AFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 18, 2002

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS; Kevin Gilbride brings a wealth of NFL experience to his new position as offensive coordinator, having spent eight of his 12 years in the league as an coordinator with Houston (1990-93), Jacksonville (1995-96) and Pittsburgh (1999-2000). His job now is to revitalize an inconsistent offense. Coach Gregg Williams wants a unit that will emphasize the run but still make the most of his best player, WR Eric Moulds. The Bills set team record lows in 2001 with 412 rushing attempts and 75 rushing first downs.... Bills fans shouldn't bid farewell to QB Rob Johnson just yet. If he is not taken in the expansion draft, the Bills would take him back--if he accepts a big pay cut in the final year of his contract. Many in the organization believe Johnson doesn't want to return, but the hiring of Gilbride, whom Johnson admires, might change his mind.... Of the players allocated to NFL Europe for next season, QB David Dinkins is the most intriguing. Dinkins also has played running back and defensive back since joining the team as an undrafted free agent last spring. The Bills hope a year of seasoning overseas will help accelerate his development. --Allen Wilson

MIAMI DOLPHINS: New offensive coordinator Norv Turner wants his unit to make big plays, and he plans to throw downfield. That change in approach should help big-play WR Chris Chambers and give WRs Oronde Gadsden and James McKnight more chances to make plays. Gadsden, however, may be hampered in adjusting to the scheme. He recently had shoulder surgery and could miss most or all of the minicamps and quarterbacks schools this offseason. A key cog in the offense because of his chemistry with QB Jay Fiedler, Gadsden isn't a deep threat, but he comes up with a lot of clutch catches and is difficult to tackle.... FB Rob Konrad also could thrive under Turner, who has had great success with fullbacks (Daryl Johnston in Dallas, Larry Centers in Washington). Konrad was miscast in Chan Gailey's block-first system, though he did improve in that area. He has good receiving skills, though knocking two years of rust off that part of his game might take time.... Because the role of the tight end also could expand, the team is interested in seeing what Alonzo Mayes, who was on the physically unable to perform list last season, can do. He is athletic but not much of a blocker. TE Jed Weaver could develop into a Stephen Alexander-type. --Todd Archer

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Veteran LB Bryan Cox, who will be an unrestricted free agent, wants to play at least two more years and would like for them to be with the Patriots. He played sparingly late in the season after returning from a broken leg, but his attitude and leadership were instrumental in the locker room, and his physical play before his injury set a tone on the field. The team could dip into the new minimum salary benefit provision to retain Cox's services. Cox, as a 12-year veteran, will have a minimum salary figure of $750,000 in 2002, but only $450,000 will be counted against the salary cap.... Talk about a bargain. QB Tom Brady made the Pro Bowl and led the team to the NFL title while making only $298,000 in 2001. Look for the team to sign him to an extension worth at least $5 million annually. ... For the first time in years, the Patriots won't have to make a round of cuts in February to get under the cap--they are already about $3 million to $4 million under. Does that mean they'll be a big player for top-level free agents? Don't bet on it. The Patriots prefer to target second-tier guys who fit their system. --Michael Felger

NEW YORK JETS: The outcome of the expansion draft will have a significant impact on the offseason plans. The Jets figure to lose one player--likely OT Ryan Young--and possibly two. If the Texans grab CB Marcus Coleman, it would create $5.5 million in salary-cap space--a huge bonus for the Jets, who must trim about $9 million by March 1 and still re-sign top free agents LB James Farrior and OT Jason Fabini. Coleman is a talented but erratic player whose performance has declined since 1999, when he enjoyed a breakthrough season under Bill Parcells. Coaches were displeased with Coleman's tardiness to meetings and lack of concentration on the field. If Coleman goes unclaimed in the draft, he still might be released. The preferred replacement for Coleman would be second-year CB Jamie Henderson, who has good size but needs polish on his coverage skills.... CB Aaron Glenn is on the expansion list, but he's likely to return. He has an $8 million cap number; the only way to reduce that would be to sign him to a contract extension.... The team lost its highly respected offensive line coach, Bill Muir, who accepted the same position with the Bucs. --Rich Cimini

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS: After losing respected coordinator Marvin Lewis to the Redskins, the team's strength--its defense--could be in for a significant drop-off. The loss of Lewis means the team will go through a philosophical adjustment on defense in addition to losing as many as six defensive starters. The new coordinator is Mike Nolan, who was the Ravens' receivers coach last season but has been a defensive coordinator with three other teams. Under Nolan, look for the Ravens to use a 3-4 scheme that will be more of a read-and-react style compared with Lewis' gap-control, high-pressure approach. Defensive assistant Mike Smith was promoted to linebackers coach to replace Jack Del Rio, another key staff member who left to become defensive coordinator in Carolina. Lewis had the complete trust of his players, and Nolan will have to work hard to forge such a relationship.... The team might release TE Shannon Sharpe unless he agrees to a significant cut in pay. The Ravens consider Sharpe expendable with 2001 rookie Todd Heap viewed as the heir apparent.... The team hired David Shaw as quarterbacks coach and Gary Zauner as special teams coach. The addition of Shaw, 29, the Raiders' quarterbacks coach last year, will allow Matt Cavanaugh to devote all of his time to his coordinator duties. Cavanaugh had been quarterbacks coach and coordinator the past three years. --Mike Preston