BALTIMORE: Former Tampa Bay quarterback TRENT DILFER, who started 76 games in six seasons with the Bucs, signed with the Ravens on March 14 to fill a key role. "Trent's been to the Pro Bowl and helped with Tampa Bay's turnaround," said Ravens head coach BRIAN BILLICK. "But he knows he's here to back up TONY BANKS."

BUFFALO: When the Bills hired JAMES SAXON as running backs coach, he became one more successful graduate of the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program. "The idea is to give coaches experience at the pro level that may lead to opportunities in the future," said Bills head coach WADE PHILLIPS. Saxon worked at Buffalo’s camp in 1999. The program, begun in 1987, has arranged for more than 500 minority coaches to participate in NFL training camps.

CINCINNATI: With Paul Brown Stadium, which includes team practice facilities, to open this summer, Bengals fans are not the only ones looking forward to the new complex. "The way the facilities are laid out is state of the art," said newly-signed defensive tackle TOM BARNDT. "They really took everything into account from a player’s standpoint."

CLEVELAND: Defenses looking into the Browns’ backfield this season will see a more imposing figure calling the signals. Quarterback TIM COUCH has added 13 pounds of muscle to his frame not only by lifting weights, but also with a change in diet. "Chicken and fish instead of the cheeseburgers and cookies I used to eat," Couch says.

DENVER: Quarterback BRIAN GRIESE, who started 13 games for the Broncos last season, understands that he’ll be challenged for the starting job with the club’s signing of Detroit quarterback GUS FREROTTE, a 1997 Pro Bowler. "I’m fine with it," said Griese. "There’s always going to be competition…and I welcome it."

INDIANAPOLIS: As the Colts’ former strength and conditioning coach, giving others a "lift" is nothing new to TOM ZUPANCIC. Now the club’s director of business development, Zupancic was selected earlier this month as one of 10 winners of the 2000 Indiana Jefferson Awards for outstanding community service. "Financially, Tom would be a wealthy man if he weren’t so generous to those in need around him," said former Colts quarterback JIM HARBAUGH.

JACKSONVILLE: Senior Vice President of Football Operations MICHAEL HUYGHUE teamed with golf legend HUBERT GREEN to win six of seven holes and $9,000 for The United Negro College Fund at the Legends Challenge on March 14 at The World Golf Village in Jacksonville. Also taking part were Jaguars tackle LEON SEARCY, linebacker KEVIN HARDY and quarterback JONATHAN QUINN. A total of $14,000 was raised for Jacksonville-area charities.

KANSAS CITY: Founder LAMAR HUNT introduced former running back CHRISTIAN OKOYE as the 30th member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame on March 4. "I had never seen anything like him," said IRV EATMAN, who blocked for Okoye. "A guy with that kind of size, that kind of speed…it was not fair that someone had to come up and try to tackle this guy."

MIAMI: For the first time in 13 years, Miami defensive coaches won’t have to prepare to face running back THURMAN THOMAS. Thomas, signed by Miami on March 7, played 20 games against the Dolphins as a member of the Buffalo Bills and amassed more rushing attempts (364), rushing yards (1,620) and touchdown runs (eight) than any Miami foe.

NEW ENGLAND: Wide receiver TERRY GLENN has set his sights high for the Patriots’ offense this season. "With a new offense that will mix things up and keep the defense off balance, the sky’s the limit for us," Glenn says. "When you have [quarterback] DREW BLEDSOE out there, good things are going to happen."

NEW YORK JETS: New head coach AL GROH is familiar with the Jets’ history. He grew up in Manhasset – 15 minutes from the club’s training complex. "I think I'm probably one of the few guys who could be standing here knowing that at one time the Jets weren't green and white," Groh said (the club debuted in 1960 as the Titans, wearing blue and gold).

OAKLAND: Defensive end REGAN UPSHAW signed with the Raiders to return to his hometown – where he starred at Pittsburg High School. "It’s exciting to me and my family for me to come and play in the Bay Area," said Upshaw, who also attended the University of California at Berkeley.

PITTSBURGH: When defensive coordinator JIM HASLETT was named New Orleans’ new head coach, Steelers head coach BILL COWHER found his replacement within the organization, promoting defensive backs coach TIM LEWIS. "Tim has been a tremendous asset to our staff the past five years," Cowher said. "He has a bright future as a coordinator."

SAN DIEGO: Safety RODNEY HARRISON, rehabilitating a bruised shoulder which forced him out of the Chargers’ final 10 games in 1999, is aiming for his second Pro Bowl trip in three seasons. "I’ve come a long way," he said earlier this month of his rehabilitation. "There’s nothing I can’t do. I’m swimming and lifting weights. I’m strong as an ox right now."

SEATTLE: In signing with the Seahawks after four seasons in Kansas City, safety REGGIE TONGUE is moving closer to home…at least somewhat closer. "It’s only 3½ hours from Alaska where my brothers are," said Tongue, one of three Alaska natives on 1999 opening-day rosters (Atlanta DT TRAVIS HALL and Denver G MARK SCHLERETH).

TENNESSEE: After reaching Super Bowl XXXIV, the Titans have added another coach with big-game experience. MIKE HEIMERDINGER, winner of Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII rings as the Denver Broncos’ wide receivers coach, was named Tennessee’s offensive coordinator on March 7. "This opportunity is exciting to me because of our talent on offense," Heimerdinger said.