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AFC North

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004

BALTIMORE RAVENS

WR Travis Taylor will miss several games with a groin injury, but there won't be much drop-off between Taylor and his replacement, Randy Flying. Taylor has more speed, but Hymes has better hands and a higher vertical leap. The Ravens also are working out third CB Deion Sanders as a wide receiver, though Sanders has yet to learn the defense. He could help as the No. 3 wideout.... Casey Rabach has taken over for C Mike Flynn (broken clavicle). Rabach lacks the raw power and strength to root out big tackles or nose tackles, but he has good quickness and enough speed to make blocks beyond the line of scrimmage. He knows the offense and has little trouble making the right line calls. PROBLEM SPOT: The team has a discipline problem. Six of its 10 penalties against the Steelers were personal fouls. Last season, a personal foul by RT Orlando Brown essentially cost Baltimore a playoff game. Coach Brian Billick gives his players a lot of liberties, but he might have to punish repeat offenders.--Mike Preston

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CINCINNATI BENGALS

TE Tony Stewart's promotion to starter is a good move because he's a more complete run blocker than Reggie Kelly and a better receiver than Malt Schobel. Stewart also provides solid coverage on special teams.... RB Kenny Watson's outside speed, receiving skills and open-field elusiveness serve as an ideal complement to starting RB Budi Johnson's inside power.... RT Willie Anderson is a dominant run blocker because he's strong at the point of attack and works to finish blocks. He's a shutdown pass protector because his huge, powerful hands are like clamps. Anderson uses his long arms to ride edge rushers past the pocket. PROBLEM SPOT: The entire defense is a concern. Because the unit lacks a standout playmaker, it must rely on all players to be technically sound. But it has shown a lack of communication and continuity in containing the run and pass. The return of RLB Brian Simmons (right knee) and CB Deltha O'Neal (left ankle) should shore up the perimeter.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

DE Ebenezer Ekuban and DT Michael Myers, both former Cowboys, have given the Browns their deepest line rotation in years. Ekuban oozes confidence, is quick off the ball and uses veteran deception to steadily pressure quarterbacks. Myers has flourished in his reunion with coordinator Dave Campo and is an ideal rotation player. Tough and quick, Myers has a low center of gravity and plays the disciplined brand of defense the team sometimes has lacked.... At times, James Jackson looks like an elite running back, cutting on a dime and darting through small creases. Other times, he doesn't seem as fast as he thinks he is and fails to break arm tackles. PROBLEM SPOT: It might be mid-October before the running backs get the hang of playing with a true fullback. RB William Green has been unsure of how to play off of FB Terrelle Smith, and RB Lee Suggs lost opportunities to get his timing down because of a neck injury.--Steve Doerschuk

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

With QB Tommy Maddox sidelined because of an elbow injury, rookie Ben Roethlisberger takes over. Using a limited offensive package, Roethlisberger threw for 176 yards and two touchdowns in the second half against the Ravens, but he must get better at the little things. One of Roethlisberger's two interceptions was returned for a touchdown after he gave the wrong hand signal to WR Lee Mays, who then ran the wrong route.... OLB Joey Porter has regained his quickness after getting shot in the buttocks last year, but his production hasn't fully returned. Porter has been unable to generate consistent pressure; he might have to try more inside moves. PROBLEM SPOT: SS Troy Polamalu is being beaten deep in the early going. Teams are exploiting his aggressiveness by running double moves. Polamalu has been biting on the pump fake and getting in trouble when he tries to jump the route.--Gerry Dulac

AFC North

Sporting News, The, Sept 27, 2004

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