AFC Training Camp Capsules

Elway's back, but it's time to groom his replacement

The AFC finally won its first Super Bowl in 14 tries when the Denver Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers, giving John Elway the first championship ring for the quarterback class of 1983.

Elway, who turned 38 on June 26, will return, while attention focuses on Brian Griese, who eventually will compete with the injured Jeff Lewis to succeed him.

But the next generation will be in the spotlight as NFL camps open next week - Peyton Manning, taken first overall in the draft by Indianapolis and Ryan Leaf, chosen second by San Diego. As Elway, Dan Marino and Steve Young begin to fade into the sunset, they will be looked on to give the NFL some needed glamor at quarterback.

Here is a team-by-team look at the AFC as training camps open (in order of last year's finish):

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Denver (16-4)

LAST SEASON: Beat Green Bay 31-24 to win Super Bowl after qualifying as wild-card. Beat Jacksonville at home, the Chiefs and Pittsburgh on the road, then the Packers.

OPEN CAMP: July 24, Greeley, Colo.

ADDITIONS: Free agent DE Marvin Washington; WR Marcus Nash, first-round draft pick.

SUBTRACTIONS: LB Allen Aldridge (Detroit) and G Brian Habib (Seattle) DE Alfred Williams, out six months with torn triceps.

CAMP NEEDS: Redo offensive line to replace Habib, particularly if Gary Zimmerman decides again to retire. Give Griese experience. Find replacement for Williams.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 9, at St. Louis.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 7, at home to New England.

OUTLOOK: Repeating will be difficult.

Kansas City (13-4)

LAST SEASON: Strong finish to beat out Denver in AFC West and get home field for playoffs. Lost first playoff game at home (14-10 to Broncos) for second time in three years.

OPEN CAMP: July 23, River Falls, Wis.

ADDITIONS: DT Chester McGlockton (Oakland) and WR Derrick Alexander (Baltimore); OT Victor Riley, No. 1 pick.

SUBTRACTIONS: RB Marcus Allen (retired).

CAMP NEEDS: Replace Allen and Greg Hill, who was released. Donnell Bennett will start with FB Kimble Anders helping. Rookie Rashaan Shehee has a shot.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 1 vs. Green Bay at Tokyo.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6 at home to Oakland (night).

OUTLOOK: The AFC favorite? Defense ranks with the best and QB Elvis Grbac looks solid.

Pittsburgh (12-6)

LAST SEASON: Won AFC Central for fourth straight season, beat New England, lost at home to Denver in title game.

OPEN CAMP: July 20 (rookies) July 23 (veterans), Latrobe, Pa.

ADDITIONS: CB DeWayne Washington (Minnesota), C Roger Duffy (New York Jets). G Allen Faneca, first draft pick.

SUBTRACTIONS: Annual FA losses: OT John Jackson (San Diego); WR Yancey Thigpen (Tennessee); three backups. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, new head coach in Dallas.

CAMP NEEDS: Replace Thigpen with second-year man Will Blackwell; reshuffle offensive line. Continue to smooth out QB Kordell Stewart.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 1 vs. Tampa Bay at Canton, Ohio.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6 at Baltimore.

OUTLOOK: Lost fewer players this year than usually. Super Bowl contenders if Stewart continues to develop and RB Jerome Bettis is healthy.

Jacksonville (11-6)

LAST SEASON: Second in AFC Central, lost first playoff game in Denver, where they had upset Broncos the previous year.

OPEN CAMP: July 23 (rookies), July 24 (veterans), Jacksonville, Fla.

ADDITIONS: LB Bryce Paup (Buffalo); RB Fred Taylor and S Donovin Darius, two first-round draft picks.

SUBTRACTIONS: RB Natrone Means, (San Diego), plus several lesser free agents.

CAMP NEEDS: Work in Taylor to replace Means or alternate with James Stewart, who averaged 4.1 yards per carry last year. Beef up run defense, which allowed Denver 310 yards in playoff loss.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8, at Carolina.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6 at Chicago.

OUTLOOK: In wide-open AFC, Jaguars need to improve defensively and avoid key injuries to contend.

New England (11-7)

LAST SEASON: Won AFC East title in Pete Carroll's first season after Bill Parcells took Pats to Super Bowl, beat Dolphins in first playoff game, then lost 7-3 in Pittsburgh.

OPEN CAMP: July 19, Smithfield, R.I.

ADDITIONS: FB Tony Carter (Chicago). RB Robert Edwards, first of six draft choices in the first three rounds.

SUBTRACTIONS: RB Curtis Martin. (New York Jets).

CAMP NEEDS: Hope Edwards can step right in for Martin.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 9, at home to Minnesota.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 7, at Denver.

OUTLOOK: A solid team led by QB Drew Bledsoe. But running back is a must to take pressure off passing game.

Miami (9-8)

LAST SEASON: Made playoffs as wild card, losing to Patriots in last regular-season game and again in playoff opener.

OPEN CAMP: July 21 (rookies); July 24 (veterans), Davie, Fla.

ADDITIONS: OL Kevin Donnalley, (Tennessee); S Brock Marion (Dallas).

SUBTRACTIONS: Nobody of importance.

CAMP NEEDS: Keep Dan Marino healthy. Determine if troubled Lawrence Phillips is franchise running back or reject. Hope Yatil Green, out with knee injury all of last year after being No. 1 pick, is deep threat they need.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8, at Washington.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at Indianapolis.

OUTLOOK: Still a questionable mix. Jimmy Johnson has a lot of quality youngsters, but they don't blend with skill of Marino, who may never get that Super Bowl ring.

New York Jets (9-7)

LAST SEASON: Went from 1-15 to 9-7 in first season under Bill Parcells, but missed playoffs with a loss in Detroit in last game of regular season.

OPEN CAMP: July 22.

ADDITIONS: Todd Burger, G (Chicago); Keith Byars, FB (New England); Kevin Mawae, C (Seattle);Curtis Martin, RB (New England). QB Vinny Testaverde.

SUBTRACTIONS: Roger Duffy, C, (Pittsburgh) QB Neil O'Donnell (Cincinnati), DE Hugh Douglas and WR Jeff Graham in trades to Philadelphia.

CAMP NEEDS: Integrate five new defensive starters including Testaverde, who will battle Glenn Foley for starting job. Shore up offensive line, particularly at tackle.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 6, at Philadelphia.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6 at San Francisco.

OUTLOOK: Parcells has cleaned out much of Rich Kotite's team and has motivated the leftovers. Contender, but neither Foley nor Testaverde is a Super Bowl quarterback.

Tennessee (8-8)

LAST SEASON: Played first post-Houston year in Memphis, starting 1-4 before empty houses in Liberty Bowl. Will play in Nashville at Vanderbilt this season, while waiting for new stadium to open next year.

OPEN CAMP: July 24, Nashville.

ADDITIONS: Craig Hentrich, P (Green Bay); Yancey Thigpen, WR (Pittsburgh); Jackie Harris, TE (Tampa Bay). WR Kevin Dyson, first-round draft pick.

SUBTRACTIONS: Rich Donnalley, G, (Miami).

CAMP NEEDS: Reshuffle offensive line to replace Donnalley. Integrate Thigpen and Dyson into the offensive to give Steve McNair his first deep threat.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 7, at Atlanta.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at Cincinnati.

OUTLOOK: With a legitimate home field for first time since 1995, Oilers have a playoff shot if Thigpen produces and Dyson blossoms quickly.

Seattle (8-8)

LAST SEASON: Won five of six games after 40-year-old Warren Moon took over at quarterback for injured John Friesz. Lost four straight to fall out of playoff picture after Moon and DT Cortez Kennedy got hurt.

OPEN CAMP: July 19, Cheney, Wash.

ADDITIONS: Gained: Kevin Glover, C (Detroit); Darrin Smith, LB Darrin Smith (Philadelphia); RB Ricky Watters (Philadelphia); Jeff Feagles, P (Arizona); Brian Habib, G (Denver).

SUBTRACTIONS: Kevin Mawae, C (NY Jets); Rick Tuten, P (St. Louis); Lamar Smith, RB (New Orleans); Chris Warren, RB (Dallas).

CAMP NEEDS: Finding a quarterback - is young Jon Kitna the answer? Integrating all the new players, for the second straight year. Free agency's been a revolving door.

OPENING EXHIBITION: July 31, at Dallas.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at Philadelphia.

OUTLOOK: There's talent from a variety of systems. If it can learn to play together, the Seahawks should make playoffs for first time in a decade.

Cincinnati (7-9)

LAST SEASON: Started slowly for second straight year, losing seven straight after opening-day win, before rebounding when Boomer Esiason replaced Jeff Blake at quarterback. Then Esiason retired to the "Monday Night Football" booth.

OPEN CAMP: July 23, Georgetown, Ky.

ADDITIONS: QB Neil O'Donnell (NY Jets); DE Michael Bankston, (Arizona); DB Thomas Randolph (NY Giants); LBs Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, first round draft choice.

SUBTRACTIONS: DE Dan Wilkinson (Washington); LBs Andre Collins, and Ricardo McDonald, (Chicago).

CAMP NEEDS: Decide whether Blake or O'Donnell is the right ex-Jet to play quarterback. As usual, establish and offensive line and rebuild the defense.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8, at New York Giants.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at home to Tennessee.

OUTLOOK: As usual, there are questions on the offensive line and on defense, where Spikes and Simmons may have to play right away as rookies. Bengals spend least of any team, and results show.

BALTIMORE (6-9-1)

LAST SEASON: Started 3-1, but offense broke down. After season, traded for Jim Harbaugh and dumped Vinny Testaverde.

OPEN CAMP: July 21 (rookies), July 24 (veterans), Westminster, Md.

ADDITIONS: QB Jim Harbaugh, trade (Indianapolis); RB Errict Rhett, trade (Tampa Bay) Rod Woodson, CB, (San Francisco). CB Duane Starks, No. 1 pick

SUBTRACTIONS: WR Derrick Alexander (Kansas City) and CB Antonio Langham (San Francisco).

CAMP NEEDS: Integrate Harbaugh, Woodson and Rhett into a team that has young talent, particularly on defense.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 6, at home to Chicago.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at home to Pittsburgh.

OUTLOOK: Have drafted very good young players, like LBs, Peter Boulware, Ray Lewis and Jamie Sharper. But the loss of Langham and Alexander hurt.

Buffalo (6-10)

LAST SEASON: Struggled on offense with Todd Collins at quarterback in place of the retired Jim Kelly. After the season, 72-year-old coach Marv Levy stepped down and was replaced by defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, former Denver coach.

OPEN CAMP: July 23, Fredonia, N.Y.

ADDITIONS: QB Rob Johnson, obtained in a trade from Jacksonville; FB Sam Gash (New England); G Joe Panos (Philadelphia) and WR Kevin Williams (Arizona).

SUBTRACTIONS: LB Bryce Paup (Jacksonville) CB Jeff Burris (Indianapolis); LB Mark Maddox (Arizona); G Corbin Lacina (Carolina); DL Jim Jeffcoat (retired).

CAMP NEEDS: Get work for Johnson, whose only experience in three years is three exhibition starts and one in the regular season. Rejigger the offensive line.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8, at Pittsburgh.

OPEN SEASON: Sept 6.

OUTLOOK: Johnson, for whom the Bills surrendered their No. 1 draft pick, is supposed to be a budding superstar. But only time will decide that. Rebuilding year.

Oakland (4-12)

LAST SEASON: Despite spending for trophies like Jeff George and Desmond Howard, collapsed in the second game, a last-second 28-27 loss to Kansas City and never recovered. Coach Joe Bugel was fired after one season and 34-year-old Jon Gruden hired to replace him.

OPEN CAMP: July 21 (rookies), July 24 (veterans), Napa, Calif.

ADDITIONS: DE Chris Mims (Washington) WR Terry Mickens (Green Bay). CB Charles Woodson, first-round draft choice.

SUBTRACTIONS: CB Larry Brown, cut after being signed as 1996 Super Bowl MVP. DT Chester McGlockton (Kansas City).

CAMP NEEDS: Learn new with the third coach in three years - Gruden favors the short-pass California offense, but owner Al Davis doesn't. Change mindset of an underachieving team full of bickerers.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8 at Dallas.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6 at Kansas City (night).

OUTLOOK: The players are clearly better than the record, but can Gruden get his way with Davis any more than Bugel, Mike White or Art Shell?

San Diego (4-12)

LAST SEASON: Started 4-4, then lost last eight after QB Stan Humphries went down with concussion that caused him to retire after the season.

OPEN CAMP: July 24, San Diego.

ADDITIONS: RB Natrone Means (Jacksonville); T John Jackson (Pittsburgh); Aaron Taylor, G, (Green Bay). QB Ryan Leaf, the second overall pick in the draft.

SUBTRACTIONS: WR Tony Martin (Atlanta); RB Gary Brown (New York Giants); Bobby Houston, LB (Minnesota)

CAMP NEEDS: Means, in his second stint with the Chargers, will start, and so will Jackson, Taylor and probably Leaf. The main project will be getting Leaf as ready as possible to play, although he needs receivers - the loss of Martin hurts.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8, at home to San Francisco.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at home to Buffalo.

OUTLOOK: A team in transition (some might say turmoil). Coach Kevin Gilbride barely made it through his first season and is on notice if the team doesn't start quickly. With a rookie quarterback, fast start will be hard.

Indianapolis (3-13)

LAST SEASON: Lost first 10 before beating Green Bay 41-38 in season's biggest upset. Won two more but couldn't save jobs of GM Bill Tobin and coach Lindy Infante, replaced by Bill Polian and Jim Mora.

OPEN CAMP: July 23, Anderson, Ind.

ADDITIONS: QB Peyton Manning, the No. 1 pick in draft. CB Jeff Burris (Buffalo), LB Jeff Herrod (Philadelphia).

SUBTRACTIONS: WR Sean Dawkins (New Orleans); OL Jason Matthews, (Tampa Bay).

CAMP NEEDS: Get Manning ready to step right in at quarterback.

OPENING EXHIBITION: Aug. 8, at Seattle.

OPEN SEASON: Sept. 6, at home to Pittsburgh.

OUTLOOK: Were only two years away from AFC title game when they crashed last year. If Manning can produce some, they could double their win figure - Mora can squeeze out victories, particularly in this era of parity.

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