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AFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 20, 2004

BALTIMORE RAVENS

CB Delon Sanders has been prone to injury, and he also has struggled with technique. He continually puts his hands on receivers down the field. S011, he's the team's best option at nickel back.... What will the team do with its offensive assistants in the offseason? Because the team has invested more money in defensive players, it needs to find offensive coaches who are imaginative and creative.... S Chad Williams plays a key role in dime coverage and on special teams. Despite lacking ideal size (5-9,205) and speed, Williams, who has three interceptions in 2004, has a nose for the ball and good instincts. PROBLEM SPOT: The team's cornerbacks can match up physically with any group of receivers, but they struggle staying within the team's scheme. Facing the Colts' Peyton Manning on Sunday, the secondary will have to stay disciplined. CB Chris McAlister too often has been caught looking into the backfield, guessing about routes and trying to make interceptions instead of getting into proper position. FS Ed Reed also has been guilty of that.--Mike Preston

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CINCINNATI BENGALS

The club's recent offensive explosion coincides with WR TJ. Houshmandzadeh's increased production. Houshmandzadeh, 27, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, has sent his stock soaring. He's making acrobatic catches in traffic and showing good toughness and speed.... Eric Steinbach is one of the most athletic guards in the NFL. Be has quick feet and a great initial burst, takes good angles and consistently is in good position. He works hard to sustain blocks and is excellent on pulls and traps. He plays with excellent balance, shows body control in space, has excellent footwork in pass protection and is rarely beaten by double moves. He lacks bulk and might never be a dominant drive blocker, but he continues to show improvement. PROBLEM SPOT: Shayne Graham is an accurate and consistent field-goal kicker, but his kickoffs lack depth and hang time, often allowing opponents to start at the 30-yard line or better. The club might be forced to sign a kickoff specialist to replace Graham because giving away field position is killing the team.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Making his second start, rookie QB Luke MeCown looked overwhelmed by Buffalo's pass rush. Conditioned to duck during his days behind a shaky line at Louisiana Tech, McCown is too eager to leave the pocket. His athletic ability makes him a dangerous scrambler, but he seems serious about forcing himself to hang in longer against the rush.... DT Alvin McKinley has elevated his game; he's playing with sound technique and relentless energy. Playing 40-plus snaps a game at nose tackle, he has good power and surprising quickness.... RB William Green's future is cloudy after a stretch of games in which he was passive and his numbers were weak. PROBLEM SPOT: The offensive line has struggled much of the season and regressed since RG Kelvin Garmon and RT Ryan Tucker went on injured reserve. Damion Cook, who replaced Garmon, has limitations, which led to him getting cut by Baltimore. Joaquin Gonzalez, Tuckers replacement, might become a solid starter but not a dominant player. LT Ross Verba has been competent. C Jeff Faine must show more to justify being a first-round draft pick in 2003.--Steve Doerschuk

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

ILB James Farrior's Pro Bowl-caliber season is more astounding because he has played most of it without ILB Kendrell Bell (groin) alongside. Bell usually attracts offenses' attention and frees Farrior to make tackles. Farrior has good speed and takes good angles, but he has surprised people with his hitting.... With Jay Riemersma (Achilles') out for the year, the intermediate passing game will suffer. Riemersma was the best receiving tight end on the roster. Rookie Matt Kranchick has receiving skills but doesn't know the offense well enough, and his blocking is subpar. PROBLEM SPOT: It was thought that losing CB Chad Scott (knee) would weaken the secondary, but his replacement, Willie Williams, has played so well that Scott might have a difficult time re-entering the lineup. Williams doesn't bite on double moves and pump fakes, which would cause him to get beat deep. He keeps the play in front of him and doesn't get caught jumping routes. The team has protected him with a safety; it must make sure he doesn't get caught in single coverage.--Gerry Dulac

AFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 20, 2004

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