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AFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 2, 2005

BALTIMORE RAVENS

RB Chester Taylor is taking carries away from Jamal Lewis. Taylor doesn't have Lewis' power but is more elusive and decisive. This could be an audition; both are potential free agents. ... OLB Adallus Thomas is playing as well as anyone on the team. He isn't spectacular but is steady. Thomas' forte is stopping the run, and he also has improved against the pass. ... The team would like to use WR Mark Clayton's big-play potential now that he's healthy. Look for the Ravens to try to get him in one-on-one situations by throwing him quick passes in the flat or dump-offs in the middle. PROBLEM SPOT:The secondary has left too many receivers open, the result of having communication breakdowns or being physically overmatched. The Ravens got away with it against Steelers QB Tommy Maddox but won't this Sunday against Bengals QB Carson Palmer. Teams are isolating nickel back Delon Sanders with underneath stuff. The safeties have been slow to react, and the corners don't seem to know when they have help.--Mike Preston

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CINCINNATI BENGALS

LT Levi Jones enhanced his already stellar reputation as a pass blocker by not allowing a sack to Colts star RE Dwight Freeney. Jones is tough and is battling a strained left knee. He is quick off the ball, moves well laterally and gets a good punch. Jones excels at tiding pass rushers wide as QB Carson Palmer steps up in the pocket. ... The defense is getting hurt by no-huddle offenses. The inability to make the proper substitutions forces the defense to stay in one scheme and causes mismatches. The Bengals are particularly vulnerable against athletic tight ends. PROBLEM SPOT: The coverage units have been solid, but the kicking, punting and return games have been average at best. K Shayne Graham has improved his kickoffs, but he misses some field-goal attempts he shouldn't because of lapses in concentration. P Kyle Larson still needs to learn how to use the sideline as an extra defender. KR Tab Perry hasn't had a breakout game yet, but it is coming. He is big and strong and has good vision.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

QB Charlie Frye is mobile, resourceful and more instinctive than last year's rookie project, QB Luke McCown. The team should let Frye get his feet wet in the final month of the season. It would cost this losing, building team little to find out about him--even though starter QB Trent Dilfer has made it clear he doesn't like an in-game rotation system. ... LT L.J. Shelton plays hard and is a good run blocker, but he lacks the perimeter quickness to deal with blind-side speed rushers. The Browns have had to adjust game plans to give Shelton help, limiting an offense that needs extra options. PROBLEM SPOT: The Browns' pass rush is ineffective. There are no monsters among the front seven. DL Orpheus Roye, Jason Fisk and Alvin McKinley never have been better-than-average rushers. Opponents recognize that OLB Chaun Thompson is the front seven's top athlete and thwart him with blocking schemes. Notable improvement is unlikely until coach Romeo Crennel's system develops and better talent is added.--Steve Doerschuk

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

QB Ben Roethlisberger likely will return to the lineup against the Colts while backup Charlie Batch (broken hand) is expected to miss at least two more games. Roethlisberger's mobility--which the team doesn't expect to be significantly affected by knee surgery--makes a dramatic difference in the offense. It forces other teams to back off the line and creates more space for the running game. ... FS Chris Hope gets overlooked playing alongside Pro Bowl SS Troy Polamalu, but Hope has more tackles than Polamalu. Hope is fast and powerfully built and hits like a linebacker. He and Polamalu form one of the toughest safety tandems in the NFL. PROBLEM SPOT:The defense needs more production from the linebackers, who have just two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 10 games. Injuries are partly to blame, but veteran OLB Joey Porter needs to be more effective. He hasn't been as disruptive as the coaches would like.The defense could get a boost this week from the expected return of Pro Bowl ILB James Farrier (knee).--Gary Dulac

AFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 2, 2005

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