Drafttek Draft Takes

Apologies for being a day late on this. And slimming it down to just a division. Anyway, with training camps slowly kicking into gear over the last week and a slew more starting this weekend, it may be a good time to start announcing some expectations. I’ll go division by division and try to explain why I think the team will perform to said level. Let’s begin!

AFC North

1. Cleveland Browns - They seem to be pick right now. I can’t buck the trend. They were 10-6 last year. This offseason they have added Donte Stallworth to a stud offense and Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams to an improving defense. While their defense still has questions, I really like the additions of Rogers and Williams. The only reason I don’t see the Browns improving on their record this year is because they have to play so many (perceived) strong teams. They play the NFC East and AFC South this season (as does the entire AFC North), arguably the two premiere divisions in the league. Any team in the North should feel lucky to get to 10 wins.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers - After a Super Bowl hangover resulting in a .500 record in 2006, the Steelers, under new Head Coach Mike Tomlin, rebounded to win the North by a slim margin over the upstart Browns last year. Things should play out the same in 2008. I expect the Browns and Steelers to be fighting all year long. The Steelers have one glaring weakness and that is their once stout offensive line. They did little to address one of the key units on the field. Losing Alan Faneca is obviously going to hurt and he will be replaced in house. If any starters struggle through injuries, Big Ben will be running for his life. With an even more challenging schedule than the Browns - besides the NFC East and AFC South, Pittsburgh plays San Diego and New England - I think the Steelers take a step back. Not to worry Steel Town, I think they nab a Wild Card. And, as they proved 3 seasons ago, anything can happen in the playoffs.
3. Baltimore Ravens - Baltimore was 13-3 in 2006. A quick decline in ‘07 left them at 4-12. Ouch. The defense is rather old and the hold out of Terrell Suggs doesn’t help, though is said to be reporting once the regular season begins. The health of corners Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle are key. When healthy they make a formidable tandem. Unfortunately for the Ravens that wasn’t often last season. Baltimore snagged Delaware product Joe Flacco in the 1st round of the 2008 draft and he will challenge for the starting role. I think Kyle Boller will get the nod, at least until week 11. With a bye during week 10 it may be a good time to unleash the rookie. The Ravens are a better team than what came out last year but they still have to get younger in a few key areas.
4. Cincinnati Bengals - A team that looked to be on the upswing 3 years ago has fallen back to mediocrity. The defensive front 7 remains a mess and some of their young players can’t stay out of jail. The linebacker unit will be improved with the presence of Keith Rivers but he only fills one spot. Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall are young and improving CBs but the safeties are inconsistent. The Bengals boast a tremendous offense but it is said the defenses win championships. Carson Palmer was rather average in 2007 and must revert to his playmaking of 2005 in order for the Bengals to really make a run in the North. It will take the Bengals at least 1 more offseason to really overhaul the defense before they are formidable once again. Will Chad Johnson or T.J. Houshmanzadeh still be around? It could be a long year in Cincinnati.

The Browns and Steelers are a cut above the Ravens and Bengals. However, tougher schedules at the top may make this division look closer than it really is. As I said before, the Browns and Steelers will be battling each other all year. It may come down to Week 17 to determined the AFC North champion. Oh, and the Browns play in Pittsburgh that week. Thank you NFL schedule makers!

Next blog entry from me: Monday, July 28th, 2008 - I’ll take a look at the AFC South and what I expect from them this season.

Joseph Mays, Draft Tek Dolphins Correspondent

P.S. - Have a question or comment for me? Send me an email at Dolphins@drafttek.com!