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In the Hood: The AFC North - NEWS, NOTES & ANECDOTES ON THE AFC NORTH

Posted On: 8/23/06
Written By:  
Eric Buckner
NEWS, NOTES & ANECDOTES ON THE AFC NORTH
Cleveland Browns
 
Date
Opponent
Outcome
Record
August 10
@Philadelphia
20-7 (L)
0-1
August 18
Detroit
20-16 (W)
1-1
August 26
@Buffalo
 
 
August 31
Chicago
 
 
 
The Browns seem to have difficulty doing things right these days. Needing help in the defensive backfield as a result of injuries to Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutcheon, the team worked out a trade with the New York Jets. In exchange for Lee Suggs (RB), the Browns were to receive third year NFL DB and former Oklahoma standout Derrick Strait. The deal was voided when Suggs’ physical wasn’t straight with the Jets’ doctors.
 
In just three weeks since the beginning of training camp, the Browns have unbelievably lost their 4th center. Alonzo Ephraim will be suspended by the NFL for 4 games due to a substance abuse violation. LeCharles Bentley was injured on the first day of camp, Bob Hallen left the team with back and personal problems, and Rob Smith rolled his ankle.
 
The Browns draft class came up big in the preseason victory against the Lions. 5th round selection Jerome Harrison rushed for 53 yards on 9 carries, caught 6 passes for 54 yards, and recorded his 2nd receiving TD in the preseason. 1st round pick Kamerion Wimbley picked up a key 5 yard sack and 2nd round pick D'Qwell Jackson (Maryland) had an interception and a forced fumble. Sixth round pick Babatunde Oshinowo had a key sack to preserve the victory as the Lions were driving for a potential game winning score.
 
Former Ravens punter Dave Zastudil is providing the consistency at the position that the Browns have been seeking for quite a few years. Former Ravens draft choice Derek Anderson is battling veteran Ken Dorsey for the #2 QB job. Both performed well in the preseason victory against the Lions and Romeo Crennel indicated that the job would be won by one of these two over the last two preseason games. 
 
Cincinnati Bengals
 
Date
Opponent
Outcome
Record
August 13
Washington
19-3 (W)
1-0
August 18
@Buffalo
44-31 (W)
2-0
August 28
Green Bay
 
 
September 1
@Indianapolis
 
 
 
One preseason game does not make for a turnaround, but after giving up just 1.3 yards per rush to the Redskins on Sunday night (a week ago) there was reason for optimism. The Redskins gained just 30 yards on 24 carries and the Bengals were credited with 7 tackles for a loss. This defensive performance was a welcomed about face after their melt down against the Bills.
 
Marvin Lewis has apparently softened his position on insisting that Carson Palmer plays in the upcoming preseason game with Buffalo, leaving that decision in Palmer’s hands. Lewis stated, “I can’t get into [Palmer’s] skin. He has to decide. The doctors say he’s ready to go [medically], it’s just when he feels like he’s ready to go, we unwrap him. It’s up to him.”  Pucker up Marv!
 
One month after being charged with resisting arrest, DT Matthias Askew has been waived by the Bengals. Askew is one of 5 Bengals to run afoul of the law, but the first to be released by the team. Police had to use a stun gun to subdue the 6-5, 302 lb. Askew when he was arrested.  That had to hurt!  No doubt Askew’s thoughts had to be on that now infamous Maurice Clarett bulletproof vest.
 
In the victory over Buffalo, the Bengals defense gave up 366 yards, as well as several long plays. 197 of the Bills 366 yards came on 5 plays.
 
#3 QB Doug Johnson had a very big 2nd half as he connected on 8 of 14 throws for 133 yards and a passer rating of 113 in generating 17 points. Is Anthony Wright hearing footsteps?
 
Pittsburgh Steelers
 
Date
Opponent
Outcome
Record
August 12
@Arizona
21-13 (L)
0-1
August 19
Minnesota
17-10 (L)
0-2
August 25
@Philadelphia
 
 
August 31
Carolina
 
 
 
 
 
Retired RB and Steelers great Jerome Bettis appears to enjoy stirring the pot in his new role as color analyst for NBC. “I really think this is the last year for Coach Cowher in Pittsburgh”, Bettis said. “I talked to him after the season was over and I really think he was really a different coach, a different guy.” Bill Cowher is unhappy with Bettis’s comments. “I talked to Jerome about it and I was very disappointed in what he said, and he understands my position”, Cowher said. The team made official what has seemed evident for weeks. They want to renew talks with Cowher at season’s end.
 
On a more positive note, Bill Cowher has been very upbeat about the play of rookie safety Anthony Smith (Syracuse). Smith intercepted Cardinal QB John Navarre twice and made a couple of tackles in the Steelers preseason opener. “He is the one kid I thought really showed up. Anthony Smith is a good football player. He’s a natural safety.”
 
The Pittsburgh Steelers are breathing easier today. It appears Ben Roethlisberger's thumb injury is not serious. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback missed the last few minutes of the 8/16 practice after hitting the thumb of his throwing hand on something, or getting it caught up in a jersey. Coach Bill Cowher says it's difficult to tell on video tape just how the injury occurred.
 
The Steelers have started off slowly in the preseason as they were defeated at home by the Minnesota Vikings. Bill Cowher summed up the lackluster play of the defending Super Bowl champions as follows: "I don't know if we made a stride. We might have taken a baby step tonight. We did some things better than the week before. We have a long way to go in a short period of time."
 
Ben Roethlisberger started despite an injured thumb. He played just one series completing 3 of 4 passes for 30 yards and a TD.
 
Baltimore Ravens
 
Date
Opponent
Outcome
Record
August 11
N.Y. Giants
17-16 (L)
0-1
August 17
Philadelphia
20-10 (W)
1-1
August 25
@Minnesota
 
 
August 31
@Washington
 
 
 
 
The Ravens did more good things than bad in their preseason victory against the Philadelphia Eagles. The first team offense played the entire first half and moved into the red zone 3 times. They only came away with 3 points for their efforts, however QB Steve McNair looked sharp again completing 14 of 18 passes, the offensive line protected him well except for late in the half on obvious passing situations, and the running game was productive.
 
The first play from scrimmage placed a sour taste in the mouths of the home crowd. Samari Rolle had perfect blanket coverage on the Eagle receiver, made a play on the ball, and was called for pass interference. That may have been the worst pass interference call of all time.  That is the second year in a row that the referees have made calls against the Ravens when hosting the Eagles during the preseason.  Remember that lateral last year?
 
The Ravens executed a magnificent screen pass early in the second half, which Musa Smith converted into a long gainer.  Thumbs up to Mike Flynn and the O-Line.  Flynn’s pancake block on an Eagles defender helped spring Smith for the long run after catch.
 
The night belonged to the back-up players who totally outplayed their counterparts from Philadelphia. Noteworthy performances on offense were provided courtesy of Kyle Boller, Musa Smith, and Devard Darling. Defensive standouts included Aubrayo Franklin, Justin Bannan, Dwan Edwards (who led the team with 6 tackles), and Evan Oglesby (1 interception and a beautiful textbook hit on a -would - be receiver, Greg Lewis).
 
Items of concern for the Ravens include the lackluster professional debut of Haloti Ngata (who admitted that he was surprised by the speed of the game) and the relatively stealth performances to date from free agent Trevor Pryce.  Overall, the defensive line looks to be improved over last year and they seem to be building towards a nice rotation that will keep the unit fresh in 2006.

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Posted On: 8/23/06
Written By:  
Eric Buckner

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