Post by TheShadow on Jun 23, 2008 3:30:04 GMT -5
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EAST DIVISION
BUFFALO BILLS: Rookie WR Steve Johnson has made a good impression. He is big (6-2, 202), fights for balls in coverage and has good hands and running ability. Johnson's route-running skills are raw, but he has a playmaker's mentality.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: The uncertain status of RE Jason Taylor thrusts Charlie Anderson into the spotlight at weakside linebacker in the 3-4. Anderson is fearless and doesn't shy away from head-on blocks but lacks Taylor's athleticism. He depends more on power than finesse.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Speedy rookie Matt Slater, son of Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater, is operating under the radar. Slater was drafted in the fifth round as a kick returner, but he has worked at safety in OTAs and can play receiver if needed. Slater's return ability will allow injury-plagued CB Ellis Hobbs to focus on defense.
NEW YORK JETS: Look for OLB David Bowens to contribute more in his second season with the team. Bowens has lost speed but makes up for it with anticipation and savvy. The Jets have been giving him some reps inside this spring so they can get him on the field more in 2008.
NORTH DIVISION
BALTIMORE RAVENS: Look for second-year LT Jared Gaither to get first shot at replacing 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden, who retired last week. Gaither (6-9, 350) is as big as Ogden and has good explosiveness but is nowhere near as athletic. Gaither needs quicker feet in protection.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: SS Chinedum Ndukwe is wrestling the starting job away from Dexter Jackson. Ndukwe, a big hitter with speed and athleticism, needs only to improve his recognition skills. Jackson is a good leader but has lost a step.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: If the Browns maximize the run-after-catch abilities of WRs Donte' Stallworth, Joshua Cribbs and Kevin Kasper (who has been an offseason surprise), the offense will be scary good. For that to happen, though, QB Derek Anderson must do a better job on touch passes.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CB Ike Taylor has been solid since signing a contract extension in 2006, but he hasn't been the playmaker the team envisioned. Taylor has good speed and coverage skills and gets to the ball, but he has trouble holding on to potential interceptions.
SOUTH DIVISION
HOUSTON TEXANS: Coaches have been impressed by rookie LB Xavier Adibi, who is best suited for the weak side but also can play on the strong side. He's athletic and has the speed to run down ballcarriers. Adibi is expected to back up Morlon Greenwood.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: It's time for injury-plagued CB Tim Jennings to realize his potential. The Colts are set with Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden as returning starters, but Jennings could fill a big need as the third corner. The 5-8, 185-pounder is aggressive in coverage and run support.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: If Troy Williamson becomes the fourth receiver, defenses will have matchup problems. The speed of Williamson and Dennis Northcutt in the slots would force teams to keep safety help over the top (and out of the box) and open up the running game.
TENNESSEE TITANS: RT David Stewart has become a fixture up front. The team likes his physical style and is interested in signing him to a long-term contract. Stewart (6-7, 318) is big and strong, with above-average feet and a mean streak.
WEST DIVISION
DENVER BRONCOS: Fourth-year CB Karl Paymah could see action in nickel packages. Early in his career, Paymah was limited to special teams because he was overly physical in the secondary and drew too many penalties. These days, he is positioning his body better and has a better understanding of offenses.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Look for rookie Brandon Carr to begin the season as the third cornerback--and it might not take long for him to push veteran Patrick Surtain out of a starting job. Carr has the size (6-1, 206) to match up with bigger receivers and speed to stay with faster ones.
OAKLAND RAIDERS: So much for stretching the field. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, tired of seeing his offense in unfavorable down-and distance situations, wants strong-armed QB JaMarcus Russell to dump off passes when breakdowns occur. As a result, the Raiders are spending a lot of time working with Russell on his accuracy, touch and reads. Kiffin says his quarterback needs to complete 65 percent of his throws for the offense to be successful.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: LB Anthony Waters, fully healed from ACL surgery that ruined his rookie season, is moving like a man who understands his assignments. The physical Waters spent his year off learning the defense, and he's improving daily. Coaches hope he'll ease the pain of losing ILB Stephen Cooper (suspension) for the first quarter of the season.
CORRESPONDENTS: Baltimore, Mike Preston; Buffalo, Allen Wilson; Cincinnati, Chick Ludwig; Cleveland, Steve Doerschuk; Denver, Lee Rasizer; Houston, Megan Manfull; Indianapolis, Mike Chappell; Jacksonville, Michael C. Wright; Kansas City, Adam Teicher; Miami, Jeff Darlington; New England, John Tomase; New York, J.P. Pelzman; Oakland, Steve Corkran; Pittsburgh, Gerry Dulac; San Diego, Kevin Acee; Tennessee, Jim Wyatt.
EAST DIVISION
BUFFALO BILLS: Rookie WR Steve Johnson has made a good impression. He is big (6-2, 202), fights for balls in coverage and has good hands and running ability. Johnson's route-running skills are raw, but he has a playmaker's mentality.
MIAMI DOLPHINS: The uncertain status of RE Jason Taylor thrusts Charlie Anderson into the spotlight at weakside linebacker in the 3-4. Anderson is fearless and doesn't shy away from head-on blocks but lacks Taylor's athleticism. He depends more on power than finesse.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Speedy rookie Matt Slater, son of Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater, is operating under the radar. Slater was drafted in the fifth round as a kick returner, but he has worked at safety in OTAs and can play receiver if needed. Slater's return ability will allow injury-plagued CB Ellis Hobbs to focus on defense.
NEW YORK JETS: Look for OLB David Bowens to contribute more in his second season with the team. Bowens has lost speed but makes up for it with anticipation and savvy. The Jets have been giving him some reps inside this spring so they can get him on the field more in 2008.
NORTH DIVISION
BALTIMORE RAVENS: Look for second-year LT Jared Gaither to get first shot at replacing 11-time Pro Bowl tackle Jonathan Ogden, who retired last week. Gaither (6-9, 350) is as big as Ogden and has good explosiveness but is nowhere near as athletic. Gaither needs quicker feet in protection.
CINCINNATI BENGALS: SS Chinedum Ndukwe is wrestling the starting job away from Dexter Jackson. Ndukwe, a big hitter with speed and athleticism, needs only to improve his recognition skills. Jackson is a good leader but has lost a step.
CLEVELAND BROWNS: If the Browns maximize the run-after-catch abilities of WRs Donte' Stallworth, Joshua Cribbs and Kevin Kasper (who has been an offseason surprise), the offense will be scary good. For that to happen, though, QB Derek Anderson must do a better job on touch passes.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: CB Ike Taylor has been solid since signing a contract extension in 2006, but he hasn't been the playmaker the team envisioned. Taylor has good speed and coverage skills and gets to the ball, but he has trouble holding on to potential interceptions.
SOUTH DIVISION
HOUSTON TEXANS: Coaches have been impressed by rookie LB Xavier Adibi, who is best suited for the weak side but also can play on the strong side. He's athletic and has the speed to run down ballcarriers. Adibi is expected to back up Morlon Greenwood.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: It's time for injury-plagued CB Tim Jennings to realize his potential. The Colts are set with Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden as returning starters, but Jennings could fill a big need as the third corner. The 5-8, 185-pounder is aggressive in coverage and run support.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: If Troy Williamson becomes the fourth receiver, defenses will have matchup problems. The speed of Williamson and Dennis Northcutt in the slots would force teams to keep safety help over the top (and out of the box) and open up the running game.
TENNESSEE TITANS: RT David Stewart has become a fixture up front. The team likes his physical style and is interested in signing him to a long-term contract. Stewart (6-7, 318) is big and strong, with above-average feet and a mean streak.
WEST DIVISION
DENVER BRONCOS: Fourth-year CB Karl Paymah could see action in nickel packages. Early in his career, Paymah was limited to special teams because he was overly physical in the secondary and drew too many penalties. These days, he is positioning his body better and has a better understanding of offenses.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Look for rookie Brandon Carr to begin the season as the third cornerback--and it might not take long for him to push veteran Patrick Surtain out of a starting job. Carr has the size (6-1, 206) to match up with bigger receivers and speed to stay with faster ones.
OAKLAND RAIDERS: So much for stretching the field. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, tired of seeing his offense in unfavorable down-and distance situations, wants strong-armed QB JaMarcus Russell to dump off passes when breakdowns occur. As a result, the Raiders are spending a lot of time working with Russell on his accuracy, touch and reads. Kiffin says his quarterback needs to complete 65 percent of his throws for the offense to be successful.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: LB Anthony Waters, fully healed from ACL surgery that ruined his rookie season, is moving like a man who understands his assignments. The physical Waters spent his year off learning the defense, and he's improving daily. Coaches hope he'll ease the pain of losing ILB Stephen Cooper (suspension) for the first quarter of the season.
CORRESPONDENTS: Baltimore, Mike Preston; Buffalo, Allen Wilson; Cincinnati, Chick Ludwig; Cleveland, Steve Doerschuk; Denver, Lee Rasizer; Houston, Megan Manfull; Indianapolis, Mike Chappell; Jacksonville, Michael C. Wright; Kansas City, Adam Teicher; Miami, Jeff Darlington; New England, John Tomase; New York, J.P. Pelzman; Oakland, Steve Corkran; Pittsburgh, Gerry Dulac; San Diego, Kevin Acee; Tennessee, Jim Wyatt.