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AFC east

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

BUFFALO BILLS

Coordinator Jerry Gray's blitzes help give the team one of the NFL's most disruptive pass rushes, and they involve everyone. LBs London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes use their instincts and timing to find open lanes up the middle. Ss Lawyer Milloy and Troy Vincent are effective off the edges or up the middle. Gray also sends cornerbacks, depending on the down and distance. ... Second-year CB Terrence McGee has emerged as a solid starter. He's 5-9, but he can hold his own against big receivers because of his athletic ability and speed. He also is one of the league's best kickoff returners. McGee has good burst and lets blocks develop in front of him. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Two undrafted rookies, FS Rashad Baker and CB Jabari Greer, have made impacts. Baker, who has started this season, has shown range and a nose for the football. Greer has played mostly in passing situations. He's thin but tall enough (169, 5-11) to compete with big receivers. Re has good ball skills and adequate speed. All he lacks is experience to become a solid nickel back.--Allen Wilson

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MIAMI DOLPHINS

There is concern about a contract extension for CB Patrick Surtain, who will be in the final year of his deal in 2005. Restructuring Surtain's contract is a must if the team is to avoid huge cuts to keep him. Trading Surtain is an option, but getting equal value for him in a trade might be difficult because the value of cornerbacks has diminished with the stricter enforcement of rules against illegal contact. . ... LT Damion McIntosh has cleaned up his act on penalties and has become more dependable as the season has progressed. Ideally, he will get a shot at right tackle next season, where he could do more downhill blocking instead of so much lateral work. LG Jeno James has spent too much energy helping McIntosh. YOUTH MOVEMENT: LB Eddie Moore, a second-round pick in 2003, has flashed decent talent but is injury-prone. Moore has a chance to start next season with Junior Seau and Morlon Greenwood expected to leave. Moore has the speed and athletic ability to be a very good weakside player. He has good range, but he must play more to improve his instincts.--Jason Cole

NEW YORK JETS

The team must upgrade at tight end. Anthony Becht, a better blocker than receiver, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. There's little chance of him re-signing. Chris Baker has been a disappointment. To operate a true West Coast offense, the Jets need a legitimate receiving threat at the position. Becht and Baker have eight drops combined this season. ... SLB Mark Brown is playing so well that incumbent Victor Hobson (ankle) isn't being rushed back. Brown lacks Hobson's blitzing ability, but he's a good tackler and is stout against the run. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Rookie WR Jerricho Cotchery, a nonfactor for most of the season, has become the primary kick returner and is part of the team's four-wideout packages. The Jets are hoping he will provide a spark for a special teams unit that has yet to score a touchdown this season. Cotchery, whose progress was stunted by a hamstring injury, is considered the heir apparent to Wayne Chrebet as the No. 3 receiver.--Rich Cimini

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The plan was to take it slow with injured starting CBs Ty Law (foot) and Tyrone Poole (knee) and get them healthy for the playoff drive. But Poole was placed on injured reserve last week, so the pressure is on Law to get back in time for the playoffs. The Pats have survived with a patchwork secondary featuring LCBs Asante Samuel and Earthwind Moreland and RCBs Randall Gay and Troy Brown. The team's chances will improve greatly if Law makes it back. ... K Adam Vinatieri is having one of his best seasons. What makes him special is that his accuracy isn't affected by the elements. The key to his bad-weather success is the way he comes into the ball. He takes shorter steps and is less aggressive so his plant foot remains strong. Vinatieri rarely slips on his approach. YOUTH MOVEMENT: First-round pick NT Vince Wilfork has given the team decent production in his rookie year while splitting time with 13-year veteran Keith Traylor. Wilfork needs work against the run, but he moves well for a player his size (6-1, 330). That has earned him some time at end. The club hopes Wilfork will become an every-down option.--Michael Felger

AFC east

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

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