2012 AFC North Preview

Welcome back fellow reader. We are nearing the end. Here's the 2012 AFC North preview.

Not coming to an affordable store near you.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (6th season w/ Steelers; 6 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Ben “Psychological?” Roethlisberger (21 TD, 14 INT, 4077 YDS, 63.2 Cmp%)

Running Back: Isaac Redman (479 YDS, 3 TD); don’t count on Rashard Mendenhall

Wide Receiver: Mike “Holdout” Wallace (72 Rec, 1193 YDS, 8 TD); Antonio Brown (69 Rec, 1108 YDS, 2 TD)

Tight End: Heath Miller (51 Rec, 631 YDS, 2 TD)

Defensive Player: Troy Polamalu (SS; 91 TCK, 2 SCK, 1 INT, 1 TD)

Rookie to Watch: David DeCastro (G, Stanford) - Immediately starting on the right side, DeCastro will have to keep Big Ben upright and provide running lanes for his running backs, which won’t be a problem.

Here we go. Are the Steelers going to the Super Bowl? It’s possible, but there are questions: 1. How do the Steelers approach the season with Rashard Mendenhall potentially out for the season? 2. Will Mike Wallace report to camp? 3. Will new offensive coordinator Todd Haley fit in with Big Ben and the offense? 4. Will Big Ben’s rotator cuff hold up throughout the season? 5. Will Hienz Ward dance in the new Batman movie? Overall, the Steelers will be the Steelers and make the playoffs yet again. And if you forgot their team colors, this song should pound that into your skull.

2. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

Head Coach: John “Enthusiasm” Harbaugh (5th season w/ Ravens; 5 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Joe Flacco (20 TD, 12 INT, 3610 YDS, 57.6 Cmp%)

Running Back: Ray “Wild” Rice (1364 YDS, 12 TD; 76 Rec, 704 YDS, 3 TD)

Wide Receiver: Anquan Boldin (57 Rec, 887 YDS, 3 TD); Torrey Smith (50 Rec, 841 YDS, 7 TD); Jacoby Jones (31 Rec, 512 YDS, 2 TD)

Tight End: Ed Dickson (54 Rec, 528 YDS, 5 TD); Dennis Pitta (40 Rec, 405 YDS, 3 TD)

Defensive Player: Ray “Crime” Lewis (LB; 95 TCK, 2 SCK; 1 INT)

Rookie to Watch: Courtney Upshaw (OLB, Alabama) - Projected to start at LOLB, his rush should make ROLB Paul Kruger’s life easier; ditto for Ray Lewis and John Jameel McClain.

Poor Ravens. So close yet so far. It doesn’t help that this team is in now a competitive division with the Steelers and the Bengals. Joe Flacco statistically went backwards last season (Cmp %, TD passes, and QB rating went down), but he has the leadership qualities and enough talent to lead a team to a Super Bowl, including this season. Ray Rice will again be the workhorse on offense and, in my opinion, is the top fantasy running back this season. The Ravens defense is aging, but should still be a force.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

Head Coach: Marvin Lewis (10th season w/ Bengals; 10 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Andy Dalton (20 TD, 13 INT, 3398 YDS, 58.1 Cmp%)

Running Back: BenJarvus Green-Ellis (667 YDS, 11 TD); Bernard Scott (380 YDS, 3 TD)

Wide Receiver: A.J. Green (65 Rec, 1057 YDS, 7 TD); Armon Binns (0 Rec, 0 YDS, 0 TD); Mohamed Sanu (R)

Tight End: Jermaine Gresham (56 Rec, 596 YDS, 6 TD)

Defensive Player: Geno Atkins (DT; 8 SCK, 2 FUMR, 1 TD)

Rookie to Watch: Dre Kirkpatrick (CB, Alabama) - If he can translate his shut-down style to the pros, Kirkpatrick won’t see too many passes thrown his way.

I think we’re done with the Bungals for awhile. If team owner Mike Brown wasn’t such a cheapass, this team would be viewed with a little more respect by players and fans. The QB-WR duo of Dalton and Green should make the team viable for years to come, but the dreaded sophomore slump could be ahead (and yes, I find it ironic that the Browns provided the previous link). With RB Cedric Benson gone, the running game will be mediocre. Lastly, how in the hell has Marvin Lewis been coaching the Bengals for so long?

4. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Head Coach: Pat Shurmur (2nd season w/ Browns; 2 years total exp.)

Quarterback: Brandon Weeden (R); Colt McCoy (14 TD, 11 INT, 2733 YDS, 57.2 Cmp%)

Running Back: Trent “Broke Down?” Richardson (R)

Wide Receiver: Greg Little (61 Rec, 709 YDS, 2 TD); Mohamed Massaquoi (31 Rec, 384 YDS, 2 TD); Joshua Cribbs (41 Rec, 518 YDS, 4 TD)

Tight End: Benjamin Watson (37 Rec, 410 YDS, 2 TD)

Defensive Player: Jabaal Sheard (8.5 SCK, 55 TCK)

Rookie to Watch: Trent Richardson (RB, Alabama) - If the Browns want any hope this season of being a football team, Richardson will have to carry the load.

Yup, this was the Browns' old mascot. Yikes.

Let me first state that if the Cleveland Browns sold for $1 billion, then just imagine if the team was located in a more geographically, friendly, and warmer better area (except Jacksonville... I wonder if Maurice Jones-Drew is researching real estate in LA). With the sale, rumors are swirling that Weeden, Richardson, and Shurmur are on the hot seat. The Browns are in the running for the 1st overall pick in the 2013 draft. And to conclude, here is a moment in Cleveland Browns history.

Last up: AFC South, which will be up today!