AFC questions: Analyzing each team's biggest need
When the clock ticked down to zeroes on the 2006 season last Sunday night -- the Pro Bowl doesn't count -- it meant it was time to start looking ahead to the 2007 season. Hey, there is no offseason in the NFL anymore.
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| Tom Brady could use some help at the wide receiver spot. (Getty Images) |
Some teams can answer their major question and still not have a successful season, while others can answer theirs and it will put them over the top. But they all have them, some more than others.
In looking at the main issue facing each team, I thought we'd break them down into two columns by conference. The first one today is the AFC. The NFC questions column will follow early next week.
AFC East
What do they do to upgrade the receiver spot?
They have two first-round picks in a deep receiver draft. That could lead to one of those picks being used on a receiver. And don't forget, they drafted Chad Jackson last year. He didn't play much in 2006 as a rookie, but he has skills. Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell played well at times, but neither has star potential.
Who starts at quarterback on opening day?
Chad Pennington had a so-so season for the Jets in 2006 and Eric Mangini has said the competition will be open come training camp. That means second-year player Kellen Clemens, a player the Jets love, could be in line to push Pennington out.
What do they do to improve the run defense that was shredded all season?
They have to get bigger in the middle of their line and they probably need to find a new middle linebacker. London Fletcher makes a lot of tackles, but he isn't a real thumper in the middle. He's a free agent, so a decision is needed there. Teams ran at will against the Bills defense; they gave up 140.9 yards per game.
What's the status of quarterback Daunte Culpepper?
New coach Cam Cameron has to find out where Culpepper and his damaged knee are in terms of progress. Then he has to decide how he can build his offense around him -- or if he can. Culpepper looked lost when he played last season. The knee injury was still a factor, but they don't have a lot of options other than him.
AFC South
What do they do with all their free agents?
They will put a franchise tag on defensive end Dwight Freeney if they can't work out a deal for him. He is priority No. 1. After that, they would love to re-sign linebacker Cato June, but that could be tough. Corners Jason David and Nick Harper will also become unrestricted free agents, as will guards Jake Scott and Ryan Lilja. Freeney and June are the only real priorities.
Who will be the opening day starting quarterback?
They have to decide if it's Byron Leftwich, David Garrard or someone from the outside. Leftwich and coach Jack Del Rio have a fractured relationship that needs repair, but Del Rio said he plans to meet with Leftwich in an attempt to do just that. Garrard played poorly after Leftwich was benched -- that's what it was -- so the team has to make a decision. Word inside the organization is that one of the two will be gone. Who will it be?
How can they improve the defense?
Lost in all the Vince Young hype last season was the poor play of the defense. The Titans finished last in the league in total defense. Jim Schwartz is too good a coordinator for that to happen. That means the players didn't play well. They spent money on that side of the ball last season on David Thornton and Chris Hope, but they need better play from their defensive line and linebackers if they are to be a playoff team in 2007.
Do they keep David Carr or make a move for Jake Plummer?
More and more it sounds like the Texans are ready to part with Carr and make a move to get Plummer. Coach Gary Kubiak was the coordinator in Denver when Plummer had his best season in 2005. He likes Plummer, even if Mike Shanahan didn't. Look for the Texans to make a strong push to get Plummer in a trade.
AFC North
Is Jamal Lewis still the featured back or do they turn to Mike Anderson or a rookie?
Lewis struggled with bone spurs last season and clearly wasn't the same back he used to be. He lacked the pop into the hole. But at 28, he has some years left. The Ravens have to pay him a $5 million roster bonus in March if they want to keep him. That's steep. They may ask him to re-work the deal or they could let him leave. Some in Baltimore thought Anderson ran tougher last season anyway.
Can they clean up their image?
With nine arrests in the last year, they have to do something. This is a talented team that isn't far off from playing in a Super Bowl. But coach Marvin Lewis needs to bring more discipline to the team. They can't have the outlaw image overshadow what is a pretty good team.
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| Is Mike Tomlin the right choice? (US Presswire) |
You hear all kinds of good things about Tomlin. Some say he's another Tony Dungy, which is high praise. But both Grimm and Whisenhunt were good in-house candidates to replace Bill Cowher. Did the Rooney family make the right decision hiring a 34-year-old coach who has only one year as a coordinator on his resume? Time will tell.
Is Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson the quarterback or will it be a rookie?
Frye was supposed to have his breakout season in 2006 and it never happened. He didn't play as well as the Browns had hoped. Anderson flashed when Frye was injured, but is he the long-term answer? The problem with a rookie is that this staff needs to win now. So it looks like it's going to be Frye, Anderson or a veteran free agent. Too bad the market isn't that good.
AFC West
Who's the go-to receiver who can help open up the offense?
They have big plans for Vincent Jackson, a third-year receiver, but is he ready to take the next step to becoming the go-to guy? He has the size and the speed, but he needs more consistency. They could also dive into the draft pool -- a deep one at receiver -- to help find a stretch-the-field guy.
How do they handle the death of Darrent Williams?
Forget the football angle since he was a starting corner, but how do the players deal with the loss of their teammate. He reportedly died in the arms of receiver Javon Walker. That can really impact a player and a team.
Does Trent Green come back or is this now Damon Huard's team?
Green looked awful in the playoff loss to the Colts, which could force the Chiefs to make a move to re-sign Huard. If they do, Green will have to take a restructured deal to stay with the team. Green didn't play well after taking the shot to the head early in the season. Age is a factor, too.
Who does Lane Kiffin have as his quarterback?
Kiffin, the team's 31-year-old head coach, is viewed as a bright offensive mind. But schemes matter little when the quarterback can't make the plays. The Raiders have to use the first pick on a passer, preferably Brady Quinn, and then let him develop. They passed on Matt Leinart last year, and that was a big mistake.
