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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Buffalo Bills in 2012.

Dream scenario (11-5): It would be a dream for Bills fans to see their team back in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. The last time we saw Buffalo make the postseason, the Bills were the victim of the “Music City Miracle” in 1999. It has been a long line of disappointments and underachieving since that historic play. (Many Bills fans still contend that was a forward pass, by the way.) This year’s team looks poised to break the streak. This is the best team, on paper, that Buffalo has had in a long time. The offense will be dangerous if quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick improves his consistency in the passing game and Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller and the running game stay consistent. Buffalo also made improvements to the defense, including drafting corner Stephon Gilmore in the first round and adding stud defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson. Chances are, everything won’t fall into place for Buffalo. But this is a sleeper team that does have a chance to make a jump and contend for the playoffs.

Nightmare scenario (5-11): Despite all the additions, there is no guarantee the Bills and their coaching staff can bring it all together in one year. What if Fitzpatrick continues to play like the second half of 2011 and is not the long-term solution? What if the defense struggles to make the transition to a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt? What if big injuries again decimate this team? A lot can go wrong for the Bills, especially in a division where the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots are expected to dominate. The Bills are trying to catch up and cannot afford to make many mistakes in the AFC East. They were 1-5 against division foes last year. Bills head coach Chan Gailey is only 10-22 in his first two years in Buffalo. He has more talent than he has ever had with the Bills. There are no excuses for Gailey this year. It’s still somewhat of a mystery whether Gailey can coach. But we will find out in 2012.

» NFC pressure points: West | North | South | East
» AFC pressure points: West | North | South | East

Examining who faces the most challenging season for the Bills and why.

Things are looking up for the Buffalo Bills. A team that finished 6-10 and in last place in the AFC East in 2011 had arguably the league's best offseason. The Bills acquired defensive ends Mario Williams and Mark Anderson in free agency, drafted first-round cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and gave contract extensions to in-house stars Fred Jackson and Steve Johnson.

But each move adds more pressure to third-year Bills coach Chan Gailey, who is 10-22 in his first two seasons in Buffalo.

Is Gailey a good NFL head coach? It's hard to say. He was 18-14 in two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before he was abruptly fired. Gailey still carries that sting after being relieved of his position without ever posting a losing season in Dallas. He has struggled in Buffalo, but hasn't had nearly the same talent that he had with the Cowboys.

Talent is no longer a question this year in Buffalo. The Bills spent to the cap to nab top free agents, and many in-house players are coming into their own. Buffalo now has enough talent to make a playoff push. The question is, can Gailey and his staff put it all together?

This is a no-excuses year for Gailey. It's time to finally show what he can do in Buffalo with a bevy of talent at his disposal.

Buffalo Bills

Bills general manager Buddy Nix assured Ryan Fitzpatrick that he would be the team's starter ahead of the signing of Vince Young, the quarterback told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday.

Fourth-round draft selection Nigel Bradham relishes his role on special teams.

Miami Dolphins

Ovie Mughelli, a two-time Pro Bowl fullback who was a salary-cap casualty in Atlanta this offseason, is in South Florida for a Thursday workout with the Dolphins. It might be a signal, Brian Biggane writes, that the team is worried about Jerome Messam, who underwent his second knee surgery in five months this week.

Former Dolphins running back Ricky Williams shared his views on concussions with ESPN's Dan Le Batard.

New England Patriots

The Patriots signed receiver Jeremy Ebert, their seventh-round draft pick from Northwestern.

According to a Forbes report, Bill Belichick is the highest-paid coach in sports.

New York Jets

Darrelle Revis led a chorus of Jets praising new addition Tim Tebow, the New York Daily News reports. "He's a born leader," Revis said. "... It's the passion within ... of him wanting to be a leader, wanting to win. You see it in him all the time... eating lunch. Walking down the hallway you see it. He's just one of those guys."

Offensive tackle Wayne Hunter, coming off a tough 2011, received praise from new offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo. "This guy is the starting right tackle," DeGuglielmo told ESPNNewYork.com. "Until they tell me otherwise, until they ship him out of this building or until they shoot me dead in my office, that sonofagun is going to be the starting right tackle."

We have another interesting poll this weekend in the AFC East blog. The Buffalo Bills made an interesting quarterback addition Friday by singing former first-round pick Vince Young. It adds depth to Buffalo’s duo of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyler Thigpen.

With that said, who has the second-best quarterback situation in the AFC East? Tom Brady and the New England Patriots obviously lead the way, so we are (again) taking the reigning AFC champs out of the equation.

Do you like the Bills’ trio of Fitzpatrick, Thigpen and now Young? Fitzpatrick is the unquestioned starter, and Thigpen and Young will battle for the No. 2 role. Both can move well in the pocket and have starting experience.

What about the New York Jets? They have starter Mark Sanchez and popular backup Tim Tebow. Both have won in the playoffs. Greg McElroy is the developmental No. 3 quarterback.

Finally, the Miami Dolphins have an interesting trio of Matt Moore, David Garrard and Ryan Tannehill. Moore and Garrard are expected to battle for the starting job this year, while Tannehill, a first-round pick, is the quarterback of the future. Is this the most talented trio?

Using our SportsNation poll, vote on the second-best quarterback group in the division. You can also share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Let's see what's in the weekend mailbag.

Mike from Ireland writes: James, what are your thoughts on the New England Patriots' cornerbacks?

James Walker: I'm not high on them, Mike. It's not a bad group on paper. But when you see them on the field, it doesn't add up. It's a lot of missed assignments, failing to stick to receivers, etc. The corners on the Patriots simply don’t cover well. Bill Belichick is almost forced to play zone to even have a chance to stop the good quarterbacks and passing game. We saw that in the Super Bowl.

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Ari S from Boston writes: With BenJarvus Green-Ellis gone, should the Patriots pursue free-agent running back Cedric Benson?

Walker: Nope. Bad fit and has character concerns, Ari. The Patriots are better off sticking with their young running backs. There is enough potential there where New England doesn't have to force it and take on a risk.

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Ben from New York writes: If New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow doesn't end up starting this year, what sort of stat line can we expect from him?

Walker: Interesting question, Ben. A lot of people are expecting Tebow to start at some point, either through injury or performance. But if everything goes well for New York's offense, I think it's realistic to expect 300-400 yards rushing from Tebow, and maybe about 200 yards passing. The sum of 500-700 total yards is very solid from a backup quarterback, who usually contributes next to nothing on most teams.

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Jason from Brooklyn, NY, wants to know if recently release corner Drew Coleman could be a target for the Jets.

Walker: Yes, Jason, I do see this as a potential match for several reasons. First, Coleman obviously played well for the Jets and knows the system. Second, he's versatile and can play in the nickel spot. Third, Darrelle Revis is in a contract dispute and you just never know how far this is going to go. Coleman can add more depth behind Antonio Cromartie and Kyle Wilson just in case.

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BUM from Chesapeake, VA, writes: James, any chance the Miami Dolphins try to upgrade the receiver corps with anyone still on the market?

Walker: Yes, Bum, the Dolphins are one of several teams who could make a late addition at receiver. But right now Miami wants to see what it has in mini-camps and offseason workouts before making that decision. There are some interesting names out there. Jacoby Jones and Braylon Edwards are two of the top receivers looking for jobs. I also mentioned Donald Driver as a possibility for Miami if Green Bay cuts him, because of Driver's history with Dolphins coach Joe Philbin. But Miami doesn't have much cap space left and still has to get the Cameron Wake situation resolved. That could force the Dolphins to stay put for now.

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Hernán from Argentina writes: Do you think the Dolphins are rebuilding? How many games do you think they can win this season?

Walker: Absolutely, Hernan, the Dolphins are in rebuild mode. They are setting up the team for the long-term, which is what the Dolphins must do. They're not catching the Patriots anytime soon. I think Miami is under a 2-3 year plan, with rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill's development being the key.

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Brandon from New Windsor, NY, writes: Who do you see as the best potential receiver to step up and be a solid No. 2 receiver for the Buffalo Bills? T.J. Graham? Donald Jones? Marcus Easley?

Walker: We examined this question on Friday, Brandon. Buffalo drafted Graham with hopes that he can produce right away. He has the speed, but you never know with a third-round pick. Jones is coming off an injury and has to prove he can bounce back, and Easley is unproven. I would peg Jones and Graham as the favorites. If that doesn’t work outm moving David Nelson from the slot again would be an alternative.

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Pat from Erie, Pa., writes: With the Bills having a pretty solid offseason so far, do you think they are closing the gap between them and the other AFC East teams?

Walker: Absolutely, Pat. It's no secret now that Buffalo is my sleeper pick for 2012. Although I'm not ready to make predictions in terms of record, I think the Bills are in position to definitely improve on their 6-10 record this year. A big component will be winning in the division. The Bills have to beat the Jets and Dolphins to turn things around. That is the key. Buffalo split with New England last year, but that's more of a luxury.

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DieHard III from Houston, TX, writes: Can you come up with your best definition of what an elite QB is?

Walker: Everyone has their own definition of "elite," DieHard. So I wouldn't say my interpretation is the general consensus. But I view an elite quarterback as one of the top five or seven players at their position. Guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and you can throw Eli Manning in, as well. It's a combination of being a prolific passer and winning. Some can do one but not the other. But the elite quarterbacks can do both.

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Comment and complaint department

Lawrence Miller from Wallingford, VT, writes: How many Super Bowl rings do you have? Bill Belichick has a few.

Walker: Lawrence, I assume this has something to do with criticizing New England's second-round pick of little-known safety Tavon Wilson. Belichick is one of the greatest coaches of all time. You will rarely see any criticism of Belichick's coaching in the AFC East blog, because he makes nearly all the right moves. However, that doesn't mean his personnel decisions are perfect. Belichick makes personnel mistakes like everyone else, especially in the second round. So it's fair to question the Wilson pick. He wasn't invited to the combine and most didn't think he had a second-round grade. At the very least, New England could've waited a couple rounds before taking this kind of reach.

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JR from Tampa Bay writes: I think the Tannehill pick was horrid as a Phin-fan. A head coach has a 3-4 year shelf life and putting a first round pick into a guy who's probably 2-3 years off from a quality starter isn't good. If he fails to develop, that means in a few years we'll be looking for a new head coach and a new QB. The Phins turned it around in the last half of the previous season so as a fan, this back to square one rebuilding is going to be painful. IMO they should have just bite the bullet and brought Chad Henne back for one more year to compete with Moore and then traded whatever it took to draft Matt Barkley next year.

Walker: JR, you lost me with bringing Henne back and trying to get Barkley. That just wasn’t going to happen. Henne had four seasons to prove he was the guy and clearly wasn't. How many chances should Henne get? Barkley is a projection. The Dolphins probably would have to win two or three games next season to have a shot at Barkley, a projected top three pick. You can't count on that. Other than that, I understand you're point about Tannehill. The Dolphins have put their reputation on the line with him. But listening to the team's brass over the weekend, the Dolphins are convinced he’s the guy. We probably won’t know for a couple years.

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Clint Buckland from Webster, TX, writes: I'm predicting Ryan Tannahill will win the QB job by Week 10. In your opinion, what's the odds?

Walker: I view that as the starting point, Clint. Week 10 is probably the earliest to expect Tannehill in the lineup, barring injury. Miami thinks it can be competitive with a veteran quarterback, while mentoring Tannehill. I don't expect the Dolphins to win many games. So I think there's a chance Tannehill can play late in the year just to get his feet wet before eventually taking over in 2013.

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Nick from Buffalo writes: How in the world did Buffalo -- one of the up and coming teams in the league -- only get one prime time game? And it's a Thursday night game? C'mon man!!!!

Walker: Buffalo fans and your AFC East blogger are the only people who think the Bills have potential this year, Nick. That's why they are called a "sleeper" pick. All I ask is Buffalo fans remember who called it before anyone else.

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Jesse from Long Island writes: Hey James, what do you think the Jets' record next year will be and where will they rank in the AFC East? I think they can go 12-4 honestly, with loses to New England once, San Diego, Houston, and San Francisco. Looking at the rest of their schedule, it seems pretty easy. If not 12-4, do you at least see them getting at least 10 wins?

Walker: Jesse, I think 12 wins are too ambitious for this year's Jets. But 10 wins are possible if a lot of things fall their way. Will quarterback Mark Sanchez have a career year? Will the sniping and in-fighting stop? Will the safety play and pass-rush improve? Can right tackle Wayne Hunter block consistently this year? These are some of the questions that have to be answered for New York to get back to the playoffs.

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AFC East Homer of the week

Ferko from Denver, Colorado, writes: I don't understand why everyone is giving the Jets so much grief. This will go down as the best Jets draft in history without a doubt. It'll take 2 years before Quinton Coples is constantly winning DPOY awards, and I can promise that Stephen Hill will most likely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after he breaks all of Jerry Rice's records.

Walker: Sloooow down, Ferko. Nothing screams homer more than putting rookie draft picks in the Hall of Fame before they play their first snap. Despite some questions, I like the potential of both Coples and Hill. Their ceilings are high and I think New York has a chance to hit a home run with both picks. But let's not make Coples the best defensive player in the NFL or make Hill the greatest receiver of all time. That's way too much. Congrats, Ferko, on being our AFC East "Homer of the Week."

The most prized free-agent acquisition not named Peyton Manning will not get the jersey number he wants in Buffalo.

New Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams, who signed a $100 million contract this offseason, will have to find a new jersey to wear in 2012. The No. 90 jersey Williams wore with the Houston Texans is occupied by Bills veteran defensive end Chris Kelsay, who is not giving it up.

"I've worn it my entire career here," Kelsay told the Buffalo News. "A lot of times in a situation like this, the guy will buy it from you. But I'm not really interested in that."

Kelsay, a nine-year veteran, is one of the longest-tenured Bills. He says he's attached to the number. In fact, every jersey from No. 90-99 is occupied in Buffalo.

Williams will have to pay one of his teammates who are more willing to make the switch soon.

The NFL draft is just a few days away. Let’s check to see what’s in our AFC East inbox this week.

Mike Mercer from Virginia Beach, Va., writes: The Bills were devastated by injuries last year. Have they ever come up with a reason that they are one of the most injured teams in the NFL every year? Have they taken any steps to try an prevent that this year?

James Walker: Good question, Mike. This is something that is tough to address, because injuries happen to every team -- some more than others. I remember my time in the AFC North covering the Cincinnati Bengals, and every year they were among the league leaders on putting players on Injured Reserve. There really is no set answer for injuries. That is going to happen to every team, every year. But I do think some teams treat injuries better than others. I haven’t covered the Bills long enough to get a feel for their medical staff.

Tom Z from Northern PA writes: What do you see as a bigger need for defense on the bills team, LB or CB?

Walker: Probably cornerback, Tom. Buffalo is pretty thin at linebacker, but I think the new-look defensive line is going to make that group look a lot better. Corners are on an island and Buffalo couldn’t guard anyone consistently last season. The Bills need play-makers more at corner.

Mark writes: Any chance LaDainian Tomlinson or Yeremiah Bell come to Foxboro?

Walker: No on Tomlinson with the New England Patriots, Mark. He is all but retired and the Patriots already have a stable of running backs. Bell is a possibility. The Patriots need help at safety. But New England is going to see if it can get a safety in the draft first.

Conor Murray from Ireland writes: What are the chances that the Pats use both first round picks this year or will that only be decided as the draft unfolds?

Walker: We did a poll on this in the AFC East blog and a majority voted New England would trade back, Conor. That’s been the trend. But every year is a new year. I have a feeling New England will use the picks this year. This team is not far away.

Daniel from Tucson, Ariz., writes: I am originally from Miami and am an avid Dolphin fan. Even though all the talk there is on Stephen Ross and Jeff Ireland, no one talks about Joe Philbin, what do you think of him as a head-coach?

Walker: Well, I have to see him coach a game first, Daniel. All kidding aside, Philbin seems to have a good grasp and mentality of a head coach. But none of that really matters in the offseason. Philbin can only be graded once the bullets start flying. A jump from a coordinator to head coach is probably the toughest in the NFL. A lot more things come across your desk, and Philbin has to prove he can handle it.

Nick from Westerville, Ohio, writes: Is Cameron Wake going to be traded before draft day because of his holdout?

Walker: That’s not in the cards, Nick. Wake is Miami’s best pass-rusher and the team can’t afford to lose him. I think something eventually gets worked out. But it won’t be easy considering the Dolphins’ cap situation.

Neal from Queens, N.Y., writes: Could you see Asante Samuel as a safety for the Jets? And why is it taking Burress so long to find a new team? No interest? If so, do you see a return to the Jets?

Walker: No way. Samuel is not a strong enough tackler to play safety. His tackling is a shade better than Jets corner Antonio Cromartie. That wouldn’t work.

Comment and complaint department

We have several comments and complaints this week in the AFC East blog.

Christian Moody from Lafayette, Fla., writes: OK, I have two questions. One is when you write a blog about a team, especially when that team is where you live, aren't you supposed to brag on them instead of bagging on them? That's stupid. Number two, you say the Dolphins don't look that good this year? Well, seeing that they have one of the best running backs in the NFL, a veteran quarterback that they just signed this year, a possible chance at Ryan Tannehill, and then they can get a receiver and lineman in the draft I think their in pretty good shape.

Walker: Christian, a lot of people misinterpret my job as a blogger for the AFC East. I provide news, analysis and opinions on all four teams. This is a zero homerism blog. There is plenty of places for "rah rah" coverage on the internet. My opinions and analysis are going to be honest, based on how I think all four teams are currently doing. For example, when the Bills stunk it up in the second half of last season, I ripped them. When Buffalo had a great offseason, I praised them. It's pretty simple from my perspective, but I'm surprised how many readers don't see it this clearly. I don't "brag" for the home team. I live in Miami, but I'm not a fan of the Dolphins or any NFL team.

Diana from Pennsylvania writes: Why should Darrelle Revis step up to the leadership role when the coach doesn't even have control? What is going to build from? There is no unity and we see that clear as day. So why would you put it on one player? Everyone is accountable for their behavior as professionals.

Walker: This is in relation to a Jets/lack of leadership column that I wrote this offseason. Good comments, Diana, but I mostly disagree. The first point I want to make is I listed Revis with two other high-profile Jets (Mark Sanchez and Nick Mangold) who need to step up with leadership. I never put it on one player. But I did write Revis is, by far, the team’s best player, and he needs to become a more assertive leader. Ray Lewis would not let what happened in New York’s locker room happen in Baltimore. Tom Brady would not allow the Jets’ shenanigans to persists in New England. Players would listen to the soft-spoken Revis in the same way, but he must speak up. Leading by example is not good enough for a veteran player of Revis’ caliber. Revis -- along with Sanchez and Mangold -- should be more responsible for keeping everyone in line next season.

Chuck Shepherd from Cincinnati, Ohio, writes: Just wanted to say I enjoyed the irony of seeing the second post about a player who isn't even in the top 20 players in the division titled "Is Tim Tebow's celebrity out of control?" Well played, sir.

Walker: Sometimes you have to poke fun at yourself. I figured that was a clever way to do it.

AFC East Homer of the Week

This week's selected homer from our AFC inbox is a Bills fan. Enjoy.

Sawyer from New York, N.Y., writes: Close your eyes for a moment and imagine what the World would look like if the Buffalo Bills won the Super Bowl. So glorious, so beautiful! I know the Cubs technically have the longest drought, and I may be bias, but in terms of sheer bliss per person - don't you think a Buffalo Bills Super Bowl victory tops all?

Walker: Sawyer, sorry to ruin your blissful moment. But the Bills are not winning a Super Bowl this upcoming season. They are my sleeper pick to do some damage, and perhaps that got you excited with potentially seeing Buffalo in New Orleans next February. But congrats on being our latest AFC East Homer of the Week.

The New England Patriots have just about everything you want on offense. They have an elite quarterback, two stud tight ends and a good collection of wide receivers, led by Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd.

But the one thing New England's offense lacks is a solid veteran presence at running back. That is why the reigning AFC champs are wise to kick the tires on free agent tailbacks Ryan Grant and Tim Hightower.

Grant is entering his sixth season, and Hightower is entering his fifth. Either choice would add experience to a young group that includes 2011 draft picks Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.

Grant, in particular, would be a solid signing if it's at a bargain rate. His best years were in 2008 and 2009, but the Patriots are not a run-heavy team, and only need a complementary rusher. Grant averages 4.3 yards for his career, and could do well in role like the one BenJarvus Green-Ellis filled for the Patriots. Ridley, Vereen and Danny Woodhead also would provide support. The Patriots can continue riding the hot hand out of this group, week to week in 2012.

What the Patriots do not need is another young running back. So don't expect New England to take one high in next week's NFL draft.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Miami Dolphins fans. But it's probably going to be awhile before your team is a legitimate playoff contender again.

A disastrous offseason has gutted this once-promising team. Now, Miami is in full rebuild mode under rookie head coach Joe Philbin.

Miami is not a quick or easy fix. Here are five reasons why the Dolphins are a long way away from being a contender and probable for another top-10 draft pick in 2013:

Reason No. 1: Dolphins don't have a quarterback

Times are changing in the NFL. It's quickly coming to the point where if you don't have a quarterback, you don’t have a chance.

Miami is going into the season with a quarterback competition between career backup Matt Moore and againg veteran David Garrard, who hasn't played football since 2010. Moore is the favorite coming off a career year in 2011 and was 6-6 as a starter. Garrard, 34, is a wild card after being out of football last season.

Neither player is a great fit for Miami's new West Coast offense. It's a scheme based on precision passing and throwing the ball about 60 percent of the time. Philbin was a former offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers. If Philbin expects Moore or Garrard to step in and fill the role of Aaron Rodgers next season, the coach is terribly mistaken.

It's hard for Miami to be a viable contender until it figures out its quarterback position. That won't happen next season with Garrard and Moore. Neither is the long-term solution.

Reason No. 2: No offense

Not only does Miami not have a franchise quarterback, it also lacks a supporting cast to put together a successful offense. The Dolphins could have one of the worst offenses on paper.

The Dolphins certainly have one of the worst receiver groups. The team traded away Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears for a pair of third-round picks, leaving Brian Hartline (35 receptions for 549 yards in 2011) as the No. 1 option. Slot receiver Davone Bess (51 receptions, 537 yards) is projected as the No. 2 receiver, while Legedu Naanee and Clyde Gates compete for playing time. None of these receivers strike fear in the defense to keep opponents from stacking the line against tailback Reggie Bush and the running game.

The right side of Miami's offense line also is a problem. The Dolphins lost their starting right guard (Vernon Carey) and starting right tackle (Marc Colombo) in free agency. With uncertainty at quarterback, below-average receivers and major holes on the right side of the offensive line, Miami's offense is not set up for early success. The draft will help, but Miami can't fill all these needs with rookie players.

Reason No. 3: Shaky ownership, front office

Is it more perception or reality with Miami's leadership? Both have hurt the team.

The perception is the Dolphins have a shaky operation at the top. Owner Stephen Ross has deep pockets but hasn't shown the ability to build a stable, winning franchise. And Ross' trust in embattled general manager Jeff Ireland wasn't a popular decision.

The reality is Ross has the resources and wants to win. But Ross isn't a "football guy," and his unwavering trust in Ireland has caused a ripple effect.

Ireland's track record as a talent evaluator is decent. But he doesn't appear to be well-liked in NFL circles. Several players and former players have bashed Ireland publicly. Even Peyton Manning -- although very politely -- informed the Dolphins he wasn't comfortable with the team's leadership when Miami pursued the quarterback in free agency. Head coach Jeff Fisher also chose the St. Louis Rams over the Dolphins this offseason, in part, because he felt the stability at the top was better in St. Louis.

Winning will help this perception. That will convince top free agents to eventually come to Miami. But that wasn't the case for Ross and Ireland this offseason.

Reason No. 4: Defense is overrated

I like Miami's defense. But for all the hype this group is getting, the Dolphins' defense is fairly overrated.

Miami was ranked No. 15 in total defense in 2011. You would think this was a top-five defense based on the good press it is getting. In reality, it was middle of the pack. More importantly, the Dolphins were ranked 25th against the pass.

Miami still has holes in its secondary. Miami cut its best safety and leading tackler -- Yeremiah Bell -- this offseason. The Dolphins will go with a patchwork group of Reshad Jones, Tyrell Johnson or converted corner Richard Marshall at safety. That means bombs away for opposing quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Matt Schaub and others on Miami's schedule this season. It's going to be tough to win games if you can't pass or stop the pass in today's NFL.

The Dolphins also don't have enough pass-rushers. Outside linebacker Cameron Wake is the biggest threat. Perhaps Miami could find another pass-rusher to go with Wake in this draft. But if the Dolphins can't get to the quarterback and struggle at safety, the defense could be middle of the pack again.

Miami’s defense has its strengths. It is stout against the run, for example, and rarely allows a 100-yard rusher. But contrary to popular belief, the Dolphins aren't dominant enough defensively to win games on just one side of the ball. A sputtering offense will hurt this group.

Reason No. 5: Division rivals are simply better

Miami was 6-10 last season and finished third in the AFC East via the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Buffalo Bills (6-10). But a case can be made that the Dolphins are the only team in the division that took a few steps back this offseason.

As we mentioned, the Dolphins traded their best receiver, cut their leading tackler and failed to find a viable starting quarterback. Add in the fact that the team has an entirely new coaching staff and has to learn a new offense and defense, and you're sure to have growing pains. I doubt this team can better last year's record and finish with seven or more wins.

The reigning AFC champion New England Patriots have the NFL's easiest schedule and are much better than Miami. That's a no-brainer. But the Buffalo Bills, my sleeper pick in 2012, also are much improved, and the New York Jets still have a talented roster. The Dolphins appear headed for fourth place in the division. At best, Miami can finish third if something bad happens this year in New York or Buffalo.

Add up these five reasons, and it's clear Miami is much closer to the bottom of the league than the top. Look for the Dolphins to secure another top-10 draft pick and continue their lengthy rebuilding process into 2013.

Wide receiver is one of the biggest needs for the Miami Dolphins entering next week's draft. They addressed the need Tuesday by signing veteran receiver Legedu Naanee.

The former Carolina Panthers receiver caught 44 passes for 467 yards last season. Naanee will be added to a thin group of receivers that includes projected starters Brian Hartline and Davone Bess.

Dolphins rookie head coach Joe Philbin is installing a new West Coast offense in Miami that doesn't focus on any one receiver. The Dolphins traded talented Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall, in part, because they didn't want one player dominating the football.

Naanee also spent four years with the San Diego Chargers and caught 107 receptions in that span.

New England Patriots leading receiver Wes Welker did not attend the start of his team's offseason workout program on Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Is this a brewing issue or nothing to worry about in April? Time will tell.

Welker has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender for 2012, estimated at $9.5 million. Welker recently said it was "a lot of money" but didn't fully commit to signing it. The Patriots also seem content with sticking to the tag -- at least before the draft and remainder of free agency.

It's possible that negotiations could proceed later this offseason. The Patriots and Welker have until late summer to remove the tag if a long-term extension is reached. It's also possible New England is fine with keeping Welker, 31, under the one-year tag.

There are two ways Welker can handle this situation. He can protest offseason activities and see if that prompts progress in negotiations. Or he can sign the tender, participate and hope for the best.

There is a case to be made for either approach. Skipping offseason activities is Welker's only leverage move. But the Patriots hold most of the cards in their favor.

The New York Jets will officially return one of their top pass-rushers from last season.

As expected, Jets outside linebacker Aaron Maybin signed a one-year tender Monday to kick off New York's voluntary offseason workout program. The restricted free agent led the Jets with six sacks in 2011.

Maybin, a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills, was cut last summer and picked up by New York. He became one of the league's surprise free-agent acquisitions and fit in well with the Jets.

New York needs more pass-rushers on defense and probably will do so via the draft. But Maybin hopes to build off his career-best season.

Did you miss me?

My buddy, "ESPN.com staff," said you all were solid while I was on vacation. So I won't flood the AFC East blog with two Tim Tebow posts per day this week. But that's always subject to change in seven days (wink, wink).

Anyway, a lot happened in the AFC East when I was away. So we are going to skip Monday's "Morning take" in order to catch up on recent issues within the division.

Story No. 1: Dolphins OLB Cameron Wake holds out.

Issue: Wake, who is scheduled to make $615,000 next season, is holding out for more money. He skipped the beginning of the team's offseason workout program last week and reportedly plans to miss more time if a resolution isn't reached.

Walker's take: This is another big blow to a horrific offseason for the Dolphins. I agree that Wake outperformed his contract and is due for a raise. I also doubt the Dolphins disagree with that. The question is, can Miami create enough cap room to fit in another big contract? This will be a tricky situation that probably won't be resolved for a while. This could go well into the spring or summer.

Story No. 2: Should Dolphins trade for the No. 3 pick?

Issue: Former Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill's stock continues to rise leading up to the draft. Reports are now surfacing that Miami may have to trade up to the No. 3 overall pick to guarantee a shot at Tannehill. The Cleveland Browns hold the No. 4 pick and also may consider Tannehill.

Walker’s take: Don't do it, Miami. Sure, the Dolphins need a quarterback. But giving away the farm (a first-, second- and third-rounder?) to move up five spots isn't wise. Miami simply has too many holes to fill on its roster. Tannehill is not Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. Tannehill has potential but he is far from a sure thing. Miami should stand pat at No. 8 and see what happens. Even if the Dolphins drafted Tannehill, he would not start in Miami next year anyway. Tannehill would hold a clipboard in 2012 behind Matt Moore and David Garrard.

Story No. 3: Dan Koppen re-signs with the New England Patriots.

Issue: Former longtime starting center Koppen re-signed with the reigning AFC champs. This is somewhat a surprise considering New England chose to first re-sign center Dan Connolly, who replaced Koppen after an injury and performed well.

Walker’s take: This move happened late in free agency. So that tells me Koppen examined his options, didn’t like them and decided it was best to return to New England at a discounted rate. This is good news for the Patriots. They gained depth at center by being patient. But New England also may have a competition brewing in training camp. Koppen is a favorite of Patriots starting quarterback Tom Brady, so you can’t rule him out.

Story No. 4: Patriots Rob Gronkowski out of "Madden" tourney.

Issue: Pro Bowl tight end Gronkowski was knocked out of the “Madden NFL 13” tourney by Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson. The final four will be Johnson, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

Walker’s take: This is great news for Gronkowski, even if he doesn’t realize it. He made a strong push for the “Madden” cover with a series of videos, but fortunately for him and fortunately for the Patriots, Johnson prevailed. Regardless of whether you think the curse is legit, players who get on the cover usually have bad seasons. The playoffs proved last season how much the Patriots need a healthy Gronkwoski.

Story No. 5: Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and receiver Santonio Holmes together in Florida

Issue: Sanchez and Holmes are working out together in Florida. This follows their high-profile falling out at the end of last season.

Walker’s take: This is another good step in the right direction for the duo. The pair need each other for the offense to work. They may never be best friends, but that doesn’t mean they can’t work together on the field. Sanchez and Holmes can repair their relationship, but ultimately it will come down to how they perform next season.

Now that we are all caught up, we have plenty of blogs in store for you this week. Enjoy the ride.

The scene at the AFC coaches' breakfast in Palm Beach, Fla., was fitting.

To my far left was New York Jets coach Rex Ryan. He was surrounded by a large group of media who wanted to know how the Jets would handle Tim Tebow-mania and whether they could bounce back from a disappointing 2011.

To my immediate left was new Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin. A throng of reporters wondered what the rookie head coach had in store for his first season.

On my right was future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots. He continually gave non-answers about his team as reporters tried to dig up something -- anything -- about the reigning AFC champions.

In the middle of this madness was Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey. His table was relatively empty for most of the hourlong breakfast, with the exception of a few passers-by and this AFC East blogger. Few in the national media cared to know what Gailey and the Bills were up to. They're a small-market team that finished 6-10 last season and hasn't been to the playoffs in 13 years.

But by this time next year, people will be talking about Buffalo. The Bills are my sleeper pick in 2012. Here are five reasons why Buffalo will get over the hump and finish with a winning record:

Reason No. 1: Bills made right moves in free agency

Analysis: I will give myself a pat on the back. I was one of the first to note Buffalo's interest in two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams. Despite my prediction, I did not think Buffalo would be able to land the top defensive free agent on the market. But the Bills put on the full-court press and gave Williams 100 million reasons to join them. Buffalo gained an elite pass-rusher and its first game-changer on defense.

The Bills didn't stop there. They continued to improve their anemic pass-rush by signing former Patriots defensive end Mark Anderson, who recorded 10 sacks last season. Williams, Anderson and defensive tackles Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus make up one of the top defensive lines in the NFL. It's a group who can stop the run and get push up the middle while attacking the edges and pressuring the quarterback. Buffalo's talented front four will be a problem for a lot of teams next season.

The Bills also retained their own key free agents. Buffalo re-signed No. 1 receiver Steve Johnson at an affordable rate and starting tight end Scott Chandler.

There are still a few more holes Buffalo would like to fill, but the team is one of the biggest winners in free agency.

Reason No. 2: Double trouble at running back

Analysis: When they are healthy, there may not be a more dynamic running back duo in the NFL than Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. These two will be headaches for opposing defenses once Buffalo figures out how to blend both into the offense simultaneously. Jackson and Spiller could complement each other well.

Buffalo's coaching staff admittedly did a poor job of balancing the two tailbacks last season. Jackson received a bulk of the carries when healthy, and Spiller finally showed what he could do at the end of the season once Jackson was injured. Now, both are hungry and want the football. Gailey called it "a great problem to have."

Jackson is 31 and coming off a season-ending leg injury. That should open the door for Spiller to get more carries. Will it be a 50-50 split? Probably not. But the Buffalo offense will be dangerous if it can use Spiller and Jackson enough to keep each fresh and productive the entire season.

Reason No. 3: AFC East is weakening

Analysis: A case can be made that the AFC East became a weaker division this offseason. The division wasn't strong to begin with; only the Patriots finished with a winning record in 2011. But the 6-10 Dolphins gutted their roster, getting rid of top players such as Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall and leading tackler and starting safety Yeremiah Bell. Miami also failed to land a franchise quarterback and settled on 34-year-old David Garrard as the potential starter next season. It's early, but it's hard to imagine Miami's finishing with a better record than last season.

Meanwhile, the Jets are an aging team with chemistry issues. New York gave embattled quarterback Mark Sanchez a three-year contract extension and then traded for popular backup Tebow, setting up a potentially explosive situation. The Jets will be on a year-long implosion watch, and their arrow could be trending downward after last season's mediocre 8-8 finish.

The Jets, Dolphins and Bills are all chasing the Patriots, who are clearly the favorites in the division. But the Bills, who split with New England last season, did a solid job to make up some ground.

Reason No. 4: Players are getting healthy

Analysis: I usually try to avoid the injury excuse, because every team has them, but it legitimately applies to the Bills. Buffalo suffered key injures last season at running back (Jackson), defensive tackle (Kyle Williams), linebacker (Shawne Merriman), offensive line (Eric Wood), receiver (Donald Jones) and kicker (Rian Lindell), just to name a few. Bills starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick played much of the season with a painful rib injury. By the second half of the season, the Bills didn't have anywhere near the same depth they had during their 4-1 start.

Most of these players are expected to be back and healthy in 2012. Merriman is perhaps the biggest question mark after his second season-ending Achilles injury. But chances are slim that Buffalo will be hit this hard with injuries again. Health will be key for Buffalo to maintain a successful run over 16 games.

Reason No. 5: Bills have a top-10 pick

Analysis: The Bills have had a productive offseason, but they aren't done yet. They still have a top-10 pick in this month's NFL draft. This is a great opportunity for Buffalo to plug more holes on the roster. The Bills could use a starting-caliber left tackle, another threat at receiver, a cover corner and depth at linebacker.

The Bills also have more than $9 million in cap room to spend. Don't rule out late signings in free agency. After years of not spending to the cap, Buffalo tabbed 2012 as the year to make a push.

All of these reasons make the Bills my ideal sleeper pick for next season. Don't forget that you heard it here first.

The New England Patriots made another quiet free-agent signing Thursday when the team added veteran linebacker Bobby Carpenter. The former first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys has underachieved during his career.

Carpenter can help the Patriots most with depth. New England's 31st-ranked defense was thin last year behind starters Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and Rob Ninkovich. Carpenter has experience playing in 3-4 and 4-3 defenses.

Carpenter, who was taken No. 18 overall in 2006, spent four seasons with the Cowboys and bounced around the past two years with the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions. Carpenter has 10 career starts, totaling 165 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception.

Last season Carpenter started three games for Detroit and recorded 29 tackles and an interception.