Buffalo: Jauron is building for speed on his defense, he collected light, quick DLs and fast safeties to back up his pretty solid LBs. We'll have to see how they gel working together, but they will give folks some trouble.
His offense is still in search of a line, so it won't matter which journeyman QB or 1st round long shot starts behind it until they get that repaired.
NYJ: Mangini may be better in the HC role then he was as a DC, you certainly can look at what he and Tannenbaum did with Free Agency and the draft and think they are working from the Belichick/Pioli 2000 playbook. If you look at the D, the question is his rookie DC and his LBs. The DL has all the tools for a Patriot-like 3-4. Mangini has demonstrated his ability to develop young DBs, and he's brought back a couple veterans to solidify this group. Cox may be a rookie coach, but you couldn't ask for much more in a LBs coach then a rookie with his intensity and experience. Which still means that the heart of a Patriot-like 3-4 will need a lot of time to season.
On the offensive side, young Schottenheimer has me thinking OC isn't as much of a question-mark as we'd like. The good news for us is it's going to be an inexperienced O-line protecting shell-shocked QBs, the bad news is Jr.'s proven ability to turn around gun shy QBs and that Oregon kid they scooped up in the second round sheltering behind the sacrificial veterans while Jr picks up the OC game. Not to mention the shot at the Brady Quinn sweepstakes.
Miami: Saban distresses me with his dirtbag collection, I've always despised Oakland and Baltimore for similar mindsets. Nicky is a proven DB coach rebuilding his backfield, we'll have to see if his new mix can give Tommy the same fits as those in years past. The LB corp will do well if Zach's health holds up. The DL has the experience and beef to play their assignments and make you work for each yard. I'd not discount the defensive remodeling at this point.
Offensively, Mularky is a good pickup. Culpepper is a great pickup, from a Patriots' perspective, as is Joey-boy. Culpepper gives Mularky the next coming of Kordel Stewart to freelance around in new, exciting, and unproductive ways. Ronnie Brown should be in shape as a second year man to play a 16 game season, he'll do well. Culpepper will have some good targets, and his O-line will be much improved with Shelton anchoring LT. But that same O-line will have a lot to do as they adjust to Daunte's scramble drill in a Mularky offense.
Miami's defense will keep them competitive.
Patriots: The defense is coming together again, only depth at LB gives me any concern. Rodney can come back slow if needed, this team has adjusted to create good veteran safety depth. Questions about a NT back-up for Vince were answered by Wright's play last year, he'll be improved greatly this year if needed. Sullivan is as tempting a reclamation prospect as you could want and Thomas seems to have made that step forward he needed to allow Klecko to go back to LB project.
Offensively is where the questions are - WR. The O-line has the experienced depth to wait on Koppen's recovery. The one spot on the line where I have any concern, LT depth; Light and Kaczur have only Britt and Doty competing behind them. Mankins is working to be our dream G, but at the moment, he is the #3 LT on my depth chart. TE is, to 'coin' a phrase, tight. RB is as competitive and talented as you could wish, I'd almost expect to carry 5 WRs and 8 OL to keep RB depth. WR is where the Pats are digging deep. The plus side is the young bucks who are showing some future prospects. The here and now is going to be much more reliant on help from the TEs, Backfield, and running game.
The AFCE defenses are looking to be a challenge up and down the board, the Jets may be the one with the most difficult transition blending new players in the very complex Belichick 3-4, but they have talent to work with. Defensive rankings at it would appear in June: NE, Miami/Buffalo, NYJ
The AFCE Offenses are in rebuilding mode, Buffalo's looks to be dreaming of a Steeler-like running game with the 340+ lb. featherweights they drafted. QBs are the key difference, which leaves only NE with any assurance of what they have, assuming Tommy bounces back completely after his off-season surgery (there seems to have been more than new WRs affecting his timing and aim). Ranking the June offenses: NE, Miami, NYJ, Buffalo.
Special Teams: This one is interesting, I will have to look and see if Buffalo kept their STs' coach. We will also have to see if Mangini learned the STs lesson from his mentor. Miami's STs don't stand out in my memory, neither do any of the AFCE kickers. NE has made STs an off-season priority, considering how the passing game could develop that may be a better move then initially thought. Ranking teams is going to be wildly off at this stage, but what the heck: Buffalo, NE, Miami, NYJ.
Pats are the still the team to beat. Miami seems to have the defense to carry them, and hopes of a running game to help Culpepper. The Jets and Bills have too much of a question along their O-lines and at QB to pick between them, both defenses should be tough propositions as the season progresses.
