ESPN.com begins its examination of each AFC team's master plan with a look at the East, where the big story hasn't been who's coming but who's leaving for big bucks.

	Bruce Smith is no longer a Buffalo Bill, which is good news to AFC East QBs.

Buffalo Bills
1999 record: 11-5.
First-round pick: 26th overall.
Offseason plan: First, the Music City Miracle. Then this. We're talking, of course, of the release of the Big Three -- Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. The purge of veteran talent, including three defensive starters, has pushed Buffalo's youth to the forefront. The club is confident the likes of WR Peerless Price and RB Jonathan Linton will flourish in their new roles, but are DE Marcellus Wiley and CB Antoine Winfield ready to step up? Re-signing TE Jay Riemersma was crucial, but Pro Bowl G Ruben Brown, an unrestricted free agent, appears to be headed elsewhere. Which free agents stay and go will determine the team's needs on draft day.
Big-name acquisitions: None.
Significant re-signings: TE Jay Riemersma.
Most pressing question: What will happen to Doug Flutie, who ripped the team for benching him in the playoffs?
Sean Salisbury's answer: It's clear Rob Johnson is Wade Phillips' quarterback, especially since he made the change to Johnson so late in the '99 season. In today's game, I don't think a team can keep two quarterbacks making $5 million a season. Either Flutie will have to take a pay cut or he will get shipped somewhere else. In the fall, I expect Johnson to be the quarterback, and I don't expect the backup, whether it's Flutie or someone else, to be making $5 million a year.

Indianapolis Colts
1999 record: 13-3.
First-round pick: 28th.
Offseason plan: After last year's spending spree in free agency, the Colts have done nothing more than window shop. The AFC East champs are far from need-free, though. They're just waiting for some bargains. Upgrading the defensive front seven is the team's top task, particularly at linebacker and defensive end. Another immediate need is a No. 2 receiver. As for the draft, GM Bill Polian says he'll use the team's first-round pick on the best prospect available.
Big-name acquisitions: None.
Significant re-signings: TE Ken Dilger and OT Adam Meadows.
Most pressing question: Can the Colts afford to be spectators in free agency?
Sean Salisbury's answer: The Colts haven't done much. But how can you second-guess Bill Polian and Jim Mora? Offensively, they don't need to do much. But on defense the Colts do need depth. They will try to sign one or two defensive free agents. Then, Polian will either try to build the defense through trades or the draft. Don't count Polian out in the offseason because he understands where the Colts' weaknesses were last season.

	Arrivals
	Player, Pos.	New team
	Eric Bjornson, TE	Patriots
	Jay Fiedler, QB	Dolphins
	Raymont Harris, RB	Patriots
	Heath Irwin, G	Dolphins
	Brian Walker, S	Dolphins
	Departures
	Player, Pos., Team	New team
	Heath Irwin, G, Patriots	Dolphins
	Shawn Jefferson, WR, Patriots	Falcons
	Kurt Schulz, S, Bills	Lions
	Bruce Smith, CB, Bills	Redskins
	Thomas Smith, CB, Bills	Bears
	Chris Sullivan, DE, Patriots	Steelers
	Shawn Wooden, S, Dolphins	Bears
	Dusty Zeigler, OL, Bills	Giants
	Possible flights
	Player, Pos.	East destination
	Richard Huntley, RB	Dolphins
	Adrian Murrell, RB	Dolphins
	Leslie Shepherd, WR	Patriots
	Thurman Thomas, RB	Colts, Dolphins, Patriots

Miami Dolphins
1999 record: 9-7.
First-round pick: None.
Offseason plan: Just because Jimmy Johnson is gone doesn't mean the Dolphins have given up on improving the running game. Dave Wannstedt has taken over the cause, beginning his reconstruction of an offense ranked 20th last season with the offensive line. Miami re-signed C Tim Ruddy and added ex-Patriots starting G Heath Irwin. They'll continue to beef up the line through the draft. Miami is also searching for a solid RB to back up J.J. Johnson.
Big-name acquisitions: None.
Significant re-signings: C Tim Ruddy.
Most pressing question: Is Damon Huard ready to replace Dan Marino?
Sean Salisbury's answer: Huard came in and played well last season when Dan Marino was hurt. The shoes are going to be so big for Huard to fill. Regardless of what he does, it won't be enough unless they win a Super Bowl. Huard has some starting experience now. I hope Miami fans aren't counting on Huard to light up defenses like Marino did for so many years. They are getting a different type of quarterback, one who has more movement. With Marino gone, Huard had better be ready. But it's not Young replacing Montana; it's Huard replacing Marino.

New England Patriots
1999 record: 8-8.
First-round pick: None.
Offseason plan: Bill Belichick has cleaned house, at least on the offensive side. RBs Terry Allen and Lamont Warren, T Bruce Armstrong and TE Ben Coates were released; WR Shawn Jefferson and G Heath Irwin signed elsewhere. WR Troy Brown decided to stay in New England, which also will welcome TE Eric Bjornson. The Patriots will try their best to reload in the draft without a first-round pick (it went to the Jets for hiring Belichick) and fourth-rounder (they used that in the supplemental draft on CB J'Juan Cherry).
Big-name acquisitions: TE Eric Bjornson and WR Troy Brown.
Significant re-signings: SS Lawyer Milloy.
Most pressing question: Can defensive whiz Belichick solve the Patriots' offensive problems?
Sean Salisbury's answer: Belichick hired Charlie Weis, who is a wonderful addition as offensive coordinator. Weis understands the importance of running the football. You wonder what will happen with the running back situation, but the Patriots will no longer be a dropback, pass-oriented offense, throwing the ball 50 times. Neither Belichick nor Weis want to do that. Players solve the problems; coaches create an environment for the players to be successful. We'll see what kind of players they have between now and August. Right now, they haven't solved any woes because they haven't lined up and played. But the Patriots will play a different style of offense. Belichick won't let the offense lose games for them. He doesn't want to force Drew Bledsoe to have to carry the offense.

New York Jets
1999 record: 8-8.
First-round picks: 16th and 18th.
Offseason plan: With little room under the salary cap, the Jets are patiently waiting for prices to come down on free agents, namely at defensive line and tight end. They'll likely settle for bargain-basement talent and even address those needs in the draft. D-line help might become an even higher priority should unrestricted free agent DE Anthony Pleasant decide to leave. DT Jason Ferguson, despite his restricted free agent status, might draw interest, too.
Big-name acquisitions: None.
Significant re-signings: CB Marcus Coleman.
Most pressing question: Bill Parcells has moved upstairs to the front office, but how much will he be missed on the sidelines?
Sean Salisbury's answer: In my opinion, with all due respect to the great coaches like Landry, Shula, Lombardi and Johnson, I think Bill Parcells is the best head coach since I've been alive. It's the way he gets players to play for him. He's demanding, but he genuinely loves his players. I think he will be greatly missed. Al Groh doesn't have an easy job. Any time you lose a coach like Parcells, there will be some down time. I expect the Jets to be a contender, but Parcells is one of those rare coaches who makes a difference. He was worth three wins a season. If Parcells went to another team that had little talent, somehow the team would win eight games.

Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.