ESPN NFL

In case you missed it, here is a recap of some of the many topics we covered in this week's AFC East chat.

Eric: Matt Moore is doomed either way. What's the point, if we're gonna suck anyway, of NOT starting Ryan Tannehill now? Let him face adversity. I'm tired of "rebuilding" every, single year.

James Walker: Because it's the job of the coaching staff to play the players who give the team the best chance to win. Despite what fans and media say, every team thinks it can compete for the playoffs at the start of the season. Tannehill doesn't give Miami the best chance to do that this year. Maybe in Year 2 or Year 3. Moore or [David] Garrard is the safe choice while Tannehill learns.

JonK13: Hey James, I've heard coach Philbin is coaching a very upbeat offense down there in South Beach. Do you think Miami will be in shape to start the season or will they be gassed the first 7 games like last year?

James Walker: If the Dolphins players aren't in shape, they better get there. Miami is running more up-tempo on offense, at least that's what it looks like in practice. Miami wants to put pressure on the defense. That can be good and bad. It could lead to quick points if you're moving the chains. Or it could lead to a lot of quick three-and-outs and expose your defense. It worked in Green Bay. So HC Joe Philbin is trying it in Miami.

Matt: As it stands right now, do you think the Buffalo Bills' receiving corps is talented enough to be competitive and score enough points this season? Specifically, do you think T.J. Graham is enough of a vertical threat upgrade?

James Walker: It would be nice if Buffalo found a proven No. 2 receiver to go with Steve Johnson. But the Bills can't plug every hole. I think they did a solid job of re-signing Johnson at a price they were comfortable with and drafting a left tackle on offense. Those were two big things the Bills needed this offseason. It's too early to project what Graham can do. The Bills are hoping for the best, but we have to wait and see.

Diddy: Never mind Chan Gailey, any chance Rex Ryan is on the hot seat if the NYJ fail to make the playoffs again this year? And are the owners starting to get tired of his big mouth?

James Walker: I don't get this one. Rex Ryan is not on the hot seat. He hasn't had a losing season yet in New York and went to back-to-back AFC title games. Say what you want about his brash and sometimes empty talk. I critique him all the time about that. But Ryan is a quality coach.

Emotionless negotiator: Doesn't this sort of behavior engender a lot of ill will from the players over time? New England is getting a rep for treating dedicated players horribly.

James Walker: It can and probably does. But the Patriots are consistent and always doing what's best for the team, not the player. I think as long as you're going to Super Bowls, it doesn't really matter. Do Patriot fans really care that Willie McGinest is still upset years later? Probably not.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have added three free agents to their roster.

Buffalo's rookies on Monday got the team's annual tour of Western New York.

Miami Dolphins

Reggie Bush has some lofty individual goals for the 2012 season. “I want the rushing title,” said Bush. “This offseason I’ve been working towards that goal. Just being effective like I was this past season. Every time I rush the ball I want 4 yards. I’m keeping my focus simple and small, but at same time helping my team progress.”

Running back Jerome Messam tweeted that he will have a second knee surgery on Tuesday.

New England Patriots

ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss elaborates on FoxSports.com's selection of Brandon Spikes as the team's breakout performer in 2012.

Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald: "Wes Welker essentially closed out any thoughts of a protracted contract war with the Patriots [Monday] by stating definitively he would not miss any regular-season games. By doing so, the team’s leading receiver also kissed goodbye any leverage he might have had toward gaining the long-term contract he seeks."

New York Jets

Rex Ryan is taking on a larger offseason role with the Jets.

Quarterback Tim Tebow continues to impress coaches with his progress and work ethic.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo News' Mark Gaughan reports rookie offensive lineman Cordy Glenn is determined to prove he can succeed at left tackle.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore had three picks during rookie minicamp and earned praise from coach Chan Gailey, writes Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News.

Former Bills' undrafted free agent Domonic Cook is happy to have a second chance with the Bills, Skurski reports.

Miami Dolphins

The Sun Sentinel runs down 10 lingering questions for the Dolphins.

Former Dolphin Zach Thomas is trying to cope with Junior Seau's death.

New England Patriots

The move from the college ranks to the NFL has not been easy for 2011 draft pick Markell Carter. But this year during the rookie minicamp, Carter showed up bigger and better, the Boston Herald's Mark Daniels reports.

Rookie quarterback Mike Hartline knows the odds are stacked against him, writes Daniels.

Hyped as a high school prospect, defensive tackle Marcus Forston struggled in his college career and went undrafted. Now the rookie free agent is looking for a fresh start and a possible job as Vince Wilfork's backup, reports Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.

Forston's not the only one getting a second chance, Greg. A Bedard of The Boston Globe reports. "They know their undrafted free agents will get a fair shot from Bill Belichick."

New York Jets

Coach Rex Ryan had little to say about the team's decision to turn down a repeat appearance on the HBO show "Hard Knocks."

GM Mike Tannenbaum won't discuss reports that the Jets had a trade worked out with the Steelers to move down in the draft if certain players were available.

Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh doesn't coddle starter Mark Sanchez, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

The AFC East blog continues its series ranking the top players and coaches. On Sunday, we take a look at the top head coaches in the division.

No. 1: Bill Belichick, New England Patriots

Skinny: There is really no debate. Not only is Belichick the best coach in the AFC East, he's one of the best of all time. Belichick has three Super Bowl rings as a head coach. He's also been to two other Super Bowls, but came up just short against the New York Giants. His ability to game plan and also adapt on the fly is unmatched in the NFL.

No. 2: Rex Ryan, New York Jets

Skinny: Some are put off by Ryan's brash personality, but there is no denying he can coach. Few people know defense as well as Ryan, who grew up in a football family that focused on stopping offenses. Ryan's schemes have worked at every stop, including Baltimore and New York, and players love playing for Ryan. His first two years he led the Jets to back-to-back AFC title games. That is impressive.

No. 3: Chan Gailey, Buffalo Bills

Skinny: Despite his vast experience in the NFL and college, Gailey remains a bit of a mystery. He had two decent years in Dallas, but was abruptly fired. He got his second chance in Buffalo, but is just 10-22 his first two seasons with the Bills. A case can be made that Gailey hasn't had much to work with in Buffalo. That's fair. But the Bills have done a lot to improve the roster this offseason, and I think we will find out how good Gailey is as a head coach in 2012.

No. 4: Joe Philbin, Miami Dolphins

Skinny: Philbin is another mystery, because this is his first year as a head coach. But I've been impressed with his presence and organization so far. The job doesn't seem too big for the longtime assistant. But the key for Philbin is whether can he jump-start Miami's offense. Philbin is installing a new West Coast scheme, and much of his job in the first year will be graded on how well he manages that side of the football.

New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller discusses the team's offseason moves and his thoughts on new quarterback Tim Tebow.

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

• In the first day of rookie minicamp, New York Jets first-round pick Quinton Coples was impressive.

Morning take: Jets head coach Rex Ryan says Coples could've had several sacks in his first practice. Coples is being moved around, which could be a preview to his role this season.

• Miami Dolphins second-round pick Jonathan Martin looks the part of a starting offensive tackle in rookie in minicamp.

Morning take: Martin has a lot of attributes Miami likes, but strength could be a concern.

• Speaking of offensive linemen, Buffalo Bills general manager Buddy Nix says second-round pick Cordy Glenn can play offensive tackle in the NFL.

Morning take: Glenn played most of his career at guard but finished at left tackle. Buffalo needs a tackle more and will give Glenn a chance on the left side.

• New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light will hold a press conference Monday to officially announce his retirement.

Morning take: This has been in the works for weeks. Light had a stellar career with New England and could have finished out the final year of his contract. But Light is ready for life after football.

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan likes to exaggerate at times. Look no further than his back-to-back Super Bowl predictions in 2010 and 2011.

But Ryan would be wise to tone down the rhetoric when it comes to newly-acquired backup quarterback Tim Tebow. This is a unique situation in New York, where every comment by the head coach could add more gasoline to an already brewing quarterback controversy that is waiting to explode.

Ryan described Tebow's as "outstanding" in New York's limited practices. Ryan also added "same with Mark [Sanchez]," perhaps realizing that big kudos to Tebow could be taken as a slight to Sanchez, New York's starting quarterback.

The Jets should know that this situation is too delicate. Ryan would be wise not to over-hype Tebow or give a play-by-play account on workouts this offseason that have little to do with their performance in the fall.

If Ryan continues to applaud Tebow immensely in the spring and summer, it just provides more fodder for the New York media and fans the second Sanchez struggles. For example, if Sanchez throws a couple of interceptions in the regular-season opener against the Buffalo Bills, fans and media would quickly call for Tebow, who already looks "outstanding" this offseason, in Ryan's words.

The Jets' quarterback situation is tense. The pressure already is on Sanchez to produce in his fourth season. The last thing New York's starting quarterback needs is his head coach overselling the backup in May. It's much too early for that.

The New York Jets had an unexpected luxury Thursday night when former North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples and former South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram were both on the board at No. 16. Most expected to the Jets to take Ingram, who appeared to be a great fit in Jets coach Rex Ryan's 3-4 defense.

But New York took Coples instead. He has a ton of natural ability but questions about his motor. The San Diego Chargers happily took Ingram two picks later, and the development of both players will be something to keep an eye on.

Did the Jets make the right choice? ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. weighed in :

"The Jets surprised me when they went with Quinton Coples over Melvin Ingram in Round 1. To be blunt, I just think Ingram is the superior player -- and I have outside linebacker as New York's top need. Coples is a more natural fit as a 4-3 defensive end, and the obvious conclusion is Rex Ryan intends to move him inside. Still, I don't see him as a significant help in a need area -- the pass rush."

The Coples-Ingram debate will linger in New York for the next few years. Coples should have a chip on his shoulder to prove he was the right choice for the Jets over Ingram.

Leave it to Rex Ryan, Mike Tannenbaum and the New York Jets to roll the dice. After the first two days, it's obvious the Jets are going all or nothing in the 2012 NFL draft.

New York's first two picks -- enigmatic defensive end Quinton Coples and inconsistent wide receiver Stephen Hill -- make a statement. It says the Jets are targeting raw talent over consistency and production.

That's always a risky move, particularly coming off a year when the Jets underachieved and imploded down the stretch.

The Jets have locker room issues. They may have a contract issue with Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis. And there's a potential quarterback controversy hovering over the team.

The least New York could do was make safe draft picks. But that clearly wasn't the case.

The Jets are swinging for the fences with Coples and Hill. They may hit two home runs or they could strike out on both. The difference is the Jets are not the rival New England Patriots or crosstown New York Giants. The Jets cannot afford to whiff on top draft picks.

The Jets traded up four spots to take Hill. He was taken with the No. 43 overall pick, which is a solid value if he pans out.

Hill is a physical marvel with a rare combination of size and speed for the position. He averaged 29.3 yards per catch last season but had only 28 receptions. If Hill can put it all together, he could be a steal and a good deep threat in New York's "ground-and-pound" offense.

Coples is a top-10 talent whose stock fell dramatically because of questions about his motivation. There is speculation that he (at worst) quit on the Tar Heels last season and (at best) was on cruise control.

The production from Coples' junior year to senior year certainly shows something happened. Now, the Jets have to handle the fallout.

"I think that's a fair question," Ryan said of Coples' motor. "The guy did have seven sacks as an interior lineman, that’s pretty good numbers-wise. But I think expectations going into the season, he might’ve been behind Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III; he’s probably the highest-rated player going into the season based on the previous season, with the 10 sacks. You don’t see that from an interior lineman, a guy that's 6-6 and 285 pounds. So, I think maybe [he] did not meet those [expectations] as a player."

The rookie did not want to address his motivation issues in college with the media and just wants to look forward.

"I've been working hard, to be the best I can be and be the best Jet I can," Coples said. "What happened last year is what happened last year. I’m looking forward to being one of the best pass-rushers."

What matters most is what Coples and Hill do in the pros. The past can be an indication of things to come or a learning experience, depending on the person.

New York did make a seemingly safe pick in the third round with linebacker Demario Davis. But it's going to take good coaching and leadership in New York to get the best out of Coples and Hill. Ryan is a good defensive coach, so no worries there. Leadership with the Jets is a much bigger issue.

Last year proved that someone needs to step up and take hold of the team. Earlier this offseason, I wrote that top players in New York such as Revis, quarterback Mark Sanchez and Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold have to do a better job of keeping everyone in line.

Like their top draft picks this year, the Jets are a boom or bust team in 2012.

The time for mock drafts is coming to an end, as the actual NFL draft will be Thursday night. But ESPN draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay provided their final mock drafts of 2012.

Here is how Kiper and McShay envision the first round going this week for the AFC East:

Miami Dolphins (No. 8 overall)

Kiper’s pick: Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill

McShay’s pick: Tannehill

Analysis: I haven’t seen a mock draft in a while that doesn’t have Tannehill going to Miami. The need for a quarterback of the future and Miami's interest in Tannehill are obvious. If he’s there at No. 8, I agree that Tennehill is the pick. There’s been some speculation that Tannehill could go as high as No. 3 or No. 4, but that rumor appears to be losing steam the week of the draft. Miami likes Tannehill, but certainly not enough to trade the farm. The Dolphins can sit tight and take their chances.

Buffalo Bills (No. 10)

Kiper’s pick: Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd

McShay’s pick: Floyd

Analysis: Both Kiper and McShay also agree on Buffalo's pick. As we mentioned several times in the AFC East blog, the Bills are in somewhat of an odd spot. I like Floyd as a prospect and he does fit a need. But I’m not a big proponent of taking wide receivers in the top 10, especially if they're not the top player at the position. I think the safest pick for Buffalo at No. 10 would be linebacker Luke Kuechly, but McShay and Kiper both have Kuechly off the board when Buffalo comes up. Floyd is a decent pick, but I would rather Buffalo trade back and get additional draft picks, if possible. Other receiver prospects such as Stephen Hill or Alshon Jeffery might be available to Buffalo at No. 41 near the top of the second round, and that would provide more value.

New York Jets (No. 16)

Kiper’s pick: North Carolina DE Quinton Coples

McShay’s pick: South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram

Analysis: These are both interesting selections for the Jets. New York would be jumping for joy if Ingram is available at No. 16. It’s one of the worst-kept secrets in the draft that the Jets are high on Ingram. He can add a pass-rush to Rex Ryan's defense. However, I'm skeptical that arguably the best pass-rusher in the draft will make it this far. Coples is a player whose stock is taking a dip. There are questions about his motor. I also think Coples is a better fit as a traditional 4-3 defensive end, as oppose to playing in a 3-4. Coples would be a decent value at No. 16, but he doesn't fit New York's scheme as well as Ingram.

New England Patriots (No. 27 and No. 31)

Kiper’s picks: Alabama OLB Courtney Upshaw and Notre Dame S Harrison Smith

McShay’s picks: Boise State OLB Shea McClellin and Smith

Analysis: Smith is being linked to New England a lot, and he is a prospect who is rising up the draft boards. The Patriots need help for their 31st-ranked pass defense. Smith has a good mix of intelligence and athleticism New England could use in its secondary. Both Kiper and McShay see the Patriots going outside linebacker with the No. 27 pick. I don't think New England could go wrong with Upshaw or McClellin. Both bring a good pass-rush.

With the stench of last year's late-season implosion still fresh, the New York Jets got together as a team for the first time in 2012 for the start of the offseason workout program.

The workouts Monday were voluntary and not open to the media. But three members of the Jets were available for a conference call. The key theme was last year, and this is the start of something new.

"We made some mistakes in 2011, but we are focused on 2012," Jets head coach Rex Ryan said of the team's fresh start. "We are excited. ... When you don't meet expectations it kills you."

Ryan went on to address the chemistry issues and eventual implosion that took place during the final month of last season. The Jets were 8-5 and on the cusp of another playoff bid before losing three straight games.

At the center of the internal issues were Jets No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes and quarterback Mark Sanchez. The pair were not on the same page on or off the field, and things blew up in the season finale. The pair have since talked things over and recently worked out together in Florida to make amends.

Holmes also praised Sanchez on Monday for coming out to Florida and helping get key members of the offense together.

"[Sanchez] is portraying those leadership qualities," Holmes said on the conference call. "We are both looking forward to bigger and better days."

Holmes, in his first public comments since the end of last season, didn't care to address all that went wrong down the stretch.

"That was too long ago," Holmes said, while also repeating the team-wide sentiment that last season was last season.

With a talented and veteran team, it's hard to know which way the arrow is pointing for the Jets. Was last season simply a one-year misstep or the beginning of a downward spiral? The Jets are not far removed from back-to-back AFC title games in 2009 and 2010. But last year New York looked like an aging team that lost its edge.

Jets Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold says the "future is bright" for New York. The Jets will have a lot of detractors this season that think otherwise, especially if this group cannot stay together in the locker room. The important team-building process for New York starts now.

Buffalo Bills

In a conference call with reporters, ESPN analyst Jon Gruden discussed Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills' quarterback situation. "I think Fitzpatrick showed some things early that were very exciting ... helping the Buffalo Bills come out of the gate in impressive fashion. But in this league, at the end of the day it's about sustaining. Ryan Fitzpatrick has to prove he can start the season and end the season by putting the Buffalo Bills back in the playoffs where we used to see them. That remains to be seen. I think he's got to answer those questions himself."

Defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt's name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for fired Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino.

Miami Dolphins

Free-agent fullback Ahmard Hall visited with the Dolphins on Wednesday.

Quarterback Matt Moore says he had no problem with the Dolphins' pursuit of Peyton Manning or Matt Flynn.

New England Patriots

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com lists Florida's Chris Rainey as a player who would fit nicely with the Patriots.

Cornerback Antwaun Molden has agreed to a deal with the New York Giants.

New York Jets

Coach Rex Ryan is reportedly against the idea of his team being featured again on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

Neil Glat was hired Wednesday as the Jets' new team president. He worked the past 15 years in the NFL league office.

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.

Tim Tebow, Rex Ryan and the New York Jets on HBO's "Hard Knocks" this summer?

Yes, please!

Having television cameras tape your every move in training camp isn't for everyone. But the Jets are tailor-made for another go at the award-winning series.

Here are three reasons why:

1. Tebow-mania

The eyes of the sporting world will be keeping tabs on the Jets' addition of Tebow this summer and the dynamic he has with starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. Although there's not a quarterback competition going on, Tebow will naturally push Sanchez to be at his best. That makes for a natural, healthy competition people want to see.

Who wouldn't want to watch how Tebow integrates himself with a new team in New York? Jets fans would love to see how this develops. Tebow fans want to see, as well. This would be must-see, behind-the-scenes TV.

2. Jets did it recently

Whether it's familiarity or superstition, the Jets should have no problem going forward with this. New York is used to having HBO around. The Jets did "Hard Knocks" two years ago.

Was it a distraction? Not at all. The result was New York making the AFC title game. If people in New York are superstitious, they should want this to happen. The team was mediocre (8-8) last season without HBO around.

Playing in New York, every football season is a year-long version of "Hard Knocks" anyway. What's wrong with a little extra media around?

3. Jets have a story to tell

The 2012 Jets will be a story of a veteran team seeking redemption or a team starting their downfall. "Hard Knocks" can be at the ground level of New York's next chapter.

Can this team fix its chemistry issues? Is the arrow pointing up or down for this talented group?

This is a big year for Ryan and the Jets and, either way, it will be an interesting story.

Despite mixed reviews, New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is very excited about the acquisition of former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. The Jets plan to give Tebow a steady diet of snaps in their Wildcat offense under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.

Here is a sample of comments Ryan made about Tebow and the Wildcat at this week’s owners meetings:

• "Trust me, I don't think DBs want to tackle [Tebow]. It's really a unique skill set ... That system, the Wildcat, he's the perfect guy, not to mention I think he's a guy that's ascending as a passer."
• "Tim is a better inside runner than Brad [Smith]. His inside run game is like a fullback. He can run option, can run on perimeter and can throw."
• "He"s not just a backup player. He’s a backup quarterback, but there’s things he’s going to do. Is he going to be our starting quarterback in the Wildcat? Absolutely."
• "I think the Wildcat is alive and well."

From the sound of it, the Jets believe they have a fool-proof plan to mix Tebow with starting quarterback Mark Sanchez. There is potential for this to work. But it's up to both quarterbacks to perform and make this transition smooth in New York.