Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001 | 9:55 a.m.
Capsules of the 16 teams in the AFC in order of their finish last season (records are for regular season and in playoffs):
1. Baltimore (12-4, 4-0)
LAST SEASON: Coming off 8-8 season, allowed fewest points in modern NFL history (165). LB Ray Lewis, the regular-season Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP, led team on 11-game winning streak, including playoffs. After going five straight weeks without scoring a touchdown, Baltimore rallied behind QB Trent Dilfer, who led conservative attack that depended heavily upon RB Jamal Lewis.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: QB Elvis Grbac was signed to replace Dilfer and add some spice to last year's run-oriented attack. Lewis was lost for season with knee injury, so Jason Brookins, who has no NFL carries, may lead committee that includes newly signed Terry Allen, whose knees might not allow him more than a dozen carries a game. TE Todd Heap, first-round pick, will back up Shannon Sharpe.
LOOK OUT FOR: Brookins, who must fill big void. S Anthony Mitchell will replace departed S Kim Herring, lone starter missing from last year's defense.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Coach Brian Billick has savvy to circumvent post-Super Bowl letdown. Injuries to Lewis and RT Leon Searcy will hamper offense looking to take off behind Grbac. Spent plenty to sign Grbac and retain several starters, so there's little depth on offense and special teams.
PROSPECTS: Have talent get back to Super Bowl -- but only if they can stay healthy, a key facet in last season's success. So far, so bad.
2. Tennessee (13-3, 0-1)
LAST SEASON: Followed first-ever AFC championship with NFL's best regular-season record. Had league's top-rated defense and Eddie George ran for 1,509 yards. But home-field advantage couldn't overcome Al Del Greco's aging leg vs. Ravens in playoffs.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: With defensive coordinator Gregg Williams now head coach in Buffalo, Jim Schwartz is new coordinator. Kevin Carter replacing DE Kenny Holmes and Joe Nedney is at kicker instead of Del Greco. FB William Floyd is in and Lorenzo Neal out. Also gone are FS Marcus Robertson and CB Denard Walker.
LOOK OUT FOR: CBs Andre Dyson and Donald Mitchell, LB Keith Bulluck, second-year FS Bobby Myers and rookie DE Juqua Thomas. Dyson, a rookie, is brother of WR Kevin Dyson.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: The Titans should have one of NFL's best defenses if Carter rebounds from bad year in St. Louis, which was happy to deal him. CB Samari Rolle and DE Jevon Kearse are other defensive stars. Offense must score more to avoid putting every game on Nedney's leg, and take the pressure off George with Steve McNair throwing, not running.
PROSPECTS: Still shooting for Super Bowl they lost two seasons ago when Kevin Dyson came up a yard short on game's final play.
3. Oakland (12-4, 1-1)
LAST SEASON: Rode league's best rushing offense, anchored by Tyrone Wheatley, and scampering quarterback Rich Gannon, all the way to AFC championship game, where they lost to Ravens.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTDIONS: RB Napoleon Kaufman retired and TE Rickey Dudley was lost in free agency. Signed record-holding WR Jerry Rice and RB Charlie Garner from the 49ers. Also added DE Trace Armstrong, who had 16 1/2 sacks in part-time role for Miami last season.
LOOK OUT FOR: TE Roland Williams, acquired from St. Louis. Williams never really lived up to his potential with Rams, who didn't use the tight end much. But he's an integral part of Jon Gruden's attack.
STRENTHS AND WEAKNESSES: With 1,000-yard RBs Wheatley and Garner, as well as Rice and Tim Brown, Raiders offense should be one of strongest if Gannon can come close to last year's performance. Questions remain on defense, where DT Darrell Russell will serve four-game suspension to open season for violating NFL's substance abuse policy.
PROSPECTS: If defense is respectable and Gannon holds up, should battle Denver for AFC West title and could go deep into playoffs.
4. Miami (11-5, 1-1)
LAST SEASON: In Dan Marino's first year of retirement, mounted best running attack since 1984 and claimed first AFC East title in six years thanks to 7-2 start. Low-risk, ball-control offense complemented defense which allowed 14.1 points per game, third in league. But when Dolphins got behind early, as in 27-0 loss to Oakland in playoffs, passing game lacked come-from-behind ability. QB Jay Fiedler struggled late, throwing two touchdowns and 11 interceptions in final five games.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Signing WRs James McKnight and Dedric Ward and drafting WR Chris Chambers and RB Travis Minor added offensive speed to replace Tony Martin, Bert Emanuel, Leslie Shepherd and Thurman Thomas. With LT Brent Smith out for season, Miami is still looking to fill void left by Richmond Webb, who signed with Cincinnati. The Dolphins also lost DE Trace Armstrong, who led the AFC with 16 1/2 sacks.
LOOK OUT FOR: CB Patrick Surtain and S Brian Walker. Surtain had five interceptions last season, and Walker had a career-high 94 tackles and team-high seven INTs. Dolphins hope McKnight and Chambers give them biggest deep threats since Mark Duper and Mark Clayton.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Should have one of best defenses, and it might not have to carry the team this season. If the OL comes together, Fielder has enough weapons to lead Miami back to playoffs.
PROSPECTS: Offense will make or break season. Must break pattern of winning first playoff game and losing second.
5. Denver (11-5, 0-1)
LAST SEASON: Despite injuries to QB Brian Griese and RB Terrell Davis, made playoffs for fourth time in six seasons under coach Mike Shanahan. Fell well short of late-'90s Super Bowl runs, losing to Baltimore in AFC wild-card game.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Veteran DLs Leon Lett and Chester McGlockton, plus CB Denard Walker were brought in to shore up defense that finished among league's worst. Eddie Kennison could be reliable third receiver missing since mid-1990s. Let go CBs Terrell Buckley and Ray Crockett, added Ray Rhodes for Greg Robinson as defensive coordinator.
LOOK OUT FOR: S Kenoy Kennedy. A second-round draft pick in 2000, Kennedy is hitter in mold of Steve Atwater.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: With three quality RBs, WRs Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey, and last year's top-rated quarterback, should control clock, a good thing when defense is an enigma. Even with defensive changes, opponents will test the secondary. Denver also should get a psychological boost from its new stadium.
PROSPECTS: The Broncos could be Super Bowl threat. But only if the defense improves under Rhodes, and Griese and Co. stay healthy.
6. Indianapolis (10-6, 0-1)
LAST SEASON: Started strong, finished strong. In between, struggled to stop the run or pass. Vaunted offense was completely stifled in first halves of three straight road games. Lost in Miami when defense broke down, allowing Lamar Smith to run for 209 yards and leaving coach Jim Mora 0-6 in playoffs.
ADDITIONS: Added DTs Christian Peter and Mike Wells, plus top two draft choices: WR Reggie Wayne, S Idrees Bashir. Let go much of defense: S Jason Belser, LB Cornelius Bennett, DL Bernard Holsey, DE Shawn King, CB Tyrone Poole, DE Bernard Whittington.
LOOK OUT FOR: LB Mike Peterson, who has become defensive leader; LB Rob Morris, who excelled in camp after missing nine games last season; CB David Macklin.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Strength, obviously is offense: Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James plus an offensive line signed for the future. Wayne should be good third receiver. Must rely on four defensive starters who have never started NFL game; might still need outside rush threat; need quality backup to Peyton Manning.
PROSPECTS: Will contend in AFC East, but defense really has to develop if they're to go deep into playoffs.
7. New York Jets (9-7)
LAST SEASON: Won six of first seven games, highlighted by late comebacks. But had two three-game slides, including losing final three to fail qualifying for playoffs.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: New staff led by GM Terry Bradway and coach Herman Edwards, who previously never was even a coordinator. Installing 4-3 defense rather than 3-4 and West Coast offense. Top rookie Santana Moss out for perhaps half the season (knee), so free agent Matthew Hatchette must come through at WR. FS Damien Robinson fills big hole.
LOOK OUT FOR: Speedy DE John Abraham, a potential sack machine, and second-year WR Laveranues Coles, who has had excellent training camp.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: How will veteran QB Vinny Testaverde handle new offense? Team needs big production from unproven receivers Hatchette and Coles and TE Anthony Becht, plus continued strong work by WR Wayne Chrebet and RB Curtis Martin. OL solid, but DL, other than Abraham, has many questions, especially at tackle. Linebacking is good, but not deep. Same with secondary. Special teams must improve.
PROSPECTS: A happy group -- most of the team disliked former coach Al Groh. Talent is capable of reaching playoffs, but with entirely new schemes and questionable depth, will Jets have staying power?
8. Pittsburgh (9-7)
LAST SEASON: Rebounded from 6-10 finish in 1999, worst of Bill Cowher's nine seasons, but still missed playoffs for third consecutive season. QB Kordell Stewart had mini-comeback season, regaining starting job from Kent Graham after 0-3 start to lead 9-4 finish despite lack of big passing stats. Jerome Bettis had fifth straight 1,000-yard season and, like Cowher, got contract extension.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Heinz Field, first football-only stadium the Steelers have played in, except for a few seasons in Pitt Stadium in late 1960s. C Dermonnti Dawson will be replaced by free agent Jeff Hartings, a converted guard, while rookie Kendrell Bell likely moves in at LB for Levon Kirkland. LB Mike Jones was signed to take Kirkland's spot, but probably won't beat out Bell.
LOOK OUT FOR: Bell, who rarely makes mistakes and has impressed coaches with old-style attitude and temperament. DE Aaron Smith (four sacks) had an unexpectedly good season in 2000 and, if he makes similar progress, could be a rising star.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Which Kordell will show up? Are first-round WRs Plaxico Burress and Troy Edwards big-time busts or simply slow developers? If they don't progress, Stewart must mesh with WRs Hines Ward and Bobby Shaw, or offense will again ride with Bettis and solid OL. Outside LBs Jason Gildon and Joey Porter had big seasons in 2000, but secondary was erratic and defense still lacks playmaker. Kicking game (K Kris Brown, P Josh Miller) might be as good as any in AFC.
PROSPECTS: Schedule isn't a crusher and new stadium could provide a lift. Another 9-7 finish could be in the offing; anything better, and Stewart must be the Kordell of '97, not that of '98, '99 and 2000.
9. Buffalo (8-8)
LAST SEASON: Injuries to key defensive players, including MLB Sam Cowart, overshadowed Rob Johnson-Doug Flutie QB feud, and led to late-season collapse. GM John Butler was fired for failing to commit long-term, coach Wade Phillips and staff soon followed for bungling special teams and having predictable offense.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Added free agent FB Larry Centers; drafted CB Nate Clements, RB Travis Henry, RT Jonas Jennings; LB Jay Foreman takes over for departed Sam Rogers. Lost Flutie, RB Antowain Smith, OLs Robert Hicks, Marcus Spriggs and Jamie Nails, DT Ted Washington, DE Marcellus Wiley, LBs Rogers and John Holecek, P Chris Mohr.
LOOK OUT FOR: Henry, who has knack for finding holes and breaking tackles, has emerged as likely starter at RB. Jennings quickly emerged as capable blocker and protector. RG Jerry Ostroski's broken leg forces unproven Corey Hulsey or rookie Marques Sullivan to step in. DE Bryce Fisher completed two-year Air Force commitment and looks like good pass rusher.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Eric Moulds-led talented receiving corps, Centers' pass-catching presence and Henry's run threat fits newly installed West Coast offense. With Flutie gone, Johnson's the undisputed starter, but has yet to shed injury-prone label. Defense revolves around Cowart, but who will replace Wiley's 10 1/2 sacks?
PROSPECTS: New GM Tom Donahoe and rookie head coach Gregg Williams' commitment to build through youth, combined with tough first-half schedule, should make for rough start.
10. Jacksonville (7-9)
LAST SEASON: Injuries decimated team in training camp, and Jaguars were 2-6 before recovering. Behind strong running by Fred Taylor, won five of six, but didn't prevent first losing season since 1995, their expansion year.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: WR Sean Dawkins was only significant free-agent addition, a product of team's strapped salary-cap situation. First two draft picks, DT Marcus Stroud and T Maurice Williams, have to play -- they look like they can. Jags lost LB Brant Boyer, DE Joel Smeenge, P Bryan Barker, FB Daimon Shelton, WR Reggie Barlow and about every other relatively low-priced veteran they had.
LOOK OUT FOR: Seventh-round draft pick Marlon McCree has done well at safety and could step in if veteran Carnell Lake gets hurt. Troubled WR R. Jay Soward is fast and always gets open. He has had good camp and could be dangerous if he gets his act together when he returns Oct. 7 from four-week suspension.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: With Mark Brunell, Jimmy Smith, Keenan McCardell, Taylor and Tony Boselli, could be one of best offenses in league. But all those players have health issues, and the Jaguars cannot afford injuries.
PROSPECTS: Jaguars believe they're a playoff contender -- that's why they juggled salary cap to keep the core together. But injuries, absence of depth, shaky defense and lack of continuity in training camp are signs of a team that will struggle to reach .500.
11. Kansas City (7-9)
LAST SEASON: In Gunther Cunningham's second and final season as head coach, Chiefs became undisciplined and full of whiners, missing playoffs for fifth straight year. Cunningham, who had to bear humiliation of having Dick Vermeil prowl the stadium and "observe" team meetings late in year, learned on Internet that GM Carl Peterson had fired him and hired his old buddy from Philadelphia.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Chiefs have newcomers in key spots. They'll have a different QB (Trent Green), RB (Priest Holmes), kick returner (Tony Horne), punter (Dan Stryzinski), center (Casey Wiegmann), left CB (Ray Crockett), DT (Steve Martin) and WRs from several candidates. Center and team leader Tim Grunhard retired. Green replaces Elvis Grbac.
LOOK OUT FOR: LT John Tait. Now entering his third season, 320-pounder was almost impossible to beat in one-on-one drills. Second-year S Greg Wesley could be next defensive secondary star.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES. TE Tony Gonzalez best in NFL. If they stay healthy, new players could give Chiefs significant upgrades at QB, RB and CB. Vermeil was quick to eject malcontents like brooding CB James Hasty and underachieving DT Chester McGlockton. A big worry is whether depth and speed needed at WR for the quick-strike offense is there. Green might not throw the long ball as well as Grbac, but he inspires more confidence and provides more leadership.
PROSPECTS: Ten wins are possible. Ten losses are more likely. It depends on Green's health, because there is nothing behind him.
12. Seattle (6-10)
LAST SEASON: Had league's worst defense last season, when they fell from AFC West champs to fourth in division. Coach Mike Holmgren let starting QB Jon Kitna go as free agent and also said good-bye to starting DT Cortez Kennedy, an eight-time Pro Bowler.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Added a slew of veterans on defense: DTs John Randle and Chad Eaton, MLB Levon Kirkland, FS Marcus Robertson. Plus QBs Matt Hasselbeck and Trent Dilfer. Got WR Koren Robinson, G Steve Hutchinson, CB Ken Lucas and FB Heath Evans in draft. Subtracted Kitna, WRs Sean Dawkins and Derrick Mayes, S Jay Bellamy and G Pete Kendall.
LOOK OUT FOR: Hasselbeck, who has thrown just 29 passes, but was considered outstanding prospect, and second-year RB Shaun Alexander. Alexander, Seattle's first-round draft pick in 2000, is ready in case RB Ricky Watters finally shows signs of wear in his 11th season.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Strongest at LB, where they will start Kirkland, Anthony Simmons and Chad Brown. Simmons, Seattle's first-round pick in 1998, was fourth in league in tackles (147) last season. CB could be a problem, because Shawn Springs and Willie Williams won't be ready for opener because of injuries. They also lack experience at WR, where Robinson and second-year player Darrell Jackson will start.
PROSPECTS: Seahawks are 15-17 in Holmgren's first two seasons and playoffs will be tough in AFC West, which they leave next season. They'd be satisfied to go 8-8 and ecstatic to finish 9-7.
13. New England (5-11)
LAST SEASON: Began 0-4 under first-year coach Bill Belichick and never were in race. Defense was decent, but running game was ranked 26th and only six teams scored fewer points than Patriots' 17.3 per game.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Added RB Antowain Smith; DL Richard Seymour; LBs Bryan Cox, Larry Izzo, Roman Phifer, Mike Vrabel; WRs Bert Emanuel, Charles Johnson, Torrance Small, David Patten; CB Terrell Buckley; QB Damon Huard; FB Marc Edwards. Lost WR Terry Glenn, NT Chad Eaton, DT Henry Thomas.
LOOK OUT FOR: Seymour, the No. 1 pick, who has potential to become a force in the middle.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Despite Glenn's season-long suspension, Patriots are stronger at WR with addition of four veteran free agents to a group led by Troy Brown. RBs Smith and second-year pro J.R. Redmond strengthen that position. The loss of Eaton leaves Patriots thin at NT. OL is unproven and bothered by nagging injuries in training camp.
PROSPECTS: Could improve on last year's record and challenge for playoffs if line develops for an offense that has had top QB Drew Bledsoe for years, but finally seems to have improved at WR and RB. Veteran free agents improve LB corps, but DL is suspect.
14. Cincinnati (4-12)
LAST SEASON: Coach Bruce Coslet quit three games into season. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau took over and emphasized running game. Sold out new Paul Brown Stadium only twice in edifice's first season. Corey Dillon set NFL record by rushing for 278 yards against Denver, and team record by rushing for 1,435 in season. Bengals had second-best running game in NFL (145 yards per game) but worst passing game in franchise history (122 yards per game). Second-last in scoring (11.6 points per game) and won four or fewer games for sixth time in last 10 years.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Arrivals include QB Jon Kitna, FB Lorenzo Neal, LT Richmond Webb, DT Tony Williams, DE Kevin Henry. Rookie DE Justin Smith and WR Chad Johnson could start. Gone are LT Rod Jones, WR LaVell Boyd, CB Sirr Parker, FB Ricky Brown.
LOOK OUT FOR: Chad Johnson. Second-round draft pick from Oregon State was most impressive receiver in training camp.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Dillon should have another big season behind line that's adept at run blocking, poor at protecting QB. Defense should benefit from LB Brian Simmons' return from knee surgery. Passing game again is a concern. Kitna, Akili Smith and Scott Mitchell all likely to play at some point as Bengals again fail to settle on starter at key position. Secondary was major weakness last season and has not improved.
PROSPECTS: The schedule is front-loaded with games against other downtrodden teams, so Bengals could get off to respectable start. Lack of passing game and pass defense will catch up with them, dooming Bengals to an 11th consecutive season without a winning record.
15. Cleveland (3-13)
LAST SEASON: A surprising 2-1 start quickly vanished under pile of losses and injuries, leading to coach Chris Palmer's firing. Finished last statistically in most categories, and QB Tim Couch's progress was slowed after missing final nine games with broken thumb. Rookie DE Courtney Brown was team's best player.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Butch Davis is in charge now. He straightened out University of Miami program in disrepair, helped Jimmy Johnson rebuild Dallas, and now hopes to do same in Cleveland. Free agent T Ross Verba and G Tre Johnson were signed in offseason, but are recovering from operations. FB Mike Sellers will help offense, as will TE Rickey Dudley if he can overcome dropsies. RB Errict Rhett was cut on second day of camp, perhaps a signal Davis will clean house.
LOOK OUT FOR: Rookie RB James Jackson, who on draft day proclaimed himself best back in franchise history, and will likely start. Rookie DB Anthony Henry has shown he has nose for ball.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Davis' best chance of making Browns competitive will be on defense and special teams. Brown is switching to right side and will be teamed with either free agent DT Mark Smith (Arizona) or rookie Gerard Warren, No. 3 overall pick.
Couch should thrive in new, uptempo offense coordinator Bruce Arians brought from Indianapolis. Problem is, unlike good friend Peyton Manning, Couch doesn't have an Edgerrin James or Marvin Harrison in arsenal.
PROSPECTS: Six wins would be realistic target with favorable schedule and because Davis isn't going to allow Browns to be a joke any longer.
16. San Diego (1-15)
LAST SEASON: Lost first 11, beat Kansas City 17-16, then lost last four. Five of losses were by three points or less. Coach Mike Riley survived, but GM John Butler was brought in from Buffalo to run revamped front office.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: Biggest was at QB, where Doug Flutie was added and Ryan Leaf, one of biggest busts in NFL history, was subtracted. Also added two key players from Butler's old Buffalo team, DE Marcellus Wiley and LB John Holocek.
LOOK OUT FOR: QB Drew Brees, chosen in second round after Chargers traded rights to Michael Vick, has been impressive in training camp. He doesn't have strongest arm, but is savvy and might be able to start more quickly than Vick because of four years of college experience.
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES: Return from injury of DE Raylee Johnson and addition of Wiley make overall defense a strength. LB Junior Seau and S Rodney Harrison are bona fide stars who have labored hard despite awful offense in recent seasons. Holocek solidifies LB corps. OL is weak and offense hurt by holdout of RB LaDanian Tomlinson, team's first-round pick.
OUTLOOK: Certainly more than one win. With some luck, could reach .500, although they play in tough division. Riley probably needs at least six wins to keep his job as Butler looks down the road.
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