Content provided in partnership with

AFC North

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

BALTIMORE RAVENS

The defense has had great success blitzing a defensive back from the slot. CB Gary Baxter has tipped a pass and recorded a sack using this tactic. Baxter is fast enough to blow by most tackles and guards and is strong enough to take them on if need be.... RE Marques Douglas has been the steadiest defensive lineman. His speed and ability, to penetrate have allowed him to disrupt a lot of plays, especially runs to the backside.... SS Ed Reed uses excellent anticipation-the product of film study and instincts--to come up with big plays. He is one of the best at baiting quarterbacks into throwing interceptions. Reed's weakness is his desire to gamble, which occasionally gets him out of position. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C, Has found its running identity, but the passing game is MIA. Defense: B. The front seven are dominant, but the secondary needs to be consistent. Special teams: B. The units are sound across the board. Coaching: C+. Brian Billick must demand more discipline.--Mike Preston

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

CINCINNATI BENGALS

The open week comes at a perfect time for rookie LBs Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson. They can use extra practice to improve as fill-ins in for MLB Nate Webster (knee), who is out for the season. Miller and Johnson are fast and aggressive but will have to compensate for the fact they aren't yet strong enough to cope with the excellent running games of division opponents.... FB Jeremi Johnson engulfs linebackers with his size and strength but is more than a blocker. He has developed into a reliable receiver and is a tough inside runner who deserves more chances in short-yardage situations. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C. WR Chad Johnson and RB Rudi Johnson are bright spots, but QB Carson Palmer's inexperience is proving costly. Defense: F. It can't stop the run, the coverage is soft, and the pass rush is mediocre. Special teams: C. The kicking and punting are solid; the coverage and the return game are nothing special. Coaching: C-. The play-calling has been suspect.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

RT Ryan Tucker's return from a kneecap problem will strengthen the right side of the line, where Tucker teams with RG Kelvin Garmon. They need to lead the running attack that is the focal point of coordinator Tern/Robiskie's offense.... SS Robert Griffith, 33, is in fabulous shape and has maintained acceptable speed. He has been a surer tackler than he was in 2003, even though he was tempted to help more in coverage when the starting corners were injured earlier this season. Still, he doesn't prevent big plays as consistently as he should.... If RB Lee Suggs stays healthy, his big-play ability figures to keep him ahead of RB William Green. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C-. QB Jeff Garcia's play needs to match his energy. Defense: G. The unit has held up better than expected amid injuries. Special teams: B. P Derrick Frost has been a find, but the return units lack sizzle. Coaching: C+. Injuries have made Butch Davis' job a lot tougher.--Steve Doerschuk

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger is 2-0 as a starter, partly because he hasn't thrown an interception since his first pass in Week 3--a span of 46 attempts. The coaches have done a good job of limiting his reads to a section of the field rather than asking him to scan the whole field. He doesn't throw to a spot as well as Tommy Maddox, but he does a good job of avoiding pressure and throws well on the run.... The team likes rookie CB Ricardo Colclough as the nickel back because of his speed and ability to react to the ball. Colclough has been solid in coverage. He hasn't bitten on pump fakes, and his speed has allowed him to recover when he gets out of position. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: B-. The passing game is limited with Maddox sidelined. Defense: B. Has averaged almost three takeaways per game. Special teams: C+. K Jeff Reed and P Chris Gardocki have been inconsistent. Coaching: B, The team has squeezed a lot out of a rookie quarterback.--Gerry Dulac

AFC North

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Technology

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports