AFC North Preview
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by Behbigben15
The Baltimore Ravens won the Division last year, but can they repeat as Division Champs? Here is my AFC North Division preview.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens released former 2,000-yard back Jamal Lewis, and picked up former Buffalo Bills back Willis McGahee. I expect McGahee to over a 1,000 yards this season, I dont think he is a very good back, but he gained 990 last year with the Bills, this year he will have a much better offense to work with. Mark Clayton is an excellent target for veteran QB Steve McNair, who only has a few more decent years left in him. Todd Heap, who is probably the most underrated TE in the league, can block, and is also a great target for McNair. Their O-Line is injury prone, and is in trouble after losing G Edwin Mulitalo (Detroit), and LT Jonathan Odgen will most likely miss alot ofgames again this year. Mulitalo's replacements are G Ben Grubbs/Jason Brown, Grubbs was drafted in the first round this year (29th overall). The D-Line is very strong, with NT Kelly Gregg, and DE's are the veteran Trevor Pryce, and second-year Haloti Ngata. Baltimore let LB Adalius Thomas head north (New England), but the LB corps will be just as strong as it always is with vet Ray Lewis leading the pack, along with young LB's Dennis Haley, Antwan Barnes, and Dan Cody. The secondary, as well, is strong with Chris McAllister, and Samari Rolle at Corner, and hard hitting FS Ed Reed, and second year Dawan Landry, brother of rookie DB LaRon Landry of the Redskins. The secondaries backups aren't very good, so as long as their DB's stay healthy, they could shut out just about any team in the league. Veteran Kicker Matt Stover is one of the most accurate Kickers in NFL history, and is heavily depended on, B.J. Sams is the PR, while WR Mark Clayton is the KR, Punter Sam Koch is a pretty decent Punter as well. 08 Record: 12-4, Division winners.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a top five fantasy back, Willie Parker, along with backups Kevan Barlow, Najeh Davenport, and third down back Verron haynes. Their receiving corps isn't exactly the best in the league, but it fits the Steelers offense, young WR's who are quick and can catch the ball, Hines Ward, a Pro Bowl WR, is also a spectacular blocker, and second year WR Santonio Holmes is a deep threat along with Cedrick Wilson. The left side of the O-Line is strong, with LG Alan Faneca, and LT Marvel Smith, who both never missed a game in '06, Center Jeff Hartings retired after last season, so the center is now Chukky Okobi, who started just 2 games last year. The Steelers 3-4 defensive line consists of Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, and Brett Kiesel these guys haven't missed much football, and are always doing their job right. The LB corps lost the defensive anchor, Joey Porter, who was signed in the offseason by the Miami Dolphins. Porter will be heavily missed, but I think the Steelers have already found a decent replacement, rookie LaMarr Woodley, out of Michigan. Woodley looked solid during preseason play, and should have a strong ROY campaign. Woodley hasn't gotten a starting job yet, Pitt's four starting linebackers are Haggans, Foote, Farrior, and Harrison, I think that by the end of the '07 season Woodley will be the starting OLB over Clark Haggans. The secondary improves every year with experience. SS Troy Polamalu, is certainly the anchor of the defense, and is one of the best safeties in the NFL, he flies around and hits people, and he does a fantastic job at hiding, and sneaking up on guys. Other than that, the Steelers secondary needs some improvement. WR Holmes is both the KR, and PR. Pitt lost their fantastic punter, Chris Gardocki, so thier starter is now a rookie Punter, Daniel Sepulveda. Kicker Jeff Reed continues to work har, though he isn't the best Kicker. 08 Record: 10-6 Wild card.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals starting RB Rudi Johnson is a top fantasy RB, and has a chance to rush for ovewr 1500 yards this year, I think he will, only if he gets enough carries, but chances are he doesn't, because the Bengals have a top five QB, who has a Pro Bowl WR, along with a future Pro Bowl WR to throw the ball to, including, arguably the most exciting player to watch (other than L.T.). The Bengals O-Line isn't exactly the best O-Line, they gave up 36 sacks last year, but the line only has to block long enough for either T.J. Houshmandzadeh, or Chad Johnson to get open, which doesn't take long. The Bengals defense is what is stopping them from going far, their defense is very weak. Their defensive line is very weak, as well as their linbackers. Their D-Line starters are Justin Smith, John Thornton, Domata Peko, and Bryan Robinson, along with the defensive sack leader in '06 Robert Geather with 10.5 sacks, he second on the depth chart behind Justin Smith, but should be the starter over the other other DE, Bryan Robinson. The starting Linebackers only have 1.5 combined sacks, along with just 1 INT, and 202 combined Total tackles. The defense was 30th in points given up per game with 27, the only strength on this defense is the secondary, which had a bad year last year. The leader of the secondary, CB Deltha O'Neal had just 1 INT, after having career high with 10 in '05. Strong Safety, and SB XXXVII MVP, Dexter Jackson had 1 INT, 1 sack, and 55 tackles in 2006. The leader in INT's was FS Madieu Williams with 3. This defense needs to improve before winning any Division titles. 08 Record: 8-8
Cleveland Browns
I think that the Browns are the only people that think they are going to do better than in 06, no way the Browns are going to get any better, all they did was draft a highly OVERRATED QB in Brady Quinn, who comes into the NFL by thinking highly of himself, and demanding more money, who the hell does he think he is? He is acting like he is the best QB in NFL history, hmm, lets see, he won't be the best in NFL history, but he may be the biggest draft BUST in NFL history. Here is my bold prediction for the AFC North, Quinn becomes draft bust, and JLew struggles to gain yards, especially when they play their two games against Baltimore. Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow are going to just be wasting the Browns money and wasting there own time, I am not saying they are bad, they are both terrific players, but they aren't going to have the ball come their way a whole lot because of their QB problems, and are going to be worn out trying to block for Jamal Lewis who will average around, lets see, 1-2 yards per carry. No way can the browns even win 5 games, there offense will struggle so much that there weak defense will outplay them. The Browns 3-4 defense consists of Shaun Smith, Ted Washington, and Robaire Smith on the line, and Antwan Peek (replacing injured Willie McGinest), Andra Davis, D'Qwell Jackson, and the Kamerion Wimbley. The linebacker corps, guided by Kamerion Wimbley who, as a rookie last year led the Browns in sacks with 11, will be misssing OLB Willie McGinest due to an injury, the Browns won't be getting him back until late September. The secondary is a little shaky, with Leigh Bodden, and Kenny Wright at Corner, and Brodney Pool (FS), along with Seasn Jones (SS) backing them up. The Browns secondary will also be missing a big name in Gary Baxter at CB, an ex-Raven, who could possibly misss the entire season. The Browns special teams isn't toobad, with '06 rookie Travis Wilson as the KR/PR, and Kicker Phil Dawson, who had an off year last year (21-29, 72.4%). Punter Dave Zastudil, also an ex-Raven, averaged a booming 44 yards per punt with a long of 61, I would say that's pretty good. 08 Record: 4-12.
