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AFC east

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005

BUFFALO BILLS

Jason Peters is considered LT Mike Gandy's primary backup, but Peters is being used a lot as an extra tight end-his college position-in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The Bills see him as a diamond in the rough who could be the starting left tackle down the road, but they don't want to let his athletic ability or pass-catching skills go to waste. ... RT Mike Williams has shown signs of becoming the dominant player the Bills expected to get when they drafted him fourth overall in 2002. He's a force as a run blocker, using his size (6-6,360) and strength to drive defenders off the line. He also works hard to finish his blocks. He needs work in pass protection; he sometimes uses poor technique and struggles against speed rashers because he lacks mobility. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The once-proud run defense ranks near the bottom of the league. It has allowed three 100-yard rushing performances, matching 2004's total. The Bills have struggled with zone blocking schemes because a couple of defenders have been overaggressive in pursuing the ball, which creates cutback lanes. The team thinks the primary problem has been missed assignments.--Alien Wilson

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MIAMI DOLPHINS

RB Ricky Williams' game has changed after spending a year away from football. He's smaller, so he's more of a slash-and-speed back. In the past, he was so good at pounding the strong side of the formation that defenses would have to overload to that side. He would then use his quickness to cut back to the weak side. Now, he can't run through tackles the same way; he's more of an outside threat. ... No. 1 WR Chris Chambers has the ability of a top NFL receiver but hasn't produced like one. He has been accused of not attacking passes, and sometimes he doesn't see the field well. He fails to overwhelm opponents physically despite superior tools. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The run defense is solid, but occasional lapses and poor tackling have hurt. The third-down struggles primarily are the result of coverage problems in the secondary. But other than the loss to Tampa Bay last week, the unit has adjusted well after halftime and been solid in the third quarter. It also has been consistently good in goal-line situations, stopping opponents from scoring on 14 of 15 runs from the 5 or closer.--Jason Cole

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

If ILB Tedy Bruschi suffers no setbacks during his expected return to practice this week, he could be in the lineup for the team's next game, against Buffalo in Week 8. That would allow ILB Chad Brown to play a reduced role. Brown isn't built for the pounding inside, but the team can use his pass-rushing skills. ... After an atrocious start, the punt coverage has been containing returners, largely because of Josh Miller's solid punts. ... OLB Mike Vrabel still has the pass-rushing skills he honed as a defensive end in college, and he makes plays in coverage.

DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: In past seasons, the Patriots have been creative with their schemes because they could do the basics well. This season, running the simple 3-4 alignment has been challenge enough. Because DL Richard Seymour is out and NT Vince Wilfork isn't playing up to expectations, the defense has struggled to stop the run and has had to get more help from linebackers and safeties in run support. The injury-depleted secondary isn't solid in man-to-man coverage. The situation should get better as players return from injury.--Tom Curran

NEW YORK JETS

No. 3 WR Wayne Chrebet has disappeared from the offense. That's a bit of a surprise, considering he had good chemistry with QB Vinny Testaverde in the past. Chrebet still can be a factor in the slot on third down, but the Jets seem to have forgotten about him. ... CB Ty Law is struggling to adapt to the officials' crackdown on illegal contact. He has six penalties, five of which were contact-related. Law doesn't have great speed, but he is aggressive and uses his powerful hands to redirect receivers. Trouble is, officials are calling everything beyond 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. Law has to adapt to the new landscape. ... WLB Mark Brown has done a nice job in place of the injured Eric Barton. Look for them to rotate when Barton returns.

DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The Jets are doing a great job of mixing up their fronts. The versatility of RE/OLB John Abraham enables them to morph in and out of 4-3 and 3-4 looks, keeping offenses off-balance. They also have used some "46" fronts, with OLB Victor Hobson, an effective blitzer, lining up on the line as an extra pass rusher. But the team's smallish front struggles against big lines.--Rich Cimini

AFC east

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005

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