AFC

Sporting News, The, March 20, 2000

Baltimore

THE RIGHT FIT: QB Trent Dilfer struggled during most of his six years in Tampa Bay, but he should be a good fit as the Ravens' backup. Part of the reason Dilfer struggled was because of the ultraconservative offense favored by coach Tony Dungy, who relied on his defense and a running game to win. Dilfer was a Pro Bowl selection in 1997, when he led the Bucs to the playoffs. His arrival means the team probably will cut former backup Stoney Case.... If the Ravens can't swing a trade with the Bengals to get WR Carl Pickens for a second-round pick before the draft, they might wait until later this summer to try to sign him. Several members of the Ravens' front office think the Bengals either have to trade the disgruntled Pickens or waive him.... Look for negotiations to heat up with special teams player Bennie Thompson. He has led the team in special teams tackles three of the last four years. The Ravens likely will sign him to a two-year deal.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES ANALYSIS: The Ravens have two unsung heroes at tackle in Tony Siragusa and Larry Webster. Siragusa had a Pro Bowl caliber season in 1999, finishing with 68 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. Webster had a career-high 44 tackles with two sacks. The two complement each other well. Siragusa is agile and moves down the line of scrimmage well. Webster has less mobility, but is probably more physical. Third-year player Lional Dalton is the top reserve. Dalton has great explosiveness but needs to drop about 10 to 15 pounds to be more effective. To use a four-man rotation, third-year man Martin Chase must become more consistent. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

NAILS IS TOUGH: The team would like to have free-agent G Ruben Brown back, but it can't meet his salary demands, even though he has lowered his asking price from $5 million to $4 million. For now, the the team is prepared to go into the season with Jamie Nails as Brown's replacement on the left side. Nails, a fourth-year player who has six career starts, is bigger and stronger than Brown but not as athletic. Don't role out the possibility of the team getting into the Brown sweepstakes, especially if his price drops to $3 million.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES ANALYSIS: By re-signing free-agent NTs Ted Washington and Pat Williams, the team retained its best interior linemen. Washington usually comes out on obvious passing downs, but he has shown the ability to collapse the pocket with his tremendous strength. He still can dominate the line of scrimmage. No defensive lineman, Washington included, made more big plays for the time he was on the field last season than Williams. Combining raw power and exceptional quickness, Williams nearly was impossible to block one-on-one. It should be only a matter of time before he becomes a full-time player. Shawn Price provides versatility in that he can play tackle or end. He had 20 quarterback pressures, mostly as an outside pass rusher. The team hopes it can re-sign unrestricted free agent Sean Moran, whose biggest impact last season came on special teams. Still, he played a lot in the defensive line rotation, and if the team loses him, it would lose some of its flexibility. The team likely will look for some help in the draft. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati

WELCOME BACK: Unless they get a cornerback at the right price, the Bengals are done in free agency for another year after signing FS Darryl Williams and QB Scott Mitchell. Williams joins DE Vaughn Booker and DT Tom Barndt as new starters on a young defense that showed dramatic improvement after the move to a four-man front late last season. Williams, 30, was Cincinnati's first-round draft choice in 1992, but he left as a free agent in '96 because his tackling concerned the previous coaching regime. He won't be asked to play in a lot of eight-man fronts. Williams isn't a speed burner now, but he's fast enough. Mitchell is working with a personal trainer and a strength coach to shed some weight. He welcomes the chance to be an insurance policy in case Akili Smith's development stalls, but he still believes he can be a productive starter.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES ANALYSIS: Oliver Gibson and Barndt are blue-collar types with motors that never stop. Applying greater pressure on the quarterback will be their biggest challenge. Gibson, a '99 free-agent addition from the Steelers, emerged as the team's top tackle and should improve on his 41 tackles (31 solos) and 4 1/2 sacks alongside Barndt. Assistant coach Tim Krumrie taught Gibson how to use his hands and keep his legs driving to stay balanced and get proper leverage. Michael Bankston, a massive, strong, active player, will be the first sub at all four line positions if he doesn't start at end. Injury-prone Glen Steele and inexperienced Andre Purvis are the backups. --Chick Ludwig

Cleveland

UPGRADING OFFENSIVE LINE: The team filled its hole at left tackle by signing Giants free agent Roman Oben. He replaces Lomas Brown, who was cut. Until Oben arrived, Steve Zahursky, who has potential but not much game experience, was slated to start at left tackle. Orlando Brown will start on the right side if his injured eye heals. If not, Oben gives the team flexibility, allowing it to move Zahursky to right tackle. ... The team will re-sign TE Irv Smith only if it can't get someone in the draft or is unable to acquire a free agent. New offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael wants to use the tight end more, and the team thinks it needs someone better than Smith.