AFC NORTH: Re-shaping rosters

For NFL front offices, combining the word “relax” with “offseason” amounts to nothing more than an oxymoron. Executives throughout the league are challenged to augment and improve their respective rosters through free agency, the NFL draft and by seeking underappreciated talents – diamonds in the rough if you will who aspire for employment yet overlooked on draft day.

Their goal is to find the right mix of complementary talent that produces a winner while maintaining a watchful eye on the organizational purse strings particularly in this sagging economy.

Today In the Hood focuses as always on the teams that comprise the AFC North as they head into mini-camp / organized team activities in the aftermath of the 2009 NFL draft and the scavenger hunt for undrafted free agents who might morph into the next Bart Scott or Will Demps.

There are those who wanted to see a wide receiver selected in the first 2 rounds, but ITH thinks that the team’s philosophy of sticking to its board and not reaching for receiver talent will continue to suit it well. Eventually every position becomes a need. The cover of the team’s off-season publication reviewing the 2008 season says “Working harder to get better”. Team management’s characterization of the 2009 draft is that it has added tougher and stronger players to the roster. In looking at the players selected, it appears that the mini-camps and training camp will provide excellent venues for very physical competition for just about every spot on the roster, which is something that the Ravens haven’t always had.

The addition of John Beck at quarterback gives the team an option at back-up, so the competition between Beck and Troy Smith should be interesting. No doubt that the change in coaching staff in 2008 has brought with it a refreshing approach to building the roster and making training camp more meaningful.
 

Cincinnati Bengals

The investment in Palmer’s health via the selection of Andre Smith should reap quick returns. Zimmer has to be thrilled with the additions of Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson. If he can motivate them and properly mix them with the returning veterans, the defense may no longer be a liability in Cincinnati.

Johnson, a 6’7” prodigy has already drawn compliments from Marvin Lewis, who perhaps plans to move the young man to different spots on the defense. Along with Smith, Luigs and Coffman should provide some stability in the Bengals O-line. In Coffman, Palmer has another weapon to exploit the middle of the field. The acquisition of Laveranues Coles could make the free agency loss of TJ Houshmandzadeh to the Seahawks a moot issue.   

Cleveland Browns

Kellen Winslow Jr. was traded to Tampa Bay and rumors continue to swirl about another potential trade of Braylon Edwards. Other question marks dot the Browns roster including the quarterback position. Is Derek Anderson going to get another shot at starting, or is Brady Quinn ready to take over the offense? How much does Jamal Lewis have left in the tank? The Browns are hoping that Alex Mack can help to stabilize the interior of the O-line and that either Brian Robiskie or Mohamed Massaquoi can improve the situation at wide-out.

Mangini will surely bring a back-to-basics approach to this team that always seems to find a way to self-destruct. Mangini said mistakes will be punished because he and his staff are always trying to get their players to form good habits. He said officials will work at almost every Browns practice and the penalties – including the guilty party, the type of infraction and the penalty yardages – will be tracked as the Browns try to avoid game-changing mistakes on Sundays.

The Browns focus on accountability and character certainly influenced their ’09 draft. Alex Mack won the 2008 Draddy Trophy — often called "The Academic Heisman" — as the top scholar-athlete in college football. Robiskie was a finalist for the award. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Two of the key departures were CB Bryant McFadden (Cardinals) and WR Nate Washington (Titans). The Steelers did use their 3rd round selection to fill the void left by Washington, but they are hopeful that 2nd year receiver Limas Sweed can pull the slack left by Washington’s departure. Michael Wallace is one of the fastest receivers from the draft. Corners were drafted in rounds 3 and 5.

The emergence of Lawrence Timmons at LB allowed the Steelers to release Larry Foote to save salary cap space. QB Ben Roethlisberger earned his second Super Bowl ring and has moved to the top of the list at his position particularly when considering clutch performance. He was hit a lot in 2008, so the team wisely drafted interior lineman Kraig Urbik in round 3 to keep No. 7 clean in the future. The team was surprised that top pick Ziggy Hood fell to them at pick 32. The 2009 draft was short on high quality defensive linemen, and clearly the team was thrilled to have the opportunity to select him.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin: “We set out talking about what we were looking for in this draft – high-quality people, humble guys and guys who can fit in. All of these guys fit that bill.”