Author: Beka

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Preseason Lowdown : New York Jets

football, preseason, teams, jets

What’s the story? 

The Jets are like that friend who keeps dating that guy and continuously makes terrible decisions because she can’t seem to pull the plug even though the relationship clearly isn’t working. That’s the Jets to a tee. They fired general manager Mike Tannenbaum but kept (maligned) head coach Rex Ryan. They brought in rookie quarterback Geno Smith and kept current (maligned) starter Mark Sanchez. They parted ways with some of their best and longest-tenured players: Darrelle Revis, Bart Scott, LaRon Landry, Dustin Keller, Shonn Greene – and, salt in the wound, – arch-rival Patriots picked up the one person who could have made the most impact on the team as a whole, Tim Tebow.

Leader and commander:

Next question? Because no one’s really sure about this one. But apparently a sense of teamwork is in the air, so there’s that.

New kid on the block:

Geno Smith, rookie quarterback taken in the second round out of West Virginia. Had David Garrard not been forced into early retirement via injuries Smith probably would have been his backup. However, as it stands, Geno is trying to beat out incumbent QB Mark Sanchez for the starting spot.

Last year was…

…two words: Butt Fumble.

Survey says:

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. The Jets are trying the co-quarterback thing again, this time with Sanchez and Smith, at least for the time being. That, in a nutshell, epitomizes all that is the Jets. And might point to the reason why they are literally at rock bottom, ranked 32nd in the league in the preseason power rankings. Ouch.

Preseason Lowdown : New England Patriots

football, patriots, preseason, teams

What’s the story? 

If you don’t know the story, you might not live in this country. And if 9 months ago someone had told you that Tim Tebow would join the Patriots and that wouldn’t be the story, you might have asked them what they were smoking. It’s been an uncharacteristically tumultuous offseason for the Pats.

Leader and commander:

The Hoodie. Always and forever.

New kid on the block:

It’s more about who’s not on the block for the Patriots. Namely, their top 5 receivers: Wes Welker (Denver), Danny Woodhead (Chargers), Brandon Lloyd (released), Rob Gronkowski (injured), and Aaron Hernandez (prison). However, if anyone is going to throw a deep ball to and will a receiver into existence out of thin air, it’s Tom Brady. Don’t you worry ’bout a thing, Pats fans. 12 has your back.

Last year was…

…something new and different for the Patriots: their first AFC Championship loss at home. The Ravens, who won that game, went on to win the Super Bowl.

Survey says:

Even sans-receivers, the Patriots will still win the division. They are just that good, that well-coached. Which is why despite everything stacked against them, they’re still ranked 6th in the preseason power rankings. That’s what you get when you have The Hoodie on your side.

Preseason Lowdown : Miami Dolphins

Preseason Lowdown : Miami Dolphins

football, preseason, miami

What’s the story? 

Miami put the pedal to the medal this offseason, picking up quite a few big name free agents. It’s kind of like they went on one of those extreme makeover shows (and have the new logo to prove it).

Leader and commander:

Second-year head coach and former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin.

New kid on the block:

The biggest one is probably former Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, who garnered a surprising amount of attention (and cash money) as a free agent this offseason.

Last year was…

…good enough for second in the division at 7-9, but far enough away from first (the Patriots, 12-4) that it didn’t really matter. (And while we’re talking about last year, let’s pause and remember this moment, just for fun.)

Survey says:

The Dolphins are ranked 18th in this year’s preseason polls, due largely to the introduction of a bevy of new talent. And if there were a year for the ‘phins to finally pull ahead of the Pats, you’d think it’d be this year, with the two teams having decidedly opposite offseasons. However, if anything is true of the AFC East, it’s likely this: never underestimate the Hoodie.

Preseason Lowdown : Buffalo Bills

Preseason Lowdown : Buffalo Bills

football, preseason, buffalo

What’s the story? 

I was at Bills camp last Friday. And while selling “4-Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances!” posters from the 90’s doesn’t necessarily imply swagger…the Bills just might get their groove on this year. (Try not to remember that I said that last year, too.) It helps that their division is in shambles (receiver-less Patriots, rebuilding Dolphins, and…the Jets) but it also helps that there is sincere enthusiasm surrounding the team this year due in large part to new faces and a new approach.

Leader and commander:

The main new face with the new approach? Rookie NFL head coach Doug Marrone, previously of Syracuse University. I have yet to talk to anyone who doesn’t love this hire. Coach Marrone seems confident and deeply invested in his team – so much so that he’s been the one snapping the ball to his quarterbacks at training camp.

New kid on the block:

Rookie quarterback EJ Manuel, taken as the first quarterback in this year’s NFL draft, looks like he might beat out veteran Kevin Kolb (who is also new to Buffalo – he was in Arizona last season and Philadelphia the season before that). I can personally attest to the fact that he is not unlike Goliath in size and stature.

Last year was…

…typical for the Bills: a 6-10 season with early glimmers of promise that fizzled fast.

Survey says…

…this year might not be much different. According to the preseason power rankings, the Bills are hanging out near the bottom of the pack with only two other teams to serve as a buffer from true rock bottom. But even though 30th sounds bleak, keep in mind that this could be the start of good things in Buffalo regardless of this year’s record.