AFC East Positional Ratings

I've graded every aspect of each team in the AFC East, and later I will post all the ratings for each division. Here's how the ratings work:

1 I - Awful
2 I's- Below Average
3 I's - Average
4 I's - Above Average
5 I's - Elite

The aspects we graded and rated for each team were quarterback, running backs, receivers/pass catchers, offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, secondary, and coaching. So, we'll be doing ratings for each division - we're starting with the AFC East today - and will continue throughout the week with the other divisions. Let's begin:

New England Patriots

Quarterback	Running Backs	Receivers	Offensive Line	Defensive Line	Linebackers	Secondary	Coaching
IIIII	II	IIII	IIII	IIII	III	III	IIIII

Tom Brady gets 5 stars, obviously. The combination of Benjarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Steven Ridley, and Shane Vereen leaves a lot to be desired. The Pats have very good targets for Brady in Wes Welker, newly acquired Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, and the TE combo of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, though I wouldn’t call the group elite. New England has several good offensive linemen in Logan Mankins, Matt Light, Dan Koppen, and Sebastian Vollmer, but none of them are elite save for Mankins, and Dan Connolly is a liability. The defensive line is another strong unit for the Patriots. Vince Wilfork is an elite DT, as ‘could be’ newly acquired Albert Haynesworth (but it’s doubtful). Shaun Ellis, at 34 is not elite, but he’s still an above average pass rusher. Andre Carter, who will line up opposite Ellis, is below average. Jerod Mayo is a great linebacker, but the other two for New England are below average. Gary Guyton is not a good linebacker, and Brandon Spikes is coming off a pretty good rookie year, but is still average at best. The secondary is also an average unit. Devin McCourty had an exceptional rookie year and is making his way into that elite corner class. Other than him though, the rest of the secondary is below average. Leigh Bodden is nothing special, and the 2 safeties are just okay – Brandon Merriweather was once considered a top safety but had a dreadful season a year ago, even getting benched. SS Pat Chung played like a rookie in 2010, but should improve. The coaching staff, headed by Bill Bellichick, is the best in the NFL.

New York Jets

Quarterback	Running Backs	Receivers	Offensive Line	Defensive Line	Linebackers	Secondary	Coaching
II	IIII	III	IIII	III	IIII	IIIII	IIII

Thus far in his NFL career, Mark Sanchez has been a below average NFL QB. Shonn Greene figures to have a breakout 2011 campaign with more carries, and LaDainian Tomlinson will serve as a nice complement. In terms of targets for Sanchez – Santonio Holmes is an established #1 wideout, but it’s still a question as to what the Jets will get out of Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason. Dustin Keller is just an average TE. The offensive line has 3 elite players – D’Brickishaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold, and Brandon Moore to go along with 2 question marks – Matt Slauson and Vlad Ducasse. The defensive line consists of elite run stopper Sione Pouha and another good run stopper in Mike Devito. Rookie Muhammed Wilkerson will join them, but the defensive line figures to generate nearly no pass rush. The inside linebackers of the Jets are a real strength with Bart Scott and David Harris, but the outside linebackers are a problem. Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas need to generate more pressure. The secondary is elite. Darrelle Revis is the best in the business, while Antonio Cromartie serves as one of the game’s best #2 corners. Jim Leonhard is also a very good safety, so the only question in the secondary is Eric Smith. Rex Ryan and his staff are above average as well.

Miami Dolphins

Quarterback	Running Backs	Receivers	Offensive Line	Defensive Line	Linebackers	Secondary	Coaching
I	II	IIII	II	IIII	IIIII	IIII	III

Chad Henne is terrible, thus the 1 star. It’s tough to call a combination of Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas good or even average, which is why the receive 2 stars. Brandon Marshall is an elite #1 WR, and Davone Bess is also elite in the slot. Brian Hartline is a pedestrian #2 target, and Anthony Fasono is just average, but Reggie Bush is arguably the best pass catching RB in the league. Overall, this pass catching unit is above average. The offensive line cannot say the same. Jake Long is the best LT in the game in my opinion, but the rest of the line is a mess. Marc Columbo, Vernon Carey, and rookie Mike Pouney figure to have tough 2011 campaigns. Richie Incognito is solid. The defensive line, on the other hand, is borderline elite – the Fins were 3^rd against the run last year. Paul Soliai is a beast at NT. Alongside him are Kendall Langford, who is also very good, and Randy Starks, who is a solid DE. Cameron Wake is a sack artist and stud OLB. Opposite him is Koa Misi, who excelled against the run in his rookie year but will need to generate more of a pass rush. Additionally, the Dolphins have two very good inside linebackers in Karlos Dansby, who is one of the game’s elite, and newly acquired Kevin Burnett, who is also above average. The secondary has a great young CB tandem of Vontae Davis and Sean Smith, both above average corners. Yeremiah Bell is a pretty good safety, but FS is a big question mark with either Reshad Jones or Chris Clemons. Neither will be up to par in 2011. Tony Sporano looked like a genius when he unleashed the wildcat and took the Dolphins from 1-15 to 11-5, but hasn’t done much since, and could be on the hotseat.

Buffalo Bills

Quarterback	Running Backs	Receivers	Offensive Line	Defensive Line	Linebackers	Secondary	Coaching
III	III	II	I	IIII	II	IIII	II

Ryan Fitzpatrick can be considered an average QB at this point. Also average is the Bills ability to run the ball. CJ Spiller is very talented and should be featured more in 2011, but it’s still a question mark. Fred Jackson will also play a big role. Stevie Johnson had a great 2010 season, though he struggled with drops. Other than him though, Fitzpatrick won’t have much to work with. Lee Evans is gone, and will be replaced by Brad Smith. The offensive line is not good – Eric Wood played well, but besides him, the Bills have a mess. The defensive line, however, is very good. Kyle Williams is an elite NT. Dwan Edwards is solid, and 1^st round pick Marcell Dareus will immediately impact this front. The Bills lost Paul Posluszny, which was big, but they added Nick Barnett – who is still a solid inside linebacker. Shawn Merriman was at one time elite, but that was long ago. He may have his best season since the severe dropoff, but don’t expect the same ridiculous numbers he posted while juiced. Chris Kelsay and Reggie Torbor are the other 2 backers, and they’re the main reason why this unit only got 2 stars. The secondary is above average, though. Terrence McGee is above average, though #2 corner Leodis McKelvin has not lived up to his high draft pick. The safeties are very good, however. Jarius Byrd is one of the best free safeties the game has to offer, and next to him will be George Wilson, a solid player. Chan Gailey is a questionable coach.