AFC.(American Football Conference team analyses)

Baltimore Ravens

www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens

CARRYING THE LOAD: RB Jamall Lewis' role in the offense is simple: He has to carry the load. The Ravens want to take some chances in the first half of games and build a lead, then turn the game over to Lewis to chew up the clock. Lewis should be able to handle the role much better this year because he worked with TE Shannon Sharpe and MLB Ray in an extended offseason training program and shouldn't wear down as much. He also knows the system better and knows defenses better. Lewis can run both inside and outside and is especially effective at the goal line. One area he needs to improve is pass catching. He caught passes out of the backfield well early last season but seemed to lose his concentration later in the year. A pass-catching threat out of the backfield is a must in Brian Billick's offense.

WIDEOUT BATTLE: One of the most fierce competitions in camp is at wide receiver, where second-year player Travis Taylor is pushing Qadry Ismail. Ismail has been solid but inconsistent the last two years. He is a tough competitor, but he drops a lot of passes. Taylor played well as a rookie until a shoulder injury sidelined him at midseason. He offers QB Elvis Grbac a big target with great hands and could develop into the go-to guy.... Brandon Stokley is the other starter at wideout. He has deceptive speed, great hands and an uncanny knack for finding holes in zones. But Stokley was effective last year in the slot, working against a safety or a third corner. It will be interesting to see how he matches up against a top corner.... A player to watch is RT Leon Searcy, who missed last season with a leg injury (torn quadriceps). The Ravens want people to believe the leg has fully recovered, but Searcy won't be 100 percent until next season. --Mike Preston

Buffallo Bills

www.sportingnews.com/nfl/teams/bills

MOVING UP: OLB Jay Foreman has been a backup in his first two years in the league. But the release of veterans Sam Rogers and John Holecek and Sam Cowart's move to middle linebacker have given Foreman a chance to start on the right side. Foreman is an exceptional athlete who was capable of playing inside or outside in the team's old 3-4 scheme. He's adapting quickly to the new 4-3, and the coaching staff thinks he could have the same kind of impact that OLB Keith Newman had last season (96 tackles, eight sacks). Foreman is a strong run defender but must improve his pass coverage skills.... The coaches are excited about the potential of DE Aaron Schobel, a skilled pass rusher. At 6-4 and 265, he is the undersized but speedy lineman that coach Gregg Williams prefers in the 4-3. Schobel has a legitimate shot at establishing himself as a factor in passing situations. If he proves sturdy enough against the run, he could be the every-down end the team needs to replace aging veteran Phil Hanson.