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We have a couple of programming notes to make you aware of in the AFC East.

First, ESPN.com has launched its 2012 NFL Draft Machine. This allows you to create your own mock drafts. Our blog network will have its own mock draft coming up on Monday. Thanks again to all the AFC East readers who helped put together a draft board.

Also, Jon Gruden's Quarterback Camp will air tonight at 7 p.m. with projected No. 1 pick Andrew Luck. The Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills will all play against the Indianapolis Colts next season. AFC East fans may want an early scouting report on what they’re facing in 2012.

Here are the most interesting stories Tuesday morning in the AFC East:

• Will the Miami Dolphins chase after the top head coaches?

Morning take: Miami should certainly start at the top. But if we’re talking Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, I don’t think it will work. Miami is unwilling to give up complete control and that’s what it will take to land the very best.

• Buffalo Bills coach Chan Gailey says he has no questions about quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Morning take: Fitzpatrick is streaky and hasn’t been at his best in the second half of the season. Fitzpatrick still has a lot to prove that he will not be the next Kevin Kolb.

• The spotlight is now on New York Jets starting safety Brodney Pool.

Morning take: Losing Jim Leonhard for the season is big for New York, but Pool can help soften the blow. Pool is the team’s most athletic safety.

• New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says the team needs more fire.

Morning take: New England has been playing down to its competition lately. Whether it’s not finishing or keeping games too close, the Patriots have a few more weeks to work through it before the playoffs.

In the past, NFL teams waited until the Monday after the season to announce their head-coaching firings. It’s called Black Monday.

When the Dolphins jumped into the mix by firing Tony Sparano hours after Todd Haley was let go by Kansas City, it was an indication how the shortage of head-coaching talent forced owner Stephen Ross to make a bold move. Ross didn’t want to fall behind other AFC teams looking for head coaches and reached out to close friend Carl Peterson to help run the Dolphins' operation.

The plan to hire Peterson is an indication the Dolphins will reach out to Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden and Jeff Fisher to start. Gruden is expected to stay with ESPN. Despite his good relationship with Peterson, Cowher might be reluctant to go to the Dolphins for several reasons. Cowher wants front-office control, big money and a top quarterback. The Dolphins have Matt Moore as their quarterback, which wouldn’t attract Cowher. Money might not be a problem, but power is a problem. The team is expected to keep Jeff Ireland as its general manager, and that might be enough to prevent Cowher from being a candidate. That leaves Fisher as a top candidate.

Teams in the hunt for coaches know there are three price tags for coaches. You can get your Cowhers and Fishers in the $7 million-a-year range. If you find the right college or former NFL head coach, he might go for $5 million a year. First-time coaches go for close to $3 million.

By firing Sparano on Monday, Ross is hinting he might be willing to pay top money to get a coach. He worries about the empty seats at home games. Now that pro basketball is back, the Dolphins take a back seat to the Miami Heat, so hiring a big name is important for marketing the team. Because Peterson is an aggressive recruiter and salesman himself, the Dolphins won’t be shy about going for the big names.

Firing Sparano now also gives Peterson and Ireland a chance to evaluate interim coach Todd Bowles, who had been the secondary coach. According to sources, Bowles had become more involved with the defensive play-calling over the past month. The Dolphins also played their best football over the past month. If Bill Parcells were running a team, sources indicate Bowles would have been a person he considered hiring as head coach.

Another name to watch is Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Peterson reinvented the Chiefs and sold out Arrowhead with Brian’s father, Marty Schottenheimer, as Chiefs head coach.

John Clayton, a recipient of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's McCann Award for distinguished reporting, is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Here are the latest happenings Tuesday evening in the AFC East:

• The Buffalo Bills signed kicker Dave Rayner to fill in for the injured Rian Lindell (shoulder).
• The December 4 game between the New England Patriots (5-3) and Indianapolis Colts (0-9) has been taken off prime time due to flex scheduling.
  
• The New York Jets reportedly have no interest in acquiring former Patriots defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.
• Former Miami Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson says Miami should forget about Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher.
• Here is a recap of this week's AFC East chat.

Our latest "Poll Friday" is a special one for suffering Miami Dolphins fans.

The question: Who do you want to be the team's next head coach in 2012?

Current Dolphins coach Tony Sparano is on a very hot seat in Miami after losing nine games in a row. Barring a historic turnaround, he will not make it beyond this season. Sparano even put his South Florida home on the market, although he said it wasn't related to his job status.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross has deep pockets, and he will be willing to spend on the best candidate. Should Ross go top shelf to land an A-list candidate like Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden?

What about veteran coach Jeff Fisher? He had a lengthy run with the Tennessee Titans and is one of the top names on the market next year.

Should Miami go "other," which can be the assistant route? Top assistants like Rob Ryan and Perry Fewell have been mentioned as future candidates for head-coaching positions. Maybe there is another name you like out there for Miami.

Using our SportsNation poll, vote on who the Dolphins should hire to be their next head coach. You can also share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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

John H. from Alexandria and Chris from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., want to know whether Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Buffalo Bills is worth elite quarterback money?

James Walker: The amount ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting (between $9 and $12 million) the Bills are offering Fitzpatrick is second tier for quarterbacks. Players like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are worth more. But still it's a valid question for a player who has never led his team to the playoffs and can be streaky at times. I like Fitzpatrick and believe Buffalo should re-sign him. He's smart and gets the most out of his abilities. But the number seems a little high. Other quarterbacks like Matt Cassel and Kevin Kolb are getting similar deals. The market is inflated, and teams have to pay a quarterback premium.

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Ryan from Astoria, N.Y., writes: Do you think Fred Jackson will eventually come back down to Earth, or is he really amongst the league's elite backs?

Walker: Ryan, "elite" is not a word I like to throw around too much. But I don't see Jackson slowing down this season unless he suffers an injury. He is running with a purpose and is one of the best players I've watched in person all year. I would say Jackson, Brady, Wes Welker and Darrelle Revis have impressed me the most in my first year covering the AFC East.

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Shaun from Rochester, N.Y., writes: What are your thoughts on C.J. Spiller moving to receiver for the short term?

Walker: I understand the team's thinking, Shaun. It's out of necessity. Spiller is a great athlete and has the ability to play other positions. In fact, Spiller and Jackson are both very good receivers for running backs. Both have made some tough catches. But I would not to make this a full-time switch. Spiller was drafted to be Buffalo's future at running back. His ceiling is much higher there. Speedy receiver Donald Jones should be healthy in a few weeks, and players will revert back to their normal roles.

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TheBoredGuy from Fort Worth writes: James, do you see any reason to fire Tony Sparano? Mike Nolan could take over but what has he done that would inspire confidence?

Walker: I credit Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for not having the quick hook, Bored Guy. I think he's given Sparano every chance to make something out of this 2011 season. But when the Dolphins took two steps back coming out of the bye, that was the beginning of the end. Miami did not look like a team that had two weeks to prepare for the New York Jets. That is on the head coach. Miami could win this week against the Denver Broncos and it would quiet things for a short time. But the writing is on the wall. Sparano won't be back next season. I understand making the switch if the ship continues to sink.

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John Rast from Chattanooga, Tenn., writes: We all know Sparano is firmly on the hot seat. But what about Jeff Ireland?

Walker: Good question, John. Ireland has been a mystery throughout this situation. I would classify his seat as "warm" through five games with the potential to get "hot." Here is my synopsis: The head coach always is the first to go. So Ireland will not be on the hot seat unless Sparano is let go during the season. If that happens, the focus will shift to the talent on the roster. Ireland's job comes more into question if potential interim coach Mike Nolan cannot get anything out of Ireland's players. Another key is what type of coach Miami looks for next year. Will the Dolphins go top shelf? If that's the case, someone like Bill Cowher will not come out of retirement to take orders from Ireland. Cowher or another top-tier coach would demand complete control or handpick a general manager he's comfortable with. If Miami goes the assistant route (Rob Ryan, Perry Fewell), Ireland has a much better chance to stay on board next year.

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Alex Hammm from N.Y., writes: Hey James, I was wondering what you think the Jets' chances of making the playoffs are?

Walker: The next three games will be telling, Alex. The Jets face the Chargers (4-1), Buffalo Bills (4-2) and Patriots (5-1) in that span. New York needs to win two of those three games to stay in the hunt. The Jets have the talent to do it, but they need to play more together. It's probably going to take 10 wins to make it in the AFC. That means the Jets have to go 7-3 the rest of the way, which is a tough task.

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Ben from New York writes: What do you think of Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson this year?

Walker: Wilson has been solid most weeks, Ben. He's definitely much improved. I expected more of him coming out of the draft. Teams would attack him in the nickel to avoid Revis and Antonio Cromartie. But sometimes it takes a couple years to adjust to the NFL. The Jets are very good defensively on third down. Wilson's improvement is one reason why. He's no longer the weak link teams can pick on.

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Tacowrecker from Calion, Ark., wants to know what should the Patriots do with receiver Chad Ochocinco.

Walker: I'm not as worried with Ochocinco as most people, Tacowrecker. New England is winning and I think that helps the situation tremendously. His lack of production would be getting a lot of blame if the Patriots were losing. The truth is New England doesn't need Ochocinco to be successful. He is a luxury. But if Ochocinco has a big game or two this year, which he is capable of, that will help New England in the second half of the season.

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Jorge Garcia from Mexico City writes: Do you think changing from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense has had the impact some of us Patriots fans expected?

Walker: Not at all, Jorge. New England is ranked last in the NFL in total defense. It's always tough to switch an entire scheme during the lockout. I think you're starting to see strides with the Patriots' defense the last couple of weeks, because New England is finally catching up for the lost practice time. The thing I cannot explain is how the defense started playing better after Jerod Mayo's injury. I don't know if that's good or bad.

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Alex from Hamburg, N.Y., writes: I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to know who you actually root for come Sundays.

Walker: I root for the Temple Owls, but they play on Saturdays during football season. Temple basketball is my real squad. You may not hear from me on the blog as much during March Madness.

Comment and complaint department

Scottie Glover from Duluth, Ga., writes: Why is Karlos Dansby so mad at the fans for the "Suck for Luck" campaign? We all obviously can see that this team is not a contender. So why can't we all be happy at a shot to drastically turn the franchise around and get back to the glory days? Nobody is asking them to tank, just to keep doing what they've been doing.

Walker: Keep doing what they're doing, Scottie? That's pretty close to wanting Miami to tank the season. I don't blame Dolphins fans for wanting their team to lose. And I don't blame veterans like Dansby and Jason Taylor for being upset about it. This is coming from two different perspectives. Dolphins fans are on the outside and can see the big picture -- the entire forest, not just the trees. The players are on the inside fighting for their jobs and working hard to win every week. Naturally, there is a disconnect.

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Pascal from New York, N.Y., writes: James, it's hard to stop calling them Jersey A and Jersey B since...wait for it...they both play in New Jersey! More so, since it was the New York Jets who play in Giant Stadium in New Jersey for so long, it's hard to let go of that kind of sentiment.

Walker: This is starting to become a running joke in our AFC East community, Pascal. I get emails on it every week that the Giants and Jets do not represent New York. We can agree to disagree.

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Timothy Jette from Richmond, Va., writes: I know Sanchez isn't having a pro bowl year but why is he constantly being talked about as an awful QB and yet QBs like Josh Freeman, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco are praised? He has a higher QB rating than those three and winning games has never been his problem. I don't understand the double standard.

Walker: Timothy, I can tell you from experience that Flacco gets drilled regularly in Baltimore, mostly for not performing well in the playoffs. Sanchez actually does pretty well in the postseason, but Jets fans don't like his inconsistencies in the regular season. That's just the nature of the position. Sanchez has had some good games and bad. Watching him closely this year, I still think he still has a lot to prove.

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Darren from Manchester, N.J., writes: I see you've come around to clear common sense; the Dolphins need to make a change and they have to start now, this season is over and they should start preparing now for 2012. I wrote you a couple of weeks ago about this very point. Fire Sparano, interim coach, tell all the players they are playing for their jobs next year, scout the heck out of college QBs, and start talking to Bill Cowher now.

Walker: I don't think it was a matter of coming around, Darren. I just wasn't ready to say the season is over at 0-2. Now, at 0-5, Miami has virtually no chance to salvage the season. The best they can do is win some games for their pride. But even that would upset many Dolphins fans.

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JR from Tampa Bay writes: Toward the end of the season, if the Jets or the Pats knew they were still going to get into the playoffs even with a loss to the Fins, and said loss would knock the Fins out of the top draft pick, should they suck to avoid Luck? If this guy is the next Peyton Manning, you don't want him in the division unless you are a Fins fan.

Walker: Wow, JR. Opponents sucking to avoid Luck? I haven't thought of that one. I don't see it happening. Teams don't tank games, despite what fans think. I doubt the Jets will be in position to rest their players in the final game anyway. I don't see New York winning the AFC East this season.

AFC East Hater of the Week

Our newest AFC East "Hater of the Week" is a Bills fan:

Kayleen from Buffalo writes: James....you really need to stop hating on the Bills and get off the Patriot juice. Really...you need to be more open to all teams in the AFC East. As a Bills fan, I'm used to being in the basement. But I'm sick of hearing you talking about how great the Patriots are. They are a joke...they choke....and they will from here on out. Stop drinking their juice.

Walker: Kayleen, I've been very fair to the Bills and all teams in the division. The statement that is sticking with you and a lot of Bills fans is when I said New England will win the AFC East and Buffalo is in a good position to make a run at a wild card. That's my take on the situation and part of the reason I'm trying to avoid predictions this year. Some readers view it as bias for or against a team instead of simply providing an informed opinion from what I've seen so far.

If you have any questions, comments or complaints, feel free to send them to our AFC East inbox.

ESPN analyst Jon Gruden held a supplemental "QB Camp" with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. In this video, Pryor shares some thoughts on leaving the school amid controversy.

For the latest video installment of his "QB Camp," Jon Gruden meets with Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, a possibility for the Buffalo Bills with the third overall pick.

Gruden scrutinizes one of Gabbert's biggest perceived flaws: a lack of experience handling direct snaps from underneath the center.

Gruden and Gabbert explore how that reputation might be a fallacy.

"Does that sting your hands?" Gruden asks. "Does that bother you while you're under there?"

Gabbert insists those snaps are not like sunlight to a vampire.

"Doesn't matter one bit," Gabbert says. "We work on it every day in practice. You eliminate the mistakes in the game."

But Gruden then picks apart how much harder Gabbert must work to sell fake handoffs and other footwork when dropping back from a direct snap to "be a great ball handler."

Jon Gruden discusses NFL verbiage with the NFL prospect and puts the former Auburn star through some passing drills.

I have no idea what purpose John Daly served in the meeting room other than to protect his fellow Arkansas alum, Ryan Mallett, from tough questions in the latest edition of Jon Gruden's "QB Camp."

There was no need because Mallett handled himself pretty well. Gruden asked how Mallett, one of the most disputed players in this year's draft class, is coping with the criticism and speculation he has faced over the past couple months.

"I just do what I know how to do, just play football," Mallett said. "I try to learn the game more and more every day. I don't really pay attention to outside criticism unless it's from a coach. Then I would try to critique that and fix what a coach wants me to fix."

Gruden also asked Mallett to describe himself as a quarterback and as a teammate.

"I feel like I'm a drop-back guy, and I move in the pocket well," Mallett said. "I'm not the fastest guy in the world. I'm not Mike Vick or anything like that, but I feel like I escape pressure well, and I'm able to get the ball to the guys that make the plays with their feet.

"I'm a loyal teammate. I've always been loyal to my team. They way we work, we'd always work on our own a lot. So we always had great communication. That's what made us so good because we were all so close as friends and teammates. That's what helped us out in the season. "

Mallett also does an impressive job at the dry-erase board, explaining a specific play for Gruden.

Mallett is scheduled to meet with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday.

Jon Gruden's "QB Camp" catches up with Texas Christian quarterback Andy Dalton to dissect his skills and reveal some personality.

Dalton is considered among the second tier of quarterbacks in this year's draft class and could be of particular interest to the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins.

Gruden calls Dalton "one of the great decision-makers in college football history," but is particularly critical of Dalton's penchant to "put the dagger in people" rather than make the safe play at times.

Jon Gruden's popular "QB Camp" series continues with Washington quarterback Jake Locker, who's scheduled to meet with the New England Patriots this week.

Gruden seems smitten with Locker and describes him as a linebacker in a quarterback's uniform. Gruden provides some words of caution about Locker's aggressive mindset while running upfield.

"When you run, you know what you try to do? You try to hurt people, don't you?" Gruden tells Locker. "You look like Peyton Hillis when you run the ball.

"You get hit a lot in every game I pick up [to review] -- hard. But do you think maybe we could use a little better ... I don't know. Get out of bounds or take care of your body, get-down mentality?

"Your ability to run is a weapon and a resource that has to be there for you for about the next 10 years of [your] career. But you don't want to abuse it."

Locker is projected to be drafted no earlier than the bottom third of the first round. He could be in play for the Buffalo Bills with the 34th pick. The Miami Dolphins also would be interested in a quarterback. They own the 15th overall pick but don't have a second-rounder.

Gruden suggests Locker could be a steal.

"The way you compete and the talent you have," Gruden said, "and just enough people are doubting you, which is perfect. I love to hear that people are doubting you right now. I really do because I got a feeling about you, you know?

"You've got to hope somebody passes you in the draft just so you can hold it against them for the next 20 years -- just like Aaron Rodgers did to me."

I once heard Tom Donahoe, the former Buffalo Bills president and general manager, call quarterback Drew Bledsoe a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Then again, Donahoe used to say a lot of things.

I was reminded of this when taking a glance at players who will make their first appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot for 2012.

Buffalo News reporter Mark Gaughan, who's on the Hall of Fame selection committee and last weekend was elected president of the Pro Football Writers Association, blogged the top newcomers to consider the next few years.

The lists are helpful in speculating when fan favorites such as Andre Reed and Curtis Martin will get their Canton calls. They both were finalists this year -- Reed for the fifth time, Martin for the first -- but weren't added to the 2011 induction class Saturday.

Perhaps that development was fitting for Martin because his coach with the New England Patriots and New York Jets will be on the ballot again. They could get in together in 2012.

Bill Parcells has been a finalist twice, but not since 2002 because rules for coaches changed. They now must wait five years from their last game to be eligible for induction, and Parcells returned to the sidelines with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003.

Is Parcells a Hall of Famer? I know Miami Dolphins fans aren't too thrilled with him these days, but he did add to an already remarkable legacy -- two championships, different teams to the Super Bowl, a few organizational turnarounds -- by guiding the Dolphins from 1-15 to the AFC East title as their football operations boss.

Also on the ballot next year will be Bledsoe, running backs Corey Dillon and Tiki Barber, fullback Mike Alstott, guard Will Shields and coaches Bill Cowher and Marty Schottenheimer.

Bledsoe had a fine career with the Patriots, Bills and Cowboys and ranks eighth all-time in passing yards. But he was a Pro Bowler only four times and never was first-team All-Pro. Bledsoe was helpful in getting the Patriots their first championship, so he does have a ring. But that was Tom Brady's team.

Dillon also was a four-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Patriots. He ranks 17th in rushing yards and never led the league in a major rushing category.

Schottenheimer played for the Bills and Patriots before winning 61 percent of his regular-season games as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers. His 200 victories rank sixth all-time, but his 5-23 playoff record will hurt.

That group of first-time candidates -- plus the newcomers for 2013 -- bodes well for Reed. There won't be any new receivers for him to box out. He already has jockeyed ahead of contemporaries Cris Carter and Tim Brown by making the cut from 15 to 10 in the selection process the past two years. Carter and Brown haven't.

Gaughan highlighted first-year players for next few classes.

2013: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde, offensive linemen Larry Allen and Jonathan Ogden, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, defensive end Michael Strahan.

2014: Running back Shaun Alexander, receiver Marvin Harrison, linebacker Derrick Brooks, safety Rodney Harrison and coaches Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden and Mike Holmgren -- if they don't return to sideline work.

2015: Quarterback Kurt Warner, receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, tackles Orlando Pace and Walter Jones and linebacker Junior Seau.

I only kissed her, and that's as far as it went.

I didn't inhale.

We did not offer Jim Harbaugh a contract or reach out to Bill Cowher or Jon Gruden.

I've seen enough episodes of "Maury" to know these sorts of declarations rarely hold up.

Tony Sparano said the Dolphins were in "a happy place" after a week of embarrassment and agitation. The Miami Dolphins announced Saturday that they were going to stick with Sparano as their head coach -- and gave him an extension through 2013 -- after a disastrous flirtation with Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, general manager Jeff Ireland and Sparano held a media roundtable in their board room to clear the air and give their side of the story. Much of what they said sounded like spin, but they also debunked some erroneous media reports about their pursuit of Harbaugh.

Ross and Ireland admitted they jetted cross-continent to meet Harbaugh without telling Sparano. Ross said he was naïve to think he could get away with pursuing Harbaugh -- just like that hidden camera and the hot-to-trot decoy in Maury's green room -- without the nation finding out.

Ross insisted he didn't make a contract offer to Harbaugh. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Ross was "willing" to make Harbaugh one of the NFL's richest coaches with a deal between $7 million and $8 million. Ross claimed during the meeting he advised Harbaugh to stay at Stanford, which makes Ireland's presence even more curious.

Ross also was emphatic that no one within the Dolphins organization contacted Cowher or Gruden. Within seconds of Ross voicing that contention, Miami Herald reporter Jeff Darlington, who was seated at the media roundtable, tweeted "I have multiple sources who will refute that." NFL Network reporter Jason La Canfora also added he had sources that told him the Dolphins did reach out to Cowher and Gruden. Mortensen previously reported the Dolphins had done so.

Perhaps Ross was dealing in semantics. His close friend is former Kansas City Chiefs executive Carl Peterson, who has been an adviser since Ross took over the Dolphins and has helped him in ancillary business endeavors. Peterson technically doesn't hold a position within the Dolphins organization. Or maybe the Dolphins didn't specifically speak with Cowher or Gruden, rather with their agents to gauge their interest level.

But for the sake of discussion, let's assume Ross is being genuine in his assertion the Dolphins didn't contact Gruden or Cowher.

That, to me, would make him look worse.

The Dolphins would have you believe they were going to stick with Sparano or dump him for Harbaugh only. If a team has identified that it needs to upgrade its coach, then why not explore all viable options?

Ross said Peterson wasn't on the flight to see Harbaugh as reported. Ross also explained the meeting he had agreed to and then canceled with former Cleveland Browns and New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini. Ross said Mangini asked to meet about a non-coaching capacity through Dolphins capologist Dawn Aponte, who came from the Browns.

The Dolphins will go through a healing process in the coming months.

They'll need to set aside their differences and get ready to evaluate prospects at the Senior Bowl and then the NFL scouting combine. They'll need to work together through free agency. They'll need to be on the same page at the draft.

The Dolphins fully expect to move past this. But so often these fractured relationships simply don't have a happy ending.

ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton dishes some thoughts on every AFC East club.

Clayton predicts the Miami Dolphins will fire Tony Sparano and reach out to Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, gives insight on why Tom Brady's avoidance of interceptions is more remarkable than you might think, says the New York Jets should rest Mark Sanchez in Week 17 and takes a quick look at what the Buffalo Bills might do in the draft.