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Inside the AFC

Sporting News, The, April 15, 2005

New quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel wants RAVENS QB Kyle Boiler to relax. He wants Boiler to be able to predict what defenses will do instead of having to "think too much and then react" while dropping back. ... The BROWNS expect RB Reuben Droughns (Broncos), a between-the-tackles runner, to split time with Lee Suggs, a better outside runner than Droughns.

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Droughns is better at chip blocking before releasing as a receiver. Because of the addition of Droughns, backup RB William Green could be traded. ... Starting RT John Welbourn was a misfit at tackle in the CHIEFS' system, which emphasizes athletic ability rather than strength. He will be better able to use his toughness as a backup guard. He also gives the club insurance in case RG Will Shields retires. Jordan Black, who has impressed the team with his athletic ability, will replace Welbourn at tackle. ... Newly signed FB Rob Konrad (Dolphins) gives the RAIDERS a lead blocker for RB LaMont Jordan. Konrad, a favorite of coach Norv Turner from his days as offensive coordinator with Miami, has good size (6-3,255) but tends to get banged up. He'll compete with Zack Crockett for playing time. The team also signed fast, agile DT Kenny Smith (Saints), who should land a spot in the rotation. ... The TITANS' middle linebacker spot is Brad Kassell's to lose. Kassell stepped in because of injuries to Rocky Calmus (back, hamstring) and played well. Kassell isn't especially fast, but he's a solid tackler who does a nice job fighting off blockers. ... DE Kimo von Oelhoffen is 34, so the STEELERS will be careful to rotate other players into the lineup. One will be DE Brett Keisel (6-7,290). He has good feet and an aggressive style that could make him an effective pass rusher. But he must get better at slipping blocks. ... CHARGERS DE Adrian Dingle lost his starting job last season while recovering from offseason knee surgery, and though he has lost some of his quickness, he still is strong against the run. The team will limit his playing time, hoping that will help him play a full season. ... The JAGUARS added more defensive line depth by signing Marcellus Wiley, 30, who will compete for the starting left end job. Wiley, a former Pro Bowl performer, is coming off consecutive poor seasons with the Chargers and Cowboys, but the club likes his athletic ability. ... BENGALS CB Keiwan Ratliff has a good chance to steal Deltha O'Neal's starting position. O'Neal made strides as a playmaker last year but remains inconsistent. Ratliff played well down the stretch in 2004 and is more physical than O'Neal, though O'Neal has better ball skills. ... JETS nickel CB Ray Mickens, who missed the 2004 season (knee), likely will be on the field for the offseason program. Mickens, 32, is the team's most fundamentally sound cornet, but it's not known how the surgery will affect his speed. ... The BRONCOS have added three former Browns linemen: DEs Courtney Brown and Ebenezer Ekuban and DT Michael Myers. Ekuban is rugged against the run and should play a lot. Myers primarily is a workmanlike run stopper. The team gave Brown a one-year contact-a wise move. Brown (6-4, 290) can be a big, fast pass rusher, but his career has been a huge disappointment. ... The DOLPHINS' offseason decision to move RT Vernon Carey, the team's first-round pick in 2004, to left tackle is strange. Carey (6-4, 335) lacks ideal size and quickness for the lee side. Many thought Carey would spend the offseason preparing to challenge RT John St. Clair. ... Newly signed BILLS G Bennie Anderson (Ravens) is a road-grading run blocker who can overwhelm defenders at the point of attack, though he's not skilled at pulling and trapping. He'll be in the mix at left guard, where Ross Tucker and Lawrence Smith shared time last season. ... The TEXANS likely will move OLB Kailee Wong to the inside; he hasn't proved to be the dominant pass rusher the club seeks at outside linebacker. Wong would have no trouble making the calls for the defense. With him inside, there would be room for LB Antwan Peek outside.

Inside the AFC

Sporting News, The, April 15, 2005

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