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AFC North 2009 All-Injury Team

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:00:02 EDT

Injuries can make or break a team's season.

So far the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens have all had their share of players to go down. With that in mind, RJ from Virginia Beach suggests that I list my 2009 All-Injury Team in the AFC North.

Keep in mind some injuries vary and were/are more serious than others.

All-Injury Offense

Quarterbacks: Ben Roethlisberger, head, Steelers; Carson Palmer, left thumb, Bengals

Running backs: Cedric Benson, hip, Bengals, Lawrence Vickers, shoulder, Browns

Receivers: Chris Henry, arm, Bengals; Second receiver TBD

Tight Ends: Todd Heap, chest, Ravens; Steve Heiden, knee and ankle, Browns

Offensive line: Jared Gaither, neck, Ravens; Andre Smith, foot, Bengals; Evan Mathis, ankle, Bengals, Rex Hadnot, knee, Browns; Justin Hartwig,toe, Steelers

All-Injury Defense

Defensive line: Aaron Smith, shoulder, Steelers; Antwan Odom, Achilles, Bengals, Haloti Ngata, ankle, Ravens

Linebackers: Terrell Suggs, knee, Ravens; Eric Barton, neck, Browns; D'Qwell Jackson, biceps, Browns; Lawrence Timmons, ankles, Steelers

Cornerbacks: Johnathan Joseph, foot, Bengals; Eric Wright, shoulder, Browns

Safeties: Roy Williams, arm, Bengals; Troy Polamalu, knee, Steelers

Special Teams

Kicker: Phil Dawson, calf, Browns

Punter: Dave Zastudil, knee, Browns

Returner: Josh Cribbs, neck, Browns

Who is Dennis Dixon?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:44 EDT

Those in Pittsburgh are fully aware of Dennis Dixon. But there are a lot of football fans around the country who are unfamiliar with the Steelers’ third-string quarterback, who may start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.

Dixon

Here is a quick bio on Dixon:

Age: 24

College: Oregon

Draft status: Fifth round (No. 156 overall) to Pittsburgh in 2008

Notes: Dixon has thrown one career pass for three yards in his NFL career. It was to receiver Hines Ward in 2008... Dixon suffered a significant knee injury in his final season at Oregon, which is a major reason his stock dropped in the NFL draft... He is quick and has the ability to make plays with his feet. But Dixon really worked on improving his accuracy in the offseason and in training camp to fit in Pittsburgh's offense... There have been rumors in the past that the Steelers would implement a Wildcat package with Dixon, but the coaching staff said they were not interesting in running that style of offense.

Seven-step drop

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:00:38 EDT

Here are seven notes and observations from an awful Week 11 in the AFC North:

Drew Hallowell/Getty ImagesThe Steelers should take a long look at free agent quarterback Jeff Garcia.

If I’m the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first free agent I’m calling this week is quarterback Jeff Garcia. With the status of Ben Roethlisberger (head) up in the air this week and backup Charlie Batch out for the rest of the regular season, the Steelers need a veteran replacement. Although chances are slim that someone can come in and start right away against the Baltimore Ravens, if anyone has a chance, it’s Garcia. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh handles this if Roethlisberger isn't healthy enough to return. Would the Steelers really go with Dennis Dixon in a crucial game?
If Pittsburgh isn’t convinced that drastic changes need to be made ASAP on special teams, I’m not sure they ever will be this season. Pittsburgh has allowed four kickoff returns for touchdowns and two in the past two weeks. These are huge blows in a game. Kansas City Chiefs tailback Jamaal Charles took the opening kickoff to the house in their overtime win over Pittsburgh Sunday, and that play gave Kansas City all the confidence it needed to hang in there and eventually pull off the upset. The Steelers have a wealth of talent, and it's time to take some of those backups and replace them with better players.
We are getting a lot of e-mails in our AFC North inbox from Cleveland Browns fans regarding the frantic finish in a loss to the Detroit Lions. But the referees got this one right. Cleveland defensive back Hank Poteat clearly committed pass interference on the Hail Mary. Yes, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford hurt his shoulder with no timeouts, but above all else a game cannot end on a penalty. Another huge mistake was Browns head coach Eric Mangini calling a timeout for an explanation, which allowed Stafford to return and throw the game-winning touchdown. Who knows if an ice cold Daunte Culpepper could have come in and successfully executed that play in the clutch?
Here is a question for the Cincinnati Bengals: Why is Andre Caldwell returning kickoffs? It's been clear all season that Caldwell is not very good in that role. He dances too much and doesn't hit the hole or run a straight line. Caldwell burned the Bengals again on a kick return with a late fumble that set up the Oakland Raiders' game-winning field goal Sunday. Rookie tailback Bernard Scott was coming into his own in that role following a big touchdown return against the Steelers, and Scott or someone else should have been the player returning the final kick.�Caldwell is a solid receiver but it's time to give that kickoff return experiment a rest.
The Bengals also could not rush the passer against Oakland. Journeyman quarterback Bruce Gradkowski threw 31 times and Cincinnati had zero sacks. The Bengals also continued their season-long trend of not defending the tight ends. Oakland tight end Zach Miller led the Raiders with five catches for 65 yards. When you can't pressure the quarterback and constantly leave the middle of the field open that usually results in a loss.
The replay of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco’s final interception in a loss the Indianapolis Colts looks like he just decided to throw into triple coverage. But Flacco said he was fooled and never saw Indianapolis linebacker Gary Brackett drop on the backside. Brackett made a heady play by briefly engaging with an offensive lineman and then dropping into the spot where Ravens tailback Ray Rice was heading. According to Brackett, Baltimore ran the play earlier and he recognized the route. Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron also said afterwards that he was fooled by Bracket's decision not to rush the quarterback.
Let me finish by saying this was the worst weekend of football that I can recall in nearly two seasons covering the division. Three AFC North teams lost to awful opponents in sloppy fashion, and the one possible upset in the division was foiled by poor play in the red zone. I know it's just one Sunday, but group performances like this lead me to believe the AFC North is not as good as I once thought heading down the stretch of the regular season.

Who will play QB for Steelers?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:00:18 EDT

The defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers are in a very tough spot at quarterback.

Not only is starter Ben Roethlisberger recovering from a blow to the head in Sunday's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting backup quarterback Charlie Batch will miss the next six weeks with a wrist injury.

That leaves third-stringer Dennis Dixon as the only healthy quarterback currently on Pittsburgh's roster leading into a huge AFC North showdown with the Baltimore Ravens (5-5). Batch reportedly will undergo surgery and miss the rest of the regular season, while Roethlisberger's status is up in the air as he receives further testing.

Pittsburgh could scan the waiver wires to add a healthy body, but there is no chance that player will start against the Ravens. The choices for the Steelers are either Dixon or an ailing Roethlisberger for next week.

Injuries have suddenly put the defending champion's playoffs hopes in jeopardy. Pittsburgh (6-4) currently holds one of the two wild-card spots in the AFC. But ailments to Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Roethlisberger and now Batch could lead to the team's first three-game losing streak of the season.

Morning take: AFC North goes 0-4

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:00:46 EDT

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

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says he felt alright after suffering a blow to the head in an overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Morning take: The player usually plays it tough when it comes to injuries. But if Roethlisberger suffered a concussion, the Steelers may be forced to sit him in Sunday’s big game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Speaking of Baltimore, are the 5-5 Ravens a playoff team after falling to the Indianapolis Colts?

Morning take: The Ravens are good, but they just aren’t consistent enough to win the close games this year. That will cost them unless they get hot down the stretch.

The Cincinnati Bengals remained winless in Oakland by fumbling away a game to the Raiders.

Morning take: I understand the turnovers. But I’m still trying to figure out how journeyman quarterback Bruce Gradkowski lit up Cincinnati’s defense in the clutch.

The Cleveland Browns led by three touchdowns and found a way to lose to the equally struggling Detroit Lions.

Morning take: This was an exciting game between two bad teams. But someone had to win and someone had to lose.

Video: Reviewing Colts-Ravens

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:02:09 EDT

James Walker and Paul Kuharsky spent a few minutes before leaving M&T Bank Stadium Sunday to review the Colts' 17-15 win over the Ravens and what it means.

Red zone woes cost Ravens

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:55:39 EDT

AP Photo/Nick Wass
Joe Flacco's interception with under three minutes remaining cost the Ravens the game.

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens' final offensive play in Sunday’s 17-15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts was awkward from the start.

Baltimore was threatening to take the lead with third-and-7 on the Colts' 14-yard line with 2:49 left in the game. But the Ravens were hurried at the line of scrimmage.

Baltimore had to decide whether to be conservative and run the football to set up a game-winning field goal, or pass to try for a first down or touchdown. Baltimore chose the aggressive play, but the Colts were prepared. Linebacker Gary Brackett made an interception covering Ravens tailback Ray Rice to seal the win for Indianapolis.

"I didn’t really think the guy that intercepted it was going to drop out the way he did," a surprised Flacco said. "It was a bad job by me. I might have been able to get Kelley [Washington] on the outside. I kind of rushed to get the ball snapped and made a bad decision."

The play was the final example of Baltimore continually being one step behind the Colts in the red zone Sunday. The Colts took the clich� of "bend but don’t break" to new levels in holding the Ravens to five field goals, despite Baltimore having no issues driving the football in between the 20s and putting up 354 total yards.

The Ravens were 0 for 4 in trips to the red zone, highlighted by Flacco's pick and three failed attempts to run the football from the Colts' 1 in the fourth quarter. Better execution in any of those four scenarios could have knocked the Colts (10-0) from the undefeated ranks and given the Ravens a marquee win that was sorely needed.

"We have to find a way to score touchdowns," Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. "You can't attempt six field goals in a game like this, or potentially seven. You can’t do that."

Resorting to field goals against Peyton Manning will almost always result in a loss.

Manning (299 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) had his issues with the Ravens' defense. But he was still able to orchestrate two masterful touchdown drives of 87 and 80 yards that made the difference.

According to ESPN’s Stats & Information, Manning was 5-of-7 with a touchdown and a 117.3 passer rating in the red zone against the Ravens. It was a stark contrast to Baltimore’s offensive production close to the goal line.

"We scored touchdowns, they scored field goals," Manning said. "That was kind of the difference."

Adding to Baltimore’s plight was its inability to break off big runs. The Ravens rushed for 98 yards on 31 carries (3.2 yard average) and their longest run was 16 yards.

Baltimore got most of its yards through the air. Flacco threw for 256 yards and receiver Derrick Mason was the biggest target with nine receptions for 142 yards.

The Ravens' remaining schedule

Date	Opponent
Nov. 29	Pittsburgh (6-4)
Dec. 7	@ Green Bay (6-4)
Dec. 13	Detroit (2-8)
Dec. 20	Chicago (4-6)
Dec. 27	@ Pittsburgh (6-4)
Jan. 3	@ Oakland (3-7)

But the Colts tightened up in the red zone as the Ravens became easier to defend. Baltimore couldn't get many yards on the ground and the short field limited the team's options in the passing game.

"They’re not the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL by accident at this stage," Cameron said of Indianapolis. "You have to give them some credit. We can execute better and I can do better."

The loss puts Baltimore’s playoff hopes on thin ice.

With six games to go, the Ravens (5-5) trail the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4), Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4), Denver Broncos (6-4) and Houston Texans (5-4) in a crowded field for the AFC wild-card. It appears 10 wins could be the magic number this season, which means the Ravens would have to win at least five of their last six games.

It starts with a huge AFC North showdown next week against the Steelers. Both teams are coming off tough losses and still have to meet twice this season. Those games probably will determine the playoff fates of each club.

"That’s a tough loss and it will be tough to swallow, but you’ve got to move on," Ravens defensive lineman Dwan Edwards said. "You got Pittsburgh [next], and that’s a division rival and you need to try to get the 'W.' That’s all we can do."

Mason was blunt about Baltimore's prospects moving forward.

"We all understand what needs to happen now, we do," Mason said. "You can’t get in the playoffs unless you win 10 games or more, and 10 games don’t automatically put you in in the AFC.

"So we know the road ahead of us. We have to win every game from here on out, point blank."

Wrap-up: Raiders 20, Bengals 17

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:30:07 EDT

The Cincinnati Bengals remain winless in Oakland.

Despite Cincinnati being a first-place team this year, the Bengals played like the old Bengals again for one game in a 20-17 loss to the lowly Oakland Raiders.

Cincinnati receiver Andre Caldwell fumbled a kickoff return in the final seconds that led to Oakland’s game-winning field goal. The Bengals (7-3) are now 0-9 in Oakland all-time.

This loss hurts Cincinnati's chances of getting home-field advantage in the playoffs as AFC division leaders Indianapolis (10-0), New England (7-3) and San Diego (7-3) were all victorious in Week 11. Overall it was an awful weekend for the AFC North, which went 0-4 Sunday as Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4), Baltimore Ravens (5-5) and Cleveland Browns (1-9) all suffered close defeats.

Wrap-up: Chiefs 27, Steelers 24 (OT)

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:30:42 EDT

In just two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers went from a serious AFC contender to a team that likely will be fighting week to week to just to get into the postseason.

The Steelers suffered their worst loss of the season Sunday to the lowly Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24, in overtime. Chiefs (3-7) receiver Chris Chambers caught a 61-yard pass in the extra period to set up kicker Ryan Succop's game-winning field goal.

Not only did Pittsburgh (6-4) fail to improve its playoff hopes, but Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered a possible concussion, an injury that will have to be monitored closely throughout the week.

The Steelers have a huge game upcoming against the rival Baltimore Ravens (5-5) next Sunday with a lot of postseason implications on the line for both teams. The Ravens' playoffs hopes are on life support, while the Steelers will need a win to avoid a� three-game losing streak at a crucial point in the season.

Wrap-up: Lions 38, Browns 37

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:18:31 EDT

Is it possible that the most entertaining game of Week 11 came from two of the NFL's worst teams?

If you're a fan of offensive football, that was certainly the case as the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns put on a show. The Lions prevailed with a last-second touchdown by rookie tight end Brandon Pettigrew to seal a 38-37 victory.

The Browns finally showed signs of life offensively in scoring 24 points in the first quarter. But as bad teams often do, Cleveland failed to hold a three-touchdown lead in falling to 1-9.

Even in defeat, this was probably the game that we saw the most good come out of Cleveland's performance this year. Perhaps the biggest was quarterback Brady Quinn had a career game, throwing for 304 yards and four touchdowns. More games like that could solidify Quinn as the future quarterback for the Browns at a time when there's a lot of doubt about the position.

But on the negative side, a loss to the lowly Lions (2-8) is another indication of how bad the Browns really are. Detroit may have been the worst team left on Cleveland's schedule. So the Browns may have missed out on their best chance to win another game down the stretch.