Part four of eight. ... Infrequent posts of late because of internet problems that hopefully have been resolved.
BILLS: Who will emerge as the starting QB: JP Losman or Kelly Holcomb? Holcomb's main advantages are his accuracy (67 percent completions to 49 for Losman last season) and experience, but Losman, a recent first-round pick, has a bigger arm. Can free-agent signing Larry Triplett replace Sam Adams at DT? They are different style players (speed vs. bulk), and the defense was Buffalo's strength last season. Who will replace Eric Moulds at WR opposite Lee Evans? Former Bill Peerless Price, back from an Atlanta detour gone south, is one possibility, Andre' Davis and Josh Reed are others.
DOLPHINS: What impact will QB Daunte Culpepper have on an offense that is loaded with talent at the skill positions (RB Ronnie Brown, TE Randy McMichael, WRs Chris Chambers and Marty Booker)? Will the secondary jell and can the defense's aging stars (Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor in particular) hold up for a Miami team positioned to make a playoff run? Coach Nick Saban has completely replaced the entire defensive backfield in his two years in Miami.
JETS: Are QB Chad Pennington and RB Curtis Martin healthy enough to contribute this season? Pennington appears to be recovered from shoulder surgery, but Martin's status is up in the air, and the Jets' offense is in real trouble if his career is over as no viable replacement appears to exist on New York's roster. Can the defense generate enough pass rush to compensate for the loss of DE John Abraham?
PATRIOTS: Who will QB Tom Brady throw to other than TEs Daniel Graham and Ben Watson, an emerging force? How will Coach Bill Belichick and Brady deal with WR Deion Branch, a training camp holdout? Will all the hits to the coaching staff begin to affect the defense this season? And what of the shortage of linebackers? Luring Junior Seau out of retirement after no other team wanted him cannot be a good thing.
Next up, a by-division look at the NFC.
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