ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

Here is a look at the most interesting stories around the AFC North:

• The Baltimore Ravens are getting a lot of negative press for their plan to use a real Raven at M&T Bank Stadium during pregame ceremonies next season. Here is the man responsible for training the bird.

Walker's take: Baltimore better hope it chose the right trainer. If anything goes wrong, the Ravens (the team, not the bird) will get even more heat than they are receiving now.

• Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News says Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is not on the hot seat, but he should be.

Walker's take: When your career record is 42-38 AND you're head coach of the Bengals, I would say Lewis is getting a bad rap with all of this hot-seat talk. Obviously there is negativity in Cincinnati. But Lewis' career winning percentage (.525) is much better than Cleveland Browns counterpart Romeo Crennel's (.417), who is revered and well respected in Ohio. Sometimes perception gets in the way of the facts.

• John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review went to Orlando, Fla., to talk to four Steelers who are working out before training camp. Those players were linebacker James Farrior, receiver Santonio Holmes and cornerbacks Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden.

Walker's take: As mentioned in the article, Orlando is an ideal training spot for players this time of year. They can workout in the mornings, then spend quality time with their families at Disney World and have a mini-vacation before camp.

• In more Steelers news, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the franchise is being "secretly" shopped to potential buyers. The report cites some division amongst the sons of Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr.

Walker's take: Although there will be restructuring and some Rooneys likely will leave the football business, I can't see majority owners Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II turning the franchise over to anyone. Too much history. Too much profit.

• And finally, the Cincinnati Bengals have announced this year that fans can watch preseason games in HDTV.

Walker's take: Let's see if Bengals, Browns, Ravens or Steelers fans are more creative: Now that you can watch the Bengals in high definition this year, [fill in the blank].