AFC focus: something to prove

This a critical offseason for Broncos RB Tatum Bell. He was injury-prone as a rookie in 2004, and a camp contract holdout put him in coach Mike Shanahan's doghouse. Bell has the speed to he an elite back, but he needs to add muscle, improve his receiving skills and learn the offense inside and out.

If he does all that, he could be the team's No. 1 back.... Chargers CB Sammy Davis, a first-round pick in 2003, lost his job in '04 to Drayton Florence, a steadier, more physical, more aggressive player. Davis will need an outstanding offseason and training camp to regain his spot. Otherwise, he'll wind up as the nickel back.... Bills WR Josh Reed's play has declined the past two seasons. He is a good route runner but needs to get more separation and drop fewer passes. Entering his fourth season, Reed must show progress.... Jets WR Santana Moss took a step back in 2004. He doesn't play well when hurt, and he has been hurt a lot in his first four seasons. He was hampered by a hamstring injury this past season. Moss has game-breaking ability when healthy. Perhaps new coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will use him better than Paul Hackett did.... Raiders CB Phillip Buchanon is under scrutiny again, and his starting job is in jeopardy. He has not developed into the shutdown corner the Raiders thought he would be; he still lacks consistency in coverage, tackling and decision making. Buchanon won't be a topnotch player until he changes his mind-set and becomes more team-oriented.... Texans TE Bennie Joppru, a second-round pick in 2003, has yet to play a game--exhibition or regular season--because of a groin injury. Given the team's investment in Joppru, he will be given every opportunity to succeed. But he must prove he's fit.... The Chiefs' Jerome Woods needs to regain the skills and taste for contact that once made him one of the top free safeties in the AFC. Woods had perhaps the worst season of his career in 2004 after being named to the Pro Bowl in 2003.... Bengals RB Chris Perry is in danger of becoming the biggest bust of the 2004 draft. Perry, the 26th overall pick, was supposed to complement RB Rudi Johnson, but he didn't show he could be a tough inside runner or an every-down back. He also missed most of the season with a hamstring injury and a sports hernia.... The Jaguars' Greg Jones needs to pick it up. A 2004 second-round pick, he was expected to struggle some as a rookie because he was learning two positions--running back and fullback--but he did little to impress the team other than as a short-yardage runner. He's slow and not much of a receiver, so it doesn't appear he will succeed feature back Fred Taylor.... WR Tyrone Calico, who was limited to one game in 2004 because of a knee injury, will be a project for new Titans receivers coach Ray Sherman. Calico has the size (6-4, 222) and speed to succeed, but he hasn't caught the ball consistently. He also must improve at beating press coverage.

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