AFC EAST
1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
DEFENDING CHAMP
PIERSON’S FAVORITE
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.
When: July 28.
New arrivals: WR Reche Caldwell, CB Eric Warfield, S Mel Mitchell, S Tebucky Jones, DT Johnathan Sullivan, K Martin Gramatica.
Gone: DE Willie McGinest, WR David Givens, TE Christian Fauria, KR Tim Dwight, K Adam Vinatieri, CB Tyrone Poole, OL Tom Ashworth, WR Bethel Johnson.
Top rookies: RB Laurence Maroney, WR Chad Jackson, TE David Thomas.
What’s up: Losing such valuable contributors as Vinatieri, McGinest and Givens can’t help coach Bill Belichick, who is trying to retool. Top rookies could play a big role.
2. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Where: Dolphins
Training Center, Davie, Fla.
When: July 28.
New arrivals: QB Daunte Culpepper, CB Andre Goodman, LB Sedrick Hodge, OT L.J. Shelton, CB Renaldo Hill, FB Fred Beasley, CB Will Allen, OT Mike Pearson, QB Joey Harrington, G Bennie Anderson, WR Kelly Campbell, TE Justin Peelle, LB Keith Newman.
Gone: LB Junior Seau, C Reggie Howard, S Tebucky Jones, CB Sam Madison, OT Damion McIntosh, WR Bryon Gilmore, QB Sage Rosenfels, OT Stockar McDougle, QB Gus Frerotte, RB Ricky Williams, P Matt Turk.
Top rookies: S Jason Allen, WR Derek Hagan.
What’s up: The Dolphins got a huge upgrade at quarterback with Culpepper and Harrington. Team must find way to make up for loss of 700-yard rusher Ricky Williams.
3. NEW YORK JETS
Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.
When: July 28.
New arrivals: Coach Eric Mangini, DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, QB Patrick Ramsey, KR Tim Dwight, CB Andre Dyson, C Trey Teague, OT Anthony Clement, DB Ray Mickens. Gone: Coach Herm Edwards, OT Jason Fabini, QB Jay Fiedler, CB Ty Law, DT Lance Legree, RB Gerald Sowell, C Kevin Mawae, DE John Abraham.
Top rookies: OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold, QB Kellen Clemons, LB Anthony Schlegel.
What’s up: Clemons looked better than recuperating Chad Pennington or newcomer Ramsey in minicamps.
Tough to replace Abraham.
4. BUFFALO BILLS
Where: St. John Fisher College, Pittsford, N.Y.
When: July 28.
New arrivals: Coach Dick Jauron, DT Larry Tripplett, S Matt Bowen, P Chris Mohr, TE Reggie Royal, QB Craig Nall, WR Peerless Price, G Tutan Reyes, RB Anthony Thomas, OT Aaron Gibson, LB Courtney Watson, C Melvin Fowler.
Gone: Coach Mike Mularkey, OT Mike Williams, DT Sam Adams, S Lawyer Milloy, DT Justin Bannon, DT Ron Edwards, WR Eric Moulds, C Trey Teague, TE Tim Evans, G Bennie Anderson.
Top rookies: S Donte Whitner, DT John McCargo, CB Ashton Youboty, S Ko Simpson.
What’s up: Jauron is changing defense and trying to find a quarterback among J.P Losman, Kelly Holcomb and Nall.
NFC EAST
PIERSON’S FAVORITE
1. DALLAS COWBOYS
Where: Marriott Residence Inn, Oxnard, Calif.
When: July 28.
New arrivals: LB Akin Ayodele, OL Kyle Kosier, WR Terrell Owens, TE Ryan Hannam, LB Rocky Boiman, K Mike Vanderjagt, OT Jason Fabini, S Marcus Coleman.
Gone: DT LaRoi Glover, TE Dan Campbell, LB Scott Fujita, WR Keyshawn Johnson, OT Larry Allen, K Billy Cundiff, OT Torrin Tucker.
Top rookies: LB Bobby Carpenter, TE Anthony Fasano, DE Jason Hatcher.
What’s up: Last summer, Owens turned the Eagles’ training camp into a circus. This summer, he is expected to be as quiet as his new coach, Bill Parcells, who doesn’t like to talk about his new player. Ayodele and Carpenter are upgrades on defense that should complement improved offense. Questions at free safety.
2. NEW YORK GIANTS
DEFENDING CHAMP
Where: State University at Albany, N.Y.
When: July 27.
New arrivals: CB Sam Madison, CB R.W. McQuarters, CB Jason Bell, S Quentin Harris, S Will Demps, LB LaVar Arrington, QB Rob Johnson, OL Grey Ruegamer. Gone: G Jason Whittle, S Shawn Williams, DT Kendrick Clancy, CB Will Allen, LB Barrett Green, DT Kenderick Allen, LB Nick Griesen, CB Will Peterson.
Top rookies: DE Mathias Kiwanuka, WR Sinorice Moss.
What’s up: After getting shut out in playoffs by Carolina, secondguessing began in earnest. QB Eli Manning must take big step in third year, starting with season opener against brother Peyton. Arrington must prove career not over yet.
3. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Where: Redskins Park, Ashburn, Va.
When: July 30.
New arrivals: LB Andre Carter, WR Brandon Lloyd, S Adam Archuleta, WR Antwaan Randle El, TE Christian Fauria, QB Todd Collins, CB Kenny Wright.
Gone: LB LaVar Arrington, TE Robert Royal, QB Patrick Ramsey, S Matt Bowen, CB Walt Harris, S Omar Stoutmire, S Ryan Clark, C Corey Raymer.
Top rookies: LB Rocky McIntosh.
What’s up: Coach Joe Gibbs got this team to 10-6 and one playoff victory last year but needs a transition from Mark Brunell to young Jason Campbell at quarterback to take the next step. Additions are all middle-of-the-pack guys.
4. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Where: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.
When: July 23 (July 20 rookies).
New arrivals: LB Shawn Barber, DE Darren Howard, TE Matt Schobel, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Jabar Gaffney, DT Ed Jasper.
Gone: WR Terrell Owens, QB Mike McMahon, DE N.D. Kalu, LB Keith Adams, DT Hollis Thomas, G Artis Hicks, WR Billy McMullen, S Jack Brewer.
Top rookies: DT Brodrick Bunkley, OT Winston Justice, DE Chris Gogong.
What’s up: Locker-room chemistry should improve with absence of Owens. Quarterback Donovan McNabb must regain physical and mental edge, but who is going to catch the ball
