AFC east.(NFL)

BUFFALO BILLS

CB Terrance McGee has received extra attention from opponents who have tried to avoid Nate Clements on the other side, and he has responded to the challenge. At 5-9, McGee lacks great size, which hurts him against big receivers. But he's a feisty defender with good bail skills and anticipation. He also is one of the team's most physical tacklers in run support. ... FS Rashad Baker continues to impress the team with his ability to make plays. Baker is smart and instinctive and has good range and ball skills. He plays mostly in the dime package, but his work ethic and attention to detail in film study have allowed him to step in as a starter at times. PROBLEM SPOT: The run defense has not improved. The Bills have had particular problems against zone blocking teams. Defenders are overcommitting toward the play side, which creates cutback lanes in the vacated spaces. The defense must do a better job of being disruptive and keeping blockers from getting to linebackers. Unless the run defense improves, the secondary will be vulnerable to play-action passes.--Allen Wilson

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Backup QB Sage Rosenfels has nice touch on his throws and adequate arm strength, but his mediocre start against the Browns (5-of-10, 14 yards, two interceptions) made it clear the team must took elsewhere for its quarterback of the future. The Dolphins figure to search the college ranks for an answer. USC's Matt Leinart and Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler are the most intriguing seniors, but the Dolphins hope juniors Brady Quinn of Notre Dame and Virtue Young of Texas will enter the draft and provide more options. ... Wes Welker has done a good job of turning himself into a reliable receiver and remains a good punt returner. However, his kickoff return ability has faded. He runs hard but doesn't have enough elusiveness to avoid big hits and isn't strong enough to break tackles. PROBLEM SPOT: The Dolphins must upgrade at cornerback. Sam Madison, 31, has lost recovery speed and no longer can jump patterns as well as he did early in his career. Rookie Travis Daniels is solid but probably never will make a lot of interceptions because he doesn't have enough quickness to close on the ball. The ...