AFC North predictions for next season

[Boulderraven]

Madmikey, You can cut players, but you then have to fill those spots. That isn't free. That costs money so you really have to chop alot more than 3o million to get new players in and sign your RFA's and UFA's and 4 million for draft picks. Plus Keisel, Pouncey and Mendenhall coming off surgeries. Lot of "ifs" players off surgery you know are unknowns. As far as division Ravens look the best, but really that's just on paper-means nothing. Alot can happen. Colon who hasn't played in 2 years? Then Gilbert had shoulder surgery( usually can't weight train for a long time after that. Lots of ifs. But who knows.

[wickedsolo]

Madmikey, You can cut players, but you then have to fill those spots. That isn't free. That costs money so you really have to chop alot more than 3o million to get new players in and sign your RFA's and UFA's and 4 million for draft picks. Plus Keisel, Pouncey and Mendenhall coming off surgeries. Lot of "ifs" players off surgery you know are unknowns. As far as division Ravens look the best, but really that's just on paper-means nothing. Alot can happen. One thing is Colon? He is guaranteed $, but hasnt really played in 2 years. Can you count on that, 2 years if injury and non playing? I think Gilbert who did decent is also having Surgery if I'm not mistaken for a shoulder? Can't lift usually for shoulder injuries for 4-6 months.

Depends on what kind of surgery.

Torn labarum or rotator cuff? Yea, no lifting for a while. Rehab will be a lot of resistance exercises.

A "cleanup" or even a AC Separation? He could be back in the gym in 2 months or less depending on the severity.

I do agree that the Steelers have a lot of tough decisions to make and their fans are going to have a lot of reactions like we all did when we saw Heap and Mason's name on the cut list.

[RavensRule2]

Ravens 15-1 with the one loss coming to the Bengals in Baltimore.

Beat the Steelers 44-14 in Baltimore and 31-3 in Heinz Field.

Steelers finish 10-6.

So a mediocre road team will beat the Bengals, Steelers, Chargers, Texans, and Eagles on the road, huh? This thread should have been titled "Realistic AFC North Predictions for next season".

[Americanmade2012]

I honestly think the steelers wont get more then 6 wins, Bengals will get ten again Ravens get 11 and Browns get 6

[JAB1985]

They're not really getting rid of any "names". Most of the guys listed were not starters last year. Hampton and Farrior started but became part-time players. McFadden lost his starting job and finished the year at the bottom of the CB list. Battle was a special teamer. Ward was 5th string. Kemo finished as a 3rd stringer but was pressed into duty due to injuries. Smith barely played before getting injured again.

The only two positions on D where they would have new starters are NT (where McLendon played decently) and ILB (likely Stevenson Sylvester.

The O would be the same except for the line which was a patchwork last year because of injuries. At the moment the line would likely be:

Gilbert-Foster-Pouncey-Legursky-Colon (who would cost more to cut than it would to have him play).

Despite all the talk of a revamp, we're only talking about 2 (and possibly 1 if Foote stays) starters changing. They save most of their money by cutting veteran backups and the rest by renegotiating 2-3 contracts. They will have to replace the cut players with rookies and cheaper vets, but it's easily doable. The team should still contend next year if it can stay healthy.

If they can't stay healthy they'll be in trouble, but you can say that about most teams.

That said, the Ravens should win the div. I still see the Steelers finished second and the Bengals 3rd.

Records are too tough to predict so I wouldn't even want to take a stab at that.

I was one of those who thought the Eagles would dominate last year and look how that worked out...

Hampton is definitely the best player listed there, as he had a pretty good season for 13 games. Foote and smith are also good players when healthy. I dont care what you want to call it, but cutting all of your veterans is a youth movement. we did it last year on offense and it struggled for it. The Steelers will have the same growing pains. it does not bode well for them and quite frankly their record was better than they played last year. I expect a drop off. Those "veteran depth" players are who won those 2 superbowls, dont forget that. these young players havent proven anything.

Im also not so sure these restructured contracts are guaranteed to happen. Woodley just signed last year, im not sure its that great of a benefit for him to restructure at this juncture.

[sailorsam]

agree wi OP. Bengals are really tough to figure. I've read a lot of buzz about how Coach Marvin has 'his' players now and has built the team by his standards. we'll see how Dalton goes; will he progress, hit sophomore jinx, or be hurt again?
can't imagine Pigsburgh wi more than 10 wins next year.
Brownies might catch fire wi RGIII but probly not.
have to think Ravens get another 12 wins and Division.

[DvlsAdvc8]

madmikey - who replaced Casey Hampton? I see him as one of the most critical cogs in that defense.

[AussieRavens]

I don't see why we can't go 12-4, We are very good at home and could easily go 8-0 again 6-2 at worst with the superbowl teams being the hardest. The toughest road games are @ Houston and @ Philadelphia.