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Preseason AFC Team Reports Here is a summary and a key aquisition/loss for each team.
	AFC East 1. Miami Dolphins-After an 11-5 season in 2001, the Dolphins decided they were tired of not going anywhere in the playoffs. They got rid of tired old Lamar Smith, and traded several draft picks in the future to obtain Ricky Williams. While this gives the 'phins a strong rushing and receiving attack, the quarterback spot could be the only thing holding them back from the Super Bowl. With a high quality D, if Fiedler can manage to stay out of the way, Miami will make it to the AFC championship game this year. Key Aquisition-Ricky Williams Key Loss-Lamar Smith 2. New York Jets-Last year, the Jets were probably the most boring team in the NFL. Not that it mattered. Curtis Martin again put up huge rushing numbers, while Testaverde and the extremely poor wide receiving corps lagged behind. If the two young receivers, Laveranues Coles and Santana Moss, have break out seasons, it could mean a better overall year for Vinny and a better chance for the Jets at an extended postseason this year. Key Aquisitions-Sam Cowart, Donnie Abraham Key Loss-James Farrior 3. New England Patriots-Super Bowl Champions, ranked 3rd in their own division? Sad, but true, the Patriots overachieved as did their sorry group of receivers. Antawain Smith had a good year, but expect a slight drop off. Brady had a solid year last season, but you can expect teams to figure him out sooner rather than later. He plays in a divison with some tough defenses, and his receivers won't boost his numbers by any means. Troy Brown will have a slight dropoff, but his lack of support will have free safeties smothering him all season. Key Aquisition-Daniel Graham Key Loss-Drew Bledsoe 4. Buffalo Bills-The Bills went out and go the big name free agent quarterback of the offseason, Drew Bledsoe. However, don't expect this to get the Bills out of the cellar. They have a good young running back, Travis Henry, who could open up the passing game. The Bills have Eric Moulds, who has the potential to be a top five receiver, but just hasn't panned out the past couple years. Peerless Price is dangerous, but this doesn't make them a very good tandem by any stretch. The one reason they're going to be in last again-They have a very tough schedule. [see "Schedules"] Key Aquisitions-Drew Bledsoe, London Fletcher Key Loss-Sam Cowart _______________
	AFC North 1. Pittsburgh Steelers-The best defense in the game is the only thing keeping them in the hunt for a playoff berth. However, that defense is still intact from last year, for the most part. Jerome Bettis, if he stays healthy, is one of the most important parts of their offense. Should Plaxico Burress and Hines Ward have decent years, it should keep the running game open. Kordell is not someone you want on your team, but he can at least keep the Steelers in the midst of the playoff hunt. Key Aquisition-James Farrior Key Loss-Earl Holmes 2. Cincinnati Bengals-Will they ever lose that horrible "bungle" reputation? Yes. This year, the Bengals will bring back a defense that was ranked ninth overall last year. NINTH. Sites will rate them low [i.e. FFIndex] undeservedly. They have a very poor quarterback, true, but they also have some good young receivers, and Dillon. Dillon should have a top five calibar season this year. Key Aquisition-Michael Westbrook Key Loss-Tony McGee 3. Cleveland Browns-Looking for some reassurance that William Green is "the answer"? You're at the wrong site. Sure, he'll put up respectable numbers, but nothing worth the fourth round pick he will be taken at frequently. Tim Couch is past the point where people can say "big potential". The guy just isn't going to be an NFL star. Kevin Johnson is the most solid receiver, but he'll put up nothing more than mediocre numbers with Couch throwing him the ball. Key Aquisitions-William Green, Earl Holmes Key Loss-Wali Rainer 4. Baltimore Ravens-This could be the worst team in the league, although they will be overrated because of their recent championship. The salary cap has killed them, and their record will show. The one bright spot on the team is Jamal Lewis. And even he is a question mark. If he can return to 100%, he could get 1,200 yards, especially with a weak pass attack. Chris Redmond and Jeff Blake will battle for the quarterback spot, though neither is worth much in any league. Key Aquisition-Jeff Blake Key Losses-Shannon Sharpe, Jamie Sharper, Qadry Ismail, Rod Woodson, Sam Adams, Rob Burnett _______________
	AFC South 1. Indianapolis Colts-The Indianapolis Colts have had one of the top five offenses in the league for the past several seasons. The main reason is that they have probably the best trio in the NFL, with Peyton Manning at quarterback, Edgerrin James at running back, and Marvin Harrison at wide receiver. Here's a team that can put up 28-35 points a game easily, but they won't win much if they give up 42. They need their defense to improve to help them go anywhere in the playoffs. They also need James, who is coming off of ACL surgery, to remain healthy. Key Aquisition-Qadry Ismail Key Loss-Jerome Pathon 2. Tennessee Titans-Here is the team that was probably last year's biggest disappointment. The main reason was a lack of production out of Eddie George, who was hampered by lingering injuries all season. If he can stay healthy, he'll open up the passing game. Steve McNair is not a top five quarterback, but he has two good receivers in Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson, and he can run when nothing is open. They have a decent defense, who should be able to keep the game in reach. Key Aquisition-Lance schulters Key Loss-Blaine Bishop 3. Jacksonville Jaguars-One of those surprising expansion teams that has underachieved since then. One of their big problems in the past has been running back Fred Taylor's inability to stay healthy. Mark Brunell puts up lots of yards, but he is limited when they end up starting Stacey Mack at running back. Jimmy Smith is a top receiver, and will put up good numbers. Taylor, if he can stay healthy, can take the Jags to the playoffs by himself. If. Key Aquisition-Darnay Scott Key Losses-Keenan McCardell, Tony Boselli 4. Houston Texans-First year teams never go anywhere for a couple of years, right? Wrong. With the number of teams in salary cap trouble increasing, expansion teams have a better ability to take some of the higher payed players without having to build with only draft picks. They have David Carr, the first overall pick, as their quarterback of the future. They also built their team around one of the best offensive lines in the league. Running back James Allen could put up big numbers with the holes they will create. The receiving corps is probably the weakest link on the team. They have Corey Bradford, an underused former Packer, and then they have rookie Jabar Gaffney, who will put up some big numbers...someday. Decent team that will take their lumps, yet win some games. Key Aquisitions-David Carr, Tony Boselli, James Allen, Jamie Sharper, Ryan Young. _______________
	AFC West 1. Oakland Raiders-Another one of those pound the ball, throw a screen pass, throw a five yard pass for the first down teams. They put Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley at running back, two different types of runners who keep the defense off balance. Garner can also go out and catch a 6 yard pass when the team stacks up the line. The Raiders also have two solid receivers, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. Tim Brown might slow down a little, but it would have to do in large part with how Rich Gannon reacts to the new coach. Jerry Rice surprisingly was one of the top receivers last year, and many people feel he overachieved, but until he sustains some sort of injury, why couldn't he do it again this year? He's one of the smartest receivers. Key Aquisition-Rod Woodson Key Loss-Darrell Russell [suspended] 2. Denver Broncos-A potentialy explosive offense, who last year, was very disappointing. Brian Griese, who was slowed by a shoulder injury, will put up much better numbers than last year. Terrell Davis, if he stays healthy, is a top fifteen back. They also have Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey [coming off of injury] spreading out the passing game. If Davis goes down, they have Clinton Portis to come in, and he will put up respectable numbers also. A shaky defense, but they'll have enough offense to make up for it. Key Aquisition-Shannon Sharpe Key Loss-Bill Romanowski 3. Kansas City Chiefs-The Chiefs were a bottom dweller last year, despite having one of the league's best rushers, and pass catchers. Priest Holmes should put up numbers like last year. The only setback is he won't get as much through the air because the Chiefs have improved their receiving group.Trent Green will now have Johnnie Morton as the go-to guy, and they both could have career years. It sounds like they have a great chance at the postseason, but with one of the weakest defenses in the league, it'll be tough for them to catch up late in the game with such a run oriented offense. Key Aquisitions-Johnnie Morton, Willie Roaf Key Losses-Derrick Alexander, Donnie Edwards 4. San Diego Chargers-ONe of the few bright spot on the Chargers last year was first year running back LaDanian Tomlinson. He put up tons of yards, and got into the endzone frequently. Expect him to do even better this season with a new offense. Also expect Drew Brees to win the quarterback derby over Doug Flutie. Drew will have some nice games, and some games where nothing goes right. Part of the problem is weak receivers, namely Curtis Conway and Tim Dwight. Neither is anything special, so don't draft them before players like McCaffrey or Burress. An up and coming team that is just not quite there yet. Key Aquisition-Donnie Edwards Key Loss-Freddie Jones