Know Thine Enemies � 2004 AFC North
Preview by Steel Soul
If the Steelers� faithful awoke one morning to hear that the NFL realignment committee had convened the previous night to renew old acquaintances, enhanced their moods with an extra shot or ten of their favorite 80 proof inhibition eraser, and in their state of alcohol-induced giddiness decided to punk (thank you Mr. Kutcher for your comedic genius) the Steelers by transferring them to any other division in the NFL, supporters of the Black and Gold could set their sights on a third place finish as a lofty goal.� But like a genetic experiment in parity gone horribly awry, the AFC North will continue to exist in its present state.� The other rust belt freaks of football, referred to as rivals in less critical circles, provide Steeler backers with the optimistic ray of light we need as the sun breaks the horizon at the dawn of the 2004 season.
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Baltimore Ravens
2003:
10-6, First Place.
Division
Results (Game #): Loss @Pittsburgh 15-34 (1), Win Cleveland 33-13 (2), Loss
@Cincinnati 26-34 (6), Win Cincinnati 31-13 (13), Win @Cleveland 35-0 (15), Win
Pittsburgh 13-10 Overtime (16)�
NFL
Ranking (per game basis):
Offense:
Overall 21st 308.1 yards, Rush 1st 166.8 yards, Pass 32nd
141.3 yards, Points 8th 24.4.
Defense:
Overall 3rd 271.3 yards, Rush 6th 96.0 yards, Pass 4th
175.3 yards, Points 6th 17.6.�
Turnover Margin +3
Ravens� Offseason
Activity
Key
Acquisitions: WR Kevin Johnson, projected starter, QB Kordell Stewart, 2nd
string, CB Dale Carter (won�t play due to a blood clot found in his lung)
Key
Losses: CB Tom Knight, WR Marcus Robinson
Significant
Draftees (Round): (2) DT Dwan Edwards, Oregon State, (3) WR Devard Darling,
Washington State.
Baltimore
expended so much energy attempting to ink Sharpie Owens, and the fiasco that
ensued, that free agency passed by with alarmingly little activity.� As if the T.O. situation didn�t provide
enough airtime for Poe�s birds, Jamal Lewis found himself named as part of a
group who intended to distribute cocaine in 2000.� The accusations and witnesses in this case have very little
chance of prohibiting Jamal from suiting up for this season.� With all of the turmoil created by Owens and
Lewis, Baltimore took a low (as-a-snail�s-ass) key approach to the draft and
didn�t select anyone of noticeable impact.�
However, if Devard Darling shows something resembling a pulse in camp,
he could easily find himself in the three-wide sets of the worst group of
receivers in the division.� Oft troubled
CB Dale Carter was signed as a possible starter, or definite nickel package CB,
but the blood clot found in his lung means that Dale will be out for 2004.� On a brighter note, Kordell is back in the
division, thankfully on another team.�
If Boller Project 2 is as successful as the first installment, don�t be
surprised to see old #10 kicking up turf with his feet and passes as a belated
Christmas present to Steeler fans on December 26th.
Ravens� Offense: Remember the �76
Steelers?� Supposed offensive genius
Beavis Billick must, because he�s using their playbook.�� He�s gonna run, run, run unless the DEA
takes J-Lew away.� The O-line and Jamal
Lewis set the tone and remain outstanding, other than Lewis� slippery
fingers.� Nothing exceptionally new or
exciting regarding the offensive philosophy, and there shouldn�t be considering
the lack of talent of the passers and catchers.� Anthony Wright�s shoulder will probably keep him out for the
year.� In the understatement of the
year, that�s not a major loss.� The big
question marks are in the shapes of #8 and maybe even a Slash.� Jim Fassel was brought in from the Giants to
tutor Boller, but those whispers you are hearing from the city by the
Chesapeake are saying �bust�.� The lone
bright spot of the passing game is TE Todd Heap.� Note to Steeler homers � NFL rules do permit the ball to be
thrown to the TE.� Heap led all
Baltimore receivers in �03, catching 18 more passes than their top producing
wideout, Travis Taylor.� Polamalu, Hope,
and Farrior will be the key defenders in halting the Ravens� running and
passing games.� New WR Kevin Johnson
won�t test the speed of the Steelers� secondary, as he only averaged 10.4 ypc
last year.� If nothing else, he�ll
provide some consistency to a below average group underachievers.� I wonder what Billick would give to hear
Cris Carter screaming at Randy Moss again.���
Ravens� Defense: Everyone knows the
Ravens� character comes from their stifling defense.� They rank in the top ten in everything from trash talk to
takeaways.� Their run stoppers put
opposing offenses in 3rd and long situations often, which resulted
in the unit allowing only 29.4% of third downs to be converted, and helped them
to post a league leading 47 sacks.�
Besides having his name called on seemingly every tackle, Joey Porter�s
archenemy Ray-Ray pitched in with 6 picks and 14 passes defensed.� No one currently in the league or 30 years
removed from it matches Lewis� intensity and production.� Lewis, Suggs, Boulware, Hartwell, Reed,
McAlister � hate them, but respect them.�
As of this writing, Boulware won�t be camping because of a knee injury
and Chris McAlister has yet to sign after being designated as the team�s
franchise player.� Even without them,
the talent on this side of the ball is immense.
���
Ravens� Special Teams: Stover is pretty much
automatic within 50 yards, splitting the uprights at a 92% clip last year.� Jermaine, the other Lewis, used to kill the
Steelers on returns, but he left town before 2003 and their average was a
paltry 7.7 yards per return.� The Ravens
coverage units were middle of the pack, but they gave up big plays at big
times, resulting in losses to the Chiefs and Rams.
Ravens in 2004: Two schools of thought
on how to play Baltimore can be applied.�
One is to attack the secondary.�
In their two losses within the division, the Ravens allowed the Steelers
and Bengals an average of 8.1 and 9.4 yards per pass, respectively.� While it may be too long to wait, a good
barometer of this theory will come in game 14 at Indy.� The other theory is to play the waiting
game.� In the Ravens� 6 regular season
defeats, they were 16 to the bad in give and take.� With a young QB, and Jamal putting the ball on the turf once
every other game, opportunities will present themselves.� The blackbirds also crapped in their own
nest with the 4th most penalties in the NFL last year.� If their opponents hold onto the ball, the
Ravens offense isn�t explosive enough to blow anyone out.� Playing conservative, mistake free football,
and winning the special teams battle will keep a team in the game with a chance
to win at the end.� Still, with all of
those purple playmakers, I�ve got to give the Ravens the A-North again with a
10-6 record.
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Cincinnati Bengals
2003:
8-8, Second Place.
Division
Results (Game #): Loss Pittsburgh 10-17 (3), Win @Cleveland 21-14 (4), Win
Baltimore 34-26 (6), Win @Pittsburgh 24-20 (12), Loss @Baltimore 13-31 (13),
Loss Cleveland 14-22 (16)�
NFL
Ranking (per game basis):
Offense:
Overall 13th 333.1 yards, Rush 13th 124.2 yards, Pass 12th
208.9 yards, Points 13th 21.6.
Defense:
Overall 28th 351.3 yards, Rush 25th 138.6 yards, Pass 24th
212.6 yards, Points 28th 24.0.�
Turnover
Margin +2
Bengals� Offseason
Activity
Key
Acquisitions: MLB Nate Webster, starter, FS Kim Herring, starter, RG Bobbie
Williams, starter, LCB Deltha O�Neal, starter
Key
Losses: RG Mike Goff, RCB Artrelle Hawkins, LCB Jeff Burris, LB Adrian Ross, RB
Corey Dillon
Significant
Draftees (Round): (1) RB Chris Perry, Michigan, (2) CB Keiwan Ratliff, Florida,
(2) S Madieu Williams, Maryland, (3) LB Caleb Miller, Arkansas, (3) LB Landon
Johnson, Purdue.
The
Bengals were definitely busy after their breakout 2003 season ended.� What they accomplished remains a
question.� Most experts view O�Neal and
Williams as downgrades from former starters Artrelle Hawkins and Mike Goff,
although O�Neal played in the Pro Bowl in 2002.� Herring last saw the field in 2002, so the rust will have to be
shaken off before he can become effective.�
The arrival of Webster pushes Kevin Hardy to the outside.� Rudi Johnson, already looking for a new
contract, will have to deal with the pressure of 1st round pick
Chris Perry looking to hit the field.�
As of this writing, Perry and Ratliff had not signed.� The Bungles may have simply forgotten about
them, since they had 75 other draft picks.����
Bengals� Offense: While Marvin Lewis made
the Bengals play with passion, some of the moves on the offensive side of the
ball will be heavily scrutinized.� He
replaces one of the more productive QB�s in the league with 2003 #1 overall
pick Carson Palmer.� On Lewis� behalf,
he already stated that the top cat of the 2003 draft will have a tight collar,
so Kitna could return sooner than later.�
Early reports out of the Jungle state that Marvin and O-Coordinator Bob
Bratkowski feel Palmer�s progress has been significant in min-camp.� He certainly has more weapons and a better
O-line than former first round flops David Klingler and Akili Smith.� Back-up Kitna will be ready to take the helm
should the striped cats� attack falter.��
Palmer�s insertion into the line-up will likely reduce the effectiveness
of 1,300 yard Pro Owl receiver Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick, who enters the
final year of his rookie contract looking to post big numbers to see the big
money.� In the backfield, Rudi Johnson
experienced more offseason highs and lows than Ricky Williams.� In a show of confidence in Rudi, the Bengals
finally rid themselves of Whiny Dillon, and then they usurped that boost by
drafting Perry in the first round.� Rudi
wants a new contract based on his performance in 2003, when he carried for over
150 yards in three games, but the Bengals appear to be looking beyond him
already.� Perry is a better receiver
than Rudi, and he should get some chances in third down situations.� Starting left tackle Levi Jones and left
guard Eric Steinbach are hurting as camp enters its second week.
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Bengals� Defense: The Dolphins� defense
was proud of its �No-name� moniker in their early 70�s heyday.� The orange and black attack may be trying to
mimic this approach, but it looks more like the �John Doe� defense � they have
no identity.� If this team was to ascend
into the playoffs, the defense would be the key. Other than their +2 in
turnovers, they ranked 24th or lower in every major defensive category,
including permitting a brutal 4.8 yards per rush. To address this
concern, they drafted Perry at RB out of Michigan. Their revamped
secondary will consist of three new starters, so lack of continuity early in
the year will be a good excuse for the simple fact that
they can't tackle and cover. Even Tommy Two-Pick carved up the
Bengals for an average of 275 yards in two games last year.� One new body that may help is Nate Webster
from the Buccaneers.� The new MLB will
allow Kevin Hardy to move to his natural position on the outside.� Hardy admitted himself that he was often out
of position in the Bengals one-gap scheme.�
Webster�s experience with a winner could add some much needed swagger to
this unit.
Bengals� Special Teams: The Bengals coverage
units were solid, ranking 10th on kickoffs and 11th on
punts, but their return game was pretty vanilla.� On kickoffs, if you looked hard enough, you could actually see
Brandon Bennett praying that the ball would slice out of bounds.� Warrick did provide a slippery 10.9 yards
per punt return last year, including a 68-yard TD in their upset win over the
Chiefs.� PK Shayne Graham knocked in 88%
of his FG�s in 2003 and was perfect on extra points.� The punting game was bad enough that there will be a competition
between incumbent Kyle Richardson and Eddie Johnson, formerly of the
Vikings.�����
Bengals in 2004: A lot was made of Marvin
Lewis' effect on the Bengals last year. Management showed their
appreciation for the Bengals first non-losing season since the advent of
the Internet by giving him a $2+ million a year, four-year
extension. Maybe Rooney and Co. secretly head up the front
office in Cincy, too. You can't deny their 8-8 record would be like
an undefeated season for top tier franchises. If the 2003 Queen
City Kitties were anything, they were consistently schizophrenic.
They started and ended the 2003 season like the old
Bungholes, posting a 1-4 record out of the gate, and stumbling to
the finish at 1-3, which included pathetic displays
against Baltimore and Cleveland when the playoffs were within
reach. Sandwiched in the middle of this moldy bun of
a year was a filet mignon 6-1 record, with wins over three
playoff teams. Consider also that they lost to Arizona, Buffalo, and
Oakland in 2003, and all I can say with confidence for 2004 is
don't lay money on their games. With an offense destined to
initially suffer under Palmer, and the decision in the offseason to
replace lackluster personnel on defense with equally mediocre players, 8-8
would be welcome in 2004. Teams will still be able to run and pass on
their D, and the offense won't be as explosive under Heisman Boy. 6-10 in
2004 sounds about right.
Cleveland Browns
2003:
5-11, Absolute Last Place.
Division
Results (Game #): Loss @Baltimore 13-33 (2), Loss Cincinnati 14-21 (4), Win
@Pittsburgh 33-13 (5), Loss Pittsburgh 6-13 (11), Loss Baltimore 0-35 (15), Win
@Cincinnati 22-14 (16)
Note: In an unadvertised
poll, as ESPN celebrates its 25th anniversary, the second
Steelers-Browns �contest� of 2003 was voted the worst football game of the last
25 years.��
NFL
Ranking (per game basis):
Offense:
Overall 26th 281.5 yards, Rush 20th 104.4 yards, Pass 25th
177.1 yards, Points 29th 15.9.
Defense:
Overall 15th 309.9 yards, Rush 23rd 132.1 yards, Pass 7th
177.9 yards, Points 12th 20.1.�
Turnover
Margin -11
Browns� Offseason
Activity
Key
Acquisitions: QB Jeff Garcia, starter, DE Ebenezer Ekuban, starter, FB Terrelle
Smith, starter, LG Kelvin Garmon, starter, OLB Warrick Holdman, probable
starter
Key
Losses: QB Tim Couch, G Shaun O� Hara, T Barry Stokes, CB Lewis Sanders, P
Chris Gardocki
Significant
Draftees (Round): (1) TE Kellen Winslow Jr., Miami, (2) S Sean Jones, Georgia,
(4) QB Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech.
Out
of all of the AFC North teams, the Browns showed the most production in their
forays into free agency and the 2004 draft.�
Their losses on the offensive line were addressed as was the mess
created by the Holcomb/Couch revolving door at QB.� In a division with two inexperienced 2nd year starters
and an insurance salesman, Jeff Garcia is � this is tough to say � the class of
the AFC North QB�s.� While Ebenezer
Ekuban may not totally shore up their porous run defense, he does possess play
making ability, something the unit lacked.�
Once all-world TE Winslow Jr. decides to accept something less than a
quarter of a trillion dollars and join the team at camp, all of the offensive
skill positions will be as strong as any Browns� team since Elway stole a
couple of playoff games from this cursed franchise.�����
Browns� Offense: Former wide receivers�
coach Terry Robiskie was promoted to offensive coordinator (an area in which he
gained experience with the Raiders of the early 90�s) to infuse some life into
an offense that scored 13 points or less in half of their 2003 games.� Butch Davis made it very clear for 2004 that
he wants to run the ball and control the flow of the game. You can say
that the Browns' possess the "Un" backfield � unproven Lee Suggs
and underachieving William Green. Suggs opened the bloodshot eyes of
drunken Browns' fans when he torched the Bengals for 186 yards in the 2003
season finale. Early in camp, Suggs appears to have the upper hand on
Green after a solid showing at a scrimmage against the Bills. No
matter who receives the majority of touches, FB Terrelle
Smith will open holes. Mr. Smith was previously known for his
work with the Saints as the chief steamroller for stud RB Deuce
McAllister. Outsiders call the tailback situation a brewing controversy;
Davis and his staff deemed it a luxury to have two premier
young running backs. By signing Jeff Garcia and shipping Couch
off to the land of cheese and snow, the Browns eliminated a problem that
hindered their offensive output last year. Garcia is definitely the
number one, and already made a mark in the leadership category by going public
to tell TE Kellen Winslow Jr. to get to camp. Jeffrey provides accuracy
on short to medium length passes, and also has shown a willingness to tuck the
ball away and run when things break down. He led the Fruity Niners with 7
rushing TD's last year. Speaking of the aforementioned egomaniac Winslow,
contract talks are at a complete standstill with sources stating a difference
of anywhere between $12 million and $22 million separating the sides. As
a Steeler fan, all I can say is that I hope he holds out until 2010. He
may be a loudmouth, but unlike any Dawg Pound denizen, he's a loudmouth
with talent. The Browns already have a solid trio of wideouts to catch
the ball. Dennis Northcutt, Andre' Davis, and Quincy Morgan all show
above average speed and can make people miss after the catch.
Northcutt led the Brownies in receptions and yards in 2003. The
Browns also like to use their receivers on reverses and various types of
trickeration, as the group totaled 20 carries and three passes attempted.
The offensive line is marginal in their ability. This unit did little to
distinguish themselves and mediocrity should be the expectation again in
2004. Granted, injuries were a problem in 2003.� The left side of the line is brand-spankin' new as Ross Verba
returns at LT for 2004 after missing all of last year, and 350-pound Kelvin
Garmon joined the pumpkin-heads from San Diego. Garmon did help
Tomlinson run wild in San Diego, so Davis� desire to run more should be met
with enhanced production.
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Browns� Defense: Ask the Steelers about
the Browns run defense and they'll tell you it was like trying to swim through
a pool of sharks, when they averaged a pathetic 85 yards on the ground in their
two games. Ask the rest of the NFL and they'll tell you it stunk like
a bucket full of carp. Jamal Lewis and Ladanian Tomlinson put
together 700 embarrassing yards in three games against the Clowns.� Ekuban was brought in from the Cryboys, but
he's more of a rush DE than a run-stopper at only 265 pounds so his addition
won't significantly bolster the run defense. The usual suspects (and that
can be taken however you want to) Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown, our old pal
Orpheus, and Kennard Lang are still there for the base defense, so you know
Jamal Lewis is already counting his incentive money.� Talent oozes from the front four, but so does lackluster
desire.� Warrick Holdman arrives from
the Windy City, but what he�ll bring to defense is in question.� He didn�t make any plays from his OLB spot
with the Bears.� The pass defense ranked
high, but it may have been more a result of the failings of the run
defense.� Only FS Earl Little stood out
in the defensive backfield with 6 picks.�
Once inside the 20, the defense buckled down to rank 3rd in the NFL in
red zone TD % at 37.5.�
Browns� Special Teams: The Browns� coverage
units kept opposing teams out of end zone last year, and their kickoff unit
stood out, ranking 6th in the league.� Their return teams were as dull as their helmets, though.� Dennis Northcutt could not translate his
open field running ability to big plays taking back punts.� Their only special teams TD came on a punt
block.� Phil Dawson was fine for a team
that had too few opportunities to score in the kicking game.� The Browns decided to replace the Steelers�
huge free agent acquisition Chris Gardocki with a box of cleat cleaners, so his
loss is obviously a major concern.�������
Browns in 2004: The chair under Butch Davis� feet is teetering and the noose is getting tighter.� In his fourth year, the talk in Browntown is centered on make or break time.� Cleveland�s offense possesses the horses to stay in any race, but their penchant for turning the ball over often sends them to the glue factory.� The Browns didn�t do enough on defense to take a major step forward, but if defensive coordinator Dave Campo can draw consistent intensity out of players like Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren, they can clog their own holes against the run.� The team has talent, but sent no one to the Pro Bowl.� Is it the coaching staff�s developmental abilities?� With a last place schedule and a relatively weak division, look for the Browns to improve a couple of games to 7-9.� Whether this record saves Davis� neck will be another story in January.�
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