In the past, the NFL has lagged behind sports like baseball and hockey when it comes to the activity that occurs in the offseason. There weren’t many trades or many free agent signings. In fact, the most activity was coaches for bolting for new teams and new surroundings. Those days are gone, and the NFL is now experiencing a free agency period that parallels (and perhaps passes) that of baseball.
Much activity has occurred this offseason, and some teams will be enjoying seasons that surpass those of seasons past. The most dramatically changed division, thus far, is the AFC East, where the Patriots may have their work cut out for them.
If you are a fan of a team in the AFC East, put your seat belt on and enjoy the ride that is the offseason in this wild division.NOTE: These signings and departures are as of March 16. Much more will happen in the days and weeks to come…
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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The New England Patriots have won their division in each of the past 5 seasons. In the past few seasons (starting with the 3 Championships in 4 years), the Patriots have kept most of their roster intact.
Tom Brady, after taking over for an injured Drew Bledsoe, has remained the quarterback. Deion Branch (a Patriot since ’01), David Givens (since ’02…but not anymore), and Troy Brown (a Pat since 1993) have been mainstays at the wideout positions during the Patriots dynasty run.
Tedy Bruschi has been with the Patriots since 1996, and Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour have been Patriots since 2001. Even ex-kicker Adam Vinatieri had been a Patriot since 1996.
Now, David Givens has signed with the Tennessee Titans, giving the Patriots no major player at the wideout position. Vinatieri, the Patriots hero who kicked field goals through the snow against the Raiders and in the dome against the Rams, has become a cap casualty. Willie McGinest, formerly a Patriot since 1994, has signed with the Cleveland Browns, leaving (for the time being) a gap on the defensive line.
The Patriots may actually show a human side in the 2006 season, thus giving the other three teams (see below) a chance to win the division.
NEW YORK JETS
Yes, yes, I know…the Jets stunk up the joint in the 2005 season. They played so poorly that they have the #4 pick in the upcoming draft. Chad Pennington has been hurt as much as he has played, and Curtis Martin isn’t getting any younger. However, there IS light at the end of the tunnel, Jets fans.
First off, and perhaps most importantly, the Jets have the chance to draft Vince Young to be their quarterback of the future. Since Drew Brees signed with the Saints the other day, the Saints (#2 pick) are no longer in line to draft a quarterback. Many believe the Texans will take Reggie Bush with the top pick, the Saints will draft a defensive lineman (perhaps, Mario Williams?), and the Titans will draft USC quarterback Matt Leinart. This leaves the Jets hoping to draft Texas quarterback Vince Young. If this happens, the future of the Jets may be looking up. Even if the Jets do not draft Young, they may trade up with the Saints and take Leinart. Either way, the QB situation should be improving after the draft occurs.
The Jets have also signed ex-Steeler DL Kimo Von Oelhoffen, who spent the last 6 seasons in the Steel City. He started every game but one during his career there and finished 2005 with 3½ sacks and 22 tackles. The Jets have switched to a 3-4 defense for next season, which was what von Oelhoffen was used to in Pittsburgh.
Though the hiring of new coach Eric Mangini (ex-Patriot OC) is not technically free agency, the Jets do move forward with the hiring. Mangini will know how to work with the younger players because of the small age gap and he will know how to handle the Patriots (…at least we hope he will).
Now, the Jets may not challenge for the division crown in 2006, but they have the opportunities to get closer thanks to a high spot in the draft, a new coach, and the free agency wave new to the NFL.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
I’ll jump right on the bandwagon with the analysts on various TV stations with this one. THE DOLPHINS WILL WIN THE AFC EAST NEXT YEAR. Yes, I know Ricky Williams won’t be playing next year after failing ANOTHER drug test, but the Dolphins don’t need him. At all.
After starting last season 3-7, the Fins won their last six games behind strong play from QB Gus Frerotte and WR Chris Chambers to finish the season 9-7. Rookie Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams shared the load at running back and the Fins finished the 2005 season on the right foot.
The 2006 season is already looking up for the Dolphins with the acquisition of ex-Viking QB Daunte Culpepper the other day. Culpepper is two years removed from an MVP-type season, and he has 135 touchdown passes for his career. Yes, Culpepper is coming off of season-ending knee surgery, but Culpepper is heads and shoulders above the Frerotte’s and the A.J. Feeley’s of the world.
Culpepper was lost without Randy Moss last year in Minnesota, for he had no top wideout to throw his passes to. Now, in Miami, Culpepper will have Chris Chambers to throw to. If Chambers could put up 82 receptions for 1,118 yards with Frerotte at QB, imagine the numbers he’ll put up with Culpepper throwing to him.
The Dolphins have also signed tackle L.J. Shelton away from the Cleveland Browns, corner Andre Goodman away from the Detroit Lions, and linebacker Sedrick Hodge away from the New Orleans Saints.
Throw in a second-year coach who knows what he’s doing (Nick Saban) and the Dolphins are poised to make noise in 2006. You can count on it.
BUFFALO BILLS
If you’re a Bills fan, I feel for you. The Bills will be playing under a new coach in Dick Jauron to start the 2006 season. J.P. Losman and Kelly Holcomb will once again be vying for the QB position, and both players will most likely not be as productive as the other quarterbacks in their division.
Eric Moulds’s tenure in Buffalo is probably over, meaning that Lee Evans (2005: 48 catches, 743 yards, 7 TDs) will be the primary target for whoever is quarterbacking the team. The Bills signed Andre’ Davis away from the Patriots, but he won’t come close to replacing the impact Moulds had.
One of the few bright spots in Buffalo is running back Willis McGahee, who rushed for 1,247 yards in 2005. The Bills will have to use McGahee as their building block if they are to compete in the future.
Buffalo let DT Sam Adams go; however, they have signed ex-Colt DT Larry Tripplett and ex-Redskin TE Robert Royal. These signings will not put the Bills over the hump, and they will most likely be sitting at the bottom of the standings for quite some time, since the Pats, Jets, and Dolphins will all be competing for the division crown.
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So, the Bills may be far off and the Jets might have some work to do before they compete for the division lead. However, the Dolphins will look to compete with the Patriots for the division, and the Patriots dynasty might be coming to an end, especially if the free agency moves continue to keep on coming, with David Givens and Willie McGinest bolting to other teams.
Fan of the AFC East? Well, buckle up, football fan. The AFC East will be tighter and more exciting that it has been in quite some time.
