The AFC North was once one of the top divisions in football and known for smash mouth in your face defense. The Ravens and Steelers were the kings of the AFC North for the last….well forever. The Ravens were just coming off a Super Bowl victory and the Steelers are one of those teams that you will always just expect to be good. But with both teams taking a step back this year it opens the door for the Bengals and Browns to make a run at the playoffs in a weaker division than usual. So were they able to take advantage of the free agency period?
The Losers
Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Acquisitions
Mike Mitchell, Saftey
Cam Thomas, Defensive Tackle
Lance Moore, Reciever
LeGarrette Blount, Running Back
Key Losses
Ziggy Hood, Defensive End
Emmanuel Sanders, Reciever
LaMarr Woodley, Linebacker
Jerricho Cotchery, Reciever
The Steelers biggest issue is that they don’t have any offensive weapons. Last year the team struggled with no running game forcing Ben Roethlisberger to throw to a limited receiving core. The defense isn’t as good as it used to be but it’s still ok in my opinion they only needed to bring in one or two guys on defense.
And they did, the Mike Mitchell signing was great, Ryan Clark as good as he is is getting up there in age. After bringing in Mitchell you replaced an older vet with a young gun coming off a nice season, not to mention pairing him with one of the greats Troy Polamalu. Cam Thomas is also a good signing, worst case scenario he brings nice depth to the defensive line.
What I don’t like is the Steelers not only letting their second and third receivers walk but the fact that they haven’t really brought anyone to compensate for the loss in. With guys like Hakeem Nicks and Eric Decker available why wouldn’t you bring one of them in. Or even after they were off the board you let Steve Smith, Ted Ginn Jr, James Jones, and Golden Tate sign elsewhere. I don’t think you can rely on LeVeon Bell yet to carry the team, but with Lance Moore and Antonio Brown as the top two receivers it seems like thats the direction the team is going.
The Winners
Cleveland Browns
Key Acquisitions
Donte Whitner, Saftey
Karlos Dansby, Linebacker
Ben Tate, Running back
Key Losses
T.J. Ward, Saftey
Brandon Weeden, Quarterback
Shawn Lauvao, Guard
The poor Browns have been the laughing stock of the NFL for a long time now. The fall into the category of teams like the Raiders and Redskins, teams fallen from greatness that can’t seem to put the pieces back together. But the Browns are trying to change that and everyone can see that now. Last year the Browns went 4-12 but sent six players to this years Pro Bowl. Cornerback Joe Haden, Reciever Josh Gordon and Center Alex Mack established themselves as franchise cornerstones.
Unfortunately they also lost one of their cornerstones in free agency, safety T.J. Ward signed with Denver. They have also decided to part ways with Brandon Weeden after he struggled to grasp the NFL game again this past year. And even though he isn’t a big name like Weeden and Ward Shawn Lauvao was a key part to that Cleveland Browns offensive line.
On the positive side the Browns have made some good moves bringing in veteran safety Donte Whitner to replace Ward and Karlos Dansby to replace the loss of D'qwell Jackson. But what I really like is the team bringing in long time back up Ben Tate to be their starting running back. The team has beautifully placed them selves to pursue players the like and not need in this years upcoming draft. They can take a quarterback with their top pick or go with a playmaker like Sammy Watkins. Either way I like the Browns chances to become a contender in the AFC North this year.