Inside the AFC

B- Andre Johnson is becoming an elite receiver, but he needs a complement.

B- Jimmy Smith gets it done, but Reggie Williams or Matt Jones needs to break out.

B- There's no No. 1 guy, but Keenan McCardell and Reche Caldwell should be a solid duo.

C+ Braylon Edwards has star ability but is unproven; the others are decent.

C+ Rod Smith is aging but productive; Ashley Lelie and Darius Watts are inconsistent.

C Drew Bennett came on strong last season; it's time for Tyrone Calico to flourish.

C- Proven ability is scarce. Samie Parker offers promise but must stay healthy.

Pennington's progress

More than four months removed from rotator cuff surgery, Jets QB Chad Pennington has been throwing on the side--about 80 passes every other day--but didn't participate in any of the team's offseason training activities. Pennington has been trying to soak up the offense of new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger but so far hasn't been able to apply what he has learned in the classroom. As a result, he'll be in catch-up mode at training camp--and he might be limited to one practice a day.

AND THE EARLY LEADER IS ...

Gus Frerotte appears to be increasing his lead on A.J. Feeley in the Dolphins' starting quarterback competition. Coach Nick Saban and the Dolphins players repeatedly have singled out Frerotte for his strong arm and knowledge of the offense. Feeley didn't help himself by having some breakdowns in offseason practices that were open to the public. The coaches must decide whether to go with Feeley and see if he can fulfill his promise or give the job to Frerotte, who might be more polished but turns 34 in July and lacks upside.

The safety plan

Look for the Ravens to have SS Will Demps play in the box more than FS Ed Reed, who often hovered near the line of scrimmage last year. The team plans to bring a lot of pressure out of its 46 defense, so it needs Reed, its best playmaker, to be the center fielder instead of crashing the line. This shouldn't hurt the Ravens' run defense. Demps has a thicker frame and tackles just as well--if not better--than Reed.

Here comes Pacman

Titans CB Pacman Jones still is rough around the edges, but he is starting to show the skills that made him the sixth pick in the draft. He consistently was around the ball during practices in early June and could be ready to start. Jones is working his way back from a groin injury suffered in his first minicamp; coaches have advised him not to lunge for balls or leave his feet. The coaches believe he'll develop into a big-time playmaker after he is allowed to go all-out.

CORRESPONDENTS: Baltimore, Mike Preston; Buffalo, Allen Wilson; Cincinnati, Chick Ludwig; Cleveland, Steve Doerschuk; Denver, Patrick Saunders; Houston, Megan Manfull; Indianapolis, Mike Chappell; Jacksonville, Bart Hubbuch; Kansas City, Adam Teicher; Miami, Jason Cole; New England, Michael Felger; New York, Rich Cimini; Oakland, Steve Corkran; Pittsburgh, Gerry Dulac; San Diego, Kevin Acee; Tennessee, Jim Wyatt.

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