AFC reports

Sporting News, The, May 17, 2004

BALTIMORE RAVENS This is a make-or-break year for WR Travis Taylor, who will be a free agent after this season. Taylor doesn't have great speed but has good burst in and out of cuts, allowing him to get open. But he has bouts of inconsistency. He can make tough catches look easy, but he somtimes drops easy ones.... ILB Ray Lewis is expected to report to camp 10 to 15 pounds heavier than the 240 to 245 pounds he played at in 2003. Lewis has been working out on the beaches in Florida. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: The team is heavy on athleticism but light on bulk. The lack of bull is a problem at times because in a 3-4 scheme, ends must plug gaps and stop the run. But with their quickness off the ball, the Ravens' ends disrupt blocking schemes and chase down ballcarriers on the opposite side. LE Anthony Weaver is the team's most complete end. He doesn't have a lot of flair, but at the end of 2003 he was starting to make big plays instead of just holding his ground. RE Marques Douglas has great quickness. Like Weaver, Douglas improved as a pass rusher last season. The Ravens drafted Dwan Edwards (6-2, 313) to help the team not get worn down by bigger offensive lines. He and Jarret Johnson will be part of a four-man rotation.--Mike Preston

POSITION GRADE

C

BUFFALO BILLS WR Lee Evans and QB J.P. Losman, the team's first-round picks, made good impressions in the rookie minicamp. Evans showed great speed and sure hands. He could be a factor this season, but he needs to work on his route technique. Losman's arm strength and mobility were good, and he made accurate throws on the move. Losman has the physical tools to play in the NFL; he just needs time to develop and get comfortable with the offense. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: The one certainty is RE Aaron Schobel, a relentless pass rusher with quickness who anticipates the snap to get a jump on offensive linemen. A lack of consistency is all that keeps him from being a force. Left end is a question mark. More is needed from Ryan Denney, who had good moments last year but contributed little in several games. He has the size and strength to shed run blocks but lacks the athleticism to be more than an average pass rusher. The team is counting on Chris Kelsay to push Denney for the starting job. Kelsay lacks size but is a good athlete with toughness, tenacity and a feel for rushing the passer. The team has to figure out how to get Keith McKenzie on the field more. McKenzie isn't an every-down player anymore, but he can be effective as a situational pass rusher.--Allen Wilson

POSITION GRADE

C

CINCINNATI BENGALS CBs Deltha O'Neal and Keiwan Ratliff should give the special teams a boost. O'Neal and WR Peter Warrick will be used as punt returners, while Ratliff will compete with WR Patrick Johnson as the top kickoff returner. The influx of quickness and speed should put the offense in better position and provide a better chance to return more kicks for touchdowns.... Second-year WR Kelley Washington has the ability to defeat press coverage with his size (6-3, 220) and strength, but he needs to run more disciplined routes. By learning to run the proper depth and making sharper cuts, he'll improve the vertical passing attack. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: LE Duane Clemons and RE Justin Smith are solid pass rushers, but Smith has emerged as the more complete player. He is quick and strong with an explosive first step. Clemens likely will become more of a situational pass rusher because he struggles against the run. He'll rotate with Carl Pewell, who has the kind of lower-body strength needed to anchor the strong side. Elton Patterson and fourth-round pick Robert Geathers will battle for the backup right end spot. Both show signs of being capable pass rushers, but limited experience make them liabilities against the run.--Chick Ludwig

POSITION GRADE

C

CLEVELAND BROWNS With QB Jeff Garcia in charge, the offense will run at a faster, crisper pace. He is decisive with his reads and gets rid of the ball quickly. Garcia is outstanding at looking off defenders, which should limit his interceptions. But he needs to throw deep more.... RB William Green was outstanding at minicamp. He looked fast and, more important, determined to defeat his off-field demons and get back into the starting lineup. But he has a long way to go, physically and mentally. If this were a marathon, Green would look like a winner as he passed the mile marker. DEFENSIVE ENDS ANALYSIS: There are a few ends who can play, but as a group, they simply do not produce as they should. The best is RE Kenard Lang. He is consistent and can make impact plays in the backfield because of his quickness. But he is a much better pass rusher than run defender. He has a good first step and long arms that allow him to keep blockers away from his body. Courtney Brown should be one of the league's best left ends, but he lacks the aggressiveness and mean streak found in most good ends. Look for coach Butch Davis to start working on Brown. If Brown doesn't step it up soon, he'll be history. Ebenezer Ekuban could end up displacing Brown. Ekuban, who plays with a burning desire, shows good speed and quickness as a pass rusher. But, like Lang, he is not big enough to stop the run consistently.--Steve King