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

Browns president Mike Holmgren insisted first-round quarterback Brandon Weeden has to beat out Colt McCoy to be Cleveland's starting quarterback.

"We drafted a young quarterback that we think can come in and play right away, but we're not just going to hand him the football," Holmgren told 92.3 The Fan on Tuesday, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I still love Colt McCoy [but] we had a chance to get a mature quarterback who has a chance to come in and contribute right away. Whether that happens or not we have to let it play out."

Holmgren added, "We have to let them compete. We have to let them play and see what happens. The fact that we drafted him so high means that we like him, but we also like Colt McCoy and we like Seneca [Wallace] as well."

Hensley's slant: Not buying this at all. When you draft a 28-year-old quarterback with the 22nd overall pick, the expectation is that he will be the starting quarterback. It's not his job to win. It's his job to lose.

BENGALS: Guard Jacob Bell explained why he chose to retire only 32 days after signing with the Bengals. “In the NFL we’re modern-day gladiators and we sell our soul to the game of football for a price, but what is that price?" Bell told the Cincinnati Enquirer in phone interview. "Everyone has a price and for me I wanted to make sure that I don’t have any regrets about my future in regards to what I’ve done in the NFL. At this point I can walk away with no regrets and left on my own terms where the NFL didn’t force me out and I made that decision on my own. There were a lot of factors and discussions with my family and myself and I think it was the right decision to be made.” Hensley's slant: There was a chance that Bell would have been forced out by the end of the preseason. Bell's play declined last season and he wasn't a lock to make the roster. The Bengals are going to start Travelle Wharton and Kevin Zeitler at guard, which meant Bell would have to compete against Otis Hudson and Clint Boling for the final two spots.

RAVENS: It was a busy night for the Ravens on Tuesday. Check out the blogs on the successful surgery for Terrell Suggs, the three-year extension for safety Bernard Pollard and the free-agent signing of wide receiver-returner Jacoby Jones.

STEELERS: There could be another starting job that's up in the air for the Steelers. In an online chat, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette said left defensive end is not settled at this point. " I believe [Cameron Heyward] will give Ziggy Hood a run for his money," Bouchette wrote. Hensley's slant: I still think Hood has the edge because of his experience. He's started 23 games the past two seasons. But Heyward showed he deserved more playing time in his dozen or so snaps per game last season. Either way, it's a luxury to have two first-round picks fighting for a spot.

Nearly a full month into free agency, the Steelers finally signed their first player Tuesday. It was -- yawn -- Leonard Pope.

Not excited about adding a backup tight end? Well, this is essentially a repeat of last year, when the Steelers' big free-agent signing was wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. Let's face it, Steelers free agency contains as much action as a Sarah Jessica Parker flick. Everyone knows this, and that's why no one is wringing their Terrible Towel over the inactivity.

The Steelers find players in April, not March. They hit on first-round picks every year -- at least in recent memory -- and develop undrafted prospects into starters. No one has built their team through the draft quite like the Steelers this decade. If the season started today, only one of the projected starters (safety Ryan Clark) joined the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent.

The Steelers need this remarkable track record in the draft to come through for them again. In some ways, this is the most important draft of the Mike Tomlin era. I'm not saying this is a crucial draft in terms of finding immediate starters. But the pressure is on the Steelers to find "potential" starters for the 2012 season.

The organization lost a piece of its history when it parted ways with wide receiver Hines Ward, linebacker James Farrior, defensive end Aaron Smith, nose tackle Chris Hoke and guard Chris Kemoeatu this offseason. Some have downplayed these departures because none were major contributors last season. Farrior was a part-time player, Ward was being phased out, Kemoeatu was benched and Smith and Hoke were both injured. The Steelers, though, could have used their experience as backups this season.

The loss of these veteran safety nets makes injuries a major concern. Two starters -- running back Rashard Mendenhall and nose tackle Casey Hampton -- are candidates to start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list (and miss at least the first six games) after ACL surgeries this offseason. Tomlin has expressed concern about whether right tackle Willie Colon and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders can shake their injury histories. And the Steelers have to be worried about Maurkice Pouncey's ankle, LaMarr Woodley's hamstrings and Doug Legursky's shoulder.

If Hampton is placed on the PUP, the starting nose tackle would likely be an out-of-position Ziggy Hood. If Legursky is hurt, the current top backup at guard is John Malecki. If Colon goes down, the Steelers have to turn to the often-struggling Jonathan Scott. If Sanders can't play, the third receiver would be ... well, no one right now. These are all painful scenarios for the Steelers.

This is where the draft comes into play for Pittsburgh. Taking the right college player has always kept the Steelers in the mode of reloading, not rebuilding. No one knows whom the Steelers will select with the 24th overall pick. It could be Alabama inside linebacker Dont'a Hightower, Georgia offensive lineman Cordy Glenn, Stanford tight end Coby Fleener or someone not even linked to Pittsburgh. Based on the Steelers' history, the only certainty is that the pick will become an impact player.

Since 2000, the Steelers' first-round selections have been wide receiver Plaxico Burress, Hampton, guard Kendall Simmons, safety Troy Polamalu, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Heath Miller, wide receiver Santonio Holmes, linebacker Lawrence Timmons, Mendenhall, Hood, Pouncey and defensive end Cameron Heyward. The only one who didn't quite live up to expectations is Mendenhall, and he is hardly a major disappointment, having led the team in rushing for the past three seasons. This great run is more amazing when you consider that only two (Burress and Roethlisberger) were selected in the top half of the first round. Even the Ravens, who are known for excelling in the draft, have had two busts during this span with quarterback Kyle Boller and wide receiver Travis Taylor.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, one of the underrated decision-makers in the NFL, can't explain this string of success.

"We've been fortunate," he told reporters at the NFL owners meetings. "We are capable as anybody of making a mistake. We never keep score. There's only one score that matters and that's the last game of the year."

If the Steelers had been keeping score, they would realize their success goes beyond the first round. They have come away with current starters in the second round (linebacker Woodley), third round (wide receiver Mike Wallace), fourth round (cornerback Ike Taylor), sixth round (wide receiver Antonio Brown) and seventh round (defensive end Brett Keisel). And don't forget about the undrafted finds like Legursky, right guard Ramon Foster and running back Isaac Redman.

This is why the Steelers don't have to write a $100 million check to free agents. This is why the Steelers can sign one player in the first 28 days of free agency and not sweat about it. Pittsburgh's way of business is about patience and faith. The Steelers believe in their front office to select the right college players and they believe in their coaching staff to develop them. It's a proven system that has led to five AFC North titles in 10 seasons and three trips to the Super Bowl during that span.

As players come and go, the Steelers' goals never change. Like Tomlin always preaches: "The standard is the standard."

"If you have a desire to be in this league for a length of time, you are going to roll with the punches and the ebb and flow, the evolution of the game," Tomlin said at the NFL owners meetings. "Thankfully, I've been in the game long enough to see a little bit of that. Those who are able to sustain success are pliable and flexible."

And the organizations that are able to sustain success are often quiet in free agency and make the most noise in the draft.

There's no football games on this Sunday, but there's always mail to be opened ...

Charlie from Centerville, Ohio, writes: How interested are the Bengals in Michael Bush? I think he would fit in their lineup really nice.

Jamison Hensley, from AFC North headquarters: The only way the Bengals or any other team can bid on Bush in free agency is if the Oakland Raiders decide not to put the franchise tag on him. It was considered a good bet that the Raiders were going to do that based on Darren McFadden's injury history. Now there's reports suggesting that Oakland won't use the tag, which would allow Bush to hit the market.

There will be several teams interested in Bush, but the Bengals have more salary cap room ($60 million) than most teams. This would be a homecoming of sorts for Bush, who grew up down the road in Louisville. His power running style would compliment the quicker Bernard Scott. Signing a runner like Bush doesn't preclude the Bengals from drafting another running back as well.

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Michael from Cleveland writes: If the Browns bring in Matt Flynn, does that mean Colt McCoy won't get the chance to compete for the starting job?

Jamison Hensley: Assuming the Browns get Flynn, the job would be given to him, even though Flynn has only two career starts and the Browns previously said McCoy would have be given a chance to battle for the job. The biggest reason why the Browns would go with Flynn is the financial commitment that comes with signing him. While Flynn remains an unknown in terms of being a full-time starter, there will be teams fighting for him, which will drive up the price. Flynn should end up with a contract in the same neighborhood as the one signed by Arizona's Kevin Kolb ($63 million over five years). You don't give that type of money to a quarterback without handing him the starting job, too.

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Drew from Baltimore writes: The Ravens have a ridiculous amount of free agents this offseason. Obviously, Joe Flacco and Ray Rice have to stay. Would you agree that signing guard Ben Grubbs and linebacker Jameel McClain both need to become necessities as well? Don't they seem more important than going after a receiver or drafting their replacements?

Jamison Hensley: I believe the Ravens will make adding a wide receiver a bigger priority than Grubbs and McClain. Grubbs certainly proved his importance when the offensive line struggled during the six games he was sidelined with a toe injury. But his chances of staying with the Ravens was significantly reduced when Baltimore invested a $32.5 million contract in the other starting guard, Marshal Yanda, last season.

As far as McClain, the Ravens' track record says he will go elsewhere and will make a lot of money in the process. From Ed Hartwell to Bart Scott, inside linebackers who have started next to Ray Lewis have garnered a lot of interest from other teams. McClain is expected to be the next one to do so. It won't be easy to replace Grubbs and McClain, but both will probably receive contracts that the Ravens won't be able to match.

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Ian from Charlotte, N.C., writes: With Casey Hampton's future uncertain, there are early rumblings of Ziggy Hood sliding to nose tackle. Does Hood have the tools to be a 3-4 tackle in the NFL? He's listed at 300 pounds which seems a little light to be absorbing double teams like Hampton did. What's your take?

Jamison Hensley: Moving Hood to nose tackle wouldn't be the first choice. That's why you're seeing Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe linked to the Steelers in the first round. But I don't see Hood playing totally out of his comfort zone at nose tackle. He doesn't have the size of the 325-pound Hampton but Hood is about the same size as longtime backup nose tackle Chris Hoke (305 pounds). Hood took snaps at that spot last season in obvious passing situations, and I saw him handle double teams when he lined up at defensive end last year.

The one reason why you don't want to move Hood is because he's improved so much the past two seasons. But this looks like the best option at this point. The Steelers can't count on Hampton, who had ACL surgery at the end of January, and they have to get first-round defensive end Cameron Heyward on the field more.

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Justin from Syracuse, N.Y., writes: What do you think the chances are that the Bengals will trade up to get Alabama running back Trent Richardson?

Jamison Hensley: The Bengals need a running back, and Richardson is the best one in the draft. He is one of the best athletes at any position in this draft class, too. But it would be a mistake for the Bengals to trade up to get him. It probably would take both of their first-round picks in this year's draft to do so, and it's not worth the cost.

Even if Richardson doesn't fall to the Bengals, they can use the first-round picks on a guard and cornerback. Two impact players are more valuable than a very good running back, who might only give you five outstanding seasons. Cincinnati can address running back in free agency with all of that salary-cap room and can take one in the second or third rounds.

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Brad from Atlanta writes: You raised the possibility of Matt Flynn becoming this year's Kevin Kolb. Can you post the stats of Kolb at Philadelphia and Flynn at Green Bay? Did Kolb ever have the kind of performances Flynn had against New England or Detroit?

Jamison Hensley: Like Flynn, there was a small body of work with Kolb, who started just seven games in four seasons with the Eagles. He generated buzz in 2009, when he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two starts. He was also outstanding filling in for an injured Michael Vick in October 2010, completing 23 of 29 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in a victory over Atlanta.

Flynn has only two starts but both have been spectacular. He totaled 731 yards passing, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Until Flynn can duplicate his success as a full-time starter, there are going to be concerns that he'll disappoint like Kolb, who went 2-6 in his first season with Arizona last season.

Football Outsiders analyzed the biggest holes facing each AFC North team going into the offseason. While I can't reveal everything because it's an Insider post, I'll provide the most interesting nugget of information for each team.

BENGALS: Running back, guard. This is a no-brainer because the starting running back (Cedric Benson) and the three guards that started the most games (Nate Livings, Mike McGlynn and Bobbie Williams) are unrestricted free agents. Best note from Football Outsiders: Livings and McGlynn combined to blow seven run blocks that directly resulted in negative yardage.

BROWNS: Running back. Honestly, Football Outsiders could have named every position on offense. Running back stands out because of injuries and ineffectiveness. Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya all failed to provide big plays in the running game. Best note from Football Outsiders: The Browns ranked 30th (2010) and 32nd (2011) in second-level yards by running backs. They also ranked 24th (2010) and 31st (2011) in open-field yards.

RAVENS: Interior offensive line, special teams. Everyone knows the Ravens could have major holes with center Matt Birk and left guard Ben Grubbs becoming free agents. The best observation was the struggles of the special teams, especially the coverage teams. It could get worse because four of Baltimore's top five tacklers on special teams are set to become unrestricted free agents: Tom Zbikowski, Haruki Nakamura, Brendon Ayanbadejo and Jameel McClain. Best note from Football Outsiders: According to Football Outsiders, the Ravens' special teams went from a No. 4 ranking in 2010 to 30th this season, which has to bother a former special-teams coach like John Harbaugh.

STEELERS: Defensive line. Nose tackle Casey Hampton is coming off ACL surgery, and defensive end Brett Keisel severely hurt his groin in the playoff loss at Denver. Backup nose tackle Chris Hoke retired and defensive end Aaron Smith could be next. Best note from Football Outsiders: Early indications suggest that Ziggy Hood will slide over to nose tackle in place of Hampton, Cameron Heyward will start in Hood's old spot on the strong side, Keisel will return at right defensive end.

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

Browns general manager Tom Heckert isn't bluffing when he says he might trade out of the fourth overall spot, according to The Canton Repository.

“In a perfect world, we would stay at 4, but it’s not a perfect world," Heckert said. "If we think we can get the same guy by moving down a few spots getting an extra pick or picks, why not do that?”

Heckert traded out of the No. 6 spot last year when the Atlanta Falcons wanted to move up to draft wide receiver Julio Jones.

Hensley's slant: It will be hard for the Browns to pass up on a playmaking wide receiver like Justin Blackmon. But they could get extra picks by dangling Robert Griffin III at quarterback-hungry teams like Washington (No. 6), Miami (No. 8 or No. 9) and Seattle (No. 11 or No. 12). Of course, that's if Cleveland isn't sold on Griffin as a franchise quarterback.

BENGALS: Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer interviewed for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head-coaching job Monday, two sources told ESPN. Zimmer is also a candidate for the head-coaching job in Miami. By Tuesday, the Buccaneers will have interviewed at least six candidates: Zimmer; Carolina offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski; former NFL head coaches Mike Sherman, Marty Schottenheimer and Brad Childress; and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. Hensley's slant: The feeling is that Zimmer has a better shot with the Dolphins than the Buccaneers because of his ties to Miami general manager Jeff Ireland. Zimmer has earned this shot at a head-coaching job. And, because of the youth on offense, it was more important that the Bengals retained offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

STEELERS: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette speculated in an online chat that Marcus Gilbert will go from right to left tackle, Willie Colon will stay at right tackle and Ziggy Hood could move to nose tackle. He also doesn't expect any "drastic changes" in 2012. "Some old faces may be gone and a few peripheral players but nothing major to their starting lineup," he wrote. Hensley's slant: The Steelers are over the projected salary cap in 2012, so they'll have to do some trimming. Some candidates who might need to get their contracts restructured or get let go are: nose tackle Casey Hampton ($4.8 million), wide receiver Hines Ward ($4 million), guard Chris Kemoeatu ($3.5 million), inside linebackers Larry Foote ($3 million) and James Farrior ($2.8 million) and cornerback Bryant McFadden ($2.5 million)

RAVENS: The AFC North blog will provide continuing coverage all week leading up to the AFC championship game between Baltimore and New England. On Monday, there were posts on Terrell Suggs and Tom Brady being cordial so far, the offense getting help from "big brother" and the Ravens not committing a penalty in Sunday's playoff game.

Defensive end Aaron Smith was placed on injured reserve today, which ends his season and perhaps the career for the unsung hero on the dominant Steelers defenses over the past decade.

This marks the third straight season that injuries have limited the 35-year-old Smith. He only played in 11 games between the 2009 and 2010 seasons due to shoulder and triceps injuries and appeared in four this season before a foot injury shortened it.

The move probably signals the end of a career for Smith because the Steelers already have his replacement in 2009 first-round draft pick Ziggy Hood, who has excelled in Smith's absence.

Smith, a 1999 fourth-round draft pick by the Steelers out of Northern Colorado, was possibly the most unheralded figure on the Steelers defenses. From 2000 to 2008, when Smith had double-digit starts, Pittsburgh ranked in the top 10 in defense all nine years including four as the top-ranked defense. During his career, Smith had at least four sacks in six seasons and finished 10th on the team's all-time list with 44.

Undrafted rookie defensive end Corbin Bryant was promoted from the practice squad to take Smith's spot.

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

The Browns have made no commitment to Colt McCoy to be their starting quarterback beyond this season, team president Mike Holmgren said at Thursday's news conference.

"I know it's not healthy to change quarterbacks," Holmgren said via The Plain Dealer. "But you have to find that person. ... Colt is just a pup. He's getting banged around out there. He will play this season and ... we'll evaluate how he does at the end of the season. That's an important part of the equation."

McCoy has averaged 21.6 incompletions over his past three games. His 28.5 QBR is 23rd in the NFL, just above recently benched quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Rex Grossman.

"[McCoy] is a rookie [actually, a second-year player] with a new coach, new signal-caller, new system," Holmgren said. "Are we committed to him? Absolutely. Does it guarantee him the starting position? I want him to do well. Everyone's rooting for him."

Hensley's slant: This is a major shift from April 2010, when McCoy said Holmgren compared him to Steve Young and Joe Montana because of his intangibles. This vote of no confidence comes after 13 up-and-down NFL starts for McCoy. One of the reasons why the Browns have failed to challenge for the AFC North title consistently is the lack of a franchise quarterback. Until they get one, Cleveland will always be chasing the Steelers and the Ravens.

• BENGALS: Right guard Bobbie Williams didn't hold back when he compared Andy Dalton to Carson Palmer, who was traded to the Raiders on Tuesday. “Just to be politically correct, Andy brings something that Carson doesn’t -- and I’m not knocking Carson -- a little bit more passion," Williams told the team's website. "I’m not saying Carson isn’t passionate, but Andy brings a little bit more.” Hensley's slant: There have always been questions about Palmer's leadership ability. In his defense, it can be hard to take control of a locker room that has the likes of Chad Ochocinco in it. Still, even as a rookie, Dalton is getting teammates to follow him.
• RAVENS: The Ravens' secondary got an unexpected surprise when first-round pick Jimmy Smith (high ankle sprain) and Chris Carr (hamstring) both returned to practice, according to MASNSports.com. Smith has been sidelined since the season opener , and Carr has missed the past two games. Three Ravens didn't practice Thursday: wide receiver Lee Evans (ankle), guard Ben Grubbs (toe) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (back). Hensley's slant: There really is no need to rush Smith and Carr back for Monday's game against Jacksonville rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who threw for 109 yards last Sunday in a loss to the Steelers. Baltimore needs both cornerbacks to be at full strength when the Ravens play at Pittsburgh on Nov. 6.
• STEELERS: Pittsburgh defensive tackle Ziggy Hood told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that if you get to Arizona quarterback Kevin Kolb, you stop wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Kolb has been sacked an average of 3.2 times per game, which is even more than Ben Roethlisberger (3.0). Hensley's slant: It also helps to have a guy who can cover Fitzgerald. Ike Taylor likely draws that assignment after just allowing his first touchdown. The Steelers can't afford to have flashbacks of Fitzgerald from that Super Bowl victory.

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

Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is dealing with a knee injury and is considered questionable "at best" for Sunday night's game at Indianapolis, coach Mike Tomlin said.

Keisel sustained a grade-one PCL strain to his right knee during the shutout of Seattle. "We will see where the week takes us," Tomlin said.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review estimated that a grade-one PCL strain can take a recovery time of four to six weeks. Ziggy Hood, a first-round pick in the 2009 draft, would likely replace Keisel.

Hensley's slant: Nothing to panic about because there's not been a drop-off when Hood comes into games. This is nothing new for Hood, who started 13 games last season (including playoffs) when Aaron Smith went down with an injury. The only difference this time is Hood will be switching from the left to right side.

• BENGALS: It's been mixed results with punt returner Brandon Tate, who has looked tentative at times but also has two returns for 15 yards or more, according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I am trying to be careful for us to not press him," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "With him, you get a guy who has some talent and ability." Hensley's slant: Any production would be a welcome change from last season, when Cincinnati ranked 25th in the NFL in punt return average. Tate hasn't been a primary punt returner in the NFL before, so it could take time for him to get into a groove. He showed flashes of being a dangerous kickoff returner when he was in New England.
• BROWNS: Starting center Alex Mack told The Cleveland Plain Dealer that the team is much more positive under new coach Pat Shurmur than the former one, Eric Mangini. "To come to work and not be dreading it from what's going to happen and how you're going to get yelled at or what's going to show up on the screen and just knowing that like, 'Here, guys, we made mistakes, and let's get better,' and have a kind of lighter atmosphere is going to help guys stay upbeat," Mack said. Hensley's slant: My guess is Mangini did a lot of yelling after watching the Browns' performances in 2009 and 2010. Players, though, prefer to have their errors addressed in smaller groups, where their position coach can give more details on how to correct the mistake.
• RAVENS: Head coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens didn't go into a two-minute offense in Tennessee when they trailed by 13 points (23-10) with 12 minutes remaining because the team wanted to be patient and make the right calls. "The bottom line is to get down the field and score," Harbaugh said, via The Baltimore Sun, "so we don’t want to rush in there and be off the field and be punting again either." Hensley's slant: When it comes to rallying from large deficits, the Ravens also need to find someone willing to step up. Last season, Joe Flacco could throw to Derrick Mason, Todd Heap and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. This season, younger players like Torrey Smith and Ed Dickson have to come through in pressure situations, especially with Lee Evans being banged-up.

The 2011 NFL preseason will begin Thursday night with several games, including the Baltimore Ravens of the AFC North against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here are four preseason storylines this weekend:

1. Cleveland Browns unveil new offense, defense against Super Bowl champs

Analysis: Cleveland could not pick a better measuring stick for a preseason opener. The Browns will debut their new West Coast offense and 4-3 defense against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay is the NFL's top preseason team, according to ESPN.com's Power Rankings. Many eyes will be on Cleveland second-year quarterback Colt McCoy. The 2011 season is huge for McCoy to prove he's the future of the franchise. His season-long journey starts Saturday at Browns Stadium.

2. Andy Dalton era begins for Cincinnati Bengals

Analysis: Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis made Carson Palmer wait a full season to make his first NFL start. But Lewis believes his team is ready to be led by a rookie quarterback in 2011. Second-round pick Andy Dalton will get his first career start for the Bengals Friday against the Detroit Lions. Lewis said the young offense will play longer than expected for a preseason opener.

3. Baltimore Ravens LB Sergio Kindle makes debut

Analysis: Kindle was Baltimore's prized draft pick in 2010. But a fractured skull last summer ended his rookie season. Kindle will make his debut one year later against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Ravens hope Kindle stays healthy and improves their pass rush. Baltimore had just 27 sacks in 16 games last season.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers evaluate young players

Analysis: The reigning AFC champions do not have anything to prove in the preseason. Pittsburgh's opener is more for evaluating young players. The Steelers took advantage of the preseason last year. They gave plenty of reps to inexperienced players Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. By midseason, this trio contributed to Pittsburgh's Super Bowl run. This year the Steelers want extended looks at rookies such as defensive end Cameron Heyward, offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert and cornerback Curtis Brown to see if they can eventually earn spots in the rotation.

ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton recently wrote an insightful piece updating the projected salary-cap figures for NFL teams. One note that stood out in the AFC North is that the reigning division champion Pittsburgh Steelers are projected to be more than $10.51 million over the cap.

That means Pittsburgh has plenty of work to do this summer. But fear not, Steeler Nation. The AFC North blog has provided Pittsburgh an easy-to-follow guide for cap relief.

Step No. 1: Release OT Flozell Adams

Analysis: Adams quickly acclimated himself in the Steelers’ locker room and filled in admirably last season. But he makes $5 million in 2011. Releasing Adams alone would get the Steelers halfway to being under the cap. Maybe the Steelers can re-sign him at a lesser number later, but Adams is not irreplaceable. The Steelers drafted offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert in the second round and also could look for a vet in free agency. But if the Steelers can convince Adams to return for, say, $2 million next season, that makes sense for both sides.

Step No. 2: Release WR Antwaan Randle El

Analysis: Randle El signed a three-year, $7 million contract last season but had a subpar 2010 campaign. He was eventually beat out by rookie receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown, who are both younger and more athletic. Now Randle El is fifth on the depth chart. He's a good locker-room presence and plays hard, but cutting Randle El makes business sense.

Step No. 3: Restructure DE Aaron Smith's contract

Skinny: Smith is a great leader and presence in Pittsburgh's locker room. He's also a good player when healthy, but season-ending injuries are taking a toll on the 35-year-old defensive end. Smith is on the books for $4.5 million in the final year of his contract. But you don't just cut a leader and career Steeler like Smith. So asking him to restructure and perhaps save $2 million makes sense. Smith has been an excellent mentor to Ziggy Hood and could be to rookie Cameron Heyward in what could be Smith's final season.

Step No. 4: Release WR Limas Sweed

Skinny: The Steelers have held onto the former second-round pick for three seasons, but both sides should probably go their separate ways. Sweed displayed several flashes but dropped balls in big spots and could never recover. Sweed is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury and enters the final year of a four-year, $3.3 million deal. Similar to Randle El, Sweed would probably be the fifth receiver on Pittsburgh’s depth chart if he stayed. Sweed needs a fresh start and the Steelers need the cap room.

Step No. 5: Sign LaMarr Woodley to a long-term deal

Skinny: Woodley received the franchise tag for a one-year deal worth $10.2 million in February. Woodley, who made just $550,00 last season, is very happy with that amount. But players would prefer long-term security. Woodley, 26, is eating up a huge chunk of this year's cap, and that number could be lowered if the Steelers reach a long-term agreement before the start of the season. That way, both sides would benefit.

If the Steelers follow these five steps, they will be back under the salary cap and ready to make a push for a corner in free agency. None of these decisions are easy, but that's the harsh reality of the NFL.

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: draft philosophy.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens often follow the philosophy of the right player at the right price. Therefore, Baltimore is not afraid to trade up in the draft or trade back if the value is right. As a result, Baltimore traditionally finds great players who were overlooked by other teams. The Ravens also are very good at scouting what I call "football character," which is somewhat different from regular character. Football character is having a certain toughness, confidence and an edge to fit into Baltimore's locker room full of strong personalities. The Ravens play with a certain attitude and swagger, particularly on defense, and it's not for everyone.

Cincinnati Bengals

Explaining the Bengals' draft philosophy can be tricky. Their approach is conservative. Rarely do you see a lot of wheeling and dealing coming from Cincinnati's draft room. The last time the Bengals pulled off a significant, draft-day trade in the first round was in 2004, when the St. Louis Rams moved up to draft tailback Steven Jackson and Cincinnati took Chris Perry. So expect Cincinnati to stay put this year at No. 4. But when it is time for the Bengals to pick players, they are not afraid to take character risks in exchange for talent. Sometimes it works out (Carlos Dunlap) for Cincinnati and sometimes it doesn't (Andre Smith).

Cleveland Browns

You didn't know what to expect from the Browns last year in the first draft under president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert. But the pair did a solid job working together for the first time. Cleveland landed solid rookies such as cornerback Joe Haden, safety T.J. Ward and quarterback Colt McCoy in the first three rounds. All three were starters by midseason. If any trend could be read from just one year, it's that the Browns will continue to attack their biggest needs. Last year the secondary and quarterback positions were thin after the new regime cleaned house, cutting quarterback Derek Anderson and trading Brady Quinn. This year the biggest needs are defensive line and wide receiver, which Holmgren and Heckert will surely address in this draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Philosophically, the Steelers are great at projecting two and three years ahead. For example, they will draft tailback Rashard Mendenhall in the first round, despite the fact Willie Parker rushed for 1,316 yards the previous year in 2007. Three seasons later, Mendenhall is a star in Pittsburgh and Parker has hit a wall. Or they will draft linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, even if they don't need them right away. The Steelers are willing to groom players for a couple of seasons before they become productive. Defensive end Ziggy Hood, a first-round pick in 2009, is another good example. Usually Pittsburgh can afford the luxury of taking the best available players. But this year the team has well-defined needs, such as cornerback and the offensive line.

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Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: history in that spot.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' top pick is No. 4 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: OT Trent Williams, (Redskins)

2009: LB Aaron Curry (Seahawks)

2008: RB Darren McFadden (Raiders)

2007: DE Gaines Adams (Buccaneers)

2006: OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets)

2005: RB Cedric Benson (Bears)

2004: QB Philip Rivers (Chargers)

Analysis: Draft history shows the Bengals are in a good spot at No. 4. Most players on this list have turned out to be productive pros or are getting playing time right away while trying to make a name for themselves. The last franchise quarterback taken in this spot was Rivers, who was drafted by the Giants and traded to the Chargers on draft day in 2004. That was a great pick in a strong quarterback class that included the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger and the Giants' Eli Manning. Is that caliber of quarterback available this year for the Bengals, whose starter, Carson Palmer, has threatened to retire? Prospects such as Auburn's Cam Newton and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert would be much riskier picks.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns' top pick is No. 6 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: OT Russell Okung (Seahawks)

2009: OT Andre Smith (Bengals)

2008: LB Vernon Gholston (Jets)

2007: S LaRon Landry (Redskins)

2006: TE Vernon Davis (49ers)

2005: CB Adam Jones (Titans)

2004: TE Kellen Winslow Jr. (Browns)

Analysis: Recent history shows the No. 6 overall pick can be hit or miss. Smith, Gholston and Jones are all certified busts as big-money draft picks. It's too early to tell with Okung, while Landry, Davis and Winslow have all had multiple productive seasons in the NFL. The Browns went 5-11 for the second consecutive year after having a similar pick in 2010. In the first year under president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert, Cleveland took cornerback Joe Haden at No. 7 overall, and he turned out to be a solid selection. The Browns need to add another impact player from the top of this draft to close the gap with the Ravens and Steelers.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' top pick is No. 26 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: DT Dan Williams (Cardinals)

2009: LB Clay Matthews Jr. (Packers)

2008: OT Duane Brown (Texans)

2007: LB Anthony Spencer (Cowboys)

2006: DT John McCargo (Bills)

2005: C Chris Spencer (Seahawks)

2004: RB Chris Perry (Bengals)

Analysis: Picking late in the first round is one of the toughest things to do for any franchise, but the Ravens thrive on it. General manager Ozzie Newsome is one of the best at finding late-round gems. Current Ravens such as Michael Oher, Ben Grubbs, Ed Reed, Todd Heap and Ray Lewis were all taken with picks No. 23 and later. Matthews is the most recent gem at No. 26. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers two years ago and quickly became one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. But Baltimore also has to be careful. Most of this recent group has failed to live up to expectations.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers' top pick is No. 31 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: DE Jerry Hughes (Colts)

2009: RB Beanie Wells (Cardinals)

2008: S Kenny Phillips (Giants)

2007: TE Greg Olsen (Bears)

2006: CB Kelly Jennings (Seahawks)

2005: DT Mike Patterson (Eagles)

2004: WR Rashaun Woods (49ers)

Analysis: The Steelers, who have six championships, are in the unfamiliar position of being Super Bowl losers. They will try to use the No. 31 overall pick to fill one of the team's needs. These players are not expected to be superstars. But they are first-round picks and the goal is to become productive starters. Pittsburgh is similar to Baltimore with its ability to find great players late in rounds. Since 2005, Pittsburgh has drafted Rashard Mendenhall, Heath Miller, Ziggy Hood and Santonio Holmes with picks No. 23 and later. The Steelers will aim to continue their late-round success in this draft.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet with Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan next week, a source tells the AFC North blog.

Jordan will visit Pittsburgh on April 4 to meet with the Steelers' brass. Pittsburgh is a team looking to get younger on the defensive line, as ends Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith and nose tackle Casey Hampton are all over 30. The Steelers drafted defensive end Ziggy Hood in the first round two years ago, and he helped contribute to last season's Super Bowl run.

Jordan recorded 51 tackles and six sacks for the Golden Bears last season. He is considered a mid or late first-round pick. Pittsburgh holds the No. 31 overall selection.

I've been at odds with this question all offseason: Should the Cleveland Browns consider a top wide receiver or defensive lineman with the No. 6 overall draft pick?

After weeks of debating with myself, I've finally decided the defensive line prospects are so good in this draft that it would be smarter for the Browns to snag one in the first round. It doesn't matter if it's the best defensive end or defensive tackle because Cleveland needs both.

The Browns are switching to a 4-3 defense next season under first-year head coach Pat Shurmur and new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron, and they will get run over in this physical division if they don't add monsters up front. Cleveland's pass rush also is important, and the team doesn't have anyone in the front seven whose specialty is getting to the quarterback.

Like most people, I agree that Georgia receiver A.J. Green is a tremendous prospect. But he's not better than Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald. The aforementioned players are elite NFL receivers and they all played for losing teams in 2010. My point is the receiver position is not very important in the NFL hierarchy. You need to be good in other areas first, and that's why I'm usually steadfast in not drafting a receiver in the top 10.

Meanwhile, the defensive line is very important. Games are won and lost in the trenches, and if you noticed, teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers take offensive and defensive linemen nearly every year: Haloti Ngata, Michael Oher, Terrell Suggs, Maurkice Pouncey and Ziggy Hood just to name a few. These are non-sexy draft picks that turn out to be huge when it's time to play football.

Cleveland needs to start learning from the dominant teams in its division. President Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert drafted a lot of skill players last year (Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Colt McCoy, Montario Hardesty), and it's time to add some meat to the NFL's 27th-ranked run defense. The Ravens (Ray Rice), Steelers (Rashard Mendenhall) and Cincinnati Bengals (Cedric Benson) all had 1,000-yard rushers in 2010.

The Browns still have to address their passing game. Although chances decrease after the first round, that doesn't mean the Browns cannot find good receivers. Studs such as Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace, Miami's Brandon Marshall and New Orleans’ Marques Colston were all receivers drafted in the third round or lower. The Browns just need to do their homework.

The offseason is a time to reflect and evaluate. The NFL remains a constant proving ground. These seven AFC North players -- who face questions ranging from consistency to becoming a franchise quarterback -- have the most to prove this upcoming season:

No. 7: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

2010 stats: 3,622 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 93.6 passer rating

Proving point: Flacco is a unique case, because he doesn't have much to prove in the regular season. The third-year quarterback has improved every year and won an average of 10.7 games per season in Baltimore. But Flacco's proving ground starts in the playoffs, and that is the next step in his maturation process. Fans in Baltimore expected better postseason play right away from Flacco and now are voicing their displeasure. Despite his putting up career highs in yards, touchdowns and passer rating last season, Baltimore's second-round loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers still stings for a Ravens team many expected to get to the Super Bowl. Flacco has a 4-3 postseason record, which isn't bad. But he's only played great football in one of his seven career playoff games. Is Flacco going through the normal growing pains of a young quarterback? Or is he simply not clutch? Next season will go a long way toward answering that question.

No. 6: Ziggy Hood, DE, Steelers

2010 stats: 20 tackles, three sacks

Proving point: Hood took advantage of a luxury not many first-round picks have in the NFL. He was a backup for about a year and a half and was allowed to learn in Pittsburgh before being forced into the starting lineup. Hood became a starter after Pittsburgh veteran defensive end Aaron Smith was lost for the season with a triceps injury. The 2009 first-round pick stepped in admirably, and the Steelers finished with the NFL's No. 2 defense and top-rated run defense. Can Hood be a full-time starter? With Smith returning, it will be interesting to see how the Steelers handle this. Smith, 34, is the prototypical 3-4 defensive end and is still a good player when healthy. But Hood also is a budding talent who looks ready to step up.

No. 5: Michael Oher, LT, Ravens

2010 stats: 16 starts

Proving point: Is Oher a left tackle or right tackle? After two seasons, the Ravens are still trying to figure that out. Oher followed up a stellar rookie campaign on the right side with a so-so 2010 season at left tackle. Baltimore had contract and health issues last offseason with Jared Gaither and decided to make the switch, which is often challenging. Oher had issues protecting Flacco's blind side (no pun intended) at times and suffered too many pre-snap penalties. But Oher remains Baltimore's best offensive lineman. So there is potential to improve on the left side in his third year. Chances are, Oher will get another shot to prove that in 2011 if the Ravens cannot find a better option via the draft or free agency.

No. 4: Jerome Simpson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

2010 stats: 20 receptions, 277 yards, three touchdowns

Proving point: After three mostly uneventful seasons, Simpson ended the final two weeks with a bang by posting back-to-back 100-yard games and three total touchdowns. Was the late surge a fluke or a sign that Simpson has finally turned the corner? Injuries to veterans Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens gave Simpson an opportunity to play. Now the Bengals have to figure out if Simpson is worthy of a larger role -- perhaps as a starter -- in 2011. Outsiders have their doubts. Most mock drafts have Cincinnati taking Georgia receiver A.J. Green with the No. 4 overall pick. If the Bengals take Green, that would show a lack of confidence in Simpson and their current group of receivers. Ochocinco also could become trade bait this offseason.

No. 3: Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns

2010 stats: 1,177 rushing yards, 61 receptions, 13 total touchdowns

Proving point: Is Hillis a one-year wonder? Following a breakout 2010 season, that is the question Browns fans want answered. Hillis exploded on the scene by leading the Browns in rushing and receiving last year. He was by far the team's MVP. But Hillis needs another great season for the Browns to have a chance in the AFC North. His numbers dipped toward the end of the season, as teams keyed on Hillis and he suffered through some nagging injuries. Expect defenses to be more aware of Hillis from the start next season. It will be interesting to see whether Hillis gets the same number of opportunities. Browns rookie head coach Pat Shurmur is changing to a West Coast offense. So Cleveland is expected to pass the ball a lot more than it did under former coach Eric Mangini. Hillis has good hands and could fit in the system. He's always been productive when given the opportunity, and posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time would be a solid achievement for Hillis.

No. 2: Andre Smith, RT, Bengals

2010 stats: Four starts

Proving point: After two years, many have already written Smith off as a draft bust. Cincinnati took Smith No. 6 overall, despite many red flags and have gotten little out of its investment thus far. The Bengals had high hopes for Smith in his second season but injuries and inconsistent play led to just four starts. Now Cincinnati is considering moving Smith to guard to see if his play improves. The Bengals also have to decide on Smith's contract later this offseason. Cincinnati has to decide whether to keep his contract at four years or pay him for two additional years, which included a $4.75 million option bonus. Based on the first two seasons, it would be surprising if the Bengals paid Smith the additional money.

No. 1: Colt McCoy, QB, Browns

2010 stats: 1,576 yards, six touchdowns, nine interceptions, 74.5 passer rating

Proving point: There is no player in the AFC North with more to prove next season than McCoy, who received a surprising amount of playing time as a rookie. Cleveland intended for McCoy to learn from the sidelines last season. But injuries to veterans Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace led to early playing time. McCoy then performed better than expected and secured the job after eight starts. The quarterback of the future is now the quarterback of the present. The Browns' front office and coaching staff are 100 percent behind McCoy as he tries to become Cleveland's first legitimate franchise quarterback since Bernie Kosar. There is a long list of failures at the position over the past dozen years. If the Browns have any chance of turning the franchise around and competing in the AFC North, McCoy has to be the answer.