AFC team reports: Offseason on course http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=afcteamreportsoffseasono&prov=tsn&type=lgns By SN correspondents - SportingNews EAST DIVISION Buffalo Bills Quarterback J.P. Losman got his first look at his two new hulking offensive linemen last week when the team began its offseason program. Needless to say, Losman was happy with what he saw. Losman was sacked 47 times last season, but the team believes that number will go down with left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker joining stud left tackle Jason Peters up front. More time to throw should result in better production from Losman, who made great strides in his first year as a starter. The expectation is he will be able to go through his progressions and make better decisions because he won't have defenders in his face as often. Miami Dolphins At April' quarterback camp, Daunte Culpepper will begin his quest to prove himself a worthy starter. Making it clear Culpepper must "earn" the job, coach Cam Cameron doesn't want anything to be a given. But there's still one problem with that. Until Miami adds a veteran -- possibly Trent Green or David Carr -- this controversy won't have any room for controversy at all. Cleo Lemon is the only other quarterback on the roster. Nonetheless, given the Dolphins' recent interest in acquiring another big-name, experienced quarterback, it is clear Cameron isn't sold on Culpepper. New England Patriots It will be interesting to see what new wide receivers Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Kelley Washington mean for Reche Caldwell. As a Pats starter, Caldwell caught a career-high 61 passes, nearly doubling the total of his first four years combined. He had 16 receptions in the playoffs, including a 49-yarder that beat his old team in the final minutes. He also dropped two key balls against the Colts and was generally limited to comeback routes and quick outs at the sidelines. Coaches clearly decided they could not enter another season with Caldwell as their No. 1 target, but he shouldn't be forgotten. New York Jets Management is taking a worthwhile flier on defensive end Michael Haynes, a former first-round pick of the Bears. Haynes was a bust in a 4-3 defense, but at 6-4 and close to 290 pounds, he might be able to contribute in the Jets' 3-4 front. He has a wide base and could, in theory, handle a two-gap scheme. He's not a lock to make the team, but Haynes could stick as a third or fourth end in the rotation. There was no risk for the Jets, who gave him the minimum contract. This could be Haynes' last shot -- the Saints dumped him last season -- so he should be motivated to salvage his career. NORTH DIVISION Baltimore Ravens Management has two positions to fill heading into the draft. It will take the highest-rated player on the board when it drafts, but it will stretch to take an offensive tackle or cornerback. It has filled holes at running back and outside linebacker, but needs an offensive tackle to either backup starters, or possibly replace Jonathan Ogden, if he decides to retire. Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle are starting cornerbacks, but coaches might move Rolle inside as the nickel leaving a starting position open. Cincinnati Bengals Ahmad Brooks will be given every opportunity to win the starting middle linebacker job. Speedy veteran Caleb Miller shows good range and instincts, and benefits from having more experience. But Brooks is blessed with the physical tools needed to be an impact player in the heart of the defense. He's big, fast, aggressive and physical. That combination will help the 30th-ranked defense improve. Brooks, taken in the '06 supplemental draft, showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, but made too many mistakes by over-running plays and shooting the wrong gaps. After a year of learning the system, Brooks is ready to blossom. Cleveland Browns Shaun Smith will be more valuable to the Browns than he was to the Bengals, who opted not to match Cleveland's offer sheet to the restricted free agent. Smith has the stout build to play end or even nose tackle in the team's two-gapping 3-4 scheme, whereas he was getting lost in the shuffle in Cincinnati's 4-3 front. Smith is quick off the snap and has the strength to handle double teams. He should improve the run defense as a flexible backup in a rotation. Pittsburgh Steelers Ben Roethlisberger acknowledged he didn't play well last season and refused to blame his poor performance on his offseason motorcycle accident or the emergency appendectomy he had at the start of the season. Roethlisberger was sacked 46 times and threw 23 interceptions, a league high. A lot of it was because he had trouble reacting to some of the defensive looks he was getting. Roethlisberger, though, has been a frequent offseason visitor to the team's training facility and has been working with his wide receivers, including Cedrick Wilson, to develop better timing. SOUTH DIVISION Houston Texans Management made a bold move making a trade for Matt Schaub and immediately naming him the starter. Schaub is a drop-back passer who is composed in the pocket. He's big and has big upside, but his reputation has been mostly built during the preseason. The time it takes him to develop should be much shorter than a rookie. In team interviews, NFL personnel praised Schaub's ability, leadership skills, intensity and competitiveness. Those were attributes sometimes lacking with David Carr. Indianapolis Colts Terminating defensive tackle Montae Reagor's contract was a tough move, but it was necessary. He was due a $1 million roster bonus and there was no guarantee he would be ready for training camp. Reagor is recovering from severe facial injuries from an Oct. 22 automobile accident. Reagor signed with Philadelphia. Now that he's out of the mix, the tackle rotation lacks depth. Booger McFarland and Raheem Brock return as the starters, but the backups with any experience are Darrell Reid and Dan Klecko. The team likely will address the position in the draft, perhaps with the 32nd overall pick, or in free agency when the prices decline. Jacksonville Jaguars Byron Leftwich will continue to work out with a private trainer rather than attend the team offseason conditioning program. The Jags expect Leftwich to join the team for sessions that begin in May. Coach Jack Del Rio doesn't appear to be concerned about Leftwich's decision. Missing sessions doesn't appear to be a problem now, but Leftwich must rejoin the team soon so he can learn the intricacies of the new offense while developing timing with his receiving corps. Tennessee Titans Defensive tackle Rien Long missed the 2006 season with an Achilles' tendon injury, but he's on schedule in his recovery. The team is counting on him this fall. Long has added bulk and strength, which should help him in the run game. As a pass rusher Long has a good feel for getting to the quarterback. He has a knack of feeling where weight is shifting and he can counter against bigger offensive linemen. He is especially good with his hands. Long will likely be rusty as he works his way back from a year absence. WEST DIVISION Denver Broncos The Broncos have in recent seasons attempted numerous low-risk, high-reward signings of veteran players, many of whom are coming off injuries. The latest potential reclamation project is WR Brandon Stokley, who likely won't be able to participate in offseason training until summer camp as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Stokley, though, if he heals properly, could be a perfect fit in spread formations as a slot receiver. He's a heady player with speed and experience to match up with other team's third and fourth cornerbacks. Stokley, who recently resumed running, also is potentially insurance in case Rod Smith's recovery from hip surgery is slow. He also has experience as a returner. Kansas City Chiefs Team brass isn't finished at defensive tackle even after adding free agent Alfonso Boone and re-signing Ron Edwards and Jimmy Wilkerson. Look for the team to draft at least one tackle and perhaps two. It lacks a star player, particularly a top-flight pass rusher capable of consistently collapsing the pocket. Coaches also lack quality players to rotate in and keep everyone fresh. The draft most likely will be used to address the depth situation. Oakland Raiders by signing Josh Booty, managment shows how desperate it is to find someone, anyone, to take control of the offense for years to come. Booty is a long shot, at best, given he has never taken a snap in the NFL and hasn't played football since 2003. The Raiders made a spirited run at acquiring Matt Schaub but lost out to the Texans. That leaves former Texans starter David Carr as a possible successor to Aaron Brooks, someone to run the offense while a rookie -- likely to be taken with the first pick in the NFL draft in April -- learns the nuances of the NFL. Don't count on this happening unless Carr is unable to find a better situation elsewhere. Carr isn't thrilled about the prospect of joining a team that likely will take a franchise-type quarterback a short time later. San Diego Chargers Darren Sproles is extremely popular for a player who has spent one season returning kicks -- and struggling at times doing that. The question now is whether he will impress the new coaching staff enough to get back not only his return jobs but perhaps see more time from scrimmage. Sproles, generously listed at 5-6, is fast and shifty, but he just wasn't big enough to make an impact in a few chances from scrimmage in 2005. He also had trouble fielding punts and seeing the field at times on returns. He missed last season with a broken leg. It appears the only way he would get time in the backfield is if Michael Turner is traded.
