The North was probably the best division in football last year and 2010 should be a most interesting season to see what happens. The Ravens look to be on the up but will this continue? The Browns have begun a complete overhaul again. But will Mike Holmgren and Eric Mangini actually turn the tide? The Bengals have gone back to collecting the waifs and strays of the league and Pittsburgh have been dogged by the antics of their franchise quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens Last season 9-7 lost to Indianapolis in Divisional Round Key additions: Cory Redding (DE, DT) Anquan Boldin (WR Cardinals) Donte Stallworth (WR Browns) Marc Bulger (QB, FA) Key losses: Justin Bannan (DE/DT - Denver) Dwan Edwards (DE/DT - Buffalo) Draft picks include R2 Sergio Kindle (OLB Texas), R2 Terrence Cody (DT Alabama), R3 Ed Dickson (TE Oregon)
DOC: I think the Ravens are potentially the best team in the AFC if it wasn't for major question marks over their secondary right now. Alongside the Colts and the much-hyped Jets, the Ravens complete the best three teams in this conference. Their draft was terrific as it always is. Adding Anquan Boldin to play alongside Derrick Mason gives them a tandem of receivers that is right up there amongst the best. Ray Rice is a threat whenever he gets the ball and Joe Flacco is continuing to blossom as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. The division surprised quite a few people last year by being incredibly strong and arguably the strongest division in the entire league. Whilst it's definitely on the up particularly if the Browns can begin to show some (or any!) signs of life, I'm not as convinced it'll be as strong this time around. I had to eat a fair amount of humble pie last season with the Bengals but I don't see them repeating their success, and the Steelers have endured a tumultuous off-season which is invariably going to impact on their season. This division is there for the taking for the Ravens. But they need to hope that their injury hit and inexperienced secondary can be held together by what is in front of them.
DANG: After their destruction of New England followed by abject failure against the Colts one week later, the Baltimore Ravens look to try and build on the back of Ray Rice's success to go 3 steps further in 2010, but can they do it? Not for me, despite a very good off-season period of Free Agency and drafting I still think there is better in the AFC at this moment in time, plus their schedule is pretty brutal, taking on the AFC East and NFC South. In terms of in-division play, I think only the Bengals are going to cause them problems this year and going into a Roethlisberger free Heinz Field could well be a very welcome gimme. Anquan Boldin finally gives the Ravens a big play WR, whilst bringing back Derrick Mason (again) and inking Donte Stallworth for a year deal, brings further upgrades to a struggling WR unit and helps to further develop 3rd year Quarterback Joe Flacco. Keep an eye out for Stallworth, I think he's going to surprise a few people this year and could put up some reasonable numbers after a year out suspended. I like what they did in the draft on Defence and certainly think that Sergio Kindle will excel in this unit, I also happen to think that Terrence Mount Cody could also be a big factor on the Defensive line, I don't think he'll start straight away, but I believe the Ravens will look to get him active. Next to Haloti Ngata they could provide a formidable duo on the inside, releasing a lot of pressure from the outside and will hopefully help out a struggling Defensive backfield unit who often got caught out on big plays in 2009 and Walt Harris certainly isn't the answer to a team with Defensive back problems.
Prediction: AFC North Champions
Cincinnati Bengals Last season 10-6 lost to New York Jets in Wild Card Key additions: Antonio Bryant (WR Tampa Bay), Matt Jones (WR - Jacksonville) Pacman Jones (CB FA), Terrell Owens (WR FA) Key losses: None Draft picks include R1 Jermaine Gresham (TE Oklahoma), R2 Carlos Dunlap (DE Florida), R3 Jordan Shipley (WR Texas), R3 Brandon McGee (CB Wake Forest)
DOC: The Bengals were the surprise team in the entire league in 2009, and deserved the plaudits that came their way. They overcame obstacles and hurdles and personal traumas but fell short in the playoffs where their limitations became exposed rather crudely against the Jets. Despite this the core nucleus remains talented and young. In Hall and Joseph they might have the most under-regarded tandem of CBs going, have a long LB crew and a much improved defensive line which will be aided by rookie Carlos Dunlap. Offensively, it became apparent that that little bit more was required to help Carson Palmer; the running game was solid enough but they needed that little bit extra support for him through the air. Adding Jermaine Gresham does help as will Antonio Bryant but thanks to injuries and attitude, you can't be guaranteed you'll get what you hope for from either or both of them. Throwing TO in there is a recipe for something; he'll do ok but what balance it will bring to an already mental locker room we cannot predict. It's a gamble and whilst I think it will lead to a more balanced offence I still am not going to back the Bengals to better 2009. The difference for me this year is that the Bengals are one of those teams that keep games tight. Last year they sneaked those games; I don't believe they'll have a continuation of this in 2010 which will pull down their record. They'll still fare well; the team continues to be on the rise but they won't hit the heights of last year. A wild card spot is a small possibility but I'd err slightly against them achieving this.
DANG: The Bengals caught quite a few of us off guard last year, including the both of us who said that their run wouldn't last, we were kind of right when they limped into the playoffs, but neither of us called that part, sweeping the division and making the playoffs, so there will be many trained eyes, watching on in anticipation as to whether they, like Baltimore, can also go further in the playoffs, improving on a Wild Card appearance. I'm not a fan at all of Carson Palmer, he comes off a line of over-rated USC Quarterbacks, and he will prove to be a big part of the downfall of the Bengals failed run into the playoffs. They will fall short of improving on last year, missing out completely, because for me, they haven't brought in enough extra tenacity and flair to their offense. I certainly don't believe Terrell Owens or Antonio I only play hard in a contract year Bryant are the answer to adding that little something extra, nor are other potential locker room trouble makers Florida Rookie Carlos Dunlap, Perennial lawbreaker Pacman Jones and FA WR Matt Jones in an already full locker room of massive ego's and trouble makers. The Bengals have taken a step backwards and are always going to be one day away from self-implosion. Jordan Shipley will be sure to be involved in slot and Kick Return duties but don't expect too much from the Texas rookie. Defensively, it's hard to look past what Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer when through last year and how his players performed in the face of adversity, but I question whether they can they bring that same intensity and spirit to the field in 2010, certainly a lot of the key factors are in place, but we have seen in recent times that adversity also goes against the Bengals after a huge spate of arrests in 2008.
This locker room is always going to be one day away from spontaniously combusting.
Get your popcorn ready!
Prediction: 2nd AFC North
Cleveland Browns Last season 5-11 Key additions: Jake Delhomme (QB, Carolina), Seneca Wallace (QB, Seattle), Peyton Hillis FB/RB Denver) Ben Watson (TE, New England) Alex Smith (TE, Cleveland) Chris Gocong (DE/OLB - Philadelphia) Scott Fujita (LB New Orleans) Key losses: Derek Anderson (QB, Arizona), Brady Quinn (QB, Denver) Jamal Lewis (RB) Rex Hadnot (OG - Arizona) Kamerion Wimbley (OLB Raiders) Draft picks include R1 Joe Haden (CB, Florida), R2 T.J. Ward (S, Oregon), R2 Montario Hardesty (RB Tennessee), R3 Colt McCoy (QB, Texas), R3 Shawn Lauvao (OT Arizona State)
DOC: And so the Mike Holmgren era begins. And really the only way is up for a team that had more holes than a fishing net but somehow managed to cobble together five wins. The QB position is eminently better. I was never a believer in Anderson and Quinn will forever be another one of the over hyped Notre Dame contingent. That being said I think Delhomme is done. A leader unquestionably, but still able to perform? Well as we've seen in the last year from him, that is an emphatic no. But he will be good to have around, and hopefully will have a good influence on rookie Colt McCoy who looks like being the guy Holmgren is going to groom to take over. Elsewhere the Browns have been picking up a lot of personnel to improve arguably the weakest roster in football. It's going to be a long process but they've got the right man in charge at the top; whether Mangini and his attitude is the long-term head coaching solution remains to be seen, and I have very strong doubts about that. The only way is up but I think it's another year in the AFC North's basement for the Browns.
DANG: Cleveland Where all terrible quarterbacks attempt to ply their trade.
Out go Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson; in comes Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. It's the footballing equivalent of swapping Eric Djemba-Djemba and David N'Gog for Emile Heskey and Darren Fletcher to shore up your midfield and solve your goal scoring problems. It plainly isn't going to work and the Browns are set for another season of propping up the rest of the AFC North. Mike Holmgren is a brilliant Coach, but some of his decision making as a GM in Seattle was questionable and the Quarterback situation above is not proving to be an indication that he has learnt from previous mistakes. There are some good parts about the Browns though, I'm not going to turn this into a let's get down on the Browns rant. Jerome Harrison was a revelation at RB once he found his feet, Josh Cribbs is a legit playmaker who can turn any game on its head, there are some nice pieces in place along the offensive line and the secondary has received a big upgrade through the draft with the additions of Florida Gator Cornerback Joe Haden and Oregon Safety T.J. Ward. The pick of Running Back Montario Hardesty seemed a little strange at the time for their second 2nd Round selection. I thought they may have gone for need over BPA given their current status, but if you put together Harrison, Hardesty, a strong O line and terrible QB's, the Browns are going to need all the help they can get in developing a strong running game, so maybe it does make more sense than we initially thought.
Prediction: 4th AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers Last season 9-7 Key additions: Byron Leftwich (QB, Tampa Bay) Anwtaan Randle El (WR Washington) Arnaz Battle (WR/KR, San Francisco) Larry Foote (LB, Detroit) Bryant McFadden (CB Cardinals) Key losses: Santonio Holmes (WR Jets) Ben Roethlisberger (Suspension Weeks 1-4 or 6) Draft picks include R1 Maurkice Pouncey (C Florida), R2 Jason Worilds (DE Virginia Tech), R3 Emmanuel Sanders (WR Southern Methodist)
DOC: You know, the Steelers I really just can't work out. The talent is still there but to me the wheels have been coming away a little bit and very visible cracks remain. The indiscretions of their QB have been to put it mildly embarrassing, and it seems they couldn't even trade him away. So they'll have to manage without him for multiple games and in this division that is going to hurt them badly. The offensive line is much maligned but Ben makes things happen despite them; how will Dennis Dixon fare behind them? The running game is solid as is the receiving corps but in effect giving Santonio Holmes (as a scapegoat for the team's indiscretions) away is going to hurt, particularly given the lack of replacements they have to step up. Gut reaction is another year outside the post-season. To lose your franchise QB for several games is too much to overcome. To do that whilst also giving away your best receiver just makes it even harder to overcome. They'll finish somewhere around the .500 point.
DANG: So then, Dennis Dixon v Byron Leftwich for the battle to be number 1 Quarterback in Pittsburgh, from anything to the first 4-6 weeks. Ouch. That will hurt the Steelers; there is absolutely no question about it and it will be a start that the Steelers will not recover from. Dixon and Leftwich couldn't be more different, so it seems a little strange to me that we still don't have any idea who will get the nod as starter. Dixon, I liked the look of in his one appearance against Baltimore last year, but the Ravens were dropping back into coverage and allowing him the time to try and force his throws and make plays. He is more in the mould of a Vince Young type of guy who offers them a more dynamic and open offensive game and will make plays with his feet, but that means making a lot of intricate changes to the playbook for the first quarter of the season, which could be dangerous. Leftwich would seemingly make the most sense, but he's a bit like a statue once he's taken his 5 or 7 step drop back, and he has about the same foot movement as I do when batting in the cricket crease, none! Whereas Roethlisberger doesn't appear as a mobile kind of guy, he could still make plays on his feet if necessary and absorb a lot of the impending hits, owing to his porous O line.
The Steelers will struggle to block for Leftwich if they perform as they have done in the past 2-3 seasons for Roethlisberger and Maurkice Pouncey was their only main addition to that O line and along with trading away your best Wide Receiver, the odds are stacked against Leftwich performing. They took Jonathon Dwyer late on in the draft, add him to Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore and you have yourself a half decent effort at creating a smash mouth running game, but again, a lot of how the Steelers perform is coming down to the performance of that much maligned Offensive line. It will be a long season with no football in January for Pittsburgh. Look out for 2nd year WR Mike Wallace to try and fill Holmes' void and 3rd round pick out of SMU Emmanuel Sanders in the return game. Steelers also seem to be trying to bring back a Super Bowl XL reunion party, re-signing Foote, Randle El and McFadden.
Prediction: 3rd AFC North
DOC: The Bengals were the surprise team in the entire league in 2009, and deserved the plaudits that came their way. They overcame obstacles and hurdles and personal traumas but fell short in the playoffs where their limitations became exposed rather crudely against the Jets. Despite this the core nucleus remains talented and young. In Hall and Joseph they might have the most under-regarded tandem of CBs going, have a long LB crew and a much improved defensive line which will be aided by rookie Carlos Dunlap. Offensively, it became apparent that that little bit more was required to help Carson Palmer; the running game was solid enough but they needed that little bit extra support for him through the air. Adding Jermaine Gresham does help as will Antonio Bryant but thanks to injuries and attitude, you can't be guaranteed you'll get what you hope for from either or both of them. Throwing TO in there is a recipe for something; he'll do ok but what balance it will bring to an already mental locker room we cannot predict. It's a gamble and whilst I think it will lead to a more balanced offence I still am not going to back the Bengals to better 2009. The difference for me this year is that the Bengals are one of those teams that keep games tight. Last year they sneaked those games; I don't believe they'll have a continuation of this in 2010 which will pull down their record. They'll still fare well; the team continues to be on the rise but they won't hit the heights of last year. A wild card spot is a small possibility but I'd err slightly against them achieving this.