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A look at a key player from each AFC North team who needs to show something in offseason sessions:

Baltimore Ravens: Cornerback Jimmy Smith. Most Ravens first-round picks start as rookies. Smith hasn't established himself yet, and he's entering his third season. The 27th overall pick of the 2011 draft, Smith has the size and speed to be a top-tier cornerback. He just hasn't shown the toughness or consistency to warrant a place on the field. Smith's best game last season was the Super Bowl, where he successfully defended San Francisco's final two passes of the game (depending on your interpretation of pass interference). The Ravens are going to need Smith to carry that over into this offseason; Lardarius Webb is coming off a season-ending knee injury and Cary Williams went to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. Smith could put himself in position to take over the starting job from Corey Graham.

Cincinnati Bengals: Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick needs to show he'll be ready when training camp starts at the end of July. Injuries sidelined him for most of the offseason last year, and a bone spur in his knee limited him to five games (and a total of four tackles) last year. Kirkpatrick had another procedure on the knee four months ago, and the hope is he'll be fully recovered for training camp. It's been a disappointing start to his career, which has been magnified by the fact guard Kevin Zeitler, the Bengals' other first-round pick from a year ago, has looked like a Pro Bowl player already. The Bengals need to know they'll be able to count on Kirkpatrick come summer. He'll have a chance to compete against Terence Newman for a starting job.

Cleveland Browns: Quarterback Brandon Weeden. Many first-round quarterbacks are given some time to develop. That's not the case for Weeden, who wasn't drafted by the current Browns decision-makers. The expectation is that Weeden will enter training camp as the starter. But nothing is guaranteed, especially when Weeden has yet to get a strong vote of confidence from either chief executive officer Joe Banner or head coach Rob Chudzinski. The Browns signed veteran backup Jason Campbell, which puts pressure on Weeden. He'll have to earn the starting job, and the competition begins in these offseason workouts. Weeden has to show growth from last season, when he ranked near the bottom of the league in completion rate (57.4 percent) and near the top in interceptions (17).

Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive tackle Mike Adams. Although the Steelers are currently undecided on who will start at left tackle this season, Adams could get the first crack at protecting Ben Roethlisberger's blind side in these offseason camps. The 2012 second-round pick has to prove he can stay healthy. He sprained his MCL in the preseason opener, but to his credit, he returned five days later. Adams' rookie season then ended in November after he suffered an ankle injury. In 10 games at right tackle, he allowed seven sacks and 16 quarterback hurries. If Adams struggles, the Steelers could move him back to right tackle and flip Marcus Gilbert to the left side.

Offensive tackle Jake Long signed a four-year deal with the St. Louis Rams on Sunday night that could be worth up to $36 million. The former No. 1 overall pick reportedly chose the Rams over the Miami Dolphins, but there was another interested team as well.

The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly made a play for Long as well, although it occurred after his negotiations were too far along with St. Louis, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. This information indicates the Steelers aren't completely sold on their offensive tackles and the team could be more active in free agency than many expected.

This type of move is unlike the Steelers, who rarely go after such high-profile free agents. Long would provide experience and dependability in protecting the blind side of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, whose injuries have derailed the past two seasons for the Steelers. By even reaching out to Long, the Steelers showed they have some reservations about either left tackle Marcus Gilbert or right tackle Mike Adams, especially when the team's precious cap dollars should be spent on more pressing needs like outside linebacker, running back and wide receiver.

Gilbert, who has started at right tackle the past two seasons, is expected to make the move to the left side and take over for Max Starks, and Adams has been penciled in at right tackle. The only other impact left tackle available is New England's Sebastian Vollmer. The Ravens' Bryant McKinnie is a stop-gap option.

The Steelers are usually quiet during free agency and that's primarily because they don't have much cap space. Their history is re-signing their own players or developmental prospects like Joe Long, Jake's younger brother who spent last season on the Steelers' practice squad. But Pittsburgh cleared over $23 million this offseason by restructuring contracts and releasing linebacker James Harrison. In contacting Long, who wasn't going to come cheaply, Pittsburgh is perhaps not as cap-strapped as many believe.

The Steelers have been looking at veteran (and presumably inexpensive) running backs like Ahmad Bradshaw and Beanie Wells. There's also a chance of adding an outside linebacker to replace Harrison and a tight end to fill in for Heath Miller, whose status is uncertain after tearing his ACL late last season. Pittsburgh also might have a decision to make at wide receiver if New England decides to sign Emmanuel Sanders to an offer sheet.

Let's see if the Steelers have any other surprises in store over the next couple of weeks.

» NFC Eight in the Box: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Welcome to Eight in the Box, an NFL Nation feature that will appear each Friday during the offseason. This week's topic: Who should be the primary target (including trades) for each team when free agency begins?

Denver Broncos: Glover Quin, S, Texans: Sure, I could see the Broncos making a big splash at a high-profile position like receiver in the form of someone like Mike Wallace or Wes Welker. I wanted to focus on a position that may not get as much thought in Denver, but where the team is interested in getting better. The Broncos are interested in adding to the secondary. A player like Quin would be a great fit. The team likes Rahim Moore (despite his playoff gaffe against the Ravens) and they have high hopes for Quinton Carter. But Quin can come in and help these guys and provide an upgrade from Mike Adams. Getting a tough player in the back of a strong defense would only help Denver.

Kansas City Chiefs: Sean Smith, CB, Dolphins: The Chiefs are an interesting team. Despite being 2-14 in 2012, they don’t have a ton of screaming needs. Getting a quality cornerback to team with Brandon Flowers may be just the thing this defense needs. The Chiefs tried it with Stanford Routt last season (to replace top dollar Dallas free-agent signee Brandon Carr), but it didn’t work. Yes, the Chiefs could use the No. 1 pick on Alabama's Dee Milliner and I still think a trade for Darrelle Revis would be worth exploring. But adding a tall, athletic corner like Smith could be the ticket as well. He won’t be cheap, but he has skills and a Smith-Flowers pairing would be interesting.

Oakland Raiders: Cary Williams, CB, Ravens: The Raiders won't have a ton to spend and they have a lot of positions that need help. But I’m going with a cornerback, because I think it is the team’s greatest need. Really, name a legitimate starting in-house candidate in Oakland that is not an emergency option. Williams may be too sought-after for Oakland to afford. But he is a solid starter who has been through the wars. If the price is right, he’d fill a big need for Oakland. A more affordable option will be former Denver cornerback Tracy Porter. I think Oakland -- coach Dennis Allen was Porter’s position coach in New Orleans -- will be interested, but if Williams fell to Oakland, I think it would be worth considering.

San Diego Chargers: Andy Levitre, G, Bills: Levitre is one of the best guards in the league. He will be sought after in free agency. But if the price is not through the roof, I think the Chargers will be a player for his services. The Chargers’ primary task this offseason is to improve the offensive line. Levitre would be a great start. Levitre, who is from California, likely would be interested in signing and reuniting with former Buffalo offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris, who was just hired by the Chargers. He has a zone-blocking scheme. San Diego coach Mike McCoy said the Chargers will run the scheme that best fits the players, and I'm sure D’Alessandris would like to reunite with Levitre to help introduce his system. The Chargers’ best offensive lineman, guard Louis Vasquez, is also free. In the best-case scenario, San Diego would be able to keep both players, but it’s difficult to put top resources into two guards, especially with the team needing a left tackle. But because Levitre has experience in D’Alessandris’ system, I could see him being a more valued target than Vasquez.

Besides the headline that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Baltimore, there was injury news for the NFL's top-ranked defense.

Here's the good: Troy Polamalu is expected back after missing the past seven games with a calf injury. The Pro Bowl safety is listed as probable.

Here's the bad: linebacker LaMarr Woodley is out with an ankle injury. He will be replaced by Jason Worilds.

The Steelers pass defense is ranked first in the NFL despite not having Polamalu. But the Steelers are hoping to generate more game-changing plays with him in the lineup. Polamalu is expected to play a "significant role," according to defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. "I don't think he will be able to be out there every snap," LeBeau told reporters Thursday. "He is in good shape, but I think his football conditioning needs some development."

The Steelers have also ruled out right tackle Mike Adams (ankle) and backup quarterback Byron Leftwich (ribs). Left guard Willie Colon (knee) is questionable, and wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) is probable. Brown has been sidelined the past three weeks.

The Steelers are looking like the Steelers again. The old-school Steelers. The ones who ran the ball down defenses' throats and wore down teams late in games.

The change has been initiated by offensive coordinator Todd Haley. The plan has been carried out by the unlikeliest of players -- the Steelers offensive line. Bashed the past few years for being the weak link of the offense, the linemen have flexed their muscles during Pittsburgh's three-game win streak and have become the backbone of an attack that will be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the season.

The Steelers' offensive line has been the most improved unit. It has been the most dominant one recently. And, at the midway point of the regular season, these linemen have been Pittsburgh's most valuable players.

Establishing chemistry and a nasty attitude, the offensive line turned a Steelers run game, off to its worst start in 62 years, into a surprisingly successful one. Pittsburgh has produced a 100-yard rusher in three consecutive games. How big of a role has the line played? When Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman were hurt, the line opened holes for Jonathan Dwyer to gain more than 100 yards in back-to-back games. When Dwyer and Mendenhall were sidelined last Sunday, this line paved the way for Redman to crack 100 yards.

The message is clear: This line gives running backs a chance to succeed. The difference has been the push generated off the line. In the first five games of the season, Steelers running backs were hit in the backfield 19.8 percent of the time, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In the past three games, runners have been hit in the backfield just 12.1 percent of the time. If Redman gets hurt again, maybe Jerome Bettis could suit up and gain 100 yards against the Chiefs on Monday night.

In the past, the offensive line drew more criticism than compliments. The high number of hits on Ben Roethlisberger and the problems in the running game used to be blamed on the line.

"Everyone wants to jump on (the offensive line) when they’re not playing good, but no one talks about them when they’re playing great,” Roethlisberger said recently.

During an offseason in which president Art Rooney II made it a priority to run the ball better, the Steelers had hopes of improving the offensive line although they had a different vision for it. Pittsburgh used its first two draft picks this year on guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams. But DeCastro suffered a severe knee injury in the preseason and Adams didn't win the starting job in training camp.

The difficulties with the rookies weren't the only hurdles that this line had to face. There were question marks on the left side of the line, where tackle Max Starks was months removed from ACL surgery and guard Willie Colon was converting from right tackle. Instead of having a first-round pick in DeCastro at right guard, the Steelers went with Ramon Foster, who was undrafted three years ago. There was even an issue with two-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who had to sit out a game because of a knee injury.

Where the line came together was Oct. 11, when Adams stepped in for Marcus Gilbert after he injured his ankle. Adams has moved defenders off the line of scrimmage, and the Steelers started to build cohesion that didn't exist a year ago. Last season, the Steelers used an NFL-high 26 different offensive line combinations, according to ESPN Stats & Information. In eight games this season, the Steelers have used six different offensive line combinations.

This line was a work-in-progress early. After three weeks, the Steelers ranked 30th in rushing yards per game (65.0) and were tied for last in yards per carry (2.6). No running back had cracked 50 yards in a game, much less 100.

Over the past three games, Pittsburgh gained 155.0 yards rushing per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Colon and Foster have been equally athletic and aggressive in pulling from one side to another on the team's counter plays.


The line has played so well that there are no guarantees that Gilbert and DeCastro will get back their starting jobs once healthy. Gilbert could be available for next week's game against the Ravens, and DeCastro might be ready by December. This isn't a problem, though. Having too many solid options is a luxury.

By next season, Gilbert is expected to take over at left tackle and DeCastro will take back his spot at right guard. For now, the Steelers might not want to mess with continuity. Starks said the success in the running game goes beyond consistency on the offensive line.

"By committing to a primary runner as opposed to a runner by committee has also played a big role in that," Starks told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this week. "Having a guy know he can run -- and if it doesn't go well, they're going to shelve him and put a guy in for couple plays. Knowing you're committed to him and allowing him to get a feel for the game, to get into a rhythm with us, I think that's the biggest thing, having that continuity."

Roethlisberger remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Mike Wallace is still one of the fastest receivers. And tight end Heath Miller is a reliable target in the red zone. They can all make plays when they need to do so. But the pressure is not all on them anymore.

The Steelers have returned to their roots with this physical style of football, which makes them more balanced and stops pass-rushers from teeing off on Roethlisberger (he's only been sacked 17 times in eight games after suffering 40 sacks last season). They're wearing down teams with the second-best time of possession in the NFL and they're finishing off teams in the fourth quarter. The Steelers haven't been able to do this in recent years. But they haven't had this strong of a line during that time either.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A quarter after losing Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers watched right tackle Marcus Gilbert leave with what is believed to be a right ankle injury.

Gilbert hurt his ankle on a third-down conversion about five minutes into the second quarter. Rookie second-round pick Mike Adams has replaced him. The team announced that Gilbert is probable to return.

The Steelers are now playing without three projected starters on the offensive line -- rookie first-round pick David DeCastro was injured in the preseason -- and all available linemen are in action. No backups are left.

As these teams felt each other out early, it was apparent the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted to bludgeon the soft interior of the Denver Broncos defense with the power running game. But as the game went on, Pittsburgh went more no-huddle and put the game on Ben Roethlisberger, who played a great game despite taking a beating -- right up until the pick-six he threw to Tracy Porter seal the game in Denver’s favor.

The Steelers lost Marcus Gilbert in the second quarter, forcing rookie Mike Adams into an unfamiliar role at right tackle -- often facing Von Miller on passing downs. Adams got help on most of these instances, but that left Max Starks alone against Elvis Dumervil. Later in the game, Ramon Foster was sidelined with an eye injury, leaving the Steelers without any reserve offensive linemen. False starts were a huge problem for this line. But the Steelers offense was effective enough to keep the Denver offense off the field through the middle of the game.

Roethlisberger made quite a few vintage Roethlisberger plays by shrugging off pass-rushers and making impromptu plays with his legs and big arm. He really had to work hard for everything the Steelers offense got. But Pittsburgh took very few shots deep downfield -- probably because of protection concerns -- even with Mike Wallace now on board. The Steelers did incorporate Heath Miller more than in recent memory, and Miller could be their best red zone weapon. He came up big, time and time again. But that wasn’t enough on this night.

Peyton Manning's anticipation as a passer is as fantastic as ever. It took Denver too long to go to its no-huddle attack, where Manning thrives and controls the pace of the game, but in the end it didn’t matter. Dick LeBeau dialed up a wide variety of blitzes and got noticeable pressure on Manning early, which is extremely difficult to do. But Manning also appeared to adeptly read where Troy Polamalu lined up and based his play call accordingly, often effectively audibling to a run play when the Steelers’ star safety was aligned deep.

In the third quarter when Manning finally did see the field after nearly an hour of real time rest, he quickly hit Demaryius Thomas on a quick-hitting route, which Thomas took 71yards to the house. An easy throw, but Manning did recognize that the defense was prone to such a play call and acted accordingly. That was the single biggest play of the game.

This was a masterful performance from Manning with his ability to consistently have his team in the right call for the given defense and situation. As the game went on, the future Hall of Famer grew stronger. Manning won this game with his mind.

With right guard David DeCastro out indefinitely, there will be minimal impact felt from the Steelers' 2012 draft class this season. DeCastro, the team's first-round pick, was the only guaranteed starter from Pittsburgh's most recent draft.

Offensive tackle Mike Adams, the second-round pick, is in the running for the starting left tackle job. But it wasn't an encouraging sign when the Steelers started Max Starks at left tackle Saturday night.

The player from this draft class who has the best chance of changing games is running back Chris Rainey, a fifth-round pick. He's displayed electric speed this preseason, scoring on a 41-yard run and a 57-yard catch.

Inside linebacker Sean Spence (third round) will be a key contributor on special teams and could see time on the starting defense if there is an injury to Lawrence Timmons or Larry Foote. Nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu (fourth round) has struggled at times and likely will be among the team's inactives every week. Pittsburgh's four seventh-round picks (wide receiver Toney Clemons, tight end David Paulson, cornerback Terrence Frederick and guard Kelvin Beachum) are long shots to make the team.

This isn't to say there won't be a rookie starting for the Steelers this year. Will Johnson, who was out of football last year, is expected to be the Steelers' starting fullback, and Drew Butler, an undrafted rookie, has punted well enough to earn a spot. But the Steelers have to determine whether they'll go with Butler or Jeremy Kapinos, who still hasn't punted this preseason because of issues with his back.

The Steelers had only one rookie starter from the 2011 draft class (right tackle Marcus Gilbert) and one in 2010 (center Maurkice Pouncey).

The Steelers' offensive line received some encouraging news when veteran left tackle Max Starks was removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Starks, who tore his ACL in the playoff loss at Denver, won't practice until Friday and isn't expected to play in Sunday's preseason game against the Colts, the paper reported.

Starks' timetable to return has become a hot topic since second-round pick Mike Adams struggled in the season opener. Adams is out for a couple of weeks with a sprained knee, which has forced Marcus Gilbert to move from right to left tackle.

Taking Starks off the PUP list this early is a good sign that he will be available for the Sept. 9 season opener. Starks previously said that he wanted some playing time in the preseason, even though he has 80 starts in eight seasons with Pittsburgh.

"I didn't need it last year," Starks told reporters over the weekend. "But this is a new offense. It's a lot more confusing than I thought it would be. It's the same stuff, but the names [of the plays] and the way it's called is different. I'm always going, 'Oh, this play is old such-and-such.'"

The last couple of weeks will likely determine who will be the Steelers' starting left tackle at Denver in Week 1. Starks has to show he's fully recovered from knee surgery, and Adams has to prove he's better than how he played in the preseason opener.

The Steelers' offensive line is facing a familiar problem, and it's not just that constant pressure it allowed in the preseason opener.

With rookie left tackle Mike Adams out a couple of weeks with a mild sprain of his anterior cruciate ligament, Pittsburgh is already reshuffling the offensive line. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Steelers used a league-high 25 different offensive-line combinations during the 2011 regular season. Now they're on their second one heading into their second preseason game.

Pittsburgh's starting lineup for the preseason opener was Adams, left guard Ramon Foster (because Willie Colon was injured), center Maurkice Pouncey, right guard David DeCastro and right tackle Marcus Gilbert. When the Steelers took to the field Sunday, Gilbert went from right to left tackle, Colon returned to left guard and Foster moved to right tackle. The decision to go with Foster at right tackle likely was influenced by the shaky performance by Trai Essex in the opener.

Pittsburgh could also face another decision if veteran left tackle Max Starks (offseason ACL surgery) is ready for the regular season. There has been increased talk about the available of Starks after the opener. Adams had a rough preseason debut, giving up 2 1/2 sacks in a span of nine plays even though the Eagles sat their starting defensive ends.

This isn't a surprise because all rookie linemen endure growing pains. DeCastro struggled in training camp but he had the best showing of all the starting Steelers offensive linemen Thursday. On a positive note, Adams looked solid in run blocking, sealing off the side and getting to the second level.

"He did some pretty impressive things,” Gilbert said of Adams, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Obviously, the sacks stand out, but he did some impressive things in run blocking. He’s going to improve. He’s a player who’s going to bounce back."

Gilbert added, "I just told him to relax and let it come to you. Being too amped up, being overly hyped, is not going to help you in a game. You have to be very calm and very detailed with what you're doing."

The Steelers opened the preseason with a 24-23 loss at Philadelphia, where the Eagles kicked a 51-yard winning field goal with 12 seconds remaining. Here are my thoughts and observations on a game the Steelers led 13-0 at halftime:

• The Steelers had three players (two starters) knocked out of the game: fullback/tight end David Johnson (knee); left tackle Mike Adams (knee); and backup running back Jonathan Dwyer (shoulder). Pittsburgh is using the fullback more under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, but Johnson's injury appeared to be the most serious of the night.

• Pittsburgh showed its depth at running back with starter Rashard Mendenhall on the physically unable to perform list. Isaac Redman ran hard in between the tackles, rookie Chris Rainey showed his elusiveness in converting a third-and-13 on a draw and Dwyer broke a 33-yard gain. Rainey later scored a 57-yard touchdown off a quick screen pass. The Steelers produced 68 rushing yards on the first two drives, which led to two marathon drives (16 and 10 plays).

• The offensive line showed some major growing pains, specifically in pass protection. Adams gave up two sacks (which led to two fumbles) as well as another pressure in two drives. The second sack on Ben Roethlisberger was the result of a miscommunication between center Maurkice Pouncey and left guard Ramon Foster. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert allowed a pressure on the first drive when he failed to connect on a cut block.

• The Steelers defense had no trouble with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who left with a hand injury. Pittsburgh forced Vick into two three-and-outs. Nose tackle Steve McLendon, who was starting for the injured Casey Hampton, was able to get off blocks, recording a sack and a tackle for a loss.

• As far as the quarterbacks, Roethlisberger was efficient in his one series, completing 7 of 8 passes for 49 yards. His only incompletion was overthrowing Emmanuel Sanders deep down the sideline. Backup Byron Leftwich showed his experience in the Steelers' only touchdown drive of the first half. Checking off a play, he hit an uncovered Sanders for a 2-yard touchdown pass. It was a broken coverage by Nnamdi Asomugha, who had a rough night. He also got beat by Antonio Brown on a quick 14-yard slant.

• Pittsburgh's coverage teams need some work. The Steelers, who ranked 16th in kickoff coverage, gave up 46 yards on their first return of the night. They also allowed a long punt return, which was negated by a block in the back.

• The Steelers, who struggled in getting turnovers last season, got a gift from the Eagles. Backup defensive lineman Al Woods stepped in front of screen pass by Mike Kafka for an interception and ran it back 52 yards to the 5-yard line. That led to a field goal.

• Shaun Suisham got off to a strong start. He hit a 46-yard field goal after going 6-for-11 from beyond 40 yards last season. He also kicked a 39-yarder.

The Denver Broncos are reportedly going to investigate former Jets’ safety Jim Leonhard.

CBS Sports reported that Leonhard will visit the Broncos on Saturday. He completed a visit with Buffalo on Friday. The report said Leonhard is keeping his options open.

Clearly, so are the Broncos. Denver has been impressed with second-year safety Rahim Moore. He had been competing with fellow second-year player Quinton Carter, who has been injured. Mike Adams is the other starter. Leonhard has a reputation for being a tough player. He could add good veteran depth at the spot if Denver signs him.

In other AFC West news:

I’ve been asked often if I think former Carolina tackle Jeff Otah could end up in Denver with former coach John Fox. Well, if he can pass a physical, I think there could be some interest, but Otah might need some time before he is ready to sign with a team. Everybody could use a talented backup, and Fox is familiar with Otah. I think it’s a wait-and-see situation.

Oakland running back Darren McFadden, in a radio interview, discuses the changes in Oakland.

Instead of practicing with the Arizona Cardinals twice next week at the Chiefs’ camp, the Chiefs will work with Arizona just once, on Tuesday.

Oakland receiver Denarius Moore was back practicing Friday after taking Wednesday off because of a lingering hamstring issue.

» NFC Camp Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South » Dates

Three thoughts as training camps open around the NFL:

One thing I'm certain of: The Steelers offense is in much better hands with new coordinator Todd Haley. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger might not have been a fan of getting rid of Bruce Arians, but he will be happier with the results under Haley. There was really no excuse for the Steelers to rank 21st last season with a top-notch quarterback like Roethlisberger (albeit injured) and receivers like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.

Haley has shown the ability to adapt his offense to the personnel, whether it was throwing the ball over the field in Arizona or running it down a defense's throat in Kansas City. Haley's biggest contribution will be protecting Roethlisberger. In Haley's two seasons as offensive coordinator in Arizona (2007-08), the Cardinals ranked in the top 11 in fewest sacks allowed. They gave up a total of 52 sacks in those two years, which is 12 more than Roethlisberger got sacked all of last season. A healthier Roethlisberger will lead to a healthier Steelers offense.

One thing that might happen: A new long-term deal for Wallace. Of course, a holdout by Wallace could come before the Steelers and their speedy wide receiver reach an agreement. There has been speculation that Wallace, who has yet to sign his $2.7 million restricted free-agent tender, will not report to training camp until he gets his multi-year deal. Roethlisberger, however, has said that he expects Wallace to show up on time.

Recent reports indicate the sides have made progress in talks, which has triggered optimism that a deal will be struck before the regular season. It's in everyone's best interest to get Wallace into camp as soon as possible. He has received Haley's new playbook, but he still would benefit by suiting up and running the routes. Based on what the top receivers have received this season, Wallace should sign a deal that will pay him around $20 million in the first two years.

One thing we won't see: The annual teeth-gnashing over a marginal offensive line. The rest of the league gave the Steelers a big draft-day gift when David DeCastro fell to the Steelers at the 24th overall pick. DeCastro, who is considered one of the top guard prospects over the past decade, is a major upgrade over Ramon Foster. He's a Steve Hutchinson-plow guard who fits the Steelers' system perfectly.

There's a chance that another rookie could be starting on the offensive line. Second-round pick Mike Adams has to prove he's strong enough to hold down the left tackle job. If he struggles, recently re-signed Max Starks remains a trusted insurance policy there. Pittsburgh's line will also be improved because Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey is healthier and right tackle Marcus Gilbert is entering his second season.

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers share similar belief systems from building a team through the draft to maintaining cohesion in the front office to relying on a quarterback-attacking 3-4 defense. The NFL's version of the Hatfields & McCoys have been philosophical twins throughout most of the past decade.

Where the Ravens and Steelers differ this year, and differ drastically, is on the offensive line. The Ravens are banking on experience, and the Steelers are going with youth.

Which team is making the right decision for this year? The final standings will let everyone know. While the Bengals will have a say in the division race, the offensive line will go a long way in determining whether the Ravens are better than the Steelers, or vice versa.

There are risks and rewards with both strategies because Baltimore and Pittsburgh are going to the extremes. The Ravens have the oldest offensive line in the NFL, and the Steelers have one of the youngest.

If you want a line with cohesion, you'll take the Ravens. If you want a line with fresh legs and a strong pedigree, you'll take the Steelers. If you worry about a line breaking down, you'll want to stay away from Baltimore. And if you are concerned about rookie mistakes, you'll distance yourself from Pittsburgh.

The Ravens are in the most trouble, if you believe the "Theory of 150" from ESPN's John Clayton. This is how Clayton explains it: "If a team lets its starting offensive line exceed the total age of 150 years for five starters, the clock is ticking on its remaining success." A cumulative age of 150 means an average age of 30 for five starters.

Baltimore's projected starting lineup is: left tackle Bryant McKinnie (turns 33 in September), left guard Bobbie Williams (turns 36 in September), center Matt Birk (turns 36 this month), right guard Marshal Yanda (turns 28 in September) and right tackle Michael Oher (26). That's a grand total of 159. In other words, the Ravens are the Rolling Stones of offensive lines.

As Clayton points out, three of the six lowest-rated lines last year were affected by the Theory of 150: the Bears (32nd), Giants (31st) and Redskins (27th). The Ravens linemen, however, aren't paying much attention to the criticism.

"Trust me, people don’t have anything to worry about,” said Oher, who is entering his fifth season with the Ravens. “This is the most confident I’ve been in our group. I really like the pieces in our room. I think we’re going to be great."

The Steelers will be equally as great if they live up to draft expectations. Pittsburgh's commitment to building an offensive line shows in that the Steelers have used two first-round picks (center Maurkice Pouncey and right guard David DeCastro) and two second-round ones (offensive tackles Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams) on blockers over the past three drafts.

The only projected starter not drafted since 2010 is left guard Willie Colon, who hasn't even turned 30. The average age of Pittsburgh's projected line is 24, or nearly eight years younger than the Ravens' offensive line.

"I love what the Steelers have done in that they have built an incredibly talented foundation for years to come without sacrificing too much for 2012," said Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. "If I were to pick one NFL offensive line for the long term, it would be Pittsburgh's. But doing so came at a price in terms of high draft picks. Still, this is the best way to build a great offensive line."

Pittsburgh needed to create a foundation after last year's offensive line continued to crack. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Steelers used a league-high 25 different offensive line combinations in 2011.

The challenge for Pittsburgh is getting DeCastro and Adams ready to start as rookies. This isn't typical for a Steelers organization that has started only one rookie offensive lineman in a season opener over the past decade (it was Pouncey).

What has hurt the development of DeCastro and Adams is the fact that they were limited to one full-team minicamp this spring because of a rule that prohibits rookies from practicing with their pro teams until the academic calendar year of the school they attended is over.

"I think in the big scheme of things, when we push toward the fall and winter, hopefully it will be insignificant if they do what they're supposed to do and we do what we're supposed to do," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Obviously, it creates some short-term misery. But, as professionals, we all should be able to overcome that."

While the Ravens offensive line is much older than the Steelers right now, Baltimore can get young very quickly. The Ravens have used draft picks on their offensive line, too.

Over the past two drafts, Baltimore has selected guard Kelechi Osemele in the second round, tackle Jah Reid in the third and center Gino Gradkowski in the fourth. But, unlike the Steelers, the Ravens have decided to wait on putting them in the starting lineup. One could assume all three will be starters by next season along with Oher and Yanda.

"What is nice about how Baltimore is doing things is that they not only now have good overall offensive line depth, and some young guys that can play several positions, but they also don't have to thrust youthful players to the field before they are ready," Williamson said.

The similarities for both lines is that their success rests on the play of their left tackles. There are questions whether McKinnie, who didn't practice during the Ravens mandatory minicamp last month because he was nine pounds over his targeted weight, can maintain his level of play throughout a full season. And there are questions whether Adams, who managed 19 reps in the 225-pound bench press at the NFL combine (a low number for an offensive lineman), is strong enough to protect Ben Roethlisberger's blind side right away.

"To start right away is definitely a goal, but I'm trying to just learn and be ready to contribute, help this team any way I can," Adams told FoxSports Ohio. "We have one goal in Pittsburgh and that's to win a Super Bowl, so it's my job to just do whatever I have to do to help that."

For the past two seasons, a fine line has separated the Ravens and Steelers, who've had identical records in 2010 and 2011. This year, another line could be what separates the two heated rivals.

» AFC camp battles: West | North | South | East » NFC: West | North | South | East

An early look at the biggest training camp position battles:

DENVER BRONCOS

Safety: Quinton Carter versus Rahim Moore

The two 2011 draft picks will fight it out to play along with free-agent pickup Mike Adams. Carter and Moore rotated in the offseason. If draft status is an indication, Moore will have the inside edge. He was a second-round pick and Carter was a fourth-rounder.

However, if their short NFL careers are a factor, Carter will have the edge. He was better than Moore as a rookie. Still, the team likes Moore’s long-term potential. His biggest issue appears to be confidence. He made some mistakes and he didn’t recover from them last year. He has vowed to work on his mental game. No matter who wins the starting job, I expect both players to see the field often.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Backup quarterback: Brady Quinn versus Ricky Stanzi

This is one of the more intriguing battles in Kansas City. Quinn was signed to be the backup to Matt Cassel because of his experience. He played for Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel in Cleveland. It appeared that Stanzi, a fifth-round pick in 2011, was earmarked for another year as the third-stringer.

However, Stanzi was impressive during the offseason and he and Quinn rotated as Cassel’s backup during organized team activities. It seems Quinn still has the edge, but Stanzi will get a fair shake. If he shows he has big potential in camp and in the preseason and Quinn is below average, I can see Stanzi overtaking Quinn.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Right tackle: Khalif Barnes versus Joe Barksdale

There are a few battles to watch in Oakland (including at tight end and at a cornerback spot), but this is a position to keep an eye on. Oakland’s offensive line is improving, but this is the weak area. Barnes has had his struggles, and some were surprised when he was re-signed. Oakland paid him enough to make it appear he will be given every opportunity to win the job.

Barksdale is a player the previous regime traded up to take in the draft last year. He has to show the new staff he can play in the zone-blocking scheme, which Barnes has some experience in. I think Barksdale will eventually take this job, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Barnes begins the season as the starter.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Kicker: Nate Kaeding versus Nick Novak

The Chargers decided early in the offseason they would let Kaeding and Novak engage in a good, old-fashioned kicking battle in training camp and the preseason. It should be fascinating to watch. These are two good kickers. I don’t think there is a favorite.

You’d think Kaeding would be the favorite because of his pedigree. However, after Kaeding went down for the season in Week 1 with a knee injury, Novak was terrific. If Kaeding can show he is fully healthy and he looks good, he could retake the job. But Novak will not give in easily. This battle should go the distance.