A Beast In The East: Grading Each AFC East Team's Offseason

When the Miami Dolphins acquired wide receiver Brandon Marshall on Wednesday, they not only improved their team, but finished up the best off-season of any team in the AFC East.

Marshall has been itching to get out of Denver since head coach Josh McDaniel came out west and rid himself of Jay Cutler. But winning heals all wounds and such was the case when the Broncos exploded to a 6-0 start. He even hugged his nemesis McDaniel during a post game conference.

But the Broncos fell back to earth and eventually so did the relationship between coach and player. After speculation that Marshall would be traded, the most likely team seemed to be the Seattle Seahawks; Not only did the Seahawks have the need for a big play receiver (T.J. just isn't that type of player), but they had the means with two first round picks (6, 14).  

To the surprise of many, Marshall landed in Miami this morning. The Dolphins gave the Broncos a 2010 second round pick and a 2011 second round pick. And while teams covet their draft picks, they are getting a player in return who can change this offense around for the better, help the maturation of a third year QB in Chad Henne, and simply be a beast in the east.

For those who saw last years MNF shootout between the Dolphins and the New York Jets, Chad Henne proved he has a cannon of an arm. The 2008 second rounder out of Michigan had a very solid sophomore season posting a 7-6 record in 13 starts and threw for 12 TD's and 14 INT's and nearly 3,000 yards passing. And all of this with a wide receiving core led by...Devon Bess?

MIAMI DOLPHINS

The wildcat offense the Dolphins have mastered behind running back Ronnie Brown, carried them to a 2008 divisional title, but will likely become a gimmick (rightfully so) and will be used solely to justify the Pat White pick. But with a great running game coming back, the addition of Marshall only creates another threat. A 6'4" 230 pound threat.

Until the Dolphins acquired Marshall, their biggest pick-up was LB Karlos Dansby who left the Arizona Cardinals via free agency. Dansby will solidify a porous defense which gave up an average of 114 rushing yards per game last season. The Dolphins have upgraded greatly on both sides of the ball and did the best job in their division.

Grade: A

NEW YORK JETS

The New York Jets had the best off-season in the AFC East until today.  Among their transactions, they acquired cornerback Antonio Cromartie from San Diego for a 2011 third round pick, future Canton resident LaDainian Tomlinson via free agency, and wide receiver and Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a measly fifth round pick.

But while it may seem the Jets have acquired more high profile players, they won't impact the team as much as the Dolphins picks will.  LT is essentially a player who thinks he still has something left, but is running on fumes.  His explosiveness is gone and although he may have some early impact, he will fade out by years end and give way to Shonn Greene.  

Antonio Cromartie did have 10 picks in 2007 and was an All-Pro, but has since regressed immensely and has some off the field issues.  The real player lines up across from him and it will remain that way in 2010.

As for Santonio Holmes, his impact could be big, but the Jets will have to wait until week 5, and if they have a bye week then, week 6.  Holmes is a big play receiver, but his time is limited and he also has off-field baggage.

Grade: B+

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Pats once again do not make many moves. Their 2007 off-season where they acquired Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Adalius Thomas was gluttonous in Boston. Their two biggest acquisition are veteran tight end Alge Crumpler - who will help blocking - and veteran wide out and 3x champion with the Patriots, David Patten returns.  As exciting as Bill Belichick reading the NFL rule book.

Grade: B-

BUFFALO BILLS

When Chan Gailey is your biggest acquisition, it screams, "rebuilding". Again. L.A. anyone?

Grade: D