AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers
Is Ben Roethlisberger over his horrible 2006?
Last season couldn’t have been much worse for Big Ben. On and off the field was a total disaster. It was as if he was paying some type of horrible personal tax for winning the Super Bowl the previous season. Now, it is Roethlisberger’s chance to wipe the slate clean and return to the form of his first two NFL seasons. He thinks he’ll have a better working relationship with new coach Mike Tomlin than he did with Bill Cowher. Not many have questioned Cowher and if Big Ben fails this year, there could be trouble. Overall, this is a talented guy who has shown he can be dominant. Just how good is Roethlisberger? Somewhere in between the 2004 and 2005 Big Ben and the 2006 Big Ben.

Is Mike Tomlin ready for the fish bowl?
Noll, Cowher … Tomlin. Those are big shoes to fill. Steelers coaches are like the Pope in Western Pennsylvania. They are rare and they are worshiped. That’s because they are successful. If Tomlin, all 35 years of him, stumbles out of the gate, he’ll feel it every minute of every day. The early word on him is that he is his own man who works hard and believes in himself and his program. He better or he has no chance of surviving in the Burgh.

Is Troy Polamalu worth the big contract?

Gregory Shamus / Getty Images file Troy Polamalu

Yes, The Taz is a bad man. Polamalu changing NFL philosophies that safeties are the guard of the defense. Safeties are now viewed as a key element. And this position is important, especially if you have a player like Polamalu. He and his game-changing ability is a big reason why the Steelers’ defense was good enough to win Super Bowl XL. No. 43 is around the ball on every play. This guy is Steelers football and deserves to be the highest paid player in team history.

Is Pittsburgh a Super Bowl contender?
Probably not this year. But it’s a playoff team and could be a royal pain for the AFC's upper echelon teams — New England, Indianapolis and San Diego. The is a talented team that can compete, but making a transition from the Cowher to the Tomlin era and Big Ben’s status are obstacles that are probably too large to overcome. But it could be a good year in the Steel City.

Cincinnati Bengals
Is Marvin Lewis on the hot seat?

Al Behrman / AP file Marvin Lewis

There is a chance that this could be Lewis’ last season in Cincinnati. It's a longshot, though. Lewis has a good team and he is in good standing with Bengals’ ownership. But if Cincinnati slips under .500 and there is another arrest or two, yes, Lewis will likely get his walking papers. He has done a nice job of making this team a contender. Now, he must win a couple playoff games.

Can this be the NFL's best offense?
Absolutely. If you’re looking for fantasy league pointers, here’s a tip: Look to the back and orange. The team is loaded everywhere offensively. Quarterback Carson Palmer can throw for 4,000 yards, receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are special and running back Rudi Johnson is undervalued. This is a team that scored at least 27 points last season seven times. Expect that number to grow this season.

Can Carson Palmer become an elite quarterback?
Palmer can be special. Now that he is completely healed from a torn ACL, expect a big-time season. He has all the skills, he’s smart, he studies defenses and yes, he has all kinds of offensive weapons. Coming off his injury, in his third season as a starter, Palmer had his best season as a pro throwing for 4,035 yards and 28 touchdowns. That’s dang near elite already.

How good can this team be?
The Bengals can be and should be the AFC North's best team because of their talent. Expect the Bengals to rise, the Ravens to fall and the Steelers not to rise enough to keep up with Cincinnati. If the Bengals defense can improve and the team can stay out of legal trouble, watch for this to be 11- or 12-win team.

Baltimore Ravens
Can Steve McNair shine again?

Nick Laham / Getty Images file Steve McNair

Probably not. McNair had a nice season last year but he faded toward the end. Expect that end-of-season trend to continue. Look, the guy is 34 and has had his share of injuries. But he keeps going. McNair's toughness is as good as it gets and he is still dangerous. But don’t expect him to carry the Ravens as he did early last season. Those game-changing days are likely over.

Is Brian Billick going to feel the heat?
The Ravens would have to fall way off their 13-3 record from last season. Still, he has more work to do to make the Ravens a true AFC contender. The biggest issue with Billick is that his offense isn't near what it should be considering Billick’s pedigree in Minnesota. His coaching status is safe, but doesn't deserve the offensive genius tag.

Will the defense be as good as it was last year?
Sure, it’s just as stout. Ironically, that's what Billick’s tenurehas been known — great defenses. The unit has great talent on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary. There are stars everywhere. The Baltimore defense allowed teams to score more than 20 points in the regular season just four times and none in the final seven games. Expect the same type of stinginess. If it weren’t for the “D’, Baltimore would be a below average team.

Will Willis McGahee be an impact rusher?
He’ll help. The Ravens needed to part ways with Jamal Lewis. The team knew Lewis, who signed with Cleveland, was nearing the end. Thus, getting a top-notch running back was a priority. Problem is, McGahee isn’t a star. His numbers fell last year, in just his third NFL season, with 990 yards and 3.8 yards a carry. That's not top-notch. McGahee isn't done, but he should be peaking, not dropping off. He will help, but won't make Baltimore a high-octane offense.

Cleveland Browns
Will Brady Quinn play this year?
Yes, but it may be later rather than sooner. After a training camp holdout, Quinn may need extra time to prepare, though his first preseason game showed he is clearly the future of this team, both on the field and in the community. This team is just in a holding period anyway. Expect him to replace Charlie Fyre as soon as Frye starts struggling. Quinn's first few seasons may be ugly, but at least he’ll get some experience.

Can Kellen Winslow stay healthy?

Andy Lyons / Getty Images Kellen Winslow

He hasn’t shown it, so we have to be skeptical about this immensely talented tight end. Training camp began well, with Winslow being able to participate. But he's been a medical disaster since he joined the league so we have to hold our breath until further notice.

How good will Joe Thomas be?
He could be the next great left tackle. Thomas is big, strong and excels in run and pass blocking. He will likely be an instant starter and will stay entrenched in the Dawg Pound as long as he wants. Quinn's chance of succeeding in his native Ohio is boosted by this former Wisconsin star who was the No. 3 overall pick.

Is this Romeo Crennel’s last season?
Only if the Browns continue to be a compete waste. A three- or four-win season would spell the end of Bill Belichick’s protégé. Crennel is a good guy and he obviously knows his football but it hasn't resulted in victories. He won six games in his first season in Cleveland and just four games last season. That has to change. We know there isn’t much talent in Cleveland and with the Quinn era beginning there needs to be patience. But this may be another man’s task in 2008 of Crennel’s program doesn’t make immediate strides.

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