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Inside the AFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005

COLTS DE Robert Mathis, who has emerged as a premier situational pass rusher, could be moved to outside linebacker, where his size (6-2, 235) and speed might make him a good fit. Mathis played some at linebacker in practice last year but not in games.... DOLPHINS CBs Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison likely will have greater responsibility next season, assuming they are retained.

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New coach Nick Saban prefers his strong safety to play closer to the line and cover more of the middle of the field. Last season, Surtain and Madison were given a lot of outside safety help. With less two-deep coverage, Surtain and Madison will have to be more exact in press coverage or they will have to play off their man more, which is not their forte.... TITANS QB Steve McNair continues to recover nicely from sternum surgery. ]he team has acquired a vest apparatus that McNair could wear under his shoulder pads; the device is designed to help deflect impact from the chest area. McNair talked about retiring, but he has been upbeat of late and is expected to return.... The BRONCOS might switch to a 3-4 defense, and they have the personnel to make it work. The linebackers, most notably MLB AI Wilson and OLB D.J. Williams, are fast and athletic. Terry Pierce, who is raw but talented, could play inside with Wilson. Patrick Chukwurah could be a pass-rush specialist on the outside. ... Considering the strong possibility that the BROWNS will switch to a 3-4 scheme, they must give serious thought to having DE Courtney Brown play at a lighter weight and move to outside linebacker. The range of 280 to 290 doesn't seem to suit him; he has finished the last four seasons on injured reserve. A lighter weight would take pressure off his legs, and his intelligence and speed would be assets at outside linebacker.... PATRIOTS coaches like backup QB Rohan Davey, but he has shown no hints of being able to play in the NFL. His work ethic, intelligence and leadership are solid, but his footwork is poor, as is the accuracy of his short passes. Davey is poor insurance for Tom Brady.... With Jerricho Cotchery primed to move up the No. 3 receiver spot for the JETS, Wayne Chrebet could be released, particularly because he's due a roster bonus in March. The team also expects its fourth receiver to be a special teams contributor, and Chrebet isn't a special teamer. He could retire.... The CHIEFS' offensive line is elite but also aging. That's why the development of Jordan Black and Kevin Sampson is encouraging. Injuries forced Black to play some at right tackle last season, and he showed the athleticism the team wants from its linemen. Black could challenge John Welbourn, who is more of a mauler, for the starting spot. Sampson played little as a rook e but showed promise in practice.... RAVENS secondary coach Johnny Lynn has encouraged front office members to re-sign CB Deion Sanders. Lynn thought Sanders had a strong presence off the field, but he had trouble staying on it because of injuries. The team should look to develop a nickel corner instead of bringing back Sanders.... STEELERS rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger struggled late in the season against zones. Once teams figured out that blitzing Roethlisberger allowed him to make plays on the run, they started dropping extra players into coverage and he forced too many throws. An emphasis will be placed on Roethlisberger learning how to better read defenses and making plays from the pocket.... RAIDERS TE Teyo Johnson went from a forgotten player to a reliable option by season's end. But his emergence from coach Norv Turners doghouse will be short-lived if Johnson doesn't show a strong commitment to all facets of the game this offseason, especially because Courtney Anderson (knee) is expected to be at full health by training camp. AI Davis views Anderson as a potential star.... Though QB Jon Kitna offers the BENGALS stability, leadership and a nice insurance policy behind Carson Palmer, a trade of Kitna shouldn't be ruled out. The team would welcome the chance to add a draft pick, especially with its needs of improving the pass rush and run defense. If the Bengals trade Kitna, they will have to sign another veteran backup. Casey Bramlet, a 2004 rookie, shows promise but isn't ready to assume a No. 2 role.... TEXANS SS Eric Brown lost his starting job to rookie Glenn Earl in 2004. Brown excels in run support but struggles covering tight ends. Earl plays the run like a linebacker, and coaches like his upside in coverage. Brown is willing to be a backup, and given Earl's inexperience, the team should do everything it can to bring back Brown.... New JAGUARS offensive coordinator Carl Smith is vowing to be more aggressive than he was when he had the same position with the Saints under former coach Jim Mora. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio fired Bill Musgrave because he didn't think Musgrave's version of the West Coast offense fit the team's personnel, so Smith will be under orders to play to the strengths of quarterback Byron Leftwich and running back Fred Taylor. Smith is a well-regarded quarterbacks coach, so the Jags expect Leftwich's development to be accelerated.... After being maligned last preseason, BILLS RT Mike Williams made great strides during the season, improving as a pass blocker by showing better technique getting into his sets and using his strong hands to redirect pass rushers.... New CHARGERS offensive line coach Carl Mauck is intense and demanding. His critical style generally is handled better by veteran players; the Chargers started two rookies and a third-year pro last season. Mauck isn't known for his patience.

Inside the AFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005

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