Team- by-team analyses, camp dates,
BUFFALO BILLS
Big question: Who will win
the quarterback job? A threeway battle among EJ Manuel and newcomers Matt Cassel and
Tyrod Taylor will continue into camp. The best-case scenario for the Bills would be for Manuel, a first-round pick out of Florida State in 2013, to emerge because he’s the youngest of the three and has the most physical skills. But Manuel has been stymied by accuracy and decision-making issues. Cassel is 33 and only played three games with the Minnesota Vikings last season after suffering a foot injury. Taylor, who spent four seasons backing up Joe Flacco with the Baltimore Ravens, could be the surprise winner. Coach Rex Ryan reportedly is intrigued by Taylor’s arm strength and running ability.
Key player: Buffalo hopes to employ a ground-and-pound attack, so expect 2013 NFL rushing champion LeSean McCoy to be busy. Acquired in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, McCoy averaged 353 touches the past two seasons. The offense will run through him as the Bills attempt to revive a ground game that ranked 25th.
Position battles: Poor play by the offensive line was the main reason the Bills missed the playoffs in 2014. One of the fiercest battles could be right tackle, where Cyrus Kouandjio has leapfrogged fellow second-year player Seantrel Henderson on the depth chart. Kuoandjio barely saw the field last season, while Henderson played in all 16 games. ... Fred Jackson, 34, the league’s oldest running back, is expected to back up McCoy, with Boobie Dixon behind him. That leaves
Bryce Brown and 2015 fifth
round pick Karlos Williams vying for the final spot.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Big question: Will Branden Albert be healthy enough to start by the regular-season
opener? The 6-5, 320-pound Pro Bowl left tackle was signed as a free agent before last season and helped solidify the Dolphins’ porous line. But his season was cut short by injuries to the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee in Week 10, forcing him to have reconstructive surgery and Miami to make several changes along the line. Albert is 10 months into a recovery that usually takes nine to 12 months, and indications are that he’s ahead of schedule.
Key player: Owner Stephen Ross shelled out $60 million guaranteed to acquire Ndamu
kong Suh, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle while with the Detroit Lions. The Dolphins allowed 193 points in their final six games, a major reason they missed the playoffs. They were especially vulnerable vs. the run, yielding 121 yards a game, 24th in the league. With Suh clogging the lanes, that should change. The 6-4, 305-pounder also has the ability to collapse pockets and get to the quarterback (81⁄ sacks last
2 season). His presence should benefit DEs Cameron Wake (111⁄ sacks) and Olivier Vernon
2 and prevent the defensive swoons the Dolphins experienced the last two seasons.
Position battles: Kelvin Sheppard, a former LSU star with 32 starts during his four NFL seasons, has impressed his coach
es and could push Koa Misi for the starting middle linebacker job. If Sheppard continues to shine, the Dolphins might move Misi back to strong side linebacker, which he played his first four
seasons. ... Matt Moore appears to have the No. 2 job secured, now
that veteran Josh Freeman has been cut. ... K Caleb Sturgis, plagued by a groin injury his first two NFL seasons, might have to
hold off undrafted rookie An
drew Franks.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Big question: What will the Patriots do if Tom Brady’s
suspension is upheld? The NFL Players Association has said it will fight any suspension in the courts, which means Brady would legally be allowed to play while his case is being heard. Regardless of the outcome, the Patriots are expected to give second-year QB
Jimmy Garoppolo plenty of work with the first unit. Garoppolo saw limited time in 2014 — two mop-up assignments at the end of blowouts, and the entire second half of the regular-season finale against the Bills after the Patriots had clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Garoppolo completed 19 of 27 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. Bill Belichick is high on him, and some believe the head coach thinks Garoppolo could succeed Brady down the road.
Key player: Outside of Brady, Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gron
kowski is the most indispensable Patriots player, a game-changing pass catcher. Last season Gronkowski logged 15 games for the first time since 2011, finishing with 82 catches, 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. The coaches will use him sparingly during the preseason because they realize having Gronkowski healthy is the key to a second consecutive Super Bowl championship.
Position battles: With NT Vince Wilfork gone after 11 seasons, the Patriots will choose among a talented group of tackles that include Alan Branch, Chris
Jones, Dominique Easley and Sealver Siliga. Rookie Malcom Brown, a first-round pick out of Texas, also could be in the mix. ...
Logan Ryan and Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler are expected to step in for Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner at cornerback, but veteran free agents Bradley Fletcher (Eagles) and Robert McClain (Atlanta Falcons) also could contend for jobs.
NEW YORK JETS
Big question: Will Geno Smith prove he has what it takes to
be an NFL quarterback? During his first two seasons, Smith has been a turnover machine (34 interceptions, eight fumbles) and has struggled with his accuracy (57.5% career completion rate). He provided hope in the Jets’ season-ending victory in Miami, completing 25 of 30 for 358 yards and three scores without an interception. Smith should be helped by the addition of Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall, who has five career 100-reception seasons. Should Smith falter,
Ryan Fitzpatrick had success with offensive coordinator Chan
Gailey in Buffalo from 2010 to
2012.
Key player: After spending
two seasons away from the Jets, including last year when he helped the Patriots win a Super
Bowl, CB Darrelle Revis is fully recovered from a knee injury that hampered him for a few seasons and back to being a shutdown
corner. Reunited with Antonio
Cromartie, Revis will give firstyear coach Todd Bowles plenty of opportunities to turn his pass rushers loose.
Position battles: First-round pick Leonard Williams, rated by many teams as the best player in the draft, was expected to push for playing time right away. But with Pro Bowl DE Sheldon Rich
ardson serving a four-game suspension at the start of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, Williams probably will be starting and playing a lot. ... The guard spots bear watching. Former Seattle Seahawks first-rounder James
Carpenter is expected to fill one of the openings, but veteran Wil
lie Colon’s job might be up for grabs, with players such as Oday
Aboushi, Brian Winters and Dakota Dozier in the mix.