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Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said the team isn't close to signing free-agent wide receiver Braylon Edwards, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

A move wouldn't happen until next month because Edwards is still rehabbing his knee. He is expected to be ready for training camp.

“We’re pretty full with players and we’ll keep seeing if there are guys who are released who can help us and make us competitive,” Lewis said. “We want to strike the balance with the young players too. I don’t want to fill up our 90 spots with all old players. We’ve got to have some young guys to help supplement the draft picks and so at the end of the day you have an opportunity of guys trending up. We don’t want to have too many guys on the other side of their careers.”

Lewis doesn't think Edwards would disrupt chemistry because the receivers room belongs to A.J. Green, adding "it's his offensive football team and he has come back with that attitude."

Hensley's slant: The Bengals have the cap room to take a chance on Edwards. Cincinnati needs a No. 2 wide receiver and a target with experience. No wide receiver on the team has more than 65 career receptions. Edwards has 341 catches (but just 15 last season) and has averaged 15.6 yards per reception for his seven-year career.

BROWNS: Phil Taylor's agent said the defensive tackle is remaining positive while awaiting results of the MRI. Taylor injured his pectoral muscle Thursday while lifting weights. "Phil is staying positive. He's got a great attitude," Peter Schaffer told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "He'll either be 100 percent [when the results come in] or if he needs surgery, he'll come back 100 percent. Things happen. Phil is going to be fine either way. If he misses time, he'll come back strong." Hensley's slant: The surprise contributor of the 2012 draft could be defensive tackle Billy Winn, a sixth-round pick out of Boise State. He slid in the draft because of questionable work ethic, but his skills could make him the top candidate to fill in for Taylor.

RAVENS: Fellow cornerback Lardarius Webb has high expectations for Jimmy Smith, last year's first-round pick. Smith's rookie season was thrown off course after he basically missed the first five games of the season with an ankle injury.“He can make a huge step,” Webb told the team's official website. “With his talent, his knowledge, I think he’s going to be a Pro Bowl corner coming up next year.” Hensley's slant: It was only last month when Webb said he wanted to be better than Darrelle Revis, so he obviously likes to think big. But as I said at that time, Smith has a chance to be better than Webb this season. Smith has the size and speed to be a shutdown cornerback.

STEELERS: Ben Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he majored in education at Miami (Ohio) because he wanted to teach and coach. He received his degree last weekend. “I still may want to coach, still like to be a coach," he told the paper. "I wouldn’t rule teaching out, but I’d say it’s unlikely.’’ As the Post-Gazette pointed out, Roethlisberger would have to serve as a student-teacher if he wanted to teach. Hensley's slant: Just imagine the pressure on the quarterback for the team Roethlisberger would be coaching. You see the Super Bowl rings when Roethlisberger is holding the play-calling sheet, and you know you can't leave the game unless you have two or three broken bones. Those are some high standards to meet.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

After signing his new $50 million contract, Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb hasn't been shy in voicing some lofty goals.

Last week, he told The Baltimore Sun that he wants a Hall of Fame career. This week, he told a local Baltimore radio station that he wants to be the top cornerback in the NFL.

"I pay my respect to the guys that have been there and done that, and I don’t try to jump the gun too quick," Webb said, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. "I know about the Revises, the Nnamdis, the Charles Woodsons, the Champ Baileys, and I want to get there one day and I still have a lot of work to get there."

Webb added, "Trust me, I’m putting the work in to be there. I want to be the best cornerback in the NFL -- not Revis. I don’t want you to say Revis every time. No disrespect, I’ve seen the guy play ball and he’s great. He’s a great player, a great DB, but I want to be the guy.”

Hensley's slant: You have to play with confidence, especially at the cornerback position. Webb will have every chance to prove himself this season, too. He'll play against some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, from Peyton Manning to Tom Brady to Ben Roethlisberger to Philip Rivers to Eli Manning.

BENGALS: Outside linebacker Thomas Howard, who was a walk-on as a freshman at UTEP, is giving back. His foundation awarded partial scholarships to two walk-ons on the UTEP football team. "I'm not the first one. I won't be the last one," Howard told the Bengals' official website. "No one really honors the walk-ons. No one really knows the struggles except the few guys that have gone through it." Hensley's slant: Just like at UTEP, Howard earned his spot on the Bengals, solidifying his starting role after leading the team in tackles last season. The Bengals have been so impressed by Howard that they traded former first-round pick Keith Rivers to the New York Giants.

BROWNS: General manager Tom Heckert pledged his support to quarterback Colt McCoy at the team's pre-draft press conference. "We like Colt," Heckert said, via The Associated Press. "We think Colt can play. I know everybody talked about the Washington deal, but it's not like you're saying Colt's a bad quarterback by doing that." Hensley's slant: What the Browns said by pursuing Robert Griffin III is that McCoy is not the preferred quarterback. It also said Cleveland doesn't think he is a franchise quarterback. If the Browns believed McCoy was the long-term solution at quarterback, they wouldn't have aggressively tried to trade up for RG3.

STEELERS: Memphis nose tackle Dontari Poe was among the last pre-draft visitors for the Steelers, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Poe rose up draft boards after one of the most impressive workouts at the NFL combine in February. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds and recorded a combine-best 44 reps in the 225-pounds bench. Hensley's slant: Poe would be the heir apparent to longtime starting nose tackle Casey Hampton. But many believe Poe will be long gone before the Steelers pick at No. 24. The Chiefs, Cowboys, Eagles and Cardinals are all reportedly interested in him. The only chance Poe has of slipping to the bottom of the first round is if teams question his motor.

In a move that should surprise no one, running back Ray Rice won't report Monday when the Ravens' voluntary offseason workouts begin, a source told the NFL Network.

This would have been bigger news if Rice had decided to show up Monday. Rice has yet to sign his franchise tag and isn't expected to do so anytime soon.

He recently expressed a desire to attend the workouts, but this is strictly a smart business decision. By putting the tag on Rice, the Ravens are only on the hook for this season. The team has given no long-term security to Rice, so why should he risk long-term consequences by participating in any team-related activity this spring?

Rice's absence shouldn't hurt the team even if it extends into training camp. He has always reported to camp in shape, so there's no concern about his conditioning. This is also Rice's fifth season in the same offensive system, which means he won't be behind in the playbook once he returns.

Ravens officials have been resigned to the fact that Rice would skip the workouts.

"Up until a guy actually signs his franchise tender, he's not under contract and we're not even allowed to ask him to our mandatory minicamp," general manager Ozzie Newsome said earlier this month. "We understand those things and lived them through [Terrell] Suggs, Chris [McAlister] and even Wally Williams. We've experienced that before. Would Coach [John] Harbaugh want 100 percent participation in every offseason program and every OTA and every minicamp? Yes he would. But he knows that unrealistic also."

The date to watch isn't Monday. It's July 16. That's the deadline for teams to reach long-term deals with players who received the franchise tag. Otherwise, Rice will play the entire season under the tag, which pays him $7.7 million this season.

In related news, cornerback Cary Williams is also expected to be a no-show Monday, according to the NFL Network. Williams, a restricted free agent, is in talks for a new deal with the team.

This is hardly news. He is still recovering from hip surgery and he wouldn't be able to participate even if he wanted to do so. Unlike Rice, it's in Williams' best interest to report as soon as he can. His absence only increases the likelihood that Jimmy Smith takes over the starting job next to Lardarius Webb.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

Ben Roethlisberger knows firsthand the power of Tebow-mania. It was three months ago when he watched fans go crazy in Denver after Tim Tebow threw the winning touchdown pass in overtime to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs.

So, when does Roethlisberger think Jets fans will begin chanting Tebow's name?

“First preseason game,” Roethlisberger told the New York Post last week.

Leading up to the playoff game against the Broncos, Roethlisberger expressed sympathy for Tebow because he is always in the spotlight. Now, Roethlisberger is feeling bad for Jets starter Mark Sanchez after Tebow was traded from Denver to New York.

"It's going to be tough," Roethlisberger said at the unveiling of the new Nike uniforms. “[Tebow is] going to be the most popular guy in the city."

Hensley's slant: Speaking of backups, Roethlisberger still doesn't exactly have one. The talk of Byron Leftwich re-joining Bruce Arians with the Colts has quieted down. Perhaps Arians wasn't as persuasive as everyone expected. If the money is close, my prediction is Leftwich will come back to the Steelers.

BENGALS: The team's biggest needs heading into the draft are wide receiver, guard and cornerback. As the team's official website pointed out, taking a guard or wide receiver doesn't follow a trend. The Bengals have never drafted a guard in the first round, and they have selected only one wide receiver (A.J. Green) the first round during the Marvin Lewis era. Hensley's slant: I would be surprised if the Bengals didn't take a guard in the first round. If Stanford's David DeCastro falls to the Bengals at No. 17, it will be difficult for Cincinnati to pass on him. Georgia's Cordy Glenn would be a candidate for the Bengals' second first-round pick (No. 21).

BROWNS: Only three of the Browns' 83 draft picks from 1999 to 2008 remain with the team, according to the Canton Repository. Some of the first-round picks who had short runs with the Browns include: quarterback Tim Couch, running back William Green, center Jeff Faine, tight end Kellen Winslow, wide receiver Braylon Edwards and quarterback Brady Quinn. The lack of success in the draft has translated to a lack of success on the field. The Browns are 18-46 in the past four seasons. Hensley's slant: In two drafts with general manager Tom Heckert, the Browns have found some picks to stick, especially on defense. Taking cornerback Joe Haden, safety T.J. Ward, defensive tackle Phil Taylor and defensive end Jabaal Sheard in the first two rounds has started a strong foundation for the future. Now, Heckert has to start adding stronger pieces to the offense.

RAVENS: Lardarius Webb told the Baltimore Sun that he considers himself one of the top five corners in the NFL, but he realizes that he needs to prove it for an extended period to be placed in the same class as Darrelle Revis and Champ Bailey. “There are plenty of things that I can do better,” Webb said. “I can be an All Pro. I can make the Pro Bowl. I can get nine [interceptions]. There are a lot of things that I can do to improve my game. Money doesn’t change what I want to be in life. I want to go to Canton. I want to be the best to ever play cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens.” Hensley's slant: No one should take anything away from Webb, who had an outstanding season last year. He didn't allow a touchdown and made eight interceptions (including three in the postseason). Still, Jimmy Smith should emerge as the No. 1 corner on the Ravens if he reaches his potential over the next season or two.

It wasn't Ravens coach John Harbaugh's preference to have starting cornerback Lardarius Webb returning punts entering this offseason. His mindset probably didn't change after Webb agreed to a five-year, $50 million extension with a $10 million signing bonus and a $5 million option bonus.

Having Webb field punts was a risk before. Now, it has become a pricey proposition. The Ravens will try hard to find a replacement for Webb on returns, and it probably will come in the draft.

"You can’t sit there and play scared, so I don’t have a problem with [Webb returning],” Harbaugh said Wednesday, a day before Webb's deal. “But I would rather have a backup doing it? Yes. If there is another option that is a better player or takes your starting corner and takes him off the punt return, that’s even better."

Webb ranked 16th in the NFL in punt returns (10-yard average), returning one for a touchdown. The other two punt returners listed on last year's Ravens depth chart -- Chris Carr (Vikings) and Tom Zbikowski (Colts) -- signed elsewhere in free agency.

Baltimore brought in Ted Ginn Jr. for a free-agent visit but he re-signed with the 49ers. The Ravens were also linked to Eddie Royal before he joined the San Diego Chargers.

“We tried to do something with a free agent or two, and it didn’t work out, but that’s OK,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll move on to the next opportunity.”

That "next opportunity" means the draft. One returner to keep an eye on is Fresno State's Devon Wylie. Other top returners coming out of college are: Florida International's T.Y. Hilton, Alabama's Marquis Maze and Stanford's Chris Owusu.

Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb agreed to a five-year, $50 million extension with a $10 million signing bonus, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Webb is now signed through the 2017 season.

This move not only takes away the possibility of Webb signing elsewhere as a restricted free agent this month but it secures a bright and strong future for the Ravens at cornerback.

Webb and Jimmy Smith, the team's first-round pick from a year ago, will be a formidable pair for years to come for AFC North rivals Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton. It wouldn't be surprising if Webb and Smith developed into the league's best cornerback tandem by the end of the 2012 season.

In his first full season as a starter, Webb was the fourth-highest graded cornerback and the second-highest rated one in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. He didn't allow a touchdown last season, and quarterbacks had a rating of 55.6 when throwing at him, according to the site.

Webb, 26, led the AFC North with 20 passes defensed and five interceptions in the regular season. He picked off three more passes in the playoffs.

Smith, 23, had some rough moments as a rookie, especially when he gave up a 28-yard touchdown to San Diego's Malcom Floyd, but he stepped up his play in the postseason. Smith also has the size and speed to become a shutdown corner.

The emergence of Webb and Smith helped the Ravens finish fourth in pass defense last season. Baltimore led the NFL with 11 touchdown passes allowed, four fewer than any other team in the league.

Baltimore, though, has some decisions to make about its secondary for next season when No. 3 cornerback Cary Williams and both starting safeties (Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard) are unrestricted free agents. The Ravens are currently in talks with Williams, who is a restricted free agent.

The Baltimore Ravens reached a six-year agreement with cornerback Lardarius Webb, the team announced.

Webb, 26, was among the biggest surprises on the Ravens' defense last season. Injuries to Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr pushed Webb into the starting lineup during training camp and he ended up being one of the top cornerbacks in the AFC North.

"Lardarius is an important player for the Ravens, and we're happy he will be with us for a long time," general manager Ozzie Newsome said a statement.

A third-round pick by the Ravens in 2009, Webb was a restricted free agent this year and had received a first-round tender ($2.74 million).

I will blog more of my reaction to this signing shortly.

The genius of Ed Reed lies on his ability to get in the heads of quarterbacks. But getting in the head of Reed is laborious, frustrating and often pointless.

In Ed Reed's latest interview (on a local Baltimore radio station), one point is clear: he is unhappy.

Reed wants respect. And how teams show players respect, according to Reed, is to pay them. Reed, who is entering the final year of his contact, feels he should get paid more than every defensive back because, well, he's Ed Reed.

But it's so hard to analyze his comments because, as owner Steve Bisciotti said this year, Reed doesn't give definitive answers.

Just listen to Reed's answer when he was asked yesterday if he plans on playing in 2012.

"I plan on playing, but everybody in the world knows plans can change," Reed told 105.7 The Fan. “I got some unfinished business. I got a lot on my mind I’ve been thinking about. The truth of the matter is, it’s about respect. It’s about getting respect, and it’s a business.”

My guess is his "unfinished business" has something to do with a new contract. What the Ravens are going to do with Reed long-term is going to be a major storyline next offseason. He said last week that he thinks he could play four to five more years.

Reed said he tried to rework his contract with the Ravens last year but “took the back seat” when negotiations didn’t go the way he expected.

“My plan when I went to negotiate was always, it’s always to help the team. I was not trying to break the bank," Reed said. "Do I deserve a good substantial amount? I mean you look at Peyton [Manning, Broncos quarterback]. Peyton got five [years] for $96 [million]? I know I’m not a quarterback, but at the end of the day … They pay certain positions certain ways. I’m different, man.”

Reed is scheduled to make $7.2 million -- which, by most bank accounts, is not disrespectful -- in the final season of a six-year, $44.4 million contract. But Reed could be feeling left out because the Ravens are in contract talks with quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Ray Rice, as well as cornerbacks Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams.

“Honestly, I got to take a look at myself from the outside in,” Reed said. “For what I offer on the football field, for what I give on the football field, and for what they know they’re going to get, it’s much more than these young guys out here today and what they’re getting. And I’m talking about at any defensive back position right now.”

Reed also mentioned that he's been dealing with some comments made "from people who I work with."

"Whether they know it or not, they made them,” Reed said. “Whether you think I’m a business-minded man or don’t listen to you, I do. It’s not bad, but it’s something that you take to heart, because at the end of the day, I know I’m giving everything, and they know I’m giving everything on that football field.”

The Ravens face a major decision next year when Reed becomes an unrestricted free agent. Judging from his comments, Reed isn't going to be giving any hometown discounts.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

Tony Pashos is "really upset" about being released by the Cleveland Browns because the team failed to support him after he played injured last season, the agent for the right tackle told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Pashos failed his exit physical, and the Browns are expected to announce his release today. He played with a ruptured tendon in his left foot and had surgery last Tuesday.

The Browns will save $2 million in salary-cap room by cutting Pashos, who was scheduled to make $3.35 million in 2012. He will receive $1 million in an injury settlement, but his value in free agency is hurt by the fact that he needs nine to 10 months of rehab.

"Because the team lacked depth on the offensive line, especially at right tackle, Tony wanted to help the team," agent Rick Smith told the Plain Dealer. "But in order to be able to do that, he had to be given an enormous amount of pain pills and shots. It was an enormous amount, to the point where at Christmas, he went into the hospital with three ulcers from the pain medication. You can see that he missed the final regular season game, because he was in the hospital with the ulcers."

Hensley's slant: There's no loyalty among players (the bounty program proves that), so Pashos shouldn't expect any loyalty from the Browns. It's a tough story, but it's the business side of the NFL. The Browns need a better right tackle than Pashos. In 12 games, Pashos allowed nine sacks and committed six penalties.

BENGALS: Three of the Bengals' top free agents -- safety Reggie Nelson and defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene -- will test the market, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We will continue to have discussions with the Bengals but we will explore all options," Nelson’s agent, Hadley Engelhard, said. The Bengals also announced the signing of fullback Chris Pressley to a two-year extension. Hensley's slant: Nelson will be the toughest one for the Bengals to keep because he is the second-best safety available in free agency. But there shouldn't be any excuses if the Bengals really want to hold onto him. Cincinnati has the most salary-cap room of any team in the NFL.

RAVENS: The team extended contract offers to their three top restricted free agents, giving a first-round tender to cornerback Lardarius Webb and second-round ones to cornerback Cary Williams and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, according to the Baltimore Sun. "I'm very blessed to get a first-round tender!" Webb said on his Twitter page. "I guess everything is up in the air now!" Hensley's slant: By giving such a high tender to Ellerbe, it says to me that the Ravens don't expect to keep unrestricted free agent Jameel McClain. The second-round tender virtually guarantees that Ellerbe will return and will be given a shot at starting next to Ray Lewis. Ellerbe, though, has been one of the biggest underachievers on the team.

STEELERS: As expected, the Steelers put a first-round tender on wide receiver Mike Wallace, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. The Steelers' other restricted free agents received the low tender, including starting guards Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster. Because they were undrafted, the Steelers wouldn't receive any compensation if they allowed Legursky or Foster to sign elsewhere. Hensley's slant: The Steelers don't have much depth at guard after Chris Kemoeatu was cut and Trai Essex heads to free agency. But I don't see it as a risk to give low tenders to Legursky and Foster. The Steelers can still match any offer.

I'm officially back today from some time off and the AFC North blog is set to get you ready for the start of free agency, which begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. As always, here is your AFC North wake-up call:

The Patriots could target a restricted free agent from the AFC North and it's not Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace. New England could use one of its late first-round picks to pry away cornerback Lardarius Webb from the Ravens, a scenario recently speculated by Comcast SportsNet's John Eisenberg.

Like Wallace, Webb is expected to receive a first-round tender, which allows the Ravens to match any offer sheet or get a first-round pick as compensation. The Patriots are looking to upgrade at cornerback after having the NFL's second-worst pass defense last season and wouldn't mind hurting an AFC contender in the process.

Webb is young (26) and is coming off his best season (career highs of 67 tackles and five interceptions). The Ravens have expressed interest in signing him to a long-term deal. "I think it would be best for this organization," general manager Ozzie Newsome said last month.

Hensley's slant: I'm not going to rule out the Patriots going after Webb, but I don't think it's going to happen. The Patriots have quickness at cornerback with Kyle Arrington and they have decent size if Ras-I Dowling can stay healthy. What New England needs is a veteran presence. Look for the Patriots to pursue someone like Marcus Trufant, who was recently released by the Seahawks, instead of Webb.

BENGALS: The Bengals will talk to the agent for free-agent safety Reggie Nelson today, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Nelson is expected to become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow, but the Enquirer indicates there is "a slight chance" that the team could sign him to a deal before free agency begins. According to the paper, the team should have talks with defensive ends Frostee Rucker and Jonathan Fanene, both of whom will become free agents tomorrow. Hensley's slant: The Bengals likely will have to use some of that massive salary-cap space to keep Nelson, who should draw heavy interest. He is the second-best safety in the free-agent market (behind LaRon Landry), and teams know they won't be able to fill voids with a weak draft class at safety. Nelson is the Bengals' top free-agent priority, and they will have to show how much they want to keep him.

BROWNS: The Browns botched the deal to trade up and position themselves to draft quarterback Robert Griffin III, according to the Akron Beacon Journal's Marla Ridenour. "Playing it safe and clinging to their five-year plan that feels like a ball and chain right now, they let Baylor’s Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, the most electric franchise-quarterback prospect in a decade, slip through their fingers," Ridenour wrote. The Washington Redskins reportedly outbid the Browns for the No. 2 overall pick, sending three first-round draft picks and a second-round pick to the St. Louis Rams. Hensley's slant: As I posted in my weekend blog, the Browns were the biggest losers in this pre-draft trade because their alternatives at quarterback this year are no comparison to RG3.

STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pointed out that wide receiver Mike Wallace would join an exclusive club if the Steelers signed him to a long-term contract. In the 20-year free-agency era, Pittsburgh has signed only one wide receiver to a muti-year contract -- Hines Ward. The Steelers let several wide receivers leave in free agency (Yancey Thigpen, Plaxico Burress, Antwaan Randle El and Nate Washington to name a few) and traded three others (Santonio Holmes, Jeff Graham and Troy Edwards). To keep Wallace from becoming a free agent, Wallace is expected to be the only Steelers' restricted free agent to receive a first-round tender ($2.7 million), which would bring a first-round draft pick as compensation if he signs another deal and the Steelers decline to match it. Hensley's slant: I would be shocked if the Steelers didn't match any offer sheet for Wallace. Holding onto a deep threat who is about to hit his prime is worth more than a late first-round pick. Wallace has earned a long-term deal from Pittsburgh.

The AFC North is running a series where every position will be ranked and what could change at that position.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

1. STEELERS: Pittsburgh had the top-ranked pass defense, and it wasn't all about the pass rush this time. Actually, the pass rush was extremely inconsistent this season, so that No. 1 ranking is more of a reflection of the Steelers' secondary. Cornerback Ike Taylor and free safety Ryan Clark had career years. Taylor's season, though, was marred by a late-season decline that ended with him getting stiffed-armed by the Broncos' Demaryius Thomas on the touchdown that ended the Steelers' season. Clark had the best season of any safety in the division, which is saying a lot when Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed are in the AFC North. He finished second in the division with 100 tackles. Polamalu was solid, but didn't play up to his usual spectacular level. William Gay was a pleasant surprise, taking back the starting cornerback job that he lost in 2010. What could change: Gay is an unrestricted free agent, but it shouldn't take much to retain him. Look for rookie cornerbacks Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown to make more of an impact in their second seasons.

2. RAVENS: This group exceeded expectations, and did so in a surprising manner. Instead of starting Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr at cornerback, the Ravens finished fourth in pass defense with Lardarius Webb and Cary Williams. Webb was the division's top cornerback, recording five interceptions and breaking up 20 passes (and that doesn't include three interceptions in the playoffs). Williams was a physical presence at corner. The biggest disappointment was Reed, who intercepted three passes -- his fewest in a season where he played more than 12 games. The Ravens' other safety, hard-hitting Bernard Pollard, provided more of an impact than Reed. First-round pick Jimmy Smith endured an up-and-down rookie season. What could change: Smith should take over for Williams as a starting cornerback this season. Foxworth is expected to get cut, and the same could happen to Carr. Both backup safeties, Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura, are free agents, but I suspect Nakamura will get re-signed.

3. BROWNS: Joe Haden showed signs of being a shutdown corner, even though he failed to make an interception. He held his own against some of the best receivers in the NFL, from Larry Fitzgerald to Brandon Marshall. His worst games came against Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green. While Haden is among the division's best cornerbacks, Sheldon Brown was the worst starting corner in the AFC North. Brown's biggest asset is the experience he provides to a young secondary. The defensive backfield was hurt by the loss of strong safety T.J. Ward, who missed the final 10 games with a foot injury. Teams took advantage of Ward's replacement, Usama Young. Free safety Mike Adams beat out Young for a starting job in training camp. Dimitri Patterson was a reliable nickelback, breaking up a dozen passes. What could change: The Browns might replace Adams, who is a free agent, and they could give rookie seventh-round pick Eric Hagg a shot at doing so. Cleveland is very interested in bringing Patterson back. It wouldn't be a surprise if Patterson starts in place of Brown.

When the 2012 began, the AFC North represented two extremes in terms of the salary cap. The Cincinnati Bengals had the league's best cap situation ($44 million under), and the Pittsburgh Steelers had the worst ($25 million over).

The Steelers, though, have made significant progress this month to get under the cap. Pittsburgh restructured the contracts of linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, creating $11.6 million in cap room. The Steelers also freed up $3.5 million in cap space by cutting cornerback Bryant McFadden and wide receiver Arnaz Battle. Those four moves represented a total of $15.1 million in cap room.

There's still plenty of work remaining for the Steelers, who are now a projected $10 million over the cap. Here are five players whose 2012 salaries account for $17.4 million, which makes them candidates to get restructured or released: nose tackle Casey Hampton ($4.8 million), wide receiver Hines Ward ($4 million), guard Chris Kemoeatu ($3.5 million), linebacker Larry Foote ($3 million) and defensive end Aaron Smith ($2.1 million). Some of that cap space will go to wide receiver Mike Wallace, a restricted free agent who will get a first-round tender ($2.7 million).

The Ravens started the offseason in the middle of the pack as far as the salary cap ($8.5 million under). The retirement of running back Ricky Williams gives Baltimore $1.5 million in additional room. The Ravens will get nearly $19 million under the cap when they cut cornerback Domonique Foxworth ($5.6 million salary in 2012) and wide receiver Lee Evans ($3.2 million salary in 2012).

But a chunk of that cap space is expected to go to running back Ray Rice when they put the franchise tag on him. The franchise tag for running backs is expected to be $8 million this year. Baltimore is expected to place a first-round tender ($2.7 million) on their top restricted free agent, cornerback Lardarius Webb.

Like the Bengals, the Browns are among the teams with the most cap room. Cleveland is projected to be $21 million under the cap, which gives it freedom to be active in free agency. The Browns can spend on outside talent because they only have three of their starters heading to free agency (running back Peyton Hillis, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and safety Mike Adams, in addition to kicker Phil Dawson).

For the Bengals, they once again have plenty of cap room entering free agency. Cincinnati has seven of its starters entering free agency, but the Bengals are looking to upgrade at a lot of those spots on offense: wide receiver, running back and both guard positions.

Every morning, grab a cup of coffee and get your AFC North wake-up call here:

Browns cornerback Joe Haden believes the team will make a significant turnaround next season.

"I'm not going to make any guarantees," Haden told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I'm not going to be that guy. I won't go there. ... But I will say this: I expect us to be much better in 2012. I expect us to have a strong year, and I know my teammates do, as well."

Remaining optimistic is tough for the Browns these days after their season ended with a six-game skid and they lost 11 or more games for the fourth straight season. Haden doesn't want to put the "rebuilding" label on the Browns.

"As players, we can't think like that," he said. "We can't be hearing about three, five, seven years down the road because we might not be here. We want to win as soon as possible."

Hensley's slant: The Browns' defense certainly played better than a 4-12 record would indicate. Cleveland held teams to 20 points or less 10 times. If the Browns want a turnaround, the pressure is on the offense to carry its weight.

BENGALS: Former Cincinnati quarterback Boomer Esiason thinks the Bengals can challenge the Ravens and Steelers for the division crown in 2012. “Absolutely, because of two things,” Esiason told the team's website. “Baltimore is old on defense and Pittsburgh isn’t blowing up their whole team but they’re going to lose a lot of players. I think the Bengals have a chance now. If they do it right. They’ve got to get some good players in there and with a couple of good draft picks this could be a team that is a formidable foe for both Pittsburgh and Baltimore.” Hensley's slant: Whether the Bengals can win the AFC North in 2012 depends on if quarterback Andy Dalton plays better against the top-notch defenses from Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Cincinnati can help him by strengthening his supporting cast. But Dalton has to cut down on the mistakes against them (five of his 13 interceptions came in those four meetings).

RAVENS: The Ravens are interested in signing cornerback Lardarius Webb to a long-term deal. Webb is a restricted free agent after coming off his best season. “I think it would be best for this organization," general manager Ozzie Newsome said, via the team's website. "The sooner you strike, the better deal you can get for yourself.” Hensley's slant: The Ravens would free up over $8 million in cap room at that position if they cut Domonique Foxworth ($5.6 million salary next year) and Chris Carr ($2.5 million). There is a chance that Foxworth's playing career is over. The Ravens have quickly developed a talented young cornerback group in Webb, Jimmy Smith and Cary Williams, and it will be interesting to see how long they can keep them all together.

STEELERS: If the Patriots beat the Giants, it would mark Bill Belichick's fourth Super Bowl title, which would allow him to join the Steelers' Chuck Noll as the only NFL coaches to win that many. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Chuck and the job he did with his team and the organization," Belichick said, via USA Today. "So it is very flattering to be mentioned in the same sentence with Chuck Noll." Hensley's slant: Some would say it was easier to win in Noll's era because there wasn't any free agency. But, even if Belichick wins, there will still be one difference between the coaches. Noll never lost a Super Bowl.

It's time to unveil the defense for my All-AFC North team, which is based on performance this season, and not past reputation. There were many difficult decisions, and there should be. All four defenses in the division finished in the top 10 (Pittsburgh was No. 1, Baltimore was No. 3, Cincinnati was No. 7 and Cleveland was No. 10).

The All-AFC North team will wrap up tomorrow with offense. Of course, tell me who I left off, who should have been on and any other opinions in the comments section below.

Defensive end: Carlos Dunlap, Bengals. Tough call over Pittsburgh's Brett Keisel. Before being slowed by a hamstring injury, Dunlap was getting to the quarterback like no other defensive end in the division. Despite missing four games, he recorded 4.5 sacks and led the Bengals with 27 quarterback pressures, which was four more than anyone else on the team.

Nose tackle/defensive tackle: Haloti Ngata, Ravens. He didn't seem as dominant as last year, but it's hard to argue his impact. Ngata finished with five sacks, five batted-down passes, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He was a cog in the middle for the NFL's second-ranked run defense and he returned a fumble 28 yards for his first career touchdown in Week 3. Some would go with Casey Hampton, but he slipped at the age of 34 and so did the Steelers' run defense, which gave up 33 percent more yards rushing than a year ago.

Defensive tackle: Geno Atkins, Bengals. While the Bengals' run defense faltered in the second half of the season, their front four pressured the quarterback like no other in the AFC North and perhaps the league. And Atkins was a huge part of that by collapsing the pocket up the middle. He tied Oakland's Tommy Kelly for sacks by an interior lineman in the NFL with 7.5. He is the first Bengals interior lineman to top the team in sacks since 1996, when Dan Wilkinson led with 6.5.

Outside linebacker: Terrell Suggs, Ravens. He was the best defensive player in the division and arguably the best in the NFL this season. Suggs made an impact all over the field, becoming the only NFL player this season to finish with at least five sacks, five passes defensed and five forced fumbles. Critics would argue that his production came in three games (season opener against Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Indianapolis), where he totaled nine sacks and six forced fumbles.

Inside linebacker: D'Qwell Jackson, Browns. The comeback player in the division, Jackson finished second in the NFL with 158 tackles. That's 58 more tackles than anyone else in the AFC North. This is after Jackson missed the previous 26 games due to two separate pectoral injuries. He also tied for the AFC lead with three defensive fumble recoveries.

Inside linebacker: Ray Lewis, Ravens. There's no doubt that Lewis isn't the same player that he was five years ago and he had trouble getting off blocks after returning from a toe injury. But there's not a better run stopper in the division. With Lewis as the leading tackler, the Ravens finished tied for first in fewest rushing yards per carry (3.5) and second in fewest rushing yards per game (92.5).

Outside linebacker: James Harrison, Steelers. Many would consider nine sacks (which tied for tops on the Steelers) and two forced fumbles a solid season. But Harrison did this after having two back surgeries in March, missing four games with a fractured orbital bone near his right eye and getting suspended one game following his infamous hit on Colt McCoy. Harrison's ability to get to the quarterback was a big reason Pittsburgh finished No. 1 in the NFL in pass defense.

Cornerback: Lardarius Webb, Ravens. If you didn't know what a great season Webb was having, you did in the postseason when he picked off three passes. He led the division with five interceptions and 20 passes defensed. Not bad for a defender that everyone projected to be a nickelback this season. The Ravens also gave up the fewest touchdown passes this season (11).

Cornerback: Joe Haden, Browns. Haden was the headliner for the NFL's second-ranked pass defense and has the potential to be a shutdown corner. He finished sixth in the league (and second in the AFC North) with 19 passes defensed this season. Haden had three games this year with at least three pass breakups, including a career-high five in the season opener against Cincinnati. There were some slips, such as allowing a game-turning catch to A.J. Green and a game-sealing touchdown to Antonio Brown. Haden barely edged out Pittsburgh's Ike Taylor for this spot.

Strong safety: Troy Polamalu, Steelers. This wasn't his finest season, but Polamalu was a major presence on the NFL's top-ranked defense. Always lurking around the line of scrimmage, he finished third on the team with 91 tackles to go along with two interceptions and one sack. His best game came in the last one of the regular season, when his interception set up the game's only touchdown and his sack came from him breaking through the line after perfectly timing the snap.

Free safety: Ryan Clark, Steelers. The obvious choice would be Ed Reed. But even Reed would acknowledge that he struggled for most of the season. He managed three interceptions, his fewest for a 16-game season, and missed tackles toward the end of the season because of a shoulder injury. Clark enjoyed the best season of his 10-year career, leading the NFL's top-ranked defense with 100 tackles. That also ranked second in the AFC North. If you questioned Clark's impact, look at how the Steelers fared without him in Denver, when he had to sit out the playoff game because of a blood condition.

In Sunday's 20-13 divisional playoff win, the Baltimore Ravens managed three points in the final three quarters. They went three-and-out on eight of 15 drives. Their longest drive of the game was 59 yards.

One reason for the Ravens' struggles is that they were playing the NFL's second-ranked defense in the Texans. But this has become status quo for the Ravens defense, which won the game with three interceptions.

"We feel like we're the big brother of the team," safety Ed Reed said after the game. "But our offense will get going. We knew that. We knew they would make plays when they needed to."

Reed has also been a big brother when it comes to the secondary. He's played an important role in the development of cornerback Lardarius Webb from a third-round pick in 2009 to one of the top defenders in the NFL this season.

Webb made two interceptions in the playoff game to increase his team-leading total this season to seven.

"I've actually been very hard on him the last couple of weeks because I know how good he wants to be, and I know what he can accomplish," Reed said. "For him to come out and make the plays that he did was awesome."