1988 record -- 6-10 -- n the AFC East)
Head coach -- Don Shula. Years and record with club -- 19 years, 190-88-2. Career record -- 26 years, 277-124-6.
Strengths -- QB Dan Marino, WRs Mark Clayton and Mark Duper, TE Ferrell Edmunds and LB John Offerdahl.
Weaknesses -- Run defense and overall defense were 26th in the league, and running attack was last.
New faces -- First-round draft choices running back Sammie Smith (Florida State) and safety Louis Oliver (Florida); and free agent LB E.J. Junior.
Players to Watch -- DE John Bosa is recovering from reconstructive knee surgery; Eric Kumerow's switch from DE to LB was impreded by training camp injury.
Outlook -- Poor. Favorite to reclaim AFC East cellar. AFC Central CINCINNATI BENGALS 1988 record -- 12-4 (first in AFC Central).
Head coach -- Sam Wyche. Years and record with club -- 5 years, 43-39.
Strengths -- QB Boomer Esiason, RBs Ickey Woods and James Brooks, WR Eddie Brown, OL Anthony Munoz, DB David Fulcher and P Lee Johnson.
Weaknesses -- Run defense suffers without NT Tim Krumrie, who figures to miss much of season with broken leg; and K Jim Breech is erratic.
New Faces -- Top draft pick RB Eric Ball (UCLA) replaces three-time drug offender Stanley Wilson; second draft pick, OL Freddie Childress, reported grossly overweight at 374 pounds.
Players to Watch -- G Paul Jetton (Texas), who spent all his rookie season last year on injured reserve, had good preseason; RB Ickey Woods tries to avoid sophomore slump; and Wyche predicts WR Tim McGee will become a star this year.
Outlook -- If Bengals defense holds up without Krumrie, they could win division and return to Super Bowl. If not, they will probably succumb to Houston or Cleveland and contend for wildcard spot. CLEVELAND BROWNS 1988 record -- 10-6 (second in AFC Central).
Head coach -- Bud Carson. Years and record with club -- first year.
Strengths -- Passing game, led by healthy QB Bernie; Pro Bowl CB Frank Minnifield keys strong secondary, which is deeper than ever; and LB unit is solid.
Weaknesses -- Defensive line is thin and offensive line struggled last year, forcing Browns to go through four QBs.
New Faces -- Top draft picks WR Eric Metcalf and WR Lawyer Tillman were hindered by holdouts; free agent Robert Banks and rookie Andrew Stewart could help pass rush.
Players to Watch -- Switch to aggressive 4-3 defense should help DT Micheal Dean Perry develop into top-flight lineman; Kosar was limited to 259 passes last year because of injuries; Hanford Dixon shifts from CB To FS; and FB Kevin Mack has Sept. 18 date for drug trial.
Outlook -- If Kosar stays healthy and Carson has smooth transition as head coach, the Browns will contend for AFC Central title again. HOUSTON OILERS 1988 record -- 10-6 (tied for second in AFC Central).
Head coach -- Jerry Glanville. Years and record with club -- 3 years, 24-25.
Strengths -- QB Warren Moon, league's most productive WR duo in Drew Hill and Ernest Givins, solid OL led by Pro Bowl Gs Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews, Pro Bowl RB Mike Rozier, and improving defense led by Pro Bowl DE Ray Childress.
Weaknesses -- Must find replacements for league-high 15 players lost to free agency, including starters TE Jamie Williams and SS Keith Bostic; training camp injuries to NTs Doug Smith and Richard Byrd will cause concern early; and defense lacks impact player and must establish consistency.
New Faces -- First-round T David Williams; and free agent TE Calvin Magee.
Players to Watch -- K Tony Zendejas needs 6 FGs to tie all-time club leader George Blanda at 91.
Outlook -- If Oilers remain healthy, they will challenge Cincinnati and Cleveland for AFC Central title.
