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AFC North

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

BALTIMORE RAVENS

ISSUES: The team has yet to develop a passing game. QB Kyle Boiler hasn't improved much over his rookie season; he needs to sharpen his accuracy on intermediate routes. It will help when TE Todd Heap (ankle) returns, but the Ravens lack a big, fast receiver to keep opponents from playing a safety in the box. With his speed, size and good hands, rookie WR Clarence Moore (6-5, 211) is intriguing. But he needs to run better routes. The team still commits too many penalties. PROJECTION: With the Steelers playing so well and a tough schedule ahead, it will be hard for the Ravens to win the division. But a run at the playoffs is a good bet. The team has been hit hard by injuries, so look for significant improvement once it is close to full health. The Ravens have the defense and running game, but eventually Boiler will have to make plays in the passing game for this team to reach the elite level, APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: C-. Defense: A. Special teams: B. Coaching: B. Overall: B.--Mike Preston

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CLEVELAND BROWNS

KEY ISSUES: The once-disjointed offense now shows bright potential. RBs William Green and a healthy Lee Suggs are on the verge of hitting their stride as a duo and should get even touches in the season's second half. Given a fresh start following his trade from Dallas, WR Antonio Bryant must fit in and prove he can make plays. The defense seems too vulnerable and needs to lift its play, especially on the pass rush. The coaches need to do a better job adjusting the personnel and using the blitz advantageously. Speedy OLB Chaun Thompson likely will be used to provide greater heat. DT Gerard Warren must step up and provide an interior pass rush. PROJECTION: If the line stays healthy, the offense will become the best in the division, but the defense lacks the talent to be more than a middle-of-the-pack unit. The team will have a respectable second half that will produce at least a .500 finish. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: C. Defense: C. Special teams: C+. Coaching: C. Overall: C.--Steve Doerschuk

CINCINNATI BENGALS

KEY ISSUES: Controlling the line of scrimmage is difficult for the defense because the front four are dwarfed by most opposing offensive lines. Look for the Bengals to blitz more in an attempt to cause turnovers and create more third-and-long situations, allowing DEs Justin Smith and Buane Clemons to tee off on the quarterback. The offense needs to be more committed to the run and should try a shorter passing game to ease the pressure on QB Carson Palmer. Establishing RB Rudi Johnson would allow Palmer to use play-action and spread the ball around. PROJECTION: The team will continue self-destructing with physical and mental errors until the youth in key positions--DTs Langston Moore and Matthias Askew and MLBs Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson--gain more experience. All indications are the club will struggle through a 14th straight non-winning, non-playoff season. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: D. Defense: D-. Special teams: B. Coaching: D. Overall: D.--Chick Ludwig

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

KEY ISSUES: The good news is that all of the problem areas that existed heading into the season--offensive line, running game, secondary and overall defense--have been righted through the first half. The biggest concern in the second half will be the run defense because of the season-ending knee injury to NT Casey Hampton. His absence is key because he was the central figure in the 3-4 defense, and replacement Chris Hoke is inexperienced. PROJECTION: The team could win the division. But there are too many uncertainties with QB Ben Roethlisberger's development to say it is a potential Super Bowl team. If his learning curve goes the other way, or if the team has to switch back to QB Tommy Maddox, the offense's confidence could plummet. Still, the defense has regained some of its old swagger, and the credit goes to coordinator Dick LeBeau and his blitz schemes. APPROVAL RATINGS: Offense: A. Defense: B. Special teams: B+. Coaching: A. Overall: A.--Gerry Dulac

AFC North

Sporting News, The, Nov 8, 2004

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