It’s hard being a football fan in late June. With OTA’s and mini-camps wrapping up, and training camps over a month away, these days are pretty quiet. Yes, new stories emerge everyday from beat writers around the country, but the general consensus seems to be that this is a dull time. With that being said, there are always new storylines unfolding in the NFL. With the new season on the horizon, let’s take a very brief look at each of the league’s 32 teams and their situations heading into this important time.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: After a disappointing season (missing the playoffs is always a let-down in Baltimore) the Ravens had another strong Ozzie Newsome-led draft, and hope to return to prominence in 2014. Will Ray Rice be suspended? Will the offense flourish once again? It’s a tough division, but the Ravens are hard to deny.
Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals have become a perennial playoff team, but haven’t made any headway past their opening match ups. There is great potential on this roster, and if Andy Dalton can win a playoff game this year, the Bengals will have a tough time denying him that big new contract he desires.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns are on the way. They get very little respect, but they’ve improved significantly. Josh Gordon’s looming suspension is the biggest story in Cleveland right now, however, as any time he misses hurts this team in a big way. If Gordon can get his ban reduced to eight games, the Browns will be in decent shape. If he misses the entire season, it could be a rough rookie year for Johnny Football.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Over the last two years, the Steelers haven’t been the team they once were. It would be stunning if that trend continued in 2014. This is one of the sports best organizations, and they cannot be held down for long. The addition of Mike Munchak as Offensive Line Coach is one of the most underrated moves of this off season, as Munchak’s blocking schemes figure to benefit sophomore back Le”Veon Bell, while keeping Ben Roethlisberger on his feet.
AFC South
Houston Texans: After a disastrous season that culminated with 14 straight defeats, the Texans had a good draft, and look primed for a bounce-back season. Their failure to draft a quarterback until the fourth round is a bit puzzling, but Ryan Fitzpatrick was a solid signing for a team that plans to run the football and play great defense. A scenario where this team finishes last in the league once again is nearly unthinkable. If Arian Foster can stay healthy, the Texans will be all right.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are an interesting team. They are one of the better teams in the AFC but they seem to change their identity from week to week. It’s a make or break year for third year tailback Trent Richardson as he needs to justify the huge investment this team made in him. Another divisional championship seems like a distinct possibility in 2014, but the Colts may not run away with it this time.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags came on strong late in the season, playing vastly improved defense and constantly giving their all in spite of being completely out of contention. It’s a good sign for the future of the franchise, and if new additions Toby Gerhart and rookie quarterback Blake Bortles can spark the team on offense, the Jags could make a strong push toward being a .500 team for the first time in years.
Tennessee Titans: It’s all about Jake Locker this year. Heading into his fourth NFL season, Locker has flashed potential on the field, but has missed so much time due to injury, it’s hard to evaluate his potential. The Titans have some pieces in place, and this is Locker’s chance to prove that he can in fact be a franchise quarterback. If he struggles or sustains another injury, the Titans could be spending a high pick on a quarterback in 2015.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: The Bills went all in to acquire Sammy Watkins in the first round of the 2014 draft. Watkins is a dynamic talent and should spark a Bills offense that is long on potential. The Bills desperately want to take the next step forward this year, especially in a division that is seemingly wide open after the New England Patriots.
Miami Dolphins: It’s time for the Dolphins to put the tumultuous off season they head in the rear-view mirror and make a playoff push. Third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill is an improving player, and the hope is that new Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor’s offense will benefit players like Tannehill and Mike Wallace greatly. The ‘Phins have beaten some good teams in recent years, and this could be the season where it all comes together.
New England Patriots: They still have Brady and Belichick. They signed Darrelle Revis. Oh, and Gronk could be back for Week One. I think they’ll be okay this year.
New York Jets: Another interesting year is on the horizon for one of the league’s most visible franchises. If new additions Michael Vick, Chris Johnson, and Eric Decker can spark the offense and the defense can continue to play up to it’s usual level, a team that has been talked about as a potential cellar-dweller could be a genuine surprise team in 2014.
AFC West:
Denver Broncos: They have Peyton Manning. I know they’ll be just fine.
Kansas City Chiefs: Big year two for Andy Reid in KC. The Chiefs were a huge surprise last year, but finished the season on a sour note. They’ll have their work cut out for them in an improving AFC West this season, but have the talent to make the postseason again.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders had a pretty good off season. Despite some people calling for Reggie McKenzie’s job after a rough start to free agency, McKenzie made some wise signings and drafted quite well, borderline stealing Khalil Mack with the fifth overall pick, and the securing his potential quarterback of the future in Derek Carr in round two. It will be incredibly difficult for the Raiders to make noise this year, especially in a division that boasted three playoff teams last year, but this team is on the right track. They key here is patience.
San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have had a relatively quiet off season. In fact you hear very little about this team at all these days, and that is almost certainly just the way Mike McCoy wants it. The Chargers snuck up on everyone last year and would very much like to to the same thing in 2014. This is a good football team, make no mistake about it, and if the offense can run as smoothly this season as it did last year, the Chargers are a contender.
Come back tomorrow to for our look at the NFC.
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