I am going to discuss a few thoughts on this past weekend’s NFL Draft. Over the next several months, any fans who have questions about rookies, veterans, and teams looking ahead towards the 2008 NFL Season, please email me here. I will answer selected questions via the blog throughout the spring and summer.

Kansas City Chiefs: Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards stood out on draft weekend although they gave up Jared Allen last week. Adding Glenn Dorsey and Branden Albert allow the Chiefs to build a new foundation along both trenches for the long-term as this franchise transitions to a new era. The Chiefs have always built their strength along both front lines for many years. Dorsey is the impact player they’ve been missing in the middle of their defense and the type of penetrator that Gunther Cunningham likes to build his defense around. Albert was a masterful pickup to building rebuilding an offensive line that loss Will Shields and William Roaf in recent years. The Chiefs can now focus on finding pieces to build around Albert upfront. Brandon Flowers has a future as a tough component as the Chiefs work to get younger at cornerback. Jamal Charles also strengthens their depth behind Larry Johnson at running back.

Jacksonville Jaguars: There is a buzz around the league about the Jaguars. They have been struggling to generate consistent pressure off the perimeter and haven’t been able to acquire a blue-chip pass rusher. Adding rookies Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves opened a lot of eyes on Saturday. Harvey isn’t an explosive pass rusher, but should develop into a well-rounded starter and Groves likely will be a situational pass rusher. The Jaguars are always trying to find nickel help, which could open a spot for Trae Williams early. Williams isn’t big enough to start, but has good cover skills. Expectations will be high for Jack Del Rio this season.

Baltimore Ravens: John Harbaugh’s tenure as head coach will be defined by Joe Flacco’s development. This represents the biggest boom or bust pick of the draft mainly due to Flacco going in the mid-first and representing a big part of the future. Flacco has very intriguing tools to become another Tony Romo, but has a lot of work ahead just like any other rookie quarterback. He’s going to have to learn how to read defenses and get rid of the ball quicker at the pro level than he showed on film at Delaware. The quarterback position generally represents the biggest risk in the first round, but they feel comfortable with Cam Cameron working with Flacco. If Flacco fails, it will set the Ravens back for years.

Chad Henne, Brian Brohm, and John David Booty: The Dolphins, Packers, and Vikings respectively made good insurance picks at the quarterback position. John Beck wasn’t drafted by the new regime in Miami and raised a lot of red flags with his play as a rookie when he looked like a deer in headlights a few times. Henne is more of the strong-armed pocket passer that Parcells has always built around in the past. Brohm probably found his best fit going to Green Bay without the pressure of being a first round pick. Brohm comes from a family-like atmosphere in Louisville, which makes Green Bay an easier transition. And in Minnesota, the jury is out on Tarvaris Jackson. John David Booty at least offers some long-term insurance as a backup.

Green Bay Packers: In talking about the Packers, it will be interesting to see how things play out with Aaron Rodgers and Brian Brohm. Picking Brohm was a good move to provide insurance because Rodgers is hardly any sure bet despite his progression during the past year. But it will be interesting to how Rodgers responds. Although Rodgers and Brohm both have durability questions, they aren’t in bad shape at the quarterback position so soon after Brett Favre’s retirement – especially with a quarterback guru like Mike McCarthy as head coach. Unfortunately, neither has the veteran experience you’d like to see a contender have at this stage. Beyond the Brohm pick, the Packers have a pretty solid draft. Jordy Nelson wasn’t an exciting pick in the second round, but he’s a good fit in the passing game and can return punts. Jermichael Finley was a solid pickup in the third round to pair with Donald Lee in double tight end sets in the passing game. Ted Thompson is giving Mike McCarthy a lot of depth in the passing game to help his young quarterbacks develop. Jeremy Thompson should add depth at defensive end. He lacks ideal tools, but is workman-like.

Minnesota Vikings: Although he wasn’t a draft pick on Saturday, the Vikings’ trading their first round pick to Kansas City for Jared Allen could push the Vikings over the top in the NFC North. The quarterback position and pass rush were the two biggest problems for the Vikings last season. Allen certainly fits in well here to give the Vikings production off the perimeter. The only question now is how Tarvaris Jackson and their young talent at wide receive progresses heading into the 2008 season. Bernard Berrian should help the Vikings stretch the field.

Miami Dolphins: I believe the Dolphins have acquired a solid foundation to begin the Bill Parcells Era. Jake Long has a chance to become a stud at left tackle and suddenly the Dolphins have a few young lineman to build around upfront. Shawn Murphy has some upside at guard as a fourth round pick. Long and Vernon Carey are solid building blocks upfront along with Justin Smiley and Samson Satele inside. The Dolphins also added some numbers with Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford at defensive end. Both could be solid fits within the 3-4 defense. Chad Henne is a good value pick at quarterback. He’s a blue-collar leader with good physical tools. I believe he’ll overtake John Beck quickly.

Selecting the right head coach is the most critical move an organization makes.  The right hire creates an unbreakable chemistry or atmosphere that puts his team in position to compete for a championship. 

What makes a great head coach?  There are many factors to consider. 

I believe being a productive coordinator shouldn’t be the only criteria.  There are several solid coordinators who never develop into good head coaches.  There are a lot of intangibles that play into becoming a solid head coach – leadership and vision for the big picture – are two that come into play. 

What are the important traits of a NFL Head Coach? 

Coaching Philosophies

Of course, it all starts with coaching philosophies.  An owner and general manager must look for a head coach with offensive and defensive philosophies that fit the direction they want within their organization.  I also believe coaching style is very important.  Is the candidate a good communicator and motivator?  Or does this candidate hold the possibility of alienating players with an abrasive personality?

Staffing

Ownership wants to learn about the make up of the potential coaching staff a candidate is bringing to the organization.  How many does he want on the staff?  What are their philosophies?  Are they good teachers and communicators?

Personnel

How does the coach view the big-picture of building the team?  Is there going to be an ideal chemistry between the head coach and the rest of the organization in building a winner together?  Does he prefer building through the draft or does he want his front office to be active in free agency?  How well does the coach know the personnel of the team he'’ interviewing with?  Is he willing to develop younger players?  What type of personnel is required for his offensive and defensive philosophies? 

Administrative

There are plenty of non-football issues that are important.  How does the coach schedule the off-season workouts?  What are his philosophies on traveling issues?  How would he handle the bye-week in the schedule?  What’s his philosophy for working with the media?  What are the nutritional requirements of the players?

Very good organizations have specific policies in place for handling these issues. 

And let’s not forget the single most important trait – leadership!  When an individual walks into the room and begins talking, ask yourself this question – Can this individual become the leader that others follow and guide us to a Super Bowl? 

 

 

Top Coaching Candidates:

Jason Garrett – Offensive Coordinator, Dallas

Garrett has always been on the coaching watch, but his star is rapidly rising.  Has proven to be a very smart offensive coach who believes in getting the ball in the hands of his playmakers.  Has tremendous people skills and comes from a highly respected football family.  Will be a coach that you can build an organization around for several years.

Josh McDaniels – Offensive Coordinator, New England

Has been well-groomed within Bill Belichick’s organization.  Has good coaching instincts and a very good feel for developing players.  Also has learned a lot in regards to personnel under Belichick and has proven himsel####ood evaluator of talent.  I really believe McDaniels will be a solid head coach that you can build an organization around in tandem with a strong personnel department. 

Rex Ryan – Defensive Coordinator, Baltimore

I believe this guy is very underrated.  Uses some very unique defensive philosophies on the field.  The most important aspects about Ryan are that he communicates very well with players and also understands personnel very well.  I believe Ryan will help create a lot of cohesion within an organization. 

Jim Schwartz – Defensive Coordinator, Tennessee

Has done an excellent job over the past several years in Tennessee.  Is well-liked by players.  Has excellent organizational skills and understands personnel.  Is very salary cap conscious, which will help build chemistry with certain personnel departments. 

Russ Grimm – Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach, Arizona

Gets knocked by some people because he’s never been a coordinator, but he has an excellent opportunity to become a strong head coach within the right organizational structure.  Possesses very good communication skills with players.  He’s is very simple and has a no nonsense approach, so players know where they stand with him.  Grimm is also known as one of the league’s best teachers. 

Rob Ryan – Defensive Coordinator, Oakland

Is very similar to his brother in that he relates very well to players and knows how to evaluate talent for his scheme.  He will have teams that project a lot of guts and passion.  Ryan is a man who knows how to bring people together towards a common ideal.  

Mike Singletary – Assistant Head Coach, San Francisco

Draws a lot of mixed reviews around the league due to his inexperience and has never had coordinator duties.  On the plus side, he has tremendous leadership skills and will get guys to play for him.  He’ll have a very disciplined team.   Singletary will be successful within the proper organization structure.  He’ll need a strong front office and good coordinators to complement his leadership skills. 

Ron Rivera – Linebacker Coach, San Diego

Has been well-respected the last several years with his knowledge and ability to get a lot out of players.  The Bears’ defense fell off in 2007 without Rivera.  Has good communication skills and relates very well with players.  Also has a solid background from his days in Philadelphia under Andy Reid and Jim Johnson. 

Jim Caldwell – Assistant Head Coach/Quarterback Coach, Indianapolis

Is cut from the Tony Dungy mold in that he possesses a quiet strength and a solid football philosophy.  He has a good reputation as an offensive coach.  Has the respect of a lot of players.  Has head coaching experience with Wake Forest in the past. 

Leslie Frazier – Defensive Coordinator, Minnesota

Has been on the radar for a number of years now, but lost some of his star when he was fired a few years ago by the Cincinnati Bengals.  Is pretty low key and has a versatile background.  He’s worked under Jim Johnson and Tony Dungy as a position coach.  Frazier isn’t a screamer, but coaches with a lot of energy.  He’s also smart and a good communicator.  

Norm Chow – Offensive Coordinator, Tennessee

Chow is a mystery as a head coaching candidate.  He’s never been a college head coach and has only been in the NFL for a few years.  He’s made a tremendous adjustment to the pro game because his offensive philosophy was always very pro-like.  He’s done an excellent job in Tennessee to further his reputation as a tremendous teacher and quarterback guru. 

Tony Sparano – Assistant Head Coach, Dallas

Is not a household name, but has earned a lot of respect around the league.  Is a good offensive coach and teacher.  He has solid communication skills and holds players accountable.  Is very well respected by players. 

Brian Schottenheimer – Offensive Coordinator, N.Y. Jets

Comes from a good football background and has a tremendous knowledge of the offensive side of the football.  Is very complex with his philosophy on the offensive side of the ball and could be a little too creative at times.  He could use another year of experience, but has a solid future and has been groomed to become a coach for several years. 

Clancy Pendergast – Defensive Coordinator, Arizona

Thinks a lot out of the box and is very flexible.  Is one of the league’s better teachers and has excellent communication skills.  Is respected by his players and has a tireless work ethic.  He’s a lot like Jon Gruden in his passion for the game.   

Ron Meeks – Defensive Coordinator, Indianapolis

Meeks has risen the level of play of the Colts’ defense the past few years and has worked under some strong programs in the past.  Is a hard worker who demands excellence from his players.  Meeks is tough, but knows how to relate with players and get the most from them.  Meeks knows the blueprint of building a championship team.

Mike Zimmer – Defensive Coordinator, Atlanta

His name isn’t tossed around as much like it was a few years ago, but he’s still a known commodity.  Is a very intense and aggressive-minded coach who demands a lot from his players.  Zimmer knows how to see the big picture and earned respect by adapting under different head coaches in the past. 

Mike Heimerdinger – Assistant Head Coach, Denver

Has a solid reputation around the league for his abilities on the offensive side of the ball.  He has worked two stints under Mike Shanahan and successfully re-invented the offense during his tenure with the Titans.  Working under Jeff Fisher and Mike Shanahan helps his resume.  He’s very intense and isn’t afraid to hold players accountable.  He’s known as a taskmaster with his players and some have concerns with how he’ll handle the media. 

Mike Smith – Defensive Coordinator, Jacksonville

Has quietly earned respect around the league.  Has done a solid job building a defense around the strength of his players and knows how to adapt. 

 

Future Candidates To Watch:

Raheem Morris – Secondary Coach, Tampa Bay

Is perhaps the hottest young coach in the league right now.  Morris is an excellent teacher and puts a lot of emphasis on fundaments, both which are rare for younger coaches these days.  Has excellent communication skills and is very well-respected by players. 

Rob Chudzinski – Offensive Coordinator, Cleveland

Is another solid young coach who is gaining a solid reputation in just his first season as an offensive coordinator.  Has shown he can relate well to players and understands the importance of establishing a strong ground game while also pushing the ball through the air to his playmakers.  For a young coach, he possesses a solid philosophy and learned a lot from his time on Marty Schottenheimer’s staff. 

Kyle Shanahan – Quarterback Coach, Houston

Has strong bloodlines being the son of Mike Shanahan, but it runs much deeper than this.  Shanahan has gotten strong reviews from a few other coaches for his work ethic and preparation skills.  Possesses a knack to connect naturally with players. 

Perry Fewell – Defensive Coordinator, Buffalo

Has put himself on the radar this season after a growing reputation as a position coach.  Fewell has overcome a lot of adversity with several injuries and personnel limitations on the defensive side of the ball.  He has a lot of energy in his approach and possesses a good reputation as a teacher. 

Hue Jackson – Offensive Coordinator, Atlanta

Has been an excellent position coach for several years and displays a lot of natural feel for the offensive side of the ball.  Jackson is young and has a lot of energy.  He communicates very well and players are energized playing for him. 

 

Top Retreads:

Marty Schottenheimer – Not Currently Coaching

He’s not a long-term hire at this stage of his career, but is very attractive because he’s put together winning teams in multiple stops.  Is one of the best motivators and teachers in the league.  Schottenheimer has a strong presence, but does an excellent job getting guys to play for him. 

Bill Cowher – Not Currently Coaching

Has more longevity than Schottenheimer and did a tremendous job through a few transitions in Pittsburgh.  Cowher sets an aggressive tone with his teams based on his emotion and intensity.  The only question that really surrounds Cowher is whether he can duplicate the success he experienced in Pittsburgh with another organization.  Cowher worked under one of the most stable franchises and had tremendous assistants.  Although he won with a few different groups of core players in Pittsburgh, Cowher is best with a veteran team. 

Gregg Williams – Defensive Coordinator, Washington

One of the league’s best defensive minds for the last several years – dating back to his time in Tennessee.  Has a strong personality, which became overbearing in his initial head coaching experience with Buffalo.  Has learned a lot from his mistakes and his experience working with Joe Gibbs is an added bonus.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Williams have a Bill Belichick type tenure in his second go around if he finds the right fit for himself. 

Steve Mariucci – Not Currently Coaching

I believe some owners just can’t forget about Mariucci’s failure in Detroit after fielding some very good teams in San Francisco.  Mariucci coaches with a lot of passion and is very organized.  He usually gets the respect of most of his players.  There could be some front office opportunities for Mariucci at some point.  As a head coach, I believe he needs to be surrounded with strong assistants so he can focus on the big picture. 

Jim Haslett – Defensive Coordinator, St. Louis

Haslett had some rough moments in New Orleans after a strong start as a head coach. He’ll be on the list of a few teams over the next couple years as he is rebuilding the St. Louis defense.  The St. Louis organization is very high on Haslett and the players absolutely enjoy working under Haslett.  The only concern about Haslett is whether his intensity gets the best of him sometimes. 

Jim Fassel – Not Currently Coaching

There are a lot of mixed opinions on Fassel around the league.  Fassel is a solid offensive coach and has a good track record with quarterbacks.  Is very intense and sometimes has a quick temper, which can alienate players at times.  The red flag with some owners is the amount of infighting (offense vs. defense) during his tenure with the Giants.  One thing that I respect tremendously about Fassel is that he’s a fighter.  He battled through a lot of adversity in New York. 

Jim Mora – Secondary Coach, Seattle

Mora is a tremendous coach who provides a lot of energy and tenacity to his players.  Mora is an excellent communicator and guys love playing for him.  He’s proven he can win as a head coach, but must become firmer with discipline in his next stop. 

Mike Martz – Offensive Coordinator, Detroit

Martz is another candidate that draws a lot of mixed emotions around the league.  He’s a great offensive mind and gets a lot out of his quarterbacks.  But the problem with Martz remains his ego.  He doesn’t mesh well with everyone in the building.  I believe he’s more of an offensive coach than a head coach. 

Dan Reeves – Not Currently Coaching

Has a very strong career track record dating back to his days as head coach in Denver, but doesn’t command the same respect as Bill Parcells or Joe Gibbs.  Has struggled at times with younger players and lacks ideal communication skills.  Has a very conservative philosophy towards building a team and prefers to work with veteran teams.  Wouldn’t mind an opportunity to coach again, but it would have to be the right fit.    

 

Top College Candidates:

Kirk Ferentz - Iowa

Is one of the few college coaches who can make the transition to the NFL because he was a well-respected under Bill Belichick.  Ferentz is an excellent big-picture and organizational type with tremendous communication skills.  His leadership skills grade very high. 

Pete Carroll – Southern California

Despite his success at Southern California, I don’t view Carroll as a NFL savior.  He was just average in two head coaching stints in the NFL.  Some coaches learn from their initial head coaching experience in the NFL, but I can’t see Carroll’s personality changing very much.  There are just too many character questions with Carroll away from the field to become a focused head coach at this level.

Jeff Tedford - California

Tedford has a dynamic offensive mind and believes in offensive balance.  He possesses excellent leadership and organizational skills.  His sense of the big picture and his personality in working with people are first-rate.  Tedford has now shown he can build a strong program.  Some people within the league are intrigued with his reputation with quarterbacks.   

Ron Prince – Kansas State

Worked under Al Groh at Virginia and worked under the NFL minority fellowship program in the past.  Has gained a lot of respect with the job he’s done re-energizing Kansas State’s program in just two years.  Prince has tremendous leadership skills and passion.  He is very smart and displays good organization skills. 

June Jones – Hawaii

Wasn’t a big winner as a head coach in the NFL, but is highly respected by many within the league.  Has done some excellent things with quarterbacks and the offensive side of the football in the past.  Works well with people. 

A lot of observers have mixed opinions of whether Bill Parcells will be another big-name flop brought in by Wayne Huizenga in Miami.  More often than not, big names never live up to their hype and Parcells has a similar reputation to that of basketball coach Larry Brown in his restlessness after a couple years in the same position.  Others will be critical because Huizenga is showing impatience after only year of the post Nick Saban Era.  These are all valid concerns. 

Here’s the one thing that overrides a lot of those factors.  Bill Parcells is a winner.  He’s put together winners with four different organizations.  When you have an opportunity to add a resource like Bill Parcells to your organization, you make the move. 

What Parcells brings to Miami is a strong organizational philosophy on how to build a winner.  He understands what standards must be established in building a championship organization.  He knows exactly what he is looking for in terms of personnel – the type of physical talent and players who possess a specific mental temperament. 

From a personal standpoint, Parcells is one of the few strongest influences I had in shaping my player personnel and organizational philosophies in the NFL.  And I can tell you, several personnel guys around the league have a lot of respect for my way of thinking in regards to players and building rosters.  In a league where they aren’t many capable football administrators and personnel guys these days, Parcells will bring tremendous value to the Dolphins. 

Here are a few key issues Parcells will be faced with during the first few months on the job.

Coaching: Cam Cameron walked into a bad situation.  Nick Saban knew what he was doing when he left town a year ago.  The defense is aging badly and there isn’t much talent on the offensive side of the ball.  When you miss on as many high draft picks as the Dolphins the past 10 years, it’s amazing that this franchise didn’t hit rock bottom a few years ago.  Cameron is a respected offensive coach around the league and can’t be solely blamed for this season.  Former Indiana supporter and close Parcells friend Bobby Knight will certainly put a good word in for Cameron.  But this will ultimately come down to whether Parcells sees Cameron the best fit for what he’s looking to do and Parcells comfort level with past associates.  I believe Parcells has to evaluate what is available on the market and I believe there are some intriguing candidates that would be an upgrade or better fit moving forward. 

If Parcells decides to start fresh, there’s no doubt some of his former allies will be considered including Dallas assistant Tony Sparano and Arizona running back coach Maurice Carthon or their offensive coordinator, Todd Haley - a Parcells clone with his biting personality and demanding style.  I am sure Huizenga wouldn’t mind bringing Jason Garrett back to the organization as head coach.  Josh McDaniels will also be an intriguing target.  McDaniels reminds Parcells of Sean Payton and has a tremendous feel for evaluating personnel.  This would sure create a cold war scenario between Bill Belichick and the Dolphins. 

A sleeper candidate could be Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.  Ryan is a 3-4 defensive mind who also has some very strong leadership skills that would mesh well with Parcells.   

Personnel Department and Overall Organizational Culture: Parcells needs to bring some strong scouts into the organization who understand how to evaluate talent, how to find good fits for the new organizational directives in terms of physical skills and temperament.  Parcells will also have to create a new attitude and some fresh protocols among the non-football related staff.  In an organization like Miami that has been mired in stagnation and instability over the past several years, it affects the culture around the organization.  There are often negative affects and undisciplined behavior that lingers throughout all facets of the organizations including secretaries, security guys, equipment managers, facility workers, and other support staff.   These people often accept being average and lack positive energy.  That mindset most stop immediately. 

Cap Space and Free Agency: Parcells will have a good deal of cap space, but don’t expect a spending spree or many big splashes.  Not many big money free agents produce to the value of their contract.  Look for Parcells to bring in several mid-level and stop-gap veterans who bring positive qualities to the locker room and help stabilize a few spots until Parcells finds long-term answers.  Parcells definitely needs to find some leadership on the offensive side of the ball. 

Quarterback Situation: John Beck didn’t provide any definite hope for the future and Parcells prefers to avoid growing pains at the quarterback position.  Drew Bledsoe can attest to this from their days together in New England.  Parcells feels more comfortable with a veteran quarterback.  I believe he’ll look in that direction for 2007. 

Draft: Parcells is sitting in a great spot with the number one pick.  But I wouldn’t be surprised if Parcells looks to trade down.  One player won’t fix all the holes in Miami.  The Dolphins need to acquire as many draft picks as they can get in the next couple seasons to replenish the roster with young talent. 

Aging Defense: The defense got old fast and was certainly affected by injuries.  The futures of Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor will have to be decided.  I believe they should shop Taylor.  He’s a good bargaining chip to get another draft choice because he has value to contenders who need a final piece on defense and leadership.  But in Miami, Taylor will be a non-factor by the team the Dolphins are ready to become contenders again.  Thomas is a tougher decision.  He has very little if any trade value at this point, but he brings a lot of passion and leadership to several of the young players that will be added to the roster this spring.  Thomas definitely can’t be counted on as a cornerstone anymore.  Overall, the Dolphins need to address all areas of their defense.  They have a few younger guys who can be solid supporting players, but lack any building block type players. 

Upgrade Offensive Talent: There isn’t much here.  Ronnie Brown emerged as a building block earlier this year before going down.  His health is uncertain for next season.  Ted Ginn has shown flashes of developing into a playmaker and should benefit from a good off-season learning the nuances of the mental side of the game at this level.  Otherwise, they need another wide receiver and tight end.  The offensive line continues to be a work in progress.  Vernon Carey will have a long-term role.  Samson Satele should develop into a strong interior lineman over the next few years.  Rex Hadnot is very dependable, but could price himself out of the Dolphins’ plans in free agency. 

Overall, Parcells has a lot of work ahead to reshape this organization.  But now Wayne Huizenga will have a strong organizational plan in place to build from.  The only thing that I can recommend to Huizenga in light of the concerns many express about Parcells’ restless nature is to have a succession plan in place to continue building off the Parcells blueprint.  Hiring a Parcells’ favorite in Cowboys’ aide Jeff Ireland would be an excellent start.

Darwin Walker was a solid acquisition for this time of the year to address an uncertain situation at a key spot within the Bears’ defense. 

The defensive tackle position is critical to the Bears’ defense in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback and creating some disruption in the gaps against the run.  The Bears have Tommie Harris coming back, but lost the other three components in their four-man rotation – Tank Johnson, Ian Scott, and Alfonso Boone – during the off-season. 

They signed former 49er Anthony Adams to help add experience within the rotation.  Adams plays with a lot of effort to disrupt gaps, but is undersized and can be pushed around.

The addition of Walker solidifies the rotation inside to complement Harris.  Walker has good quickness and can create interior pressure on the quarterback. On the downside, Walker fell out of favor in Philadelphia due to inconsistency – especially with his effort against the run.  He tends to lose focus at times on the field, which highlighted frustration from the coaches in Philadelphia.

Dolphins Add Anderson:  It wasn’t a bad move by the Dolphins to take a flier on former Raider tight end Courtney Anderson.  Anderson is a good athlete with speed to make plays in the passing game, but struggled last season with his hands.  One positive from last season was his development as a capable blocker. 

Cam Cameron’s offense relies heavily on production in the passing game from the tight end position.  Anderson provides that ability if he can regain consistency catching the ball.  They signed David Martin away from Green Bay this past spring.  Martin has the athleticism to create a lot of favorable matchups in the passing game.  Martin is coming off a productive year with the Packers and has the ability to make a lot of plays in Cameron’s offense, but has had a lot of durability problems over the years. 

The New England Patriots are a dangerous team.  The additions of Randy Moss and Donte’ Stallworth represent that danger both ways.  If they fit within Bill Belichick’s culture, both have the ability to create a lot of favorable matchups for Tom Brady.  Former Dolphin Wes Welker will bring a lot of spark from the slot.  Ben Watson must become a more consistent playmaker at tight end.  Watson has the athleticism to create a lot of matchup problems, but must learn how to get open more consistently.  The Patriots will again have a strong front seven on defense – especially with the addition of Adalius Thomas.  They will shut down the run and will have no problems getting after the quarterback.  The biggest question again will be the secondary – more so with questions with the status of Asante Samuel.  Having a strong pass rush certainly covers up a lot of problems, but this unit could be major downfall if Samuel isn’t on the field or if the pass rush dries up. 

Most of the talk around the Buffalo Bills has been centered around all the veterans they let go, but Marv Levy is building an intriguing young core of talent on both sides of the ball.  J.P. Losman has shown signs of developing into a solid quarterback.  Losman can push the ball downfield, but needs to take another step forward with his grasp for reading defenses.  They have good speed at wide receiver.  Lee Evans is a playmaker who can stretch the field.  Roscoe Parrish has the quickness to make plays underneath.  Marshawn #### should make an early impact at running back with his speed and versatility.  The offensive line is improving with the emergence of Jason Peters at left tackle.  The major concern again is stopping the run on defense.  They hope John McCargo can get healthy and become a disruptive presence inside with his quickness.  That’s only a start.  They have growing talent in the secondary.  Donte Whitner and Ko Simpson will form a strong tandem at safety for years.  And look for Ashton Youboty to step up in his second season at cornerback.  The Bills love his natural athleticism and approach to the game. 

The New York Jets have the mindset to become a playoff contender again this season, but it wouldn’t be surprised if they take a step back this season.  Eric Mangini did a tremendous job last season getting his team to play above their talent on paper.  He’ll need to make this happen again and he’s already continued building a strong culture this spring.  The addition of Thomas Jones to stabilize the backfield should help the offense build upon its efficiency.  Chad Pennington isn’t going to create plays, but gets the ball where it needs to be.  They just don’t have a playmaker who scares opponents.  Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles are solid, but not game-breakers.  Stopping the run remains a question on defense.  Dewayne Robertson played better down the stretch, but he’s not a natural nose tackle.  Eric Hicks and rookie David Harris could help.  They also must create more turnovers at cornerback.  Darrelle Revis should bring instant energy to this unit, but will have his growing pains as a rookie. 

Building continuity has been a problem for the Miami Dolphins lately – especially after Nick Saban abandoned the organization after only two seasons.  Now they must clean up the pieces.  Trent Green is a short-term fix at quarterback, but also represents an enormous unknown.  He’ll be 37 when camp starts and is coming off a bad concussion.  He won’t have the same pass protection he enjoyed with Kansas City, but is savvy and has a strong comfort level with Cam Cameron.  Cameron and Green love building around the tight end in the passing game, but David Martin is a question mark.  Martin is coming off a solid year in Green Bay, but durability has been a problem throughout his career.  Ronnie Brown has posted solid numbers on the ground, but hasn’t shown any special traits or the temperament to become a franchise back.  The defense should remain solid under Dom Capers.  They should be steady against the run.  Jason Taylor is always a presence off the perimeter.  Jason Allen should make a bigger impact moving to cornerback, but the secondary is filled with questions.