Brady's return, plus aggressive moves by Pats, Bills, Jets shake up division
A change of scenery in the AFC East
This is the first of an eight-part series on offseason moves in the NFL
The New England Patriots did not sit back this offseason and rest on the knowledge that star quarterback Tom Brady was coming back in 2009.
The Patriots had an active winter and spring, shoring up their defensive backfield and receiver positions.
After going 11-5 without Brady last season, the Patriots are the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC East in 2009.
Defending division champion Miami had the quietest offseason of the four East teams but has a solid core of young players.
The New York Jets aggressively charted a new course under new head coach Rex Ryan, the former defensive chief of the Baltimore Ravens. The Jets acquired the top defensive player in the free-agent pool in linebacker Bart Scott and made the biggest splash in the draft, trading up to get Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez.
The Buffalo Bills made big changes, too. They hauled in a big fish for the offense in signing receiver Terrell Owens. Then they traded Pro Bowl tackle Jason Peters and overhauled the offensive line.
All the moves tend to look promising for each team in May. But as Pats coach Bill Belichick said before the draft, winning the offseason "title" doesn't count for much.
"The final measuring stick is your record," Belichick said. "How do you do in October, November and December? Those are the grades that matter. ... With all due respect to all the guys who are going to be giving us grades, you don't get any points for that. You get points for winning games, and that's what we're here to do, is build our team."
Here's a review of the offseason moves in the AFC East:
 | Miami: Defending division champs count on core of young players |
 | New England: The rich got richer through offseason maneuvering. |
 | New York: Strengthened the defense; counting on kid quarterback. |
 | Buffalo: T.O. is a big catch, but how much will O-line miss Peters. |
Miami Dolphins
Key gains: DE Jason Taylor (Redskins), S Gibril Wilson (Raiders), C Jake Grove (Raiders), QB Pat White (West Virginia), CB Vontae Davis (Illinois), LB Cameron Wake (CFL), CB Eric Green (Cardinals).
Key losses: DE Vonnie Holliday (unsigned), CB Andre Goodman (Broncos), C Samson Satele (Raiders), QB John Beck (Ravens).
Breakdown: Miami had a young team last year and is counting on continued growth from within. It kept some of its own key young players, re-signing right tackle Vernon Carey, safety Yeremiah Bell and linebacker Channing Crowder. The Dolphins think they upgraded the O-line by adding Grove, a former second-round pick. White should add another dimension to the Wildcat formation. Wilson is a good pickup for a defense that ranked ninth in points allowed.
Questions: The run game looks good, but is the receiving corps good enough? Can Ted Ginn Jr. be consistent? Will rookie WRs contribute? Joey Porter could use some help in the pass rush. How much does Jason Taylor have left? Will Wake be a find?
New England Patriots
Key gains: CB Shawn Springs (Redskins), CB Leigh Bodden (Lions), RB Fred Taylor (Jaguars), WR Joey Galloway (Bucs), WR Greg Lewis (Eagles), S Patrick Chung (Oregon), CB Darius Butler (UConn), DT Ron Brace (Boston College), LB Tully Banta-Cain (49ers).
Key losses: LB Mike Vrabel (Chiefs), CB Ellis Hobbs (Eagles), QB Matt Cassel (Chiefs), WR Jabar Gaffney (Broncos), S Rodney Harrison (unsigned).
Breakdown: Obviously, Brady's return tips the balance of power steeply in the Pats' direction. His receiving corps looks improved. Lewis, who caught 60 passes last year, was a good pickup in a deal with the Eagles. Joey Galloway still can play at 37, if he's fully recovered from foot problems. The Pats struggled at corner last year. So they have two new starters. Bodden is a press corner. Springs is excellent when healthy. He has missed 14 games the past three years. If he's hurt, Butler was a steal with the 41st pick in the draft. They planned for the future by drafting Brace. Vince Wilfork is in the last year of his contract.
Questions: The Pats were 31st in sacks last year. Where will they get more edge rush? Who plays outside backer with Adalius Thomas? They decided none of the outside backers in the draft, like Clay Matthews, was a perfect fit for their system. So the starter could be Shawn Crable, a third-round pick from last year, or Pierre Woods.
New York Jets
Key gains: Coach Rex Ryan (Ravens), QB Mark Sanchez (USC), LB Bart Scott (Ravens), CB Lito Sheppard (Eagles), FS Jim Leonhard (Ravens), DE Marques Douglas (Ravens), RB Shonn Greene (Iowa).
Key losses: QB Brett Favre (retired), WR Laveranues Coles (Bengals), S Abram Elam (Browns), DE Kenyon Coleman (Browns).
Breakdown: Based on Ryan's track record, the Jets' defense will be tough. Scott brings attitude and talent. The secondary now has strong corners in Darrelle Revis and Sheppard. The offense will ride a good group of backs in Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Greene.
Questions: Will Sanchez start from Day One? Probably. At receiver opposite Jerricho Cotchery are Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney and Brad Smith. Is that good enough? Can Ryan revive LB Vernon Gholston? Is RT Damien Woody good enough?
Buffalo Bills
Key gains: WR Terrell Owens (Cowboys), C Geoff Hangartner (Panthers), DE Aaron Maybin (Penn State), G Eric Wood (Louisville), G Andy Levitre (Oregon State), FS Jairus Byrd (Oregon), RB Dominic Rhodes (Colts), QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Bengals), TE Shawn Nelson (Southern Miss.).
Key losses: OT Jason Peters (Eagles), LB Angelo Crowell (Bucs), CB Jabari Greer (Saints), G Derrick Dockery (Redskins), C Duke Preston (Packers), TE Robert Royal (Browns).
Breakdown: Owens gives the Bills a proven one-two combination at receiver for the first time since 2002. The Bills have a good stable of running backs. So the offense is set up to succeed if Edwards can take another step forward and the offensive line improves. The decision to trade Peters will affect the team's fortunes for years, for better or worse. The defense needs more sacks and takeaways. Enter Maybin and Byrd.
Questions: Can Dick Jauron and his staff effectively pull the new pieces together? Can Langston Walker and Brad Butler handle the tackle spots? Is it realistic to think Maybin can get five sacks as a rookie? How fast can all the rookies catch on? Who starts at strong-side linebacker?
Next: AFC North.
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