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Bigdleech said 06/23, 06:25 PM
I feel that the biggest determining factor for who wins the division is the Steelers o-line. If it can hold up well and improve over last season, then the Steelers should be able to win the division. If it falls apart, the Browns could very well take the division.

Let's look at the advantages for the Steelers here. They have a much better defense, and one of the best in the league. Big Ben and his very good receiving corp should be able to do nasty things to that Browns defensive backfield. The Steelers have a better set of backs, a better quarterback, and a better set of receivers beyond number one. The only distinct advantage that the Browns have is up front.

The line, even with the loss of Faneca, should at least be a little better. There are a lot of young players on the line who might have just needed to gain some experience, and they had plenty of injuries on the line last season.

In fact, the Browns were only that close last year because of the problems the Steelers line had. Without the line falling apart, the running game would have improved, and they probably would have beaten the Jets.

The Steelers own the Browns, so you can't expect them to split this year.

Bigdleech said 06/24, 01:51 PM
The Steelers will actually be much improved. Faneca didn't seem to care last year, and the line was only that bad because it was being destroyed by injuries and Mahan.

Jamal Lewis is not a better running back than Parker, he just had a healthy line blocking for him all the time. Lewis had more touchdowns because he is a short-yardage back. That is the reason Mendenhall was brought in, and he will not replace a weapon like Parker.

My Jets comment was about the sacks, but I can see where my wording could have confused you. And Ben is one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the game.

They were not that close to splitting last year. The only reason they were even in the second game was because the Steelers special teams fell apart. As somebody who actually watched and cared about the game, I remember the Browns offense looking terrible against one of the best defenses in the game. Had the special teams played better, it probably would have been a shut out.

If the Browns do manage to beat the Bills and Broncos, both teams that could surprise people, and the Steelers lose their two, then all the Steelers would have to do would be to sweep the Browns for a sixth straight year.

Bigdleech said 06/24, 09:15 PM
As Cooz points out, ypc isn't a great indicator of who the best backs are. A lot of that depends on lines, which we agree that Cleveland has the best in the division. Parker is clearly one of the top five most talented backs in the game, which Lewis hasn't been in three or four years.

Maybe the second game wouldn't have been a shutout, but they would have score, what, seven points? Josh Cribbs was the only reason they were in that game, and an elite team should never have to rely on their kick/punt returner. Anderson's quick passes that we supposedly couldn't get were mostly incomplete. He was 16-35 that game. Ben had 79 more yards passing than the Browns had in total offense, along with Parker gaining 105. So that game should not have been close at all.

Why are they more evenly matched this year? Shaun Rogers may help, but the defensive backfield is still easily the worst in the league. Donte Stallworth is an average number two receiver these days. If he was at all above average, then why would three teams, with two desperately in need of receivers at the time, cut him year after year? The Steelers will have more firepower this season, and Justin Hartwig is an improvement.