AFC reports

Sporting News, The, March 15, 2004

BALTIMORE HAVENS WR Terrell Owens could be the ideal player for the Ravens--a team that desperately needs a go-to receiver--if he can keep his volatile personality in check Owens, acquired from the 49ers for a 2004 second-round pick, has size, speed and great hands but also brings a lot of baggage. It didn't take long for him to get in the middle of a controversy. He wants to play for the Eagles, and the NFL Players Association announced it was interceding on his behalf in an attempt to rescind the trade to the Ravens.... Recent tests revealed that ILB Ray Lewis won't need minor surgery on his right shoulder, after all.... The team re-signed C Mike Flynn, overpaying him with a $10 million signing bonus. Flynn isn't a great player but fits the team's needs. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 31-APRIL 25): Coach Brian Billick's offseason emphasis will be on rebuilding the passing game. The team will spend a lot of time working on QB Kyle Boller's mechanics, accuracy and touch. In particular, he needs to take some steam off his passes. The team wants to be more creative in its pass patterns, especially in the play-action game. Last season, the Ravens had virtually no intermediate passing game, and most of the routes were designed to the outside. Former Giants coach Jim Fassel, a consultant to the Ravens, will help with the passing attack.--Mike Preston

BUFFALO BILLS The Bills signed RG Chris Villarrial (Bears) to improve the running game. Villarrial, 30, is a mauler with the size (6-3, 318) and strength to anchor against big linemen. With Villarrial lined up next to talented T Mike Williams (6-6, 370), the right side could be one of the NFL's best.... The release of LG Ruben Brown sets up fierce competition for his spot. Marques Sullivan and Ross Tucker have starting experience, but don't rule out Mike Pucillo, who started at right guard most of last year.... With the departure of Antoine Winfield, the team hopes to add a veteran corner. Pro Bowler Troy Vincent is high on the team's list. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 24-JUNE 16): Introducing a new offensive philosophy will be high on coach Mike Mularkey's priority list. The offense will emphasize diverse schemes and personnel packages, so the offseason teaching process is critical. A three-day veteran minicamp in late March will allow Mularkey and coordinator Tom Clements to create a foundation to build upon. Attendance in the program won't be a concern. The Bills have some committed leaders who will set the right tone. It will be interesting to see how Mularkey's relationship with players develops. Mularkey is more soft-spoken than former coach Gregg Williams but is intense.--Allen Wilson

CINCINNATI BENGALS Signing MLB Nate Webster (Bucs) and FS Kim Herring (Rams) strengthens the defense. Coach Marvin Lewis wanted a rising player with the speed, instincts and intensity to play in the middle, and Webster (6-0, 230) fits the mold. He needs to add weight so he'll be better equipped to shed big linemen. Webster's presence allows Kevin Hardy to move to his natural spot on the strong side. Herring played under Lewis in Baltimore and prefers Lewis' system to the cover 2 used by the Rams. Herring is technically sound and reliable but isn't physical against the run and doesn't make a lot of plays. He missed 2003 with a broken left wrist.... The biggest concern facing new starting QB Carson Palmer is game management--mainly handling the two-minute drill. He'll concentrate on end-of-game situations in camp. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 22-JUNE 24): The biggest reason the team improved to 8-8 in 2003 was the offseason conditioning program implemented by Lewis. The focus on improving strength, flexibility, quickness and speed with total-body workouts will be more intense this year so the team can avoid another December letdown. The goal again is to enable players to play at a high level for 60 minutes. Participation should be near 100 percent because players saw its benefits in a turnaround season.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS The most competitive battle for a starting job will be at running back, where William Green will try to hold off Lee Suggs. Green is faster once he gets through the line, but he is not as tough of a runner between the tackles. Suggs is excellent in the short-yardage situations the Browns have struggled with the past five seasons. Suggs must prove he can be an every-down back.... Because be isn't overly big, fast or strong, WLB Ben Taylor probably never will get the credit he deserves. But he's a playmaker who has a nose for the football. While the team looks for impact players this offseason, it should try to acquire more guys like Taylor, instead of track stars in pads. He uses smarts, quickness and instincts to always be in the right spot at the right time.... The team is in desperate need of a left tackle. A possible solution is packaging the No. 7 overall pick, WR Dennis Northcutt and perhaps another draft pick to move up high enough to select Iowa T Robert Gallery. OFFSEASON PROGRAM (MARCH 22-JUNE 28): The biggest goal is to develop a regimen that will slow down the rash of injuries the team has had in recent seasons. The Browns will pay particular attention to increasing the players' flexibility. Being more flexible can help them quickly get out of the way of dangerous situations that lead to injuries. It also helps with overall quickness. Not being so muscle-bound can enable a player to get from Point A to Point B in less time.--Steve King