AFC

Sporting News, The, Jan 22, 2001

Baltimore

UNSUING 'BACKER: The linebackers dosed ranks against the Raiders, combining for 23 tackles. OLB Jamie Sharper (nine) doesn't get as much credit as MLB Ray Lewis and OLB Peter Boulware (seven each), but he keeps coming up with big plays. Sharper is uncovered in the team's scheme and has made significant improvement in his pursuit angles over the past two seasons. He also has become a major factor in the pass rush. Sharper had an interception Sunday, killing a last-minute scoring drive, and he blocked another pass.... DE Michael McCrary will be a key against the Giants, going up against OT Lomas Brown. McCrary is relentless as a pass rusher and pursues the backside extremely well. If he can get penetration, QB Kerry Collins will be flushed from the pocket.... Another key for the team is it must control the Giants' running game. The Giants like to run a lot of play action, but if they can't run, the Ravens won't be fooled. With Collins dropping straight back, he would be an easy target.

STEPPING UP: The team was satisfied with the play of reserve G Kipp Vickers, who filled in for starter Edwin Mulitalo. Mulitalo left late in the game with a concussion. Vickers was able to hold his own, despite having some problems pass-blocking. Overall, the offensive line wasn't overpowering, but the group dominated in the second half when the Ravens had to take time off the dock. The Ravens still have problems picking up blitzes, but they get two weeks to prepare for the Giants and their relentless pass rash. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW BOSS: The first order of business for new president/G.M. Tom Donahoe is hiring a new head coach. Donahoe also must straighten out the salary-cap problems in order to re-sign several key free agents such as WR Eric Moulds and DE Marcellus Wiley. He also intends to clean up the Rob Johnson-Doug Flutie quarterback controversy.... Phillips admitted that he made a mistake hiring Ronnie Jones as special teams coach, but he also made it clear he didn't lose his job just because of his refusal to dump Jones. Phillips felt letting Jones go would have opened the door for owner Ralph Wilson to ask for other assistants to be let go. In addition, Wilson did not offer Phillips a contract extension or a guarantee that the new general manager wouldn't fire him regardless of what assistants he dismissed. As a result, Phillips said returning for the final season on his contract would have been "an unmanageable situation."

FEELING A DRAFT: The team will select 14th in the draft, its highest position since 1995 when Pro Bowl G Ruben Brown was taken with the 14th pick. Offensive line is a primary need again. The Bills allowed 59 sacks, just four off the team record, and starting RT Marcus Spriggs and RG Jamie Nails are unrestricted free agents. Injuries in the secondary exposed the lack of depth there, but it's unlikely a first-round pick would be used to fill that hole. If Moulds or Wiley leaves, wideout and end will be high priorities. The Bills have one less selection, because they traded a fourth-round pick to Denver before the season for return man/CB Chris Watson. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati

CLEAR SIGNAL: TB Corey Dillon's rejection of an eight-year, $60 million contract that included a $12 million signing bonus means he's determined to test the free-agent market on March 2, regardless of what the Bengals offer him. Look for Dillon to sign an offer sheet with another club and for the Bengals to match it.... QB Akili Smith, whose goal is to regain the starling job in training camp, has been working out in San Diego in an effort to gain more strength and plans to return to Cincinnati as soon as a new offensive coordinator is hired. Smith's career would get a boost if the club hired deposed Browns coach Chris Palmer. The two hit it off in the days leading up to the '99 draft. Coach Dick LeBeau already has interviewed Colts quarterbacks coach Bruce Arians and planned to interview Palmer, former Steelers offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride and Steelers receivers coach Bob Bratkowski.

SPREADING THE WEALTH: Giving DT Oliver Gibson a four-year extension worth $3 million a year with a $4 million bonus is money well-spent. Gibson emerged as the team's most productive defensive lineman last season.... With C Rich Braham and LG Matt O'Dwyer headed to free agency, the Bengals are targeting LT John Jackson. Jackson's pass-protection skills and his leadership skills make him a key ingredient to the team's offensive plans. There's good depth in the interior line, so no panic buttons will be pushed if Braham and O'Dwyer depart. --Chick Ludwig

Cleveland

DAVIS RIGHT FIT? University of Miami coach Butch Davis more than likely is at the top of the team's coaching wish list. Despite Browns president Carmen Policy's strong denials, there was plenty of truth to the rumors several weeks ago--even before Chris Palmer was fired--that the Browns were looking at Davis. And there's a good reason for that. Davis has everything the Browns say they're looking for. He's relatively young (49), has head coaching experience and NFL coaching experience (as the defensive coordinator for the Cowboys during their Super Bowl years). He is a defensive coach but has shown an ability to attract top-notch offensive coaches. Davis also has a fire in his belly that allows him to motivate players. He thinks quickly on his feet during games, thus permitting him to make key adjustments. And he has the name recognition and track record that give him instant credibility with the players.