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AFC east

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004

BUFFALO BILLS

The secondary is banged up, and depth is an issue. Coy Wire, who had been filling in for SS Lawyer Milloy (arm), was benched because of struggles in pass coverage. Wire's replacement, Pierson Prioleau, is undersized (5-11, 188) and has spent most of his career at free safety. Second-year CB Terrence McGee, playing in place of Troy Vincent (knee), has good speed but is short (5-9) and has trouble covering crossing routes. ... McGee has become a threat on kickoff returns. He has terrific instincts and is decisive when bursting through the hole. If be continues to be effective, teams will try to avoid kicking to him, creating good field position for the Bills. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Wrestling and martial arts techniques have helped DT Sam Adams thrive. His wrestling skills give him good leverage, and his ability to anchor against double-teams makes him difficult to move. On pass plays, Adams uses chop moves to shed blockers and get penetration into the backfield.--Allen Wilson

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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Opponents continue to blitz QB Tom Brady, but he repeatedly beats the pressure by making outstanding decisions and moving just enough in the pocket to avoid getting hit. After the Dolphins were unsuccessful on a few blitzes last week, they started sending just four pass rushers and flooding the zones, which was more effective.... Bethel Johnson was the AFC's top kickoff returner last year, but he was inactive last week. Johnson has outstanding speed, but he isn't hitting the seam with a purpose. ... OLB Willie McGinest (6-5, 270) excels at re-routing receivers at the line. He has the size of a lineman and the burst of a linebacker, showing excellent closing speed. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: CB Ty Law and SS Rodney Harrison occasionally change positions. Harrison, who moves up to chuck receivers, is one of the NFL's strongest defensive backs, so he can really slow a receiver at the line. Law is big, strong and physical, so he's not out of place at safety.--Michael Felger

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Many would like to see QB Sage Rosenfels play because of the failures of Jay Fiedler and A.J. Feeley. Rosenfels has a strong arm, but his dedication has been questioned and he has a tendency to hold the ball too long. Though Rosenfels has struggled diagnosing defenses in the past, he is bright and could be a surprise. ... Rookie CB Will Poole doesn't have great speed, but he is smart and has great anticipation. He's stronger than most corners and plays with good leverage. Poole could be a great safety someday. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The defense has begun using more 3-4 formations, though in a highly modified version of the way most teams use them. Rather than stacking three bigger defensive linemen in the middle and allowing linebackers to rush off the edges, the Dolphins split their ends wide and dare teams to run inside. They then cover the run with the linebackers and defensive backs, using speed to destroy opposing blocking schemes.--Jason Cole

NEW YORK JETS

Among potential 2005 free agents, CB Donnie Abraham wasn't at the top of the team's list of players it wanted to re-sign. But he might be now. Abraham has five sacks and is a smart player who can read a quarterback and a receiver. On the downside, he can be overpowered by big wideouts.... Newcomer LG Pete Kendall has been a galvanizing force on the offensive line. A significant upgrade over Brent Smith, Kendall is a tough, smart player with enough mobility to thrive in a running scheme that emphasizes pulling and trapping. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The lets are the NFUs most surehanded team. Since Herman Edwards took over in 2001, they have committed a league-low 64 turnovers. In practice, they sometimes use a ball covered with a tight Rayon skin, making the ball as slippery as a bar of soap. Players say that puts an emphasis on the pressure points that are critical in maintaining possession. So far, the Jets have lost only one fumble on offense.--Rich Cimini

AFC east

Sporting News, The, Oct 18, 2004

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