Offseason In The AFC North

[beasy2487]

I wanted to start this thread because I had a hilarious revelation earlier today. Watch the offseason reactions from fans and you know everything you need to know about the AFCN:

"The Ravens acquire Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin from the Arizona Cardinals"

Ravens Fans: *skies open up and 60 Anquan clones in angel outfits come pouring through playing harps with "In Excelcis Deo" in the background* WE'RE SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVED.

Steelers fans: OHNOES (>.<)! Props though...

Bengals fans: OH YEA?! WELL...HE'S A SCRUB THEN! WE'RE GONNA SIGN T.O. so HA! *secretly weeping, pouting, and stomping feet about wanting Q*

Browns fans: Can I has Troy Smith?! I trade... Holmgren's mustache! (@_@) (P.S.- Anyone notice that Mangini is just Holmgren without the 'stache? I think Mangini is secretly Holmgren's son lol... or worse, human cloning is already in full effect hahaha)

It's funny because all joking aside the above is pretty true to the reactions I've been seeing.

Also, if the season started today what do you think the AFCN power rankings would be?

I'd say Ravens neck-n-neck with Bengals -> Steelers -> Browns.

[Jamal]

Right now, I'd say we're tied with the Bengals, but all Raven fans better pray the Bengals don't get Marshall. According to Adam Shefter the Bengals are considering giving up a first rounder for him.

If you ask me, I really don't see it happening because the Bengals never make huge splash's through FA, but if this somehow went through, not only would the Bengals be the favorite in the AFCN, but they'd be my Superbowl pick.

We all know the Bengals will definitely be adding a receiver. I just hope it isn't Marshall.

[charchboii]

you cant base power ranking off of wat happen last year. i kno nobody wants to say it but ill save them all the trouble the steelers are a better team overall then the ravens. [b]but i still love my ravens[/b]

[Ed_Reed20]

Other than Browns likely being bottom-feaders again, how the AFC North will shake out is nearly impossible to predict.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='charchboii' date='08 March 2010 - 05:01 PM' timestamp='1268085719' post='372855']
you cant base power ranking off of wat happen last year. i kno nobody wants to say it but ill save them all the trouble the steelers are a better team overall then the ravens. [b]but i still love my ravens[/b]
[/quote]

I wouldnt be so quick to make that statement....Big Ben may have bitten off more than he could chew this time. 2 sexual assault accusations in less than a year? He might not even be in a Steelers uniform come Preseason

[charchboii]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' date='08 March 2010 - 06:11 PM' timestamp='1268086261' post='372860']
I wouldnt be so quick to make that statement....Big Ben may have bitten off more than he could chew this time. 2 sexual assault accusations in less than a year? He might not even be in a Steelers uniform come Preseason
[/quote]
o yea i forgot but you cant deny there talent

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='charchboii' date='08 March 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1268086425' post='372863']
o yea i forgot but you cant deny there talent
[/quote]

Their o-line is questionable and that secondary is below avaerage(even with Polamalu).

[Jamal]

[quote name='charchboii' date='08 March 2010 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1268086425' post='372863']
o yea i forgot but you cant deny there talent
[/quote]
I think the Steelers could be good next year, but its the Bengals who I'm worried about.

[Corvus]

As of this moment, the Ravens and the Browns are the winners in the division so far. Getting Anquan and signing Stallworth to just a bit over the veteran minimum improves our biggest problem entering the season. With a bit more secondary help, and having either the guys we already have rachet up the pass rush, or by drafting a guy or two, I cannot see any holes on our team (providing Ed doesn't retire as well).

The Browns have a boatload of draft picks this year that will help them immensely and they made a couple of smart signings in Scott Fujita and Tony Pashos. Fujita will help out their weak linebacking corps and also give them a smart veteran to show guys like D'Qwell Jackson how to improve. Pashos, albeit only an average player, is smart and experienced, should give them a solid guy to pair with Joe Thomas until they can find their RT heir apparent.

The Steelers have already DOWNGRADED their free safety position by losing Ryan Clark and signing Will Allen to compete for that spot. They already needed some help in the secondary and not being able to agree with Clark on a new deal definitely hurts them. They also signed Arnaz Battle (not exactly a marquee name), which leads me to believe Limas "Drop" Sweed is not panning out as they had hoped, especially since Mike Wallace was able to easily take his job from him, as a rookie. The Roethlisberger stuff is a major headache, that I hope for their sake (not ours) they do not let distract them. The Steelers at this moment are NOT the best team in the division as a previous poster stated.

EDIT- Just saw where the Steelers did wind up resigning Ryan Clark, so kudos to them, I thought for sure Miami was gonna sign him.

The Bengals, what can i say? Though I don't want to play against the guy twice a year, they really should pull the trigger on a Brandon Marshall offer sheet. Their passing game was anemic last year (except the two times they played us and their game against the Chargers) and they have to improve in that facet in some way. Regardless, I foresee Cincy taking a step back this year, but we'll see in September.

[YABOY]

If maason comes back i think we win the north but if the bengals get marshall game over

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='YABOY' date='08 March 2010 - 06:26 PM' timestamp='1268090776' post='372931']
If maason comes back i think we win the north but if the bengals get marshall game over
[/quote]

I don't think it's that clear-cut.

The Bengals were supposed to be world-beaters back when they had Rudi and T.J., yet never went anywhere.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='YABOY' date='08 March 2010 - 06:26 PM' timestamp='1268090776' post='372931']
If maason comes back i think we win the north but if the bengals get marshall game over
[/quote]

Game over??? What was Marshalls numbers like while he was stuck by who? Oh, Dominique Foxworth! yeah the "worst CB in football" (sarchasm) BM can be contained and we did just that to him when we blasted Denver

[RavensAllTheWay]

My only question is why is it taking this long for us to re-sign our RFAs? Landry, Koch and McClain need to be signed ASAP. I get that we're putting them on the market for teams to give us good offers, but after more than 72 hours, they're all still on the market. Secondly, I haven't heard reports of teams interested in any of them. So if I'm Ozzie, my top priority would be to sign them back.

[Jamal]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='08 March 2010 - 06:39 PM' timestamp='1268091559' post='372938']
I don't think it's that clear-cut.

The Bengals were supposed to be world-beaters back when they had Rudi and T.J., yet never went anywhere.
[/quote]
That was because of their defense. If they had the defense they have right now, along with a healthy Palmer, I think they would have been a lot closer to a superbowl.

Ocho Cinco is a legit #1. With Marshall on the other side, Palmer would put up numbers close to 2007 Brady.

The bad game Marshall had against us was because of Orton. He made it easy on us. All we had to do was crowd the line of scrimage, because he never went deep, and the Marshall screens were easy to keep of track of. Believe me with Palmer, it would be a different story.

With all that being said, I have a feeling no one will get him since, Denver is so uncooperative. I think the Bengals will end up with Bryant.

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='Jamal' date='08 March 2010 - 04:56 PM' timestamp='1268085388' post='372850']
Right now, I'd say we're tied with the Bengals, but all Raven fans better pray the Bengals don't get Marshall. According to Adam Shefter the Bengals are considering giving up a first rounder for him.

If you ask me, I really don't see it happening because the Bengals never make huge splash's through FA, but if this somehow went through, [b]not only would the Bengals be the favorite in the AFCN, but they'd be my Superbowl pick[/b].

We all know the Bengals will definitely be adding a receiver. I just hope it isn't Marshall.
[/quote]

In order for that to happen they need to fix Carson first. I dont know what's wrong with him but Palmer has not been himself for most of the season. Before last year I truly considered him one of the top 5 QBs in the league but something has been off lately.

[FlaccosFlock]

[b][u]Bengals[/u]-[/b] TO is visiting the Bengals tomorrow and so is Antonio Bryant. I could Bryant helping them, but I'm not sure TO would help their team. I do agree that Palmer just doesn't look the same anymore.

[b][u]Steelers[/u]-[/b] They resigned Ryan Clark today and they also added depth in Will Allen. At WR they signed Randle El today, which should help there punt return team. They also signed Battle, but I don't see him contributing that much. The additions they have made haven't been anything out of the ordinary, but they most likely signal the end of Limas Sweed.

[b][u]Browns[/u]-[/b] They have a lot of drafts and have made some nice additions in Pashos and Fujita. They still need a lot of work and I understand the move they made by bringing in Seneca Wallace.

[b][u]Ravens[/u]-[/b] We finally made a move for a big time receiver and everyone is happy about it. I love Boldin and he is everything that we needed in a Ravens receiver. We also have signed Stallworth and the contract we gave him benefits us. I think Stallworth will have a good year and a good risk. I will say that I hope Marlin Jackson comes in healthy, so we can sign him for cheap depth. If that doesn't work out I would like for us to bring in Roderick Hood for a workout. I think we have some options to replace Dwan Edwards in Tyler Brayton, Jarvis Green, and Michael Montgomery. I think rotating these guys in with Pryce would suffice and add some nice depth. These guys are not anything special, but I would love for us to work them out and see what they have to offer.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='08 March 2010 - 07:16 PM' timestamp='1268093801' post='372966']
My only question is why is it taking this long for us to re-sign our RFAs? Landry, Koch and McClain need to be signed ASAP. I get that we're putting them on the market for teams to give us good offers, but after more than 72 hours, they're all still on the market. Secondly, I haven't heard reports of teams interested in any of them. So if I'm Ozzie, my top priority would be to sign them back.
[/quote]
Its a business...certain players hit free agency every year.

Your statement "I haven't heard any reports of teams interested in them, so we need sign them back" makes no sense at all. It actually means the complete opposite. The longer they sit as free agents, less they will demand in $$$.

Again, the NFL is a business!!

[Romo Ravens]

Let Marshall come to the Bengals, who cares? We shut his butt down last year anyway.

Even though I still think the Browns will be on the bottom, don't let them fool you. They play when they want to play, as evidenced by them beating the Steelers in Prime-Time. I'm not so sure why the Bengals are getting to everybody? They don't scare me one bit, although Palmer always finds a way to just beat us by a little, I think we take care of them this year.

Finally, the Steelers. There is no team that I hate more in the NFL More bandwagon fans then the Yankees or the Lakers. We have them this year, and I laugh at the "attempts" they try to make to make their team better.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Corvus' date='08 March 2010 - 05:41 PM' timestamp='1268088071' post='372893']
As of this moment, the Ravens and the Browns are the winners in the division so far. Getting Anquan and signing Stallworth to just a bit over the veteran minimum improves our biggest problem entering the season. With a bit more secondary help, and having either the guys we already have rachet up the pass rush, or by drafting a guy or two, I cannot see any holes on our team (providing Ed doesn't retire as well).

The Browns have a boatload of draft picks this year that will help them immensely and they made a couple of smart signings in Scott Fujita and Tony Pashos. Fujita will help out their weak linebacking corps and also give them a smart veteran to show guys like D'Qwell Jackson how to improve. Pashos, albeit only an average player, is smart and experienced, should give them a solid guy to pair with Joe Thomas until they can find their RT heir apparent.

The Steelers have already DOWNGRADED their free safety position by [b]losing Ryan Clark and signing Will Allen to compete for that spot. They already needed some help in the secondary and not being able to agree with Clark on a new deal definitely hurts them[/b]. They also signed Arnaz Battle (not exactly a marquee name), which leads me to believe Limas "Drop" Sweed is not panning out as they had hoped, especially since Mike Wallace was able to easily take his job from him, as a rookie. The Roethlisberger stuff is a major headache, that I hope for their sake (not ours) they do not let distract them. The Steelers at this moment are NOT the best team in the division as a previous poster stated.

The Bengals, what can i say? Though I don't want to play against the guy twice a year, they really should pull the trigger on a Brandon Marshall offer sheet. Their passing game was anemic last year (except the two times they played us and their game against the Chargers) and they have to improve in that facet in some way. Regardless, I foresee Cincy taking a step back this year, but we'll see in September.
[/quote]

I think overall the Ravens are the winners, biased aside they truly went out and improved the team the most out of every AFC North team, in just one trade might I add. The Steelers on the other hand, pretty much stayed the same and improved at the same time, especially since they re-signed Clark so we know Allen won't be the starter, and even if they didn't re-sign him, they would have went after Earl Thomas in the draft. They get Troy back hopefully healthy and if he is healthy I'm sure he'll be the same old Troy picking off footballs and intercepting them just like Ed does for us. They do need help in the secondary though, and Steelers fans have the right to be worried about their secondary against Boldin.

The Bengals on the other hand, well they haven't done much. They have some guys to re-sign and I expect them to re-sign them. Now this stuff about going for Marshall well, I'm not sure if it will happen but if it does the Steelers secondary will have to deal with Boldin and Marshall twice a year.... which won't be good, especially when they couldn't stop Bruce Gradkowski from completing a game winning drive, so now with Joe and Boldin and a possible Palmer/Marshall, it will be interesting. Though I think the Bengals are better off getting Golden Tate in the draft or trading down for Damian Williams instead of Marshall but I can't blame them for trying for Marshall.

The Browns well, Mike Holmgren is doing ok, signing vets like Pashos and Fujita will pay off, and I like that they are building through the draft like us and the Steelers do. Getting Seneca Wallace from the Seahawks is questionable, considering they have Quinn and Anderson still, and Anderson should be released anytime soon so at least he'll be a back up. It's just I figured he would try to find someone who can be a starting QB, Jeff Garcia is still out there as far as I know. Browns are going to be at the bottom of the division for now until I see what they do in the Draft.

All I know if the season started tomorrow, it would be very interesting and would come down to a 3 way battle between the Ravens-Steelers-Bengals for the AFC North. Browns could win 5 or 6 games, which would be an improvement for them. Now let's wait to see how the AFC North does in the Draft to really judge them.

[Nobi]

Palmer hasn't been the same since the knee injury. Bengals are reaching for straws to make their team better.

Browns are in a rebuilding period, it will be a few years before they are a factor in the AFC-N.

Steelers are pretty much scratching their head right now trying to figure out what went wrong, and Big Ben? He isn't going to get out of this one so easily (refer to my signature)

[JohnnyBoy8102]

What are these Marshall AND Bryant rumors to the Bengals?

[1/28/01]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' date='09 March 2010 - 12:34 AM' timestamp='1268112872' post='373179']
What are these Marshall AND Bryant rumors to the Bengals?
[/quote]
What are you actually asking here?

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='09 March 2010 - 12:56 AM' timestamp='1268114217' post='373184']
What are you actually asking here?
[/quote]

Is it just speculation or would/can the Bengals add both players?

[Nobi]

They can add Bryant no problem, getting Marshall is a different story. Would they do it, no one knows except the decision makers at the Bengals office, and they seem to not be too picky over there so it's a possibility.

[Twoo]

The Bengals won't go after Marshall. It's all speculation and they aren't in the position to be signing players to massive contracts when they have financial problems how it is.

Realistically- they'll sign A.Bryant or TO.

If they don't sign TO... expect the man-child (Chad) to throw a hissy fit.

[Jamal]

Everyone thinks Palmer isn't the same?? Guys, hes coming back from a huge injury. It usually takes a year for players to get back in form from such injuries, and guess what? Its been a year.

He always seems to have his best games against us, even last year when he wasn't the same. With the addition of Bryant or maybe Marshall, he'd be extremely dangerous. Especially against us.

I don't mean to sound like a Bengals cheerleader, but the amount of disrespect for a team that killed us last year is just hilarious.

[lowrider]

[quote name='beasy2487' date='08 March 2010 - 03:00 PM' timestamp='1268078448' post='372736']

Browns fans: Can I has Troy Smith?! I trade... Holmgren's mustache! (@_@) (P.S.- Anyone notice that Mangini is just Holmgren without the 'stache? I think Mangini is secretly Holmgren's son lol... or worse, human cloning is already in full effect hahaha)

[/quote]
Hilarious post.

Unless the Steelers get a better o line and can run the ball better in short yardage situations, then I really think that the Ravens are going to surpass them as the best team in the AFC north. But the Steelers are still going to be a tough team to beat. Just because we have Boldin doesn't mean we are going to blow them out by 25 points. But realistically, when we come to the end of the game now we don't have to hope and pray as much. Boldin can and will come in the clutch for us next year.

Let's be realistic with the Bengals, they are doing what the Cowboys did a few years ago. Get as many talented players no matter how bad they are for the team chemistry and hope it works out. Well it doesn't work out. So the Bengals are going to implode next year, just my opinion.

The Browns will be contenders in a few years. They need a qb though. Wallace isn't going to be their savior

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='1/28/01' date='09 March 2010 - 12:16 AM' timestamp='1268108172' post='373141']
Its a business...certain players hit free agency every year.

Your statement "I haven't heard any reports of teams interested in them, so we need sign them back" makes no sense at all. It actually means the complete opposite. The longer they sit as free agents, less they will demand in $$$.

Again, the NFL is a business!!
[/quote]
That really didn't answer my question. I mean I get that it's a business, and I get that certain people hit the market every offseason. That's simple to understand, but I just don't see any reason to not bring most of these RFAs back. You saw what most of them did for us last season, and they will only get better. With that said, I'm just wondering what the good is in keeping them on the market if no one seems to want them.

[thewarden86]

Why does everyone think the Bengals are going to be challengers this year? Because they had their one year spike last year?

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='thewarden86' date='09 March 2010 - 05:54 PM' timestamp='1268171656' post='373500']
Why does everyone think the Bengals are going to be challengers this year? Because they had their one year spike last year?
[/quote]
I agree with you. And even though I'm not a Steelers fan either, I think both our teams are gonna make Cincy pay a heavy price for sweeping us last year.