AFC NORTH PREVIEW
By Adam Kiefaber
2006 Standings
BALTIMORE RAVENS: 13-3 (won division title)
CINCINNATI BENGALS: 8-8
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: 8-8
CLEVELAND BROWNS: 4-12
2007 prediction NFLonlinewagering.com
CINCINNATI BENGALS: 11-5 (will make playoffs)
- QB Carson Palmer is completely healthy this season and has plenty of weapons on offense. They lost a lot on defense, however the defense got younger and faster. Linebacker Ahmad Brooks will have to step up and become a playmaker. Any thing less than a playoff run will be a disappointment for this talented team.
BALTIMORE RAVENS: 11-5 (will make playoffs)
- The Ravens are aging, but they still have a few years left in that dominating defense. If defense truly wins championships the Ravens would be playing in the Super Bowl this season. You have to be well-balanced, Steve McNair isn’t the same player, but the Ravens upgraded their backfield with the addition of Willis McGahee. McNair loves to toss the screen and dump passes and McGahee’s game fits that perfectly. A lot better than it fitted Jamal Lewis’ game. Like Cincinnati, this team could contend for a Super Bowl.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: 8-8
- The Steelers will have a new head coach in Mike Tomlin after Bill Cowher retired after the ’06 season. You can’t look past this team; they have most of their Super Bowl team intact. They obviously can be better than 8-8, however their coaching staff could clash. Tomlin wants to run, the new OC wants to pass. Tomlin is an expert in zone coverage, DC Dick Lebeau favors the zone blitz. This is a really tough division and Pittsburgh will be in battle with Baltimore and Cincinnati.
CLEVELAND: 3-13
- Poor Brownies, this team might have improved more than any team in the NFL. Granted they couldn’t get much worse, but the record in ’07 isn’t going to show their improvement. Head coach Romeo Crennel has built a solid foundation and could be on the hot seat. It would be a shame if Crennel is fired at the end of year, the AFC North is too competitive for the Browns to have a chance.
2007 predictions Sporting News
CINCINNATI BENGALS: 10-6 (publication has team winning the division)
BALTIMORE RAVENS: 9-7 (publication has team making the playoffs)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS: 7-9
CLEVELAND BROWNS: 3-13
Athlon Sports
1- BALTIMORE RAVENS: (publication has team winning the division)
2- CINCINNATI BENGALS: (publication has team just missing the playoffs)
3- PITTSBURGH STEELERS:
4- CLEVELAND BROWNS:
July 31st, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC NORTH |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC NORTH PREVIEW
Coach on the Hot Seat
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2006 Record: 4-12
Last Year Summary: In 2006, the Browns were terrible and opponents outscored them 356 to 238. The Browns ranked 31st in total offense (averaged only 264.6 yards a game), 30th in points scored (14.9 per game) and 31st in rushing yards (only 83.4 per game). Cleveland’s offense wasn’t much better ranking 27th in total defense (allowing 344.7 yards per game) and 29th in stopping the run (allowing 142.1 yards per game). Basically teams could run all day on the Browns and they couldn’t run it back at them. Last year, RB Reuben Droughns rushed for only 758 yards on 220 carries (3.4 yards per carry) 
and scored four touchdowns. In his defense, the Browns were normally behind in games and therefore had to give up on the run. In Cleveland’s four wins, Droughns totaled 428 yards and in the team’s 12 defeats he totaled only 499 yards. Akron-star QB Charlie Frye struggled throwing 17 interceptions to his only 10 touchdowns, while leading his team to a 4-9 record in his starts. QB Derek Anderson started three games and didn’t fare any better, however those games he went up against three great defenses in Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Tampa Bay. One of the positives was the emergence of safety Sean Jones, who finished the year with 111 total tackles and five interceptions. In the ‘06 NFL Draft the Brownies took Florida State’s LB Kamerion Wimbley and Maryland’s LB D’Qwell Jackson in the first two rounds. Both were impressive as rookies, Wimbley played as an OLB and recorded 11 sacks and 62 total tackles. Jackson played inside and recorded 93 total tackles despite missing the last three games.
Additions: OL Eric Steinbach (Cincinnati), RB Jamal Lewis (Baltimore), LB Antwan Peek (Houston), WR Tim Carter (Chicago), CB Mike Adams (San Francisco), OL Seth McKinney (Miami), FB Alan Ricard, DT Robaire Smith (Tennessee), Shaun Smith (Cincinnati) and CB Kenny Wright (Washington).
Subtractions: WR Dennis Northcutt (to JAC), RB Reuben Droughns (to NYG), S Brian Russell (Seattle), OG Joe Andruzzi, DL Nick Eason (to PIT), DT Alvin McKinley (to DEN) and FB Terrelle Smith (to ARI).
2007 Season Summary: Coach Romeo Crennel enters his third season at the helm of the Browns with a 10-22 record. Cleveland has been terrible ever since getting their team back in ’99 (team moved to Baltimore after the ’95 season). Since ’99 the team has complied a record of 40 wins and 88 losses in the regular season. The team had a wining record once in ’02. In ’99 the team appointed Chris Palmer head coach and he was fired after the ’00 season (his record was 5-27). Then Butch Davis turned around a 3-13 ’00 team to a 7-9 ’01 team. Then a 9-7 playoff team in ’02, but expectations increased and Davis couldn’t improve the club. In ’03, Cleveland went 5-11 and after going 3-8 in ‘04, Davis was fired. If the Browns don’t show improvement in ’07, Crennel could be the next coach to exit Cleveland. However, the next coach would benefit with the good young nucleus that Crennel has built. In the ’07 NFL Draft the team drafted three possible starters, they also have a great linebacking unit and signed a great offensive lineman in Eric Steinbach. Signing RB Jamal Lewis and LB Antwan Peek were great moves. Every game is a tough game for the Browns.
Best Rookie: QB Brady Quinn – I’m not completely sold that Quinn will be a great pro, but all he has to do is beat out QBs Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson. Quinn might not be the starter at the beginning of the season, but I would be surprised if he isn’t by halfway through the season. You know fans will be cheering for him to come in starting this preseason. OT and #3 overall pick Joe Thomas out of Wisconsin will be a great player for a long time. Also, second-round pick CB Eric Wright from UNLV could start right away. The Browns obviously had a great draft.
Big Games of the Year: vs. Pittsburgh (Sept. 9- 1:00pm- Opening weekend), vs. Cincinnati (Sept. 16- 1:00pm), vs. Baltimore (Sept.30- 1:00pm), at Pittsburgh (Nov. 11- 1:00pm), at Baltimore (Nov. 18- 1:00pm), at Cincinnati (Dec. 23- 1:00pm
2007 Projected Record: 3-13
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Browns to win the AFC North are 25/1. The win total betting is set at 6 games. Currently, the Browns odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 100/1.
July 26th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC NORTH, Cleveland |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC NORTH PREVIEW
XL Super Bowl Champs
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2006 Record: 8-8
Last Year Summary: In 2006, the Steelers won their opener and QB Charlie Batch’s only start against Miami (28-17) while QB Ben Roethlisberger sat out. After the win on opening day, the Steelers went 1-6 to start the season, including a 0-9 loss to Jacksonville. Roethlisberger had a serious motorcycle accident in the preseason and it looked as if he would recover in time to start the season. However, then he underwent an appendectomy. 
Roethlisberger wasn’t the same QB in ’06 as he was in ’04 and ’05. In ’06, he threw a league-high 23 interceptions and was sacked 46 times leading Pittsburgh to a 7-8 record in his starts. In comparison, his record as a starter his first two seasons was 27-4. Pittsburgh finished the year strong going 6-2, which included a 23-17 win in OT over Cincinnati that ended their rivals’ playoff hopes. Steeler fans were worried that RB Willie Parker wouldn’t be able to handle the load himself, but he rushed for 1,494 (third most in club history) on 337 carries and had an impressive 13 touchdowns. LB James Farrior led the defense in tackles with 128.
Additions: RB Kevin Barlow (NYJ), OL Sean Mahan (Tampa Bay)
Subtractions: LB Joey Porter (to MIA), C Jeff Hartings (retired), RB Verron Haynes, WR Sean Morey (to ARI), DE Rodney Bailey (to ARI) and OT Ulish Booker.
2007 Season Summary: Coach Bill Cowher quits after 15 seasons. The Steelers will break in their third head coach since 1969. New coach Mike Tomlin has a solid nucleus in his first stint as an NFL head coach. Tomlin has been coaching the Tampa Bay secondary since 2001 and was tutored by Tony Dungy in the cover 2 defense. Tomlin kept most of the coaching staff together except he lost offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who left to be the head coach of Arizona. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is back and will be in charge of the 3-4 zone blitz. If Pittsburgh is to be successful Tomlin will have to stand clear of LeBeau’s defense. Tomlin says he wants to run the ball, but new OC Bruce Arians wants to use the four-WR set more often. It sounds like the coaching staff might clash and will need some time to find a happy medium. If they don’t find it in the preseason, this team could struggle. The only big loss on the roster is LB Joey Porter. Tough road games include Denver (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Oct. 28), New England (Dec. 9) and Baltimore (Dec. 30). Tough home games include Seattle (Oct. 7), Baltimore (Nov. 5), Cincinnati (Dec. 2) and Jacksonville (Dec. 16).
Best Rookie: P Daniel Sepulveda- I know it’s hard to believe that the Steelers had a good draft class when I name the punter as the best rookie. However, I believe the Steelers had a great draft despite their average grades given by the media. OLBs Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley will play right away. Timmons can play inside and outside while Woodley can play outside and as a pass-rushing DE. Sepulveda, a fourth-round pick, was the only punter ever to win the Ray Guy Award twice. In the last three seasons for Baylor, Sepulveda has averaged over 46 yards per punt. He might be the best punter since Ray Guy himself. Also, third-round pick TE Matt Spaeth is a good receiving target, but has to backup Heath Miller.
Big Games of the Year: at Cincinnati (Oct. 28- 1:00pm), vs. Baltimore (Nov.5- 8:30pm- Monday), vs. Cincinnati (Dec.2- 8:15pm), at New England (Dec. 9- 1:00), at Baltimore (Dec. 30- 1:00pm- Last game of the year)
2007 Projected Record: 8-8
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Steelers to win the AFC North is 12/5. The win total betting is set at 9 games. Currently, the Steelers odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 25/1.
July 24th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC NORTH, Pittsburgh |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC NORTH PREVIEW
Palmer and the Johnsons
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2006 Record: 8-8
Last Year Summary: In 2006, the Bengals won the first three games, which included two road wins at Kansas City and at Pittsburgh. Then New England came into Cincy and rookie Laurence Maroney had his best performance of the season. Maroney rushed for 125 yards on only 15 carries and scored two touchdowns in route to a 38-13 win over the Bengals. That began a horrid streak where the Bengals would lose five of their next six games. 
However, each loss could have easily been a win – Cincinnati got a terrible roughing-the-passer call on a Justin Smith sack in a 14-13 loss at Tampa Bay. Then Michael Vick had his best game of the season in a 29-27 loss to Atlanta. Then the Bengals lost on the road 26-20 to Baltimore when T.J. Houshmandzadeh didn’t get a pass-interference call late in the game. The most heart-breaking game was the home contest against San Diego. The Bengals led 28-7 at halftime only to lose 49-41. With a record of 4-5, Cincinnati turned it around with four straight wins that included wins on the road against New Orleans (31-16) and at home against Baltimore (13-7). Just as it was looking that the Bengals would return to the playoffs, they lost the last three games of season at Indianapolis (16-34), at Denver (23-24) and at home against Pittsburgh (17-23 in OT). Cincinnati lost the Denver game on a poor snap by Brad St. Louis, which would have tied the game after a 90-yard touchdown drive. Then with eight seconds left in the Pittsburgh game, Shayne Graham missed a 39-yard field goal that would have won the game. If the Bengals had won any three of those games they would have made the playoffs
Additions: LB Ed Hartwell (Atlanta), DT Michael Myers (Denver), C Alex Stepanovich (Arizona) and DT Kenderick Allen (Green Bay).
Subtractions: DT Sam Adams (to DEN), CB Troy James (to NE), S Kevin Kaesviharn (to NO), LB Brain Simmons (to NO), DT Shaun Smith (to CLE), OG Eric Steinbach (to CLE), TE Tony Stewart (to OAK), WR Kelley Washington (to NE), LB Marcus Wilkins (to ATL) and QB Anthony Wright (to NYG).
2007 Season Summary: QB Carson Palmer is completely healthy this season and has plenty of weapons on offense. The defense should be better off this season with new upgrades in the secondary and to the linebacking core. The schedule seems to be easier in ’07 than it was last year. Instead of playing the NFC South and AFC West, Cincinnati plays the NFC West and AFC East. You can make the argument, but I believe both divisions are easier this time around. Also, last year Cincy played New England and Indianapolis as the two games added because of their ’05 record and this year they play Kansas City and Tennessee. Right now, the Bengals look to have four primetime games, which includes the home opener against Baltimore (Monday 7pm on ESPN), home against New England (Monday 8:30pm on ESPN), at Pittsburgh (Sunday 8:15pm on NBC) and at San Francisco (8:15pm on NFL Network). I tried to be objective in my prediction of the Bengals ’07 season and it is extremely early to pick games, but there is no reason to believe that Cincinnati shouldn’t make the playoffs in ’07.
Best Rookie: CB Leon Hall- No one can quite argue the Bengals decision to draft Hall when he fell to them in the middle of the first round. Around draft time, scouts used phrases such as ‘hard worker’, ‘team leader’, and ‘explosive hitter’ to describe him. Due to the injury to CB Johnathan Joseph this spring and to the absence of Deltha O’Neal, Hall has been getting most of the snaps on the #1 defense. I expect Hall to begin the season as the #3 cornerback, but could be starting by midseason. Second-round pick RB Kenny Irons should provide a nice change of pace, but veteran Kenny Watson will be Rudi Johnson’s backup to start the year. Fourth-round pick S Marvin White will be counted on early and often.
Big Games of the Year: vs. Baltimore (Sept. 7- 7:00pm- Opening Monday), vs. New England (Oct. 1- 8:30- Monday), vs. Pittsburgh (Oct. 28- 1:00pm), at Baltimore (Nov. 11- 4:05pm), at Pittsburgh (Dec. 2- 8:15pm) , at Miami (Dec. 30- 1:00pm- Last game of the year)
2007 Projected Record: 11-5
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Bengals to win the AFC North is 3/2. The win total betting is set at 9.5 games. Currently, the Bengals odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 15/1.
July 24th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC NORTH, Cincinnati |
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By Adam Kiefaber
AFC NORTH PREVIEW
The Defense
BALTIMORE RAVENS
2006 Record: 13-3 (lost in AFC Divisonal Playoff)
Last Year Summary: After going 6-10 in ’05, they signed QB Steve McNair and finished the ’06 season with the club’s best regular season record in their 11-year history as the Baltimore Ravens. McNair didn’t have the greatest season, but he threw for the most yards (3,050) in Ravens’ history since Vinny Testaverde in ’96. 
Running back Jamal Lewis played well rushing for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns. However, Lewis didn’t blow anyone away like he did in ’03 when he rushed for 2,066 yards and 14 touchdowns. For Baltimore to be successful, the offense only has to average. The defense led the NFL in allowing the least amount of yards and points (264.1 yards and 12.6 points per game). LB Ray Lewis missed two games, but still led the defense with 103 total tackles. Lewis added five sacks, eight passes defended and two interceptions. LB Adalius Thomas had 83 total tackles and 11 sacks. DE Trevor Pryce added 13 sacks while LB Bart Scott and DE Terrell Suggs each had 9.5 sacks. The secondary helped out, safeties Dawan Landry and Ed Reed combined for 10 interceptions, two touchdowns and 20 passes defended. CB Chris McAlister added six interceptions. Baltimore had a challenging schedule and lost to only three teams: Denver (13-to-3) and Cincinnati (13-to-7) on the road; and Carolina at home (23-to-21).
Additions: RB Willis McGahee (Buffalo).
Subtractions: LB Adalius Thomas (to NE), RB Jamal Lewis (to CLE), DT Aubrayo Franklin (to SF), FB Ovie Mughelli (to ATL), OG Edwin Mulitalo (to DET) and OT Tony Pashos (to JAC).
2007 Season Prediction: The big knock on Baltimore is their age. Of their 22 starters this year nine are 30 or older, which include star players LB Ray Lewis (32), QB Steve McNair (34), WR Derrick Mason (33), CB Samari Rolle (30), CB Chris McAlister (30) and DE Trevor Pyrce (31). The Ravens upgraded their running back position when the team traded their third-round and seventh-round picks in the ’07 NFL Draft (and a third-round choice in the ’08 NFL Draft) for RB Willis McGahee. RB Jamal Lewis left to play in the team’s original home- Cleveland. Lewis looked as if he lost a step ever since he was indicted on federal drug conspiracy charges in ‘03. McGahee is all the team added this offseason and the only big loss was LB Adalius Thomas. The Ravens will still be the team to beat in the AFC North, but Cincinnati and Pittsburgh won’t be too far behind. Tough road games include Cincinnati (Sept. 10), San Francisco (Oct. 7), Pittsburgh (Nov. 5), San Diego (Nov. 25) and Seattle (Dec. 23). Tough home games include Cincinnati (Nov. 11), New England (Dec. 3), Indianapolis (Dec. 9) and Pittsburgh (Dec. 30). The toughest stretch is easy to see: The Ravens play the Chargers, Patriots and Colts in three consecutive weeks in late November into early December.
Best Rookie: WR/KR Yamon Figurs- Figurs moved up draft broads when he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Currently, he has to be in KR/PR plans, but the Ravens already have B.J. Sams. Also, Figurs will be the team’s fourth wide receiver behind Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams. First-round pick OG Ben Grubbs could eventually start this season, but isn’t ready now. Sixth-round pick QB Troy Smith might turn out to be the best deal in the long run if he gets a chance to start after McNair is out of the picture. Figurs was one of the team’s third-round selections at 74th overall.
Big Games of the Year: at Cincinnati (Sept. 7- 7:00pm- Opening Monday), at San Diego (Nov. 25- 4:15pm), vs. New England (Dec. 3- 8:30pm- Monday), vs. Indianapolis (Dec. 9- 8:15pm) and vs. Pittsburgh (Dec. 30- 1:00pm- Last game of the year).
Projected Record: 11-5
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Ravens to win the AFC North is 5/4. The win total betting is set at 10 games. Currently, the Ravens odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 10/1.
July 20th, 2007
Posted by
adam |
AFC NORTH, Baltimore |
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