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Philadelphia Eagles franchise quarterback Michael Vick had some interesting comments about the Cincinnati Bengals in September's edition of GQ Magazine. Vick said he initially believed that the Bengals and Buffalo Bills were better options than the Eagles.

Vick could not have been more wrong.

Cincinnati was not the place if Vick was seeking instant playing time. In 2009, the Bengals had $100-million quarterback Carson Palmer in the fold. Barring injury, Vick would have had no chance to compete or supplant Palmer in the starting lineup. Vick eventually took the job in Philadelphia from Kevin Kolb, who was a much easier target.

Second, the Eagles' foundation on offense is much stronger. Philadelphia's explosive West Coast offense compared with Cincinnati's system under former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski isn't close. Vick found the right system to learn and perfect. Philadelphia, in turn, tailored the offense to fit his strengths. Cincinnati's old offense under Bratkowski didn't have the same flexibility and creativity for Vick's unique talents.

Finally, the stability of the organization counts for something. From ownership, down to coaching and the players, Vick walked into a much better situation in Philadelphia. Vick is now leading a Super Bowl contender just two years after being released from prison. Meanwhile, Cincinnati is hitting the reset button once again and is considered one of the NFL's worst teams.

It's everyone's favorite time again!

Let's update the AFC North rankings for offensive coordinators. These four men are always among the least popular coaches in the division. But with Bob Bratkowski and Brian Daboll both fired, our community now has some fresh meat to devour this upcoming season.

Here are the AFC North blog's OC rankings for June:

1. Bruce Arians

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Skinny: Arians has been a lighting rod in Pittsburgh for several years. Some say he passes too much. Some say the Steelers' offense looks too disorganized at times. But the Steelers were No. 14 in total offense in 2010 and have been to two Super Bowls the past three years with Arians calling the shots. As long as the team is yielding those kind of results, I will continue to stay off the "bash Bruce Arians" bandwagon that seems to be very popular in Pittsburgh.

2. Cam Cameron

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Skinny: Despite Baltimore winning 12 games, Cameron had a tough year on offense that involved chemistry and consistency issues. Baltimore had the talent but was never able to put it together and finished 22nd in total offense. That is unacceptable for a team that is deep at receiver, tight end and running back. Offensive line issues also hurt, but Cameron and the Ravens failed to make the proper adjustments. This is a big year for both Cameron and quarterback Joe Flacco.

3. Pat Shurmur

Team: Cleveland Browns

Skinny: Shurmur was the offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams before taking over as head coach and offensive coordinator of the Browns. His unit in St. Louis was ranked No. 26 in 2010. So Shurmur definitely has a lot to prove, especially in this defensive-minded division. Shurmur's specialty is the West Coast offense and developing quarterbacks, and much of his success will depend on how well Colt McCoy plays in his second season. But the Browns don't have much to work with at receiver, which is a major concern.

4. Jay Gruden

Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Skinny: Gruden also has a lot to prove and will try to bring his version of the West Coast offense from the UFL to Cincinnati. Gruden says he wants a power running game, which is a good idea if rookie second-round pick Andy Dalton is the starting quarterback. Fortunately for Gruden, he is taking over an offense that has some young weapons, which include back-to-back first-round picks in receiver A.J. Green and tight end Jermaine Gresham.

The lockout has reached 71 days and counting, which continues to push back NFL free agency. This also means the league is bracing itself for an unprecedented whirlwind of player movement this summer once a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.

With that said, here are seven questions and answers to get you up to speed on free agency in the AFC North:

Question No. 1: Will the Cincinnati Bengals re-sign tailback Cedric Benson?

Answer: Yes, all signs are pointing toward Benson returning. With back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, Benson has been a good fit in Cincinnati. He had issues last season with former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who was fired, and now Benson is excited about returning to the Bengals. As a 28-year-old running back, there will not be a huge market for Benson. Therefore, Cincinnati wouldn't have to overpay to keep Benson. With a rookie quarterback (Andy Dalton) likely starting this upcoming season, new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden says he wants to run the ball early and often, which has to be music to Benson's ears.

Question No. 2: Will the Pittsburgh Steelers re-sign Ike Taylor?

Answer: This is a tough one. Although I wouldn't be surprised either way, my sense is Taylor will not return to Pittsburgh in 2011. He's 31 and the Steelers would rather avoid the going rate for good cornerbacks on the open market, which is currently $8-10 million per year. Taylor says he wants that market value, and he has a much better chance of getting it somewhere else. Taylor already has two Super Bowl rings and this is his final chance to land a big contract. So no one should fault him for leaving. The Steelers will spend money on their front seven but do not value cornerbacks all that much, as evidenced by their recent draft history.

Question No. 3: Will Nnamdi Asomugha land in the AFC North?

Answer: The overall answer is no. I do not expect Asomugha to land in the AFC North. But if any team in the division has a fighting chance to get Asomugha, it's the Baltimore Ravens. Asomugha has a history with new Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, who coached Asomugha for two seasons (2005-2006) with the Oakland Raiders. Oakland led the NFL in pass defense in 2006, as Pagano helped Asomugha develop into a star. That connection, along with Baltimore being a contender, could put the Ravens on Asomugha's radar. But money could get in the way as Asomugha is slated to become one of the league's highest-paid players. This summer, Baltimore also is expected to make Pro Bowl defensive lineman Haloti Ngata one of the highest paid at his position, and it's difficult to envision the Ravens fitting in both contracts.

Question No. 4: Will the Browns be aggressive in free agency?

Answer: Yes. The Browns have deep pockets and a lot of needs, which is usually a formula for teams to make significant moves in free agency. The Browns will have plenty of cap space -- if there is a cap -- so look for them to land at least one or two key additions. We mentioned two potential targets recently in defensive end Ray Edwards and safety Donte Whitner. Cleveland won't be able to compete with Pittsburgh and Baltimore until it closes the talent gap, so the Browns need impact players. Perhaps the biggest challenge for the Browns is competing with other aggressive teams and convincing free agents why they should join a rebuilding team this season.

Question No. 5: Which players are on the chopping block?

Answer: There are several interesting names to keep an eye on in the division. The two near-certainties are Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco and Ravens running back Willis McGahee. Both likely will be cut whenever a new collective bargaining agreement is reached because of their declining production and high salaries. Both are scheduled to make $6 million next season, and the Ravens and Bengals will be eager to slash that off their books and allocate those resources elsewhere. Also, Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme and Bengals defensive ends Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom could be additional salary casualties in the AFC North.

Question No. 6: So where will Ochocinco end up?

Answer: The Bengals don't want Ochocinco, but there should be several teams interested in his services. Ochocinco, 33, is no longer a Pro Bowl-type receiver. But he can still be a solid threat and fits best on a contending team as a complementary weapon. In my opinion, the best fits for Ochocinco are the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has publicly campaigned to get Ochocinco to New York, and Ochocinco himself has said he would love to play for the Patriots; he has a good relationship with coach Bill Belichick. Both teams are expected to be contenders next season.

Question No. 7: Will the Bengals trade quarterback Carson Palmer?

Answer: That decision is up to Bengals owner Mike Brown, and I don't see him changing his mind to make a move. From Day 1, Brown has been consistent in saying he has no intention of trading Palmer, who threatened to retire. There was a small ray of hope after the draft, once the Bengals landed Dalton, that Brown could have a change of heart. But he ended that speculation this week. I think it's a mistake for the Bengals to not at least field offers for Palmer and determine if the value is there. Palmer seems serious about his trade demands and it wouldn't do Cincinnati much good to have Palmer sitting at home in California. Multiple draft picks in 2012 could help the future of the Bengals franchise, but it appears Brown is more worried about setting a precedent for other unhappy players to leave. For now, it looks like the ball is back in Palmer's court to either return to Cincinnati or retire.

Here are the most interesting stories Thursday in the AFC North:

• Will Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco play for the Atlanta Falcons next season?

Morning take: Interesting thought, because Bob Bratkowski is their new quarterbacks coach. But Atlanta has enough receivers and doesn't need to take in such a big personality.

• Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome believes second-year defensive tackle Terrence Cody could be a breakout player.

Morning take: I expected more out of Cody as a rookie last year. He only recorded 13 tackles. But Cody is mammoth with good feet. So he should play a bigger role.

• Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the league's best quarterbacks under pressure.

Morning take: Roethlisberger's size allows him to handle the blitz better than most quarterbacks. Roethlisberger should work on taking less punishment as he gets older, but his style has led to three Super Bowl appearances.

• Who are the five most important Cleveland Browns next season?

Morning take: I have to agree quarterback Colt McCoy leads the way. The Browns will go as far as McCoy takes them next season. Many are skeptical, but Cleveland's coaches are showing a lot of confidence in McCoy.

Here are the most interesting stories Tuesday in the AFC North:

• The Baltimore Ravens' receivers ranked last in the division in yards after catch.

Morning take: This is a big part of any offense, and Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and T.J. Houshmandzadeh averaged only 3.0 YAC per reception. Adding a speedy deep threat will help in this category.

• Pending free-agent running back Cedric Benson says he's willing to return to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Morning take: Benson had issues with former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. But it appears new OC Jay Gruden wants to utilize Benson more in his switch to the West Coast offense.

• The Cleveland Browns are getting ready for a big week of pro days.

Morning take: Cleveland will get its final look at prospects up close before next month's NFL draft, as the team narrows its choices at No. 6 overall.

• Here is more on the Pittsburgh Steelers' hire of defensive backs coach Carnell Lake.

Morning take: Lake was a very smart player for Pittsburgh, and the Steelers believe that will translate into the coaching ranks.

The offseason has just begun, but the coaching carousel has been spinning for all four teams in the AFC North.

Often the struggling teams make significant coaching changes, and that was the case with the Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) and Cleveland Browns (5-11). But playoff teams like the Baltimore Ravens (12-4) and even the Super Bowl runner-up Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) also experienced some turnover on their staff.

Here is a look at each change and what it means for the division:

Cleveland Browns

In: Head coach Pat Shurmur, defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and a new staff.

Out: Former head coach Eric Mangini, former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

What happened? Mangini entered this past season on the hot seat and went 5-11 for the second consecutive year. There were a lot of philosophical differences between Mangini and Browns president Mike Holmgren. So when the team wasn't winning, it made for an easy decision to go in a different direction. Enter Shurmur, who was a surprise hire for Cleveland. Shurmur has no prior head-coaching experience and wasn't on the radar of other teams. The Browns have pretty much cleaned house and hired a new staff, which includes Jauron and veteran defensive assistant Ray Rhodes.

Analysis: Last year, Holmgren was dumbfounded by some of the things the Browns were doing, particularly on offense. But Holmgren and Shurmur share many of the same views, which will give Holmgren more say in what goes on, and I think being on the same page is important for any team. The Browns are one of the few teams this year that will change both their offense and defense. Cleveland will go to a West Coast offense under Shurmur, who did not hire an offensive coordinator and will call the plays. The Browns also will switch to a 4-3 defense, which is something they haven't run since 2004. Shurmur is taking on a lot of responsibility as a rookie head coach and de facto offensive coordinator, which raises some concerns. Cleveland hopes veteran coaches like Jauron and Rhodes will take care of the defense, giving Shurmur one less thing to worry about. In terms of personnel, the Browns have a lot of work to do. They need better receivers on offense if they plan to pass more and playmakers at defensive end to run a 4-3 scheme.

Cincinnati Bengals

In: Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, receivers coach James Urban.

Out: Former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, former receivers coach Mike Sheppard.

What happened? Changes were inevitable for Cincinnati's coaching staff this season. There was a lot of unrest among players internally who didn't like the scheme on offense. The Bengals entered the season with playoff aspirations but had an abysmal four-win campaign. Quarterback Carson Palmer was so unhappy that he demanded a trade after the season. Receivers Terrell Owens publicly criticized the coaching staff several times and starting tailback Cedric Benson said he was not returning if Bratkowski was still the offensive coordinator. Bratkowski was let go and later hired by the Atlanta Falcons, and Sheppard went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gruden, a former UFL head coach and the brother of former NFL coach Jon Gruden, was hired as offensive coordinator, and Urban was hired as receivers coach from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Analysis: Cincinnati will be the second team in the division implementing a West Coast offense. Gruden also says he wants to make sure Cincinnati has a power running game, which is needed in this division. When the Bengals were at their best in 2009, they ran the football effectively and played tough defense. Cincinnati went away from that last year and had an awful season. How Gruden's offense translates from the UFL to the NFL remains to be seen. Cincinnati also has to handle a lot of personnel issues. Will Palmer retire? If so, who will be the new quarterback? Should the team trade Chad Ochocinco? Will Benson return? Cincinnati will have a very busy offseason trying to figure out these questions before putting together its new offense.

(Read full post)

The offseason has not been kind to the Cincinnati Bengals.

It's only February and already their starting quarterback wants out, they fired their offensive coordinator, and there's always the much-debated stadium lease that never ceases to be a hot topic.

With that in mind, the Bengals' team website came up with "The Who Dey Perspective." It's the team's way to provide its side on hot-button and controversial issues going on with the Bengals, which I think is a great idea.

The first installment is from Bengals Public Relations Director Jack Brennan, who is one of the best in the business. He offers the team's take on the Paul Brown Stadium lease with Hamilton County, Ohio.

We've heard plenty from media and fans. Here is the team's side on the issue.

After reading, feel free to discuss the topic below.

Despite labor uncertainty, free agency will be frenzied this offseason whenever the NFL and NFLPA reach a new collective bargaining agreement.

Even though it appears free agency won't get started in its usual slot in early March, teams will eventually have to deal with the contracts of some high-profile players in the division.

Here are the AFC North blog's top 10 pending free agents:

10. Phil Dawson, place-kicker, Cleveland Browns

Analysis: Dawson has been the face of Cleveland's special teams since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999. He had another consistent year in 2010, making 23 of 28 field goals. But Dawson hinted several times that he may have played his last season in Cleveland. For starters, Dawson spent most of his career kicking for awful teams and wants to play in a winning organization. Cleveland is rebuilding once again under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur. Second, Dawson has been unhappy about his contract for quite some time and is finally a free agent. So look for him to explore other options.

Chances of returning: 25 percent

9. Lawrence Vickers, fullback, Browns

Analysis: Vickers is another underrated free agent for the Browns. He is one of the top fullbacks in the NFL, paving the way for several running backs to have big seasons in Cleveland. Tailback Peyton Hillis (1,177 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns in 2010) most recently benefited from Vickers' play. But after talking to Vickers at the end of the season, he also seemed unsure if he was coming back to Cleveland. There is a lot of change going on with the new coaching staff and new schemes, and it's unclear how important a power fullback will be in Shurmur's new West Coast system. Vickers will get plenty of interest from run-heavy teams. Cleveland was one of those clubs last season under former head coach Eric Mangini, but its run-to-pass ratio is expected to change dramatically, putting Vickers' future with Cleveland in doubt.

Chances of returning: 50 percent

8. Le'Ron McClain, fullback, Ravens

Analysis: McClain wanted more carries in Baltimore last season and didn't get them. This could signal his exit from the Ravens as a free agent. The Ravens simply had too many other players on offense who also needed the football, and McClain was left with just 28 rushing attempts for 85 yards. If rushing attempts are more important, leaving Baltimore is probably the best option for McClain. He led Baltimore in rushing in 2008, but his numbers have gone down dramatically since the emergence of starting running back Ray Rice, who will continue to be the go-to guy in 2011.

Chances of returning: 30 percent

7. Jared Gaither, offensive tackle, Ravens

Analysis: There has been some speculation that Gaither could sign a long-term extension and return to Baltimore, but I just don't see it. Too much went wrong between Gaither and the Ravens last season, so I believe both sides will just move on. Gaither was not happy about his contract last year, then showed up in the summer well below his playing weight. Gaither later injured his back and didn't play in a single game during the 2010 season. The Ravens reportedly had brief talks with agent Drew Rosenhaus to discuss Gaither and some other clients. Baltimore certainly needs offensive tackles, which is why I give Gaither's return a small chance, but it's still unlikely that he will remain with the Ravens.

Chances of returning: 20 percent

6. Terrell Owens, receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

Analysis: T.O. came to Cincinnati just before training camp with much fanfare after Antonio Bryant's knee injury never healed properly. But his presence and numbers didn't help an inconsistent Bengals offense. Owens, at 37, showed he still has something left in the tank. He had some big games and recorded 72 receptions for 983 yards and nine touchdowns for Cincinnati. But those numbers didn't result in victories, as the Bengals fell to 4-12 after making the playoffs the season before. Cincinnati took its shot with Owens but is now rebuilding with younger receivers like Jerome Simpson, Jordan Shipley and Andre Caldwell. Don't expect Owens to return.

Chances of returning: 0 percent

5. Cedric Benson, running back, Bengals

Analysis: Benson was unhappy with his opportunities most of last season but still rushed for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the second consecutive year in Cincinnati and is a good fit in the physical AFC North. Benson said he wasn't returning if former offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski remained in Cincinnati. Jay Gruden recently replaced Bratkowski, and the move heavily increases Benson's chances of being a Bengal next season.

Chances of returning: 75 percent

4. Ike Taylor, cornerback, Steelers

Analysis: The Steelers have a definite need at cornerback, and that need could get even bigger if Taylor, the team's No. 1 cornerback, is not re-signed. Taylor is consistent and had another solid season for Pittsburgh, recording 66 tackles and two interceptions. But the biggest issue is Taylor's age (31). How many years should Pittsburgh commit to an aging cornerback with a contract extension? Look for the Steelers to make a push for Taylor. But the team will also look for depth at that position via the draft and possibly free agency.

Chances of returning: 70 percent

3. Johnathan Joseph, cornerback, Cincinnati Bengals

Analysis: Last summer the AFC North blog reported that the Bengals opened negotiations with Joseph. That shows the willingness by Cincinnati. But the fact that, months later, nothing has happened tells me the two sides can't agree on money and/or the length of the contract. Good cornerbacks are expensive. So I wouldn't be totally surprised if the Bengals let go of Joseph, who is 26 and entering his prime. A franchise tag for one year at cornerback would be extremely costly, as well. Also keep in mind that Adam Jones, who showed flashes last season before a neck injury ended his season, signed to a two-year deal and will be back in 2011. Jones is insurance in case Joseph leaves. Joseph will get plenty of interest if he hits the open market.

Chances of returning: 50 percent

2. LaMarr Woodley, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Analysis: Woodley was arguably the NFL's best bargain in 2010. Including playoffs, he recorded 60 tackles, 13 sacks and was paid just $550,000 last season. Woodley will get the franchise tag before next week's deadline. Because of the 30 percent rule (teams can't increase a player's salary by more than 30 percent from year to year), the Steelers can't do much with Woodley in terms of a long-term deal until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. I don't think it's a coincidence Pittsburgh stocked up on linebackers in last April's draft for insurance. But I still expect Woodley back in Pittsburgh next season.

Chances of returning: 80 percent

1. Haloti Ngata, defensive tackle, Baltimore Ravens

Analysis: The Ravens have already placed the franchise tag on Ngata with every intention of signing him to a long-term contract. Ngata, 27, is quickly developing into the NFL's most dominant defensive tackle. He made the Pro Bowl after recording 63 tackles and 5.5 sacks, and there were some games last season in which he was virtually unblockable by just one player. The Ravens have a reputation for retaining their stud draft picks, especially those on defense. Although nothing is 100-percent certain in the NFL, I can't foresee any scenario where Ngata won't be a Raven for the long term.

Chances of returning: 98 percent

Here are the most interesting stories Monday in the AFC North:

• Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison tweets that he's having surgery today and will be out 4-6 weeks.

Morning take: Harrison dealt with a shoulder ailment late in the year but it's unclear if that's what the surgery is for. Either way, his timeline shouldn't impact much in the offseason.

• New Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron has a tough task ahead.

Morning take: Cleveland's defense will have a very different look in 2011. Jauron has the challenge of improving personnel and teaching a new 4-3 scheme.

• Offensive tackle and pending free agent Jared Gaither wants to return to the Baltimore Ravens.

Morning take: Stranger things have happened, but I just don't see it. The Ravens have a need at tackle but likely will look elsewhere.

• Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski landed a job as quarterbacks coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Morning take: Bratkowski spent a long time with Carson Palmer in Cincinnati with mixed results. So it will be interesting to see how Bratkowski develops young, up-and-coming quarterback Matt Ryan.

A Gruden is coming to the AFC North. But it's not the one you might think.

Jay Gruden, the younger brother of Jon Gruden, has been hired by the Cincinnati Bengals to be their offensive coordinator. Profootballtalk.com first reported the move, which was later confirmed by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Jay Gruden spent the past two years in the UFL and replaces longtime Cincinnati offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. Despite some new additions, the Bengals' offense underachieved last season and was ranked 20th in the NFL.

We will be heavy on the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday now that the team has arrived. But we have some quick news to pass along on the Cincinnati Bengals, courtesy of ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

The Bengals fired offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski on Monday, Mortensen reports. There has been speculation about coaching changes for weeks, and Cincinnati finally made a significant move at the conclusion of the Bengals' staff coaching in the Senior Bowl. Cincinnati had a lot of weapons on offense but mostly underachieved during an abysmal 4-12 season.

Several questions come to mind now that Bratkowski is out.

First, what does this mean for quarterback Carson Palmer, who demanded a trade and threatened to retire? Is a coaching change enough to convince him to stay? Also, who will be Bratkowski's replacement and will tailback Cedric Benson return? Benson and Bratkowski butted heads this season, and Benson said he wouldn't re-sign unless Bratkowski was out.

We're headed to Steelers headquarters to do some interviews in preparation for Super Bowl XLV. But we will keep an eye on these developments in Cincinnati throughout the week.

We have a couple of interesting items to pass along on the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

• First, it appears the Browns have found their guy to lead the defense in Dick Jauron. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Jauron could finalize a deal soon after he spent his previous stint as secondary coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, where Browns general manager Tom Heckert was a year ago. Jauron also was a former head coach of the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears. This experience is key, as Cleveland elected to hire first-time head coach Pat Shurmur this month.
• In Cincinnati, the team website reports head coach Marvin Lewis met with Brad Childress to discuss the offense. Childress is a former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings and offensive coordinator with the Eagles. But the report was unclear if this was anything more than a meeting. The Bengals have not announced any changes on their staff, and Bob Bratkowski remains the team's offensive coordinator.

Cleveland still has an opening at offensive coordinator, and it remains to be seen if Cincinnati will make any significant changes in its staff. So stay tuned.

Here are the most interesting stories Monday in the AFC North:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers begin preparation for the New York Jets in the AFC title game.

Morning take: Most expected the New England Patriots, but the Steelers are happy to stay home this week. Pittsburgh will need to examine the mistakes it made in a loss to New York in the regular season.

• Did the Baltimore Ravens "choke" in their playoff loss to the Steelers?

Morning take: Baltimore took a two-touchdown lead into the second half. But I agree with this article that Pittsburgh simply played lights out in the third and fourth quarters.

• The Cleveland Browns are waiting to interview Philadelphia Eagles assistant Dick Jauron for their defensive coordinator job.

Morning take: The Eagles just fired their defensive coordinator, Sean McDermott. So that could be a snag if Jauron becomes the top candidate in Philadelphia.

• In a story from this weekend, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski is operating like it's business as usual.

Morning take: I'm hearing different things right now about Cincinnati's coaching staff. But although this can change at any minute, I'm not expecting too many changes.

Here are seven notes and observations from Week 14 in the AFC North:

• Let's start with a prediction: We fully expect the Cincinnati Bengals (2-11) to have their Week 16 Sunday night game against the San Diego Chargers (7-6) "flexed" to an earlier time. The game, which is in danger of a blackout in Cincinnati, has no business on prime-time television with the way the Bengals are playing. They have lost an NFL-high 10 games in a row and there are much better matchups in Week 16. Potential replacements are the New York Jets (9-4) against the Chicago Bears (9-4) and the New York Giants (8-4) against the Green Bay Packers (8-5). (Update: Bengals flexed.)
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AP Photo/Don WrightTerrell Owens hasn't been pleased with the Bengals' play calling the past two weeks.
• We agree with veteran receiver Terrell Owens that Cincinnati's offense has become too predictable. Owens, who has played for four other teams and in some good offenses throughout his career, lashed out at the Bengals' play calling for the second straight week. After a good first drive by the Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers caught on to what Cincinnati was trying to accomplish. As Owens mentioned afterward, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski didn't make proper adjustments at halftime and, as a result, the game quickly got out of hand.
• The Steelers (10-3) are in great position to land the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs. But it's unlikely they will catch the New England Patriots (11-2) for the top seed. Pittsburgh is one game behind New England. But the Patriots hold the head-to-head advantage, so it's essentially a two-game lead with three games left. On the flip side, the Steelers own a two-game lead over the two other division leaders -- the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) and Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) -- with three games remaining. The biggest threat to Pittsburgh's second seed is the Baltimore Ravens (8-4), who can get within a game by beating the Houston Texans on Monday night. (Create your own scenarios with our NFL Playoff Machine.)
• Three Steelers defenders have scored TDs this season, and the team is 2-0 in those games. In addition to Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley and safety Troy Polamalu, defensive end Brett Keisel scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers earlier this year. That prompted Keisel to take a jab Sunday at his other eight defensive starters without touchdowns. "What's taking them so long [to score]?" Keisel said, laughing.
• Ravens Pro Bowl tailback Ray Rice is on a seven-game drought without posting 100 yards rushing. "Monday Night Football" would be a perfect time to snap that streak. Rice last eclipsed the 100-yard mark with a 133-yard effort on Oct. 10 against the Denver Broncos. Rice hasn't had 20 or more carries in the past month, and got only nine carries last week in a loss to Pittsburgh. Here are five more things to watch tonight for the Ravens.
• The Cleveland Browns (5-8) project to win just six games this season after Sunday's ugly loss to the lowly Buffalo Bills. Cleveland plays three division games to end the season: at Cincinnati (2-11), vs. Baltimore (8-4) and vs. Pittsburgh (10-3). There are a lot of questions about the future of Browns coach Eric Mangini, who went 5-11 last year. A 6-10 record won't look good on his résumé, which means Mangini probably must pull off major upsets down the stretch to impress Cleveland president Mike Holmgren.
• Finally, we'd like to give a special "Seven-step drop" congrats to Browns tailback Peyton Hillis, who eclipsed the 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career. Hillis has been, by far, Cleveland's MVP this season. He has had fumbling issues, which showed up again in the loss to Buffalo. But the Browns may only have had one or two wins this year if they had not the offseason trade with Denver to get Hillis for quarterback Brady Quinn.

It's been nearly three weeks since we last updated our AFC North offensive coordinator rankings.

Here is how we currently rank the four lightning rods in the division:

1. Cam Cameron, Baltimore Ravens

Previous ranking: No. 1

Analysis: Cameron is getting heat again in Baltimore. But by a significant margin, the Ravens have the highest-ranked offense in the division and are No. 14 overall in the NFL. The next closest team is the Steelers, who are No. 21. But there were increased expectations for Baltimore's offense that haven't been met so far. The Ravens have the talent to be a top-10 offense, but inconsistency has plagued this group. There are weeks Baltimore is capable of scoring 37 points and other weeks it only scores 10 points. There seems to be frustration in the locker room developing from the offense's lack of production, which is why Baltimore needs to continue to win games to keep everyone happy.

2. Bruce Arians, Pittsburgh Steelers

Previous ranking: No. 2

Analysis: Arians also gets a lot of heat in Pittsburgh, but he's doing enough to win games. The Steelers are 9-3 and in control of the AFC North, in part, due to some timely scores by Arians' offense, particularly in the fourth quarters and in overtime. Pittsburgh's No. 21 ranking is a bit deceiving because the offense didn't get many yards in the first month of the season without franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was suspended. Despite plenty of injuries on the offensive line, the Steelers are No. 10 in rushing at 120 yards per game.

3. Bob Bratkowski, Cincinnati Bengals

Previous ranking: No. 4

Analysis: Bratkowski is out of the basement of our offensive coordinator rankings, as his No. 22-ranked offense has been able to score in recent weeks. Although it hasn't translated to victories, the Bengals have scored 30 or more points in two of the past three games, which is a feat no other AFC North team has accomplished. Still, this offense has virtually ignored the running game all season and could use more creativity to create mismatches. Even receiver Terrell Owens ripped the play calling after the loss to the New Orleans Saints.

4. Brian Daboll, Cleveland Browns

Previous ranking: No. 3

Analysis: The Browns are No. 27 in total offense and would be nowhere this year without the running game led by tailback Peyton Hillis. But when teams gear up to stop Hillis, Daboll seems to have trouble making the proper adjustments. Cleveland's offense does have some imagination at times and is 4-2 in its last six games despite a revolving door at quarterback. But there are no excuses for the amount of times the Browns have been shut down in long stretches of games this season. Cleveland's defense also is forcing turnovers and doing all it can to give the offense a short field, and too often Daboll's group can't do anything with it. There's also some blame on the coaching staff for failing to develop receivers and second-round draft picks Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi this year. Both have been major disappointments in their second year.