AFC

Sporting News, The, Sept 13, 1999

Baltimore

BEST 'BACKER: MLB Ray Lewis may be the best in the game. He is always covered, but he has so much speed, offensive linemen usually don't get a clean shot at him. He plays from sideline to sideline. But his weaknesses are his aggressiveness--which can be taken advantage of with counter plays--and pass defense.... The team was hoping the separated shoulder of OLB Peter Boulware re-injured in a June minicamp had healed, but apparently the shoulder will be a problem during the regular season. Boulware lasted 16 snaps in the preseason finale. With Boulware not at 100 percent, the team will count more on Cornell Brown. Brown needs to work more on recognition, but he hustles and seldom makes the same mistake twice.

PACK OF BACKS: RB Jay Graham had his best training camp in three seasons and was competitive with starter Priest Holmes and backup Errict Rhett. Graham was kept over Eric Metcalf, who never seemed to gain consistency and wasn't much of a threat as a runner. Hollies is the starter, but Rhett will get a lot of playing time. The team won't get many big plays out of either of them, but the running game should be steady and efficient.... The team kept WR Justin Armour over WR Floyd Turner. Turner is a much better athlete, but Armour was a favorite of coach Brian Billick's and at 6-4 gave the team a big target. It will be interesting to see how he handles the slot against the first-team defense during the regular season. Armour made tremendous progress in camp, but he has no acceleration going in and out of patterns. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

NOT THE SAME: Antowain Smith, hampered by a sore groin all summer, is not the same back he was two years ago as a rookie. He finished the preseason with 21 carries for 48 yards. Against Pittsburgh, with the first-team line in front of him, he failed to pick up a first down on a third-and-1 plunge. He seems uncomfortable--for the second straight year--in the two-back offense. He is tentative running through the hole, and it looks like he is trying too hard to stay on FB Sam Gash's tail, instead of reading the play and running to daylight.

LINE TROUBLE: The offensive line sputtered in the final two preseason games and could be cause for concern, especially if RG Joe Panos' neck injury causes him to miss time. Behind Panos are Dusty Zeigler and Jamie Nails, neither of whom can be counted on. In addition, LT John Fins did not have a good camp, and RT Robert Hicks has struggled at times since his insertion into the lineup after Jerry Ostroski was moved to center.... TE Jay Riemersma is primed for a big year. He has become a reliable blocker who runs routes well and catches the ball superbly.... Eric Moulds is ready for another stellar season. He is making corners look silly in one-on-one baffles, and he and Doug Flutie have forged a good relationship on and off the field. They always seem to be on the same page.... LB Sam Cowart appears healthy again. The groin injury he suffered in the playoffs seems to have healed. The injury bothered him early in camp, but he looked good in the preseason games, showing the excellent speed and ball-hawking skills that made him so effective as a rookie. --Sal Maiorana

Cincinnati

OFFENSIVE WOES: QB Jeff Blake was inconsistent throughout the 0-4 preseason, and the offensive troubles have been magnified by a line that hasn't jelled and wide receivers who can't get open. Don't look now, but a controversy could brew soon at quarterback. Rookie Akili Smith is looking better every day as he digests the playbook and sprays spirals all over the field. Smith is blowing some reads, but that's natural, became things are happening too fast and he has not yet adjusted. With his size, arm and mobility, Smith has the necessary tools. But even more important, he has displayed patience and a willingness to learn. He has been putting in extra lime in the video room and staying after practice to get extra throwing in. He'll get his chance this year.

DEEP THOUGHTS: The addition of C Jay Leeuwenburg, who was released by the Colts, gives the line some much-needed depth. His veteran leadership, smarts and ability to anchor the middle are pluses. But he'll need time to adapt to a new system before he takes over for Rich Braham, who is more comfortable at left guard.... It won't take opponents long to notice the improvement in the Bengals' rum defense and take aim at a shaky secondary. CB Corey Sawyer and rookie CB Charles Fisher continue to struggle, and the team needs help at the position. Sawyer, 28, has lost a step, and Fisher continues to give too much cushion.... The team's best chance for survival is to get RB Corey Dillon 25 carries a game and hope a young, talented linebacking corps can force some removers. --Chick Ludwig

Cleveland

TOUGH TASK: Rookie Wali Rainer has moved to middle linebacker to replace Chris Spielman and played well--maybe better than Spielman did in the preseason--and he's a big hitter He is going to be good against the running game, but he still is learning how to defend the pass.... LBs John Thierry and Jamir Miller, both of whom are big, strong, physical and can run, have played well in the preseason. They are arguably the two best players on the defense. Their presence will help Rainer considerably in coping with all of his responsibilities.... Backup OLB Rahim Abdullah can run well and is athletic but needs to get bigger and stronger to make an impact.... RB Madre Hill continues to be the best back, but he's No. 3 on the depth chart behind Terry Kirby and Sedrick Shaw. Kirby is a good receiver who runs better after the catch than he does after getting a handoff. Shaw has done nothing exceedingly well.