AFC. (Free Agents Preview).(football)

Baltimore Ravens www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens

OUT ROUTE: CB Duane Starks and SS Corey Harris, both starters, might not return. In addition, LB Jamie Sharper is gone, and he could be followed by FS Rod Woodson, DE Rob Burnett and DE Michael McCrary. Replacement possibilities are up in the air; the team is over the cap limit with only 34 players on the roster. DT Sam Adams will return and play in the new 3-4 scheme, if his contract is restructured. On offense, the team has two free agents, RB Terry Allen and QB Randall Cunningham, who might be missed if they're not re-signed. Allen, despite injuries, performed well. But because of his age and injuries, he probably will draw only league-minimum contract offers. Cunningham would return if asked, but his presence might put pressure on QB Elvis Grbac. Chris Redman probably could handle backup duty, but he lacks mobility.

ACTION PLAN: With very little cap room, look for the Ravens to sign bargain-basement free agents, young players with potential or veterans nearing the ends of their careers. The top priority on offense is finding a running back. Jamal Lewis, who sat out last year because of a knee injury, is expected to return and start, but he won't be the same this year. The Ravens need to find another back, preferably one who is multidimensional. Coach Brian Billick likes backs who can catch and run. The Ravens also ask their running backs to do a lot of pass blocking. The club needs help on the defensive line, where there are capable players but no difference makers, and at linebacker, where it is short on players, even with Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware. --Mike Preston

Buffalo Bills www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bills

OUT ROUTE: LB Sam Cowart is key to the club's free-agent strategy. The door was opened for his departure when he wasn't tagged as the franchise player. The club might be gambling he won't find much on the market, but Cowart's agents are confident he will. When healthy, Cowart is a dominant sideline-to-sideline playmaker. Should the team lose this gamble, it can turn to Brandon Spoon, who played well as a rookie. If Cowart can't be re-signed, the club might pursue Steelers free agent Earl Holmes, a strong run-stopper with good lateral movement. Holmes, drafted by G.M. Tom Donahoe when he was with the Steelers, isn't a three-down player like Cowart but would fit in the defensive schemes. DT Shawn Price, 31, is not expected to return. A tenacious and productive defender, Price is coming off reconstructive knee surgery. If Price leaves, the team can go with lower-priced young players like Tyrone Robertson and Leif Larsen.

ACTION PLAN: With Rob Johnson all but gone, the club might bring in a veteran to compete against Alex Van Pelt. They would consider Jim Miller, assuming he doesn't resign with the Bears. Donahoe also drafted Miller while with the Stealers. The club also might be interested in Trent Dilfer, depending on his asking price. Jeff Blake, expected to he released by the Saints, is another possibility. A potential piece for the defensive puzzle is safety Blaine Bishop, who is expected to be released by Tennessee. If Bishop joins the Bills, who are in desperate need of safeties, he would be reunited with coach Gregg Williams, who formerly was the Titans' defensive coordinator. --Allen Wilson

Cincinnati Bengals www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bengals