1. Miami Dolphins
COACH: NICK SABAN (9-7)
2005: 9-7
Thumbs up: The addition of Daunte Culpepper gives Miami its first true NFL quarterback since Dan Marino.
Thumbs down: Besides WR Chris Chambers (82 catches, 1,118 yards, 11 TDs), this is an average receiving corps.
Key additions: CB Will Allen comes from the Giants, and he can be beaten deep. Fred Beasley is a solid fullback signed from San Francisco.
Crystal ball: Saban has quickly turned things around, and, if Culpepper can stay healthy, the Dolphins should unseat New England in the East.
2. New England Patriots
COACH: BILL BELICHICK (99-77 OVERALL, 63-33 WITH PATRIOTS) LAST YEAR: 10-6
Thumbs up: QB Tom Brady (4,110 yards passing, 26 TDs, 14 INTs) remains one of the best clutch players in the NFL.
Thumbs down: PK Adam Vinatieri bolting to Indianapolis.
Key additions: WR Reche Caldwell must produce more than the one TD catch he had last year for San Diego.
Crystal ball: This is still a Super Bowl contender, but the defense has plenty of holes. Pencil them in for a wild-card berth
FANTASY PHIL’S AFC WEST SLEEPER
Doug Gabriel, WR, Patriots
Let’s talk about this Gabriel, a tall and speedy receiver acquired in a trade with the receiver-rich Raiders. He’ll have a less-obstructed path to stardom with the Pats, where Tom Brady’s No. 1 target Deion Branch held out all of training camp, and rookie Chad Jackson has been slowed by a hamstring.
3. Buffalo Bills
COACH: DICK JAURON (FIRST YEAR WITH BUFFALO, 36-49 OVERALL) 2005: 5-11
Thumbs up: The secondary, which includes former Eagle Troy Vincent, is one of the strongest parts of the team.
Thumbs down: The Bills might have the weakest set of quarterbacks in starter J.P. Losman, Kelly Holcomb and Craig Nall.
Key additions: Matt Bowen, who came over from Washington, and first-round pick Donte Whitner from Ohio State, provide depth at safety. OG Tutan Reyes started 16 games last season for Carolina.
Crystal ball: The Bills will have trouble scoring and stopping the opposition, not the best of combinations. They would do well to match last year’s win total.
4. New York Jets
COACH: ERIC MANGINI (FIRST YEAR) 2005: 4-12
Thumbs up: Jonathan Vilma (169 tackles) is one of the emerging linebackers in the league.
Thumbs down: The quarterback situation, especially with injury-plagued Chad Pennington, is substandard.
Key additions: First-round picks OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson and C Nick Mangold are projected starters. DE Kimo von Oelhoffen brings a winning attitude from Pittsburgh.
Crystal ball: The Jets can only hope that the young players benefit from the experience they will receive and not be beaten down by losing. Anything more than four wins is good.
