AFC

Sporting News, The, June 25, 2001

Baltimore

NO SURPRISE: The team's decision to cut reserve S Anthony Poindexter was not surprising. The Ravens hoped Poindexter, a seventh-round pick in 1999, would rebound from a severe knee injury suffered his last season in college, but he never fully recovered. Poindexter still had problems running, and he couldn't fit into the team's scheme, which calls for a lot of man-to-man coverage.... QB Elvis Grbac performed well in offseason workouts. Through 16 practices and four camps, he completed 76 percent of his passes despite 11 drops. Grbac hasn't mastered coach Brian Billick's offense, but the learning curve is in his favor.... DE Michael McCrary, who has had problems maintaining weight throughout his career, has added 35 pounds since the Super Bowl. McCrary weighs about 270, but he'll look like an outside linebacker again by the end of the season.... Long snapper Joe Maese, the team's sixth-round pick, signed a three-year deal.

CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: The team might have the best young tandem in the league in former first-round picks Chris McAlister and Duane Starks. McAlister, entering his third season, is a physical specimen who has absolute confidence in his ability. He is big and aggressive, and he specializes in press coverage. Starks, in his fourth season, doesn't have the brashness or size of McAlister but is a better athlete. Starks is a ferocious hitter and plays the run extremely well. James Trapp is the top backup. Once a player with great speed, Trapp, 31, has lost a step, but he still plays with great intensity. Trapp will play in nickel situations, and his experience is valuable. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Entering his fifth season, C Bill Conaty has a chance to be a full-time starter for the first time. That could change, but for now, the Bills think Conaty is ready. The team moved former starter Jerry Ostroski back to right guard to make room for Conaty. The Bills don't need Conaty to be dominant, and at 6-2 and 300 pounds, he won't overpower anyone. But he's intelligent and technically sound.... CB Ken Irvin sustained a left hamstring pull during minicamp and might be out of action for seven to 14 days. Irvin downplayed the injury, and although he has had a strong offseason, first-round pick Nate Clements is breathing down his neck. Any time lost could cost Irvin his job.

CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Antoine Winfield is small (5-9, 180) but makes up for it with talent. He is terrific in pass coverage and is one of the surest tacklers on the team. Winfield's technique and leaping ability help make him one of the best cover corners in the league. Irvin is much better in zone coverage than man-to-man, but he is very competitive, a smart player who anticipates well. Clements (5-11, 209) is the big corner who matches up against big receivers. He tends to peek in the backfield and bite on a receiver's first or second move, but his recovery speed helps him compensate. Chris Watson started last season when Winfield was hurt. After struggling early, Watson used his quickness and instincts to improve. He might enter the regular rotation as the nickel corner. Free agent Lance Brown has impressed the team with his coverage skills, size (6-2, 203), strength and speed. --Allen Wilson

CINCINNATI

TALL ORDER: Veteran WRs Craig Yeast and Damon Griffin are going to have a tough time making the squad. Both are under 5-10, and the decision to claim 6-5 Malcolm Johnson off waivers from the Jets sends a clear signal that the Bengals want tall, fast receivers this season. Darnay Scott, Chad Johnson, Danny Farmer, Ron Dugans, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Plummer are all at least 6-1. The only sub-6-footer who will stick for sure is the electrifying, 5-11 Peter Warrick.... Fifth-round pick Victor Leyva is slated to back up RG Mike Goff, but he'll get some snaps at center in training camp. Leyva, who also played tackle at Arizona State, is a welcome addition to the line because of his versatility.

CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Pencil in RCB Rodney Heath and LCB Robert Bean as the starters, but keep the eraser ready. Nothing is certain, and the position could become a revolving door The cornerbacks simply must defend against the pass better, and those who don't will get sliced off the roster. Three straight second-round draft picks--Artrell Hawkins (1998), Charles Fisher (1999) and Mark Roman (2000)--didn't produce a proven starter. So coach Dick LeBeau has mixed veterans with youth in an attempt to find the right combination. Heath, a Cincinnati native who went undrafted out of the University of Minnesota and played indoor football in 1997-98, has come the furthest. Discovered by assistant coach Ray Horton, Heath has emerged as the Bengals' most consistent cornerback. --Chick Ludwig

Cleveland

LOSS AND GAIN: Rookie WRs Quincy Morgan and Andre King got a lot of work in the team's final minicamp after Dennis Northcutt broke his collarbone in an off-field accident. Northcutt, who suffered the injury while trying to keep a child from getting hurt, says he will be fine when camp opens July 27. WR Bobby Brown is climbing in the team's estimation as he continues to make plays.... The team still is courting free-agent OT Tony Jones. Look for a deal because Jones lives in suburban Cleveland, played eight years with the original Browns and would like to finish his career there.