| It’s one thing to have talented individuals, but
football is a team game, and for team success it’s important to build strong units. This
series provides one man’s opinion on the strongest offensive or defensive unit in
each club in the National Football League.
Today’s installment takes a look at the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills|Indianapolis
Colts|Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots|New York
Jets
Buffalo Bills: Defensive linemen.
DE Bruce Smith is one of the all-time greats at his position. He’s not playing at
the level he did in his prime, but he’s still the best defensive lineman in the NFL
today. DT Ted Washington, when he’s in shape, is terrific vs. the run. DE Phil Hansen
is not a superstar, but he is a very solid, underrated performer whom you can win with.
Marcellus Wiley is entering his third year as a pro and has nice potential. He’s not
there yet, but if he continues to improve and learn the game, he could be a very nice pro.
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Indianapolis Colts: Quarterbacks.
The Colts are definitely headed in the right direction, but as yet they don’t have
one unit that really stands out. Thus, I’ll go with their quarterbacks. True, this
isn’t a unit in the sense of other positions that must work together on the field
during games, but the QB position has more talent than any other unit on this club. The
main reason, of course, is young QB Peyton Manning. He shows every sign of being a
superstar throughout the next decade. Manning has plenty of talent, but lots of young
quarterbacks have talent and never develop. What separates Manning is his feel for the
game and, more important, a desire that has led him to become a tremendous student of the
game. Stoney Case should be a decent backup.
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Miami Dolphins: Defensive linemen.
When he was the head coach of the Super Bowl-champion Cowboys, Jimmy Johnson had a deep
unit of defensive linemen whom he could rotate, allowing him to maximize his players’
productivity. Johnson is building another deep unit in Miami. DTs Tim Bowens and Daryl
Gardener have the talent to really clog up the middle, which is one of the reasons
undersized MLB Zach Thomas is so effective. DEs Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong can
really get after the quarterback. Young DEs Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell showed a lot
of promise last season. Plus, the Dolphins made a very solid, very underrated free-agent
signing this offseason when they acquired former Redskin Rich Owens.
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New England Patriots: Linebackers.
Ted Johnson was one of the top three or four middle linebackers in the game last
season. OLB Chris Slade provides a nice pass rush. OLB Tedy Bruschi is a terrific
competitor who provides the kind of drive and attitude every team craves. Rookie Andy
Katzenmoyer’s productivity declined as his college career went on, but if he can
return to his freshman form, this unit could become really special.
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New York Jets: Receivers.
WR Keyshawn Johnson talks a good game, and he plays a great game. Don’t write him
off as a prima donna with a motor mouth. He’s a prime-time player who delivers when
his team needs him most. He deserves the damn ball. As good as he was last season,
I wouldn’t be surprised if Johnson is even better this year. Wayne Chrebet is the
perfect complement to Johnson’s exciting style of play. Chrebet is a lunch-bucket
receiver who always seems to move the chains. He does all the little things a receiver
needs to do to get the job done. TE Eric Green can be a very nice contributor to the
passing attack when he is healthy and on his game.
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Monday: AFC Central |
