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AFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Most teams don't like to shuffle offensive linemen because that supposedly ruins continuity, but the Ravens now have a seven-man rotation. The starting group consists of Ts Ethan Brooks and Jonathan Ogden, Gs Edwin Mulitalo and Mike Flynn and C Casey Rabach, but the Ravens work in G Bennie Anderson and T Orlando Brown behind Brooks and Flynn. Most teams try to wear down offenses by rotating defensive linemen, so the Ravens figure they can wear down defenses with a group that is one of the biggest in the NFL. ... Expect defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and offensive consultant Jim Fassel to draw interest for head coaching positions. YOUTH MOVEMENT: The team was happy with the play of second-year TE Dan Wilcox in Todd Heap's absence earlier in the season. Wilcox is strong enough to get off the line and run routes over the middle and fast enough to be a factor on the outside. He is an average run blocker but was getting better every game. Another major surprise has been TE Darnell Dinkins. He needs to become a better blocker, but he has good hands and the ability to find holes in a defense.--Mike Preston

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CINCINNATI BENGALS

C Jerry Fontenot will finish the season filling in for Rich Braham (knee). Fontenot has experience and is durable. He takes good angles and rarely gets beaten by double moves. But he has lost a step and lacks range and lower-body strength. Bull rushes cause him problems. The club needs a young center to groom. ... The offense is more aggressive with QB Carson Palmer. His ability to throw deep loosens up the defense. That causes the safeties to back up, which helps the running game. ... LT Levi Jones has improved in all phases in his third season, especially as a run blocker. He has the strength to move the pile and finishes blocks with authority. His strength is pass blocking. He uses his long arms on ends, forcing edge rushers to take wider angles to the quarterback, and always plays under control. YOUTH MOVEMENT: LB Caleb Miller has started three games and was inactive three times. He's playing only special teams now because of an ankle injury. Miller has great instincts but needs to get stronger so he can shed blocks better. That will get him more playing time.--Chick Ludwig

CLEVELAND BROWNS

LCB Anthony Henry, a potential free agent, would be a starter on most teams and would floudsh with the Browns if a lead corner is brought in, moving Oaylon McCutcheon to nickel back. Henry has displayed solid speed and polished coverage skills. He needs to concentrate better when tackling. ... TE Steve Heiden has won the quarterbacks' trust with his route running and blocking. He has good size (6-5, 265) and a powerful lower body. Heiden, in his sixth season, has set a career high for receptions with 25. He should be a good No. 2 tight end when Kellen Winslow (broken leg) comes back next season. YOUTH MOVEMENT: Second-year RB Lee Suggs' injury history makes him a risky bet as a feature back, but it is evident that he is more talented than RB William Green. Suggs sees and gets to the hole more quickly than Green does. Suggs also is faster and more adept at breaking tackles. Green still has value, however, and the incoming general manager would be wise to keep both players next season.--Steve Doerschuk

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

The coaches insist RB Duce Staley remains the starter. But his hamstring injury is not healing well, and Jerome Bettis is leading the team in rushing (824 yards). Staley, deactivated for the Giants game last Sunday, has been unable to accelerate fully, and coaches thought he missed some holes two weeks ago. ... The team wants to keep ILB Kendrell Bell, an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but there are concerns because he has missed 11 games this year (groin, sports hernia). He might return for the playoffs. Still, it probably will be cheaper to retain Bell than WR Plaxico Burress. ... G Keydrick Vincent (6-5, 328) has developed into more than a solid replacement for injured starter Kendall Simmons (knee). But Vincent will be a free agent in the offseason and likely will land a starting job with another team. YOUTH MOVEMENT: CB Ricardo Colclough, a second-round pick, has been a solid nickel back in his rookie season. He has good reaction time and closing speed to the ball. Once be learns to make plays, he'll be a starter.--Gerry Dulac

AFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 27, 2004

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