Which team will be worst of the worst?
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Embarrassing. Frustrating. Painful.
The words flowed from Buffalo's locker room following Monday night's 25-24 home loss to Dallas. And the negativity didn't end there after the Cowboys overcame six turnovers for a last-second win.
"It's indescribable," Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams said. "Unless you've played this game and had something taken away from you like that, you can't put it into words."
Fair enough. But here are some words of encouragement: Your team doesn't stink (even though a bunch of coaching decisions against Dallas did).
Two weeks ago, I was convinced Buffalo (1-4) would land the 2008 draft's top pick. Injuries had decimated Buffalo's defense and sidelined quarterback J.P. Losman, making rookie Trent Edwards a starter. Buffalo also was outscored 64-10 by Pittsburgh and New England after a heartbreaking loss to Denver.
But the Bills then defeated the New York Jets and almost upset the Cowboys. Edwards and rookie running back Marshawn Lynch show promise. A mending defense is playing better. Special teams remain strong despite not recovering the onside kick that led to Dallas' victory.
So I'm no longer sold Buffalo will finish as the NFL's worst team. Nor has a new frontrunner emerged quite yet.
Here are my five favorites for that ignominy and how those clubs could potentially use an early pick in April's draft:
1. Miami (0-5): Defense was supposed to carry the Dolphins while the offense mastered new coach Cam Cameron's system. Instead, a front seven lacking depth got old overnight and the secondary has no impact players.
The Dolphins need another speed pass-rusher with Jason Taylor and Joey Porter fading, but finding impact interior linemen is a bigger priority. Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is arguably the draft's top senior prospect. Dorsey could quickly become a standout rookie contributor like Houston defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, who Miami bypassed in April's draft for struggling wide receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr.
2. Atlanta (1-4): Offense is proving Atlanta's weakness. Even when the quarterback play is decent, Atlanta's once-vaunted rushing attack ranks 21st in the NFL.
The Falcons needed a new left tackle even before Wayne Gandy's season-ending knee injury last Sunday. Michigan's Jake Long would fit the bill, but how could Atlanta pass on quarterback Brian Brohm? Bobby Petrino coached him at Louisville and Brian Brohm has the tools to successfully run his offense in the NFL.
One wild-card: Bruising Arkansas running back Darren McFadden if he turns pro early. He makes sense if the Falcons want to create a platoon with Jerious Norwood and cut ties with Warrick Dunn, who turns 33 in January.
3. St. Louis (0-5): While the defense is again proving a liability, St. Louis must bolster its offensive line to keep quarterback Marc Bulger healthy. Orlando Pace was one of the NFL's best left tackles but has now missed almost two seasons because of arm injuries. Long can become the cornerstone blocker the 32-year-old Pace once was. The Rams also could use a hard-hitting safety but there are no LaRon Landry types projected as top-five picks.
4. New York Jets (1-4): As recently noted by FOXSports.com columnist/curmudgeon Mark Kriegel, Tim Wakefield throws harder than Chad Pennington. With the season slipping away, New York should soon try learning whether Kellen Clemens or Brad Smith can be a long-term starter. If they flop, prospects like Brian Brohm, Kentucky's Andre Woodson and Boston College's Matt Ryan will get a long look.
Jets coach Eric Mangini also must find the right personnel if he wants to stick with a 3-4 defense. Virginia's Chris Long (Howie's kid) would be an intriguing replacement for end Shaun Ellis, who has one two-sack game since Dec. 2004. Ellis is better suited as an end in a 4-3.
5. Cincinnati (1-3): The Bengals get the nod over Minnesota (1-3) for the final spot. The Vikings can better defend the run, possess a quality ground attack and don't have the same kind of internal strife. With Chad Johnson's on-going antics and without sound veteran leadership, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis seems on the verge of losing his team.
Cincinnati must find more quality front-seven defenders, especially if end Justin Smith leaves via free agency. That hole could be filled by Auburn's Quentin Groves or Calais Campbell, should he leave Miami as a junior. Linebacker is an obvious need and Penn State's Dan Connor would become an immediate starter. But the Bengals also should take a long look at Southern California's Sedrick Ellis. He's a high-energy defensive tackle who would make a nice tandem with the emerging Domata Peko.
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