AFC

Sporting News, The, Jan 12, 2004 by Mike Preston, Allen Wilson, Chick Ludwig, Steve King, Patrick Saunders, Carlton Thompson, Mike Chappell, Bart Hubbuch, Adam Teicher, Jason Cole, Michael Felger, Rich Cimini, Steve Corkran, Gerry Dulac, Jim Trotter, Jeff Legwold

BALTIMORE RAVENS

STAYING TOGETHER: The team signed NT Kelly Gregg to a five-year contract extension. The move was good because it let veteran players know the intent is to keep this team together. Gregg plays the run well but isn't a great pass rusher.... New owner Steve Bisciotii might push coach Brian Billick to hire a new offensive coordinator. The offense has struggled, especially at quarterback. The Ravens have shown little imagination and lack a short, controlled passing game.... Backup QB Anthony Wright, who started the last eight games, regressed in the final five and might have competition as Kyle Boller's backup. Wright didn't look off receivers and made several poor decisions.

OFFSEASON GAME PLAN: The team must find a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and it must be a free agent because the team doesn't have a first-round draft pick. The club also might try to pick up a backup quarterback such as Ty Detmer or Neil O'Donnell--a guy who won't mind tutoring a youngster such as Boller while vying for a Super Bowl ring. The team has 15 unrestricted free agents, and the top priorities to re-sign are C Mike Flynn, DE Marques Douglas, K Matt Stover and CB Chris McAlister.--Mike Preston

BUFFALO BILLS

COACHING SEARCH: The team's next coach likely will have an offensive background. President-G.M. Tom Donahoe preferred a defensive-minded coach and hired Gregg Williams three years ago. Williams molded the Bills into an elite defensive team, but the offense was among the league's worst in 2003. Offensive coordinators Mike Sheppard and Kevin Gilbride both ran predictable attacks that didn't fit the personnel. The team has few weapons on offense, but it needs a coach who can make the most of them.... The next coach must rebuild QB Drew Bledsoe's confidence. He is still a talented passer who can make plays in a system that doesn't require him to carry an offense by himself.

CAUTION WILL PAY OFF: The team was wise to resist using rookie RB Willis McGahee. He appears to be fully recovered from knee surgery, but risking a setback would have been foolish. He will have some rust but should be 100 percent in 2004.... Rookie CB Terrence McGee could challenge for a starting job. CB Antoine Winfield is an unrestricted free agent, and his asking price might be too high. McGee has solid ball skills and impressed coaches with his instincts and ability to make plays.--Allen Wilson

CINCINNATI BENGALS

CALLING ON CARSON: Coach Marvin Lewis' refusal to name QB Jon Kitna the starter heading into spring minicamp means Carson Palmer will be given a chance to win the job. Kitna is coming off career highs for touchdown passes (26), yards (3,591), completion rate (62.3 percent) and passer rating (87.4), but the team still missed the playoffs. And if the perception in the locker room is that 8-8 or 9-7 is the best Kitna can deliver, then it's wise to give the gifted Palmer a shot. This is a critical offseason for Palmer, who still needs to fully absorb the playbook and learn the offense. When he does, he'll start.

GOOD RIDDANCE: RB Corey Dillon infuriated teammates by tossing his gear into the stands after the season-ending loss to the Browns, as a way of saying goodbye. But the team will have a hard time trading Dillon because of his contract, age (29) and the pounding he has taken over seven seasons. If the team can't trade Dillon, he will be released.... Changes are coming on the interior of the offensive line, but RG Mike Goff should be brought back. Goff, a free agent, is a skilled run blocker who showed more consistency in pass protection this season. He also can play center.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

REVAMPING THE STAFF: The team faces an important offseason decision with the hiring of a new offensive coordinator. Coach Butch Davis wants to develop a strong running game, but deposed coordinator Bruce Arians never seemed to grasp that desire. Davis will look for someone with a running mind-set and may hire three coaches from the same staff because he also needs a quarterbacks and running backs coach. The team had success with the defensive coaching trio it hired from Dallas last year: coordinator Dave Campo, line coach Andre Patterson and linebackers coach Clancy Pendergast.

RUNNING BACKS CONTROVERSY? With the way rookie RB Lee Suggs performed in the season finale, there is speculation he could challenge RB William Green in 2004. Green has just as much power as Suggs, who is excellent running between the tackles. But Green is faster and has an extra gear. Green, however, needs to get his head on straight.... If Davis is serious about providing veteran leadership, he'll see to it that LB Brant Boyer and OL Barry Stokes are re-signed. They full a variety of roles as starters and backups and are almost like extra coaches.--Steve King

DENVER BRONCOS

ROOM TO IMPROVE: The team missed the hustle and aggressive play of S Nick Ferguson, who missed the playoffs because of a broken wrist. Look for some changes in the secondary. Denver had nine interceptions this season, last in the league for the second straight year.... TE Shannon Sharpe likely has played his final game, meaning the team needs to find another go-to receiver. WR Rod Smith still is one of QB Jake Plummer's prime targets, but with Sharpe gone and WR Ed McCaffrey pondering retirement, the team needs new blood in the passing game. WR Ashley Lelie has talent, but he must prove he can make the tough catch over the middle.