AFC North

Sporting News, The, Sept 15, 2003

BALTIMORE RAVENS

STICKING WITH BOLLER: Now that coach Brian Billick has inserted rookie QB Kyle Boller into the starting lineup, you have to wonder whether Chris Redman ever will play. Billick is putting his reputation as a teacher of quarterbacks on the line with Boller--this is Billick's chance to bring along a youngster. It seems likely that Billick will stay with Boller regardless of how bad things get.... The Ravens need to get more production out of their offseason free-agent acquisitions. Of OT Orlando Brown, WR Frank Sanders, CB Tom Knight and WR Marcus Robinson, on]y Brown is getting considerable playing time, and he looked rusty in the opener.... OT Ethan Brooks runs well, which allows him to make blocks in the second level of defenses, but his slow feet and poor technique make him vulnerable in pass protection. Brooks is good at run blocking and doesn't mind hurling his body around. He matches up well with bigger guys because that allows him to set his feet, but Brooks has a tough time stepping out on power rushers. He'll challenge Brown for a starting position for most of the first quarter of the season, and Billick eventually will have to pick a permanent starter.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The offense is in search of an identity. The Ravens began last week's game trying to hurt the Steelers with the long ball, even though Baltimore is better at running. But coaches are so infatuated with Boller's arm strength that they occasionally go away from the running game. The club needs to find a deep threat to work the outside of the field and to complement TE Todd Heap, who can get open in the middle.--Mike Preston

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Baltimore will have to rush for more than 100 yards to win games this season. The Ravens' solid defense will keep them in most games, but they need to control the clock and field position with a strong running game. In the opener against the Steelers, the Ravens had only 88 rushing yards.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

FROM BAD TO WORSE: The offensive and defensive lines are a mess. The offensive interior, which is having trouble sustaining blocks, needs a shakeup. Rich Braham could reclaim the center position with C Mike Goff, who started the opener, moving back to right guard in place of Matt O'Dwyer, who was benched midway through the opener. O'Dwyer isn't moving his feet well in pass protection and isn't exploding off the ball in the running game. Defensively, the front seven are having trouble fitting in the right gaps because they're not using their hands well enough to fight off blocks. Ts Tony Williams and John Thornton are getting sealed off, creating running lanes, and MLB Kevin Hardy isn't able to flow to the ball ... CB Tory James is paying immediate dividends. He's not very physical in run support, but he takes good angles and has great leaping ability and terrific hands.... K Shayne Graham won his job as much because of his temperament as his skill. He gets the ball up fast and isn't as emotional as Neil Rackers, who was released.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: WR Peter Warrick has become a better punt returner because he's studying more and getting himself in good position. Special teams coach Darrin Simmons has taught him how to read punts by concentrating on the rotation of the ball. Knowing the spin is different for rightfooted and leftfooted punters, Warrick pays closer attention to the nose of the ball. He now can tell which way the ball will break depending on whether the nose of the ball turns over or stays up. That allows him to be in position to make proper decisions, helping produce effective returns.--Chick Ludwig

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Passes Intercepted against Broncos QB Jake Plummer. The Bengals, who had only nine interceptions last season, show signs of having a ballhawking secondary. If that is a trend and not an aberration, the defense will be able to put the offense in better position to score.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

GREEN IS GOOD: Despite missing much of the preseason because of injury and personal reasons, RB William Green looks to be in top form. Not only has he picked up where he left off, he's quicker and more decisive. Green also has become a receiving threat.... TE Steve Heiden caught two passes for 22 yards against the Colts, and that could be the start of him getting more involved. He has good hands and is a big target. If he can make plays, it will take pressure off the receivers.... The front office let MLB Earl Holmes go after last season because he lacked speed. His replacement, Andra Davis, is faster and more athletic. He just needs experience. ... Rookie LS Ryan Pontbriand has worked out well. He has yet to have a bad snap in the preseason or regular season.... The defense was supposed to be an albatross. But if the Colts game is any indication, the unit may be decent. The defense is much quicker than last year. The coaching staff believes the offense will come around after it produced just six points and 280 yards against Indianapolis. When it does, this could be a good team.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The coaches want to have a vertical offense because they have a vertical quarterback in Kelly Holcomb. With Tim Couch starting, the team didn't attack downfield because he's a horizontal passer. He made too many dump-offs for the offense to be effective. The team needs to stick with its attacking style after getting gun-shy in the second half against the Colts. This is a fast-paced offense, and the coaches have the weapons to make it work. This is the right scheme for the club to run; it pushes the defense's back seven far off the ball, opening the running game for Green.--Steve King