AFC East in Dolphins’ hands if Brady is Inactive

 

 
What a rarity it is for an open and easy opportunity to claim the AFC East for teams that compete with the reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots! In only two of the past 14 seasons have the AFC East teams not named the Patriots taken control of the division. 

As for this year, the Patriots, who have appeared in six of the last 14 Super Bowls, will be soldiering on for the first four games of the season without their starting quarterback Tom Brady. Brady has been suspended (as of now) due to his role in the AFC Championship’s “Deflate Gate” controversy, and will rely on Jimmy Garoppolo to hold down their fort of control. If the suspension is upheld, as Brady has initiated his appeal for the punishment, the Miami Dolphins stand out as the favorite for the AFC East.

Through vast improvement on their roster, as a result of draft picks, free agency acquisitions and noteworthy coaching pickups, the Patriots have their work cut out for them to fend off their competition this year.

As for where it starts, in which it has for the Patriots, it’s the quarterback. The continuously improving Ryan Tannehill, who accumulated 4000+ yards and threw for 27 touchdowns, may be permanently snatching the reigns of the AFC East from the aging Tom Brady. It’s quite the surprise that Tannehill has marked his way as a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback, as his transition from playing wide receiver to quarterback only began in prior to his Junior year at Texas A&M. 

Having that experience may be why the quarterback has figured out what it takes to throw accurately to a wide receiver, throwing for 66.4% completion last year. His consistent improvement year to year highlights why he may be the prime reason the Dolphins could be a team to watch out for, as he’s immensely improved his accuracy by 8% since his rookie year in 2012.

Adding to his expertise, general manager Dennis Hickey has supplied Tannehill with talent on the outside, despite losing their previous number one receiver Mike Wallace. As Wallace was traded to the Minnesota Vikings back in March, Hickey resorted to free agency and drafting talent that will be consistently effective and a bit quieter in the locker room. With an apparent up and comer in Jarvis Landry, the Dolphins second round pick in 2014, Hickey also invested in acquiring receivers Kenny Stills from the New Orleans Saints and two time pro bowler Greg Jennings from the Green Bay Packers. Their first round prospect wide receiver of out Louisville, Devante Parker, has the potential to create a dangerous tandem with Landry if his health can stay with him. Having even lost tight end Charles Clay to the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins managed to replace him with acquiring pro bowler Jordan Cameron of the Cleveland Browns. 

If Tannehill needs to take a back seat in certain games, their running back tandem is not one to shy away from stepping in. Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller, who stepped in for Moreno due to injury and rushed for almost 1100 yards on over 5 yards per carry, look to capitalize this year more so as they both look to remain healthy together this year.

The Dolphins’ defense looks to be pretty solid going into this year with the addition of All Pro Ndamukong Suh solidifying their right defensive tackle spot. Combined with edge rushers Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon, who combined for 18 sacks last year, the Dolphins defensive line may not be one to overlook going into next year. Even spots in their back seven, with Jelani Jenkins, who accumulated over 110 tackles last year and Pro Bowl cornerback Brent Grimes, the Dolphins have a lot to be optimistic for next year’s defensive prowess that may remain in the top ten for the duration of the year. 

Their primary issue last year was consistency, as they lost their, at one point, second ranked defense in the second half of the season, which ensued an 19 ranking collapse to 21 following week 17. As Suh looks to dominate the trenches with their two edge rushers, along with help from Jenkins, who accumulated 3.5 sacks last year himself, the Dolphins have a lot to be optimistic about for next year.

The Dolphins’ finish in 2008 was the last team to surpass the Patriots for the crown of AFC East champs. With the talent they have acquired this past off season, on top of the building talent they already have, the Dolphins are on pace to seizing the top spot in this upcoming season.