Team Notes: AFC East, North

As @greggrosenthal pointed out, the lockout has drained football news to the point that Pro Football Talk and Rotoworld were prompted to run stories on Chad Ochocinco's soccer ability, Tim Tebow's drillies, and Patriots beat writer Ron Borges' turn on the can Friday morning.

With free agency and trades on hiatus, the NFL's version of the hot stove league has frozen over. To help compensate, Chris Wesseling will provide team-by-team notes analyzing the first two months of the offseason from a fantasy perspective. The AFC East and North will lead off, with the South and West on deck for Monday.

AFC East

Bills: Coach Chan Gailey has given Ryan Fitzpatrick multiple votes of confidence since the end of the season, but the Bills are believed to be considering Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert at No. 3 overall. Regardless, Fitzpatrick will enter the 2011 season as the starter. … The Bills are moving on from Brian Brohm, who was non-tendered. … Fred Jackson finished second only to LeGarrette Blount in Pro Football Focus' "Elusive Rating" for tailbacks. He's locked in as the Bills' feature back with C.J. Spiller headed toward a Reggie Bush-type role. … Gailey is asking Lee Evans to work on his route running to become a more consistent all-around receiver as opposed to a one-dimensional deep threat. … The Bills have begun a youth movement on defense, with DL Marcus Stroud already released and S Donte Whitner expect to depart as a free agent.

Dolphins: Chad Henne is expected to enter training camp atop the depth chart, but the Dolphins have "every intention" of drafting a QB and may add a veteran as well. There are plenty of intriguing bounce-back candidates in the league; Henne isn't one of them. … Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland intends to bring back Tyler Thigpen only if the backup is ruled a restricted free agent under the next CBA. … The Fins have made it clear that they want to move on from free agents Ronnie Brown and Ricky Brown in the backfield. Speed and play-making ability are the new buzzwords in Miami, and Sparano's wish list includes a homerun hitter in the mold of Jahvid Best. One possibility is pairing a passing-down specialist such as free agent Darren Sproles or draft prospect Jacquizz Rodgers with a bell cow along the lines of DeAngelo Williams or Alabama's Mark Ingram. … Lex Hilliard isn't a viable starting option at running back. … Free agent NT Paul Soliai was surprisingly retained by way of the franchise tag.

Jets: After opting for rehab over shoulder surgery, Mark Sanchez was able to throw to draft prospects in early March. He should be as good as new by the time football resumes. … The Jets have opted to bring back LaDainian Tomlinson at a reasonable $2.425 million salary, but this time he's ceding early-down work to newly minted feature back Shonn Greene. Coach Rex Ryan acknowledged that Joe McKnight has earned a share of the backfield pie as well, though it's hard to imagine last year's fourth-rounder touching the ball more than five times per game if the other two backs stay healthy. McKnight is also the leading candidate to take over punt returns from S Jim Leonhard. … Santonio Holmes (five-year vet) and Braylon Edwards (six-year vet) are both free agents, with Holmes as the higher priority for GM Mike Tannenbaum. … Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disc in early February and expects to begin running in a month. … The Jets finally cut the fish loose, releasing epic flop Vernon Gholston along with NT Kris Jenkins, OLB Jason Taylor, and RT Damien Woody.

Patriots: Tom Brady is expected to be 100 percent recovered from right foot surgery by May … NFL Network's Michael Lombardi has suggested that Brady's backup Brian Hoyer makes for a compelling trade target for QB-needy teams, though we've seen no reports of potential suitors … The Patriots have shown heavy interest in second-round tailback prospects such as UConn's Jordan Todman and Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter. We're confidently recommending one-year wonder BenJarvus Green-Ellis as one of the offseason's top "sells" in Dynasty and keeper leagues. … After Brandon Tate failed to emerge as a reliable deep threat last season, the Pats have been linked to Carolina's Steve Smith as a potential trade partner. It's a dream scenario for Smith's Dynasty owners, but the Panthers would have to accept the 60th or 74th pick in the draft as opposed to the 33rd. … Randy Moss has also reiterated a desire to return to New England, though we suspect that interest is a trifle one-sided. … Aaron Hernandez underwent surgery on his right hip in February after playing through pain down the stretch. Alge Crumpler also underwent "extensive" shoulder surgery in late January. … Though K Stephen Gostkowksi tore his quad muscle from the bone last November, the Pats don't anticipate the injury lingering into next season. … FS Brandon Meriweather was involved in a February shooting; his attorney insist he wasn't the trigger man.

As @greggrosenthal pointed out, the lockout has drained football news to the point that Pro Football Talk and Rotoworld were prompted to run stories on Chad Ochocinco's soccer ability, Tim Tebow's drillies, and Patriots beat writer Ron Borges' turn on the can Friday morning.

With free agency and trades on hiatus, the NFL's version of the hot stove league has frozen over. To help compensate, Chris Wesseling will provide team-by-team notes analyzing the first two months of the offseason from a fantasy perspective. The AFC East and North will lead off, with the South and West on deck for Monday.

AFC East

Bills: Coach Chan Gailey has given Ryan Fitzpatrick multiple votes of confidence since the end of the season, but the Bills are believed to be considering Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert at No. 3 overall. Regardless, Fitzpatrick will enter the 2011 season as the starter. … The Bills are moving on from Brian Brohm, who was non-tendered. … Fred Jackson finished second only to LeGarrette Blount in Pro Football Focus' "Elusive Rating" for tailbacks. He's locked in as the Bills' feature back with C.J. Spiller headed toward a Reggie Bush-type role. … Gailey is asking Lee Evans to work on his route running to become a more consistent all-around receiver as opposed to a one-dimensional deep threat. … The Bills have begun a youth movement on defense, with DL Marcus Stroud already released and S Donte Whitner expect to depart as a free agent.

Dolphins: Chad Henne is expected to enter training camp atop the depth chart, but the Dolphins have "every intention" of drafting a QB and may add a veteran as well. There are plenty of intriguing bounce-back candidates in the league; Henne isn't one of them. … Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland intends to bring back Tyler Thigpen only if the backup is ruled a restricted free agent under the next CBA. … The Fins have made it clear that they want to move on from free agents Ronnie Brown and Ricky Brown in the backfield. Speed and play-making ability are the new buzzwords in Miami, and Sparano's wish list includes a homerun hitter in the mold of Jahvid Best. One possibility is pairing a passing-down specialist such as free agent Darren Sproles or draft prospect Jacquizz Rodgers with a bell cow along the lines of DeAngelo Williams or Alabama's Mark Ingram. … Lex Hilliard isn't a viable starting option at running back. … Free agent NT Paul Soliai was surprisingly retained by way of the franchise tag.

Jets: After opting for rehab over shoulder surgery, Mark Sanchez was able to throw to draft prospects in early March. He should be as good as new by the time football resumes. … The Jets have opted to bring back LaDainian Tomlinson at a reasonable $2.425 million salary, but this time he's ceding early-down work to newly minted feature back Shonn Greene. Coach Rex Ryan acknowledged that Joe McKnight has earned a share of the backfield pie as well, though it's hard to imagine last year's fourth-rounder touching the ball more than five times per game if the other two backs stay healthy. McKnight is also the leading candidate to take over punt returns from S Jim Leonhard. … Santonio Holmes (five-year vet) and Braylon Edwards (six-year vet) are both free agents, with Holmes as the higher priority for GM Mike Tannenbaum. … Jerricho Cotchery underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disc in early February and expects to begin running in a month. … The Jets finally cut the fish loose, releasing epic flop Vernon Gholston along with NT Kris Jenkins, OLB Jason Taylor, and RT Damien Woody.

Patriots: Tom Brady is expected to be 100 percent recovered from right foot surgery by May … NFL Network's Michael Lombardi has suggested that Brady's backup Brian Hoyer makes for a compelling trade target for QB-needy teams, though we've seen no reports of potential suitors … The Patriots have shown heavy interest in second-round tailback prospects such as UConn's Jordan Todman and Oklahoma State's Kendall Hunter. We're confidently recommending one-year wonder BenJarvus Green-Ellis as one of the offseason's top "sells" in Dynasty and keeper leagues. … After Brandon Tate failed to emerge as a reliable deep threat last season, the Pats have been linked to Carolina's Steve Smith as a potential trade partner. It's a dream scenario for Smith's Dynasty owners, but the Panthers would have to accept the 60th or 74th pick in the draft as opposed to the 33rd. … Randy Moss has also reiterated a desire to return to New England, though we suspect that interest is a trifle one-sided. … Aaron Hernandez underwent surgery on his right hip in February after playing through pain down the stretch. Alge Crumpler also underwent "extensive" shoulder surgery in late January. … Though K Stephen Gostkowksi tore his quad muscle from the bone last November, the Pats don't anticipate the injury lingering into next season. … FS Brandon Meriweather was involved in a February shooting; his attorney insist he wasn't the trigger man.



AFC North

Bengals: Carson Palmer has every intention of following through with his retirement threat if the Bengals don't grant his trade wish. Standoffs are owner Mike Brown's version of the Super Bowl. The next time he gives into a player's demands will be the first time. Palmer will be back in tiger stripes or watching from his couch in September. … The Bengals are expected to target a first- or second-round QB as Palmer's replacement while also looking into veteran stopgaps such as Donovan McNabb. … Cedric Benson is considered the team's second priority in free agency behind CB Johnathan Joseph. Benson has his sights set on a mega-contract, overrating his own stock coming off a 3.5 yards per carry average last season. … Chad Ochocinco is a prime candidate to be moved (perhaps to New England), which would push late-season sensation Jerome Simpson up to No. 1 on the depth chart. The Bengals have also been connected to top prospects A.J. Green and Julio Jones at the No. 4 spot in the draft. … Rey Maualuga is expected to move to middle linebacker if Dhani Jones leaves via free agency.

Browns: Cleveland can't be ruled out as a darkhorse candidate in the Kevin Kolb derby considering GM Tom Heckert drafted him four years ago and Pat Shurmur tutored him for two years. The Browns remain high on Colt McCoy, though, and he's still the heavy favorite to pilot Shurmur's West Coast offense this year. … Seneca Wallace was a re-signed to a three-year deal at a top backup's rate; Jake Delhomme still seems likely to be released. … Shurmur and Mike Holmgren have both been trumpeting a tandem backfield with a healthy Montario Hardesty joining Peyton Hillis. As long as Hardesty's knee remains up to the task, Hillis owners can expect a more inconsistent workload in 2011. It's not a bad idea to shop him around in Dynasty and keeper leagues. … Despite his utter lack of play-making ability, Brian Robiskie has drawn praise from Shurmur as a great fit for the West Coast scheme. Chalk that one up to wishful thinking and expect the Browns to address the position in the draft and perhaps free agency as well. … Chansi Stuckey was non-tendered, making him a free agent. … Re-signed to a one-year contract, D'Qwell Jackson is expected to shift to the weak side with Chris Gocong at middle linebacker.

Ravens: The coaching staff plans to put more responsibility on Joe Flacco's shoulders this year as he becomes the face of the offense. Emerging as a team leader and a true franchise QB, Flacco is expected to receive a long-term extension next offseason. … Backup Marc Bulger will fly the coop as a free agent. … The Ravens have every intention of releasing Willis McGahee rather than paying his $6 million salary. Ray Rice's backup could end up being coaching-staff favorite Jalen Parmele or free agent fullback Le'Ron McClain -- if the latter is brought back with more ball-toting responsibilities. … Derrick Mason plans to return for a 15th season, but the Ravens are fully expected to aggressively pursue a downfield play-maker early in the draft. Maryland burner Torrey Smith has been strongly linked to Baltimore in mock drafts. … Free agents T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Donte' Stallworth are not expected back. … S Tom Zbikowski is serious about ramping up his boxing career after knocking out his last opponent two minutes into the bout. … Future Hall of Famer Ed Reed now claims he has four or five years of football left in his body.

Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger ended up avoiding surgery on his cracked right foot. … Coach Mike Tomlin made it clear that Rashard Mendenhall will continue to receive one of the heaviest workloads in the NFL. Mendy could pick up snaps on third downs as well if free agent Mewelde Moore isn't brought back. … Hines Ward of Dancing with the Stars fame underwent a knee scope after the Super Bowl. He'll add thumb surgery after his dancing career fizzles out. … Emmanuel Sanders, who essentially played starter's snaps from Week 10 on, underwent surgery to repair a minor fracture in his foot. The injury won't be a factor next season. … Troy Polamalu played through a "slight tear" in his Achilles' tendon from December through the Super Bowl, explaining his loss of explosion. He's expected to recover without surgery. … … OLB James Harrison is expected to be back to 100 percent by summer time after undergoing back surgery. … Free agent CB Ike Taylor is considered likely to re-sign with Pittsburgh.

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