BALTIMORE RAVENS The staff is confident RB Musa Smith can carry the ball 15 to 18 times a game if legal problems sideline Jamal Lewis. The coaches have spent the offseason working on Smith's confidence. He's a big back like Lewis but lacks Lewis' speed on the perimeter. Still, the franchise believes Smith can be a standout.... Backup QB Anthony Wright will miss at least a month of the regular season after having surgery on his right shoulder. The Ravens are looking at Kordell Stewart as a possible replacement. Stewart's 56.8 quarterback rating and 50.2 percent completion rate with the Bears last year were the lowest figures among quarterbacks with more than 200 passes. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: In Chris McAlister and Gary Baxter, the team has big, physical starters with sticky coverage ability. McAlister is an underrated tackler who specializes in man coverage. He also has the confidence and strength to stuff receivers at the line. Baxter played almost as well as McAlister in '03 but lacks McAlister's instincts. Baxter excels in press coverage and has recovery speed but needs to improve in zone coverage. Aging reserves Corey Fuller and Dale Carter will be used in nickel and dime situations. Carter still has skill but could become a disruptive force in the locker room.--Mike Preston
POSITION GRADE A-
BUFFALO BILLS WR Eric Moulds is showing he has recovered from a groin injury that slowed him most of last season. With Moulds, first-round pick Lee Evans and veterans Josh Reed and Bobby Shaw, look for the Bills to spread the field with multiple-receiver formations.... The Bills like undrafted rookie RB Shaud Williams (5-7, 193). Williams, who led the SEC with 1,367 rushing yards for Alabama last season, was not drafted in part because of his lack of height. He runs with good balance and vision through the hole and looks good as a receiver out of the backfield. His running skills could be an asset on kickoff returns. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Free agent Troy Vincent (Eagles) is expected to fill the void left by Antoine Winfield's departure. A 13-year veteran and solid shutdown corner, Vincent has the strength to jam receivers and knock them off pass routes and still runs well. Nate Clements has Pro Bowl skills. He's physical and has ideal size (6-0, 209). He's so confident that he'll take chances to make a big play. Terrence McGee is coming off of a good rookie year, displaying nice cover skills against slot receivers. Kevin Thomas has good size (6-0, 182) and quickness, but he must focus and maintain proper techniques to be a complete player.--Allen Wilson
POSITION GRADE B
CINCINNATI BENGALS The staff is being careful with WR Peter Warrick, who is coming off knee surgery. He has looked sharp getting in and out of breaks and catching the ball. With Chad Johnson and Kelley Washington stretching defenses, Warrick is a valuable weapon as the slot receiver because he works the middle of the field well.... Keep an eye on RLB Khalid Abdullah. He added strength, kept his speed and is playing with more confidence. He is better equipped to shed blocks because of added weight. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: This group will be faster and more aggressive but must create more turnovers. RCB Tory James is a long-armed ballhawk who specializes in press coverage. LCB Deltha O'Neal arrived in a trade with the Broncos three days before Dennis Weathersby was hospitalized with a severe head injury suffered in a car crash. Weathersby was supposed to be a major contributor; now, his career is in jeopardy. O'Neal is a terrific athlete but has a reputation for gambling too much. Rookies Keiwan Ratliff and Greg Brooks are being counted on to contribute in nickel and dime packages. Ratliff is fast and physical. Brooks will battle Terrell Roberts and Reggie Myles for the other backup spot.--Chick Ludwig
POSITION GRADE C
CLEVELAND BROWNS QB Jeff Garcia has looked a little rough at times in the minicamps as he has tried to make the transition from the 49ers' offense to the Browns' system. But that's to be expected. He's a smart player and a hard worker and will pick things up in time.... A year ago, QB Kelly Holcomb was being hailed as the next Brian Sipe. Now he's seen as a career backup. The truth lies somewhere in between. He isn't mobile, and his arm is average, but he has a good feel for the game, is accurate and has a gunslinger's mentality. He made mistakes last year--after he was named the starter in the preseason, he lost focus and started advertising passes. His contract is up at the end of the season, so he has to show that 2003 wasn't a good measure of his ability. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: There isn't a shutdown corner, but the group is above average. Daylon McCutcheon, the left-side starter, isn't big, strong or fast but probably is the most consistent cover man and is unquestionably the defense's best tackler. Anthony Henry, the right-side starter, is the best physically. He has the potential to be a shutdown guy but gets turned around while the ball is in the air. The top backups are Roosevelt Williams, who likes to bump receivers, and Michael Lehan, who has good ball skills but is injury-prone. Leigh Bodden, who made the team last year as a rookie free agent, might be the hardest hitter of the bunch.--Steve King
POSITION GRADE B
DENVER BRONCOS LB Jashon Sykes was thrust into a starting role last season because of injuries to Ian Gold and John Mobley and handled the job well. Look for Sykes to start on the strong side this season. He's a strong player who can handle most tight ends downfield. However, Sykes gets caught in traffic because he lacks bulk.... In the wake of TE Shannon Sharpe's retirement, the team signed former Bronco Byron Chamberlain, who has had an inconsistent career but made the Pro Bowl after the 2001 season. He probably won't beat out Jed Weaver for the starting job, but Chamberlain has the ability to make big catches downfield. He also is in good shape, which wasn't always the case during his first stint with Denver. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: The arrival of Champ Bailey gives the team its best corner since Louis Wright. Bailey is smart, fast, athletic and a decent tackier. The team needs Bailey to be a ballhawk because interceptions have been rare. Lenny Walls will get picked on often because Bailey is so good, but Walls is up to the challenge. He runs well, has learned from his mistakes and is a tireless worker. Kelly Herndon and Willie Middlebrooks provide decent depth. Herndon, the nickel back, is a tough player and good tackler. Middlebrooks slowly has improved to the point where he no longer is a liability. He's a good special teams player who also can play safety.--Patrick Saunders
POSITION GRADE A-
HOUSTON TEXAS Quickness and athletic ability will be important for the offensive linemen. The line is switching from straight-ahead to zone blocking, which better suits the talents of the team's running backs. RB Domanick Davis' quick feet and decisive running style make him a natural for the scheme and should give him a better opportunity to locate running lanes.... FB Jarrod Baxter was a promising rookie in 2002, but a foot injury sidelined him for the 2003 season, and he still hasn't been cleared for offseason workouts. The club hopes Baxter, who is a good runner and receiver, will be ready by training camp. FB Moran Norris is making a case for being the permanent starter, and recent acquisition Charles Stackhouse (vikings) is trying to make an impression. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: All eyes are on first-round pick Dunta Robinson. The team thought enough of him to move CB Marcus Coleman to free safety. Robinson has great speed and plays much bigger than his size (5-10, 174). Aaron Glenn battled injuries in 2003, but he is healthy and determined to return to his Pro Bowl form. No. 3 CB Kenny Wright, who is recovering from knee surgery, is good enough to start for some teams. Demarcus Faggins, the fourth corner, has good speed. He isn't physical enough to be an every-down player, but his cover skills have exceeded the expectations for a sixth-round pick.--Carlton Thompson
POSITION GRADE B
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS The offseason meetings and workouts are invaluable for WR Aaron Moorehead. They allow him to have extended work with QB Peyton Manning. Although receiver is a deep position, Moorehead could emerge as a viable option around the goal line. He's a big target and has excellent hands and upside.... The club has seen no evidence during the offseason program to indicate LB Cato June can't handle the starting weakside job. A safety in college, June has worked smoothly even though he has little experience with the reads and responsibilities. The coaches moved last year's weakside starter, David Thornton, to the strong side to replace Marcus Washington. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Walt Harris and David Macklin, the starters in last season's AFC championship game loss to New England, are gone The projected replacements include Donald Strickland and Joseph Jefferson, who don't have much experience. The only starting candidate with experience is Nick Harper. All three are athletic and aggressive and could develop into playmakers, which have been missing in the secondary. Jefferson missed last season after undergoing hernia surgery. Strickland has range, a nose for the ball and the instincts to make a difference. Harper is a risk-taker and ballhawk. Keep an eye on rookie Jason David.--Mike Chappell
POSITION GRADE C
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS Last year, RB Fred Taylor started leaving the field on third downs in favor of LaBrandon Toefield because the staff didn't consider Taylor to be a reliable receiver. He has responded by getting laser eye surgery to improve his vision and often works on his receiving skills. Taylor also is lifting more weights in hopes of keeping rookie Grag Jones on the sideline in short-yardage situations.... Backup QB David Garrard's recent surgery to address an intestinal disorder is allowing former undrafted free agent Quinn Gray a chance to impress coaches. The team likes Gray's size (6-3, 237) and arm strength, but he makes poor decisions. Still, Gray will have a spot with the club. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: The club lost free agent Fernando Bryant but believes it upgraded by signing Juran Bolden (Falcons), Dewayne Washington (Steelers) and Lewis Sanders (Browns). The speedy Bolden likely will start on the left side, opposite Rashean Mathis. The coaches think Mathis, the fastest player on the team, could become one of the NFL's best. But critics think he gambles too much. The nickel and dime packages should he stronger because of the incoming veterans. Kirwaukee Thomas likely will retain his job as the third corner, but Washington will give him a run. Sanders, who could be moved to safety, must overcome a history of injuries. Impressive youngster Blue Adams also is in the mix.--Bart Hubbuch
POSITION GRADE B-
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Second-round pick Kris Wilson has been impressive in practices. He catches everything thrown his way and has proved difficult to cover. With his receiving skills, Wilson will give the team a different look when he pairs with Tony Gonzalez in two-tight end sets. The other tight end, Jason Dunn, primarily is a blocker. Look for coaches to use all three players at once on occasion--and not just in goal-line or short-yardage situations.... The club will try to get more production at receiver from star return man Dante Hall. Unless rookie Samie Parker develops quickly, Hall will be the only wideout who can go the distance every time he touches the ball. Hall has improved his receiving skills, and the coaches are more comfortable using him as a downfield target. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Eric Warfield has good size and is a superb athlete but has occasional lapses in concentration. Opposite him is Dexter McCleon, who is coming off a good season but is smaller than coordinator Gunther Cunningham prefers and has trouble matching up against big, physical receivers. McCleon likely will hold on to the job, but Cunningham likes the potential of the next two corners in line. William Bartee has good size and physical skills but has struggled mightily at times. He's having a strong off-season. Julian Battle, who played sparingly as a rookie last year, eventually could be the best of the bunch but lacks experience.--Adam Teicher
POSITION GRADE C-
MIAMI DOLPHINS OLB Eddie Moore is moving effectively now that a torn ligament in his left foot has healed. The injury kept Moore out all of last season. As a result, Moore appears destined for a backup spot. Coordinator Jim Bates says Moore will have to play "lights-out" to beat out Morion Greenwood for the starting strongside spot. Greenwood had the best season of his career last year and is primed for another strong year.... New FS Antuan Edwards (Packers) has displayed great intuitive coverage skills, snaring three interceptions in a three-day minicamp. Edwards fits the profile of what the Dolphins like in a safety. He's a former cornerback who has the ability to line up in man coverage and the quickness to pick up receivers when playing off. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: CB Patrick Surtain is an elite cover man. He has a wonderful combination of quickness and strength and fits perfectly in the team's press coverage system. Surtain also is a willing tackler in run support. This season, the Dolphins intend to use him against slot receivers in nickel and dime packages because of his ability to change directions and play in open space. Fellow starter Sam Madison has lost some of his recovery speed in recent years and is an inconsistent tackler against the run. The Dolphins hope free agent Reggie Howard (Panthers) will provide great depth. Howard and rookie Will Poole have great upper-body strength, as do Madison and Surtain.--Jason Cole
POSITION GRADE A-
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS DT Keith Traylor (6-2, 340) has the size to play nose tackle in the 3-4, but the team has to find out if he has the technique. Traylor must work on getting his hands up and engaging the center at the snap if he is to fill the void left by Ted Washington's departure. Traylor will be pushed for playing time by first-round pick Vince Wilfork.... The team will try to keep K Adam Vinatieri fresher by limiting his kickoffs during training camp and in-season practices. Vinatieri was inconsistent in 2003, thanks in large part to a nagging back injury. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: CB Ty Law loves to get his hands on receivers and ride them down the field, but he might have to adjust if the NFL follows through with its intention to enforce the illegal-contact rule more strictly. If Law, embroiled in a contract dispute, is traded before the season, FS Eugene Wilson will move to cornerback. Wilson has the size, athleticism and instincts to excel. Veteran Tyrone Poole (5-9, 185) will be the other starter. Opponents constantly tried to take advantage of Poole's size last year by attempting to throw over the top. No one succeeded until Carolina in the Super Bowl. Asante Samuel likely will remain the third corner. He plays well against slot receivers but needs to add bulk. The team improved depth by bringing back ageless wonder Otis Smith, 38, and adding veteran Jeff Burris.--Michael Felger
POSITION GRADE A-
NEW YORK JETS Offensive coordinator Paul Hackett is planning to use more two-tight end formations than in the past. Two reasons: He believes backup Chris Baker is ready for more playing time, and he thinks it makes sense to rely on the tight ends while sorting out the wide receivers' roles. New starter Justin McCareins, a flanker with the Titans, is learning to play split end while also learning Hackett's complex West Coast offense. In addition, Wayne Chrebet is adjusting to being a backup for the first time since 1997.... After a steady if not stellar season at right guard, Brent Smith is moving to left guard. Smith has been slowed by knee injuries and is limited athletically, but he can slug it out in tight quarters. The Jets expect Smith, a natural left tackle, to be more comfortable on that side. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: The Jets upgraded one spot by replacing Aaron Beasley with free agent David Barrett (Cardinals) but failed to land a shutdown corner. Barrett and Donnie Abraham have been solid starters in the NFL, as has nickel back Ray Mickens, who could push Abraham. The current personnel could affect new coordinator Donnie Henderson's plans to play mostly man-to-man coverage. Barrett could be an effective bump-and-run corner, but he doesn't have the speed to turn and run with top receivers. Abraham has played his entire career on zone-oriented teams. The No. 4 corner, rookie Derrick Strait, mostly played cover 2 at Oklahoma.--Rich Cimini
POSITION GRADE C
OAKLAND RAIDERS The club bolstered its depth and found an eventual replacement for Rich Gannon when it signed QB Kerry Collins. Collins seems to be a better fit than Gannon in coach Norv Turner's vertical passing offense because of his arm strength and accuracy, but Turner is content to let Collins study the offense for a year before jumping in. However, the team wants Gannon to restructure his contract to reduce its salary-cap burden for 2004. If he won't, he could be released--making Collins the starter this year.... The addition of Collins doesn't bode well for Marques Tuiasosopo, who was being groomed as Gannon's replacement. He missed most of last year (knee), but he has a strong arm and is a better runner than Gannon and Collins. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Charles Woodson and Phillip Buchanon are as talented as any duo, but they aren't regarded as an elite pair because of Buchanon's inconsistent coverage. In 2003, Woodson rebounded from two injury-plagued years and proved he still is a top cover corner and without peer against the run. Buchanon has proved he can be a game-breaker but needs to hone his technique and learn when to gamble. Denard Walker is the leading candidate to be the nickel back if Ray Buchanan moves to free safety. Clarence Love and Nnamdi Asomugha are reliable in the dime package. Asomugha has desirable size and speed and could develop into a starter.--Steve Corkran
POSITION GRADE B-
PITTSBURGH STEELERS The decision to keep RB Jerome Bettis, the sixth-leading rusher in league history, as a backup shouldn't affect Duce Staley, who was signed as a free agent. The coaches are committed to Staley as the No. 1 back.... One reason NT Casey Hampton went to the Pro Bowl despite being a two-down player is because he overwhelms centers and guards with his strength. He has great lower-body leverage, plays under control and uses his hands to shed blocks. He catches players off guard with his quickness. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Dewayne Washington is gone, and Chad Scott might be next because the team has two young corners who could start in another year. Ike Taylor developed faster than expected as a rookie and was used as a dime back toward the end of the season. He has good speed and reacts well. Rookie Ricardo Colclough has speed, coverage skills and ball reaction but needs experience against top-flight players. Deshea Townsend proved last year he can handle starting. He has solid coverage skills and does a good job of making the transition to the ball when it is in the air. The biggest concern appears to be Scott, who missed the last four games of 2003 because of injury. He plays the run well but must be more consistent and prove he isn't a liability on deep throws. Willie Williams and Terry Fair will compete for a backup spot. They will join special teams standout Chidi Iwuoma.--Gerry Dulac
POSITION GRADE C
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS TE Antonio Gates could be on the cusp of a breakout season. He earned a roster spot last year despite not having played football since high school. He has above-average mobility and good hands and should be a favored target in the team's quick passing scheme. Gates' strong lower body allows him to provide good pop in the running game.... The staff wants LG Toniu Fonofi to play around 350 pounds instead of the 388 he weighed during last month's minicamp. The team thinks Fonoti's endurance isn't good when he's heavier. Consequently, he gets sloppy late in games, particularly in pass protection. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: Quentin Jammer and Sammy Davis will start. Jammer is at his best when he gets his hands on receivers at the line. He has excellent makeup speed but must improve his awareness on deep sideline routes. Davis is fluid, instinctive, quick and rarely out of position. He has added 10 pounds in hopes of no longer being outmuscled. Nickel back Drayton Florence is quick, fast, physical and big but must lean less on his athleticism and more on technique and preparation. Jamar Fletcher and Kevin House are competing for the fourth spot. Fletcher is regarded as a zone defender, which isn't a good fit for what the Chargers like to do. House is thin and can be outmuscled but compensates with speed.--Jim Trotter
POSITION GRADE B-
TENNESSEE TITANS K Joe Nedney, who tore the ACL in his right (plant) leg in the season opener and missed the rest of the season, has started to kick again in drills. He has displayed good power and range but will have a difficult time matching what his replacement did last season. Gary Anderson, coaxed out of retirement by the Titans after Nedney's injury, hit 27 of 31 field-goal attempts last season. Still, Nedney has better range than Anderson, and the Titans will not hesitate to attempt field goals from 50 or more yards with Nedney.... LB Rocky Calmus, who missed the final six games last season with a fractured leg, is the unquestioned starter in the middle this season. He continues to get stronger and has maintained the nose for the ball that helped him win the Butkus Award at Oklahoma. CORNERBACKS ANALYSIS: For the fourth consecutive season, Samari Rolle and Andre Dyson will start at corner. That kind of stability gives the Titans an advantage. Rolle is one of the league's best cover corners and rarely is challenged by opponents. He is quick, explosive when the ball is in the air and can mirror almost any route. Dyson has improved each year. The question is what the Titans can do in the nickel. Andre Woolfolk (6-1, 200), who missed much the season with an ankle injury, figures to get the nod as the fifth defensive back. He has the size and speed to flourish but lacks experience.--Jeff Legwold
POSITION GRADE B
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