Here are some quick notes for each team from the NFL Combine.
AFC East
New England Patriots- The Pats could be a player this offseason for a wide receiver as they need to stretch the field for Tom Brady. With Brady turning 35 before the start of the season, the Pats window of opportunity is closing rapidly.
New York Jets- Rex Ryan vowed that there will be no guarantees for the 2012 season, as he feels that his bold Super Bowl promise last year placed undo pressure on his team.
“It’s something that I’ve been thinking about a great deal,” Ryan said. “Obviously, we had a terrible season. I take full responsibility for it. Part of that guarantee really contributed to it.”
Miami Dolphins- The Dolphins got their first victory of 2012 as they won Friday morning’s coin toss over the Buffalo Bills for the right to pick eighth in the first round of April’s draft. If Miami stands pat in the first round, positions of interest could be offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive tackle or quarterback.
Buffalo Bills- The Bills intend on running a two-back system with Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, according to head coach Chan Gailey. After Jackson’s injury, Spiller averaged better than 80 yards per game down the stretch.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens have to make some free agent decisions as Ray Rice, Ben Grubbs and Jameel McClain are all expected to hit the market. Obviously the Ravens primary order of business is to get Ray Rice locked up.
“My thoughts are get these guys under contract for the future,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said. “I think we can do it. The reality is they’re going to take a little longer. We’re going to have a lot of contract conversations and try to get signed. Maybe even the draft will happen. Those guys will kind of overreach that whole process. Maybe they’ll even get done at some point in time during that time or even go up until the end or maybe they even won’t get done, but ultimately we all believe those guys will be on the team for a long time.”
Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers have restructured the contract of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to create cap room for free agency. Their first order of business will likely be to place a first-round tender on wide receiver Mike Wallace, assuming they are unable to negotiate a long-term deal.
Cincinnati Bengals- With Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis entering the final year of his deal, owner Mike Brown is likely to reward Lewis following his third playoff appearance as head coach.
“[Bengals owner Mike Brown] would like to get it extended. He’s told me that two or three times,” Lewis said at the NFL combine Friday. “We would like to continue moving forward and we haven’t had the opportunity to do it. Hopefully we’ll get it resolved.”
Cleveland Browns- The Browns will be looking for help on the offensive side of the ball this offseason as the team finished 29th in the NFL in total offense in 2011. They have decisions to make at quarterback and are a major contender to trade up with the St. Louis Rams for the rights to draft Robert Griffin, III.
AFC South
Houston Texans-Houston has some decisions to make as defensive end/outside linebacker Mario Williams, center Chris Myers and running back Arian Foster are all impending free agents. Williams will receive plenty of interest on the open market but general manager Rick Smith would like to keep the former first-overall pick.
“Mario (Williams) is a great player, and we want him to be a part of our football team… We’re working to get that done,” Smith declared.
Tennessee Titans- The Titans are likely to let cornerback Cortland Finnegan explore the free agent market as they are yet to make an offer for the former Pro Bowler. If the Lions can create cap room they could be a very interested party as Finnegan played under head coach Jim Schwartz.
Jacksonville Jaguars- On the injury front, former first-round pick Tyson Alualu had offseason knee surgery but head coach Mike Mularkey expects him to be ready by training camp. Defensive end Aaron Kampman still hasn’t been fully cleared and there’s been no decision on his future.
Indianapolis Colts- A source tells us that Peyton Manning had cortisone shots in his neck and those were the procedures, not “surgeries.” This source also states that Manning is severely lacking arm strength and there’s an excellent chance that he may never play again.
AFC West
Denver Broncos- Broncos czar John Elway spoke about Tim Tebow and stated that he needed to improve as a passer. Elway hasn’t had any contact with the quarterback this offseason but is glad that he’s working as hard as possible to improve.
Oakland Raiders- New Raiders head coach Dennis Allen addressed 40 (yard dash) times at the Combine and said that it means very little.
“We only use it if we have two equally rated players at the same position. We would take the faster player,” Allen explained.
This philosophy is a far cry from the former Raiders mantra of “FAP” (Fastest Available Player).
San Diego Chargers- The Chargers will likely let free agent wide receiver Vincent Jackson test the market as they are tight against the cap. Jackson will receive plenty of interest from teams such as Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Chicago, Carolina and Cleveland.
Kansas City Chiefs- The Chiefs won Friday morning’s coin toss, granting them the rights to the 11th pick in the draft. Kansas City will likely be looking at help on the offensive line or possibly a receiver if they lose Dwayne Bowe in free agency.
Charlie Bernstein is the NFL Insider for ESPNFlorida.com and ESPN 1080 and 1040 in Orlando/Tampa and Editor-in-Chief of Sports Media Interactive, covering the National Football League, NCAA, and National Basketball Association. Charlie covers the Jacksonville Jaguars for FoxSports and has been featured on the NFL Network and Sirius NFL Radio. Charlie is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow Charlie on Twitter @nflcharlie
