SCOUTING REPORT | AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS
2002 record: 8-8.Coach: Gregg Williams.Key additions: RB Willis McGahee (D-1), DE Chris Kelsay (D-2), LB Angelo Crowell (D-3), LB Jeff Posey (UFA-Texans), TE Mark Campbell (T-Browns), LB Takeo Spikes (RFA-Bengals), K Rian Lindell (RFA-Seahawks), DT Sam Adams (UFA-Raiders), FB Sam Gash (UFA-Ravens), S Izell Reese (UFA-Broncos), RB Olandis Gary (released-Broncos).Key losses: WR Peerless Price (T-Falcons), TE Jay Riemersma (released-Steelers), RB Larry Centers (released-Patriots), LB Greg Favors (UFA-Panthers), K Mike Hollis (UFA-Giants), KR Charlie Rogers (released-Dolphins), OLB Keith Newman (UFA-Falcons).Profile: Not a complete overhaul, but a lot of changes, especially on defense, as they look for the playoff formula. QB Drew Bledsoe faded in the final month, even though RB Travis Henry stepped into the elite class in 2002, running behind an emerging offensive line that still has not played near its potential.Key stat: Henry fumbled 11 times, losing 10.Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- New England1
Sept. 14 -- at Jacksonville1
Sept. 21 -- at Miami8:30
Sept. 28 -- Philadelphia1
Oct. 5 -- Cincinnati1
Oct. 12 -- at New York Jets4:15
Oct. 19 -- Washington1
Oct. 26 -- at Kansas City8:30
Nov. 2 -- Bye
Nov. 9 -- at Dallas4:15
Nov. 16 -- Houston1
Nov. 23 -- Indianapolis1
Nov. 30 -- at New York Giants1
Dec. 7 -- New York Jets4:15
Dec. 14 -- at Tennessee1
Dec. 21 -- Miami1
Dec. 27 -- at New England1:30
MIAMI DOLPHINS
2002 record: 9-7.Coach: Dave Wannstedt.Key additions: T Wade Smith (D-3), G Taylor Whitley (D-3), WR Derrius Thompson (UFA-Redskins), CB Terrell Buckley (UFA-Patriots), TE Marco Battaglia (released-Steelers), DT Jeff Zgonina (UFA-Rams), KR Charlie Rogers (released-Bills), LB Junior Seau (T-Chargers), QB Brian Griese (released-Broncos), S Sammy Knight (released-Saints).Key losses: TE Jed Weaver (UFA-49ers), LB Twan Russell (released-Falcons), TE Desmond Clark (UFA-Bears), CB Ray Green (UFA-Giants), DT Jermaine Haley (RFA-Redskins), LB Derrick Rodgers (released), WR Dedric Ward (released), T Brent Smith (released-Jets).Profile: The 2002 club was one of the best teams not to make the playoffs in NFL history, and it's hard to put a finger on the problem. WR Chris Chambers did not assert himself in the homestretch and Jay Fiedler got no chance to prove he's a playoff quarterback because he was slowed by a midseason injury. The offensive line is going to be reshaped, though they've re-signed G/T Mark Dixon.Key stat: No team with a winning record last year had a worse road mark (2-6).Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- Houston1
Sept. 14 -- at New York Jets1
Sept. 21 -- Buffalo8:30
Sept. 28 -- Bye
Oct. 5 -- at New York Giants1
Oct. 12 -- at Jacksonville1
Oct. 19 -- New England1
Oct. 27 -- at San Diego9
Nov. 2 -- Indianapolis1
Nov. 9 -- at Tennessee1
Nov. 16 -- Baltimore1
Nov. 23 -- Washington8:30
Nov. 27 -- at Dallas4:05
Dec. 7 -- at New England4:15
Dec. 15 -- Philadelphia9
Dec. 21 -- at Buffalo1
Dec. 28 -- New York Jets1
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2002 record: 9-7.Coach: Bill Belichick.Key additions: DT Ty Warren (D-1), CB Eugene Wilson (D-2), WR Bethel Johnson (D-2), LB Rosevelt Colvin (UFA-Bears), S Rodney Harrison (released-Chargers), CB Tyrone Poole (released-Broncos), FB Fred McCrary (released-Chargers), RB Larry Centers (released-Bills), DT Ted Washington (trade-Bears).Key losses: WR Donald Hayes (released-Jaguars), CB Terrell Buckley (UFA-Dolphins), FB Marc Edwards (UFA-Jaguars), S Tebucky Jones (T-Saints), CB Otis Smith (released).Profile: Few clubs over-achieve two years in a row. After a sensational and emotional 2001, they came back to Earth. This is a club with age on defense, which was addressed with the first two draft picks. On offense, they'll be fine with Tom Brady at quarterback.Key stat: RB Antowain Smith had no 100-yard games in the second half of the season.Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at Buffalo1
Sept. 14 -- at Philadelphia4:15
Sept. 21 -- New York Jets1
Sept. 28 -- at Washington1
Oct. 5 -- Tennessee1
Oct. 12 -- New York Giants1
Oct. 19 -- at Miami1
Oct. 26 -- Cleveland1
Nov. 3 -- at Denver9
Nov. 9 -- Bye
Nov. 16 -- Dallas8:30
Nov. 23 -- at Houston1
Nov. 30 -- at Indianapolis1
Dec. 7 -- Miami4:15
Dec. 14 -- Jacksonville1
Dec. 20 -- at New York Jets8:30
Dec. 27 -- Buffalo1:30 p.m.
NEW YORK JETS
2002 record: 9-7.Coach: Herman Edwards.Key additions: DT Dewayne Robertson (D-1), LB Victor Hobson (D-2), RB B.J. Askew (D-3), WR Curtis Conway (released-Chargers), P Dan Stryzinski (released-Chiefs), K Doug Brien (UFA-Vikings), T Brent Smith (UFA-Dolphins), DT Chester McGlockton (released-Broncos).Key losses: G Randy Thomas (UFA-Redskins), K John Hall (UFA-Redskins), RB Richie Anderson (UFA-Cowboys), P Matt Turk (waived), FS Damien Robinson (UFA-Seahawks), WR Laveranues Coles (RFA-Redskins), LB James Darling (UFA-Cards), KR Chad Morton (RFA-Redskins).Profile: Chad Pennington was set to be an elite quarterback before breaking and dislocating his left wrist in an exhibition game. And they lost a lot in free agency. The Thomas defection is the third hit the offensive line has taken in two years, and it's hard to see them replacing Coles since WR Santana Moss has not shown the consistency needed to catch 80 balls.Key stat: Lost the time of possession battle in four of their last five regular-season games.Schedule:
Tonight -- at Washington9
Sept. 14 -- Miami1
Sept. 21 -- at New England1
Sept. 28 -- Dallas4:15
Oct. 5 -- Bye
Oct. 12 -- Buffalo4:15
Oct. 19 -- at Houston4:05
Oct. 26 -- at Philadelphia4:15
Nov. 2 -- New York Giants1
Nov. 9 -- at Oakland4:15
Nov. 16 -- at Indianapolis4:05
Nov. 23 -- Jacksonville1
Dec. 1 -- Tennessee9
Dec. 7 -- at Buffalo4:15
Dec. 14 -- Pittsburgh1
Dec. 20 -- New England8:30
Dec. 28 -- at Miami1