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With this story, myself and my fellow AFC East writers wrap up what has been a fun Around the AFC East series.  Every year, it gets a little more interesting.  Switching from a question format to ranking player positions has certainly spiced things up.  But all good things must come to an end and with this last entry, we talk about quarterbacks.

Since I routinely get smacked around for rating a group as a whole (ie: our backfield-by-committee) or including quarterbacks when talking about wide receiver production, I'm sticking with starters in this case and no others.  I'm sure I'll catch flack for that, too (you're just doing that because you have Brady!).  Oh well.

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The second to last entry in our Around the AFC East series is rating the wide receivers.  From a Patriots standpoint, this will be very, very interesting.  We can't, in general, go by last year's performance as Tom Brady was not at the helm.  In addition, I still have looming questions about how Tommy Terrific will perform on the field.  I know many of you have told me not to worry, that there are plenty of other things to worry about, but I can't help thinking if I did that, I'd be burying my head in the sand.  No offense to anyone with a contrary opinion; I have two daughters and am, by nature, a worry wart.


Looking at the NFL statistics for yards-per-game in the passing game, an AFC East team doesn't even hit the list until #10 and that's Miami.  However, Miami did post well in other categories like average yards per catch (6th) and completion percentage (1st).  If you're a believer in Football Outsiders, their DVOA puts Miami at 6th.  The biggest question is, "How will Bady do?"  I hate to be a homer, but is that not one of the top three questions AFC East teams are thinking of?  Ok, maybe I'm a super homer to think everyone's thinking about the Patriots, but c'mon...

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I will admit rating defensive tackles is very difficult.  What stat do you use?  Rushing defense?  Most defensive tackles, especially in a 3-4, are run stuffers and contribute very little "obvious" value to that stat.  They may jam up the line and close up the holes, leaving the tackling for the linebackers, but how do you measure that?  That's not to say they don't make tackles.  They do, but just not as much as a linebacker, especially in a 3-4.  Defensive tackles need to be watched in order to differentiate them.  Good defensive tackles force offensive linemen in a direction they didn't want to go.  If they're really good, they may get into the backfield and threaten the QB.  But most of them are immobile enough in an "open" backfield that even a flat footed Tom Brady could get out of their way if looking.

While this was tough, there were some clear standouts.  My ratings after the jump.

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In our previous installment of Around the AFC East, we rated running backs in the East.  Today, we switch over to the defensive side of the house and tackle linebackers (get it?  Tackle. Badum-tsssss...I'm here all week).  This is, admittedly, more difficult than I thought it would be.  Other than tackles, sacks, and interceptions (usually very few, I might add), there's little to go on, so I relied heavily on, I'm ashamed to admit, Football Outsiders's DVOA stats. Without further delay, Linebacker Rankings.

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Next up, we get the lowdown on the Bills' offensive line.  Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings has the goods.

In a recent Buffalo Rumblings story, you wrote, "Jason Peters was traded.  Derrick Dockery was unceremoniously released.  Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler? "Departed as free agents."  Langston Walker is the new left tackle, and college tackle/pro guard Brad Butler is now manning the right side.  Three new players - Geoff Hangartner, Eric Wood and Andy Levitre - will take over blocking duties against the division's excellent 3-4 nose tackles.  Change doesn't always have to be good..."  How will these moves affect the Bills' offense?  Could this be a good "house cleaning" or are you worried?  Also, give us your insight into a Hangartner/Wood/Levitre vs. Vince Wilfork matchup. (from Dave)

I feel obliged to point out that I was being a bit tongue-in-cheek when that particular chunk of text was written.  Buffalo's offensive line was so terrible in 2008 that it's going to be alarming if the unit is worse next season.

In terms of the changes affecting Buffalo's offense, the impact should be fairly significant schematically.  The Bills' blocking schemes will be altered; Peters was left on an island on nearly 100% of pass plays for the past two seasons, but that's not likely to continue with Walker on the left side.  You'll see a more balanced line with more traditional blocking schemes; those were altered thanks to Peters' unique talents.  But you'll see the same basic play calls that you saw from Buffalo in 2008 - altered slightly for a certain Mr. Owens, of course.  Don't forget about that no-huddle, either.

As for the Wilfork matchup - well, I call Wilfork unblockable for a reason.  Buffalo needs to get to the point where Wilfork is merely good in games against the Bills instead of downright dominant.  There's a lot to like about Hangartner, Wood and Levitre, but we haven't seen any of them play a down in Bills uniforms yet.  It's difficult to make predictions based on the lack of exposure.  We'll wait and see, but I'm certainly far more optimistic that our new interior linemen will be able to compete with the likes of Wilfork than I was with last year's group.

I'll be looking to see if the Bills' O line can improve based on some of the changes Brian has outlined above.  That is, when we're not playing them.  Wilfork will still be dominant based on the inexperience of the players going up against him.

Thanks to Brian for his info on the O line.  Head over to Buffalo Rumblings where I discuss Randy Moss' comments about the state of the 2009 offense.

Thankfully, we're past the verbal sparring that took place over the last few weeks.  I'm amused that Jets HC Rex Ryan engaged in so much invective with Dolphins' LB Channing Crowder, but it shouldn't come as a surprise given his silly comments about not kissing Belichick's rings.  Welcome to the bulletin board, Rexxie.

Starting off this week's Around the AFC East, we talk to uber Miami fan and head writer at The Phinsider, Matty I.  Matty answers my questions about the end of 2008.

A Divisional Championship after a 1-15 season is nothing short of an astounding turnaround.  However, towards the end of the 2008 season, it appeared Miami struggled a bit in "easy" games (I know, no game is easy).  Was that a case of the opposition simply having more film on the Dolphins?  Were there issues in need of correction?  If the latter, what has Sparano and crew done to improve?

That's an excellent question and is really one of the things that have been eating at Dolphin fans this offseason.  The Dolphins seem to struggle (but still find ways to win) against some of the teams who, on paper, were not very good last year.  And now the Dolphins enter the '09 season with, on paper, one of the toughest schedules in the league.  That leads many to believe that the 2009 season could play out as a situation where the Dolphins are a better team than in 2008, but end up with a worse record. 

So what was the issue last year against the "lesser" teams?  I really don't know.  But the one thing I can't help but wonder about is if the Dolphins played "down to their competition" last year.  It seemed like the Dolphins weren't as crisp against the Raiders, Seahawks, 49ers, and teams like that as they were in week 17 against the Jets - a team that was clearly in the upper half of the league.

With that said, though, there was one clear issue late in the season that definitely hurt the Dolphins: Joey Porter wore down.  It was obvious that he wasn't as effective as he was early in the season.  And for that, I blame Miami's lack of another serious pass-rushing threat.  Porter was constantly getting double-teamed and just couldn't get the push he was getting previously.  But that issue was addressed with the signings of Jason Taylor and CFL pass-rushing star Cameron Wake.  So Porter will have some more help in 2009.

But all in all, there isn't any one thing you can put your finger on and declare as the reason why the Dolphins struggled against the "lesser" teams.  Skeptics might say it's because the Dolphins just weren't really that good last year.  They would add that the ‘Wildcat' wasn't catching anyone off guard late in the season and, therefore, wasn't as effective.  And these are the same people who are quick to write-off the Dolphins in 2009.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how things shape up this year.

That's an interesting point about Joey Porter and one that could make a lot of sense.  The additions of Jason Taylor and Cameron Wake will help in the pass rushing area quite a bit.  Hopefully, Matt Light is up to the task of protecting Brady's blind side.  Thanks to Matty for the intel.  Don't forget to check out The Phinsider for my take on the top free agent acquisitions.

Last, but not least, Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings gives us his view of T.O.'s impact on the fanbase as well as well as a general sense of how fans are feeling about the season.

The first three Bills games for this season have sold out which is usually a good sign.  How much of a factor has T.O. had on the fans?  Do you sense a renewed feeling of optimism?  Finally, what have you seen with this year's organization that warrants this optimism?  (From Dave)

I don't think Owens has had as much of an impact on ticket sales as most people say he has.  Buffalo had more season ticket holders at this point last year than they do now, by a difference of about four thousand season ticket holders.  Owens' presence has certainly helped avoid a bigger dip in ticket sales, particularly in this economy.  But it's not as important as most people would like you to believe for a story's sake.

There is certainly renewed optimism, though I would also mention that it hasn't reached the point of delusion.  There is plenty of skepticism floating around Bills country as well, and for plenty of good reasons.  But I believe that a degree of optimism is warranted, simply because Owens is the type of player that makes his teammates much better - particularly quarterbacks.  Lee Evans has been waiting for a legitimate threat opposite him for three seasons; we definitely have one of those now.  Trent Edwards finally has enough weapons to make significant strides in attempting to establish himself as our franchise quarterback.  Add in a re-tooled offensive line with hungry, tough young players, dash in a couple of rookie defenders with play-making potential in DE Aaron Maybin and FS Jairus Byrd, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the Bills' future.

But until the Bills can erase the stench of a 2-8 close to the 2008 season and an 0-6 mark in the AFC East, no move will completely eradicate the skepticism in Buffalo.  It's been nine years since we made the playoffs; as I mentioned above, we have no delusions.  There's a lot that this team has to prove.  But that doesn't mean we can't be excited about the team's prospects while waiting for the Bills to get that chance to prove themselves.

I think Brian has a very realistic view of T.O.'s impact.  He may be a star player, but he's one cog in the machine his comment about Lee Evans is spot on.  Very cool writeup.  For my answer to his questions about Vince Wilfork check out Buffalo Rumblings.

In our second installment, we talk to John B from Gang Green Nation about Leon Washington.

Leon Washington appears to be very unhappy with is reported $535,000 in 2009 and has skipped Jets' OTAs to make a statement.  Do Jets fans believe if he signed a contract he should stick with it or is public sentiment in his favor?  Does his performance warrant a re-negotiated deal with one year left in his contract?  If things don't pan out, what is the backup situation or will Rex Ryan hit the wire?

The Jets are going to have a riot on their hands among the fans if Washington does not get his extension. He is the most explosive player on the roster and should have his best years in front of him. Even though just about everybody thought he was badly underutilized a year ago, he still found a way to dominate a few games. I have sensed some concern among fans the team has not gotten a new deal done already. I have heard no concerns the team will offer him a contract too generous.

Running back is actually one of the few positions at which the Jets have good depth, but there is no way the team finds a player who can replace Washington. He is the one player on the roster who is a threat to take it the distance every time he has the ball in his hands. I can't fathom a new deal not getting done.

Much like the Wilfork situation, Leon Washington is a "must sign".  John B is right about his value to the team; he's a super running back and deserves his payday.

Thanks to John B for his perspective on the Leon Washington situation.  Check out Gang Green Nation where I talk about Tom Brady's newest toy, Greg Lewis.