The Dolphins are headed in the right direction under head coach Tony Sparano and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells. Miami took a step backward last season, but it will allow them to move forward in 2010. They have found a great quarterback in Chad Henne, and are set at running back with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
Here is a look at the odds to win the 2010 AFC East Division:
All Odds Taken From Bodog and Bookmaker, be sure to shop around for the best price.
New York Jets (+130)
The Jets acquired some key players that could push them over the top in 2010. They picked Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson at 29 in the draft and traded for Antonio Cromartie. The latter has struggled with his focus, but there is no question to me that Rex Ryan will get him on the right track.
The Jets now have a scary secondary that will allow them to get even more creative with their feared blitz-packages. The addition of Jason Taylor gives them another great pass rusher. Rex Ryan will be able to dial up blitzes that will leave opposing quarterbacks little to no time.
New York added a much needed slot receiver in Santonio Holmes. They have a pretty good receiving corps in Braylon Edwards, Jericho Cotchery, and Holmes. Running back Shonn Greene showed a lot of promise at the end of last season and in the playoffs.
He ran for 135 and a TD in the Jets’ 24-14 win over the Bengals, and for 128 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. The Jets added LaDainian Tomlinson to the mix, but he will most likely have to deal with being a backup.
For the Jets, everything will depend on whether Mark Sanchez can build on a promising 2009 season. He was not as good as many wanted to make him, but he showed some flashes of brilliance. If he can keep it together for a whole season and improve on last year, the Jets are the team to beat in the AFC East.
New England Patriots (+135)
The Patriots won the division in 2009 and are looking to repeat. They had a very successful draft, that landed them two first and two second round picks for next season. They ended up with a lot of talent as well.
The offense will be strong again behind Tom Brady, and Bill Belichik got his signal caller some new toys in the draft. The Patriots picked up tight ends Rob Gronkowksi and Aaron Hernandez as well as Ohio wide receiver Taylor Price. They also signed WR Tory Holt and TE Alge Crumpler.
The help is much needed as it is unclear whether Wes Welker will be able to return to his pre-injury form. He tore his ACL in the last game of the 2009 regular season. While he has been working out with the team, it usually takes players a while to get back to form after an ACL tear.
The Patriots also upgraded their defense by signing rush linebacker Jermaine Cunningham and signing Marcus Murell. They signed Damione Lewis and Gerard Warren, and drafted Brandon Daderick to fill a hole at defensive end.
They drafted Devin McCourty as a nickel-corner and are looking strong on defense. They will give the Jets a tough fight for the division title.
Miami Dolphins (+300)
The Dolphins had a strong draft and are creeping up on the Jets and Patriots in the AFC East. They are looking to move Randy Starks to nose tackle and drafted Jared Odrick to play defensive end.
They added a great rush linebacker in Koa Misi and a promising prospect in inside linebacker A.J.Edds. They needed depth on the offensive line and got it in guard John Lerry out of Ole Miss. Parcells was looking for a safety and got second/third round talent in the fifth round.
The offense seems set with rising-star Chad Henne at quarterback. The signal-caller has shown off his strong arm, but needs to work on his accuracy. The Dolphins traded for Brandon Marshall, and Tony Sparano could be the right guy to steer the troubled star-receiver in the right direction.
They are set at running back and have a Pro Bowl left tackle in Jake Long. They collapsed at the end of last season behind some bad decisions by Chad Henne, but they look good going into the 2010 season. They improved on defense by adding Karlos Dansby and drafting defensive back Reshad Jones. While they are certainly not the favorite to win the division, they will be making another move in the right direction, and could surprise should Mark Sanchez and the Jets struggle.
Buffalo Bills (+2000)
The Bills are the only team without a legitimate shot at the division title. They finished at the bottom of the division last season, and made some questionable decisions in the draft.
They have a huge question mark at quarterback, and needed a left tackle and a nose tackle. So what did they do? They picked up running back C.J. Spiller at 9 despite having Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson on the team already.
For now it looks like it’s going to be Trent Edwards or Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm again in Buffalo, and they can’t win with either one of them. They did pick up Levi Brown at 209, but it will be a while before he can take over the starting job.
The Bills did find an offensive tackle as well at 140, but passed up on better talent. They still need help at wide receiver.
The defense is not good enough to keep up with the other teams in the AFC East, and the Bills – barring any huge surprises – will end up at the bottom of the division again.
You can get expert NFL picks against the weekly schedule from Maddux Sports. Winning selections from guys that make their livings betting these same games.
