NFL training camps have been open for at least the past week. ITH takes a look at each team and what has occurred in camp to date for the AFC North teams:
Baltimore Ravens
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Preseason Schedule Date
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Opponent
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Monday, August 13
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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
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Sunday, August 19
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NEW YORK GIANTS
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Saturday, August 25
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@ Washington Redskins
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Friday, August 31
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@ Atlanta Falcons
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The offense appears to be way ahead of where it usually is after 1 week of camp. They displayed a confident demeanor in the scrimmage versus the Redskins defense, and more importantly are holding their own versus their defensive counterparts at Westminster. We haven’t seen a lot of that early in training camps past.
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Fans will be looking closely at the development of Adam Terry at right OT, as well as the growth of the running game with RB Willis McGahee. It’s way too early to assess productivity, but the running game will be scrutinized closely throughout the preseason.
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Two players who ITH, amongst others considers as standouts during week 1 that many may not have expected a lot from are OT Jared Gaither and LB Prescott Burgess. Is it possible that Gaither will get a shot at Terry’s spot if Terry underperforms?
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WR Demetrius Williams has demonstrated terrific growth this off-season and ITH thinks that a breakout season for the second year performer is in the offing.
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Thank goodness Mrs. Billick convinced her husband to shave his beard. Can you imagine having to look at that gray thing all year on your television set?
Cincinnati Bengals
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Preseason Schedule Date
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Opponent
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Thursday, August 9
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@ Detroit Lions
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Saturday, August 18
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
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Monday, August 27
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@ Atlanta Falcons
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Friday, August 31
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
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While David Pollack (injury) and Odell Thurman (suspension) will miss the 2007 season, the Bengals have major questions at the LB position. The team is looking to free agent acquisition Edgerton Hartwell to help fill the void. It will be interesting to see if the oft-injured Hartwell can provide veteran leadership to the young corps in Cincy now in his 3rd season out of Ray Lewis’s shadow. To date he has talked more than he has produced on the field.
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For a pass first team with a talented runner in Rudi Johnson, the team is looking to 2nd round draft choice Kenny Irons to provide a home run threat to the RB position. The rookie RB tallied 65 yards on 10 carries during a recent Bengals intra-squad scrimmage.
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The team is conducting a survey with its fans to come up with the top 40 memorable moments in Bengals history. ITH has 2 that will certainly not make the list:
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RB Corey Dillon refusing to re-enter the game when called upon by Coach Bruce Coslet versus the Ravens in their shutout loss in Baltimore a few years back.
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Rob Burnett ending the day for QB Akili Smith with a punishing sack in the 2000 campaign.
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Cleveland Browns
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Preseason Schedule Date
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Opponent
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Saturday, August 11
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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
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Saturday, August 18
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DETROIT LIONS
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Saturday, August 25
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@ Denver Broncos
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Thursday, August 30
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@ Chicago Bears
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The biggest news in Browns camp is the end to QB Brady Quinn’s holdout. Many observers believed that Quinn had a chance to win the #1 job if he had signed and shown up to camp on time. It is now very unlikely that Quinn will see the field during the early stages of the 2007 campaign.
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The second biggest piece of news coming out of Browns camp is the excitement over a “rejuvenated†Jamal Lewis at RB. "We are going to be a lot better than people think,” Lewis said after the Browns finished one of their afternoon practices. "People kill this offensive line, but you watch. We’ll be better than anyone thinks.” Sports Illustrated’s Peter King is drinking the Jamal Kool-aid with his opinion of “1,300 yards is the low end for Lewis in 2007â€. Peter, you might be right about that, but only if the Browns can figure out a way to get Jamal 500 carries.
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In his training camp write-up King goes on to state that “it’s hard to come to this training camp and watch this team practice, and see the fans hang on every long spiral, without thinking: Wouldn’t it be great if the Browns started winning again? I can’t think of a town that deserves it more.†Let’s see Peter. Try wearing your Patriots jersey to Cleveland the next time New England visits the Browns. You may end up with a different view of those “deserving†fans.
Pittsburgh Steelers
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Preseason Schedule Date
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Opponent
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Sunday, August 5
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Steelers 20, Saints 7, Canton, OH
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Saturday, August 11
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GREEN BAY PACKERS
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Saturday, August 18
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@ Washington Redskins
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Sunday, August 26
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PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
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Thursday, August 30
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@ Carolina Panthers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New Orleans Saints in this past Sunday’s Hall of Fame game by the final margin of 20-7. QB Ben Roethlisberger was sharp in his only series, completing two of his three throws for 73 yards to WR Cedrick Wilson. On a 55-yard play, Wilson got behind safety Kevin Kaesviharn, then he beat New Orleans’ top cornerback, Mike McKenzie, on an 18-yard crossing pattern. Pittsburgh’s first-stringers were, by far, more efficient than New Orleans’ starters, who missed blocks and dropped passes on offense and couldn’t handle Roethlisberger or Charlie Batch when they threw. In the first half, Pittsburgh outgained New Orleans 305-56, including 205-32 in the air. Overall, it was 413-214. The crowd of 22,302 was decidedly filled with Steelers fans, most of them waving Terrible Towels.
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Rookie LB LaMarr Woodley, the team’s 2nd round draft pick has been impressive in camp so far.
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The big competition in camp has been on the right side of the offensive line. Shoddy line play hurt the Steelers in 2006. Competition between incumbent RG Kendall Simmons, Chris Kemoeatu, and Willie Colon has been intense.
