AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals (Last Year: 8-8).
Major Additions:
WR Chris Henry, OT Adam Kieft, DT Bryan Robinson, OLB David Pollack, MLB Odell Thurman.
Major Subtractions:
DT Tony Williams, OLB Kevin Hardy, CB Dennis Weathersby, P Kyle Richardson.
Offense This Year: Cincinnati has one of the best offenses in the league, and they showcased some of their explosive power late last season. After enduring Carson Palmer's growing pains during the initial stages of 2004, averaging just 18 points during the first seven games. Palmer settled down, as the Bengals scored 27.6 points the remainder of the season. Palmer is maturing into one of the better signal callers in the NFL, and it helps that he has great weapons surrounding him. The best is Chad Johnson, a top-five receiver. Johnson caught 95 passes for 1,274 yards in 2004. One of last year's most improved players was T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who registered 978 receiving yards. Peter Warrick, Kelley Washington and rookie Chris Henry round out the rest of Cincinnati's dynamic receiving corps. At running back, the Bengals possess one of the elite runners in the league. Rudi Johnson garnered 1,454 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns last season. A minor concern with Cincinnati's scoring unit is their offensive line. They have three great linemen -- left tackle Levi Jones, left guard Eric Steinbach and right tackle Wille Anderson -- but center Rich Braham is 34 and right guard Bobbie Williams should not be starting in this league. The Bengals also lack any sort of presence at tight end. Matt Schobel led the group with 201 yards.
Defense This Year: Cincinnati's excellent offense was accompanied by a horrific defense last year, but that will no longer be the case. The Bengals surrendered 4.7 yards per rush last season -- fifth-worst in the NFL -- and consequently had problems stopping the pass, because they had to place eight men into the box. The run defense will be vastly improved, because Cincinnati signed defensive tackle Bryan Robinson, a run stuffer, and drafted outside linebacker David Pollack and middle linebacker Odell Thurman, both of whom are already No. 1 on the depth chart at their respective positions. Pollack and Thurman will combine with Brian Simmons to form a stellar linebacking corps. Defensive ends Duane Clemons and Justin Smith are also good at defending the run. The one hole in the Bengals' rush defense is strong safety Kim Herring, who struggles in run support. Cincinnati's expected improvement against rushing attacks will only help their pass defense. Clemons and Smith combined for 14½ sacks in 2004, assisting a sound, but unspectacular secondary. Corners Tory James and Deltha O'Neal are a bit overrated because they registered 12 interceptions last season. O'Neal is a decent cornerback, but James is 32. He may eventually be supplanted by Keiwan Ratliff, but the Bengals lack any sort of depth at corner beyond the second-year player from Florida. At free safety is Madieu Williams, who could eventually develop into one of the finer safeties in the NFL.
Schedule and Intangibles: The Bengals have decent special teams. Kicker Shayne Graham connected on 27 of 31 field goal attempts last season. Ratliff, the team's punt returner, maintained an average of 12.2 yards per return. He didn't score a touchdown, but his average outclassed the opponents' average of 7.4. No team returned a punt or kickoff for a touchdown against Cincinnati... Marvin Lewis coached the team to 1-4 starts in consecutive seasons. Don't expect that trend to continue. In Lewis' first season, the Bengals were coming off a 2-14 campaign and the aura of losing still manifested itself in Cincinnati's locker room. In Lewis' second season, Palmer was making the first five starts of his NFL career... The Bengals will be enjoying a third-place schedule in 2005. Soft, non-divisional opponents include: Houston, Tennessee, Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit and Buffalo.
Analysis: Cincinnati's high-powered offense and much-improved defense will be the reason they qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1990. Lewis has resurrected the Bengals.
Projection: 12-4 (1st in the AFC North).
Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Year: 15-1).
Major Additions:
WR Cedrick Wilson, WR Fred Gibson, TE Heath Miller, G Chris Kemoeatu, CB Bryant McFadden.
Major Subtractions:
WR Plaxico Burress, TE Jay Riemersma, OT Oliver Ross, G Keydrick Vincent, NT Kendrick Clancy, ILB Kendrell Bell, CB Chad Scott.
Offense This Year: Pittsburgh's offense was ranked 22nd in 2003, so Bill Cowher turned to a power running-based attack, and it really paid off. The Steelers scored 23.3 points per game, thanks to the excellent running ability of Jerome Bettis and Duce Staley. The two smashmouth runners combined for 1,771 yards and 14 touchdowns. The other player to spark the Steelers' offense was Ben Roethlisberger, a rookie who facilitated the team to a perfect 13-0 record in the regular season. Roethlisberger maintained a completion percentage of 66.4 and threw 17 touchdowns in the process. He received a lot of help from wide outs Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress, and one of the elite offensive lines in the NFL. However, there are several areas of concern that make it improbable for the Steel City to witness another 15-1 campaign from its football team. Bettis and Staley are respectively 33 and 30 years old. The former may have just had his final great season as a pro, while the latter is fragile and often spends time on the injured list. If Roethlisberger's ego is sky-high -- as indicated in various reports -- opposing defenses will send him into a sophomore slump by using his flaws against him. Burress signed with the Giants, and has been replaced with Cedrick Wilson, which is like replacing Kiefer Sutherland on "24" with Steven Seagal. Right tackle Max Starks fills in for the departed Oliver Ross. Can the second-year lineman protect Roethlisberger? It'll be interesting to see how Cowher utilizes first-round selection Heath Miller. The Steelers haven't had a pass-catching tight end for a long time. Miller will be a solid target for Roethlisberger, and should make the departure of Burress less critical.
Defense This Year: The Steelers were ranked second against the run in 2004 because of their spectacular front seven. They have the best and most underrated three-man defensive line in the NFL, which is comprised of defensive ends Aaron Smith and Kimo von Oelhoffen and nose tackle Casey Hampton. Pittsburgh's linebackers are also among the league's elite. The three starters who return -- Clark Haggans, Joey Porter and James Farrior -- combined for 16 sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Larry Foote, who replaced the injured Kendrell Bell for the majority the season, proved he is worthy to start in the NFL, which is why Bell was expendable. The Steelers registered 41 sacks in 2004, thanks to the chaotic blitz schemes of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. One problem for Pittsburgh's defense, which has plagued them for years, has been their terrible secondary. Top cornerback Ricardo Colclough is mediocre at best, and does not possess adequate speed to be a No. 1 corner in this league. The other starter, Deshea Townsend, is small and should not be anything more than a nickel. Their current nickel, Willie Williams, played well last year, but he will be turning 35 this season. The bright spot of Pittsburgh's secondary is strong safety Troy Polamalu, who is known for his bone-crushing hits. However, Polamalu is accompanied by Chris Hope, who happens to be one of the worst starting safeties in the NFL.
Schedule and Intangibles: Pittsburgh has one of the elite special teams units in the NFL. Antwaan Randel El is capable of returning a kickoff or a punt at any moment, while Jeff Reed and Chris Gardocki are respectively among the elite kickers and punters in the league... The Steelers have enjoyed the third-best homefield advantage since 1994, owning a remarkable 62-25-1 home record... Pittsburgh has a very balanced upcoming schedule. Difficult non-divisional games include: New England, Jacksonville, San Diego, Indianapolis and Minnesota. However, the Steelers also play Tennessee, Houston, Green Bay, Chicago and Detroit.
Analysis: Unless both Bettis and Staley get hurt for an extended period of time, and Roethlisberger suffers a severe sophomore slump, the Steelers should find themselves atop the AFC North again. Just don't count on another 15-1 campaign.
Projection: 11-5 (2nd in the AFC North).
Baltimore Ravens (Last Year: 9-7).
Major Additions:
WR Derrick Mason, WR Mark Clayton, OT Adam Terry, G Keydrick Vincent, C Jason Brown, OLB Dan Cody, OLB Tommy Polley, CB Samari Rolle.
Major Subtractions:
WR Travis Taylor, WR Kevin Johnson, G Bennie Anderson, C Casey Rabach, DE Marques Douglas, OLB Cornell Brown, MLB Edgerton Hartwell, MLB T.J. Slaughter, CB Gary Baxter, CB Corey Fuller.
Offense This Year: It seems as though the Ravens have all of their offensive pieces in place. Jamal Lewis is still one of the best running backs in the NFL. He rushed for more than 2,000 yards in 2003, and still averaged 4.3 yards per carry last season, despite being injured for four games. Lewis runs behind a dominant offensive line, that features four returning starters -- Jonathan Ogden, Edwin Mulitalo, Mike Flynn and Orlando Brown. The new guy is right guard Keydrick Vincent, one of many key free-agent acquisitions Baltimore made this off-season. Another was wide receiver Derrick Mason, who caught 96 passes last season. Mason teams with 6-6 Clarence Moore, promising rookie Mark Clayton and ever-improving youngsters Randy Hymes and Devard Darling in a very solid receiving corps. Todd Heap, one of the best tight ends in the league, cannot be forgotten. And that leaves us with the quarterback position, currently occupied by the disappointing Kyle Boller. A former first-round pick, Boller has not lived up to his accolades, as he threw for just 2,559 yards last season, and maintained a completion percentage of 55.6 and a quarterback rating of 70.9. Boller has a rocket arm, but he is completely inaccurate and cannot read defenses. He is not a winner. I have been calling for Anthony Wright since Week 1 of last season, when the Ravens were beaten by the Cleveland Browns. Brian Billick, for whatever reason, is enamored with Boller, so it may take something dramatic to witness Wright behind center.
Defense This Year: Over-hyped and overrated. Baltimore's defense is widely considered the preeminent stop unit in the league, which is completely idiotic, considering they could not stop the Chiefs, Bengals, Colts and Jets last season. The Ravens thrive against one-dimensional offenses, but when they face teams that can run and throw efficiently, they often disappoint. That said, the Ravens will be a lot better against the pass. Defensive end Terrell Suggs and strongside linebacker Adalius Thomas, who combined for 18½ sacks in 2004, will once again wreak havoc against opposing quarterbacks, assisting one of the best secondaries in the league. Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister are the best cornerbacking duo in the NFL, while strong safety Ed Reed is arguably the best player in football. However, the Ravens will struggle against the run when it is accompanied by stout passing attacks. Defensive tackles Kelly Gregg and Dwan Edwards aren't anything special, while middle linebacker Ray Lewis is not the player he once was. Baltimore will miss Ed Hartwell, who signed with the Falcons this off-season. Hartwell is one of the elite run-stopping linebackers in the NFL. The Ravens are faced with a few questions regarding their defense. Will defensive end Anthony Weaver, who thrived in the 3-4, be able to adjust to the 46? How soon can rookie Dany Cody supplant Tommy Polley at weakside linebacker on the depth chart? Do they have enough depth at defensive tackle and defensive back?
Schedule and Intangibles: The Ravens have excellent special teams. Matt Stover is one of the best kickers in the NFL, and kick and punt returner B.J. Sams scored two touchdowns last season... Like the Steelers, Baltimore has a very balanced schedule. Tough, non-divisional opponents include: Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Minnesota. Opportunities for easy victories will occur against: Tennessee, Houston, Denver and Green Bay... The Ravens have a tough five-game stretch in the middle the season, where they play Cincinnati and Pittsburgh twice, with a contest at Jacksonville sandwiched in the middle. Going 2-3 during that span could be too much to ask.
Additional Reading: Brian Billick continues to defend young Kyle Boller from his many detractors.
Analysis: The Ravens have two problems: Kyle Boller stinks, and their defense is overrated. Getting to the playoffs will be extremely tough, considering Pittsburgh is still the dominant team in the division and Cincinnati is improved.
Projection: 9-7 (3rd in the AFC North).
Cleveland Browns (Last Year: 4-12).
Major Additions:
QB Trent Dilfer, QB Charlie Frye, RB Reuben Droughns, WR Braylon Edwards, OT L.J. Shelton, G Joe Andruzzi, G Cosey Coleman, DT Jason Fisk, OLB Matt Stewart, OLB David McMillan, MLB Orlando Ruff, CB Gary Baxter, CB Antonio Perkins, CB Ray Mickens, S Brian Russell, S Brodney Pool, P Kyle Richardson.
Major Subtractions:
QB Jeff Garcia, QB Kelly Holcomb, WR Andre' Davis, OT Joaquin Gonzalez, OT Ross Verba, G Kelvin Garmon, DE Courtney Brown, DE Ebenezer Ekuban, DT Gerard Warren, DT Michael Myers, OLB Warrick Holdman, MLB Barry Gardner, CB Anthony Henry, CB Lewis Sanders, S Robert Griffith, S Earl Little.
Offense This Year: New quarterback. New running back. New wide receiver. New offensive line. No big deal, right? Romeo Crennel spent the off-season acquiring team-oriented players. The Browns will struggle to score at first, but should improve during the course of the season. Cleveland's offense will be focused around Reuben Droughns, who was acquired via trade. Droughns rushed for 1,240 yards last season, but it remains to be seen how effective he can be outside of Denver's offense. Droughns is a physical runner, who is good at catching balls out of the backfield. However, if he falters like other former Broncos running backs have, Lee Suggs will take the reigns at running back. Blocking for either Droughns or Suggs is an improved offensive line. The Browns have four solid linemen -- left guard Joe Andruzzi, center Jeff Faine, right guard Cosey Coleman and right tackle Ryan Tucker. Cleveland signed L.J. Shelton to be their left tackle. However, Shelton was banished from Arizona for his attitude. Can he effectively protect the quarterback's blind side? The signal caller for Cleveland's new offense is Trent Dilfer, who has his first starting gig since he quarterbacked the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in 2000. Amazing. Dilfer is a great game manager, but cannot win football contests by himself. If the running game and/or defense falters, Dilfer will be throwing interceptions. Charlie Frye, the team's third-round pick, is currently No. 3 on the depth chart. Look for Crennel to pull a Marvin Lewis and name Frye the starting quarterback prior to the 2006 season. For now, Dilfer will be throwing to a very mediocre receiving corps, comprised of rookie Braylon Edwards, Andre' Davis, Antonio Bryant and Dennis Northcutt. One target that should be in the lineup is Kellen Winslow Jr., who is out for the year after his motorcycle incident. Oops.
Defense This Year: Crennel has done a good job getting rid of malcontents Gerard Warren and Courtney Brown. That automatically improves his defense. The Browns are switching to a 3-4, which is a good idea, considering the lack of talent they have on their defensive line. Two of the starting linemen -- defensive end Orpheus Roye and nose tackle Jason Fisk -- are both 32 and struggle against the run. The other defensive end, Alvin McKinley, should help compensate for their lack of skill against opposing rushing attacks. Kenard Lang, who played defensive end in 2004 and recorded seven sacks, is moving to outside linebacker. Chaun Thompson, the other outside linebacker, is extremely quick, but has trouble getting off blocks. The top linebacker the Browns possess is Andra Davis, who could be the best player on this entire defense. Davis is positioned next to Ben Taylor, who lacks physical tools, but compensates with a blue-collar work ethic. Starting cornerbacks Daylon McCutcheon and Gary Baxter are both No. 2 corners in this league, at best. Brian Russell is a welcome addition at free safety, but the player to watch is strong safety Sean Jones, who tore his ACL during camp prior to the 2004 season. The Browns' second-round selection last year, Jones is expected to be the Browns' best defensive back by December. Cleveland's defense doesn't have the greatest players in the world, but Crennel has been collecting savvy, blue-collar veterans who want to win. If there is anyone besides Bill Belichick that can get the most out of this group, it's Crennel.
Schedule and Intangibles: Look for the Browns to play with more enthusiasm, now that they have their first legitimate head coach in franchise history... Kicker Phil Dawson did an excellent job last season, connecting on 24 of 29 attempts... Dennis Northcutt and Richard Alston are respectively excellent punt and kick returners. The former averaged 12 yards per return, while the latter returned one for a touchdown... The most important player on the Browns? Could be wide receiver Andre' Davis, who accumulated 416 receiving yards in 2004. The team was 3-4 with Davis in the lineup. When he was out with an injury, they were 1-8... Cleveland has a last-place schedule. They should be able to beat Green Bay, Tennessee, Miami and Oakland.
Analysis: It will be interesting to see how quickly Cleveland improves under Crennel. The resurrection of the Browns could mirror Cincinnati's. The Browns will struggle in their first season, especially in a tough division. However, they will surprise quite a few teams, creating optimism in Cleveland for 2006.
Projection: 5-11 (4th in the AFC North).
2001 Season Preview
2002 Season Preview
2003 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards
2004 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
2005 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
2006 Season Preview:
AFC East / AFC North / AFC South / AFC West
NFC East / NFC North / NFC South / NFC West
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
2007 Season Preview:
Buffalo / Miami / New England / New York Jets
Baltimore / Cincinnati / Cleveland / Pittsburgh
Houston / Indianapolis / Jacksonville / Tennessee
Denver / Kansas City / Oakland / San Diego
Dallas / New York Giants / Philadelphia / Washington
Chicago / Detroit / Green Bay / Minnesota
Atlanta / Carolina / New Orleans / Tampa Bay
Arizona / San Francisco / Seattle / St. Louis
Playoffs / Awards / Simulation
© 1999-2013 Walter Cherepinsky : all rights reserved
Privacy Policy
2 5 9