Part four of an eight-part series as I prepare for the draft by jotting notes of each team's current situation. Today, the AFC North completes the AFC homework.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens 9-7
Offense 31st (20th in points scored)/ Defense 6th
AFC Worst Passing Offense in 2003, 2004
Kyle Boller has been poor, OL poor in pass protect
Defense 34 takeaways - Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs
Lost Gary Baxter CB, C Rabach (Wash), E Hartwell (ATL)
Add Samari Rolle CB, Derrick Mason WR (96 catches in 04), G K Vincent (started every game for Pitt)
Baltimore only team in league without WR to catch 40 passes in 2004!
Lost Mike Nolan (49ers job) at DC Rex Ryan in, lost OC, too- Added Fassel as OC, Neuheisel is QB coach- Switching back to 4-3 Defense
Needs: More at WR opposite Mason, Replace Hartwell, OL depth
#22 pick in draft: Mark Clayton? Kevin Burnett LB Tenn?
04 Draft: Poor Draft: C Moore - 6th round WR was good, no one else did much of anything
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
Offense 18th/ Defense 19th
Defense 28th in 2003, 26th in 2004 against the Run
CB's: Tory James and Deltha O'Neal are key of that Defense
Franchised: Rudi Johnson
Carson Palmer improving, WR corps solid: Warrick, Houshmanzadeh re-signed, C Johnson
Added: B Robinson, DT (Chicago)
Lost K Richardson P, D Weathersby CB
Needs: Defensive Front 7, TE
New Defensive Coordinator:Chuck Bresnahan
Pick #17: Heath Miller? UVA
04 Draft: C Perry (nothing), Ratliff and Williams (2nd rounders) 2 DB's that contributed, L Johnson (3rd round) LB with 11 starts
Cleveland Browns 4-12
Offense 28th/ Defense 15th
Added Trent Dilfer QB to start (pending draft) for 4th rounder, Luke McCown still there. OG Joe Andruzzi added from NE, OG Cosey Coleman (TB), Gary Baxter CB (Balt), J Fisk DT, P K Richardson
Lost: Garcia, Northcutt, Holcomb, A Henry, G Warren, C Brown, R Griffith
Offensive Line gave up 41 sacks
William Green and Lee Suggs a fine combination in the backfield
Dead last against the run
Added Romeo Crennell as Head Coach, Phil Savage (Balt) to be GM
Crennell will switch Defense to 3-4
Needs: Corner opposite Baxter, Run Stoppers, Pass Rushers
Pick #3 in 1st Round: Alex Smith or Antrelle Rolle
04 Draft: Winslow (hurt early), Sean Jones DB (hurt all season)
Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1, lost to New England in AFC Championship game
Offense 16th/ Defense 1st (Pts against 1st)
#1 in AFC Rush Offense, #1 in Time of Possession
Lost Plaxico Burress, LB K Bell, C Scott CB, J Riemersma TE, T O Ross, G K Vincent
Added Cedrick Wilson WR (SF)
Ben Roethlisberger developed nicely, rough playoff
Allowed 35 sacks (too many) - lost RG, RT
Re-signed W Williams CB
Looks like Bettis is back to platoon with Staley
Needs: Depth at CB, WR, need a TE, RB?
Pick #30: Roddy White UAB WR, Alex Smith TE Stanford ?
04 Draft: Big Ben, R Colclough, M Starks (10 games - will replace O Ross)
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AFC South
AFC West
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