Let's talk football: AFC North
This division in football is lousy. One team will make it to the playoffs; and will then get beat by whatever wildcard team they face. Sorry, AFC North fans... this division just isn't that strong.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Horrible season last year because they couldn't do what the Steelers have been known for: smashmouth in your face running the ball down your throat football. The Bus has had too many injuries and frankly Amos isn't the guy either. Maddox has done well for them so I really don't agree with the idea of starting Ben Roethlisberger as a rookie.
Right now the Steelers need to improve their offensive line and running game. Defense needs to be shored up as well. They got a QB for the future... now what are they gonna do with him? He's got receivers, but its hard to throw on your back. Steelers at the bottom of the weakest division in football... horrible place to be.
Cleveland Browns: I picked them for second to the bottom because I think Cinny is on its way up and I think Baltimore is the strongest team in this division (unless Lewis ends up in the slammer, yeah right. If Ray Lewis can stay out, Jamal will too). Back to the Browns. This team has some serious issues to deal with in the locker room. While I think Garcia was a good pickup, I still think Holcombe and Couch (if he sticks around) are gonna try and get a starting position. Garcia is getting older and can't take a lot of hits.
The Browns have issues all over the place. Northcutt at receiver and who are they gonna have running the ball. And Winslow seems to think he's the 'Labrone James' of football. I hate to tell him, football is a more team-oriented sport than basketball (which is why I LOVE football) and while he might be one of the most talented players out there, he's not gonna be enough to turn this team around... especially when he's acting like he's already established Pro-Bowl tight end. Mark my words, linebackers and safeties are gonna be looking to light this boy up. "Prepare to be welcomed into the NFL, Winslow. I hope you can take the beating." I just don't think this team has the chemistry to win a lot of games.
Cincinnati Bengals: This team is turning itself around. And while they are improving every year, I have to say that this will be another year of being just short of the playoffs. I don't have any real specific reasons why, I just think they are number two in this weak division.
Baltimore Ravens: For the record, I hate this team. I think Ray Lewis is an overhyped linebacker, his numbers aren't nearly as impressive if it wasn't for the bigass DL taking double teams for him. I don't think he'll do well in this 3-4 defense, but he'll do good enough to win games. And if he's having problems, he can bust out the 9mm and cap a few asses...
Offensively, as long as Jamal Lewis stays out of jail this team has the running power and ball control to not make mistakes and they won't turn the ball over a lot. Coupled with a defense that is prolly one of the better in the league, they will win enough games to claim the AFC North crown... and then get beaten by a wildcard team...
Pittsburgh Steelers: Horrible season last year because they couldn't do what the Steelers have been known for: smashmouth in your face running the ball down your throat football. The Bus has had too many injuries and frankly Amos isn't the guy either. Maddox has done well for them so I really don't agree with the idea of starting Ben Roethlisberger as a rookie.
Right now the Steelers need to improve their offensive line and running game. Defense needs to be shored up as well. They got a QB for the future... now what are they gonna do with him? He's got receivers, but its hard to throw on your back. Steelers at the bottom of the weakest division in football... horrible place to be.
Cleveland Browns: I picked them for second to the bottom because I think Cinny is on its way up and I think Baltimore is the strongest team in this division (unless Lewis ends up in the slammer, yeah right. If Ray Lewis can stay out, Jamal will too). Back to the Browns. This team has some serious issues to deal with in the locker room. While I think Garcia was a good pickup, I still think Holcombe and Couch (if he sticks around) are gonna try and get a starting position. Garcia is getting older and can't take a lot of hits.
The Browns have issues all over the place. Northcutt at receiver and who are they gonna have running the ball. And Winslow seems to think he's the 'Labrone James' of football. I hate to tell him, football is a more team-oriented sport than basketball (which is why I LOVE football) and while he might be one of the most talented players out there, he's not gonna be enough to turn this team around... especially when he's acting like he's already established Pro-Bowl tight end. Mark my words, linebackers and safeties are gonna be looking to light this boy up. "Prepare to be welcomed into the NFL, Winslow. I hope you can take the beating." I just don't think this team has the chemistry to win a lot of games.
Cincinnati Bengals: This team is turning itself around. And while they are improving every year, I have to say that this will be another year of being just short of the playoffs. I don't have any real specific reasons why, I just think they are number two in this weak division.
Baltimore Ravens: For the record, I hate this team. I think Ray Lewis is an overhyped linebacker, his numbers aren't nearly as impressive if it wasn't for the bigass DL taking double teams for him. I don't think he'll do well in this 3-4 defense, but he'll do good enough to win games. And if he's having problems, he can bust out the 9mm and cap a few asses...
Offensively, as long as Jamal Lewis stays out of jail this team has the running power and ball control to not make mistakes and they won't turn the ball over a lot. Coupled with a defense that is prolly one of the better in the league, they will win enough games to claim the AFC North crown... and then get beaten by a wildcard team...