AFC North Preview

BALTIMORE 11-5

Rice can do it all

The Ravens have everything in place to legitimately contend for a Super Bowl. Picking up two veteran, savvy receivers in Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh will help Joe Flacco and the passing game. The Ravens haven't had this type of talent in the receiving corps in quite some time. The defense still has Ray Lewis but will be missing Ed Reed for at least the first six games.

Even with the new receivers, the Ravens will try to pound the ball with Ray Rice, who has emerged as a premiere back in the league. His pass-catching ability rivals any starting running back and his bowling-ball stature and speed make him very difficult to deal with. Flacco must continue his progression up the ranks of NFL QBs by making good decisions and not turning the ball over.

Losing Ed Reed will certainly hurt the Ravens, but how much? You can't replace him but you can try to cover up the loss by increasing the pass rush. Lewis will have the defense playing with its hair on fire regardless but they will need to avoid getting burned over the top.

The Ravens' nose tackle, Haloti Ngata, is one of the best in the game. Absolutely massive, (6'4", 340 lbs) he has the quickness and foot speed to be as disruptive and dominating as anyone at the position.

The Ravens are in the driver's seat in the AFC North and, with a healthy Reed, should be disappointed with anything less than a trip to the conference championship game.

PITTSBURGH 10-6

Polamalu's return is critical for Pittsburgh

Facing challenges and situations they wish didn't exist, the Steelers have a lot to prove this year. Missing the playoffs last year turned out to be the tip of the iceberg. Another embarrassing, reprehensible off-field incident by Ben Roethlisbeger has him suspended for the first four games.  Dennis Dixon will be asked to play caretaker. If the Steelers can stay afloat in Big Ben's absence, they should have enough to make it back to the playoffs.

Big Ben will be driven and motivated to succeed after the general public has turned on him and insulted him every way possible (deservedly so.)  He is still a top-notch quarterback who must earn back the fans' and team's trust and admiration, if only on the field. Cutting Santonio Holmes will hurt, even though he too would miss the first four games. Other receivers must step up.

Troy Polamalu missing 11 games is the major reason for last year's defensive letdown. With him back the defense will improve naturally. They must get back to resembling the defense from two years ago.

The Steelers will have a chip on their shoulder and a desire to prove they're a contender. Getting back to a more balanced attack on offense will be wise and holding on to leads late will be a must.

CINCINNATI 6-10

TO: A questionable move

This team has never performed when dealing with lofty expectations. The pattern has been make the playoffs and get complacent. The Bengals caught teams off guard and played exceptional defense. They went undefeated in the division, a remarkable accomplishment. All that does for them this year, however, is put a bigger target on their back.

The re-birth of Cedric Benson last year was refreshing. He showed people who called him a bust he is capable of playing at a high level. Will his motivation be as strong this year? The offseason moves at wide receiver were puzzling. Signing Antonio Bryant with a bum knee for $8 million and then cutting him during training camp. Signing TO, who no one else wanted.

The defense will have to play as well or better than last year for any type of success. Cincinnati is playing a division-winner's schedule and won't be sneaking up on anyone this year.  I considered bumping them up to seven wins but stuck to my early August prediction.

CLEVELAND 4-12

Still has his work cut out

The Holmgren Era began last season and it resulted in finishing the year 4-0. They've finally moved away from Brady Quinn and brought in Jake Delhomme and drafted Colt McCoy. Delhomme is coming off a horrible 2009 season but his experience will be a nice addition to this young offense.

Eric Mangini may be on his last go-round as a head coach. He still hasn't proven himself as a leader and his departure could be sooner than later. Holmgren was very busy in the offseason with roster moves and it may be a matter of time before he wants to coach his team himself.

The Browns have some scattered talent and proved last year they're capable of putting together a run. Holmgren is moving them in the right direction but needs more time. Overall, they don't have the numbers of quality players yet and will be finishing 4th yet again.

Change of Scenery For Holmes, Marshall

First it was Santonio Holmes, now it's Brandon Marshall.

Two premiere, yet often troubled, receivers in the prime of their careers are moving on. Holmes to the Jets, Marshall to the Dolphins. If I'm either of those teams, I'm thinking "Jackpot!"

Sure, both have had their problems in the past. Holmes is in trouble right now, about to face a four-game suspension due to his refusal to give up blowing tree. But that looming suspension is what caused his price to go lower than expired beans at Save-A-Lot.

Picking up a 26-year-old Super Bowl MVP for a 5th-round pick is Christmas morning in Jets camp. Will he fail another drug test and face a year suspension? Possible but not probable. Did he need a change of scenery out of Pittsburgh? Most definitely.

Now the Steelers will have you believe that they were "sending a message." That they were taking a stand against this type of behavior, which included another alleged assault to his record. To a certain extent, maybe.

If they weren't already dealing with Big Ben's second alleged sexual assault they would have just dealt with Holmes' situation. They know they're a worse team without Holmes. But they can't get rid of Big Ben. Quarterbacks are more valuable than a receiver, that's just the way it is. Two incidents at the same time were too much for the Rooney's. They had to choose and they went with the receiver who was set to become a free agent at the end of the year.

Maybe Holmes was a cancer in the locker room, I don't know. If that's the case, a new locker room may be just what the doctor ordered.

I wonder about how many teams were interested in Holmes. If it was only the Jets, shame on the other 30 teams. I have a hard time believing nobody was willing to give up something better than 5th-round pick. I'd eat the four-game suspension and have him ready to go Week 5.

MARSHALL TO MIAMI

It must be give-away week in the NFL. Miami coming away with Brandon Marshall for two second-round picks confirms Tony Sparano is running things like Tony Soprano.

Not only do they get Marshall out of Denver, something he's wanted for years now, they hook him up with the fattest contract a receiver has ever received.

Marshall's had his share of run-ins with the law and team management in the past. The domestic abuse charges are always worrisome and cause for concern. One would hope those issues are a thing of the past, but after three different incidents, you wonder.

 The riffs with management always seemed to be about money. Well, that's no longer an issue. The next question there becomes, "Is he still motivated?" Only time will tell.

Parcells has pulled out the checkbook this off-season to get the Dolphins in the playoffs. Karlos Dansby and Marshall are big, high-priced pieces in place.  Sparano will have to keep everything and everyone in line.

The AFC East is going to be featured more than ever. (Minus the Bills.)