AFC NORTH ?

Nap,

Thanks for stopping in.. Your post is right on the money - at least from these old eyes.  I like Flacco alot from what I have seen and heard of him.  Reminds me of when Ben was drafted and we know how well that turned out.  Best wishes for a great season.

enjoy,

bb

Thanks.  Yeah, even though my post might make sense, its so hard to predict what any team does.  The year before the Ravens went 13-3 they were 6-10.  The year before the Steelers won the division, I believe they went 7-9 (maybe 6-10?).  Its so hard to predict.  That being said, I think the Steelers are the team built to win now.

By the way, I sure hope Joe Flacco does turn out as well as Ben, Baltimore has needed a QB for a VERY, VERY long time now.

-Nap 

I actually just puke when I hear the name M3talhead. You make as much sense as an infant baby talking. When I mention the 5 super bowl wins, I speak facts. Learn to do that some time and your post will make better sense.

Now to giving credit where it's due. Great post Nap. You were right in your post. The Ravens will continue to have a stingy defense despite the aging. Though the corners are old, Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister will still get the job done. They have some really good safeties in Ed Reed and Dawan Landry. And Ray Lewis will keep the LBs and that defense swarming and making plays for another year. I don't know about next year for him with his contract being up. I doubt they resign him. Ben Grubbs started coming in to his own at the end of the year. Jason Brown will be better this year. Unfortunately; Derrick Mason is 34 and he doesn't have much left. Mark Clayton really haven't lived up to the hype since his days at Oklahoma. So players like Ernie Wheelwright (whom we were VERY high on before the draft), Yamon Figurs, and Demetrius Williams really need to step up. The QB situation will be quite a battle for you guys. Troy Smith did well at the end of the year. Kyle Boller can't get the job done. Joe Flacco is definitely a player to watch. The kid has an arm. I seen him play (while he was at Pitt) and I thought he was the heir apparent to Tyler Palko. But he wanted to play sooner than later. So he transferred. And his history has taken shape. So this year will really be interesting.

Your always welcome here nap, you knwo your stuff

Thanks man, I enjoy talking football with fans of rival teams especially when its constructive conversation like I've fond for the most part on the Steelers boards.  I just hate guys who say "Ravens suck!" or "Steelers Suck!" without really getting into the talent or X's and O's of each team.  Its fine not to like one team or another (obviously) but if you're going to talk about football, talk about football.

Anyways, you guys see the Bengals cut Odell Thurman? I was really surprised by this move.  I know the guy had issues, but he played very very well two years ago when he was a rookie, so much so that when he was reinstated i definitely thought the bengals defense just got a little better.  We'll see if this was a good move in the long run, but for a team that is so thin all over the defensive side of the ball, I would have thought they should have kept one of the few players who has proven he can play at a high level in the NFL.

-Nap

I guessed they showed they are trying to change the culture there. Thurman was great in 2005 and I'm glad he's gone.

btw-dallas needs a receiver, how about Chris Henry and then just throw in Odell Thurman, before we know it everyone will be practicing in a ball and chain and will need to be taken to games in security vans.

Of course I want the Steelers to win, but I also believe they will take the division again this year.  I think Willie Parker will come back strong and have another good year, but I also expect to see Mendenhall get significant playing time.  I think that this will only improve the running game, much like when it was the Bus and Parker in the backfield.  I think Ben Roethlisberger will continue to improve, and considering he finished last year second to only Tom Brady, that is a big plus for the Steelers.  Santonio Holmes showed flashes of brilliance last year, I think we will see more this year, and of course Hines Ward will be Hines Ward, and the addition of the big reciever Big Ben wanted, Limas Sweed may take the Steelers to new heights!  I am not worried about the loss of Alan Faneca, I loved the guy but his best days are behind him.  On defense, a healthy Troy Polamalu will be a key factor, LaMarr Woodley in his second year will be even better.  Overall I think the defense will dominate again in 2008.  The Steelers will win 10 to 12 games.

Now, as far as the other teams go.  I wonder if the Bengals will ever get it together.  They have a ton of tallent, but apparently no chemistry, and it is rubbing off on the offense that used to click.  Chad Johnson went to the TO charm school and graduated at the head of the class.  Will the legal troubles continue into this year?  Interesting to see how this all plays out this year.  I see the Bengals finishing in 3rd if the Ravens falter, 4th if they don't.  The Bengals will win 5 to 7 games.

The Ravens will still have a top 10 defense, that will be no surprise, although Ray Lewis and a few other guys are now a few years past thier prime.  Willis McGahee will have another decent year, but the real problem will continue to be the QB and passing game.  I do not see Kyle Boller being the guy that can lead this team to the top.  Troy Smith?  Joe Flacco?  There is not a great corps of receivers to throw to either, so I see this as mediocre at best for this year.  The Ravens could flop and end up last, but I think they will finish ahead of the Bengals, depending on the slide the Browns take the Ravens could finish in second.  The Ravens will win 6 to 8 games.

The Browns.  I know all the Browns fans think the Browns will now win the division, I say they will be in 2nd or 3rd.  They will regress from last year.  The schedule will be more difficult, they have no history of winning, and the defense is just not that good.  I think Derek Anderson will not put up nearly the numbers he had last year, that was an abhoration.  Jamal Lewis had a few good games last year, but that was it and I think he is mostly done, the Ravens knew that when they traded him.  I think Braylon Edwards is a good receiver, and so is Kellen Winslow (will he actually hold out), but Anderson will revert back to mediocre.  Maybe Brady Quinn will play, who knows if he will make it as a NFL QB.  I think the Browns win between 7 and 9 games.