Required Reading: Links to the Best in AFC North Coverage, 7/16 Edition

Today's AFC North Required Reading includes whether or not Ray Rice will get his payday by Monday's 4:00 p.m. deadline, what cornerback Johnathan Joseph thinks about his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals, an argument for the Browns to start Colt McCoy and the possibility that a Steelers veteran's time could soon be up in Pittsburgh.

Aaron Nagler of Bleacher Report says that if any player has earned the right to skip training camp, it's Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed.

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reminds us that today is the deadline for the Ravens and running back Ray Rice to come to a contract agreement or otherwise Rice plays out the season with the $7.7 million franchise tag and will have to wait until next year for a deal.

Bleacher Report's Chris Roling comments on remarks made by former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph that the team is cheap when it comes to paying its players and that it's a far less player-friendly environment than his current Houston Texans.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer breaks down the Bengals' running backs as we approach training camp.

Brian Klein of Bleacher Report makes a bold argument about the Cleveland Browns—that quarterback Colt McCoy must be the team's starter, at least for the beginning of the season.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal spoke to Art Briles, Baylor's head coach, about newly-acquired rookie Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon. Briles coached Gordon for two years and believes he'll be a starter when the regular season begins.

Bleacher Report's Chris G. tells us which Pittsburgh Steelers' stocks are rising and falling prior to the start of training camp.

Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweeted over the weekend that he believes 2012 will be linebacker James Harrison's last with the Steelers. Dave Bryan of Steelers Depot examines this possibility in-depth.

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