Team by Team Analysis: AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Ryan Fitzpatrick had a mediocre season as the full time starter for the Bills, putting up an 81.3 passer rating and throwing for 3,000 yards. Some promise was seen, but he is more of a game manager than a game-breaker. He’s better suited as a backup. Possibilities could come via trade (Kevin Kolb, Carson Palmer) or via the draft. It is reported that they are interested in Cameron Newton, but it is unlikely they will take him at pick 3.
It is unsure if they will implement a 3-4 defense or a 4-3 defense in 2011, but playmakers are needed up front as the Bills ranked dead last in rush defense and tied for 27 th in total sacks. With their 1st round selection, they will likely add a player that is scheme-diverse such as DE/DT Marcell Dareus, OLB Von Miller or OLB/DE Robert Quinn.
The most glaring need of this team over the past few years which they have done very little to fix is on their offensive line. The draft has a lot of talent here, but none worthy of the third overall pick, so look for them to address this in the second or third round. Will this be enough for them to finally make it out of the decade long slump? Give it a year or two, or maybe another 10.
New England Patriots
Tom Brady is living the perfect life. Just signed to a new contract, he holds 3 Super Bowl rings, has won the MVP award twice, holds multiple records, plays for possibly the best coach in the Super Bowl era, has a super-model wife (and could probably pass for a model himself) and now his team holds 3 picks in the first 33 selections. Yes, you guessed it they’re my very early pick for the Big Game winners.
That being said, they have plenty of things to tune up and overhaul. An aging O-line that has seen its share of playoff appearances includes free agents Matt light and Stephen Neal. Logan Mankins, 2010 All-Pro selection has been upset with his contract and could be headed out the door. One of the first three picks will definitely be a lineman of some kind. Note lineman is not specified. Outside of Vince Wilfork and Jerrod Mayo, the front seven of their defense is atrocious. Turnovers were the only thing that masked the failure of this defense in stopping opposing offenses. Young players were installed last season at OLB and DE, and the guru Belicheck brought them strides forward by the end of the season. That being said a big DE like JJ Watt or Adrian Clayborn will most likely be taken to assist in a dismal pass rush.
It’s hard to hate on an offense as dynamic and high-scoring as that of last season, but with the departure of Randy Moss, there was a serious lacking of a number one wide receiver that defense will have to respect. Ochocinco (now back to Chad Johnson?) flirted about going to the Pats but it is far more likely for Belicheck to once again find a diamond in the rough to install in his scheme, as he always does (recall Tom Brady…a sixth round selection).
New York Jets
I am going to come out with it right away: Mark Sanchez is not a “Franchise Quarterback” and I am sick of hearing how he is an emerging star. He is surrounded by talent which produce the wins, while he puts up subpar stats. The comebacks he had were against the lowlife defenses of Houston, Detroit and Cleveland, and most of the credit should go to the Santonio Holmes (one of the most clutch players in the league if you don’t remember Super Bowl XLIII).
Now that I am done trying to convince you he is the weak part of the team, I will note that there are holes that will be opening if free agents are not resigned. Ole’ LaDainian Tomlinson, a soon to be free agent, will be turning 32 before beginning, but he played well and is sure to mentor young Shonn Greene. Other key free agents include Santonio Holmes WR, Braylon Edwards WR, Antonio Cromartie CB and Shaun Ellis DL. Resigning at least one of the wide outs is a priority but they lack any real depth so look for them to use the draft to address the position. Jonathan Baldwin is a possibility in round one.
The foot-fetish fiend Ryan has lost weight but he will need to find more young big men to plug into his D-line. Free agency and age will affect his pass rush regardless of how many men he blitzes. The star of the defense, Derrelle Revis, will still be around but Cromartie is probably on his way out and last year’s 1 st round pick, Kyle Wilson, has a lot of work to do to be a full time starter. The thought of Nnamdi joining Revis in NYC is something to dream about, but is far from likely. The draft will probably bring in another young DB.
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Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are in a bit of an offensive fix. They have a playmaker at wide out in Brandon Marshall and a fantastic complementary receiver in Davone Bess; however the backfield is a mess. Both Ronnie Brown RB and Ricky Williams RB are due to become free agents. Resigning one of them would make sense, but both are getting long in the teeth (Brown 29, Williams 34 in May) and have dropped off significantly in production. Brown looks to be the more dynamic runner but has only made it through one full season, showing injury risk. Mark Ingram would make perfect sense for them to take in the middle of the first round. Personally, I don’t believe the former Heisman winner’s skills will translate well into the sure-tackling NFL.
Poor interior offensive line play also contributed to their offensive woes. Richie Incognito has shown on other teams he is not a viable starter, so a replacement Guard should be another position to consider in round one, but it will be a reach as of now. Mike Pouncey appears to be the best at the position but as of now, taking him would be a reach. Not having a second round pick hurts, so this area of weakness will need to be worked on later in the draft.
Chad Henne certainly has the potential to be a great QB, showing a rocket arm, a nice build and reasonable accuracy. That being said, his decision making has been his down fall, throwing 19 interceptions to just 15 touchdowns last season. I would love to see them bring in a veteran to compete with Henne and to help tutor the young gun (maybe Donavon McNabb?). A better tight end would also help him out. Anthony Fasano is just not very good.
By Derek Updegrove
Pro Football Fans Staff Writer