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Sporting News, The, March 18, 2005

WR Derrick Mason will be a significant upgrade to the RAVENS' passing attack. He provides a downfield threat and also is fearless going over the middle. Mason caught 95 passes in 2003 and 96 last season. Travis Taylor led Ravens wide receivers with 39 catches in '03, and Kevin Johnson had 36 last season.

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Mason will command some double-teams, which will take pressure off TE Todd Heap in the middle of the field and take a safety out of the box for RB Jamal Lewis on some running plays. ... The STEELERS locked up ILB Larry Foote with a five-year deal, signaling the end of Kendrell Bell's tenure with the team. Foote isn't as explosive or as fast as Bell, but he's more durable and is better in coverage. Foote takes good angles to the ball.... More than half of TE Ben Troupe's 329 receiving yards came in the TITANS' final three games. Look for him to sustain that production in his second season. One way the team wants to use Troupe's athleticism is by splitting him wide more.... The BENGALS' re-signing of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh gives the offense continuity. He blossomed last season, providing a reliable complement to Pro Bowl WR Chad Johnson. Houshmandzadeh lacks great speed but has good hands and a knack for finding daylight. He can beat press coverage with his size and strength. Now, the team can draft a defensive player with the 17th overall pick.... The DOLPHINS made two low-cost signings, former Chiefs and Packers DE Vonnie Holliday and former Panthers FS Travares Tillman. The Dolphins plan to alternate between a 3-4 and 4-3, and Holliday (6-5, 290) was an attractive player because he has the size needed to play end in the 3-4 and has vast experience in the 4-3. Tillman, who is expected to start, is smart and athletic, but injuries have held him back the past two seasons.... The COLTS' release of TE Marcus Pollard, who is 33 and would have taken $4.8 million in salary cap space, means Ben Hartsock or Ben Utecht will need to emerge opposite Dallas Clark in the team's many two-tight end sets. Hartsock was limited to short-yardage situations as a rookie and caught four passes. Blocking is his strength. Utecht missed his rookie season because of a groin injury, but in college he made plays down the field, which was an element Pollard brought to the offense. Clark has good hands and run after-the-catch ability but needs to be more consistent and improve his blocking.... FS Bhawoh Jue, whom the CHARGERS signed away from the Packers, will have every chance to beat out Jerry Wilson. Jue has good size and speed and better range than Wilson. But Jue started just 10 games in four seasons with the Packers and needs to show he can handle the responsibilities of playing full time.... The JETS are becoming more of a finesse team. That was evident after the signing of RB Derrick Blaylock, a shifty speedster who replaces the bruising LaMont Jordan as the backup to Curtis Martin, and the departure of RT Kareem McKenzie, a physical run blocker. Look for Adrian Jones to replace McKenzie. Jones, a former college tight end, is a better athlete than blocker at this stage of his career.... Adding CB Gary Baxter was a coup for the BROWNS. He has the size (6-2, 215) to match up against big receivers and is a physical, reliable tackler. Baxter can play either corner spot, and his presence should allow Daylon McCutcheon to play in the slot or move to safety, where he flourished in 2002.... OLB Ian Gold was given an $8.5 million bonus to rejoin the BRONCOS after he spent last season with the Buccaneers. That's a lot of money for someone who had a major knee injury in 2003. Still, the move makes sense. The Broncos desperately need playmakers, and Gold is a good pass rusher who takes proper angles to the quarterback.... The TEXANS, who badly need more speed on defense, signed former Dolphins ILB Morlon Greenwood. He has above-average speed and cover skills but doesn't have a reputation for being a big-time playmaker.... The RAIDERS re-signed LE Bobby Hamilton, who was the team's most consistent run defender last season and rarely makes plays to hurt the defense. Hamilton isn't much of a pass rusher, but the team was wise to not include him in its defensive overhaul.... The CHIEFS are pursuing help in the secondary, which means FS Jerome Woods or SS Greg Wesley could get released. Both had injury problems last year, and there's a chance better health could improve their play. But the Chiefs don't want to take that chance. Woods lost some of his range last season.... The JAGUARS addressed their biggest need-a pass rusher--by signing RE Reggie Hayward. He combined for 19 sacks the past two seasons and should be entering his prime. Hayward, who turns 26 on March 14, was criticized for inconsistent intensity in Denver, but the Jags think playing next to standout DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson will bring out his best.... Newly signed QB Kelly Holcomb gives the BILLS solid insurance behind first-year starter J.P. Losman. Holcomb's arm isn't great, and his athleticism is limited, but he usually makes sound decisions and the right reads. The Bills hope Holcomb's presence will push Losman to get better.... The PATRIOTS tried to replace some of Ty Law's big-play ability by acquiring CB Duane Starks from the Cardinals for a third-round pick. Starks is a good ballhawk--he has 25 career interceptions--and can excel in man coverage. Though he is undersized (5-10, 172), Starks is a willing run defender, something the Patriots demand from their corners. If he stays healthy--he missed the 2003 season with a knee injury--he could be a steal.

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Sporting News, The, March 18, 2005

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