AFC PREVIEWS

NORTH
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2003: 5-11, fourth.
Coach: Butch Davis (4th year, 21-27).
Players added: QB Jeff Garcia; DE Ebenezer Ekuban; FB Terrelle Smith; LB Warrick Holdman; OG Kelvin Garmon; S David Gibson; DE Jamal Reynolds.
Players lost: QB Tim Couch; RB Jamel White; OL Shaun O'Hara; P Chris Gardocki; CB Lewis Sanders; OL Barry Stokes.
Key issue: Signed after being jettisoned by San Francisco, quarterback Jeff Garcia is starting to show his age (34). His play has declined over the past few years. Cleveland has less of a supporting cast than the 49ers did during Garcia's tenure in the Bay Area. Also, the offensive line is limited, which could force Garcia to spend more time running.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2003: 6-10, third.
Coach: Bill Cowher (13th, 115-76-1).
Players added: RB Duce Staley; CB Willie Williams; P Chris Gardocki; DB Shane Walton; DT Travis Kirschke.
Players lost: LB Jason Gildon; CB Dewayne Washington; RB Amos Zereoue; P Josh Miller; TE Mark Bruener; FS Brent Alexander; DE Rodney Bailey; OT Mathias Nkwenti.
Key issue: Can the secondary hold up? Pittsburgh has a solid pair of safeties in Troy Polamalu and Chris Hope. Cornerbacks Deshea Townsend and Chad Scott, along with second-round pick Ricardo Colclough, could determine whether the Steelers have a winning season.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2003: 8-8, second.
Coach: Marvin Lewis (2nd year, 8-8).
Players added: OG Bobby Williams; LB Nate Webster; S Kim Herring; CB Deltha O'Neal; WR Patrick Johnson; OL Larry Moore; TE James Whalen; P Eddie Johnson.
Players lost: RB Corey Dillon; CB Jeff Burris; FS Mark Roman; OG Scott Rehberg; CB Artrelle Hawkins; OL Matt O'Dwyer; LB Riall Johnson; RB Brandon Bennett; OL Mike Goff; DT Oliver Gibson; DT Glen Steele; OL Alex Sulfsted; LB Adrian Ross; QB Kurt Kittner.
Key issue: Is quarterback Carson Palmer ready? Palmer, the top overall pick in 2003, sat the bench last season as Jon Kitna had a career year. Now, coach Marvin Lewis will insert Palmer into the lineup. If he falters, can Kitna be effective again? Lewis likely will give Palmer plenty of freedom, and the former Southern California star should reward his coach's confidence with a solid season.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
2003: 10-6, first. Lost to Tennessee in wild-card game.
Coach: Brian Billick (6th year, 47-33).
Players added: CB Dale Carter; WR Kevin Johnson.
Players lost: WR Marcus Robinson; CB Tom Knight; TE John Jones; WR Frank Sanders.
Key issue: Can the quarterbacks play well enough for the Ravens to contend for a title? Second-year player Kyle Boller struggled last year. After Boller succumbed to injury, journeyman Anthony Wright stepped in and played well. Wright is injured, however, and won't be a factor.
EASTBUFFALO BILLS
2003: 6-10, third.
Coach: Mike Mularkey (1st year).
Players added: CB Troy Vincent; OG Chris Villarrial; LB Jason Gildon; DT Oliver Gibson.
Players lost: OG Ruben Brown; CB Antoine Winfield; TE Dave Moore; RB Sammy Morris; FB Sam Gash.
Key issue: Does Troy Vincent have much left? Vincent, signed from Philadelphia, brings a veteran presence to a young Buffalo secondary. Vincent replaces the younger and more athletic Antoine Winfield. If he can't make the transition work, the Bills' secondary will be tested.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
2003: 10-6, second.
Coach: Dave Wannstedt (5th year, 41-23; Career: 81-79)
Players added: OG Jeno James; CB Reggie Howard; QB A.J. Feeley; WR David Boston; RB Sammy Morris; OT Damion McIntosh; S Chris Akins; OT John St. Clair; S Antuan Edwards; TE John Jones; WR Terrence Wilkins; WR Marty Booker.
Players lost: RB Ricky Williams (retired); DE Adewale Ogunleye; S Brock Marion; RT Todd Wade; C Tim Ruddy; G Todd Perry; QB Brian Griese; WR James McKnight; OT Mark Dixon; FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo; CB Jamar Fletcher; S Trent Gamble.
Key issue: How do you replace Ricky? The Dolphins had built their offense around his power running the past two seasons. Now, with his sudden retirement, who will shoulder the load? Both Travis Minor and Sammy Morris looked capable in the preseason, but neither is a game-breaker.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2003: 14-2, first. Defeated Tennessee in AFC divisional, Indianapolis in AFC Championship and Carolina in the Super Bowl.
Coach: Bill Belichick (5th year, 39-25; Career: 75-69.
Players added: RB Corey Dillon; CB Terrell Buckley; P Josh Miller; DT Keith Traylor; DE Rodney Bailey; OL Bob Hallen.
Players lost: OL Damien Woody; DT Ted Washington; RB Antowain Smith; S Chris Akins; OL Mike Compton; TE Fred Baxter; QB Damon Huard; WR Dedric Ward.
Key issue: Can Bill Belichick and his staff continue to stay a step ahead of the competition? Along with coordinators Romeo Crennel (defense) and Charlie Weis (offense), Belichick is a schemer, devising ways to best utilize personnel and play to the strengths of his players.
NEW YORK JETS
2003: 6-10, fourth.
Coach: Herman Edwards (4th year, 25-23).
Players added: WR Justin McCareins; LB Eric Barton; SS Reggie Tongue; P Toby Gowin; TE Mikhael Ricks; CB David Barrett; QB Quincy Carter.
Players lost: LB Marvin Jones; LB Mo Lewis; CB Aaron Beasley; OG Dave Szott (retired); WR Curtis Conway; QB Vinny Testaverde; S Sam Garnes; S Tyrone Carter; WR Kevin Swayne.
Key issue: Can the reworked defense gel in time to make a difference? The Jets' secondary and linebacking corps are adequate at best. First-round pick Jonathan Vilma needs to make an impact and shift to outside linebacker to complement Sam Cowart. The secondary is limited, and depth is a concern.
SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS
2003: 5-11, fourth.
Coach: Dom Capers (3rd year, 9-23; Career: 39-57)
Players added: OT Todd Wade; TE Mark Bruener; DB Eric Kelly; DT Robaire Smith.
Players lost: OL Greg Randall; LB Charlie Clemons; S Matt Stevens; FB Greg Comella; LB Steve Foley; DT Steve Martin; QB Mike Quinn.
Key issue: Will quarterback David Carr continue his ascent? Carr, the Texans' first draft choice in 2002, steadily improved in his first two seasons, and he seems poised to keep maturing and grasping the mental side of the game.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2003: 12-4, first. Playoffs: Defeated Denver in wild-card game, Kansas City in divisional round. Lost to New England in AFC Championship.
Coach: Tony Dungy (3rd year, 22-10).
Players added: RB Brian Allen.
Players lost: CB Walt Harris; DE Chad Bratzke; LB Marcus Washington; OL Adam Meadows; WR Terrence Wilkins; CB David Macklin; QB Brock Huard; RB Detron Smith; WR JaJuan Dawson; S Jason Doering; CB Cliff Crosby; TE Joe Dean Davenport.
Key issue: Can the defense be effective? Outside of premier end Dwight Freeney, the rest of the unit is filled with solid but unspectacular players. The secondary, besides safety Mike Doss, is suspect. Middle linebacker Rob Morris could be the pivotal player.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
2003: 5-11, third.
Coach: Jack Del Rio (2nd year, 5-11).
Players added: OL Mike Compton; S Deon Grant; LB Greg Favors; CB Dewayne Washington; OL Ephraim Salaam; TE Todd Yoder; QB Doug Johnson; CB Lewis Sanders; CB Juran Bolden; DT Derrick Ransom.
Players lost: QB Mark Brunell; CB Fernando Bryant; CB Jason Craft; WR Kevin Johnson; OL Leander Jordan; OL Jamar Nesbit; LB Danny Clark.
Key issue: Can the Jaguars get to the quarterback? Last year, Jacksonville had just 24 sacks. Defensive end Hugh Douglas will have to produce after struggling. The tackle combination of Marcus Stroud and John Henderson make it difficult for opposing teams to run, but neither is a force vs. the pass. End Tony Brackens was cut, and Paul Spicer, slated to start, is not effective enough. The secondary is a strength, but without a solid rush, it can be exposed.
TENNESSEE TITANS
2003: 12-4, second. Defeated Baltimore in wild-card game, lost to New England in divisional round.
Coach: Jeff Fisher (11th, 88-62).
Players added: RB Antowain Smith.
Players lost: DE Jevon Kearse; RB Eddie George; DT Robaire Smith; WR Justin McCareins; OL Tom Ackerman.
Key issue: Who will replace the departed stars? The Titans lost three established starters in the offseason -- running back Eddie George and defensive linemen Jevon Kearse and Robaire Smith. Chris Brown will try to replace George, with veteran Antowain Smith backing him up. Former end Kevin Carter will move inside to tackle, with Carlos Hall and Antwan Odom starting at end.
WEST
DENVER BRONCOS
2003: 10-6, second. Lost to Indianapolis in wild-card game.
Coach: Mike Shanahan (10th year, 91-53; Career: 99-65.
Players added: CB Champ Bailey; S John Lynch; DT Luther Elliss; RB Garrison Hearst; Te O.J. Santiago; Te Byron Chamberlain; Te Jed Weaver; De Marco Coleman; De Raylee Johnson; OT Cornell Green; QB Mike Quinn.
Players lost: RB Clinton Portis; OG Steve Herndon; OL Ephraim Salaam; WR Ed McCaffrey (retired); TE Shannon Sharpe (retired); CB Deltha O'Neal; DT Daryl Gardener; QB Steve Beuerlein (retired); DE Bertrand Berry; LB Keith Burns; WR Chris Cole.
Key issue: Who will replace Clinton Portis? Denver has relied on its rushers, and this season Quentin Griffin, Garrison Hearst and second-round pick Tatum Bell should combine to fill the Portis void.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2003: 13-3, first. Lost to Indianapolis in divisional round.
Coach: Dick Vermeil (4th year, 27-21; Career: 103-94)
Players added: OG John Welbourn; OL Chris Bober; QB Damon Huard; CB Cliff Crosby; DT Lional Dalton.
Players lost: OT John Tait; QB Jonathan Quinn; OT Marcus Spears; DT Derrick Ransom.
Key issue: Can the defense start to make an impact? Former head coach Gunther Cunningham returns as defensive coordinator, which should help as much as any talent upgrade. Cunningham is aggressive, and will demand the same attitude from his players. The Chiefs hope the new philosophy will help mask a lack of talent in the front seven.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
2003: 4-12, third.
Coach: Norv Turner (1st year; Career: 49-59-1)
Players added: DT Warren Sapp; DT Ted Washington; CB Ray Buchanan; LB Dwayne Rudd; CB Denard Walker; OG Ron Stone; RB Troy Hambrick; CB Ike Charlton; DE Bobby Hamilton; WR Chris Cole; TE Roland Williams; S David Terrell; LB Danny Clark.
Players lost: RB Charlie Garner; WR Tim Brown; TE O.J. Santiago; DB Terrance Shaw; LB Bill Romanowski (retired); DE Trace Armstrong (retired); OL Matt Stinchcomb; DT Rod Coleman; LB Eric Barton; LB Eric Johnson; DE Lorenzo Bromell; QB Rick Mirer.
Key issue: How will quarterback Kerry Collins adjust to a different style? Signed after the Giants cut him, Collins should provide an upgrade over an aging Rich Gannon. Collins has a strong arm, which is well-suited for the team's vertical attack.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
2003: 4-12, fourth.
Coach: Marty Schottenheimer (3rd year, 12-20; Career: 165-113-1)
Players added: LB Randall Godfrey; WR Kevin Dyson; OT Roman Oben; CB Jamar Fletcher; LB Steve Foley; OL Leander Jordan; OL Mike Goff; P Bill LaFleur.
Players lost: DE Marcellus Wiley; C Cory Raymer; WR David Boston; DE Raylee Johnson; OT Damion McIntosh; P Darren Bennett; OG Michael Keathley; OG Kelvin Garmon; DT Joe Salave'a; OT Ed Ellis; OL Bob Hallen; OT Vaughn Parker; RB Antoineo Harris; TE Stephen Alexander.
Key issue: Will the Chargers pick first in next year's draft? There is a reason quarterback Eli Manning did not want to be San Diego's No. 1 pick. The team has more holes than Swiss cheese.
Miami Herald