AFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 1, 1999

Baltimore

THE MAN: The team's decision to hire Brian Billick as head coach was a major victory in a number of ways. First, it gave the team some credibility again after three straight losing seasons and the failure to hire George Seifert or Mike Holmgren. Also, Billick, as the Vikings offensive coordinator, guided one of the NFL's best offenses in each of the last five seasons and should be able to energize the Ravens, whose offense was horrendous in '98. Billick has a reputation of working well with and getting the most out of quarterbacks, and the Ravens have a quarterback problem with neither Jim Harbaugh nor Eric Zeier taking control of the team last season. If Billick can work his magic on offense and the defense continues its progress, an 8-8 season is not an impossible dream.

COORDINATING SUCCESS: Billick rehired Marvin Lewis as defensive coordinator, and that's a big plus for the team. The front seven is one of the league's best, and if the team can acquire some secondary help, the unit can become dominating. The Ravens are three players away from having a premier defense. If Lewis hadn't been rehired, the team likely would have struggled with a new system for most of 1999. Lewis, though, needs to develop better relationships with his players to get the most out of them. Don't be surprised if OLB Jamie Sharper asks for a possible release or demands a trade because Lewis has returned.... The Ravens made a mistake by leaving G Ben Cavil unprotected for the Browns. Cavil probably won't be more than a top reserve, but he still is better than Mike Flynn, the team's other reserve guard. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

SHOW ME THE MONEY: Although he hasn't made a formal request to the team, third-year receiver Eric Moulds wants to negotiate a renegotiated contract. After two somewhat unproductive years, the 1996 first-round draft choice broke through in 1998 with 67 catches for a team record of 1,368 yards and nine touchdowns, , and his average of 20.4 yards per catch topped all receivers with at least 40 receptions. Although Moulds still has two years left on the live-year, $5 million deal he signed after being drafted out of Mississippi State, the Bills might be wise to tie him up now, because if he continues on this pace over the next two years, his price could be astronomical.... The team enjoyed unbridled success the last time it plucked a quarterback (Doug Flutie) out of the Canadian Football League, and has once again trekked north of the border to sign QB Mike Cawley, a former Colts draft pick out of James Madison. Cawley will compete for the third-string job behind Flutie and Rob Johnson.

TIGHT END SEARCH: Coach Wade Phillips says Jay Riemersma, who caught 25 passes for 288 yards and six touchdowns, has the potential to be a fine tight end but must improve his blocking. Phillips also is concerned about Riemersma's durability, so the team will be looking to upgrade the position, most likely in the draft. One player who may be of interest is Mississippi junior Rufus French, who was named a first-team All-America after leading Southeastern Conference tight ends in receptions for two consecutive seasons. --Sal Maiorana

Cincinnati

SCOUTING QBS: Given the team's uncertain quarterback situation, coach Bruce Coslet's presence during Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Ala., carried significant weight. UCLA's explosive Cade McNown and Ohio State's heady Joe Germaine are both tempting second-round picks. McNown, who earned Senior Bowl MVP honors, can really move a team, and Germaine's stock is soaring because of his poise, production and picture-perfect throwing motion.... Taking Georgia's sensational junior CB/WR Champ Bailey may no longer be a lock for the Bengals, who can't afford any mistakes with the No. 3 overall selection, because of the glaring need on the defensive line. Re-signing CB Ashley Ambrose or grabbing a comparable cornerback in free agency could clear a path for the team to draft LSU's undersized but highly motivated T Anthony McFarland or Nebraska's ultraquick E Mike Rucker.

STRONG SUIT: The team's strongside LB Reinard Wilson could look a lot better if he reaches his potential in the 3-4 scheme. If he doesn't blossom as a ferocious pass rasher next season, he could risk being replaced at right outside linebacker by up-and-comer Adrian Ross, a rookie free agent in '98. Ross has the durability, desire and instinct of a seasoned veteran, and he'll continue to improve with experience.... A turnaround season hinges on DE John Copelend's recovery from a tom Achilles' tendon. That would allow DE Clyde Simmons, who still has plenty of skills at 34, to become a situational pass rusher. --Chick Ludwig

Cleveland

PALMER'S PLACE: Owner Al Lerner, who gave new coach Chris Palmer a five-year, $5 million contract, says Palmer is exactly what the team needs--a builder, not a fixer. Palmer had his eye on the Cleveland job for more than a year and has been studying Jacksonville's blueprint for expansion success as its offensive coordinator. Though he never has been a head coach in the NFL and has no experience on the defensive side, Palmer is a noted quarterback gum who can make a winner out of a rookie QB. He also knows the AFC Central, having prepared for each team four times in the last two years. Palmer credits Bill Parcells, whom he worked for in New England for four years, for making him tougher, improving him greatly as a coach and shaping his football philosophy.... Palmer says if the Browns decide to draft Ricky Williams, they'll load up on 300-pound linemen and mn the ball. If they decide to take QB Tim Couch, they'll go into the free-agency market aggressively looking for experienced receivers.