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I changed the oil and shined up the Lamborghini nicely. Now it's time to hand over the keys.

On Thursday, Jamison Hensley, formerly of the Baltimore Sun, will take over the AFC North blog. Tomorrow I will start full-time in the AFC East.

But before I leave, I want to give a special shoutout to Melliott74, Rasta212, Wyosteelers, Blkandgold1969, Ravenous, Pucrepeap, Feardaraven01, BaltimoreThor, Ohoshun, Ogive17, Kovacs, SteelBeam00, ClevelandPownd, Bgsteelfan and other regulars. Welcome Jamison with open arms and keep this community strong.

Don't be a stranger, AFC North fans. I'm only moving next door.

Stop by the AFC East blog sometime to say hello.

Everyone is familiar with star players like Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Peyton Hillis and Cedric Benson. But who will be the lesser-known X factors in these Week 1 matchups?

Here are some additional players who could make an impact Sunday's games in the AFC North:

Lee Evans, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Experience: Eighth season

Analysis: Baltimore traded for Evans to add speed to its receiving corps. Pittsburgh and other teams often stacked the box against Baltimore's offense. Opponents didn't respect the Ravens' ability to throw deep. That's where Evans can be a difference-maker. He has the speed to blow by defenders for long gains. If Evans makes a big play or two this weekend, that increases Baltimore's chances against Pittsburgh.

Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Experience: Second season

Analysis: The last time Brown played the Ravens, he got behind Baltimore corner Lardarius Webb for a huge catch in the playoffs to set up Pittsburgh's game-winning touchdown. Brown has carried that momentum into the preseason. He's been Pittsburgh's most productive receiver in exhibition games and won the job as the team's third receiver. The Ravens have to account for Brown, in addition to Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Heath Miller.

Leon Hall, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Experience: Fifth season

Analysis: The high-profile matchup between Bengals receiver A.J. Green and Browns No. 1 corner Joe Haden will get a lot of press. But in contrast, Hall will be asked to shut down Cleveland's passing game, led by quarterback Colt McCoy. Hall recently received a big contract extension. He would like nothing better than to make a few big plays against Cleveland in Week 1 to justify his pay raise.

Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Cleveland Browns

Experience: Fourth season

Analysis: The Bengals are not hiding the fact they want to run the football. Look for Benson to get a lot of carries to test the young defensive line of the Browns. That's where Rubin comes in. He's the only proven player on Cleveland's front four. Rubin will team with rookie first-round pick Phil Taylor as the biggest pieces to Cleveland's run defense. If Rubin is disruptive to Cincinnati's rushing attack, that will go a long way toward stopping the Bengals' offense.

The "Battle of Ohio" is a longstanding tradition between the NFL's two Ohio teams. Tuesday we check in with our AFC North community to see which team will get off to a fast start in 2011.

Who will win Sunday's matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns? Both teams are rebuilding with young quarterbacks.

Can Colt McCoy work his magic against the Bengals? This is a big season for the second-year quarterback. Winning is the most important stat, and McCoy has to beat a team like Cincinnati to gain confidence.

Or will rookie quarterback Andy Dalton pick up his first career victory against Cleveland? Dalton has been up and down in the preseason. But he can erase all of that by getting the Bengals off to a 1-0 start.

Using our SportsNation poll, cast your vote on who will win Sunday's "Battle of Ohio." You can also share your thoughts and predict a score in the comment section below.

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

• Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk isn't worried about the addition of Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode.

Morning take: Birk says he's healthy, which puts him in line to start Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gurode needs to learn the scheme and get his feet under him. But Gurode is younger and could eventually be the starter.

• The Steelers are jumping into the regular season the hard way with a tough road game against the Ravens.

Morning take: You can't find a more intense start for either team. Baltimore will be fired up after getting knocked out by Pittsburgh recently in the playoffs. Here is a poll on who AFC North fans think will win the game.

• The Cleveland Browns' offensive line is in flux leading into their Week 1 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Morning take: Left guard is the biggest question. You forget how important Eric Steinbach (back) is to the team until he's out for the season.

• Bengals running back Cedric Benson is happy to be back following a brief jail stint.

Morning take: Benson was wise to get his legal issues behind him before the start of the season. He will be a big part of the Bengals' offense this season and now has a clear head.

This is the game we've all been waiting for.

Using our SportsNation poll, vote on who will win Sunday's much-anticipated, AFC North showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. These teams don't like each other and met three times last season. Pittsburgh won two meetings, including a playoff victory at Heinz Field.

Will it be more of the same for the Steelers? They have had Baltimore's number when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is under center. The Steelers are the preseason favorites to win the division.

Or is this Baltimore's year? The Ravens have been so close but fail to make the big plays at the end. Will Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco finally get his first win against Roethlisberger on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium?

Cast your vote and share your thoughts in the comment section below. Provide a final score if you're feeling really brave.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their 2011 practice squad on Sunday.

Here is the eight-man group:

• RB John Clay
• WR Tyler Grisham
• DB Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith
• OL Trevis Turner
• OL John Malecki
• LB Mortty Ivy
• TE Jamie McCoy
• DL Corbin Bryant

Now we see why Cincinnati Bengals tailback Cedric Benson served an early jail sentence for two assault charges in Austin, Texas.

Benson was released just five days into a 20-day sentence for good behavior and cooperation. Benson's lawyer said the running back shaved days off his sentence by mopping floors and helping paint crews.

The good news for the Bengals is Benson will be ready for Cincinnati's Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns. He also will get a full week of preparation, which was in doubt when Benson started his jail sentence.

Benson has run well this preseason. Now he should have a clear head with his legal issues behind him.

The Cincinnati Bengals made their final roster cuts Saturday. But it was the suspension of a reliable veteran that was the most surprising.

Starting guard Bobbie Williams, one of the biggest leaders in the locker room, was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing substances policy, the Bengals announced. Williams will not be allowed to rejoin the team until Cincinnati's fifth game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 9.

The Bengals also put cornerback Adam Jones (neck) on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He will be out at least six games.

Cincinnati waived 19 players, including quarterback Dan LeFevour and cornerback Brandon Ghee, to get to 53 players. We will have more on the Bengals' roster cuts coming up next.

Check here for a complete list of the Baltimore Ravens' roster moves.

Surprise move: Cutting linebacker Tavares Gooden wasn't a surprise from a production standpoint. But I was somewhat surprised the Ravens gave up on him. Baltimore took Gooden in the third round of the 2008 draft. Fellow Miami Hurricane Ray Lewis tried to take Gooden under his wing, but Gooden was hampered by injuries and inconsistency. The Ravens were tired of waiting.

Running back/kick returner Jalen Parmele was beat out by seventh-round pick Anthony Allen for the third tailback spot. Receiver LaQuan Williams also rode the wave of a great training camp and preseason to make the team as an undrafted rookie.

No-brainers: The Ravens were too deep at tight end to keep Davon Drew. Second-year players Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta were locks, and Kris Wilson made more plays in the preseason to win the final roster spot at tight end.

Third-string quarterback Hunter Cantwell had a chance to showcase his skills with plenty of playing time in the final preseason game. But Cantwell struggled and was released. The Ravens wisely chose to use the roster spot on another position.

What's next: The Ravens still have to complete a contract extension with Pro Bowl defensive lineman Haloti Ngata. Getting rid of the franchise tag would free up several million dollars in cap room to make another solid signing or two. The Ravens were expected to have this completed weeks ago.

Baltimore hasn't been shy this offseason in improving its roster. So look for the Ravens to try to add depth and patch up some holes.

Here's a quick memo to our AFC North community: I'll be moving soon from Cleveland to Miami and transitioning to the AFC East blog in the not-too-distant future.

No LeBron jokes, please.

The shift won't happen overnight. I will be going back and forth between divisions until your next AFC North blogger -- Jamison Hensley, formerly of the Baltimore Sun -- is ready to step in. Jamison will do a great job. I know you'll welcome him with open arms.

In the meantime, I'll see you right here, as usual, and hopefully on the AFC East blog as well.

ESPN's Bob Holtzman reports the Cincinnati Bengals met with franchise quarterback Carson Palmer in July before training camp. Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer also reports the Bengals reached out to Palmer's representation last week.

What does all this mean? Not much for the time being.

I'm hearing that nothing has changed with Palmer. He wants to play football but doesn't want to do it for the Bengals. ESPN's Adam Schefter is hearing the same, as he stated in the video.

The meeting likely presented two separate agendas. For the Bengals, it was to gauge Palmer's interest in returning before the start of the season. And for Palmer, it was to see if Cincinnati would soften its no-trade stance. It appears nothing was resolved on either front.

It's good that both sides have talked. But barring an unexpected change of heart from either side, I would be surprised if there is a resolution anytime soon.

Here are the latest happenings Thursday evening in the AFC North:

• Will the Cleveland Browns go 7-9 this season?
  
• The Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary is learning from defensive backs coach Carnell Lake.
• The Baltimore Ravens have several players on the bubble.
  
• Here is the scouting report for the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts.

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

• Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White will provide a good test for Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Jimmy Smith.

Morning take: This is a tough matchup for Smith before the regular season. White is big and physical, and these are the type of No. 1 receivers Smith was drafted to stop.

• Will the Cincinnati Bengals only carry two quarterbacks?

Morning take: Andy Dalton and Bruce Gradkowski are locks to make the team. Dan LeFevour may be expendable if Cincinnati wants to use a roster spot on another position.

• Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Doug Legursky will be the team's starting guard this season.

Morning take: Legursky is a blue-collar player who fits the Steelers well. Tony Hills had the first chance but didn't take advantage in the preseason.

• Young players on the Cleveland Browns will try to impress against the Chicago Bears.

Morning take: The Browns are not a deep team. So I'm curious to see which young players step up and make the team for backup roles.

We have a pair of Cleveland Browns fans who are our latest "Homers of the Week" in the AFC North blog.

Enjoy.

Mike from Ashtabula, Ohio, writes: You don't know football or you got your head too far up Baltimore or Pittsburgh's rear end. Cleveland is the best team in the division this year by far. One reason is neither Pittsburgh nor Baltimore can stop the West Coast offense.

Sean McKenzie from Van Wert, Ohio, writes: When you look at the Browns schedule, I can see the Browns going 10-6 if Peyton Manning plays or 11-5 if Manning doesn't play. We will sweep the NFC West and sweep the Bengals. That's six wins. We beat the Dolphins, Jaguars, Titans and Raiders. The Browns will lose to both the Steelers and Ravens twice (4 losses). Anything can happen on any given Sunday.

Walker: Mike and Sean, I've never seen so much excitement about a Browns team that's 1-2 in the preseason. Cleveland is showing some good things in exhibition games, but let's not go overboard. The Browns still have a long way to go before they are AFC North champs and an 11-win team. Also, Sean, why are Browns fans (and Bengals fans) talking about sweeping the NFC West like Cleveland and Cincinnati are powerhouses. Every team in the NFC West except Arizona won more games than the Bengals and Browns last year. There are no such things as easy games for four- and five-win teams. Congrats on being our AFC North "Homers of the Week."

The regular season is set to begin in less than two weeks.

Here are the updated cap numbers for the AFC North, according to Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network:

Cincinnati Bengals

Cap room: $29,030,430

Analysis: Teams are not required to spend to the cap until 2013, and the Bengals are taking advantage. Cincinnati has the third-most cap space in the NFL. Trading receiver Chad Ochocinco and putting quarterback Carson Palmer on the reserve/did not report list will save Cincinnati more than $17 million this year. The Bengals made several free-agent acquisitions, such as Nate Clements and Manny Lawson. But few were big names. They also re-signed starting tailback Cedric Benson for a bargain, one-year deal after Benson had legal issues this summer.

Cleveland Browns

Cap room: $18,856,161

Analysis: The Browns said they would build through the draft and keep their own players. They stuck to that principle this summer. Cleveland didn't make any significant moves in free agency. The Browns had plenty of needs and plenty of money to spend but stood pat. Cleveland's biggest move was giving Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas a huge, seven-year extension worth up to $84 million. It's the biggest deal in NFL history for an offensive or defensive lineman. Still, Cleveland has plenty of cap room to try to work out more extensions with in-house players such as tailback Peyton Hillis and defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin.

Baltimore Ravens

Cap room: $2,344,835

Analysis: Baltimore's cap number is somewhat deceiving. The team will have more room -- perhaps as much as $5 million to $7 million -- once it reaches a long-term extension with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The Ravens are working to extend Ngata and remove the franchise tag. But both sides have been unable to reach an agreement. Baltimore has been active and has a chance to make a couple more moves after Saturday's cuts. But the Ravens first have to take care of their in-house business with Ngata.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Cap room: $2,268,471

Analysis: General manager Kevin Colbert and cap specialist Omar Khan did an amazing job of transforming the Steelers' cap from about $10 million over to more than $2 million under. Pittsburgh gave out big extensions to cornerback Ike Taylor and linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons in the process. Key players such quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and linebacker James Harrison restructured their deals to assist the Steelers. Pittsburgh kept its team together to make another run this season. Don't expect any additional moves before the start of the season.