The Battle For Ohio Just Became A Lot More Interesting
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A positive article from Yahoo! Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cincinnati-bengals-face-tough-competition-cleveland-browns-2013-140400673.html
COMMENTARY | The AFC North is in a state of flux with top dogs like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens supposedly falling off while the Cincinnati Bengals continue to potentially climb the ladder.
Not much credit is given to the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland is quietly building something special. Competitive right away? Perhaps. But the foundation for a competitive franchise year in and out is slowly being formed. There are still question marks, sure, but with how tough the Browns have been in divisional matchups over the years with nothing going for them, the state of affairs in Cleveland right now should be cause for concern for the rest of the AFC North.
You already know about the offense. Running back Trent Richardson, if he can stay healthy, may be as close as we are going to get to another Adrian Peterson. He alone can carry an offense. There's a promising weapon at receiver in Josh Gordon if he can stay out of trouble off the field (he'll miss the first two games of the year thanks to suspension).
Defensively is where Cleveland is going to have a chance to make some noise in the AFC North, particularly against the Bengals.
Cleveland brought in an expert when it comes to defense this offseason, and we mean that in every sense of the word. Ray Horton, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, is arguably the best defensive coordinator in all of football and a man in line for a head coaching job sooner rather than later.
Horton is transitioning the team to a 3-4 and he has plenty of toys to work with. The team brought in outside linebacker Paul Kruger to upgrade the pass rush and he'll play opposite a rookie linebacker in Barkevious Mingo who, while not the most popular selection, could have a massive impact moving forward.
The trenches are where Horton's scheme can really shine. Desmond Bryant, Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor make for a nasty trio that should open up plenty of room for linebackers like D'Qwell Jackson to go to work.
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention corner Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward, two of the better players at their respective positions in the NFL.
While the offense may not be that scary, Richardson gave the Bengals quite a few problems last season. That will likely be the case once again in 2013 because he appears to be one of those backs that is simply going to get his no matter what you do.
Defensively is where the Browns can hurt the Bengals. Haden has done well against Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green in the past (when the Browns line up on time). That alone could allow Horton to rush more than the Bengals can block and at least force quarterback Andy Dalton to look at other options.
The Cincinnati offensive line is back in full capacity but will have to deal with a new-look Cleveland unit for the first time. The real issue won't necessarily be the offensive line's play, but Dalton's ability to comprehend what is coming at him and make the proper decision in a quick fashion.
Cleveland only won five games last year with a disastrous overall roster and questionable decisions from an iffy coaching staff. One of those five victories came against the Bengals.
Now the Browns are better, at least on paper, especially thanks to an elite defensive mind running things. While the Bengals are aiming for the top by looking at the Ravens and Steelers, it's the Browns that could put a serious snag in Cincinnati's playoff hopes.
The Battle for Ohio just became a lot more interesting.
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There seems to an urge on the part of national media to minimize team changes from year to year. For instance, the Steelers are coming off a .500 season with a loss of key talent and a still-questionable patchwork O-line, but I've seen them ranked much higher than I would have expected. They track older than the rest of the division and I can't understand the logic of picking them 18th in power rankings. Or maybe I'm looking at another team? I don't know. Ravens are the same - loss of major talent in the off-season, key defensive and offensive weapons, yet we're assured the rookies will step in with no noticeable change in performance.
Please, they're not that good.
I guess if I had my druthers I'd rather have the Browns in the basement right now. That way idiot teams like the Steelers can look past us and count their '2 guaranteed wins' every year. With the stupidity of hubris, maybe we can anticipate some more clueless play-calling on their part, like last year
I cannot vouch for our offense, but our defense is far stronger, younger and faster than last year, whereas Pittsburgh's offense hasn't changed much, unless you count Wallace walking off to Miami. I can't imagine that was what Steeler management wanted, but now it's reality.
I guess there's a reason we play the games and don't take the word of the sports press, who seem mired 2 years back. Tell me where the Colts were ranked at the beginning of last year. How accurate was that?
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There seems to an urge on the part of national media to minimize team changes from year to year. For instance, the Steelers are coming off a .500 season with a loss of key talent and a still-questionable patchwork O-line, but I've seen them ranked much higher than I would have expected. They track older than the rest of the division and I can't understand the logic of picking them 18th in power rankings. Or maybe I'm looking at another team? I don't know. Ravens are the same - loss of major talent in the off-season, key defensive and offensive weapons, yet we're assured the rookies will step in with no noticeable change in performance.
Please, they're not that good.
I guess if I had my druthers I'd rather have the Browns in the basement right now. That way idiot teams like the Steelers can look past us and count their '2 guaranteed wins' every year. With the stupidity of hubris, maybe we can anticipate some more clueless play-calling on their part, like last year
I cannot vouch for our offense, but our defense is far stronger, younger and faster than last year, whereas Pittsburgh's offense hasn't changed much, unless you count Wallace walking off to Miami. I can't imagine that was what Steeler management wanted, but now it's reality.
I guess there's a reason we play the games and don't take the word of the sports press, who seem mired 2 years back. Tell me where the Colts were ranked at the beginning of last year. How accurate was that?
I guess if I had my druthers I'd rather have the Browns in the basement right now. That way idiot teams like the Steelers can look past us and count their '2 guaranteed wins' every year. With the stupidity of hubris, maybe we can anticipate some more clueless play-calling on their part, like last year
Bees, if that's you- long, long time no see. Welcome back.
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when did they crown horton best defensive coordinator of the league? i mean i'm glad we got him but arizona has been irrelevant for years now.
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ya and i dont think the best defensive coordinator gives up 50 points in a game either lol
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when did they crown horton best defensive coordinator of the league? i mean i'm glad we got him but arizona has been irrelevant for years now.
when did they crown horton best defensive coordinator of the league? i mean i'm glad we got him but arizona has been irrelevant for years now.
He's not the best, but hes very good. He took a pretty bad Arizona defense from near-last to middle of the pack in one season.
Plus he should have gotten a head coaching job and didn't, so that also makes him something of a media favorite. From a journalistic standpoint,the Browns are kind of a gold mine.
A perennial bottom feeder as of late with a rich, albeit distant, history of winning. A youthful first time head coach and something of an offensive whiz kid returning to his roots to coach his childhood favorite team. His "mentor", recently relieved of his head coaching duties, joining his staff as offensive coordinator. A (relatively) young hotshot defensive coordinator with a chip on his shoulder out to prove that he's worthy of being a head coach. And the new owner who brought them all together, who at first seemed like an all around perfect owner but may have a closet full of skeletons.
I mean, Hollywood couldn't write a better script.
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ya and i dont think the best defensive coordinator gives up 50 points in a game either lol
ya and i dont think the best defensive coordinator gives up 50 points in a game either lol
Every football coach has gotten blown out, from Belichick to Lombardi.
The Cardinal offense gave up 2 TDs alone, as it managed 10 first downs versus 8 turnovers ... that'll get you a smackdown every time even if Tom Landry himself is calling your defensive signals.
Zombos
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Andy Dalton will never be more than pretty good. You just can't win a lot for very long with that. I think they'll flirt around Wild Card slots for a while and that's it.
It's just so tough for people to believe the Steelers are about to fall off the cliff... but they are. They're old and Big Ben's freakish ability to withstand punishment is wearing down. They've lost a ton of talent and what they have is getting old. They didn't do much of anything to fix it in the offseason. I could honestly see a 6-win season with Roethlisberger on IR by week 7.
The Ravens weren't that great at anything last year (no top 10 rankings) and their D was only so-so BEFORE losing just about everybody. I think they'll actually be a good offensive team because Flacco looks ready to be elite and Ray Rice is terrific. But it's gonna be tough for them to win 10 games.
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Andy Dalton will never be more than pretty good. You just can't win a lot for very long with that. I think they'll flirt around Wild Card slots for a while and that's it.
It's just so tough for people to believe the Steelers are about to fall off the cliff... but they are. They're old and Big Ben's freakish ability to withstand punishment is wearing down. They've lost a ton of talent and what they have is getting old. They didn't do much of anything to fix it in the offseason. I could honestly see a 6-win season with Roethlisberger on IR by week 7.
The Ravens weren't that great at anything last year (no top 10 rankings) and their D was only so-so BEFORE losing just about everybody. I think they'll actually be a good offensive team because Flacco looks ready to be elite and Ray Rice is terrific. But it's gonna be tough for them to win 10 games.
Andy Dalton will never be more than pretty good. You just can't win a lot for very long with that. I think they'll flirt around Wild Card slots for a while and that's it.
It's just so tough for people to believe the Steelers are about to fall off the cliff... but they are. They're old and Big Ben's freakish ability to withstand punishment is wearing down. They've lost a ton of talent and what they have is getting old. They didn't do much of anything to fix it in the offseason. I could honestly see a 6-win season with Roethlisberger on IR by week 7.
The Ravens weren't that great at anything last year (no top 10 rankings) and their D was only so-so BEFORE losing just about everybody. I think they'll actually be a good offensive team because Flacco looks ready to be elite and Ray Rice is terrific. But it's gonna be tough for them to win 10 games.
couple that (Ravens) with everyone gunning for them this upcomming season...
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Andy Dalton will never be more than pretty good. You just can't win a lot for very long with that. I think they'll flirt around Wild Card slots for a while and that's it.
It's just so tough for people to believe the Steelers are about to fall off the cliff... but they are. They're old and Big Ben's freakish ability to withstand punishment is wearing down. They've lost a ton of talent and what they have is getting old. They didn't do much of anything to fix it in the offseason. I could honestly see a 6-win season with Roethlisberger on IR by week 7.
The Ravens weren't that great at anything last year (no top 10 rankings) and their D was only so-so BEFORE losing just about everybody. I think they'll actually be a good offensive team because Flacco looks ready to be elite and Ray Rice is terrific. But it's gonna be tough for them to win 10 games.
It's just so tough for people to believe the Steelers are about to fall off the cliff... but they are. They're old and Big Ben's freakish ability to withstand punishment is wearing down. They've lost a ton of talent and what they have is getting old. They didn't do much of anything to fix it in the offseason. I could honestly see a 6-win season with Roethlisberger on IR by week 7.
i called it 3 years ago.
you don't have to be the amazing kreskin to see this coming.
there was a piece on sportscenter today about 'big ben' being in london to promote their game vs. the vikes this sept. i can't believe even with a wide-angle hd lens it's still hard to fit that big head in a frame. and i ain't talkin about the clock.
all the boozed up mics rooting for the rooneys and the steelers won't hold back AP rushing for 200+ yds in a wake up call to europe about what real football is about. vikes w/ponder 24 steelers 13.
IMO steelers finish in last place in our division this year.
bye bye bitches! -
anyone else notice bengal fans are becoming bigger dicks than the rest of the division? better their team does the worse they get. their confidence borders maddening.
if they make playoffs again this year the fans will be near intolerable.
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anyone else notice bengal fans are becoming bigger dicks than the rest of the division? better their team does the worse they get. their confidence borders maddening.
if they make playoffs again this year the fans will be near intolerable.
anyone else notice bengal fans are becoming bigger dicks than the rest of the division? better their team does the worse they get. their confidence borders maddening.
if they make playoffs again this year the fans will be near intolerable.
You don't get it. I live in SW Ohio Bungle-land. Average Bungle fan is the biggest frontrunning, fairweather fan in the NFL. When they went through their bad patch, the stadium was damn near empty- they went through something like 3 years of home blackouts, thanks to the (non)tremendous local support. . I'll never forget being in old Riverfront back in the 80s when the Mike Pruitt Browns needed to win to make the playoffs last game of the season- the Browns fans out cheered the losers in their home crib. More lately, ditto for the frontrunning Steeler fans. To this day, looking back to the dark year of 1995, I sincerely believe if ANY city at the time deserved to lose an NFL franchise, it was Cincinnati, not Cleveland.
I could have sold my inaugural opening day tickets for CBS easily for $500 each- I had NO trouble getting 4 tickets from the Bungle ticket office at face value for the first ever game in Paul Brown. Incidentally, to my lasting enjoyment, the Browns won that game.
So it's like this- the Bengals suck, you don't hear jack from their fans- they crawl under rocks. Start winning, and it's you hear nothing but how great they are.
PS Dave Lapham is the biggest Homer announcer in the history of radio.
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anyone else notice bengal fans are becoming bigger dicks than the rest of the division? better their team does the worse they get. their confidence borders maddening.
if they make playoffs again this year the fans will be near intolerable.
anyone else notice bengal fans are becoming bigger dicks than the rest of the division? better their team does the worse they get. their confidence borders maddening.
if they make playoffs again this year the fans will be near intolerable.
I haven't noticed. I do not see any Bengals fans on here. (This coming season however, with the Steelers likely bottom feeders and the Bengals predicted to be on top, we might see the occasional fan show up from the Bastard Stepchildren)
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