NFL Nation roundtables: Burning questions for all 32 teams
ByESPN.COM STAFF
July 8, 2016, 10:30 AM
— -- This summer, NFL Nation reporters are answering the biggest questions for every team in divisional roundtables. Click on the links after each question to view the answers.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
- Buffalo has one of the NFL's oldest venues, Ralph Wilson Stadium. Owners Terry and Kim Pegula have pumped the brakes on talk of building a new stadium, even as some of the league's newer venues are being renovated or replaced. Where does Ralph Wilson Stadium rank among NFL venues?
- Rex Ryan has a 54-58 record as a head coach, including 8-8 with the Bills last season. Is it time to question his coaching style?
- The Bills say they are encouraged with quarterback Tyrod Taylor's progress, but the team has been reluctant to fork over a huge contract extension. If the general manager or top football decision-maker of the team you cover were in charge of the Bills, would he allow Taylor to enter the final season of his contract without a new deal?
Miami Dolphins
- Dolphins rookie head coach Adam Gase comes with high expectations, especially on the offensive side of the football. Can he thrive in defense-heavy division?
- No quarterback in the NFL has been sacked more since 2012 than Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins believe they finally found a solution to their four-year problem when they drafted Laremy Tunsil. Will the addition of Tunsil make a huge impact on Tannehill's ability to stay upright?
- One of the primary reasons the Dolphins hired rookie head coach Adam Gase in January was his strong track record with quarterbacks. Enter Ryan Tannehill, who is Gase's next quarterback project. What will Gase's impact be on Tannehill?
New England Patriots
- Uncertainty over the status of quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games of the regular season lingers over the New England Patriots, just as it did in 2015. What is a realistic record in first four games with Jimmy Garoppolo?
- It is the classic at-the-bar debate that has no correct answer, but many layers that spark passionate debate. How much of Bill Belichick's success is because of Tom Brady?
- Tom Brady has said that he wants to continue playing well into his 40s. How many more years will he play at an elite level?
New York Jets
- The Jets, Dolphins and Bills have missed the playoffs for five, seven, and 16 seasons straight, respectively. Is the rest of division that bad or are the Patriots that good?
- Ryan Fitzpatrick is still a free agent, and the Jets' current starter is ... Geno Smith. But the team has loads of talent on both sides of the ball. Are they a QB away from being a Super Bowl contender?
- The Jets' special teams, the Bills' defense and the Pats' offense are all units that could make big jumps, but which unit will make the biggest improvement in 2016-17?
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
- Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. will play his 16th and final NFL season. He will be remembered as one of the toughest and most fiery receivers in NFL history. But is Smith a Hall of Famer?
- The Ravens were once one of the surest bets to make the playoffs after reaching the postseason each year from 2008 to 2012. But they are coming off a 5-11 season, their worst since 2007. Will they miss back-to-back playoffs?
- With the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft, the Ravens selected Ronnie Stanley over Laremy Tunsil, whom many considered to be the top tackle. Some wonder whether the Ravens were swayed by the video that surfaced on draft day. Will the Ravens regret not drafting Tunsil ?
Cincinnati Bengals
- Vontaze Burfict isn't a player who inspires ambivalence. The love-him-or-hate-him reaction to the Bengals linebacker is based on his style of play, which at best is All-Pro caliber and at worst is considered over the line. Is Burfict dirty or just ultra-competitive?
- The Bengals have had five consecutive winless playoff trips. This offseason, they lost key veterans Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Reggie Nelson. Although they had a nice draft haul, do they have enough to finally win a playoff game?
- After two late personal fouls cost them their first playoff win in 25 years, will the Bengals start to play with the discipline Marvin Lewis says he demands?
- Cleveland signed QB Robert Griffin III to a low-risk deal this offseason with hopes that new coach Hue Jackson can get the best out of him. Did the Browns make the right move bringing in Griffin?
- The Browns brought in former Which current player on the Seahawks would make the biggest difference if you could add him to an NFC West team?