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AFC East Predicted Finish 1. Indianapolis Colts- Quite possibly the biggest disappointment in all of professional football a year ago, the Colts found several ways to lose games and let Lamar Smith run wild in a 23-17 loss to Miami in round one of the playoffs. Indy hopes that the addition of Christian Peter on the defensive line will help improve a defense that helped blow big leads and couldn't stop anyone from doing anything. The Colts Triplets may be better than the triplets that graced Dallas once upon a time and will always have them in games, regardless of the deficit. Peyton Manning is as polished and talented as any back in football, Edgerrin James is in a battle with Marshall Faulk as the most complete back in the NFL, and Marvin Harrison can burn anyone that lines up across from him. Jim Mora and Company in the Colts camp believe they have found a comparable second receiver for Harrison in first round draft pick Reggie Wayne out of Miami and anyone would be comfortable with Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard at tight end. If Wayne, Jerome Pathon, E.G. Green, or Terrence Wilkins can step up to help Harrison and the defense can improve at all, the Colts will be in Disneyland in February. 2. Miami Dolphins- After Jimmy "the great" proved that it really is hard to build a dominant team with today's salary restrictions, Dave Wannstedt proved that defense does win championships, bringing the first division title to the fish since 1994. Lamar Smith proved that he can be a big time back with his performances to finish the season and the offensive line should be as good as the unit last year that allowed only 28 sacks. The receiving core could be good with the speed of James McKnight, the reliable Oronde Gadsden, and the rookie stud Chris Chambers. If O. J. McDuffie can stay healthy then Jay Fiedler will have some talent around him, unless Ray Lucas passes him by, and don't be surprised if he does. Chan Gailey is good with young mobile quarterbacks, remember he's the one who made Kordell Stewart look good. No need to worry about the defense, they were dominant a year ago and should shine again despite their losses to free agency. 3. New York Jets- The Jets will start the season with a different head coach for the third time in three years and Herman Edwards must now feed the monster that Bill Parcells created. Parcells took the Jets from terrible to the brink of a Super Bowl a few years ago, but it's been downhill since. Edwards has a lot more to work with than Parcells did with Curtis Martin in the backfield, Wayne Chrebet to catch anything that comes his way, and the offseason additions of Matthew Hatchette and Santana Moss will help a struggling offense. If Vinny Testaverde can return to his form of three years ago the Jets have no limit, but if he struggles, sophomore professional Chad Pennington may step in. The defense should be strong again with the returning talent and veteran leadership, not to mention the defensive expertise of Herman Edwards from Tampa Bay. Barring injuries the Jets could go 11-5, with injuries, 5-11 is a possibility. 4. New England Patriots- Bill Belichick has had a rather strange existence in the NFL. He was the head coach of a talented, promising Cleveland Browns team that was relocated and thus lead to his downfall. Belichick then became a successful defensive coordinator, working with his mentor, Bill Parcells, at New England, then accepting the Jets job one day and turning it down the next. Now he is in New England and on a bit of a hot seat this season. The Patriots shocked everyone by passing up David Terrell and Koren Robinson in the draft, but did bolster their defense with tackle Richard Seymour from Georgia. However, if Drew Bledsoe doesn't get production out of free agent additions Bert Emanuel, Charles Johnson, David Patten, and Torrance Small at wideout, it could be another long, cold season in Massachusetts. 5. Buffalo Bills- The Bills are starting a new era with Gregg Williams at head coach, Tom Donahoe in the GM spot and a whole slew of draft picks. The Bills traded their old guard for youth with 12 draft picks and going to Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie. However, that's why they will struggle in 2001. Rob Johnson is a fragile, overrated quarterback and the Bills have a minimal ground game at best. The defense should be solid, though not what it has been after the loss of Donovan Greer, Sam Rogers, Marcellus Wiley, and Ted Washington. The Bills have a bit of a road back to respectability, it could be a long one.
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