AFC. (NFL).

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS: DE Aaron Schobel, who had a team-high 6 1/2 sacks last year, must have an even bigger impact in his second year because the defensive line lacks a player with a track record of getting to the quarterback. The Bills believe Schobel can be a double-digit sack artist, and the expanded blitz packages should give him a clearer path to the quarterback. He has excellent speed off the edge, plays well in space and added some muscle in the offseason, which should help him be sturdier against the run. RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: The Bills appear to have their best set of wideouts since the early '90s. WRs Eric Moulds and Peerless Price have the speed to stretch defenses, an asset the team should capitalize on in its vertical passing attack. Rookie Josh Reed doesn't have great speed but runs good routes and is a dynamic runner after the catch. With Moulds and Price forcing safeties to protect against the deep pass, Reed and recent pickup Charles Johnson could do a lot of damage underneath. TEs Jay Riemersma and Dave Moore, a free-agent pickup, will play a lot in the team's two-tight end alignments. Riemersma runs clever routes and has a feel for finding openings in the secondary. Moore isn't in the same class as a receiver but is the better blocker of the two and was an effective red zone target for the Bucs.--Allen Wilson

MIAMI DOLPHINS: RB Travis Minor has had a quiet offseason, largely because of a strained hamstring, and that could give Robert Edwards an edge as the two enter training camp. Edwards' comeback from a serious knee injury in early 1999 is remarkable, but he needs to prove his worth with pads on. He looked elusive and fit in recent workouts and is more of an every-down back than Minor, should something happen to Ricky Williams. ... Although he is raw and has several players ahead of him on the depth chart, undrafted rookie DT James Atkins could be a find. He has size (6-5, 313) and athletic ability. If nothing else, he could be a valuable practice squad player. RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: WR Chris Chambers has size, long arms and a giant vertical leap. He has the speed to run by cornerbacks and the strength to outmuscle them. But he needs to refine his route running and hands. Oronde Gadsden is not the fastest wideout but does a great job of positioning his body and is a red zone threat because of his size. James McKnight is the speed guy, but he needs to be more consistent catching the ball. Jed Weaver is expected to start at tight end. He has proved he can make big plays at big moments, and he will be asked to do it even more often in coordinator Norv Turner's offense.--Todd Archer

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: The return of OLB Roman Phifer is a huge boost to the defense. Phifer is a sure tackler, and he still has the speed and instincts to cover backs and tight ends. He also can get after the quarterback. Phifer may not have many years left, but the Patriots aren't thinking long term; they're thinking about defending their Super Bowl title. With their linebacker unit intact, they're one step closer to doing that. RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: WR Troy Brown is one of the most underrated playmakers in the league. He doesn't have good size or a good 40 time, but he's strong and quick. He has a knack for finding openings in zone defenses and excels at gaining yards after the catch. Donald Hayes will battle returning starter David Patten for the No. 2 job. Rookie Deion Branch, impressive in minicamps, will have to prove himself once the pads go on in order to carve out a role. The depth at tight end, a position that netted few regular-season catches in 2001, is encouraging. Among free-agent pickups Christian Fauria and Cam Cleeland and No. 1 draft pick Daniel Graham, there should be better options over the middle.--Michael Felger

NEW YORK JETS: Because of its pursuit-oriented scheme, the team would like to use a seven-man defensive-line rotation to keep everyone fresh. In the base defense, it will rotate four ends (John Abraham, Shaun Ellis, Steve White and rookie Bryan Thomas) and three tackles (Jason Ferguson, Larry Webster and either James Reed or Riddick Parker). The line is deeper and faster and will be able to run more stunts than it did last year, when it was forced to use a fairly vanilla pass rush. RECEIVERS ANALYSIS: A healthy ...