Last year's record: 10-6 (1-1 in playoffs)
Head coach: Brian Billick (4th year with Ravens, 30-18 career record)
Offensive starters: QB - Chris Redman (6-3, 223, starting third year), RB- Jamal Lewis (5-11, 231, 3), FB- Alan Ricard (5-11, 237, 2), WR- Brandon Stokley (5-11, 197, 4), Travis Taylor (6-1, 200, 3) TE- Todd Heap (6-5, 252, 2), LT- Jonathan Ogden (6-8, 340, 7), LG- Edwin Mulitalo (6-3, 340, 4), C- Mike Flynn (6-3, 300, 5), RG- Bennie Anderson (6-5, 305, 2), RT- Jason Thomas (6-3, 300, 2).
Offensive strength: There aren't many, given the fact the Ravens saw their QB (Elvis Grbac) retire and their two starting receivers (Qadry Ismail, Shannon Sharpe) bolt.
Offensive weakness: Pick one. Redman hasn't started a game in the NFL and his backup is journeyman Jeff Blake. Lewis is coming off his second major knee surgery in the last four years.
Defensive starters: DE- Michael McCrary (6-4, 260, 10), Anthony Weaver (6-3, 300, R). NG- Kelly Gregg (6-0, 285, 4). OLB- Peter Boulware (6-4, 255, 6), Adalius Thomas (6-2, 270, 3). ILB- Ray Lewis (6-1, 245, 7), Ed Hartwell (6-1, 250, 2). CB- Gary Baxter (6-2, 204, 2), Chris McAlister (6-1, 206, 4). S- Ed Reed (5-11, 205, R), Anthony Mitchell (6-1, 211, 3)
Defensive strength: Lewis and Boulware are two of the league's best linebackers. The Ravens locked both up with long-term contracts in the offseason.
Defensive weakness: The secondary and line lost several starters. Reed will have to show the big-play capability he had in college while leading Miami to the national title.
Crystal ball: From Super Bowl champs to cellar dweller. Given the Ravens' staggering personnel losses, there's little else to be expected.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Last year's record: 6-10
Head coach: Dick LeBeau (3rd year with Bengals, 10-19 career record)
Offensive starters: QB - Jon Kitna (6-2, 217, 6), RB- Corey Dillon (6-1, 225, 6), FB- Lorenzo Neal (5-11, 240, 10), WR- Peter Warrick (5-11, 195, 3), Chad Johnson (6-2, 192, 2). TE - Matt Schobel (6-5, 263, R), LT- Richmond Webb (6-6, 325, 13), LG- Matt O'Dwyer (6-5, 313, 8), C- Rich Braham (6-4, 309, 9), RG- Mike Goff (6-5, 311, 5), RT- Willie Anderson (6-5, 340, 7)
Offensive strength: Dillon is a workhorse and one of the league's top running backs. However, given the lack of a marquee QB, Dillon will have a giant bull's eye on him.
Offensive weakness: Kitna vs. Gus Frerotte is arguably the worst QB "competition" in NFL history.
Defensive starters: DE- Vaughn Booker (6-5, 300, 9), Justin Smith (6-4, 270, 2). DT- Oliver Gibson (6-2, 315, 8), Tony Wiliams (6-1, 292, 6). OLB- Takeo Spikes (6-2, 245, 5), Steve Foley (6-3, 260, 5). MLB- Brian Simmons (6-3, 248, 5). CB- Jeff Burris (6-0, 190, 9), Artrell Hawkins (5-10, 190, 5). S- JoJuan Armour (5-11, 220, 4), Cory Hall (6-0, 213, 4).
Defensive strength: Linebackers, led by the underappreciated Spikes.
Defensive weakness: Instead of drafting a cornerback with its top pick, the Bengals opted to sign journeyman Burris. Typical Bengal thinking that will hurt the secondary in the long run.
Crystal ball: Only because of the gutting of the Ravens, the Bengals escape the cellar. But the streak of non-playoff appearances will reach 12.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Last year's record: 7-9
Head coach: Butch Davis (2nd year with Browns, 7-9 career record)
Offensive starters: QB - Tim Couch (6-4, 227, 4), RB- William Green (6-0, 221, R), FB- Aaron Shea (6-3, 244, 3), WR- Quincy Morgan (6-1, 209, 2), Kevin Johnson (5-11, 195, 4). TE- Ricky Dudley (6-6, 255, 7). LT- Ross Verba (6-4, 308, 6), LG- Shaun O'Hara (6-3, 287, 3), C- Dave Wohlabaugh (6-3, 292, 8). RG- Tre Johnson (6-2, 326, 9), RT- Ryan Tucker (6-5, 306, 5).
Offensive strength: Couch is an improving young QB and should grow more this season. The line, if it stays healthy, figures to be among the AFC's best.
Offensive weakness: The Browns had zero ground game last year. Green, a blue-chip back at Boston College, will have high expectations placed on him.
Defensive starters: DE- Kenard Lang (6-4, 281, 6), Courtney Brown (6-4, 266, 3). DT- Gerard Warren (6-4, 322, 2), Orpheus Roye (6-4, 313, 7). OLB- Darren Hambrick (6-2, 235, 5), Dwayne Rudd (6-2, 237, 6). MLB- Earl Holmes (6-2, 245, 7). CB- Corey Fuller (5-10, 205, 8), Daylon McCutcheon (5-10, 180, 4). S- Devin Bush (6-0, 210, 8), Robert Griffith (5-11, 198, 9).
Defensive strength: Signing Holmes away from Pittsburgh helped Cleveland and hurt its archrival. The linebackers are this unit's strength.
Defensive weakness: The cornerbacks are no blazers but they will get the job done.
Crystal ball: The Browns will contend for a playoff spot. Davis did a fine job turning around Chris Palmer's mess. This year will be the next step.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Last year's record: 13-3 (1-1 in playoffs)
Head coach: Bill Cowher (11th year with Steelers, 99-61 career record)
Offensive starters: QB - Kordell Stewart (6-1, 217, 8), RB- Jerome Bettis (5-11, 255, 10), FB- Dan Kreider (5-11, 242, 3), WR- Hines Ward (6-0, 200, 5), Plaxico Burress (6-5, 229, 3). TE- Mark Bruener (6-4, 261, 8), LT- Wayne Gandy (6-5, 310, 9), LG- Alan Faneca (6-5, 305, 5), C- Jeff Hartings (6-3, 295, 7), RG- Keydrick Vincent (6-5, 330, 2), RT- Marvel Smith (6-5, 308, 3).
Offensive strength: Ride The Bus. Bettis is perhaps the prototypical big running back. He was slowed by an injury late last year and that hurt him come postseason.
Offensive weakness: The Stewart watch is on. After a solid regular season, he melted down in the AFC championship game, throwing killer interceptions. The Steelers need to make sure he doesn't repeat history.
Defensive starters: DE- Aaron Smith (6-5, 300, 4), Kimo von Oelhoffen (6-4, 300, 9). NT- Casey Hampton (6-1, 321, 2), OLB- Jason Gildon (6-4, 250, 9), Joey Porter (6-3, 249, 4). ILB- James Farrior (6-2, 244, 6), Kendrell Bell (6-1, 254, 2). CB- Chad Scott (6-1, 201, 6), Dewayne Washington (6-0, 193, 9), S- Lee Flowers (6-0, 214, 8), Brent Alexander (5-11, 200, 9)
Defensive strength: The linebackers and secondary are top-notch. Farrior will step in for the departed Earl Holmes.
Defensive weakness: The line has relative no-names in von Oelhoffen and Smith, but keep an eye on Hampton. The Steelers are hoping he develops into a Joel Steed-type.
Crystal ball: It's hard to pick against the Steelers not to make another Super Bowl run. All the pieces are in place. The only concern is how Stewart responds to his postseason failure.
- Greg Rajan
