Around the AFC North Division, 3/15

Around the AFC North Division, 3/15
By Bob Labriola - Steelers Digest
Posted 10 hours ago

ITEM: Division rivals take an early hit

Within the first 24 hours after free agency opened, each of the Steelers’ AFC North Division rivals had lost players – in many cases, starting players – to other teams.

One of the strengths of the 2011 Cincinnati Bengals team that finished 9-7 and qualified for the playoffs as a Wild Card was the depth of the defensive line. Cincinnati was able to utilize any of eight defensive linemen in a rotation for a particular game, and that group – Domata Peko, Robert Geathers, Carlos Dunlap, Pat Sims, Geno Atkins, Jonathan Fanene, Frostee Rucker and Michael Johnson – was a key to a defense that finished No. 7 in the NFL in yards allowed and No. 9 in points allowed.

But alas, those eight have already dwindled to six. New England signed Fanene to a three-year contract, and the Browns pilfered Rucker from their in-state rivals.

The Baltimore Ravens defense lost a starter when Jarrett Johnson signed with the San Diego Chargers. Johnson, 30, had 56 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Ravens in 2011. In his nine seasons, all with the Ravens, Johnson had 20 sacks.

The Cleveland Browns lost Peyton Hillis to the Kansas City Chiefs, who reportedly signed the 26-year-old running back to a one-year contract worth $3 million. Hillis rushed for 1,177 yards with a 4.4 average and 11 touchdowns for the Browns in 2010 when Brian Daboll was the team’s offensive coordinator. Daboll now holds the same position for the Chiefs.


(Read More:) http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Around-the-AFC-North-Division-315/df6518df-1dce-47db-885d-2f28a74eebd8

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The Ravens have also lost DE Corey Redding to the Colts and OG Ben Grubbs to the Saints today. Ravens S Haruki Nakamura is also talking to other teams and is a possibility to leave.

Grubbs is the only loss thats upsetting. The O-line sucked when he was injured last year.

JonM229 wrote:

Grubbs is the only loss thats upsetting. The O-line sucked when he was injured last year.

Redding and Johnson both seemed like decent players too, I thought. I heard their names called a lot during games for making plays.

Ravens lost S Haruki Nakamura to the Panthers and Tom Zbikowski to the Colts today. Droppin' like flies in Baltimore.

Neither are as good as Reed (then or now) or Pollard

JonM229 wrote:

Neither are as good as Reed (then or now) or Pollard

Agreed, but Reed isn't getting any younger (or healthier) and you've lost some depth in the secondary as well as some solid special teamers.

The Special Teams coverage was pretty bad last year, not missing any of those guys.

JonM229 wrote:

The Special Teams coverage was pretty bad last year, not missing any of those guys.

You still need to worry about Lardarius Webb and Jameel McClain though.

Webb definitely needs an extension as does McClain. I'm not too big on McClain, but he's still the best option at ILB after Lewis. Webb was amazing last year.

JonM229 wrote:

Webb definitely needs an extension as does McClain. I'm not too big on McClain, but he's still the best option at ILB after Lewis. Webb was amazing last year.

Webb was pretty impressive in the playoffs. I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots try to snag him late in free agency. I have a feeling that they are laying in the weeds waiting to steal either him or Mike Wallace or both at the most opportune time.

With Jarret Johnson's departure, I think McClain is a must-keep at this point unless Ozzie has some plan in free agency. I wouldn't rely on a rookie draftee to start.

If Kindle had been what we expected and didn't bust his head open, the departure of Johnson wouldn't leave as big of a question mark. He was definitely underrated, but his play had been declining the past two seasons.

JonM229 wrote:

If Kindle had been what we expected and didn't bust his head open, the departure of Johnson wouldn't leave as big of a question mark. He was definitely underrated, but his play had been declining the past two seasons.

Is Paul Kruger an OLB? You still have him.

He's had his moments, but hasn't had enough playing time. If Kindle can start playing again, they'll probably be splitting time. It'll be interesting to see some of the younger guys taking over. I was a little upset when Redding went to Indy, but Pernell McPhee showed some flashes last year.