AFC

Sporting News, The, June 16, 2003

BALTIMORE RAVENS

SLUGGISH SUGGS: First-round pick Terrell Suggs has been less than impressive in minicamps. He looks slow backpedaling, which could be a result of his move from college end to outside linebacker, but he also is too heavy. He weighs about 255; the team would like him in the 240-pound range.... Starting QB Chris Redman and rookie QB Kyle Boller looked good in the recent passing camp, but the biggest surprise was No. 3 QB Anthony Wright. Wright matched Boiler's arm strength and impressed coach Brian Billick with his knowledge of the offense. Wright won't win the No. 1 job, but if Redman gets hurt, it will be interesting to see who is inserted.

STOCK RISING: As a rookie, S Ed Reed showed a knack for being around the ball. He has been even better in offseason camps. He no longer hesitates; he simply reacts and makes plays.... The team is pleased with rookie DE Jarret Johnson's effort, explosion and study habits.... Rookie TE Trent Smith has proved he can catch and run and is tough enough to play the position. If he continues to progress, it will be hard for John Joan, who isn't much of a receiving threat, to make the roster.--Mike Preston

BUFFALO BILLS

NEW ARRIVALS: The signing of SS Chad Cota adds insurance and competition to a young secondary. He has good size (6-0, 196) and plays with the physical style the team demands of its safeties. Cota may not beat out Coy Wire to start, but he'll be a positive influence.... WR James Jett enters a tough situation. Eric Moulds, Josh Rood and Bobby Shaw are set as the top three receivers, and Charles Johnson and rookie Sam Aiken are the top candidates for the Nos. 4 and 5 spots. Though Jett, a former Olympic gold medal sprinter, isn't a lock to make the team, he would add needed speed.

STOCK RISING: RB Sammy Morris, responding to increased competition, has been a standout in the conditioning program, becoming leaner and adding quickness, speed and muscle. With his added explosiveness, he may line up as an outside receiver in some formations.... Rookies DE Chad Kelsay and Aiken also have impressed the team. Kelsay's physical development should help him engage blockers against the run and increase his effectiveness as a pass rusher. With more strength and speed, Aiken should he able to avoid press coverage and make plays downfield.--Allen Wilson

CINCINNATI BENGALS

GOING SIDE TO SIDE: RT Willie Anderson, a road-grading run blocker and shutdown pass protector, is taking snaps at left tackle. If LT Levi Jones gets hurt, Anderson will move to the left side, with OL Victor Leyva the emergency starter at right tackle.... DT Oliver Gibson, coming off Achilles' surgery, still is waiting to get cleared for practice. Gibson's injury triggered the offseason signing of John Thornton, who will start alongside DT Tony Williams. If Gibson can't get healthy, rookie sixth-round pick Langston, Moore will be part of a rotation with Thornton, Williams and Glen Steele.

STOCK RISING: WRs Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick and DE Justin Smith have benefited most from the offseason program. Johnson has improved his strength, stamina and concentration. His attention to detail has helped him become a better technician and more disciplined route runner. Warrick has increased his speed and is getting more separation off the line. He'll be more of a deep threat. Smith has increased his flexibility and is more well-rounded. He has an explosive first step and is learning to play with better leverage, making him more effective against the run.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

ALL EYES ON HIM: The team will pay close attention to DT Gerard Warren's conditioning. He has excellent size (6-4, 322) and strength, but if he's not in shape, he won't have the explosiveness to drive his opponent off the line and into developing plays. The team thinks Warren is quick enough and has the pass-rush skills to be moved at times from nose tackle to the tackle spot over the guard, which would give him more room to operate.... The team still isn't saying whether DE Courtney Brown (knee surgery) will be ready for the season. If he isn't, it may use Mark Word at right end. Word is a good pass rusher but needs to get stronger to be more effective against the run.

STOCK RISING: TE Steve Helden lacked bulk when he arrived last season. Having worked in the offseason program, he now is bigger and stronger, which should help him in run blocking and in getting off the line against linebackers on pass routes.... Quality weight-room time has made RT Ryan Tucker one of the team's strongest players. The added size should make him a better run blocker.... LT ROSS Verba has improved his quickness, a weakness last season against speed rushers.--Steve King

DENVER BRONCOS

FLOWER DELIVERY: The team signed former Steelers S Lee Flowers to a one-year deal. Flowers, a big hitter, averaged 75 tackles a season in Pittsburgh, and coordinator Larry Coyer likes the way Flowers reads defenses. Flowers is excellent in run support, though Steelers coaches believed he had lost a step in coverage. Still, he'll add depth and experience in a raw secondary.... DT Daryl Gardner was impressive in the second minicamp. For a player his size (6-6, 310), he shows amazing quickness along the line and in pursuing the quarterback. If his back stays healthy, he'll be a force.