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I am friends with a woman who went to Miami (OH) the same time as Ben. I have never known her to lie, exaggerate, embellish or be dramatic. I trust what she says when she shares personal experiences.

All I will say is that as a human being, Ben is a complete and utter POS.

Unfortunately his character off the field doesn't affect what he can do on the field. By all accounts he's not a good guy (at least as a younger guy) ... but he's still an unbelievable player who's owned us.

Let's hope it changes

Where do the Cleveland Browns' wide receivers rank in the AFC North? -- 2019 Position Rankings

By Jake Burns,

https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2...n-rankings.html


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Our position rankings for the AFC North continue, as we have now covered both the quarterback and running back positions.

The Browns have changed the narrative with their skill-position talent coming into 2019, but the division pillars still have their own threats.

Let's see how they stack up in the wide receiver rankings:


4. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Projected starters: Willie Snead, Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Chris Moore

Mike Clay's 2019 Projections: Snead (52 catches, 592 yards, 2 TDs), Brown (47 catches, 689 yards, 3 TDs), Boykin (31 catches, 431 yards, 2 TDs), Moore (10 catches, 118 yards, 1 TD)

The Ravens wide receiver group has some big question marks. Gone are veterans John Brown and Michael Crabtree, and outside of Willie Snead, the group is one the NFL's least experienced.

Snead brings steady middling production and blocks well in the Ravens' run-heavy scheme, but he lacks the big play threat others in the division have at the top of their depth chart.

With the selection of Oklahoma's Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in the first round of this year's draft, the Ravens committed to giving quarterback Lamar Jackson a big-play threat on the outside. Brown was one of college football's most explosive players at Oklahoma working with both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.

After Snead and Brown, the cupboard gets bare. Chris Moore had just 19 catches in 2018.

Miles Boykin, the Ravens' third-round selection out of Notre Dame, was one of the NFL's best athletes for his massive size (6-foot-4, 220) at the NFL combine. He will be a long-term project for the Ravens coaching staff.


3. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Projected starters: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Donte Moncrief, James Washington, Diontae Johnson

Mike Clay's 2019 Projections: Smith-Schuster (103 catches, 1,308 yards, 9 TDs), Moncrief (53 catches, 708 yards, 5 TDs), Washington (45 catches, 630 yards, 4 TDs), Johnson (28 catches, 354 yards, 1 TD)

Losing a future Hall of Fame talent in Antonio Brown hurts, but the cupboard is far from bare in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh's offense is keen on developing receiving talent, as Brown was a sixth-round selection in 2010. Next up is JuJu Smith-Schuster, who was selected late in the second round in 2017.

Smith-Schuster followed up an impressive rookie season with 1,426 yards in year two, and looks to be the ideal fit as the No. 1 option with Brown's departure to Oakland.

Behind Smith-Schuster the options become less stable. The Steelers signed well-traveled veteran Donte Moncrief, who will be on his third team in three years and will likely be the second option.

James Washington, a highly talented receiver from Oklahoma State who the Steelers selected in the second round of the 2018 draft, will have every chance to seal that secondary role throughout camp and preseason and had some flashes in his rookie year.

Diontae Johnson from the University of Toledo, whom the Steelers selected in the third round, will be fighting for snaps. He likely slots into the fourth role for Pittsburgh, fighting against Eli Rogers.

This group was special with both Brown and Smith-Schuster but takes big steps back without a talent like Brown. Pittsburgh will still throw the ball plenty, so the group will have to find production from somewhere behind Smith-Schuster or the Steelers will struggle offensively.

An emerging second wide receiver will be paramount to their offensive success in 2019.


2. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Projected starters: A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, John Ross, Alex Erickson

Mike Clay's 2019 Projections: Green (85 catches, 1,248 yards, 7 TDs), Boyd (79 catches, 944 yards, 4 TDs), Ross (27 catches, 311 yards, 3 TDs), Erickson (5 catches, 59 yards)

The Bengals have issues on the roster, but skill-position talent is not one of them.

The A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd duo is one NFL's best, and both figure to have big seasons if the quarterback play can meet their needs.

Green only played nine games in 2018, and only has one full season in his last three, but when healthy he is an elite talent.

Tyler Boyd burst onto the scene last year with 76 catches, 2,048 yards, and seven touchdowns and figures to be a tough handle opposite Green. He can play both inside and outside, and his presence has to be accounted for on each snap.

John Ross, the No. 9 selection in the 2017 draft, has only started 11 games in his career, but if he took strides in 2018 with seven touchdowns and is known for his elite top-end speed. If he figures out his approach, he can become a threat the Bengals would welcome on the outside.

The Bengals will need their wide receiver group to make big plays weekly to compensate for average quarterback play, and one of the NFL's worst offensive lines.

1. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Projected starters: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins

Mike Clay's 2019 Projections: Beckham Jr. (92 catches, 1,244 yards, 10 TDs), Landry (74 catches, 908 yards, 5 TDs), Callaway (29 catches, 403 yards, 3 TDs), Higgins (18 catches, 259 yards, 2 TDs)

The Browns run four-deep at the position, and this group could have top-five overall talent in the league at the position for 2019.

Odell Beckham arrives in his prime and will only help bolster a wide receiver group that took off with Mayfield in the second half of 2018 and led the NFL in yards per catch for Weeks 9-17.

Landry slides into his comfortable role as a secondary target, where his targets will be down but his efficiency likely improves. and both Beckham and Landry have inside and outside alignment capabilities.

Antonio Callaway can use his best trait, his speed, to stretch defenses vertically, and he will be a threat each snap he aligns. His deep speed with Rashard Higgins' versatility allows the Browns to confidently use four receivers on any given snap or rotate the four to keep their legs fresh.

Freddie Kitchens' offense should be able to

Do Baker Mayfield and the Browns have the AFC North's best quarterback room? -- 2019 Position Rankings

By Jake Burns

https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2...n-rankings.html


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL season is coming quickly. It might not feel like it, but training camps are about four weeks away -- the Browns open camp July 25 -- and once they arrive, preseason games aren't far behind.

The AFC North feels like it's as wide open this year as any in recent memory. The Steelers and Ravens remain the favorites, but both rosters have more holes than usual, and it has opened the door for the Browns and Bengals.

For now, we can only judge what the teams have on their roster, so let's dig in on some AFC North rankings by starting with the quarterbacks.


4. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Projected starter: Lamar Jackson

2018 Stats: 7 GS, 99-170 (58%), 1,201 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs, 147 rushes, 695 yards, 5 TDs

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 275-435 (63%), 3,135 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 167 rushes, 837 yards, 6 TDs

Projected backup: Robert Griffin III

Jackson entered the 2018 season with just seven games remaining and took the Ravens to a 6-1 record and AFC North title. Jackson's mix of running prowess and timely throwing changed the Ravens offense and confused defenses down the stretch.

However, the talent around Jackson at wide receiver remains among the division's worst, and Jackson enters a new offense with Greg Roman as coordinator. Jackson will battle with being a consistently accurate passer, but his legs will provide a threat as he continues to develop as a pocket passer.

Griffin provides a steady presence, and there's plenty to like with Jackson, but he remains unproven and his weapons don't help put him above the others on this list.



3. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Projected starter: Andy Dalton

2018 Stats: 11 GS, 226-365 (61.9%), 2,566 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs, 16 rushes, 99 yards

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 353-552 (60.6%), 4,004 yards, 21 TDs, 14 INTs, 33 rushes, 126 yards, 1 TD

Projected backup: Ryan Finley

Lost in the barrage of late season injuries for the Bengals was Andy Dalton having one of his better years. Through three weeks, he was in the top five in overall grade according to Pro Football Focus, and he was on his way to one of his better touchdown totals in a season for his career.

Dalton did lead the AFC North in overall grade on throws from inside the pocket. That's important, as it gives a good feel for how comfortable a quarterback is working through coverage reads and deciphering defenses.

Dalton's issues came against pressure, where he ranked 31st in the NFL in completion percentage.

The Bengals offensive line was a mess in 2018, and that trend likely continues, especially since their first-round draft pick, Alabama offensive tackle Jonah Williams, is out for the season with a shoulder injury.

Dalton's numbers must improve against pressure for the Bengals offense to have a chance to stay on the field.

The good thing for Dalton is that he has an abundance of weapons, and perhaps the division's best wide receiver duo in A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd. The duo, and running back Joe Mixon, will ease his burden and give him plenty of opportunities for big plays downfield.

The Bengals selected Ryan Finley in the fourth round, and he will battle it out with Jeff Driskel, who filled in for Dalton in the last five games of 2018. Both should be fine if pressed into duty but seem like career back-up types.


2. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Projected starter: Baker Mayfield

2018 Stats: 13 GS, 310-486 (63.8%), 3,725 yards, 27 TDs, 14 INTs, 39 rushes, 131 yards

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 362-571 (63.3%), 4,321 yards, 31 TDs, 14 INTs, 47 rushes, 162 yards, 1 TD

Projected backup: Drew Stanton

Baker Mayfield took the Browns franchise by the horns and turned in one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. Mayfield's 84.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade was the second-best ever in the PFF era - which started in 2006.

Mayfield arrived in Week 3, and led the Browns to seven wins after the organization had lost 19 straight games. He had 39 Big-Time Throws, the third-most in the entire NFL, and set the rookie record with 27 touchdown passes.

Mayfield also dominated the red zone, where he led the league in passer rating and threw 20 touchdowns to zero interceptions.

Mayfield had less turnover-worthy plays than MVP Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and seems destined for a breakout with the arrival of dominant receiver Odell Beckham.

Mix that with his other weapons in Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Rashard Higgins and David Njoku, and Mayfield has all the necessary talent to have a standout second year.

Drew Stanton provides veteran leadership in the back-up role, but he is not the type of quarterback you want starting several games within a season. Stanton is serviceable, but not one of the league's better reserve quarterbacks.


1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Projected starter: Ben Roethlisberger

2018 Stats: 16 GS, 452-675 (67%), 5,129 yards, 34 TDs, 16 INTs, 31 rushes, 98 yards, 3 TDs

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 407-629 (64.7%), 4,724 yards, 29 TDs, 16 INTs, 31 rushes, 71 yards, 1 TD

Projected backup: Josh Dobbs

Going into Year 16, Roethlisberger remains the best quarterback in the AFC North. He was still dominant in 2018 as he threw for over 5,000 yards and came in second in the NFL with 42 Big-Time Throws in 2018.

Roethlisberger did finish 18th in the NFL in turnover-worthy throw percentage, and he does have the propensity to force the ball to his big-name receivers -- especially under pressure as he was the NFL's 23rd-ranked passer under pressure according to Pro Football Focus.

Roethlisberger will have to prove how successful he can be without Antonio Brown, but having Juju Smith-Schuster as his new No. 1 receiver will help ease that burden.

There is reason to expect a dip in the production, as new receivers Donte Moncrief and James Washington will step into larger roles.

But Roethlisberger has shown for the better part of two decades to be the preeminent quarterback in the division, and his 2018 showed he still has that keen ability to extend plays and deliver the football with accuracy.

Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph are both young and unproven quarterbacks due to Roethlisberger's propensity to stay on the field at all costs. The Steelers would prefer to avoid using them for another couple of years, and with Roethlisberger still producing at an elite rate, I don't think we will see them for some time.

Where do the Cleveland Browns' running backs rank in the loaded AFC North? -- 2019 Position Rankings

By Jake Burns

https://expo.cleveland.com/sports/g66l-2...n-rankings.html


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Earlier this week we broke down the quarterback position across the AFC North. Today we look at running backs, and how the Cleveland Browns stack up at the position against the rest of the division.

There is no way around it: AFC North running backs are as impressive as any division in the NFL.

The Browns and Ravens added big names, while the Bengals and Steelers bring back copious production.

Let's see how they stack up:

4. BALTIMORE RAVENS


First string: Mark Ingram

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 229 attempts, 1,003 rushing yards, 7 TDs, 29 receptions, 238 yards, 1 TD

Second string: Gus Edwards

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 120 attempts, 536 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 3 receptions, 26 yards

Third string: Kenneth Dixon

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 60 attempts, 261 rushing yards, 1 TD, 17 receptions, 138 yards

No team in the NFL rushed the ball more than the Ravens' 539 total rushes in 2018, and that approach likely won't change this season.

You can't talk about the Ravens' running back situation, and their overall rushing output, without mentioning how deadly quarterback Lamar Jackson is with his legs. Jackson alone is predicted to go for 837 yards and seven touchdowns.

However, looking at the running backs alone, the big signing was Mark Ingram from New Orleans. Ingram brings in consistent production, and will be a welcome addition to the Ravens' pistol offense that features plenty of option schemes.

According to Pro Football Focus, Ingram was stellar again in 2018. He set career-high marks in several rushing categories in 2018. His 83.3 rushing grade was his highest since 2013.

Also, his 3.2 yards after contact per attempt also set a career-high after he increased it for the sixth straight season.

Gus Edwards, the surprising undrafted free agent, finished his rookie year as the highest-graded rusher on attempts between the tackles (88.8 rushing grade).

The Ravens might not have the most talent in the division, but they will certainly have the most opportunity.


3. PITTSBURGH STEELERS


First string: James Conner

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 261 attempts, 1,113 rushing yards, 11 TDs, 59 receptions, 499 yards, 2 TDs

Second string: Jaylen Samuels

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 61 attempts, 264 rushing yards, 1 TD, 26 receptions, 200 yards, 1 TD

Third string: Benny Snell

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 28 attempts, 114 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 19 yards

Ranking the Steelers here you how challenging these rankings really are. Especially when you consider James Conner had a Pro Bowl season in his first year starting.

Conner exceeded expectations and made Pittsburgh fans forget that Le'Veon Bell was sitting out the season. Bell is now gone, and Conner owns the room.

In 12 games, Conner went for 937 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns, and another 497 receiving yards. He finished with 617 yards after contact.

Conner finished eighth in the NFL with 74.8 yards per game, and his 1,470 yards from scrimmage was good for 10th in the league.

Jaylen Samuels provides a nice dual-threat out of the backfield. According to Pro Football Focus, Samuels had an 86.1 drop grade and 89.7 catch rate, which were good for second and third, respectively, among all rookie running backs.

Snell, from Kentucky, rounds out the depth chart, and he has a nice skill set between the tackles and could be a solid short-yardage option should the Steelers need it.


2. CINCINNATI BENGALS
First string: Joe Mixon

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 270 attempts, 1,220 rushing yards, 8 TDs, 51 receptions, 368 yards, 1 TD

Second string: Giovani Bernard

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 75 attempts, 313 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 42 receptions, 297 yards, 1 TD

Third string: Trayveon Williams

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 8 attempts, 30 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 16 yards

The Bengals have the most proven one-two punch at the position in the division. Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard have been working together for a few years and they provide a spark on both the ground and in the air.

Mixon had a breakout second season as he took his yards per carry from 3.5 to 5.0.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mixon also improved his average yards after contact from 2.4 to 2.8, increased his elusiveness ranking from 25.7 to 35.6, and boosted his breakaway percentage from 15.3 to 45.9 (sixth in the NFL) in year two.

Mixon also had the NFL's second-most rushes of 15 or more yards, with 23. Mixon's 1,168 rushing yards led the AFC North last year; and his 43 receptions for 297 yards show he can handle the passing game.

Bernard is a quality backup in both phases, and he filled in well during the four games Mixon missed time in 2018 with a knee injury. He has been with Cincinnati since 2013 and has consistent production when spelling the first-string running backs he has played alongside.


1. CLEVELAND BROWNS
First string: Nick Chubb

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 263 attempts, 1,207 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 32 receptions, 263 yards, 2 TDs

Second string: Duke Johnson

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 39 attempts, 172 rushing yards, 1 TD, 42 receptions, 373 yards, 2 TDs

Third string: Kareem Hunt

Mike Clay's 2019 Projection: 50 attempts, 221 rushing yards, 2 TDs, 9 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD

The production for these three is tough to peg, but there is no doubt their talent is the best in the division, and perhaps the entire NFL.

Chubb broke out in his rookie season when taking over the starting role in Week 7. He:

finished the Pro Football Focus rankings as the highest graded running back in the league with an 88.1 overall grade;
finished first in yards after contact per attempt with 4.47 yards;
finished first in elusiveness ranking for any running back who played more than six games;
and finished third in the league in breakaway percentage.
Chubb is an elite running back who displayed rare talent and production as a rookie.

Johnson will be the back-up for the first eight games and his prolonged production speaks for itself.

According to Sharp Football Analysis, and owner Warren Sharp, of the 62 RBs with at least 250 early-down rushes or targets the last three years, Johnson ranks second in yards per play (5.8), third in explosiveness, and seventh in success rate (52%)

Only two running backs rank in the top 10 in all three metrics: Johnson and the Saints' Alvin Kamara, who is one of the league's best dual-threat players.

Then you also have Hunt arriving after his eight-game suspension.

Hunt led the NFL in rushing his rookie year and was well on his way to another massive season before his suspension 11 games into the 2018 season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Hunt has forced 104 missed tackles since he entered the league in 2017, first among running backs in that span. He brings a rare mix of speed, power, and vision to an already loaded backfield.

This list even leaves off Dontrell Hilliard, who has been receiving rave reviews this offseason after he saw some action late in 2018.

The Browns have an embarrassment of riches at the running back position.

Not to nitpick, but they did not have Bell last year. Not having him this year is a wash.

U know barkeep ... they replaced Bell just fine ... Connor isn’t Bell but he played very well ...

AB is another story .. JuJu is not AB so there gonna lose at least a little there .. the problems gonna be replacing JuJu ... there losing a ton at the #2 spot unless Washington takes a major ass leap ... they can blow all the smoke they want about Donte .. he’s not the answer ...

There locker room will actually be a much better atmosphere with those two cancers out of it ... problem is there gonna suffer on the field ...

The Steelers are notorious for always finding receivers. I bet James Washington has a big year. I bet Moncrief is productive. I bet they have at least 2-3 other WRs who play well.

We'll see...

Good QBs make receivers better (and Ben is a very good QB, and notice I didn't say 'great', haha!) so I'm not ready to throw dirt on pittsburgh's 2019 air attack.

Yes we will ... thats the buety of it ...

That was kind of my point. Not having Bell this year is not a loss from last year. They did not have him last year either. So that is not a change for this season.

Would be nice to see them not do so well replacing someone.

You’ll get your wish this year ...

does anyone else find it odd that in the projections for 2019 for quarterbacks he projects Lamar , known as an inaccurate passer, to complete 63% of his passes and he projects baker, known as an accurate passer, to complete 63.8% of his passes. That does not seem to reflect each qb’s skill level.

Especially since Lamar was a 58% passer last year, and 63.8% is exactly what Baker was last year.

I sincerely do not see Lamar progressing to Baker's level of play from last year with Baker not having a comparable improvement.

I don't think completion percentage is the best way to evaluate accuracy. The author may have thought that Baker is a far more accurate passer, but would be taking more chances and throwing downfield a lot, while Baltimore might put in more passes that are safer and not as deep? I don't think much else was meant by it.

I think.with the way the Ravens run the football.you could see their passing game mirroring the Browns passing game last year.
getting Jackson out of pocket. high % throws to his TEs and WRs
and lets not forget Ingram can catch the ball too.
Jackson wont have to be Fouts or Bert Jones throwing vertical routes to move the chains

Bert Jones. A player who doesn't get mentioned enough.

very underated QB.
injuries derailed a porential HOF career

j/c:

I don't think our division will be bad this year. In fact, an argument can be made that it might be one of the toughest. As excited as I am about the season, I still can't help but think the win totals that many fans think we can reach will be limited because of our 6 games inside the division.

Bengals had a ton of injuries, namely with Dalton and Green on offense.

Steelers have Big Ben, JuJu and Connor and until Ben hangs it up, they're always in the mix.

I'm not as down as others on on Jackson but he has a ways to go.

j/c:

Not good for them. The left side of their line is going to get Dalton killed.

I'm on the east side, inside an office building, perhaps 15 or so miles from Berea, and I'm pretty sure I can hear Myles Garrett giggling.

Wow losing their top pick and now Boling Bengals are hurting up front ...

Yeah as Browns have the future looking very bright.

That is not an easy fix or two for them. Get vets, I'd guess. I hope we are slobbering over the pass rush we can throw at them. Giggling' Garett was a beautiful read. Enjoy what comes next, Boling. Now you can enjoy watching the Browns serve up a whupping on you guys from a safe distance.

we are likely to have one or more available for them to snap up.

Agree, we haven't played a game yet and the pressure to be better than good sure is different!!! 4-2 record HAS NEVER BEEN DONE- best is 3-3 under Romeo and Butch. WOW, hope we've got enough winners on team to lead the way to better than 8-8...damn I think we can/should be 9-7 at least, but NOW we are expected to do it.....WOW, Go Browns!!!

We were 7-8-1 last year, and that was with Freddie calling the plays for only half the year. We were 5-3 under Williams with Freddie running the offense.

We have also added OBJ, Richardson, Vernon. Hunt for 8 games. Another year experience for the rookies of last year (Baker, Ward, Calloway). The players who departed were not all that. Perriman might be the most production lost. [edit: Forgot Zeitler. Biggest loss from last year.]

8-8, a half game improvement, would disappoint me. I am thinking 10, 11 wins. The optimism makes me nervous, as it is a new emotion.

Agree with you totally.....just saying, it sure is DIFFERENT having these expectations. Our current leaders- Freddy and FO are correct, we've done nothing for LONG TIME. Hope injuries stay away to key people and we can finally have winning record at minimum. 9-7 is two game swing against strong competition.
On point- we have to beat Cincy twice and split with Rats and Steelers.....GO Browns!!!

Your analysis of Ravens is understandable, but talk from THEIR guys is they could be better- younger, faster, and in same system....their coach and continuity should help them AND Lamar has Heisman and has lot more "want to" than say- Johnny M....Lamar is DARN scary- unless they pay the price for running their meal ticket to much I'll never mark a W against them....they have OWNED us as much as the Steelers....hopefully no more...PS, they were so bad they won the division last year....GO Browns!!!!

I don’t understand ...

They lost 4 key defensive players and picked up one really good player and 2 Ok ones ... there D got HURT .... BIG TIME ...

Lamar can’t throw the ball ... in the last 6 quarters there O was COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ... COMPLETELY ... he has to prove he can throw the ball or there done ... and even if he can this year .. there gonna struggle ... there WR room has gotta be the youngest in the league and they have almost zero experience ... TE and WR are stacked with rookies and second year guys ...

There gonna struggle big time this year even if Lamar does improve enough to make D’s have to think about the pass ...

Plus .... Lamar did not learn how to read nfl defenses last year against the pass ... he hs to basically start from scratch in that regard ..

We lost last years final game when they were in a playoff game ... it was WIN or GO HOME for them ... we lost by 2 points with the following things going against us ...

- bake threw 3 picks including one for 6 ...
- we had a fumble return for a td called back ...
- we missed a FG ....
- bake threw a pass so far behind VG on the last drive not even he could catch that would have put us in FG range ...
- we shut their O down in rhe 2nd half .. shut their butts down ...

There was a few other things ... they slip my mind ...

That was with a rookie QB with a HC/OC that had been on the job for all of 8 weeks ...

Since then we’ve lost Peppers/Ogbah and Zietler ....

We’ve picked up Hunt and OBJ and some OL “depth” ... on D we’ve added Vernon,Sheldon and greedy and the other rookies and Morgan Burnett ...

Scales aren’t exactly equal on this one ... we improved by leaps and bounds and they’ve taken a step back ...

We should sweep them ... we have MORE TALENT and are a better football team as of now ... barring injuries i expect to sweep the rats ...

J/c

I’m not going to believe we’ll overtake the Steelers or the Ravens until we actually do it.

I have a sneaking suspicion that the Steelers will have a good year because they’re motivated and under the radar right now ... it’s been forever since we’ve garnered this much hype and I really don’t want it to work against us

So the fact they lost AB a top 3 WR in the league and we’ve added OBJ/Hunt/Vernon/Richardson really doesn’t matter much at all ... its overshadowed by the fact the stilers are flying under the radar and motivated ...

Got it ... ...

Well, that and the fact that they have a HOF QB and the best OL in the NFL lol