SCOUTING REPORT | AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS
2002 record: 7-9.Coach: Brian Billick (42-28).Key additions: DT Terrell Suggs (D-1), QB Kyle Boller (D-1), RB Musa Smith (D-3), CB Corey Fuller (released-Browns), WR Frank Sanders (UFA-Cards).Key losses: QB Jeff Blake (UFA-Cardinals), WR Brandon Stokley (UFA-Colts), FB Sam Gash (UFA-Bills).Profile: An exceptional job of coaching by Billick, who now has a galaxy of emerging defensive stars. Quarterback remains a question mark with rookie Boller. WR Travis Taylor has failed to become the No. 1 receiver they've lacked and you can't expect Sanders to fill that role. Several defenders stepped up last year with MLB Ray Lewis hurt, and now Lewis is back. Offense has to be the No. 1 priority. They aren't that far from returning to the playoffs in this division.Key stat: Special teams blocked three punts last season.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at Pittsburgh1
Sept. 14 -- Cleveland1
Sept. 21 -- at San Diego4:15
Sept. 28 -- Kansas City1
Oct. 5 -- Bye
Oct. 12 -- at Arizona4:15
Oct. 19 -- at Cincinnati1
Oct. 26 -- Denver1
Nov. 2 -- Jacksonville1
Nov. 9 -- at St. Louis8:30
Nov. 16 -- at Miami1
Nov. 23 -- Seattle1
Nov. 30 -- San Francisco1
Dec. 7 -- Cincinnati1
Dec. 14 -- at Oakland4:05
Dec. 21 -- at Cleveland1
Dec. 28 -- Pittsburgh8:30
CINCINNATI BENGALS
2002 record: 2-14.
Coach: Marvin Lewis (0-0).
Key additions: QB Carson Palmer (D-1), OL Eric Steinbach (D-2), WR Kelley Washington (D-3), DT John Thornton (UFA-Titans), LB Kevin Hardy (UFA-Cowboys), CB Tory James (UFA-Raiders).Key losses: FB Lorenzo Neal (UFA-Chargers), LB Takeo Spikes (RFA-Bills), QB Gus Frerotte (UFA-Vikings).Profile: They've had their most aggressive free agency period, getting three quality defensive starters. And now they've drafted yet another quarterback in the first round. Palmer is ticketed to start, when he's ready. Meanwhile, they'll have competent Jon Kitna. They also need pass rush, getting only 24 sacks last season, led by DE Justin Smith with 6.5. RB Corey Dillon is good for another 1,000-yard season. Thornton will turn out to be one of the best free agency pickups of the season.Key stat: Only 18 field-goal attempts last year.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- Denver1
Sept. 14 -- at Oakland4:15
Sept. 21 -- Pittsburgh1
Sept. 28 -- at Cleveland1
Oct. 5 -- at Buffalo1
Oct. 12 -- Bye
Oct. 19 -- Baltimore1
Oct. 26 -- Seattle1
Nov. 2 -- at Arizona4:05
Nov. 9 -- Houston1
Nov. 16 -- Kansas City1
Nov. 23 -- at San Diego4:15
Nov. 30 -- at Pittsburgh1
Dec. 7 -- at Baltimore1
Dec. 14 -- San Francisco1
Dec. 21 -- at St. Louis1
Dec. 28 -- Cleveland1
CLEVELAND BROWNS
2002 record: 9-7.Coach: Butch Davis (16-17).Key additions: C Jeff Faine (D-1), LB Chaun Thompson (D-2), DB Chris Crocker (D-3), LB Barry Gardner (UFA-Eagles).Key losses: LB Jamir Miller (retired), LB Earl Holmes (released-Lions), LB Dwayne Rudd (released-Bucs), TE Mark Campbell (T-Bills), C Dave Wohlabaugh (released-Rams), CB Corey Fuller (released-Ravens).Profile: Fine coaching job by Davis for a team that never looked dominant all year. Rookie RB William Green finally caught fire late in the season for 887 yards, but they're unsettled at quarterback with Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb competing. Either one is good enough to take them to the playoffs. They're deep at wideout without an elite receiver, a spotty run-defense and a pass-defense which gave up 63.2 percent completions. All that will get better. Fingers are crossed that Thompson is the young quality linebacker they lacked in 2002.Key stat: Dennis Northcutt averaged 14.7 per punt return.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- Indianapolis1
Sept. 14 -- at Baltimore1
Sept. 21 -- at San Fransciso4:15
Sept. 28 -- Cincinnati1
Oct. 5 -- at Pittsburgh8:30
Oct. 12 -- Oakland1
Oct. 19 -- San Diego1
Oct. 26 -- at New England1
Nov. 2 -- Bye
Nov. 9 -- at Kansas City1
Nov. 16 -- Arizona1
Nov. 23 -- Pittsburgh1
Nov. 30 -- at Seattle4:15
Dec. 8 -- St. Louis9
Dec. 14 -- at Denver4:05
Dec. 21 -- Baltimore1
Dec. 28 -- at Cincinnati1
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2002 record: 10-5-1.Coach: Bill Cowher (116-74-1).
Key additions: S Troy Polamalu (D-1), DE Alonzo Jackson (D-2), TE Jay Riemersma (released-Bills).
Key losses: QB Kordell Stewart (released-Bears), K Todd Peterson (waived), TE Marco Battaglia (released-Dolphins), T Wayne Gandy (UFA-Saints), S Lee Flowers (released-Broncos).
Profile: The secondary was badly exposed in the playoffs, though the run-defense held up well. Offensively, they'll go with Tommy Maddox and try to re-establish a dominant running game. RB Jerome Bettis has whittled his weight down in an effort to produce at age 31, but that doesn't diminish the value of shifty Amos Zereoue, who will get his carries. The acquisition of Riemersma means they're finally going to become a full-service passing offense. The offensive line remains the foundation, as it must be to give the immobile Maddox the protection to throw. Hines Ward might be the league's best blocking wide receiver.
Key stat: Antwaan Randle El was hot early, cold late with only five catches in his last three games.
Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- Baltimore1
Sept. 14 -- at Kansas City1
Sept. 21 -- at Cincinnati1
Sept. 28 -- Tennessee1
Oct. 5 -- Cleveland8:30
Oct. 12 -- at Denver4:15
Oct. 19 -- Bye
Oct. 26 -- St. Louis1
Nov. 2 -- at Seattle4:05
Nov. 9 -- Arizona1
Nov. 17 -- at San Francisco9
Nov. 23 -- at Cleveland1
Nov. 30 -- Cincinnati1
Dec. 7 -- Oakland1
Dec. 14 -- at New York Jets1
Dec. 21 -- San Diego4:05
Dec. 28 -- at Baltimore8:30