AFC.(American Football Conference)(Statistical Data Included)

Baltimore

REDMAN MAKING IMPRESSION: Though QB Elvis Grbac was efficient in offseason camps, Chris Redman wowed the coaching staff with his development since last season. Redman, a 1999 third-round pick, showed tremendous accuracy and an enhanced comfort level with the team's offensive system. The next step is gaining more game experience. That should come this season because the team cleared space for him by letting Tony Banks, last season's backup, sign with the Cowboys ... RT Leon Searcy, who was signed by the Ravens in March and was charged with battery after allegedly hitting his wife in May, has agreed to six months' probation and must undergo anger management training. Searcy's biggest on-field hurdle will be proving his right knee is fully rehabilitated by the start of training camp.... The team came to terms with three of its seven draft choices before the last minicamp broke and is negotiating with C Casey Rabach, its third-round pick. Last year, the club didn't have three picks signed until eight days before the start of training camp.

SAFETIES ANALYSIS: This is the only position at which the team's record-setting defense must replace a starter. When SS Kim Herring signed as a free agent with the Rams, the team immediately handed the job to his backup, Coney Harris. The Ravens were so impressed by Harris' two starts in the playoffs for an injured Herring that they never made an offer to Herring. FS Rod Woodson returns for his 15th season and wants to erase what he calls a subpar year. Although Woodson was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl, he says he didn't make enough big plays last season. The only backup with pro experience is Anthony Mitchell. An NFL Europe veteran, Mitchell was a pleasant surprise last season. He does solid work on special teams and is making strides on defense. --Mike Preston

Buffalo

MORE RELAXED: Backed by a coaching staff that supports him completely, QB Rob Johnson is enjoying the game more than ever. His new comfort level has been evident during the team's three minicamps and offseason conditioning program. Coach Gregg Williams raves about how smoothly Johnson has adapted to the West Coast offense. Johnson's development in the new scheme is the result of many hours spent in the film room studying his mechanics and footage of QBs Joe Montana, Steve Young and Brett Favre, among others.... The special teams portion of the last day of minicamp ended with a version of the lateral play the Titans used to defeat the Bills in a wild-card playoff game two years ago, when Williams was the Titans' defensive coordinator. Williams and his staff wanted the memory of the play burning in the minds of their players until training camp is convened in July.... The team has yet to sign its top four draft choices, but team president and general manager Tom Donahoe remains confident he can have them all under contract by the start of training camp.

SAFETIES ANALYSIS: SS Henry Jones, a 10-year veteran, is still swift enough in pass coverage to handle tight ends, wide receivers and running backs. He's one of the smarter players in the league at reading the tendencies of quarterbacks and receivers. The team's new defense should allow him to make more plays near the line of scrimmage. Second-year backup Raion Hill is a physical player but still is learning the ropes in pass coverage. The coaches like rookie Tony Driver's size and athleticism. FS Keion Carpenter, a surprise starter last season, is smart, tough and plays with excellent range, making it difficult to beat the Bills with the long ball. Backup Travares Tillman, who had trouble in coverage but gained some needed experience during his rookie season, has the size and athletic ability to be a playmaker. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati