Required Reading: Links to the Best in AFC North Coverage, 5/24 Edition

Today's AFC North required reading includes a look at Ravens who've been absent from OTAs, an argument why one absent Steeler should be attending workouts, Andy Dalton's comments about his own arm strength and, of course, more.

A number of big-name Baltimore Ravens veterans are absent from this week's OTAs. They include running back Ray Rice, linebacker Ray Lewis, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and safety Ed Reed, reports the Baltimore Sun.

One of the obstacles Ravens linebacker Sergio Kindle will have to overcome in order to win a starting job this year is the hearing loss that resulted from falling and fracturing his skull in 2010, according to this CBS Sports Rapid Report.

Bleacher Report's Richard Langford says that the Cincinnati Bengals are one team that made the playoffs last season that will follow it up with a season of failure.

Much ado has been made about Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton's supposed lack of arm strength. Now Dalton himself has chimed in, saying to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy that he's comfortable with the strength of his arm and that more goes into being a quarterback than just that one aspect.

Brian Stepanek of Bleacher Report gives us his thoughts on the Cleveland Browns' plan to build their offense around rookie running back Trent Richardson.

The Canton Repository's Steve Doerschuk talks about the seeming jinx that has befallen Browns' first-round draft picks in their sophomore years.

Bleacher Report's Mike Batista says that holdout Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace should give in and attend the team's OTAs.

Steelers running back Isaac Redman tells the Erie Times-News that he's ready to take on the expanded workload of a No. 1 back this season.

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