3rd and Long

As the NFL Draft approaches, 3rd and Long will examine each team and analyze their needs, free agent departures and free agent signings.

We’ll start with the AFC East.

Buffalo Bills

2007 record 7-9

2nd in AFC East

Departures	Position	Signings	Position
Sam Aiken	WR	Darian Barnes	FB
		Jonathan Evans	FB
		D.J. Fitzpatrick	P
		Spencer Johnson	DL
		Jon Corto(re-signed)	LB
		Kawika Mitchell	LB

Team needs

Coming of a sub .500 year, the Bills have a few major holes that need filling. The biggest need right of the top is a tall franchise WR that can stretch the field and complement the corp of speedy, but short receivers they currently have.The Bills also need a TE that can be a downfield threat. The D line struggled against the run last year and needs more muscle and also requires a speedy pass rusher

2008 first round draft position- 11th

Miami Dolphins

2007 record 1-15

4th in AFC East

Departures	Position	Signings	Position
Cleo Lemon	QB	Matt Baker	QB
Marty Booker	WR	Josh McCown	QB
Buck Ortega	TE	David Kircus	WR
Zach Thomas	LB	Kerry Reed (re-signed)	WR
		Ernest Wilford	WR
		Sean P. Ryan	TE
		Justin Smiley	OG
		Trey Darilek	OT
		Jason Ferguson	DL
		Junior Glymph	DL
		Randy Starks	DL
		Charlie Anderson	LB
		Reggie Torbor	LB

Team needs

After a 1-15 season, what doesn’t need to be fixed? To date , free agency has helped shore up the pathetic Defensive Line and signing 3 Wide receivers is a step in the right direction. The Dolphins need to look to the future at the QB position and Josh McCown doesn’t seem to be it. Look for new GM Bill Parcells to continue his complete overhaul of the fish, with his trademark focus on the defensive side of the ball.

2008 first round draft position- 1st

NY Jets

2007 record 4- 12

3rd in AFC East

Departures	Position	Signings	Position
Sean P. Ryan	TE	Sione Pouha (re-signed)	DL
Eric Coleman	FS	Tony Richardson	FB
		Alan Faneca	OG
		Damien Woody	OG
		Stanley Daniels	OL
		Calvin Pace	LB
		Andre Woolfolk	CB
		Darnell Bing	SS

Team needs

The Jets have a number of needs that will need to be addressed further in free agency as well as the draft. One of the most obvious needs is at WR, where they need a speedy receiver who can stretch the field. They haven’t had a speed receiver since they traded away Santana Moss.Offensive line is another key weakness as the Jets O-line gave up 53 sacks last year. On the defensive side of the ball, look for the Jets to shore up the DE positions as well as both inside and outside Linebacker.

2008 first round draft position-6th

New England Patriots

2007 record 16-0

1st in AFC East

Departures	Position	Signings	Position
Brandon Childress	WR	Sam Aiken	WR
Donte’ Stallworth	WR	Jabar Gaffney (re-signed)	WR
Danny Baugher	P	Randy Moss (re-signed)	WR
Randall Gay	CB	Kelley Washington (re-signed)	WR
Asante Samuel	CB	Lonie Paxton (re-signed)	C
		Tedy Bruschi (re-signed)	LB
		Larry Izzo (re-signed)	LB
		T.J Slaughter	LB
		Lewis Sanders	CB
		Jason Webster	CB
		Tank Williams	SS

Team Needs

Aside from a new videotaping policy, the Pats are gong to need to find a CB to replace Samuel. While Bruschi re-signed, they may need a LB if Seau decides to retire. On a smaller scale, the Patriots are in need of a RB as future replacement for Kevin Faulk.

2008 first round draft position - 7th ( from San Francisco), 31st (forfeited as a result of illegal videotaping)