WAR ROOM STRATEGIC PLANS OF THE AFC EAST TEAMS
By: Dave-Te' Thomas

BUFFALO BILLS

Out with the old (John Butler) and in with the new (Dwight Adams) on draft day for the Bills, but having learned under Butler, look for Adams to follow the same draft philosophy - go for needs early and potential later. Buffalo is in a crying need to replace Ted Washington in the center of the defensive line. At #14, the team could have their choice between Miami's DAMIONE LEWIS, a cat-quick interior pass rusher, or Georgia's MARCUS STROUD, who like Washington, is known for his ability to handle double-team blocking. Help is also needed at defensive end, but with Erik Flowers and Phil Hansen on the roster, the team feels this is an area that can be attended to on the draft's second day. Finding a bone-jarring tackle at safety is another priority need, but using the #14 pick on a player like Florida State's DERRICK GIBSON may be a reach. More than likely, the team will use their second rounder here, with Memphis' IDREES BASHIR and Washington's HAKIM AKBAR primary targets at #46.

Help on the offensive line, especially on the right side (Temple's MATHIAS NKWENTI) could be addressed by the third round, at the soonest, but the team is also high on South Florida's KENYATTA JONES, figuring to find him still on the board in the draft's second day. Second day action will also bring depth at wide receiver and in the backfield, where a third down back and a young quarterback need to be brought on board. Western Carolina passer DAVID RIVERS is a very interesting prospect who could eventually push Rob Johnson for the starting job in a few years. The team has a pick in the first, second and fifth, two choices in rounds three and seven and three selections in the sixth.

IF I WAS THEIR GM...It's a no-brainer that I would fix the defensive line in the first round. If bioth Stroud and Lewis are available, I take Stroud due to his ability to plug the rush lanes, but if both are gone, I look for an edge rusher in the ANDRE CARTER (California) mold. In the second round, I have to look for Henry Jones' eventual replacement and pop on Washington's Akbar, a more punishing hitter than Bashir. With my third round choices, I take Temple offensive lineman Mathias Nkwenti and hope that either defensive end CEDRIC SCOTT (Southern Miss) or DELAWRENCE GRANT (Oregon State) are there with the other third, as Phil Hansen is not getting any younger.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Colts have been strangely silent on the veteran free agent market, so they need to hit a "home run" on draft day to make up for their inactivity. GM Bill Polian, in my opinion, is a master draftsman and this year will be no exception. The team has six choices, one in every round except for the sixth. Cornerback is a pressing need, with Ohio State's NATE CLEMENTS, Wisconsin's JAMAR FLETCHER and FRED SMOOT (Mississippi State) all expected to still be on the board at #22. The team could opt for hitting power there by taking Florida State's safety DERRICK GIBSON instead. With Cornelius Bennett gone, a quality strongside outside linebacker is needed. Look for Syracuse's MORLON GREENWOOD, Florida State's TOMMY POLLEY, Southern Cal's MARKUS STEELE and Georgia's KENDRELL BELL to get second round consideration there. Even with Shawn King being reinstated from his year-long drug suspension, the team will also make defensive end a very early round consideration.

On the draft's second day, look for help on the offensive line, possibly another receiver and a blocking fullback to draw team interest. The fullback position will evolve next year for the Colts, so getting one with good pass catching ability is a must. A big receiver to take pressure off Marvin Harrison would be cool, but you may not find a polished product here later in the draft. Look for Northern Iowa speedster EDDIE BERLIN, Cal-Davis OJO ONOME or Northern Illinois' JUSTIN McCARIENS to be nice fits at wide out later in the draft.

IF I WAS THEIR GM... At #22, I have to go for scrappy cornerback JAMAR FLETCHER. If he's gone, I pass on Clements and go the safety route, tossing a coin to see if it's DERRICK GIBSON or Arizona State's ADAM ARCHULETA. If I get Fletcher in the first, I go for a linebacker like Georgia's KENDRELL BELL in the second. Sure, he's a college middle 'backer, but his lateral agility and pass rush skills are better suited for the outside. In the third, I look to get a guard like Washington's CHAD WARD or a defensive end like Southern Mississippi's CEDRIC SCOTT.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Oh boy, here we go again. This team has not been on the ball lately with their early round picks, especially with the ones used on running backs and now, word is, they will opt for Purdue QB DREW BREES at #26 (NO!!!!). Wide receiver is a pressing need, but the team feels it must address the quarterback and offensive line issues first. With Mark Dixon the team's best blocker, they must decide whether to take a guard or tackle early. If Brees is gone, look for Michigan's STEVE HUTCHINSON to get the first round call, with Dixon sliding over to tackle on the left side.

Losing Derrick Rodgers makes outside linebacker another early round need, with the team eyeing a few Sunshine State boys, the Seminoles' BRIAN ALLEN and TOMMY POLLEY. With Trace Armstrong and Rich Owens bolting through free agency, depth is also needed at right defensive end, but the team is confident that Lorenzo Bromell can fill that need, making second day action the necessary route there. Who knows if Brock Marion will return to the fold. Even if he does, look for second day action at safety and also for the team to go after a punter (Iowa's JASON BAKER or California's NICK HARRIS).

IF I WAS THEIR GM... I seriously doubt that Brees will be there at #26, making offensive line my top priority, with either of Michigan's tandem, guard Hutchinson or tackle JEFF BACKUS my prime choices, unless by some miracle, that Miami receiver SANTANA MOSS happens to slide (never happen, but strange things do happen on draft day, so you never say never. Right James Bond?). If I get my blocker in the first, I look for linebacking help at #56 and grab Florida State's TOMMY POLLEY. I then turn my attention to the secondary and grab either Washington HAKIM AKBAR or Kansas State's JARROD COOPER in the third round.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Wow, what do you give a team that needs everything? Hopefully, more draft choices, but New England does not show any intention on trading down from the #6 spot, unless a team like St. Louis makes them an incredible offer. As much as the defense needs an overhaul, the offensive line is also in shambles, but it could be a receiver that shows the team the way in the first round. It would be simply impossible for Drew Bledsoe to ever smile again if the team has a chance to draft Michigan receiver DAVID TERRELL and passes on him. If Terrell is gone, look for the team to grab Texas offensive tackle LEONARD DAVIS (more likely to wear a Cards uniform) if he slides or take a pass rusher in the form of Missouri's JUSTIN SMITH.

The team also has a pressing need at tight end, but unless Arizona State's TODD HEAP slides to #39, they don't look too interested in the consolation prize, North Carolina blocker ALGE CRUMPLER. Look for the team to sign Pete Mitchell and then use one of their second day picks on Texas-El Paso's BRIAN NATKIN. A running back is another pressing need, so the #39 pick could be used on Pittsburgh's KEVAN BARLOW, or they could opt for linebacking help there with Syracuse speedster MORLON GREENWOOD.

The team has one pick in the first three rounds and seventh, with three fifths and three sixths, so quite a few fresh faces could litter the roster next year. The recent signing of Pittburgh power back Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala will only cost the Pats a sixth rounder, if the Steelers don't match. Look for the big Pacific Islander to return to tailback in New England, as Bill Bellichick loves the physical inside game he brings to the table.

IF I WAS THEIR GM... I go in this order at #6; DAVID TERRELL, LEONARD DAVIS or trade down and pick up more draft picks along the way. If I get Terrell, I go for defensive tackle KRIS JENKINS (Maryland) in the second. If I take Davis, I look at either tailback KEVAN BARLOW or receiver ROBERT FERGUSON (Texas A&M) in the second. In the third, I look to add an offensive tackle like Illinois' MARQUES SULLIVAN (if I did not get Davis) or a versatile linebacker like Southern California's MARKUS STEELE or Western Illinois' EDGERTON HARTWELL.

NEW YORK JETS

This will be Terry Bradway's first draft, so look for the team to draft for value, rather than need, as the new regime is looking at the long-range picture, rather than a short-term fix. The team's biggest need is a hard hitting safety, having lost out on the veteran free agent market in their attempt to sign Damien Robinson, who was a disciple of new head coach Herman Edwards in Tampa Bay. Many have Florida State's DERRICK GIBSON in a kelly green uniform already and like Cinderella and the glass slipper, this could be the perfect fit. The team has a pick in every round and an extra choice in both the fourth and seventh to work with on draft day.

Look for an outside linebacker, hopefully local product, Syracuse's MORLON GREENWOOD, adding depth as their pick in the second (#49) with offensive line getting attention also in the early rounds. The team loves the athleticism of Temple's MATHIAS NKWENTI, but could go a little early for blocking help, if Michigan's MAURICE WILLIAMS slides into the second round.

The second day will bring depth at wide receiver (team feels signee Matthew Hatchette will be the starting answer), a blocking tight end and more offensive line help with their multiple picks. Look for Idaho tight end MIKE ROBERG and Weber State'' RYAN PRINCE to draw attention here.

IF I WAS THEIR GM... I'd pounce on either DERRICK GIBSON or Arizona State's ADAM ARCHULETA (in that order) to fill my safety hole in the first round, grab a big receiver like Texas A&M's ROBERT FERGUSON or a linebacker like MORLON GREENWOOD in the second. If I got my receiver in the second, I eye Southern Cal's linebacker MARCUS STEELE in the third. If I went the linebacker route in two, I take a vastly underrated receiver next, Iowa's KEVIN KASPER.

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