Required Reading: Links to the Best in AFC North Coverage, 8/2 Edition

Today's AFC North Required Reading includes a bold prediction from a Baltimore Ravens tight end, a more realistic goal for a Cincinnati Bengals running back, a Colt McCoy update and the latest injury bothering Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. 

Baltimore Ravens

According to Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Ravens tight end Ed Dickson believes he can surpass New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's record-setting 17 touchdowns from 2011 this season. 

Phil Gentile of Bleacher Report gives us his take on the one advantage the Ravens have over each of their AFC North foes.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Peerman has been a major special teams contributor, but this season he's looking for more playing time with the offense, according to Kevin Kelly of the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Bleacher Report's Chris Roling gives us his latest Cincinnati Bengals mailbag, which includes a lot of fans' concerns about safety Taylor Mays' ability to be an effective starter.

Cleveland Browns

Though Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is working with only the second-team offense at this year's training camp, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that he's looking much improved from his 2011 form.

This is good news, especially for Bleacher Report's Dave DeWitt, who says that the Browns need to maximize McCoy's value now in order to get a good deal for him in a trade or, at the very least, keep him around as a capable backup to starter Brandon Weeden.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette spoke with Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Wednesday, and among the things that Roethlisberger revealed was a slightly torn right rotator cuff, which he suffered on the field against the Ravens last November.

Bleacher Report's Joshua Hayes isn't worried about Roethlisberger's injury—he's instead arguing that the 2012 season could be the quarterback's career best.

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