01:00 AM EST on Sunday, March 28, 2004

Aside from the Patriots, the rest of the AFC East didn't drape itself in glory in 2003. The Jets, Bills and Dolphins all missed the playoffs -- surprising given the East was widely regarded as a power division before the season -- and the division title race was over in early December.

Not coincidentally, the heat's been ratcheted up in Miami, New York and Buffalo, and each franchise is at a crossroads. Whether it's Dave Wannstedt on a short leash in Miami or Drew Bledsoe running out of friends in Buffalo, it's put-up or ship-out time in this division.

Buffalo made the most sweeping offseason move so far, firing coach Gregg Williams and replacing him with Mike Mularkey. The Bills also added a quarterbacks coach, Sam Wyche, to aid the production of Bledsoe. Bledsoe spent much of 2003 under siege and his decorated 2002 seems another lifetime for Bills fans who've grown disillusioned with No. 11.

Unlike Buffalo, the Dolphins and Jets have the same guys wearing the headsets and running the meetings -- Herman Edwards and Wannstedt -- but the Jets and Dolphins have made bold moves as well, severing ties with some mainstay players and signing (or at least pursuing) impact players in free agency. Both regimes are under pressure. The Jets have announced a plan to build a new stadium in Manhattan and can't afford a poor 2004. Wannstedt avoided dismissal after 2003, but if the Dolphins miss the playoffs again that would be three straight seasons without postseason play for one of the league's more talented teams.

So where do these three teams stand now?

JETS

Key losses: CB Aaron Beasley; S Tyrone Carter; WR Curtis Conway; S Sam Garnes; LB Marvin Jones; LB Mo Lewis; C Dave Szott.

Key additions: LB Eric Barton; CB David Barrett; WR Justin McCareins; QB Ricky Ray.

Overview: The Jets filled holes with midlevel free agents Reggie Tongue (safety), Barton and Barrett, and they also swung a trade for the 6-foot-2 McCareins for a second-round pick. New York also lost out on corner Antoine Winfield, who was wearing a Jets jersey and strolling around their offices before changing his mind and signing with the Vikings. Safety John Lynch also passed up a chance to play for his good friend Edwards. New York also cut ties with veterans Beasley, Lewis and Jones, so their defense will have a different look in 2004. Victor Hobson will take over for Lewis at strongside linebacker, Sam Cowart will go to the middle and Barton will play weakside linebacker.

Needs remaining: The Jets could still use another corner. They also could use a speedy linebacker because Hobson isn't really a burner and -- lastly -- in this Year of the Big Wideout, a lanky target for Chad Pennington would be a nice complement to Santana Moss, McCareins and Wayne Chrebet.

First draft choice: No. 12

MIAMI

Key losses: FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo; OT Mark Dixon; CB Jamar Fletcher; S Trent Gamle; QB Brian Griese; LB Tommy Hendricks; S Brock Marion; WR James McKnight; OG Todd Perry; C Tim Ruddy; OT Todd Wade.

Key additions: S Chris Akins; WR David Boston; QB A.J. Feeley; CB Reggie Howard; OG Jeno James; OT Damion McIntosh; FB Sammy Morris; OT John St. Clair; WR/KR Terrence Wilkins.

Overview: Miami appears to have done a pretty good job so far, which is good because they need to. The Dolphins made a priority of turning over their offensive line. As it stands now, only one starter will be back from last season on the line as James, McIntosh, St. Clair and Seth McKinney will be in the mix up front. Three of those four are newly acquired. They added Boston in a trade with San Diego and signed him to a minimum contract with a low bonus that's stacked with incentives. In other words, he decides how much he makes. Howard, like James a refugee from the Panthers, is a nice addition to the secondary with corners Pat Surtain and Sam Madison. And whether or not Feeley is the answer at quarterback or not, at least they've realized Jay Fiedler likely isn't. Miami also signed former Patriot Akins and running back Morris, a player New England coveted, which will help greatly on special teams.

First draft choice: No. 20

BUFFALO

Key losses: OG Ruben Brown; FB Sam Gash; TE Dave Moore; RB Sammy Morris; LB DaShon Polk; CB Dainon Sidney; QB Alex Van Pelt; CB Antoine Winfield.

Key additions: head coach Mike Mularkey, quarterbacks coach Sam Wyche; OG Chris Villarrial; CB Troy Vincent.

Overview: The revamped coaching staff and new (and presumably real) commitment to becoming a power running team is the biggest change so far. Personnel-wise, Buffalo lopped off Brown and lost Winfield to free agency, but they've already replaced them (Villarrial and Vincent). Really, that's it. Buffalo looks at the now-healthy Willis McGahee as a 2004 addition and, in truth he is. He is part of the reason Buffalo wants to become a northern version of the Carolina Panthers on offense. The plan now is for McGahee and Travis Henry to split the running-back duties, for the rest of the offense to change its pass-first mindset, and for Bledsoe to become the picture of efficiency not explosiveness.

Needs remaining: Buffalo could perhaps use another wide receiver. Eric Moulds and Josh Reed are their top two guys, but a little more depth at that spot would be welcomed. Also, the Bills have to plan for the future at quarterback. They have no viable backup for Bledsoe right now and will add one. Will that be a well-worn career No. 2 guy or a young guy who could one day supplant Bledsoe? That's something the franchise will weight.

First draft choice: No. 13