In the Spring of 2007, the Ravens didn’t sign a single player that wasn’t already a Raven.  Other Ravens were very active. LB Adalius Thomas, RB Jamal Lewis, DT Aubrayo Franklin, FB Ovie Mughelli, OT Tony Pashos, and G Edwin Mulitalo all left for new teams.  And in recent years, the Ravens have said good-bye to Chester Taylor, Dave Zastudil, Gary Baxter, Casey Rabach, and Ed Hartwell.  So how are they are favored to win the AFC Central?

     These are some shrewd birds.

     Yes, the Ravens traditionally build through the draft.  But each year they seem to sneak a key veteran onto their roster.  Derrick Mason, Mike Flynn, and Trevor Pryce came via free agency and trades brought Steve McNair and this year’s prize, RB Willis McGahee.  McGahee desrves credit for overcoming the most gruesome televised knee injury since Joe Theismann, but it’s time for his play to match his mouth. He has the speed and the power to be an elite runner and the Ravens are relying on him to revitalize a running game that faltered in 2006. For years, the Ravens struggled passing the ball.  If McGahee can bring balance of the offensive side, the defense will carry them the rest of the way.

The Bengals were the epitome of a .500 club in 2006.  They finished 8-8, 4-4 at home, 4-4 on the road, 6-6 in the conference.  They were  7th in offensive efficiency and 7th from last in defensive efficiency.   With the team’s well publicized off field problems, it’s tough to say if Cincinnati’s mascot should be Heckel and Jekyll or Jekyll and Hyde.


On offense the Bengals have stars at every skill position, but will have to replace two starters on the offensive line.  Besides the retirement of C Rich Braham, the Bengals had to choose between Levi Jones and Eric Steinbach.  They chose Jones, but will miss Steinbach’s versitility more than they think.  Still, there is depth here and Cincinnati added to it by signing C Alex Stepanovich from the Cardinals.  They also re-signed Reggie Kelly—at Carson Palmer’s urging.  Kelly is an adequate receiver, but an excellent blocking TE.

It’s on defense where things  get suspicious, with CBs Tory James and Deltha O’Neil the primary suspects.  James was let go and O’Neil has probably played and pouted his way out of Cincinnati. Kevin Kaesviharn escaped to New Orleans. Sam Adams was released and quickly picked up by Denver.

     Justin Smith was one of the Most Wanted DE’s in free agency, but the Bengals slapped him with the franchise tag and Smith copped to the one-year deal.  Meanwhile, Ed Hartwell (Falcons) has been charged with improving the Bengals’ linebacking gang, a job made easier by  2nd year pro Ahmad Brooks, provided his development isn’t arrested.


Despite Jonathan Joseph being accused of dropping 10 potential interceptions, take aways were not the main culprit. The Bengals finished 5th in the league with 31 take aways.  This after 2006’s astounding 44 take aways.  To expect any defense to post those kinds of numbers on a yearly basis would be criminal.

Teams often change direction when they hire a new Head Coach, but the Steelers don’t work that way. Mike Tomlin takes over in Pittsburgh, only their third head coach since 1969.  Tomlin retained DC Dick LeBeau and the two defensive minds spent a lot of time in the film room, presumably cooking up a hybrid Cover-2-4-3.

     Outside the film room, trouble brewed. Just one year remove from reigning as Super Bowl Champions, the Steelers are in a state of major transition. The release of LB Joey Porter surprised many of his teammates, Alan Faneca demanded a new contract and as many as half a dozen starting jobs were up for grabs. Tomlin has done a good job so far handling these challenges and has established himself with the players as a fair and open-minded leader.

     Bruce Arians takes over as Offensive Co-ordinator  and intends to spread (four WRs) and compact (two TEs) the formations.  Either way, expect aging Hines Ward to spend more time lining up in the slot where his experience and blocking prowess will keep coverages off balance. 

     On Defense, the Steelers invested their top two picks on Linebackers  Lawrence Timmons and Lamar Woodley, giving the team talent and depth at the position vital to the success of the 4-3. Safety Troy Polamalu is the ultimate wild card and will be at the center of whatever new schemes Tomlin and LeBeau develop. Cornerback and the other safety job are among those up for grabs.


     The Browns were big players in the 2006 off-season, signing LaCharles Bentley, Joe Juravicious, Kevin Shaffer, Willie McGinnist, and Dave Zastudil.  Bentley lasted exactly one practice before suffering an injury that threatens his career and the Browns didn’t recover either, going 4-12 in 2006.

     Once again into the breach, the Browns signed G Eirc Steinbach, Jamal Lewis, C Seth McKinney, DE Robaire Smith,  LB Antwan Peek, NT Shaun Smith, and CB Kenny Wright.

     The running game should better than any they’ve had before.   Jamal Lewis has lost a step, but remains a powerful runner and will do so behind the blocking of rookie Joe Thomas, Steinbach, the re-signed Hank Fraley, McKinney, and Roger Tucker.  In Kellen Winslow, Jr and Braylon Edwards, the Browns have young, talented and immature receivers.  Jurivicious had a quietly respectable year in 2006 and should do the same in 2007.


So the problem is at Quarterback.  Charlie Frye, though tough, was a turn-over machine and is better suited to a back-up role.  Brady Quinn is said to have all the intangibles, but his passes during spring work-outs were pretty intagible as well.

     Defensively, Cleveland still lacks depth on the defensive line and what depth they do have lacks experience. If Robaire Smith can rebound to his 2004 form and Shawn Smith prove worthy of his offer sheet, the Browns’ line play will dramatically improve. Another “if,” is rookie cornerback Eric Wright. Due to legal problems, Wright started only 10 games in his college career.  He looked good in Spring OTAs and could start when the season begins. The linebackers are young and talented and are the brightest hope for the Browns future.  But it will take 2-3 more strong free agent signings and another stellar draft before the Browns finally turn the corner.