MIAMI DOLPHINS

Coach: Tony Sparano (first year).
Key additions: QB Chad Pennington, WR Ernest Wilford, G Justin Smiley, DT Jason Ferguson, LB Akin Ayodele, LB Reggie Torbor, K Dan Carpenter.
Key losses: QB Trent Green, QB Cleo Lemon, WR Marty Booker, OT L.J. Shelton, DT Jason Taylor, LB Zach Thomas, DT Keith Traylor, CB Travis Daniels, K Jay Feely.
Draft picks who should help: OT Jake Long (first overall), Michigan; DE Phillip Merling (32nd), Clemson; QB Chad Henne (57th), Michigan; G Shawn Murphy (110th), Utah State.
Of note: Of the six teams to finish 1-15 before the Dolphins, four won at least seven games the following season and two (the 1992 Colts and 1997 Jets) won nine games each.
Outlook: Those '97 Jets had Bill Parcells on the sideline, so maybe some of his magic will work again. Yet, with shaky situations at quarterback and wide receiver and on defense, maybe not.
Last playoff appearance: 2001.

BUFFALO BILLS

Coach: Dick Jauron (third year, 14-18).
Key additions: TE Courtney Anderson, DT Marcus Stroud, DT Spencer Johnson, LB Donnie Spragan.
Key losses: TE Michael Gaines, CB Kiwaukee Thomas, DB Jim Leonard.
Draft picks who should help: CB Leodis McElvin (11th overall), Troy; LB Chris Ellis (72nd), Virginia Tech; LB Alvin Bowen (147th), Iowa State.
Of note: Trent Edwards won five of the Bills' seven games last season, the first Bills rookie quarterback to win at least five in a season since Joe Ferguson in 1971.
Outlook: The Bills had a lot of positives last season, including a standout performance by rookie running back Marshawn Lynch (1,115 yards and seven touchdowns). They also set franchise records for fewest sacks allowed (26) and fewest penalties (78). But taking that next step is always tougher, and left tackle Jeff Peters' holdout and Edwards' bruised right knee aren't helping matters.
Last playoff appearance: 1999.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Coach: Bill Belichick (ninth year, 105-40).
Key additions: RB Lamont Jordan, LB Victor Hobson, S John Lynch, CB Fernando Bryant, CB Jason Webster.
Key losses: TE Kyle Brady, WR Donté Stallworth, LB Rosevelt Colvin, LB Junior Seau, DB Randall Gay.
Draft picks who should help: LB Jerod Mayo (10th overall), Tennessee; LB Shawn Crable (78th overall), Michigan.
Of note: Regular-season games featuring the Patriots in 2007 made up the top four most watched TV programs of any kind, topped by the Monday night game against the Giants on Dec. 29, which drew an estimated 35.5 million viewers.
Outlook: The Patriots saw the Giants drive for the winning score in the closing minutes of Super Bowl XLII to ruin their perfect season. So what do they do? They go out and get Lynch, Hobson and Webster, making a stout defense that much tougher. These guys again are going to be tough to beat.
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

NEW YORK JETS

Coach: Eric Mangini (third year, 14-18).
Key additions: QB Brett Favre, RB Jesse Chatman, TE Bubba Franks, FB Tony Richardson, OT Damien Woody, LB Calvin Pace.
Key losses: QB Chad Pennington, C Wade Smith, LB Victor Hobson, DB Erik Coleman.
Draft picks who should help: LB Vernon Gholston (sixth overall), Ohio State; TE Dustin Kellery (30), Purdue; DB Dwight Lowery (113), San Jose State; OT Nate Garner (211), Arkansas.
Of note: The only major career passing category Favre has not bettered Dan Marino in is passer rating, which Marino has an 86.9 to 85.7 edge. But another season like 2007, when Favre had a 95.7 rating, and Marino will trail in that one, too.
Outlook: The Jets' fortunates took a positive swing when they signed Favre. Their major problem in 2007, when they finished 4-12 after a 10-6 season in 2006, was at quarterback. Jets quarterbacks combined for a 73.9 rating, and threw 19 interceptions against 15 touchdown passes.
Last playoff appearance: 2006.

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