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FROM HARVEY FIALKOV OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL… While the Dolphins have barely dipped a toe into the free-agent pool, the rest of the AFC East dove in headfirst. Sure, the Dolphins didn’t make a huge splash like the Bills did last week with the signing of diva receiver Terrell Owens, but they did secure the future of five solid starters, including three of their own, without breaking the bank.
With free agency coming to sudden stop, there will be many columns like this one by Harvey Fialkov grading the offseason. It makes for great conversation, but I find it difficult to place a grade on teams until after the draft, when I can look at their moves in total. Each team’s movement in free agency answers some questions about which direction they’re heading, but it also opens others before the draft. I tend to focus on what’s next rather than looking back and grading just one part of the offseason. Here are five questions each AFC East team must answer…
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NEW ENGLAND
1. Where’s the pass rush going to come from? The Pats need an outside linebacker who can rush. They lack the ability to make plays on third down and were last in the league in allowing third-down conversions on third-and-10 or more. A rusher would help.
2. Can Tedy Bruschi play another year? The Patriots need to add speed to their front seven, and this might keep Tedy off the field. They need to find a big, tough inside linebacker.
3. Do they have enough depth in the offensive line? The Patriots do a great job moving all the pieces around, but they need to find some young linemen they can develop for the future. They ranked 26th in sacks allowed last year.
4. Can they find some help in the punting game? They were 31st in the NFL in yards allowed on punt returns. This was due, in part, to their punter and their lack of speed on the field.
5. Who is the next Matt Cassel? The Patriots need to make sure they have another young player ready to go. Is it Kevin O’Connell?
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No doubt the ILB spot next to Mayo is an issue unless Guyton comes on. Regarding the pass rush, I really hope Crable can help that at least on passing downs. I definitely am not suggesting he would be the starter to replace Vrable but on 3rd and 8 I'd like to think he can be a factor - of course, our secondary looks to be much improved which will help too.
I think a healthy AD will seriously boost the pass rush. I also that that Mayo, who's focus was really on learning the system last year, will become a reasonably decent asset to the pass rush. Although he didn't get any sacks last year, in the last couple of games he started to generate some pressure. With a full year under his belt, plus another offseason of study, I think BB will start to loosen the reins a bit and expand Mayo's role. An improved secondary should also help with the pass rush.
I'm also hoping that having a competent secondary will let Pees be more aggressive with the pass rush. It must be tough to send extra guys at the QB when your secondary can't cover *****.
I think a healthy AD will seriously boost the pass rush. I also that that Mayo, who's focus was really on learning the system last year, will become a reasonably decent asset to the pass rush. Although he didn't get any sacks last year, in the last couple of games he started to generate some pressure. With a full year under his belt, plus another offseason of study, I think BB will start to loosen the reins a bit and expand Mayo's role. An improved secondary should also help with the pass rush.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BF
I'm also hoping that having a competent secondary will let Pees be more aggressive with the pass rush. It must be tough to send extra guys at the QB when your secondary can't cover *****.
I agree with Lombardi on the OL tho; I wouldn't mind seeing some extra hulks with brains waiting in the wings. TFB's going to have a target on his back (knee) OL=fortress imho
>>>>4. Can they find some help in the punting game? They were 31st in the NFL in yards allowed on punt returns. This was due, in part, to their punter and their lack of speed on the field. <<<<
Huh??? According to the NFL stats (link below), the Pats allowed 158 yds (4th least in the entire league) on 50 punts or 3.1 ypp...............Granted only a few were returned but let's look at the whole picture in terms on FC and out of bounds punts, not selected stats.
Can somebody explain this one to me.....???
In the remarks section to this article, Bones speculates that Teddy has/is/will be taking over Izzo's special teams captaincy, leadership and job and that Guyton will be starting at ILB. Sounds to me like a pretty good position for Teddy. What does anyone else think?
Will D
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In the remarks section to this article, Bones speculates that Teddy has/is/will be taking over Izzo's special teams captaincy, leadership and job and that Guyton will be starting at ILB. Sounds to me like a pretty good position for Teddy. What does anyone else think?
Lombardi's Diner Morning News: AFC East
I agree with Lombardi on the OL tho; I wouldn't mind seeing some extra hulks with brains waiting in the wings. TFB's going to have a target on his back (knee)
OL=fortress imho
and an interesting proposition too.
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