AFC North Preview

Baltimore Ravens
Ravens coach Brian Billick is so disarmingly arrogant that he once scolded the national media at the Super Bowl for doing their jobs (reporting that Ray Lewis was on trial in a double-murder case). But has anyone noticed that he has won zero playoff games since that championship after the 2000 season?

The chief problem this year is that Baltimore is in the same division with the 15-1 Steelers and a Bengals team that might be the most improved in the NFL. But it's time to reverse those misfortunes, and Billick appears to have the team to do it. Consider: ¥ Running back Jamal Lewis has served his prison sentence for helping facilitate a drug deal, presumably improving his focus this season. ¥ Linebacker Ray Lewis is eager to prove to his critics that he is still a vicious force at the age of 30. ¥ Erratic young quarterback Kyle Boller can look to veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason and No. 1 pick Mark Clayton in a considerably upgraded passing game. And tight end Todd Heap is healthy. ¥ The secondary is nothing short of terrific with Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle, Ed Reed and Deion Sanders. ¥ Defensive end Terrell Suggs, a Pro Bowl linebacker last year, will provide a consistent pass rush. Somehow, Billick and Boller must make it all come together. Boller was a No. 1 draft pick in 2003, but he wasn't the Ravens' preferred choice. Billick's target that spring was former Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, who went to the Jaguars 12 picks earlier.

Boller needs to step up now that the team has spent money on Mason and a premium draft pick on Clayton. If not, maybe Billick will spin through his rolodex for Kordell Stewart's telephone number.

No, things never will get that bad in Baltimore.

Cincinnati Bengals
The AFC North coach with strong ties to Pittsburgh has only one goal this season.

"Our team president and I both have expectations, and they're as high as they can get. We want to be Super Bowl champions," he said.

Where's the news value in that statement? Someone tell Bill Cowher to quit repeating himself.

Except, this time it wasn't Cowher. The words were spoken by Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, a Ft. Cherry High School graduate and former Pitt and Steelers assistant.

Lewis' intent is clear: The Bengals haven't had a winning season or made the playoffs since 1990, but they will settle for nothing short of a Super Bowl title.

An unattainable dream? This year, for sure, but the Bengals are building a team that should be competitive and dangerous in the AFC North for a long time.

Start with the offense that includes star quality players such as quarterback Carson Palmer, the first overall choice in the 2003 draft who is still three months shy of his 26th birthday; running back Rudi Johnson, who had a club-record 1,454 yards rushing before the age of 26; flashy wide receiver Chad Johnson, 27, and offensive left tackle Levi Jones, 26. Palmer, Johnson and Johnson are signed through at least 2008.

The situation looks so bright on offense that any contribution they get from rookie wide receiver Chris Henry, a third-round draft choice, would be a bonus.

Lewis' expertise is on defense, and he is building a strong, young team there, too. Rookie linebackers David Pollack and Odell Thurman, their first two picks this year, will contribute immediately. Linemen Justin Smith, Duane Clemons and John Thornton, veteran linebacker Brian Simmons and cornerback Tory James give the Bengals the guts of a solid defense.

The Bengals aren't going to the Super Bowl, but they will make enough big plays on both sides of the ball to challenge the Ravens and Steelers for the AFC North title.

Cleveland Browns
When your best veteran player on defense is lineman Orpheus Roye, you know the rebuilding process will be long and arduous.

Roye, a 10-year veteran who has flourished since leaving the Steelers in 2001, will anchor new coach Romeo Crennel's defense, but the supporting cast needs some work.

Crennel worked wonders under Bill Belichick in New England and will switch the Browns' D to a 3-4. The problem is that the Browns' young players will have trouble immediately learning its intricacies.

Look for Andra Davis to emerge as one of the AFC's best inside linebackers, but the rest of the defense is unknown and unproven.

The offense is interesting, starting with newly acquired quarterback Trent Dilfer, a veteran who doesn't make a lot of mistakes.

His top receivers could be better than almost any trio in the conference. First-round pick Braylon Edwards was heralded by some scouts as the best player coming out of college this year. Antonio Bryant may someday be as flamboyant as his personality suggests. And Dennis Northcutt is a former second-round pick with flashes of brilliance in his past.

The running back situation is so strong that Reuben Droughns, who gained 1,240 yards in Denver last season, might be No. 3 behind starter Lee Suggs and 2002 No. 1 pick William Green.

No matter how good the backs look, they can't do it alone and an almost annual problem spot for the Browns has been the offensive line. Crennel is rebuilding there, too.

Last place is the Browns' destiny in 2005, and future improvement depends on how well Crennel teaches his system and selects the right players to run it.