2015 NFL Contenders and the Off-Season Needs: Part 1, AFC

Let’s take a took look at the AFC, from the lower ranks who just barely missed the playoffs, and work our way up to the Super Bowl XLIX Champs, New England. What is needed for teams to get to the next level in free-agency, the draft, and coaching?

Cleveland Browns (7-9) At one point they were 7-4 and had just gone into Cincinnati and bullied them on prime-time. Everything fell apart not long after. They can’t stuff the run when they need it. Gordon, their best downfield threat is suspended again. Johnny’s in rehab. Hoyer is serviceable, but flawed and Coach Pettine seems to have lost faith in him. I think if Hoyer had Gordon all year long he would magically have looked better, they should re-sign him, but won’t Who is going to take the snaps? Rumor has it they like the Oregon quarterback Mariotta. Now the G.M. Ray Farmer is in trouble for illegal texts to the side lines, facing suspension from the NFL, and could possibly lose draft picks as a result. Do not expect this mess to be cleaned up next year. Expect the Brownies to drop back as it is a huge mess. They could begin by getting a mop and bucket.

Miami Dolphins (8-8) Quarterback is not the problem. I think Tannenhill’s development shows in the Marino-esque numbers: 4,000 plus yards hurled, 27 tds, and 66.4% completion rate; although, Tannenhill will need to find a replacement for Wallace as a top receiver in either free agency, or in the draft. Coach Philbin is lucky to get a 4^th season to captain the ship that stays docked. He should have been replaced. Their needs are top notch draft choices dedicated to a defensive unit that blew leads left and right.

(Photo Courtesy of Standingosports.com)

Buffalo Bills (9-7) Bills fans, meet 2014’s (4-12) NY Jets head man, Rex Ryan. Congratulations, he is now yours. Granted, Rex has had a couple post-season runs, including two back to back AFC runner-ups. It’s been a while since Buffalo had a coach who could give some excitement to the fan base. Rex should provide that, and he will seek revenge against the Jets, while also looking to take down New England and Miami. I’m sure the draft will be dedicated toward beefing up the ground game. They already signed controversial guard Richie Incognito to add “toughness” to the o-line. The Bills had 54 sacks last year on defense, which is the kind of aggressive statistic Coach Ryan lusts for. Kyle Orton retired so Rex Ryan just needs a man under center. The answer to that is not currently on their roster. They could either draft or sign up a veteran in the free agent market. Both markets look scarce to me. A trade for a guy like Cutler in Chicago has a more chances of success, but expensive. Better yet, Rex could recruit Orton to play one more season.

Video Link: Antonio Gates Sets Chargers TD Record (Courtesy of NFL.com)

San Diego Chargers (9-7) Breaking news, you can win with the side-arm gunslinger Phillip Rivers. He has had playoff runs (4-5 career playoff record) and nearly always at least wins in the first round, at home or away. Rivers is (33), Gates is (34), so the window will close soon. Division rival Manning is still pondering retirement, if Peyton continues for another year I have to wonder if there are any fastball’s left in that arm. The time is now for San Diego to spend and get help. Go for broke in free agency, and in the draft the Chargers need to get dudes with stock car speed! A video-game style scat back in the mold of Darren sproles would also help on the offense and special teams. A corner and linebacker who can create big plays need to be added to an okay defense that needs to be more clutch.

Kansas City Chiefs (9-7) For starters they need to dodge the injury bug. All season long it seemed like a difference maker or two was out every week. As soon as one or two would come back, another couple key starters would go down. Overall on both sides of the ball Kansas City played solid, but there was a flaw that held each unit back. The offense has serviceable receivers, but Alex Smith needs an ace with size, hands, and speed so they can get to the next level. Going into the last game of the season not one wide out had a touchdown. That can’t just be the system or the qb. The defense can get after the QB, but they can’t stop the run. The draft and free agency must address that.

Houston Texans (9-7) Ryan Fitzpatrick is an okay quarterback, he can manage the game, but he isn’t an All-pro which is shown by his pedestrian 17 tds. Coach O’Brien has talked about having an open competition. Some are wondering if Ryan Mallet a backup from last year will be re-signed and given a chance. He has a strong arm, so they might want to consider it. There isn’t a lot available in the draft, so do they trade up to the top? Winston is the top college Quarterback prospect and his Roethlisberger type abilities on the field could translate to a playoff contender as a rookie, if he stays out of trouble off the field. Or Houston could swap for an established name. The Texans have a strong tailback in Foster with capable split ends, couple that with a J.J. Watt led defense. O’Brien is a fine coach. All that is needed is guy under center who can take them to the promised land. Now should they work a deal for Manning? Or Brees? What about Nick Foles in Philly? Even Cutler from Chicago is an upgrade despite his knack for imploding and chucking interceptions in big games. Cutler does have some games where he plays like an all-pro. An arm like this puts the Texans in the hunt.

Baltimore Ravens (10-6) I get the feeling that the last two seasons were an opportunity for others in their division to seize the throne. The Ravens were stronger in the second half going 5-2 down in the last seven contests. In the post-season they punked Pittsburgh in their own house and then had the Pats’ on the ropes in Foxboro. They have a hard scrabble Coach, supported by a brilliant front office. They have an athletic, playoff winning Quarterback in Flacco, who has a ring. You can imagine a new halfback, another receiver, and a couple brutes for each side of the ball will be added. I think the Ravens also need a shutdown cover man on defense, a ball-hawking safety, and another defensive end who can stop the run and get after the opposing QB. If the Ravens can get these pieces and avoid any future suspensions then the Ravens might make another Super Bowl run.

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5-1) This team despite four straight playoff trips every year, keeps getting bounced. It’s apparent they aren’t tough enough yet. With Pittsburgh and Baltimore in the neighborhood, they better tighten up quick or they can set themselves up for another year of pretending to contend. Mauling lineman on both sides of the ball and depth at linebacker are required if Cincy is going to advance. Dalton isn’t going to turn into Manning or Brady. Dalton is certainly good (not great), when he isn’t shell shocked and his weapons are healthy. Dalton was okay in the latest playoff game even though his best targets were injured, because he didn’t make many mistakes, but he can’t do the extraordinary plays (Wilson, Luck, Rogers, Brady) to will his team to a win either. Dalton can manage wins if his team can dominate the lines of scrimmage.

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) If Steeler nation can get another running back while Bell recovers from his knee injury and some new talent on defense look out. Polamalu(33), Taylor(34), Harrison (36), and Kiesal (36) were a part of a terrific nucleus that won two Super Bowls and nearly a third, but are pieces to the steel curtain which need to be replaced. Heyward, Shazier, and Timmons are the young guys ready to carry the mantle, but they will need some new running mates from the draft. Tomlin is smart and hardcore like a military general, his teams adopt his we only accept wins attitude. Tomlin has one of the games best QB’s in Big Ben, who tossed for nearly 5,000 yards, while notching 32 tds and only 9 picks while also shoving away pesky defenders and steam rolling for first downs with his athleticism. I wish they kept a statistic on how many times he man-handled his way out of sacks. He probably owns the record too for this unrecorded category. Don’t be surprised if the Steelers re-visit the Super Bowl next year or at least the AFC championship.

Indianapolis Colts (11-5) Other than a replacement for the half of fame bound Reggie Wayne, perhaps the only thing this offense needs is some shifty, quick little scat back with afterburner speed to add another dimension to their powerful offense. It’s the other unit that really causes Coach Pagano to have his hairline recede a little bit each Sunday. In a division where they get to play against the likes of the Jaguars, Titans, and Texans for 6 of the 16 games, and yet they are still in the lower half of defense in giving up the points (19^th in the NFL). They need run-stuffing DTs and some pass rushers as they only had 29 sacks from this unit where Jonathan Newsome was your leader with 6.5 sacks. Indy needs an Andrew Luck-type on its defense to shut the other guys down with a tackle for loss. With a soft unit like that it doesn’t matter how much air is in the footballs. You can pound them between the tackles or zip darts on them all over the field. No wonder the Patriots worked them over so bad– twice! Until that is addressed Luck won’t be getting to the Super Bowl.

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Denver Broncos (12-4) I think this franchise needs to know the beer kegs are tapped on this current squad. In fact, a little over a year ago I think Pete Carrol and his legion of boom confiscated at least one of those kegs. Wes Welker is considering retirement due to so many concussions. Manning, sadly might hang it up, even though we wish we could see him go out in a more glorious fashion. If Manning chooses to play, Elway should then convince Manning to accept a trade to a different contender and perhaps deal another guy or two for extra picks. They should be willing to step back in order to step forward for many years to come. Manning, sadly may not be able to regain his zip, or if he does, it might fade during the season as it did in 2014. Yet imagine a team like Houston in its dome would probably be interested. Or maybe Saint Louis could make the swap for Peyton.

(Photo Courtesy of musketfire.com)

New England Patriots (12-4) When you add to the trophy case a 4^th time and you are Bill Belichick, you are thinking about what it takes to get a 5^th Super Bowl title next year. I am sure on the plane ride back from winning he was already re-thinking in his mind about what weak spots he has that need to be upgraded. Yes, he is plotting already. Believe me Brady is also thinking the same thing. They have tied the short list with 4, but what if they could get a 5^th and be the only dudes on the list? Top priorities are to keep Revis (show him the money), Malcom Butler (Show him some money), and Blount (show him some cash too) on your roster. Next Belichick will do what he does best, find his soft positions and get a replacement no matter what. I would say a high draft pick for offensive line would be a smart choice. For once let Brady have a top draft plowing defenders away.