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AFC East in focus
ANALYSIS
Which teams in the AFC East have helped themselves most in free agency?
Here is one look at what has unfolded in the division:
Buffalo
Acquisitions/re-signings: OG Derrick Dockery, CB Jabari Greer, DE Chris Kelsay, OT Langston Walker, C/G Jason Whittle
Departures: S Matt Bowen, CB Nate Clements, LB London Fletcher-Baker, RB Willis McGahee, OG Tutan Reyes, OG Chris Villarrial
Final take: While the intentions seem solid to build a strong offensive line for QB J.P. Losman, these moves seem curious overall. Paying big bucks for an interior guard (Dockery) while losing a blue-chip cornerback (Clements) without getting into the bidding? The team also appears to have overpaid to keep Kelsay. The choice here would have been to let Kelsay go and not sign Dockery, and instead keep Clements. It looks like more talent has left this team than has been added.
Miami
Acquisitions/re-signings: WR Kelly Campbell, K Jay Feeley, DE Vonnie Holliday, TE David Martin, LB Joey Porter, NT Keith Traylor, FS Cameron Worrell
Departures: OL Bennie Anderson, DE Kevin Carter, QB Joey Harrington, OG Jeno James, OT Damion McIntosh, C/G Seth McKinney, TE Randy McMichael, RB Sammy Morris, WR Wes Welker, DT Dan Wilkinson
Final take: First-year coach Cam Cameron and GM Randy Mueller are putting their stamp on this team early, doing the type of housecleaning that many felt former coach Nick Saban would. These look like important moves for a coach looking to establish a new culture, they landed an impact player in Porter for their 3-4, and they're stockpiling draft picks as well. Still, there is the big question at quarterback.
New York Jets
Acquisitions/re-signings: FB Darian Barnes, RB Thomas Jones, DE Kenyon Coleman, DE Bobby Hamilton, CB Hank Poteat
Departures: FB B.J. Askew, RB Kevan Barlow, RB Derrick Blaylock, QB Patrick Ramsey, OL Trey Teague
Final take: Looks like upgrading the running game was an offseason priority and the Jets have done that without giving up much. They also extended the contract of WR Jerricho Cotchery. All in all, this looks like a team with a sound plan which has improved itself.
New England
Acqusitions/re-signings: TE Kyle Brady, FB Heath Evans, LB Larry Izzo, RB Sammy Morris, LB Adalius Thomas, WR Wes Welker, C/G Billy Yates
Departures: OLB Tully Banta-Cain, RB Corey Dillon, TE Daniel Graham
Final take: The Patriots improved three significant positions on the roster (LB, RB, WR) while adding a franchise-type talent in Thomas. Thomas alone makes this a winning situation for the Patriots. The fact Brady received that rich of a deal surprised some around the league, but the Patriots obviously valued Graham's role as a blocker and were willing to pay for someone who might fill that void.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Overall, you have two stud defensive players entering the division in Miami (Porter) and New England (Thomas), and a New York team that has appeared to significantly upgrade its running attack. While Buffalo's moves seem questionable, the other three teams in the division look to have improved over the last week.
REPORT: KELLEY WASHINGTON TO VISIT PATS: The Palm Beach Post reports that free-agent receiver Kelley Washington is expected to visit with the Patriots. Washington (6-3, 218) was the first player chosen in the third round of the 2003 draft. Washington, who has played the last four seasons with the Bengals, has appeared in 13 games over the last two seasons. He has 72 career catches for 892 yards, with nine touchdowns.
FRIDAY PLAN: We won't be monitoring any breaking news today and won't have access to the web until tonight. The plan will be to catch up on any happenings tonight. One area to watch is the possibility that receiver Donte' Stallworth could make his final decision today.
