Fantasy Sports Review

It has long been stated that football is won in the trenches, and the signing of Michigan tackle Jake Long by the Miami Dolphins as the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft underscores that importance. Since New England has dominated its division foes by giving quarterback Tom Brady all day to pick apart opposing defenses for nearly a decade, it’s clear the Dolphins, Jets and Bills are trying to match the Patriots with strong play up front. Have any of them closed the gap on New England? Stay tuned.

New England Patriots (1st in AFC East, 6th in Conference)
They didn’t do much to consistently establish the run last season, though I guess when you go undefeated in the regular season, it doesn’t matter how you got there. Much like Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning, Tom Brady makes this group better.

LT Matt Light
LG Logan Mankins
C Dan Koppen
RG Stephen Neal
RT Nick Kaczur

New York Jets (2nd in AFC East, 8th in Conference)
With the free agent signings of Alan Faneca and Damien Woody along with the additional seasoning of D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, this unit appears to be on the upswing. Now if only they could find a quarterback.

LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson
LG Allan Faneca
C Nick Mangold
RG Brandon Moore
RT Damien Woody

Buffalo Bills (3rd in AFC East, 9th in Conference)
The offensive line was one of the few bright spots for this injury-riddled team in 2007. With Jason Peters, who receives praise as one of the best young tackles in the league, paired with guard Derrick Dockery, expect Marshawn Lynch to run left a lot behind this improving unit.

LT Jason Peters
LG Derrick Dockery
C Melvin Fowler
RG Brad Butler
RT Langston Walker

Miami Dolphins (4th in AFC East, 15th in Conference)
The Dolphins move up from the cellar on the strength of Long being named the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. This 6-foot-7, 325-pound monster should open a few holes for Ronnie Brown.

LT Jake Long (1st overall pick)
LG Justin Smiley
C Samson Satele
RG Shawn Murphy
RT Vernon Carey

This is another post in a series in which we go division by division looking at and ranking the most overlooked factor in the success of your fantasy football squad, the offensive line. So you might want to keep an eye out over the next few weeks - which by the way, I have made it easy for you to do because…

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I know, I know, it is only March. But damn it, predictions is what I do. I am going through a bit of withdrawal here, so humor me. Besides, this is a much more fun way to explore what’s been happening in free agency. So here we go.

Today I am starting a series of posts outlining my predictions for each division in 2008 along with some fantasy implications to go along with them.

After a little over a week of free agency here is what I think the NFL standings - starting with the AFC East - will look like this time next year.

2008 AFC East Final Standings:

1) New England Patriots

2) Buffalo Bills

3) New York Jets

4) Miami Dolphins

Thoughts:

I don’t think anyone can dispute taking the Patriots again. Their biggest competition will be outside of the AFC East.

I really like the Bills to make a move this year. Dick Jauron had them winning with a battered - and very young - defense. Enter LB Kawika Mitchell, add another year of experience and you have yourself a playoff team.

The Jets are the Jets. Looks like they are looking to run the ball in 2008 with the upgrades at o-line, the signing of Tony Richardson and noodle arm Pennington as the only starting caliber QB on the roster.

Miami has a long way to go and a short time to get there.

Fantasy notes - Brady and Moss will be number one and you will have to spend some serious jack to get them on your team (but a casual football fan could tell you that). Also, Jabbar Gaffney gets a very slight boost with the departure of Donte Stallworth. That defense gets older and takes a hit with the loss of Samuel and Gay but Bill has done more with less.

A healthy Buffalo defense with the addition of veteran LB Kawika Mitchell could be a potential waiver wire sleeper.

Thomas Jones and the rest of the Jets rushing offense gets a serious upgrade due to the additions of veterans G Allen Faneca, G Damien Woody and FB Tony Richardson punching holes. Should help the passing game as well. UPDATE: Jesse Chatman signs with the Jets. I’m sure he’ll be primarily a back-up but it does muddy the water a bit.

It is still pretty early - and something else might materialize here - but on paper, the new Josh McCown to Ernest Wilford connection isn’t turning to many heads.

Well that will do it for the AFC East. Remember, I am going to do the entire league - division by division - and you are not going to wanna miss a single word. I’ll be back in few days with my pick for the AFC North crown. It may just surprise you. See you then.

Last year in the AFC East there where a few surprises. Tom Brady was able to maintain his productive performances with receivers that would be considered, at best, number two’s on any other team.

The Jets provided the fantasy world with solid quarterback play, a few a very productive wide receivers and an almost non-existent running game.

In Miami many fantasy owner were left in the cold when top ten fantasy quarterback Dante Culpepper underperformed before prematurely calling it a season.

In Buffalo the tandem of J.P. Losman and Lee Evans began to emerge as a legitimate fantasy threat.

Let see what these AFC teams have done in the offseason to right the ship and see what you can expect to look for when building your 2007 fantasy football roster.

Buffalo Bills
OL - Lost Mike Gandy and released 2 others. Upgraded with C Jason Whittle (NYG), G Derrick Dockery (WSH) RT Langston Walker (OAK).
QB - Pretty much the same as last year (PMTS).
RB - Lose Willis McGahee. Drafted Marshawn Lynch and Dwayne Wright to compete with Anthony Thomas.
WR - PMTS
TE - PMTS
D - Went younger for monetary reasons. Lost London Fletcher, Nate Clemons and Takeo Spikes. Drafted LB Paul Poluszny out of Penn State.

Miami Dolphins
OL - New offensive-minded coach Cam Cameron gets completely re-tooled line. Lost 5 linemen from last year. Drafted a Center Samson Satele that will play guard. Picked up journeyman G Chris Lewienski (ARI).
QB - Anyones guess at this point. Lose Joey Harrington. Have Cleo Lemon and Dante Culpepper Dante Culpepper released. Drafted John Beck. Could possibly Did get Trent Green.
RB - Lose Sammy Morris and Travis Minor. Added FB Corey Schlesinger (DET) to block for Ronnie Brown. Keep an eye on rookie Lorenzo Booker as a 3rd down type.
WR - Lose Wes Welker. Add Az-Zahir Hakim (DET). Drafted Ted Ginn.
TE - Lose Randy McMicheal. Add David Martin (GB).
K - Lose Olindo Mare. Add Jay Feely (NYG).
D - Add Joey Porter. D-line in flux.

New England Patriots
OL - PMTS
QB - PMTS
RB - Waived Corey Dillon. Signed Sammy Morris (MIA).
WR - Add Randy Moss (OAK), Donte Stalworth (PHI), Wes Welker (MIA) and Kelly Washington (CIN).
TE - Lose Daniel Graham.
D - Add Adalius Thomas (BAL).

New York Jets
OL - PMTS
QB - Lose back-up Patrick Ramsey. Get back-up Marques Tuiasosopo (OAK)
RB - Added Thomas Jones (CHI). Lose Kevan Barlow and Derrick Blaylock.
WR - PMTS
TE - PMTS
D - Add DE Kenyon Coleman (DAL).

On paper New England looks to be a fantasy juggernaut. With the addition of Moss and Stalworth, Brady will be going early in every draft and for good reason.

Thomas Jones immediately upgrades the Jets at a position that was less than stellar many times during last season. Good coaching, an above average line and a good passing game should give Thomas Jones every opportunity to excel.

The Bills are a team to watch. An upgrade at O-line and the emergence of a viable passing game means that whoever ends up carry the rock will provide your fantasy squad great value.

As far as Miami goes, we will learn more once training camp kicks in but right now it is hard figure out what is going to happen with this team. A new coach, a very suspect offensive line and a 3-4 man race for the starting QB spot shouldn’t have your confidence in any their offensive players very high.

I’ll be back in a few days to give you my notes on the AFC West.