With free agency teams are changing and i understand that. this post is for what i think the team needs are now and what positions i think they need to focus on in FA and the draft
Browns: this team has alot to focus on. they need to settle on a qb, find defensive players to fit their scheme, and need to find some stickum for Edwards
Linebackers: in a 3-4 scheme u need LB's that have different skill sets and the browns dont have them. Kamerion Wimbley is a beast but might not fit right in a 3-4. they need outside rushers evident by only getting 17 sacks last year. doing this will help their secondary alot also.
Wide Receiver: Braylon Edwards hands where a joke last year and Stallworth is always a foot step away from getting hurt so this an area that needs looked at. Recent draft pics like Steptoe and Wilson havent panned out. either trading for Torry Holt or drafting someone like Crabtree, Maclin, or Kenny Britt is an option.
Running Back: Jamal Lewis isnt getting any younger and the miles are catching up to him. the options behind him dont look promising either. while Harrison and Wright are good 3rd down backs neither has proven they can be a complimentary back to Lewis. McAllister would be a decent fill in option till they find someone younger and more durable.
Bengals: This is a team thats in disarray. It lacks an identity as to what they want. they have skill players that cant shine. they where also hurt by the injury to Palmer last year.
D-line: this as a group underachieved as a group not being able to stop the run or put a decent pash rush on anyone. The Odom signing last year was a bust because of injurys and he never proved he was an every down DE. on the inside they have some talent in Pat Sims but not much else.
Running back: Raise ur hand if u think Benson is the answer?? didnt think so, and other than management nobody else does either. while he can be a good complementary back hes not good enough to carry a real load. Chris Perry cant stay healthy and i expect him to be released if he hasnt already. without alot of options in FA i expect them to pick someone like Cedric Peerman or Glen Coffee in the mid rounds of the draft.
Center: on any team its important to have a good center, but in a division that everyone runs a 3-4 scheme its compounded. the bengals dont have anyone who can effectively line up against the likes of Casey Hampton and Kelly Gregg. Resigning Eric Gihiaciuc would be a good start, but they need to be looking for an upgrade soon.
QB: i know Palmer's not old and has many good years left but they need to find someone who can come in and win a few games. Carsons brother i know is on the team and has some upside but hes not ready so bringing in a vet would really help and im not talking about J.T. "INT" O'Sullivan either lol
Ravens: This is a team who doesnt have alot of holes and generally knows how to fill the ones they do have. they do have weakness though
Cornerback: the pass-rush they put on teams covers up their weak corners, but as shown this year they are getting old at the position. Rolle was good in the day but now his legs cant keep up. Frank Walker is a decent slot corner but cant be expected to be a starter for long stretches. they dumped McAllister so new talent is needed. They missed out on McFadden of the steelers, but may look to Ken Lucas who was recently let go. drafting in this area is a must.
Linebackers: their starting 4 was one of the most dominate the last few years, but this year FA took its toll. Resigning Lewis is plus but hes going to be 34 soon so finding a replacement needs to be in there mind. the loss of Scott will hurt. they could opt to sign a bargain bin FA like Clark Hagans who use to play in a 3-4 or they could plug in a draft pick and let him learn the ropes from Lewis.
Wide Receiver: the Ravens have gotten by with what they have, but its time to upgrade. Mason cant play forever and isnt a deep threat that they need. Clayton is good in spurts but hasnt proven to be a #1 option. it seems like every year they draft someone but they never pan out. in FA options seem limited unless they want a someone like Drew Bennett or Hank Baskett who i thought was well underated in Philly.
Steelers: the defending SB winners need to address a few areas. they got by with a sub standard O-line play and have been hit by the usual FA exudes that kills SB teams.
O-line: In general this area didnt play up to the normal standard that it usually does. Not all the blame can be put them. Big Ben holds on to the ball longer than most qb's would dream of but he makes plays so the team deals with it. Not sure why but the org. went out and resigned most of the players. with this draft is deep with O-lineman the steelers should use some picks and trade up and nab one, if not take someone like Alex Mack or Duke Robinson later on.
D-line: Casey Hampton has been a man among boys at NT but he could be wearing down and the rest of the line is all above 30. finding replacements for Smith and Keisel wont be easy cause of the scheme they run but they need to start finding guys soon before its to late.
Cornerback: Loosing McFadden hurts. he was a up and comer who was going to be a starter either this year or next. right now Ike "stonehands" Taylor is a good starter but the second spot is up for grabs. as much as i like Townsan hes more of a slot corner and Gay is still a year or 2 away. a Darious Butler or Sean Smith in the 2nd rnd would be nice.
WR: as of right now the starters are Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. that combo isnt bad. the back-ups need help. with Washington leaving to the Titans theres a big hole for a deep threat. While people forget Limas Sweed was a rookie and did have some big drops hes learning and i expect him to take over for Hines in a few years. after him theirs only Dallas Baker who the coaches like but not real sure how good he is. there is talk of bringing in Joey Galloway which i think would be a good option untill a younger guys are ready to step up. In the middle rnds i could see the steelers drafting someone like Derek Williams, Louis Murphy, or a flyer on Pat White.


Esti Ginzberg
Kayla Oberg



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The Ravens, Browns, and Bengals are just trying to gear up to beat the Steelers. Once that occurs they'll have to gear up to beat the rest of the AFC to get to Super Bowl. I'm not sure they have the horsepower to do yet.
atoasted1
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from one steeler fan to another i totally agree with u atoasted1 they have to knock us off the top and nobody other than the ravens are close
track_head09
Union City , PA
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