AFC NORTH PREVIEW

The AFC North is a division of change. Every team could be starting new QB’s….and two of them have never played in the NFL. Carson Palmer gets the reigns in Cincy and, if Maddox fails, Ben Rothlesberger will get the nod in the Steel City. B-more’s defense still will make the Ravens fly high…but look out for the Bengals and Steelers, who for different reasons think they can supplant the champ.

1-BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens should win the division on defense alone. While their defense isn’t as dominant as it once was…it still is better than anything else in the division. And when you have QB issues on every team in the division, that makes your defense all the more stronger. The Ravens aren’t out of the woods when it comes to the QB either. Kyle Boller still hasn’t shown himself to be able to handle being the guy…but he is. Expect, again, a heavy dose of Jamal Lewis. He won’t gain 2,000 yards as he did last year…but he should still get over 1,500. That is if he isn’t strung up by his drug trafficking charges. If that does happen, this team could be doomed.

2-PITTSBURGH STEELERS
I think people are sleeping on this team. They aren’t elite…but they do have some nice parts. If Tommy Maddox can regain his 2002 form, he should keep his job for the year and keep Rothlesberger with a clipboard. He has Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress to throw to and new RB Duce Staley to run it. The O-Line is iffy and the defense has some holes. But if they get big years from those guys, they have the talent and the coaching to get them close to a division title.

3-CINCINNATI BENGALS
Here, sadly, is the trendy pick. I still think they are at least one more year away. Remember, Carson Palmer didn’t take a snap all of last year…and he is the starter. But, if the season suddenly goes sour…expect Kitna to get his job back. There are weapons with a receiving corp of Chad Johnson, Peter Warrick and Kelly Washington. They moved locker room cancer Corey Dillion and made Rudi Johnson the featured back. If Johnson can duplicate and expand upon last year’s production….that would make Palmer’s job that much easier. Most QB’s struggle in the first year as starter, and that is why I’m placing them 3rd.

4-CLEVELAND BROWNS
Their defense isn’t that good…and that is sad since they’ve used 2 of their 5 1st round picks for the line alone. Garcia at least gives the Browns a consistent QB who can scramble when the line breaks down….something Couch and Holcomb couldn’t do. Aside from that…this should be a transition year for Cleveland. Look for the movement of Suggs as the featured RB, Winslow to get involved in more of the offense and Quincy Morgan to supplant Dennis Northcutt for the #2 receiver spot when the season starts to get away from them. But, Garcia’s experience alone should keep that from happening until late in the season. Remember, he is by far the best QB in this division.