Here you go:
Shift of Power
The Patriots have owned the AFC East, but that may be coming to an end. While New England has been waiting for the market to come down, the
Miami Dolphins have been plugging right along.
The bottom line is this: At the end of last season, Miami was a better team than the Pats. With six straight wins to finish last season and a solid offseason, the Dolphins are waving to the Patriots in their rear view mirror.
Other than the acquisition of QB
Daunte Culpepper, the Dolphins class lacks star power. That doesn't meant they didn't find some quality players, though. One of the biggest concerns was cornerback play and the team has addressed the position by adding
Will Allen (N.Y. Giants),
Andre' Goodman (
Detroit Lions) and
Renaldo Hill (
Oakland Raiders). This group will add a lot of athleticism on the outside.
The team also added outside linebacker
Sedrick Hodge (
New Orleans Saints) who has a ton of talent, and might benefit from a change of scenery.
Throw in tight end
Justin Peelle (
San Diego Chargers) who will complement the athletic
Randy McMichael and you are talking about the hottest team at the end of last season making some excellent strides.
The Patriots on the other hand have made only one move in the free-agent market, adding wide receiver
Reche Caldwell (San Diego), who is not in the same class as the receiver they had in Givens.
You add that to losing McGinest and potentially losing guard
Stephen Neal, offensive tackle
Tom Ashworth and place-kicker
Adam Vinatieri and this offseason can be described only as disastrous so far for the Patriots.