AFC

Sporting News, The, March 27, 2000

Baltimore

SECONDARY NEWS: The Ravens have secured most of the backup players for their secondary. Former Lions CB Robert Bailey signed a two-year deal, and the team re-signed CB James Trapp and S Corey Harris. Bailey could play the role of former Raven DeRon Jenkins, who recently signed with the Chargers. Bailey can challenge Duane Starks for some playing time and cover the slot receiver in nickel and dime situations. Both Harris and Trapp will be used mostly on special teams, though Harris received a lot of playing time in dime coverages last season.... OLB Peter Boulware says his right shoulder, which was surgically repaired six weeks ago, is recovering nicely. He says he is not experiencing pain but continues to do stretching exercises to loosen the shoulder.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: Ray Lewis has emerged as the NFL's best middle linebacker. He is a throwback who stays on the field for every play, regardless of the situation. He is physical enough to take on blockers, but his top asset is his ability to run sideline-to-sideline. No MLB covers more ground. His only weakness is that he wants to make every tackle, which sometimes metros he gets too focused on the quarterback and misses coverage on a running back in the flat. But with Lewis' future uncertain because of legal problems, the Ravens are looking at potential alternatives, including moving weakside LB Jamie Sharper inside. Sharper has solid instincts but doesn't have Lewis' range. The Ravens also will look over the free-agent list on June 1, when teams release a lot of veterans. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

ON THE MEND: The team got some good news recently when CB Ken Irvin's walking cast was removed. Irvin missed the last few games after suffering a torn ankle ligament in Week 15. The rehab process is expected to keep him sidelined for the postdraft minicamp, but he should be ready for training camp. The team desperately needs a healthy Irvin. After losing its top corner, Thomas Smith, to the Bears, the team has only three: Irvin, Antoine Winfield and Donovan Greer. The plan is for Winfield, who was fabulous as a rookie, to play on the right side and have Irvin return to the left. This is an area the Bills will address in the draft.... The loss of DE Scan Moran is another blow to the depth. The Bills hoped to re-sign him, but given their limited cap room, they couldn't match the Rams' two-year, $1.5 million offer.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: There may be better players individually, but as a tandem, Sam Cowart and John Holecek are the best in the NFL and the strength of the team's 3-4 scheme. Cowart, who plays the strongside, combines great speed, quickness and instructs to make plays all over the field. Holecek is very good, but you have to wonder how much better he would be if not for injuries. He has missed games in each of his five seasons because of knee or hamstring ailments. Holecek sheds blocks well and flies all over the field to get to the ballcarrier. He also is a capable pass rusher and coverage man. There is little depth at the position, however. Second-year man Jay Foreman is a terrific athlete but is still learning the position. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati

MUSICAL CHAIRS: The two-game suspension dealt LG Matt O'Dwyer as part of the league's new anti-crime policy means Mike Goff will probably open the 2000 season as a starter. Goff who filled in admirably for injured LT Rod Jones in the '99 season finale, is the favorite to beat out Scott Rehberg and Tony goats and start the first two games in place of O'Dwyer, who was sentenced to three years probation, fined nearly $4,500 and ordered to undergo alcohol counseling after his involvement in a July 1999 barroom brawl.... The team is hoping either DE Courtney Brown, Penn State's ferocious pass rusher, or WR Peter Warrick, Florida State's elusive pass catcher/kick returner, will be available when the Bengals draft fourth. That assumes Alabama LT Chris Samuels is off the board.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS ANALYSIS: The move to a four-man front changes the responsibilities of Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes dramatically. Simmons moves from left inside to the middle, and Spikes moves from right inside to outside. Spikes will play more inside on downs when there's no tight end on his side. Although they are built differently-Simmons is taller and leaner than the bull-like Spikes-both are instinctive, great-effort players and solid tacklers who pursue well. Tom Tumulty, a former starter who has missed most of the last two seasons because of a reconstructed left knee, is a workaholic who wants to join Billy Granville, Adrian Ross and Ben Peterson as a solid contributor in a backup role. Granville, an active run-stuffer, figures to play a prominent role in goal-line situations. --Chick Ludwig

Cleveland

SECOND THOUGHTS? WR/KR Peter Warrick did not help himself at Honda State's workout day for NFL scouts March 16. His 40 time was a pathetically slow 4.56. The Browns need a speedy game-breaker for QB Tim Couch, and it's hard to envision Warrick filling that role with such an apparent lack of speed. Warrick tried to put a positive spin on things, saying he would have run better if the workout hadn't been moved inside because of a monsoon. That's ludicrous. When's the last time anyone said they are faster outside? While it's not clear how the front office views Warrick's performance, it has to raise some red flags. On the same day Warrick ran his 4.56, DE Courtney Brown--a man 63 pounds heavier--ran a 4.53 at Penn State's pro workout day.