Afc North Head To Head

[JEEPercreepermd]

Here's how I think the teams in our division pan out thus far. granted it's still early but i'm digging deep here to find a new topic until things start happening around camp.

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

1.Steelers-Ben has won 2 superbowls and deivers when the game is on the line
2.Ravens-Flacco is improving, and we probably have the most depth at QB with smith and Beck
3.Bengals-Palmer isn't the guy he used to be,he's not mobile enough to compensate for that weak O-line
4.Browns-Anderson was a flash in the pan and Quinn is a bust

Wide Receivers
1. Pittsburgh-love em or hate them they get the job done
2. Bengals-On PAPER 85,Coles,and Henry look good but let's see if they have time to get downfield with that weak O-line
3.Ravens-would be #2 with Mason, but i have a good feeling about the group however since they haven't proven it yet they have to be #3
4.Browns- Edwards says he's healthy but they put him on the pup list (or ir?) either way he had cinder blocks for hands last year

Tight Ends
1. Ravens- Heap and Smith will have good seasons if the O-line holds up
2. Steelers-Just re-signed Heath Miller
3.Browns-Not sure of their depth at TE but Winslow is better than what the Bungles have
4.Bengals

Running Backs
1.Ravens-Again the best run game in the division Mcgahee will be strong this year,Rice is impressing already and Mclain will pound defenses in the 4th quarter
2.Steelers-SOMEONE had to be #2 even though they have nobody that's impressive.
3.Browns-Jamal Lewis is past his prime but is still physical enough to get 1,000 yds
4.Bengals-well....

O-line
1.Ravens-Drafted and signed Oher at RT,Matt Birk at C, looks like Chris Chester bulked up to play Guard if Yanda isn't ready to go.Gaither and Grubbs dominate the left side
2.Browns-Seems like a pretty average group
3 Tie-Steelers and Bengals

DEFENSE

D-line
1.Ravens-Ngata,Gregg,Pryce plus enough depth to keep them fresh late in the season
2.Steelers- VERY close second actually i'd say their d-line is #1.000001 instead of #2
3.Browns- Shaun Rogers at NT gives them the edge over Cincy
4.Bengals-the fact that their fans are exited about them getting Tank Johnson says alot.

Linebackers
1. Tie-Steelers and Ravens-These are the two best LB corps in the league I can't really say if one unit is better than the other.
2.Bengals
3.Browns

CB
1.Ravens-no true #1 but they have a bunch of very good #2's
2.Steelers-Their group is adequate their front 7 make them look better
3.Bengals-we all saw what Clayton did to Leon Hall last year and they aren't looking much better
4.Browns

Safety (both)
1.Ravens-Reed and Landry is an amazing pair, plus great depth.
2.Steelers-if ed reed is the #1 safety in the NFL then Troy is #1.5
3.Bengals-They upgraded by signing Roy Williams
4.Browns

SPECIAL TEAMS

Place Kicker
1.Steelers-Jeff Reed is very good
2.Bengals-Shane Grahm is very good as well,strong leg
3.Browns-Phil Dawson is average
4.Ravens-Unproven so far

Punter
1.Ravens-Sam Koch is great
2.Steelers-Sepulveda is coming back from injury
3.Browns-Dave Zastudil is Always very solid
4.Bengals-Kevin Huber?

Returners
1.Browns-Joshua Cribbs has hurt the ravens a few times
2.Steelers-Santonio Holmes is good
3.Ravens- IMO they still have very solid returners just not home run hitters
4.Bengals

[ROH522155]

Kellen Winslow no longer plays for the Browns.

I agree with pretty much everything but I would say the Steelers have better linebackers and probably corners too

[berad]

Kellen Winslow got the boot in Cleveland and the reason you don't know Cincinatti's TEs is because the rarely utilize them due to their historically strong WR position. They block more than catch..

[ravensfan160]

I agree across the board. The only way I could see a change is if you take into account injuries. If Palmer is healthy he is better than Joe (sorry but he killed us back when we had McAlister and Rolle as our corners). The other would be TE. If Heap and Smith are healthy there isn't a better combination in the league but since thats a big if, Heath Miller would be the better choice for #1. He stays healthy and is a much better blocker than both our guys.

[Ravens52]

bengals have a better situation then the browns when it comes to Tight ends, ben utech is solid

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='30 July 2009 - 01:59 PM' timestamp='1248976784' post='211767']


2.Steelers-SOMEONE had to be #2 even though they have nobody that's impressive.

[/quote]

what is with this statement

willie parker had like 800 yards last year while being hurt most of the season (which is more than willis did last year)

but the three years before that

2007-1,316 yds

2006-1,494 yds

2005-1,202 yds

the most yards willis ever rushed for is 1247.....now lets look at our secondary backs

we have moore who ran for 588 yards (which is more than rice did last year)

and

Mendenhall which looks to be a very promising addition to the squad

now im not saying that our running game blows yours out of the water but to say that we have no one impressive is insane

we have one average year do to injuries and no one remembers what we can do

[J-man]

I'm not so sure that are CB's are number 1, but other then that, pretty good list.

[J-man]

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='30 July 2009 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1248993916' post='213471']
Mendenhall which looks to be a very promising addition to the squad
[/quote]

Mendenhall needs to learn to shut his mouth...saying he can run all over the Ravens, ha, then Ray rips him up and puts him out for the year, ha...

[H8R]

Steeler Prophet- There is NO WAY your running attack is better then ours. As for injuries I guess you didn't know Rice was injured most of the second half of the season. We were the number 3 rushing team last year not in the 20's. Don't use injuries as a crutch for last year, we didn't and we had more. Our line has improved where as its still a glaring weakness for the Steelers, this is a HUGE factor in the run game as you already know. Willie Parker is a good back if he can stay on the field so I agree, as of right now he has done more then Willis.

You're talking about your secondary backs, the fact is THE RAVENS RUSHED FOR MORE YARDS AS A UNIT, BY A LONG SHOT. Baltimore 2376 Pittsburgh 1690 We averaged 43 more yards per game then Pittsburgh. The Ravens avg. 4.0 per carry, the Steelers 3.7. We ran the ball 132 more times then Pittsburgh but only coughed it up 1 more time showing our backs are more durable. The Ravens had two of the longest runs from scrimmage, Leron with 82 and Willis with a 74 yarder showing we can pop the big one. Pittsburghs longest run of the season? 34 yards. Now, granted 2009 and 2008 are going to be plenty different and both teams will show new dynamics but realize FROM THE STATS Baltimore should have a BETTER rushing attack.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='J-man' date='30 July 2009 - 05:58 PM' timestamp='1248994695' post='213475']
Mendenhall needs to learn to shut his mouth...saying he can run all over the Ravens, ha, then Ray rips him up and puts him out for the year, ha...
[/quote]
At least this year he gets to play 11 games before hes done for the year again

[Alexir]

Carson Palmer is better than Flacco and Bengals recievers are better than the Steelers recievers....Don't know how you can write such crap!

[ROH522155]

Willis was also injured for a chunk of last season

[ROH522155]

[quote name='Alexir' date='30 July 2009 - 06:10 PM' timestamp='1248995424' post='213482']
Carson Palmer is better than Flacco and Bengals recievers are better than the Steelers recievers....Don't know how you can write such crap!
[/quote]
Dude calm down this is a message board. What is with you?

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Alexir' date='30 July 2009 - 07:10 PM' timestamp='1248995424' post='213482']
Carson Palmer is better than Flacco and Bengals recievers are better than the Steelers recievers....Don't know how you can write such crap!
[/quote]

Why is that everything you say is so harsh? Is that necessary?

Carson Palmer SHOULD be the best QB in the division. He hasn't shown that yet.

Ocho Stinko hasn't scored a TD on the Steelers since about 2005 and now T.J.'s gone? I don't believe for a second that their WR's are better than ours. I'd probably take the Browns WR Corps over theirs even though Braylon Edwards struggled with the dropsies last year.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='H8R' date='30 July 2009 - 07:08 PM' timestamp='1248995318' post='213480']
Steeler Prophet- There is NO WAY your running attack is better then ours. As for injuries I guess you didn't know Rice was injured most of the second half of the season. We were the number 3 rushing team last year not in the 20's. Don't use injuries as a crutch for last year, we didn't and we had more. Our line has improved where as its still a glaring weakness for the Steelers, this is a HUGE factor in the run game as you already know. Willie Parker is a good back if he can stay on the field so I agree, as of right now he has done more then Willis.

You're talking about your secondary backs, the fact is THE RAVENS RUSHED FOR MORE YARDS AS A UNIT, BY A LONG SHOT. Baltimore 2376 Pittsburgh 1690 We averaged 43 more yards per game then Pittsburgh. The Ravens avg. 4.0 per carry, the Steelers 3.7. We ran the ball 132 more times then Pittsburgh but only coughed it up 1 more time showing our backs are more durable. The Ravens had two of the longest runs from scrimmage, Leron with 82 and Willis with a 74 yarder showing we can pop the big one. Pittsburghs longest run of the season? 34 yards. Now, granted 2009 and 2008 are going to be plenty different and both teams will show new dynamics but realize FROM THE STATS Baltimore should have a BETTER rushing attack.
[/quote]
I don't think that Prophet was saying their runners better than ours, rather that they are being underestimated. The Steelers have been known for the running game for a reason.


[quote name='Alexir' date='30 July 2009 - 07:10 PM' timestamp='1248995424' post='213482']
Carson Palmer is better than Flacco and Bengals recievers are better than the Steelers recievers....Don't know how you can write such crap!
[/quote]
What has Carson Palmer done lately?
The Bengals receivers are not better than the Steelers head to head. Over an entire season they are... sometimes, but not in divisional matches.
Lol, in some divisional games, [b]our[/b] receivers are better than Cincy's.

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='H8R' date='30 July 2009 - 07:08 PM' timestamp='1248995318' post='213480']
Steeler Prophet- There is NO WAY your running attack is better then ours. As for injuries I guess you didn't know Rice was injured most of the second half of the season. We were the number 3 rushing team last year not in the 20's. Don't use injuries as a crutch for last year, we didn't and we had more. Our line has improved where as its still a glaring weakness for the Steelers, this is a HUGE factor in the run game as you already know. Willie Parker is a good back if he can stay on the field so I agree, as of right now he has done more then Willis.

You're talking about your secondary backs, the fact is THE RAVENS RUSHED FOR MORE YARDS AS A UNIT, BY A LONG SHOT. Baltimore 2376 Pittsburgh 1690 We averaged 43 more yards per game then Pittsburgh. The Ravens avg. 4.0 per carry, the Steelers 3.7. We ran the ball 132 more times then Pittsburgh but only coughed it up 1 more time showing our backs are more durable. The Ravens had two of the longest runs from scrimmage, Leron with 82 and Willis with a 74 yarder showing we can pop the big one. Pittsburghs longest run of the season? 34 yards. Now, granted 2009 and 2008 are going to be plenty different and both teams will show new dynamics but realize FROM THE STATS Baltimore should have a BETTER rushing attack.
[/quote]

i never said our running game was better than yours last year....

what i am saying is that our running game is good as well

our number one back couldnt make the fast cuts almost all season(which is his thing)

and our number two back was out almost the entire year

and based off those numbers you rank us even though they are now healthy

all im saying is we are a running team, and to have some one say that we dont have anyone impressive is just plain wrong

[BloodRaven]

Surprise surprise, looks whos plugging their team on our forum again.

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='30 July 2009 - 09:06 PM' timestamp='1249002405' post='213537']
Surprise surprise, looks whos plugging their team on our forum again.
[/quote]

OMG who!? it better not be a bengal fan i hate those guys

we will run them out together bloody my friend just point the way

[ROH522155]

Prophet is merely sticking up for his boys. Would we not do the same?

[SteelersProphet]

[quote name='J-man' date='30 July 2009 - 06:58 PM' timestamp='1248994695' post='213475']
Mendenhall needs to learn to shut his mouth...saying he can run all over the Ravens, ha, then Ray rips him up and puts him out for the year, ha...
[/quote]

your right he does....i think that was a good way to teach him that lesson lol

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' date='30 July 2009 - 06:45 PM' timestamp='1248993916' post='213471']
what is with this statement

willie parker had like 800 yards last year while being hurt most of the season (which is more than willis did last year)

but the three years before that

2007-1,316 yds

2006-1,494 yds

2005-1,202 yds

the most yards willis ever rushed for is 1247.....now lets look at our secondary backs

we have moore who ran for 588 yards (which is more than rice did last year)

and

Mendenhall which looks to be a very promising addition to the squad

now im not saying that our running game blows yours out of the water but to say that we have no one impressive is insane

we have one average year do to injuries and no one remembers what we can do
[/quote]
You forget that rice was injured for almost the entire second half of last season. Sorry but Mcgahee Mclain and Rice are just better than Parker Mendenhall and Moore.When I said there isn't anyone impressive, I meant there's no one the impresses me personally (aka..a huge threat to the ravens) and i'm sure as a steelers fan you feel that they can stop anyone that the Ravens have as well, sorry about that misunderstanding

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='Alexir' date='30 July 2009 - 07:10 PM' timestamp='1248995424' post='213482']
Carson Palmer is better than Flacco and Bengals recievers are better than the Steelers recievers....Don't know how you can write such crap!
[/quote]
Instead of just looking at the starters, I decided to go deeper as much as possible because look what happened last season with Palmer out. Let's not forget that Palmer was what 0-4 last season? (could be wrong). I just think that the Ravens are deeper at Quarterback. Flacco has a strong running game a strong O-line Palmer has neither so that will really let teams tee off on him. The same can be said for the WR's they look good on PAPER but if Palmer doesn't have the time to get the ball to them deep how effective can they be? I DO see your point though, because on paper Cincy's receivers look good but the Steelers have a group of guys that get those first downs when needed and countless last minute TD's. for that reason I think they deserve to be #1

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='berad' date='30 July 2009 - 02:13 PM' timestamp='1248977619' post='211773']
Kellen Winslow got the boot in Cleveland and the reason you don't know Cincinatti's TEs is because the rarely utilize them due to their historically strong WR position. They block more than catch..
[/quote]
oh wow, i totally forgot about that what a brain fart

[PIG 20]

Yeah, I would put Carson Palmer ahead of all the QB's in the AFC North. He had a bad injury last season but in 2005, 2006, and 2007 he played in all 16 games in each of those seasons and averaged over 26 TD's per season. He also threw for over 4000 yards in 2006 and 2007. He also achieved QB ratings of 101, 93, and 86. Those are pretty remarkable numbers.

He is by far the best "statistical" QB in the AFC North.

But things will be interesting this year. I think losing T.J. is going to be a major obstacle for this team to overcome. Defenses having to worry about T.J. and Ochodumbo at the same time made things a little easier for them offensively. Chris Henry has yet to get his act straight and I don't believe he can step in and be as effective as T.J. was.

Coupled with the fact that their offensive line was horrible as of last season and the fact that they still have no running game, it could be a tough year in Cincy. Even with a healthy Carson Palmer. They're defense needs to be better for them to have any success.

I think they finish third because the Browns really have no talent with the exception of a few players.

[DarkPurist]

The Bengals signed a punter from the University of Cincinnati (Huber?) If that is him, I have to say I have seen him play at Bearcat games and I think he led the NCAA in punting. He was very good in college. I know that doesn't always translate to a solid NFL career. Have a long way to go to best Koch though.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='31 July 2009 - 07:22 AM' timestamp='1249039351' post='213606']
You forget that rice was injured for almost the entire second half of last season. Sorry [b]but Mcgahee Mclain and Rice are just better than Parker Mendenhall and Moore.[/b]When I said there isn't anyone impressive, I meant there's no one the impresses me personally (aka..a huge threat to the ravens) and i'm sure as a steelers fan you feel that they can stop anyone that the Ravens have as well, sorry about that misunderstanding
[/quote]

McGahee is NOT on W. Parkers level, and no one knows what kind of back Mendy is yet. I'd also like to remind you that it was Moore coming out of that backfield last year who almost single-handedly came back to beat the Ravens in the first game last year.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='31 July 2009 - 12:54 PM' timestamp='1249059293' post='213677']
McGahee is NOT on W. Parkers level, and no one knows what kind of back Mendy is yet. I'd also like to remind you that it was Moore coming out of that backfield last year who almost single-handedly came back to beat the Ravens in the first game last year.
[/quote]
Didn't say that Mcgahee was better than Parker, I'm saying that as a group i'd take Mcgahee,Rice,and Mclain over the three Steelers backs. But hey I can agree to disagree that's the true spirit of a forum like this

[thewarden86]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='31 July 2009 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1249060345' post='213688']
Didn't say that Mcgahee was better than Parker, I'm saying that as a group i'd take Mcgahee,Rice,and Mclain over the three Steelers backs. But hey I can agree to disagree that's the true spirit of a forum like this
[/quote]
Well, I can't bring myself to say ours are better either. Just not willing to concede yours are.

Agree to disagree....I agree.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='PIG 20' date='31 July 2009 - 08:03 AM' timestamp='1249041808' post='213613']
Yeah, I would put Carson Palmer ahead of all the QB's in the AFC North. He had a bad injury last season but in 2005, 2006, and 2007 he played in all 16 games in each of those seasons and averaged over 26 TD's per season. He also threw for over 4000 yards in 2006 and 2007. He also achieved QB ratings of 101, 93, and 86. Those are pretty remarkable numbers.

He is by far the best "statistical" QB in the AFC North.
[/quote]
Drew Brees is the best "statistical" QB in the NFL. Is he better than Peyton or Brady?


[quote name='thewarden86' date='31 July 2009 - 12:54 PM' timestamp='1249059293' post='213677']
McGahee is NOT on W. Parkers level, and [b]no one knows what kind of back Mendy is yet.[/b] I'd also like to remind you that it was Moore coming out of that backfield last year who almost single-handedly came back to beat the Ravens in the first game last year.
[/quote]
You can't say that he is better than our guys. Being unproven does not make you good; otherwise Marcus Smith > Whines Ward.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='31 July 2009 - 01:53 PM' timestamp='1249062782' post='213699']
Drew Brees is the best "statistical" QB in the NFL. Is he better than Peyton or Brady?



You can't say that he is better than our guys. Being unproven does not make you good; otherwise Marcus Smith > Whines Ward.
[/quote]

First of all, I didn't say he was did I. Second, if no one can say he's better, then no one can says he worse. Get it?
BTW - I LOVE that you hate Hines Ward. It makes me smile.