AFC

Sporting News, The, Feb 18, 2002

TENNESEE TITANS: The majority of the defensive struggles resulted from the secondary's inability to hold coverage. Now it looks as though the club will use its top pick (14th or 15th overall) on a cornerback, unless a highly rated offensive line prospect falls to them. The Titans want a big, fast corner. If they get the player they want, it's possible he could start right away. The loss of CB Denard Walker in free agency hurt the stability of the secondary. Some see Andre Dyson, who became a starter as a rookie last year, as a long-term nickel corner. Dyson (5-10, 177) has good speed, plays the ball well and bounces back quickly from mistakes. But he has trouble matching up against bigger wideouts.... QB Steve McNair says he is ahead of schedule on his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery and should be throwing full speed by April. That means he will participate fully in the team's minicamps and should be able to maintain his momentum from last season. The team will monitor him closely, because he overthrew after returning from offseason toe surgery before the 2000 season. --Jeff Legwold

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS: Of the six players designated to play in NFL Europe, C Ben Hamilton is the most important to develop. A fourth-round pick in 2001, he was inactive for all 16 games. The team hopes Hamilton eventually will take over for C Tom Nalen. The team likes Hamilton's intelligence and quickness. Now, it needs to see him develop in game situations. The team has a history of success with offensive linemen who hone their skills in NFL Europe.... QB Todd Husak was with the team for only a short time last season, but he made a positive impression on coach Mike Shanahan with his intelligence and grasp of a pro-style offense. The team recently gave Husak a one-year, $375,000 contract. Husak, who originally was signed last December as an emergency quarterback when Gus Frerotte was injured, will compete with Steve Beuerlein and Jarious Jackson for the backup job. Frerotte, an unrestricted free agent, is not expected to re-sign with the team.... The possible switch of OT Matt Lepsis from the right side to the left bears watching. The team experimented with the move last spring. A tight end in college, Lepsis is extremely agile and is considerably stronger than when he first arrived in the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He's an excellent run blocker and is getting better as a pass protector. --Patrick Saunders

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Free-agent MLB Marvcus Patton will turn 35 in May, but the team intends to re-sign him. He is coming off a good season, and his loss would create a void in the locker room. Patton stays in peak condition and is meticulous in his preparation. The plans to retain him cloud the future for Mike Maslowski, who is being groomed as the replacement. The Chiefs will tender Maslowski a contract to retain his rights, but he may balk at spending another season as Patton's backup. The Chiefs also could move Maslowski outside to challenge Lew Bush.... The team should have ample room under the salary cap to accomplish many of its offseason personnel goals. The initial priority is to re-sign its free agents, including TE Tony Gonzalez, LBs Donnie Edwards and Patton and CB Eric Warfield.... WR Marc Boerigter, a CFL import who signed last week, is raw, but the team likes his speed and ability to change direction. He could be the fourth receiver next season. --Adam Teicher