Afc Central

On defense, Safety Vernon Perry will miss a month or so with a broken shoulder blade. No other changes, although the deck has been shuffled up front. The three-man line now reads, left to right: Jesse Baker, Mike Stensrud and Ken Kennard, with Andy Dorris or Elvin Bethea coming in as a fourth rusher.

You say you're looking for some positives? Try these: The ancient practice facility has now reverted to weeds, thanks to a brand-new complex near the Astrodome. Coach Eddie Biles got a contract extension in the off-season. And the Oilers have put in a computer system. All they have to do now is find people who know how to operate it.