Keys to Training Camp: AFC North

Posted 7/27 by Jason Wood - Exclusive to Footballguys.com

Baltimore Ravens

Link: http://www.baltimoreravens.com
Location: McDaniel College (Westminster, MD)
Dates: July 27 - August 23
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/13 - Washington (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/24 - New York Jets (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/29 - @Carolina (8:00 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @Atlanta (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

How will the Ravens divvy up the carries between RBs Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain? - Le'Ron McClain was a fantasy savior last year (902 yards, 10 TDs), but the Ravens appear committed to playing him at fullback this year. Many expect Ray Rice to be anointed the starter, but the Ravens' decision to retain Willis McGahee makes that a tenuous bet until we see indications of the depth chart in preseason practices and games.

Has WR Derrick Mason really retired? - Mason is the Ravens only proven commodity at WR, yet he announced plans to retire via a blog owned by his agent. However, nothing is official, and John Harbaugh is "optimistic" that Mason will suit up once camp gets underway. Look for the Ravens to make it worth his while ($$) because they seem ill equipped to take the field without his steady presence.

Is TE L.J. Smith going to push Todd Heap for playing time? - For all of Heap's troubles staying on the field, he's clearly had the better career; yet that doesn't mean the Ravens coaches won't give L.J. Smith a chance to earn significant playing time. Smith has started quite a few games in Philadelphia but has been known more for his potential rather than his achievements.

An epic kicker battle? - Longtime PK Matt Stover wasn't re-signed and the Ravens plan on letting Steve Hauschka and Graham Gano compete for the job. First-year PKs can have surprising value at the very end of your draft, so pay attention to the winner of this battle.

(IDP) Who is going to replace ILB Bart Scott? - The Ravens lost Scott to free agency, as he followed his coach to New York. Second-year Tavares Gooden is the favorite, but he won't be handed the job. Jameel McClain wants to line up inside with Ray Lewis just as much, and the team hasn't ruled out Antwan Barnes from the picture, either.

Acclimating the new starters into the O-line - Rookie RT Michael Oher is expected to start right away, while sterling veteran FA Matt Birk steps in for departed Jason Brown.

Cincinnati Bengals

Link: http://www.bengalscamp.com
Location: Georgetown College (Georgetown, KY)
Dates: July 30 - August 18
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/14 - @New Orleans (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/20 - @New England (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/27 - St. Louis (7:30 PM Eastern)
9/03 - Indianapolis (7:30 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Is QB Carson Palmer 100% healthy? - As Carson Palmer goes, so does the Bengals fantasy prospects. He's an elite passer when healthy, but last year his elbow cost him much of the season yet he elected not to have surgery to repair it. He's been throwing well in the offseason, but a lot of anxious eyes will be waiting to see him take a few hits and bounce back.

A happy Ochocinco = A studly Ochocinco? - Chad Ochocinco is talking trash again, giving quotes the media and promising to Twitter during games even at the risk of being fined. While some old school fans may see that as annoying, the fact is it's also a sign that the mercurial talent is back to his old self. Can he rebound after a down year (540 yards, four TDs) especially now that he's the clear cut No. 1 with Houshmandzadeh leaving for Seattle?

Chris Henry vs. Laveranues Coles - Coles is the starter and has the big contract, but Henry is the explosive talent in his prime. Henry has been the star of the offseason and would start for many NFL teams if his head was on straight. So will Henry take a back seat, or will the Bengals treat Coles and Henry as co-WR2s this year?

Can RB Cedric Benson really be the guy? - Cedric Benson handled the workload in the second half for the Bengals, but didn't set the world on fire, either (3.5 yards per rush, two TDs). However, he showed enough for the Bengals to re-sign him and make him the starter. Can Benson build on last season now that he'll have a training camp and get all the first-team reps? Should fantasy owners steer clear anyway?

Rebuilding the offensive line - The Bengals will have three new starters on the O-line, and Andrew Whitworth will move to left tackle. Any time a team has four new position players on the OL, it's a worry. Luckily one of the new starters is mammoth rookie Andre Smith who should be damaging on the right side, while Whitworth was a left tackle in college.

(IDP) Will LB Rey Maualuga see the field? - USC tackling machine Rey Maualuga should be a key cornerstone of the Bengals defense for years to come. However, there is some belief the team is loath to replace Dhani Jones at MLB this season and instead will let Maualuga compete against Rashad Jeanty on the strongside. Either way, it's hard to imagine Maualuga won't be starting in place of someone.

Cleveland Browns

Link: http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/trainingcamp/
Location: Cleveland Browns Training Facility (Berea, OH)
Dates: July 24 - August 24
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/15 - @Green Bay (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - Detroit (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/29 - Tennessee (7:30 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @Chicago (8:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson? - This will be one of the most watched camp battles in the league, although it's unclear whether either will be a viable fantasy commodity given the Browns lack of proven offensive firepower. In spite of the coaches comments to the contrary, Brady Quinn has to be considered the heavy favorite. He mastered Charlie Weis' offense at Notre Dame - the same offense new OC Brian Daboll is implementing in Cleveland.

Who else will catch passes besides WR Braylon Edwards? - It's hard to imagine the Browns considered trading Braylon Edwards because he's the only person on the roster who seems capable of catching more than 50 catches this season. Will grizzled veteran David Patten hold down a role until one of the rookies (Massaquoi and Robiskie) earn a role? Or can Brian Robiskie start right away with a strong camp? At tight end, can Robert Royal + Steve Heiden + Martin Rucker equal a fraction of what Kellen Winslow would've brought to the offense?

Who is RB Jamal Lewis' handcuff? - Jamal Lewis isn't a compelling workhorse for fantasy purposes, and if you're going to draft him you better follow it up with his handcuff late. The question is who fills that bill? Fourth-year Jerome Harrison is the consensus bet, but rookie James Davis has looked GREAT in minicamps. Don't be surprised to see one of these guys starting before all is said and done.

(IDP) Who replaces OLB Willie McGinest? - David Bowens is the odds on favorite, but Alex Hall would like to challenge that assertion. The Browns desperately need more production from the LB corps after the team generated a woeful 17 sacks a season ago.

(IDP) Can the Jets castoffs make a difference this year? - Eric Mangini has peppered his Browns unit with former Jets personnel. They're familiar with his defensive schemes, but none would be considered premier players outside of that. Yet, ILB Eric Barton, DE Kenyon Coleman and FS Abram Elam are all expected to start.

Will the Browns appease PR/KR Josh Cribbs? - Cribbs is signed through 2012, but he wants a new deal and has made no qualms about his disappointment at the lack of progress on that front. Will Cribbs hold out without a new deal, and if so, will the Browns move on without the talented return man?

Pittsburgh Steelers

Link: http://news.steelers.com
Location: St. Vincent College (Latrobe, PA)
Dates: July 31 - August 21
Open to the public? - YES (free of charge)

Preseason Game Schedule

8/13 - Arizona (8:00 PM Eastern)
8/22 - @Washington (7:30 PM Eastern)
8/29 - Buffalo (7:30 PM Eastern)
9/03 - @Carolina (8:00 PM Eastern)

What We're Watching

Will QB Ben Roethlisberger's legal troubles cause a distraction? - Coming off a Super Bowl, the Steelers have few on-field questions to answer in camp, but accusations of sexual assault have complicated matters for the team's franchise cornerstone. He has vigorously denied the allegations and hasn't been charged criminally, but he is being sued and will need to deal with those legal actions. The courts won't care about whether it will distract his focus on football matters.

Will the Steelers use a three-headed monster at RB? - Rashard Mendenhall essentially redshirted as a rookie but is now ready to live up to his first-round billing. Willie Parker is healthy and has no plans on giving up the starting role. Also, Mewelde Moore was absolutely dynamic when called upon last year. Will the Steelers find a way to get them all involved, or will someone have to take a backseat?

Sweed vs. McDonald for WR3 - Nate Washington is gone, and Limas Sweed should be the obvious choice to step into that role. Yet free agent veteran Shaun McDonald appears to have an even chance entering camp, because of his good hands and maturity.

(IDP) ILB Lawrence Timmons replaces Larry Foote - Timmons has been groomed for this, but anytime someone of Foote's caliber leaves, the IDPers have to take notice. Will Timmons be as productive? Could his athleticism mean more big plays to go along with solid tackle numbers?

QB2 Battle: Dennis Dixon versus Charlie Batch - Batch has done nothing to warrant losing his job as QB2 and can put up solid numbers if his number is called. But Dixon is a more dynamic athlete, is younger, and would add an extra dimension to the offense. Will the Steelers really let Dixon compete for the backup job in 2009?