The Keys to Training Camp - AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

 The Baltimore Ravens finished last year with a 9 - 7 record, which gave them the runners up spot in the division, but was enough to give them a playoff berth as a wildcard team.  They won their wildcard game against the Patriots, in New England, before getting eliminated by the Colts in Indianapolis.  What do the Ravens need to do, to take this team to a Superbowl?

How good is the secondary, without Ed Reed?

 A major talking point this off season has been whether or not S Ed Reed (pictured) will return.  Reed is without doubt one of the most influential players (along with Ray Lewis of course) on that defence.  Reed underwent a hip operation over the summer and it is not clear if he will return for the season.  At the moment Reed is on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list, and if his name is still on it come the start of the season, he will not be able to play for the first 6 games.  Couple this operation, with the operations on 2 CB's (Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb) knees, and you have a huge problem in the secondary.  The Ravens struggled against the deep ball at times last year, but without Reed, they could be in huge trouble.

 What is the philosophy of the offence?

 Last year it was very clear what the Ravens strength was offensively - RB Ray Rice (pictured).  Rice helped them become the 5th best rushing attack in the NFL.  Also Rice was the leading receiver on the team (out of the backfield) with 78 catches.  This solid play from Rice has helped young QB Joe Flacco, grow into his leadership role.  Everyone has said for a long time, how good would the Ravens be with a star WR?  Well, this year, we will find out.  During the off season the Ravens bought in WR's Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth.  These players will give the Ravens a legitimate passing attack, to balance with Rice and the running game.  It will be interesting to see in camp, just how much the Ravens will push the ball through the air, and just how much they will go to their bread and butter - Rice.

Where will the pass rush come from?

 Last year the Ravens really struggled at times to get to the QB.  Terrell Suggs (pictured) had signed a HUGE deal, but then really struggled to excel during the season.  It is not up for debate that the Ravens have a great defence.  To run against this unit is almost impossible.  That will not be a concern.  The concern is that with the worries in the secondary, the Ravens have to rush the QB, and get the ball out of his hands quickly.  If they don't do this, opposing QB's will have loads of time to sit in the pocket, and pick this team apart.  The Ravens have addressed this issue in the draft, taking LB Sergio Kindle in the 2nd round.  He is a fantastic pass rusher and will surely put the pressure on Suggs for that job.  Suggs needs to step it up, and earn those huge dollars that the Ravens are paying him.


Cincinnati Bengals

Last season, for the first time in their history, the Bengals went undefeated in the division, 10 - 6 overall, and won the division  for the first time since 2005.  They transformed themselves into a very strong, smash mouth, run first team, and became very good at it.  They did though disappoint in the playoffs, losing their wildcard game to the Jets.  So what do we need to look at, when it comes to training camp?


 What happens if Cedric Benson gets suspended?

 Cedric Benson had a breakout year in 2009.  Released by the Bears after never rushing for over 700 yards, he managed to rush for 1,251 yards and 6 TD's.  He carried this team forward, and in tough situations, the Bengals knew he could run out the clock for them.  This year the Bengals will be looking for more of the same.  He has however got into a spot of bother over the off season.  He has allegedly punched a bar worker in the face after a fall out in that bar.  This is the 3rd time during his career that Benson has been in trouble with the law.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell does not have a  high tolerance of persistent trouble makers, and has already met with Benson.  The result of this meeting is not known at time of  press, but be assured nflgbview will keep you informed.

What will the offensive philosophy be?

 This is a very similar situation to the one in Baltimore.  The Bengals got through last season bring a run first team.  They did though have the amazing talents of the colourful Chad Ochocinco (pictured) at WR, but now they have added another couple of talented guys, to catch the ball.  WR Antonio Bryant has been bought in from the Buccaneers, and TE Jermaine Gresham was selected in the 1st round of the draft.  With these 3 very talented players looking to make plays, and a very talented QB in Carson Palmer, will the Bengals become a pass first team again?  And turn their back on what served them so well last year?  In all honesty, this change may be enforced on them, should Benson have to serve a suspension.


Can the defence improve?

The Bengals defence was fantastic last year, ranking in the top 7 in all defensive categories.  The 2 CB's are fantastic, they stop the run extremely well, but the only question is about their pressure on the QB.  Last year Antwan Odem (pictured) managed to get 8 sacks in the first 6 games, before getting injured.  His return should help the Bengals in this area.  The Bengals have also added DE Carlos Dunlap from Florida to the mix, so I can see this problem going away fast this year.  If this is the case, look out AFC North, the Bengals defence may just be the best in the division. 


Cleveland Browns

O dear, where to start!  The Browns actually finished last year on a 4 game winning streak, taking their overall record to 5 - 11.  This, unsurprisingly, saw them at the bottom of the division.  The Browns must try and use the confidence gained from this winning streak and take it into the new year, because they will need it!!!


 How long will they stick with QB Jake Delhomme?

The QB saga in Cleveland is a joke.  Mike Holmgren, is now at the top of this organisation and there is no doubt the QB position was at the top of his list.  He shipped out Derek Anderson (good move) and Brady Quinn (not so sure) and bought in one of his own Senaca Wallace and Jake Delhomme.  I completely understand the Senaca Wallace signing.  Wallace is a solid, dependable QB, who has spent alot of time in Holmgren's system in Seattle.  The confusing signing for me is Delhomme.  DELHOMME - your kidding right Mike??  We have been informed that the interception machine that is Jake Delhomme will be the starter for the Browns.  How long till the very ferocious 'dog pound' is shouting for him to be benched.  This is where Wallace may come in, or it may be 3rd round draft pick Colt McCoy.  I fear that McCoy may end up being thrown into this horrid situation way to early, and we may have another Brady Quinn situation on the horizon.   

 Can the defence improve?

Last year the Browns defence was, well.... shocking!  They ranked 29th against the pass, and 28th against the run.  You cannot be this bad in both these categories, and expect to do anything in this league.  To the Browns credit they drafted CB Joe Haden (pictured) and S T.J Ward with their first 2 picks in the draft.  They also got S Larry Asante in the 5th round.  This shows that the Browns understand they have to stop the chunks of yards given away that they had last year.  This though is not as simple as just selecting talent in the draft.  These players have to be bought on and gel together.  I'm sorry Cleveland, but this may be a long and painful process.

Where will the points come from?

  As well as struggling defensively in 2009, the Browns were a mess offensively.  They where so bad in fact that they ranked dead last in the total yards per game and passing yards per game categories.  This really highlights the problem of bringing in Delhomme.  Now not only have you got a receiving corp that can't make plays, you have added a QB that has thrown 30 INT's in the last 2 seasons (compared to just 23 TD's).  The rush attack was actually quite good (ranking 8th) and they have bought in another RB Montario Hardesty to support Jerome Harrison.  They better hope these 2 can get it going again, or else points will be at a premium.  I believe that, yet again, their best offensive weapon will be Josh Cribbs (pictured) as a kick returner.  Cribbs has 8 kick returns and 2 punt returns for TD's in his career.  At least the Browns have one threat.

Pittsburgh Steelers 

2009 was a very disappointing year for the Steelers.  Coming off a Superbowl win the previous year, the Steelers struggled to stop the pass following the loss of superstar S Troy Polamalu.  This left them with a 9 - 7 record, out of the playoffs, and most embarrassingly, in 3rd in their division.

How will they cope without 'Big Ben'?

 When it comes to Training Camp questions for the Steelers, there is only one place to start.  Ben Rothlisberger got into alot of much publicised trouble, and has received a minimum 4 game suspension from commissioner Goodell.  It looks like Byron Leftwich will be given the starting job, ahead of Dennis Dixon.  They will definitely have to try and run the ball more during Ben's absence using Rashard Mendenhall, and the 6th round draft pick Jonathan Dwyer.  Both these players are big loads that will pound the ball up the middle.  They just need a good line infront of them......

How good can the 'O Line' be?

 The absence of 'Big Ben' is obviously going to be a big blow to the Steelers, but their plan had to be to do what the Steelers do best, and run the ball.  They have 2 young pounding RB's in Mendenhall and Dwyer, so if the impressive O Line can open up the holes, the Steelers should be fine.  They selected C Maurkice Pouncey with their 1st round draft pick, and he will probably start.  This line was looking set, and the Steelers worries were easing.  Then - T Willie Colon (pictured)  picked up a season ending injury.  How will the Steelers deal with this?  Keep checking up on nflgbview for updates.

Can the secondary make the much needed improvements?

After Troy Polamalu's (pictured) injury last year, the Steelers secondary really struggled against the pass.  They have bought back CB Bryant McFadden from Arizona to help ease this problem.  This coupled with the return of Polamalu should help to eliminate the problem altogether.  There are though 2 major concerns here; 1. Polamalu gets injured again, 2. The WR's in the division are alot better now.  The struggles the Bengals and Ravens had in the pass game forced them to bring in WR talent.  Can the Steelers secondary compete against this better level of competition?
 
 Check back tomorrow for a look at the AFC South