ESPN.com presents AFC North James Walker http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth 60 en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 18:46:17 webmaster@espn.go.com http://assets.espn.go.com/i/espn/teamlogos/lrg/trans/espn_dotcom_black.gif 110 110 How does each AFC North team look at running back, and what still needs to be done? Baltimore Ravens: Ray Rice is only 26, but he has taken a lot of hits. Although he put together a fantastic season, as usual, in 2012, he looked worn down late in the year and during the Ravens’ Super Bowl run. He has four straight regular seasons with more than 250 carries and has caught at least 61 passes in each of those seasons. Even though he is still extremely potent, Baltimore might be wise to deflect a few more early-down carries toward Bernard Pierce to extend Rice’s effectiveness.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70550/eight-in-the-box-rb-status-check Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:10 EDT 70550 Baltimore Ravens Recently retired Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher said former Raven Ray Lewis is the best middle linebacker of all time, reports John Breech of CBSSports.com. Could Joe Flacco have his best season yet in 2013? The Baltimore Sun has five reasons why it could happen. Flacco said the thing his young receiving corps still needs to develop is confidence. Flacco via Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun: "One of the biggest things about Anquan [Boldin] is that he knew he was the man.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70570/afc-north-links-urlacher-lauds-lewis Fri, 24 May 2013 09:50:27 EDT 70570 Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Arthur Brown is going to be out for at least a month while he recovers from sports hernia surgery. Mike Preston of The Baltimore Sun offers a few thoughts from Wednesday's OTA session that was open to the media. Cincinnati Bengals Defensive end Margus Hunt became the seventh of 10 Cincinnati draft picks to sign a contract. The battle to be Andy Dalton's backup is officially underway. Cleveland Browns Browns owner Jimmy Haslam apologized to his fellow team owners for the Pilot Flying J investigation.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70562/afc-north-links-baltimore-ravens-arthur-brown-sidelined Thu, 23 May 2013 08:41:04 EDT 70562 PITTSBURGH -- Heath Miller knows his football career isn't over, just paused. When the injured Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl tight end will be able to hit the "play" button again is anybody's guess. Miller included. While allowing there's "a chance" his surgically repaired right knee could be ready before the season opener against Tennessee on Sept. 8, Miller thinks it's too early to project just when he'll slip on his No. 83 jersey and return to his job as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's favorite target.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70556/te-miller-cautious-on-return-to-steelers Wed, 22 May 2013 21:08:40 EDT 70556 Baltimore Ravens Rookie outside linebacker John Simon signed a four-year deal with the team. Jacoby Jones finished third in his stint on "Dancing with the Stars." Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback Andy Dalton wasted little time in working on his deep throws during Tuesday's first OTA session. Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu is excited to be back on the field with his teammates. Cleveland Browns Signing rookie safety Jamoris Slaughter was one of several personnel moves the Browns made on Tuesday.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70546/afc-north-links-a-busy-day-for-cleveland-browns Wed, 22 May 2013 09:19:06 EDT 70546 Baltimore Ravens Deonte Thompson might have the early inside track to start at wide receiver opposite Torrey Smith. "[Thompson] could sneak in there, he looks different, is fast and catches everything," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said. How does Arthur Jones fit into what is now a crowded defensive line group? Cincinnati Bengals Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer looks at the Bengals' roster heading into the team's first OTA session of the offseason.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70534/afc-north-links-record-motivates-pittsburgh-steelers Tue, 21 May 2013 09:19:32 EDT 70534 Baltimore Ravens After an eventful offseason, the Ravens could be in store for more tough personnel decisions in 2014. Linebacker Michael McAdoo says he has something prove this season. Cincinnati Bengals Bengals coach Marvin Lewis put his charitable side to work Sunday during his annual golf outing. Cleveland Browns Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton has enjoyed installing the team's new 3-4 defense. “It may not be hard, but it’s fun," Horton said.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70529/afc-north-links-cincinnati-bengals-coach-marvin-lewis-tees-it-up Mon, 20 May 2013 08:44:24 EDT 70529 From now until the start of training camps in late July, I will take some time off. This week will be one where I'll be leaving the blog in the capable hands of our editors, who will keep you informed with all the latest news. When I return, I will address any news that breaks during my absence. Let's hope there are no more headlines involving Rolando McClain. See you next week.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70519/afc-north-programming-note-8 Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:17 EDT 70519 The Pittsburgh Steelers will have competition at running back and outside linebacker this year, although I believe rookies Le'Veon Bell and Jarvis Jones will win those jobs. The most wide-open battle in Pittsburgh is in the return game. The release of Chris Rainey in January forces the Steelers to find another kickoff returner, and the promotion of Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders to the No. 1 and No. 2 wide receiver spots, respectively, likely means Pittsburgh will go with a new punt returner.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70513/wide-open-race-for-steelers-returner-job Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:50 EDT 70513 Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden told The Plain Dealer that he wasn't given any advance warning that the team was going to sign Brian Hoyer, and that he hasn't been told of Hoyer's role. "It's part of this business, and if you start worrying about it, that's too much to worry about," Weeden said. "That's my mentality going forward." What you won't hear Weeden say -- but you know he has to be thinking -- is that he likes his chances of remaining the Browns' starting quarterback.]]> http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/70503/brandon-weeden-still-has-to-like-his-chances Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:19 EDT 70503