AFC North Preview: Browns time to shine?

This division has gotten so much more competitive with the Browns finally living up to expectations in 2007 and finishing just 1/2 game behind the Steelers and the final wild card spot.

If the Browns can continue to improve this year and the Bengals wake up after the two past down seasons then this could be a very interesting division going down to the final weeks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

For years its seemed the Steeler have dominated this division with out any kind of threat. They lost the division in 2005 to the Bengals but have not lost it since (2006-2007) and look to make it three in a row this year.

Mike Tomlin came into his first season as a head coach and changed the offense for the Steelers into passing more then they had under Bill Cower. Big Ben Roethlisberger capitalized from this pass first offense having a break out year throwing 32 scores and only 11 picks, which is almost double his previous best in a season.

Ben proved that he could win a game and just not manage it and looks to have a big 2008 season. Running the ball will be a dual combo between Willie Parker (1,316 yards and two scores) and rookie Rashard Mendenhall. These two backs will be a very nice one two punch as both are speedy and can beat anyone at the edge.

Ben will be throwing to big rookie receiver Limas Sweed who has caught five balls for 36 yards in the preseason. He is a big target who will excel at end-zone catches as he can out leap people and he is very physical.

Joining Sweed at receiver is former super bowl MVP Hines Ward who had an very good 2007 picking up 71 catches and seven scores. The Steelers lost all pro guard Alan Faneca in the off season so looking to fill his shoes is Chris Kemoeatue in his fourth NFL season.

On defense the Steelers come back stacked. Starting at nose tackle is the big man, Casey Hampton who recorded 33 tackles and only 1/2 sack in 2007. He will need to be a bigger run stuffer in 2008 to make this defense succeed.

At defensive end is Aaron Smith who recorded only 30 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks in a injury shortened 2007, and the other end is Brett Keisel who recorded 39 tackles and 3 sacks in 2007.

Back at linebacker is James Farrior (94 tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and one pick), LaMarr Woodley (14 tackles, four sacks), Larry Foote (81 tackles, three sacks, one picks) and who had the best output in 2007 James Harrison who recorded 98 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks, and 1 pick.

At left corner is Ike Taylor who recorded 80 tackles, one sack and three picks. He has to improve this season against faster receivers, as he was constantly beat against them last year. At right corner is Deshea Townsend who had a decent 2007 with 52 tackles and two picks.

At saftey comes back Troy Polamalu who finished 2007 with 58 tackles in a injury shortened season. Troy has not played a full season since 2005 and needs to stay on the field this year for the Steelers to win.

The Steelers open the season with Houston but then face Cleveland, the Eagles, Baltimore and the Jaguars who will all be a tough out. They should come out of that stretch at worst 3-2. They will finish the season 12-4.

Cleveland Browns

The surprise team of 2007 in the NFL as they won 10 games and just came within 1/2 game of the Steelers for the division and the final playoff spot. The Browns finally found an franchise quarterback in Derek Anderson.

Anderson threw 29 scores and only 19 picks in his first full season as a starter and was named to the pro bowl after Tom Brady backed out.

Anderson should continue to only get better in Romeo's system and should throw in the high 30's for touch down passes this season. At running back comes back power running back Jamal Lewis.

Lewis recorded 1,304 yards and nine scores in 2007, his best output since 2003 with the Ravens but thought he needed to do more so he lost 20 pounds and comes in faster and more dangerous. Catching passes from Anderson will be Braylon Edwards who's 80 catch, 16 score year was his best output yet as a pro.

He should only keep getting better and should have a even better year in 2008. At the other receiver spot will be Donte' Stallworth who comes over from New England. He brings with him leadership and 46 catches with three scores.

The third receiver will be Joe Jurevicius assuming he comes back at full strength from that knee surgery. At tight end is big time target Kellen Winslow. Winslow had a great 2007 season as he brought in 82 catches for a career high six scores. The offense looks like they can score with anyone.

Defensively the Browns upgraded their nose tackle spot as they went out and got free agent Shaun Rogers from Detroit. Rogers brings a instinct for stuffing the run as he recorded 32 tackles and seven sacks last year and even recorded one pick.

At left end comes in Corey Williams who played 2007 in Green Bay. Williams brings with him 35 tackles, seven sacks and one pick. At the other end is the only Brown defensive lineman returning from 2007, Robaire Smith. Smith recorded 56 tackles and four sacks last year as the most solid defensive lineman they had.

At backer returns for his final NFL season Willie McGinest. Willie has been the heart of this defense and looks to go out on top in his final year. Joining him at inside backer is Andra Davis (67 tackles), D'Qwell Jackson (101 tackles, one sack, and one pick) and Wimbley (51 tackles and four sacks).

The Browns schedule is very challenging this year as they start the year hosting Dallas and then the Steelers. I cant see the Browns beating last years record as they will go 9-7 and fight for a wild card birth.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals looks to return to their 2005 form in which they stole away the North and finished 11-5. Leading this team is quarterback Carson Palmer who looks to rebound after his worse NFL season throwing 26 scores and 20 picks while being sacked 36 times.

Palmer needs his receivers to get open faster and that starts with T.J Houshmandzadeh who was the leading receiver in 2007 with 101 catches and 12 scores. At the other side is Chad Johnson who finished with 93 catches and eight scores. At running back Kenny Watson as the only back on the roster at the moment.

Watson finished the year with 736 yards seven scores as he started five games. Rudi Johnson was released today on the final cut down. If this team can keep Palmer upright and get the ball down field they will be a definate threat.

On defense is Geathers at end (47 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, one pick), Peko at tackle (52 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks), Thornton at the other tackle (32 tackles and one sack), and Odom at end who finished with 21 tackles and eight sacks.

The line has to get more pressure as they did not get to the quarterback nearly enough only getting 13 sacks. At backer returns Jeanty (39 tackles), and Dhani Jones (89 tackles and one sack). This corps has to play better and stay healthy to give the Bengals a chance. The Bengals should finish this year 9-7.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens come into 2008 with many firsts this year. One being their coach. Out is Billick and in is John Harbaugh as the third coach in franchise history. The other new issue for this team is the quarterback spot, out is proven vet McNair and in his place is Boller, Smith, and Flacco.

On the other side of the ball is an aging defense whos window of dominance is closing quickly. Steve McNair retired after an injury shortened 2007 leaving behind him a team with no proven quarterbacks. Kyle Boller all time has 45 touchdowns and 44 interceptions and has not proven that he can lead this team to any victories or to a playoff run.

Plus he was injured at the end of preseason making the Ravens chose one of the other young quarterbacks. The former heisman trophy winner Troy Smith is the other quarterback on the team with any NFL experience. He got into the two scores last year with no picks and looked good moving the ball for Baltimore. He has arm strength and is very fast so he is a good solid weapon for Baltimore.

The final solution is the drafted quarterback out of Delaware Joe Flacco. Flacco has done well in the preseason throwing one touchdown and moving the ball down the field for Baltimore. He will most likely be the starter week one for Baltimore.

Willis McGahee returns as the running back for Baltimore after a solid first year when he rushed for 1,207 yards and seven scores. Mark Clayton returns for the Ravens at receiver after a 48 catch season in 2007. Derrick Mason returns as the number one receiver after his 103 catch five touchdown 2007 season which was his best in his career.

The all pro tight end, Todd Heap returns for Baltimore after injury shortened his 2007 campaign. He looks to return to form and be the major weapon for Baltimore in 2008. The offensive line lost pro bowl tackle Ogdon to retirement which makes the offensive line a question.

On defense the unit is aging and the window might be closing for this unit to dominate. Nose tackle Kelly Gregg returns after a great 2007 season in which he got 80 tackles and three sacks, his best output in his career. Trevor Pryce returns at the left end spot after injury shortened his 2007 season to only five games and 15 tackles with two sacks.

He has to remain healthy to give this team a pass rush. At the right defensive end position Haloti Ngata returns after having a break out season with 63 tackles and three sacks. Jerret Johnson is the outside linebacker as he racked up 58 tackles and two sacks in his first season as a full time starter.

On the inside returns the heart of this team Ray Lewis who had a very solid 2007 season with 120 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. He is the anchor on this defense, but the Ravens have to start to groom his replacement as he enters his 13th season.

Greisen was brought over from Jacksonville last year and recorded 30 tackles for the Ravens and is thought to be the replacement for Lewis. Bart Scott comes back at the other inside position with his 93 tackle and one pick season.

He does however hurt his team as well with his emotions as proven in the Patriots game. Terrell Suggs returns at the outside position after his 80 tackle and five sack year in 2007. Samari Rolle was hit hard by injury last year missing 11 games which did hurt the Ravens secondary.

At the saftey spot Dawan Landry comes back after a very solid first year as a started recording 82 tackles and one sack. At the other safety returns Ed Reed who is always a solid player for this Ravens defense.

The schedule for the Ravens is very tough as most of the teams are going to be pushing for a playoff birth and the Ravens having a young quarterback will hurt them. They will go 6-10 this season and make more of an impact next year.

AFC NORTH PREDICTIONS

Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4

Cleveland Browns 9-7

Cincinnati Bengals 9-7

Baltimore Ravens 6-10