A call to arms: as the only team with stability at quarterback—in the form of the reborn Tommy Maddox—the Steelers should be able to roll to another division crown - AFC North

"WHO'S STARTING AT QUARTERBACK this week?"

That is bound to be the most overused question of the 2003 season in the AFC North. All but one team is unsettled at that position, and that team is, surprisingly, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have Tommy Maddox entrenched as the starter now that Kordell Stewart has left via free agency. In the division's other three dries--Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland--there will be plenty of spirited debate on sports radio shows about the quarterback position.

The Ravens have Chris Redman, who played OK when he was healthy last year. But they traded up to draft Kyle Boiler, so how confident can they be in Redman's abilities?

Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb will wage quite a battle on the Browns, especially after Holcomb had his amazing 429-yard, three-TD performance in the playoff loss to the Steelers.

And it should come as no surprise that the Bengals will have a quarterback controversy of their own. Carson Palmer, the No. 1 pick in the draft, is sure to be the object of Bengals fans' affection as soon as Jon Kitna has a bad game or two.

All of this turmoil may not make for the best brand of football in the league, but things certainly will be interesting.

Here's a look at how all of the teams in the AFC North shape up:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

where they left off: Finding out that the defense, which used to be the backbone of the Steelers, was long gone. The offense had plenty of pop, especially with Tommy Maddox under center and an outstanding receiving corps that was led by Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress, but Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain, especially in the secondary, turned to tissue. Despite that, the Steelers were still contenders for the AFC title and should be again this year, provided the defense improves.

New faces: After a 10-win season, there wasn't much need for change, although the secondary could have used more attention than it was given. Pittsburgh traded up to draft USC safety Troy Polamalu in the first round, but there's no guarantee he'll make a difference right away in a defensive backfield that is old and needs immediate help. Jay Riemersma was brought in to provide more pass-catching pop at the tight end position.

X's and O's: Coach Bill Cowher needs to find a way to distribute the ball fairly in a backfield that is overloaded with talented runners, including Jerome Bettis, Amos Zereoue, and Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala. Bettis is obviously the man down near the goal line, but Zereoue provides the speed that the other two lack. Defensively, there is hope. Look for the Steelers to build their unit around immensely talented linebacker Kendrell Bell, who was slowed by injuries last season. Still, the defense will be in trouble if it doesn't tighten up against the pass.

Coaching/management: One word describes why Cowher has survived as head coach of the Steelers for so long: consistency. Throughout all the changes in personnel on both sides of the ball, Cowher has been able to put together a winner in the Steel City.

Why they'll finish first: There's more than enough firepower on offense to compensate for what ails the defense. As long as Maddox stays healthy and is as productive as. he was last season, Pittsburgh should put plenty of points on the board and rack up enough wins for another division crown.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Where they left off: Coming oh-so close to a playoff berth despite one of the youngest casts in the league. Only narrow losses to Pittsburgh and Cleveland to end the season kept the Ravens from bursting back into the postseason. The Ravens were much more impressive than their 7-9 record indicated. Even with numerous personnel changes and the loss of linebacker Ray Lewis for 11 games due to injury, they were competitive most weeks.

New faces: The Ravens ranked 27th in the league in passing in 2002, so they are hoping a couple of free-agent signees at wide receiver, Marcus Robinson and Frank Sanders, can help jumpstart that part of the offense. The defensive front got even scarier with the addition of Terrell Suggs in the first round of the draft; now Baltimore has yet another quick pass-rusher.

X's and O's: Chris Redman is being handed the keys to the Ravens offense, but he needs to show he can handle the job. There's a reason Brian Billick and Ozzie Newsome wanted Kyle Boller so badly that they gave up a 2004 first-rounder to get him. Defensively, not much changes, as the Ravens again will try to ride the stop troops into the playoffs and beyond.

Coaching/management: Billick may actually be underrated as a coach, despite his Super Bowl title a few years ago. He did a remarkable job last season, and he should do much better with this year's bunch. Newsome found some bargains when searching for players to replace the high-priced vets who had to be cut, and he's willing to listen to Billick.

Why they'll finish second: This team was close to the postseason last year. With Lewis and Redman healthy, the Ravens should be a much more stable group on both sides of the ball.