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AFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

BUFFALO BILLS

OLB Takeo Spikes (6-2, 245) is a perfect blend of size, strength and athleticism. He has the great instincts and speed to cover the field and make plays from sideline to sideline. He's fundamentally sound and rarely misses a tackle. Spikes is better in space than in close quarters, but few players bring as much passion to the game.... The team intends to continue alternating Ryan Donney and Chris Kelsay at left end. Both should get plenty of playing time. Denney is the better run defender while Kelsay provides a better pass rush. SEA A DIFFERENT GAME: Veteran CB Troy Vincent and rookie WR Lee Evens spend time after practice working on various techniques. Evans has great physical tools, but he doesn't have a complete working knowledge of all the nuances of playing the position. Going against a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback every day helps him learn how to beat press coverage and gain separation from defenders. The sessions also help Vincent keep his skills sharp.--Allen Wilson

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

RB Corey Dillon might not have the breakaway speed he once did, but he still is a dangerous weapon. Dillon is at his best when he runs between the tackles, and most of his cuts take him upfield, not to the outside. He is a complete player, someone who will pick up the blitz when necessary and catch balls out of the backfield.... OLB Rosevelt Colvin was a factor on several plays against the Colts. Colvin, who broke his hip last September, says his speed is close to what it was before the injury, but his ability to chase down ballcarriers over longer distances remains a shortcoming. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME Now in his fourth year in Charlie Weis' offense, QB Tom Brady has been given the freedom to call many of his own plays at the line. Brady's game-management skills are excellent. He spends huge amounts of time in the film room during the week, and his ability to read defenses remains one of the strong points of his game.--Michael Felger

MIAMI DOLPHINS

WR Chris Chambers will be more effective if the team throws him deeper passes. He had six catches in the opener, but for only 35 yards. The coaches have made an effort to put Chambers in different spots, but they must find a way to get him the ball earlier in the game, before the team falls behind.... RB Lamar Gordon, acquired from the Rams for a third-round pick, was forced to play more than expected in his first game because of ankle injuries to Sammy Morris and Travis Minor. Gordon showed power, elusiveness, good hands and toughness and should be able to play full time--not just on running downs. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Now that coach Dave Wannstedt has named QB A.J. Feeley the starter, look for Miami to be more of a throwing team than originally expected. Feeley makes decisions more quickly than Jay Fiedler and has a quicker release. The team will use more of a West Coast-style attack to take advantage of WRs Chambers and Marty Booker and TE Randy McMichael.--Jason Cole

NEW YORK JETS

Second-year SLB Victor Hobson is faster than former starter Mo Lewis, but he doesn't have upper-echelon speed. At 6-0, Hobson also could have problems matching up against big tight ends. Hobson could lose playing time if speedy rookie LB Jonathan Vilma continues to develop.... The already-suspect secondary absorbed a big blow with the loss of nickel CB Ray Mickens (knee) for the season. Rookie Derrick Strait becomes the nickel back, and there will be growing pains. In college, he never played in the slot. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The toss sweep, an old staple that was shelved last year because former starting Gs Brent Smith and Dave Szott lacked mobility, is back. With LG Pete Kendall, C Kevin Mawae and athletic RG Brandon Moore, the club has three interior linemen with the speed to pull and lead sweeps. Many of Curtis Martin's 196 rushing yards against the Bengals came on the toss sweep and other perimeter running plays.--Rich Cimini

AFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

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