Like jumping over the Grand Canyon....
Like you all wrote, the other three teams in the AFC East have big issues to solve and the patchwork they have done so far isn't going to solve anything going into 2009 but maybe pull off a few more wins. Its all about rebuilding in Miami, the Bills are nearing the end of their rebuilding and the Jets are definitely in some sort of transition.
Chime in if you like...
Miami:
- Who is the starting QB going into 2009? Beck or a rookie? If not Beck, did they waste last years second round pick?
- Outside of Ginn, do they have any receivers worth anything? They traded Chambers and Welker last year leaving Booker. Now Booker is a free agent after being released. Not a huge deal, but they signed Ernest Wilford. He's not Moss, but he's a legitimate pickup.
- Running back? Ronnie Brown can't be the answer can he? The guy was rumored to had lost his job last year to some back-up and now he is coming off injury. He's showed promise when he's not injured. The problem is he's always injured. They could draft a RB in rounds 2 or 3 this year.
- Offensive line and Tight end don't offer too much, but they are far from the worst in the league.... easily worst in the division. Agreed
- Linebackers are in flux. The one thing the Dolphins could always count on is their defense. Now with Zach gone (not missed after being hurt last year), Taylor's future in question and the lack of quality to step in to replace them, It might very well be a sore spot on that defense. Sounds like they're just getting journeymen here for now. I see them having a fairly strong draft this year and next, and being decent after that.
Bills:
- Losman in or is he out? Trent Edwards looks like he is primed to take over and make Losman a back up, but what Edwards will have going into his second season will be in question. He could really boom or send the franchise looking for another QB. No point in keeping JP around. Losman is definitely on the way out. The QB carousel was last year. Edwards is the starter period, barring injury. Most people expect them to trade Losman and get another backup QB to mentor Edwards.
- Marshawn Lynch looked good last year. He got a bit banged up, but has Wright to back him up. Actually, Fred Jackson will back up Lynch. Wright might get a few carries next year, though. Lynch is a beast.
- Receivers had a rough season, but should come back strong with some consistancy at QB and with the offensive scheme. Career year for Lee Evans? Isn't his contract up soon? They need new receivers. They have Evans, but anyone else is a #3 at best. But it's easy enough for them to sign Bryant Johnson or DJ Hackett, then draft another WR. They should improve greatly in this area next year. Evans will be in his contract year, barring an extension.
- 2007 was they year they really focused on the offensive line. They also boosted their secondary to fix the loss of Clements. I think the secondary will be strong and the 2008 signings on defense will make for a tough team. Overall the team is a sleeper with potential resting on the shoulders of Trent Edwards because I really think the defense is primed. The O-line isn't great in run blocking, but they did very well in pass protection. Their secondary could use a playmaker at CB, but they're fairly solid. They're shoring up the D-line in FA, and I expect them to draft a rotational DE as well. They didn't get any big names, but they did well at getting solid guys to fill in.