NFL NEWS

AFC North Preview: Bengals best of rugged bunch

The Sports Xchange

July 22, 2014 at 12:28 pm.

A.J. Green (18) and Marvin Jones (82) are two dynamic options in the Bengals receiving corps. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

Rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel may be causing commotion selling jerseys, but The Sports Xchange isn’t buying into his Cleveland Browns, picked to repeat in last place of the AFC North.

That other Ohio team in Cincinnati is the choice here to out-battle the Pittsburgh Steelers for the division title ahead of the Baltimore Ravens.

Here is a closer look at NFC North teams as training camp begins:

CAMP PREVIEW: Baltimore Ravens

–TSX Predicts: 3rd in AFC North

–2013: 8-8, Tied for 2nd in AFC North

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report):Under Armour Performance Center, Owings Mills, Md., 7/16, 7/23

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .479 (T17/32); non-division .450 (T28/32); overall .461 (28/32).

–Primetime Games: 3 (1 Thursday, 1 Sunday Night, 1 Monday)

–STRENGTH: Outside linebacker. With bookend Pro Bowl outside linebackers in Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, this is obviously a strong part of the team. They combined for 19.5 sacks last season. Healthy this season, both Suggs and Dumervil appear ready for bigger things this season.

–WEAKNESS: Offensive tackle. Right offensive tackle is an unproven spot where 2013 fifth-round draft pick Rick Wagner is currently the starter. He is competing with Ryan Jensen for the starting job.

Wagner struggled in limited action last season and allowed three sacks to Denver Broncos outside linebacker Shaun Phillips in his first NFL game. If Wagner proves he’s capable of holding down the position, the Ravens won’t have to seek a veteran blocker to upgrade the position or shift Kelechi Osemele from left guard.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–LB C.J. Mosley (1/17): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–DT Timmy Jernigan (2/48): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–S Terrence Brooks (3/79): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–TE Crockett Gillmore (3/99): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Brent Urban (4/134): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (4/138): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–C/G John Urschel (5/175): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–QB Keith Wenning (6/194): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Michael Campanaro (7/218): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–NT Terrence Cody: UFA; $730,000/1 yr.

–WR Jacoby Jones: UFA; $14M/4 yrs, $4.5M SB.

–T Eugene Monroe: UFA; $37.5M/5 yrs, $19M guaranteed.

–TE Dennis Pitta: Potential UFA; $32M/5 yrs, $16M guaranteed.

–LB Daryl Smith: UFA; $16.1M/4 yrs.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–TE Owen Daniels: FA Texans; $1M/1 yr.

–RB Justin Forsett: FA Jaguars; $730,000/1 yr.

–G Will Rackley: FA Jaguars; terms unknown.

–CB Aaron Ross: Not tendered as UFA by Giants; terms unknown.

–WR Steve Smith: FA Panthers; $10.5M/3 yrs, $3.5M SB.

–S Darian Stewart: UFA Rams; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–C/G Jeremy Zuttah (trade Buccaneers).

PLAYERS LOST

–TE Dallas Clark: Not tendered as UFA/retired.

–TE Ed Dickson: UFA Panthers; $795,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB.

–CB Corey Graham: UFA Bills; $16M/4 yrs.

–S James Ihedigbo: UFA Lions; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Arthur Jones: UFA Colts; $33M/5 yrs, $5.5M SB/$16M guaranteed.

–FB Vonta Leach (released).

–LB Jameel McClain (released).

–OT Michael Oher: UFA Titans; $20M/4 yrs, $4M SB/$9.35M guaranteed.

CAMP PREVIW: Cincinnati Bengals

–TSX Predicts: 1st in AFC North

–2013: 111-5, 1st in AFC North

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio, 7/21, 7/23

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .417 (T25/32); non-division .500 (T16/32); overall .469 (T23/32).

—Primetime Games: 3 (1 Thursday, 1 Sunday Night, 1 Monday)

–STRENGTH: Coordinator Hue Jackson and the offense. The players have responded to the new energy in the offensive room as Jackson replaced Jay Gruden, now the head coach in Washington.

Players are energized and the numbers of Jackson’s success running the offense in Oakland (top 10 both years he was on staff) back up his attitude.

The offense needed an identity and mentality to stand behind and the physicality of the running game has the linemen smiling and Giovani Bernard featured. Both of those are great for the hopes of the Bengals.

–WEAKNESS: Tight end. At this point last year, tight end was supposed to be the game-changing strength of the team with Jermaine Gresham coming off his second straight Pro Bowl and a first-round pick dedicated to Tyler Eifert.

The two-tight end set was expected to power the offense to the next level. Both played well and combined for 85 receptions, but two injuries forced them out of the offseason program. Expectations are both will be healthy for training camp, but lingering injuries cause concern.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–CB Darqueze Dennard (1/24): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–RB Jeremy Hill (2/55): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Will Clarke (3/88): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–C Russell Bodine (4/111): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–QB A.J. McCarron (5/164): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Marquis Flowers (6/212): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR James Wright (7/239): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Lavelle Westbrooks (7/252): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–S Taylor Mays: UFA; terms unknown.

–G Mike Pollak: Potential UFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR/KR Brandon Tate: Potential UFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–QB Jason Campbell: FA Browns; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–S Danieal Manning: FA Texans; terms unknown.

–OT Marshall Newhouse: UFA Packers; terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

–T Anthony Collins: UFA Buccaneers; $30M/5 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

–C Kyle Cook (released).

–CB Brandon Ghee: UFA Chargers; $1.65M/2 yrs.

–LB James Harrison (released).

–WR Andrew Hawkins: RFA Browns (tendered at $1.431M with no compensation); Bengals didn’t match offer of $13.6M/4 yrs.

–QB Josh Johnson (released).

–DE Michael Johnson: UFA Buccaneers; $43.75M/5 yrs, $16M guaranteed.

CAMP PREVIEW: Cleveland Browns

–TSX Predicts: 4th in AFC North

–2013: 4-12, 4th in AFC North

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): Cleveland Browns Training Facility, Berea, Ohio, 7/23, 7/25

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .563 (T8/32); non-division .406 (32/32); overall .465 (T26/32).

–Primetime Games: 1 (1 Thursday)

–STRENGTH: Defense. Coach Mike Pettine, as a former defensive coordinator, is trying to model his team after the Seahawks and 49ers. He is expecting the defense to carry the load this season, particularly the pass rushing linebackers — Paul Kruger, Barkevious Mingo and Jabaal Sheard, who at times will line up as an end.

Sheard led the Browns in sacks each of his first three years in the league. He is excited about the season ahead because he is playing the role of Mario Williams of the Buffalo Bills. Pettine was the Bills defensive coordinator last year.

–WEAKNESS: Wide receiver. Josh Gordon’s season is up in the despite reports that his latest July 4 holiday DUI arrest may have charges reduced based on blood alcohol being .09 against legal limit of .08. But he will surely be suspended for multiple offenses, it is just a matter of how long he will be absent. League is expected to rule within two weeks on issues for reportedly testing positive for marijuana as well as the DUI. Gordon caught 87 passes last year and led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards last year.

Davone Bess (42 catches) and Greg Little (41) were cut in the offseason. They were the top three pass-catchers among Browns wide receivers in 2013. What is left are these candidates: Miles Austin, Nate Burleson, Andrew Hawkins and Anthony Armstrong. The problem is those four players caught a combined 75 passes last year; Armstrong, 31 years old, was out of football. Austin caught 24 passes and Hawkins only 12.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
UNSIGNED DRAFT CHOICES (RD/Overall PICK)

–CB Justin Gilbert (1/8).
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–QB Johnny Manziel (1/22): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–G Joel Bitonio (2/35): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Christian Kirksey (3/71): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–RB Terrance West (3/94): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Pierre Desir (4/127): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–K Billy Cundiff: Potential UFA; $1.02M/1 yr.

–C Alex Mack: Transition FA (Browns matched Jaguars offer); $42M/5 yrs, $26M guaranteed.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–WR Anthony Armstrong: FA; terms unknown.

–WR Miles Austin: FA Cowboys; terms unknown.

–CB Aaron Berry: UFA Jets; terms unknown.

–WR Nate Burleson: FA Lions; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–LB Karlos Dansby: UFA Cardinals; $24M/4 yrs, $14M guaranteed.

–TE Jim Dray: UFA Cardinals; $5.625M/3 yrs, $2.25M guaranteed.

–WR Andrew Hawkins: RFA Bengals (tendered at $1.431M with no compensation); Bengals didn’t match offer of $13.6M/4 yrs.

–T/G Paul McQuistan: UFA Seahawks; $3M/2 yrs, $750,000 guaranteed.

–RB Ben Tate: UFA Texans; $4.7M/2 yrs, $1.5M SB/$2.5M guaranteed ($1.5M total potential per-game RB).

–S Donte Whitner: UFA 49ers; $28M/4 yrs, $13M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST

–WR Davone Bess (released).

–QB Jason Campbell (released).

–LB Quentin Groves (released).

–LB D’Qwell Jackson (released).

–G Shawn Lauvao: UFA Redskins; $17M/4 yrs.

–RB Willis McGahee (not tendered as UFA).

–S T.J. Ward: UFA Broncos; $22.5M/4 yrs, $14M guaranteed.

–QB Brandon Weeden (released).

CAMP PREVIEW: Pittsburgh Steelers

–TSX Predicts: 2nd in AFC North

–2013: 8-8, tied for 2nd in AFC North

–Training Camp Dates (rookies, vets report): Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., 7/25, 7/25

–2014 Opponents Win Percentage in 2013: Division .479 (T17/32); non-division .463 (27/32); overall .469 (T23/32).
Primetime Games: 5 (1 Thursday, 2 Sunday Night, 2 Monday)

–STRENGTH: Quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger is coming off one of his best seasons. He passed for 4,261 yards and 28 touchdowns, and was most productive down the stretch when the coaches committed to the no-huddle offense. Expect similar or better production this season if the no-huddle is implemented from the start.

The Steelers have leaned on Roethlisberger and the passing game for the last few years because the running game stalled. New line coach Mike Munchak was hired to fix the problems in the running game. If he does, Roethlisberger can have an even better 2014 because the play-action threat would return.

–WEAKNESS: Cornerback. The Steelers’ issues at cornerback were hidden for years because of a strong pass rush. The lack of a pass rush the past few years has exposed their corners.

Ike Taylor had his worst season in 2013 and he is not likely to improve at age 34. Cortez Allen did just OK as the other starter. William Gay, the nickel back who returned after a brief stay with Arizona, probably played the best of the group last season.

Pittsburgh did little to help the position, signing 5-foot-9 Brice McCain after he was cut by the Texans and drafting Shaquille Richardson in the fifth round.

KEY PERSONNEL MOVES
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED (RD/OVERALL PICK)

–LB Ryan Shazier (1/15): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Stephon Tuitt (2/46): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–RB/WR Dri Archer (3/97): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–WR Martavis Bryant (4/118): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–CB Shaquille Richardson (5/157): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–T/G Wesley Johnson (5/173): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–LB Jordan Zumwalt (6/192): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–NT Daniel McCullers (6/215): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

–TE Rob Blanchflower (7/230): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

–S Will Allen: Potential UFA; terms unknown.

–LS Greg Warren: UFA; terms unknown.

–LB Jason Worilds: Transition FA; $9.754M/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED

–RB LeGarrette Blount: UFA Patriots; $3.85M/2 yrs, $950,000 SB.

–WR Darrius Heyward-Bey: UFA Colts; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–S Mike Mitchell: UFA Panthers; terms unknown.

–WR Lance Moore: FA Saints; $3M/2 yrs.

–P Adam Podlesh: FA Bears; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–DT Cam Thomas: UFA Chargers; $4M/2 yrs, $1M SB.
PLAYERS LOST

–S Ryan Clark: UFA Redskins; 1 yr, terms unknown.

–WR Jerricho Cotchery: UFA Panthers; 2 yrs, $2.25M SB.

–RB Jonathan Dwyer: UFA Cardinals; $795,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB.

–LB Larry Foote (released).

–DE Ziggy Hood: UFA Jaguars; terms unknown.

–TE David Johnson: UFA Chargers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

–DE Brett Keisel (not tendered as UFA).

–WR Emmanuel Sanders: UFA Broncos; $15M/3 yrs, $6M guaranteed.

–LB LaMarr Woodley (released/post-June 1 designation)

— TSX’s network of NFL team writers contributed to this report.

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