Inside the AFC

Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005

BILLS CB Nate Clements is a physical shutdown corner with ideal size (6-0,209), speed, athleticism and confidence. His aggressiveness can be exploited, but he rarely gives up big plays because of his great recovery speed. ... COLTS WR Trey Waiters is healthy again after missing 11 games in 2004 with a broken arm, and his presence should benefit the team in two areas. First, he can resume his role as the primary punt returner. He also can contribute at wide receiver if an injury sidelines one of the three starters. Waiters (5-7, 172) works well from the slot. ... CB Donnie Abraham's retirement from the JETS creates a wide-open competition. Each of the three replacement candidates carries a question mark: Roy Mickens is coming back from major knee surgery, Pete Hunter is unfamiliar with the system, and Justin Miller is a rookie. Mickens gets a slight edge because of his experience, but the team is apprehensive about making Mickens--a career nickel back--a full-time player. ... Dexter McCleon will assume a major role in the CHIEFS' secondary because starting CB Eric Warfield will miss the first four games (suspension). McCleon (5-10, 195) struggles against bigger, taller receivers, but the Chiefs have little choice but to give him the first shot at the job. ... The STEELERS should use backup OLB James Harrison in third-down pass-rush situations. Harrison (6-0, 242) lacks size but has a quick first step and uses his body to get underneath offensive tackles. He plays in those situations with the same reckless style he exhibits on special teams. ... The PATRIOTS are in love with the size, strength and speed of DE Marquise Hill (6-6, 300). He barely got on the field as a rookie last year because he was far behind in terms of technique and awareness. The defensive line is deep, but he'll be given plenty of chances to develop in camp. ... BENGALS DT John Thornton expects to have a solid season. He's moving to the right side, where he'll face more single blocks, which should lead to more sacks, quarterback hurries and productivity against the run. ... The BROWNS' starting defensive linemen--NT Jason Fisk, LE Orpheus Roye and RE Alvin McKinley--have 36 career sacks combined. Fisk and Roye are near the ends of their careers, and there are no obvious replacements on the roster. Offensive tackle will be a priority in next year's draft, but defensive line will be right up there. ... DE John Engelberger is expected to be primarily a third-down pass rusher for the BRONCOS. Denver rotates its linemen often, so Engelberger, acquired from the 49ers, could get some quality playing time. First, he has to make the roster. Considering the team's depth, that's not a given. ... RAVENS WR Clarence Moore showed flashes of brilliance last season but wore down. Moore has good speed and showed great concentration making catches in the crowd. If he becomes more consistent, the team will have a hard time keeping him out of the lineup despite the additions of Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton. ... RB Travis Henry gives the TITANS a formidable 1-2 punch in the running game. Henry and Chris Brown bring different skills. Henry is a better runner inside, and Brown is more effective outside. Brown struggled in short-yardage situations in 2004, so Henry will have a good chance of winning the goal-line role. ... Because the JAGUARS have problems at left tackle, LG Vince Manuwai must play up to his potential. Manuwai is a compact, powerful blocker who uses his hands well and has a mean streak. ... Rookie CB Travis Daniels could win a starting job for the DOLPHINS. Daniels doesn't possess exceptional speed, but he is smart and dedicated. He isn't afraid to mix it up with receivers. ... TE Rickey Dudley, back for his his second tour of duty with the RAIDERS, is expected to compete for the No. 3 job. A tall target who can be effective in the red zone, Dudley (6-6, 255) will get some playing time if he flashes his old pass-catching skills in camp. He has been injury-prone in recent seasons.

CORRESPONDENTS: Baltimore, Hike 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 C/mini; Oakland, Steve Corkran; Pittsburgh, Gerry Dulac; .San Diego, Kevin Acee; Tennessee, Jim Wyatt.

Feet, don't fail me now

Chargers CB Drayton Florence has been working on footwork with a trainer who works with Randy Moss. That should make Florence feel better about going against Moss twice this year. Of course, Florence does not lack for confidence. With attitude and size (6-0, 195), he probably will wrest a starting job from Sammy Davis. If working with the trainer makes Florence quicker, that will only be a bonus for a secondary trying to make more big plays.

GOT IT COVERED

Jason Simmons is a versatile and reliable player on the Texans' defense. Last season, Simmons played every position in tile secondary, moving among cornerback, free safety and strong safety. His speed and tackling skills were evident last year, and so was his knack for knowing every position when he was called upon. With a strong group of young starters, the Texans will keep Simmons as a reserve, giving the team great depth.