Words with Frenz: AFC East Mailbag, 3/23 Edition

The free agency frenzy has finally slowed down, and as we look back on the week that was, we also begin to look ahead to the 2012 NFL Draft and the regular season.

A lot happened in the AFC East this week, and thus, a lot of questions are left to be answered.

So let's take a dive into the mailbag and open up the forum for discussion.

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@ErikFrenz Here's my conspiracy theory question... With all the WR signings, is there a chance Welker gets traded (for picks or a player)?

— TraderX (@FantasyTrade411) March 23, 2012"

I used to write off this question entirely, thinking there was no way the Patriots would do it. I still think it's doubtful, but I can see why you'd think they might. The Patriots live by the mantra that they'd rather cut ties a year too early than a year too late. The tough part about that is guessing when, exactly, is one year too early.

It's doubtful Welker's production will drop off greatly in 2012. He's 30 years old and coming off the best season of his career by far. 

Next year might be a better time to ask the "year too early or year too late" question, but if Welker remains a Patriot, I doubt anyone in the organization will regret the decision.

As for the wealth of receivers the Patriots have brought in, they are all so vastly different in skill set that it's hard to say any of them were brought in to take Welker's job. The only one that might even remotely apply to is Anthony Gonzalez, and if the Patriots are counting on him taking Welker's job, they're also counting on him staying healthy, which he hasn't been able to do since 2008.

"

@ErikFrenz Obviously the Superbowl isn't won in March, but the Bills have gotten a lot better. They seem the most likely to decrown Pats no?

— Arjuna Ramgopal (@AvkarSiv) March 23, 2012"

If it's going to be anyone, it'll be the Bills. Just don't count me among those that think it'll happen. They've begun to close the talent gap, but as I've said before, the Patriots dominance in the AFC East has lasted so long because of two main figureheads: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

The Patriots have the best in the division at both key spots, quarterback and head coach. As long as those two are around, it's hard for anyone to take over.

The answer to that question rests in the hands of Ryan Fitzpatrick. He really struggled down the stretch, and although he played through injured ribs, so did Tom Brady back in 2009, and he played through a foot fracture in 2010 and 2011. Excuses or not, injuries or not, the division will be won or lost based on quarterback play, and judging by the level of play the Patriots figure to get at that position, it'll be really hard for Fitzpatrick and the Bills to claim the crown.

"

@ErikFrenz Hey Erik, which OLB draft prospects do you view as the best fits for the Bills?

— Josh Cembellin (@JoshCembellin) March 23, 2012"

It's good to see that Bills fans are moving on from their need for a defensive end having netted both Mark Anderson and Mario Williams already.

Legitimate first-round 4-3 outside linebackers are hard to come by, and that's the case once again in 2012. The Bills should be looking for their guy in the second round, with North Carolina LB Zach Brown presenting good value.

Brown was pegged as a "draft riser" by Russ Lande of Sporting News. He started just five games for the Tar Heels, but finished second on the team with 72 tackles. He also logged 5.5 sacks and three interceptions on the season. His speed makes him exactly the type of sideline-to-sideline linebacker the Bills will love to have at the second level.

"

@ErikFrenz What do you think about the Landry injury/him depending on stem cells to fix it? Wise? Or should he have gone for the surgery?

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyedNEPD) March 23, 2012"

It really depends on your outlook. Landry played through injuries to the tune of just 17 games in the past two years, but was able to net a one-year contract for $4 million from the Jets for his troubles. He claims he will be ready when the time comes, and if he is, he should have no trouble earning long-term money after 2012. In fact, the very reason he took a one-year deal is to give him a chance to prove himself.

But if he had the surgery, he might have had a better opportunity to earn that contract this year. 

We have time for one more question before we close it out.

"

Does this mean that if the world does end in December only the Jets will be spared?

— Mike Dussault (@PatsPropaganda) March 23, 2012"

I don't know, but for the first time in my life, I'm considering a move to East Rutherford, NJ.

Alright guys, that's all I have for this week. Thanks for submitting questions, and as always, any further questions can be directed to my Twitter account at the link below, or to the comments section.

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