Fox's 32 NFL Questions Part 1: AFC East

Hello folks, this is the Rainman here. After months of waiting, football season is around the corner. Though I'm sure many are excited and giddy with anticipation, many fans have at least a few questions and concerns about their team(s). Though there are many questions to be asked, yours truly has decided to ask just one question per team. We kick things off first with the AFC East Division.

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1. Buffalo Bills (2011 Record 6-10)
Question: Can the Bills finish over .500 for the first time since 2004?

This is a long stretch question but nevertheless there is some legitimacy to it. In 2011, the Bills started off at 5-2 and were poised to make the playoffs. But then injuries to key players, such as Fred Jackson, Kyle Williams, and Terrence McGee, as well as disappointing performances from QB Ryan Fitzpatrick caused them to lose the next 8 out of 9 and finish 6-10. Going into the 2012 season, they aquired Defensive Free Agents Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, and drafted highly-touted CB Stephon Gilmore to sure up their defense, while drafting OT Cordy Glenn to help on the offensive side. Now as the regular season draws near, are the Bills ready to take the next step? Or will the ghosts of past failure continue to plague them?

2. Miami Dolphins (2011 Record: 6-10)
Question: Which Dolphins Quarterback will be under center in the first regular season game?

In the 2011, the Miami Dolphins started off the season by losing their first seven. However, they were able to finish strong going 6-3 in their next nine. During the winning streak, QB Matt Moore passed for 2,497 yards, 16 TDs, and put up a QB rating of 87.1 to cap off what was considered to be an abysmal season. 

This offseason, the Dolphins brought in Free Agent QB David Garrad and drafted Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill in the first round. Though Garrad missed the entire 2011, he was named the starting quarterback going into training camp with Moore and Tannehill listed as backups. With two capable starting quarterbacks and a 'QB of the future' waiting in the wings, it seems there is an ever growing pod of Dolphin QBs in Miami. But sometimes having too much of a good thing can have some undesireable effects on your team.

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3. New York Jets (2011 Record: 8-8)
Question: Can the Jets elevate their offense in 2012?

This question has nothing to do with that idiotic 'quarterback battle' everybody is paying close attention to. The Jets offense was ranked a pedestrian 25th overall (21st in the pass and 22nd in the run) during the 2011 season. Going into this season, they dismissed OC Brian Schoetnhemier  and brought in former Dolphin coach Tony Sporano. However, even with the coaching changes, the Jets are still weak at the receiver position. There's no reliable outside receiver to go with their top pass-catcher Santonio Holmes, who will miss some time due to a broken rib. Combined with a questionable backfield tandem of Shonn Greene and Joe McKnight, the Jets have until the end of preseason to try to improve their offense or else they'll face a long season of mediocrity.

4. New England Patriots (2011 Record: 13-3)
Question: Is the window of opportunity closing for the Patriots to win another Super Bowl?

The Patriots have surprised many this offseason. Taking on the role as the aggressive buyer in the offseason, grabbing free agent WRs Brandon Lloyd, Jabbar Gaffney, and Dontae Stallworth. They also added Bobby Carpenter and Will Allen, while drafting two highly touted pass rushers in Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower. That being said, there's the possibility that WR Wes Welker could walk at the end of the season and the looming fear of QB Tom Brady possibly retiring in a year or two. If you combine the fact that the Patriot's defense is still young and trying to find its identity in the vastly improved AFC East. Though the Patriots were able to make it to the Super Bowl in 2011, but can they have the same amount of success in 2012? Or has that window closed on them? We will soon find out.

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Up next, the AFC North.


-Ryan L. Fox