Indianapolis Colts
Excitement is boiling over in Indy, as the Colts have all the ingredients necessary for the most potent offensive attack in the league. Fourth-year man Peyton Manning is at the helm and is fresh off his most successful season (4,413 yds, 33 TDs) since entering the pros. Running back Edgerrin James is among the best in the best business, while Pro Bowl wideout Marvin Harrison will combine with rookie Reggie Wayne to form a dangerous receiving duo.Question marks lie on the other side of the ball, however, as the team has defensive unit that ranked 21st overall and 25th against the run a year ago. Defensive breakdowns led to blown leads last year against both the Los AngelesRaiders and MiamiDolphins, two losses that ultimately cost the Colts the division title. While the defense still lacks depth, off-season additions and position shifts will contribute to a more formidable answer to opponents' running games.
Look for the Colts to leap frog Miami, mainly on account of their ability to score points, and come out on top in the AFC East. What remains to be seen, though, is whether coach Jim Mora, who has a 23-9 record over the past two seasons, can improve on his putrid career playoff mark: 0-6.
Miami Dolphins The Dolphins, on the other hand, will look to their defense to create scoring opportunities. Dave Wanndstedt's team ranked sixth overall last season in total defense and should be even better this year with the improvement of an already solid pair of tackles, Tim Bowens and Daryl Gardner. End Trace Armstrong left for free agency along with his 16.5 sacks, but the Dolphins were able to re-sign his partner Jason Taylor, who recorded 14.5 sacks of his own. Middle linebacker Zach Thomas captains the unit and led the team in tackles last year, while the secondary topped the league in interceptions.
Jay Fiedler is back at quarterback and is coming off an impressive preseason, but he still needs to take his game up a notch if the Dolphins are to reach their full potential. He will have some help in the backfield from Lamar Smith and a trio of quality receivers in the speedy James McKnight, sure-handed Oronde Gadsden, and rookie Chris Chambers. But a revamped offensive line, riddled by injury and free agency losses, will be forced to prove itself in the early going.
Nonetheless, the Dolphins will end up as far as their defense and Fieldler can take them, which will likely be at least the second round of the playoffs.
Buffalo Bills
The winds of change have blown through Buffalo, sweeping away a head coach, a general manager, slews of other administrators and assistants, the trademark 3-4 defense, Doug Flutie, and 13 other impact players from last year's team. Left behind are quarterback Rob Johnson, star receiver Eric Moulds, and a stingy defense that was third best in the league last year. New defensive coordinator Gregg Williams came over from Tennessee, where he boasted the top unit in the NFL. Combine all that with one of the league's easiest schedules, and the Bills, who finished 8-8 in 2000, have the makings of a playoff contender.The decision to let Flutie go could come back to haunt the Bills, though, as Johnson has yet to complete a 16-game season since joining the league six years ago. He was also notorious for holding the ball too long last year, and his poor performances down the stretch knocked the team out of the playoffs. So, like Miami, the Bills will live and die with their defense and quarterback.
New England Patriots
At first glance, things look bleak at best for the Patriots. Franchise quarterback Drew Bledsoe is coming off his worst season since 1995 and has suffered a continuous beating to the tune of 100 sacks in two years. Both the offense and defense struggled in 2000, as the former AFC powerhouse racked up its second straight last-place finish in the AFC East. Then perpetually troubled wide receiver Terry Glenn, the team's most talented and explosive player, was suspended for the year in August and may be gone for good. The already nonexistent running game took another hit when Robert Edwards, once thought to be on the verge of stardom, fell short in his comeback attempt and was cut from the team.But a closer look reveals the potential for things to turn around very soon. Coach Bill Belichik brought in 22 total free agents, drafted ten players in April's draft, and invited another six rookies to camp. The Pats also have a relatively easy schedule, a veteran clutch receiver in Troy Brown, and what looks to be a solid core of linebackers and defensive backs. And if Bledsoe is on, New England may pull out some surprise wins and flirt with the .500 mark.
New York Jets
This year marks the dawning of yet another new era in the Meadowlands, specifically that of new coach Herman Edwards, the team's sixth coach in ten years. The Jets are embracing the change, maintaining that Edwards will not meet the same fate as his predecessors. Edwards brings in the West coast offense with him as well as a defense modeled after the very successful style that originated in Tampa Bay.But who's to say the change won't backfire like it has the last five times before? Since 1991, the Jets have had five winning seasons and have only made the playoffs three times, with just one postseason victory to show for it. One thing is for sure, though: the Jets have proven Pro Bowl talent on offense and a very good, experienced defense. But they also have a rookie head coach and a 15-year veteran, oft-injured quarterback who is already displeased with his team's new offense.
