Let's start in Baltimore. What a mess. What the line in Vegas on who the Ravens starting QB is going to be? Kyle "overrated" Boller or 2008 1st round pick Jo
e Flacco? Does anyone remember the last impact player to come out of Deleware? Me either. Then again, not a whole lot of NFL stock came out of Miami of Ohio and we all know how that's turned out, but at least we know who to spell Flacco. Since Baltimore has become a franchise, they have never owned a potent offense. Maybe it's the color purple, but mostly it's the front office. Jamal Lewis was the last thing they've had to a skilled offensive player and Steve McNair was riding out a career since being in Baltimore. I'm a big Ohio State Buckeye fan, but I don't think Troy Smith is the answer either. On the other hand, since Baltimore has been in existence, they've had stout defenses, led by one time felon, Ray Lewis. Lewis, finds himself in the last year of his contract and there's already speculation about him not returning. Whatev, he should be in prison for all I care. Even if Lewis were to be gone next year, the Ravens still won Terrell Suggs and some of the best secondary personnel in the game. Hines Ward's best friend, Chris McCalister, is still hanging around and so is Ed Reed. Samari Rolle was added last year and with his father dying this year, he's still one of the best in the game. They're not on the top of any one's list to make a threat for the playoffs or the AFC North, but they're not push over.
e Flacco? Does anyone remember the last impact player to come out of Deleware? Me either. Then again, not a whole lot of NFL stock came out of Miami of Ohio and we all know how that's turned out, but at least we know who to spell Flacco. Since Baltimore has become a franchise, they have never owned a potent offense. Maybe it's the color purple, but mostly it's the front office. Jamal Lewis was the last thing they've had to a skilled offensive player and Steve McNair was riding out a career since being in Baltimore. I'm a big Ohio State Buckeye fan, but I don't think Troy Smith is the answer either. On the other hand, since Baltimore has been in existence, they've had stout defenses, led by one time felon, Ray Lewis. Lewis, finds himself in the last year of his contract and there's already speculation about him not returning. Whatev, he should be in prison for all I care. Even if Lewis were to be gone next year, the Ravens still won Terrell Suggs and some of the best secondary personnel in the game. Hines Ward's best friend, Chris McCalister, is still hanging around and so is Ed Reed. Samari Rolle was added last year and with his father dying this year, he's still one of the best in the game. They're not on the top of any one's list to make a threat for the playoffs or the AFC North, but they're not push over. The Cincinatti Bengals are all questions. They're already in full camp and they still don't have their top draft pick of Keith Rivers (LB out of USC). That's never a good start. The offense still 
has all the pieces and Chad Johnson is playing nice, since he's out from ankle surgery. They still have Carson Palmer, that other guy from Oregon, TJ - something, and question mark Rudi Johnson. All are solid skilled position players and with Chris Henry gone, that opens up a spot for a slot receiver role. The Bengals went 7-9 last year and it certainly due to lack of offense. Sure, Rudi Johnson was out for most of the season with some injury's and Chad Johnson's TD numbers didn't take effect till around week 12, then we got to see his goofy celebrations. The defense, at one time was solid, but went MIA for most of 2007 and it cost the Bengal's dearly. Odell Thurman missed some games at the beginning of the year for being a bad boy and everything else was just plain weird. Let it be known, the Bengals had a bad year, but like the Ravens...they are no push over. The Bengals are legit, adding more to the reason that the AFC North is one of the best in the NFL. Do not, I repeat, do not count these guys out. With that much firepower on offense, it can get scary.
has all the pieces and Chad Johnson is playing nice, since he's out from ankle surgery. They still have Carson Palmer, that other guy from Oregon, TJ - something, and question mark Rudi Johnson. All are solid skilled position players and with Chris Henry gone, that opens up a spot for a slot receiver role. The Bengals went 7-9 last year and it certainly due to lack of offense. Sure, Rudi Johnson was out for most of the season with some injury's and Chad Johnson's TD numbers didn't take effect till around week 12, then we got to see his goofy celebrations. The defense, at one time was solid, but went MIA for most of 2007 and it cost the Bengal's dearly. Odell Thurman missed some games at the beginning of the year for being a bad boy and everything else was just plain weird. Let it be known, the Bengals had a bad year, but like the Ravens...they are no push over. The Bengals are legit, adding more to the reason that the AFC North is one of the best in the NFL. Do not, I repeat, do not count these guys out. With that much firepower on offense, it can get scary. Finally, the Cleveland Browns. As Steeler fans, we laugh. As football fans, we watch. The Browns, have some serious question marks, mostly with Derek Anderson. If he's anything like last year, we will certainly take a second look. If you like stats, then th
ey are definitely on the Steelers side. The Browns haven't beaten the Steelers since 2000! Only, Hines Ward, Deshea Townsend, and Aaron Smith were around for that. Even the NFL looked at Cleveland as a possible contender for the AFC North, and possible playoff spot by scheduling them in Pittsburgh for the final game of the season. Hold on to your hats if it should come down to that game. Besides Derek Anderson, there's always Brady Quinn hanging in the wing. Another question mark, you can't have any expectations for that guy, but you can't over look him either. Jamal Lewis, is another guy who came out of no where. Basically looking for work, he found himself in Cleveland and looked like the old Jamal of old poking out 100 yard games left and right. The Browns are loaded at WR with Braylon Edwards, (FA) Donte Stallworth, Joe Jurevicius, and Josh Cribbs. Don't count out Kellen Winslow, he had a breakout year and is more a receiving target rather than a blocking linesman. Your call on that guy. To me, he's the real deal and a force to be reckoned with. The defense on the other hand, was mediocre. Giving up over 100 yards a game and 280 yards total offense a game. Willie McGinest is at the end of his rope and working his way out of the NFL, that's about the only "name" on defense the Browns hold. Like the Bengals, don't count them out, but they're mostly all offense and we all know, defense wins championships. Besides having to play these 3 teams twice, the Steelers own one of the toughest schedules in all of football and it's sure to be a nail biting ride.
ey are definitely on the Steelers side. The Browns haven't beaten the Steelers since 2000! Only, Hines Ward, Deshea Townsend, and Aaron Smith were around for that. Even the NFL looked at Cleveland as a possible contender for the AFC North, and possible playoff spot by scheduling them in Pittsburgh for the final game of the season. Hold on to your hats if it should come down to that game. Besides Derek Anderson, there's always Brady Quinn hanging in the wing. Another question mark, you can't have any expectations for that guy, but you can't over look him either. Jamal Lewis, is another guy who came out of no where. Basically looking for work, he found himself in Cleveland and looked like the old Jamal of old poking out 100 yard games left and right. The Browns are loaded at WR with Braylon Edwards, (FA) Donte Stallworth, Joe Jurevicius, and Josh Cribbs. Don't count out Kellen Winslow, he had a breakout year and is more a receiving target rather than a blocking linesman. Your call on that guy. To me, he's the real deal and a force to be reckoned with. The defense on the other hand, was mediocre. Giving up over 100 yards a game and 280 yards total offense a game. Willie McGinest is at the end of his rope and working his way out of the NFL, that's about the only "name" on defense the Browns hold. Like the Bengals, don't count them out, but they're mostly all offense and we all know, defense wins championships. Besides having to play these 3 teams twice, the Steelers own one of the toughest schedules in all of football and it's sure to be a nail biting ride. 
No comments:
Post a Comment