sells football tickets: http://www.stubhub.com/football-tickets/ , concert tickets, theater tickets and more. Please link to this site when using this article.