Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 2016)
AFC EAST RYAN TANNEHILL LESEAN MCCOY ROB GRONKOWSKI RYAN FITZPATRICK REX RYAN TRYING TO RESURRECT DOLPHINS CONTINUE TO SWIM BILLS UPSTREAM PATS START SEASON WITHOUT BRADY JETS MOVE FORWARD AFTER SIGNING FITZPATRICK Coach: Rex Ryan 2015 Record: 8-8 Are the Bills building something in Buffalo under Rex Ryan? While much of the attention in Buffalo is paid to running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Sammy Watkins, what should not be overlooked is the solid 2015 productivity of quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He threw for more than 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions, earning him a Pro Bowl appearance in place of Cam Newton. If Ryan can work his defensive magic, the Bills could be a tough out. Coach: Bill Belichick 2015 Record: 12-4 Right or wrong, it looks like Tom Brady will start the season on the sideline as he serves a four-game suspension for his alleged role in “deflategate.” This will hopefully be the last anyone hears of the scandal while the Pats get a good idea of what life will one day be like without Brady. Tight end Rob Gronkowski should remain a key target for viable backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, keeping New England on pace in the AFC East. Coach: Todd Bowles 2015 Record: 10-6 Just prior to training camp the Jets finally agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, a deal that will likely get them through this season. They’ve still got to figure out what to do with former starter Geno Smith, 2015 draft pick Bryce Petty and newly drafted Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Oh so close a year ago, if the Jets again get solid defensive play and Fitzpatrick can avoid costly interceptions, this is a potential playoff team. Coach: Adam Gase 2015 Record: 6-10 Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has a big arm and puts up big numbers; throwing for over 4,000 yards the past two seasons along with a pile of touchdowns. But it doesn’t reflect in the win column. He starts this season without receiver Greg Jennings, who recently retired, and running back LaMar Miller who departed to Houston. With a lot of new faces, including the head coach, things could get worse in Miami before they get better. AFC WEST PHILLIP RIVERS VON MILLER ALEX SMITH SUPER BOWL CHAMPS START OVER AT CHIEFS DEFENSE KEY TO IMPROVING QUARTERBACK IN ‘16 Coach: Gary Kubiak 2015 Record: 12-4 The Super Bowl 50 champs begin anew without Peyton Manning. Their biggest offseason move was making linebacker Von Miller, who anchored the league’s best defense, the highest paid defender in NFL history. The Broncos hope to dominate defensively while the offense figures out the quarterback situation. Veteran Mark Sanchez comes from Philadelphia to battle with Trevor Siemian. However, many expect first round pick Paxton Lynch out of Memphis to eventually win the job. pg 4 2016 NFL PREVIEW Coach: Andy Reid 2015 Record: 11-5 The AFC West could be up for grabs this season and many expect the Chiefs to move up from the wild card and take the division. With quarterback Alex Smith consistently running the offense, that is not an overly great expectation. The defense, however, is the issue in KC, where safety Eric Berry, who got the franchise tag, has been holding out and injuries already plague one of last year’s least productive units. DEREK CARR DEL RIO, CARR TURNING THINGS AROUND IN OAKLAND Coach: Jack Del Rio 2015 Record: 7-9 The Raiders haven’t had a winning season since 2002 but with the maturation of Derek Carr and a continuously improving roster, there is hope for the silver and black. Carr has wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to choose from, while Latavius Murray made the 1,000 yard rushing mark in 2015. In the draft, coach Jack Del Rio used his top three picks on defensive players before taking Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook as a likely backup to Carr. CHARGERS PUTTING DISMAL 2015 SEASON BEHIND THEM Coach: Mike McCoy 2015 Record: 4-12 As quarterback Phillip Rivers enters his twilight years, he’s eager to get the Chargers back in winning form. He could use some help from second- year running back Melvin Gordon, who no doubt underachieved in his rookie season. On the defensive side of the ball, third overall draft pick Joey Bosa is expected to be an immediate improvement in the sack department. The Chargers are a better team than last year’s record and could easily win their division.
