Keys to Success: AFC East
Posted: Saturday July 25, 1998 02:15 PM
The War Room offers up five keys
to success in the 1998 season for all 30 teams. Here's a look at the AFC
East: Buffalo Bills  - 1. QB Johnson must prove that he is
worth the high price tag the Bills paid ... and that he can lead this team.
- 2. OL is questionable and must improve to solidify the running game,
which is crucial in bad-weather Buffalo.
- 3. Proud, but aging defense
must create more turnovers, be tougher on 3rd down and stay healthy.
- 4.
Bills offense must improve from 29th in scoring and convert 3rd downs to
take the pressure off the defense.
- 5. Aging team is rebuilding with a
mixture of vets and youth ... this combination must jell quickly in camp.
Indianapolis Colts  - 1. OL must protect rookie QB Manning
and the run game must take the pressure off young QB early.
- 2. Coach
Mora must open up offense to take advantage of a pretty decent collection
of skill players.
- 3. Defense must get stronger up the middle versus
run...the "D" must not allow opponents to control the clock.
- 4. Colts
must take advantage of soft last-place schedule and win the "winnable"
games.
- 5. Indy must stay healthy, especially at LB, as there is not
much depth on this roster.
Miami Dolphins  - 1. Dolphins must figure out a way to
run the football -- Jimmy will demand it!
- 2. Coach Johnson and QB
Marino must coexist in the new offense...team doesn't need any
distractions.
- 3. Talented young defense needs to "cut it loose" and
create turnovers and big plays.
- 4. OL must change mind set from pass
pro to run blocking and aggressively attack defenses.
- 5. Dolphins must
find a RB from a large group of candidates ... is rookie Avery the answer?
New England Patriots  - 1. Terrific talent and depth needs to
jell and play with consistency - don't underachieve!
- 2. DL needs to put
pressure on QB and create big plays to take pressure off back seven.
- 3.
OL must adjust to new offensive "wrinkles" (Ernie Zampese) and must
increase intensity of play.
- 4. WR Terry Glenn must
stay healthy and focused to give Pats a big play offensive deep threat.
- 5. Pats must fill RB void left by departed Curtis Martin ...
is rookie Edwards the answer?
New York Jets  - 1. QB situation must stabilize ...
don't need a QB battle in training camp ... is Foley the man?
- 2. 4-3 or
3-4 defense? Establish the defensive identity and make players buy into the
scheme.
- 3. Parcells and Belichick coached average personnel into 9-7
record in '97 -- can motivation work again?
- 4. RB Curtis Martin must be
durable and stay healthy, as Parcells will let him carry the rock.
- 5.
Jets must improve pass rush and put more pressure on opposing QBs to create
turnovers.
|
