2012 AFC East Preview: Can Anyone Contend with the Pats?

The answer to the question above seems to be "Who cares? When will Tim Tebow start for the Jets?

The most talked about team during the preseason and training camp has been the New York Jets and it's not because they are contenders for the Super Bowl. It's Tim Tebow drawing the attention in and everyone trying to figure out when he will be starting for the team. The official party line is that Mark Sanchez is still QB for the Jets and while he will be in week 1 it's a forgone conclusion that at some point Tim Tebow will take the job away. This Jets offense has stunk in the preseason and while the games don't matter, they still look atrocious. This whole season might be a wash no matter who is behind center (or in shotgun). Your seat looks hot, Rex.

As for the other teams, the Bills have a chance. They showed last year that they can play ball and even though they went through a really rough patch, they still looked good at times. Getting Mario Williams will help that defense and could get them over the .500 mark. The Dolphins will have a wash this season in which they will be concerned with Ryan Tannehill and his development.

The favorite is clearly the Patriots and this is one of those picks that seems like a guarantee. Securing up the TE positions for years to come with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez makes Tom Brady happy and having Brandon Lloyd is not bad either. That defense, however, has been sub par and they never really dominated on that side of the ball since their Super Bowl winning years. It could change this year considering that their draft last spring was basically a defensive theme but I just don't have a good vibe for that defense.

Of course the Pats have to be considered for more than just a division. Finishing with a bye week in the postseason is a possibility and going to the Super Bowl is another.

P.S. Week 6 is when Tim Tebow takes over as the starter. Those first five weeks are basically killers and week 6 vs. the Colts might be the best time to make a QB change.

Chad Johnson (Yes, Johnson) Released by the Dolphins

The artist formerly known as Ochocinco was signed by the Dolphins earlier this off season after a terrible one year stint with the New England Patriots. Chad Johnson was seeking a fresh start as was the Miami Dolphins with the team in rebuilding mode. That relationship is already over.

Chad's personal life has never seemingly gotten himself in trouble with the league or any of his former teams (on field antics have quite a bit). But now something in his life has cost him his job. Johnson was arrested over the weekend for domestic battery after his wife accused him of headbutting her during an argument in front of their home. Chad and his wife, Evelyn Lozada, were apparently just married about a month ago. Chad was released earlier today on $2500 bail. More bad news came later for the Pro Bowler as he was released from the Dolphins as a result of the arrest.

And so Chad Johnson's time with the Dolphins was over before he caught one ball, even in preseason play. Johnson's world has turned upside down with the legal trouble ahead that has a possibility of going to jail. As for his NFL career, I'm not sure any team wants to touch him at the present time. Maybe at some point during the season itself when some of this has blown over but not right now. I'm still not sure if the Dolphins made the right choice cutting Johnson but I get that they needed a fresh start and didn't want something like this preventing that. Makes me wonder why they hired Chad Johnson to begin with.