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AFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004

BUFFALO BILLS

Starting LG Lawrence Smith has good pass-blocking skills. Though not overpowering, he has good mobility and uses his long arms to keep pass rushers off his body. He also keeps a good foundation after taking the initial blow from a defensive lineman.... The team wants to make better use of TE Mark Campbell's receiving ability. Campbell has above-average hands, and at 6-6, 260, he presents a size mismatch for most defenders. He lacks the speed and elusiveness to consistently gain separation, but he runs well enough to make plays down the seam. Campbell is not a dominant blocker, but he works hard to get the proper angles and finish his blocks. PROBLEM SPOT: After allowing one sack in Week 1, the team allowed seven against the Raiders. Just like last season, when the Bills allowed an NFL-high 51 sacks, they are struggling to pick up blitzes and adjust to stunts. QB Drew Bledsoe is getting rid of the ball more quickly, but he still stands in the pocket too long.--Allen Wilson

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MIAMI DOLPHINS

Damion McIntosh is back from offseason ankle surgery and will compete at right and left tackle. He's a decent athlete but lacks ideal pass-protection skills and the ability to overpower defenders.... RE ,Jason Taylor is one of the NFL's quickest defensive linemen, but he's undersized (6-6, 255). He likely will face a lot of double-teams and hard hits. Against the Titans, he was chipped by the tight end, and the guard got a free shot at him on a trap block.... RB Lamar Gordon played in the Rams' system, which uses some of the same language the Dolphins do. The big difference is on pass routes, where he'll have to pick up the nuances. PROBLEM SPOT: CB Patrick Surtain's groin injury could be a nagging problem, which would hurt the nickel and dime defenses more than the base defense, when the Dolphins can turn to veteran Reggie Howard. Surtain's injury will force the club to play rookie Will Poole more. He had a good camp but lacks speed.--Jason Cole

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OLB Mike Vrabel is ideal for coach Bill Belichick's system because Vrabel, a former defensive end, has the size (6-4, 261) and technique to play on the line and the athletic ability to play in space. He is usually dominant when opponents try to block him with just a running back. Vrabel needs work in coverage, but Belichick is careful not to expose him to that too often.... Second-year FS Eugene Wilson's outstanding early play (two interceptions and a forced fumble) is a testament to his versatility and football instincts. Wilson was a cornerback in college. PROBLEM SPOT: This team has problems burying opponents, which leads to many close games. The Patriots probably are the best fourth-quarter team in the league, and since the start of the 2001 season, they are 17-2 in games decided by six or fewer points, including the playoffs. But that clutch play often hides the inability to do enough over the first three quarters to put the game away.--Michael Felger

NEW YORK JETS

Using Anthony Becht and Chris Baker in two-tight end formations has helped the running game, especially against eight-man fronts. Having an extra blocker in the box also helps on running plays that require zone-blocking schemes.... MLB Sam Cowart (sprained knee) is out for a few weeks, so the door is open for rookie Jonathan Vilma, who has outstanding speed and instincts. He's a smart player, but it might be too much to expect him to be the quarterback of the defense.... John Abraham is playing the new role of hybrid defensive end-linebacker. In the 4-3, he's a weakside end. In the 3-4, he's an outside linebacker who can rush the passer or drop into coverage. Sometimes, he's involved in zone blitzes, dropping into coverage while the middle linebacker blitzes. PROBLEM SPOT: The secondary is giving up too many completions, especially when it is attacked deep. Most of the big plays are coming in cover 2, when the safeties fail to get deep enough.--Rich Cimini

AFC East

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004

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