View topic - *Everyone Else In AFC North Improved?*

[Steelers76 Profile]

Would anyone say on paper that every team in The AFC North has improved via Free-Agency/Trades this off-season except The Steelers? Consider the only really notable Free-Agent they signed,(from another team), was former Steeler WR Antwaan Randle-El, who was more or less a bust as Washington's No.1 WR, but I think will do well here again as a No.3 or 4 WR. Here is a list of some of the other 3 teams noteable acquisitions;

-Baltimore; WRs Anquan Boldin,(Trade with Az.), and Donte Stallworth.(Free Agent)

-Cincinnati; WRs Antonio Bryant (Free-Agent), and Matt Jones (Free-Agent)

-Cleveland; QBs Jake Delhomme,(Free-Agent), and Seneca Wallace,(Trade with Seattle), TE Ben Watson,(Free-Agent), and FB Peyton Hillis.(Trade with Den.)

*Much like The Big Ben situation, I'm going to take a "wait and see" attitude. The Steelers have never been big on the offseason Free Agent/Trade Market, yet they always find a way to win more often than not. Hopefully that will again be the case this upcoming season. Thoughts?*

[frankensmith91 Profile]

on paper it looks like baltimore made some big pickups. problem? joe flacco is still their QB. their defense showed a lot of holes last year and people are starting to consistently run the ball on them. the ravens have improvement on offense but their D is nowhere near the force it used to be. I see them as a wildcard team but not a team that will compete for the crown.

cincy was the 'surprise' team of last year, but their improvement was due to an influx of new young talent and not so much free agency. carson palmer still sucks balls in the playoffs though

the browns should be a guaranteed 2 wins a year. however anyone notice that mike tomlin can never win a trap game? let's hope for a difficult schedule because his SB season was one where nearly every game was a tough team. When he gets an easy schedule he shits the bed more than any other coach against teams we 'should beat'

[Ed Burns Profile]

On paper it looks like evryone else in the AFC North has improved, but I'm not sold on it...

Delhomme's prone to throwing picks... They could've kept Anderson for that... They traded away Quinn(No big loss), and Wimbley. The latter trade still has me scratching my head... It's looking like, other than signing Watson, Cleveland has taken a step backward in my view, but we'll see...

Cinci got a big name to go play opposite the big mouth... Let's see how long this lasts before Ocho fucks it up by running his mouth... I'm betting by week 6... Bryant's an upgrade at #2 WR, but the passing of Chris Henry still leaves a big hole at #3 WR... Their Defense will have to carry them through...

Baltimore got Boldin, and Stallworth, but they still have Joe Fucko at QB... Ray Rice is still their biggest weapon in my view... Boldin has injury issues, and Stallworth did nothing in Cleveland in 2008. Derrick Mason is returning for 2 more years... The jury's out on that as they haven't added anyone to the aging Defense.

We look like we've improved our depth, but our success hinges on Troys' Health, and Ben getting out of this mess he's in... I'm skeptical of the Ben situation, but I don't know all of the facts... The reports are basically going between snipits of info, and hearsay... Troys' health is gonna be a big concern. If he stays healthy, and hopefully add another strong DB, our Defense will be better.

[Steelers76 Profile]

-Boldin is a solid pick-up for Baltimore. Stallworth has been a bit of a bust since he was taken by N.O. in The 1st Round of The 2002 Draft. He has never cracked 1,000 yards rec. in his career, and don't think he'll start with The Ratbirds.

-Bryant has seemingly always been a head case who has on and off years. Hopefully it's the latter, and he and Ochoasshole implode the team.(Like I was hoping T.O. would if they signed him.) Much like Stallworth, Jones is quickly turing into a 1st Round Bust since The Jags drafted him 5 years ago. Also like Stallworth, has made more news off the field than on it. In other words, he fits right in with The Bugles.

-Signing Jake D. was a wise move to apparently buy some time while The Browns Draft a new QB either this year or next.(Better hope he works out more than the last one.) Ben Watson gives Jake a decent target to throw to.


*Overall some decent pick-ups on paper. However, as Chris Berman says, "You don't play the games on paper."