NFL 2006: AFC North Projections
The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers had a scare this off-season when star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was injured in a motorcycle accident, and was not wearing a helmet. Fortunately, Roethlisberger escaped without any major injuries. Not only did Roethlisberger avoid any devastating repercussions, but he left the hospital with a new perspective on motorcycles, football, and life.
Roethlisberger is expected to be ready to return to the starting quarterback position for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Roethlisberger did wound his thumb in practice, but the injury is not deemed as serious. If Roethlisberger stays healthy throughout the 2006 NFL season, the Steelers should be a lock for the AFC North title.
Hines Ward returns as Roethlisberger’s chief target, but no longer will the Steelers have the incredibly versatile receiver Antwan Randle El, as he begins his new tenure with the Washington Redskins. Cedric Wilson will become the number two receiver for the Steelers offense.
Running back Willie Parker will embark on his third season in the NFL, and will carry the load for the Steelers ground attack. Parker rushed for a respectable 1,202 yards in 2005. The injury prone Duce Staley is listed as number two on the Steelers running back depth chart.
The Steelers defense will feature on an analogous look. James Farrior, Larry Foote, and Joey Porter will hassle offenses from the linebacker position, and the always determined Troy Polumalu should continue to give opposing quarterbacks nightmares.
The Steelers, if healthy, are capable of returning to the Super Bowl.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)
In 2003, it was the Carolina Panthers. In 2004, it was the San Diego Chargers. And last year it was the Cincinnat Bengals. Every season, an unanticipated team rises to the occasion. Regrettably for the Bengals, their Cinderella season ended in the first round of the AFC playoffs against the eventual Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Carson Palmer severely injured his knee when he was hit by the Steelers Kimo Van Oelhoffen. Since his surgery on January 10th, Palmer has indefatigably worked towards his recuperation.
If the Bengals are to manage their second successive playoff appearance, it’s imperative that Palmer return to his 2005 form. If he can fully recover from that demoralizing blow remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, Palmer will begin the 2006 NFL season a little more tentative than he did a year ago.
The Bengals have a solid running game led by Rudi Johnson, and their receiving core is nothing to scoff at either. The flamboyant Chad Johnson has the potential to be one of the premier receivers in the NFL.
The Bengals strengthened their defensive line when they signed defensive tackle Sam Adams.
A lot the Bengals success in 2006 will be determined by Carson Palmer and his health.
3. Baltimore Ravens (6-10)
When the Baltimore Ravens acquired former Tennessee Titan quarterback Steve McNair, they were hoping that he could give the Ravens offense something that neither Kyle Boller nor Anthony Wright could- uniformity. McNair has a proven track record- when he’s healthy. McNair was the co-MVP in 2003 along side Peyton Manning, but ever since then; he has struggled to stay on the field.
Eventually, McNair was run out of Tennessee and will try to reclaim his past glory with the Baltimore Ravens. At the age of 33, McNair will not have many more opportunities as an NFL starter, so 2006 will be pivotal for the 11-year veteran. If McNair’s health becomes a hindrance yet again, he may find himself opting for retirement. Kyle Boller is a solid backup, who could learn a lot from McNair.
Jamal Lewis returns as the Ravens running back, but the 6-year player’s stats have progressively declined since he rushed for 2066 yards in 2003. Lewis must return to his Pro Bowl form if the Ravens expect to have a feared ground attack.
McNair will have one of his former targets from Tennessee lining up at wide receiver. Derrick Mason will enter into his second season with the Ravens, as he hopes to regenerate some erstwhile magic with McNair.
Defense has never been considered a weakness for the Ravens. Expect their defense to be among the top of the NFL throughout the 2006 NLF season.
Alas, I do not see the Ravens competing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals for the AFC North title, unless McNair is healthy and is performing at the MVP level he was in 2003.
4. Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Fans in the Dog Pound are hoping that the Cleveland Browns can comprise a season such as their inner state rivals Cincinnati Bengals did in 2005. Very few anticipated that the Bengals would make the playoffs, much less win the AFC North division.
If the Browns are going to have even a glimpse of hope at competing with the Steelers and Bengals, they are going to need key players such as quarterback Charlie Frye, and running back Reuben Droughns to overachieve.
Frye is by far the least ballyhooed quarterback in this division behind Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, and Steve McNair. As a rookie in 2005, Frye stepped in and performed respectably for the Browns, but he failed to really protrude. Since Frye tends to fly under the radar, and his backups are Ken Dorsey and Derrek Anderson, not much pressure will be placed on the second year quarterback.
Reuben Droughns set the bar high from himself a couple of years ago when he was with the Denver Broncos. A lot of analysts expected Droughns to have a breakout season for the Browns last year, but his stats never improved from the previous season, even though he carried the ball more.
The Browns added veteran wide receiver Joe Jurevicius as another option for Fyre’s passing attack.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Browns made a huge acquisition when they signed former New England Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest. McGinest has played in four Super Bowls, and owns three Super Bowl rings. He should strengthen a defense that could use some intensification.
The Browns just are not as deep as their three AFC North rivals. It would be a surprise if the Browns do not finish in the AFC North cellar.
