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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 13, 2007
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I know this will probably cheese off a lot of Bengals and Ravens fans, but it's a two team race in the AFC North. The Bengals and Ravens both have many holes to fill.
The Bengals need help on the defensive side of the ball, with the D-line being a high priority. The secondary is also a need, especially with the departure of Madieu Williams. Depending on what happens with Chad Johnson (even if the Bengals say he's not going anywhere), they may want to draft his heir apparent and they may find a quality receiver early in Round 2.
The Ravens need a franchise QB first and foremost, because McNair is in his mid-30s and his numerous injuries throughout his career are finally catching up with him, Kyle Boller has proven that he can't get the job done on a consistent basis. CB is a close second as Samare Rolle and Chris McAllister are both in their early 30s and have both lost a step or two. They also need an offensive tackle since Jonathan Odgen is most likely going to retire.
The Browns are coming off a 10-win season and they have been very active in free agency by picking up some very quality players on the defensive side of the ball in Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams and a downfield threat in WR Donte Stallworth. The secondary is a definite concern, but since they do not have a pick in the first three rounds, they may be hard-pressed to find that on day two. They also need a change-of-pace back to complement Jamal Lewis.
The Steelers need help on the offensive line, even with the signing of Justin Hartwig. Left guard and Left tackle are both positions of need. Either Brendan Albert or Gosder Cherilus would fit the bill and neither of these picks would be a reach for the Steelers, who are drafting No. 23 in the first round. The secondary is also of concern, with Deshea Townsend already into his early 30s and Ike Taylor's play being spotty at best.
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 29, 2008
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i think that the Browns, Bengals, and Steelers all will be within a game or two of each other..each team has a glaring whole..steelers not as many major wholes but definitely need to shore up the offensive line..the bengals need help on the defensive side but the offense is pretty much intact..the browns need a lot of help in the secondary..plus probably some help and depth at LB would help..they better hope that the free agency pickups pan out for them..
i really think that the division as a whole got shafted with playing the nfc east this year..it will be really tough for any team in the division to finish with 11 wins..
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Mar 18, 2007
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Unbiased opinion as not a fan of any one of the AFC North teams. This is the NFL, and change can be swift and sudden, just look at the Ravens last two years. Never count out the Ravens, with a new coach and a return to a power running game, they should be back in double digit wins this year. Ball control offense keeps aging defense fresh. Don't count on the new Brown DT's to play hard on consistent basis, why would they start now? Browns looking like the Bengals from a few years ago. Scoring, scoring, scoring with a shaky defense. Steelers solid but need to prevent end of the year breakdowns. Bengals will score and all four teams will beat on each other. Division winner could be with 9 or 10 wins this year. Head to head will decide this division, not the rest of their schedule. Better win this division because the wild card will not come from the AFC North.
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 8, 2006
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The AFC North is an interesting division in that there has been a different champion the past 3 years.
You can't argue that the team to beat is still the Pittsburgh Steelers but I think any of these teams can give them a run for their money.
My Bengals certainly need som help on the Defensive side of the ball, they just can't keep relying on the offense to win a shootout anymore. I think that there is enough talent on the Defense and if they can get a solid DT and a linebacker then the Bengals should be fine. I like having Mike Zimmer instead of Chuck Bresnahan. The defense has shown flashes of brilliance but they need more consistancy. It did not help that there were more injuries than you can shake a stick at.
I am still not buying into the Cleveland hype. Every year the Associated Press picks their Cinderella and this year it is the Browns. They did surprise teams last year but they won some of their games in a very lucky fashion. The addition of Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams was good but they sacrificed their draft as well as the secondary, giving up Leigh Bodden. And the addition of Donte Stallworth is OK, the guy has never broken a thousand yards and lost playing time last year to Jabar Gaffney and Kelly Washington while with the Patriots.
The Ravens just had a bad year in 2007 and still can play. The Defense is aging but can still show up and play. They really do need to look at QB and the offensive line though. Kyle Boller is terrible, he has been given as many chances as Joey Harrington and has not been able to prove his worth. Jonathan Ogden is hurt and old which is a shame because he is a great O-Lineman.
You never know who might win in this division. Every team has needs but all of them have the talent to win the division.
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 24, 2006
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Blue Eye is right on the money. Never count out Baltimore! If Pittsburgh continues the trend of losing games, they were 3-5 during the last 8 games including the playoff loss to the Jags they will be lucky to win 7 games. I know they were without Parker for some of that stretch but not all of it. The offensive line will be an issue for the Steelers as we've seen how bad Roethlisberger can be when he doesn't get protection. I think the AFC North is as wide open as we've seen in years, so let's not be so hasty about a two team race. After all how long has it been since the whole Browns-Steelers rivalry was worth watching? 40 years? Cincy also may have something to say about it, granted they were awful at times but Carson and the gang can turn it around really quick. One thing we can all say is that when it comes down to divisional games, they are mostly close. Should be a great year!!
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 8, 2006
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I have to agree it is way to early to give any of the teams a clear advantage in 2008. The Ravens and Steelers will both be solid on defense again. The Bengals and Browns have holes to fill, but the two defensive tackles sure can't hurt the Browns. The Bengals need to land Dorsey (highly unlikely) or Ellis (possible) in round one. They also need Odell Thurman reinstated and Brooks healthy all year. The safeties and corners are young, but talented. This is the fastest defensive secondary the Bengals have ever had and I think that is a plus. Hall and the two young safeties are now in their second year and hopefully will not make any more rookie mistakes. Joseph needs to be healthy (rookie year) and he can be a great one in his third year. The key will be both lines. They need to improve their running game and ability to stop the run or they will go no where again fast.
The Ravens are two years removed from a 13-3 division winner. They are not as far away as people like to think.
The Steelers had injuries late (Ravens and Bengals had injuries early and all season) and it hurt them. Their offensive line is not good and they need immediate help if they are going to be a Super Bowl contender. Their defense will be solid again.
The Browns were the healthiest division team from a year ago. I am still not convinced Anderson is the one to lead them. I watched him in person a year ago twice. He misses a lot of reads and his accuracy was inconsistent. He does not have the arm strength of the top quarterbacks in the league, but he does have tremendous weapons. Their defense was horrid (as was my Bengals) a year ago. I like the two tackles being added and I think they are the early front runner (prior to draft) to win the division at 9-7 with the rest going 8-8.
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:92
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 27, 2008
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Every team in the AFC North has holes. Nobody is a Super Bowl contender. All things considered, Pittsburgh probably has the best chance of winning the division. Pittsburgh can draft an offensive lineman who will contribute right away, so they are in the best shape. I'm not sold on Cleveland's Derek Anderson, yet. He had a great season, last year, but his production tailed off a little when it got near playoff time. Cincinnati has defensive needs and players that don't want to be there. Baltimore needs help at all positions on offense, so they aren't going to do anything.
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Two team race in the AFC North
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 18, 2007
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