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

Posted On: 8/31/06
Written By:  
Eric Buckner
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
20-17 (W)
2-1
August 31
Chicago
 
 
 
 
·        For the third straight game, the Browns No. 1 defense excelled against the run. While playing three quarters they gave up just 47 yards in 13 carries – or an average of just 2.6 yards per attempt. This is a far cry from what happened in 2005, when teams averaged 4.2 yards per try against the Browns in the regular season, ranking them 30th of 32 clubs in the NFL. From 1999 through 2004, they ranked, in order, 31st (last), 29th, 29th, 27th, 23rd and 32nd. 
 
·        Former Ravens draft choice, and “preseason hero” Derek Anderson is making a very serious run at the #2 QB job in Cleveland. He is currently locked in a battle with former 49er Ken Dorsey. For the second straight preseason game, Anderson directed a late drive to get the Browns a victory, this time a 20-17 decision over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night. “Anderson did a nice job last week and a nice job this week,” Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said. Nice enough to change the depth chart? We’ll see.
 
·        For the 3rd straight week, ITH is receiving positive news on the potential steal of this year’s draft, RB Jerome Harrison. In the victory over the Bills, Harrison had 9 carries for 70 yards, including 38 in the game winning drive; and may be emerging as the Browns’ #2 RB.
 
·        The Ravens aren’t the only team concerned about offensive line play. The Browns first unit played out of sync, rarely allowing QB Charlie Frye comfort in the pocket. The unit was only able to produce 49 rushing yards and gave up 2 sacks.
 
·        Starting RB Reuben Droughns was anything, but impressive against the Bills. After 2 solid weeks Droughns looked very sluggish and only managed a long run of 4 yards on the night. This could simply be  a case of possible camp legs, but Droughns is essential to the success of the offense and if he isn't having success it will place more pressure on Charlie Frye and the passing game.  
 
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
48-17 (W)
3-0
September 1
@Indianapolis
 
 
 
·        "Peaches and cream."  Those were the words WR TJ Houshmandzadeh used to describe how things will be after Carson Palmer’s preseason debut following his knee injury from last year’s playoffs. Palmer’s favorite target last night caught 5 passes for 96 yards and a TD.
 
·        The Bengals rolled to their 3rd straight preseason win over the Packers on Monday Night Football. The game lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes thanks to a lightning delay. The game was attended by the largest preseason crowd ever to witness a Bengals home contest, 65,614.
 
·        New additions Dexter Jackson and Sam Adams made themselves at home at safety and defensive tackle, respectively. For the second straight game, Jackson scored on the game’s first series (a 29-yard fumble return) and Adams’s debut helped the Bengals hold the Packers to less than three yards per their 36 rushes while the first defense played much of the first half.
 
·        Starting strong-side linebacker David Pollack continues to struggle with the hamstring injury that took him out of the first two games and it appeared he didn’t return after just a couple of snaps in the second series.
 
·        Even though the preseason games don’t count in the standings, it appears that the off-season questions regarding the team’s chemistry and off-the-field issues have been answered emphatically on the field. The offense is rolling up yards and scoring in bunches and the defense has been very impressive, except for the Buffalo game. If the Bengals are able to get off to a fast start with a difficult opening schedule, they may not look back.
 
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
16-7 (L)
0-3
August 31
Carolina
 
 
 
·        The Steelers lost their third straight preseason outing and the lack of a running game is causing some concern for the defending Super Bowl champs. In the loss to the Eagles, Willie Parker carried 3 times for 13 yards, Duce Staley had 11 carries for 21 yards, and Verron Haynes totaled 5 carries for 15 yards. "It's not just the backs. That's an easy way to say it," said head coach Bill Cowher of the running game. "The running game is about everything. You have to make cuts, but you can't allow penetration. I am not so sure what chances those backs had. It's the little things, a guy here and a guy there. It's something that has not come together as quickly as I would have liked at this point."
 
·        Ben Roethlisberger started at quarterback and played in just two offensive series, completing nine of 14 passes for 52 yards.
 
·        Hines Ward has missed the Steelers preseason games as a result of a hamstring injury. Ward had also missed two weeks of practice and was targeting the Eagles game for his return. 
 
·        Charlie Batch completed 10 of 15 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.
 
·        The defense played well overall, and once again rookie safety Anthony Smith (a player that Eric DeCosta coveted) was noticed on the field. Against the Eagles, Smith delivered a bone-jarring hit on punt returner J. R. Reed. "I think he has the ability to be a good football player," said head coach Bill Cowher. "I really do. He's getting better every day."
 
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
30-7 (L)
1-2
August 31
@Washington
 
 
 
·        The first string offense failed to move into the red zone against the Vikings. ITH is a big believer in the “can’t run, can’t win” philosophy. Mike Anderson and Musa Smith combined for 18 yards on 11 carries. A very big reason for the lack of production was the inability of the interior offensive line to control Vikings DT Pat Williams. The 6-3 317 pound Williams was able to penetrate the backfield with little difficulty causing disruption to the running game.
 
·        Many football experts have debated how much of a difference QB Steve McNair will make to the Ravens in 2006. Some feel that he makes the team an instant playoff contender, while others feel that he will make a quick trip to the IR list with a weak and aging O-line in front of him. Bettors in Las Vegas seem to be siding with the former, as the recent movement in the betting odds to win the AFC would indicate:
                                         
                  Odds to win the AFC Championship – Luxor Race & Sports Book:
 
Team
Odds as of 2/6/06
Odds as of 8/22/06
Cincinnati
10:1
6:1
Cleveland
25:1
22:1
Pittsburgh
4:1
4:1
Baltimore
20:1
8:1
                                               
·        Kyle Boller throwing the lob passes to Clarence Moore worked like a charm against the Vikings. If memory serves me, the last time that combination clicked was in New York against the Jets on 11/14/2004, the last Ravens road victory. If only they could have played the whole game against the Vikings, maybe we would have w….., nah!
 
·        A couple of questions for Coach Fassel: We ran a beautiful screen pass against the Eagles; will we see that play again this year? What happened to the WR reverse? We used to run it with Travis Taylor; couldn’t Mark Clayton execute it effectively? If we want to win on the road, we need to play with more imaginative play calling. 
 
·        Here’s a suggestion for Coach Billick. Don’t do the traditional one series for the starters against the Redskins on Thursday night, especially on offense. Todd Heap stated that the first unit needs the work, so how about letting them play the entire first half? Tampa Bay is next, and it counts for real on 9/10, and they were the league’s #1 defense in 2005.  You do the math!

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Posted On: 8/31/06
Written By:  
Eric Buckner

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